Monday December 01, 2014
Kaieteur News
Page 5
Letters... Where your views make the news...Letters... Where your views make the news
Guyana – The Western Hemisphere’s Failed State
DEAR EDITOR, With each passing day, each passing scandal and each dot that connects the PPP government directly or tangentially to convicted or alleged criminals caught in the United States, it becomes harder to find the correct adjective to describe this unearthly band of brigands that have their fetid and corrupt hands strangling the life out of a once proud nation. There is no core, no center, no corner, no scheme that the PPP has embarked on that could or should lead to development for the benefit of all Guyanese that has not become enmeshed in corruption, allegation of corruption, vindictiveness, lawlessness and ties to criminals. Roger Khan pledged
fealty to Jagdeo’s PPP. Khan was subsequently convicted of trafficking in cocaine in the United States and the PPP publicly walked away from him. Ed Ahmad provided shipping containers with items to Jagdeo’s PPP. Ahmad was subsequently convicted of mortgage fraud. Ahmad became a wealthy land owner of former GUYSUCO lands in Guyana and when the stuff hit the fan, the PPP publicly walked away from him. Peter Morgan, Barry Dataram, Sonny Ramdeo and a long list of w h o ’s o f w h o ’s o n t h e rogue’s gallery of today’s Guyanese “business” titans that are celebrated by the PPP but have the stench of illegality attached to their ventures
but are embraced by the PPP and their supporters. Mind you, this does not include the recent admission by the Attorney General, Guyana’s top law enforcement officer, of his unauthorized use of state funds for personal use and his having knowledge of imminent threats to the lives and business of Kaieteur News, a vocal critic of the government. So now we’ve come to the latest but sure not the last notch in the PPP’s belt of criminals and those associated with criminality, one Khamraj Lall, currently detained on charges in the USA for currency smuggling. Lall, who is a pilot, was allegedly paid by the PPP government to shuttle puppet president Ramotar on official state visits outside of
Ramotar shut down the... From page 4 “Bring it on”, in a cowardly fashion, utilized a clause in the constitution, which allowed him to prorogue Parliament which act subverted the people’s the right to place his presidency and the performance of his government under scrutiny. I deliberately said allowed that the spirit of the constitution could never concede to any one person a right that would supersede the fundamental rights of the people and destroy a fundamental pillar of our socio political system that underpin our very political culture. The last time parliament was prorogued was to facilitate its movement to another location when parliament was undergoing repairs. One understands that under some circumstances it may become necessary for parliament to be prorogued.
I am sure the clause was to be utilized in similar circumstances. It could have never been the intention for it to be used to nullify the voice of the people and destroy the base of our democratic system of government. The constitution empowers people through parliament. It gives the majority the right to remove non performing incompetent and corrupt governments. Parliament is the foundation of our parliamentary democracy. To prevent the parliament from moving a no confidence against his government the president prorogued the parliament; he shut down the voice of the people so that he can preserve his power.
I must add here that another pillar of our democratic system is the free Press and as such we must all stand in solidarity with the Kaieteur News, which has come under attack to the extent where the very lives of Glen Lall and his staff have come under threat. The president and the PPP now find themselves on the other side of democracy. By shutting down parliament; by destroying the voice of the people; by placing freedom of the press under threat, it has now become a dictatorship and must be opposed by all democratic minded people. Rajendra Bisessar
Guyana. From all accounts, Lall owns a tremendous edifice situated on Timheri airport that is the site of his private jet operations but none of the regulatory agencies can tell you who gave Lall permission to erect, license and operate this business; the type of business that if not properly regulated, overseen and inspected; is the ideal vehicle for gold, currency, drug, human and arms trafficking. A fact not lost on the corruption-friendly PPP, however, unlike Jagdeo who when he realized his gift of
Sanata Textiles complex to his bosom buddy Bobby Ramroop was illegal, he had parliament fix his error but puppet Ramotar doesn’t have such luxury given that he prorogued parliament, he’ll have to fix pilot Lall’s lacuna by presidential decree. Today I saw on television violent protests erupt in Haiti because it’s been THREE YEARS since their president held constitutionally due Local Government Elections. This is in a country that is the perennial “poor man” of the entire Caribbean that has had to deal with unimaginable natural disasters and outbreak
of disease in the past decade. Meanwhile, in Guyana, where those same elections have not been held in almost TWO DECADES, the spineless opposition is still asking the PPP to please hold Local Government Elections. Democracy matters. Justice and democracy cannot be just done but seen to be done. I ask myself, what is wrong with Guyana and Guyanese that they cannot and will not seek and extract the justice they deserve by holding the PPP accountable for the atrocities they’ve committed? Nigel Jason
This does not speak well for the American society DEAR EDITOR, I came across some interesting facts about race relations in the United States of America which certainly do not speak well of the American society from a sociological perspective. According to the article, less than ten percent of Blacks in the United States complete a university degree even though Blacks have higher levels of education attainment rates at preuniversity levels. According to the article, there are only two Black
millionaires in the USA compared to nearly a thousand non-Blacks. Over ten percent of Blacks are unemployed compared to less than five percent among whites. In almost every indicator of social and economic progress, Whites outnumber Blacks and coloured by a significant margin. What the statistics indicate is that there still existed what economists refer to as structural poverty which militates against Blacks and other minority groups despite
talks about America being the land of opportunity in which all Americans regardless of colour or creed are provided with equal opportunity to grow and develop. In this regard, President Obama must be given credit for taking executive action to regularize the status of illegal immigrants who work hard to develop the American economy but benefit disproportionally in terms of the distribution of social and economic goods and services. Hydar Ally
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Kaieteur News
$$M US auction vs. Guyana’s gifting of airwaves…
Sinister plot to control people’s minds
Monday December 01, 2014
APNU slams Govt. on wage and salary increase without negotiations - “another paltry ‘freck’ for Public Servants”
- done to pave way for dictatorial take-over When he compared the multimillion dollar auction of six blocks of airwaves in the US to the gifting of Guyana’s to certain persons by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, General Secretary of A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) Joseph Harmon said that Jagdeo’s actions reveal a sinister plot to bombard and control the minds of Guyanese with “PPP’s poisonous messages” in event of any elections. He added that this was also done to pave the way for a dictatorial take over by the current administration. The APNU Shadow Minister of Telecommunications stated that Guyana’s airwaves are an important resource not only for local and regional communication but also for international reach. He expressed the opinion that the multimillion dollar auction of the airwaves in the US clearly shows how Guyana’s government
APNU General Secretary, Joseph Harmon literally gifted the country’s frequencies to the “Jagdeoites.” Harmon emphasized that the nation should also pay attention to the manner in which the government, “is obsessed with controlling all means of communication simply to manipulate the people and the political atmosphere with its immoral and poisonous persuasions.”
