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Kaieteur News
KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
PROCUREMENT AND THE DEM. BRIDGE CONTRACT The passage of the Procurement Act and the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) suggest that in some way, the authorities are trying to preserve the tender process. The passage of the Procurement Act is meant to wipe away the illegal practice of sole-sourcing, while the role of the PPC is to ensure the system is fair and transparent. As reported, it seems that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure breached the Procurement Act by sole-sourcing the $148 million contract to the Dutch company, LievenseCSO Engineering for a feasibility study and design of the proposed new Demerara river bridge. This was the view of the PPC, which investigated the matter and found that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure ignored the advice of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to retender the project, because the first tendering process had failed to procure a company to do the feasibility study and design of the bridge. As a result, the process was annulled. However, the Minister of Public Infrastructure is adamant that the decision to award the contract to LievenseCSO for consultancy services for the bridge was above board. But such claim was disputed by the former Vice-Chairman and engineer of the NPTAB, Joseph Holder, who publicly stated that the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation did not approve the project and the funding was not approved by Parliament. If this is true, then it is the latest procurement embarrassment for the coalition government, which while in opposition had accused the last administration of numerous breaches of the Procurement Act. Despite the establishment of the PPC, the coalition government has been cited for several breaches of the Procurement Act. It seems that it has not learned from the mistakes of its predecessor. The political philosophy of Guyana is that anything the government tries to do will be criticized by the opposition. It is the criticism by the opposition of the tender process that led to the selection of the Dutch company to conduct the feasibility study of the new Demerara River Bridge. It was revealed that in 2015, twenty-three foreign and local companies expressed an interest for the feasibility study and design of the bridge. Twelve were subsequently shortlisted by the Ministry, but only two submitted proposals within the deadline. Of the two companies, one was selected, but its bid was higher than the budget. However, after negotiations between the company and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure failed to get the company to reduce its bid, the NPTAB, which was in charge of the procurement process, annulled the tender. The NPTAB then granted approval for the Ministry to retender the project. According to the NPTAB, once a transaction meets the stipulated value of the contract, it must be done in accordance with the Procurement Act, supervised by NPTAB. This applies even to sole-sourcing. Any attempt to procure outside of this process is deemed illegal and the expenditure of public funds without the approval of Parliament could be deemed a criminal offence. However, the tender process was, according to the PPC, ignored by the Ministry, which did not retender the project. Instead, it invited LievenseCSO Engineering, one of the original companies that failed to make the deadline, to submit a proposal, that the Minister took to the Cabinet, which approved the funds for the feasibility study and design of the bridge. The Dutch company was awarded the contract in 2016. The perception of corruption in the contract has prompted the opposition to ask the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to investigate the consultancy contract to LievenseCSO Engineering with a view to institute criminal charges against anyone culpable of corruption. The subsequent developments will be interesting.
Saturday August 25, 2018
HOW MUCH LOYALTY IS OWED TO ANY ORGANIZATION OR GOVERNMENT? DEAR EDITOR, All decent individuals at some point in their careers are confronted with the question of their actions in terms of loyalty versus seeking personal gain/aggrandizement or being dishonest/evil in an organization. I believe I found the best working answer to this question and it was provided by Barbara Res, Former Trump Organization Executive for 18 years, on the “CNN Newsroom Show”with host Brookie Baldwin, on August 24, 2018. Barbara, when asked by Brookie: how much does loy-
alty run in an organization, responded: “ I think that is something worth thinking about, and yet you are loyal to a person for many reasons ; but not for reasons that have to do with, you know, for anything that is illegal or even immoral or unethical. I don’t think that anybody has a right to demand loyalty for that kind of reason. Certainly, loyalty in terms of working together, doing the right thing, keeping secrets, when need to be kept, being there running business properly. Yea, those are the kinds of
things I think loyalty should be about; not telling someone to do something wrong”. This is in reference to the breaking news about Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer, Allen Weisselberg, whose involvement with Trump’s finances are deep, and granted immunity by federal prosecutors for providing information about Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen. Questions about morality, ethics and locality are critical in the way an individual do business and the kind of lives they want to live.
It is a soul-searching experience for those who witnessed individuals, who have done improper, and sometimes bad or inconsiderate actions, succeeded in reaching the top of organizations. But there is one consolation to the truly loyal employee; at the end of the day a moral, ethical and consummate worker sees every day as bright - ultimately contended and happy; and when old and retired, the psychological benefits are enormous. Thank You, Faizul Rahim
GUYANA MEDIA TREATED WITH CONTEMPT BY US CONGRESSMEN DEAR EDITOR, Even amidst the flurry of social media posts yesterday (22nd August, 2018) about the aftershock tremor that hit Guyana around 9:30 am, it was hard to miss the rumble that came from Denis Scott Chabrol on his Facebook page. Mr Chabrol and other members of the media were barred from questioning the visiting American Congressmen and given restrictions about the content that they could publish. Any time that the press is treated contemptuously in this country, it is an act of contempt against the people of this nation and an assault on democracy. This current government has repeatedly disrespected the press, and the public keeps overlooking it. However, this occasion is the clearest statement yet that we have a leadership crisis at the highest level of Govern-
ment. The Government of Guyana is so impressed with a small visit to Guyana by a few US Lawmen; it values the interests and concerns of American Congressmen over and above the interests and rights of Guyanese citizens so much that it would kick its own press. The behaviour of the Government of Guyana is nothing short of pathetic and disgraceful. The people of this nation need no further evidence that the country is being run a set of individuals who are cozy with ‘secrecy’, ‘wheeling and dealing’ and not at all knowledgeable nor comfortable with statesmanship and professional negotiations. We need no further evidence that the Granger-led administration is incapable of negotiating with Oil Companies nor can they adequately represent the Guyanese people. Mr Chabrol expressed shock and disbelief: “To think
that Guyanese elected officials, with some media background, will be co-conspirators in this scheme of neocolonialism is heart-wrenching.” Let us be clear that no American Congressman disrespected the people of this nation. The contempt came from our own spineless Government. Well, Governments come and governments go, but the people of the country remain. We have in office a set of individuals who have behaved, from the onset, as if they have no need for the people of this nation, as if they are in power forever. They have disappointed their supporters from their earliest days in office and now they are failing the entire nation as they are showing ever so clearly their lack of self-respect in their deep starryeyed reverence for
ExxonMobil and the US Government officials. The Government may be weak and may have no self-respect and no self-confidence, but they do not represent the rest of us in this nation. The sad consequence of this weakness of the current administration is that it is setting a precedent for how oil companies will negotiate with our nation. If the oil companies are able to deal with the Government of Guyana as if it is a band of brigands or incompetents, any future administration attempting to negotiate professionally will be kept out of power, by virtue of political interference. The people of this country are slowly waking up to the fact that we are already in trouble. We are a peaceful people, struggling we struggle. The last thing that any Guyanese wishes to do is to antagonize (Continued on page 5)
Can someone tell the Town Clerk that this practice is callous, reprehensible and illegal? DEAR EDITOR, The responses given by the Town Clerk of Georgetown to the most recent strike action taken by the workers under the leadership of the Guyana Labour Union is nothing short of alarming. It is clear that the Town Clerk is completely unaware or is proud to ignore the laws of Guyana. He indicated with pride that the Council has consciously decided to undertake the practice of paying the employees whilst withholding the deductions made from them and which he is obligated to remit to the Guyana Revenue Authority, the National Scheme, the Credit Unions etc because the Council does not have enough money. Can someone tell the Town Clerk that this
practice is not only callous and reprehensible but totally illegal? If the Council is indeed as impoverished as he claims, why then are they paying him in lieu of a large chunk of his accumulated vacation leave, that he has refused to take over the years. Is that not just simply unfair. Was the Council not as impecunious when he and the Mayor and their delegations traveled around the world first class, staying at the finest hotels and dining at the ritziest restaurants and not achieving or bringing anything back for the city? Why then did the Town Clerk and one of his sidekicks, the Human Resource Manager raise the salaries of
a few bigwigs (senior officers) and then also employ hundreds of their friends, families and church pals at exorbitant salaries, for of course doing very little or nothing all day long? If the Council was as insolvent as he claims, why did the Council purchase expensive sports utility vehicles for their bigwigs, provide them with chauffeurs, bodyguards, personal assistants etc? How can we believe that the Council is so bankrupt as they claim to be, when they have contracted out most of their servic e s f o r h u n dreds of millions of dollars each month without subscribing to tender board procedures to their friends, instead of allowing the workers to do their jobs. But the most unsettling of
all is his claim that the strike was orchestrated at this time of their anniversary celebrations by the Union to embarrass the Council. Is this gentleman for real? Is he equating the plight of the workers, including significant financial and medical risks due to piling up medical bills and no insurance coverage and facing tax penalties due to nonpayment of the PAYE contributions to some vacuous celebration? Is it not just insensate to have a city week of celebrations when municipal workers are perishing, craving and emaciated? By the way, where is the other so called union, are they in hiding or enjoying the festivities? . Sincerely James Mc Onnell
I found the WPA expressions By extension, workers or most distasteful groups or even communities last paragraph. DEAR EDITOR, I was happy to see the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) coming out in support of the country’s teachers as they seek higher pay and other improvements. The Party, which is a member of the Coalition, I felt would or should have had an opportunity to express its views on the matter at the level of the Executive. It could very well be that its views were not taken on board and thus the party’s recourse to a public statement. Whatever the case maybe, I felt, the statement made several germane points that are significant until I reached the
In the final paragraph of the statement, the WPA says, “It is bad politics to alienate your supporters on a matter that could be easily solved”. The party then goes on saying the Government agreeing to the teachers’ demands would ensure, “that a key electoral bloc is not alienated.” It is disturbing editor to see the WPA reducing the real concerns of the teachers to mere petty politicking. But worse is that notion that because the teachers are seen as largely APNU/AFC supporters, they have a right to get what they ask for.
