Monday December 12, 2016
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Imran Khan is emulating Kwame McCoy with his budget propaganda DEAR EDITOR; Editor’s note; unfortunately this letter, carried in our Saturday edition was truncated. The letter follows in its entirety 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? Because of the 2017 Budget, the poor will have to eat less. The financial fortunes of the poor has gotten increasingly worse as the “Sheriffs of Chanderpaul Drive”, clandestinely continue to deny them their earning and now with VAT are now moving to even take bread off the people’s table. Isn’t this the work of the antiChrist where the poor are starved to feed the fat cats in the mansions? Let me make it absolutely clear to the defenders of this “vampire” budget, I have always held closely the words of Tony Benn, a famous British
Parliamentarian. Mr. Benn once said; “in politics there are weathercocks and sign post”. Weathercocks will spin from one side of an issue to another side based on how many gold coins dropped into their pockets, no matter what principle they have to compromise. Signposts on the other hand stand true and tall and principled, irrespective of the direction of the wind and they
continue to point in a direction and they say this is where you ought to go. I want to be remembered as a signpost that will always stand with the poor and the working class. Therefore it is my duty to stand against this parasitic 2017 Budget every step of the way. As a liberal democrat, I will always stand with the poor and the working class. I did it against the PPP when they lost their moral
compass in the latter portions of their rule and I am prepared to combat this PNC-led Granger administration if this abuse of the poor and the working class continues. I am prepared to stand fearlessly against anyone
who thinks their papa and mama left them a transport on the people’s Treasury and with a power of attorney to punish the workers. This abuse of the poor has to be confronted. Sasenarine Singh
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THE MAYOR WAXES LYRICAL ON GEORGETOWN’S FUTURE DEAR EDITOR; In today’s changing world, the small cities of the developing world are rapidly becoming commercial districts. No doubt, it is these changing times and the transfer of knowledge and technology that have contributed greatly to the development of many cities and nations. It is therefore appropriate for cities around the world to collaborate in their development efforts. Over the past year, under my leadership, the current city council has made tremendous efforts to improve the city. The council has taken a democratic and holistic approach to its development initiatives. Recognizing that Guyana is on the cusp of a new development era, the council is taking proactive measures to position the City of Georgetown to take advantage of the new opportunities that will soon become available. We therefore see global partnership at the municipal level as a great potential avenue to fully harness these potentials. The council is not only interested in making full use of its natural resources but also enhancing its human capability to lead the development of Georgetown. The council is cognizant that there is a worldwide thrust towards sustainable development. This has led to a move towards the need for more environmentally friendly practices which must be inculcated in all our citizens. Already Georgetown has embarked on its Green and Clean City initiative. This is an attempt to restore it to its days of Garden City renown. Since taking office, a number of clean-up exercises have been
undertaken in collaboration with government entities, the local business community and civil society. The Green City initiative has seen the establishment and rehabilitation of several green recreational spaces in Georgetown. On the horizon is the creation of several other urban forestry efforts which are geared to contributing to the Low Carbon Development mandate of enhancing Guyana’s forest carbon stock. Efforts have already commenced in this area, particularly with the planting and replanting of trees at some city locations. To date the council has hosted its inaugural Green Expo, which has garnered the support of central government and international organizations such as the resident delegation of the European Union. These efforts have thus far been encouraging, and it is the council’s hope to continue further works along this theme. In all its efforts the council has been keen to deeply engage the youth and women of the various constituencies which it represents. This engagement is highly valued within the council and is representative of the very composition of the serving members; a young, agile, gender balanced council which is working to ensure Georgetown is not left behind. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on community clean-up restoration projects. These have directly benefited single females and young men of the respective communities. Moving forward into the next period, the council will work to address some key issues that are currently slowing the development of
the city: 1. Solid waste management: The city has long been faced with this issue. Council’s vision is to re-create a clean and healthy Georgetown where residents can enjoy good quality air. 2. Vehicular traffic congestion: The increase in the number of persons owning and operating private vehicles has resulted in tremendous traffic build-up on the streets of Georgetown. This issue is made worse by the fact that Georgetown is the main transit point for the coasts of Guyana where the majority of the population resides. The council is currently in the process of installing a state-of-the-art parking meter system which will perform the dual function of helping to manage the traffic situation and bringing in much needed revenues. 3. Tax collection systems and mechanisms: Rate defaulters are one of the biggest obstacles the council faces as it relates to accumulating resources to adequately provide the requisite services. For a number of years now, both residents and business entities have reneged on their obligations to pay taxes. This has resulted in a huge buildup of outstanding taxes owed to the council. The council has implemented its second amnesty programme which will see rate defaulters being exempted from paying accrued interest on their outstanding taxes. 4. Alternative energy sources: Council intends to move swiftly to the use of alternative energy sources so as to ensure the proper use of resources and the preservation of Georgetown’s pristine environment. It is our
intention to first venture out into providing our local municipal buildings and public spaces with such energy. But this cannot and will not be done in isolation. Collaboration and consultation with civil society, private businesses and donor organizations will be priority. 5. Public Health: Part of the city’s mandate is ensuring safe and healthy spaces for its residents. Promoting a healthy city is the council’s priority. Efforts towards greening our city have not only focused on the aesthetics of land, but the health of the population. The green spaces are incorporated as clean and safe spaces for families and individuals which they can use for either recreational or fitness purposes. By extension this mandate of providing a healthy space for the residents is given more credibility by the efforts made to enhance solid waste management so as to provide clean air and reduce the prevalence of airborne sicknesses. In fact all the prior efforts mentioned above will come to naught if our most valuable resources, our human resources, are not taken care of. Much has been said about what the Georgetown Mayor and City Council has done and plans to do. But this will all amount to nothing if we do not first of all have the support of our residents and other partners in development. This is an opportune time for us to come together and share in this vision to make Georgetown a better place. Patricia Chase-Green Mayor City of Georgetown
