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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
A Postal Longevity For decades, Guyana’s postal service has been only providing two main services to the nation—the mailing and delivery of letters and parcels and the granting of birth certificates. The premises of the Post Office have also been used for other services such as to pay pensioners, especially in the rural areas. Prior to the introduction of telephones, the Guyana Post Office was the centre of incoming and outgoing telegrams to and from the interior as well as from overseas. Subsequently, the telegraph service was replaced by telephones. To some in the public domain, the Guyana Post Office is ancient and outdated, but it is a much needed institution because the service it provides is important to the people. It is an icon, a relic, an esteemed institution from the colonial era that has served the nation with grandeur. But this is not a question only for a few in the public or those who are intimately connected with Post Office, but indeed with the services it provides to the wider public and its viability to survive in the 21st century. Looking on from the outside and without the detailed knowledge of either its revenues or expenditures, it is difficult to conclude whether or not the Guyana Post Office is a profitable agency. This can only be determined by its balance sheets which the public would not have access to, except from an auditor’s report. The Postal Service is not only considered a provider of services to the people, but is also viewed as a landmark institution to most Guyanese. It has been a vital link between the people in the interior of Guyana and in the urban centers and overseas. Over the years, it has also provided a key service for both the Government and commerce and has been a sentimental link as a social and economic connection. However, the advent of the mobile phone, Internet, social media and increased competition from private courier providers has reduced the services and income of the post office network. For the average person, business has become much simpler and better with modern technology, especially with the invention of the smart phones. The Post Office will have to change its current business format if it is to remain relevant and competitive to prevent even greater migration from the services it now offers. Its survival depends on its use of modern technology. While the Postal Service has always been a national institution, the reality is that the delivery of letters and other services offered by the Post Office are on decline due to instant access to online services. This has led to a shortfall in revenue for the Post Office which will have little or no choice but to reduce its workforce in order to lower its costs and remain a viable institution. And raising the price of stamps to reflect the true economic costs will reduce its services even further. The Guyana Postal Service clearly qualifies as one of those institutions which the Government should seriously think of modernizing if it is to remain viable, and be able to compete and meet the needs of the people. It cannot compete if its 19th century operations format is not updated to meet the service demands of the 21st century. Of necessity, the Post Office must become a more service-oriented organization. This may require a modern computerized system, better management of time, improved services and a seven-day-a-week operation, with the ability to provide overnight and weekend services. It should also undertake realistic projections of its current and future needs and its ability to survive against stiff competition by couriers and online services. Like most government agencies, radical reforms and updated systems and services will likely be required; otherwise the government will have to continue to subsidy the Post Office at a time when schools, hospitals, roads and infrastructure are in desperate need of funding.
Saturday December 05, 2015
Letters... Where your views make the news
I will not accept attacks on my integrity DEAR EDITOR, An article published on page 4 of your newspaper of Tuesday 2' December, 2015 under the caption ‘PPP castigates Ministry of Citizenship’ (Kaieteur News).The PPP, through its General Secretary, seems inclined to be the advocate of the Registrar General who has been sent on leave for administrative reasons. It seems that the idea being posited is that she has been wronged by this administration. Let me say from the outset that employees at all levels in the Public Service structure are subject to its rules and regulations. The General Registrar reports to the subject Minister and is expected to follow instruction from same. There is a reason these structures are in place: to ensure the smooth functioning of our complex bureaucratic system. Without them chaos is the likely result, and our ability to perform our duties would be stymied with no clear line of communication. In this particular instance, it was the Registrar General who raised an issue with the Minister and he instructed her not to proceed in the direction she outlined. She was directed on the course of action to follow. This Officer then acted contrary to the Minister’s
instructions and as a consequence she was sent on leave for the purpose of investigating whether she was in contravention of her contracted role. It is not the purpose of the Department of Citizenship to manipulate the voters’ list as Rohee so mendaciously declares, but to “develop to its fullest potential, Guyana’s Registration and Immigration Service” quoting from my Budget speech in the National Assembly on Monday 17th August, 2015. This includes ensuring that every citizen born in this country is registered appropriately, and that every death is also so registered. Unfortunately, it seems, the last administration did not deem this to be a priority and there were with several instances found of persons being registered multiple times under different names. I find it manipulative and duplicitous to suggest that what seems to have been your modus operandi you should now suggest to be this administration’s way of doing business. We would not countenance any suggestion that our intentions are anything but that which admits to the fullest scrutiny. Please let this administration do the job which you so flagrantly failed to perform in all of your 23 years.
In reference again to the matter of the Registrar General, Rohee’s reference to her “competence and worth” must be viewed through the prism of flawless character and integrity that represents the construct of any public servant committed to the process of representation of our people. I would also ask the question of how this woman of ‘competence and worth’ would have acquired her position. Was the vacancy publicized, were there other applicants to compete for the position and was she most qualified applicant? There is more to the mortar than the pestle. I will ask what circumstance would have given this woman the position in which she now sits. I prefer to let sleeping dogs lie. What I will not accept is the PPP/C attacking my character or my role as Minister of Citizenship. I have always been forthright and will not countenance anyone maligning my integrity. I have never contravened the attitudes of good behavior in the discharge of my public office and I am willing to be subject to any scrutiny in this regard. I trust that the PPP/C will see it fit to take the stick out of their own eyes before they try to look into mine. Winston Felix Minister of Citizenship
The Bharrat Jagdeo masquerade DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Integrity Commission Act (1997) No 20, is some 20 years old. It replaced an earlier Act of 1991. Mr. Samuel Hinds assented to the Act as President. However, we are reading for the umpteen time (e.g Stabroek News, November 29, 2015), Mr. Jagdeo talking about declaring his assets, if and only if! Credibility is the only issue. First Mr. Editor, note that the Integrity Commission Act became law before Mr. Jagdeo became President of Guyana. He was Head of Cabinet from 2001 to 2011. Why therefore does he behave as though the Act became law last month? Second, the Act applies to the President. It requires that “…public officers make an annual declaration giving true and complete particulars of his /her income, assets and liabilities whether his/her own name or in that of the name of someone else’s and that of his /her spouse and child/children. A description of all assets and their value is to be given…” The Act contains the core elements of a Code of Conduct. Third therefore, the only relevant question for Mr. Jagdeo is what is this business about others declaring their assets in tandem with him, before he does, or whatever, and others
considering his proposal? What proposal? The Act clearly say what must happen, does it not? He was President of Guyana for more than a decade, but this is how he ran the country. Ignore the law and invent some ridiculous proposal in its pace. What was done to enforce the Integrity Commission Act (1997) other than reappointing Bishop George as Commission Chairman? Nothing! Fourth, what years of declarations is Mr. Jagdeo referring to? Can the people trust what he has now prepared to put on the table? He was required to declare
his assets since he owned property in Ogle (so called Pradoville1), and long before he owned the new property in Sparendaam/ Goedverwagting (Pradoville 2). If he had complied, declared his assets every year and the law functioned in Guyana the people would be in no doubt today what he owns and how he got them. But what did he do? Nothing? So what is the purpose of a news item on Mr. Jagdeo’s lame duck proposal, whatever it is. Instead of condemning this masquerade the media seems to be encouraging him to
make one ridiculous statement after another, without regard for what the law actually required of him every year until he ended his presidency. The obligation still exists and remains, with or without a declaration by any other Parliamentarian, and he is in breach of that obligation. This is precisely the issue with him, especially on matters of accountability by public officials. Each Member of Parliament is individually responsible under the Integrity Commission Act (1997), it has nothing to do with what others fail to do. In (Continued on page 23)
Persistent values of times that have gone long, long ago DEAR EDITOR The reported move by Ivy league Universities, Harvard and Princeton, to discontinue use of the title: “Master” as in ‘Master of the Residential College’ instead of ‘Head of the College’ on the grounds that terms like “Master” are too poignant reminders of the distasteful history of slavery is quite interesting. It makes me wonder if the world of higher education should now be reviewing the award of graduate degrees which carry the pre-fix “Master” as in MA or MSc or MBA, MPH, MPhil. etc etc. Should we as Guyanese with our own history of slavery and indentureship allow such moves to go un-noticed? Should we be questioning, for example, the Apprenticeship
Agreements we execute which refer to the provider of the training as “Master”? Should we continue to refer to our male teachers as “Sir” this or that (first name), another colonial vestige, while we refer to the female counterpart teachers as “Miss” so-and so (first name) instead of the appellation used during my time as a student/ teacher i.e Mr or Mrs or Miss so-and –so (surname)? Titular misnomers might be considered superficial or unimportant concerns to some but what cannot be ignored is the continuation of anachronistic attitudes, beliefs and behaviours which have their genesis in times, situations and contexts long, long ago….these must be dealt with frontally and expeditiously. Nowrang Persaud
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Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Guyanese women find themselves in a Catch 22 situation DEAR EDITOR, By now it is blatantly apparent to the world at large that when Guyanese go big they really go big. No jest or pun intended. Small things are certainly not on our minds. What with our high suicide rate, our high maternal and neonatal mortality rate, our high road fatality rate, our high incidence of gun related crimes and now our high femicide/uxoricide rate. While these skyrocketing figures in themselves are cause for serious concern, the latest femicide victim Melissa Skeete and the manner in which her stabbed body was treated by the perpetrator cries out for a new high in criminal punishment, and a look at factors/ antecedents that seemingly have been overlooked or at best not given the merited attention. In fact, if the powers that be in Guyana can be charged with any omission, it is a failure to examine and learn from this ongoing spiralling crisis. Call it pandemic, epidemic, systemic, endemic or epistemic, but I know for a fact, and at the expense of frugality of expression that the situation is clearly toxemic to say the least. Cutting to the chase and circumventing all afore-expressed rhetoric, permit me to pose a question that has been asked so many times beforeWhat underpins this current displayed male aggression? Take it or leave it, this continued foray smacks of negligent omission and mishandling from all angles. Such simplification, however, permits a closer focus on the portion of the enigma that is most interesting from the perspective of the judicial and punitive system. Has the legal system played any part in providing solutions, or does it in itself contribute to the problem? The overall handling of this problem and its continued pervasion can be listed as one of the egregious Could Guyana, the Eldorado of the Caribbean once again be the first country mass producing males with a proclivity to femicide/ uxoricide, and a displayed overall preference for a particular type of weapon? My question- in which era did these present- day Guyanese killer- scholars receive their training, and whose tutelage are they mimicking? If violence is a learned response pattern, then I dare say the presenting evidence bears testimony to the fact that they have learned well. In the context of traditional
views of masculine and feminine roles, present day Guyanese women like other women in the diaspora find themselves in a no-win/ Catch 22 situation. A woman having more education, earning more money, or has more power in the community than her spouse/ partner, does not conform to the accepted feminine model. Such a situation threatens the very core of her husband’s masculinity, producing frustration that eventually leads to stress and murder. Former Guyanese culture taught little girls to be nurturing, compliant and a good little passive wife. On the other hand little boys learn to be strong, aggressive and act as the husband or man in charge. This scenario equally sets the stage upon which later violence gets played out. In downright honest candour, even stating the likely reasons as they appear within the radar, omits some logically necessary steps. Currently the perpetrators of femicide/ uxorcide could profit from intense anger management classes, continued supervision and possibly being listed in the registry of spousal abusers/ violent offenders. On the outside, in view of this scourge that is diminishing the productive specie of a generation, and by extension altering the face of parenthood, there should be governmental run programs where potential or probable batterers can speak with someone before they murder. It is also equally important that the schools start teaching youngsters both male and female as to relationships, breakups and how to deal with breakups. Let me once again repeat, almost to the point of being echolaliac, there is never an excuse to lay hands on a woman, let alone take her life. The issue is not one sided or lop sided, simply talking about what the males should not do is not enough. Women’s groups need to step up immediately to the plate, ready to bat (not pinch hit) with conferences/ workshops/ training sessions/ deescalation techniques all geared to help women ensure that they won’t do anything that would provoke wrong actions. Then and only then would our males not be the first in putting their women in the hearse. Such a goal is certainly not unattainable. Yvonne Sam
High praise for the new Govt.