not seen as supportive of the Administration should not benefit from the State’s consideration in spite of their circumstances, justifications and plight. I found the WPA expressions most distasteful and a serious blow to the party, which has a proud history in defence of all workers. I contend that Guyanese irrespective of their religious, ethnic, political and whatever other persuasion are citizens of this dear land of Guyana and the Government has an obligation to treat them fairly and equitably. Yours faithfully, Patricia Persaud
GUYANA MEDIA TREATED ... From page 4 the United States of America. We have lived through tumultuous times, including a long brutal dictatorship which included nationalisation, and we have lived and survived the wrath of international sanctions. What we have learned from American interference in our politics is that American interference is driven by fear. When the fear disappeared, the US Government itself helped Guyana return to democracy in 1992. When it comes to oil, it is critically important that the People of Guyana, not the politicians, develop our own understanding of what oil and gas resources means to the rest of the world. In order to remove their reliance on politicians, we, the people, need to give assurance to the oil companies that we support their access to oil resources found within our nation’s boundaries. In tiny Trinidad and Tobago, governments come and go, but the oil industry remains unaffected. We need, more than anything else, political stability in this country. Unfortunately, the way negotiations are taking place under the current administration are leading us down a path to hell. The Government of Guyana is showing no backbone, no strength of character, no vision and no respect for its own people. The time has come, for each and every one of us Guyanese citizens to understand that there is substantial oil and gas resources within our boundaries. We know about Iraq and Libya and other oil rich nations. As Denis Chabrol expressed it, he was ‘Smelling POO (Power of Oil).’ Well, we are now faced with the POO and, as a nation; we need to deal with it con-
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dignly. And it needs not have a disastrous outcome. It is critically important that we get this right. There needs to be a U-turn in the Government of Guyana’s pathetic attitude to dealing with our oil and gas resources. This will only come about if the people demand it. A government with a dictatorial attitude that does not listen to the will of the people will have to be voted out of office.Guyanese must understand that oil companies have the technology and are expending tremendous amounts of resources to access the oil. We must also understand what has happened in Venezuela with ExxonMobil and we MUST be sensitive to the fears of this company. We need open discussions, transparency and partnership, not secret meetings. We are already seeing that we cannot allow politicians to articulate our narrative. The people of this country need to express our feelings about the oil and gas industry. We also need to demand respect, statesmanship, professional negotiation instead of the nonsense that prevails. We don’t need
handouts and ExxonMobil throwing money around, corrupting everyone in the process. We don’t need Conservation International giving handouts to our indigenous communities. The development of the Indigenous communities is the responsibility of the Government of Guyana. We need some self-respect and sanity to be restored to this nation. What we need most of all in this country is a strong Government of Guyana, supported by a professional and truly independent Public Service, committed to the development of all the people of Guyana. The People of Guyana need to intervene now to arrest the tide of stupidity that is flowing in this nation around Oil and Gas. We cannot allow foreigners and weak politicians to corrupt our future and lead us down the path of neo-colonialism. We need a more intelligent class of politicians to save us from the POO and to set us instead along a path to political stability, peace and development. Sincerely, S. Khan
GTT WOES
DEAR EDITOR, I have seen a report in the Stabroek News, August 22nd concerning Telecommunication Matters by the C.E.O, Mr. Justin Nedd where he laid great stress on Internet and very little to say about faults on Landline Phones. This is the first time I am hearing from a man called Mr. Nedd who is supposed to be heading that Corpor a t i o n and talking of Internet, f r o m t h e time t h e y a n nounced the fast speed instrument I became interested but stuck to my same system because I was advised that there is very little difference, if any at all. However, my original service has deteriorated considerably instead, although in Eccles, the internet usually come off and on slowly. L a n d l i n e s 2 3 3 - 2 7 34 &233-2143 The above phoneshave given me lots of problems during 2017, I have written about five letters to the C.E.O but have never had the courtesy of replies, I have been robbed for over 6 months of having to pay Rentals for being denied the use of the above telephones, what a servicewe are experiencing, which is considered essential by what should be a reliable provider. We are entitled to refunds for the period our phones are out of order. For instance, please see the most recent complaints of which no one cares: 233-2143 reported out of order, 8th August, 2018 The Technician came 16th August, 2018, he did not complete repairs but advised he would check on the road; this is after he examined the connection outside of the building. I waited for about an hour
and the phone did work, but half an hour after the phone rang once and again went dead, this was immediately reported and the operator said I ha v e t o wait another 4 days, can you imagine this? I immediately went upstairs after 4 o’clock the same day 16th August and the other telephone 233-2734, which was working very good suddenly stopped functioning, and assuring that the Technician dis-connected by mistake another wire. The following Friday morning 17th, I reported and was told that I have to wait another 4-5 days to remedy what might have been their own mistake, what an insult to injury. Both phones have been completely out of order since 16th August, what a shame! GT&T appears to be given their own way to operate, for instance, a) In early 2017, I spoke to the Permanent Secretary of the Minister of Telecommunication who promised to get back to me later the same day but never did, I
then wrote Minister but I did not even receive an acknowledgement to my letter. b) I then write the P.U.C but they too have not even replied. There are so many complaints about Telephone Services from Berbice and the general Public in Georgetown but everything seems to be dropping on deaf ears. The majority of Subscribers are suffering apparently because of this new Management System, when would the Government take a serious look into this? When the British Guiana Government used to run the Telephone Company, we used to be treated with related courtesies and respect, but these are all no more. The trouble with GT&T appears to have been the getting rid of their old and experienced staff, I remembered a Manager Miss Elaine Isaacs for her efficiency in dealing with complaints, now she and others like her are all fired. SMV Naseer
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Cop, driver differ on death of baby chicks Killing us with blackouts in Region Two DEAR EDITOR, The constant and long periods of power outages that we are experiencing on the Essequibo Coast is cause to be very concerned. The situation, at the time of writing has prevailed for the better part of two weeks. The advisory through the various channels, is most times inaccurate and cannot be relied on. The financial losses, the inconvenience and discomfort caused, maybe by the lack of foresight, demonstrated by the power that be is great. For decades, we have been reading about the millions and millions of dollars requested and injected by the Management for the extension, development and maintenance of the Guyana Power and Light, and the legitimate expectations were that these situation the residents of this region is experiencing, particularly the southern half, would have been a thing of the past. Time has proven us to be wrong. It is correct to say that G.P.L. has over the years did a lot of extension works throughout the country; it is equally correct to say that the maintenance aspect of their work is questionable, hence the unreliability of service. In a nutshell, they have failed to meet the growing demands for service. The residents of Region 2 much to our credit, are known to be hospitable and passive but they are times when we say enough is enough. Archie W. Cordis Former A.F.C. Councillor Region # 2
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hirty-six year-old Andrew King is trying his utmost to come up with the money he now owes to his employer following the death of some 600 chicks he was hired to transport. An article in yesterday’s edition highlighted the plight of the Sophia resident, and has since prompted a response from the Guyana Police Force, with ranks stationed at Ruimveldt Police Station, giving their account of what transpired. The statement reads: ‘The Guyana Police Force is responding to an article in today’s (Friday’s) edition of Kaieteur News under the caption “600 chicks die in car after driver detained for hours”. Initial enquiries revealed that the about 12:00h yesterday (Thursday), a motorcar was observed by a Traffic Subordinate Officer overtaking a queue of vehicles on the southern lane of Mandela Avenue proceeding east in the opposite driving lane, in a dangerous manner; vehicles proceeding west were forced to take evasive action and pull further south. The vehicle was stopped by the said rank who told the driver of the offence committed and instructed that he proceed to the Ruimveldt Police Station. About fifteen minutes later (12:15h), the driver,
The dead chicks in Andrew King’s car
The dead chicks in Andrew King’s car whose vehicle was parked in front of the station, was processed and released on his own recognizance; and shortly after, he accused the police of being responsible for the death of a number of baby chicks inside of his vehicle, which had blinds around the windows. A n i n v estigation has since been launched into the matter. It must be noted that the entire process lasted less than half an hour; hence the driver Andrew King claims of being detained for hours, is very much untrue.” This statement however is being challenged by King who claims that the Force’s details could not be further from the truth. King alleges that he visited the Fung-a-Fat Hatcheries located on
Quamina Street at 10:30am to make sure that he would be first in line. King says that from the Hatchery, he then proceeded en route to We s t C o a s t D e m e r a r a , when he was stopped along
Mandela Avenue, around 11am, and was asked to drive to the station. Fung-a-Fat Hatcheries confirmed that King was in fact there around 10:30am to uplift the chicks. King continued by saying it wasn’t until minutes to one o’clock that he was allowed to leave and check on his car, where he made the grim discovery. He said it was his screams and shouts that led to the officers upstairs coming down to see what caused the outburst. “Is then a brown clothes (police officer) come down to me, and she keep saying how she ain’t know I got chickens in de car, so I tell her, I understand you gotta look out fuh you soldier dem, but I tell dem man wuh going on (that the chicks were in the locked car).” He claims that he was then made to sign “a piece of document” that he believes was a release paper and told to go on his way. King was hired Thursday morning to deliver 600 chicks to a farmer on t h e We s t C o a s t o f Demerara, but during the aforementioned events, the chicks died in his care, and this has saddled him with a debt of $90,000.
Neighbourhood policewoman, son and two others arrested after million-dollar heist
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Neighbourhood policewoman attached to the Grove Police Station, East Bank Demerara, her son and two other persons attached to a Friendship, East Bank Demerara distribution company, were yesterday arrested for allegedly stealing and selling over one million dollars of pampers and sausages from the company. This publication has been reliably informed that the woman, her son and two individuals - who are said to be security guards attached to the company - have since admitted to stealing and selling the items, and police are in the process of completing their investigations. Charges are to likely to be instituted soon.
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GTU’s absence forces Ministry to reschedule conciliation meeting
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espite the absence of the Guyana Teachers’ Union [GTU], the Labour Department of the Ministry of Social Protection yesterday briefly engaged officials of the Ministry of Education in what is being described as the first conciliation meeting. The meeting materialised because of a request of the Education Ministry, which in a letter to Social Protection Ministry, asked that it exercise its conciliation power in a situation that could have “highly negative and far reaching implications” and be “gravely injurious to the national interest…” The Ministry was at the time making reference to the planned strike action by the union which is expected to see teachers staying away from pre-term activities from next week Monday [August 27, 2018] and continuing i n t o t h e following week [the first week of the new school year]. The plan for the strike
action comes on the heels of failed talks between the union and the Education Ministry regarding a multiyear salary package for public school teachers. While both the Education and Social Protection Ministries yesterday issued statements which amplified the fact that the union had absented itself from yesterday’s meeting, GTU President, Mr. Mark Lyte said that the union could not have attended when it was not invited. In fact, Lyte, who has been travelling throughout the country since Monday to mobilise teachers for strike action, said that he learnt that the invitation in question was received by staffers at the union headquarters at around 09:20 hours yesterday. “This was when we were officially informed, and so we could not have attended a meeting at such short notice,” said Lyte, who advised that he was yesterday continuing mobilising meetings with
UK getting “value for money” in SOCU’s operation - British envoy British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn
The British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn yesterday said the United Kingdom is getting value for money as it relates to the operation of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), under the guidance of Financial Investigations Advisor, Dr. Sam Sittlington. High Commissioner Quinn believes SOCU is preparing cases which confer to the standards of evidence being used in the UK. He reminded that SOCU is an investigatory body and not a prosecutorial one. “That sort of investigative side, I think is working well, but then the next step, which is not one that we [UK] are involved in. The next step is out of our control in many ways. All SOCU can do is put forward good cases that can be looked at and considered for prosecution,” he noted. The cases now being put forward by SOCU are good, “so SOCU is doing its job,” said the High Commissioner. In addition, under the Security Sector Reform Project (SSRP), a number of activities are being funded by the UK government with guidance from Advisor, Colonel Russel Combe, the most recent being a review of Guyana Police Force (GPF) training. A report has been submitted to President David Granger and the Commissioner of Police for review and the High Commissioner is hopeful that the report will be made public shortly, following discussion by the Cabinet. Training, he believes, will have a more obvious effect on the members of the Guyana Police Force, as well as improvement in infrastructure.
Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Charles Ogle. teachers in Berbice. The day before Lyte had spearheaded two meetings with teachers on the Essequibo Coast.
Chief Labour Officer, Mr. Charles Ogle, insisted that an invitation was sent to the union Thursday afternoon. Ogle, however, told media
operatives, after meeting with officials of the Education Ministry, including Chief Education Officer, Mr. Marcel Hutson, that since the union was not present at the meeting, another date was set to meet. “We knew up front they [the union] weren’t coming, so there was no meeting per se...We would have just told them we’ve planned a next date, next week Tuesday,” Ogle said. However, a statement issued later by the Social Protection Ministry said that while “the Education Ministry was present, ready and prepared to participate and did participate in the process...due to the absence of the union the meeting was adjourned to 2pm August 28, 2018.” The statement said too that a letter to this effect has been issued to the GTU President. The Education Ministry also issued a statement yesterday on the meeting which highlighted also that while
senior officials of the ministry were present, the union was unrepresented. But based on the disclosure of some individuals within the union, the union may not be supportive of the conciliation approach. In fact, a union representative told this publicat i o n , “ We c a n n o t h a v e conciliation now since at... meetings [with the Education Ministry] Labour was present.” T h e r e p r e s e n tative further explained that “the negotiation in the first place should have been between the union and the [Education] Ministry and when that failed, then Labour should have been called in.” The union representative underscored, “we have passed conciliation stage, because when Labour is invited that is when conciliation should take place…they were already involved in those meetings, so we can’t go back to conciliation at this point; we simply cannot go back to conciliation now.”
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Speeding Route 44 minibus topples, several persons injured
The car that was involved in the accident.
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route 44 minibus that was report edly being driven in a reckless manner on the Success, East Coast Demerara,
Public Road, careened out of control after clipping a motorcar and then toppled several times, causing injuries to several passengers, many of
The bus that toppled several times causing injuries to passengers. whom were children. According to eyewitnesses, the bus, BVV 9539, was proceeding at a rapid rate, and heading in the easterly direction on the Success Public Road. The driver was at the time overtaking a line of traffic, when the minibus came into contact with motorcar PMM 7639, that was heading in the same direction, when the driver of the car attempted to
turn south into Chateau Margot. The driver of the minibus in an attempt to avoid a collision swerved from the car and lost control. Among the injured were a mother and her two young daughters, aged four and six, and two other women who all were taken by public-spirited persons to the Georgetown Public Hospital to seek medical attention.
Public spirits citizens and police help the injured passengers into a pickup tray to be taken to the hospital. One of the passengers, who reached out to this publication, was high in praise for a police corporal, she said she only knows as “Bishop” who
responded to the accident scene and made sure all arrangements were in place to have the injured taken to the hospital swiftly.
Interdicted officer remanded as court cites public safety concerns Months after an interdicted Cadet Officer of the Guyana Police Force compensated a teen with $2M for shooting him in the mouth, the said officer was back before a City Magistrate to answer to several charges. Franz Paul, 32, of 114 Second Street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was remanded to prison. Franz was charged with threatening to kill his reputed wife and illegal possession of arms and ammunition. The first charge stated that on August 20th 2018 at 114 2nd street, Alexander Village, Georgetown, he made use of threatening language towards his reputed wife, Rachael Carew. It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, he had in his possession 13 live rounds of .32 ammunition without being the holder of a firearm license
enforced at the time. The last charge stated that on the same day and at the same location, he had in his possession one .32 pistol without being the holder of a firearm licence enforced at the time. Paul denied all the charges after they were read to him. Attorney-at-Law Damien DaSilva in an application to secure bail for Paul, stated that the alleged firearm was not found in his client’s possession, but rather, in the possession of his reputed wife Ms. Carew. The lawyer went on to tell the court that at the time of the incident his client was at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) nursing a broken arm when the police came and arrested him. Nevertheless, Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers expressed a contrasting view of what happened. He told the court that on the day in question, Paul brandished a loaded
Remanded: Franz Paul
firearm at his reputed wife and threatened to kill her. The two then got into a scuffle and the woman managed to disarm Paul. Soon after she ran over to her neighbour and handed him the gun to keep until the police arrived. Upon arrival at the premises, the police ranks collected the loaded firearm from the neighbour, following which they arrested Paul at the GPHC.
The prosecutor made serious objections to bail being granted to the defendant and asked that he be remanded to prison. The prosecutor cited the serious nature of the offence and the penalty the charges attract. The Magistrate, after listening to the Prosecution’s facts remanded Paul on the grounds of public safety. He was instructed to make his next court appearance on September 3.
