Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris A. A. Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

FAIR, FACTUAL AND HONEST REPORTING The media is referred to as the fourth estate. Its objectives include keeping checks and balances on the three branches of government—executive, legislative and the judiciary. An independent media is a vital feature of any liberal democracy. In Guyana, the media has a crucial role to expose acts of injustice, oppression, misdeeds and abuse of power. It is an integral part of our civilization. While the media has its shortcomings, we must acknowledge the journalists who engage in investigative journalism and reveal their findings at the personal risks of their career and financial risks of their media houses. The journalists’ role is not just to report on what is told to them but to uncover transactions and activities, legal or illegal by individuals, governments and other entities and bring them to the public’s attention. Simply put, the media is the watchdog to protect the interest of the public against malpractices by public officials. The term media is derived from the term medium, signifying mode or carrier. It is intended to reach and address a large target group or audience. The word was first used in respect of books and newspapers which are known as the print media. With the advent of technology, the media now encompasses television, movies, radio and internet. Today, the media has become as essential as our daily needs. It has and continues to play an outstanding role in creating and shaping public opinion and strengthening of society. The media must be free of political interference and be prepared to defend its rights to the very end in order to fulfil its mandate. It must not be bullied by anyone, organization or government into revealing its legitimate sources of information or prevented from publishing valid information that comes to its attention. Over the years, several attempts by the last administration to silence the private media, especially Kaieteur News, from exposing corruption, bribery, theft of the nation’s finances and other wrongdoing by public officials, have failed. This is due to a steadfast mission to bring the truth to the people without fear or favour. Kaieteur News’ expose titled “Heist of Guyana” detailed many of the illegal practices of the last government. They ranged from rampant corruption to nepotism, cronyism, the raping of the treasury and the giveaway of the country’s resources to a small clique. The PPP administration retaliated by cancelling all government advertisements to Kaieteur News, but it did not prevent us from reporting the facts to the public. The dozens of civil law suits filed against Kaieteur News by the last administration and some private enterprises did not deter it from publishing the facts. It was this newspaper that let the taxpayers know how their money was spent and how the country’s resources were being secretly parceled out to friends and relatives of the last administration. Some of the secret deals made by NICIL - to build the Marriott Hotel, the Berbice Bridge, the Specialty Hospital and the Airport among others were thoroughly dissected. The people need to know what is going on with their money at all times. A word to the wise: this newspaper re-emphasizes that it will not sit idly by and allow corruption and other wrongdoing to be committed by public officials in this or any subsequent administration. Fair, factual and honest reporting are the founding principles of Kaieteur News. It will continue to report on the facts and let the chips fall where they may.

Saturday December 09, 2017

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

The Prime Minister cannot be a friend of the sugar workers DEAR EDITOR, Prime Minister and First Vice President, Moses Nagamootoo, writing in the December 3, 2017 Guyana Chronicle, spent a great deal of his column entitled “Different strategy in changing times” on the sugar industry. But rather than hide in the Chronicle, the PM, who calls himself an ally of the workers, should visit the sugar belt and look at the workers and their families in their eyes and tell them to their faces that he and his Cabinet colleagues decided to take, as his colleague and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan said recently, “hard decisions”. Such decisions, mind you, have, for many families, resulted in their main breadwinners put out of a job; have their dreams of a good future shattered, and, in short, they are being pushed into an impoverished state. The PM, who despite his State ‘responsibilities’ such as unveiling a banner at the Chronicle or taken up in celebrating his birthday in fine style, nevertheless finds time to write a weekly column. H e m u s t b e congratulated as none of his colleagues can seem to find such time, well one can only guess about the work he has on his desk.

This apart, given Mr Nagamootoo’s office, his words, in all likelihood, should have weight thus expectedly he or his staff would fact check his assertions before his column is sent to press. Such an exercise is important in order to avoid any embarrassment to him as well as to provide accurate information to the public. Unfortunately and dismayingly it seems the PM’s last column did not benefit from such a review. From the get-go, the PM starts off on the wrong foot as he speaks about the sugar industry’s debt. Documents shared by the Government on Old Year’s Day last year, pointed out that the industry’s real indebtedness stood at about $17B at the end of October 2016, far from the number quoted by the PM. The $85B debt flag waved at every possible chance by the PM and his cohorts, is nothing more than a diversionary tactic to scare a section of the Guyanese public into supporting the very un-sound plans it has for the industry. Such course, we repeat, will see thousands of workers as victims. Mr Nagamoootoo then goes talking about Skeldon. For the PM’s information, besides the construction of the new factory at Skeldon,

there was the doubling of the cultivation, the cogeneration plant, the link canal to facilitate the transport of farmers’ canes, among other things which made up the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP). Come, come, PM, didn’t you know this? That project, Mr PM, was not dreamt up but benefitted from the in-depth analysis by credible bodies. But while the PM has chosen to label Skeldon a quack-less duck, it is this very estate that buyers, including at least one Mr Nagamootoo should be aware of, are lining up to acquire. It seems the estate speaks for itself. We then read in the PM’s column about the closure of the LBI factory in 2011. That process saw almost no worker being sent home. This is quite unlike what happened in 2016 when this Government to which Mr Nagamootoo belongs, decided to shutter the field operations under the mask of integrating the LBI and Enmore estates to consolidate their operations. Moving in that direction saw 121 workers being sent onto the breadline. Then the workers of LBI having had to swallow that bitter pill, supposedly in the interest of safeguarding their jobs, in a matter of weeks were told that their estate had to be

closed. Presently over 1,500 workers from East Demerara Estate are being shown the gate and cannot be told by the PM or his Government what workable plans they have for them. As the today PM of Guyana, we expect Mr Nagamootoo to know that during this Administration, the sugar industry went from the road to recovery at the end of 2015 to one which is now on “life support”. In that short period, production has fallen by 35 per cent and workers’ morale is possibly at its lowest point ever. While the PM speaks about State support to the industry, he forgets that it is the largest employer in the nation and its operations touch so many lives across our country. Furthermore, he forgets, maybe conveniently, the industry’s huge contributions, financial and otherwise, to the progress of our country and welfare of the people. The PM then charges that our Union is only seeking to safeguard its union dues income. While laughable, the statement no doubt speaks of the desperation of the PM, understandable at this time. The reality cannot Continued on page 6

Saturday December 09, 2017

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Kaieteur News

The plight of a calf tests human morals DEAR EDITOR, It seems like ignoring issues affecting Berbicians is becoming an accepted pattern by those in authorities. We are being ignored about the withdrawal of the Guysuco redundancy letters; we have been ignored about economic transformative projects; we have been ignored about the complaints about the noise nuisance and we have even been ignored about our efforts to free the impounded calf at #51 Police Station. I do hope the harrowing tale of this calf will touch the hearts of those in authority! Despite several letters and articles appearing in the media, the relevant Government officials have become morally and legally blind. ‘They have mouths but they

cannot speak, they have eyes but do not see’, says the Bible. The Good Book went on to say that on hearing, they will never understand and in seeing they will not perceive. How can people whose stomachs are filled before they are even hungry understand the feeling of being tied and deprived of food and freedom? In Proverbs, we are told that whoever is righteous has regards for animals. So it will seem to me that those who are in authority amongst us are indeed unrighteous or else their consciousness would have been ignited and this calf freed a long time ago. When a close look is taken at this calf, the eyes speak of pain and agony and the face

is heavily streaked with the continuous flow of rivulets of tears. It is a heartbreaking sight as it hobbles on its broken leg trying to balance itself as it slowly eats the grass provided by its well-wishers. Its gratitude is evident as it lifts up its head to gaze on the face of its benefactor. But there seems to be a lingering question in those eyes: What have I done wrong to deserve this treatment? I was just two months old when I was severely hit by an alleged drunken driver; my leg was broken, I was tied with a short rope, I received no medical attention until a good Samaritan brought a vet. I have been starved and thirsty for long periods, I have been separated from my mother and

One of the dead goats at Albion Police Station compound longed for her milk as I am being weaned on hunger and starvation. “I have endured this silent terrorism by the very people who ought to have protected and care for me and it seems likely that my first birthday will be in the

