Monday August 29, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Flagrant disregard for aircraft safety at Ogle Cooperatives need DEAR EDITOR; also been flying with 5 and 1/2 drums. A reliable source disclosed that an Ogle based company This is not speculation it is factual. This is confirmed by urgent resuscitation had an aircraft that rammed off the airstrip at Eterbang on August 24. The aircraft was loaded with 5 and 1/2 drums of fuel. The legal load the aircraft can carry is 4 drums. The formula is as follows: 1 drum (420lbs) x 4 = 1680lbs. The aircraft is certified to carry 1500 lbs. so even 4 drums is over the max take off weight. This aircraft had 5 and 1/2 which put it over by 800 lbs over the legal weight limit for takeoff. The aircraft had an even harder time getting airborne due to rain on the airstrip which made it even harder for it to become airborne. As a result the aircraft ran off the end of the runway, crashed and collapsed. The nose gear and wing damaged. This practice has been common place by this aircraft. The pilot of the aircraft (name supplied) was the same pilot who crashed an aircraft 3 years ago while texting and taking off has
sources on the ground at Eterbang. The owner of the company and the Guyana civil aviation authority knows about this and are covering it up. The director of aviation safety regulations has known about this practice along with the former director general and have not acted. A certain big official in the aviation regulation sector didn’t act because he/she had a spouse who was and still is a pilot for one of the operators at ogle and thus was protecting the pilots in the industry. This aircraft did not have any passengers or it could have been fatal. This is one of many cover-ups that have been going on in this industry along with mal-administration in the Guyana civil aviation authority. Raj Persaud Oxford Aviation Inc.
Lamentations on Guyana’s sad state of affairs DEAR EDITOR; We are still in our Jubilee year, so how belated could I be in adding my two-bits. I didn’t indulge in anything whatsoever for our 50th Jubilee celebrations except for what was televised, and as for the theme: “Celebrate Reflect Inspire”, I took a little time to reflect. First I need to mention that I was amazed, indeed pleasantly surprised at the plethora of songs that were composed, released and played for this occasion, they escaped no one, they brought such wonderful nationalistic feelings. I asked myself when did all this happened, all of these songs reflect a strong sense of patriotism, unity and love, a positive outlook that is so desirable for this nation or any nation for that matter. If only these songs can reach across and touch us heartfelt, then we certainly would be more compassionate, reaching out towards each other. This nation seems to be grooming in a way that is not so pleasant, even unwittingly some things ought not to be, for they send the wrong signals. Editor, “Jubilee Celebrations of African Fest?” by Henry Jeffrey S.N May 25th 2016 was a very frank column that made mention of things that aren’t comforting and which we seriously need to wrestle with to overcome; in part the lopsided participation of our two major races in the Jubilee events: “The apparent massive Afro Guyanese support for and participation in and the apparent Indo Guyanese absence from activities associated with the Golden Jubilee celebrations have led some to claim that the event will be no more of an African Fest, rather than a national celebration . . . . most Afro Guyanese know that comparatively not much
progress has been made over the last 50 years, but they are celebrating not so much the anniversary but their release from what they perceive to have been nearly a quarter century of PPP dictatorial rule. . . . .” Indeed an extremely sad reflection of the state of the nation. Editor, as I have observed before, a good way of gauging our unity and harmony is by noting our attendance at national events and other social community and regional activities, excluding cricket. So it was with Mashramani, so it was with President Granger’s state inauguration at the National Stadium, and the Social Cohesion folks need to be mindful that partisan politics will not in any way help them to achieve their goal. If there is one thing that the President got right was when he stated that the 5,000 victory votes which they got at the elections should be more an opportunity for national unity and not just rejoice and gloat over as party victory. And of course Mr. Moses Bhagwan was bull’s-eye in stating: “we are yet to see the flowering of unity.” Just how do we move beyond, forward, upward may we ever go? This for me is a tall order and demands a magnanimous and patriotic approach. We are not yet out of the ugly past of yesteryear and if we are not careful, we will sooner than later be back, neck deep into unpleasant times; there are symptoms, aplenty of us slipping into darkness. Who can look me in the eyes and honestly say all is well with my Guyana Eldorado? Too many of us are walking around blind with eyes wide open, refusing to call a spade a spade, it is so disturbing that responsible people at the helm, persons of repute, in command within
the scheme of things, who are conscious of what is happening, are the very ones in denial. But truth though a lonely man is stubborn. Uncontrovertibly twist and turn it to your heart’s delight the results always tell the story. And it really annoys me hearing folks endorsing corruption as a way of life “is all over de world, yuh can’t stop it” and in saying so they feel comforted. What floors me is the confidence in which they say it – so emphatic, so indifferent as if it’s some kind of virtue no nation can afford to live without. In the midst of trying to set this country on solid ground, there is a most major reason for immediate concern which is the daily frightening happenings and plight of our youths and which demands serious attention. We seemed to be manufacturing more than our fair share of warped minds, the direction in which they are heading has exemplified by the negative excesses is alarming tingles a sense of foreboding and severe stress. Seems to me that in a haste to empower our young folks we have probably unwittingly allowed them unlimited latitude which in a number of instances have proven counterproductive. Understand I am not “dissing” our youths; they are as, a vital part and parcel of us and as of need deserve inclusion. But like the great
China man once noted: before you put a gun in a man’s hand, you must first put something in his head, lest he points the gun in the wrong direction. Young folks must be involved yes, but it appears as if the concept of the young involvement has been somewhat misconstrued, thus erroneously applied. Elders being considered as obsoletes, treated shabbily, no respect, dismissed and discarded with contempt; their entire behaviour says it all – gone trigger loose – especially African youths. Whatever the reason(s), we cannot blind our eyes to the rapid spreading negatives by which they are consumed. In contemplating the future, one is left in total bewilderment, especially if one is blessed with a fertile imagination. This is why we have to keep without letting up, knocking at the continuing behaviour of top functionaries with dangerous egos; and which is being emulated by young ambitious ones who desire upward mobility in a haste and at any means necessary. As optimistic as we would want to be, the prevailing evidence are not so reassuring. Frank Fyffe
DEAR EDITOR; Cooperatives have been established as a means of economic development of people. Cooperatives also represent the third largest economic sector of a tri-sector economy, i.e. public, private, and coop sector. Unfortunately, in the recent past, the cooperatives sector has not been given the attention needed for it to become the economic powerhouse it can be. We must fix this. The focus brought to the cooperative model as a means for empowerment is informed by its application and success in the immediate post-slavery society where Africans had acquired lands, built a system of government to manage their affairs and other forms of achievements. The strong view is held that more cooperative societies should be encouraged. There are presently quite a few societies though some are not doing as well and need the technical expertise that comes from government to operate at full throttle. Measures must be put in place to help these institutions to function efficiently and effectively. Cooperative has proven an effective economic model to make the small man a real man. The majority of African Guyanese are low wage/salary earners and developmental opportunities can be better sourced and accessed through this medium. It is the cooperative model from which we have historically been able to achieve and a model we must utilise to the fullest. Linden/Region 10 can identify with utilising this model as an engine of growth during my chairmanship of the last Regional Democratic Council. Within the last three years this model was utilised to create business and employment opportunities for residents who could not have ordinarily done same through the commercial banking system. At the national level, in addition to feverishly pursuing empowerment through cooperatives, Afro-Guyanese must recommit to ensure that their interests are heard and secured. Black cultural groups must take a page from the Indian Arrival Committee which has already met President David Granger twice over the last 15 months and publicly made known their interests and expectations under his administration. Though times have changed, change does not mean we discard the values upon which the Black community has been built, secured and succeeded over the years. We need to move from the present stage where the majority is surviving to where legitimate opportunities are ensured for all to prosper. The statement that Africans are at the bottom of the social ladder must be myth not fact. The Black community has the capability to overcome, to succeed, and to take their equal and rightful place in society. This race carries within its bosom the dignity and power to overcome. Doing this requires reaching deep within and bringing to the fore what has been lying dormant for far too many years. Confidence! It is confidence that will make us straighten our backs, stare adversity and challenges in the face, speak out, stand up, move forward and achieve. The time is now for us to ensure the family, the community and the institutions of State work for us, not against us. Our history has shown we have done it, and if we did it before, we can do it again. Yes, we can reach for that greatness within us and overcome! Sharma Solomon
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Monday August 29, 2016
Pres. David Granger had to know Larry Singh was invited DEAR EDITOR; Just when you think an APNU+AFC self-inflicted scandal is over, another one piles on, threatening to outdo the previous one. Until now, I deliberately avoided commenting on the Bondgate fiasco as individuals who could be considered supporters of the ruling APNU+AFC were daily expressing their outrage in ways that, had the same comments been made by me, they would have been expected as coming from a PPP Parliamentarian, and would not have had the same impact. But the feeling of righteous indignation expressed by the likes of anticorruption advocate Anand Goolsarran; outspoken WPA Executive Member, Dr. David Hinds, Kaieteur News columnists Freddy Kissoon and Peeping Tom is evident that the honeymoon is over, and Guyanese are determined more than ever, to hold the
APNU+AFC government accountable. And so the question must be asked: Is the President listening to his supporters? Judging from his inaction on other embarrassing and controversial events that are rapidly becoming the hallmark of his leadership, it does not appear so. As Minister of Public Health, the Honorable Dr. George Norton is, in my opinion, the designated ‘fallguy‘ for the outrageous decision taken by the APNU+AFC Cabinet to rent an unfinished, uncertified pharmaceutical bond for $12.5 million (US$62,500) monthly from a known supporter/financier of the Party, Mr Larry Singh of Linden Holding Inc. Editor, most Americans do not earn that type of money for the entire year in the USA, and the security deposit of $25 million I’m convinced, was given to Singh to
facilitate the renovation of the building he had just bought for the exact amount of $25 million. And to prove just how insensitive the Administration is to public opinion and criticism, please read this. Brian Tiwarie, owner of BK International, the man who was just gifted a whopping US$5.7M by the Granger Administration based on a claim by the Hon. Attorney General, Basil Williams that BK had filed a US$10M lawsuit against the government which turned out to be false and misleading, and another controversial figure, Larry Singh, shared the spotlight at the opening of the 19th Biennial Delegates’ Congress of the PNCR at its Congress Place headquarters. The mere presence of these men there would have been a nightmare for any public relations officer involved in the Administration’s damage
