Kaieteur News
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Saturday December 10, 2016
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
THE THIEF OF TIME One of the world’s greatest artists, Leonardo da Vinci, it is claimed, took more than a decade to finish one of the world’s most famous paintings, the Mona Lisa. It is said that Da Vinci has left more unfinished paintings than what he actually completed in his lifetime. He was a notorious procrastinator, and we have learnt over the years to respect the adage that procrastination is the thief of time. Since independence, there are many examples of great things that have been achieved in Guyana by those who used their ability, competency and leadership skills to help develop the country. Corruption and raping of the treasury negated any real development achieved under the last administration. Over the last eighteen months, there has been the belief by many that much more could have been achieved, but procrastination, indecision and inaction are hindering the advancement of the country. Respected experts are lamenting the fact that the economy is declining, production in all sectors, except for mining is also reducing and foreign investments are diminishing. Further, the business community is frustrated and fed-up by a swathe of overlapping regulations and restrictions. And despite the endless complaints about the length of time it takes to obtain a business permit from the Ministry of Business or GOInvest, no one in officialdom seems capable to remedy the situation. Procrastination by the authority has stymied progress in both the private and public sectors. Some in authority have suddenly awoken only to realize that the future seems bleak for many, and that the economy is flatlining. They have come to grips with the fact that the crime rate is high, corruption is rampant and jobs are scarce, but inexplicably there are still no solutions. The authorities are looking hopelessly at each other for answers. The government has procrastinated on its promise of change and a better life for all, among others. But so far, not much has changed. Except for the cleaning-up of Georgetown, and the re-pavement of deplorable streets, not much else has occurred. There are still blackouts daily and water shortages continue. Farming is at a standstill to the point where many farmers have stopped farming, some are deeply in debt and others are bankrupt. Hopes are vanishing and it seems that the 14 percent VAT on the consumption of electricity and water based on the usage above a certain amount is an additional burden on the citizens. Although this has placed the government between a rock and a hard place it is still accepted that this possibly is the lesser of two evils. While it is true that most of the problems facing the country today have resulted from the inept policies of the last government, procrastination and dithering on the part of this government have exacerbated the situation. The 2017 budget is creating a stir in Parliament due largely to the fact that the opposition believes that it would cripple the economy. But the government has remained steadfast in its position that the budget will see development of the economy. Nonetheless, the budget has attracted widespread criticism from the Private Sector Commission, local Chambers of Commerce and many other organizations. The citizens don’t seem impressed either. And although some have credited the government for lowering the corporate tax from 30 percent to 27 percent and increasing the tax threshold from G$55,000 to G$60,000, there is a shortfall of about $70 billion. The budget is $250 billion but revenue is projected to be about $180 billion. How does the government intend to make up this shortfall? Will it borrow billions, increase taxes, or print more money which would devalue the dollar? Or will it procrastinate?
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.
Edison Jefford clarifies on Rekie Williams’ omission Dear Editor; I noticed in the KN newspaper that athletes were selected for a National Elite Camp by Mr. Edison Jefford based on their performance at the National Schools’ Championship which was recently concluded. I must note that Rekie Williams, from District 1 (North West) wasn’t selected despite excellent performances in the 10km road race where he placed second and first in the 5000 metres. ýHe won the 5000
metres convincingly, while Delroy Leitch from District 6 (Corentyne) placed third and Matthew MacKenzie (Georgetown) placed second (I may be wrong for Matthew). The 10km road race had its controversy. Rekie continues to perform at the National level and yet is not being recognised. Rekie is currently one of the best Junior Distance Athletes, along with Delroy Leitch and Matthew MacKenzie. He is also younger than these two
athletes. I believe without assistance from Coach Blacks and myself, Rekie would have faded away just like the other hinterland athletes who have performed excellently over the years. I’m kindly asking if Mr. Jefford can include him in this National Elite Camp. Rekie will not disappoint; he’s a humble youth who hails from the Waramuri Mission in the Moruca SubRegion of Region One. He’s one of our future athletes that will make Guyana proud and
just need the assistance at the National level. Andrew Campbell - Assistant Team Manager, District One Editor’s note: we passed on this letter to Mr. Jefford who explained that the race was controversial, the outcome had to be determined. That has since been done and Rekie Williams’ name should have been on the preliminary list of selectees. Mr. Jefford has informed us that Rekie Wiliams has been accepted in the National Elite Camp
The parking meter contract is an abuse of Guyanese Dear Editor; I have been reading with considerable interest the concerns being expressed by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) of Guyana regarding the project to rollout parking meters in Georgetown, pointing out the fact it is an indirect taxation without any value creation for the users. I do agree with the PSC which represents a cross-section of businesses in the country, regarding the negative impact this will have on businesses operating within the city, in particular on their employees and customers of
the various businesses. I however don’t understand their concern regarding the fact that the M&CC, will only get $20 from every $100 taken, whilst the remaining $80 will go towards administration and wealth creation of the investors. This is not an oversight or error on the part of the Council, this was deliberate and cheerfully agreed to for reasons best known to them, and as a result of a complete lack of concern for the raw deal the citizens will be getting. This is just abuse of our
citizens by a foreign company in a most shocking way. In fact, I consider it is modern day slavery. The advertisements which suggest that the parking meters will increase security, public safety and the efficiency in doing business within the capital city are just completely ridiculous. But I have a few concerns of my own, the first being whether this foreign company really has any experience in this business as they claim. If they did then they would not draw the spaces for only midsized
cars. What happens when an SUV, pickup, van, and other larger vehicles wishes to park? They will have to take up half of another space I guess and pay additionally? Secondly, I would like to know why they are being allowed to mark out spaces on roadways that do not fall under the purview of the Georgetown Municipality. Will they be giving the paltry 20% to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure or the Government of Guyana for those roads? Or will the Georgetown Municipality benefit from this largesse? Riley Matthews
How independent are these constitutional commissions? Dear Editor; With the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) now taking its first steps, and the Local Government Commission (LGC) lurking somewhere around the corner, it may be useful to take stock of the reasons why they and their sister constitutional commissions were conceptualized in the first place, and whether they are well designed to fulfill their grand shared objective. The 1999 constitutional reform process was motivated by the desperation to find constitutional structures to abate our ethnic problems exacerbated, once again, by the 1997 national election. Alongside proposals encompassing executive power-sharing, inclusionary d e m o c r a c y, a n d g o o d governance, the creation of so-called independent commissions to administer certain sensitive public a ff a i r s e m e rg e d a s a significant conflict resolution strategy. The
building concept of these agencies was that by shielding them from political control, they would be able to act independently and even-handedly, thereby winning the trust of all ethnic groups. The 1999 constitutional negotiators established seven such independent entities, with four directly related to addressing ethnic/political insecurities and demands (the Ethnic Relations Commission, the Public Procurement Commission, the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission, and the Local Government Commission). Accordingly, Article 212FF of the constitution declares that the principles in establishing these and future commissions must eschew political interference, minimize the influence of the executive, and maximize the public perception of impartiality. And should further clarity be needed in the specific case of the LGC, the constitution (in Article 78A) grants it powers to
regulate all local government authorities “as it deems fit”, without “the direction and control of any authority” (Section 3 of the LGC Act). But self-rule to meaningfully do what? These commissions are all empowered (to an extent yet to be tested, to be sure) to make and implement policies and rules (a power normally exercised by the executive arm of government) and to adjudicate and resolve disputes (normally the preserve of the judiciary). The reform process, therefore, compelled by the necessity to immunize aspects of public administration from political capture, released a completely new creature into our political landscape: a potential fourth arm of government, outside the umbrella of the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary. It is critical also to ask what elements make a commission truly independent of political
control. Bold assertions and the absence of subordinate relationships in the legislation are mere starting points. Foremost among the elements must be that the executive government must not be able to terminate the services of commissioners at will, but only for good cause (such as for an unsound mind or criminal conviction). This constraint on the government’s power, the t h e o r y h o p e s , b u ff e r s commissioners against political interference and gives them scope to serve the greater good. Article 225 of our constitution clearly enshrines this for-cause protection. Anticlimactically, after so much time, the verdict is still pending on the question of whether these independent commissions have actually delivered. Commissions are either yet to be established or reestablished (eg, the LGC and the ERC), have only recently (Continued on page 5)
Saturday December 10, 2016
Police corruption starts with a small gift DEAR EDITOR; In Guyana corruption is a good word to start a conversation with or even better to initiate an argument. Many persons have approached the topic positing their views in the print and electronic media and elsewhere. Recently, Sir Kevin Barron, Member of Parliament in the UK Parliament conducted an anti-corruption seminar at the Marriott Hotel. Among the participants were members of the local Parliament and foreign diplomats. Many Boards of Inquiry and Audits have found abundant evidence of corruption in Government Departments and Agencies. Kaieteur News, November 16, 2016, carried an editorial on corruption in the GRA. The number of reported cases of corruption in government and non -governmental organisations is alarming. This article is written with a law enforcement bias, but many issues raised could easily equate to numerous business entities, departments, government and non-governmental organizations in Guyana. It is a sketch rather than a detailed analysis as the many factors relating to corruption cannot be compressed into a letter of this size. However, I hope that you the reader will have a clearer understanding of what is corruption, factors that can contribute to corruption, effects of corruption on the organisation, key elements of corruption, and steps that can be taken to minimise corrup-
tion. The police in Guyana are more closely scrutinised and subjected to uniformed, biased criticism than any other occupational group. The average cop is expected to conduct his or her personal and professional life with more integrity and decorum than most other citizens, however unrealistic and difficult it may seem at times. One area in which police conduct may be called into question is whether or not they accept gratuities. A gratuity is defined as a favour or gift, usually in the form of money, given in return for service; for example money given to buy juice on a hot day; money given to process a firearm or dance application; money given to buy beers for the boys; money given to buy a gift for the birthday party of the boss. Whether or not it is ethical for police ranks to accept gratuities is controversial. Differentiating between gratuities and corruption is not a clear concept. There are many views for and against accepting gratuities. Here are some views for: Gratuities help create a bond between officers and the public, thus fostering community policing goals. They represent a non-written form of appreciation and usually are given with no expectation of anything in return. Most gratuities are too small to be a significant motivator for actions. The practice is so deeply entrenched that efforts to root it out will be ineffec-
tive and cause unnecessary violations of the rules. A complete ban makes officers appear as though they cannot distinguish between a friendly gesture and a bribe. Some views against banning gratuities are: Accepting gratuities violate most departments’ policies and the law enforcement code of ethics. Even the smallest gift creates a sense of obligation. Even if nothing is expected in return, the gratuity may create an appearance of impropriety. Although most officers can discern between friendly gestures and bribe, some may not. It is unprofessional. Many contend that accepting gratuities is often the first step in officers engaging in unethical behaviour and from there into actual corruption. In many cases whenever the “freebies” are not readily available some officers will resort to demand and more so to demand by menace. Most scandals start with one employee doing relatively small unethical acts and grow to whatever the leadership allows it to be. Remember the majestic greenheart tree was once a small seed. The key elements of corrupt behaviour are that the conduct (1) is prohibited by rule or law, (2) involves misuse of position and power and (3) involves a reward or personal gain for the officer. Police corruption begins with a lowering of ethical expectations and values to attain a gratuity of minor value for example, accepting a free cup
of coffee. I may add free tickets for a show at the Providence National Stadium, a few BBQ tickets, or some gas money or a free lunch. Although the action in itself is most likely harmless and inconsequential as a corrupting force, it may over time produce a snowball effect, leading an officer to accept gratuities of larger magnitude. This may put an officer on a slippery slope, leading to corruption and major crimes. The Force may have to focus on two groups of police ranks who have the most ability to create an organisational culture based on integrity and ethical behaviour. They are the corporals and sergeants, and inspectors, cadet officers and assistant superintendents. True, the subordinate officers more so those in charge of stations may not be able to change the department but they can change their squads. The inspectors and junior officers may not be able to change the department but they can change the large number of ranks under their command particularly in the divisions and branches. In time to come those subordinate officers and junior officers will become the senior superintendents and assistant commissioners - the divisional and branch commanders who may be able to change the department. Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police Retired
How independent are these constitutional... From page 4 been established (the PPC), or are yet to take full flight. The empirical data is scant. We must resort to theoretical analysis. And at this level, we can point to both strong and weak attributes in the design of the four politically-sensitive commissions. Strong attributes include, firstly, as already mentioned, the protection against at-will dismissals. A second positive feature is the multi-member composition of commissions, which could lead to fair decision-making if appointees of the various parties exercise mutual checks and balances. A third good attribute is that funding of the commissions is not hostage to any ministry’s budget but is a direct
charge on the consolidated fund. Two weaknesses stand out. The first relates to the shortness of a commissioner’s term of office to three years maximum. Longer terms, apart from fostering stability and expertise, reduce the influence of election cycles on the decisionmaking of commissioners. As the second major weakness, there remains uncertainty, in my mind at least, over the exact extent to which these commissions are empowered to autonomously make policies and rules in their areas of responsibility. If they
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can only recommend such rules and policies, then two fundamental questions emerge: to whom should recommendations be addressed (the law is sketchy to silent on this), and would an approval process (w h e t h e r ministerial or parliamentary) undermine their independence? Guyana’s experiment with autonomous constitutional agencies as one response to resolving ethnic/political problems and maximizing public trust should be hailed, but has lost much momentum. Sixteen years after their conceptualization, none of
the four main agencies has delivered. Just as disappointing, the experiment has not encompassed statutory bodies that are involved in the politically sensitive issue of resource and opportunity allocation, such as the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority and the National Procurement and Tender Administration. Sherwood Lowe
Women and girls must live lives free from gender violence DEAR EDITOR; Despite the APNU + AFC manifesto promise, so far as we are aware, no code of conduct for the public service relating to sexual harassment, gender discrimination, sexual violence and other forms of discrimination against women has been put into effect. Sexual harassment prevention policies for all public and private sector entities including ministries, security agencies, schools, businesses and other educational institutions should be introduced and made enforceable with penalties for those who transgress. Similarly, the introduction of tax credits for companies providing in-house daycare facilities for their employees promised in the APNU + AFC manifesto has, so far as we are aware, not materialised or even been discussed. The private sector, nor has the government increased funding for childcare centres to support women, especially estranged mothers, single mothers, and victims of various forms of abuse, apart from a Georgetown Public Hospital day care center, which, according to the 2017 budget, is to be established. The continuing use of corporal punishment in schools and the unbelievable stripping and caning of students at an interior school highlight the need for the abolition of corporal punishment in schools, as corporal punishment teaches and mainstreams the use of violence as an acceptable means of solving and resolving problems. We welcome the calls by top officials in the APNU + AFC government, such as the President and the Minister of Education, for the ending of corporal punishment in schools. But this is not enough and must be followed
by accepting the recommendation of the Guyana Teachers Union, NGOs and Civil Society Organizations and individuals to replace the use of corporal punishment with training programmes for teachers on new disciplinary measures and classroom management techniques that do not violate the rights of children. This is an achievable goal but lack of political will seems to be allowing the status quo to continue. We acknowledge that it is the responsibility of all Guyanese to ensure that women, girls, men, boys and members of LGBT community live lives free from all forms of gender-based violence, discrimination and abuse. But multi-sectoral and representative responses that involve collaboration between all sectors of society must be fashioned in order to achieve this and the government is crucial for effecting this goal. We salute all social service providers who work tirelessly and often above the call of duty to offer help, protection, support and services for the many victims and survivors of genderbased violence and their families. We know that this valuable and at times transformative work is often not acknowledged and that confidentiality often does not permit it to be accorded the appreciation it deserves. We recognize the genuine attempts on the part of sections of the APNU + AFC government to improve the conditions of women and girls, especially through expansion of skills training programmes. But this in itself is not enough to transform the structural and ideological barriers to gender inequality. We also recognize the work done by all NGOs, civil (Continued on page 6)
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Disadvantaged groups must be given equal opportunity DEAR EDITOR; When school-leavers are finished with high school, (after secondary school where the program concludes.), the youths are linked, if interested, to an incubator facility which also has production area/s, a library and lecture area. Ever so often successful business personnel would visit these incubator facilities, sit with them and offer advice on what ever might be bothering them business wise. Usually these meetings are informal since both sides would know each other from the days of school attachment. I would advise that some effort be made to have a small number of Guyanese study this program. I know that in the late 1980s Grenada had a well-organized Junior Achievers program. So why are approaches like these not being tried or even talked about in Guyana? Talking about what can best be done to help any specific racial and/or ethnic group in Guyana to overcome a perceived weakness is taboo. Race and politics have made this so. In the case of Blacks; especially our politicians and intellectuals; are unwilling to speak openly or take action necessary for bringing about meaningful black involvement in business. This unwillingness is