Dr. Bulkan questions... From page 4 like wamara. Compare that price range with the values copied out by GFC from log exporters’ documents: US$160-200/m3, while the cost of delivery to a port in China is less than US$ 250/m3, using GMSA data on containerized shipping costs returning from Guyana to China. So there is a profit of US$600 or more per cubic metre even before the Chinese start sawing our logs. Some ten years ago, the GFC had a sensible intention of zoning production forest within tractor-accessible distance in Region 10 to small-scale operators with no working capital, and allocating the more distant production forest to companies with industrial processing value-adding capacity and ability to use mobile sawmills to minimize the trucking of waste wood. The GFC also had an intention to consolidate the betterstocked State Forest Permissions into areas for industrial-scale sustainably-managed Timber Sales Agreement concessions. That intention was abandoned in 2008 when the practice of expanding SFP area was begun, with no formal policy backing. It is not clear how the new intention of wasteful logging with no value-addition matches the President’s hopes for a Green Economy. Janette Bulkan
Monday December 12, 2016
Road driver madness in Guyana DEAR EDITOR; This is an open letter to the Minister of Public Security and the Guyana Police Force. I am kindly asking you to reproduce it in your newspaper. On December 11th this year, it will be seven years since we lost our dear friend and sister, Dr. Desrey CaesarFox in a terrible and unnecessary road accident. Just this week I attended the funeral of Ms. Rockliffe whose life was snuffed out clearly by a terrible decision of a driver to make a U Turn on a major road, something that is against the law. And as I reflect on my own mortality and on a very near miss accident with a massive truck (GVV 5748) last Sunday on the Mabura road, the driver took a turn at TOP speed and lost some amount of control, I think every day, how can we stop the madness on the roads. For the past week, I have had cause to use the East Bank, Linden Highway and the East Coast and the insane stupidity that I continue to see from drivers is astounding. Many do not respect the double lines (for no overtaking) and many including BIG trucks are speeding even around Georgetown. Infuriating are those taxi drivers who cannot wait their turn at stop lights and feel that they need to drive up usually on the right side of the road and park and just pull off in front of a line of waiting vehicles when the light changes (check the cameras on Sandy Babb and Vlissengen Roads for many of these incidents). I have always felt that once you become a driver you have a license to kill. A vehicle is a lethal weapon and we need to seriously start addressing this issue. The East Bank in particular has too many accidents in the past 2 years and this also stems from the poor organization of traffic
flows. What also I think we are witnessing is that many drivers simple do not understand how to use the roads simply because many have not bothered to do the theory classes and exams but have simply BOUGHT their licenses. There is too much ignorance for this issue to be blamed on anything else. I am grateful if the following recommendations could be considered: 1. All traffic police also wear visibility vests yesterday travelling on the East Coast, there was a police that I saw at the last moment directing traffic. 2. More dangerous bend signage mounted on East Bank and East Coast Roads. Perhaps even Parika, Berbice and Essequibo as well. 3. An extensive public awareness campaign launched on safe road use using all the media. I hope that the corporate sector and NGOs would be willing to join this cause. This campaign must be continuous and not only once a year during road safety month. 4. Camera footage be seriously scrutinized and people charged. When people feel it in their pockets, they adhere to rules. 5. More cameras to be mounted around the city and even on East Bank and East Coast. Priority would be East Bank Road. 6. Put in place a fair system that citizens can report traffic offences. We can use social media, the general media, hotlines etc. 7. All drivers age 50 and under (DESPITE SOCIAL STANDING AND POSITION IN SOCIETY) attend a training session on safe road use including road signage, the five Cs. I personally would be happy for a refresher. Thank you for your urgent attention Dr. Raquel ThomasCasesar
Is this company buying Skeldon estate? DEAR EDITOR; The Management of Skeldon Estate told workers on December 05 that it would stop operations of the Estate for three (3) days from December 06 to examine the factory’s boilers, an exercise which is usually done by some factory workers. However, this exercise was undertaken by some foreign personnel. They also conducted an inspection of the other factory components. It was learnt that they are representatives of the foreign company that has demonstrated its interest to acquire Skeldon Estate. Indeed the process of divestment of Skeldon Estate is taking place yet the workers and the people of our country are kept in the dark. Vishnu Seepersaud
Monday December 12, 2016
Gold Board must review method of purchasing in order to survive - Trotman By Abena RockcliffeCampbell With losses of over $9.9B, the Guyana Gold Board just cannot continue operating in the manner it has been for the last 35 years. So said Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman while highlighting the woes of the Guyana Gold Board before the National Assembly. Trotman said that in 2015 the APNU+AFC Government noted that the Guyana Gold Board had, over a number of years, amassed a deficit of more than GY$9B. He said that the deficit called for a comprehensive review of the organization that has been in existence for 35 years. Trotman said that the Ministry of Natural Resources has fought tirelessly for the continued existence of the Guyana Gold Board “because the Ministry believes that there is merit in having the organization function as a regulator to monitor gold dealers and continue to provide the service of trading gold on a profitable basis.” Trotman said that in 2016, a complete organizational review was conducted and during the stocktaking process, it was realized that the method of buying gold is flawed. He added that it has been recognised that monitoring and compliance go beyond that scope to include the licensed gold dealers. As such, the Minister said that in 2017, legislative changes will be made to allow the Board to enhance its monitoring and regulatory
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman process and increase revenues from application fees and penalties. “At this time I can say that the status quo cannot continue and there will be changes. Therefore, the Guyana Gold Board must review the method of purchasing gold and this will be done in consultation with the representative organisers of miners and the gold dealers.” Trotman said that during the review process, it was noted that the Guyana Gold Board was primarily monitoring gold declaration figures. On the other hand, the Compliance Unit will be expanded, not only in terms of staff complement, but also the scope of the work of that department to include due diligence and monitoring of all gold traders and barters. On the brighter side, Trotman said that for 2016, the Ministry of Natural Resources projected a gold declaration target of 550,000 ounces, which when calculated, is a 21.8 % increase of the previous
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year’s target. “I am pleased to report that to date, we have surpassed that target and gold declaration stands at an unprecedented 641,668 ounces, which is a remarkable achievement for our country – the highest gold declaration figure in a calendar year and thus far.” Trotman was keen to note that small and medium scale miners delivered 429, 188, Guyana Goldfields and Troy Resources delivered 145,236 and 67,244 ounces respectively. This means that the small and medium scale miners delivered close to 70% of the total. “Today I pause to congratulate them on behalf of His Excellency President David Granger and to assure them that the APNU+AFC government will neither abandon nor undermine their efforts.” Trotman also used the opportunity to reiterate that the gold projection target for the year 2017 is set at 694,000 ounces. “It is a difficult, but not impossible, target to reach, but as I reminded the audience at an event recently, we Guyanese are a resilient people with a can do attitude.” Trotman said that the Ministry of Natural Resources will exert all of its energies to meeting this target “not solely because our good Minister of Finance has requested it, but more importantly, because the people of Guyana need us to do so. I am confident that we can achieve this target as we expect that all categories of gold declarants will continue to grow.”