GAWU precipitated the demise of the sugar industry DEAR EDITOR, As a former GAWU General Council member from 1991-2000, at every meeting each field secretary has to report on the various estates each represents. I was the representative for the rice industry on the Essequibo Coast and its workers at CARICOM RICE MILLS LTD. Sugar played the biggest role in all these meetings. These officers came from the various estates and will report on everything from theft, corruption and mismanagement to over payments. At almost every meeting I heard these field officers’ report to the President and General Secretary of the union about the high salaries being paid to members of the board, and to ghost workers on the estates payroll. But the union bosses turned a blind eye to these reports. The high salaries paid to top bracket management staff and the waste of money to contractors—one job is being paid for twice and sometimes thrice. Guysuco was a milking cow, yet the president of the union did nothing to arrest the situation. All these estates began to backslide in production. From 2000 they became non- profitable, according to the re-

ports. Guysuco had to find salaries for 18,000 field and factory workers, cane harvesters and service providers along with private contractors. The bills were hefty and the union did nothing. The leaders knew why, because the union was benefitting. The union was also milking Guysuco calling for unreasonable increases for the workers. GAWU helped to kill the sugar industry with 300 wildcat strikes a year. How can any industry make production targets and survive under those conditions, the more strikes called it is better for the union. When the workers get a hefty increase, the union benefits from union dues and fat salaries for the union bosses. The president and the GS do not negotiate their salaries, the workers eating the

crumbs. In 2000, the IMF/World Bank offered a solution to the union. For Government (Guysuco) to avoid retrenchment the aim was to merge two East Demerara estates. The closed estates workers would fit into LBI and Enmore. The IMF/WORLD BANK also purposed new fertile and virgin lands in the Molesen Creek area with a new variety of canes to boost production. That would increase production. The price for sugar fell which meant Guysuco could compete on the world market. All these recommendations were rejected by the government and the union. The government and union was fooling the workers, they staved off all the proposals saying, if two East Demerara estates were closed

business would be dead and people would be made to suffer. There will be no high inflow of money in those areas and retrenchment will creep into families; homes would be broken up. The best plan that I saw was the HD Hoyte- Booker Tate and Lyle plan to resuscitate the industry. The dairy industry came on stream with a pasteurized milking plan at Kingston and 1000 of acres of land given to GLADCO to grow rice and grass for the cows in the Berbice River. All these were thrown out by the last administration. Now 2000 workers are on the breadline; what a sad day for sugar workers and their families. The new government should halt this wholesale retrenchment and find a way out to help these sugar workers. Mohamed Khan

same condition if I do live. I know that if I had money and the right contacts I would have been freed a long time ago. I have spent the last four months watching the real criminals go free! The authorities owe this animal an apology since the laws have provisions to deal with stray animals. No owners have surfaced therefore the calf should have been

dealt with as a stray and auctioned off. Chapter 71:04 of the Laws of Guyana should be applied since no one has come forward to claim the animal and no one ever will. Moreover, according to this Act the officer in charge of the Station, who is the legal poundkeeper, can be made criminally liable under Section 12 for Continued on page 6

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Guysuco’s management and government should provide G$90,000/mth to displaced sugar workers DEAR EDITOR, After reading my own article published in your letters column on December 6, 2017, within the context of the unfolding news of sugar workers being sent home, I could not stop tears coming to my eyes as I remembered my own sojourn with unemployment in Guyana for about three years after I left the Bank. My sympathies rest with the sugar workers as I know and understand the difficulties they and their families might be facing. We only keep reading about these sugar workers being sent home, but we are not hearing anything about any financial arrangements to provide support for them and their families for the next year or so at the very least. If we roughly estimate that every sugar worker supports a family, by my best guess, in excess of 3,000 families have been affected by these layoffs since the Coali-

tion took office. Again, if one assumes at least one child per family, at least 3,000 children’s lives have been upset by these layoffs. I submit that this is unconscionable, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. I and a number of individuals have already submitted proposals for a national unemployment insurance benefits scheme, mine being found at https:// www.craigsylvesteronline.com/ single-post/2017/09/23/ Some-Broad-Policy-Proposals-of-My-Government-Going-Into-2020. Although implementing this to address sugar workers’ immediate problems might be impractical, I strongly suggest that before Guysuco lays off any more workers, its management and Government sit down to work out an appropriate compensation scheme as an immediate interim measure, if this is

not already being done. Consideration should be made of the fact that sugar workers have been financially exploited over the decades. Financial provision should be made for at least one year, and I would like to propose a monthly financial package of at least $90,000 for a family of four. This should apply to all sugar workers released by GUYSUCO since 2015, at the very least. Finally, the corporation and Government establish a committee aimed at addressing sugar workers’ long term welfare immediately, again, if this is not already done. It is unthinkable and unconscionable for any government, or any company, to release a single worker without some financial provision for his welfare needs in the near term, especially at this time of the year when we normally reach out a bit more to each other. Craig Sylvester

The plight of a calf tests human morals From page 5 neglecting to feed and water the calf. He can be fined and dismissed. Furthermore, Section 16 stipulates that the animal should be Gazetted and sold after one week. It has been nearly four months since this young calf is being illegally incarcerated. I have read with utter disappointment that the Divisional Commander, Lindon Alves has said that the ‘calf’s file’was sent to the DPP for advice and it was returned and forwarded to the Ministry of Public Security where a decision will be made. Some questions immediately come to mind: Was the DPP not supposed to make a recommendation based on the evidence in the file? What recommendations were made by the DPP? Is the Public Security Ministry, the department responsible to act

on those recommendations and not the Police? The Commander should have carried out his duties according to instructions by the DPP. It must be borne in mind that no one other that the calf was injured in that accident and only the car owner’s mirror was broken. Why should the calf be penalised for such a long period despite complaints made to the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals? This animal cruelty is spreading like plague. On 6th December, two goats tied by ropes died in the compound at the Albion Police Station. Is this the definition of a ‘pound’ according to the laws of Guyana? Is a pound not supposed to be a building with facilities to make the impounded animals comfortable? Lastly, despite being told about the plight of this calf

on several occasions by various persons, the Minister of Public Security claimed that he was never told until a few days ago. However, the Minister and members of his Ministry are members of a chat group named ‘Issues and Ideas of Berbice’ which was later renamed ‘Moving Guyana Forward’ and this calf issue has been a regular feature with nearly all the members expressing disgust and deep concern for this animal, calling for its release. This matter was also raised at the recently concluded RDC meeting by Mr. Gobin Harbhajan. I want those in authority to ponder upon this: By ignoring the show you’re ignoring the audience who put you there! Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor-Region 6

The truth is ‘profits before people’ DEAR EDITOR, It has been reported that Guyana’s President David Granger is in Kenya telling people to put people before profits. Yet, with the sacking of thousands of people and in-

creased stealth taxes the APNU+AFC Government of President David Granger is clearly doing the opposite. That is, they putting profits (money) before people. Clearly, President David Granger is way off the mark

when he believes that sacking people to save a little bit of money is going to benefit Guyanese. So, where is the benefit to Guyanese? The bloated Public Service? Sean Ori

Saturday December 09, 2017

St Rose’s demolition will not be cheap DEAR EDITOR, Permit me a space in your newspaper to express my disappointment in some pseudo contractors who are bent on mischief. As president of the P.T.A of St Rose’s High School and being fully exposed to government accounting systems, tender processes and most importantly, all the documents to demolish and re-construct the new school, I am saying without any reservation THIS SCHOOL CANNOT BE DEMOLISHED for eleven to fifteen million dollars. First and foremost, the entire area has to be isolated and insulated from everything nearby. The insulation includes barricades to the perimeter around the construction site, placing of mesh as high as possible to reduce the chance of injuries to passersby and neighbou,ring buildings, the actual demolition of the wooden structure, the removal of all the materials from the demol-

ished structure, the excavation and removal of foundation overburden and site preparation. As a body we the P.T.A, who has as part of our membership Dr. Clifton Inniss PhD (one of the country’s leading structural engineers) together with the board headed by qualified civil engineer Kenrick Thomas of KP THOMAS & SONS, Civil Engineering Contractors met with the consultants and were briefed in detail on all facets of the demolition and re- construction of this building. Our estimation is within the range of $25 million to $30 million. To digest that a man who didn’t see these documents or don’t have a clue of the expertise required to undertake this venture, but pronouncing and creating mischief so that professionals will look bad, is difficult. While every Guyanese thinks to save a dollar, compromising quality work at the students’ expense is poor thinking.