situated in two concerns (a) A definition of racial pride which make them feel publicizing this perceived short coming of the black man will reinforce beliefs in some quarters of his innate inabilities. (b) The PNC government’s fear that other races would have seen any special attention to what afflicts blacks as a show of it favoring its own and thus a need for concern. Proof of my contention can be seen in Mr. Roshan Khan’s offering in the Chronicle of 23rd November 2016. Mr. Khan, commenting on the new African Business Chamber is quoted as saying this “… and I further believe that this African chamber will cause paranoia among the other races ...” Also Dr. Eric Phillips comments in the Chronicle edition of 19th November 2016 at the launching of the African Business Chamber (ABC). He said that the ABC is a “body which politicians and business people seem afraid to be associated with.” Dr. Phillips was being politically correct, I would bet what he really meant was black politicians were afraid. On the other hand, East Indian politicians and intellectuals did/do not want to speak openly of the plague of suicide in their community. This was so because until re-
Women and girls must... From page 5 society organizations and Constitutional Commissions towards the elimination and reduction of gender-based violence. In particular, we salute all those women and girls who have had the strength to overcome their experiences of abuse and violence by transforming their lives and the lives of their children. Their struggles are a testimony to resilience and offer hope to all others still
struggling to free themselves from gender-based violence. In ending, we call on the APNU + AFC government to ensure that another year will not pass with little or no progress made in the realization of the human rights of women and girls to live lives free from violence and the threat of violence. Danuta Radzik Kevin Massiah Karen Shaw Petal Baboolall Carol Inis-Baptiste For Help & Shelter
cently the PPP had been in power for over two decades and during that period it was considered important to give the impression that all was well and that there was no dissatisfaction in East Indian communities. So, since suicide is seen as an act undertaken by the discontented, for the PPP claims of rising suicide rates among East Indians had to be denied. Discontent for them (PPP) was located in the African community and was an attempt to discredit and embarrass the ‘successful’ PPP government. In my letter of 11th February 2013 published in the Kaieteur News I wrote of my friend on the Corentyne who related to me being summoned to the office of a very senior PPP operative and warned to stop making public statements about the high number of suicides on the Corentyne. Also in that same letter I quoted the then Minister of Health Dr. Ramsammy as saying that his “ministry does not have any evidence which indicates an increase in suicide deaths.” While Dr. Prem Misir, the spokesman for the PPP government at the time, seemed to have missed the script and declared “Guyana is teeming with suicides; the rate of suicide is up and up.” Attention to the largely East Indian problem of suicide and the black man’s need of special attention to encourage his involvement in business make both the African and East Indian politicians uncomfortable. Mr. Editor, interestingly after my article of 23rd April 1992 was published I was contacted by the government of one of the smaller states in CARICOM. That government sought and did engage me in discussions on my suggestions because, as its representative indicated, the government wanted to have my article discussed in their parliament. To this day no government in Guyana has ever responded to that article, not even with a criticism. You see, the country over which the government that contacted me holds authority, does not have a race problem, thus its behavior is not curtailed by such considerations. Mr. Editor, one should not be reluctant to pursue programs that seek to offer groups that have historically been discriminated against, an equal opportunity at the starting line. Indeed a number of countries which we claim to respect and love have found the need to initiate such programs. Claudius Prince
Saturday December 10, 2016
Imran Khan is emulating Kwame McCoy with his budget propaganda DEAR EDITOR: A working definition of propaganda is the spreading of information or rumour for the purpose of helping or injuring a cause. Clearly, the head of the government propaganda arm, Mr. Imran Khan appears to be following the traditions and characteristics of his immediate predecessor Mr. Kwame McKoy very closely; almost synonymously. One only has to observe the publicity blitz from the DPI on this 2017 Budget to arrive at this conclusion. So while the DPI continues to drive a lopsided propaganda agenda that the working man is better off as a result of the 2017 Budget, the rational mind will know such utterances from the DPI are nothing but a blatant untruth. I intend to expose with facts, this untruth. Yes, every family that has a breadwinner who earns more than $60,000 per month should be grateful for the minimum $1,500 per month
bump in their disposable income, if this sum was allowed to remain in their pockets. But that vampire 2017 Budget sucked every single cent and more of that increase out of the worker’s pockets by way of the draconian VAT on electricity, water, health care and educational services. This is nothing but the work of the devil’s mind as it refines its art of punishing working people. If one looks at the salary situation of an ordinary teacher compared to that of a Minister in the Granger cabinet, the calculations are shocking. In summary from the table below, a teacher on the TSC (2) scale earns an average of $68,743 per month. Those teachers in that pay bracket will lose an average of $98 per month from their salaries because of Budget 2017. There is a high possibility they will lose more because of Budget 2017. So where will this ordinary teacher find $1,200 new dollars every year to feed the
Ministers of this Granger cabinet? Is the Granger government asking the people like the hard working teachers to ply the oldest trade in the world to supplement their income so that the FAT CATS in the Cabinet can drink more milk? But when you compare the loss of the ordinary teachers to the gains secured by the average Minister in the Granger cabinet, the discoveries are scandalous. The average Minister in the Granger government will take home an additional $360,000 per year in after-tax income because of Budget 2017. Can you imagine people who are exempt from paying VAT on most of their personal perks like light bills and water bills are asking the ordinary teachers to undertake such financial responsibilities? What hypocrisy? Teacher Minister Before 2017 Budget After 2017 Budget Before 2017 Budget After 2017 Budget
We better start getting accustomed to that that was the excitePresident Donald Trump deny ment which people craved and DEAR EDITOR; Well the great USA elections are over and done, and all the fanfare and brouhaha that accompanied the campaign trail have long faded into the twilight. Like it or not we all might as well start getting accustomed to the President elect. We here in Guyana and the Caribbean should stand and give ourselves a thunderous round of applause for conducting ourselves in an exemplary manner as compared to what we witnessed in the USA. It’s true; the longer we live there is no telling what we might see. Who would have thought that the great USA, who prides herself in lecturing one and all o n d e m o c r a c y, would have exhibited such bad behaviour in choosing a president? When decency, honesty, moral rectitude and other such values are jettisoned, then we know the end will justify the means. We thought that it was only ourselves, the people of the underdeveloped societies who lack maturity and sophistication, who were so inclined, but we have been proven wrong. As the song says, “People are people wherever you go”. We saw here at home during our 2015 elections, jaded and irrational supporters saying that they were not prepared to
accept the election results unless it was in their favour – no matter how transparent. Lo and behold president-elect Donald Trump when asked if he was prepared to accept the results, said he will do so if he wins; when pressed further about if he lost, he said he would have to look at it – examine it. But he won in what has been seen as a fair and transparent election, but still we witnessed a ridiculous demonstration by equally jaded and irrational supporters shouting “not my President,” just as he himself would have probably done had he lost. Similarly here at home when Mr Ramotar was elected President we heard, “He is na we President”. But this is we – small fry ‘is suh we stay, we is not the great USA’. Why are there petitions for a recount of votes? And lo! The presidentelect himself pressed on with his earlier accusation saying it was rigged against him by allowing immigrants and unregistered persons to vote. My goodness! They are behaving just like us. We also saw in the news prior to the election an accusation against Hillary Clinton and her Democratic Party organizing and paying thugs to disrupt Trump’s rallies. But then again, who can
gobbled up; sex and scandal took centre stage big time, and grabbed the attention of everyone. Americans clamour for it, for without it the show would have been flat. The USA is indeed grand and great in everything but morality. Now we have to admit that with respect to elections, whether we are first, second or third world, we are not so different after all. But I have to say that the president-elect in his acceptance speech was not even a shadow of his former self. He was no longer the raging bull on the campaign trail; he had come around full circle, sans venom or hostility, sans bitterness, sans ridicule, sans hatred. Just where did they all go in a flash? He confused and stunned everyone when he somersaulted into a new kid in town. Was it all clap-trap, or was he reborn with that victory? Really, I don’t think so. But the man is bold; to the very end of his campaign it was: “Crooked Hillary is beyond crooked and should be in jail”. Then mere hours later here is the president-elect on his arch rival whom he had dragged through the mud: “We owe a tremendous depth of gratitude to Hillary who has over the years worked tirelessly in service to the American people”. Sometimes I wonder aloud: did God give us politicians to test our faith, patience, strength or wrath? Frank Fyffe
Saturday December 10, 2016
Gov’t announces $25,000 bonus for public servants With Christmas a mere 16 days away, and public servants wondering, Government yesterday announced a $25,000 bonus for public servants. The bonus is half of what they would have received last year. The disclosure was made yesterday by Finance Minister Winston Jordan during his wind-up and rebuttal of the 2017 National Budget which is currently engaging the National Assembly. Defending the budget
measures and hikes in a number of fees, Jordan insisted that it is “the finest budget that I have worked on and produced”. He said that to ease the journey to the ‘Good Life’, Government has approved the payment of a one-off, taxfree bonus of $25,000 to all public servants earning less than $500,000 per month. These are for public servants working within the ministries, departments and regions. “We ask all Guyanese to
be patient with us, as we clear a path to the good life. The future is indeed bright,” Jordan said. In December last year, for the first Christmas in office, the Coalition Government had announced a one-off payment of $50,000 for all public servants earning less than $500,000 per month, as a Christmas bonus. Over 30,000 workers reportedly benefitted then. It is unclear whether the $25,000 includes members of the Disciplined Services.
Gold Board slams Jagdeo for claiming entity has $17.5B debt The Guyana Gold Board has refuted statements by Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, that it has accumulated debts of $17.5B. The statements were reportedly made by the former President during t h e 2017 budget debate yesterday in the National Assembly. “The Guyana Gold Board wishes to note that at the end of 2013 the organisation recorded a loss of $9.9 billion with another $400 million added in 2014,” the state-owned entity indicated in a statement. “These early losses contributed to the entity’s 2015 overdraft being $12.9 billion. As at November 2016, its overdra f t w a s $ 1 4 . 9 billion.” Gold Board insisted that its overdraft never
amounted to $17.5 billion as was contended by Jagdeo. “The Guyana Gold Board wishes to note that at current prices the value of its stock in hand is $14.3B. The management and Board of Directors of the Guyana Gold Board have been reviewing methods and ways of turning the Board’s fortunes a r o u n d . ” The statement said that it has observed that there were significant market policy distortions that have created the loss e s w h i c h t h e organisation faced. “ S p e c i f i c a l l y, the Guyana Gold Board buys gold at a selling price and then must in turn sell that gold at the selling price. The Board of Directors has noted that this purchasing method can never be feasible, especially in a declining price market.”
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Coupled with this issue, Gold Board stressed that it is known that the organisation was holding significant amounts of gold in the 2012-2013 periods when prices were falling. “…hence it was not able to recoup its basic purchase cost. All of these real and incorrect policy positions have contributed to the deficit. To remedy this, the Board of Directors has agreed on a number of policy changes that once implemented would allow the entity to recover its costs.” Gold Board noted that it has contributed to the revenues of the country, bringing in US$114.8M in 2015 and US$218.9M in 2016. The Gold Board said it is disappointed that the Leader of the Opposition would be aware of these facts and misconstrue them for cheap political mileage.
Ramjattan, Nandlall clash on VAT for utility services The issue of a proposed 14 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on electricity and water bills saw two seasoned politicians, Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan and Opposition Member, Anil Nandlall, going head to head during the fourth day of debate on the 2017 budget. During his contribution to the discussion on Thursday night, Ramjattan sought to set the record straight regarding the implementation of VAT and the coalition’s promise to reduce it. The Parliamentarian reminded his colleagues that he was actually present in the House when the VAT Act was first brought for consideration. At the time, he held a spot in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) before branching off to form the Alliance For Change (AFC) with Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. Ramjattan said that in 2005, VAT was intended by the PPP to be placed on all forms of goods and services that were taxable. He also referred to quotes from Parliamentary documents to make his point. He made it clear that when the Bill came before the House, it never stated what rate would be implemented for the VAT. He said that based on discussions with colleagues in PPP at the time, it was agreed that the set rate would have to bring in $16B. Ramjattan said that it was accepted that the rate would be 12 percent. Ramjattan said, however, that elections came in 2006 and the rate was not
Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan
Opposition MP Anil Nandlall
announced, so VAT was obviously not implemented. But after the elections, to his “utter dismay” VAT was implemented at a rate of 16 percent. “Now today, the Opposition wants to tell this nation that what we did with VAT is legal larceny, but what they did was legal larceny,” expressed an impassioned Ramjattan. The Minister of Public Security, who sought to school members of the PPP on the basic principles of economics, said that in keeping with the reduction of VAT from 16 percent to 14 percent, it is only logical that Government would have to widen the base of things that would attract the tax. “We cannot erode the tax
base. We will not allow PPP to cast us adrift in an ocean of lies. The truth and the whole truth must be known.” The Minister maintained that across the board, all Guyanese will benefit from Government’s measures in relation to VAT. However, opposition member Anil Nandlall was still not convinced by Ramjattan’s arguments. The former AttorneyGeneral said that the net effect of widening the number of items that attract VAT is that the consumers would end up spending more in the areas they saved before. Nandlall concluded that Government, in order to satisfy a campaign promise, deceived the nation, as it is only taxing them more.
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Saturday December 10, 2016
Kaieteur News
One year later...
GTU yet to ink remuneration MOU with Education Ministry - prepared to accept at least 25% increase An entire year has almost elapsed and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) is yet to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Education that entails salary and nonsalary benefits for public school teachers. A previous MOU came to an end last year and the Union has ever since been trying to negotiate with the Ministry for a multi-year agreement. This has not been an easy task, as the negotiations have been ‘off and on’ and at the discretion of the Ministry, with the members of the union being convinced that they, and by extension the teachers, were being sidelined. This state of affairs, according to GTU President, Mark Lyte, has left teachers feeling neglected. “They feel that no one
cares about them. It is a bothersome issue to know that nobody seems to be interested in the welfare of teachers. Teachers are now questioning whether they really have a caring administration, an administration that promised so much to o u r t e a c h e r s , ” Ly t e r e flected. The Ministry in September decided to pay public school teachers increases of ten and six percent. Lyte had revealed that since the Union had not agreed to the percentages offered, the Ministry assured that the percentage increases paid merely represented an interim payment, pending the outcome of the continued talks. Lyte was convinced that talks with the Union would have yielded “a final position in order to expedite this process of moving forward very quickly and in time for the
budget.” But from all indications no effort was made by the Ministry to honour the Union’s expectation. “The last thing we were told is that the payment that teachers received was an interim payment,” said Lyte, who pointed out that it was after many months that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Delma Nedd, had opened and shared with the Union that the increase that was arbitrarily imposed was, in fact, an interim payment. But since then there has been no commitment to reach an agreement. “There seems to be an unwillingness, fear even, to actually sit and come up with a package for teachers. I think the whole issue boils down to fear of making decisions, and if we have people sitting there and they cannot make decisions, then teachers will continue to operate without
GTU President, Mark Lyte an agreement for some time,” Lyte considered, as he noted that the Ministry has to be prepared to reach an agreement before it could be taken to the level of actual implementation. “All we have been doing is attending meetings and there is no outcome. The Ministry is seldom prepared to deal with it. The union presented its proposal and what should have happened, we should have had a counter
proposal from the Ministry, but to date we have had none,” Lyte related. The GTU since December of last year presented a proposal to the Ministry asking for a 40 per cent increase for teachers across the board for 2016. Also proposed is a 45 per cent increase for next year (2017) and 50 per cent for the following three years (20182020) for all categories of t e a c h e r s . In its proposal too, the Union
has taken into consideration inflation, and has made it clear that “should there be inflation higher than the percentage agreed upon, then the teachers/teacher-educators must get the benefit of the difference.” But Lyte has revealed that the Union is prepared to settle for a satisfactory pay hike. “We would be prepared to accept something that is satisfactory and we think 25 percent would be acceptable,” said Lyte. He added that “we have made a proposal and we want the Ministry to do its part to come up with its counter proposal so that we can negotiate and arrive at a final decision,” said Lyte, as he disclosed that many public school teachers have operated the entire year without being afforded many benefits. “Many teachers have operated throughout 2016 without clothing allowance, without additional qualification increases, without travelling benefits...It is unfortunate, especially for those who are living on the coast and working in the hinterland, because they are accustomed to their allowances, including transportation. Because we do not have an agreement those obligations cannot be honoured.” Lyte added that “we have had to push so hard recently to get those teachers who are eligible for scholarships to actually get those scholarships. It is very unfortunate, because the longer it takes for this agreement to become enforced, the more teachers will continue to suffer.” Teachers who were eligible for duty concessions this year were granted the privilege of accessing this benefit because an MOU is currently not in place. “Teachers have been affected considerably, all because the Ministry has not been decisive in terms of wanting to bring to an end to this situation.”
Saturday December 10, 2016
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
The information portfolio needs to be streamlined Last Friday afternoon, there were two government programmes aimed simultaneously on television and cable. The first programme was a Budget programme, moderated by a PR person attached to the Ministry of Finance, and featuring the Ministers of Communities and Public Infrastructure. The second programme, aired on NCN, was a weekly feature with the President of Guyana. The programme is called The Public Interest. That programme makes the President appear like a defence attorney rather than a politician. He is always being pushed on the back foot, even by the handpicked interviewers, to defend the actions of his government and Ministers. The timing of those programmes was also wrong.
Neither was being aired in prime time. They were being aired at a time when most people were rushing home from work. This is what happens when there is no effective coordination of PR work and when the responsibilities for PR are scattered amongst many agencies. This simultaneous airing of programmes shows the crisis in public relations faced by the government. It is an example of the dysfunctional and disjointed nature of the government’s public relations. The airing of both programmes at the same time essentially forced viewers to make a choice as whether to watch the President give his assessment of the Budget or watch two ministers do the same thing on another programme. The government’s public relations is a confusing arrange-
ment. There are too many cooks. The broth is being contaminated. The messages that are being sent out are uncoordinated, the media used are limited, and the public is left in a state of mystification. The problem is that the information portfolio is being split up into too many agencies. If there is a Minister of Information, then all public relations work should be undertaken by this Minister. Instead what we have are a number of ministries having their own PR units or PR personnel. The Ministry of Finance has its own PR person. The Presidency has retained the outfit run by Kwame Mc Coy. Luncheon’s weekly Cabinet briefing has been continued. It means that the Ministry of the Presidency has a major
Dem boys seh...