O
ne of the disappointing aspects of the APNU+AFC government has been its failure to abolish the duty-free concessions on vehicles that are granted to remigrants. The new government should have abolished the scheme. The coalition government came into office, flush in the knowledge that this was one of the most abused schemes in the country, one that is fraught with massive corruption. It was disappointing that it has done nothing to seriously amend or abolish this scheme, given the many problems to which the scheme has been subjected. We are now learning that despite the promise to close loopholes in the system, one
in every three concessions is suspect. The scheme allows Guyanese who would have lived overseas continuously for a specified period – I believe it is four years – to enjoy a duty-free concession on a vehicle which they would have owned for a period of at least six months prior to remigration. The scheme is being exploited. Persons in Guyana who wish to drive luxury vehicles have their Guyanese friends and relatives purchase these vehicles, then come to Guyana and claim remigration status. The vehicles come into the country and are registered in the name of the importers, but for all intents and purposes, are used by other
persons, something which is not prohibited by law. The importers then go back overseas, only to return to Guyana when the vehicle has to be re-registered, again which is not against the law. The GRA does not have the capacity, nor should it ever be burdened with having to monitor a scheme of this nature. It is just unnecessary. The PNCR cannot be unaware of the problems associated with this scheme, because it was the PNC which invented this scheme and, under Burnham, had run into problems with it. It was also the PNC government which was forced to shut it down. It is surprising that for a government seeking to plug taxation loopholes that this is
President Granger swears in Registrar for Public Service Appellate Tribunal President David Granger, yesterday swore in Petronilla Browne-Stewart as Registrar for the Public Service Appellate Tribunal with the charge that she must discharge her duties with competence, efficiency and fairness. During the simple ceremony held at State House, President Granger reminded of the provisions of Article 215 A (1) of the Constitution of Guyana which states that: “Parliament may, by law, provide for the establishment of a Public Service Tribunal…” The Tribunal was established by the Public Service Tribunal Act 1984. The Act empowers the Tribunal to hear appeals from any decision of the Public Service Commission in respect of appointment by promotion of any person to a public office and exercise of disciplinary control over any person holding or acting in any public office. The Act also provides for the appointment of a registrar who shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Tribunal. A vacancy had arisen for the position of registrar and that vacancy has been filled. “The Public Service Appellate Tribunal safeguards fairness and promotes meritocracy and professionalism within the public service by providing an inexpensive and quick means of justice for public servants aggrieved over promotions and disciplinary actions by the Public Service Commission. The Public Service Appellate Tribunal was reconstituted on May 17, 2017 after an absence of more than two decades. The Tribunal provides recourse to public servants who feel
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Kaieteur News
Saturday August 25, 2018
the one area which was not closed. It says a lot about the mindset of the new administration and its priorities. Now that the scheme is once again in the limelight, it is time for the President himself to intervene and put an end to it. There are a number of grounds why this should be done. For one, the scheme, as mentioned before, is a legal loophole which allows persons to avoid paying taxes on luxury vehicles. Second, a strong and compelling argument has been made that the scheme discriminates against Guyanese who opted to stay at home and develop the country. The scheme is enjoyed by persons who
aggrieved by decisions of the Public Service Commission. Aggrieved public servants, prior to the reconstitution of the Tribunal were forced to seek redress through the Courts,” the Head of State
said. The Head of State also noted that the work of the Public Service Appellate Tribunal must be enhanced by a competent and efficient registrar.
concessions on smaller engine vehicles. Fifth, it is time that some assessment is done on the contributions of remigrants to the economic development. There is no real study as to how many of them have brought specially needed skills to the country. A study of this sort can perhaps help the government to develop a remigration scheme that is restricted to only persons having certain skills which are in demand, but which are not available in Guyana.
DEM BOYS SEH
People don’t find money no more
Things really change. Dem boys remember a time when dem use to find money pun de road. Dem was walking good when dem use to see a shine thing pun de road. People use to walk wid dem head down, looking fuh money As time progress dem use to find a dollar, but dem was de days when money like that had value. People seeing and passing dollar and five dollar like it is not money. Long time people use to beg fuh a raise and people use to give dem a bob. Then dem start giving a dollar. When Guyana tun a country wid dollars and no cents people use to give twenty dollars when people ask fuh a raise. These days people ain’t even tekking a five hundred dollar bill. Dem boys give a beggar twenty dollar and de
Petronilla Browne-Stewart shortly after being sworn in as Registrar for the Public Service Appellate Tribunal yesterday by President David Granger.
would have migrated. It is not granted to those who remained here. Also, Guyanese living here have to pay taxes on vehicles which they purchase here. But remigrants are allowed a tax break on their vehicles. Third, there are alternative ways of helping people to remigrate. The government does not have to grant duty-free concessions. The persons can be encouraged to sell their vehicles overseas and to use the proceeds to buy a vehicle in Guyana. Fourth, even if the government is disinclined to withdraw altogether the concessions, it should remove it entirely on luxury vehicles. Those returning home can be offered
beggar pelt it back at dem. That was when everybody begin to talk about a towel. Dem boys got to go to wuk whole day lifting heavy load and even pushing spade and shovel while dem got some who stay home because de wuk can’t pay demanding a towel. In fact, dem same people who begging fuh a raise asking fuh a Granger. A man nearly walk in de Waterfalls paper and pick up de reporter gyal because he didn’t understand. Dem boys see how nuff young people don’t have money. Most of dem refuse to wuk. One gyal tun up fuh de reporter wuk at de Waterfalls paper and after half day she lef de wuk. Dem got other young people who get a wuk and lef it. When dem boys ask dem, de answer is that de wuk too hard or dem
got to wake up too soon. Dem is de same people who does deh outside any party standing up whole night. If somebody buy a beer fuh one of dem, that beer lasting whole night. Then dem gun beg fuh a piece of a spliff. Was a time when dem use to chew cane outside de sport. Things reach de stage wheh ladies use to be free to de party because de organisers know that once ladies deh inside de men gun come and support de bar. Nowadays ladies in de dance and dem fellas outside. Dem fellas inside is dem who commit a robbery. That is why people know that police ain’t smart. If dem want to ketch a thief all dem got to do is go to a party. Talk half and don’t walk wid yuh head down. Money ain’t deh pun de ground.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday August 25, 2018
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Questions Clive Thomas must answer
Y
esterday, I looked at the possible damage that can harm the credibility of Clive Thomas, given that his formula of a sum of petro dollars
for the poorer working classes is stirring up intellectual debate. The reason being, that once Thomas is in the spotlight, it is natural for questions to be put to him
about the role of the WPA in the government. It is because he is the famous activist for over fifty years, that his friends Andaiye, Eusi Kwayana and
Moses Bhagwan questioned the way the government went about closing a number of sugar estates putting thousands of families on the breadline. He was the chairman of GuySuCo at the time. Once you hear the name Clive Thomas, you think of the WPA and the long fight for the working people that go back to the era of Walter Rodney. Let us offer some distant and current background information which puts Clive Thomas again in the spotlight, but this time not about money in the hands of poor people, but deep principles that philosophically should canopy the exercise of power. After the PNC lost five seats in the 2001 elections, its then leader Robert Corbin sought to transform the PNC. The PNC became a constituent of a broad coalition named APNU, of which the WPA was one of its important fulcrums. The PNC got back in the 2011 elections the five seats it lost. For this analyst and many others, this resuscitation had to do with the symbolism of a PNC-WPA rapprochement. It is the inflexible attitude of this columnist that the WPA and what it symbolized led to the votes APNU got in 2011. The PNC, contesting by itself under Corbin or Granger in 2011, would have had perhaps a more jejune showing than 2001. In 2015, the PNC came to power under the banner of APNU. Then the WPA ran into trouble and has since been silent - with the graphic exception of Dr. David Hinds -
on its invisibility in policymaking. Now with the boldness of Clive Thomas and the WPA in advocating oil money as a cash payment to poor people, it is obligatory on Thomas to discuss its role in the government and what the WPA does in the corridors of power. The WPA’s troubles began as early as the days after the election results. Rupert Roopnaraine was Minister of Natural Resources designate. In that capacity, he visited a collapsed mine in which a number of diggers died. Then suddenly, he became the Minister of Education. To date, with all the letters its personnel have written in the newspapers since 2015, the WPA leadership has never felt the obligation to explain the sudden change of portfolio for Roopnaraine after May 2015. It is more than three years since the WPA became part of the government and has a WPA minister in the Cabinet. Questions then must be answered, and Clive Thomas should begin the attempt. To put the first question to Thomas, it is relevant to quote a particular section of the long, official letter by the WPA, in the newspapers this week, confronting Minister Jaipaul Sharma and others who have rejected Thomas’ cash in hand advocacy. The WPA asserted; “… every WPA policy statement from the birth of our party in 1974, every WPA election manifesto from 1985 and the two manifestos of the APNU and APNU+AFC with which the WPA was integrally involved in crafting our party has long made spending on social programmes central
Frederick Kissoon planks of national development”. If that is so, then the WPA has certainly atrophied, and this is where Thomas has the deep obligation to explain why the WPA is part of a government that does not implement the economic thinking of the WPA which, in that letter, the WPA says goes back to the seventies. Here are the questions for Thomas that he must answer. He can choose to ignore them, but that doesn’t mean I will not republish them over and over. Which one of the budgets since 2015 essentially elevated the livelihood of the masses? Which one of those budgets can be classified as being in the essential interests of the masses? Did the WPA’s presence in government agree to the dozens of new taxes that have adversely impacted against working people, including increased tax on animal-drawn vehicles, a ban on vehicles older than 8 years and ban on used tyres, and application of VAT on tuition at private schools? For all his radical writings of the seventies, are Professor Thomas and the WPA prepared to reject the label of their government as being a neo-liberal one more favourable to big businesses than the masses? More later.
Withdrawal rules for Natural Resource Fund not reassuring
T
he Federation of In dependent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) is of the firm view that the proposed withdrawal rules for the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) are not adequate enough to prevent abuse by those who will be appointed to manage it. The withdrawal rules for the Fund are outlined in Government’s Green Paper. That document was prepared by the Ministry of Finance. The Green Paper states that any withdrawal from the Fund would be paid out to the Consolidated Fund and aligned with the national budget. It would then be passed through the National Assembly for approval. With this in mind, FITUG
…FITUG worries about further squandermania said, “We are fearful that the monies may not be utilized in the best possible manner, especially recognizing that utilization of the funds can be approved by a simple majority.” The Federation said it wants the use of the Fund’s resources to be guided by a well-articulated and carefully crafted development strategy which outlines the goals the people of Guyana wish to attain. It said that such a strategy which should involve the views of the Guyanese people should have clear timelines and eas-
ily measureable objectives. It believes that such an approach will ensure that Guyana gets optimal returns from the monies earned. The Federation believes that if the Government is indeed serious about ensuring “…sustainable use of petroleum revenues…” then, it would move to have a national conversation regarding the use of such wealth. It believes that a failure to seriously consider and act on the aforementioned concerns could lead to further squandermania.
Kaieteur News
Saturday August 25, 2018
GECOM’s hands tied in drawing of new constituencies for LGE – Alexander The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has to proceed with the exercise of redrawing boundaries to facilitate an increase in the Local Authority Areas (LAA) ahead of Local Government Elections (LGE) set for November 12th. This is according to GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, who articulated that the change in the number of LAA is a prerogative of the Minister. “It is not of GECOM. GECOM has to respond by reconstituting the constituencies. GECOM handles the establishment of constituencies; the Minster handles the establishment of local authority areas. The extension of local authority areas and the number of constituencies that there will be is not determined by GECOM. What GECOM does is, once the Minister determines the numbers, then GECOM has to go and come up with the actual constituencies,” Alexander explained. Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan has defended his position on increasing the LAA from 71 in 2016 to 80 for the upcoming elections. This decision has drawn sharp criticisms from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) who accused the Minister of gerrymandering boundaries to undermine the elections process. Alexander addressed the argument by the PPP that they must be consulted by GECOM before the new boundaries are drawn. “Having to consult them we have to equally consult the others, so you have to find in a sense, a neutral arbitrator, and that is a role that GECOM will have to play,” Alexander
GECOM Commissioner, Vincent Alexander stated. He explained that boundaries are being drawn up on natural boundaries, population, as well as interest groups. Alexander reflected that it is not a straightforward matter, pointing out that constituencies historically have always been a political issue. He said this is the reason proportional representation (PR) was introduced in Guyana, but the PPP was against it, which is one of the things that triggered violence in Guyana. Alexander noted that with PR, the PPP would have secured 50% of the seats with 40% of the votes. “Constituencies have that disadvantage, because they are not necessarily numerically equal. Our system is a mixed system, so that you have constituencies and you have the PR as well, so it is not as flawed. Half of the seats are allocated based on
PR and half are allocated through constituency. That is the system that we finally agreed to in the Local Government reform process,” Alexander noted. Bulkan has been defending his decision as being legal, pointing out that the exercise of rebalancing the size of some councils was done pursuant to sections 5 and 12 of the Local Democratic Organs Act Chapter 28:09, which specifically states that the Minister may by Order provide for, among other things, the composition and constitution of each local democratic organ. “Notwithstanding the soundness of this exercise in law, it was not done capriciously. This was a decision aimed at rationalising the size of councils vis-à-vis their responsibilities, and was duly guided by relevant considerations such as the demographics of these areas,” Bulkan said in a statement on Thursday. He explained that there existed an anomaly, where the size of some Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) is larger than some municipalities. For instance, Bulkan noted that the 18 total seats on the Aberdeen/Zorg-enVlygt NDC is more than that of the second most populous and one of the larger geographical municipalities in the country – Linden, which has 16 seats. “It should also be noted the size of the Linden Municipality was also reduced for the 2016 elections from 18 to where it is presently. Hence, the rebalancing of the size of council is clearly not novel,” Bulkan noted.