Has the AFC sold its morality? DEAR EDITOR, The major news outlets have reported that in a leaked email to Alliance For Change (AFC) members, Dr. Rohan Somar, from the New York AFC said the appointment by the PNC Executive President of an Afro Guyanese GECOM Chairman, whether right or wrong, rips open the scars of PNC rigging the election. You have just thrown red meat to the notion of ‘PNC rigging election’ which, in my view, will cause to forever lose Indo-Guyanese support at the polls.” Since then I have seen multiple Social Media posts and letters in the local media calling for

the AFC to disassociate itself from these racist remarks. To date the AFC has refused. A few days ago a well known Guyanese–Canadian blogger said in a blog that the AFC would never sanction Dr. Somar because he is their biggest financial donor. If this is true, then the AFC has sold its morality to racial extremists. As an Indian AFC supporter, I’m disappointed that our stalwart Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, respected Ministers Raphael Trotman, David Patterson, Khemraj Ramjattan, Cathy Hughes, Noel Holder, Dominic Gaskin and others who were on Dr. Somar’s email thread

Over the years we have seen contractors under bid, only to come back for two and three supplementary additions to the contracts knowing from the inception the sum they put forward would have never done the job. I am placing on record an appeal to the chairman N.P.TA.B; Mr. Marcel Hudson - Chief Education Officer, the government assigned engineer and all relevant parties concerned, as the parents’ representative, we are fully aware of the scope of work to be undertaken and would like adequate funds to be allocated so that the estimated one year construction and hand over deadline can be met, and we are fully in support and thankful to the government of the day for finally ensuring that this project is a reality. Ronald Shepherd President P.T.A. St. Roses’ High School and who received his offensive email have said nothing on this matter. I am very uncomfortable with their silence. As a party, where is the sense of responsibility and decency? Is calling the President of the APNU+AFC coalition government a “PNC” President and attacking his race and Justice Patterson’s race the way that the AFC expects to grow its support base and achieve national unity? If these same words were uttered by a PPP, these AFC Ministers would have been rushing to the media microphones to condemn it. Enough of the hypocrisy! Navin Seelall Toronto Canada

The Prime Minister cannot be a friend of... From page 4 support Mr Nagamootoo’s sordid claim. How it is our Union is seeking to protect its income but seeking, and again this may have slipped the PM’s notice, that workers right to severance pay be respected by the regime of which he is PM? Certainly, it seems, the PM hadn’t fully considered what he was saying. While touting the possibilities of self-employment for sugar workers, can the PM point to any concrete initiative implemented by his Government in this regard? Wales was shut down almost a year ago and, at this point in time, not one single success story is known but we well know the misery and hopelessness that stalk the villages. In such circumstances, where hardships have multi-

plied, the PM’s utterances do not give the sugar workers much hope, if any at all. Assuming that the PM is reflecting the Administration’s views, and not just his Party’s, then that leaves the impression that it is not really serious about the plans for sugar workers who have been cut loose from their employment. The PM then speaks about sugar workers’ children wanting to go to university or seeking technology-like jobs. This indeed may be true. But, how relevant is it today when those children’s parents are laid off and cannot earn and thus may not be able to upkeep them in school. In fact, one worker is quoted in the December 02, 2017 Kaieteur News as saying “My view is that my children gon got to come out of school…”

The dream of attending university or getting a technology-like job, like the promise of a ‘Good Life’, may now be beyond the reach of many, many sugar worker’s children. A rug, Mr PM, has been pulled from under their feet. Clearly the PM’s column has shown his chameleonlike qualities. Today, while he justifies, unashamedly, the cutting down of the sugar industry and the laying off of thousands, in the May 06, 2012 issue of Stabroek News, Mr Nagamootoo was saying himself and his party are “…a friend of the sugar workers union. We are a friend of the sugar workers and we are there to strengthen your backbone”. What a friend indeed! Seepaul Narine General Secretary

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Rowley vex as Opposition blanks anti-gang bill…

They won’t act to save lives

CARICOM Chairman wants united position at WTO ministerial conference

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua CMC – Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell yesterday said that he was hoping for greater collaboration between Cuba and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as the leaders began a summit here overshadowed by changes in the global environment. “This sixth summit provides us with an opportunity to reaffirm or shared Caribbean identify and our commitment to South-South cooperation in the promotion and protection of our common interests,” said Mitchell, who is also the chairman of the 15member CARICOM grouping. Mitchell used the opening ceremony to call on the United States to end the trade and economic embargo it has imposed on Havana since 1962 followed the overthrow of the military dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. “We in CARICOM remain committed and constant in our advocacy to be fully integrated into all aspects of hemispheric and international

relations,” he told the audience including Cuba’s President Raul Castro. “Our Caribbean Community is also steadfast and unrelenting in our call for the lifting of the trade and financial embargo imposed on Cuba by the United States,” Mitchell said, adding that the CARICOM members of “this CARICOM-Cuba family stand convinced that the improvement of relations between Cuba and the US will redound to the benefit of the wider CARICOM sub-region and of Latin America”. In his address, Mitchell said that several developments have “tried and tested the fortitude and solidarity of our CARICOM-Cuba relationships.” He noted that 45 years after leaders of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Guyana and Jamaica had taken the decision to enter into diplomatic relations with Cuba, “our relationship has matured into one of mutual and enduring bounds of trust.” In his address, Mitchell said that the region cannot escape what he termed “the un-

avoidable truth of climate change” making reference to the death and destruction caused by the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria through the Lesser Antilles earlier this year. He said it is in this context of the “new normal” that disaster risk reduction, and the new reality for Small States, that the Conference must be recorded as taking a number of important decisions. He said as the World Trade Organization (WTO) gears up for its 11th ministerial conference in Argentina “, it is prudent for us to send a political signal about the need for ‘WTO Flexibility’ for Small States, during the phase of reconstruction. “Such flexibility would require that the WTO rules and disciplines must not stand in the way of reconstruction for affected small states and small vulnerable economies, such as those of the Caribbean.” Mitchell said that having grappled with the trauma of post-hurricane devastation and a Structural Adjustment Programme in Grenada, and having witnessed first-hand the scale and intensity of the destruction in Dominica, Barbuda, and other Caribbean Sates, “I’m clear that this “demand” stands as the most significant outcome for Small States, from the upcoming WTO Ministerial. “As Heads, we must all immediately instruct our delegations to work towards this “Outcome” at the WTO Ministerial. We must use the platform of our meeting today, to clearly transmit this signal to the world,” the CARICOM chairman added.

HAMILTON, Bermuda CMC — Premier David Burt announced yesterday that his Progressive Labour Party (PLP) government has negotiated a US$135 million loan agreement with Butterfield Bank. Burt, who is also Minister of Finance, said the loan, which will cover the 2017-18 fiscal year and a portion of the 2018-19 year, was called for under the previous One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) administration. He told legislators that the government “has not borrowed US$135 million” but that the funds would be drawn on if needed. Bermuda’s net debt stands at US$2.5 billion, up from US$277 million in March 2008 — 10 years after the PLP ousted the now defunct United Bermuda Party, which had run the country for 30

years. The OBA narrowly defeated the PLP in 2012 but was crushed by the PLP in July’s general election. Bermuda is currently paying out US$500,000 a day to service its national debt. Burt told MPs “considering the government’s current debt profile and the size of the borrowing requirements, the strategy for 2018/18 is to borrow in Bermuda on a shortterm basis.” He said the Ministry of Finance had been looking at strategies to meet government’s financing needs for this financial year since April, adding that a three-strong public debt management advisory group had been chosen after a request for proposal was put out. “The main objective of this group was to ensure that the government’s financing needs are its payment obliga-

tions are met in the most efficient manner possible over the short to medium term, consistent with a prudent degree of risk. “It is anticipated that, despite unbudgeted commitments of the former administration, this transaction will meet government’s total financing requirements for fiscal year 2017/18 and a portion of the 2018/2019 deficit. “The loan matures in 2019 and government has the option to either refinance this debt or it can be paid off using the sinking fund. The decision taken will be dependent on market conditions at the time of refinancing and the balance in the sinking fund.,” Burt added. The PLP and OBA both entered into similar loan agreements with the bank in the past as the national debt ballooned.