Christmas coming and blackout too De quarrel over de budget done. Everybody who had a mouth talk and dem talk long. Almost everybody talk bout de VAT and de tax, but nobody ain’t talk bout thiefing. De MPs didn’t see no need to talk bout that because as far as dem concern all who had to thief done thief already. Tek Dr Nutten. Dem boys ain’t saying that he thief, but he end up in a loop. In fact he mek two people from de parliament walk behind him till to Albouystown. And he mek dem boys know who is a coward and who can tek on any crowd.He also mek people know that Guyana can run out of condoms and lubricating jelly. Is now dem boys know wha happening to de country. It expose to
more sex than it got people. De lubricating jelly is fuh some men who prefer to act as substitutes fuh women and de parliament got plenty of dem. But dem boys seh every time dem got a budget dem got complaints. Is like no budget ever good but de country prospering. Jagdeo had a budget that a parliamentarian, Winston Murray, criticize till he dead. Now Jagdeo criticizing Soulja Bai budget. Dem boys seh that he better watch he mouth. And now that de Finance Minister top up de pay dem public servants getting, dem ain’t got nobody who gun seh that is a bad budget. De budget is not de only thing that got people talking. Christmas coming and dem still got blackout. This is de season when
people does bun more light than at any time. Is fairy lights and icicle lights and street lights and Christmas trees in de streets. In de old days people use to lef dem house to go and walk and see de lighting up and de trees. Nowadays when dem boys lef dem home dem got to guess which area got blackout and which tree got lights. When de lights come back people does actually bun more current till de meter level off. That is why dem put VAT pun de light bill. Dem boys remember de time when Sam throw de switch fuh light up a tree and blackout come same time. Since then, every time dem got a tree lighting de company does got a generator. Talk half and let there be light.
stranglehold on the PR of the government, even though the Prime Minister is supposed to be responsible for information. The Prime Minister has a Department of Information, which has done a fantastic job in terms of highlighting the Budget. But this department is being weakened by the fact that it does not have command of the entire information portfolio, which is split among a number of ministries, with some doing their own PR work. This breaking up of the information portfolio is the cause of the confusion and ineffectiveness of the government’s public relations. The point has been made that it requires more than PR to
help the government. It is said that if the government does not have anything good to sell, then no PR can sell it. In other words, the government needs good policies to look good. This is only partly true. A good PR can sell even the worst of policies. This is why there is need for the government to streamline its information flow. There are too many information units. The APNU+AFC coalition should have gotten rid of GINA. This unit is duplicating the work of the Department of Public Information. The government should reduce the size of NCN and instead assimilate all those PR officers into the vari-
ous ministries. It should aim at a smaller compact unit staffed by highly experienced professionals whose feet have been wet in the political trenches, and who understand the art of making a government look good, even when the government itself is rotten.
Bandits rob cops at crime scene It doesn’t get more embarrassing than this. Two police ranks became robbery victims at around 11:55 hrs yesterday, while investigating a crime in the city. A police release stated that the unarmed cops were preparing to retrieve video footage at a Georgetown busi-
ness location, with respect to an ongoing investigation of a recent crime, when two men attacked the ranks and the proprietor. The robbers relieved their victims of valuables which included cell phones and a wallet, before escaping on a motorcycle. Shortly after, acting on
information, ranks apprehended a male suspect on Middle Dam, East La Penitence, with a haversack containing two cell phones belonging to the proprietor, a bank card, an identification card and a wallet belonging to one of the ranks. The other robber is still at large.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 10, 2016
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Cheddi Jagan: The application of revisionist history I remember at a book launching forum, the son of Cheddi Jagan, Dr. Joey Jagan got up and told the audience that if I were present he would slap me. Joey Jagan repeated that desire on a television programme with CN Sharma. Here were the words of the Guyana Press Association on Jagan’s threat; “For Dr Jagan to threaten to slap Mr. Kissoon for his views, is to open the floodgates for anyone to attack a media worker who holds a differing point of view... we would also ask him to desist from threatening any media worker… Mr. Kissoon’s views are sac-
rosanct as are Dr Jagan’s, who often spoke scathingly about many people, not least among them the hierarchy of the PPP.” Joey Jagan was reacting to the countless columns of mine on his father, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, in which I made use of the revisionist methodology. I have long considered Cheddi Jagan a prime subject for the revisionist approach, because I do not think he has been fully exposed for being a very destructive politician. The two Jagan offspring – Joey and Nadira – resent people criticising their parents who on their own spent over
sixty years in politics and had state power. The daughter told the Guyana Chronicle that she hates anyone who criticizes her mother and went on to say that this is her unapologetic view. It never occurred and perhaps will never occur to these two offspring that their parents may have done terrible things to people that they do not know about. So it would be the decent thing to research and learn. This is human nature and such feelings will never go away from human society. Mikhaila Puran and her brother Mikel, were angry and
published some nasty remarks about me on my criticism of their father, attorneyat-law Vic Puran. I replied to tell them I knew their father long before they were ever born; that there were dimensions to Puran that they may not have seen. This is human nature and such sentiments will be with us until civilization dies. I remember an American President once uttered these words about the Nicaraguan dictator, General Somoza; “He’s a son of a bitch but he is our son-of -a-bitch.” At least there is an element of candour, reality and decency in that statement. “Nothing is self-destructive in saying that I know my father did many wrongs to many people, that I apologize for his mistakes, but he is my father and I see him as a hero.” One expected that when one saw a letter by Forbes Burnham’s daughter, Roxanne, in the press last
August in which she waxed lyrical about her father, there would have been some acknowledgement of wrongdoing. But there was none. Joey Jagan, Nadira Jagan, Roxanne Burnham, the Puran siblings may go on singing songs of praise to their parents, but the historians will hardly be amused. The historians’ role is to search for the facts, even if not the truths of history. If and when they find it, their role is to record what they discover despite the venom it may bring out in the loved ones of the subjects. Former WPA activist, Bonita Bone-Harris published an interesting letter last week. The contents make you wonder if Cheddi Jagan was corrupt. She noted; “I was asked by the new President, Dr Cheddi Jagan, to sit on the Board of Directors of the National Bank of Industry & Commerce. While a member of the Board, a decision was taken, presumably by powerful elements in the then PPP government, to sell our national bank to Republic Bank of Trinidad & Tobago. I don’t know what other directors knew, only that I did not know
Frederick Kissoon why the Bank was being sold, how much the Bank was worth to a potential buyer or how much it was selling for or was eventually sold for. This was not a Board matter!” Jagan had to know about all of this. It strains the imagination to think that President Jagan didn’t know that the Board was being bypassed. He had to know and he had to have an input into the selling of the bank. There is no doubt in my mind if the identical story had surrounded the presidency of Forbes Burnham and Desmond Hoyte, there would have been a deluge of questions about the integrity of these two presidents and whether the purchaser had bribed them. So why can’t we ask the same question of Cheddi Jagan? Was the Cheddi Jagan Government corrupt?
Saturday December 10, 2016
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
Cops dig suspected burial site in search of missing Prospect woman - Prime suspect allegedly fled Guyana Investigators from the Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s Major Crimes Unit, along with other ranks, yesterday spent several hours digging up the concrete floor of a Belle West, West Bank Demerara (WBD) shack in search of evidence that would lead to the discovery of Shawnette Savory. The 37-year-old woman disappeared on August 28, last after leaving her apartment at 222 Prospect, East Bank Demerara, to pay her electricity bill. Yesterday, ranks braved the sun and dug up the concrete floor of the one-bedroom shack but found nothing substantial. In the end, they packed back all the household items inside the shack, locked the door, and cordoned off the area. Kaieteur News was informed that three persons are in police custody, including the mother and brother of the prime suspect and another man, who Savory had been dating for some time. The prime suspect and Savory’s former partner are related. The prime suspect’s mother is said to be providing ranks with conflicting information regarding her son’s whereabouts. Reports are that while he has fled the jurisdiction, his wife and son are still in Guyana, but the man’s mother is now claiming that she does not know her grandson and daughter-in-law, even though persons said that they were all living in the same house at one time. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum said yesterday that they are pursuing a male and female in connection with the woman’s disappearance. He explained that based on information received, a team from Major Crimes Unit went to the area to look for anything of evidential value, but found nothing. According to the Crime Chief, the investigation is still ongoing. He indicated that
Ranks emptying the shack yesterday to start digging
Missing: Shawnette Savory they will contact the authorities in the country in which the suspect has reportedly fled. There are reports that the prime suspect was the last person who made contact with Savory on her mobile phone. Yesterday’s visit by the police to the zinc shack was one of several since Savory has disappeared, but it was the first time that the ranks actually decided to dig inside the property in search of significant evidence. Since the police expressed their interest in questioning the prime suspect, he disappeared from his Belle
West home, suggesting that he might have had something to do with the woman’s disappearance. Kaieteur News received information that the suspect had been hiding out in Berbice, awaiting money from his mother to flee the country. Investigations are ongoing.
PAGE 12
Saturday December 10, 2016
Kaieteur News
PM admits error in not consulting Wales Estate workers Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo during his presentation on the 2017 budget defended his government’s efforts to keep the sugar industry afloat. In doing so, the Prime Minister admitted that his government would have erred in not carrying out consultations with the workers and those who depend on the Wales Estate before proposing its closure. The Prime Minister made his presentation in the absence of the parliamentary opposition, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), whose members left the Public Buildings during the lunch break following the speech by leader of the opposition Bharrat Jagdeo. Nagamootoo said, “I must admit that we slipped up. We should have gone earlier and engaged the workers and we should have placed the cards
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo making his presentation yesterday in the absence of the opposition parliamentarians on the table.” Nagamootoo said, however, that the workers at the estate were well aware that
something had to be done concerning the estate, because the factory was losing relevance at a fast rate. He
said that when a decision was made to merge factory operations with Uitvlugt Estate, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) communicated this to the workers and gave them an option which was those who want severance pay should take it. “GuySuCo committed itself to paying severance which would have allowed the workers to divorce themselves from sugar as a full occupation and go into some other business, that they may choose some other activity; farming, dairy, aquaculture or apiculture. They could do anything they want, but they needed support, after being connected to the factory for so many years.” Nagamootoo said that when GuySuCo announced that it would make the payment on May 13, 2016, the
Guyana Agriculture and General Workers’ Union went ahead and filed a court action. “They got an injunction to restrain GuySuCo from paying the severance.” The Prime Minister accused the union of standing in the way of giving the workers another option besides sugar to make a living, since staying in the industry would mean a continued payment of union dues. He said that it could not be argued that his government is against saving sugar, as it had already made a $23B bailout of the industry since being in office a little over 18 months. Nagamootoo said that the Skeldon Estate which cost the state $50B has become one of the biggest poisons to the sugar industry, which was built under the administration of the PPP/C.
He said that the opposition continues to accuse the government of committing economic genocide based on the manner in which it has been handling the sugar industry. He said that this attack is at a time when the government has allocated within its 2017 budget an additional $9B to inject into the industry, an amount which he said could have been used in other sectors. He said that although these injections are a drain on the treasury, the deliberate action is justified since government is trying to keep the jobs of the sugar workers to ensure that their families have secured livelihoods while they look at alternatives to take them out of a meltdown. During Minister of Finance Winston Jordan’s budget speech two Mondays ago, he told the National Assembly that the sugar industry can neither be sustained nor maintained. He said, “As currently structured, the industry would require Government’s support to the tune of $18.6B and $21.4B for the years 2017 and 2018 respectively. This is an untenable position, one that would seriously jeopardise the fiscal stance of the government, while compromising resource allocation to other critical and important areas.” Jordan said that the reality is that money injected into sugar presently is money wasted which would have no impact on the operating losses and cash deficit status of the industry.
Case dismissed against cops accused of stealing raw gold from miners
The five police officers following the dismissal of their matter A court matter against five police officers who were accused of robbing three gold miners of 16 pennyweight of gold was yesterday dismissed by Magistrate Brendon Glasford in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The cops, Constable Kosi
Arthur, 25, of Linden, Region 10; Constable Raphael Lowenfield, 25, of 486 Section ‘D’ Block ‘X’ Diamond, Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara; Lance Corporal Mark Fernandes, 34, of Annandale, Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara; Constable Delroy Duncan of
71 Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara, and Constable Akeem Thompson, 21, of 65 Bel Air Village, Georgetown Magistrate Glasford stated that of the ten witnesses the prosecution called upon to testify, only seven showed up, and in his (Continued on page 27)
Saturday December 10, 2016
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Kaieteur News
It’s your turn now to come under Soesdyke teen gets three years scrutiny – Jagdeo tells Govt. for snatching schoolboy’s phone
Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said during the 2017 National Budget Debates yesterday that from his Party’s (People’s Progressive Party/Civic) perspective, they made significant progress in moving the nation forward. He admitted however, that there are “a few that may suggest otherwise”, but that does not set the standard for the behaviour of Government Ministers. “If the Government thinks that the PPP was flawed; that it did not do well in terms of realising the full growth potential of this country or we did not give people the benefits they should have had, they cannot now set what we did in the past, as the standard for their behaviour. They have to be judged on the basis of what they promised the people of this country.” Jagdeo charged the Coalition administration to deliver on the many promises that were made during the campaign trail leading up to the May 2015 General Elections. “Because if they do not fulfil their promises they (Government) will be seen as untrustworthy, and they (electors) will feel they were fooled,” The Former President
stated that the Opposition will support the Government in anything it does, providing that it relates to enhancing growth and looking out for the wellbeing of the populace. He added that it is A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC)’s turn to now come under the microscope. Obsession with foreign studies “While there are many studies being conducted by foreigners, a responsible Government should look at what is best for the country they govern and the effects it will have on the citizenry. We can have hundreds of studies; people come all the time... I’ve seen them talk about colonialism and how we must fight colonialism and all of these things. When these studies come to us, the judgment has to be exercised in Cabinet,” Jagdeo said. “Studies can recommend anything under the sun, because you get some people who do these studies and
these sensitivity analyses who are just out of University; wet behind their ears still, and they come and tell a whole country what to do,” Jagdeo spoke briefly on a study that was supposedly conducted by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) which stated that Guyana should not develop a hub here at the airport because it is not viable. “Sometimes the studies have to be done and parked somewhere. No President should allow any study to come here and tell us what to do as a sovereign country and use that as a justification for passing burden. When they came and they said to me, to achieve revenue neutrality, you are to do 16 percent (Value Added Tax) across the board without any exemptions, I said, not when I’m President.” The former President concluded on this subject by saying that there is a “slavish mentality” to studies and this should stop.
Eighteen-year-old Joseph James was yesterday sentenced to three years imprisonment when he appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on a charge of robbery with violence. The charge read that on December 7, at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, James robbed 14-year-old Chris Damon of one Samsung Galaxy phone valued $70,000. The accused pleaded guilty to the change after it was read to him by the Magistrate. James told the court that he was at a shop when he saw the schoolboy returning home from school. He said he hid himself behind the said shop and when the Virtual Complainant passed he snatched him by the neck and took his phone out of his pocket. James went on to tell the court that after he snatched the phone he im-
mediately ran and gave his friend the phone to keep. The friend’s name was only given as Son Son. Damon, who was present in court for the hearing, told the court that he was walking home from school when he felt someone grab him from behind by his neck and take his phone out of his pocket. The person then ran away. He then raised an alarm and public spirited persons chased after the accused and apprehended him. He was then taken to the Timehri Police Station. At the station a confrontation was held between the accused and the Virtual Complainant and the accused admitted to stealing the phone. He was later charged with the offence. Magistrate Faith McGusty asked the accused why he stole the phone to which he replied “I stole it for no reason.”
JAILED FOR THREE YEARS: Joseph James
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Kaieteur News
Carjackers remanded for stealing vehicle from Berbice teen Four men accused of robbing a 17-year-old private hire taxi driver of a motor car have been remanded to jail. The men, who all gave Demerara addresses, are charged with robbery under arms. They are Dexter Carvan, 21, of George and Princes Streets, Georgetown; Frank James, 29, of George and Princes Streets, Georgetown; Desibo Kumar, 23, of East Ruimveldt, and Phillip Newton, 37, a bus driver of Parfait Harmony, West Bank Demerara. They appeared yesterday before Magistrate Alex Moore in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court. The charge states that on November 29, last, at New Amsterdam, Berbice, armed with a gun, the men robbed Kallicharran Sookchand called “Amit” of East Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Berbice, of one motor car PTT 6559 - a white Toyota Fielder Wagon valued at $2.8M, a Samsung Galaxy S5 phone and $2,000. Around 19:45,
Sookchand was in the vicinity of Main and New Streets in New Amsterdam when he was hired by a man to take him to Patrick Dam in Angoy’s Avenue. Upon reaching the destination the man told him that he would be returning in a short while. The man went into a house and returned with two others who boarded the car and asked him to drive to Glasgow Housing Scheme to pick up a girl. While in the vicinity of No 60 Stanleytown, the men began choking and gunbutting Sookchand. After the teen resisted, a shot was fire forcing him to surrender. He was then bound with duct tape and thrown out of the vehicle in a clump of bushes. The matter is being prosecuted by Inspector Godfrey Playter. The vehicle was intercepted last Saturday by alert police in Georgetown. The men were refused bail and remanded to jail until February 13, 2017.