DEAR EDITOR, Permit me space in your letter column to ventilate my views on a couple of things. It is said that the longest journey begins with the first step. It is also said that words and thought have moulding powers. So it is my conviction that if the first step in made in a positive way with positive thoughts the culmination of that journey will yield positive things, progress and propriety. The Granger led administration is about eight months old, and to my mind they have made some positive step and as long as the positive steps are encapsulated by positive thoughts and actions positive results will be achieved. The rains fell very much on Wednesday 2nd December. I was out during most of
that downpour, and I did not encounter any street being under water, it seems like hard work has yielded a measure of success, which will bring a small measure of relief to Guyanese. On the down side there is an eye sore by South/ Lodge bus park every time it rains there is an area there that become a pool it needs to be looked at. Now for the core matter. I am in my seventieth years but I have never accepted persons calling me “Old Boy” I am engaged in construction work and give good account of myself among my younger associates. Let us try to evaluate the word old. When you have something that is old what do you do with it? You will probably put it in a corner and forget it. An old shirt, it is a shirt you will not want to be seen
with among friends. A old house you will not want to be seen in if your position is one of affluence and I can go an making that show that old represents unwanted, unsightly and discarded things that is what old represents. I have been receiving pension for the past six years and the writing on the cover of the book, never sat well with me but I had to live with it “Old Age Pension Voucher” it was so outlandish. On Wednesday 2nd 2015 I braved the rain to go uplift my book; note never before did I leave my home on the first day to do this service for myself. But on that day, I braved the inclement weather to be there. On receipt of the book all the discomforts I suffered was annulled. The new name speaks volumes it
shows vision it, show respect it tells you as a person how you are seen. The name “Senior Citizen Pension Voucher” speaks of people who have a place in Guyana’s society it speaks of belonging the name on the voucher speak of a people who are respected and are needed even just for the purpose of advice. Thank God for a group of people that has shown vision, I hope and pray that that they are given the strength the knowledge and be humble enough to be given the knowledge to lead this country out of the doldrums it has been in for ages. May God’s mercy continue to keep you guys to do what he will have you do. For his people! Elder Ewart Small ACDA Compound
DEAR EDITOR, Much has been said about the recent spate of suicides in Guyana, with many commentators speculating about whether or not any one ethnic group or social class is predisposed to such a terrifying end. The much publicized incidents of two young women who in the past months, and another a few years back, hurling themselves to their deaths off the Kaieteur Falls, have brought the issue of suicide back into full glare. All three victims were of East Indian extraction, and at the time of their deaths were in the prime of their lives. Their deaths left many to wonder about what had driven them to such extreme actions, when all seemed well on the outside. The deaths of these three young women at the Kaieteur Falls represent just a miniscule fraction of the number of Indo-Guyanese who have committed suicides. These particular incidents garnered much more attention than the others, simply because of the location and the chilling manner in which the suicides occurred. We tend to view with less empathy and sympathy, and just as quickly forget the deaths of the many who consume poison in some remote back dam setting, or those who hang themselves while the rest of their families are sound asleep. Just why is Guyana experiencing an upsurge in suicides? Why is there so much despair and hopelessness at the individual level? Could it be that our understanding of what constitutes the “good life” is in some way warped?
Why is it that when our personal aspirations become elusive, we cannot find further purpose in our lives? How fickle have our personalities become that a momentary setback, an insult or fall from grace can beckon our own end? Are we holding on to just too many unrealistic expectations of life? Health officials have said that the situation of suicides in Guyana has reached crisis level, and therefore demands the most urgent of attention from the government. Earlier this year, a study conducted by the Mibicuri Community Developers organization in East Berbice concluded that as much as 80% of all suicide victims are Indo-Guyanese, with 69% being Hindus. These figures are disproportionately higher than the ethnic demographic distributions in Guyana. Guyana is not the only country with a significant East Indian population, to experience such a disproportionate level of suicides among this particular ethnic group. Malaysia (Maniam, 2014), Fiji (Haynes, 1984), Mauritius (Goorah, et al, 2013) and Britain (Ineichen, 2008) all reveal the same trends. India itself has very high rates of suicides when compared to other South Asian countries or Europe for that matter. Studies in these countries indicate a link between suicides among Indians and persistent poverty, alcoholism and mental illness. Can it then be inferred that East Indians, whether in the Indian subcontinent or elsewhere in the Diaspora, are more predisposed to suicidal tendencies, than any other ethnic group
within the respective countries? The Indo-Guyanese often gets caught between these ideological pillars, being bold enough to experiment and test cultural norms and boundaries, and in so doing make and battle their own demons. Suicide among Indians in Guyana may be the highest among any multi-ethnic / multi-cultural country, based on the fact that Guyana has the highest suicide rates globally. Life in Guyana is becoming ever more fast-paced, putting more pressures on the ties we have to conservative Indian culture. The advent of social media now places the formerly timid person in the public glare, and bombards him/ her with unwelcome opportunities for self-evaluation and it will be a tough fight to deconstruct the mental model that says failure is final and to replace that with something that says it is only a bend or a rut in the road that we call “life”. Many persons, who chose suicide as a way out, were often not inclined to open up about their problems. How then can we get to the vulnerable to share a message of hope and to address
this scourge? What exactly has worked in the many suicide-prevention programmes that were started? I may be wrong, but I want to believe that taking an institutional approach to the problem will not bear the kind of results we want. We need to know what kinds of social channels the vulnerable are inclined to communicate through. Among IndoGuyanese, organized religion and their social structures play an important role. They have an affinity for their mandirs, mosques and churches, and tend to trust their somewhat informal environment more than the environment of institutions. Therefore, it may be possible that our social programmes will fare better if we empower and resource these community-based religious organizations to work with the vulnerable, and to help us curb the scourge of suicides. Health and social protection officials may want to review their strategies and to give more thought to how religious and social organizations can join, even lead the fight. Khemraj Tulsie
East Indians globally are more prone to suicide than other races
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Minister Norton refutes Demerara Tobacco allegations Public Health Minister George Norton yesterday refuted a claim by Demerara Tobacco Limited that they were excluded from the consultation process for the drafting of Guyana’s new tobacco legislation, which will be tabled early 2016. Norton said the Ministry would have singled out all stakeholders for consultation on the Bill and as such is confident that it did a “good work” in gathering all of them. “If what they are saying is true, then we will put measures in place to meet with them,” he stated. The tobacco company had alleged that it was excluded from the consultation process for the drafting of the new tobacco legislation. Managing Director, Maurlain Argyle-Kirton, had stated that she was disturbed that the company was not included in the consultations which were ongoing for years. She also stated that her company had not yet “laid eyes” on the content of the Bill. She explained that despite many attempts to have engagement with the Public Health Ministry, no one from the Ministry sought to meet DemToCo. The new tobacco legislation is intended to protect present and future generations from the “devastating harms” of tobacco use, exposure to tobacco smoke and
- says raised taxation for tobacco will not increase illicit trade specifically to prevent tobacco use among youths. The legislation would also seek to ensure that the public is protected from the commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry, while preventing the illicit trade in tobacco products. One of the measures in the legislation is to raise taxation for tobacco products, which might eventually cripple the tobacco industry in Guyana. Argyle-Kirton suggested that this proposed hike in tobacco taxation would only lead to an increase in the illicit trade in tobacco products. She said Suriname is a bona fide example of a rise in the illicit trade following an increase in taxation. “They woke up one morning to increase the taxes, driven by PAHO to raise it by 75 percent of the retail price and today illicit trade is 40 percent and growing,” she explained. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), on the other hand, had argued that the tobacco industry is among those that profit from this illegal trade and thus urged its member countries, which includes Guyana to ratify the Protocol to Eliminate the Illicit Trade in Tobacco
Products. The Protocol would help to smother this trade through a range of measures relating to the tobacco supply chain, including the licensing of imports, exports and manufacture of tobacco products; the establishment of tracking and tracing systems; and the imposition of penal sanctions on those responsible for illicit trade. It would also criminalize illicit manufacturing and cross-border smuggling of tobacco products. Norton insisted that the Demerara Tobacco contention on increased taxes was
Maurlain Argyle-Kirton false. He stated that the increase will neither cripple Guyana’s economy nor increase the illegal trade.
“What they are saying is not true at all and this will be defended in the Bill when it’s tabled in Parliament,” he argued, adding that during consultations the Ministry did a thorough analysis of the economic effects on raised taxes. “The effect of tobacco use as it relates to causing noncommunicable diseases runs any country in debt faster than increasing the taxes,” he explained. He said that even though the industry is very powerful, the Ministry is neither afraid nor threatened by them. “We are here to protect the health of the nation...that comes first,” he stated. The Charity Cancer Research UK (CRUK) organization has indicated that tripling tobacco tax globally would cut smoking by a third, and avoid 200 million premature
Saturday December 05, 2015
Min. George Norton deaths this century from lung cancer and other diseases. The researchers stated that increasing taxes by a large amount per cigarette would motivate people to quit smoking altogether rather than switch to a cheaper brand.
One man protestor returns to Venezuelan Embassy The one man protestor yesterday
Against the backdrop of Venezuelan claims to Essequibo, one man yesterday decided to continue his protest in front of the Venezuelan Embassy, despite rain and a purported death threat. Dennis Atwell, 43, braved inclement weather to conduct his peaceful protest before the Venezuelan Embassy, which is located at 296 Thomas Street, South Cummingsburg. The man, who hails from Essequibo, is an artist by profession and he made full use of his talents in designing several items to help him reinforce his message on the avenue. While some of the items Atwell presented depicted
the CARICOM, United States of America, Guyana, Trinidad and United Kingdom flags, others depicted the map of Guyana. The divisions in the maps showed the administrative regions and Essequibo. “I normally (would) be out here protesting the Venezuelan claim to our Essequibo. The only thing different (yesterday) is that elections is on Sunday in Venezuela,” Atwell said. Atwell added that should a new President be elected in Venezuela, he would reiterate the message that Guyana is a peaceful nation, but one which wants to preserve its sovereignty. He referenced the claims that Venezuela revived after the announcement was made
that oil was discovered in commercial quantities off the Stabroek block. This situation also involved arms being deployed by Venezuela near the Guyana border and a Venezuela gunboat in the Cuyuni River. “So I want to say to which ever President is coming into office that we in Guyana are a peaceful people. And we want a peaceful solution,” he said. “A solution was reached in 1899. But ever since then Venezuela has been aggressive to us. You know of numerous instances that there have been incursions on our borders.” “I, my father (a soldier) and my mother are from Essequibo. Why I took this struggle up is that ever since I was a little boy my father used to come, during the upheaval then, with troops to our home.” It is these recollections that have imbued him with a sense of where he came from. “This protest is the big-
gest thing in my life right now. If it means that I have to die here, I will. I believe in my country, I love my country and I am going to stand until the last breath for my country,” Atwell said. “(Our) ancestors have slaved for this country and built it, so that today we can enjoy it.” Atwell is no stranger to protesting the Venezuelan aggrandizement. When Venezuela first issued its decree claiming Essequibo, he became a prominent feature in front of the embassy. Of recent, a foreign military Black Hawk helicopter was reported as landing at the Kaikan airstrip. Kaikan village is located approximately 78 miles up the Essequibo River. Villagers reported that two men who disembarked from the helicopter asked them whether they had landed at San Juan, a village close and to the South West of Kaikan, but on the Venezuelan side of the border.
Saturday December 05, 2015
Kaieteur News
Texas drops request for restraining order to halt Syrian refugees (Reuters) -Texas on Friday withdrew its request for a temporary restraining order to prevent the imminent resettlement of 21 Syrian refugees into the state, saying the U.S. government had provided it with the information it sought on the group. The move came just hours after the U.S. Justice Department filed papers in a federal court in Dallas, saying the state did not have the authority to act on national immigration policy and could not bar the refugees from resettling. The relief agency that plans to resettle the Syrians in the coming days filed a separate motion at the U.S. District Court in Dallas, contending that Texas could not discriminate against refugees on the basis of nationality because that violates U.S. civil rights laws. “Texas is not discriminating against all refugees, only Syrian refugees,” the International Rescue Committee said in its filing. The results of this case could determine whether the governors of more than 30 states will be able to go
through with plans to bar the local resettlement of Syrian refugees. The International Rescue Committee plans to relocate a family of six Syrians to Dallas on Dec. 7 (today) and another family of six Syrians to Houston the same day. The families arrived in the United States this week, according to court papers. It plans to resettle a family of eight Syrians in Houston on Dec. 10, along with a 26-year-old woman whose mother resides in the area. Texas has threatened a funding cut for the relief agency if it goes ahead with the relocation. The state has requested that the court set a Dec. 9 date for a hearing on an injunction to halt Syrians from resettling. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission sued the U.S. government and the relief agency this week to block refugee resettlement in the state. After the Paris attacks in November, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, was one of the first governors to seek to block the resettle-
ment of Syrians into their states. Abbott has said he was concerned that U.S. security screening is ineffective and could allow people with ties to terrorism to be admitted. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement the U.S. government is legally obligated to consult with Texas in advance of resettlement. The Justice Department said in its filing the Refugee Act of 1980 requires the government to consult on a regular basis with states about the sponsorship process and distribution among states. “It does not create any obligation to provide advance consultation regarding individual resettlement decisions,” it said. Since the fiscal year 2011, 243 Syrian refugees have resettled in Texas, the U.S. filing said, making the state one of the main U.S. relocation sites since the Syrian civil war erupted about four years ago. (Writing by Jon Herskovitz; Additional reporting by Lisa Maria Garza; Editing by Bernadette Baum and David Gregorio)
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Cuba, Jamaica sign two Technical Cooperation Agreements
Saturday December 05, 2015
Venezuela counts down to tomorrow crucial vote
…ruling party risks unprecedented defeat
Health Minister Horace Dalley (right) and with Cuban Ambassador His Excellency Bernardo Hernandez (left) sign two Technical Cooperation Agreements between Cuba and Jamaica. (Jamaica Observer) KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Ministry of Health Thursday signed two bilateral partnership agreements with Cuba. The official signing took place at the ministry’s head office in Kingston. The agreements signed are: • Technical Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Public Health of the Republic of Cuba and the Ministry of Health of Jamaica. • Agreement on Cooperation between Cuba and Jamaica for the functioning of an Ophthalmology Centre. Health Minister Horace Dalley said thousands of Jamaicans have benefitted from the forty three years of diplomatic relations with Cuba. “Cuba has never refused to help us. Many Jamaicans
have benefitted especially from the Jamaica/Cuba Eye care programme,” Dalley said. Under the Technical Cooperation agreement several Cuban health workers have been coming to Jamaica and making important contribution to the health sector. There are currently 71 Cuban professionals working in Jamaica, 53 of which are from the Jamaica-Cuba Technical Agreement and 18 of which are under the Eye Care Programme partnership. Of the 71 Cuban professionals in the island 27 are doctors, 36 are nurses and 8 are professional technologists. On July 28, 2009 the Bilateral Agreement of Cooperation for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence was
signed between the Jamaican and Cuban Governments. Out of that came the Jamaica/ Cuba Eye Care Centre which was officially opened in January, 2010. Since its inception, the Ophthalmology Centre has received in excess of 78,000 visits. More than 24,000 people have been screened and more than 9,842 procedures done, all in Jamaica. “There has been a concerted effort by both the Cuban and Jamaican Governments to ensure that our people get the best health care. Our partnership in health with Cuba over the years has been extremely beneficial and we look forward to continuing to work with the Government and people of Cuba in the future,” Dalley said.