Presidential convoy vehicle strikes pedestrian - Man hospitalised Twenty-nine year-old Herman John of Manaus Gardens, New Hope, was struck down last night while attempting to cross the East Bank Demerara public road, by one of the vehicles in President Granger’s convoy. The accident occurred around 19:00 hrs. John was in an unconscious state at the Diamond Regional Hospital up to press time. When Kaieteur News visited the hospital, John’s parents and other family members were there and were uncertain of his condition, since his mother claimed when she vi e w e d h i m , h e w a s hooked up to “some kind of machine that was beeping and he seemed to be sleeping”. John’s mother claimed that the doctor told her that her son received head inju-
Herman John
ries and had alcohol in his blood, so a decision was taken to sedate him until he reaches a state where he can be treated. When this publication visited the scene of the acci-
dent, one witness said that he saw the man walking from the eastern side of the road to the western side, when he came into contact with the vehicle. The car’s siren was blaring at the time.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday August 25, 2018
Rapid vaccination coverage to help combat spread of measles - PAHO While 34 Member States of the Pan American Health Organization [PAHO] remain measles-free, endemic transmission of the virus has now been re-established in Venezuela. How-
ever, to stop further spread of measles throughout the region, the Director of PA H O , D r. C a r i s s a F. Etienne, has urged all countries to rapidly increase vaccination coverage.
“It is vital that we continue vaccinating in order to reach more than nine percent of our children eve r y w h e r e , ” s a i d D r. Etienne. “ We must also
strengthen national epidemiological surveillance and establish rapid response teams to expeditiously manage suspected cases, prevent new cases, and halt outbreaks. These measures to sustain elimination were agreed to by Ministers of Health in 2017. These commitments must be renewed,” she asserted. Measles circulation in other regions of the world has always represented an ongoing threat to the Americas, as imported cases can reintroduce the virus among unvaccinated individuals. In 2017, there were 149,142 cases of measles reported globally, with the A m e r i c a s a c counting for just 0.6 percent of all cases. Venezuela, Guyana’s neighbour to the west, reported its first cases of measles in July of last year. The neighbouring territory continues to battle an outbreak of the disease and confirmed that this outbreak was due to a virus strain that was originally reported in Asia and later in Europe. As at August 20 this year, Venezuela has reported 3,545 confirmed cases of measles, of which 62 deaths resulted. A further 10 countries in the region have reported a total of 1,459 confirmed cases and six deaths. This is according to information released by PAHO, which revealed that in the Americas, coverage rates for the first dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are currently less than 95 percent.
PAHO Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne In addition, lower immunization coverage has been observed in some municipalities and in specific settlements. Vaccination coverage rates for children aged five years and under must be 95 percent or greater among all populations in order to maintain elimination. M o r e o v e r, PA H O a n d i t s p a r t n e r agencies have been working with Venezuela to increase vaccination coverage, strengthen e p idemiological surveillance and interrupt transmission. The organization has also mobilized financial resources to support the purchase of vaccines, other supplies and technical cooperation activities to help Venezuela and other affected countries halt the spread of measles. In 2016, the Region of the Americas became the first in the world to obtain
the measles elimination certification, following years of concerted efforts to vaccinate children. A majority of countries in the Americas Region reported their last endemic cases more than 18 years ago. However, the fact that a disease has been eliminated does not mean that it no longer exists since, according to PAHO, it simply means that it does not circulate in a specific area. A country is no longer considered to be measlesfree when the same type of virus has been circulating for more than 12 continuous months. The recurrence of endemic circulation of measles virus, as well as current outbreaks, is evidence of existing gaps in v a c c i n a t i o n c o v erage, which must be urgently addressed, thus the call for rapid increase of vaccination coverage.
Saturday August 25, 2018
Security guard charged for murdering girlfriend - was on bail pending appeal for drug trafficking conviction Two years ago, Jermaine Bristol walked out of jail pending his appeal on a cocaine trafficking conviction. Yesterday, handcuffed and hiding his face from cameras around the court compound, the 34-year-old security guard and former special constable was escorted back to prison after being charged for murder. The victim was Bristol’s girlfriend, who was found dead with multiple stab wounds last Wednesday in her Lot 272 Freeman Street, East La Penitence apartment. A knife was left embedded in her neck. The accused appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Judy Latchman. It is alleged that Bristol, also of Lot 272 Freeman Street, East La Penitence, murdered Lawrence, 24, on August 22, last. The victim’s body, bearing six stab wounds to the neck, was found shortly after Bristol walked to the East La
Jermaine Bristol prepares to enter the prison van after appearing in court yesterday Penitence Police Station to allegedly confess to the crime. Bristol is to return to court on September 27. Bristol was a special constable when he was charged in 2014 for conspiring with
Murdered: Shanece Lawrence persons to traffic cocaine in rum bottles at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri. He was found guilty in February 2016 and jailed for 50 months. However, he was released on $300,000 bail on April 5, 2016, pending appeal.
Govt. applies for licence to build... From page 2 Minister at the time, Samuel Hinds, with support from the Cabinet, decided to maintain the PEU to provide technical and other support to hinterland projects implemented under the UAEP. The unit, according to the ministry, was also expected to develop and implement new projects based on government's development plan for the hinterland.
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Kaieteur News
Accordingly, the PEU was renamed Hinterland Electrification Unit (HEU), and it remained part of the Office of the Prime Minister. In January 2015, however, the HEU was incorporated (with the name Hinterland Electrification Company Inc.) as a subsidiary of National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd. (NICIL) for holding of all satellite electricity companies owned by
NICIL. The satellite companies include Linden Electricity Company Inc. (LECI), Kwakwani Utilities Inc. (KUI), Lethem Power Company Inc. (LMPC), Port Kaituma Power & Light Inc. (PKPL), Mahdia Power & Light Inc. (MPL) and Matthew's Ridge Power & Light Inc. (MRPL). The HECI is now part of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.
Section of East Coast road closed tomorrow A section of the East Coast Demerara road is to be closed tomorrow for the laying of underground ducts. According t o t h e G u y a n a Te l e p h o n e a n d Telegraph Company, the works will affect East Coast public road within t h e v i c i n i t y o f Vr y h e i d ’s L u s t . ”The road closure is necessary to facilitate a request made China Railway First Group, the contractor responsible for the East Coast Highway Improvement Project (Better Hope to
Belfield). The works will commence from 08:30hrs and expected to conclude by 15:30hrs. It will involve the installation of underground ducts to facilitate a cable diversion. “Traffic will be diverted thru Plaisance R o a d ( We s t ) o n t o t h e R a i l w a y Embankment into Chimney Road at Chateau Margot,” GTT said in the statement.
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Saturday August 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
Gold Board dodges meeting with concerned Queenstown resident - questions raised over legality of temporary operations in residential area The Guyana Gold Board says it is unable to meet with at least one Queenstown resident, who is upset over the decision for that agency to move its headquarters there. The building, on Crown Street, is in the middle of that upscale city neighbourhood. Gold Board moved there a few weeks ago after it was discovered that several staffers of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), had elevated levels of mercury. The mercury is believed to have come from the Gold Board area, located in the same Brickdam compound. The emissions were said to have come from the unsafe burning of gold sold by miners to the board. Following the widespread
reporting of the staffers becoming ill, authorities had stepped in, halting the burning of gold, and retaining the services of overseas experts to advise and make checks. The Gold Board was in the meantime using the lab of a gold dealer to conduct the burning, which is an essential part of the process to check that gold sold is of the declared purity levels. The offices of Gold Board were then moved to the Crown Street location. The building was being rented. However, although no gold is being burned there, there were objections, at least from one resident who has been on the case of Gold Board, Elizabeth Deane-Hughes. The Gold Board had said that it had met with residents
nearby to apprise them of the operations and to assure that there is equipment in place to ensure that the emissions are safe once the burning of gold starts. Deane-Hughes in correspondence to the Gold Board, made it clear that some residents were not apprised of the intentions of the Gold Board to have its headquarters placed there. In her missive, DeaneHughes said that there is little that can nullify the “illegal act” of the government or quasi-governmental agency for setting up offices in the area. She requested a “roundtable discussion” with the board before 28 August 2018. Among other things, Deane-Hughes requested
The Gold Board’s Crown Street location that the Gold Board release the current contract with the landlord for the property situ-
ated in Crown Street, Queenstown. She also wanted to know the legal ba-
sis of GGB’s current occupancy at Crown Street, (Continued on page 19)
TB patient charged with 2011 robbery /murder Previously hospitalised in isolation, Carlton Blake was yesterday finally allowed to enter a court to be charged for allegedly killing a gold miner during a robbery in the North West District six years ago. He appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was remanded until November 6. The matter will be transferred to the Matthew’s Ridge Magistrates Court. Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield said he intended to call ten witnesses. It is alleged that Blake murdered Cleveland Smithet at Black Sand Five Star Backdam, North West Essequibo, on December 13, 2011. Smithet, 37, of Kuru Kururu was shot dead while his brother Trevor Smithet, 40, also of Kuru Kururu, was wounded. According to reports, the accused ordered Smithet to kneel before shooting him and escaping with his jewellery. Police had taken the accused to the Georgetown
Carlton Blake
Victim: Cleveland Smithet
Magistrates’ Court in November 2017. However, because of his medical condition, Blake was not allowed to enter Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan’s courtroom. He also had to be isolated from other priso n e r s . A s t a ff o f t h e Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) also told the court that Blake had been
hospitalised in isolation for over seven months and would have to be on treatment for the next two years since his kidneys are failing and his blood glucose level is most times above the normal limit. The magistrate on December 4, 2017, then ordered that the accused be kept in isolation and under guard at the GPHC.
Saturday August 25, 2018
Essequibians protest incessant blackouts After more than a week of consistent power outages throughout the Essequibo Coast, Essequibians staged a protest against the Guyana Power and Light yesterday morning. The protest, which was planned and peaceful, consisted of members of the Regional Democratic Council, the Guyana Tourism Association, the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and residents.
The protest commenced at the Anna Regina Power plant, and protesters slowly marched with placards to the company’s Anna Regina office. As protesters neared the power company’s office, however, security guards on station quickly shut the gates to the compound. Staff members secured the windows and doors, closing them shut. Kaieteur News understands that frustrated resi-
dents from as far as Supenaam joined the protest, eager to make their concerns heard. One resident who lives as far as Pomona, told this publication yesterday that his community and surrounding communities hadn’t any electricity for some 36 hours. Arnold Adams who is an RDC councilor and resident of Supenaam, explained that his area had been (Continued on page 20)
Westford, Cummings freed in $600M... From page 3 Ministers are appointed by the President and Westford's appointment did not come from the Public Service Commission. Hence all the charges are bad in law. The Magistrate then dealt with the evidence in relation to the evidence of the 48 witnesses. In dealing with this, the Magistrate said that most of the witnesses' evidence was contradicting. She said after summarizing the entirety of their evidence she found major discrepancies and inconsistencies. She added that most of the witnesses were unable
to say whether or not activities were carried out in the 10 administrative regions by the former minister and her team, “this does not say that the activities were not carried out” In fact, the Magistrate noted that many of the witnesses told the court that they did not attend the different activities in the region. The Magistrate said that while there is sufficient evidence that Dr. Westford signed the 24 memoranda and Cummings collected the monies and returned same to the Minister, she told the court that Cummings' signature was not on any of the documents.
She added that there was also sufficient evidence that Westford requested the funds by way of 24 memoranda between 2011 and 2015 to conduct staff conferences, performance reviews, year reviews, skilled-based needs assignments, change acceptances workshops, t r a i n i n g f o r scholarship awardees or social activities. According to court facts, Westford was employed as Minister of Public Service from 2001-2015, while her coaccused was the principal personnel officer of the Ministry. Cummings was also in charge of the Ministry's accounts department.
Board appointed to take e-services... From page 18 financial allocations. Chairman of the NDMA, Floyd Levi, said that the project was designed specifically to take Internet connectivity to communities that are vulnerable and ones that are both geographically remote and costly to access. The project is also targeting communities having little or no access to basic services like electricity and potable water, with education, health and other services unequal to what pre-
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Kaieteur News
vails on the coastland. Levi said that Wi-fi connections will be installed shortly in the newly re-built Kato Secondary School in Region Eight which is to be re-opened this September. Kato will then be added to the list of 153 mostly secondary schools throughout Guyana that have been connected to the national networks. That list includes schools at Paramakatoi, Sand Creek, St. Ignatius in Lethem, Waramadong, Karasabai, and Annai.
Gold Board dodges meeting with... From page 14 Queenstown, a residential neighbourhood. GGB was also asked to disclose the legal basis of its continuing to occupy the current premises at Crown Street, and the scope and description of the current safety plans for residents. She also requested GGB to say when it will vacate the premises and whether there was insurance for residents should anything go wrong as a result of the Gold Board’s operations. H o w e v e r, y e s t e r d a y, the Gold Board’s General Manager, Eondrene Thompson, in responding to Deane-Hughes, said that board is unable to meet with the community at this time. “…however they wish to assure you that GGB will spare no cost in its pursuit of a mercury free environment. In ad-
dition to the new technology being used by GGB, early warning mechanisms are in place to protect staffers and the community as a whole. Additionally, other government agencies are involved, and would be involved in the future, to assist and guide on the GGB’s oversight mechanisms.” Thompson said that the Gold Board continues to collaborate with the Environmental Protection Agency which will be holding the GGB accountable for any breaches of its air quality regulations. “The board lauds your strong interest and notes the ongoing concerns expressed. These will feature heavily in our operational and regulatory postures towards the reduction and eventual elimination of mercury use. I as-
sure you that Minister of Natural Resources Honourable Raphael G.C. Trotman, the Board and management are all committed to safety and health issues. This commitment is unswerving and nonnegotiable.” The GM said that the board has taken a decision that no burning of sponge gold is to occur unless the mercury abatement system is fully functional as designed and the public has been notified of this. “We must inform as well that our occupation of the Crown Street premises is meant to be a temporary arrangement, as Minister of Natural Resources Honourable Raphael G.C. Trotman is on record saying that lands will be sourced on which the Gold Board’s permanent home will be constructed.”