Saturday December 10, 2016
Rice sales to Venezuela bring in over US$3M - Agri Minister tells House The sale of rice from Guyana to Venezuela has recommenced and has since been able to earn in excess of US$3M. This was disclosed by Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder on Thursday during his presentation in the National Assembly on the 2017 budget. Holder said that these sales are as a result of the efforts of the private sector. He told the House that as of November 2016, Guyana had exported 6,700 tonnes of rice to its South American neighbour. The commodity was sold at US$500 per ton. This announcement came to the fore as the Minister was highlighting the successes and expectations of the rice industry in Guyana. In addition to these sales, Holder said that in the New Year, the Managing Director and a team from the Mexican Rice Council are expected to visit Guyana to initiate paddy sales to that country. According to Holder, Guyana currently exports rice to 35 countries around the world. He said, too, that
Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder there was an increase in rice exports by one per cent at the end of October 2016 as compared to 2015. Further, he said that with the reduction in world market prices, the value of exports for the commodity is expected to gradually decline. Based on figures presented to the House, Holder said that at the end of October the market price was US$370 per ton com-
pared to US$394 for 2015. The Minister said that for 2017, it is projected that exports should total 531,000 tonnes at a value of US$180,984,000. Holder in his speech mentioned that rice had suffered some set back when it had lost the highpriced Venezuelan market. The preferential access by the Guyanese government to the Venezuelan market came to an end when the PetroCaribe arrangement collapsed in 2015. The deal was signed on October 21, 2009 und e r t h e P e o p l e ’s P r o gressive Party Civic, and entailed the exchange of oil for rice at top prices. Both governments were required to renew the agreement on a yearly basis. When the new administration attempted to renew the agreement, there was no success. Minister of Finance Winston Jordan who had attended the PetroCaribe Ministerial Council Meeting in Venezuela in J u l y o f l a s t y e a r, s a i d that Guyana’s Ambassad o r t o Ve n e z u e l a h a d told him that the Spanish-speaking country was not interested in re-
newing the agreement. The reason for this move was that Venezuela would be acquiring rice from Suriname instead and therefore would not need to import from Guyana. The loss of this market had raised many concerns amongst rice farmers, especially since the price being paid by Venezuela could not compare to the other prices being offered elsewhere. Under the agreement, the funds were allocated through quotas by the Guyana Rice Development Board to all rice millers on the basis of annual production. The higher producing millers were able to supply more of their rice to Venezuela. This was done so as to encourage millers to p u r c h a s e m ore paddy from rice farmers. The effect of losing the market has resulted in lower prices being offered for paddy from farmers. H o w e v e r, b a s e d o n Minister Holder’s expectation, some relief should be given to the industry in 2017 as new markets are sourced and the Venezuelan market continues to open up once more.
Saturday December 10, 2016
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Kaieteur News
‘Worried’ PSC, unions want urgent meeting with Nat’l Assembly on budget Businesses and two major union bodies are urging leaders of the National Assembly to meet and discuss a number of critical issues pertaining to the 2017 national budget. Presented last week by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, the budget has been a major talking point because of a number of tax hikes, fees increase and measures. Yesterday, the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions in Guyana (FITUG) released a letter to Speaker of the House, Dr. Barton Scotland; Leader of Government Business, Moses Nagamootoo and
Bharrat Jagdeo, Leader of the Opposition on the budget. The letter was signed by Edward Boyer on behalf of PSC; Lincoln Lewis of GTUC and Kenneth Joseph from FITUG. The groups said that on behalf of their constituents, they want to seek urgent engagement on the subject. “Having read the budget, presented to the National Assembly on Monday 28th November, there are areas of interest and concern to us. Consequently we seek audience together with you with the aim of having the stated issues objectively addressed and amicably resolved.” Among the issues that the unions and PSC want
addressed are the new tax regimes under the ValueAdded Tax (VAT) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE). In the letter, the bodies noted that it is not lost on them that APNU+AFC in its 2015 Manifesto committed to the reduction of taxes - from 16% to 14 % - which is laudable. However, they stressed “… of concern is its potential to negatively impact-direct and indirectbusiness, consumers, workers and citizens”. Also raised were new taxes - healthcare, education, electricity, water and internet. These are “areas we consider vital to the development and well-being of Guyana and Guyanese. Though it is not being
East R/veldt man shot with arrow, beaten, chopped and left for dead on Issano trail Police have launched an investigation into an incident which has left a 30-year-old resident of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown nursing serious wounds at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Reports reaching this newspaper indicate that Orin Baptiste, of 343 East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was shot with an arrow, beaten, chopped and left for dead on a trail at 14 Miles Issano, Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven. The man is said to have ventured into the interior two months ago seeking employment. While details surrounding the incident remain sketchy, Kaieteur News understands
that the injured man was subject to an attack and beating by a group of men. A source close to the investigation noted that the man suffered injuries to both arms as well as a gash to his left knee cap which was almost severed. “He seems to have lost a lot of blood because of the multiple chop wounds,” the source explained. Hours after he was left on the trail, Baptiste, a father of one, was found and airdashed to the city for medical attention. Up until last evening, Baptiste was a patient of the Emergency Unit of the hospital, awaiting surgery.
Requesting an urgent meeting with the National Assembly: (from left) Lincoln Lewis, Edward Boyer and Kenneth Joseph disputed the need to source funding for these, the concern is that the methodology being applied in achieving same may have adverse effects,” the letter warned. They are also concerned about amendments to the Income Tax Act to facilitate garnishments by Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). “We urge a stay on this Act pending further
consultation and deliberation. The strong view is held this is unnecessary based on existing powers and rights of collection. Correspondingly, it is the view that it is important to have the contention resolved.” Also of concern is the removal of subsidies from the pension population. “It is positively
recognized that government has within its 18-months stewardship increased pension by 45 percent. With the removal of subsidized water and electricity from this vulnerable group, it is of concern their quality of life will face more challenges with new taxes added to other essential items and services.” With regards to the (continued on page 16)
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Saturday December 10, 2016
Bandits beat elderly couple, cart off cash and jewellery Bandits escaped with a large sum of cash and jewellery after beating an elderly shopkeeper and his wife in their Number 73 Village, Corentyne, Berbice home shortly after noon yesterday. Vernon Bhagaloo, 73, who operates a small business, said that three unmasked men came to purchase “drinks and cake” at around 12:30 hrs. At the time his 67-year-old wife, Pushwattie Bhagaloo, also known as ‘Shirley’ was attending to them. After she served them, she went into the house to get their change and that was when the robbers attacked. According to reports, as Pushwattie was about to return to the stall, one of the men pushed her into the house, and struck her with a hammer while demanding “money and gold.”
When Vernon Bhagaloo tried to defend his wife, another bandit punched him until he fell. After binding the elderly man’s face with duct tape, the bandits gained entry to the upper flat and carted off $300,000 in cash and over $1M in jewellery. The entire ordeal reportedly lasted less than 15 minutes. The three men then fled the scene in a White Toyota Premio. When Kaieteur News visited the home, Mr. Bhagaloo expressed dissatisfaction with the tardy response from ranks at the Springlands Police Station. “I called the police, and over an hour after they responded.” Kaieteur News understands bandits had robbed Bhagaloo last July of over $1.2 M in cash and jewellery.
Vernon Bhagaloo
Pushwattie Bhagaloo
‘Worried’ PSC, unions want urgent meeting with Nat’l ... From page 15 environmental and mining taxes, the bodies said that in light of environmental compliance required by local manufactures, tax measures such as the environmental tax should be carefully considered. “The tax measures on the mining industry would reverse the benefits from the several concessions and should be removed since the concern is that the additional taxes would be a burden and disincentive to participating and upholding the standards
required in the sector. It is our collective view that should we objectively engage the aforementioned issues, such would bode well for making the budget an inclusionary document that society can with in achieving the objective of “Building a Diversified, Green Economy: Delivering the Good Life to All Guyanese,” the letter urged. The bodies want the meeting to be held within the next few days, notably before the National Assembly goes into committees next week to fine-tune the $250B budget.
Saturday December 10, 2016
Kaieteur News
Unidentified man dies in accident Another accident that occurred at approximately 01:30 hrs yesterday left an unidentified male dead. The accident took place at Friendship/Buxton Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD). The dead man is said to be of African descent and in his fifties. According to the police it was reported that a motor car with number plate PVV 4355 was proceeding west along the southern side of the road, when two other motor cars proceeding in the opposite direction allegedly drove in the lane of that car. The driver reportedly swerved out of the
- girl 17, injured way but ended up colliding with a pedestrian who was walking on the southern parapet. The car then reportedly toppled over a fence and into a yard, before turning turtle. The pedestrian who is the unidentified male was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), by police ranks. The man was said to have been unconscious at the time and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. A 17 year old girl was also injured in the accident. She has been identified as Emily Persaud of Annandale, East Coast
Demerara, who was a passenger of the car at the time of the accident. Persaud was also rushed to the hospital by police ranks. Persaud sustained abrasions about her body and is said to be in a stable condition. The driver has been identified as Xavier Singh, a 21year-old, and also of Annandale. Singh was sent to seek medical attention at GPHC under police guard, after complaining of feeling unwell. Singh was later transferred to the Vigilance Police Station, where he is in custody. Investigations into the accident are ongoing.
The car after it had toppled and landed in a yard (Photo by Kester Deane)
VAT on electricity and water was ... From page 3 and introduce an intermediate rate of 7 percent. Increase the VAT registration threshold from $10 million to $12 million. The water and electricity authorities should determine the levels of consumption required for an average household. VAT should be applied to levels above this amount.” But even then, the Finance Minister said he was not convinced about tampering with VAT. As such, he enlisted the help of the Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC). That body, upon analysing the system, said that the numerous instances of zerorated domestic supplies (of both input and final goods) and exempt imports have undermined the VAT base and its performance. It has since made a number of recommendations, one of which includes that there be a tax on all fuels, electricity and water sewerage services at a standard rate. But of all the clarifications he had to make, Jordan said that what was truly “lamentable, pitiable and laughable” in his view was the attempt by the Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo in painting himself as the Champion of the Poor in this society. He said that Jagdeo is “the very man who bought prime,
ancestral lands at pepper corn rates and built for himself, one of the most posh mansions in the country.” He alluded to the fact that for all his life, Jagdeo has been swimming in a pool of luxury or created room for such where it did not exist. In this regard, he noted the Ex-Presidents' Pension Bill and Jagdeo's role in making changes for his own benefit. “Mindful of the General Elections that were scheduled in 2006 and uncertain about his political future, the then President Jagdeo - now the Honourable Opposition Leader - caused to be introduced and passed, the Ex Presidents' Pension Bill in 2004. The Bill was signed into law the same year by Jagdeo.” Jordan continued, “Jagdeo's salary in 2006 was $223,783 which would have given him a pension of $195,810. Having won the elections in 2006, Jagdeo set about fortifying himself, financially. Between 2006 and 2011, his salary increased from $223,783 to $1,304,503 or nearly 500%.” The economist said on that salary, his pension would have been $1,232,756. Jordan stated that the current President's salary is $1,729,607, giving PPP's three ex Presidents their current monthly pensions of
$1,513,406 each, for a total of $54,482,616 annually. The Finance Minister said that this is equivalent to 83% of the annual increase in salaries granted to the then 26 Ministers in 2015. “But I suppose that this is reflective of the Opposition's approach. Based on their performance in their 23 years in office, it is clear that they have no guiding, coherent vision for the future; no concrete plans for achieving better economic and social outcomes for our citizens,” expressed Jordan. The Finance Minister said, “this budget is the finest budget” that he has worked on and produced. He noted that in 1981, “under the indefatigable and indomitable Clarence F. Ellis”, the then Chairman of the State Planning Board, he was involved in the preparation and/or presentation of 25 national budgets. Jordan confidently stated that the 2017 Budget is audacious in outlook; it represents a change in the narrative that has dominated the economy for the past 50 years, and is a paradigm shift. In spite of the cries of the opposition and their call for a “do-over”, Jordan maintained that his 2017 Budget sets the stage for the transformation of the economy.
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New GPHC Maternity building has own operating theatre
Saturday December 10, 2016 The new GPHC’s Maternity Unit
- another to become operational soon A well-resourced and well-located operating theatre for the Maternity Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is one that has long been viewed as an important factor in helping to reduce infant and maternal mortality. This notion has been amplified by Dr. Janie Pak,
who through a Global Health programme has been helping to advance the hospital’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology Residency Programme. “One of the things that were pushed for by the programme was that if we are going to start a programme here, one of the things that would be important would be that the Maternity Ward has its own theatre,” Dr. Pak noted. This was seen as important because the main operating theatre which was utilised by the Maternity Unit, and pretty much the rest of the hospital, is situated across the street, which is some distance away from the Unit. According to Dr. Pak, the Residency programme, which has already been helping to reduce instances of maternal deaths at the GPHC, has long been operating on the premise that obstetrics and gynaecology emergencies are very urgent and “you have to be able to get to the theatre really fast.” It was in recognition of the need for space and more modern facilities to cater to the obstetrics and gynaecology needs of the hospital that a new maternity building was constructed complete with two theatres. However, Dr. Pak noted that while only one of the theatres is currently functional, the aim is to have both of them fully operable soon. The new building, which has had some infrastructural challenges, is currently being opened in phases and, according to Dr. Pak, “I think it is going to improve the care that is offered here a lot, because the goal is to eventually have all of our labouring patients closely monitored with more monitors.” In fact Dr. Pak, who
hails from the United States, has confided that the birthing rooms in the new building “are much nicer...in gynaecology, because of the position that the women are in, the type of beds is important and we have the beds that accommodate that position that is ideal for delivery,” Dr. Pak assured. The Unit also has in place a recovery area that complements very well, the other crucial areas that allow for a smooth transition in the process of delivery. “In the old building they laboured here, then the women had to be transferred to the birthing room, then the theatre was in another area, and the post-partum (area) was separate; it was kind of all over the place. In the new building it kind of makes sense the way things are...you move from one place to another and it is much easier now,” added Dr. Pak. She amplified that there is definitely more room for the services offered in the maternity unit, including an increase in the number of
Victim's family and friends turn out in numbers outside court From page 24 Major Crimes Unit Georgetown took over the investigation and determined that Narinedatt was murdered. He was allegedly beaten and dumped on the roadway
Annual rent more than cost... From page 18 bottom house.” “Mr. Speaker the monies will be put aside to pay for a facility that was singlesourced by the Government... that is now used to store condoms and lubricant and other things. This is the urgency we heard about?” He went on to criticise the bond, by bringing into focus the Public Works Budget for Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne). “That one investment is bigger than the entire Public Works Budget for a Region
beds available to patients. She however noted that “there are always seasons when it will be more busy...August, September, October, November - those are the months that are consistently busy, and it can be a little bit challenging.” Overcrowding could occur on some occasions, Dr. Pak noted, “because whenever we decide to have somebody in the hospital, there is a reason for them to be there, even with a space shortage. We don’t feel comfortable discharging them just because there is no space in the hospital.” While the space issue is likely to continue to be an occasional challenge at the hospital, Dr. Pak revealed that efforts are made to appease the situation as far as possible. “We have tried to open a space for our C-Section moms which can help to decrease the load in the post partum ward. But this is an ongoing process which is continually gaining attention.”
that has maybe a hundred thousand people. Is that good governance?” he asked. Jagdeo posited that the entire education allocation for Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice) is $97M. “We are spending more on Larry Singh's bond than we're spending for the entire education budget of Region 10. We are spending almost as much on this bond as the entire Capital budget for Region Eight. The Entire Capital Budget for Region Eight is $206M. Isn't that shameful?”
where his body was run over with a car to make it seem like an accident. The murder of the carpenter was allegedly ordered by US-based millionaire Marcus Brian Bisram. Narinedatt was said to have attended a party of Bisram who allegedly made sexual advances towards him. Narinedatt allegedly refused his advances, which sparked Bisram into a rage. He allegedly ordered his people to kill the carpenter and that he would take care of it. Police have issued a wanted bulletin for Bisram saying they want to question him. However, the businessman has returned to New York and has since taken lawyers there. INTERPOL has issued a red notice for Bisram. Investigations are continuing.