Fox News Latino CARACAS – In a monthslong campaign peppered with violence, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro famously warned the opposition: “You best pray we win.” He also said, among other things, that Chavista candidates will win “by any means,” that he personally will not “relinquish power” and, more recently, that he “would take to the streets” if his candidates lose. But the numbers are not with him. As of this week, most polls showed the opposition is expected to attain majority, between 90 to 99 seats of the 167 seats in the National Assembly. The opposition, a total of 14 political parties under Mesa de Unidad Democratica, currently holds 65 seats. “We don’t see a scenario where we lose the election,” opposition leader and Assemblyman Julio Borges, told Fox News Latino and other media outlets on Wednesday. He alluded to the most recent Venebarometro poll which gives the opposition a 17 percent lead.But Borges, one of a handful of opposition leaders that are neither outside the country or sitting in jail, said he fears violence in five key areas, all of them outside Caracas, which could affect the races for 15 seats and seriously impact the final count. Another big concern, he said, was a practice seen in the
Supporters of the Mesa de la Unidad (MUD) during a rally in Caracas, Wednesday. (AP) past? where chavista militants coerce voters and hustle them into poll centers after voting hours. “We fear selective violence in certain areas, surgical brutality,” he said. “But election wise, no losing scenario for us,” he said. Borges said Venezuelans are betting their hopes on this election and for that reason there is a deeper meaning in tomorrow’s vote. “There is a whole country that is seeking a different political and economic model here. People want change, not just to punish Maduro,” Borges said. “They want mutual understanding, dialogue and a healthy economy.” He said it is actually encouraging that Venezuela is faced with such a serious economic crisis and yet there is no more violence in the country. “Venezuelans want to achieve a miracle through the vote on Dec. 6. Not through violence, but through the vote,” he said. The ruling party, PSUV, has won every national election except a 2007 constitu-
tional referendum that would have expanded Chavez’s powers. Maduro is out of touch with Venezuelan reality, Borges said. “The government is acting like Chavez is still alive, as if the oil barrel is above $100 and [as if] Maduro’s approval rating is at 80 percent,” he said. Other local pollsters, such as Datanalisis, put Maduro’s approval above 30 percent, but according to Vidal that was a temporary spike caused by Christmas bonuses delivered to the 2 million-strong public sector. President Maduro is not letting Organization of American States officials supervise tomorrow’s election — only a team of observers from Unasur, a regional bloc founded by Hugo Chavez himself, will be allowed to monitor the vote. Congressman Borges said he met with Unasur representatives Tuesday in Caracas and is confident they will prove objective. The Unasur observers will be deployed in 11 of Venezuela’s 23 states.
Saturday December 05, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 9
Celebrating the misfortune of others It is a tragic situation in Guyana. We celebrate the misfortune of others simply because we perceive them to have served the former government. During this week two senior persons, one an editor and the other a senior manager, were sent packing from the Guyana National Newspapers Limited. Immediately, there were celebratory comments from persons on social media, expressing delight in the dismissals. It is very disturbing to witness people actually being happy when persons are being placed on the breadline. This is not an issue about the justification of the dismissals. The issue is about the lack of human empathy. The dismissals came as a surprise. The new government had a right when it assumed office six months ago to demand the resignation of the two individuals. It did not. It allowed them to continue to work, no doubt to ensure a
smooth transition until the time came when they would be fired.The individuals would probably not have known that, and therefore, like many others in the wider society, may have presumed that they would be retained. After all, having survived the first wave of dismissals by the new government, they must have presumed that they would have been retained. They were wrong in that assumption. The new Board no doubt held the two individuals responsible for the performance of the newspaper, both commercially and in terms of its content, and therefore took a decision, belatedly, to end their services. Both of the individuals are still young persons, but when you are let go at a state agency, it is usually difficult to obtain employment in Guyana. Other state agencies will be reluctant to employ you, since there is residual assumption that government is indivisible, and that it would
be unacceptable to employ anyone dismissed from any part of the state sector. This ought not to be. There should be no prohibition against anyone being dismissed from a public corporation – and the Guyana National Newspapers Limited is a corporation – being employed in any other part of the government. Other corporations should be free to employ any individual whose services may have been terminated from another part of the government. In practice, this rarely happens. What has happened is that a person who has to be past sixty years of age, and has lived outside of Guyana, has gotten the nod to be employed within the state sector. There is always the possibility of persons dismissed by the government being employed by the private sector. But that is a remote possibility, because the private sector is highly intimidated by the government, and not any
Dem boys seh...
People refuse to wuk under Clinty de Willie Clinty de Willie was a slim boy. He had size 34 waist which is de same waist as de boss man of de Waterfalls paper. Dem was de days when dem didn’t have plenty trawler and gold was cheap. From de time de price of gold start to go up and Clinty de Willie tek over de mining commission, all hell bruk loose. He pants button start fuh sprawl so was he shirt. He underwear size change and then de worst that happen was when dem mek he start to sign fuh food and drink. Dem boys did seh yesterday that de way he was spending taxpayers’ dollars he woulda eat out Guyana. Now dem realize he woulda eat out Caricom and mek it Carigone. Wid de size he got now and de way he spending de tax dollars, he own colleagues seh that dem got a problem wukking wid he much less under he. He would crush dem. And talking about wukking under people, dem boys want to offer an unqualified apology to de GRA lawyer. Yesterday dem boys write how she was underperforming and mek she get demoted and transfer to another department. All dem boys mean was that she performance was not up to standard on de job according to a report dem boys see. She husband was worse. He never win a case in court but he challenging everything under de sun, de moon and de stars. But no-
body never seh that he underperform. De only thing that people gun seh bout he is that he always under de influence of Jagdeo and de influence of daru which is likka. Just like how dem boys apologise to de GRA lawyer, dem boys want y-all to know that BaiShan come to de Waterfalls paper and apologise fuh de wickedness that dem do all over Guyana. Dem seh that dem want a friendship and a love. Dem apologising to de wrang people. Talk half and hope dem find de right people to apologise to.
of them would want to be seen to be giving employment to someone who has fallen out of favour with the government. The government remains far too influential in labour markets. The government remains much too important in terms of employment in the economy. The private sector is not independent enough; it is not strong enough, and it is highly de-
pendent on the government, and therefore cannot act with the sort of independence expected of an entity independent of the government. If after six months persons can still be sent packing, both at the Guyana Chronicle and at the GGMC, it does suggest that a second round of dismissals is about to happen, and there could also be a third wave by the non-renewal
of contracts. People are being put on the breadline. They will have a blue Christmas for sure. But that is no bother to the cheerleaders who are enjoying the misfortune of others.
Page 10
Kaieteur News
Saturday December 05, 2015
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Oral sex accusation versus a hitman’s confession How do the police operate in circumstances where John says Mary called him a thief and Mary says he is lying? I am inquisitive, because I read in the Kaieteur News where a City Constabulary rank was miraculously placed on $5000 bail by a Magistrate for requesting oral sex from one of his colleagues. The Kaieteur News published $5000 which caught my eyes, because Magistrates these days only think of bail in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, even if it is for bicycle theft. This is a curious case
against the backdrop of the Robb Street granny murder trial. The city rank requested oral sex. How did he come to be charged once he denied it? It meant that the police proceeded because there were witnesses. There is no other explanation. Once it is one person’s word against another, how do the police proceed? All Mary has to say is that I never called John a thief. All Mary has to say is that he is lying and he cannot prove it. Proof is the fulcrum on which rests a prosecution’s case.
If there is no proof, how can the police file a charge? Suppose Peter is leaving a café and on his way out he asks the attendant for oral sex. The woman calls in the police; Peter says this woman is crazy; she is just mischievous because I refused to tip her. Surely there has to be evidence or proof. If the police charge Peter, then the jungle opens up, because all kinds of mischievous people will create perpetual strife by accusing others they hate. But the reality in Guyana is that the police do exactly this, and continue to do it, but with ex-
ceptions. I will come to the exceptions below. All you have to do to get a person placed in the police lock-up at any station, is just complain that you were threatened. I have seen this untold number of times and I have intervened at police stations untold number of times, the latest being a bicycle incident at the Kitty Police Station. I was investigating a car accident which took me to the station. I saw this fellow from the vulcanizing shop on Sheriff Street who tends to my car wheels. His name is Sammy. On enquiry I was told that a young man made an accusation against Sammy, saying Sammy is in possession of his cycle. Sammy was sitting on the bench for hours. The police seized the bike. I spoke to the three policemen over the counter requesting that the bicycle be released to me because it was mine and I had given it to Sammy. They were all laughing. I became annoyed and insisted that they take a report from me. When they saw I was angry they calmed
down and asked what I was getting at. My point was simple how can you have the poor soul sitting on a bench for hours, while his accuser is nowhere in sight and he should have supplied proof of ownership hours ago. So to be provocative, I claimed the bike insisting Sammy must be released until his accuser brings the receipt. They agreed. Three weeks after I asked Sammy for an update. There was none. The police didn’t arrest Sammy, meaning that his accuser did not bring in the receipt and Sammy’s bike was still impounded. I insisted that Sammy has to get what was taken from him by the police. We collected the bike. What’s the point? The point is the arbitrary way the Guyana Police Force operates and its harassment of poor people is unconscionable. The police had an innocent man confined for hours at the station and impounded his bike on the fictional description of a mischievous person. Sammy could have
Frederick Kissoon been placed in the lock-up with seasoned criminals. I won’t be surprised if the police acted in the same manner with the oral sex allegation. Let’s return to the exceptions alluded to above. Where and who is Satesh? One of the accused in the Robb Street granny murder trial gave a statement that Satesh from a car importation firm wanted the granny dead, and that he was paying a million dollars to get her killed. But the police did not act the way they did with Sammy. The police did not act the way they did with the oral sex charge. Satesh was never sought by the police. The police said they didn’t know who Satesh was. Was the car importation owner interrogated? After all the hitman could have been lying, so why bother to look for Satesh and the car firm owner. If you believe that, you are a fool.
Saturday December 05, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 11
The Auditor General is free to audit - Deputy Mayor City Hall books Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green has come out swinging against ‘corruption at City Hall’ statements from former Attorney General Anil Nandlall in defence of the M u n i c i p a l i t y . She said his tactics are a smoke screen to hide the reality of the general public’s needs for answers of accountability for the $500M of $1 billion that was allotted by the previous government for the supposed clean up my country project of 2014. ”We have no fear of an audit for our current project so the Auditor General can come at anytime and check our books. We have standards. Clearly the former government did not have or they would have recognised that the people they employed to clean the city as contractors were into substandard work.” Deputy Mayor Chase Green said that the City Council has no responsibility to be accountable to Mr. Nandlall just because he wants answers. “As far as I am aware, there was an allocation of $500m to clean up the city but former Minister Norman Whittaker said that the City Council was not going to spend a cent and we never collected a cent from them for that project.” She said that while there is much talk about the current cleanup initiative, the Council is saddled with daily complaints from contractors about nonpayment for the works done in the cemetery as part of that contract even as the over growth has once again made it into a forest. The Deputy Mayor also took a swipe at former President Bharrat Jagdeo for comments against the Mayor and City Council. She said that Jagdeo is suddenly obsessed with cleaning. “We are not obsessed as he is about being within the walls of power. Instead, we are simply now getting the chance to do that which we are mandated to do void of hurdles and in some cases total blockage of funds in years gone by.” Deputy Mayor Green referenced former Minister of Local Government Kellawan Lall during the PPP’s reign stating that he wished that there could have been an outbreak when the city was often being compared to a garbage city. She said, “We now have an outbreak but it is one of cleanliness and pride which was lost as a result of efforts by the previous Government to try to get the reigns of the capital city by any means necessary even if it was at the expense of the citizenry.”
The Deputy Mayor said the M & CC invites all to come on board to help with the cleaning of the nation’s capital “even Mr. Nandlall. We are all inclusive of the people, for the people by the people and this move is to have the people in the communities gainfully employed while rebuilding community spirit and cleaning the communities.” Clearing the air on financing the Deputy Mayor said that the current ‘clean up the community project’ is being funded from monies promised by the 2015 budget to clean up Georgetown and the country.” She also questioned the whereabouts of the tools that were supposedly bought for the previous project for which the City Council was sidelined. “We demand an audit of the $500M from last year then he (Nandlall) can talk after the findings and stop politicking for Local Government Elections.” She said that out of the budgeted $300 million for this year, the 50 community’s projects only used $75m in phase one and there are more
to come. “With all the heavy rainfall following just 50 percent of works completed there is hardly any complaint of flooding from the business community. There is no recorded major flooding in any of the daily papers and neither were there reports of loss by businesses. They know all that should have been done now that they are out of Government.” “Looking at the Stabroek Market tarmac, the main city canals and even the cross streets,” she said, “One can see what has happened in six months versus 23 years.” “All I will state is cleanliness is next to godliness and the people are now much happier. And we don’t have any security other than the Constabulary Department.” Deputy Mayor Green said too that previous Town Clerks had no total independence from Government interventions and interference as they were always taking directives from the previous Local Government Ministers. The previous Ministers were Kellawan Lall, Ganga Persaud, Norman Whittaker and Clinton Collymore.