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Saturday August 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
Essequibians protest incessant blackouts
A few of the protesters in front of GPL’s Anna Regina office yesterday. From page 19 without electricity for almost a week. Adams added, “Every 36 hours the middle get a little current but Supenaam has been suffering the most, the people of Supenaam need answers. This struggle is going to continue so long as we don’t get answers from GPL.” A businessman, who sells beef for a living, said that business has decreased significantly since the power cuts, since he can only operate two of his five freezers. The man said that he is now slapped with additional expenses, since he has to make daily purchases of diesel and ice, which he claims total $10,000. Regional Vice Chairperson, Juliet Coonjah told the media yesterday that all efforts made
by the RDC to contact the state-owned company have proved futile. Coonjah said that during a meeting earlier this year, GPL had said that the new power plant would have been completed and handed over in the second quarter of this year [2018]. The vice chairperson added, “Still we have been having constant blackouts for long periods… These people have no courtesy… We’re asking for answers. They put up information but they never work according to the advisory.” Coonjah later revealed that the RDC is trying to convene a meeting with a team from GPL by next Tuesday. She noted, however, that there still hasn’t been a response from
the power company. Kaieteur News was informed that the protests are to continue next Tuesday, and it is anticipated to be even bigger. Meanwhile, Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, in a Government statement last evening, said that the electricity distribution along the Essequibo coast would have resumed to normal before the day was out. Speaking with the Department of Public Information, Minister Patterson explained that the Anna Regina Power station usually operates with a capacity of 9.6 megawatts. However, over a period several sets went down resulting in load shedding. Further, a total outage was scheduled to facilitate rearrangement of the generators and
transformers to accommodate the installation of the No 12 unit. Also, intermittent problems with individual machines also led to unscheduled outages. ”We installed two sets with a total of capacity 3.1 MW this week, so power will be back to normal this (yesterday) evening. It is expected that by 6 pm today (yesterday) another two units will be available resulting in a total capacity of 5.8 MW that will be able to meet the demand.” With regards to the new power station, all the generators and auxiliary equipment are on site as of August 22nd. Commercial operation is expected by December.
Saturday August 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Saturday August 25, 2018
Kaieteur News LEGAL NOTICE 1
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6006887: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.
FOR SALE Generac Pressure Wash for sale 3100 PSI. Tel#654-5267/ 652-2244/220-4203
HOUSE PLAN TO BE DRAWN OR YOU JUST NEED AN ESTIMATE. CALL: 216-0671/692-8464/ 622-0267
WANTED
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
1 Air compressor 5HP 3 Phase 230/220 volts. Call: 628-1486/698-1134.
Furnished 2 & 3 bedroom apartments available for rent in Providence. Contact 6826238, 617-2666 & 660-7716
CAT 320 DL, 2 complete 6'’ land dredge, 2 Perkins engine, MWM 6'’ Cylinder, Miller, Kubota, Boats , Yamaha. Call: 613-5062 $22M
One two (2) bedroom apartment in Kitty. Contact# 227-6824
192 Car. Contact Albert #6880814
2 Bedroom apartment 140 BB Eccles Scheme. Contact Malinda Williams @ 6536743/665-6160
Used zinc sheets. Contact 697-0471, 227-0207, 227-4339, 227-8772 Pure breed German Shepherd pups for sale. Contact Tel# 612-6672, 697-1141
Repairs at low cost: fridges, air conditioners, washing machines, freezers,sale of ac’s tel:629-4946,225-4822 Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600
FOR RENT
TAXI SERVICE West Dem Cabs 24 Hrs Goed Fortuin WBD Tel#253-3600/ 696-6709 Parfaite Harmonie #656-3872/694-3110 LAND FOR SALE Prime land to build that dream home. Not far from Princess, New Thriving, Massy, HJ water world $13M neg- Call: 669-8397
PROPERTY FOR SALE Commercial Land at EBD Friendship Craig Busbee Dam, Ideal for Wharfs. Houselots at Farm & Eccles #672-0416, 226-6568 Lot 15 Public road #2 Vill. WCB 3 House Lots. Rice Cultivation 49ftx10,314ft length. Price $18M. Contact# 648-7109/686-4818 40x25 ft 2 storey concrete property in Mon Repos. Fully furnished. Price Negotiable Tel#679-0558,220-0852 Lot 89 Robb Street, Lacytown, Georgetown. Next door to Mike’s Pharmacy. Phone: 617-5323, 666-8052
Prime residential lot at 2nd bridge Herstelling, new lobby set, air condition unit & Honda pump. $5.5M Tel#656-0701 SALON September Cosmetology Courses $40,000 Nail Technology $25,000 Advance Make-up $15,000, All products provided. Abby #614-6749
One hundred (100) acres agricultural land, right bank, Barima River, NWD, Essequibo. 668-7687/ 6779638
EDUCATION IAE- Register for full time school (Grade 7-11) Lessons, Day & Evening CSEC adult classes. Call/Whatsapp #683-5742
1 Tundra $800,000. Contact #650-0402/603-1402 2011 Ford Raptor fully loaded, 6.2 litres 4x4 excellent condition blue #610-5370
Study in Canada/US 100% acceptance MicroGraphics #264-3057 2019 Processing now.
1- 620 DAF EngineLeylandDAF Flatbed tray 30ft 10- Guysuco Lorries 1 DAF engine. owner migrating #228-5655, 6156683
CXC 2018 Computer deal 9 course Diploma $40,000 4 Course Computerized Accounting MicroGraphics Vreed-en-hoop #264-3057
2008 American Automatic Honda Accord. Blue/Black metallic. PTT plates. Great condition. Contact #346-8180822
Live in waitress to work in bar. Call: 692-4649 Contract cars: Contact City Taxi Service, 8 Vlissengen Rd. Phone : 696-0404/226-1081 Experienced, mannerly, caring female 45-55 yrs to care for elderly female, 3 nights & Saturday daytime weekly. Call: 624-0239 8am-5pm We buy land with title & irrevocable power anywhere. Cash. Tel# 648-1635 1 Experienced domestic from Georgetown. Age 35 to 50 years old. Tel# 683-3360 1 Male to assemble baby things. Experienced. 3 days a week. $3000 per day. Tel# 683-3360 Skilled carpenters and mason to work in Linden. 602-9469, 660-6385 1 experienced driver/ salesman to drive canter, must be living between Parika & CI. Tel#661-9447/662-9341 1 Live in nanny/domestic to take care of children. Must know to cook various meals. Age 32-48. Contact 682-8251 Experience our 2 weeks cosmetologist workshop $20,000 & 1 hair dresser wanted who knows to do everything. Contact Melissa: 698-3018 3 Bedroom house with concrete yard space E.C.D 659-6494, 216-3709
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 2263 6 9 3 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
VEHICLE FOR SALE
1 Male to look after layer birds in the interior. #688-9450
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/ 6 5 6 - 0 0 8 7 , ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES, SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494
1 Female caretaker to work in Atlantic Gardens E.C.D. 1 Planner - experienced in pressure systems. 1 Receptionist - Age 18-25. Contact 608-5303 TOLET Rooms in Albertown. 2253234, 225-9223 Student accommodations availablein Goedverwagting, E.C.D. 6 minutes from UG. Private bedroom. Phone: 222-6004 after 5pm Nice & comfortable unfurnished 2 bedroom bottom flat apartment for a small family. Available now at $45,000 Grove New Scheme. E.B.D. 649-3009 Lodge apartments (Vlissengen/Durban): Unfurnished 1 bedroom $50,000, 2 bedroom $60,000. Furnished (for visitors) US$600-1000. Tel: 668-7687/ 677-9638/ 697-6421
2018-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-952 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. FD-952 BETWEEN: (DICK) TENIEKA TENEAL nee JOHNSON Petitioner and- (DICK) THEODORE KEVIN Respondent TO: THEODORE KEVIN DICK Last Known address Lot 24 B North Sophia, Bel Air, Georgetown, Guyana. TAKE NOTICE that on the 6th day of July, 2018 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by TENIEKA TENEAL DICK nee JOHNSON, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 24th day of July, 2018 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of Kaieteur News Newspaper, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the worldwide web AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorneyat-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry) Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division at the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara, within 28 (twentyeight) days from date of the second and final publication of this Notice. TAKE NOTICE that this divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Thursday the 20th day of September, 2018 at 9:00 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall in Court Room 6 of the High Court at Georgetown. IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/ Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown,Demerara].
LEGAL NOTICE 1 contd The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is Closed. Dated the 26th day of July,2018
LEGAL NOTICE 2 2018-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-371 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND M AT R I M O N I A L JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. FD-371 BETWEEN (AJIBOSHO) JULIE ANN NEE RICHMOND Petitioner -V(AJIBOSHO) SEGUN SHELDON Respondent TO: SEGUN SHELDON AJIBOSHO Address Unknown TAKE NOTICE that on the 14th day of March, 2018 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by JULIE ANN AJIBOSHO NEE RICHMOND the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an order made on the 28th day of March, 2018 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by Publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspaper, a daily newspaper printed published and of General circulation in and around the Republic of Guyana. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Ackn o w l e d g e m e n t o f Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of The High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 28 (twentyeight) days from the second and final publication of this Notice. TAKE NOTICEthat the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Monday the 1st of October, 2018 at 9:00 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious in the Direction Hearing Room of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown. (continued on page 23)
Saturday August 25, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Local Oil and Gas entity donates back-to-school supplies to four learning institutions
LEGAL NOTICE 2 contd IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The Office is open to the public between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00 am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated the 8th day of August, 2018
VACANCY
Some of the children who received back-to-school supplies. They are flanked by officials from Century Tamara Energy Services The importance of attaining a sound primary education cannot be understated. Wi t h t h i s i n m i n d , a Guyanese oil and gas company, Century Tamara Energy Services Inc. (CTES), on Wednesday last, distributed almost 200 bookbags with school supplies to four schools in Regions 4 and 6. The back-to-school drive started at Winfer Gardens Primary, and was attended by officials of the company, headmistress of the school, teachers, and parents among others. The attendees welcomed the company’s initiative and expressed gratitude for the
“timely contribution which will make the lives of many parents a bit easier,” as they prepare to send their children out for the new school term which begins next month. The next stop was Golden Grove Primary; this location was packed with children from the village who were eager to receive backpacks. Parents were also in attendance. They mentioned how much of a relief this gesture would provide to their pockets since most of them have not purchased school supplies as yet. The team then travelled to Berbice and made their pre-
sentation of supplies to students of the Rose Hall Estate Primary. This is the school the Country Manager of the company, Mr. Sheldon Davis attended, so it was especially nostalgic for him being there, to present it to the institution which helped to mould him. He implored the students to take their education seriously since they are the future of Guyana.
He noted too that CTES will continue to play its role in the education sector and will also empower women and girls. The last stop was at Rose Hall Town Primary on the Corentyne. CTES provides unique solutions to stakeholders in the oil and gas sector. The company’s vision is to enable Guyanese to adapt to the emerging sector by ensuring full domestic participation and contri-
bution to the economic growth. CTES has been in operation for close to a year now and is located at 213 Camp Street, Georgetown. Its main technical partner is Century Group out of Nigeria. Some of the services the company provides include are exploration, production, marine, ports/ terminal development and management, operations and maintenance of FPSOs.
Fantastic Job Opportunities. Architects, Engineers, Draftsmen, Construction workers. CXC Graduates. Email Experience & Q u a l i f i c a t i o n s guyanajobs@yahoo.com Tel# 656-0075 Salesmen - Age 18-40 knowledge in stocktaking & salesmanship, apply with written application KeyFood McDoom Village. Experienced Pharmacy assistants to work @ Reputable pharmacy in G/ town. Interested persons call #227-0630/628-8811 between 8am-4pm Vacancy for assistant manager & shop manager at Wencai Trading. Phone 6179513
VACANCY Manager to work at Xenon Hotel in Charity. Call#2235273/74 Driver/Expediter. Call: 2235273/74 Carpenter & Mason to do Maintenance work at Adamantium Holdings. Call: 223-5273/74 Experienced washbay staff. #646-8748 1 Female tutor to teach 3 year old boy 12:00-5:30 Mon-Sat Apply Alabama Trading For sales girl. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St Bourda Experienced Carpenters, Masons. Preferably persons living between the Demerara Harbour Bridge and Ogle. Contact#664-6813 LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School. Learn to Drive the right way. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/691-2561
Experience Bartenders and Cleaners. Call: 225-8572 between 7am - 9am Experienced Handyman with 2 yrs experience. Apply @ Christine’s Variety, Lombard St. Contact: 227-8529 Experienced female Accounts clerk, must have passes in English & Maths, Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb St, Bourda Jos-el Educational Institute seeks 1 grade 5 teacher Experienced, 1 year 1 Nursery Teacher Abeka trained. Phone#226-7868 Vacancy exist for two experienced pastry makers. Apply @ Humphrey’s Bakery & Farm Products Ltd. 38 Ketley St Charlestown. Tel# 225-7864/227-8607 Cook/Baker for interior location. Must know to cook & bake a wide variety. Call R&V Mining 618-2020 Azeez Burgers now hiring. 672-9662
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Kaieteur News
Saturday August 25, 2018
Saturday August 25, 2018
Bett latest Kenyan athlete to test positive for EPO NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kipyegon Bett, Kenya’s world 800 meters bronze medalist, has tested positive for banned blood booster Erythropoeitin (EPO), Athletics Kenya (AK) officials said yesterday. AK executive committee member, Barnabas Korir, said the body received notification from the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) on Thursday that the 20-year-old had submitted a positive sample. The AIU handles integrity and doping issues for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Should Bett’s B sample match his A sample, he will face a ban from the sport. He is already serving a provisional suspension for failing to submit to sample collection on Aug. 15. “We had submitted defense for the case of ‘refusing or failing to submit to sample collection’ by today’s (Friday) deadline. But last night, we received another notification about the new (EPO) case,” Korir told Reuters.