Saturday December 10, 2016
Kaieteur News
Guyana to get new ‘Grid Code’ in 2017 - Min. Patterson Government Ministers and parliamentarians continue to debate in support of the 2017 budget by highlighting and justifying some of the new changes that will be facilitated. Joining the debate on Thursday was Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson. According to Patterson in his presentation, Guyana Power and Light Inc., which considers itself to a be a major stakeholder in achieving the vision of the Government’s green economy, will establish a Grid Code for utility scaled generation above 1.5 megawatts. This is one of the preparatory steps to be undertaken by the power company to enable the introduction of renewable energy from intermittent sources, which include wind and solar and non-intermittent sources, biomass and hydro. Patterson said, “The Grid Code provides technical specifications, which defines the parameters that any generation facility connected to GPL’s network must meet to ensure safe, secure and economic proper functioning of the GPL system.” He informed the House that the Grid Code was developed by international and reputable electrical services consulting firm, Siemens, and the document which the firm produced will be made public before 2016 comes to an end. In addition, Patterson said that GPL benefited from the services of a Renewable Energy Expert who was contracted through the Inter-
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson American Development Bank Technical Assistance Programme. He said that this engagement with the power company will enable it to establish the technical parameters for the interconnection of distributed generation not exceeding 1.5 megawatts to the GPL grid. Also, GPL will be able to configure the company’s base load and firm generation to ensure grid stability in the event of loss in generation from the intermittent renewable resources and develop ‘Feed in Tariffs’ (FITs) for energy supplied to the grid. He said that these tariffs will require approval by the regulatory body, the Public Utilities Commission. Patterson said that in Anna Regina, the company has invested approximately US$3M for three 1.7 megawatt HFO-fired containerized gen-
erators, and expects these to be commissioned in May 2017. These new generators are expected to replace two aged Wartsila units. “The new units will also be incorporated into the planned Hybrid Power facility. The Hybrid Power facility is expected to utilize fossil fired generation and electricity from a utility scaled five megawatt renewable resource, solar energy.” He said that in Bartica, the container has invested approximately US$1.3M to procure, commission and conduct preliminary works for three 0.6 megawatt LFO diesel-fired containerized generators and expects that these will be commissioned in April 2017. Patterson informed the House that these generators will replace the aged generation and will be integrated into a new Hybrid Power facility. “The Hybrid Power facility is expected to utilize fossil fuel fired generation and electricity from a utility scaled two megawatt renewable resource, solar energy.” He added that a new location has been identified to house the GPL operations and works are expected to commence shortly. The company, according to the Minister, also plans to expand substations at Vreeden-Hoop, Edinburgh, Kingston, Sophia, Garden of Eden and No. 53 village on the East Bank of Berbice. He said that these projects will be selffunded, while the company continues its prudent financial management in order to maintain current tariffs.
Case dismissed against cops accused... From page 12 opinion none of the witnesses added any benefit to the Prosecution’s case. The magistrate further stressed that the main witness, who is the Virtual Complainant, Sherwin Noel, indicated that he cannot read and told the court that he came off a plane from the interior and on July 25, he was placed in a police vehicle with five policemen who took him along with four other individuals, they conducted, a search and found a yellow object appearing to be gold. They told him he had to hand it over. Noel told the court that the police officers stopped the vehicle and asked him what he was going to do, and he handed over his five pennyweight of raw gold to them because he was scared. The Magistrate stated that during the cross examination three things stood out to him: the Virtual Complainant (VC) told the court that the first time he saw the five police officers was on the day
that they appeared in court. Secondly, an identification parade was never held, and thirdly the Virtual Complainant is unable to read, so in his opinion when he was giving his statement he was not able to read back his statement, and see if what he told the officers was the exact thing written on the paper that was in front of him. The Magistrate went on to tell the court that everything that came out of the statement is questionable because the VC cannot read. The magistrate concluded by saying “I do believe that something did happen. I do think that he was
robbed and due to the fact that an identification parade was not done and there were other irregularities in the case, a prima facie case was not made out and the matter is dismissed”. It was alleged that on July 25, at Timehri, East Bank Demerara, the accused robbed Sherwin Noel of five penny weight of raw gold valued $55,000. It was also alleged that on July 25, at the same location, they robbed Heeralall Girdhari of four penny weight of raw gold valued $44,000. They were also accused of robbing Euri Samuels of six pennyweight of raw gold valued $66,000.
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Saturday December 10, 2016
Saudis order oil cuts to U.S., Europe before non-OPEC talks Saudi Arabia has told its U.S. and European customers it will reduce oil deliveries from January, as Russia said it was confident nonOPEC producers would fully join OPEC’s output limits on Saturday in the first such move since 2001. Saudi Arabia told the cust o m e r s a b o u t l o w e r supplies in line with the output reduction agreed by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries last week, according to a Gulf oil industry source familiar with Saudi oil policy. “We told our customers of the allocations and the compliance with allocations (for the cuts) for Saudi Arabia is 100 percent,” the source said. He said cuts to Asian refiners would be lower than those to Europe, the United States and to major oil companies. “We are cutting more in the U.S. because the inventories ... are very high,” the source said. OPEC will meet nonOPEC producing countries in Vienna on Saturday, hoping non-OPEC will commit to cutting 600,000 barrels per
day after its own members agreed to cut 1.2 million bpd last week. OPEC sources said nine non-OPEC countries were set to join the meeting: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Oman, Mexico, Russia, Sudan, South Sudan, Bahrain and Malaysia. Bolivia may also attend the talks, according to an OPEC source. “There’s a much greater presence than we expected ... and I think countries are coming for a reason,” Ecuadorian foreign minister Guillaume Long who is representing the OPEC member at the meeting told Reuters. So far only Russia and Oman have pledged cuts, with one OPEC source saying Mexico could also contribute as much as 150,000 bpd. In contrast, Kazakhstan plans to boost output in 2017 as it launches the long-delayed Kashagan project. Russia is expected to shoulder half of the nonOPEC cut, but on Friday sources in Moscow signaled there were snags that needed to be addressed before a deal could be reached, including full compliance with cuts by all parties involved.
Obama orders review of 2016 election cyber attacks
U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered intelligence agencies to review cyber attacks and foreign intervention into the 2016 election and deliver a report before he leaves office on Jan. 20, the White House said on Friday. In October, the U.S. government formally accused Russia of a campaign of cyber attacks against Democratic Party organizations ahead of the Nov. 8 presidential election, and Obama has said he warned Russian President Vladimir Putin about consequences for the attacks. The review and its timeline are a signal that Obama wants the issue addressed before he hands power to President-elect Donald Trump, who cast doubt on Russia’s hacking role and praised Putin during the campaign. Obama’s homeland security adviser, Lisa Monaco, told reporters the report’s results would be shared with lawmakers and others. “The president has directed the intelligence community to conduct a full review of what happened during the 2016 election process ... and to capture lessons learned from that and to report to a range of stakeholders, to include the Congress,” she said during an event hosted by the Christian Science Monitor. White House spokesman Eric Schultz said the review would be a “deep dive” that would look for a pattern of such behavior over several years during election time, dating as far back as the 2008 presidential election. He noted that Obama wanted the review completed under his watch. “This is a major priority,” Schultz said.
A worker walks in an Iraqi oil field, north of Basra
Iraq says it destroys Mosul car bomb factories Iraqi forces captured a neighborhood in east Mosul on Friday, pushing deeper to the heart of Islamic State’s Iraq stronghold and destroying three sites where it produced car bombs used in waves of suicide attacks, the campaign’s commander said. Lieutenant-General Abdul Ameer Rasheed Yarallah said Counter Terrorism Service forces spearheading the seven-week operation to retake Mosul seized the Tamim district halfway between the city’s eastern edge and the River Tigris running through its center. The elite troops, part of a U.S.-backed, 100,000-strong coalition of Iraqi forces, have been fighting street battles with the militants and now control around half of the city’s eastern neighborhoods. But progress has been slow as they have faced counterattacks by the jihadist fighters, who deployed hundreds of the suicide car bombs, as well as mortars and snipers, and used the city’s million residents as human shields. Yarallah also said in a statement that air strikes by Iraqi F-16 jets destroyed three production plants making car
Iraqi army fires towards Islamic State militant positions in Mosul from outskirts of Bartila, Iraq
bombs in Mosul and three weapons stores. He gave no further details. Iraq launched the operation to recapture Mosul on October 17. Defeating Islamic State in the largest city under its control would deal a major blow to its self-styled caliphate in Iraq and Syria, and its ambitions to govern territory. In Iraq, it has already been
forced to retreat from Tikrit, Ramadi and Falluja, although its ultra-hardline Sunni Muslim fighters still hold large parts of remote, Sunni regions near the Syrian border, and an area of land southeast of Mosul. Friday’s push in eastern Mosul follows advances by Iraqi troops three days ago in the southeast, when soldiers surged into the city and
briefly seized a hospital which was also believed to be used as a base by the militants. The swift attack marked a change in tactics after weeks of slow-moving, fighting where soldiers have painstakingly sought to clear neighborhoods block by block. But the rapid gains also left the soldiers vulnerable to counterattack.
Saturday December 10, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Former prime minister Opposition parliamentarians ejected from Parliament boycott budget debate PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC –Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar was ejected from the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament yesterday after she failed to heed a ruling by the Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George on a motion of a matter of national importance. The other opposition legislators walked out in solidarity with Persad Bissessar, who had wanted the Parliament to debate the number of murders and missing people in the country “as a matter of urgent national interest”. But after she made her initial request for the debate, the Speaker ruled that the matter did not qualify under Standing Orders and directed the former prime minister to use another avenue to have the matter debated. Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said the walkout by the opposition was strategic as Parliament is debating the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FATCA)
Kamla Persad Bissessar Bill. “The FACTA Bill has to be passed and the opposition walked out again,” he said, noting that “if this legislation is not passed by both houses of parliament the effect will be the shutdown of the banking services in Trinidad and Tobago—the de-risking as has
happened in Jamaica, Belize. “This will result in the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago having no way to deal with their corresponding banking,” he said. Apart from a press release in September, the opposition has not put forward any position on the FACTA Bill, he added. “The sole indication of the opposition position…is by a press release,” Al-Rawi added. In September, the United States recommended that Trinidad and Tobago pass the FATCA by February next year, providing a five-month breathing space for the country. US Ambassador John Estrada had initially indicated that the Keith Rowley administration had submitted a “detailed step-by-step plan” to the United States Government on how it intends to bring the FATCA agreement into force. Al-Rawi told Parliament that the Bill must have the support of the opposition in order to be passed.
Private CCTV owners cooperating with authorities -Minister
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica government says it is heartened by the number of private owners of closed circuit television (CCTV) who are partnering with the Ministry of National Security in a bid to detect crimes here. National Security Minister Robert Montagu said so far, eight private entities have signed on to the system, and that this will significantly aid in crime-fighting. Montague said there is a move to rely more on scientific evidence for both the detection and prosecution of
criminal cases, and work is taking place to add more CCTVs to the national system. He said when feeds are taken from the private systems, they are stored and monitored for the identification of facial recognition and motor-vehicle licence plates. “This will make the country safer, while providing a space for partnership, and lessen the need to install the system all over the island. What we will be doing is utilising the feed from CCTV systems that are privately held,” Montague added.
He said that the system installed at the Islington station in St Mary, will enhance the work of the police, and prevent persons from taking illegal items to the inmates that are housed there. “The CCTV system will help to keep the station safe, keep the prisoners safe, and help to keep the men and women who serve here safe,” Montague said, adding that the town centres that have the CCTV system will be networking to allow each to be able to view activities that are taking place in the areas where they are operating.
BASSE T E R R E , St . Kitts, CMC – Opposition Leader Dr. Denzil Douglas says the parliamentary opposition will no longer participate in the budget debate in the Kitts and Nevis National Assembly after an opposition legislator was suspended for allegedly laughing at the Speaker Michael Perkins. Dr. Douglas said that Carty has denied the allegation and requested an opportunity to give an explanation why he chuckled but that the request was denied by the Speaker. Carty said his “chuckle” in Parliament on Thursday was in response to Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris who on a point of order began reading a section of the Standing Order and then stopped abruptly after he realised his objection was not in line with the section he was reading. Dr. Dou-
Dr. Denzil Douglas glas and Carty have already responded to the presentation of the EC$712.9 million (One EC dollar =US$0.37 cents) budget by Prime Minister Dr. Harris earlier this week. The main opposition St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party (SKNLP) has accused Perkins
of being biased and stifling democracy. “As a result of the conduct of the Speaker, the Parliamentary Opposition will not participate in the continuation of the Budget Session,” the party said. The budget debate is due to end later on Friday.
Surinamese national jailed on drug charges NEW YORK, CMC – A Surinamese national has been sentenced to more than 11 years in jail after he was found guilty of conspiring to import cocaine into the country. United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, Preet Bharara, says Edmund Quincy Muntslag, was sentenced by a Manhattan federal court to 135 months in prison. Muntslag, 33, was convicted on March 22, last, after a four-day jury trial before former US District Judge Shira A. Scheindlin. Sentence was imposed by US District Judge Alison J. Nathan. “Edmund Muntslag conspired to create a drug route for hundreds of kilograms of cocaine from his home country of Suriname to the streets of New York City,” Bharara said. “Thanks to the outstanding work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Muntslag will join co-defendant Dino Bouterse, the son of the President of Suriname, in serving a long sentence in a federal prison.” According to the allegations contained in the indictment, other documents publicly filed in Manhattan federal court, and the evidence
introduced at trial, in 2013, Munstlag, conspired to sell hundreds of kilograms of cocaine to a purported Mexican cartel for importation to the US. In furtherance of this conspiracy, Bouterse supplied to individuals that he and Muntslag believed to be representatives of the cartel, but who in fact were confidential sources working at the direction and under the supervision of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), with genuine Surinamese passports bearing false identification information, according to the indictment. About three weeks later, the indictment states that Muntslag received US$60,000 in cash as a payment to allow a 10-kilogram “test load” of cocaine to pass through the airport in Paramaribo, Suriname, where it was to be loaded onto a commercial airline flight concealed inside luggage. Muntslag worked with “corrupt airport employees”
in Suriname to send the 10kilogram test load to Port-ofSpain, Trinidad and Tobago, from where Muntslag and Bouterse believed it would be further transported and sold by the purported cartel in New York. The indictment states that Muntslag and Bouterse expected to receive proceeds from the sale of the cocaine in New York, and also expected to send additional, 100-kilogram cocaine shipments to the purported cartel using a similar method on the successful completion of the test load. The indictment states that the cocaine was seized by Trinidadian law enforcement officers, in coordination with DEA agents on July 27, 2013. Muntslag was arrested in Port-of-Spain on August 29, 2013, and Bouterse was arrested in Panama City, Panama, on August29, 2013. On March 10, 2015, Bouterse was sentenced principally to a term of 195 months in prison, Bharara said.
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Live in waitress to work in a bar- Call: 604-6606;692-4646 Hair stylist specialize in cutting, weaving, body massages, waxing, barbering. Call: 616-6221/ 270-5074 Live in domestic must know to cook, live in waitress (secondary education) $70,000-$80,000 monthly. Call: 610-3974
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Available from 16-12-31: 1-2 bedrooms apartment @ 529 Section ‘B’ Block ‘X’ Diamond, E.B.D. Call: 2164200 after 6:00pm & 689-1518 Rooms to rent in Guest House, Soesdyke Highway, great get away -$7,000 per night. Call: 6000036/ 261-6454 Two bedroom bottom flat, fully grilled, fenced, concrete yard @ Tuschen Housing Scheme. Call: 692-5525/2663973 One three bedrooms bottom flat @ Lamaha Gardens. Call: 225-8084
Weeder available for yards or lawns, reliable and affordable. Call Elon: 6047623 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206
Salesgirls @ Christine’s Variety Store on Lombard St, must be experienced. Call: 227-8529/626-8003 One general domestic; 4 days per week. Call: 668-4973 One domestic, one salesgirl, one boy to learn fiber glass work. Call: 603-5416/ 644-9802 Watchman for interior. Call: 675-9157 One lorry driver, experienced in selling water, located in Charlestown. Call: 678-1234 House maid, from country. Call: 617-2896/ 668-6455 1 Experienced hairdresser/ nail tech must be living on the WCD/ WBD, West Shore Plaza 15 Public Road Ruimzeight. Call: 269-1524/ 656-3561 Need urgently, one electrician, must have experienced in domestic wiring. Call: 644-9084/ 664-9635
EDUCATIONAL Private Custom Brokerage, certificate training course in Jan 2017, Register & get 50% discount for Christmas. Call: 694-8322/671-9603
DRESSMAKING Evening wear, working uniforms and more professionally done. Call: 626-2629/ 676-6312
FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578 CAR RENTAL
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
Saturday December 10, 2016
Kaieteur News
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807
Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call:225-9032;647-2943;604-5198 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 1 Mabe Refrigerator -$58,000, 1 RCA Smart TV with DVD Player -$30,000. Price Negotiable. Owner migrating. Call: 687-3241/656-1153 Organic Potting soil -$900, lawn grass -$1400, Ficus, Exora, Crotons, Foxtail palm, Supari palm, Ashok trees. Call: 626-1044 40lbs bags halaal whole chicken $265 per Lb, special prices on large quantities. Call: 629-4272 (Sheriff) or 6019602 (Zakir) anytime. Pitbull/American bully puppy for sale, vaccine and de-wormed up to date, for more info whatsapp or call: 592-6597121 Cargo trawler- Call: 682-8724, 616-5954
VEHICLE FOR SALE Bluebird for sale 2011 model, dark interior, reverse camera $2.7M negotiable, preorder any vehicle Call: 655-3400 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: SIENTA -$2.3M, RAUM $2.3M, RACTIS -$2.3M, FIELDER -$2.6M, NEVER R E G I S T E R VEHICLE.CALL: 617-2891 1 Toyota Allion PVV series: TV Camera, HID, lights, alarm & remote start $2.2M negotiable Call: 649-0956
Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games, applications & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 2653231 DAF Truck with 2x Dump tray, Massey Ferguson, bobcat loader. Call:689-1250/ 678-8698/516-312-9525 1 Big music set, owner leaving country. Call: 690-5225 Furniture suitable for salon. Call: 227-3626/ 627-8900 Nintendo DS Lite -$8,000, Nitendo Wii -$16,000, Iphone5 -$23,000, I-phone 6 plus 64GB -$130,000, Ipad2 9.7inch -$35,000.Call: 6219604/ 694-1748 OneMassage bed. Call:687-3017 Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 $23,000, Dell Inspiron 700m laptop -$35,000, Dell Zino HD mini desktop pc -$50,000. Call: 621-9604/ 694-1748 Ice & Water Dispenser Fridge, Queen-size Bed/ Mattress, Washing Machine/Dryer (new) Price Negotiable. 683-2083.