Coalition Government turns its back on the poor DEAR EDITOR; It has always bothered me how governments tend to become most stingy when it comes to paying workers a living wage. Here in Guyana, from Burnham and Jagan to Jagdeo-Ramotar and now Granger, their governments have come up with all kinds of excuses why their workers should not be paid more. From the 1960s to the present, government workers always seem to have to beg government for better wages and consequently have had to take industrial action to force government’s hand. The final offer to Public Service workers is obscene, especially coming from a government that gave itself 50% increase just a year ago. To begin with, the wages of these workers are already extremely low, even by Caribbean standards; they do not earn a living wage by any stretch of the imagination. Here are workers who have to keep government going being treated as if they do not have a right to life. Public servants in Guyana
have never recovered from the IMF conditionalities started by the Hoyte government 30 years ago. Since then their wages have always lagged very far behind the cost of living in Guyana. The problem has now become a systemic one that needs aggressive governmental intervention. It is a matter of the human right to life as workers are expected to pay for the bare essentials of life with their wages. It is also a matter of social equality as most of these workers in the public service come from relatively poor backgrounds. When you keep their wages depressed, you are contributing to the reproduction of poverty. This government came to power with the slogan “A good life for all” but based on this recent wage offer, it seems as if the “all” does not include public service workers. What good life can anyone enjoy with the kind of wages public servants earn? Look at the cost of rent, food, transportation, clothing and other essentials and tell me if the current wages can
suffice? Who are public servants? As I already pointed out, they are mostly poor people. A large percentage of them are women who often have to take care of their children by themselves. Most of them are from one ethnic group. And very importantly, most of them voted for the government that is now depressing their wages. Everything about that scenario is wrong. Government has a moral and political duty to offer the workers much more than the current offer. The union hints that it would settle for 20%. That is not adequate, but it would represent a decent start. Yes, we are not a rich country, but the little revenue we have must be fairly and justly distributed. Look at the tens of millions we are forking out for bonds we do not need, stadiums we could do without and contracts to big shots who do shoddy work to name a few extravagances. We didn’t agonise to give our leaders 50% increases. This government has to put in effect the vision articulated in its manifesto. The offer to the public servants is most inconsistent with what is in that manifesto. The PPP is gone—while we must from time to time draw comparisons between them and the current government, the latter has to ultimately be evaluated against its own promises. As Dr. King would have said—”Be true to what you put on paper.” David Hinds
control. Who in the Administration can be so naive as to ignore the gravity of the BK and Bondgate scandals that shocked the entire nation by inviting these controversial businessmen to the highly publicised PNCR Congress? Perhaps the strategy was to get the PNC hardliners at that Congress to rally around Brian Tiwarie and Larry Singh and give critical support to the Granger Administration during this crisis. But what is evident by Singh’s presence there, is that President Granger, the Leader of the PNCR, does not hold Larry Singh responsible for putting his Administration in this scandalous predicament, for no one would have dared to invite Larry Singh to the PNC Congress without Granger’s approval. And if this is so, it is likely that the President’s close advisors may even have been aware of existing conditions of the proposed pharmaceutical bond before it was discussed at Cabinet level. Whether certain information were withheld from some members of Cabinet is no excuse, as the sheer size of money involved was big enough to raise eyebrows and initiate due diligence before any contract was signed. Now we know that the original contract was signed for an executive building and not a
pharmaceutical storage bond. Another piece of misinformation made to Parliamentarians in the National Assembly. I believe the Administration took a calculated risk that turned ugly. I have a theory that could have provoked the making of this deal: With a more vigilant press and opposition, it will be difficult for government to later siphon off funds from the treasury as was done under the PNC regime under Forbes Burnham. Could it be that a percentage of the $12.5 million monthly rental finds its way in the pockets of a few unscrupulous government officials, or more likely the APNU coffers to help finance its 2020 re-election campaign? Just a thought! Say what you want about the Kaieteur News, Stabroek News, and the Guyana Times, but the independent press must be commended for courageously and objectively reporting the many blunders of the David Granger Administration since they took office. I salute the investigative reporters who fearlessly dig deep to uncover these corrupted dealings by an Administration who was elected on the promise of being transparent and accountable to the people of Guyana, and to put an end to the “corrupted” policies and
practices they accused the PPP/C of. The Granger Administration has been plagued with making terrible choices, either through inexperience or downright disregard for accountability and the rule of law. Many have already been reported on, and there are more to come. I’m yet to see a newspaper article that exposes the exorbitant rates being paid by the APNU+AFC government from hard-earned tax payers money to house some of their Ministers. When one takes into account the massive salaries now enjoyed by Ministers: From $695,541 per month for Junior Ministers; $869,927 for Cabinet Ministers; $1,300,000 for each Vice President and $1,715,000 per month for the Hon. Prime Minister; added to the cost of chauffeurs, vehicles, bodyguards, security, maids, gardeners. Plus free electricity; telephone; water; gasoline; and entertainment allowance, and added to all of this, the million-dollar rental of homes for some APNU+AFC Government Ministers, makes the highly controversial former President’s pension looks like “small potatoes”. It would be interesting for the Guyanese people to see the homes that their tax dollars are paying for. Any photographers around? Harry Gill, MP- PPP
Here is Minister Ramjattan’s logic of defence DEAR EDITOR; Thanks to Livestream many of us in the diaspora get the opportunity to watch Parliamentary proceedings live. There were a significant number of us watching as Minister Norton attempted to answer questions from the Opposition in connection with the drug bond. Some of us were amazed that the Minister was fumbling for answers that should have been straight forward. It is generally expected that Ministers should be accompanied by their support staff when they are in the Committee of Supply so that they could have access to their expertise. Little did we know that Minister Norton was intentionally misleading the National Assembly, this was after he had already misled the Cabinet (KN 8/23/16;”T hat Shady Bond Deal…”) according to Minister Ramjattan; “When this matter came before us we were told that we have to pay $19M to New GPC for them to store
drugs for us. So we voted for the $12M rental of the Sussex Street bond because it is far less than what New GPC was asking for.” Minister Ramjattan went on to say “We were also under the impression that the Sussex Street facility was ready. But of course we found out this was not the case”. This is unacceptable behavior from Minister Norton. In response to pressure from the public, President Granger set up a three man sub-committee of the Minister’s colleagues to investigate the matter. But this was like trying the devil’s case in hell. No one expected any other outcome than that which was
concluded, except that from three experienced lawyers a less puerile set of excuses were expected. Intentionally misleading the National Assembly (in other words, lying) was unacceptable under the PPP/ C government and it must be unacceptable now. Minister Norton should not wait to be fired, he should have resigned immediately; it is the proper thing to do. Yes, to paraphrase Ramjattan’s logic of defense, if the fielder drops a catch the captain may not slap him behind the ear or drive a truck over him, but that may be his last match. If the President does not remove Minister Norton, the sound of his voice should not be allowed to be heard in the National Assembly again. Keith Branche
Monday August 29, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Ramkarran makes mockery of President of National Mine Workers’ excuses for drug bond fiasco Union promises effective representation In a piece loaded with sarcasm, former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran has made a mockery of excuses offered by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo as to why the sub-committee embraced the controversial drug bond contract. Nagamootoo had told Kaieteur News that the possibility of a fire and the issue of traffic congestion were two of the reasons considered for embracing the contract. Ramkarran has said that these reasons simply cannot stand. He even said the Government might make mistakes, as Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan admitted, “But it does not lack an innovative and fertile imagination.” The former Speaker stated, “These excuses to
Former House Speaker, Ralph Ramkarran deploying known fire prevention mechanisms, not having alternate structures, just in case.” Ramkarran said that having regard to the decision of the Cabinet sub-committee, and the ‘just in case’ principle
“The Cabinet sub-committee has justified this grossly uncompetitive contract on the ground that a fire can occur and traffic is heavy at certain times on the East Bank. Well, a fire can also occur at the bond owned by Linden Holdings. What happens then? The fire hazard is a potential danger that all owners of buildings have to guard against by deploying known fire prevention mechanisms, not having alternate structures, just in case.” - Ralph Ramkarran justify continuing with a horrendously bad deal makes it difficult to dispel the notion that the Government is playing fast and loose with taxpayers moneys and that the Cabinet sub-committee was not appointed to apply a whitewash.” Citing the fire excuse, Ramkarran said, “Well, a fire can also occur at the bond owned by Linden Holdings. What happens then? The fire hazard is a potential danger that all owners of buildings have to guard against by
of governance now adopted, word around town is that the Cabinet has decided to appoint a Cabinet subcommittee to establish a national fire plan, just in case, starting with the health sector. He posited that the subcommittee would have the same members—Minster Raphael Trotman, Minister Joseph Harmon and Prime Minister Nagamootoo—but consideration may be given to the inclusion of Minister of Public Health, George Norton.
Ramkarran said that this committee may initially look at measures to sole source buildings countrywide, have them equipped by the owners as hospitals, for which the Government will advance the funds, and have them on standby just in case there is a fire at one of the hospitals. “Since Government work cannot be interrupted, the Cabinet sub-committee will have to make preparations for Government business to continue if there is a fire at one or more Ministries. Take, for example, the NIS office or the post offices, where pensioners collect their pensions. Great suffering will ensue if these offices are affected by fire. Government can sole source alternate buildings, have them equipped by advances to the owners and pay rent and have them vacant in case there is a fire,” said Ramkarran. Ramkarran said that it will also be convenient if banks are able to move into buildings which they have on standby and equipped just in case there are fires. “The day after the fire they would receive the moneys from the Bank of Guyana and be back in business.” The former Speaker continued, “Our large manufacturing concerns such as Banks DIH and DDL would be advised by the Cabinet sub-committee to construct by sole sourcing alternate factories fully equipped in the event of fire. This will ensure that production is not interrupted and the imbibers of El Dorado and XM will not be deprived. I’m partial to Banks beer myself and would be horrified at having to endure an interruption in supply.” Ramkarran said that it is possible that the government has a secret plan, when the oil moneys start to flow, to appoint a Cabinet subcommittee to plan for the construction and equipping of an alternate city just in case there is a damaging fire as has occurred in the past.