Charlotte Street residents fear collapse of rotting shed - say owner ignores pleas to demolish
Hanging pieces of wood from the shed Persons living in an enclosed compound at Lot 167 Charlotte Street, Georgetown are seeking help from authorities to demolish a large, rotting shed, which they say poses a danger to them and their children. The shed is said to be the property of a landlord. Residents claim that the owner has made no attempt to pull the structure down. Most of the children in the compound play under the shed. When Kaieteur News visited the location yesterday, a few children were playing next to the shed. One resident claimed that in response to complaints, the landlord would ‘brace’ the
structure up with pieces of old lumber. “A few nights ago when it was raining I swear the shed would have fallen because it was making a lot of noise and the roof was blowing up and down disturbing me from my rest,” one woman said. “The morning when I wake up if yuh see wood on the ground and pieces of rotten zinc that had to be cleaned up.” Another angry resident said that, “you see how them
nails done loose off…I just want it hurry and fall down but nobody must get hurt, because its only when it fall then he gone rebuild it.” A mother of three stated that one evening while she was going home she heard “Bladam! Blam! And all I could have done was run for my life because I thought was a thief man, is until the next morning when I go back and check I realized that it was two piece wood that fell. Look how I could of get knock.”
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No more sole sourcing of drugs in 2017 In registering her unremitting support for the 2017 budget, Dr. Karen Cummings, junior Minister of Public Health assured the National Assembly that next year Guyana will see the elimination of the sole sourcing of drugs in the Public Health sector. During her 2017 budget debate presentation last week, Cummings said that within the budget, $6.5B has been allocated for the procurement of medicine and medical supplies. Cummings assured the House that this money will be judiciously spent and meticulously accounted for as the government ventures into 2017. “The Ministry of Public Health has embraced a new procurement paradigm, called open competitive bidding. No more sole sourcing of medicines and medical supplies as a routine will occur within the Ministry of Public Health.” According to the Minister, she has made careful note of comments by the opposition, the People’s Progressive Party Civic, regarding procurement. She therefore moved to announce that a procurement department is currently being established within the Ministry. “For 19 months we have wrestled with this beast called procurement; sole sourcing; this creature from the past has been the bane of the Ministry since its inception. The Ministry of Public Health is finally removing sole sourcing from being its sole option for procurement of medicines and medical supplies.” In addition to this, Cummings said that the Ministry plans to address the issue of storage in a comprehensive manner, as well as the distribution systems which will be
- Junior Health Minister
Junior Minister of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings assisted by the Supplies Chain Management Systems (SCMS) using data driven information in order to have a consistent supply of drugs while simultaneously reducing wastage. When in government, the PPP/C had practiced sole sourcing, whereby billions of dollars in medical drugs were procured from the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC), a company owned by Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop. Going further to inform the House of what positives to expect from Budget 2017, Minister Cummings said that to ensure that all health facilities are structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing, $2B has been allocated for infrastructure. “In this regard, some of the health care facilities will be transformed to better accommodate the people of their communities including the differently able.” Particular emphasis is expected to be placed on health facilities at the district level, along with the establishment and improvement of comfortable living quarters. It is hoped that
this will attract the best medical personnel to work in areas such as Baramita, Kamarang, Mahdia, Port Kaituma and Annai. Additionally, Cummings said that greater attention will be given to Maternal Child health. She said US$8M will be used to finance a project that will contribute significantly towards the reduction in maternal, perinatal and neonatal deaths. “Through a number of innovative capacity building exercises, the Ministry of Public Health will be working at strengthening the primary medical health care provider in regions three, four and nine. The provision of this enhanced health care in these areaa will commence through a US$8M project.” According to Cummings, one component of this project is to improve the supply chain for new types of contraceptives, drugs and blood products. To address mental health, Cummings said that over the past 19 months, the Ministry has established for the first time in the nation’s history, a mental health unit. She said that the unit was established earlier this year, and is adequately staffed with competent staff. Further, she said that in 2016, over 250 persons received training from the institution and it is expected that in 2017 over 300 persons will be trained, inclusive of members in civil society. She said that it is important that the nation continues to address mental health issues holistically, so that the stigma and discrimination can be removed and persons can feel free to seek the help they need.
Monday December 12, 2016
Rupununi Essence project makes $1M profit since June start …plans afoot to add more items to product line
(From left: Minister of Indigenous Affairs Sydney Allicock, NRDDB Trustee Vanda Radzik, Paulette Allicock, Coordinator MRU, Professor Suresh Narine, Ms. Emily Allicock, Administrator of Bina Hill Institute and Ms. Sharon Patterson, Coordinator of Ministry of Social Cohesion At a simple ceremony held yesterday at the Cara Lodge, the Institute of Applied Science and Technology handed over $1,031,208 to the Makushi Research Unit (MRU) and the Medicine From Trees (MFT) group of the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB). This sum represents profits from the sale of Rupununi Essence Luxury Facial Cleansers since the launch of the product in June 2016. Present at the event were Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock, Sharon Patterson, Coordinator of the Ministry of Social Cohesion, representing Minister Amna Alli; Vanda Radzik, trustee of the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB); Emily Allicock, Administrator of the Bina Hill Institute and Paulette
Allicock, the coordinator of the Makushi Research Unit, who accepted the cheque from Professor Suresh Narine of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology. The products are made on behalf of the NRDDB by the IAST, and all production costs, including electricity, labour, raw materials, packaging, marketing, etc., are recovered by the IAST, with 100 percent profits being remitted to the NRDDB. Professor Narine in his remarks said that the product is now on sale at D.M. Sales, on Regent Street and at the Grand Coastal hotel, East Coast Demerara. He said that within a few weeks, in time for the Christmas shopping season, the product will be available at a number of other hotels and retail outlets. He is confident that another $2M of profit should be realized from sales over the Christmas period. He added that currently,
the institute is supervising the construction of a solar drying and processing facility in Paramakatoi, Region 8 to sun-dry tomatoes grown in the Pakaraima valleys. The institute also supervised the construction of a factory building in Anna Regina, Region 2, to produce the Morning Glory products, and the processing equipment is due to arrive in Guyana on January 13, 2017. Both the Ministries of Social Cohesion and Indigenous People’s Affairs have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the IAST to utilise technology and innovation to foster development and generate sustainable businesses in indigenous and hinterland communities. According to Ms. Sharon Patterson, this project is contributing to the Green Economy, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and above all, social cohesion as a tool for development and empowerment with women playing a lead role. During his remarks Minister Allicock said, “This product endorses the notion that development and poverty alleviation in our hinterland communities need not follow an exploitative, extractive trajectory, but can be entirely in consonance with principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship. We need to replicate this in all indigenous communities and to continue to harness our ancient indigenous knowledge – old pathways, in new directions.” Ms. Vanda Radzik, one of the first people to work with residents of the North Rupununi to begin producing value-added products from (Continued on page 10)