“We have kicked off due process, accorded to every athlete as per the rules set by AIU. If the second test confirms the first one, then the athlete will have to face full consequences of the (anti-doping) law,” he said. If his positive test is confirmed, Bett will join a growing list of Kenyan athletes to have flouted anti-doping rules. Milan Marathon winner Lucy Kabuu tested positive for morphine earlier this month. Samuel Kalalei, winner of Athens Marathon last November, also tested positive for EPO on June 4. Kenyan-born Bahraini runner Ruth Jebet, the 2016 Rio Olympic 3,000m steeplechase champion, and former Olympic and three-times world 1,500m champion, Asbel Kiprop, were suspended after their samples tested positive for EPO on Feb. 4 and 3 respectively. Kiprop denied wrongdoing. Other previous high profile Kenyan athletes who failed dope tests are 2016 Olympics marathon winner Jemima Sumgong and former Boston City Marathon winner Rita Jeptoo.
Saturday August 18, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Money matters could prove obsessive today, Aries, as you might be trying to make an important purchase and need to revise your budget in order to do so. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Today you should be looking especially good and feeling particularly passionate and sensual. This is a great day to buy new clothes, as your fashion sense is probably right on target.
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Kaieteur News
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A friend you may not have seen for a while could awaken strange new feelings for which you're unprepared, Libra. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) The formation of a new business partnership might transform your working life, Scorpio. The benefits may not appear for a while, so don't quit your day job.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your imagination should be flying high today, Gemini. Words, images, melodies, or whatever your artistic media are probably popping into your head faster than you can keep track of them.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Unfinished job tasks might have you wanting to pitch in and get them done no matter what it takes, Sagittarius. This is likely to earn you a few brownie points with your colleagues, but take care that you don't stress yourself out.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your financial goals are probably on the verge of becoming reality, Cancer, but it might seem as if the few tasks remaining are too monumental to face right now.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you're apt to feel very sensual and passionate, Capricorn. Sexy clothes, racy novels, and romantic movies could be more appealing than usual.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Conversations with a friend whose good sense you trust could open your eyes to new career possibilities, Leo. You might think about transforming your working life.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A powerful desire for a current or potential romantic partner might come over you today. This person could live far away or be on a trip, so you might have to be satisfied with a phone call
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Strange dreams, insights, or visions could upend your spiritual orientation, Virgo. These new ideas could have your mind going a thousand miles an hour and shake up concepts that you've embraced for most of your life.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A powerful need to reach someone either for business or personal reasons could have you spending a lot of time on the phone that may come to nothing. You might call every place that you can.
DCC’ Patron Minister Harmon... From page 30 praise for the work of Nedd who has been responsible for producing many of the players who have gone on for Guyana and the West Indies. Minister Harmon told the gathering that he was here as the Patron of the club and as the Minister of State and also congratulated DCC for hosting the Camp. “Leadership is very important since when you are winning everyone in the team is there with but when you are doing well leadership can be a very lonely place,” Harmon said. The Politician spoke about discipline and informed that a healthy life style leads to a successful life. Minister Harmon urged that the participants to not get boastful or arrogant when they become successful, adding that it important to look after themselves and not drink and go to night clubs and not forsake rest and still expect to do well on the field the next day. “I only realised recently that a PAY-TRON has to pay” Minister Harmon said with a laugh but added that he was told by Roger Harper that some work is needed to be done on the ground. “I will donate my $250,000 increase next month to DCC to help with the ground,” Harmon promised. He also stressed that communication is very important since if you do well the foreign reporters will ask you questions and if you don’t answer properly you could embarrass yourself and your Country. Assistant Director of Sports Melissa DowRichardson spoke on several topics in a very informative feature address. The NSC official spoke about being a sports Profes-
Uprising facing... From page 31 and C & C Prestigious Styles. The fixtures are seen below: (1)- Hustlers vs. North East La Penitence (2)- Broad Street vs. Alexander Village (3)- Tiger Bay vs. Avacado Ballers (4)- Leopold Street vs. Albouystown (5)- Sparta Boss vs. Back Circle (6)- Ol Skool Ballers vs. BV ‘B’ (7)- Blazers vs. Vryheid’s Lust (8)- Uprising vs. Plaisance (9)- Winner of 1 vs. 2 (10)- Winner of 3 vs. 5 (11)- Winner of 4 vs. 6 (12)- Winner of 7 vs. 8
sional and told the youths that the definition of sports Professional is a skilled and talented sportsman or woman who is paid to compete in a chosen Sport. “Such professionals usually start at an early age, join a club and receive instructions and training, many times be spotted by talent scouts. Such professionals are persons with dedication and potential to succeed who also benefits from sponsorships and scholarships,” DowRichardson explained. “Therefore to be a professional one must have commitment, self-discipline, dedication, excellent physical fitness, stamina and the ability to cope with considerable psychological pressure,” added the NSC representative. She said that all these functionalities require the maintenance of a health drug free body. You must avoid Cigarettes, Alcohol, marijuana and Cocaine as well as performance enhancing drugs. Former Prime Minister,
Minister of Sports and Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green told those present that leadership entails making bold decisions and asked who knew what was Burnham magic in cricket. Few in the building knew what that was. Green, who still have a remarkable memory at his age, said that Lloyd was in Australia playing club cricket and the club there did not want to release him to play for Guyana. But the then President of Guyana, got Lloyd to leave to play against Trinidad at Bourda but when he reached Trinidad they tried to delay him there. Burnham sent a GDF helicopter to pick up at the airport and he landed at Cuffy Square and he was escorted by police outriders to Bourda. He was declared in the team but got there after lunch and had to bat as soon as he reached the ground. Lloyd and Alvin Kallicharran featured in a record stand and Lloyd was appointed West Indies Captain, all because of Burnham’s leadership.
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Saturday August 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
Business entities support FACC James Vince recalled as Jonny Emancipation road race set for tomorrow Bairstow cover for fourth Test
Homeline Furnishing establishment Rep hands over their contribution to Cycle Coach Randolph Roberts (left). The Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) of Berbice continues to receive sponsorship from a number of business entities for their Emancipation cycle road race. The event is scheduled for tomorrow around the town of New Amsterdam. The latest entity to come on board is the Homeline Furnishing establishment which has a number of stores in Berbice. The presentation ceremony was done at the entity’s New Amsterdam establishment. The 10 laps 40 miles event
is for cyclists of the FACC only. The race is expected to pedal off at 13:00hrs from Rainbow Bar on Republic Road continue north, turn left into Vryheid Road, left into Main Road, proceed through Stanleytown, turn left into Tacama Turn and back into Republic Road. That sequence will continue ten times before finishing at the point of origin at Rainbow Bar. There will be prizes for the first five finishers; the first three 12-14 riders, while there will be 10 prime point prizes
up for grabs. The BMX riders and the oldest riders on show are expected to feature and be rewarded. Other sponsors on board include the Regional Democratic Council, Fix It Electronics, Ferdinand Contracting Services and Businessman Alfred Petti of New Amsterdam. Coordinator Randolph Roberts took the opportunity to thank all the sponsors who have come on board to make the event possible. (Samuel Whyte)
Tallawahs move away from ‘fearless cricket’ blamed for loss to Tridents FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, CMC – A lack of fearless cricket has been named as the reason why t h e J a m a i c a Ta l l a w a h s went down to the Barbados Tridents in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) here on Wednesday. The loss was the Tallawahs’ third consecutive, following a sensational start which saw them win their first three games. According to Tallawahs’ captain Andre Russell, the team did not show the same spirit as in previous games during the gut-wrenching two-run loss to the Tridents. The hard-hitting Russell could only watch on from the dugout, along with fellow power-hitter
Rovman Powell, as Ross Taylor and David Miller could only scrape seven runs from Raymon Reifer’s final over in pursuit of a below par target of 156. “We have a good bunch of guys…and earlier I was having a meeting with the guys and I told them to play fearless cricket, but tonight [Wednesday] wasn’t fearless and it is as if guys are afraid to get out. I’m not afraid to get out because it’s not the first time I get out in cricket and it won’t be the last,” Russell said. “I back myself if the ball is there or if it is not there, so that’s the type of spirit we have in the changing room, to be fearless, but I didn’t see that tonight [Wednesday] and that is the reason why we are
on the losing end.” Russell said there was a possibility that the batting lineup could see a shake up. “The batters disappointed us and the bowlers did what they were supposed to do. On a good wicket like that, the bowlers did well to restrict them and I expected to get the runs,” he said. “I didn’t expect to be having this feeling right now. Maybe we will have to switch up the batting order a bit because this is the second game that me and Rovman have been sitting down with the pads on, walking around very anxious to get in. But I back the guys, I back Ross Taylor and David Miller to hit big sixes…”
James Vince plays one of his trademark drives. (Getty Images) ESPNcricinfo - England have added James Vince to a 14-man squad for the fourth Test against India, starting at the Ageas Bowl next Thursday. Vince will provide cover for Jonny Bairstow, who sustained a fractured finger during England’s defeat at Trent Bridge. Vince played the last of his 13 Tests in April on England’s tour of New Zealand, before being dropped at the start of the home summer. He averaged 30.54 over the winter - as opposed to a career mark of 24.90 - and scored all three of his Test fifties to date; he has also been in good form for Hampshire, with innings of 74 and 147 against Nottinghamshire this week. Vince is only likely to play if Bairstow is deemed unfit, however. England are hopeful that Bairstow will be able to feature as a specialist batsman, with Jos Buttler set to remain behind the stumps after taking over wicketkeeping duties during the third Test and subsequently scoring his maiden hundred. The only other change to the squad is Jamie Porter
missing out, primarily to be available for Essex in the Championship. Keaton Jennings and Alastair Cook have been retained as openers despite neither reaching fifty in the series so far. “The selection panel felt this was the right time to reintroduce James Vince to the Test squad,” Ed Smith, England’s national selector, said. “James will provide cover in case Jonny Bairstow’s fractured finger prevents him playing in the fourth Test match. “James returns to the England set-up in confident form and scoring runs. He has been in excellent form for Hampshire in the Specsavers County Championship, with 847 runs at 56.46, including 74 and 147 this week - runs that shaped Hampshire’s win against Nottinghamshire. James’ match-winning runs also helped Hampshire to win the Royal London Cup earlier this summer. “Jamie Porter has been part of the last three Test squads. But the selection panel did not want him to miss the opportunity of playing for Essex in the next round of
Championship matches. He will return to the squad in the event of an injury to a seam bowler.” Bairstow’s injury could help provide a partial solution to England’s recent batting woes. If he is passed fit as a batsman, he is likely to move up the order to No. 4, allowing Ollie Pope, who is two Tests into his international career, to move down. Moeen Ali, who scored a double-hundred for Worcestershire at Scarborough in the week, is also an option to come in. Ben Stokes, who suffered a minor knee injury in the Trent Bridge Test, is not expected to be a fitness doubt. After being reassessed by the England medical team, he will be available to play as a batsman in Durham’s Vitality Blast quarter-final on Friday night. England squad: Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, James Vince and Chris Woakes.
Road Race and Fitness Walk tomorrow in New Amsterdam Country Pride Television in Collaboration with the business community in Berbice has organised a three miles Road Race and Fitness Walk in the Town Of New Amsterdam. The event which is slated for tomorrow will cater for participants of all ages. The event will begin at 07:50 hrs at the New Amsterdam Arch at the junction of Main and Vryheid Road. The senior athletes will proceed south along the main road into Stanleytown, turn
right at Tacama Turn into Strand (Water Street) and proceed north along Strand into New Amsterdam to finish at the entrance of payless Variety Store at the junction of Strand and Pitt Street opposite New Amsterdam Market. Athletes participating in the fitness walk will take a similar route, a distance of three miles. The junior U12 athletes will turn right into New Street, right into Strand to finish at the same point as the seniors. According to Coordinator
Andy Henry participants are expected from Linden, Georgetown and East and West Berbice among other areas. According to Henry the event is being held in an effort to help revitalize athletics in Berbice and those who want to keep fit. He further stated that the many fitness walkers who take to the road in the mornings and afternoons will have an opportunity to do so for an incentive. Trophies, medals and other incentives will be up for grabs.
Saturday August 25, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Raikkonen keeps Ferrari on top in Belgian GP practice SPA- RANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (Reuters) - Spa veteran Kimi Raikkonen kept Ferrari on top of the Belgian Grand Prix practice timesheets yesterday with Mercedes’ Formula One world championship leader Lewis Hamilton hot on his heels. Finnish driver Raikkonen, four times a winner at one of the most exhilarating and daunting tracks on the calendar and chasing the 100th podium finish of his career on Sunday, produced a time of one minute 43.355 seconds under leaden skies. “I enjoy driving on this track, it has a good flow and this generation of cars are pretty nice to drive here,” said Raikkonen. “We always say that Friday is Friday and times don’t really matter today. It was OK, but for sure we still have some work ahead of us.” Hamilton was 0.168 seconds off the pace, with Finnish team mate Valtteri Bottas — who will start the race from the back of the grid because of engine penalties — third
Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen during practice for the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot, Belgium. (REUTERS/Francois Lenoir) fastest. “It’s really close between us and Ferrari; it seems like we’ve both been bringing new updates at a similar rate,” Hamilton said. Raikkonen’s team mate Sebastian Vettel had been top
in the morning session — the first since the three-week August break — in 1:44.358. The German, 24 points behind fellow four times champion Hamilton with nine of 21 races remaining, was fifth in the afternoon.