CARICOM Chairman and Grenada Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar and Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley. Trinidad Guardian - More people in T&T will die as a result of the Opposition United National Congress’ refusal to support the antigang bill in Parliament Thursday, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has said. “What we saw was MPs refusing to use their vote to save lives and protect communities,” Rowley added on the defeat of the bill after marathon 14-hour debate. “How many more must die? ...we can do no more. This is worse than Section 34 since it affects all citizens.” After debate, which started at 10 am Wednesday and ended at 12.55 am Thursday, T&T was still without law to deal with the country’s 211 gangs and 2,459 gang members. The bill was meant to maintain public safety and order through discouraging membership in criminal gangs and suppression of criminal gang activity. Despite amendments by Government and Opposition proposals, both were gridlocked on a “sunset clause” period by which time the bill would end and be reviewed. Government wanted four years; the Opposition, 18 months. In the end, 21 Government

MPs voted for the bill and 12 UNC MPs against. Opposition (COP) MP Prakash Ramadhar abstained. Stung, Rowley and most of the Government MPs walked out of the Parliament Chamber calling the Opposition “unpatriotic...” Ending the session, House Leader Camille Robinson-Regis said, “Despite the Opposition’s unpatriotic display, we’ll continue to act in the people’s interest.” Nine hours later, Rowley summoned media to the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, where he trashed the Opposition’s action for almost two hours “T&T’s business has been gutted and undermined in the Parliament,” he declared. “Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her UNC gang voted to maintain the status quo, where those who are recruiting children in schools are arming them with guns, taking them from their mother’s breast and putting them on the streets to kill innocent citizens.” He said even Wednesday Piarco International Airport $5m robbery failed to impact on the Opposition’s consid-

eration of the crime situation. “Every single objection they raised, we gave in to,” he said. Rowley added he did something he normally doesn’t. He met the Opposition whip behind the House Speaker’s chair to ask what was needed for support and both matters were done Accusing the UNC of seeking obstacles, he said the new issue arose with the sunset clause. However, he said police couldn’t eliminate the gang scourge in 18 months and time was needed for personnel to enter gangs and get evidence. He accused the UNC of refusing support and preserving the status quo on gangs and crime for political purposes: in the hope crime worsens and voters will be disgusted with the current administration and put the UNC into office. “You have to get them to act for you, you put them there; right now they’re acting for themselves,” he said. “I ask the Opposition, I ask every mother, father, family, and I ask every pastor, pundit and imam to ask the UNC, what it is about making gang activity illegal that’s so offensive to the UNC?

SAN CRISTOBAL/ MARACAIBO, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela’s critical medicine shortage has spurred “medical flea markets,” where peddlers offer everything from antibiotics to contraceptives laid out among the traditional fruits and vegetables. The crisis-wrought Latin American nation is heaving under worsening scarcity of drugs, as well as basic foods, due to tanking national production and strict currency controls that crimp imports. The local pharmaceutical

association estimates at any given time, there is a shortage of around 85 percent of drugs. Sick Venezuelans often scour pharmacies and send pleas on social media to find treatment. Increasingly, however, they are turning to a flourishing black market offering medicines surreptitiously bought from Venezuelan hospitals or smuggled in from neighbouring Colombia. Leftist President Nicolas Maduro says resellers are in league with a U.S.-led conspiracy to sabotage socialism

and are to blame for medicine shortages. In the middle of a market in the humid and sweltering city of Maracaibo, dozens of boxes full of medicines including antibiotics and pain killers are stacked on top of each other. The packaging is visibly deteriorated: The cases are discolored and some are even dirty. Doctors warn these drugs — usually smuggled in from Colombia, a few hours’ drive from Maracaibo — pose risks.

Venezuela’s chronic shortages give rise to ‘medical flea markets’

Govt. secures multi-million dollar loan agreement

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Kaieteur News

Ex-prison officer poses as GPL worker, defrauds woman of cash - jailed for 12 months

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A City Magistrate yesterday sentenced an ex-prison officer to 12 months imprisonment for obtaining money by fraud. Edward Dowridge, 35, appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, and pleaded guilty to defrauding Yogetta Dookie the sum of $157,000, by falsely pretending that he was authorized by Guyana Power and Light (GPL). The incident occurred on August 22 at Main Street, Georgetown. The accused told the court that it was a genuine mistake and it because of circumstances beyond his control. He added “I’m the only child for my parents and my mother is very sick.” Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Richard Harris stated that the accused went to the victim’s home posing as a member of GPL, showing the victim a badge with his photograph. The court heard that Dowridge then told Dookie that he was at her home to remove some wires from her property because she

owed GPL a large sum of money. He then told the woman that she could gave him a ‘small piece’ and he would settle the matter. Dookie then gave him $30,000 and he left his contact number with her. The prosecutor added that on August 22, the woman and a relative met with Dowridge and gave him $157,000. He then made good his escape. The matter was subsequently reported to the Brickdam Police Station and Dowrdige was arrested and charged for the offence. The Magistrate before sentencing Dowridge told him that he should not go around scamming people. After hearing that he was sentenced to twelve months, the man stated “For God’s sake, I would like to go at the bank right now and draw the money and give her. My mother is sick, don’t send me to jail.”

Escapee for High Court trial over Alexander St. murder

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Pascal Smith Senior Magistrate Leron Daly yesterday ruled that a prima facie case had been established against prison escapee, Pascal Smith, for the murder of an Alexander Street, Georgetown resident, and committed him to stand trial at the next sitting of the Demerara Assizes. Smith was told that he will face a judge and jury for the indictable offence after the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) concluded yesterday. It is alleged that on May 27 at Alexander Street, Georgetown, he murdered John Houston. Smith was among 13 prisoners who dug their way out of the Lusignan Prison Holding area. He was recaptured in Kitty several days later, after a police rank had to go into a latrine to get him out.

Kaieteur News

Saturday December 09, 2017

PAGE 23

GWI launches ‘Holiday Region Two Mayor, REO put differences aside for development Slash and Cash’ promotion

GWI Managing Director, Richard Van West-Charles at the launching.

REO of Region Two, Rupert Hopkinson Decades of political friction in Region Two, may finally come to an end as members of both the Opposition and Government on Thursday last, agreed to work in the interest of the Region’s citizens. The Region’s REO, Rupert Hopkinson who supports the APNU/AFC government, met with Mayor of the Anna Regina To w n C o u n c i l , Rabindranauth Mohan, supporter of the PPP. Region Two which ranges from as far as Supenaam to the Pomeroon, consists predominantly of the PPP/C supporters. The meeting was convened by Mr. Hopkinson as the two officials sought to settle their differences in the decision-making process. Earlier last month, Mr. Hopkinson made a decision to fill a main drainage trench within the vicinity of Cotton Field. The decision stirred up intense friction between the R E O a n d t h e M a y o r, resulting in at least one picketing exercise. The discussion was fruitful, however, as all parties agreed that a consultative approach is the only way forward in the Region’s Development. Mr. Mohan, speaking with Kaieteur News after the meeting, said that he and the REO came to a common understanding. When asked what that common understanding was, Mr. Mohan replied: “We both agreed that there needs to be a more consultative approach in the way we do things.” “In my opinion the project is not a bad thing, but alternative measures must be put in place. Had he

Mayor of the Anna Regina Town Council, Rabindranauth Mohan

consulted with us first, I would’ve indicated to him that he make a concrete drain in the centre and even put a manhole, then he could’ve made his benches. The REO said he understands that that could’ve been done. Because of poor consultation he hadn’t the technical skills and the understanding of what needed to be done.” Mr. Mohan said that there is another outlet which irrigates the area, this he noted however, is inadequate, since it is nothing but a small tube. “That pipe doesn’t have a door, so when the water is high in the main canal, it goes into that tube and comes into the area. I told the REO that the alternative now is that he construct a 3x3 concrete structure, with a door where the pipe is. He said yes he understands, and that it can be done, promising to look into it.” The REO’s decision to fill the trench was earlier scrutinized by Mr. Mohan and Regional Chairman, Mr. Devenand Ramnauth, since neither of them was consulted before the project’s implementation. Hopkinson told Kaieteur News that he understands their scrutiny, as both of them were poorly informed. The REO reflected that had the Mayor and Chairman been informed earlier, they may have been able to arrive at an unanimous decision on the issue earlier. Mr. Hopkinson explained that he failed to consult the Municipality because for years, the Regional Administration would implement works without their consent. Mr. Hopkinson further

noted, “Executing projects within the municipality without consulting the Town Council, has for years been the custom and practice of t h e R e g i o n a l Administration, this is a system that we had inherited.” Hopkinson added, “This is not the first time we’ve had a project in a NDC area or a municipality. This is a government-sponsored project, this is a project in which permission was first sought from Ministry of Finance. Money from the R e g i o n ’s s a v i n g w a s subsequently allocated to do this work. I didn’t consult with them because it is customary when we do a project we don’t tell them.” All parties noted that this is a custom that will change, as they all agreed to make consultation a priority in future. [Romario Blair]