High value transported land with small two bedrooms house @ Great Diamond, Housing Scheme -$12M negotiable. Call: 265-4338 25 Acres prime land, main Road to Mahaicony Creek, suitable for 800 18months coconut plants or resort. Call: 221-2075
Toyota Vios PMM 6998 & Mitsubishi Canter GJJ 7722. Call: 667-3436/ 655-5018 PVV Series, Comfortable Nissan Family Car with Remote Entry, TV, Press Button Start. $2.6M Negotiable. 592-683-2083. 1 2005 Toyota Hiace, mini-bus (pitbull), excellent condition $2.8M negotiable. Call: 676-9029 Leyland DAF 65 (sand truck). Call: 623-3895 Nissan Dualis 2007 for sale $3M; sunroof, alloy wheel, 2WD, CD/DVD player, PVV series Call: 611-8121/695-9548
ACCOMMODATION Harmony Inn: furnished apartments and rooms, ideal for overseas visitors from $6,000 per night. Call: 6680306/ 218-1400/ 694-7817 Fully furnished air condition apartment for local and overseas visitors -$4,000 & $5,000 per night. Call: 2230994
Two RZ Super custom, mini bus, BSS series & 1 Allion, PMM Series -$1.5M. Call: 687-3017
Honda CBR 929 for sale. Also Land for sale at Bushy Park E.B.E. Call: 694-4609 75 Yamaha outboard engine, in good condition. Call: 2590302
LAND FOR SALE 18,000 Sq.Ft suitable for warehouse or bond at Eorl’s Court, LBI, E.C.D. Call: 626-7127
PROPERTY FOR SALE
VACANCY One sales representative needed. Please contact: 2258205
Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 House & land for sale at Good Hope Public Road, East Bank Essequibo. Call: 689-0785, 660-2504, 671-5095
Porters; apply in person @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. One Experienced Waitress to work in bar contact 677 9085 Experienced carpenter apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling Stabroek. One Salesman/driver contact 223 5273/4
TO LET One bedroom apartment also two bedrooms furnished apartment for overseas guests. Call:2273626/ 627-8900
Cook/baker for the Interior location, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020
Two bedrooms house, tiled bathroom, Kitchen, parking. Call Joy: 649-9059/ 621-1088
Pump attendant – Call: 6803863/ Driver/Company. Call: 680-3863 One experienced computer legal clerk. Call: 624-7087/ 258-0213/ email: husainsaphier@yahoo.com
HEALTH
Marine Engineer: any formal qualifications in Motor Mechanics would be an asset. Call: 226-1100/226-5380
Herbal Nectar Treatment for diabetics, hypertension and most internal sickness, sexual enhancers for men. Call: 651-8351
Saturday December 10, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry touts enhanced quality -$111M earmarked to upgrade Bina Hill Institute of life for hinterland residents -$90M to provide school uniforms for approximately 34,000 students. Amidst much criticism and condemnation from the Main Parliamentary Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock rose to deliver his presentation at the 2017 National Budget Debates in the National Assembly on Thursday. The Minister, from all evidence, might have resorted to go off-script, since he spoke after the Parliamentary Opposition Member and Shadow to Indigenous Affairs, Pauline Sukhai who in her contribution, said that the $250B Budget is being referred to by many as a “pick-pocket” budget. Sukhai accused the David Granger-led administration of making significant cuts to financial proposals that were submitted by Amerindian representative associations to carry out their mandate. Sukhai told the House that the National Toshaos Council (NTC) had submitted during the formulation of the 2017 Budget, a proposal to have an allocation of $63M; however this amount was reduced to $16M. The former Amerindian Affairs Minister switched her attention to her successor,
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock.
MP and Former Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai
who she accused of “tinkering with legal processes” which she predicted will result in Amerindians losing out. She was referring to the Minister’s supposed plan to establish an Amerindian Lands Commission (ALC). Sukhai is of the opinion that the establishment of this entity is illegal and asserted that the Minister is going to land in hot water should he proceed along this path. The vocal Sukhai, how-
ever, did not deter the Minister from delivering his speech. Allicock stated from the get-go that he would not be rebutting but rather, strive to “educate the opposition”. The Vice-President stated that 2017 National Budget contains several measures that are geared to enhance the quality of life of hinterland residents and boasted about plans that are afoot for the New Year. He revealed that $13B has been allocated to the
Ministry in the 2017 Budget of which, $264M is earmarked for the erection of a 400-kilowatt solar farm in Mabaruma, Region One, which he said will set the tone for the National Energy Programme for the future. The Minister added that the projected energy generation from the farm will see the Municipality benefiting from an additional 17 hours of electricity daily. Further, the sum of $111M will go towards the Bina Hill Institute to construct dormitories, living quarters, and other facilities. Also, the sum of $90M will go towards the provision of school uniforms for approximately 34,000 students in the hinterland region. Minister Allicock also stated that for 2017, the Hinterland Scholarship Programme is expected to be expanded to cater for 530 students, an increase from the 450 that was previously budgeted in 2016. With 1,976 persons trained via the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) Programme, the Ministry will be looking to train an additional 1000 persons. The sum of $991M has been proposed for the continuation of this programme.
Meanwhile, the Minister stated that the Hinterland communities will have better access to information with the introduction of four additional community radio stations in specific communities. $150M has been allocated to see this initiative successfully implemented. The Vice-President also stated that the Budget will cater for several hinterland road upgrades. The communities that will benefit from this programme include Issano, Karrau, Buck Hall, Karasabai, Monkey Mountain, Aishalton and Shea. The successful implementation of these infrastructure components, he pointed out, will stimulate and foster economic activity in the Hin-
terland and aid in the Government’s mission to bridge the gap between the coast and the interior. He revealed also, that his Ministry is working in conjunction with several organisations such as Conservation International (CI), Remote Areas Medical (RAM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to lift the capacity of the Indigenous population in every “conceivable” area. “We are working to bring community development projects to boost food security, enhance health care delivery, and expand sustainable economic ventures in ecotourism and agriculture among several areas,” he said.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 10, 2016
BAHAMAS-POLITICSOpposition Leader criticises moves to unseat him NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – The leader of the main opposition Free National Movement (FNM), Dr. Hubert Minnis, has called for the resignation of seven opposition legislators who have written to the Governor General, Dame Marguerite Pindling asking that he be replaced as Opposition Leader. Speaker Dr. Kendal Major told Parliament that the head of state had been written to informing her of their decision not to support Minnis. In a statement, Minnis said that he is recommending to the FNM National Executive “that the disciplinary provisions of Article 53 of the Constitution of the Free National Move m e n t b e i n v o k e d , and that if found to be required, a Disciplinary Tribunal be appointed and take whatever action it deems appropriate under the Constitution of the Free National Movement.” Minnis said that the dissident legislators had written to the head of state “withdrawing their support for me as the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, and recommended the appointment of Mrs. Loretta Butler-Turner as Leader of the Opposition Members in Parliament. “As a consequence of this, Mrs. Butler-Turner, if appointed by the Governor General, will, under the Constitution of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, have the responsibility for the conduct of Opposition Members in the House of Assembly. “Let me be very clear that she is not and cannot as such be made leader of the Free National Movement. It is only the National Convention of the FNM or, in emergency circumstances, its Central Council that can elect the Leader of the Free National Movement.” Minnis said that by this action, the FNM and Bahamians “were struck with a stunning usurpation of the very essence of the democratic right of a political organization to determine its leadership. “In my view, the actions of seven FNM Members of the House of As-
Dr. Hubert Minnis sembly – by invoking their privilege under the Constitution of The Bahamas to choose their Leader in the House of Assembly – is a direct affront to the democratic conventions and traditions of the Free National Movement. “It is tradition that the L e a d e r o f t h e P a r t y, i f elected to the House of A s s e m b l y, h a s a l w a y s been appointed Leader of the Opposition. Their action is a slap in the face of the Party, and a slap in the face of democracy.” The Opposition Leader said that he was inviting the” seven MPs who were elected under the banner of
the FNM, and who signed the letter to the Governor General, to do the Honourable thing and resign from the Free Na t i o n a l Movement”. He insisted that the FNM is “sailing towards government” and that :”no mutineers will stop this vessel”. Meanwhile, four Senators, including former attorney general Carl bethel, have resigned saying that they are in support of back Butler-Turner “Pursuant to today’s events, I hereby tender my resignation from the Senate with immediate effect,” Bethel wrote.
Saturday December 10, 2016
Kaieteur News
Bank employee’s body found in warehouse PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley led the nation’s outrage at the murder of a 20-year-old bank employee, whose body was found among boxes at a warehouse in the heart of the capital late Thursday. Rowley said that the death of Shannon Banfield, who had been reported missing on Monday after leaving work and going to the store where her body was eventually found “brings home to us most starkly the fact that none of us is immune to the evils of the criminal mind and action. “My heart goes out to the distressed family and community who have to live and relive this unspeakable horror. My Government, as indeed the country, expects that our law enforcement personnel to leave no stone unturned in order to bring the perpetrator/s of this dastardly deed to well-deserved justice of the severest kind in the shortest possible time.,” her added. Police said that two employees of the company,
whom they had earlier described as “persons of interest” had surrendered on Thursday night. Banfield’s co-workers in a statement, described the death as “a tragedy of immeasurable proportions and we are at a loss for words to express our shock and sadness. We kept vigil with the rest of the nation’s concerned citizens, in the hope of a safe return of our team member. “This is a sad day for the Republic Bank team and for our nation,” the statement noted, adding that counselling will be provided for affected co-workers. The law enforcement authorities were led to the body after shoppers and vendors in the area complained of a foul stench emanating from
the building. A security guard is reported to have found the body hidden under a set of boxes in a second-storey storeroom which is off limits to customers. Police arrived on the scene shortly after and detained all employees for questioning as crime scene investigators processed the scene. Media reports Friday said that the body bore marks of violence on the neck and upper body and her clothing was torn. But investigators said they would wait until an autopsy is performed at the Forensic Science Centre, St James, later Friday to determine her cause of death. So far 435 people have been murdered here this year.
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Saturday December 10, 2016
Kaieteur News
Drone strike kills militant linked to Charlie Hebdo attack: U.S.
Gunmen gesture as they return to their car after the attack outside the offices of French satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo A U.S. drone strike in Syria has killed an Islamic State militant linked to the Jan. 7 2015 attack on satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo in Paris, defense officials said on Friday. Boubaker el Hakim was killed late last month in Raqqa, the Islamic State’s defacto capital in Syria, the officials said, adding he was believed to be involved with planning the attack.
Charlie Hebdo, known for its satirical covers gleefully ridiculing political and religious leaders, lost many of its top editorial staff when brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi, armed with assault rifles and other weapons, broke into an editorial meeting and killed 12 people and wounded 11 others. The attacks prompted a worldwide solidarity movement, with the “Je Suis
Charlie” (I am Charlie) slogan going viral on social media. Islamic State, which has controlled parts of Iraq and Syria in recent years, has lost some territory this year to Iraqis and Syrians supported by a U.S.-led coalition of air strikes and advisers. Apart from the killings at Charlie Hebdo, Islamic State sympathizers around the world have carried out other shootings and bombings of civilians.
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Keen contests expected in Noble House... (From page 38) 18. Of the four semi-finalists only Police have tasted championship success in the fiveyear history of the competition and apart from the Cops, Everest, GNIC and last year’s bridesmaid TSC will be expected to go all out the reach the final. The Champions will take home $ 100,000 while the Runners-up collect $60,000. TSC are a force to be reckoned with at second division level and have in their lineup Skipper Shawn Messiah and off-spinner Kevin Ross who have been playing at this level ‘forever’ and add them to the young brigade of pacer Joshua Wilson, Keon Morris, Charwayne McPherson, Devughn Nandan and the left-handed Sunil Singh and TSC could progress to their second successive final. All-Rounder Steven Harris with a commanding 146 and Jason McAlmont (44) powered Police past Malteenoes in the quarter-fi-
nals and they should get support from Regional Rodrigues and Paul Tendel with the bat while leg-spinner Vishaul Jaigobin (sporting a new look) and Harris should spearhead the bowling. The outfield at Eve Leary is fast and with a short straight boundary and good track a high scoring draw will not be a surprise which makes first innings points more important. At Everest, GNIC is expected bank heavily on Quincy Ovid-Richardson, the only batsman with two centuries in the same match in the competition and his opening partner David Dick. The pair posted a double century first wicket stand against GDF in their quarter-final clash. On paper GNIC has the most powerful batting line with First-Class left-hander Gajanand Singh, Parmanand Sookdeo, Joseph Persaud and former National youth batsman Anthony D’Andrade all in their side.
Rawle Merrel should be a handful with the new ball while inform off-spinner Gajanan Suknanan, fresh from his 5-wicket haul in the quarter finals, Singh and former West Indies Test off-spinner and the oldest player in the competition Clyde Butts, should do the bulk of the spinning on the large ground and spin friendly track. Even without Persaud and Yadram the home team has a strong batting line-up with openers Saheed Mohamed is expected to give Everest a firm foundation for Khemraj Ramdeen, Kamesh Yadram, Dwayne Adams and Denish Mangal to build on. Left-arm spinner Adams and off-spinner Mohamed could bowl long spells. Both games commence at 10:30hrs and with the Guyana Jagu a r s / B a r b a d o s P r i d e day/night contest at Providence scheduled to start at 15:00hrs today supporters of the local clubs could see large parts of both games.
Saturday December 10, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Unexpected visitors are likely. Be prepared to do your chores early. You can make new friends and get involved in new hobbies successfully. Relationships will be emotional today. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Work on legitimate financial deals that may enable you to bring in some extra cash. Your high energy will enable you to enlist the help of those in a position to back you. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Entertainment could cost you more than you expect. You will not be able to trust someone you work with. You can develop your creative talents if you take the time to practice your art. CANCER (June 21–July 22) The knowledge you have will enhance your reputation. You can complete any projects efficiently, especially if you put the effort in yourself.
to the opinions of others. Do things that involve children. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't get involved in expensive entertainment that involves gambling. Children or friends may try to talk you into lending them money. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Don't push your mate if you want to keep this union going. You'd be wise to control your spending so your debts don't get out of hand. Avoid any confrontations with colleagues. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Do your own thing. You may need the space, but you need the extra cash more. A lot has changed and so have you. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Jealousy may be a contributing factor to your emotional ups and downs. Set a limit, or you'll wind up on a tight budget. Changes at home might come fast and furious.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't rely on others to do your work. Deception and confusion regarding your status in society is likely. You may find yourself in a heated dispute with a friend if you try to change your mind.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Put your energy into home renovations. You may want to look into warm vacation spots. Go over their important documents and take the time to suggest alternatives.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Don't hesitate to enlist the aid of friends or family if you have a big project to finish in your domestic environment. Keep an open mind when listening
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may have difficulties with foreigners. Anger may cause you grief; control your temper and try to sit back and calm down.
Squad of 27 to be reduced to 16 for travel...
TD Greenwood enjoyed a good rapport with the youngsters (Sean Devers photo) (From page 38) Greenwood informed that although the GFF would have liked to take a 21-man squad, the tournament rules only accommodate 16 players who will depart for French Guiana on December 16 following the final selection at the conclusion of the Camp. This camp also serves to kick-start preparations for CONCACAF U-15 tournament in August 2017. According to Greenwood all of the players are being accommodated at a City Hotel and the same system will be used for all National age-group teams in the future. There are two sessions per day with morning training from 08:00hrs to 10:00hrs. The players have a break for snacks and fruits before returning to the Hotel for Lunch and rest. The afternoon session is held at the same venue. When Kaieteur Sport visited the training session yesterday morning it was noticed that Greenwood was enjoying a very good rapport with the young lads hailing from all parts of this Nation, including the interior. The eager teenagers were involved in ball control and passing drills, while others were playing a match, the Custodians doing ‘Keeping’ drill and players being taught interview skills by GFF PRO Debra Francis in addition to their training being recorded for discussion at the nightly team meetings. The team will play at least three practice games against U-17 teams before they travel to French Guiana. Francis informed that the NAMALICO tournament has helped in the preparation since four goalkeepers, four defenders, six forwards and seven Midfielders from this squad participated in that competition. Greenwood said he was satisfied and impressed by the individual skill level of the players but added work has to be done on their ‘match sense’ and playing as a team. ”We have some talented and skilled lads here. The youngest player here played for the U-13 team and is quite
good but what we have learned is that the players are not exposed to this type of training at their clubs. They turn up in the afternoons and just warm-up and play mini matches so they are not as fit as they should be and most don’t have the game awareness they need” explained Greenwood, who has been most successful working with youths in England. ”The GFF wants Technical Development Officers in the nine Associations to be talent scouts and keep an eye out for talented youths who could then be added to training camps like this one. In the past players from the hinterland would be invited for one or two trial matches to pick the national teams and then return home. But now we want to monitor them for long periods and that’s where the associa-
tion TDs can play a bigger role,” Greenwood stated. Ken Salvador, a talented 14-year-old forward from Rupununi said he was enjoying the Camp but added that has never done so much training and feels he is much fitter now than when they started. ”I live in Rupununi and most important things I have learnt so far are the benefit of training and being fit and improving my ability to finish and score goals. The sun is hot here but everyone is eager to improve and enjoying this camp,” Salvador said. He added that he loves football and wants to make it a career and one day make the Golden Jaguars side. But for now he hopes to make the final squad for the French Guiana trip and to help Guyana win the competition.