Monday December 12, 2016
Kaieteur News
Trump says U.S. not necessarily bound by ‘one China’ policy
The appointment of judges The President cannot be compelled to act in relation to recommendations on judicial appointments. But once he does act, it has to be in accordance with advice rendered by the Judicial Service Commission. The Judicial Service Commission is empowered by the Constitution of Guyana, the highest law of the land, to make recommendations to the President for the appointment of judges, other than the Chief Justice and the Chancellor. The latter two positions require agreement between the President and the Leader of the Opposition. In respect to the appointment of other judges, the President is required to make appointments in accordance with the recommendations by the Judicial Service Commission. The President, upon receipt of recommendations of the JSC, has the option to send back the recommendations to that body for review. In other words, the President can ask for a review of any recommendation he
received from the JSC, but once that review is done and the JSC returns the matter to him, the President, if he choose to make appointments, has to make appointments in accordance with those recommendations. The Attorney General of Guyana is correct in his assertion that the President of Guyana cannot be compelled to act. The Regent cannot be subject to compulsion only to persuasion. This is trite law. But once he chooses to act, he must act in accordance with the Constitution. The Constitution places an obligation on the President to act in a certain manner and if he acts outside of that manner, then his or her actions are unconstitutional. A row has developed as to whether the President of Guyana shall or may act in accordance with the wishes of the Judicial Service Commission. The issue is being misrepresented. It cannot be a case in which the Constitution expects that a Service Commission has powers of compulsion over the Head of State. It does not. But the
Constitution does and the President, once he chooses to act, cannot do so outside of what the highest law of the land prescribes. The President therefore can, for as long he chooses, refuse to appoint any judges as recommended by the JSC. He does not have to appoint. He can sit on it as he is doing in respect to the appointment of a substantive Chancellor. Guyana does not have a substantive Chancellor. It has a substantive Chief Justice who has been acting as Chancellor for the longest while. The reason for the nonappointment is that because, for the longest while, the leaders of the opposition and the presidents of Guyana were not able to reach agreement on the appointment. The PNCR had taken the position that the positions of Chief Justice and Chancellor must be advertised. This was their way of expressing their disagreement with the suggestion that the substantive Chief Justice be appointed as Chancellor. The PNCR took the position that the position should be advertised. The present President of
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Guyana is tied to that position. He does not know how to release himself from that knot that the PNCR has placed him in. He has shown no inclination to want to go outside of that position, even though when he appointed someone to act as Chief Justice recently, his government did not ask for the position to be advertised. The President cannot compel the JSC to advertise for any position. The JSC sets its own procedure and it is a mark of its independence from Executive direction, that it should be free of any compulsion. If the President does not wish to make appointments as recommended by the JSC, then there is nothing the Courts or the JSC can do. A constitutional crisis will not develop, but the judiciary, an important arm of the State, will be seriously affected. The President will have to accept the political fallout from any such development.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of “one China,” questioning nearly four decades of policy in a move likely to antagonize Beijing. Trump’s comments on Fox News Sunday came after he prompted a diplomatic protest from China over his decision to accept a telephone call on Dec. 2 from Taiwan’s president. “I fully understand the ‘one China’ policy, but I don’t know why we have to be bound by a ‘one China’ policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade,” Trump told Fox News. Trump’s call with President Tsai Ing-wen was the first such contact with Taiwan by a U.S. president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of “one China.” Beijing considers Taiwan a renegade province and the subject is a sensitive one for China. Chinese officials had no immediate reaction to Trump’s remarks. After Trump’s phone conversation with Taiwan’s president, the Obama administration said senior White House aides had spoken with Chinese officials to insist that Washington’s “one China” policy remained intact. The administration also warned that progress made in the U.S. relationship with China could be undermined by a “flaring up” of the Taiwan issue. Following Trump’s latest comments, a White House aide said the Obama administration had no reaction beyond its previously stated policy positions. In the Fox interview, Trump criticized China over its currency policies, its activities in the South China Sea and its stance toward North Korea. He said it was not up to Beijing to decide whether he should take a call from Taiwan’s leader.
Monday December 12, 2016
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Education Minister promises innovations, notable improvements in 2017 By Kiana Wilburg Come next year, Education Minister, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine said that there will be a continued commitment to improving the administration of the education sector in more efficient ways. He said that there will be focus on the oversight of the 11 education districts as well as setting benchmarks for the dozens of private schools countrywide. Dr. Roopnaraine said that some of the key objectives of the upcoming year will be to improve teacher training in keeping with priority areas for education; increase instructional time for students; improve upon monitoring and evaluation; better supervision of capital projects; and enhancing the internal efficiency of the ministry. He said that initiatives in this regard, are in recognition that there are three critical fronts from which his Ministry needs to engage in education sector enhancement. He listed these to be; Pedagogy, Service Delivery, and Innovation. With regard to pedagogy, the Education Minister reminded that the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan had highlighted in his presentation that the education system is in a crisis. “When I first took up the privilege of this position, I spoke to the need for the creation of an evidencebased intervention into stemming this situation and adequately retooling this sector for the invaluable role it is to play in our development.” Dr. Roopnaraine said that the Commission of Inquiry
into the Education Sector, which launched its first public consultations in April of this year, is wrapping up its investigations this month and will be presenting its findings to the public by the end of the first quarter of 2017. Without prejudice to the recommendations of that report, he said that there are certain preliminary presumptions that can be made with regard to improving service delivery in the sector. He said that the budget for 2017 has been crafted with these in mind, particularly those which deal with the area of pedagogy, that is, the method and practice of teaching. Dr. Roopnaraine reminded, too, that the Finance Minister spoke about the $337.4 million allocated for the Programme for Emergency Education Reform (PEER) initiative. He said that this follows on from several measures initiated by the Ministry since 2015, with the central component of it being the first significant and most sweeping curriculum reform in almost two decades. “Why this is important is that, when it comes to education, 20 years from the beginning of the new millennium is exponentially different than the 20 years prior when it comes to the advances made in the crucial education areas of science and technology. We are not only confronted with a plethora of new areas of knowledge, but an almost equally dazzling array of ways in which to learn them. “And considering that underlying much of this new knowledge is one area in which we’ve had cause for serious concern in,