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has launched its Christmas Promotion called ‘Holiday Slash and Cash’, which entails five differing deals offered by the company. All GWI customers paying off their account balance of $15,000 and above will be eligible for a chance to get a one-month waiver on their water bill not surpassing $5,000. The $5,000 will be credited to the customer’s bill for the following month. In total, 150 customers will be chosen to cash in on this deal. There will be a random selection by each of the ten GWI Regional Offices. Five customers will be selected every week for a period of three weeks from the ten offices. These customers will be given a coupon to fill out. The coupon will be placed in a box (Box #1) specific to this part of the promotion. Customers who pay less than $15,000 to clear their water bills will get a chance to win a prize from GWI. The prizes will consist of nonalcoholic wine or tin cookies. Another five customers will be randomly selected from each of the 10 regional offices of GWI. These customers will be required to place their filled coupons in Box #2. Disconnected customers who pay at least half or more than half of their outstanding bills will be eligible for a 50% discount on their reconnection fees. Customers who pay their bills at any of the GWI payment agencies, Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) or Scotia Online will be eligible to enter the promotion only after submitting their receipt to the cashier at any GWI location. These customers will receive a coupon to place in the

boxes provided. Boxes will only be located at GWI’s 12 locations countrywide. GWI has also kept the pensioners in mind with the ‘Holiday Slash and Cash’. Five pensioners will be randomly selected from each of GWI’s Regional Offices to receive a hamper during the promotion’s course. The five pensioners will be generated from the ICT Department of GWI and their names will be placed in Box #3 for drawing. GWI is also giving hampers at the beginning and end of the promotion to a total of five winners, generated from a random selection by GWI Regional Offices. At the launching of the promotion yesterday, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles, Managing Director of GWI, informed that there are over 50,000 customers who make late payments on their water bills for varying reasons. “With this promotion we’re seeking to give those customers the opportunity now to work with us in paying off or addressing your indebtedness to us for a service that you have received. Because I will say to you, come 2018, you will have to pay the bill. Those people who are indebted, there are means of talking with us, establishing your contract, paying over time in addressing the issue”. ‘Holiday Slash and Cash’ will run from December 11-29, 2017. Customers are urged to look out for developments on the social media pages of GWI such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. GWI will also be airing programmes throughout the promotion period to offer more information and to alert the public of the winning customers.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday December 09, 2017

Thomas Lands, Vlissengen Road new Mash...

Trump’ envoy says UN most hostile to Israel The US envoy to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has accused the UN of damaging the prospects for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The organisation “has outrageously been one of the world’s foremost centres of hostility towards Israel”, she said. Mrs Haley was addressing an emergency meeting of the Security Council called after President Donald Trump’s decision to move the US embassy to Jerusalem. The move has been widely condemned and sparked clashes in the West Bank. Israel has carried out air strikes against targets in the Gaza Strip, injuring a number of people, after Palestinian militants fired rockets into Israeli territory. Two Palestinian men died after Israeli troops fired on crowds in Gaza during clashes earlier on Friday. Tensions remain high across the Middle East after Mr Trump announced the US would recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing decades of US neutrality on the

matter. Israel has always regarded Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians claim East Jerusalem - occupied by Israel in the 1967 war - as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Mrs Haley said the decision “recognises the obvious; that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel”. She said the US continued to be “committed to achieving a lasting peace agreement”, and accused the UN of bias. “Israel will never be, and never should be, bullied into an agreement by the United Nations or by any collection of countries that have proven their disregard for Israel’s security.” The Palestinian representative, Riyad Mansour, said Mr Trump’s move meant the US could no longer be seen as a broker of peace. “Complicity must be recognised,” he said. Israel’s representative, Danny Danon, thanked the US for what he called “a milestone for Israel, for peace, and for the world”.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Palestinians would not talk to the US until Mr Trump reversed his decision Both Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the highest Sunni Muslim authority in the world, the imam of al-Azhar mosque in Egypt, said they would not meet US Vice President Mike Pence when he visits the Middle East later this month US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said it could take two years before the US embassy was relocated from Tel Aviv The Israeli army said a rocket had hit the town of Sderot in southern Israel, but did not say whether anyone had been injured Israeli aircraft attacked Hamas military facilities in Gaza in retaliation, the Israeli army said, and the area’s hospital said 14 people were wounded In the West Bank, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians in the cities of Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron and Nablus, as well as smaller locations.

Palestinians enraged by Trump decision

From page 17 Tyndall as the official Coordinator of the Ministry's Mash Committee. NEW COMPONENTS! According to Mr. Tyndall, the country's 48th Republic Anniversary celebrations will boast a number of new components such as the Junior Soca Monarch. “We recognise that there are a number of young persons, who are talented, and I think because of the age where they are allowed to enter the Senior Soca Monarch, sometimes they lose that enthusiasm. We want to provide an opportunity for our young talented singers to hit the stage and showcase their talent,” Tyndall said. He added, “We feel like if we provide that opportunity from a younger age, they would be really able to craft their talent and develop by the time they get to the Senior Soca Monarch Competition.” Teens from 14 years old would be eligible to vie for the Junior Soca Monarch. Meanwhile, Director of Culture, Ms. Tamika Boatswain announced that a “People's Choice” component for the Calypso, Chutney and Soca Monarch competitions will also be added in the form of public voting. “This is a feature we want to introduce this year, where the public gets to vote for their favourite calypsonian, their favourite Chutney singer or Soca artiste. There will be prizes given out to the winners of those categories. We plan to use Facebook and

other media including text messages and so on,” Ms. Boatswain informed. It was noted that since the Ministry of Social Cohesion is all about inclusion, the Mashramani committee aims to ensure that its activities reflect the country's diversity. “The Adult Calypso Competition's semi-finals will be held in Region Seven. The semi-finals for the Soca Monarch Competition will be held in Region Ten. The Chutney Competition finals will be held in Region Three. We will have steel band concerts in Regions Eight and Nine, so persons living in all parts of Guyana will have an opportunity to experience Mash,” Mr. Tyndall explained. REINTRODUCED ACTIVITIES As far as reintroduced activities go, there are a number of exciting ones, starting with the usually anticipated Mash Night. “For those of you who don't know, Mash Night is a night where w e u s u a l l y judge the individual pieces. For a number of years, because of challenges with designers not finishing their costumes on time, we d i d n o t h a v e t h i s Mash Night celebration. But in 2018, it will be reintroduced,” Tyndall said. He noted that next year, judges, during the Mash Night, will be able to examine all the intricacies of costumes, especially the King and Queen's pieces. “Also at Mash Night you will have the Monarchs of the various song competitions

performing. Due to the much appreciated support of Ansa McAl, the Adult Soca Monarch competition is back on the table,” he said. Additionally, Mr. Tyndall and his team are working to execute a 'Clean up, Bright up Guyana' initiative, which is expected to get Guyanese to rally around cleaning and protecting their environment. “Clean up and decorate your building… Be part of what is happening. Let us show our patriotism through the way we decorate our homes and buildings. Let us really celebrate our Republic anniversary,” Tyndall encouraged. There will also be a grand Main Street Lime every Friday starting from January 26, leading up to Republic Day, February 23. “There will be a party atmosphere kind of lime, where we will have various competitors from the song competitions performing…various designers displaying their costumes. We are really trying to build the hype and vibes heading into Mash. There will also be a Family Fun Day for persons, who want to celebrate Mash activities with their little ones. Apart from those activities, the Mashramani season, as is customary, would include a number of academic components, including a Republic Lecture Series. Organisers are also anticipating a full turn out with approximately 50 floats. “We want to make Mash very big in 2018,” Mr. Tyndall declared.

Govt. secretly received US$18M from Exxon

Jerusalem (CNN) Disillusioned and disappointed Palestinians took to the streets in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem on Thursday following US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Some were angry, others resigned, saying a peace process appeared all but impossible. Dozens gathered outside the Damascus Gate, in the eastern part of the city. “We are Jerusalemites, we belong to Jerusalem,” they chanted. Jerusalem is “my life,” said Nawal Sahtay, 45, who grew up in Jerusalem. “For Trump to come just like that and to say, Jerusalem is not

yours anymore ... this means he is taking everything from me.” She said she’s expecting more measures to be put in place by the Israeli government that will make life harder for Palestinians in the city. “We are hardly able to live in Jerusalem without it being declared the capital of Israel. What about now?” “A third intifada is knocking on the door,” she added. George Assad, 43, a Christian Palestinian who was also at Damascus Gate on Thursday, believes Trump’s announcement exposes the true face of American policy over the last 25 years. “The fig leaf is off,” he said. “This only shows that

the Americans’ position hasn’t been [as] an honest broker, as they claim. And this is the final nail in the coffin of the peace process, of the twostate solution.” He doesn’t believe that Trump will continue to work for that solution, as the President pledged in his speech. “The position of Trump is basically an Israeli position,” he said. “The Israelis have continuously said they want to pursue peace ... but on the ground, nothing happens.” Protesters had also been gathering since early Thursday morning in al-Manara square in central Ramallah, chanting and calling for an uprising.