He said that the citizenry needs to understand that the government is doing this because it wants to colour their thinking. The PPP only wants its lies in the atmosphere, he reiterated. The politician said that the government does not want other voices getting a chance to be heard because the “truth and their lies cannot co-exist in the same place.” The Attorney-at-Law stated that his coalition has always said that the actual “give away” of the airwaves in such a manner by the former President constitutes “an unforgivable violation.” He reiterated that the airwaves are a limited national resource and it should be viewed and treated as such. On this premise, Harmon emphasized the need for a proper formula that would enable the best person being granted a radio licence so that the best use can be made (Continued on page 18)
APNU Leader David Granger in solidarity with Public Servants during their protest last year A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has condemned the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) government for their move to arbitrarily increase wages and salaries for public servants. One day after the government announced that it would be increasing salaries of public workers by five and eight percent, the opposition coalition disclosed their rejection of the government’s intention. They said that the Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic Administration’s arbitrary imposition is of “another paltry ‘freck’ for Public Servants’ salaries.” The APNU, in a public statement, demanded that the PPP/C enter into “sincere and serious” negotiations aimed at paying reasonable and meaningful increases, wages and salaries to Public Service employees. APNU also called on the PPP Administration to “respect the collective bargaining agreement and the rights of Public Servants and their Union.” “The annual arbitrary imposition of a small increase in wages and salaries for public employees is a clear example of the PPP/C administration’s arrogance and its abandonment of any pretense at collective bargaining.” “APNU calls for an immediate review of the
conditions under which public servants work and the payment of “a living wage” to public servants. Workers at the lowest levels – who comprise over 75 percent of the Public Service – will see their salaries increase by less than $2,500 per month with the proposed 5 percent increase,” the party said. “Public servants are frequently unable to afford to meet some basic household expenses, utilities and transportation and often are forced to borrow money for emergencies and to settle day-to-day expenses.” The workers, the Coalition continued, are convinced that they deserve a higher increase, particularly in light of the high cost of living. APNU said that the PPP/ C must adhere to the International Labour Organizations (ILO) Conventions ratified by Guyana’s National Assembly. This deals with the Protection of the Rights to Organize and Collective Bargaining. APNU reiterated its call for the PPP/ C Administration to invite the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) immediately to engage in talks aimed at restarting the collective bargaining process and restoring normalcy and averting a crisis in Guyana’s Public Service. The Office of the President on Saturday
announced the increases for public servants. However, their announcement came as no surprise, since despite calls annually for collective bargaining; the government continues to arbitrarily impose increases of five percent on public workers. For more than a decade this has been the trend. Last year’s imposition saw nation-wide protests from various arms of the public sector. This however did not deter the government which has offered increases of five to eight percent retroactive to January 2014. In a press conference last Thursday, GPSU registered its frustration as they are once again unable to get the government to honour the collective bargaining agreement where the workers’ representatives and the government could sit and come up with a workable increase for both sides. Reporters were told that GPSU had written to the European Union (EU) about two months ago about the government’s failure to honour provisions of the Cotonou and Economic Partners Agreement between the region and the EU; and requested their intervention. The letter was also copied to the various European representatives here. Last year the government came under scrutiny when it came up that some $4.4B was allocated for the workers’ increases in the budget. The government was called upon to explain where the money went and GPSU also called for a paper trail of the cash. Parliament and GPSU are still waiting for a detailed presentation of how the money was spent.
Monday December 01, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Monday December 01, 2014
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Kaieteur News
Monday December 01, 2014
Pawning of Marriott…
Govt. must make entire AHI and Republic Bank deal public - Prof. Thomas By Abena Rockcliffe All that has been spent so far on the construction of the Marriott branded Hotel is taxpayers’ dollars, so the government has a responsibility to inform the nation about all major developments with this project. That is the contention of economist Professor Clive Thomas, who told Kaieteur News, yesterday, that it is only right that the deal made between Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI) and Republic Bank be made public as soon as possible. Professor Thomas’s reasoning is that “Government is spending my money on this project, so it has a major duty to be accountable to me and likewise all taxpaying Guyanese.” On Sunday, Kaieteur News reported that the Marriott Hotel and adjoining state lands were mortgaged or pawned to Republic Bank in exchange for US$29M. Initially, Republic Bank
was to be the lead lender of the US$28M syndicated loan (a loan offered by a group of lenders) to AHI, but investors were apparently not forthcoming. AHI was set up as a Special Purpose Vehicle to oversee the Marriott and is essentially being controlled by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). In addition to the hotel, which it mortgaged for US$27M it has mortgaged the neighbouring land that once accommodated the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department for US$2M. The accumulated loan for the two assets is just US$1M more than what was supposed to be sourced through Republic Bank as a syndicate. According to the Official Gazette published on November 22, last, the lease will last for a term of 99 years. The mortgage of the state land stipulates “all future building and erections that
…Says Brassington is running desperate
Head of NICIL and AHI, Winston Brassington may hereafter be constructed or erected,” Professor Thomas, who is one of Guyana’s more recognized economists, said that something is terribly wrong with the deal between Republic Bank and AHI, as that company (AHI) does not have the ability to just pawn
Sinister plot to control people’s... (From page 6) of it. The politician remarked that it is still his belief that Jagdeo, in his last days in office, gave away the airwaves in such a manner so that in event of another elections, “it can be able to easily influence the thinking of the people. They did this so they can bombard the people with their messages, and it’s a sickening thing. It is about control and domination of the airwaves by the government and it’s a sneaky sinister plot to kill democracy and pave the road for a dictatorship.” In a general sense, the politician urged the electorate to pay attention to the manner in which the PPP government either takes control of certain resources or sells it to foreign groups. “I want the nation to pay attention to what is taking place. They have the Chinese firms taking over and abusing
our resources without facing the law, they have literally taken control of the frequencies and they are sharing out all of the other resources. We need to let this ugly and wicked PPP clan know how angry we are and that we are simply fed up with its dictatorship-rule. “At the rate they are going, it is frightening to imagine what the future would be like for our children’s children, if we continue under the PPP. This administration wants to control everything because they want us to become tenants in our own land. They want to be known as the PPP landlord class, but I promise that will change.” Vice Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Moses Nagamootoo had stated that when his party becomes the next government, it will revisit the allocation of the “bulk” of
LUSCSL serving Wismar... (From page 17) our efficiency and providing a better service to our members and consumers.” Manager Esme Yangapatty added that it was LUSCSL’s dream to improve the mobility of its staff. Current Chairman of LUSCSL Charles Sampson, who was only last Sunday installed, expressed satisfaction with the latest acquisition and said that he is optimistic that the organization would ‘move from strength to strength. Sampson had earlier served the organization as Secretary. Adams Patterson is presently serving as its Treasurer. Secretary is Clintwoulde Easton. (Enid Joaquin)
Guyana’s radio frequencies which he said were gifted by former President Bharrat Jagdeo to his “loyal minions.” Kaieteur News had asked the Vice Chairman to give his take on the domination of Guyana’s airwaves, against the back drop that the USA is conducting an auction for six blocks of its airwaves with the cost exceeding over US$34B. To this, Nagamootoo had said that the allocations that were made in 2011to certain government cronies by Jagdeo were arbitrary and reflects discrimination. He had said that it is not tenable and a new government headed by the AFC will revisit all those allocations. He had also asserted that it is something he considers to be a sacred grail and the government’s actions constitute a violation. Nagamootoo had said that this “theft of a national resource” bothers him and that it would be investigated thoroughly. Nagamootoo had also opined that there are other applicants for radio licences who have not been dealt with on the basis of merit. He had stressed that there should be technical studies done to ensure that the best use would be made of the frequency once given rather than just granting it to someone because of presidential favour or financial capacity.