Cops await gunpowder residue results... (From page 3) Georgetown where two alleged bandits were severely beaten and apprehended after they broke into a resident’s home and demanded cash and jewellery. According to Ramnarine, the police have not been able to get any link to members of that community. For both matters, the acting Top Cop said that the investigations are ongoing. And the recent shooting at Tucville, Georgetown where a licenced firearm holder shot and killed Colin Perreira a father of one and injured 22-year-old Gail Ann Chacon has also captured the acting Commissioner’s attention. The incident is one he deemed a “murder-
ous murder.” “This Tucville matter disturbed me greatly. I can’t understand how we make these levels of appreciation so shallow,” the acting Top Cop stressed. The police have charged a Perry Street, Tucville contractor with the murder. The charge was reportedly instituted late Friday. The accused is scheduled to appear in court today. Perreira, of Barr Street, Kitty, and Chacon, were shot last Tuesday night, shortly after reversing a car onto the contractor’s bridge. Perreira sustained gunshot injuries to the chest and abdomen and succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Chacon was reportedly shot in the back and hand and is currently hospitalized.
President of the National Mine Workers Union of Guyana, (NMWG) Sherwyn Delano Downer has vowed to go above and beyond to bring much deserving union representation and a voice to the voiceless mining workers. Downer made the promise during the celebration of Mining Week. “As president of the National Mine Workers Union, I declare the salvation of mining workers in all categories of mining. I urge the mining workers; in all categories of mining to stand with the National Mine Workers Union as all other grounds is sinking sand.” He added as the union’s president, he would bring attention through effective representation of mining workers to the unacceptable working conditions, flouting of the labour laws, inhumane treatment of mining workers, disrespect for workers’ rights, “as I declare this trade unionist is not for sale. I am not walking around with a “for sale” tag and my integrity is not up for grabs.” Apart from May 1, Labour Day celebration, he said that it is the objective of the NMWG to give due and well deserved recognition to the hard working mining workers, “as we join with the Government of Guyana, Ministry of Natural Resources, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and employers of mining workers to celebrate together and show our appreciation for mining workers throughout this mining week of activities.” He said that mining
- as Mining Week commences workers form part of the laboring masses of Guyana, whose work is known as a contributor in keeping the wheels of Guyana’s economy spinning, day and night. “The National Mine Workers Union is not here to wage war against any mining company, rather, as president of the National mine workers Union, I extend an olive branch to all mining companies but more so to the following companies of which the National Mine Workers Union is awaiting the Department of Labour of the Ministry of Social Protection for a response,” Downer said in his statement. According to Downer, with Guyana Goldfields/ Aurora Gold Mines being the largest mining company, presently, Troy Resources, the second largest, and ExxonMobil magnanimous oil find and many other mining companies, both local and international, mining workers are well deserving of the highest level of effective representation.
“This is exactly the intent of the National Mine Workers Union as mining workers in all categories of mining remain hungry for effective union representation.” He noted that, with mining being redefined in Guyana whereby it is one of the largest contributors to our country’s Gross Domestic Product, the formation of a national mining workers’ union of Guyana is pertinent. “After 14 months of consulting with mining workers in all categories of mining across the mining districts, in groups and individually, prior to August 25, 2015, the reviews and support for a mining workers union was and remains overwhelming and support continues to exceed our expectations.” “The reality of a mining workers union was established and registered on the 25th day of August 2015, under the Trade Union Act: 98:03 herein referred to as National Mine Workers’ Union of Guyana.”
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Kaieteur News
Guyana committed to helping CARICOM fight transnational crime By: Kiana Wilburg The need to protect the Caribbean Region and its people from transnational crime was one of the key issues raised by President David Granger last Friday. He made this, among other statements, at the 19th Biennial Delegates Congress of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). The Party Leader recalled that Guyana’s first Prime
Minister, Linden Forbes Burnham was among the four founding signatories to the Treaty establishing the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on July 4, 1973. Granger said that Guyana continues to be steadfast in its commitment to the Community and to support its policies and programmes agreed on at its meetings of Heads of Government. He noted however that the PNCR, at this time, is
- President Granger particularly concerned about the dangers that transnational security threats pose to the Caribbean states. The Party Leader reminded that the 22nd Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held in Nassau, Bahamas, from July 3-6, 2001 agreed to
establish a Special Regional Task Force to analyze the fundamental causes of crime and security threats in the Region and to develop recommendations for consideration by AttorneysGeneral and Ministers responsible for National Security. Granger said that the 18th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, held six years later in Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines from February 12-14, 2007, declared that “Security is the fourth pillar of the Community, given its ever increasing importance and cross-cutting fundamental nature.” The President said that the designation of security as a pillar of the Community signals the overarching importance of security to the future of the integration process and to the survival of the member states. Granger said that security remains a regional priority, fifteen years after the commissioning of that the Special Regional Task Force, which in their Report identified the causative factors responsible for the security threats facing the Caribbean. He said that those causative factors remain true today as they were then. He added that the threats identified in the Report remain undiminished. The Party Leader said that the 24th Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community held in Port- Au- Prince, Republic of Haiti from February 18-19, 2013, adopted a Regional Crime and Security Strategy. With this in mind, he said that the PNCR urges the government of Guyana to remain engaged with the Community and its security systems and agencies in order to craft a comprehensive strategy to protect the Region and its citizens from transnational crimes. SECURED BORDERS The matter of Guyana’s territory being claimed by Venezuela was also brought up at the forum on Friday. There, Granger explained that Guyana’s Constitution defines the territory of the state. He said that Guyanese, today, inherited that territory
from their progenitors. As such, the President said that Guyanese deserve to enjoy the God-given rights for which their ancestors struggled so that they can all have a good life. Granger reminded that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, perversely, continues to claim nearly 160,000 km² of Guyana’s territory. The historian said that this area represents nearly three-quarters of the nation’s land space, comprising five of Guyana’s ten regions – the Barima-Waini; PomeroonSupenaam; CuyuniMazaruni; Potaro-Siparuni and the Rupununi. He said, “The Venezuelan National Armed Forces, we must never forget, seized the 7-km² Ankoko Island in the Cuyuni River in October 1966, Guyana’s Independence year, and has remained in illegal occupation ever since.” “The island is used as a military garrison to harass Guyanese miners and to engage in occasional acts of provocation against Guyanese citizens.” The President stated that the Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela, notoriously, sent a Corvette into Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone on October 10, 2013 to expel an unarmed petroleum exploration vessel. “The PNCR has always advocated the peaceful settlement of international controversies. Guyana’s pursuit of peace had led to the signing, together with Britain and Venezuela, of the Geneva Agreement in February 1966, three months before gaining Independence.” Granger said that that Agreement required Guyana and Venezuela, in the event of disagreement over resolving the controversy between themselves, to refer the matter to the United Nations Secretary General. “It is he who was mandated to choose one of the means for the ‘pacific settlement of disputes’ stipulated in Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations.” The President said that Guyana’s assessment now is that, after 25 years, the ‘Good Offices Process’ has been exhausted. Granger said that it is only a fulfillment of the Geneva Agreement therefore to seek another peaceful option if one tried option failed to resolve the controversy. Granger said, “Guyana has always acted in accordance with the terms of the Geneva Agreement. It
President, David Granger continues to urge a peaceful and expeditious solution to the controversy arising from Venezuela’s contention that the 1899 Arbitral Award, under which Venezuela was granted over 13,000 km² of territory, was a nullity.” “It was in search of a peaceful solution that I led Guyana’s team to meet the UN Secretary General, first during the Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community in Bridgetown, Barbados in July and, second, during the UN General Assembly meeting in New York in September, 2015.” The President said that Guyana, in its engagements with the UN Secretary General, with the teams that he dispatched to Georgetown and, indeed, with many international leaders emphasized that the ‘Good Offices Process’ failed to resolve the controversy and that the time had come for another peaceful option to be pursued. “The PNCR supports Guyana’s preference for a juridical settlement through recourse to the International Court of Justice. Venezuela’s Decrees Nos. 1.787 and 1.859 published on May 26, 2015 and July 7, 2015, respectively, posed specific threats to Guyana’s maritime zone. We denounced those threats.” Granger said that the PNCR will continue to work within the Government to reinforce national security in order to protect the country’s patrimony in the face of threats. He said that the Party will also continue to support the Government’s efforts to work with the Secretary General of the United N ations to seek a swift juridical solution to the spurious claim of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to our territory. “Our government will continue to exercise vigilance over our territory and sea space.”