From page 3 keeping private is now in the public domain. That which is not yet in the public domain, will make its way there soon. Trotman claimed that the government has received no similar lump sum from any other oil company. “And there is nothing else that I know of. What we kept from the public was not for any nefarious purpose. There is nothing immoral; it is really about our sovereignty. We cannot go and raise an army against Venezuela. We want to amicably, and through the known judicial processes, settle this matter. We feel we have the right and we believe we need to strengthen up,” said Trotman. Many persons agree that the government has a right to safeguard the nation's sovereignty and given the circumstances, there is need for a delicate handling of the matter. However, the question was asked of Trotman, what was stopping the government from telling the nation of the money, but keeping private

the administration's intention to use the money for funding efforts to protect the nation's sovereignty. Trotman responded, “You know sometimes you start off with good intentions but make bad steps. I think that is what happened. It is not that we're trying to hide, lie, steal or cheat. We were just trying to preserve the integrity of the state as we were advised based on how it was handled previously.” Trotman said that citizens can be comforted by the fact that the money was handled in the proper way. “The letter shows that this was handled through the Bank of Guyana, not some Minister's account. There may have been a belief that a few ministers have locked off this money and are living on it or something; nothing of the sort…It is not the first time or the last that this or any other government in the world has special facilities or special projects, and that is all. It happens every day, everywhere in the world. If anything, the letter shows that it

is not in my hands, the hands of (Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl) Greenidge or (Finance Minister, Winston) Jordan. It is with the Bank of Guyana. The money is safe.” ACOMMITMENT Trotman was asked if he was willing to go on record, committing to the people of Guyana that there will be no more secrecy in the oil industry. He responded in the positive. The politician said, “Of course! This has been a painful lesson for everyone. Your intentions are good, but the outcome can cause harm. There is no intention for us to steal or to siphon off money or to cheat the nation. We just simply sought to get the best tools available.” He concluded, “We have hired international lawyers from Canada and the United Kingdom. The process of gathering information, maps and plans is not simple; then there is flying back and forth. This costs a lot of money. We sought to finance that to safeguard the country. That is all it is.”

Saturday December 09, 2017

ACP concerned over new EU plan BRUSSELS - CMC – The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Sugar Group has expressed concern at reports that the European Union plans to modify its sugar market access offer to Mercosur to include sensitive products, among them sugar, during the next round of trade talks that ends tomorrow. Mercosur is an economic and political bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and Venezuela. Chairman of the ACP Sugar Subcommittee and Ambassador of Belize to the EU, Dylan Vernon, speaking on behalf of the ACP Sugar Group, said that further opening of the EU sugar market, coming immediately after the abolition of EU domestic sugar production quotas and the introduction of coupled subsidies for EU sugar beet, will be a severe additional blow to the ACP suppliers. He said to add further supply to the EU sugar market at a time where ACP and lesser developed countries (LDC) suppliers are being forced to divert

sugar to other markets and existing TRQs are left unfilled will mean that the residual economic value of duty-free quota-free access to the EU market for sugar under Economic Partnership Agreements and the “Everything But Arms Initiative” is all but nullified. The ACP Group has called on the European Union for urgent consultations on this matter as provided for under the Cotonou Partnership Agreement, the overarching framework for EU relations with ACP countries. It was adopted in 2000 to replace the 1975 Lomé Convention. It is the most comprehensive partnership agreement between developing countries and the EU, covering the EU’s relations with the 79 ACP countries. In a statement, the ACP Sugar Group said that the move by the EU is contrary to the consistent assurances on sugar and other sensitive products given by the European Commission to the ACP Group, most recently by Commissioner Malmström at the Joint ACP-EU Ministerial Trade Committee in October 2017.

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday December 09, 2017

Saturday December 09, 2017

Berbice Cricket Board Senior First Division 50 overs competition

Albion CC, RHTYSC & Blairmont secure wins

THE Berbice Cricket Board Senior 50 over competition continued over the last weekend at venues across the county. At the Port Mourant Community Center, hosts RHTYSC defeated Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) by 8 wickets in their match. Batting first, UCCA only managed to score 70 runs all out in 26.2 overs. The only batsmen to reach double figures were Balram Persaud 20, Lakeram Latchman 17 and A. Hemchand 12. Bowling for the RHTYSC, Keon Sinclair took 5 for 39 off his 10 overs, Eon Hooper 213 off 8 overs and Sean Pereira 2 -2 of 2.2 overs. In their reply, the RHTYSC batsmen reached the target in just

16.1 overs and losing 2 wickets in the process. Batsmen Jason Sinclair was left not out on 48, while Junior Sinclair scored 14. Bowling for UCCA Lakeram Latchman and Devendra Budhoo took one wicket each. At the Albion Community Center, Albion defeated Skeldon Community Center by 9 wickets in their match which was reduced to 45 overs per side. Batting first, Skeldon Community Center scored 86 all out in 20 overs. Batsmen Gajendra Nauth and Zekiel Gordon were the only 2 to reach double figures with 22 runs each. Bowling for Albion, Jonathon Foo took 524 in 5 overs, Kelvin Omram 2-19 in 6 overs, while Steven Kamaludeen and Balchand

Baldeo took 1 wicket each. In Albion’s reply, Surujnarine Kandasammy scored 63 and received valuable support from Adrian Sukwah who scored 18. Albion reached the total of 87 for the loss of one wicket. In Western Berbice, Blairmont defeated Bush Lot United by 10 wickets. Batting first, Bush Lot was bowled out for 82 runs in 19.5 overs. Bowling for Blairmont, Javid Karim took 5-20 in 7 overs, while D. McCalmont and Waqar Hassan took 2 wickets each, In their reply, Blairmont reached the target in just 6.5 overs with Z. Inshan scoring 34 and Martin Singh 47 not out. The Competition continues at venues across Berbice.

Saturday December 09, 2017 Aries: Mar 21 - Apr 19 Once you have your feelings under control, you can be more expansive in other parts of your life. You can branch out, reach toward others, and make important connections that will help move you toward success and good fortune.

Libra: Sep 23 - Oct 22 You may feel you're coming to a dramatic emotional climax regarding an issue that you take personally. There's a strong force stirring up your feelings, but that doesn't mean you have to spin out of control.

Taurus: Apr 20 - May 20 Instead of directing all your energy outward and dominating the conversation with your ideas, consider listening. Let ideas flow your way. Be receptive to opinions and ideas.

Scorpio: Oct 23 - Nov 21 Be careful of letting your erratic, willful nature dominate the scene. Stay grounded, focused, and aware of your emotions.

Gemini: May 21 - Jun 20 Things will be moving more in your favor as the day wears on. It will be easier for you to be yourself. Your loving, nurturing qualities are accentuated. Cancer: Jun 21 - Jul 22 You may feel like you're spinning your wheels today, especially as the end of the day draws near. Nothing seems to be going your way. Leo: Jul 23 - Aug 22 You're in a good position to make a major breakthrough. Your sensitivity works to your advantage. It gives you insight into things that others miss. Virgo: Aug 23 - Sep 22 Don't get too hooked on the free spirit that may dominate the morning hours. Have your fun at that time, but all good things must come to an end at some point. You may be called on for a more serious job when evening rolls around.

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Kaieteur News

Sagit: Nov 22 - Dec 21 You may be scolded for something you failed to take care of properly. There's a wonderfully expansive feeling to the day that you should capitalize on. Capri: Dec 22 - Jan 19 The beginning of the day may start out boisterous and easygoing. The object of the game for you will be to have some fun. As the day wears on, you'll feel like you need to get more organized. Aquar.: Jan 20 - Feb 18 This will be one of those days when you're glad to get up. You'll probably feel energetic, confident, and ready to get down to work on your projects. Pisces: Feb 19 - Mar 20 You may be caught in a difficult quandary. Your attention to other people's needs may draw you into dramas that you don't want to be part of.

Abdul-Jabbar urges athletes to continue political protests LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - NBA Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says NFL players and other professional athletes should continue their protests against police brutality in the United States and has rejected the notion that speaking out is in any way unpatriotic. The six-time NBA champion said protests in the NFL, where players have sat, knelt or locked arms during the pregame playing of the national anthem, were creating a useful dialogue around long-neglected issue of race. “I think it’s going in a good direction,” said AbdulJabbar, who has been a political activist since his college days and is currently raising awareness about the fight against cancer. “They should continue to speak about the issues that are of concern to them and use their power peacefully and effectively to change this situation. “This is a real issue for black Americans. The protests against it have a legitimate place in what the traditions of our country are all about.” Abdul-Jabbar is as well known for his political activism as for the unstoppable ‘skyhook’ which led him to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer in a career spent mostly with the Los Angeles Lakers. He boycotted the Olympics to protest against racial inequality as a student athlete in 1968, the same year he changed his name from Lew Alcindor after converting to Islam. Now 70, he rejected the notion that today’s protests were in any way disrespectful to the flag or the military, as U.S. President Donald Trump has said. “These are peaceful protests that are raising awareness of something that is of grave concern,” he said. “People like the president of the United States don’t want to admit there is an issue.” The NFL protests began last season when then San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the anthem amid a series of high-profile shootings of unarmed black men by police. The key to solving the problem, Abdul-Jabbar believes, is to create dialogue between law enforcement and the low-income, minority communities where they work, which he said was starting to happen. Abdul-Jabbar was particularly concerned by July

comments by Trump in which he said police should not worry about being too “rough” when they are putting a suspect into a vehicle. A White House spokesperson later said Trump was making a joke, but AbdulJabbar said it was no laughing matter. “He said it is okay to smack their head into the frame of the car,” he said. “That’s no joke in the black community or in the His-

panic community. Those things are done often.” While he believes the protests by NFL players and community work by NBA players like LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were having an impact, he thought America’s racial issues are a long way from being solved. “It’s hard to measure success while there is still a body count,” he said. “Maybe when the bodies stop falling?”