Kaieteur News
Saturday December 10, 2016
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Russian doping conspiracy benefited over 1,000 competitors More than 1,000 Russian competitors across more than 30 sports were involved in an institutional conspiracy to conceal positive drug tests as Moscow “hijacked international sport” over the course of five years, an independent WADA report said yesterday. The second and final part of the report for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) by Canadian sports lawyer Richard McLaren provided exhaustive evidence of an elaborate doping scheme sponsored by Russia’s Sports Ministry. It included switching and changing samples by opening “tamper-proof” bottles - using a method devised by the Russian secret service - and numerous other methods to bypass and cover up drugs tests. ”We are now able to confirm a cover-up that dates back until at least 2011 that evolved from uncontrolled chaos to an institutionalized and disciplined medalw i n n i n g c o n s p i r a c y, ” McLaren told a news conference. The scale was unprecedented, he said. ”We have evidence revealing that more than 500 positive results were reported as negative, including well-known and elite-level athletes and medal winners, who had their positive results automatically falsified. More than 1,000 athletes competing in Summer, Winter and Paralympic sport could be identified as being involved in or benefiting
Lawyer Richard McLaren (C) delivers his second and final part of a report for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), at a news conference in London, Britain yesterday. REUTERS/Neil Hall
from tampering to conceal positive tests,” he said. The International Olympic Committee, which had refused a blanket ban of Russian competitors at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, said it had shown evidence of “a fundamental attack on the integrity of the Olympic Games and on sport in general”. It said it would to test all Russian competitors’ samples from the London 2012 Olympics in addition to the ongoing re-tests from the Sochi 2014 Olympics. WADA president Craig Reedie called the report “alarming”, but Russia showed no sign of accepting its conclusions. The Sports Ministry said it would study the WADA report and cooperate with anti-doping bodies, but that it “denies that any government programs exists to support doping in sport”. Track and field chief Dmitry Shlyakhtin said he had not yet seen the report but conceded that Russian
athletics’ problems “did not start yesterday”. However, he said it had now fulfilled all the demands made of it. Ye l e n a I s i n b a y e v a , double Olympic pole vault champion and newly-elected head of the Russian AntiDoping Agency supervisory board, said shortly before the report was released: “It is well known to us that many foreign athletes have a history of doping but compete at an international level with no problems. ”If we want to clean up world sport, let’s start...we don’t need to concentrate on just one country.” Dmitry Svishchev, a member of parliament and president of Russia’s Curling Federation, said: “We haven’t heard anything new. Unfounded accusations against us all. If you are Russian, they accuse you of all sins.” McLaren accepted that there could be widespread doping elsewhere, though not on the same level as in Russia, the sole focus of his
investigation. McLaren pointed out that Russia had won 24 gold, 26 silver and 32 bronze medals at London 2012 and no Russian athlete had tested positive. ”Yet the Russian team corrupted the London Games on an unprecedented scale, the extent of which will probably never be fully established,” he said. “For years, international sports competitions have unknowingly been hijacked by the Russians. Coaches and athletes have been playing on an uneven field.” The IOC on Wednesday extended provisional sanctions against Russian sport over the scandal, and an international ban on its track and field athletes remains in force pending a reform of its anti-doping program. Forensic investigations by McLaren’s team detailed how a bank of clean urine samples was kept in a Moscow laboratory, where salt and coffee were added to
Sebastien, Johnson prop up Volcanoes Roseau, Dominica, CMC – A critical halfcentury stand between captain Liam Sebastien and tail-ender Delorn Johnson rescued Windward Islands Volcanoes from disaster on the opening day of their fourth round game in the Regional Four-Day Championship yesterday. With their side precariously poised on 48 for seven at Windsor Park, the pair came together in a 78run, eighth wicket partnership to ensure the hosts closed the day on 186 for eight. The left-handed Sebastien was unbeaten on 59 – his 13th first class halfcentury – while Johnson, also a left-hander, was on 46 not out and in sight of his
second first class fifty. Volcanoes were rocked by fast bowler Gavin Tonge who claimed four for 24 and West Indies seamer Alzarri Joseph who finished with three for 52, in his first game of the season. It was the 20year-old Joseph who stunned Volcanoes first up, snatching three of the first four wickets to fall to reduce the hosts to 22 for four in the fifth over. Sunil Ambris resisted briefly in 22 from 56 balls but Tonge ripped through the middle order to leave the innings in tatters. Sebastien then stepped up, striking eight fours off 100 balls in 137 minutes while Johnson was entertaining, belting two fours and four sixes in a 39ball cameo.
Alzarri Joseph
The start of play was delayed until 1.40 pm because of a wet outfield caused by overnight rain. Scores: VOLCANOES 186 for eight (Liam Sebastien 59 not out, Delorn
Johnson 46 not out, Sunil Ambris 23, Shane Shillingford 22; Gavin Tonge 4-24, Alzarri Joseph 3 - 5 2 ) v s L E E WA R D I S L A N D S HURRICANES.
try to fool officials testing “B samples” in supposedly tamper-proof bottles. DNA MISMATCHES The report included cases where a doctored B sample did not match the DNA of previous specimens, and of samples that contained a mixture of male and female urine. It added that analysis of the samples from four Russians who won gold in Sochi had shown salt readings that were physiologically impossible, while there was evidence that the samples of 12 Russian Sochi medalists had been tampered with. More than 1,100 items of evidence contained in the report have been made available to the public at the website. Ye s t e r d a y ’s r e p o r t provided extensive evidence to support the original July report, which said Moscow had concealed hundreds of positive doping tests ahead of the Sochi Winter Games in 2014.
The IOC declined to impose a blanket ban on Russia competing in Rio, letting international sports federations decide which athletes should be allowed to compete. Only athletics and weightlifting banned the entire Russian teams. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) did ban Russia completely from its Rio games, however, and said on Friday the full findings of the report “strike right at the heart of the integrity and ethics of sport”. McLaren accepted that Russian authorities had taken many steps since his first report, removing officials who had been involved in the cover-up, setting up a new anti-doping commission and proposing a “gold standard” doping control regime. However, when asked about the comments of Svishchev and Isinbayeva, he said: “The findings are not challengeable...my impression is that there is a certain embedded cultural aspect to what has been going on, so there probably does need to be cultural change. ”That doesn’t mean change won’t occur, but it might take longer than a few months or a year.” WADA Director General Olivier Niggli told Reuters that the report only scratched the surface of the problem. ”Richard McLaren and his team only had access to a fraction of what probably happened in Russia,” Niggli said. (Reuters)
Georgetown Masters and Hearts of Oak battle for Frank Alphonso trophy tonight Georgetown Masters will take on Hearts of Oak of New Amsterdam in the final game of the two best in three series tonight at the Prison ground at New Amsterdam starting at 19:00hrs for the Frank Alphonso (Snr) trophy. Georgetown won the first encounter 2-0 after Christopher Barnwell and Jolyon Lewis found the back of the nets but Hearts of Oak came back to win the second match-up. Phillip Carrington, Sherwin Forde
(2), Kirt Alphonso netted for the winners while Dion Barnwell slotted home for Georgetown. The Georgetown Masters which is being led by Barnwell brothers Christopher and Dion include Shawn O’Neil, Wayne Pollis, Marlan Cole, Shawn Moonsammy and Paul Hutson. Hearts of Oak will depend on the likes of Adrian Forde, Sherwin Forde, Phillip Carrington and Kirt Alphonso.
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Lewis stars as Dynamites take title Dhaka Dynamites players celebrate after winning the Bangladesh Premier League. ©BCB
Dhaka, Bangladesh, CMC – West Indies opener Evin Lewis shone as Dhaka Dynamites trounced Darren Sammy’s Rajshahi Kings by 56 runs to capture the Bangladesh Premier League title here yesterday. Playing in the final at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, the left-handed Lewis top-scored with 45 as Dynamites, sent in, rallied to 159 for nine off their 20 overs. Fellow left-hander Kumar Sangakkara made 36 but he and Lewis were the only two to pass 20 for the favourites. Seamer Farhad Reza was the best bowler with three for 28 while Sammy picked up a single wicket in an expensive two-over spell which cost 22 runs. I n r e p l y, o p e n e r Mominul Haque top-scored
with 27 and Sabbir Rahman chipped in with 26 but they were only two of three in double figures and the only ones to pass 20, as Kings collapsed to 103 all out off 17.4 overs. West Indies all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Andre Russell could only both pick up a wicket each. Entering as the heavy favourites, Dynamites stumbled at the start as they slumped to 42 for three in the seventh over before recovering thanks to a 41-run fourth wicket stand between Lewis and Sangakkara. Lewis faced 31 deliveries and counted eight fours while Sangakkara struck two fours and a six in a 33-ball knock. When Lewis perished to a catch at short fine leg off Farhad Reza in the 11th over, both Bravo
(13) and Russell (8) fell cheaply to leave Dynamites on 113 for six in the 16th over. Sangakkara then kept the lower order together to see Dynamites to a competitive score. In reply, Kings lost Nurul Hasan in the third over for five at 15 for one but Mominul and Sabbir put the run chase back on track with an enterprising 47-run second wicket stand. Mominul faced 30 balls and counted three fours while Sabbir hit two fours in a 22ball innings. Once Sabbir was run out in the 10th over, however, the innings went into decline as Kings lost their last eight wickets for 37 runs. Sammy could only manage six his time around while Windies T20 seamer Kesrick Williams made four before retiring hurt.
GAWA hosts Level One Coaches course Twenty affiliates of the Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association (GAWA) were in attendance when the executives of that entity raised the curtains on a three-day, Level One Coaches course yesterday and concludes tomorrow afternoon. The course is financed by the Pan American Weightlifting Federation in
conjunction with the International Weightlifting Federation and has attracted participants from several organisations and gyms around the country. President of the GAWA, Frank Tucker, delivered opening remarks and welcomed the participants. He was grateful for the support from the parent bodies and urged the
participants to make good use of the opportunity to improve on their knowledge and techniques of the sport. Director of Sports, Christopher Jones and Vice President of the Guyana Olympic Association, Noel Adonis, also delivered opening remarks while echoing Mr. Tucker ’s s e n t i m e n t s . The course is facilitated by world renowned sports scientist, Dr. Kyle Pierce, of the Louisiana State University, Shreveport Louisiana U.S.A., and successful participants will be promoted to Pan American Certified level one coaches upon completion.
Saturday December 10, 2016
Jamaican Powell to run at Invitational St George’s, Grenada, CMC – Former world 100 metres record holder, Asafa Powell, has confirmed his participation in next April’s Grenada Invitational scheduled for the National Stadium here. The 34-year-old Jamaican, who has broken the 10-seconds barrier in the 100 metres nearly 100 times during his career, is among the first international track stars to sign off on the inaugural meet. Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, who announced Powell’s pa r t i c i p a t i o n yesterday during the 2 0 1 7 b u d g e t presentation, said the sprinter’s presence was an indication of the high standard of athlete which was expected to line up at the showpiece. ”Of the many athletes expected to compete at this inaugural event, former world 100m record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica has c o n f i r m e d h i s
participation,” Dr Mitchell said following the budget presentation. ”The Grenada Invitational, a private partnership initiative and supported by the Government, will provide Grenadians with an opportunity to see for the first time on local shores, elite international athletes competing at the National Athletic Stadium.” The Local Organising Committee has been liaising with Olympian Chris Brown of the Bahamas to secure the signatures of top international athletes. And Powell, who holds the fifth fastest 100m time in history, is expected to be the first of several marquee names to participate at the Invitational. ”Chris continues to deliver on his promise to introduce quality athletes to the Grenada fans and we’re h a p p y o n t h e
Asafa Powell developments,” said meet organiser, Michael Bascombe. ”It’s an impressive list of track and field athletes and it will be an historic occasion for Grenada. The stakeholders including the athletics frat e r n i t y l e d b y M r C h a r l e s G e o rg e h a v e provided critical start-up information and we’re satisfied with the progress.” The meet is set for April 8.
Blackwood puts Scorpions on top Red Force
Kingston, Jamaica, CMC – Jason Mohammed narrowly missed out on his sixth first class hundred but Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood was closing in on his fifth, as Jamaica Scorpions took command of their fourth round Regional Four-Day contest a g a i n s t Tr i n i d a d a n d Tobago Red Force here yesterday. Replying to Scorpions’ first innings of 314, Red Force were dismissed for 206 after resuming the second day at Sabina Park on 35 for two. Mohammed carved out a splendid unbeaten 91 while in-form Barbadian opener Kyle Hope got 64, but Red Force tumbled to the spin of leg-spinner Damion Jacobs who claimed four for 61 and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller who picked up
three for 53. With a lead of 108, Scorpions batted themselves into a strong position thanks to Blackwood who was unbeaten on 80 at the close. They were slumping at 21 for two until Blackwood combined with West Indies batsman Andre McCarthy, who made 28, to put on 83 for the third wicket. The right-handed Blackwood has so far faced 120 balls in 157 minutes and counted ten fours and a six while McCarthy struck four fours in a 54-ball knock. Earlier, Red Force needed the enterprise of Mohammed and Hope in order to rebound from their overnight chaos when they lost two wickets in successive deliveries to end the first day. Left-hander Yannic Cariah fell in the morning’s seventh over for 15 at 56 for three but the pair came together in an 87-run fourth wicket stand to rescue the innings. Mohammed, in his first game since his return from
West Indies duty, faced 125 balls in 2-3/4 hours at the crease and blasted ten fours and four sixes. Hope, meanwhile, already with three halfcenturies under his belt this season, counted three fours and three sixes in a knock spanning 81 deliveries and just under 2-1/2 hours. His dismissal, however, triggered a slide which saw six wickets tumble for 21 runs, to leave Red Force tottering on 164 for nine. Mohammed then nursed the strike, putting on 42 for the last wicket with Sheldon Cottrell who made seven, to add valuable runs for the visitors. Scores: SCORPIONS 314 (Andre McCarthy 82, Brandon King 78, Jermaine Blackwood 34, John Campbell 33; Roshon Primus 3-32, Jason Mohammed 2-16) and 148 for four (Jermaine Blackwood 80 not out, A n d r e M cC ar th y 2 8 ) . RED FORCE 206 (Jason Mohammed 91 not out, Kyle Hope 64; Damion Jacobs 461, Nikita Miller 3-53).
Saturday December 10, 2016
Kaieteur News
Stag Nations Cup KO kicks off December 14 Five associations, 20-teams to contest By Zaheer Mohamed The Stag Nations Cup (formerly Stag Super-16) football tournament is set to kick off on December 14 with 20 teams from five associations affiliated to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) primed and ready to battle for supremacy. The tournament which is a collaborative effort among t h e E a s t B a n k FA , G e o rg e t o w n FA , E a s t D e m e r a r a F A , We s t Demerara FA and Berbice FA was launched yesterday a t A n s a M c A l , Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara. Speaking at the ceremony Robert Hiscock, Ansa McAl Marketing Manager said they are pleased to be associated with such a wonderful initiative/tournament adding that it is important for the development of the game. Hiscock stated that the company sees sports as an integral part of the development of any community which is why they are so fond of supporting it. “There is no better way to jump onboard with one of the most popular brand of football tournaments in Guyana which is in its third year running and brings so many different leagues
together and culminates with a massive final on the 1st of January 2017,” he noted. Third Vice President of the Guyana Football Federation Thandi Mc Allister stated that she is heartened by this collaborative effort of the associations and the expansion of the tournament. “I was impressed with the interest shown by the teams involved last year in w h i c h G r o v e H i - Te c h emerged winners. The GFF is happy with the efforts of the respective associations who would have decided to collaborate in order to expand the tournament so as to ensure football is played continuously because that is our vision for the game in Guyana.” The Attorney posited. Mc Allister also pointed out that football does a lot for the youths and communities and lauded Ansa McAl under its Stag brand for once again partnering with the football fraternity. Mc Allister said she hopes to see more associations get involved in the future and encouraged that fair play and good sportsmanship be the hallmark of the competition. President of the East Bank FA Franklin Wilson indicated that due to the
extension from 16 teams to 20 a playoff will commence on Wednesday next at the Golden Grove ground, Eats Coast Demerara to decide the final four teams that will go through to the last 16 since the top four teams from Georgetown, top two from West Demerara, East Bank, East Demerara and Berbice have gained automatic berths. Wilson indicated that matches will be played in all the associations and felt that that was needed so that each of the associations will enjoy their teams in action. Georgetown FA is currently involved in a play off to decide their other two representative teams because the top four teams from their previous tournament have automatic picks in the round of 16. The opening fixture on Wednesday pits Mahaicony Thunders against the number six side from Georgetown at 18:30hrs followed by New Amsterdam United against Golden Stars at 20:30hrs. Additional entertainment will be provided at the final which is expected to be played at the Guyana National Stadium. The champions will pocket G$2M, the runner up $1M, third place $500,000 and fourth place $300,000.