mathematics, the PEER initiative will focus heavily on improving math scores through comprehensive diagnosis of current constraints, methodology review, and the recruitment of a cadre specialists for targeted interventions.” The Education Minister added, “This does not mean of course that work has not started in other areas, work which in sum aids in the presumptive directions in which we need to take curriculum development. The invaluable progress the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) has been making in 2016 will continue in 2017 in the core areas of Curriculum Development, Special Needs Education Training and Awareness, Literacy, and ICT integration.” Last November, Dr. Roopnaraine said that 50 participants, including head teachers and Deputy Education Officers from selected regions, were trained in an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) initial workshop. “In 2017, we will see not only the approval of the ESD policy and implementation of a supporting action plan, but also closer collaboration between the Science Unit and CPCE, in addition to a stronger public awareness programme on the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education,” he said. “Even as we push forward with a strong STEM programme, we will not lose sight of the important role that arts education has to play in creating a well-rounded, civicminded student and in laying the educational foundation
for our future creative leaders.” The Education Minister said that while in 2016 there was an increase in students enrolling in the expressive arts, sports education accounted for the majority of that increase, while visual arts saw a worrying trend in decreased enrollments. “In 2017, we intend to target this decline with the training of 132 teachers in multiple visual arts disciplines and across more than half of the education districts. We will also continue to enhance our teacher training programme in music, drama and dance, and will equip another three schools with steel bands, bring the total so far to around 24.” In the area of Service Delivery, the Education Minister said that 2017 will see his Ministry continuing the coordinating, monitoring and evaluating activities of the 2014-2018 Strategic Education Plan. He said that there will be particular focus on the implementation of regional plans, enhancing programmes to ensure that schools are certifiable as child-friendly spaces, integrating climate change education more meaningfully into the curriculum, and strengthening the working relationship between international partners such as The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and The United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in particular. Dr. Roopnaraine also stated that at the University of Guyana, his Ministry is currently finalizing the construction of a new 300seat lecture theatre as well as a new student services building. In 2017, he said that his Ministry will be commencing the construction of a new school of medicine on campus. Under the Yesu Persaud endowment, the Ministry will also construct a facility for clinical services at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. In 2017, The Education Minister said that his Ministry will also be looking at ways to intensify and diversify the work undertaken by the Monitoring, Evaluating, Reporting and Development Unit. He said that this means not simply reviewing its internal operations and engagement with schools, but also exploring ways to solicit information more directly from those the education system is meant to serve. “If there is any lesson the past year has taught us, it is that we have to find more efficient ways, beyond even the Parent Te a c h e r s ’ A s s o c i a t i o n system, of listening to people on how they feel the education system is working and how it is not. It is only then we can really develop and implement holistic solutions to our
Education Minister, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine many and increasingly complex challenges.” In the area of innovation, Dr. Roopnaraine said that efforts in 2017 will be geared towards harnessing the tremendous power of information and communication technologies. He said that ICT remains at the heart of his Ministry’s plans for improving the education sector in service of national development. At the Cyril Potter College of Education, Dr. Roopnaraine said that training will continue to roll out in the newly established Smart Classrooms as well as the new language laboratory. He said, “And we can expect both improved internet connection on campus and a new website which will feature content created by students. This is a core part of our commitment to improve the competence and qualification of our teachers even as we establish highlevel standards of teaching that we expect them to adhere to.”
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Monday December 12, 2016
Kaieteur News
Following alleged compromising of ranks in Berbice murder…
Public Security Ministry to monitor future donations to Police Force
Last June, the Marcus Brian Bisram Foundation funded the construction of a new wing of the Traffic Department at the Skeldon Police Station. In a Facebook post, the foundation said, “The new wing will help to employ more people. Provide a better working environment for current staff; help the police department in Skeldon to function as a whole and work together to prevent hit and run accidents and fatalities.” The Foundation also donated $2M to a Berbice Community Policing Group. Five months later, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) issued a wanted bulletin for Bisram, who has been implicated in the murder of a carpenter, Faiyaz Narinedatt on November 01, last. For the murder, two police ranks are in hot water after allegations surfaced that they tried to cover up the initial stage of the investigation,
“We do not want to see businessmen giving and expecting that they, having committed a crime, will now see that CPG group or police force compromising the investigation thereafter,” - Minister Ramjattan
Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan indicating that Narinedatt’s death was a hit and run accident when evidence suggested that it was a murder. It is believed that during one of Bisram’s many donations to the police station, he befriended police officers who were allegedly willing to turn a blind eye on allegations made against the overseas-based Guyanese.
A Community Policing official was also questioned about allegedly threatening the slain carpenter’s family over their naming of suspects. In light of this scandal, the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan said that his Ministry will examine new protocols for the Guyana Police Force when receiving donations, so that professionalism is not compromised. At a recent press conference, Ramjattan indicated that he may establish protocols that will stipulate that donations to the Force are made through his Ministry. The current operational
Dead: Faiyaz Narinedatt protocol states that donations to the GPF must be made to the Commissioner of Police.
Bisram makes a $2.5 donation to a Community Policing Group
The Minister noted that this protocol will be enforced in the meantime so that police officers’ professionalism is not compromised. He indicated that
Murder suspect, Marcus Brian Bisram and Police Officers during the launch of the new wing at the Skeldon Police Station
The two detectives pictured with Marcus Brian Bisram
donations by businesses often help to meet an immediate need of police stations and officers. “Indeed, there are times (Continued on page 24)
Monday December 12, 2016
Kaieteur News
IMF issues warning to government on NIS funds
Freundel Stuart
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – The Freundel Stuart administration has been warned of a shortfall in funds within the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) if the government and state owned enterprises (SOE) continue to make late payments. This is according to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF), 2016 Article IV Consultation report on Barbados. While noting that the NIS is “well managed”, the international lending agency says the government needs to make contributions in a timely manner (rather than providing the equivalent in debentures) to ensure that the NIS has sufficient liquidity”. The report on Barbados that was concluded earlier this year but recently released, also said future shortfalls in NIS funds could result in a reduction in benefits. Meanwhile, according to the Central Bank’s last report on the economy in September, liquid NIS assets moved from BDS$525.7 million (One Barbados dollar =US$0.50 cents in 2008 to $153.2 at the end of 2015, while its cash moved from $13.1 million to $10.8 for the same period.
LIVING IN FEAR...