“They (former Town Clerks) obviously did not want to go against the powers that were even if it meant the deterioration of the capital city and illness for the citizenry. But alas we are free and Georgetown is on the move in the right direction.” (Mondale Smith)
Deputy Mayor, Patricia Chase Green
Page 12
Kaieteur News
Saturday December 05, 2015
Taxi driver murder...
Ranks visited location where victim’s body was dumped - Police witness Police Detective Jermaine Landry told the court, yesterday, that accused murderer, Balram Singh, took investigators to the spots, where the body of slain taxi driver, Bhomeshwar Sukdeo, was dumped. Sukdeo’s charred remains were identified on the Mocha Arcadia access road days after he had gone missing. Reports were that the deceased was murdered after his car was stolen. He had been shot in the head and burnt. The incident occurred between January 19 and January 27, 2010. Singh, of Agricola, Greater
Georgetown, was subsequently arrested. He had allegedly admitted to selling Sukhdeo’s car to a taxi service in Grove, East Bank Demerara. He is facing a trial before Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed 12-member jury at the Georgetown High Court. Yesterday, Detective Landry told the court that after his arrest, Singh took investigators to areas where the victim’s body was discarded. Landry was called to the stand by State Prosecutor Narissa Leander. According to him, Singh had taken police ranks to a dam and pointed them to the place where the taxi driver’s body was first dumped. At the home of the accused, the investigators unearthed a yellow and black bicycle and receipts from Courts and an auto sales deal-
ership. Landry said that the accused told the ranks that he sold Sukdeo’s car and purchased the bicycle with some of the money he acquired. The detective said that Singh later led them to Eccles Industrial Site, and to Mocha access road. The officer said that at Eccles, the accused pointed out a spot where he said, the body was first dumped, but at Mocha access road, the man pointed to an area on the northern side of the road, where he said the body was finally disposed of. The officer told the court that he also observed that sections of the bushes, on the northern side of the road, were burnt. Under cross examination, by Attorney Jermiane Jervis, the policeman maintained that he had been truthful to the
court. He also noted that no threats were issued or inducement offered to Singh, during this time. Landry said that the accused freely and voluntarily gave the information to the police. In response to questions by the Defence Attorney, the witness specified that Singh was never assaulted or forced to tell the police anything. He said that there was
no blood or prints at the locations where the accused had taken the investigating ranks. Following the testimonies from the witnesses yesterday, Prosecutor Leander indicated to the court that the State has one more witness to call. Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh is expected to take the stand, when the trial resumes on Monday.
Slain taxi driver, Bhomeshwar Sukdeo
Security forces find “go-fast” boat hidden in jungle The inboard engine of the fast boat
A joint operation conducted this week in the Region One, Waini Point area, and involving ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU), has resulted in the discovery of a fiberglass fast boat concealed in the jungle terrain. The fast boat was inspected by the ranks, and it was outfitted with a powerful inboard engine. GDF said that the craft is suspected of being used to transport illegal items and conduct other illicit activities. Ranks of the respective agencies are continuing their investigations.
The go-fast boat.
Girl disappears from Timehri home A single mother is asking the public to help her find her 15-year-old daughter who disappeared from their Timehri home on Wednesday. Kimberly Agand, of Lot 78 Lion’s Road Timehri, vanished from her home early Wednesday morning following an argument with her mother. It was the last time she was seen. “She told her sister that she going on the road to buy something and she never returned,” her mother Donna Phang said. Phang added that her conscience bothered her to get out of the house and look for her daughter after several hours passed. She said that it was unlike Kimberly to leave their home for such a long time without telling them where exactly she was going. She
stated that Kimberly, a student of Supply Secondary, was absent from school for over one month when she was ill. But when she tried to carry the teen back to the school she was told that the matter would engage the interest of the welfare authorities. She stated that she did not go to the welfare because she was afraid of what they might do. “My daughter is a good girl. She won’t just disappear and she didn’t give me any reason to believe that she would,” Phang lamented. She said that the matter was reported to the Timehri Police Station on Wednesday. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Kimberly is asked to #668 4925, 261 2532 or the nearest police station.
Saturday December 05, 2015
Kaieteur News
Page 21
Guyanese-born computer technician guilty in BVI sex charges GUILTY: Oliver Lewis
BVI (bvinews.com) Guyana native Oliver Lewis was found guilty in the Magistrate’s Court, Thursday afternoon, on four counts of gross indecency with a minor, stemming from an incident in which he performed a number of sexual acts on a 13-yearold schoolboy. The computer technician, who was slapped with a total
of eight counts of the same charge when he was picked up by cops in 2013, was however found not guilty in relation to two of those counts. For the remaining two counts of gross indecency, Magistrate Ayanna BaptisteDabreo did not hand down a verdict as she stated that she is awaiting further
submissions from Lewis’ Attorney. The convicted man had his bail revoked on Thursday. He is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday. In the meantime, testifying in court earlier this year, the boy’s father stated that he knew the accused, as they both were members of the Jehovah’s Witness Church. He said they were friends for about three years, and Lewis was also friendly with the rest of his family. The father told the court that Lewis became a friend of his 13 year-old son, and would often pick him up from school to take him on various job sites. He added that Lewis would explain to him that he was giving job training to the boy, and that he (Lewis) needed the help. “He used to pick up my son to check cameras in Frenchman’s Cay. He used to say he needed help. While one was looking at the camera, the other was looking at the monitor,” the father told the court. He added that he trusted Lewis and never expected ‘anything like that (molestation) to happen’. The father then started to realize that something questionable was taking
Hung jury for accused wife killer Murder accused, Anthony Morrison is set to face another trial in the High Court, for the murder of his common law wife, Donna Thomas. He was on trial before Justice Priya Beharry and a mixed jury at the Georgetown High Court. According to the indictment, Morrison is said to have murdered Thomas on May 26, 2012. The woman had been living with him at the time of her death. But the man had maintained that he is innocent of the charge. However, following deliberations by a mixed jury yesterday, Morrison’s trial ended in a hung jury. The jury foreman told the court that the verdict was disproportionate; 10 not guilty and two guilty. With a somewhat confused facial expression, the accused hung his head at the jury’s announcement. Justice Beharry then explained that the jury had not reached a decision concerning him, hence he will face another trial at the next sitting of the criminal assizes. In an unsworn statement in his defence, the accused had told the court that he did not know what happened to his partner. The man claimed that on May 25, 2012, he left for work about 7:00 hrs. He said that he later returned
Anthony Morrison home but he does not know what happed to his spouse. ”I don’t know anything about this charge. I did not give the police a statement. I want know who kill Donna … I am innocent ma’am,” Morrison
said in response to the indictment. State Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, had testified that based on a post mortem, Thomas died of asphyxiation compounded by compression injuries to the neck along with blunt cranial trauma. He had explained that the marks on the victim’s remains indicated that she was choked and hit in the head with a blunt object. Morrison was represented by Attorney Arun Gajraj. The matter was presented by State Prosecutor Stacey Goodings. In another High Court trial, Rene Gordon was acquitted of two counts of sexual activity with a child. He faced an in -camera trial before Justice Roxane George at the Georgetown High Court. According to the indictment, Gordon allegedly committed the act on June 12 and 19, 2012. The man was visibly moved to tears at the jury’s announcement yesterday. He was represented by attorney Satyesh Kissoon.
place between Lewis and the boy. That happened after the boy and one of his brothers had a dispute and certain things were said. “[My son] told me everything that was going on between him and Mr. Lewis,” added the father. Details of the conversation between him and the son were not openly said in court at the time. The father further testified
that, after the revelation was made to him, he contacted a detective to find out the procedure. Some days later, the father met Lewis and told him he knew what was going on. “I told him that [my son] told me everything.” “He (Lewis) said ‘everything’?” “I said yes, ‘everything,” the father told the court in relation to the exchange
between him and Lewis. At that point, according to the father, Lewis asked: “Can you forgive me?” Describing Lewis as a psychopath, the father further told the court that he (Lewis) wanted them to treat the matter as one that could have been settled religiously. He however opted to take the matter before the court, noting that a crime was committed against his son.
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Kaieteur News
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VACANCY Plant Shop Sales Clerk: Hardworking, literate, punctual workers, Work experience an asset. Contact: 648-1821 Exist for bartender, waitress, security guard –Contact Sheik or Donald on Tel: 227-1131
Saturday December 05, 2015
ACCOMODATION Inner Retreat Hotel Restaurant & Bar, Retreat Road Parika. Indoor /Outdoor bar in Picturesque setting – Phone: 260-4504; 685-6934 Saturdays & Sundays after lunch @ Inner Retreat Hotel Parika: Bar-B-Que & games: pools, darts, table tennis etc. Phone: 260-4504.
Rotweiler pups. Tel: 6196086, 622-6646, 699-7077. PRADO: TOP CONDITION, SUNROOF, FULLY LOADED, 8 SEATER, FUEL, 2000 MODEL. CALL: 6845868 CRV EXCELLENT CONDITION, 1998CC, ALARM, DVD, MAGRIM, CLEAN ENGINE & BODYCALL: 684-5868 1 Hilux Surf, 2 Trucks (1 TM & 1TL) -Tel: 618-1967, 698-4321 Rottweiler and German Shepherd mix pups for sale –Call: 641-1771 and 654-0388 AMERICAN BULLY DOGS, REMYLINE & GOTTILINECONTACT HARRY: 6100 0 6 8 / 2 2 0 - 7 9 3 3 , WHATSAPP: 667-4845 One 600amp automatic transfer switch sold as isCall:627-7835 Pools-table cloth, balls, pocket, coin-shute, rubber, cue-stick, coin, chalk, spots gully boot, white ball, poolstable locks –Tel: 669-9927 New and used parts for all types refrigerators, air conditioners, microwaves, stoves, washers etc.- call: 233-2008/ 613-8800 One airboat-aircraft engine, trailer-perfect condition. Turn Key-Contact: 610-0001 50LBS BAGS, DOG FOOD W/SALE & RETAILCALL: 222-7891; 609-9202 One D8N Bulldozer, completely refurbished-ready to work. Contact: 610-0001 One 7’ Diameter double wall trommel, complete with all components-ready to work. Contact: 610-0001 Used XBOX 360, PS Vita, PS3 I-pad & I-pods, XBOX one & games –Tel: 621-7497; 603-8643; 649-3277 EDUCATIONAL Computerized Accounting: QuickBooks, Peachtree, Excel 2016, P.O.S Pre-Xmas giveaway -$35,000 Micrographics, Vree d - e n - H o o p , R o y a l Castle Building. Call: 2643057 9 Courses Diploma in Computer Studies, Xmas Deal -$20,000 off @ Micrographics, Vreed-enHoop, Royal Castle Building- Call: 264-3057
VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota AT 212. Price $1.1M negotiable- Tel: 650-4736 Toyota Noah & Voxy, Fully loaded, never registered, ‘G’ Series -$1.7M. Call: 617-2891 One Honda CRV, immaculate condition –price $1,650,000- Call: 626-2884 Mitsubishi Canter for sale; GTT series, next to new Call: 611-5354; 615-4728, price reasonable Bus for sale, BJJ series- call: 677-3177, 678-5887 Honda Civic (white) 2003 very good condition $875,000. Owner leaving Call/whatsapp: 688-1823 Nissan Titan 2004 model, GSS series, in immaculate condition - Call: 629-4392, 220-7958 2 HB Allions for sale as isCall: 690-2250 Toyota Hilux extra cab with tray cover 2.5L full service history. Duty paid. Unregistered$6M negotiable- Tel:266-5282 1 Toyota Corolla Fielder PMM series in good condition. New tyres. $1.3MTel: 266-5282 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 Honda Accord 2003, Tan Leather, TV, CD, Radio, DVD, 36,000KM, like now – Call: 689-1194 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, Bluebird, 212, IST, Fielder, Spacio- Call: 6523820/ 665-4529
LAND FOR SALE Parfaite Harmonie (80ftx45ft) $1M. East Coast (low lands) $1.8M, Parfaite Harmonie (100ftx50ft fenced) $3.2M call: 611-7223, 604-2207 Providence Scheme 115ftX81ft located on a Cul de Sac close to Bai Shan Lin -$8.2M negotiable –Call: 6014163; 223-0719 1155 Acres of land located at East Bank Demerara. Price Negotiable- Call: 612-2060 Luxury gated community with pool, mall, swipe entry/ exit, underground irrigation. Contact: 609-0783 Continued on page 23
Saturday December 05, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
LCDS-GRIF projects misunderstood by Minister Allicock DEAR EDITOR, Permit me the opportunity to respond to Minister Allicock’s pronouncements on the LCDS-GRIF funded Amerindian Development Fund Project carried in the November 28 edition of the Kaiteur newspaper captioned “Amerindian Development Fund Projects to be Restructured” and another article carried in the November 15th edition of the Stabroek newspaper captioned “Most Amerindian Fund Projects Missed Objectives”. According to the Minister, the restructuring is to ensure that everyone is sensitized about the project and are provided with adequate training to ensure transparency and accountability. To address the issues raised by the Minister, in terms of sensitizing everyone, the Project Management Unit (PMU) undertook several measures to ensure that the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), a right enshrined in the Amerindian Act 2006, was
adhered to at all stages of implementation. These included: 1. A series of regional inception conferences were undertaken in which each village/community targeted under the ADF project was invited to. The main objective was to sensitize members of the Village Councils about the project. 2. After the inception seminar series, the PMU undertook scoping missions to each community to conduct a public meeting. The main objective was to sensitize the residents about the project and garner community buy-in and support. 3. Numerous measures were taken to ensure that we had maximum attendance at such meetings. There are a host of other measures and activities undertaken by the PMU to ensure adherence to FPIC which space will not permit me to elaborate on. I am curious as to how the Minister intends to restructure the project to enhance FPIC.