Professor Clive Thomas state lands. He said that it is obvious that Winston Brassington, who is the head of NICIL and AHI, is running desperate, simply because no one is willing to invest with a Government that is facing a no-confidence Motion which it tried to abort by proroguing Parliament. The Economist noted that any wise investor would want to wait and assess the political climate, irrespective of personal feelings towards Government. MOVING FORWARD Thomas said that that even though it is imperative that the public knows the details of the deal made between Brassington and Republic Bank, there is much more that Guyanese must insist be dealt with. He said that Government needs to be pushed towards making the best decision regarding this project. The Economist said that one of the most fundamental
rules in business and finance is to always cut losses in cases like this, where one can see that major profits will not be made. Pointing out that the Marriott project was flawed from the beginning as it would be difficult to be successful, based on the utilization capacity in the hotel sector; Thomas said that deep thought must be put into whether the project should continue. The economist said that there is no use in the government continuing along the line that it has taken with hope that “things will turn around.” There is a very real possibility that things may not turn around. He said, “The government would be making a foolish mistake continuing this project without consultation with stakeholders.” Thomas added that it is not enough that the government says that the Marriott will be
should not be answered by the government alone, Professor Thomas said. The economist suggested that the issue be put before the National Assembly, whenever it is reconvened, and that body should decide whether it is the best use of resources and an agreement to move forward should be made. He said that this should be after politics is set aside and all heads go together for a fruitful agreement based on the evaluation of all other alternatives. BIGGEST PROBLEM Professor Thomas said that the evidence now presented for the failure of this project is also evidence of a wider breakdown. “Fundamentally, my view is that all NICIL’s operations are illegal. It is operating as a slush fund and beyond what is expected of a state institution.” He said that the most important task is to bring NICIL under the control of the National Assembly and stop
“The government would be making a foolish mistake continuing this project without consultation with stakeholders” successful, it must be proven. The economist said that a system must be set up where it will be evaluated and proven that Marriott will make more economic sense than alternative investments. The Professor said that a good investment is the best use of resources and Guyana must ensure not just a return, but the best return. It is clear that the question of whether Marriott is worth going forward with
the financial lawlessness and abuse of state resources. Professor Thomas said that as it stands, it is very difficult to exercise control over what is taking place at NICIL. He said that there must be lawful compromise on the way NICIL operates since any entity that is utilizing public resources cannot be private and must therefore come under scrutiny and be answerable to the public.
FOLLOW THE PLANE
From page 9 share the information or intelligence that they obtain or already have in their possession. So we may have to wait either for another plea bargain or court trial in the United States to determine the source of the funds and to whom it is connected. But this should not prevent the Guyanese authorities from following the plane, that is, its movements since it began operations in Guyana. The Guyanese authorities should have the local records of all the flights made by this plane, its passenger lists and its declared cargo. They would also have information of the plane’s destination. They can use this information to determine whether the flight reached its original destination or if it diverted from its logged path. There are unconfirmed reports that this plane made flights to Suriname. The
Surinamese government should be approached to determine the nature of any cargo declared to the authorities there. By following the plane, the local media can help fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle. Who knows where it will take them. But it has to be a much better and credible place than that where speculation and suggestions based on mere association have taken us so far.
Monday December 01, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Monday December 01, 2014
Kaieteur News
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Everybody may have to sacrifice Trinidad Express Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) President General Ancel Roget issued a warning to both the Government and the motoring public Saturday. Roget says if the Cabinet and the management of Stateowned oil company Petrotrin do not come up with a “proper and decent offer” for the salaries of its employees for the new collective bargaining period, “it might come to a point where everybody may have to endure some measure of sacrifice”. “If it is that they believe or the Prime Minister believes that soldiers can operate the refinery, let’s see what is going to happen,” Roget said in an apparent reference to the Government’s contingency plans for any strike action at Petrotrin. He was speaking with the media Saturday in Maloney, where he was handing out flyers for the Joint Trade Union Movement (JTUM) anti-corruption march scheduled for Friday.