“Today it was a bit difficult to figure out where we are and I think we’ll have to wait for tomorrow to have a better idea,” said Vettel. “The new engine has done what it was supposed to do. Today everything was work-
ing well.” Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, with tens of thousands of his Dutch fans expected to make the short trip across the border, was second and fourth respectively in the two sessions. VETTEL OPTIMISM Hamilton, last year’s winner in the Ardennes forests from pole position, had been third in the morning. Vettel had earlier expressed optimism that Hamilton could be reeled in over the remaining races, some of which should favour Ferrari more than Mercedes. “Points-wise we know that we are a little bit behind but I don’t think it’s anything that we can’t do,” the German told reporters.Both Vettel and Hamilton will have upgraded engines, with Mercedes saying the Briton had a new turbocharger, engine and MGUH and MGU-K motor generator units in his car. Those parts were within his allocation for the season but team mate Bottas incurred penalties after being given a
completely new power unit that exceeded his allowance. Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg will also start from the back of the grid for the same reason. “The focus for me will obviously be the race (rather than qualifying),” said Bottas. “Fortunately, the long-run pace felt good and I am confident that it is possible to come up through the field here.” Britain’s Lando Norris made his grand prix weekend debut in the morning, taking Fernando Alonso’s McLaren for the session, with the 18year-old team reserve lapping faster than under-pressure Belgian race regular Stoffel Vandoorne.Norris, who is also chasing the Formula Two title, lapped in 1:47.364, against Vandoorne’s 1:47.452. Vandoorne drove only 13 laps compared with Norris’s 26, however, kept in the garage as the team investigated a possible leak on the car. The Belgian was slowest in the afternoon, with Alonso returning to post the 16th best time.
BWF CAREBACO International Senior Championships 2018
Guyana secures two bronze medals, hunt for gold still on
The Ramdhani siblings (foreground) on the go during their Mixed Doubles match. The BWF CAREBACO International Senior Championships 2018 continued Thursday at the Ring Sports Center in Paramaribo Suriname. The Guyanese Players all performed above the call of duty as they played extremely well in their first Senior CAREBACO I n t e r n a t i o n a l Championships and got into four semi-finals and
made it into two finals. These players stand up to 6-7 matches in one day and ran over 8-10 miles on the court. The Night started out with the Ladies Singles Semi-Finals with exceptionally talented Guyanese Priyanna Ramdhani who defeated Jamaican No.1 player Katherine Wynter who was also Ranked No.1 in the
tournament in a three setter: 24-22, 10-21, 21-14 to get into the final. Priyanna then played the Ladies Doubles SemiFinals with Chequeda De Boulet of Trinidad to defeat the Surinamese pair of Imani Mangroe & MaryAnn Zhong in another three setter: 17-21, 21-16, 21-7 to reach the Final. Priyanna then played the Mixed Doubles Semi-
Priyanna Ramdhani (left foreground) plays a shot during her Doubles match. Finals with Narayan Ramdhani but lost in yet another three setter to the Experienced No.1 seeded players Dakeil Thorpe & Ta m i s h a Wi l l i a m s o f Barbados: 21-17, 17-21, 2220. This was really a quite thrilling match and they settled for the bronze medal. The Men Doubles Semi-Finals saw Narayan Ramdhani & Jonathan
Mangra lost to the experienced Dylan Darmohoetomo & Gilmar Jones of Suriname: 2-15, 218 and settled for the bronze. Priyanna Ramdhani is the only player in Three Semi-Finals in the over-all Senior International Championships. Quite an accomplishment for a 16 year old junior player who still have further to go as
she will be playing in the CAREBACO Regional Under-17 Championships next week and only recently won the CAREBACO Junior International. Narayan is in Two and Jonathan Mangra is in One semifinal. The tournament continued last night with Priyanna going for the gold in both the Ladies Singles and Ladies Doubles.
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Saturday August 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
Upper Mazaruni host 2nd successful Cadet Table Tennis Challenge
Coach Raphael Hunter Receiving his ITTF Certificate from ITTF Latin American Rules and Judging Director Ms. Yoanna Ramirez. J. Cornelius emerged champion in the Boys 13 years and under division, Hese Roland from Kako Village won her second female title in the under 13 Girls category when the Upper M a z a r u n i Ta b l e Te n n i s Steering Committee held its 2nd Upper Mazaruni Cadet Table Tennis Challenge. Held during the Upper Mazaruni District Sports Council Games and Football championships during the period August 4th to 6th2018, in Waramadong Recreational Ground, the games were held under the theme “In the Spirit of Unity; Together We Win”. The championships at-
tracted over twenty (25) five players from villages of Chinoweing, Imbaimadai, Jawalla, Phillipai, Quebanang, Kako, Kamarang/Warawatta, Isseneru, host Waramadong, Paruima, Kaikan and Arau villages of Jawalla, who all travelled to Waramadong to represent their village and engage in competition to determine the champion. This formed the second competition organized within the region by Coach Raphael Hunter. Geared towards providing a competitive environment to assess the development and expose players, in addition to improving their technical and tactical abilities.
The tournament pitted the best boys and girls 11 and 13 years and under from the villages of Chinoweing, Imbaimadai, Jawalla, Phillipai, Quebanang, Kako, K a m a r a n g / Wa r a w a t t a , Isseneru, host Waramadong, Paruima, Kaikan and Arau.Jawla, Peruni, Aurora, Quenenbang, Imbamadai, Sipuruni who all travelled to Kamarang to represent their village and engage in competition to determine the champion. Coordinating all activities and the driving force behind table tennis in the region and with a motivation to make a difference in his region through active coordinating,
Medal Winners in the 2nd Upper Mazaruni Table Tennis Challenge and Coach. coaching, orienting students’ athletes to the sport of table tennis is recently accredited ITTF coach and accredited ITTF Basic Umpire, Sir Rafael Hunter from Jawalla. A very passionate and hardworking teacher and coach with a drive to develop the sport of table tennis and to make a difference in the lives of his students from the region, Coach Raphael Hunter has been making the rounds within the region coaching, orienting the students to the sport. He indicated that he was very enthused by the development of his players in mastering the fundamental aspects of the game, and felt
there was significant improvement in the technical development and standard of play and the confidence exhibited which augurs well for the development of the players and sport. His plans are to continue working with the players, involving new players, coaches and members of the community to help with the development of the sport and to have many more training camps and competitions in the new school term as a means of fast tracking the players development, with a key part of the strategy being to have table tennis played between the villages at
this year annual indigenous games and to have some of the talented players in the region participate in key competition in the city. The tournament formed part of the implementation of the GTTA’s National Table Tennis for Schools programme, supported by the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Olympic Association, the Upper Mazaruni committee, The Guyana Teachers Union under the auspices and in collaboration with the Regional Department of Education, with support from the Guyana Table Tennis Association.
New GPC onboard for third Limacol Football tournament New Guyana Pharmaceutical Company (GPC) under its Limacol brand has thrown its support behind the Petra organization for the third edition of the Limacol Football tournament set for Month end. The company, through its Secretary Zulfikar Ali expressed excitement at being onboard for another edition of the highly anticipated tournament during a simple ceremony at the company’s head office at Farm, East Bank Demerara. He contended that they are always interested in sports and its development and have seen the progress from the first two installments,
hence their return for a third time. Petra, through Co-Director Troy Mendonca, outlined that the tournament provides an avenue for community teams who do not get as much football related activity. While the teams for the 2018 edition of the tournament have not been revealed as yet, Mendonca contended that quality competition is expected. GFF President Wayne Forde, who was also on hand, expressed his pleasure at seeing the company onboard for a third year, citing their extended input in football. The tournament will start on August 30 and play until October with teams from Georgetown, Linden and the West Bank set to participate for over a million dollars in cash and prizes.
Petra’s Mark Alleyne (2nd left) receives the sponsorship cheque from New GPC’s Zulfikar Ali in the presence of GFF President Wayne Forde (left) and Petra’s Troy Mendonca, yesterday at the company’s Farm office.
Saturday August 25, 2018
Trophy Stall Golf Invitational on today at LGC Today from 12:30pm, Trophy Stall will host its annual tournament in support of the Lusignan Golf Club’s (LGC) effort to reach an incredible milestone of 50 tournaments in a single year. The tournament will feature the top Guyanese golfers in three categories who will compete for first and second place, Best Gross and Best Net overall and special prizes for Longest Drive and Nearest to the Pin. Trophy Stall located at Bourda Market is the provider of the highest quality trophies and printing services and has been a strong supporter of all types of sporting events in Guyana for many years. The company has partnered with the Lusignan Golf Club in many ways and has always delivered top quality prod-
ucts and world-class service. Managing Directors Ramesh and Devi Sunich are avid fans of the game of golf and follow the sport as it has grown in prominence over the past year. “Golf is a game of precision and no margin for error – just like our business and we expect that a full team will support our tournament as always,” Ramesh Sunich noted. In a handover ceremony at the company’s headquarters at Bourda Market, Ramesh stated that the company wanted to show its commitment to the LGC and assist with the promotion of the game to the younger generation of golfers. The LGC has a packed calendar of events with more than 4 activities per month scheduled for the rest of the
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Kaieteur News
year. The Club is available for weddings, corporate training/ retreats, summer camps for kids and many other activities. Members of the public are encouraged to come out and enjoy the ambiance and tranquillity of the ground along with great food and drinks are available every day of the week. For more information on the Lusignan Golf Club, events and activities calendar, and how you can become a member of the LGC, visit their Facebook page, call 220-5660 or simply stop by for a tour of the facilities. For the highest quality in plaques, trophies and print services, Trophy Stall is conveniently located in Bourda Market or by calling 225-9230.
NSC grants GKF with millions worth of protective gear
GMRSC KOTS 3
The king has spoken; Team Mohamed’s aim to retain their Crown Fans will flock to the South Dakota Circuit at Timehri tomorrow when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMRSC) hosts their final drag meet of the year, the King of the Strip (KOTS) 3, with keen interest on Team Mohamed’s Nissan GTR ‘Goliath’. There has been much buzz among the local dragsters about who will emerge the top driver but almost everyone has been counting out the undisputed ‘King of the Strip’, Team Mohamed’s, and now, the King has spoken. Owner of Team Mohamed’s which is aligned to success being the reigning Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) super bike Champions, Azzrudin Mohamed, noted that he is unfazed by all the banter because come tomorrow’s race day, his pair of Nissan GTR cars will do what they usually do, win. After making light work of their closest rival in Shawn Persaud in the unlimited class during the first KOS drag meet in February, Team Mohamed’s had a sterner test against Trinidadian Sheldon Bissessar’s rail car which was
competing for the first time in Guyana during the KOTS 2, April 22nd last. However, Mohamed’s driver Terrence Cox held his nerve and pushed the vehicle to a comfortable strip record of 7.52 seconds to outpace the T&T rival who finished in 7.62 seconds. The KOTS 3 will have competitors from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Suriname going up against a strong local contingent which will be spearheaded by Nissan GTR ‘Goliath’ at the Timehri strip which has recently benefited for the installation of a launch pad. Azzrudin posited to Kaieteur Sport recently that all banter has been comical and he is positive that the GTR will maintain its unbeaten run at Guyana’s lone drag strip, while noting that he hasn’t really unleashed the full power of the beast that is nicknamed ‘Goliath’. During the KOTS 2, in the other classes, Shawn Persaud with his Toyota Caldina outclassed the competition for the 8-second class trophy with a dominating showing against the men the from the Twin Island Republic of T&T.
The 9-second class was picked up by the Toyota Alteeza of Raj Panday, while the 10-second class was won by Damian Persaud who also drives a Toyota Caldina and is also the son of Shawn Persaud. Michael Namchand of Suriname with his Toyota Mark II took the 11-second class with Raymond John and his Toyota Chaser joining his countryman on the podium for the 12-second class. The Toyota Starlet of Ricardo Moore was the winner of the 13-second class with Bishram Rajaram winning the 14-second class. The 15-second class was won by Troy Kowlesar with the Trinidadian bike duo of Shawn Brigs and Ian Atherly also picking up trophies. The KOTS 3 powers off tomorrow from 09:00hrs and admission to the venue will cost $1000 for adults and $500 for children. The sponsors for KOTS 3 include Mohamed’s Enterprise, Ansa Mcal, B.M. Soat, ExxonMobil, Tropical Shipping, Del Ice Company, Japarts, Palm Court and Trans Pacific Auto Sales and Spares.