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Saturday December 09, 2017

Chandika Hathurusingha Competitions needed for Russians appointed Sri Lanka coach not going to Games, says ROC chief

Russian Olympic Committee President Alexander Zhukov (Getty) Mashrafe Mortaza and Chandika Hathurusingha ahead of the game. (Getty Images) ESPNcricinfo - Chandika Hathurusingha’s first full assignment with Sri Lanka will be the tour to Bangladesh, where he will have just finished up as head coach. Though Hathurusingha had handed his resignation to the Bangladesh Cricket Board as early as October, the boards had been in discussions with him, and indeed with each other, as to what a peaceable relocation of the coach might look like. But SLC has now confirmed that Hathurusingha will begin his three-year contract with Sri Lanka on December 20, just as their T20s against India start. A two Test tour of Bangladesh is set to begin in January. An SLC official also confirmed that Hathurusingha will be the highest-paid Sri Lanka coach in history. He is also due to visit Dhaka on Saturday, presumably in order to debrief and finalise his release from the BCB. He had signed on with Bangladesh until the 2019 World Cup, but eventually agreed to take a job with his home country, following several approaches from SLC. He had been Sri Lanka’s A team coach, and an assistant coach with the national team, before his relationship with a previous SLC administration soured in 2010. That SLC has secured Hathurusingha’s services is both a victory for the board, as well

as a substantial financial commitment. Sri Lanka have been without a long-term head coach since Graham Ford’s resignation in June, and the board has struggled to attract high-quality applicants to the role. And in order to lure Hathurusingha, SLC has had to more or less match the figure he was being paid by the BCB - a sum in the vicinity of $340,000 (aspects of that pay package were also determined by team performance). Hathurusingha’s tenure with Bangladesh had been marked by progress both in the limited-overs formats and in Tests, where they achieved maiden victories against Australia, Sri Lanka and England. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have had a difficult year across formats, and will now count on Hathurusingha to replicate the success he had had with his previous team. Highly-rated by virtually every Sri Lanka player who had worked with him in the past, the likes of Rangana Herath, Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews, and current Sri Lanka batting coach Thilan Samaraweera, have all credited Hathurusingha with having had a positive effect on their cricket. He will be Sri Lanka’s 11th head coach (including interim appointments) since 2011. The three-year contract should take him up to the end of 2020, so long as it is honoured by all parties.

National Chess Player, Anthony Drayton, carts off spoils in Caribbean Chess Cup tourney

Anthony Drayton

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Olympic Committee President Alexander Zhukov said competitions should be organized for Russian athletes who decide not to compete at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, RSport news agency reported yesterday. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday banned Russia from the Pyeongchang Games after evidence emerged of an “unprecedented systematic manipulation” of the anti-doping system, but left the door open for clean athletes to compete as neutrals. “We need to hold alternative competitions for the athletes who decide not to go to the Olympic Games,” RSport quoted Zhukov as saying. “But we also need to support those who decide to go.” Zhukov, who did not provide further detail about the possible nature of those competitions, added that it was “unacceptable” to accuse Russian athletes who decide to compete at the Olympics of being unpatriotic. President Vladimir Putin said this week that Russia would not prevent athletes from competing at the Games if they wanted to,

damping down calls by some Russians for the country to boycott. Russia is expected to make a final decision on its stance regarding the IOC ban at a meeting of the country’s Olympic authorities next week. Russian authorities have vehemently denied any state support for doping and have pledged to co-operate with international sports bodies to counter the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs. The speaker of the Russian parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, told lawmakers earlier yesterday that they should not attend the Pyeongchang Games if Russian athletes are not competing under the country’s flag, local news agencies reported. In the weeks ahead of Tuesday’s IOC decision, more than 20 Russian athletes who competed at the 2014 Sochi Games were banned for life from the Olympics for having allegedly violated anti-doping rules. Russia’s athletics federation, Paralympic Committee and anti-doping agency RUSADA remain suspended over doping scandals.

Lewis Hamilton says he does not have the desire to match Michael Schumacher BBC Sport - Lewis Hamilton says he does not believe he will stay in Formula 1 long enough to beat Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles. Hamilton won his fourth title this year to move within one of Juan Manuel Fangio, but said he was not motivated by the idea of surpassing Schumacher. The Mercedes driver said: “I can’t see it at the moment. Four more. It has taken me 10 years to achieve this four.”I don’t have that desire to match it. Matching Fangio could be quite cool.” Argentine Fangio won five world titles in the 1950s, and is second to Schumacher champion in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 - in the all-time championship standings. In terms of successes for the number of races in which he competed, Fangio is the most successful driver ever in championships, wins and pole positions. “Being that I am going to be here for at

least another couple of years, that is my goal to try and at least get that,” Hamilton said, implying strongly that a new Mercedes contract to take him beyond the end of his current deal, which expires next year, was an inevitability.Speaking at the official FIA prize-giving ceremony, where he will be presented with his trophy, Hamilton said: “When I am older and look back, I don’t think the amount of titles I have is going to define what I am as a driver or who I am. “How I work with the team, how I drive the car, every time I drive the car and extract it from the car - that’s what I feel inside defines me. “When I was young I thought I would have a family at 28. When I got to 28 it all shifted. But it is difficult to say never. “Maybe in a couple of years ‘ time I will be saying: ‘I am going to go another 10 years.’ I really hope that’s not the case because I’ll be with you guys until you are in Zimmer frames.”

Saturday December 09, 2017

Kaieteur News

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EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 League

Semi Finals line up to be decided today

Grove and Friendship matching skills early in the tournament.

Amazing Gayle hundred inches Riders closer to final GuyanaNRA IPSC Regional Director Hopkinson shoots well at BNRA/IPSC Nationals

Harold Hopkinson in action.

DHAKA, Bangladesh, CMC – Superstar opener Chris Gayle chose the ideal opportunity to lash his 19th Twenty20 hundred as he fired Rangpur Riders to a comprehensive eightwicket victory over Khula Titans, and one step closer to the final of the Bangladesh Premier League final yesterday. Playing in the first eliminator of the knockout round, the 38-year-old left-hander smashed an astonishing unbeaten 126 off a mere 51 deliveries as Riders, chasing 168 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, romped to their target in the 16th over. The hundred was the highest-ever score in the BPL, the first of the season and Gayle’s fourth in the competition overall. With the victory, Riders dumped Titans, comprising West Indies T20 captain Carlos Brathwaite, teammate Nicholas Pooran and Barbadian all-rounder Jofra Archer, out of the competition. Riders were slipping at 25 for two in the third over after seamer Archer knocked over opener Sohag Gazi for one and New Zealander Brendon McCullum without scoring. However, Gayle then took over, lashing 14 sixes and six fours as he put on 146 in a rollicking unbroken, third wicket stand with Mohammed Mithun who ended on 30 from 36 deliveries. Gayle belted 20 runs off the fifth over of the innings bowled by Archer as he raced to his half-century off 23 balls, bringing up the landmark in style by clearing the ropes at longoff with seamer Abu Jayed. Gayle also ripped into Brathwaite, taking 17 from the seamer’s second over – the 11th of the innings – en route to three figures off just 45 balls. He proceeded to finish the game in style, smashing off-spinner Nazmul Hossain for a pair of sixes off the first two balls of the 16th over. Earlier, Titans gathered 167 for six off their 20 overs, with Pooran getting 28 and Brathwaite, 25 not out.