Hundreds of Petrotrin employees have instructed their union—the OWTU—to take strike action against the company after it issued a release stating the proposal in its current negotiations with OWTU does not include any direct increase to base pay after it suffered a $346 million loss in fiscal 2014 after it roughly broke even in fiscal 2013. Roget spoke on the matter while responding to questions from TV6 News on statements made by Petrotrin president Khalid Hassanali on Friday that employees would receive a salary increase. Hassanali told the media outside of Parliament that over the last three years, the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) “has been increasing rapidly and this has amounted to an average of about a 15 per cent increase”. “That is going to be consolidated into basic salaries. So, in effect, there’s already going to be a 15 per cent increase. And that higher base, which is a higher base
- Roget issues warning to Gov’t, motorists over Petrotrin talks of 15 per cent increase, is going to be a new base upon which COLA will continue to grow,” Hassanali said. He further said: “All of our allowances and benefits and so on will also be based on a higher 15 per cent basic salary again.” Asked for a comment on Hassanali’s statement about the COLA yesterday, Roget said: “We have had no new Cost of Living Allowance. Let me just say that absolutely no new Cost of Living Allowance. “And what they are trying to do is do is doctor statistics to show or to have the public believe that the workers received Cost of Living Allowance. That is a provision of the old collective agreement that would have already absorbed and expired.” Roget also said the period of that old collective agreement was from 2012 to
2014. Roget says the union does not want to go on strike, but in the collective bargaining agreement and the Industrial Relations Act there is a provision “to take strike action for three months”. “So if that happens, if that happens, then and only then the country will recognise the input of those whose input perhaps they were not noticing all the time. When you pull up to the filling station and the gas pump attendant squeeze that nozzle on the hose and nothing comes out, then you would recognise but wait nuh... the persons who are doing that all the time are not being treated fairly and they are making a point,” Roget said. He said such a scenario could be averted if the Government and the Petrotrin management recognise the company’s employees “who provide and produce the
Ancel Roget wealth” get an “adjustment” in their salaries. “If the Cabinet of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, indeed the management does not put a proper and decent offer on the table, it might come to the point where everybody may have to endure some measure
of sacrifice and so on,” Roget said. Hassanali said Petrotrin will have to revisit its budget again. He was asked if this review of Petrotrin’s operating cost would include an examination of the size of the staff of the company. “We’re not looking at that immediately. What we’re looking at is efficiency improvements. So sometimes with efficiency improvements you know and increases of technology, jobs are enriched and there may not be the need for the kind of manpower levels that we currently have. So that will be addressed also,” Hassanali said. In response, Roget said: “Well I think that the first place staff has to cut, if there at all, it has to be at the very top of Petrotrin with people who don’t perform.”
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Tourism investment in Jamaica providing major economic boost - Ministry
Orane to journalists: Nation not looking for stars but credible messengers Jamaica Gleaner Business executive Douglas Orane has urged journalists to be mindful of the critical importance of carrying out the necessary due diligence to ensure that at all times the information reaching the public is accurate. Speaking at Friday night’s National Journalism Awards banquet, Orane, a director of the GraceKennedy Group also warned persons entering the profession that the nation is not looking for stars, but
Director of Sales, Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara resorts, Mureen James (left) shows Finance and Planning Minister Dr Peter Phillips (centre) and Tourism and Entertainment Minister Dr Wykeham McNeill artistic impressions of what the hotel will look like once renovation work is complete. OCHO RIOS, Jamaica — The Ministry of Tourism and Entertainment says that the local economy continues to receive a major boost from billions of dollars which are currently flowing into the island, through investment in the tourism sector. Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Dr Wykeham McNeill indicated that “current investment in the industry stands at some J$35 billion. This is in keeping with a growing demand for rooms to satisfy the increasing interest in the country as a preferred tourist
destination.” The ministry in a release Saturday said that following a tour with Minister McNeill of four tourism investment sites in Montego Bay, Trelawny and Ocho Rios, Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Peter Phillips expressed delight with the developments and their contribution to the government’s growth agenda. The locations visited on the tour included the Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara resorts in Montego Bay, Royalton White Sands Resort in Trelawny, the Ocho Rios
French national facing drug charges in Jamaica KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Police in Jamaica say a French woman has been arrested at an island airport and charged with attempting to smuggle cocaine. The Jamaica Constabulary Force yesterday identified her as 33-year-old Emillie Legros. They say she told investigators she was a musician and gave a Jamaican address. She was attempting to board a flight to the Belgian capital of Brussels from Sangster International Airport in the northern tourist city of Montego Bay. When her luggage was searched during screening, officials allegedly found four bottles containing a ½ pound (about a quarter kilogram) of cocaine. Legros is due before a magistrate’s court tomorrow. It was not immediately known if she had a lawyer.
Cruise Ship Pier and the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa. Dr Phillips said this was “proof that we are heading in the right direction.” He added that “what we have seen here in Ocho Rios, as well as in Montego Bay and Trelawny, is that there is tremendous employment potential in the tourism industry.” According to the ministry over 1000 construction workers are on site at the Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara resorts in preparation for a soft opening. An additional 600 permanent staff are already on the job, the ministry said. The hotel’s parent company, Playa Resorts is spending some US$150 million to transform the former Ritz Carlton property with the addition to several new features, including an additional 193 rooms. In Falmouth, the ministers were given a guided tour of the former Trelawny Beach Hotel, which has been transformed into Royalton White Sands. Resident Manager, Alexander Arias said occupancy was now at 100 per cent and this would continue into the upcoming winter tourist season, which begins on December 15. It was also outlined that the Moon Palace resort is set to open in January 2015 and over 2000 construction workers are engaged in the refurbishing of the former Sunset Jamaica Grande property. The hotel, which has over 700 rooms, is being developed into an elegant resort with Jamaican hotelier, Clifton Reader as general manager.
Monday December 01, 2014
for credible messengers. He described the restraining of journalists attempting to ask questions during a recent Jamaica House press conference as troubling, but notes that Jamaica continues to enjoy press freedom. To support his claim, Orane pointed to the 2014 Freedom of the Press Report published by Freedom House in which Jamaica was ranked 18th in the world, ahead of the United States in 30th place.