Monday August 29, 2016
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Kaieteur News
THE BEST PLACE TO LIVE IN GUYANA Linden is the best place to live in Guyana. It has been described as a ‘depressed community’ but the reality is that it is the most pampered place in all of Guyana. If you are thinking about returning to Guyana and looking for the most beneficial place to live, then Linden has to be the choice. The residents of Linden are the most subsidized in the whole of Guyana. Billions of dollars are spent each year to keep the electricity tariffs in Linden at less than one third what obtains in the rest of Guyana. On a per capita basis the subsidy enjoyed by electricity consumers in Linden is higher than that enjoyed by any other part of Guyana. No one pays anywhere near the atrociously low rates
that the residents of Linden pay each month for electricity. People in Linden can afford to keep their lights on all day, to live in airconditioned homes and to use electric stoves rather than gas stoves. The cost of electricity is extremely cheap, and the subsidy to keep it that cheap is borne by taxpayers. Every day, hundreds of persons line up outside of the passport office attempting to obtain passports. Persons travel from as far as Essequibo and Berbice. In response to the long lines, the government indicated that it would decentralize the passport application process. You would have thought that the far out regions would have been given the first consideration in the decentralization process. You would be wrong in thinking
that. The first place that will benefit from the decentralization of passport services is Linden which is only an hour and half travel from the passport office as compared with Essequibo and Berbice where the travel time can be twice as long. This past week it was reported that tolls are going to be introduced for the use of a number of roads in Linden. The tolls are very high for goods carrying vehicles. Every time a vehicle transports goods, it has to pay a toll to the authorities in Linden for use of certain roads. But you guessed right, there are special provisions made for those persons whose vehicles are registered to someone living in Linden. These vehicles only have to
pay an agreed rate twice per year. There is therefore one rule for vehicles owned by persons living outside of Linden and another rule for vehicles for persons who live in Linden. It is not clear whether those who came up with this arrangement have read the Constitution of Guyana. The constitution defines discrimination in terms of different treatment being meted out based on place of origin, political opinion, creed etc. The Constitution provides for equal treatment and benefit under the law. The effect of the recent toll charges instituted for Linden gives different treatment to Lindeners who own vehicles. The tolls are therefore subject to challenge of being discriminatory in their effect. It was also reported this
Woman, 64, bites armed cops trying to arrest wanted grandson A 64-year-old woman is now in custody after biting an armed policeman and a member of a community policing group who were trying to arrest her grandson. The ranks were bitten on their thumbs by the irate grandmother, whose husband, also aged 64, also assaulted the hapless lawmen; identified as Police Constable Moriah and Neighbourhood Policeman Stanley. The grandson, who is wanted for a series of
offences, also grabbed and discharged Constable Moriah’s firearm before fleeing. The bizarre showdown between the elderly couple, their 19-year-old grandson, Danesh Persaud, and the lawmen, occurred at around 10.00 hrs yesterday at Number One Settlement, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice. Prior to the bungled arrest, the two ranks were returning to the Blairmont Police Station with two men they had detained for
break and enter and larceny at Number Four Settlement, Blairmont West Bank Berbice. It was while they were taking the suspects back to the station in a car that they spotted Danesh Persaud standing outside in front of his grandparents’ yard. Constable Moriah, who was armed with a .38 revolver and six live rounds, and the community policemen, then tried to take Persaud into custody. But during a scuffle, the elderly couple managed to
pull away their grandson from the arresting officers. It was then that the grandmother bit the officers on their thumbs. When Constable Moriah attempted to re-arrest the Persaud, the teen held the policeman’s firearm, causing six rounds to be discharged. Fortunately, no one was shot. Both policemen were treated at the Fort Wellington Hospital and discharged. The grandparents were taken into custody and will be charged soon.
past week that the overtime pay for bauxite workers will be tax free. This apparently used to happen in the past and, based on representations made, the tax free overtime will be reinstated. The reason why the tax free overtime was discontinued was because it was in violation of Guyana’s income tax laws. The income tax laws do not allow for overtime to be tax free. Overtime pay is supposed to be added to normal pay and once the aggregated sum is above the income tax-free threshold, the relevant taxes
are supposed to be deduced. It is violation of the tax laws for anyone to grant workers tax-free over time. The tax laws will have to be amended for tax-free overtime for bauxite workers. If this done by the Minister of Finance it will mean, once again, that the workers on Linden, a bauxite producing town, will enjoy a benefit over and above what is enjoyed by other workers in Guyana.
Monday August 29, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Guyanese must exercise willingness to Lone gunman carts off $2M from Corentyne choose locally manufactured goods Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Agriculture, George Jervis believes that Guyanese need to make a conscious effort to support local manufacturers by purchasing their merchandise. Mr. Jervis was at the time
– Agriculture official of speaking at the press briefing of the launch of the Coconut Festival, which is scheduled to take place in October.
In response to questions about Guyana’s deteriorating manufacturing sector, the Agriculture Ministry PS noted that the issues
hindering the agroprocessing sector in Guyana are many. According to Jervis, the cost of production for farmers, availability of power, cost of power, dumping, technical support, access to suitable credit, scale are all part of the circular argument which contributes to the decline in production. Additionally, the PS said there are unscrupulous middle men of the production Continued on page 21
businessman
A Corentyne businessman was robbed of $2M yesterday morning just as he was about to make a deposit at a Republic Bank branch located in Rose Hall Town, Corentyne. According to reports, Ramlingan Mangali, co-owner of Permaul’s Snackette and a wholesaler, was about to make a deposit of $2M at the bank around 10:20 hrs when a gunman approached him and demanded that he hand over the bag containing the cash. Mangali gave the robber the bag and the perpetrator made good his escape. According to eyewitnesses, the robber running a distance away, was picked up by a motorcyclist. Commander of B Division, Ian Amsterdam said that no arrest has yet been made. Meanwhile, this is not the first time that the businessman has been robbed at that location. In 2014, Mangali was robbed of $10M as he was preparing to make his deposit. However, the bandits had discharged a number of rounds in the air during that robbery.
Passenger killed, several...
Samples of local products available in Guyana on display at a recent exhibition
Permanent Secretary, (PS) of the Ministry of Agriculture, George Jervis
(From page 2) who reportedly left the scene. Constable Horatio has alleged that he lost control of his bus after the motorcyclist, who was heading west down Regent Street, swerved into his path. According to some reports, the constable, and a parttime bus driver was racing another bus at around 20.00 hrs on Saturday, when he tried to avoid hitting a motorcyclist, who was heading in the opposite direction. He however was unable to avoid hitting the motor cyclist and ended up losing control of his vehicle. The bus reportedly toppled several times before smashing into a utility pole and finally coming to a stop at the wall of the Regent Street store, “Curtains and Draperies”.
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Monday August 29, 2016
Kaieteur News
How a mother turned personal tragedy into a road safety mission
As is often the case with misfortune, the tragedy that engulfed Denise Dias came at a time when everything seemed to be perfect in her personal life. She had three healthy children and a loving husband. She was a successful businesswoman. If there was any foreshadowing of things to come, it came in a strange dream that her eldest child, 17year-old Alicea had on the night of Sunday 18 August, 1996. Alicea had dreamed that her maternal grandmother who resided overseas, had passed away. At the ‘funeral’, her ‘dead’ grandmother had said: “You forgot to put the butterflies in my coffin.” So convinced was Alicea that something was indeed amiss with her grandmother that the teen had told her mother about her nightmare the following day. Mrs. Dias knew that nothing whatsoever was the matter with her mother. After all, she had spoken to her mom the day after Alicea’s dream and her mother was
fine. She pushed the nightmare to the back of her mind. But she would have cause to remember it a few days later. It was Friday, August 23, 1996, and Mrs. Dias was at the family’s Oleander Gardens home, awaiting Alicea’s return from work. The St. Joseph’s High School student had recently written her CXCs, and had a part-time job at an advertising agency. An excellent artist, she was seconded to Trinidad for a year to do advertising and computer graphics and to work as a junior graphic artist. Around 5:00 pm, Mrs. Dias heard someone knocking at her front door. She went to answer and the visitor told her that someone had struck Alicea down on the East Coast Demerara public road, a short distance from her home. “I ran up the road to the spot,” Mrs. Dias recalled. “I saw her lying there. Coming from England, (where Mrs. Dias grew up), they say don’t move an injured person, so I was pushing people away. Eventually a young man in his
Mrs. Dias (with picture of Alicea) with members of Mothers in Black and supporters early twenties said: ‘Miss, if you don’t move her now, she will be dead.’ “This Good Samaritan allowed me to go in his vehicle with Alicea and his girlfriend. Every bump on the roadway seemed like a mountain.” “We went to the
Woodlands Hospital because my cousin Dr Billy Fung-a Fat was there.” But they were too late. Alicea was dead by the time they arrived. She had passed away on her maternal grandmother’s birthday. “When my husband found me, I was bracing on the fence at Woodlands,” Mrs. Dias said. “I was cold and totally dumb and numb.” The driver who had killed Alicea fled the scene. Fortunately, some eyewitnesses had spotted his licence number. They gave this information to the police who arrested the suspect about three hours later. He was detained at the Sparendaam Police Station. According to Mrs. Dias, about eight years before, the same suspect had struck down and killed a 52-year-old man. That case was still pending when Alicea was killed. The accused appeared in court and was released on the then substantial sum of $700,000 bail. But Alicea’s family had received disturbing rumours that the suspect had a Bermudan passport. That rumour turned out to be all too true. Shortly after making bail, the accused left the country, reportedly via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. He never returned. And perhaps, in true Guyanese fashion, Mrs. Dias should have grieved for a few months, and moved on. But the businesswoman had spent the first 29 years of her life in England, where, according to her, “if someone did something wrong, something was done about it.” “I was angry. I was very angry that someone could just
Alicea Goveia
Denise Dias
kill another person—in his case two people—and go away. And through the anger and pain I asked myself: ‘What is going on in this country?” Determined that Alicea’s death would not be in vain, Mrs. Dias decided to take on the system of lax traffic laws. Back then, there was no safety belt law, no breathalyzer test for drunk drivers, no speed gun tests. Despite her heavy business schedule, Mrs. Dias, along with family members and close friends, formed the Alicea Foundation, to fight for road safety legislation. She discovered that Alicea had taken out an insurance policy and the money from the policy was invested in the Foundation. Mrs. Dias was soon joined by several others—mothers and fathers—who had lost loved ones in similar circumstances. Borrowing an idea from a movement in Peru, the group then formed the organisation “Mothers in Black.” By 1997, members of Mothers in Black and their supporters began holding vigils every Friday outside Parliament Buildings to bring attention to their cause, while
demanding drastic changes to the road safety laws. Eventually, the powers that be began to listen. After a lapse of several years, Traffic officials again began to demand that motorcyclists wear helmets. The safety belt law was enforced, along with breathalyzer test and speed guns. But Mrs. Dias says that there is still much to be done. For one, she wishes that there were public transportation, as an alternative to minibuses, which are blamed for many of the multiple fatalities. “There is no (public) transportation to ferry our children to and from school, (and) I understand that many of these buses are owned by policemen. “In Jamaica (about ten years ago) they pulled all the buses off the road. They had special exams for drivers and conductors. They put them in uniforms. It made a significant difference in Jamaica’s road fatality figures.” “The judicial system also doesn’t help. Our police prosecutors have to deal with murders and other crimes as well as traffic cases, so most (Continued on page 24)
Monday August 29, 2016
Kaieteur News
Drunk ‘friend’ kills Port Kaituma shopkeeper with arrow A 55-year-old businessman was killed early yesterday morning, after he was stabbed to the neck with an arrow by his drinking partner at his Four Miles, Port Kaituma grocery. Dead is Ramsammy Narine of Lot 27 Best Road, West Coast Demerara. He also operated a gas station. Kaieteur News understands that while the killer remains at large, an accomplice was found hiding in his back-yard with the bloodied arrow in his possession. The accomplice had reportedly doused Narine, a father of five, with gasoline, before the other man stabbed him. Narine’s killer has been identified as a 37year-old porknocker from Five Miles Port Kaituma. Reports reaching this newspaper
revealed that Narine, the porknocker and another man were imbibing alcohol at the b u s i n e s s m a n ’s p r e m i s e s a t a r o u n d 04:00hrs, when an argument ensued. A scuffle broke out between Narine and the porknocker. Narine’s 17-year-old son Andrew Narine, then closed the shop. The porknocker reportedly left, while Narine and the other man continued drinking. However, the porknocker later returned with a neighbour who drenched Narine with gasoline before the porknocker stabbed him with the arrow. They then made good their escape. Their victim succumbed shortly after. Narine reportedly moved to the area about six weeks ago, after purchasing the business from his brother.