Superstar opener Chris Gayle … struck an unbeaten 126. The pair put on 33 off 16 balls for the sixth wicket. In the other eliminator, Evin Lewis and Kieron Pollard played crucial innings to help propel Dhaka Dynamites to a crushing 95-run win over Comilla Victorians and a place in the final.Opting for first knock, Dynamites rallied to 191 for seven off 20 overs, with opener Lewis top-scoring with 47 off 32 deliveries and Pollard stroking 31 from 18 balls. The left-handed Lewis counted half-dozen fours and three sixes as he added 69 for the second wicket with England’s Joe Denly who made 32. Pollard, batting at number four, blasted a four and three sixes in putting on a further 43 with Denly. Medium pacer Dwayne Bravo was the best bowler with two for 45. In reply, Samuels fell cheaply for six and Bravo without scoring, as Victorians slumped to 96 all out off 18 overs, with the brilliant West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine producing a tight three-over spell that cost just nine runs and yielded one wicket. Victorians will have a second chance at a place in the final when they take on Riders tomorrow.

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Saturday December 09, 2017

CGI Digicel Regional 4-day C/Ships th

Chanderpaul 140 fifty keeps Jaguars ahead despite Smith’s unbeaten 49

Devon Smith is unbeaten on 49 and could decide how long the contest lasts today. (Sean Devers photo)

STAG ‘Skills for Gold’ 7-a-side tournament kicks off tonight at #5 Ground

One of the ten rings that are up for grabs in the STAG ‘Skills for Gold’ tournament.

Ansa McAl’s Trade Marketing Assistant for the West Coast Berbice area, Lynton Luke (right) presenting promoter Borris Ross with the trophies. Also in photo, STAG Beer Brand Representative Lyndon Henry.

Kaieteur News

Saturday December 09, 2017

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Guinness 'Greatest of the Streets' Competition

Could any of the remaining teams stop Sparta Boss? -'Gold is Money' favoured against Bent Street

Quarter-final action between Leopold Street (right) and California Square.

Complete Fixtures Semi-final Gold is Money vs Bent Street-22:00hrs Sparta Boss vs Leopold Street-22:45hrs Plate Semi-final GTI vs North East La Penitence-21:00hrs Kingston vs Upsetters-21:30hrs Complete Results Guinness Goal (GG)-2 goals Quarter-final Game-1 Gold is Money-1 vs Rising Stars-0 Randolph Wagner-17th Game-2 Leopold Street-1 vs California Square-0 Omallo Williams-12th Game-3 Sparta Boss-1 vs Queen Street Tigerbay-0 Own Goal-9th Game-4 Bent Street-2 vs Future Stars-0 John Waldron-18th-(GG) Plate Section Game-1 GTI Ballers vs Trap Squad GTI won by walkover Game-2 Norton Street vs North East La Penitence North East La Penitence won by walkover Game-3 Ol Skool Ballers vs Kingston Kingston won by walkover Game-4 Upsetters vs North Ruimveldt Upsetters won by walkover

Action between Gold is Money, who are through to the semi-finals, and Rising Stars (yellow).

The question on everyone's lips is whether any of the remaining teams in the Georgetown Zone of the Guinness 'Greatest of the Streets' Competition could stop reigning champions Sparta Boss from successfully defending their title. The champs who enjoy a love and hate relationship with the fans have shown that they are not going down without a fight and any team harbouring ambitions of dethroning them will have to be ready and well equipped to stop their march to another title. Tonight in Albouystown, they face nemesis Leopold Street in one semi-final after booking their place with a 10 win over Queen Street of Tiger Bay courtesy of an own goal. On the other hand, Leopold Street progressed to the last four compliments of the skilful Omallo Williams, whose 12th strike proved enough to send California Square crashing out of the tournament. Also booking their places in the semi-finals were West Front Road 'Gold is Money' and Bent Street who beat Rising Stars and Future Stars respectively. West Front Road first accounted for the scalp of Rising Stars thanks to a solitary goal from Randolph Wagner which came in the 17th minute of play, while Bent Street created the shock wave of the night when John Waldron netted a Guinness Goal in the 18th minute

to secure a 2-0 win over the highly rated Future Stars. What is most certain is that the two matches in the main section are high quality matchups and fans are assured of end to end action as the four teams fight to determine who will make the final set for December 16, at Demerara Park. Meanwhile, despite the disappointment of walkovers in the Plate Section, play in this segment will see GTI Ballers take on North East La Penitence and Kingston tackle Upsetters in what is also considered to be bruising battles for the final two spots. This segment has a winner-take-all prize of $60,000 and a trophy. The overall winner of the G/town Zone will receive $500,000, a trophy and an automatic berth in the national playoffs, while second, third and fourth place finishers will take home $250,000, $200,000 and $100,000 along with trophies. Colours Boutique on Robb Street is also on board the event. The Organisers and co-ordinators Three Peat Promotions has extended thanks to the entire community of Albouystown for exhibiting good discipline, while the ranks of the Guyana Police Force is also being complimented for their solid support throughout the tournament.

Nabi and Pollard join Renegades after Narine opts out ESPNcricinfo - Afghanistan’s Mohammad Nabi and West Indies’ Kieron Pollard have been signed by Melbourne Renegades for the upcoming BBL season, starting December 19. The all-rounders will join Dwayne Bravo as the team’s other overseas recruits. Sunil Narine, Renegades’ leading wicket-taker last season, has withdrawn from the tournament citing personal reasons. Nabi, one of two Afghanistan players to be handed an IPL contract, will join the Renegades squad for their first match against Hobart Hurricanes on December 21. He will be replaced later in the season by Pollard, who is currently

playing the BPL. Bravo will be available for the entire BBL season, which ends on February 4. Renegades head coach Andrew McDonald said the timely signing of Narine’s replacements would boost the team, which failed to secure a semi-final berth because of an inferior run-rate last season. “ We w i s h S u n i l a l l t h e b e s t , ” h e t o l d melbournerenegades.com.au. “At short notice we are pleased that we’ve been able to secure players of Mohammad and Kieron’s quality who will be important contributors this season for us.”

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Kaieteur News

Saturday December 09, 2017

GOA doping control sessions conclude at Lilliendaal

Dr. Karen Pilgrim (standing) addresses the participants during Thursday night session

Losing Caribbean title a reality -Ninvalle Guyana is on the road to losing the Caribbean Championship title without throwing a punch and the winner by knockout would be the perennial lack of sponsorship. Up to yesterday afternoon the Guyana Boxing Association had received seven hundred thousand dollars from the Guyana Olympic Association and a pledge of three hundred thousand from the National Sports Commission. “One week ago we needed three and one half million dollars. That has moved to around four million dollars now as ticket prices go up each day. We are now in real danger of losing the title outside of the ring,” Guyana Boxing Association president Steve Ninvalle said yesterday. The Caribbean Championships is scheduled to be held in St Lucia from December 13th to 16th. Following the conclusion of the Terrence Alli National Open the GBA selected a team of 13 boxers, three coaches and two referee/judges to participate in the third episode of the championship.

Guyana was crowned Champion Country when the f i r s t Caribbean Developmen t tournament was held here in 2015. Last year the Steve Ninvalle team Guyana scraped into the tournament held in Barbados after Ninvalle staged a hundred mile walk from Corentyne to Georgetown in order to raise funds. The team of 11 boxers returned home with ten gold medals, one silver and the Champion title. This year the organizers have changed the name to the Caribbean Championships and 17 countries are scheduled to take part. “We are still optimistic that the full team will get a chance to once again be good ambassadors and make Guyana proud,” Ninvalle added.

Saturday December 09, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Berbice Cricket Board Second Division competition Mohamed’s Enterprise/ New Era Entertainment Futsal #48 Challengers, Kennard’s Memorial tourney continues tonight CC & Cut & Load dominate

-Bakewell partners with New Era to bring exciting promotion

Roy VanTull (left) of Bakewell and Shareef Major of New Era display the Refrigerator that will be up for grabs by a lucky fan.

Ministry of Social Cohesion tapeball set for tomorrow The Ministry of Social Cohesion will be hosting a knock out Tapeball competition tomorrow at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac starting at 09:00hrs. At stake are trophies, medals and cash incentives. Teams can contact James Lewis on 672 6179, 628 1656 or 666 5857 for information on registration.

rt o p S Guinness 'Greatest of the Streets' Competition

Could any of the remaining teams stop Sparta Boss?

Gold is Money skipper, Phillip Rowley (right) closely controls the ball in his team's 1-0 victory over Rising Stars.

-'Gold is Money' favoured against Bent Street

Leopold Street's Omallo Williams who scored the lone goal in their match against California Square on the go during one of his many attacks on Thursday.

CGI Digicel Regional 4-day C/Ships

Chanderpaul 140 fifty keeps Jaguars ahead despite Smith’s unbeaten 49 th

Chanderpaul Upper cut for four during his 59 yesterday at Providence. (Sean Devers photo)

Volcanoes celebrate the demise of Tagenarine Chanderpaul at Providence yesterday as his Dad watches from the other end. (Sean Devers photo)

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