Douglas Orane
USVI governor ‘not surprised’ by refinery announcement ST THOMAS, USVI — US Virgin Islands Governor John de Jongh said on Saturday that an official announcement made earlier last week by the owners of HOVENSA — HOVIC and PDVSA VI — that its financial condition was so dire that its owners will not invest additional monies into its St Croix refinery operations beyond the middle of next month, should come as no surprise. What the owners said last week, de Jongh said, is consistent with the November 11 correspondence from their legal counsel to both the governor and senate president Shawn Michael Malone. That correspondence laid out HOVENSA’s course of action should there be no approval of the proposed operating agreement, which approval is required for the owners to sell the refinery to the buyer selected through the legislatively-approved sales process required by the owner’s agreement with the government. “The operating agreement negotiated by my administration and Atlantic Basin Refining (ABR) remains before the 30th Legislature for whatever further analysis and deliberations are deemed required by the Senate Finance Committee. It also remains the decision of the 30th Legislature to determine whether any possible misgivings about the selected buyer, ABR, outweigh the risks that will come if there is no sale of the refinery, no prompt payment of the $45 million to be paid at the closing, and the failure of the government to obtain
Governor John de Jongh a release of claims from the owners of HOVENSA which would leave the government without those releases standing between the government and HOVENSA’s claims that it is entitled to tax refunds totaling in the hundreds of millions of dollars,” the governor noted. The governor has pointed out that if there is no approval, and thus no closing, that the territory will then be faced with the challenges presented by HOVENSA’s decision to cease all operations. If there is approval of the operating agreement, but no subsequent closing on the sale, it will be in the same position. The question is whether the risks of rejecting the operating agreement to avoid the possibility that ABR will fail to fulfill its closing obligations is worth taking. That was the question asked and answered by the administration before it signed the operating agreement and that is the question that now needs to be answered by the 30th Legislature, de Jongh noted. “If there is no sale of the refinery, either because of a failure to approve the
operating agreement, or because of a failure of HOVENSA and ABR to close on the sale they have negotiated, the government will be in the same position. It will have a number of legal options available, including the use of emergency powers, to prevent the territory being cut off from needed supplies of fuel. The government is prepared to use all of its powers to ensure a steady supply of fuel to the territory, particularly on the island of St Croix,” de Jongh said. He cautioned that it will likely be an expensive litigation process, but one that will have been made unavoidable by the 30th Legislature if, by its action or inaction, it removes the possibility of a sale of the refinery. The senators have been fully briefed and they understand what action is required now, and the magnitude of the risks we all face, he said. “We have come a long way since January 2012 where we withstood the initial panic and moved HOVENSA’s owners from their ‘no-sale’ posture to their undertaking a sales process conducted by a third party investment bank that cast the broadest of nets to identify potential buyers for the refinery. ABR was the only party willing to submit a bid to operate HOVENSA as a refinery, a refinery that lost $1.5 billion over a three year period prior to its closure. These losses are believed to form part of the basis for HOVENSA’s claim of large tax refunds, a future risk eliminated with approval by the 30th Legislature of the proposed Operating Agreement with ABR.
Monday December 01, 2014
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Seaman charged with causing AFC ACCUSES PPP OF RACIAL CAMPAIGNING relative’s death while driving drunk - urges GECOM to investigate Alliance For Change Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo has suggested that the government is engaged in yet another illegal activity. But this one, he said, has the power to destroy “the social fabric” of Guyana. Nagamootoo, who has
racist domination and have given no indications that they will retreat. The long time politician, who is also an Attorney-atLaw, said that the law specifies that any person or organization that stirs up racial hatred is guilty of a
“This can undermine the social fabric of our nation, and excite racial insecurity and fear throughout Guyana” - Nagamootoo been nominated to be AFC’s presidential candidate, stated at a recent press conference that his Party is alarmed at the “shameless and illegal campaigns of the (President Donald) Ramotar-led PPP (People’s Progressive Party) to create ethnic and geographical apartheid in Guyana.” Nagamootoo said that the PPP is in a frenzy to recapture at least two Regional seats, and has chosen Region Six and Region Eight as “hunting grounds.” He stated however, that Berbice, from where he hails, is “no longer the fiefdom of the PPP.” Nagamootoo told the media that when Berbicians voted AFC in 2011, they declared their freedom from
criminal offence. “We call on the Guyana Elections Commission and the Guyana Police Force to mount an investigation into our claims of the PPP’s resort to racism and racial hatred in Berbice.” Nagamootoo warned that the “racist campaign of the PPP would further undermine the social fabric of our nation and excite racial insecurity and fear throughout Guyana.” He said that Guyana is at the “crossroad of definition, whether we are only formally democratic, or descending swiftly into a racist, autocratic, authoritarian state.” Nagamootoo added that, according to the “self-
A driver from City Taxi Service is counting his losses after three gun-toting bandits escaped with his Toyota Carina after dragging him out of his vehicle at around 01.45 hrs last Wednesday. Nazir Khan, 57, of Lot 1427 Eighteenth Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, said that the incident occurred a few yards from the East Ruimveldt Secondary School. Kan said that he was sitting in his vehicle, HC1608, at the taxi service base on Vlissengen Road, Newtown, when a young man came up and asked for a lift to Mandela Avenue. The man, whom Khan estimated to be between the ages of 21 and 25, said he heading around “the secondary school area” and entered the car. The driver said they sat in silence and when they approached the school, the “passenger” told him to turn right and stop at the first flat house on the left. “When I stop by the flat house, thinking he coming off, two other guys come out from one of the stalls they have there. One of them put a gun to my head, open the
door and they throw me out into a pool of mud,” Khan described. The taxi driver went on to say that the two men entered the vehicle and he was forced to watch them drive away. Covered in mud, he said he made his way to the East La Penitence Police Station where he reported the matter. Khan explained to this publication that the car belongs to his daughter, Meezan Singh. He said that she had bought the vehicle two years ago and is still making down payments. The payments are expected to be completed in October 2015. “I feel upset and hurt about this. At this time of the year when I’m working hard and trying to ‘catch me hand’ they come and do this,” Khan lamented. The driver added that he had been operating as a taxi driver for 27 years and this is the first time his vehicle has been carjacked. “This is not fair. For someone to be working hard to make ends meet and someone just come and take it away from you…this really
AFC Vice-Chairman, Moses Nagamootoo anointed beacon of truth”, both President Ramotar and the Prime Minister Samuel Hinds have been involved in partisan activities to recapture lost votes in Berbice, “in much the same way as serfs were sought after in Nikolai Gogol’s epic novel, “Dead Souls”.” He said that the PPP administration is also utilizing state resources in an attempt to bribe potential voters, “but their bottom house meetings in Essequibo and Berbice have shown that the PPP is despised and rejected, and no amount of bribe, cajoling and ‘co-choring’ would stop the PPP ship from sinking at coming elections.”
Gun-toting carjackers steal another taxi
hurts me and I would be glad if I could get it back.” Last week, another taxi driver Fharis Mohamed, was forced to flee from his vehicle after a gun-toting carjacker attacked him. Mohamed works with an Eleventh Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara taxi service and said that the incident occurred a few yards from his place of employment. The driver said that he was sitting in his vehicle, PSS 9658, taking a phone call when the carjacker approached him. It was just two weeks after he bought his Toyota Spacio and like Khan he is still making payments for the vehicle.