Guyanese must exercise... From page 11 process. “These persons (traders, businesspeople) are usually the people who make or break farmers, depending on the prices they offer. They also often use the farmers’ money to develop their businesses and pay farmers too little and too late.” But Jervis nevertheless urged Guyanese to ‘buy local’ as far as is practicable. “The producers need the marketing orders to drive the production.” According to Jervis, many Guyanese are unaware that locally produced coconuts are shipped to Trinidad and Tobago, where the coconut is bottled and later imported to be sold on the local markets. “And many Guyanese would pick up the bottled coconut water in the supermarkets, not knowing that the coconuts are locally produced; it‘s just that Trinidad packaged
them.” This is just one scenario; the Agriculture PS said, in which locally produced goods are overlooked simply because of packaging. However, Jervis said that it is pertinent for Guyanese to recognise that their choices affect entire value chains, “from input suppliers to transportation people to insurance to banks to schools to hospitals and the list goes on; the more we buy local the more all of the sectors thrive.: He noted that while mending the loopholes of the local manufacturing sector will take time, it is the duty of Guyanese to support it. “In the meantime, we must make an effort to eat what we grow and grow what we eat,” Jervis added. He explained too that locally produced fruits and vegetables are grown with less chemical fertilizers than imported produce.
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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 passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: 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 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Jadesco Offers: Architectural designs, 3D modeling, building estimation/ quotation, rehabilitation works & general construction. Call: 612-0468, 629-3605, email: jadesco15@gmail.com Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
Monday August 29, 2016
Kaieteur News
SALON
FOR RENT
- Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Hair station rental at convenient location, Georgetown, Call: 638-1106, discounts given to newcomers, persons with experienced & clients
PROPERTY FOR SALE One (2) plus storey house, 3 self contained bedrooms, fully carpet. Price negotiable. Residential scheme, W.C.DCall: 275-0582, 650-6723 Tuschen, Light St, upfront, 1-2 storey concrete house $23M negotiable, Non-Pariel E.C.D - 1 two storey concrete house 56X36. Call: 642-1252 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities -price reduced– Call: 662-9335; 612-3244 Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 High value transported land and 2 bedrooms newly built house, Greater Diamond E.B.D -$16M negotiable. Call: 265-4338
LAND FOR SALE La Parfaite Harmonie-$2.3M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$2M (Corner Lot), Zeelugt -$2.3M, Herstelling 4th Bridge -$4M. Call: 642-1252
Upper Flat; three bedrooms at 143 Pike Street Kitty. Contact B.Badal: 234-0733 Apartments for rent at Nandy Park, 2 bedrooms -$70,000. Call: 227-5194
Tuschen Front (Phase 1) $3.5M, Tuschen (Phase 2) $2M with foundation, Uitvlugt Main Road -$2.3M. Call: 642-1252
3 Bedrooms house; top and bottom property at Canal No.2 Polder -$35,000 monthly. Call: 613-1860
85.6 Acres titled farm land with timber/water access, located @ Loo Creek E.B.D River. Call: 625-8589; (518) 859-5313 Land at Friendship, E.B.D $2.5M per lot. Call: 692-8513/ 617-0465
House located @ 696 Section C, Grove Housing Scheme. Please call 611-1963 for further inquiries 3 Bedrooms top flat for rent at Cross Street, Alexander Village . Call: 688-1647
1 Church building in front and 2 story building at the back 30X120, vacant possession, 180 Charolotte Street Bourda. Call:624-7341/ 227-6817/226-5183
Vreed-en-Hoop Junction: office, church, storage bond lessons, internet, stationery & photocopy shop, other place -$20,000 per month. Call: 603-6400
Property @ 172 Zohora Street and Market Street Better Hope E.C.D. Call: 220-1583/ 1718-847-4196 (NY). Serious buyers only.
2 Apartments @ 62 Victoria Avenue Eccles. Call: 6672536; 628-0016
One two stories concrete building- 45ftX30ft; land 5,606 sq ft, 2nd Bridge Grove New Scheme, E.B.D- Call: 6393450
TO LET 2BEDROOMSAPARTMENT IN ECCLES -$60,000, ROOMS INALBERTTOWN, SHORT & LONG TERM. CALL: 225-3234
One bottom flat at 353 Herstelling, Third Street, E.B.D Call: 265-3538
Three bedrooms concrete bottom flat in South Ruimveldt Gardens-$75,000. Call: 218-1949
Stand for rent in the New Amsterdam area. Interested persons contact 646-9087 Price affordable
Repairs to LED, Plasma, LCD and other electronic items. Abdul Electronics. Call: 2250391
Fully furnished; 2X3 bedrooms, luxury apartments to let (long & short term). Call: 655-3505
House for rent in Golden Grove, EBD. Call: 692-8513/ 617-0465
Guytec Repairs Services & Spares to washing machines, pressure washer, dryer, stoves, refrigerator, treadmill, vacuum, etc –Call: 680-2377/684-2119
2 Bedrooms apartment for rent (semi-furnished) @ Dennis Street, Sophia, (water & light inclusive). Call: 6626567; 691-4340
Newly built 2 bedroom apartments in Industry E.C.D. Call: 614-3278/ 6237500
A.Bhopaul &Sons Trucking Services: sand, stoves & cement transportation etc. Call: 228-5080; 603-1838
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
RAMDASS VISA APPLICATION & immigration services, room A-4, Maraj Building, Georgetown. Call Samantha: 227-0295; 615-9295
EDUCATIONAL
CAR RENTAL
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)
One bedroom apartment at MonRepos E.C.D, no children. Call: 662-9043
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: 6987807
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM WINGS CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SUMMER. CALL: 690-6494
IAE: Register for full time school (Grades 7-11) CSEC lessons; adults and school leavers CXC classes. Call Mr. Roberts: 683-5742 Register your child for our after school program for slow learners in Maths, Reading, Spelling Etc. Call: 675-4379 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578
WANTED
VACANCY
We are interested in buying lands in Farm New Scheme E.B.D, corner lots preferably. Call: 266-0693
Cashier for supermarket 624-0033; Driver for water truck - 680-3863; Pump attendant /Security in store; 680-3863; Porters- Call: 6803863
One Arc welder must know to do grill work with limited supervision. Call: 613-3879 1 Live in domestic -$60,000 – Call: 686-2201 Boys & girls to work in the Interior -$80,000. Call: 6592708; 674-1767 Accounts Clerk, send application to info@cevons. com Male Sales assistant/porter @ Sparkle, Meten-Meer Zorg. Apply: Key Food Trading, Mc Doom Villlage Place to rent or buy in Lethem. Call: 609-9223; 6269044 or email:w876@aol.com Experienced female bartender, live in/live out waitress, cooks & bouncers needed @ Eden Bar & Lounge, Garden of Eden-Call: 652-0074 One live in maid. Call: 6749114/ 672-3886 One office clerk. Call: 2332725/ 233-2439 Live in waitress 18-25yrs, salary $70,000, boarding & lodging free. Call: 610-5043 Mature experience couple to live in and work at Resort at Parika. Call 231-0363 between Monday-Friday 8:30-11:30 & 1:30-4:30pm
Assistant Accountant with own transportation & QuickBooks, PAYE, NIS & VAT knowledge -$150,000. Call: 673-5475/kevin@ expresstruckingcorp.com Male & Female workers, machine operators with TI certificate & experienced Accountant, bond clerk. Call: 330-2399; 623-5920 1 Mechanic/Welder for interior, must have knowledge of Doosan excavator & engine at least 5yrs experienced. Call: 6859028 (8-3pm) Cook/baker for the Interior location, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 We l d e r / F a b r i c a t o r f o r interior location. Applicants must be experienced with verifiable references. Call: 618-2020 Receptionist between 25-35 years apply within 233 South Road Lacytown. Call: 2250198 5 Waitress $16,000 weekly, 1 female bartender -$20,000 weekly to work at sports bar E.B.D –Call: 661-5099/ whatsapp: 661-8802 FULL TIME WAITER/ WAITRESS AT AAGMAN INDIAN RESTAURANT, SHERIFF STREET, EXPERIENCEDPREFERRED. CALL: 219-0158
1 live-in domestic to work in Kitty area & handyman for G/T & Interior location. Call 231-0363 between Mon-Fri 8:3011:30 & 1:30-4:30pm
1 Qualified pharmacist to work at True Value Pharmacy. Call: 618-4027 between 8am4pm, attractive salary offer.
Female shop worker for interior. Call 231-0363 between Mon-Fri 8:30-11:30 & 1:30-4:30pm
Male and female workers to work in Bakery on W.C.D preferably from WCD. Call: 254-1399/ 627-2515
Labourers for wood concession -$5,000 per dayCall: 618-0487
Hauler tractor driver. Apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek.