Citizens don’t trust cops Trinidad Guardian - Since December 29, 2010, the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) has received a total of 2,139 complaints against police officers. And according to the T&T Police Service, between 2012 and 2016 the Police Service suspended over 150 officers from the rank of constable to assistant commissioner, while 63 officers are currently facing charges before the court. Of the 2139 complaints before the PCA, 1,279 are still being actively investigated, 254 of those officers are currently facing legal action before the courts, and 606 investigations have been completed. According to statistics provided by the PCA, between October 1, 2014, and September 30, 2015, there were 230 allegations of criminal offences, and 442 allegations of disciplinary offences. A total of 674 offences were identified. Head of Corporate Communications in the Police Service, Ellen Lewis, said the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB), which has internal responsibility for investigating allegations of wrongdoing levelled against officers, had been mandated by the Commissioner of Police to pursue matters involving officers without fear or favour. “What the public had been witness to of late is the PSB discharging its duty. The public therefore ought to be comforted by the purposeful action of the CoP to purge the service of rogue elements as we strive to earn the public’s trust and improve police legitimacy.” While the figures represent a potential decrease of bad cops in the service, confidence and trust in police
Stephen Williams officers remain low at a time when the population is grappling with rising murders and a prevalence in missing people, rapes and robberies. Citizens question the competence and integrity of officers almost daily, based on frequent public complaints. On October 5, Jeanette Ramsahai made a report to the PCA regarding her son Josiah and allegations that he was being harassed by a police officer. In the last few lines of the report, Ramsahai asked several questions. “What should I do? Should I wait and have to bury my son?” On November 18, Ramsahai got her answer. Her son Josiah was shot, in what police claimed was a shoot-out with officers. She buried him days later. On October 20, Adele Gilbert was killed in an alleged shoot-out with officers in San Fernando but witnesses claim that Gilbert had no gun. Police have since opened an investigation into the matter. Both Ramsahai and Gilbert’s relatives are claiming unlawful acts by police officers, further adding to the lack of confidence in police,
who have been charged with robbery and SRP’s who have abused citizens. With police officers being accused of and charged with offences ranging from dangerous driving and possession of marijuana to money laundering and murder, the public continues to find reasons not to trust police officers. Public justified...but cops are now reporting cops–Seales “It is understandable when trust is shaken based on circumstances that meet media attention,” says President of the Police Social and Welfare Association Michael Seales. In an interview last week, Seales said the public was justified when it came to the issue of trust in police officers. When those circumstances (police being charged with crimes) arise, it has a debilitating effect on the citizen. But the public are not the only ones whose trust are shaken, he said. “The trust is also shaken of police officers who want to do a better job . It’s shaken because of those police officers who commit criminal offences,” Seales said. “In most of instances and via our own networking, acts are condemned and considered repulsive.” He said officers were, more frequently than before, making their way to the Professional Standards Bureaus and are “ratting out” their colleagues. Seales said this was the reason the public was seeing more arrests. “That would have come from internal sources, Police are blowing the whistle on other bad police officers. We need to get rid of the baggage in 2016 and start 2017 anew.”
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WANTED Security officers wanted, 8 hours & 12 hours shifts, remuneration $3,000 daily, base on qualifications. TIN/ ID/NIS needed. Call: 2316052/40 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 697-2969/6460966 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Need fairy lights to put up & beautifully arrange for homes, business or parties. Call Elon: 604-7623
FOR RENT
Professional service & repairs: gas stoves, washing machines, deep fryers, electric stoves, repacking of gas stoves. Call Zepha: 6739028
Hair stylist specialize in cutting, weaving, body massages, waxing, barbering. Call: 616-6221/ 270-5074
Salesgirls @ Christine’s Variety Store on Lombard St, must be experienced. Call: 227-8529/626-8003
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
One general domestic; 4 days per week. Call: 668-4973
Rooms to rent in Guest House, Soesdyke Highway, great get away -$7,000 per night. Call: 600-0036/ 261-6454
1 Experienced hairdresser/ nail tech must be living on the WCD/WBD, West Shore Plaza 15 Public Road Ruimzeight. Call: 269-1524/6563561
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 Two bedrooms top flat at Houston EBD Contact # 6860653
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
1 Porter to work in shop in the Interior. Call: 678-0565
Live in domestic must know to cook, live in waitress (secondary education) $70,000-$80,000 monthly. Call: 610-3974
Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.
TO LET One 2 story, 2 bedroom apartment at 43 Dowding Street, Kitty. $60,000 monthly. Call 610-0504. Two bedrooms house, tiled bathroom, Kitchen, parking. Call Joy: 649-9059/ 621-1088
One domestic, one salesgirl, one boy to learn fiber glass work. Call: 603-5416/ 644-9802
Need urgently, one electrician, must have experienced in domestic wiring. Call: 644-9084/ 6649635 Canter drivers to work on W.C.D to sell water Call: 6848231 To rent bar or liquor restaurant immediately on the EBD or Georgetown Call: 661-8802, 661-5099 Wanted land to buy: La Parfaite Harmonie, Uitvlugt, Tuschen, Providence, Eccles, and elsewhere, best price pay. Call: 604-6727/673-6300 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 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).
Monday December 12, 2016
Kaieteur News
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call:225-9032;647-2943;604-5198 1 Mabe Refrigerator -$58,000, 1 RCA Smart TV with DVD Player -$30,000. Price Negotiable. Owner migrating. Call: 687-3241/656-1153
VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Toyota Allion PVV series: TV Camera, HID, lights, alarm & remote start $2.2M negotiable Call: 649-0956 Toyota Vios PMM 6998 & Mitsubishi Canter GJJ 7722. Call: 667-3436/ 655-5018 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
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 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 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games, applications & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 2653231 (1) 4 Bass music set complete with rack Tel: 664-5880 Locust wood 7/8"X4"X8’-12’ 2464BM @ US$2 per BM. Call: 688-6579 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999
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: 223-0994 EDUCATIONAL Private Custom Brokerage, certificate training course in Jan 2017, Register & get 50% discount for Christmas. Call: 694-8322/671-9603
VACANCY One sales representative needed. Please contact: 2258205 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 Cook/baker for the Interior location, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 Pump attendant – Call: 6803863/ Driver/Company. Call: 680-3863 One experienced computer legal clerk. Call: 624-7087/ 258-0213/ email: husainsaphier@yahoo.com Marine Engineer: any formal qualifications in Motor Mechanics would be an asset. Call: 226-1100/226-5380
PROPERTY FOR SALE 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 House & Land available for sale. Contact Pacific Development Inc: 223-6035/ 227-8274
LAND FOR SALE 18,000 Sq.Ft suitable for warehouse or bond at Eorl’s Court, LBI, E.C.D. Call: 626-7127 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 Plot of land use to cultivate rice, Plantation Betterhope Essequibo Coast, Size 33.14 Acres Tel: 625-1514 La Parfaite Harmonie-$1.3, $1.6M, Uitvlugt, $2.5M, Tuschen -$2M, all prices reduced for Christmas. (terms available). Call: 6046724-/673-6300
Monday December 12, 2016
PEDESTRIAN, BIKER DIE IN LILIENDAAL CRASH A biker and a drunken pedestrian were killed at around 20.00 hrs yesterday during a bizarre accident at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. The biker has been identified as 25-year-old Frank De Florimonte Jr. of Prince Williams Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara. The other man, who was found lifeless on the parapet is yet to be identified. Kaieteur News understands that De Florimonte left home and was heading to the seawalls on motorcycle CH 7805, with a group of other bikers when the accident occurred. He was proceeding west along the southern carriageway of the East Coast Demerara thoroughfare at a fast rate of speed when he slammed into the pedestrian, who was attempting to cross over to the northern carriageway.