The man who was at the wheels of the car which overturned and crashed two Mondays ago on the Betsy Ground Public Road, causing the death of his relative, has been charged with two counts. Davendra Bakridi, a 25year-old seaman of Lot 24 Adelphi Village, East Canje, Berbice, appeared on Thursday before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court where he faced two charges. It is alleged that on Monday, 17th November, while driving PFF 556 on the Betsy Ground Public Road, Bakridi drove in a manner dangerous to the public thus causing the death of Mahendra Jugisteer 28, a cane cutter, of Lot 43 Bristol Street, Betsy Ground, East Canje Berbice. The court was also told that Bakridi’s blood alcohol level was way above the prescribed limit. Jugisteer, a married father of two, was the lone passenger of the car. The accused was placed on 300,000 bail on the causing death charge and $10,000 bail on the driving under the influence of alcohol charge. Sergeant Godfrey Playter told the court that on the day in question. Bakridi and his relative Jugisteer were imbibing. Bakridi was at the wheel of the vehicle which was travelling at terrific speed on the Betsy Ground Public road when he lost control of the vehicle which grazed a road sign before continuing for about 20 meters. The accused then broadsided a parked trailer and the car spun around before toppling and ending on its side at the side of the road. Jugisteer was thrown from the vehicle while Bakridi
Mahendra Jugisteer and his wife was left trapped inside. Then men were picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where Jugisteer was pronounced dead on arrival. A post mortem examination was done on the body of Jugisteer by Dr. Vivikanan Brijmohan at the New Amsterdam hospital and gave the cause of death as multiple injuries and fractured skull. In his bail application, Attorney at Law Ramesh
Rajkumar stated that the offence is a bailable one. He submitted that his client has a permanent address and has no previous brushes with the law. He also submitted that the accused and the deceased are close relatives and it was a mere accident. Before granting bail, The Magistrate ordered that the accused lodge his Passport with the court. His matter will be called again on the 10th December at the Reliance Magistrate’s court.
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Monday December 01, 2014
Khamenei tells Iran armed forces to build up ‘irrespective’ of diplomacy (Reuters) - Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said yesterday the armed forces should increase their combat capability regardless of political considerations, in an apparent allusion to continuing nuclear talks with the West aimed at easing tension in the Middle East. “Given our vast maritime borders and the enemy’s huge investments in this area, our armed forces should continuously improve their (combat) readiness, irrespective of political calculations,” Khamenei told a gathering of senior navy officials during a ceremony to mark the “Navy Week” in Iran. Khamenei, who commands all branches of the armed forces in addition to other key centres of power in the Islamic republic, did not mention any countries by name but he normally uses “enemy” to refer mainly to the United States and Britain — both of which have intervened in Iran over the past century. “Peacetime offers great opportunities for our armed forces to ... build up on preemptive capacities,” said Khamenei, with state television playing excerpts of his speech.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei The United States and its key regional ally Israel have both hinted they might bomb Iran to prevent it developing nuclear weapons. Iran denies any such ambition and insists its atomic programme is designed for civilian projects. With Khamenei’s blessing, Iran’s moderate President Hassan Rouhani launched a diplomatic initiative to resolve a 12-year nuclear dispute, hoping to save his country from punishing global sanctions. Tehran and six world powers missed a self-imposed deadline on Nov. 24 for a deal, but gave themselves seven more months to overcome
their many differences. Despite his reserved support for the negotiations, Khamenei, perceived by many as a hardliner, remains distrustful of Western intentions in the region and insists that Iran’s defence capability, including its controversial missile programme, must not be part of any broad diplomatic deal. In tandem with Rouhani’s diplomatic overture, generals appointed by Khamenei are maintaining a relentless war rhetoric and unveil on an almost daily basis what they say are new innovations in weaponry. “The range of (our) missiles covers all of Israel today,” the chief of the Revolutionary Guards, General Mohammad Ali Jafari, said last week. “That means the fall of the Zionist regime, which will certainly come soon.” However, Admiral Ali Shamakhani, an ally of President Rouhani who serves as a top security official, sought to temper the bellicose language yesterday. “Our missile capability, like our nuclear, is inherently peaceful and geared for self defence,” the official IRNA news agency quoted his as saying.
Mubarak verdict fuels protests, mockery in Egypt (Reuters) - Protests erupted at universities across Egypt yesterday, condemning a court decision to drop criminal charges against Hosni Mubarak, the president whose ouster in the 2011 uprising raised hopes of a new era of political openness. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Cairo University, waving pictures of Mubarak behind bars and demanding the “fall of the regime”, the rallying cry of the Arab Spring uprisings that shook governments from Tunisia to the Gulf in 2011. Police stood ready at the gates to bar students that sought to take their demonstration into the streets. An Egyptian court on Saturday dropped its case against Mubarak over the killing of protesters in the 2011 uprising that ended his 30-year rule. The ruling was seen by activists as the latest sign that the rights won during the revolt are being eroded.
Two people were killed and nine were wounded on Saturday evening, when security forces fired tear gas and birdshot to disperse about 1,000 protesters who attempted to enter Tahrir Square — the symbolic heart of the revolt that ousted Mubarak. Security forces closed a Cairo metro station, the state news agency said, an apparent effort to prevent gatherings downtown. Clashes also erupted at Zagazig University in the Nile Delta, and the stateowned Al-Ahram newspaper said 11 students were detained after setting fire to a building. Many Egyptians who lived through the rule of former air force officer Mubarak view it as a period of autocracy and crony capitalism. His overthrow led to Egypt’s first free election. But the winner, Mohamed Mursi, was ousted last year by Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, another military officer
who won a presidential vote in May. Egyptian authorities have since jailed Mursi and thousands of his Muslim Brotherhood supporters, sentencing hundreds to death in mass trials that drew international criticism. By contrast, Mubarak-era figures have been released and new laws curtailing political freedoms have raised fears among activists that the old leadership is back. “Down with Hosni Mubarak, down with every Mubarak, down with military rule” said one Facebook page that called for protests against the ruling. The verdict has also prompted a deluge of online cartoons about the return of the old guard. One animated video begins with a group of Mubarak-era politicians in a darkened cell facing an array of charges. One by one they are released and end up celebrating their freedom with their former president, singing “yes, we are back”.