Office Clerk (senior/junior) with CXC English/ Mathematics, computer knowledge an asset. Call: 223-7500 Hire car drivers – Call: 2235615 Experienced dispatcher and taxi driver at Ramada Princess Hotel. Call: 616-5419; 265-7075; 265-7076 One electrician to work in Mahdia. Call: 644-6366 or 687-0067 1 Able Bodied Clerk. Call: 616-5954
1 General domestic must able to prepare vegetarian meal. Apply in person @ Alabama Trading, G/Town Ferry Stelling. Captains with valid certificate of competence as Master of a Power Driven Vessel. Call: 226-1100; 2265380 Continue page 23
Monday August 29, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Five fingered as PNP money scandal worsens
Portia Simpson Miller The Gleaner - Accusing fingers are being pointed at five senior members of the People’s National Party (PNP) who are believed to have collected campaign donations and not turned them over to the party in the lead-up to the last general election. But the party’s president, Portia Simpson Miller, is not among the five. A report from the then PNP treasurer Norman Horne, which was presented to the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in July, claimed that the action of some members with campaign donations was a major
problem for the PNP. “These persons were actively in the market for what seemed to be sole benefit of their personal campaigns and collected significant amounts from members of the private sector who were earmarked by the treasury as potential substantial donors for the benefit of the PNP as one cohesive unit,” said a section of the Horne report. Now PNP insiders are claiming that Horne should have named the five, as Comrades already know who they are. According to the party insiders, in one instance, a foreign entity contributed US$20 million to the PNP, but this was collected by a highranking party official and not turned over to the treasury. Another senior member reportedly collected several million dollars from members of the local business community. In another case, millions of dollars were collected by another senior PNP member, who it is alleged told the contributors not to give any money to Horne or the party’s
General Secretary Paul Burke. “One of the persons they pointing finger at is not true. That person handed over the most money as a minister. But there are others and the people told us,” said the PNP insider. “In one instance, a contributor put me on threeway (phone call) with a senior member and I heard everything myself,” said the insider. He pointed our news team to a donor who confirmed that his company made a contribution to a PNP candidate who made it clear that the money was for his campaign. “Don’t be fooled by some of the rhetoric you hear coming from some persons. One clear indicator of the guilty is when some of the most vociferous ones have gone completely silent. But we know them,” said the PNP insider. In his report, which has not yet been accepted by the NEC, Horne said: “On numerous occasions, information received by the treasury from the potential donors was that
contributions had already been made to senior party members for the benefit of the party. “However, only a few members reported or accounted in full, or even in part, for the receipt of these donations to the treasury or the party executive. This heavily affected the party’s income and short-changed the party, resulting in a negative effect on the national campaign. “Financially speaking, there was not one central bank but several banks, some of which had more resources then the treasury.” The report further stated that the necessary funding could have been strategically diverted to marginal constituencies, which seemed to have required just a little more financial support to get them over the hump. According to Horne, due to the fragmentation of the leadership machinery and consequently the national campaign itself, there were multiple non-cohesive and disjointed campaigns being run by distinct groupings and
CL Financial audit stalled Trinidad Express - A parallel forensic audit into the collapse of the CL Financial conglomerate has stalled because of the government’s failure to meet contractual payments. The audit was being conducted alongside the Commission of Enquiry by Sir Anthony Colman. The enquiry, which cost over $80 million and was conducted over a period of five years before being presented to President Anthony Carmona in June, was delivered to the Prime Minister and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) right after. The Sunday Express understands that the forensic audit, which was being conducted by an
international accounting firm, has ground to a halt because no payment has been made to the company for over a year. The Sunday Express understands that the former People’s Partnership government missed three months of payments and since the general elections in September 2015 not a single payment has been made. Investigators retained the international accounting company to comb through reams of data and thousands of documents, emails and letters but since the change in government in September, no payment has been made to the company, triggering a suspension of the forensic audit, the Sunday Express was told.
The forensic audit is said to be important in pursuing any possible prosecutions. Without those financial audits, there is no reason to keep the details of the Colman report out of the public domain as no criminal or police action can be taken without the support of that forensic audit, sources said. Currently, only the President, the Prime Minister and the DPP have had sight of this document, and even attempts by the Opposition to see the final report have been denied. In July, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley signalled his intention to seek the advice of DPP Roger Gaspard on whether to make the findings of the Colman report public.
GRENADA OPPOSITION PARTY MEETS WITH PNP MEMBERS ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - CMC – With less than two years before the constitutional date for a general election, the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is seeking regional assistance to help rebuild the party. Three persons associated with the public relations and mobilising team of the opposition People’s National Party (PNP) in Jamaica are presently in the island having meetings with representatives of the NDC. The consultants from Jamaica are Alston Stewart, Donovan Nelson and Attorney at Law Michael Vaccianna. The three arrived here last Thursday and have so far met with Political Leader Nazim Burke and other executive members of the NDC. However, in an interview yesterday, Stewart
who served as PNP’s Campaign Administrator in 2011 was tightlipped about his visit but confirmed that he met with Burke on Friday. “I am here not at the invitation of the party but am here in Grenada and have met with officials or persons associated with party,” he replied when asked if he was in Grenada at the invitation of the NDC. A party official – who did not wish to be named, described Friday’s meeting as productive, stating that in the 2013 general election, their Jamaican counterparts were less involved. The official said the party will be monitoring the outcome of the Constitution Reform Referendum Vote scheduled for October 27, as it is believed that it will have an impact on the party in the lead up to the 2018 general election.
individual members of the party. “Had there been a cohesively executed campaign, with the treasury being the central bank and the recipient of the bulk of the resources, then it is highly likely that we would have won the election and been in government today.” This opinion was shared by the Julian Robinson-led committee which conducted a review of the factors behind the party’s surprise defeat.
From page 22
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Dr Keith Rowley In a later announcement, Minister in the Office of the Attorney General Stuart Young said Gaspard had advised against publicising the findings as this may impact on ongoing investigations and could influence the public perception. But the cessation of payments to the forensic auditors has added another burden on the investigators and by extension the office of the DPP in getting anyone to trial, sources said. Rowley has said that none of his Cabinet members have been named in the report but has not expanded on that. Speaking in Parliament recently, Rowley told the country that “nothing will impede the flow of justice”. Sources said however, that the non-payment of the auditors was currently doing just that. Several attempts to reach former finance minister Larry Howai for comment Saturday were unsuccessful.
PNP treasurer Norman Horne
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Monday August 29, 2016
Kaieteur News
Turkish army thrusts deeper into Syria, monitor says 35 villagers killed
People wave national flags as they wait for Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan arrival to the United Solidarity and Brotherhood rally in Gaziantep, Turkey, yesterday. REUTERS/Umit Bektas Reuters - Turkey’s army and its allies thrust deeper into Syria yesterday, seizing territory controlled by Kurdish-aligned forces on the fifth day of a cross-border campaign that a monitoring group said had killed at least 35 villagers. Turkish warplanes roared into northern Syria at daybreak and artillery pounded what security sources said were sites held by the Kurdish YPG militia, after the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported fierce overnight fighting around two villages. Turkey said 25 Kurdish militants were killed in its air strikes and denied there were civilian casualties. There was no immediate comment from the YPG, but forces aligned with the group have said it had withdrawn from the area prior to the assault. Turkey, which is also battling Kurdish insurgents at home, sent tanks and
troops into Syria on Wednesday to support its Syrian rebel allies. The Turkish-backed forces first seized the Syrian border town of Jarablus from Islamic State militants before pushing south into areas held by Kurdish-aligned militias. They have also moved west towards Islamic State areas. Turkish officials say their goal in Syria is as much about ensuring Kurdish forces do not expand the territory they already control along Turkey’s border as it is about driving Islamic State from its strongholds. However, the Turkish offensive has so far focused on forces allied to the Kurdish-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a coalition that includes the YPG, an Observatory source said. The SDF has support from the United States — which sees the group as an effective Syrian ally against Islamic
State, putting Turkey at odds with a fellow NATO member and further complicating Syria’s five-year-old civil war. The conflict began as an uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and has since drawn in regional states and world powers. The Observatory, a Britain-based monitoring group with a network of sources in Syria, said Turkishallied forces had seized at least two villages south of Jarablus, Jub al-Kousa and alAmarna, that were held by militias loyal to the SDF. The fighting killed 20 civilians in Jub al-Kousa and 15 in al-Amarna, while scores more were wounded, the group said. Turkish-backed rebels said they had seized a string of villages south of Jarablus controlled by SDF-aligned forces and had moved west to take several villages held by Islamic State.