DEAD: Frank De Florimonte De Florimonte’s body was pitched some distance from the point of impact and ended up in the middle of the road. From all indications, he sustained severe injuries to his head. One of the bikers said they had left De Florimonte’s home and were riding to the
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Kaieteur News
seawalls. He related that the other bikers sensed something was amiss when they arrived at the seawalls and De Florimonte failed to show up. The biker said they rode back and discovered De Florimonte’s body on the road. As word broke of De Florimonte’s demise his weeping relatives arrived at the scene. “Ow Junior, Ow junior. Get up, get up!”, a woman said as she collapsed and lay on the biker’s corpse. She removed a piece of clothing covering his face and began hitting the road. De Florimonte’s father, Frank stood in shock as onlookers surrounded his son’s body. He said he spoke with his son yesterday afternoon at their home. The grieving father said that someone came to his home and told him that his was killed in an accident.
Relatives weeping over De Florimonte’s body
Headed home: workers abandon Indian building sites after cash crackdown Reuters - Hundreds of thousands of Indian construction workers have returned home since Prime Minister Narendra Modi abolished high-denomination banknotes, leaving some building sites across the country facing costly delays. A month after Modi’s shock move to take away 86 percent of cash in circulation to crush the shadow economy, the growing labor shortage threatens to slow a recovery in India’s construction industry, which accounts for 8 percent of gross domestic product and employs 40 million people. Work at SARE Homes’ residential projects, spanning six cities, has slowed dramatically as migrant workers, who are out of cash and have no bank accounts to draw from, have little choice but to return to their villages. “Construction work at all projects has slowed down in a big way,” managing director Vineet Relia told Reuters. Property enquiries, meanwhile, have slumped by 80 percent around the Indian capital since the cash crackdown, according to property portal 99acres. Getamber Anand, president of Indian builders’
Narendra Modi association CREDAI, said projects nationwide had been hit, and estimated that roughly half of the migrant workforce, numbering in the low millions, had left for home. Road developers have also reported a slowdown as
they struggle to find sufficient labor. The exodus shows little sign of reversing, risking damage to construction activity and the wider economy into 2017, despite Modi’s assurances that hardships from his radical “demonetization” should be over by the end of the year. The disruption to building raises doubts about the Reserve Bank of India’s view that the impact on the economy would be transitory. The central bank held interest rates on Wednesday despite calls for action. Modi’s gamble is that the majority of workers will be compelled to open a bank account as sub-contractors refuse to pay in cash, bringing them into the formal economy and expanding the country’s low tax base.
Monday December 12, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Monday December 12, 2016
Finance minister expresses gratitude to the EU KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Finance and Public Service Minister Audley Shaw, has expressed the G o v e r n m e n t ’s h e a r t f e l t gratitude for the European Union’s (EU) continued relationship and ongoing support. Noting that organisation’s inputs have been consistent, Shaw says the EU has “proactively” sought to channel its support to J a m a i c a ’s d e v e l o p m e n t objectives, and that its provisions have been aligned with the country’s long-term National Development Plan, Vision 2030 Jamaica, and the M e d i u m Te r m S o c i o economic Policy Framework. This, he notes, is evident in the current national programme being funded at a cost of approximately $18.66 billion (€135.5 million). The minister was s p e a k i n g a t T h u r s d a y ’s (December 8) $3.3 billion (€22 million) EU grant funding support agreement
Justice Minister Delroy Chuck (left); Finance MInister Audley Shaw (centre), and Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation in Jamaica, Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, shake hands after last week’s signing. s i g n i n g f o r J a m a i c a ’s justice reform programme at the Ministry’s National Heroes Circle offices, in Kingston. Shaw said the EU-
funded national programme comprises 13 projects incorporating diverse portfolios. These include agriculture, security and
justice, public financial management, health, and poverty reduction. Shaw noted the G o v e r n m e n t ’s b r o a d e r socioeconomic and
development priorities, the success of which will “correlate with how well we do at reforming the justice sector.” H e s a i d t h e E U ’s funding support for justice reform “will make a substantial difference to the pace and success of what this Government sees as a critical plank of the programme to reshape the economy.” Shaw said based on the reform agenda outlined by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, and the priority areas that will be impacted by the EU’s support, “I am optimistic (that) ordinary people everywhere in Jamaica will now have justice available to them.” In his remarks, Chuck noted that the funding will target the development of a balanced, cohesive and secure justice sector. The Minister said the State’s ability to create a safe and secure environment for all citizens is an “inescapable” and fundamental obligation of any government.
“The extent to which we can do this depends, to a large extent, on the effectiveness of the justice system,” Chuck added. For her part, Head of the EU Delegation in Jamaica, Ambassador Malgorzata Wasilewska, highlighted measures implemented by successive administrations to improve access to justice in Jamaica. These, she noted, have included: modernisation, infrastructural improvements, institutional and administrative capacity strengthening, removing and repealing outdated legislation, and reducing court case backlogs. The EU Delegation Head emphasised that access to justice is essential for democracies to flourish, adding that the creation of a fair and just society entails the facilitation and institutionalisation of freedom and the rule of law, and access to empowerment opportunities and social inclusion.