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Hong Kong protesters clash with police near heart of financial district (Reuters) - Hong Kong police baton-charged and pepper-sprayed thousands of p r o - d e m o c r a c y demonstrators in the early hours of today who were trying to encircle government headquarters, defying orders to retreat after more than two months of protests. The skirmishes were perhaps the most violent in recent weeks, with the protesters answering a call by two student groups leading the campaign to escalate their actions, after two months of stalemate in their push for full democracy. The crowds, chanting “Surround government headquarters!” and “Open the road!” had blocked a major road running in front of the offices of Hong Kong’s leader in the Admiralty district, next to Hong Kong’s central business district, late on Friday. Hundreds of riot police scattered the crowds in chaotic scenes, forcing protesters back with pepper spray and batons, aimed at the backs and heads of those trying to scramble over walls to safety in a crush of bodies.
A pro-democracy protester reacts while walking in a tunnel during a rally close to the chief executive office in Hong Kong, yesterday. REUTERS/Bobby Yip A cloud of tear gas rose up in the middle of one particularly violent scuffle. Scores of volunteer medics attended to the injured, many with open head
wounds. Police said at least 18 arrests were made. Despite the relatively swift clearance of Lung Wo road outside government headquarters in the early
hours of Monday, large crowds, many in protective goggles and makeshift body armour, refused to leave the area and continued to press against police lines, chanting
“We want universal suffrage!”. Others held up yellow umbrellas, a flimsy defence against police batons and pepper spray that have
become a symbol of the prodemocracy movement in Hong Kong, which reverted from British to Chinese rule in 1997. The protesters are demanding free elections for Hong Kong’s next leader in 2017, not the vote between pre-screened candidates that China’s Communist Party has said it will allow. The movement has threatened to become the biggest challenge to the party since its bloody 1989 crackdown on prodemocracy student protests in and around Tiananmen Square in Beijing, as a new generation demands greater political freedom. The Hong Kong rallies drew more than 100,000 on to the streets at their peak, but numbers have since dwindled to a few hundred and public support has waned. The Admiralty flare-up came after four nights of clashes in the working-class district of Mong Kok, one of the city’s largest and most volatile protest zones, which police had cleared of protesters on Wednesday.
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Monday December 01, 2014
India’s Modi vows to halt illegal immigrants from Bangladesh NEW DELHI (Reuters) India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday stepped up his rhetoric against illegal immigration from Bangladesh, vowing to halt the unauthorized flow of citizens from the neighboring country into the northeastern state of Assam. At election rallies before he became prime minister in May, the Hindu nationalist leader repeatedly called for tighter border controls and warned illegal immigrants from Bangladesh to have their “bags packed”. The calls prompted a strong reaction from Bangladesh, and its feathers are likely to be ruffled again by his latest comments to a party rally in Assam, where religious tension has been growing
Narendra Modi after massacres of Muslims in the past two years. “I will make such an arrangement that all the roads that are today helping Bangladeshis enter and destroy Assam
are closed,” Modi said at the event organized by his Bharatiya Janata Party, which is looking to make inroads into the state. “To ensure this, even a transfer of land will be used.” India and Bangladesh have been negotiating a land swap for years to resolve a long-running border conflict. Modi said a swap would help Assam permanently resolve the immigration issue that has dominated its political landscape for decades. “On the issue of land t r a n s f e r, I k n o w a n d understand the sentiments of the people of Assam,” Modi added. “Whatever we do, there might be a perception of a short-term loss, but ultimately Assam will gain in the long run.”
Netanyahu ally says Israel may need early elections (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should seek early elections if his coalition allies continue to bicker in public, Israel’s defence minister said yesterday. Netanyahu’s government has been torn by differences over proposed cuts to the 2015 budget, policy towards Palestinians in Jerusalem, and a Jewish nation-state bill that critics say would discriminate against Arab citizens. Speculation has been rife that Israel’s elections may come much sooner than the scheduled 2017, but Defence Minister Moshe Ya’alon was the highest ranking official to confirm the possibility in an interview with Israel’s Channel 2 television. “The current situation cannot continue. This is a government that faces surprises everyday, we have an unnatural coalition,” Ya’alon said in reference to the constant feuding among the far-right and centrist
Benjamin Netanyahu parties in Netanyahu’s government. “If it goes on this way, it would be better to hold an election as soon as possible,” Ya’alon said, cautioning that “holding frequent elections doesn’t broadcast stability.” An opinion poll published by the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper yesterday said that although his popularity was falling, Netanyahu would
nonetheless almost certainly win a fourth term as prime minister if elections were held today. Israeli law mandates elections be held every four years, however parliament may be dissolved sooner by a majority vote and Israel has held five national votes in the past 15 years. The last ballot was staged in January 2013. With the government facing problems trying to secure parliamentary approval for next year’s budget, Israeli pundits have suggested that a new election might be held by the middle of 2015. Perhaps looking to calm tensions, Netanyahu delayed a vote at yesterday’s cabinet meeting on the contentious nationality bill. He says the legislation will cement Israel’s status as a Jewish nation state, while centrist allies oppose it as divisive towards the country’s Arab minority. The prime minister scolded ministers about their in-fighting, and hinted he might push for an early ballot if political order was not restored. “I hope that we will be able to resume proper conduct. That’s what the public expects of us because that is the only way to run the country. If not, we will draw conclusions,” he said in televised comments. The Haaretz poll showed Netanyahu’s approval rating had fallen to 38 percent, compared with 77 percent during the war against Hamas Islamists in the Gaza Strip in August.