David Warner’s seventh century of 2016 seals 3-0 series win
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Caribbean Development Boxing Tournament
Gold medals for Guyana’s Moore and Allicock following scintillating KO’s Junior boxer, Isaiah Moore (46kgs), scored a TKO over Barbadian, Rashawn Holder in the first round and secured the first gold medal for this country as Guyanese boxers continued their dominance at the Caribbean Development Boxing Tournament in Bridgetown, Barbados last Thursday evening. Not to be outdone, Flyweight (youth), Keevin Allicock, replicated the feat forcing the Referee to stop his bout against Barbadian Stephan Harding also in the first stanza to clinch Guyana’s second gold medal of the tournament. Middleweight pugilist Desmond Amsterdam has positioned himself for at least a silver medal when he pounded out a lopsided unanimous verdict over Barbadian Islow Fraser to propel him into the finals. Guyanese boxers have dominated the tournament so far but there are still a few who have not yet fought. These include elite boxers, Super/Heavyweight Jason Barker, Light/Heavyweight, Markember Pierre, Bantamweight Clairmonte Gibson and Akiel Mounter and Flyweight Kevin Allicock. Two of them, Mounter and Gibson were expected to grace the ring last night. Gibson fought Barbadian Alayl Jones while Mounter faced off with Curlan Robinson of Anguilla. So far, Guyanese pugilists have d o m i n a t e d t h e championship with Lightweight (youth) boxer, Christopher Moore and
Desmond Amsterdam
Light/Welterweight Colin Lewis registering early victories Wednesday night to stay in the medal hunt. Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, who is on duty in another country, has relayed his congratulations to Moore and Allicock even as he urged the remaining boxers to emulate their feat. He said that the boxers’ success would compensate for the arduous 100 miles walk that the GBA executive and other boxing stalwarts
had undertaken to accrue the necessary funds to facilitate the boxers’ participation at the tournament. ”Results like these are very encouraging and makes the job of soliciting sponsorship a little easier,” he remarked. Along with Guyana, the other participating countries are Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, Jamaica, Anguilla, Dominica, Guadeloupe, St Maarten, Belize, French Guiana, Cayman Island, US Virgin Islands, Martinique and Grenada.
ECD Jubilee Fiesta softball tourney fix for tomorrow David Warner hit his seventh one-day century of the year as Australia sealed a 3-0 series whitewash over New Zealand with a 117-run win in Melbourne. The opener, who made 156 off 128 deliveries, was run out off the final ball of Australia’s 264-8. The next highest score was Travis Head’s 37. Mitchell Starc took 3-34 as New Zealand were bowled
out for 147 with almost 14 overs unused at the MCG. Only Sachin Tendulkar (nine) has made more ODI hundreds in a calendar year. Warner, whose century was his second in successive games and fourth in his six matches, has scored 1,388 runs at an average of 63.09 in 23 ODIs in 2016. A ustralia beat New Zealand by 68 runs in Sydney
and 116 runs in Canberra in the first two matches of the series. Australia begin a threeTest series against Pakistan on Thursday in Brisbane, while New Zealand host Bangladesh in a limited-overs series starting on 26 December. Australia 264-8 (50 overs): Warner 156 (128). New Zealand 147 (36.1 overs): Starc 3-34.Australia won by 117 runs. (BBCsport)
The East Coast Demerara Jubilee Fiesta softball cricket competition has been set for tomorrow at the Better Hope Community Centre ground. Te a m s i n c l u d i n g Herstelling Rangers, Wellman, Mahaica Raiders and Success Warriors have already registered for the male segment while in the female category; 4-R Lioness, Trophy Stall Angels, Blue Divas and Mike’s Wellwoman have already signaled their
intention. The softball cricket will be the highlight of the weekend of activities which include music and sport organised by B.E.S.T. Family Entertainment along with Craby and the Guyana F l o o d l i g h t s Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA). The male softball winners will pocket $150,000 and the winning trophy with $75,000 going to the runner up. The female champion team will receive
$50,000 and a trophy with $25,000 going to the second place. Interested teams can contact Wayne Jones on 685 6908 or 650 1790 for registration and competition regulations. All male teams will pay an entrance fee of $15,000 while the female teams will pay $5,000. After the cricket final the organisers have a massive closing party planned with performances from Kwesi ‘Ace” Edmondson and Poonam Singh.
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Saturday December 10, 2016
Chanderpaul’s ton takes Jaguars to 311 on day 1 By Sean Devers Dropped West Indies batsman Shiv Chanderpaul continues to prove that age is just a number when he again rescued the Guyana Jaguars with a responsible even century on day one of the fourth round Day/Night Digicel Regional First-Class contest against Barbados Pride last night at Providence. The 42-year-old lefthander recorded his 72nd First-Class ton and 18th at the Regional level in 245 minutes, 141 balls with 13 fours to move to 17 tons. Only Stuart Williams (20) and Devon Smith (21) have more Regional First-Class centuries. Chanderpaul shared in an 85-run sixth wicket with Bajan Raymon Reifer who reached the boundary six times in his 35 and 70 for the ninth wicket with Gudakesh Motie who batted from104 minutes and hit five fours and a six in his 36 not out to pass his previous best of 34 as the Jaguars reached 311 all out, their first 300 plus
total for the season. Rajendra Chandrika who batted for 67 minutes to make 11 and teenager Shemron Hetymer who smashed a 77-ball 60 with seven fours and three sixes had posted 49 for the first wicket for the Jaguars, who lost three wickets for one run. Vishaul Singh hit six fours in 40 from 86 balls and 93 minutes. Kemar Roach (3-47), Roston Chase (2-74), Kevin Stoute (2-52) and Jonathon Carter (2-50) were the main wicket takers for Barbados. The Jaguars, playing an unchanged team from the St Lucia game won the toss and elected to bat on a track with a tinge off green and a lightning fast outfield. Although Hetymer cut Justin Greaves four and Chandrika effortlessly on drove Roach for a boundary neither of the two looked totally comfortable. The lefthanded Hetymer edged a cut off Justin Greaves past the slip cordon for four while Chandrika missed a cut at Greaves before Hetymer smashed Roach to the cover
boundary when he over pitched. A handful of fans in the stands watched in bright sunshine as Chandrika latched on to Greaves and drove him sweetly for four while Hetymer clipped Stout off his legs for six over midwicket. But with the score on 41 and Chandrika pushed half heartedly forward and was bowled by Chase in his first over to bring Skipper Leon Johnson to the crease. Johnson got off the mark with an exquisitely timed off drive for four off Chase while Hetymer who turns 20 on Boxing Day, hit Stoute over long-off for six before Johnson (4) played no shot to Chase and was LBW at 61-2. Hetymer and fellow West Indies ‘A’ team mate Singh joined forces and the latter, who enjoyed a successful tour to Sri Lanka, danced into Chase and whipped him for four. With the lights beginning to take effect Hetymer and Singh began ‘operation rebuild.’ Heytmer reached his third First-Class 50 with an
3rd Annual Smalta Girls Pee Wee Football Competition
Business end commences today with quarter-final action
Part of the action in this year’s Smalta Girls Pee Wee Football Competition. The business end of the 3rd Annual Smalta Girls Pee Wee Football Competition will begin in earnest today with quarter-final action slated for the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. In the first two matches, St. Margaret’s will take on Enterprise, while reigning champion St. Stephen’s collide with St. Angela’s at 11:30hrs. In the other two last eight encounters, at 12:15hrs, North Georgetown square off against St. Pius, while West Ruimveldt and
St. Agnes do battle for a place in the semis. Prior to the commencement of those games, the 9-16 positional section will begin from 10:00hrs. In the opening round of matches, South Ruimveldt engage Smith Memorial and St. Gabriel’s is pitted against Winfer Gardens. The second segment of matches will see Tucville do battle with Stella Maris and Redeemer square off with F.E. Pollard from 10:45hrs. According to the Organisers, action continues on Monday
with semi-final play set for the same venue. The winning team will receive the championship and medals, while the second, third and fourth placed finishers will also be rewarded with prizes. There will also be prizes for outstanding individual performances such as the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Highest Goalscorer and Best Goalkeeper. The Ministries of Public Health and Education are also on board.
Shemron Hetymer drills Justin Greaves for one of his seven boundaries at Providence yesterday (Sean Devers photo).
edge for four off Chase. His fifty took 55 balls, 99 minutes and was decorated with six fours and three sixes. However with the score on 99 and one ball left before the dinner break, Heytmer lost his head and his wicket when he played an irresponsible pull and was taken at deep square leg off Carter to once again gift his wicket without converting an attractive 50 into a century. Singh and Shiv Chanderpaul, two of six lefthanders in the batting lineup batted in workman like fashion with Chanderpaul in particular not playing at any ball he didn’t have to p l a y a t . With both batsmen possessing similar temperament for ‘batting long’ their partnership, although not entertaining, was an important one with three batsmen back in the pavilion before 100 runs were scored. But with the partnership on 39 and the score on 138, Singh was caught on the back foot and was given LBW to Stoute. Chris Barnwell again showed inconsistency, going LBW to Stoute for four at 148-5 and Chanderpaul, the last of the specialist batsman, was once again saddled with the burden of batting with the bowlers. The most capped West Indies Test player stroked Stoute for contrasting boundaries off consecutive balls. The first was a delightful cut behind point which was followed up with a w h i p o ff h i s h i p s . A steer to third man off Carter for his eighth
boundary brought up Chanderpaul 136th fifty at this level and by Tea the man from Unity was unbeaten on 51. With Chairman of the WICB selectors Courtney Browne watching, C h a n d e r p a u l demonstrated why is still one of the better batsmen in the West Indies. Reifer stroked Carter for four but was removed in the same over to trigger a mini collapse with Anthony Bramble (1) falling one run later to Kemar Roach who also got rid of Veerasammy Permaul for a duck to leave the Jaguars on 234-8 and Chanderpaul on 66. Chanderpaul stepped on
the gas and played more aggressive shots including back-to-back boundaries off Greaves and found a wonderful ally in Motie who dumped left-arm spinner Jomal Warrican for six to post the 50 partnership. Chanderpaul, who has been playing at this level since 1992, inched closer his 72nd First-Class ton and the handful of spectators applauded every run he scored once he got into the nineties for the second such score for the season. He tucked Roach to mid wicket for a single to reach his hundred but was soon bowled by same bowler at 304-9.
Saturday December 10, 2016
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Kaieteur News
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Nat U-15 French Guiana Tour
Saturday December 10, 2016
Five synthetic tracks for five regions
Squad of 27 to be reduced to 16 for travel next Friday Ground Enhancement grant increases
The GFF recording a goalkeeping drill yesterday morning at the Nat U-15 Camp (Sean Devers photo)
By Sean Devers Under a blue sky yesterday morning at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue, the 27 Under-15 footballers vying for selection to the national team for the French Guiana tour went through their paces in hot conditions
guided their Coaches and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Technical Director, Englishman, Ian Greenwood. The 31-year-old who is in charge of all levels of local football with an emphasis on developmental programmes, expressed general satisfaction with the Camp which commenced last
Sunday and is being used in preparation for a youth tournament in French Guiana next week. The players should be fairly match-ready since 21 of the 27 have been participating in the NAMALICO Under-17 Intra Association tournament (Continued on page 32)
Five synthetic track and field facilities are high on Government’s agenda for the development of sports in Guyana. Minister Nicolette Henry, who has responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, made the disclosure during the Budget debate in the National Assembly on Thursday. Henry informed that $210 million was allocated for that development. It is obvious that the sum represents a figure given per facility since the total of $210 million is insufficient to build all five facilities in the Regions 2, 4, 6, 7 and 10 as disclosed. According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the Minister, in her presentation, noted that the administration highly regards sports as a tool for human development, and is also a great way of bringing diverse communities together. Henry said that the Ministry of Education through the National Sports Commission will work to strengthen sports related services. The Minister noted that this will be done with the guidance of the National Sports Policy which is expected to be
Minister Nicolette Henry addresses the National Assembly adopted in 2017. In addition, GINA reported that the Government will work assiduously to prepare athletes, to not only participate in the 2020 Olympics, but they will be given all the requisite s u p p o r t an d to o ls to compete. Minister Henry told the National Assembly that the “Budget 2017 makes provision for support to our athletes, to benefit from training and development exposure.” The allocation of $2M per ground under the M i n i s t r y ’s G r o u n d Enhancement Programme has been increased to $10M
to improve sporting infrastructure while several sport facilities will be upgraded and equipped with Wi-Fi services where events can be streamed live and aired via the internet. She said that the transformation of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall is an example of the level of change that will take place across the board. The Minister informed that the Government will engage Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, Germany and other partners in agreement to provide training in athletics, rugby, football, swimming and other sport disciplines.
Keen contests expected in Noble House Seafoods semis Persaud, Yadram unavailable for Everest due WI U-19 Camp
Dwayne Adams
Quincy Ovid-Richardson
Charwayne McPherson
By Sean Devers
division competition could produce competitive cricket today and tomorrow at Everest and Eve Leary grounds. Everest hosts GNIC while Police are at home TSC. Everest will be without Akshaya Persaud
and Baskar Yadram who left Guyana yesterday for an Under-19 West Indies team training Camp in preparation for the 2017 Regional Super50 tournament slated to run from January 24 to February (Continued on page 32)
After University of Guyana (UG) upset Transport Sports Club (TSC) in last year’s final, the 2016 semi-finals of the G C A’s N o b l e H o u s e Seafoods two-day second
Saturday December 10, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition
Sparta Boss inch closer in defence of title; Camp Street A.S, Bent Street, Back Circle also through Leopold Street O’Kenie Fraser (green bib) battles for possession of the ball against a player from Festival City Warriors.
Albouystwon ‘A’ Andrew Murray Jnr (with ball) contemplates his next move in their clash against Channel 9 Warriors. Debutants Camp Street All Stars despite going down to Bent Street in a penalty shootout on Thursday evening is among the quarter-finalists in this year’s Georgetown Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition. The other teams making it to the last eight stage are defending champion Sparta Boss, Bent Street, Broad Street Bullies, Leopold Street, North East La Penitence, Back Circle and Queen Street of Tiger Bay. Among the top teams missing out are Albouystown ‘A’, Festival City Warriors, West Front Road, West Back Road and Stevedore Scheme. Title holders Sparta Boss, despite not looking as clinical as in previous competitions, is still being installed as favourites and seems to be rounding into to form at the right time, recording two impressive victories against strong opponents in Channel 9 Warriors and Queen Street of Tiger Bay respectively. They have shown that they can beat you in either regulation or penalty shootouts as evidenced in their last two encounters. Going up against a tough Queen Street unit, Sparta
Boss were led to victory through two magnificent goals from Dennis Edwards and King Solomom Austin in the 28th and 30th minutes to silence a animated band of supporters from the Tiger Bay community that came out in their numbers. Another exciting clash saw Leopold Street send a strong Festival City Warriors side crashing out of the competition after surviving a nerve racking penalty shootout that went into sudden death. Broad Street Bullies and North East La Penitence also showed fine form after convincing wins against Stevedore Scheme and Up Like 7 respectively and added their names as likely candidates for semi-final berths. The night’s full results are seen below: Game-1: Camp Street All-Stars-0 vs Bent Street-0. Bent Street won 2-0 on penalty kicks. Game-2: North East La Penitence-3 vs Up Like-7-0. Shaquille Browne-2nd minute, Jermin Junior-8th minute, Kelvin Moore-30th minute. Game-3: Broad Street-3 vs Stevedore Scheme-0. Darren Benjamin-8th minute, Kevin Cummings26th minute, Quacey Weeks-
28th minute. Game-4: Tucville-0 vs West Back Road-0. Tucville won 3-2 on sudden death kicks. Game-5: AlbouystownA-0 vs Channel-9-0. Albouystown-A won 2-0 on sudden death kicks.
Game-6: Festival City Warriors-1 vs Leopold Street-1. Leopold won 3-1 on penalty kicks. Leopold S t r e e t s c o r e r, O m a l l o Wi l l i a m s - 6 t h m i n u t e ; Festival City scorer, Daniel Favourite-28th minute. Game-7: Back Circle-0
vs North Ruimveldt-0. Back Circle won 3-1 on penalty kicks. Game-8: Queen Street Tiger Bay-0 vs Sparta Boss2. Dennis Edwards 28th minute, Solomon Austin30th minute. Meanwhile, the quarter-
final matchups for tomorrow evening at Demerara Park are: Broad Street vs Queen Street; Leopold Street vs Tucville; Back Circle vs North East La Penitence; Sparta Boss vs Camp Street All-Stars.
t r o Sp Chanderpaul’s ton takes Jaguars to 311 on day 1
Shiv Chanderapaul turns one to leg last night at Providence.
Caribbean Development Boxing Tournament
Gold medals for Guyana’s Moore and Allicock following scintillating KO’s
Iasiah Moore
Keeve Allicock
Stag Nations Cup KO kicks off December 14 Five associations, 20-teams to contest
Head of the East Bank FA Franklin Wilson accepts the cheque from Robert Hiscock of Ansa McAl in the presence of officials from the GFF and the respective associations. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210