The other issue was with regard to training. The Minister alluded to 1-2 day training provided. Once again a profound misunderstanding of the implementation of the ADF project is demonstrated. The 1-2 day initial training in Business Management is geared to meet the start-up requirements of the business ventures/Community Development Plans (CDPs) in the first year of the project. Subsequent follow-up training missions are meant to be conducted in years 2 and 3 of the project. The reasons for implementing the training in a modular fashion and over a period of time are numerous. I will mention a few: The members of the CDP Management Teams (CMT) which comprise 6-8 members selected by each community to be trained in Business Management often pull out from the CMT or are changed for several reasons. By conducting the training in different modules over time allows the replacements to benefit from such training.
If the initial training module was to be extended beyond 1-2 days, each subsequent village/community scheduled for scoping and training will have to wait a progressively longer time to receive funding to start up their business venture (keep in mind the project targets 160 Villages/ communities over a 3 year period). This means that some communities will have to wait until 2017 to receive their first tranche of the grant. The current modular structure allows the PMU to conduct scoping and training missions to all 160 Villages/ communities targeted in 2015 and therefore receive their grants quickly. There is a time value to money, therefore, the communities further down the line will be at a disadvantage if the initial training was extended beyond 1-2 days. There is a plethora of other reasons for breaking up the training in different modules nevertheless at the end of 3 years the number of days of training will be the same as if
they were conducted all at once. These and other intricacies of implementation of the ADF project were explained to the Minister however it seems not to have registered. Instead he seems inclined to repeat the misguided notions perpetuated by a member of UNDP who falls lower down in the hierarchy. Incidentally, this individual should be held culpable for the failed CDPs implemented in the pilot phase since he acted in the capacity of Project Manager in this phase of the ADF project. With regard to failed projects (CDPs), the Minister correctly pointed out that they occurred in the pilot phase but neglected to mention that these were implemented by UNDP with logistical and other support from the then MoAA. I agree with him on this point and believe that he was kind in saying “some of these projects were not successful”. The Minister also mentioned transparency and accountability but I can only assume
Sad to hear an extraordinary footballer is jailed DEAR EDITOR, I hope you could find some space in your newspaper to carry this article. During last week, there appeared in the press articles on two of my all-time favourite sportsmen. Both articles caused me to reminisce on the pure joy I got watching them perform. Vibert Butts (fondly called Derdi) was an extra-ordinary footballer. During his playing days, in an era when Guyana produced a number of fine
players, he was, in my opinion, the best pure striker in the country. A naturally gifted goal scorer, he was nifty with the ball at his feet and brilliant in the air. His philosophy was to use any means necessary to get the ball in the goal. Lennox Arthur described a goal Derdi Butts scored for Pele in a match in Linden that typified the man. Labba Barton dibbled two hapless players and played the ball wide to Terry Nichols. Terry
fired the ball goalwards, and Derdi threw his body over a defender, met the flying ball with a header that produced a stunning goal. Derdi Butts was never afraid to put his body on the line to score a goal. It was indeed with sadness that I read of his incarceration. Ian Mc Donald shared with us, through the local press, an article by Simon Barnes which was an account of the heroics of Malcolm
Marshall during the Headingley test in 1984. In summary, Marshall had an outstanding match, playing with a thumb broken in two places. First he unexpectedly came out to bat to allow Larry Gomes to score a century, and then proceeded to take 7 for 53 to set up a West Indies win. I recall watching Marshall playing for the WI against Australia at Bourda. He was over the wicket to the great left hander Allan Border, and
then suddenly noticed something and switched and came in around the wicket. Bowled down! The crowd was ecstatic. Of the great West Indies fast bowlers of that era, Marshall is considered by many the best of them all. And so it was that I enjoyed some very pleasant memories of Vibert Butts and Malcolm Marshall, two of my favourite sportsmen, one dead, one now incarcerated. Mark Bender
CONTROVERSY RAGES AT ISSENERU
DEAR EDITOR, The Isseneru Village Council refutes the allegation, in yesterday’s Kaiteur news carried under the caption “Isseneru dredge…Situation escalates; gunmen storm dredge” These allegations are not true but rather misleading and an attempt by a miner to mastermind false allegations to distract the general public from the real issue. It comes as no surprise that this individual miner would compel the media to publish an unrealistic story so as to damage the image of the Isseneru Village Council He should be ashamed to tell the untruthful story about 8 gunmen storming his dredge after his operation would have stopped for the night at 21:00 hrs. Clearly in contempt of the high court injunction and disrespecting the Judge’s order. His dredge is located at the center of the Mazaruni river, between the two banks of Isseneru village close to
the Government hydromet station and other residential properties and not 1.5 kilometers upstream as he claimed. Additionally the image published in the article is not the operation owned by this miner. We would also like to refute the statement by the GGDMA in a previous article as being misinformed and mendacious propaganda
against the Isseneru Village Council. The GGDMA has no credibility when dealing with indigenous issues and would only come out in support of their members and badly advising them. Over the years the GGDMA has used bullying tactics to deprive indigenous peoples of their rights to their village lands and its resources as in the case of Tasserene
and Kangaruma villages. Therefore the headline carried by the newspaper is totally absurd and an attempt by the miner and the GGDMA to get public support by displaying unacceptable mechanisms. The Isseneru Village Council condemns those activities as stated in the article and therefore would not have any part in promoting such
activities. We were also informed that as a result of the noise nuisance the school and health facilities will be closed. Students who were expected to write the Christmas exams will therefore be at a disadvantage as well as patients seeking medical attention. Dwight Larson Secretary Isseneru Village Council
The Bharrat Jagdeo masquerade From page 4 the civilian context, when a civilian is in breach of regulations, civil or otherwise, the court does not wait to find out who else is in breach of the same, it simply imposes the appropriate sanction on that individual. Fifth, Mr. Jagdeo’s antics are nothing short of an outlandish public masquerade by a person whose trustworthiness and credibility are
shorter than the sixth letter of his surname. No degree of failure by any other Parliamentarian is an excuse for his failure to declare. Since when each person can pick and choose the conditions under which he/she will comply with regulations. If this happens one can almost guarantee that no change will ever come to Guyana. Sixth, the real problem Mr.
Editor is that the mechanism to enforce and take action against Mr. Jagdeo and other Parliamentarians who are in breach is as feckless as the policy. Therefore, why is the media wasting time to report on Mr. Jagdeo’s masquerade? Go back in time and read the articles in Stabroek and Kaietur News from 1999 to present e.g Stabroek News November, 4, 2007; KN Mar 28, 2010; KN Sept 18, 2015;
KN Oct 23, 2015, years after the law came into effect. Finally Mr. Editor, if the media is serious about public accountability and a properly functioning country, it would be consistent and persistent, even relentless in demanding compliance on behalf of the citizens, not listening to meaningless words, when the law already say what must happen. Ivor Carryl
he meant on the part of Village Councils. If he was referring to the ADF project, I must agree with him again since UNDP is extremely delinquent in providing financial reports. What is the reason for this? Restructuring of LCDSGRIF project by Minister Allicock underscores a profound misunderstanding of the implementation of the ADF project. Reference made to “one of our doners” in the Stabroek newspaper article further exposes the Minister’s deep misunderstanding of the LCDS as a model for economic development. It is unfortunate to see, at this point in time, the ADF project be used for cheap political gain by throwing unfounded accusations into the public domain. This, is certainly a new feature in the implementation of the ADF project. What needs restructuring is the Minister’s understanding of the LCDS-GRIF funded projects and a dysfunctional relationship with the UNDP. Imran Khan, BS., BSoc.Sc., MBA, MSc. Former Project Manager, ADF II
From page 30
PROPERTY FOR SALE Church and 2 storey building Lot 180 Charlotte Street Bourda-Call: 227-6817; 624-7341 Property for sale, Grove $20M / Rent: $50,000 per month. Tel: 625-5461. 2 storied transported concrete property- upstairs: 2 bedrooms apartment, downstairs: 2 bedroom apartment, block ‘8’ MonRepos, E.C.D -$19M neg. Call: 625-1514; 231-7255 Transported property 48X223ft (with old house) at Hague (duck pond/ settlement) W.C.D, price $5.5M negotiable- Call: 6553667 Two properties for sale at West Coast and West Bank. Excellent condition- Call: 660-3235, 668-3985 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities - Call: 662-9335; 612-3244
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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 05, 2015
Police nab armed suspects after Kissoon’s Furniture Outlet robbery Three armed bandits yesterday held up four staffers and one customer at Kissoon’s Furniture Outlet
and terrorized them for more than 10 minutes before escaping with an undisclosed sum of cash and other valuables.
The incident occurred at around 14:45 hrs at the company’s branch located on Main Street, Georgetown next
The Kissoon’s outlet that was robbed yesterday door to Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL). The police reported that a short while later Police anticrime patrols responded to the report and the motor vehicle was intercepted in Middle Street, Georgetown, with three men inside who matched the descriptions of the perpetrators of the armed robbery. They are in police custody assisting with the investigations. According to reports, the men entered the outlet and pretended to be looking at furniture before pulling out their weapons. They escaped with half of the day’s sales and three phones.
The customer, Claude Blackmore, lost his cellular phone and more than $100,000 in cash. The men put their loot in the sales supervisor, Elizabeth Williams’s bag before escaping in a white Toyota 212 that was waiting outside the store. None of the men were masked. The victims said that they seemed to be in their early 20s. Blackmore said that he was sitting inside the outlet when he observed the three men walking into the store and looking at furniture. “I look at them and say to myself that this ain’t looking normal. A little while later all three of them pulled out their
Minister Norton... From page 18 graced by Dr Debra Isaacs, a Cardiology specialise at the LIBIN Cardiovascular Institute in Alberta, Canada, who has also been offering immense support to Guyana in the area of paediatric care. She shared her conviction yesterday that with every surgery that is done through the on-going overseas sup-
port “GPHC is making money. I have calculated it out...when I look at the amount of money, US$3,000 per child and when you subtract all of the equipment that has been brought in; I think that GPHC is in a net balance positive.” Dr Isaac is also optimistic that similar support can soon be introduced in the care of adults.
UG Council should... From page 15 his recommendations are enforced at all times and in whatever ways we can. We cannot appear to equivocate in the face of the rulings, otherwise, what is the real purpose of his office and having him there?” Thomas emphasized that it is important for the findings and recommendations of Moore's reports to be dealt
with, as further procrastination would only serve to undermine efforts for good governance at various levels. The Presidential Advisor said that the Ombudsman's office is one that should be respected. Failure to act on his findings represents “total disregard for the people, for his office as well as the importance of ensuring justice is served.”
weapons and instructed that nobody move. It had a Rasta man with a big gun, and two others, one mixed with Amerindian and they had two small guns,” Blackmore recalled. He said that the men demanded everyone’s cellular phones. “He (one of the gunmen) come to me and asked for my phone and I tell he that my phone is what them li’l children call mango pelter, but he still pushed his hand in my pocket and collect the phone and money.” “I tried to talk to them and tell them that it doesn’t worth it but they ignored me,” Blackmore stated. According to one of the staffers, Alicia Hinds, one of the gunmen approached her and demanded her phone. “I didn’t want to give him but then he come up to me and braced me with his gun and I gave him and he walked over to another girl (staff) and asked her for her phone too but she said that she can’t find her phone,” Hinds said. She added that the men then went over to the sales supervisor and pushed her down on the floor when she told them that she didn’t have the keys to the vault. “We don’t keep the keys here. When we reach a certain amount we would usually put the money in the vault and the security guards would come and pick it up,” Williams was heard telling a detective. Kaieteur News was told that the gunmen robbed the entity a couple of minutes before the security guards were scheduled to pick up the cash. Investigations are ongoing.