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Regal are Winston Murray Memorial Softball champs By Zaheer Mohamed Regal underlined their status as one of the most decorated Softball cricket teams locally when they defeated Speed Boat XI by 61 runs to capture the Fourth Annual Winston Murray Memorial title yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club. Batting first, Regal posted a commanding 1525 off their allotted 10 overs in hazy conditions before bowling out Speed Boat XI for 91. Martin Dutchin led Regal’s batting with an authoritative unbeaten 74 which contained four fours and nine sixes. He and Fazal Rafeek added 48 for the third wicket after their team were reduced to 18-2. Rafeek struck two fours before he was dismissed for 20, but Dutchin continued to take the attack to the opposition and shared in a 67-run fourth wicket stand with Richard Latiff (13). Rafeek was in a no nonsense mood, taking five sixes in one over bowled by Wazir Hussain. Delroy Perreira chipped in with 16 as Wazim Sunder claimed 2-23, while there was one each for Imran Hamid, Greg Singh and Shazim Hussain. In reply, Speed Boat XI lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out in 9.3 overs. Singh who scored 21 (3x6) and Rajendra Singh with 17 were the only batsmen that showed fight. Safraz Esau grabbed 3-10, Mohamed Ayube 3-11 and Sachin Singh 3-19. Regal thumped Leguan XI by seven wickets in their semifinal match. Leguan XI were skittled out for 53, batting first with Sunil Ricksenh scoring 18; Ayube and Perreira took two wickets each. Regal replied with 57-3 in 3.3 overs. Sachin Singh made 26. Speed Boat XI overcame Farm by seven wickets in second semifinal. Farm were sent packing for 81 in 9.2 overs, taking first strike. Patrick Khan made 21 as Imran Hamid picked up 3-5 and Shazim Hussain 2-15. Speed Boat XI responded with 82-3 in 6.5 overs. Omesh Narine stroked 35 and Greg Singh 25. Sheldon Perch captured 2-15 for Farm who dropped several catches. Dutchin was given the man of the match and best batsman in the final awards, while Ayube collected the most outstanding bowler prize and Wazir Hussain the best fielder accolade. Speed Boat received $60,000 and a trophy and Regal a trophy and $100,000, while each member of the winning team was given a medal. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, former Member of Parliament and General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform, Aubrey Norton thanked the teams for participating and said he do look forward to more teams taking part in future competitions. He informed that Murray played cricket in Leguan before furthering his studies. The competition was played in memory of the late Winston Murray who was a former chairman of the PNC/R.
Kaieteur News
Monday December 01, 2014
Rd 3: WICB Four-Day Franchise Cricket
Permaul (8-26) decimates Bajans By Sean Devers Guyana Jaguars left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul spun webs around the Barbados Pride’s batsmen yesterday at Providence to spoil that Country’s 48th Independence Anniversary celebrations with a career best 8-26 aided by an atrocious batting exhibition from the Bajans on the penultimate day of their WICB Four-Day First-Class Franchise which ended with the home team in the driver’s seat. Permaul, who has played four Tests, put the Jaguars on course for their third consecutive win and their first on home soil against Barbados since Andy Jackman scored a hundred and Roger Harper captured 11 wickets to give Guyana a nine-wicket win 30 years ago. The 25-year-old Permaul then teamed up with his Albion teammate Devendra Bishoo, who has so far snatched 4-65 in Barbados second innings, with 2-65 to claim his third 10-wicket match haul as Barbados, following-on after making 101 in their first innings in reply to Guyana’s 261, reached 2147 by the close yesterday with a lead of 53 going into today’s final day. On a day in which scattered Thunderstorms were forecast, the sun was out in all of its brilliance after some light morning sprinkles and angry looking clouds had threatened to add to the four hours and 50 minutes lost on
Jaguars on course for third consecutive win the second day in which only 13.3 overs were possible. With still three wickets to fall in the Barbados innings, Permaul one of 17 Test players produced by Berbice, bettered the 8-36 in the last match with his 12th fivewicket haul before snapping up two more to take his wicket tally to 26 scalps as the Jaguars enjoyed a 161run first innings lead. A 95-run sixth wicket stand between the experienced Ryan Hinds, who turns 34 on Friday and 23-year-old Wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich rescued their team from 76-5 and ensured the Jaguars bat a second time today. Hinds is still there, unbeaten on 60 from 125 balls, 183 minutes with three fours and a six, while the diminutive Dowrich was dismissed for an even halfcentury, his ninth at this level, after facing 120 balls, batting for 131 minutes. He hit eight fours. Mesmerizing bowling from Permaul on a slow track which offered prodigious turn had tormented the Bajans in their first innings when they lost their last seven wickets for just 31 runs to capitulate from 70-3 to 101 to leave the visitors in danger of falling for only their second double digit total against Guyana since they gained Independence in 1966. Barbados were bowled out for 58 when Guyana won in Barbados in 2012. The Bajans resumed on 33-2 and were quickly in trouble when Shai Hope (10) edged Permaul to the Keeper
at 36-3 before the Berbician trapped Dwayne Smith LBW for a cameo 32 from 25 balls with four fours and a six at 70-4 to trigger a dramatic collapse. Bishoo struck Hinds (7) in front at 95-6 before the rampaging Permaul decimated the rest of the batmen as Dowrich (3), Ashley Nurse (0) and Jomel Warrican (0) all departed with the score on 95 before Permaul finished off the demolition job by getting rid of last man Miguel Cummings (0) six runs later. Asked to follow-on, a handful of die-hard spectators saw Omar Phillips, (who batted at number eight in the order in the first innings because he was injured while fielding at short-leg on the first day), add 30 for the first wicket with Kyle Corbin before Chris Barnwell had Phillips (11) caught behind. Corbin looked confident and played some delightful shots and seemed very comfortable against the pace pair of Barnwell and Reifer before he was taken at short leg by Shemron Hetmyer as he pushed forward to one that bounced from Permaul. His 35 which included four fours and a six lasted 81 minutes and 67 balls and his demise left Barbados on 54-2. Bishoo then went to work in sultry conditions and had Hope (9) caught and bowled as he tried pull a short ball which ‘stopped’ on him, Jonathon Carter (6) was LBW as he elected to play no shot to
a ball that turned into the left hander and would have dismantled his wicket and Smith (10), who seemed unlucky to be given LBW when he missed a pull at one that pitched outside leg-stump to leave the visitors in ‘dire straits’ at 76-5, still 115 runs from avoiding an innings defeat. At that stage, despite the loss of almost the entire s e c o n d d a y, t h e g a m e seemed hard pressed to go into the final day today. However, Hinds and Dowrich had other ideas and frustrated the Guyana team for an hour and 31 minutes during which time they the staged a grand battle as Ronsford Beaton bent his back and tested both batsmen with some hostile bouncers on the ‘dead’ pitch. The pair rallied the storm as Hinds turned the strike over by working the ball into the gaps with neat use of his feet to Bishoo and Permaul. Dowrich was more attacking and favoured the front foot drives until he failed to get to the pitch of one from Bishoo and was caught at point at 171-6. Carlos Braithwaite (14) was soon LBW to Permaul at 196-7 to give the spinner his 10th wicket in the match while Hinds, who has 12 First-Class tons, reached his 35th fifty at this level just before the close. The job of saving the game could come down to how long Hinds bats and how many runs he scores. Rain, which is again forecast for today could also be of great assistance to the Bajans.