South African finance minister to be charged with graft - newspaper Reuters - South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan could be charged with graft as soon as this week, the City Press newspaper reported yesterday, citing senior sources in the police, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the tax service. The AFP news agency quoted an NPA spokesperson as saying “there is no decision whatsoever to prosecute anyone”, but that police had given prosecutors a docket on Friday. Neither Gordhan nor the prosecuting service could be reached by Reuters. Last week, police summoned Gordhan in connection with an investigation into a “rogue spy unit” set up in the revenue service when he headed the organisation, rattling South African markets and sending the rand down 5 percent. The investigation first came to light in February and political pundits have said Gordhan is being undermined by a faction in the government and ruling African National Congress (ANC) allied to President Jacob
Zuma. According to yesterday’s report in City Press, 30 witnesses have been called to testify against Gordhan and three former officials from the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The newspaper said Gordhan would be charged with corruption for allegedly granting early retirement to Ivan Pillay, a former commissioner of the South African Revenue Service who is also under investigation. It said charges could be brought as soon as this week. Zuma said on Thursday he backed Gordhan but was powerless to stop a police investigation into him, signalling a prolonged tussle that could add to market volatility. South Africa’s credit rating is set to be cut to junk status this year, according to a Reuters poll this week, with economists surveyed citing the heightened political risk around the Gordhan saga.
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Monday August 29, 2016
Monday August 29, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Police forms another youth and sports club in Berbice Angoy’s Avenue the beneficiary this time
The youths of the newly formed club in the Angoy’s Avenue area along with officers of the NA Police Station at the formation of the club. The B division of the Guyana Police Force and more so the Central Police station continues with its community outreach initiative with the formation of another youth and sports group in the area as it leads the way in the Guyana Police Force, community and Police outreach programme and enhancement drive. According to officer in charge of police No One Sub division in Berbice (New Amsterdam, Canje, East Bank and East Coast) Deputy Superintendent
Guy Nurse, Youth Clubs were established at Angoy’s Avenue (cow Dam) in the New Amsterdam area. The police in their ongoing effort to serve the community better have already undertaken some new initiatives and projects which have been enhancing the police community relationship. According to Nurse there are a number of reasons why the youth clubs were formed and among them are to take youths off the street and instill discipline in them. He
GPHC claim Raphael Trotman Dominoes Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation won the final of the Raphael Trotman Dominoes competition which was contested recently at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. GPHC chalked up 72 to beat Guyoil on 67 and GNBS 66. Lester Williams made the maximum 18 games for the winners, while E. Gittens got 18 for Guyoil. The winning and runner up teams collected trophies and medals.
stated that society nowadays is plagued with a lot of Social and other ills and the police force is bent on playing its part. The initiative he hoped will help to reduce crime in the areas, stating that it all comes with the paradigm that the police force must do things different. Nurse along with Station Sergeant of the Central Police Station Marlon O’Donoghue along with Community Relations Officer of the Central Police Station Female Constable Stacey Brutus
along with other ranks visited the area where they interacted with those in attendance. The meeting was held at the Mount Sinai Nursery School in the area and caters for youths mostly from the Timmers Dam area. The Angoy’s Avenue group is one of the largest to be established so far with over 35 members for the start. It is envisage that more youth groups will be established in the sprawling Angoy’s Avenue area. Female Police Constable
Stacey Brutus, who is the Community Relations Officer of the Central Police Station, is the persons in charge of the functioning of the group. According to Brutus the aims and objectives of the group is to create a safe, clean and secure environment that is functional at all times. To provide resources including educational and recreational to those in need. Develop capacity building programmes for youths and adults and to make activities available for the teens that
would help to build their selfesteem. The Community outreach activities in Berbice are being spearheaded by Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam and Second in Charge Superintendent Edmond Cooper. During the year a number of youth clubs have been formed or resuscitated in Berbice, while a number of joint Community Projects have also been under taken. (Samuel Whyte)
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Monday August 29, 2016
Kaieteur News
GSSF/COMPUSERV STEEL CHALLENGE 3-STAGE COMP.
Ryan McKinnon and Andy Phang take Limited and Production top spots
Limited and Production winners stooping right (Ryan McKinnon) and left Andrew Phang, pose with the other shooters who placed in the top five. Romesh Latchana is 2nd right. When the Guyana Sports Shooting Federation / COMPUSERV of Plantain Walk, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Demerara sponsored Steel Challenge 3-stage competition came to an end on Sunday afternoon last at the Timehri Rifle Range, Yarrowkabra, Linden Soesdyke Highway, emerging as the top shots in the Limited and Production categories were Ryan McKinnon and Andrew Phang. McKinnon who has
dominated Steel Challenge competitions from its inception seems like he would be enjoying such status for a long time with another commanding shoot. He set himself apart in the Smoke and Hold, Showdown and Roundabout Stages which saw each competitor shooting five strings at each stage with the best four scores at each being calculated to determine the best shooters.
McKinnon’s overall total was 57.08 which saw him taking home the winner’s trophy ahead of Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon 67.68, Pravesh Harry 74.57, Romesh Latchana 79.08 and Shawn Smith 83.09. The 4th and 5th place attracted medals while the top three were rewarded with trophies. Phang’s winning score was 88.27 with second placed Michael Blake tallying 90.37 followed by Rajiv Latchana 102.20, Odel
August 129.08 and Garfield Newton 134.94 to close out the top five. Managing Director of COMPUSERV Romesh Latchana, who was also a competitor, thanked his Full results Limited Category Name Ryan McKinnon Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon Pravesh Harry Romesh Latchana Shawn Smith
colleagues and the GSSF for affording them the opportunity of being a sponsor on the day. He also complimented all the participants for showing up and braving the very humid
Points 57.08 67.68 74.57 79.08 83.09
conditions. Federation President Persaud-McKinnon expressed gratitude to the sponsor and the competitors for making the day an enjoyable one.
Production Category Name Andrew Phang Michael Blake Rajiv Latchana Odel August Garfield Newton
Points 88.27 90.37 102.20 129.08 134.94
DeMarcus Corley ‘Chops’ Dexter ‘The Cobra’ Gonsalves.... From page 32 Corley responded well in the 4th round with a left hook that shook Gonsalves and caused him to backpedal. Corley pursued him and before the bell had sounded, managed to stitch in several crunching blows and it appeared as though Gonsalves was beginning to lose control of the proceedings. Notwithstanding, the judges’ score at the end of the 4th stanza placed Gonsalves ahead but also reflected the closeness of the encounter; Carlton
Hopkinson had it 39-35 in favour of Gonsalves while Ransford Burton and Owen Nelson also had him ahead, 38-36. The fight gained momentum in the 5th round when Gonsalves began to mix it up at close range. Not to be outdone, Corley pressed forward and stitched in several well timed right crosses that brought the round back to equilibrium. Gonsalves looked sloppy, while Corley’s aggression overflowed into the 6th round. The American pugilist built up his points with
carefully crafted combinations that culminated with a right hook that landed on Gonsalves’ temple and sent him sprawling on port canvass for the mandatory 8 count. It was a mighty blow and Gonsalves rose on wobbly legs and he still seemed to be in ‘dizzyland’ at the end of the count but the referee ordered the resumption. Corley rushed forward like a bloodthirsty animal but even before he could have delivered a punch, the bell sounded and provided some reprieve for Gonsalves who returned to
Man City go top with win over... From page 33 signing Simone Zaza from Juventus, employed three centre halves plus wing backs, but defended poorly against City’s fluent attacking. In the second half, Bilic pushed Antonio further forward and he headed in a cross by Arthur Masuaku. City briefly looked nervous but in the last few minutes David Silva hit a post and Sterling made the victory safe. “You have to win 3-0 or 4-0 to think the game is over,” Guardiola told Sky Sports.
“We played a good game. Our fans enjoyed it and we are happy. “I don’t know how many shots we had but the performance in general was real good.” West Ham stayed 12th in the table after their second defeat. “I wasn’t happy at halftime,” Bilic said. “I asked the guys to show character and spirit and a different mentality which they did. Praise for the team for the second-half performance. “A few will be back after the international break.”
his corner on wobbly legs. Realizing that his man was hurt, Corley turned up the heat in the 7th stanza. Though not fully recovered, Gonsalves bravely fought back but Corley upped the ante and pushed his man on the retreat in survival mode. Gonsalves clawed back into contention in the latter stage of the round but Corley ensured that he retained the advantage with several well timed punches. Corley’s vast experience rose to the fore in the 8th round with some deliberate power punches but Gonsalves took his punishment like a man albeit with several tame responses. The tide had shifted and at the second evaluation of the scores, at the end of the 8th round, it was Corley who was on top on all three judges’ score cards, 76-74, 75-73 and 75-73. Maybe on the advice of his handlers Gonsalves changed his mode of attack in the 9th round, opting to stay on the outside with long ranged punches. The ploy worked for a while but Corley was back in the fray in the
10th round with vicious body blows that kept the bout in his grasp. Corley continued to advance in the penultimate round while Gonsalves, beginning to show the effects of the grueling bout, opted to fight on the outside while landing an occasional right cross. Corley expertly quartered the ring and unleashed a wicked right hook that landed on Gonsalves temple and he immediately held on to stem the flow. As the round wound down Gonsalves seemed to regain some energy and upped the ante with several wicked right crosses. Corley responded with a right hook that landed and discouraged Gonsalves’ aggression and clearly established Corley’s experience and grit. Realizing that he was on the losing end, Gonsalves attacked from the bell of the last round. He landed a looping left but Corley took the blow and responded with a wicked overhand right that drifted Gonsalves to the ropes. The signs of the torrid battle began to show on Gonsalves’ face and he
sported a slight puff to his left eye. Gonsalves battled valiantly but just could not hold off a rampaging Corley who slammed home a wicked overhand right that wobbled his knees and almost floored him. The sweet chimes of the bell effectively relieved Gonsalves from his misery. Judge Carlton Hopkinson scored the fight a draw, 113 for each boxer while Jamaicans Ransford Burton and Owen Nelson scored a shutdown for Corley, 115-110 and 113-112 respectively. After the fight, Corley acknowledged Gonsalves’ fighting spirit, “He is a good kid that has demonstrated great determination and skill and I take my hat off to him,” said Corley. He said that he was surprised by the first knockdown since he was more off balanced than hurt. Quizzed on his next fight, Corley stated that while his management team is yet to decide, he plans to immediately return to the ring in preparation for his next bout. In the meantime, Gonsalves returns to the drawing board.