Indigenous People's Affairs Ministry... From page 14 that revival would be “a plus to economic growth and selfsustainability”. He also seconded the notion to have the Board of Trustees dissolved,
to establish a new one and to wipe the slate clean. In his closing remarks, he said that he is committed and ready to lend support in making the revival a success. Regional
Executive Officer (REO), Leslie Wilburg, also had his say in the meeting. He told the Ministers that since it is difficult to acquire financial support due to the lack of banks and other money lending bodies, the Trust would be a “major” step forward. Wilburg said that persons who would be charged with the responsibility of carrying out the MCDT's activities, should understand their responsibilities thoroughly and be willing to be held accountable if the need arises. (Suraj Narine)
Saturday December 05, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 05, 2015
San Bernardino shootings investigated as terrorism - FBI (BBC) - A mass shooting by a married couple that left 14 people dead in California is being investigated as an act of terrorism, the FBI says. FBI Director James Comey said there were indications that the couple had been radicalised. Tashfeen Malik, 27, and her husband Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, died in a shootout with police after the killings at San Bernardino, east of Los Angeles. Mr Comey said they were “potentially inspired” by foreign terror groups. However, he said there was no evidence they were part of a network. Mr Comey said the investigation was in its early stages and that there was still “a lot of evidence that doesn’t make sense”. Earlier, an FBI spokesman said they were also investigating reports that Malik had pledged allegiance to Islamic State (IS). She is reported to have posted a message on Facebook in support of IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi under a different name. The post has since been removed. The Farook family’s attor-
neys said on Friday that Farook was an isolated individual with few friends and Malik was a “caring, softspoken” housewife. They said there was no evidence that either suspect had extremist views. The family was aware that Farook owned two handguns and said co-workers had made fun of his beard, the attorneys said. In another development on Friday, the couple’s landlord opened their apartment to the media, prompting journalists and camera crews to go inside and survey the scene. There has been strong criticism on social media for several outlets including the BBC, but the FBI had released the residence to the landlord before he let journalists in. After Wednesday’s attack at the Inland Regional Center social services agency, bomb equipment, weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition were found in the couple’s home. FBI spokesman David Bowdich told a news conference that authorities were trying to recover data from two mobile phones found crushed
in a waste bin near the shooting scene. He said “telephonic connections” had been established between the couple and other people of interest to the authorities. “We have uncovered evidence that has led us to learn of extensive planning,” he said. Investigators are also said to be following up a report that Farook had argued with a colleague at work who denounced the “inherent dangers of Islam”. Malik was born in Pakistan and had recently lived in Saudi Arabia. Intelligence officials in Pakistan have contacted relatives there, a family member quoted by Reuters said. Farook, who worked as an inspector for the city’s environmental health department, was the son of Pakistani immigrants and born in the US state of Illinois. Police said between 75 and 80 people were attending a party at the centre when the shooting began. The identities of the victims have since been released by San Bernardino’s coroner. The youngest was 26 and the oldest was 60.
Saturday December 05, 2015
Kaieteur News
Man drowns in puddle An autopsy performed on the body of twenty six year old Glendon Rigby, at the Fort Wellington mortuary yesterday, revealed that he died from drowning. According to reports, Rigby, of Number Twentytwo/Bel Air, West Coast Berbice, worked on a cattle ranch on the left bank of the Abary River. He was last seen alive around four o’clock on Saturday afternoon drinking with some friends. He reportedly left to go to his living quarters, say-
ing that he needed to take care of some fish which he had left to dry in the sun. Rigby did not make it to his quarters. His lifeless body was discovered on Sunday morning lying face down next to a puddle, a short distance from the shop where he was drinking. The police were called in, and the body was removed to the Fort Wellington mortuary where an autopsy was done on Wednesday. Rigby, father of three, is survived by his father and seven siblings.
Glendon Rigby
Cop confesses to carjacking A serving member of the Guyana Police Force has reportedly confessed to being involved in a carjacking ring that relieved a taxi driver of his vehicle at gunpoint last month. The rank and a woman were arrested yesterday and police have also recovered the stolen car. “According to a release, “diligent investigations by the police led to the arrest of two suspects yesterday in connection with an armed robbery committed on a taxi-
Holness And Simpson Miller Could Do Symbolic Peace Walks The Gleaner - Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Opposition Leader, Andrew Holness, could walk for peace in communities threatened by political violence. People’s National Party (PNP) senior member Delano Franklyn, indicated on CVM television Thursday that the PNP has no problem with Simpson Miller and Holness doing the walks once it’s clear that they are in the interest of peace. Thursday, Holness issued the invitation to Simpson Miller during a visit to the Newlands community in Portmore, St Catherine, where two persons were killed in what is believed to be politically motivated crimes. PNP worker, Sadie Forbes was shot dead on Tuesday, days after complaining to the police about flags near her home. Hours after her murder, 31year-old Nicholas Vassell, who is linked to the JLP, was stabbed to death in what some residents believe was a reprisal. The police are yet to establish a motive for the killings. However Senate president, Floyd Morris has alleged that the woman was killed for removing JLP flags.
driver at Bachelor Adventure, East Coast Demerara, on November 28, 2015. “The two men, one of whom is a serving member of the Guyana Police Force, have confessed to the armed robbery and are in police custody. Charges will be made shortly. According to the release, the two suspects and a female accomplice had hired the taxi-
driver from Mahaica Market for Bachelor’s Adventure where he was held at gunpoint and his car, cell phone and $18,000.00 taken away. The stolen vehicle was recovered yesterday in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market where it was parked. The keys were in the vehicle, and the stereo set was missing.
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Trio fined, ordered to perform community service Three persons were brought before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday and ordered to pay fines and perform community service after they were charged with being in possession of narcotics. The convicted are all residents of Kitty, Georgetown. Winston Crawford, 37, a food vendor of 72 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty admitted that he had five grams of cannabis in his possession. Nicola Augustus, 42, conceded that she had four grams of the substance in her possession and Anthony Taite, 26, confessed that he had a gram of the illicit substance in his possession. They were busted with the drug on Sandy Babb Street, Kitty on December 2. Police Prosecutor, Deniro Jones, told the Court that on the day in question, ranks from the narcotics branch of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) went to Lot 72 Sandy Babb Street, Kitty and conducted a
search on the persons. The drugs were found in their possession and they were arrested and charged. When asked why they were in possession of the drugs, they told the Magistrate that they use the substance for leisure. Crawford was sentenced to
a fine of $15,000 along with six weeks of community service. Taite was fined $5000 and or d e r e d t o p e r f o r m s i x weeks of community service, while Augustus was fined $12,000 and ordered to perform five weeks of community service.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 05, 2015
Saturday December 05, 2015
Kaieteur News
Jadeja & Rahane dominate Proteas BBC Sport - India bowled South Africa out for 121 on day two to take firm control of the fourth and final Test in Delhi. Left-arm spinner Ravi Jadeja took 5-30 as the Proteas, who have passed 200 only once in six innings during the series, again failed with the bat. AB de Villiers top scored with 42 after India were taken to 334 by Ajinkya Rahane’s 124, his first Test century on home soil. India already have an unassailable 2-0 series lead. If they wrap up a 3-0 series victory they will climb to second in the world rankings behind South Africa, who will lose top spot if they are beaten in their next Test series at home to England. After all 20 South Africa wickets fell to spin in their third-Test defeat in Nagpur,
the top order was again found wanting against the turning ball as Jadeja accounted for four of the top five. Paceman Umesh Yadav had opener Dean Elgar caught behind before Jadeja got to work. Recalled opener Temba Bavuma was bowled, captain Hashim Amla was caught behind looking to cut and Faf du Plessis was out sweeping for his third duck of the series. De Villiers watched most of the carnage from the other end but his counter-attack ended when he was caught in the deep off Jadeja, the ninth wicket to fall. Earlier, Rahane not only added the 11 runs he needed for a century, but also combined with Ravichandran Ashwin for 98 valuable eighth-wicket runs. At number five, his
Ravindra Jadeja ©BCCI chance of batting again in the match may hinge on whether India opt overnight to enforce the follow on. South Africa are 231 behind and their top score in the series in 214. Scores: South Africa 121 (De Villiers 42, Jadeja 5-30) trail India 334 (Rahane 127, Ashwin 56, Abbott 5-40, Piedt 4-117) by 213 runs.
Saturday December 05, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may be uncomfortable with the emotional intensity that's likely to seep into every part of your day. You may wonder what the big deal is and why people are so hopped up over nothing. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) There's intensity in your relationships now, and you may feel like every situation is life-or-death. Calm those voices in your head. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may feel weighed down by the emotional pall hanging over everything. Don't let this feeling overwhelm you, although at times this may be impossible. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Whatever you do, infuse it with passion. You tend to overanalyze things when you should follow your intuition. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Dive deep. This isn't a day to stay in shallow waters. This is a day to go beyond your normal limits. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may think only advanced surfers can handle the big waves. But how are you going to improve your ability if you don't test your limits? This is your day. Take control and push beyond your boundaries. You'll find validation.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Finding solutions won't be hard, thanks to your detective side today. You may feel like the real truth lies below the surface. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) If something is good, it's likely to feel like utopia. If something is bad, it's like the end of the world. There's no middle ground. This is a day of emotional extremes. You feel like you're giving it all or nothing. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Move away from the problems instead of stepping into them. You may not be able to see the potholes, so consider taking another road. Don't waste time falling into a hole you can avoid. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) This is a terrific day in which you'll be able to cut through the falsehoods and get to the essence of the issue. Don't waste your time on superficial conversations and situations. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) There's a terrific intensity to today that may have you running for cover. You may be tempted to say your peace and run for the hills. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) There's a terrific, warm, and nurturing quality to the day. The people around you are validating your inner and outer aspects.
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Upper Corentyne name team for Franchise cricket set to start today Upper Corentyne zone has named a strong team to participate in the Local Franchise Cricket limited overs tournament scheduled to start today. The zone which is one of the eight areas identified to participate in the competition is one of the favourites, boosting players from Albion, Rose Hall Town and Port Mourant cricket clubs. The team will be led by all rounder Lloydel Lewis with Shiraz Ramcharran the vice
captain. The rest of the 15 man squad is Joshua Ramsammy, Rajiv Ivan, Jonathan Foo, Arif Chan, Manoj Looknauth, Clinton Pestano, Eon Hooper, Jason Sinclair, David Latchaya, Samuel Kishnasammy, Balchand Baldeo, Retesh Umrao and Shaun Pereira. The standby players are Metetri Cameron, Daniel Lewis, Adrian Sukwah, Keon Sinclair and Nicholas Seenarine.
Former National player Andre Percival and Winston Smith are the coaches. Upper Corentyne will take on East Coast Demerara in their first match today at Enmore. Tomorrow they are expected to be at home to Lower Corentyne (New Amsterdam, Canje, East Coast Berbice) in the game scheduled for the Port Mourant ground. The games are expected to begin at 09:30 hrs and are of 50 overs duration.
LABA/ Banks Malta Supreme Christmas Basketball bounces off tonight in Linden The year ending Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA)/Banks Malta Supreme Open Basketball Championship begins tonight with play in the preliminary round at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court. In the double-header feature, the first game at 7:00pm is between Half Mile Bulls with recent national selectees Terron Welch and Michael Turner as their spearheads along with veteran Shane Lewis looking to have them start with a win against the Block 22 Flames. The Block 22 Flames will field a side which will have Gavin Clarke and his brother Patrick, the brothers Keion Sullivan and Keith and Selwyn Henry. This game at 7:00pm will be followed by the Retrieve Raiders against Bankers Trust Falcons at 9:00pm. The Raiders will look towards the emerging talented guard Kieron Cameron who was recently included in the national team against the Antigua and Barbuda All Stars team, veteran Neil Marks and Abdulla Hamid and
Marvin Hartman, young Geoffrey LaRose and former national Dwayne Roberts. Falcons however, will not be a pushover as they have among their lot Devon Thompson, Marlon Persaud, Leonard Caleb and Lawrence Simon to call on. This tournament continues on Monday when another double-header is planned as the Raiders face
Flames and the Amelia’s Ward Jets take on Victory Valley Royals. The six teams in this tournament which initially will be played on a round robin basis to arrive at the top four clubs to go through to the semifinals are; Victory Valley Royals, Block 22 Flames, Bankers Trust Falcons, Half Mile Bulls, Retrieve Raiders and Amelia’s Ward Jets.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 05, 2015
Richards and Muhammad’s 108-run stand frustrate Jaguars After Barnwell takes 5-32 on rain hit first day By Sean Devers in Trinidad In association with Noble House Seafoods, Raj Singh Insurance Brokers & Stag Beer A record 108-run night wicket stand between Guyanese born Marlon Richards (53) and 26-year-old pacer Uthman Muhammad, who made 53 on debut rallied Trinidad & Tobago’s Red Force from 102-8 to 210 all out on a rain affected opening day of their WICB PCL four-day First-Class Franchise fourth round cricket match against the Guyana Jaguars yesterday at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain. An incisive spell of medium pace bowling from 28year-old medium pacer Christopher Barnwell, who had 5-32 from 12 overs, put the Guyana Jaguars in a strong position to deny the hosts the chance of earning a batting point but Richards
and Muhammad had other ideas. Muhammad’s innings lasted 82 balls, 116 minutes and reached the boundary six times and cleared it twice while Richards occupied the crease for 126 minutes, faced 116 balls and hit three fours. There partnership lasted 111 minutes. This was Barnwell’s third five-wicket haul at this level, while left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul (3-59) offered support as the Red Force were eventually dismissed in last session despite an all too familiar frustrating partnership by tail-enders against the Jaguars in PCL cricket. The Jaguars, already with three bowling points in the bag, reached 9-0 by time bad light stopped play with five overs left in the day. Assad Fudadin was on two and Shimron Hetmyer on seven. The Red Force opted to bat on a track with some early
Atkinson Brothers 5-a-side football to start December 20 The Atkinson Brothers 5-a-side football tournament is expected to commence on December 20 at Kumaka Recreation ground, Region One. The competition which
will see male and female teams playing in their respective categories will continue on a d a i l y b a s i s and culminate on December 25 at the said venue.