Hand in Hand Insurance Company supports Raveiro Tucker in CMRC Championship
Sports Director Christopher Jones (second right) presents the equipment to Amir Khouri in the presence of Keith Beaton (left) and Roger Peroune. The National Sports Commission (NSC) presented the Guyana Karate Federation (GKF) with a large quantity of protective gear yesterday morning at the government entity’s head office. The GKF was able to benefit from the contribution by the NSC simply because they had followed in the guideline of writing their request for assistance in a timely manner which the NSC has been preaching for a couple of years now. President of the Federation, Amir Khouri, in the company of his two Vice-presidents Roger Peroune and Keith Beaton, were present at the NSC office on Homestretch Avenue to receive millions of dollars in equipment from Sport Director, Christopher Jones. Khouri noted that he was
overwhelmed by the large donation, which included Foot protectors (both shin and bottom), Groin protectors, male and female chest protectors and gloves. “We’re very grateful. We will use this towards the benefit and development of the sport of karate,” he said. Jones stated that after the Federation had applied for assistance in 2017, resources from the National Budget were allocated to ensure that request was fulfilled. “We hope this equipment would be used to further those athletes in their pursuits, and of course it is not a one-off donation or contribution to them, but rather it is a start. Whatever additional assistance that is needed, equipment or otherwise, the National Sports Commission
is willing to lend support to them, but of course as we mentioned from the onset those requests have to be made to the Sports Commission in a timely manner so we can be able to honour their request,” Jones explained. Vice-president Peroune indicated that the huge influx of equipment will significantly aid the development of the sport in Guyana. “A lot of our competitors here can’t afford these gear and when we send them abroad and they end up buying the gear out of necessity, because you can’t compete without them, it’s a very different feeling. So this is the step in getting them accustomed to what competition is like abroad and what that feeling is like using this gear,” Peroune explained.
The Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Ltd once again exercised their corporate responsibility by supporting Mr. Raveiro Tucker, a young motorsport enthusiast piloting bike number 123 competing in the Superstock Motorcycles class at the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) 2018. In a simple presentation at the company’s Head Office at
Lot 1-4 Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown, Mr Howard Cox, Director/Fire Manager, proudly presented the sponsorship cheque to a delightful Tucker. Mr. Cox commended Tucker for his overall 2nd place achievement in the Superstock 600 Championship in 2017 and wished him well in the remaining CMRC races scheduled for 2018 and all future
endeavours. Raveiro Tucker expressed sincere gratitude to the Company for their assistance and commended them for their continued support towards the development of sports and youths in Guyana. The next CMRC event is scheduled for 2nd September, 2018 at the Bushy Park Circuit in Barbados and eventually finishing the season in Guyana in November.
Everest Masters win again The consistency continues with the Everest Cricket Club Masters team as they won yet another match in what can be described as a successful year on the field when they beat the visiting Zeelugt Masters by 48 runs on Wednesday at the Everest ground. The hosts started to get it right from the beginning when they won the toss and batted. After their allotment of 25 overs the score was an imposing 184 for 4. The inform Saheed Mohamed muscled his way
to 54 (3x4; 1x6) with Hemraj Garbarran 45 (4x4; 1x5; 1x6), Alex Cully 23 (2x4) and Rakesh Gangaram 21 (1x4; 1x6) offering excellent support. The Zeelugt bowlers had a tough day at the office with S. Persaud, D. Maniram and S. Mangra picking up a wicket each. In reply, the visitors kept losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually folded for 136 in the 24th over with Ricky Persaud top scoring with 54(6x4), while Manishwar Balgobin hit 26 (2x4). The victors’ bowling
was spearheaded by Man of the Match, Rakesh Gangaram who snared 4/19, while Saheed Mohamed also came back with the ball to reap success with 3/ 12. So far for the year, Everest Masters have played 12 matches in and out of Guyana and were on the winning end in 10 of those encounters. Their next assignment is against Parika Defenders on September 16 at the Parika ground. Trophies for the match were sponsored by Trophy Stall of Bourda Market.
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Inaugural BV/Triumph 8th of May Movement Emancipation Cohesion Football League
Event concludes today Director of Sport, Assistant Director of Sport to present medals
The finals of the Junior Shield (U20) and Senior Cup of the inaugural BV/Triumph 8th of May Movement Emancipation Cohesion Football League, will be played today at the BV Play-ground, which is situated on Republic Drive, Beterverwagting. Both finals would follow the third place play-offs of the respective youth and senior leagues. Today from 11:00 hours at the BV Play-ground, Tucville will engage Mahaica in the third placed Junior Shield (U20) play-offs, while the final between Mahaicony and
BV will commence from 13:00 hours. On conclusion of the Junior Shield (U20) final, there will be the final of the skill exercise, which will witness Tucville’s Kadeem Blackman, Mahaica’ Joseph DeFreitas and BV’s Ian Dooker vying to attain the coveted title of Doving Champion, and right to walk away with $20, 000 and trophy. At the end of the Doving action, Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa DowRichardson would present the players of the Junior Shield (U20) champion team with
first game at home at the National Track and Field Centre against Barbados on September 6.Guyana drew 2-2 against the Mangaratiba Club in their first tour match. According to reports, the stipend was promised to players shortly before they departed Guyana on August 12. The GFF’s communication officer Debra Francis, confirmed the players’ refusal to train and play due to outstanding finances, and explained that the Wayne Forde-led Federation “had
GFF/Kool Kidz grassroots programme launched
medals. Thereafter, the third placed Play-offs in the Senior Cup Football League will be contested between Tucville and Mahaica from 15:00 hours. The final of the Senior League between BV and Eastveldt will start at 17:00 hours; on conclusion of which, the Director of Sport, Mr. Christopher Jones with g r a c e t h e p r e s e n tation party, to do the honours of bestowing the players of the champion team will their accolades.
Unpaid stipend leads to strike by national footballers RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil, CMC – Guyana’s national footballers have taken strike action on their current tour of Brazil, following the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) failure to pay a promised stipend. The Golden Jaguars refused to play their final friendly game in Rio de Janeiro as a result of the unpaid monies.The team is in Brazil as part of preparations for the upcoming CONCACAF Nation’s League qualifier. They will play their
Saturday August 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
some logistical issues in transferring the funds by the expected date.” However, she disclosed that the owed stipends were eventually paid to the family of the players in Guyana on Thursday.After their clash with Barbados on September 6, Guyana will then travel to Turks and Caicos for a meeting between the two countries on October 13, followed by an encounter against French Guiana on November 20, before hosting Belize in March, 2019.
GBI’s Samuel Arjune (left) and GFF’s Wayne Forde pose with the signed MoU for a photo op yesterday. Yesterday, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Guyana Beverages Inc. (GBI) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to continue the work of the GFF/Kool Kidz Grassroots programme which serves as a youth football development initiative. Present at the simple but very significant ceremony was head of the federation Wayne Forde and Samuel Arjune, Commercial Manager – Guyana Beverages Inc.
The MOU will see the GFF and GBI collaborating for two years to run grassroots programmes in all nine member associations (MAs). During the signing, Arjune explained that GBI was happy to continue their partnership with the GFF noting that, “Sometime in the past we would’ve started this collaboration with the GFF and the Kool Kidz brand in the rural areas and we were happy with his (Wayne
Forde’s) execution of the project and by extension we chose to take the initiative to a country wide reach.” Meanwhile, the President posited that GBI has demonstrated, at many critical points in the sport development history of Guyana, their readiness to support various sports disciplines in Guyana. He further stated that the alignment of Fruta Kool kidz and grassroots football is the perfect setting for kids.
DCC’ Patron Minister Harmon donates next month’s salary increase to Club - Reddy & Bacchus are best Batsman & Bowler at DCC’s Academy By Sean Devers The Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) was formed in 1912 and is known as the home of Legends having produced greats like Maurice Fernandes (first West Indies Captain win a Test), Clive Lloyd, Roy Fredericks, Lance Gibbs, Roger Harper and Guyana’s newest Test player Kemo Paul. And yesterday at their club House in Queenstown, with a cadre of influential Guyana seated at the Head Table, they held the closing Ceremony of its annual cricket Academy which ran for two weeks and accommodated 110 enthusiastic youngsters including two Girls, divided into groups of U-13 and 1318. After 10 days of hard work, learning skills of cricket on the field and lots of important topics indoors by coaches Mark Harper, Garvin Nedd, Darian Best, Clyde Butts, Shawn Massiah, Kevin Ross, Tevin Imlach and Reon King and a host of motivat-
ing facilitators. Joshua Reddy took home the Roy Fredericks Trophy for being adjudged the Most improved batsman, while Arif Bacchus was presented with the Lance Gibbs Trophy for being the most improved bowler in the 13-18 age group. The others to receive trophies in the 13-18 category were; Mark Sharma (best fielder) got the Roger Harper Trophy, Nicholas Samaroo (best Keeper) had the Darwin Christian trophy, Idris Allen (Best Class room student) got the Fred Wills trophy, Mitra Dhanraj (most disciplined student) had the M.P Fernandes trophy and Jaydon Alves (Most Valuable Participant) got Clive Lloyd trophy. In the U-13s, Lomar Seecharran (Best batsman), Michal Sharma (best bowler), Lebrun Burns (best fielder), Qvon Torrington (best Keeper), Ephraim Mingo (Best Class room student), Deane Hughes (most disciplined student) and Ryan
The head table (from left) Pastor Troy Parris, Troy Peters, Mark Harper, Minister of State Joe Harmon, Roger Harper & Asst Director of Sports Melissa Dow-Richardson. (Sean Devers photo) Sadiek took the top honours. After Pastor Troy Parris started the ceremony with a Prayer, DCC’s executive Reginald Brotherson gave the opening remarks and introduced the speakers after the National Pledge was recited. Technical Director of the Academy Mark Harper told of what transpired during the 10 days and thanked all who
contributed to the event which was sponsored by 23 Business entities and individuals including Banks DIH, Noble House Sea Foods, Ansa McAl Trading, Department of Public Service, Ministry of the Presidency, Bulkan Timer works, ARK Container House, Star Party Rentals, 4R Bearings, Mikes Pharmacy, Regal Stationary and Com-
puter House, Elegance Jewellery & Pawn Shop, De Sinco Trading, P&P Insurance Brokers, Ramchand Auto Spares, Goodwood Racing Service and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. Troy Peters from Banks DIH spoke on behalf of the sponsors and Banks DIH applauds DCC hosting the Cricket Camp, while DCC’s
President Roger Harper thanked his team and the parents and guardians for their support. The Head, in the first year of his two-year term at the helm, told the packed upper flat of DCC that this was the end of this programme but it is the start of a new chapter in their lives. He was high in (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
Saturday August 25, 2018
PAGE 31
Three Peat Promotions / Guinness Cage Competition
Uprising facing enormous pressure to halt G/town dominance -Champs Ballers ready to ball A section of the large crowd that has become a feature at this year’s competition.
H
aving upset the odds en route to claiming the East Coast Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition earlier this year, the youthful Uprising unit from Golden Grove have become the most popular team on the East Coast of Demerara. Their fan base has increased significantly and they’ve not disappointed to date, but could they withstand the enormous pressure being placed on them to win the Three Peat Promotions / Guinness Cage Competition. The answer to the above could be known tonight when they face Plaisance in the feature clash of the Round of 16 segment at the Haslington Market Tarmac. But even more important is could the East Coast teams repel the challenge of the visiting Georgetown teams and underline their arrival on the big stage. The tournament dubbed ‘East Coast Best versus the Rest’ pitted thirteen teams from the East Coast communities versus eleven from Georgetown and to date all eleven of the visiting teams are still in the competition, while only five from the host are still alive. Simply put, fans and supporters of the respective East Coast teams will have to come out and provide vociferous support to their teams in an effort to ensure that bragging rights and
home turf defence are noticeably present tonight. The support for the tournament, which is being held to improve relations among all communities and to foster social cohesion among its citizenry, has been tremendous to date and this trend is anticipated to continue right to the final scheduled to be played next Friday, at the same venue. Meanwhile, defending champion Ol Skool Ballers have already exhibited impressive form to date and could make life difficult for BV ‘B’ and this is where home support could prove a vital ally in this engagement. This encounter should provide riveting action and enough excitement for the fans. Another game that could bring the house down is the clash between old rivals Sparta Boss and Back Circle. Undeniably, Guyana’s most successful team in the shorter format, Sparta Boss have not displayed the kind of killer instincts that their supporters and opponents knows they possess, but writing off their chances could be a dangerous undertaking. Many feel that they are a bit exhausted after making the final stages of almost every tournament this year and barely scraped through as one of the best third placed teams. However, big occasion is what they thrive on and Back Circle could provide the flicker they need to
remind everyone of their mastery on the streets. Back Circle are no pushover either and will want to prove such by making the showdown an explosive one for a quarterfinal spot. Tiger Bay and Avacado Ballers matchup is another dream game with a winner proving too difficult to predict. Alexander Village have been the surprise package in the tournament to date, but so too are Broad Street. These two teams have been around for ages, but somehow seem rejuvenated and full of energy and this could be an explosive encounter. The Leopold Street versus Albouystown clash has all the hallmarks of being a blockbuster and once again the choice of picking a winner is no easy task. Among the entities in support of the cause are: Banks DIH under its Guinness and Power Wine brands, Clarks footwear giants Chetsons, ENetworks Inc., KSM Investments, Yhip’s Bakery, Brass Aluminium & Cast Iron Foundry (BACIF), Ray’s Auto Sales, Y.K. Investments, Trophy Stall, Express Shipping, Woodpecker Products, National Sports Commission, ‘C’ Division of the Guyana Police Force, Jai Signs & Auto Designs, Gaming Authority, Julius Variety Store, Insurance Brokers Guyana Limited (Continued on page 25)
rt o p S
GMRSC KOTS 3 The king has spoken; Team Mohamed’s aim to retain their Crown P.
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Team Mohamed’s pair of Nissan GT-R sports cars will be on the strip tomorrow in a bid to continue their dominance.
Hand in Hand Insurance Company Trophy Stall Golf Invitational supports Raveiro Tucker in CMRC . 29 on today at LGC Championship . 29 P
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Raveiro Tucker (right) collects the sponsorship from Howard Cox, Director/Fire Manager of Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
Mrs Devi Sunich presents some of the trophies to LGC President Aleem Hussain for the Trophy Stall sponsored tournament today.
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