Monday August 29, 2016
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Kaieteur News
GAPF Classic RAW Nationals set for Sept. 18 The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation will be hosting its annual Raw National Powerlifting competition on September 18th, 2016 at Critchlow Labour College. It promises to be the largest Local Competition to be hosted by the GAPF in several years with the likelihood of eclipsing the Senior Nationals which is slated for November 2016. Raw Lifting has become very popular on the International stage and has increased the popularity of the sport of powerlifting. Athletes are now finding greater interest in the format of the sport that requires less performance-enhancing attire and guarantees more of a level playing field for all athletes in participation. The September competition will be an open invitation to all lifters and will not have a Novice or Intermediate category but will, instead, have various categories such as Masters 1 ages 39-49, Masters 2 (50 - 59), Masters 3 (60 - 69) and Masters 4 (70 - 79) for Male
and Female Lifters. There will be Sub-Junior (15 - 19) and Junior (20 - 24) categories for Males and Females. According to a release from the federation, it’s their intention to encourage all fitness enthusiasts to be part of the sport of powerlifting and as such there will be a relaxed dress code with regards to lifters’ attire when competing. Spectators can look forward to an entertaining day of Raw/Unequipped Lifting. Anticipated to make a grand return is ‘Big’ John Edwards, Guyana’s most decorated Powerlifter who was sidelined from the Masters Championships in June due to injury. There will be several youngsters vying for top honors in the various categories. Carlos Peterson who has made his name as the Overall Novice and Intermediate Best Lifter in the unequipped category is also expected to be participating in this event. Lisa Oudit, Intermediate
72kg Women’s Champion is also expected to throw down the gauntlet to her colleagues and has every intention of ‘bettering’ her previous performance. A large contingent from Life Gym, led by National Lifter, Dr. Osmond Mack will invade the City. The likes of Neesa Bhagwandin, Tinesha and Jacquelyn Toney will, definitely ‘Heat Up’ the platform with expected superb performances for which they are known. The competition will also see strongmen from the “Ancient County” in contention with lifters being led by Masters competitor Farouk Abdool who was unable to complete his last competition due to an injury sustained whilst squatting. Abdool and John Edwards are expected to face off. Spectators, who will be asked to pay a nominal entrance fee of $500, can look forward to novelty events to test their might for cash and other prizes. All are encouraged to come out and
De Nobrega thrills fans at Aruwai Regatta Steven De Nobrega provided the many fans that turned to witness the Aruwai Regatta with excitement as he dominated his rivals, winning several events on Saturday. He first carted off the 125450cc open which was sponsored by Courts, pocketing $60,000 for his efforts. Keiton Dugan and Ravin Ramcoomar placed second and third respectively; they received $30,000 and $20,000. De Nobrega was again in winners’ row winning the second event which was sponsored by the office of the Prime Minister, while Conroy Cox took the runner up spot and Dugan third in that order. That event fetched a first prize of $30,000, while the runner up collected $20,000 and third place $10,000. Nobrega found some competition in the third race sponsored by Digicel as he trailed Cox for one and a half laps. This proved to be one of the most exciting races, but De Nobrega kept his calm to win the event ahead of Cox; Jardine placed third. De Nobrega then claimed the fourth race which was sponsored by Aruwai; Dugan and Jardine finished second and third respectively. De Nobrega dominated the next three races, while Dugan and Jardine placed second and third respectively in those
Steven De Nobrega accepts one of his prizes from Elizabeth Fraser-Moonsammy. events. These events were sponsored by Prakash and Sons General Store, Pandit Service Station and Imam and Dickie Yassin. Prior to the event, Proprietor of Aruwai Resort Chunilall Baboolall thanked the sponsors, fans and organisers and promised to expand the event in the future.
The event was attended by Bartica’s Mayor Gifford Marshall and Regional Chairman Mr. Gordon Bradford. Bradford congratulated the organisers and added that he would be supportive of anything that positively showcase region seven. The event concluded yesterday.
participate in this event. Registration ends on September 5th and registration fee is $1,000. The GAPF also noted in the release that successful participation at this competition will not serve as a prerequisite to qualify for 2017 Regional and International competitions. Lifters are advised that they must compete at Senior Nationals and achieve the minimum standards to be considered for overseas engagements on the National team.
Farook Abdool
‘Big’ John Edwards
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Monday August 29, 2016
Kaieteur News
‘Technical’ delay, rain, wet field: bizarre no-result
Amit Mishra exults after dismissing Johnson Charles, India v West Indies, 2nd T20I, Florida, August 28, 2016 ©BCCI ESPNcricinfo - International cricket has lost valuable time in strange circumstances in recent weeks - bright daylight but non-drying outfields in rainy months - but what happened in Lauderhill on Sunday might just be too bizarre for even cricket to come up with. For 40 minutes at the start of the day, on another beautiful sunny morning, the full house at the ground was denied cricket because the broadcasters suffered an “unavoidable” and “technical” problem. Once the game began India bowled superbly to bowl West Indies out for 143, but two overs into the chase, a 20-minute shower was enough to ensure the three remaining overs required to constitute a result would not be bowled. This two-match series, which West Indies won 1-0, was supposed to be an exercise to take the game into a new market, a market where fans are used to being treated better than cricket tends to treat fans in India. They would have been in for a rude surprise when, after paying steep prices for their tickets, they didn’t even get a proper public announcement explaining the delayed start. The broadcasters had paid massive sums for the rights and deserved some consideration, but there was rain expected later in the afternoon. You can imagine the eggshells the match officials would have walked on while sanctioning that delay. That was not the last bizarre act of the
day. At around 12.40pm, with India looking to be on their way to a win having restricted West Indies, it rained for around 20 minutes. The ground didn’t have a Super Sopper, and wasn’t covered fully. The business area was promptly ready for play and the deep parts of the outfield drained well too, but the top of the bowlers’ run-ups, around the area where the painted advertisements are, didn’t dry up. The captains were seen looking at that particular area with concern minutes before the game was called off at 2pm. The official presentation was carried out in gloomy circumstances with the official interviewer steering clear of even mentioning the delayed start, without which the crowd would have had a result. The studio shows and the official interviewer only spoke of how humans are helpless against “mother nature” and “weather”. Without being prompted, the West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite said he hoped the drainage and equipment would improve at the ground, which he said was a wonderful venue otherwise. It would have been particularly disappointing for the India fans who would have been expecting to celebrate a bowling comeback after their side went for 245 on Saturday, and the comeback of Amit Mishra. He last played a Twenty20 international during the World T20 in 2014. In the next year-and-a-
Enthusiastic Indian fans show their support, India v West Indies, 2nd T20I, Florida, August 28, 2016 ©BCCI half India only played bilateral Twenty20 internationals, not bothering with flying in T20 specialists for one or two three-hour matches. By the time India started taking T20 internationals seriously again, in the lead-up to the 2016 World T20, Mishra had lost out to Pawan Negi and Harbhajan Singh without being given a chance to build on his impressive bowling in 2014. Now, perhaps precisely because India didn’t bother to fly in T20 specialists for another bilateral series, Mishra got another chance, and made immediate impact to help India bowl West Indies out for 143. Mishra removed Johnson Charles with the first ball he bowled, inside the Powerplay. Charles had run away to 43 off 24 in the first five overs, but Mishra began with a front-ofthe-hand legbreak that followed Charles as opposed to turning away, cramping him up, getting him caught at long-on. After that the spinners choked the life out of the West Indies batting. Ravindra Jadeja zipped through with quiet overs, and R Ashwin bowled cleverly to take the wickets of Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard. The fact that spinners bowled so well just after the Powerplay meant India could afford to introduce Jasprit Bumrah after the 10th over. He prefers the ball to be as old as possible. Bumrah responded immediately with the wicket of Marlon Samuels, and the others
West Indies players walk off the field as dark clouds envelop the sky and the rain comes down, India v West Indies, 2nd T20I, Florida, August 28, 2016 ©BCCI
tightened the screws around him. West Indies, with Brathwaite coming in at No. 9, kept coming hard at India even though they kept losing wickets. India still kept taking wickets, bowling West Indies out for a below-par score, but they were powerless against the “weather”.
SCOREBOARD West Indies J Charles c Rahane b Mishra 43 E Lewis c Mishra b Mohammed Shami 7 MN Samuels c †Dhoni b Bumrah 5 LMP Simmons st †Dhoni b Ashwin 19 ADS Fletcher† b Bumrah 3 KA Pollard lbw b Ashwin 13 AD Russell c Kohli b Kumar 13 DJ Bravo b Mishra 3 CR Brathwaite* b Mishra 18 SP Narine not out 9 S Badree b Mohammed Shami 1 Extras (lb 4, w 4, nb 1) 9 Total (all out; 19.4 overs) 143 Fall of wickets 1-24 (Lewis, 3.2 ov), 2-50 (Charles, 5.1 ov), 3-76 (Simmons, 9.5 ov), 4-76 (Samuels, 10.1 ov), 5-92 (Pollard, 11.5 ov), 6-98 (Fletcher, 12.6 ov), 7-111 (Bravo, 15.2 ov), 8-123 (Russell, 16.6 ov), 9-133 (Brathwaite, 17.5 ov), 10-143 (Badree, 19.4 ov) Bowling: Kumar 4-0-36-1(2w),Shami 2.40-31-2,Mishra 4-0-24-3 (1w), Jadeja 2-0-11-0, Ashwin 3-0-11-2(w)Bumrah 4-0-26-2(1nb) India RG Sharma not out AM Rahane not out Extras (b 1) Total (0 wickets; 2 overs)
10 4 1 15
Did not bat: V Kohli, KL Rahul, MS Dhoni*†, RA Jadeja, R Ashwin, B Kumar, A Mishra, Mohammed Shami, JJ Bumrah Bowling: Russell 1-0-7-0, Badree 1-0-7-0 Result: match abandoned Series: West Indies won the 2-match series 1-ni. Toss: India Umpires: Leslie Reifer, Joe Wilson; TVNigel Duguid