bounce and ‘carry’ and by Lunch which was taken early when rain stopped play at 11:12 hrs, the home were 33-3 with Guyanese Narsingh Deonarine yet to score and Mohamed on four. The Jaguars, who left out Keon Joseph, Steven Jacobs and Tagenarine Chanderpaul from their team, struck in the eighth over when the Red Force, without most of their leading players for various reasons, lost talented 20-yearold Jeremy Solozano (10) when he touched left-arm seamer Bajan Raymon Reifer to the Keeper with the score on 18-1. Opener Yannick Cariah (6) was brilliantly taken at third slip by Hetmyer off Barnwell who also trapped Bajan Kyle Hope (11) two runs later to leave to score on 29-3. After Lunch the 32-yearold Deonarine, the Red Force’s most accomplished batsman, caressed Barnwell delightfully through extra cover for four before he executed a similar shot in Barnwell’s next over which produced similar result and Deonarine, who was born in the Berbice Village of Whim, was beginning to look threatening. However, Barnwell tested the left-hander with 18 Tests to his name with a bouncer which Deonarine (9) got under before he edged a
catch to Leon Johnson at second slip off a pitched-up delivery that moved away from the batsman to give Barnwell, back in the side after a back injury kept him out of the last round, his third wicket as the Red Force slumped to 48-4 as Barnwell celebrated the demise of his countryman gleefully. Yannick Ottley got going with an authoritative cover driven boundary off Reifer as he and Skipper Jason Mohamed, who sliced Reifer to the backward point boundary, joined forces to repair the early damage. But with the score on 64 and the sun returning in all its glory, the handful of diehard fans in the Carib Beer stand watched in dismay as Ottley (8) got an inside edge onto his stumps off the impressive Barnwell. Steven Katwaroo joined Mohamed who was gaining in confidence and played some fluent drives off the seamers. Katwaroo was dropped on two at slip by Johnson off Permaul in his first over from the Brian Lara Pavilion end. Mohamed caressed Ronsford Beaton sweetly through extra cover for four and repeated the shot in Beaton’s next over to move into the 30s but soon edged Permaul to slip after making 33 to leave his team on the
ropes on 88-6. It was soon 89-7 when Katwaroo (8) was LBW to Permaul as conditions again became as gloomy as the home team’s batting display. Richards and Imran Khan ensured their team reached a three-figure score with sensible batting in overcast conditions. Khan clobbered Permaul over mid-off for four and then edged him for a couple to post the 100 in the 42nd over before Khan (10) touched a catch to the Keeper to give Barnwell his fifth wicket and leave the Red Force on 102-8. Richards, who confidently punched Barnwell down the ground for four, was joined by Muhammad and by Tea, the Red Force were 117-8 with Richards on 12 and Muhammad on one. In the first over after Tea Muhammad hammered Permaul for consecutive boundaries in an over that cost 11 runs as the tail-enders frustrated the visitors. Muhammad pounced on Permaul like a cat upon a mouse and deposited him for consecutive boundaries with the last shot sailing into the Carib Beer Stand to bring up the 50-run partnership. Richards passed his previous best of 26 against Jamaica in the last round as Muhammad galloped into the
40s with a straight six, followed by a four off Gudakesh Motie, the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 23. An edge off of Beaton by Richards passed between the keeper and Johnson which neither made any attempt to catch as the stand flourished. Muhammad got to a debut fifty with a four off part-time spinner Johnson while Richards who brought up the 100 with a single off Johnson, then cut Beaton for a double to reach his half-century. Good rotation of the strike, clean hitting and aggressive running by Richards and Muhammad kept the South Americans in the field one hour and 35 minutes after Tea before Richard was taken at extra cover off Beaton at 210-9 for a well played 53 and Muhammad followed in the next over trying to hit Permaul for six over long-on. The wonderful fight back should inspire the Red Force to think that if you feed your faith your doubt will starve to death when they resume today against the strongest batting unit in the tournament. Meanwhile, in the game between Jamaica and the Leewards, Jamaica closed on 69-6 replying to the Leewards 164.
Saturday December 05, 2015
Kaieteur News
GSA/Digicel Farfan and Mendes Junior Christmas team tournament
Team Minions, Team Rising Stars dominate night two Islam Brothers successful on opening night
Team Minions and team Rising Stars were successful on the second evening of the Farfan and Mendes Christmas team squash tournament at the Georgetown Club. Team Minions swept seven games en route to a demolition of their opponents team Bungatuffies, while team Rising Stars were equally dominant with seven wins over team “D”. Gianni Carpenter was the sole victor for team “D” when he beat Dominic Collins of Rising Stars in straight games. Despite that loss Rebecca Low fought to a 3-2 win over Jael Gaskin to spare team Rising Stars any further blushes on the evening. Georgiana Fernandes ensured team Bungatuffies had at least one victory as she beat Haley Carpenter (team Minions) 2-1, while Makeda Harding recovered well from a first game loss to Maya Collins to win 3-1, capping off a dominant night for team Minions, who have now beaten both their opponents. Meanwhile, the tournament rolled off with a number of exciting matches. In perhaps the best game of the night, Daniel Islam (Team Minions) defeated Alex Cheeks (Team Tornados) for the first time in his career by a 3-2 margin in a hard fought game. Cheeks quickly found himself behind the eight ball as Islam stole the early momentum in the match, taking a 2-0 lead, before the former won the third game 9/11, and held on for the fourth to force a fifth game. Islam regained his early composure and completed the win 11/7. Anthony Islam (Team Rising Stars) also held on for an intense victory to cap off a good night for the twins. He defeated Matthew Phang (Team Bungatuffies) in another intense five game match, which ended when he
cinched the final game 11/9. Anthony was off to a brisk start, winning the first game 11/7, before falling behind 21 as Phang won the following games by 15/13, 11/9 margins. Islam however returned to win straight games to seal an impressive victory. For team Bungatuffies James Mekdeci beat Mohryan Baksh 3-2 (11/9, 11/ 8, 3/11, 9/11, 11/4) in another game which went down to the wire, while Christiana Fernandes won the lone game for team Tornadoes when she beat Noah Rahaman 3-0 (6/11, 11/7, 11/8). Overall there were seven wins for team Minions, five for team Rising Stars, four for team Bungatuffies and one for team Tornadoes. The tournament is expected to conclude on Sunday. Complete Results from night two: Nyron Joseph beat Larissa Wiltshire 3-0 (11/9, 11/ 4, 13/11) Louis DaSilva beat Isabella Ramjohn 2-0 (11/5, 11/6) Mashal Allicock beat Teija Edwards 2-0 (15/13, 11/4) Nechemiyah Levans beat Mohryan Baksh 2-0 (11/6, 11/ 3) Gianni Carpenter beat Dominic Collins 3-0 (11/4, 11/ 9, 11/2) Michael Alphonso beat Madison Fernandes 3-1 (5/11, 11/7, 11/7, 11/4) Shomari Wiltshire beat Anthony Islam 3-0 (11/2, 11/ 4, 11/5) Rebecca Low beat Jael Gaskin 3-2 (11/6, 11/6, 6/11, 11/ 4) Ben Mekdeci beat Alec Melville 3-0 (11/2, 11/6, 11/2) Noah Rahaman beat Shiloh Asregado 2-0 (11/0, 11/ 5) Georgiana Fernandes beat Haley Carpenter 2-1 (9/11, 11/ 7, 11/8) Aliyah Persaud beat
James Mekdeci 2-1 (8/11, 11/ 2, 11/4) Mikhail Persaud beat Beau Fernandes 2-0 (11/1, 11/ 6) Demetrius DeAbreu beat Kirsten Gomes3-0 (11/7, 11/4, 11/0) Makeda Harding beat Maya Collins 3-1 (7/11, 11/7, 11/7, 11/2) Day One Results: Daniel Islam beat Alex Cheeks 3-2 (12/10, 11/8, 9/11, 11/13, 11/7) Aliyah Persaud beat Jason Gomes 3-2 (3/11, 11/6, 6/ 11,11/4, 11/4) Mikhail Persaud beat Chad DeAbreu 3-0 (11/7, 6/11, 11/3) Christiana Fernandes beat Noah Rahaman 3-0 (6/11, 11/ 7, 11/8) Haley Carpenter defeated Liam Carpenter 3-2 (11/6, 11/ 3, 8/11, 9/11, 11/2) Demetrius DeAbreu defeated Abosaide Cadogan 30 (11/5, 11/2, 11/9) Ben Mekdeci beat Taylor Fernandes 3-0(11/3, 11/3, 13/ 11) Makeda Harding beat Michael Ramroop 3-0 (11/4, 11/7, 11/4) Anthony Islam beat Matthew Phang 3-2 (11/7, 13/15, 9/11, 11/7, 11/9) Shiloh Asregado beat Louis DaSilva 2-0 (11/3, 11/9) Mashal Allicock beat Beau Fernandes 2-0 (11/2, 11/ 2) Georgina Fernandes beat Nathan Rahaman 3-2 (9/11, 11/9, 11/13, 11/4, 11/9) James Mekdeci beat Mohryan Baksh 3-2 (11/9, 11/ 8, 3/11, 9/11, 11/4) Kirsten Gomes beat Michael Alphonso 3-2 (0/11, 11/8, 11/6, 1/11, 11/9) Dominic Collins beat Ethan Jonas 3-1 (1/11, 12/10, 12/10, 15/13) Rebecca Low beat Maya Collins 3-0 (12/10, 11/5) Nyron Joseph beat Alec Melville 3-0 (11/9, 11/2, 11/6)
Winston Murray Memorial softball on tomorrow The Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL Inc) organised Winston Murray memorial 10/10 knock out competition will be played tomorrow at the Everest Cricket Club. Regal, Farm, Speed Boat, Mercenaries, Success, Leguan, Omesh XI and Wolf’s Warriors are the teams set to battle for a top prize of
$100,000 and a trophy; the runner up will pocket a trophy and $50,000. In the opening fixtures Success will play Speed Boat and Wolf’s Warriors will face Leguan; both matches will commence at 08:30 hrs. Regal will then battle Omesh XI and Mercenaries will take on Farm. The winners of game one will play game four champi-
ons in their first semi final while game three winners will face the victors of game two in the next. The GSCL Inc is asking the teams to provide their balls (small supreme), meals and water; No entrance fee is required. Teams are asked to be at the venue at least 45 minutes prior to the start of play.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 05, 2015
Indigenous students make their mark at Sixth Berbice Inter-School Chess Championship The un-fancied Skeldon High School team of the Upper Corentyne, whose fourmember team comprised three Indigenous students, claimed first prize in the Sixth Edition of the Berbice Inter-School Chess Championship, which was held on November 20. The students, who hail from the Orealla, Siparuta area up the Corentyne River, helped their school edge out former champions Berbice High School Team A, who had to settle for the runner up spot. Vryman’s Erven Secondary placed third in the team category. The winning Skeldon team comprised Safraz Esau, Orsino Moses, Ravin Hendricks and Dujohn Singh. Berbice High School had won the inaugural Championship in 2010. Darwin London of Berbice Educational Institute reclaimed the Individual Category top prize, he won the year before. Another Indigenous student, Veral Felix, who represented Orealla Secondary, created a bit of history by taking home the second prize in the Individual Category. Third place went to Rayon Clifford of the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary. Before the competition began Mr. Shon Leitch, Headteacher of this year’s host school, Manchester Secondary, welcomed the players, teachers and officials. He expressed pleasure that Manchester Secondary was given the opportunity to host the competition. He noted that sport play an important role in the activities of a school which inspires students to do well. The teacher
Darwin London receives his First Prize in the Individual Category trophy from Malesha Mackoon. alluded to the fact that the improved performance of Manchester Secondary in this year’s CSEC Examination could be attributed, at least in part, to the Physical Education programme at the school. Mr Krishnanand Organizer-Coordinator of the competition, in his remarks, said that Mr Winston Profitt, Physical Education teacher at Manchester Secondary, was instrumental in having his school host the competition this year. He was also high in praise of the Department of Education, Region 6, for its vital support to the competition since the inaugural Championship in 2010. Mr. Raghunandan had special words of commendation for Ms Sherryann Felix, mother of second place winner Veral, who escorted her son to and from Orealla to the Manchester Secondary School, to participate in the competition. Their journey
began the night before, around 23:00 hrs from Orealla by boat. Mr. Raghunandan was assisted in coordinating the competition by Steve Leung and teachers including Wayne de France, Dane Grimmond, Joseph Brijbilas, Winston Profitt, and Zahir Moakan. A total of 47 students from 11 schools (10 Secondary and 1 Primary) participated in the competition which was played on a knockout basis. Trophies for the competition were donated by the Regional Chairman, Region Six; V. Ganesh Service Station, Bush Lot, Corentyne; Tajpaul Ajodhea & Family; Malesha Mackoon of Rose Hall Town; Deonarine Balram of Balram Shane Store, Rose Hall Town; Bibi’s Travel Service of Rose Hall Town, Dr Walter Singh, Dr Sherlock Rawana and Anand Matadeen among others. (Samuel Whyte)
DJ Stress softball on tonight at Zeeburg The Zeeburg cricket ground is expected to come alive today when DJ Stress A/ k Paul Bonar Jr stage a T20 softball tournament dubbed “Night of Fun” starting from 15:00 hrs. Zeeburg Volcanoes will battle Speedboat Sports Club in the opening fixture which will be followed by Parika Defenders playing East Coast XI in a masters’ game. The main event of the evening pits Regal from Georgetown against Wolf’s Warriors from West Coast Demerara. A riveting contest is anticipated with Regal featuring players such as Richard Latif, Chien Gittens, Privnauth Motilall, Fazal Rafiek and Navin Singh while Wolf’s Warriors will have Amrit Rai, Mark Harold, Vishnu Tammechandra and Mark Harold in their line-up. Cash prizes and trophies will be up for the taking.
Richard Latif
Mark Harold
Off field entertainment will be provided by 71 sounds and HI-Fi Sounds and admission is $500. The Cool Boyz, who are Guyana’s funniest guys from Youtube, Facebook and the thousand of Cool Boyz DVDs circulating Guyana, will be there to meet the fans. There will be
a special Cool Boyz Photo Booth in place so the fans can take photos with their phones or pay a small fee to take a printed photo with the Cool Boyz! Merry-Go-Round, Ferris Wheel, Candy Floss Machine, Ice cream Bar and more will be in place for the kids.
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Saturday December 05, 2015
CGI inaugural Local Franchise League bowls off today Cricket Guy Inc. (CGI) inaugural Local Franchise League bowls off today with four matches. Action between Upper Corentyne and East Coast Demerara franchises will be at the Enmore Community Centre ground, Georgetown v e r s u s L o w e r C o r e n t y n e / N e w Amsterdam/Canje at Albion Community Centre ground, We s t B e r b i c e a g a i n s t Essequibo at Georgetown Cricket Club ground, and West Demerara versus East Bank Demerara/Upper D e m e r a r a a t Wa l e s Community Centre ground. This League seeks to uphold the highest professional standards, where players are committed to team goals and other task related to the player development assignment. It also seeks to model the cricket development methodology utilized by the WICB Professional Cricket League, thereby widening the pool of players locally who can participate in a purposeful career path.
The league will see players being tutored under a proficient coaching education programme, be guided through a psychological development plan, be groomed under a vibrant mentorship system, and participate in a highly competitive tournament, which attracts favorable payment packages for all players and coaches. The League is also staffed by remunerated Scorers, Match Referees, Umpires, and an Umpire Coach. In an effort to widen the pool of players, and to provide greater opportunities for local players, eight league teams have been set up across the country, namely Upper Corentyne, Lower C o r e n t y n e / N e w Amsterdam/Canje, West Berbice, East Coast Georgetown, East Bank/Upper Demerara, We s t D e m e r a r a a n d Essequibo. All of the teams are assigned professional guest players.
CGI contracted players posing with the 8 franchises uniforms. As a consequence, the Local Franchise League will feature the contracted and Academy players being assigned to the teams, with Upper Corentyne having the support of Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble and Assad Fudadin, with Lower Corentyne/New Amsterdam/Canje featuring Veerasammy Permaul, Raun Johnson and Shimron H e t m y e r, w h i l e K e o n Joseph, Kandasammy Surujnarine and Gudakesh Motie will turn out as
Guyana serve up three gold medals at US Open
Guyana’s Division III Gold Medal Table Tennis Team poses for a photo opportunity at 2015 US Open Championships with supporters. From left: Orlando McEwen, Coach, Idi Lewis, Darwin Walcott, Shawn Abrams, Dianne Chance, Suzanne Plummer, Nigel Bryan, Shemar Britton and Joel Alleyne. Guyana’s Table Tennis Team slammed three gold and two bronze medals last weekend at the US Open Championships at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Centre in Maryland, USA. The team represented Guyana’s best table tennis players. The US Open Table Tennis Championships, one of the biggest team championships in the world, had over 200 competing
teams and 1000 participating players from all over the world; the format of the competition exposes players at different levels. According to President of the Guyana Table Tennis A s s o c i a t i o n ( G T TA ) , Godfrey Munroe, the tournament exposes participating players to all levels of competition that serves the development purpose the association intended from the tour. The Guyanese team
featured Tyriq Saunders, Neveah Clarkston, Thuraia Thomas, Aneka Phillips, Delecia Cummings, Yuedistir Persaud, Navindra Persaud, Niron Bissu, Krystan Sahadeo, Colin Wong, Miguel Wong, Alec Hopkinson, Nigel Bryan, Joel Alleyne, Nicholas Romain, Brandon Jaikarran, Orlando McEwen, Raynor Anderson, Jamal Nicholas, Isaiah Layne, Priscilla Greaves, Shemar Britton, and Coach, Idi Lewis.
professionals for West Berbice, whereas East Coast Demerara will include Shivnarine Chanderpaul, P a u l Wi n t z , R a j e n d r a Chandrika and Steven Sankar, while Georgetown will feature Leon Johnson, Christopher Barnwell, Raj Nanan and Kemol Savory as their professional guest players. East Bank/Upper Demerara contain Robin Bacchus, Tevin Imlach, Dexter Solomon and Vishaul S i n g h , w h e r e a s We s t Demerara will have Javon S e a r l e s , Ta g e n a r i n e Chanderpaul, Akshaya Persaud, Steven Jacobs and
Kemo Paul. Essequibo will feature, Ronsford Beaton, Raymon Reifer, Kevon Boodie and Anthony Adams. However the Essequibo selectors, who have shortlisted their team recently, surprisingly omitted wicket k e e p e r b a t s m a n Wayne Osbourne. Osbourne was selected in the county’s previous team and scored a fifty in the final of the previous Busta festival for Wakenaam against Central Essequibo. When contacted, chairman of the ECB selection panel Aotto
Christiani declined to comment on his non selection. The Precursor to the Inaugural Local Franchise League has already created hype among cricket playing individuals, and is expected to stimulate interest among the cricketing public. The League is being utilized by the CGI to realize the goal of the organizationto catapult the competitive standard of the game locally to attain new and unassailable heights.
Raffik & Sons 2nd Div. T20 cricket
Mahadeo leads Rose Hall Town Bakewell into semis Former national Under19 player Khemraj Mahadeo stroked an attractive 50 to l e a d R o s e H a l l To w n Bakewell (RHTB) to an easy 7 wicket win over Whim in the Raffik & Sons Construction Service 2nd Division 20-Overs cricket competition for teams in the Lower Corentyne/Central Corentynearea. The victory marked #7 for RHTB which has propelled them into the semifinals. Batting first after winning the toss, Whim National were restricted to 123-8 off their 20-overs as the young Rose Hall bowlers operated with a tight control.
Only Yogindra Sooknanand offered any resistance with an attacking 70 not out (5x4 2x6); the only other batsman to reach double figures was Yogindra Harrinarine, 12 not out. Bowling for RHTB, Guyana Under-15 allrounder Junior Sinclair claimed 4-14 and left arm spinner Keith Simpson 2-27. National Under-15 player Kevlon Anderson bowled his four overs of medium pace for a meager seven runs without taking a wicket. In response, Mahadeo and his hard hitting opening partner Vidal Crandon added 70 for the first wicket before Crandon was caught off V.
Samaroo for a well played 40 (3x4 2x6) in the 9th over. Mahadeo and another Rose Hall veteran, Michael Hicks then added 38 for the 2nd wicket before both fell in quick succession to medium pacer Yogindra Harrinarine via the LBW route. Mahadeo scored an even fifty while Hicks contributed 18. Mark Papannah 09 not out and Kevlon Anderson 02 not out then guided their team home in 19.1 overs. RHTB will oppose arch rivals Courtland in the first semifinal at the Fyrish Ground on a date to be fixed by the Berbice Cricket Board.
GTT/GRFU Tens Rugby tournament continues today Action in the GTT/GRFU tens Rugby Tournament will continue today at the National Park ground with two more games at 15:00hrs. Yamaha Caribs led by National Coach Theodore Henry would be looking to halt the winning streak of the Mighty Guyana Defence
Force Squad when the two clash in the feature game of the day’s activities. If all goes well this would be Caribs first official game of the tournament so far. The Army played unbeaten in three games to date in the tournament defeating Pepsi Hornets, Police and UG Wolves. While kicking off the
day’s action would be Pepsi Hornets vs Guyana Police Force. Team s i n t h e tournament are Guyana Defence Force, Pepsi Hornets, UG Wolves, Yamaha Caribs and the Guyana Police Force. The two female teams will be President Vs Vice President select.
Saturday December 05, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Smalta / Min. of Public Health Girls Pee Wee Schools Football Competition
West Indians on the brink of an innings defeat Quarter and semi-finals to be played today
Part of the action in this year’s Smalta / Min. Of Public Health Girls Pee Wee Schools Football Competition. Today marks the start of the knockout phase of the 2nd Smalta / Ministry of Public Health Girls Pee Wee Schools Football Competition with quarter and semi finals action slated for the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. At 11:30hrs, North Ruimveldt and last year’s beaten finalist Enterprise Primary square off in what is anticipated to be an exciting contest. North Ruimveldt holds the slight edge in attack, having netted eighth goals in the competition to date, while they are yet to concede a goal. Enterprise has scored three goals while they have conceded twice, but with a semi-final spot up for grabs every team usually comes with a different determination. The second game pits title holders Stella Maris against West Ruimveldt and this encounter promises to be a bruising affair with a winner proving difficult to pick. The champs ended the preliminary phase with two
wins and a defeat and have scored four goals so far with their defence breached twice. We s t R u i m v e l d t i s customarily a tough team to get past and finished the preliminary rounds with two victories and a draw so they will no doubt be coming into the game brimming with confidence, but will also know that champions rarely relinquish their title without a fight. They have netted four times and have only conceded once. St. Stephen’s then take on Tucville, while St. Pius engage South Ruimveldt. The South Georgetown based side has so far racked up the most impressive scoring chart to date, firing in eleven goals as against conceding none and are yet to be beaten. Tucville’s record from the round robin stage is a solitary win and two draws, but their problem is that they lack the offensive potency, scoring twice and being breached once. The other game between
South Ruimveldt and St. Pius should be a cracking affair, but the favourite tag must go to the former who has looked quite impressive to date. The South Ruimveldt unit has three victories from as many matches, netting eight goals with no team managing to penetrate their backline. St. Pius too are not far behind in performance either, having secured two wins and one draw in the preliminary phase. They have netted three times and are yet to concede a goal. In the positional 9-16 tournament, St. Margaret’s will oppose St. Ambrose, while Sophia Primary will tackle St. Angela’s at 10:00hrs. At, 11:00hrs, Smith Memorial will lock horns with F.E. Pollard, while Winfer Garden will tackle St. Agnes. Among the other sponsors are Sterling Products, the National Sports Commission and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).
Trophy Stall joins club of Flex Night sponsors Trophy Stall, with its main location in the Bourda Market, has now joined the club of commercial establishments offering sponsorship for the upcoming Flex Night International event. The event takes place tomorrow evening at the National Cultural Centre. Retailing trophies, medals, shields and other memorabilia for a wide range of sporting and other events, Trophy Stall has come on board on the eve of the big event, and many
Ramesh Sunich, of Trophy Stall hand over trophies to Donald Sinclair of Flex Night Inc. athletes (local and foreign) will be taking home one of
the products of this establishment.
ESPNcricinfo - Jason Holder’s West Indians are staring humiliating defeat in the face after three days of their opening tour match against a Cricket Australia XI in Brisbane. The visitors are 7 for 125, still needing another 76 runs to make the modest CA XI bat again, six of whose members are making their first-class debuts, while only Jordan Silk (his 22nd match) and Cameron Boyce (45th) have played more than 10 fixtures apiece. After resuming at 4 for 245, the CA XI progressed to 444 thanks to solid contributions by Jimmy Peirson (64), Matthew Short (76), and James Bazley (50), before the tail wagged via the blades of Tom Andrews (33) and Boyce (32). In addition to claiming four wickets, Holder was the only West Indian to concede
Jason Holder’s batting is the only thing preventing the West Indians from an innings defeat to a Cricket Australia XI © Cricket Australia/Getty Images fewer than four runs an over on the smallish Allan Border Field. Then, and not for the first time, he was as his side’s only prospect of forcing the hosts to bat again on the final day. Holder was stranded on an unbeaten 26 after the top order melted away in
dis concerting fas hion. Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels could manage just 26 runs between them. Scores: West Indians 243 and 125 for 7 (Holder 26*, Lees 3-37) trail Cricket Australia XI 444 (Short 76, Peirson 64, Carder 58, Bazley 50) by 76 runs.
SUNBURST / EBFA U-17 League
Agricola in must win game against Grove
Grove’s Kevin Dalton (airborne) in action in their match against Soesdyke Falcons. When the battle lines are drawn between old rivals Grove Hi Tech and Agricola Red Triangle today at the Grove Playfield, the former will be going all out for a clean sweep of Group B in the SUNBURST sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under17 league’s penultimate group stage match. Agricola on the other hand, are in a must win situation in a game they must win in order to stake a claim for a place in the semi finals; they are on 3 points, the same as Soesdyke Falcons who will play Kuru Kururu Warriors in the final group
game tomorrow from 14:30hrs at the same venue. Grove, the defending champions are on 6 points accumulated from two wins against Soesdyke and the Warriors, blasting a total of 12 goals in the process. The home team will be aiming to continue their rich scoring form and leading their quest in this regard will be the leading goal scorer to date, Kevin Dalton who has 5. Able support will come from Denzil Crawford, Kevin Padmore, Randy Smartt, Nicholai Matthews, Threvon Pluck and Tevin Millington among others. Agricola opened with a win
against KK Warriors but were thumped by Soesdyke in their second game and will be under tremendous pressure to hold off the rampaging Grove boys. Leading the charge of Agricola will be Colin John Jr., Daniel Holder, Shamar Charles, Brian Price, Isaiah Moore, Shamar Hincks, David Corica and Kevin Narine. An exciting match is anticipated. Already through to the semi finals which will be contested next Saturday are Herstelling Raiders and Mocha Champs, the first and second placed teams in Group A.
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Agricola in must win game against Grove
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