Monday December 12, 2016
Kaieteur News
Trinidadian ISIS Soldier admits to local killings, urges Muslims to wage Jihad in homeland
Abu Sa’d at-Trinidadi, whose birth name is Shane Crawford (far left), is a sniper for ISIS. PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – It’s no secret that several Trinidadian Muslims have left the country to join Islamic group ISIS. But in a candid interview, one of them, a sniper in the organisation, admitted to killings in his homeland and urged Muslims still living there to wage jihad in the twin-island republic. Abu Sa’d at-Trinidadi, one of the first three Muslims to leave Trinidad and Tobago to join the jihadist organisation, told ISIS magazine Dabiq about why he rejected his family’s Baptist Christian faith and embraced Islam, and even went as far as urging Muslims who live in the twin-island republic to “terrify the disbelievers in their own homes and make their streets run with their blood”. No dates were given in the interview but at-Trinidadi, whose birth name is Shane Crawford, spoke about his own “jihad endeavour” in his homeland. He admitted that he and a few of his Muslims brothers to took revenge “whenever the disbelievers in Trinidad would kill or harm a Muslim”. “We would work to accumulate money in order to buy weapons and ammo. . . .We were successful in many operations, and this was only by Allah’s grace. Abu ‘Abdillah, my wife, and I were arrested at one point, but the police weren’t able to make a case against us. We were nonetheless charged for possessing
guns and ammunition,” he recalled, adding that his computer and phones were seized and police found the videos, books, and lectures on jihad. at-Trinidadi said the government claimed they were planning to assassinate the prime minister and a number of other ministers. He said while it would have been an honour for them to have done that, they had not. It was in 2011 that a state of emergency was declared by the People’s Partnership government, during which several suspects were arrested for allegedly plotting to kill then prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar. “We were imprisoned for terrorism along with some Muslims who merely knew us as well as others whom we had never even met before. Alhamdulillah, they planned and plotted but Allah is the best of planners. They were unable to make a case against us and we were freed, by Allah’s permission, and despite being placed under surveillance, we went back to doing what we knew we had to do, commanding the good and prohibiting the evil,” at-Trinidadi said. The guerrilla fighter was highly critical of Muslims remaining in Trinidad and Tobago, saying they “clearly have some weakness in their faith which they have to correct”. (Caribbean360)
Brazil’s Temer disapproval spikes as economy disappoints SAO PAULO (Reuters) Disapproval of Brazilian President Michel Temer’s government spiked as the economy failed to rebound from its deepest slump in decades, according to a poll published by the Folha de S.Paulo newspaper yesterday. The Datafolha poll, conducted on Dec. 7 and 8, showed 51 percent of Brazilian rated Temer ’s administration as “bad” or “terrible,” up from 31 percent in a July survey. Only 10 percent of Brazilians rated his government “good” or
“great,” while 34 percent considered it “regular.” Temer took over after the ouster of former President Dilma Rousseff, pledging to return Brazil to growth by cutting spending and curbing debt growth. But the economy plunged deeper into recession in the third quarter, dashing the government’s hopes that a rebound in corporate and consumer sentiment would bring about a recovery. According to the poll, 41 percent of Brazilians expect the economy to deteriorate in the foreseeable future, 27
percent expect it to remain flat and 28 percent foresee an improvement. The survey also showed 63 percent believe Temer should resign by Dec. 31, paving the way for new elections. Twenty seven percent said they were against that possibility. The poll was conducted before local media reported a former director at engineering conglomerate Odebrecht SA told prosecutors the company made several illegal contributions to politicians from the ruling PMDB party including Temer.
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Kaieteur News
EU to boost C’bean competitiveness by strengthening regional partnerships BASSE-TERRE, Guadeloupe – The INTERREG V Caribbean, a multimillion dollar EU-funded programme to strengthen regional partnerships, will be officially launched in St. Lucia on Wednesday. In addition to boosting the economic competitiveness of the region’s countries, the INTERREG V Caribbean programme will also respond to environmental challenges and health issues, while promoting the joint cultural heritage of the region. The programme focuses on priority areas such employment and innovation, natural hazards, the cultural environment, public health and renewable energy. The INTERREG V Caribbean programme partners regional organisations, including the Association of Caribbean States, CARICOM, CARIFORUM, and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, with the Regional Councils of the French Overseas Departments of Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guyana, and the French Overseas Collectivity of St. Martin. The organisations will meet to discuss the coordination and implementation of the program from December 12 to 14 in St. Lucia. The three-day conference will highlight projects supported by the INTERREG
Caribbean programme, which aim to enhance regional collaboration. By launching the 20142020 programme in St. Lucia, the organisers are aiming to strengthen regional partnerships between the French Overseas Departments and the English-Spanish- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries and territories of the region. Another aim is to allow all regional stakeholders to be a part of the effort to put transnational cooperation at the heart of the sustainable development of the greater Caribbean. Recognising the growing importance of regional cooperation, the INTERREG Caribbean budget has been increased from €63 million (US$66.5 million) to €86 million (US$91 million), of which €64.2 million (US$68 million) is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support the projects to be covered by the programme through the French Overseas Departments and Territories. The general session at St. Lucian by Rex Resorts on Wednesday morning, is open to members of the public, especially entrepreneurs, project developers and other parties who have an interest in the financing of regional business opportunities. (Caribbean360)
Wehby pushes for banking agents to offer more services The Gleaner Government Senator Don Wehby has recommended that the services to be provided by banking agents such as supermarkets be expanded to include opening accounts and offering loans. Wehby was contributing to Friday’s Senate debate on the Banking Services (Deposit Taking Institutions) (Agent Banking) regulations that would allow establishments such as hardware stores and supermarkets to offer certain prescribed banking services. Opening accounts and offering loans are not among the proposed services and Wehby said that should change. He argued that Jamaica’s financial system is robust enough to allow for the agents of banks to offer the additional services.
Don Wehby Senator Wehby hailed the regulations as ensuring that underserved communities in Jamaica have access to financial services. He also noted that the regulations would support micro small and medium-sized enterprises, employment
creation and productivity. Meanwhile, Opposition Senator Lambert Brown argued that banks need to use the opportunity to improve their services to customers including the vexed issue of fees for services. Under the regulations, the agents that will be selected by deposit-taking institutions cannot charge fees for services, grant loans, open bank accounts or use customers’ money for purposes other than those requested by the customer. They would be able to facilitate deposits and withdrawals, bill payments and loan repayment, electronic transfer of funds and account balance enquiries. The Senate approved the regulations. The House of Representatives approved them in November.
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Costa cracker fires Chelsea Brilliant Dottin pilots back on top on low-scoring day Heat to exciting victory
Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan scores their first goal. (Reuters / Andrew Yates) LONDON (Reuters) Saturday’s Premier League goal glut turned into a trickle yesterday but Diego Costa’s class still shone through as he fired Chelsea to a ninth win in a row and back to the top of the table. The Spain international’s fine second-half strike at Stamford Bridge secured a 10 victory over a defensive West Bromwich Albion that restored the Blues’ threepoint advantage over Arsenal. The Gunners had taken the overnight lead on goals scored after coming from behind to defeat Stoke City 3-1 at the Emirates. All six home teams in action on Saturday scored at least three goals, with Jamie Vardy bagging a hat-trick as champions Leicester City returned to form with a 4-2 home win against Manchester City. With the game heading for a goalless stalemate, Costa seized on a defensive error to break the deadlock with a superb shot into the top left corner in the 76th minute.
It was the league top scorer’s 12th goal of the campaign, as many as he netted in all of last season. “It was a tough game,” said Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. “We played with passion. West Brom is a tough team, a physical team who are difficult to break down. It was a good win and now we must continue. “We have won nine in a row which is fantastic because this league is very tough. We are working very well.” Chelsea’s scoreline in Sunday’s early match was reflected later at Old Trafford and St Mary’s with Manchester United and Southampton seeing off Tottenham Hotspur and Middlesbrough respectively by the same margin. Henrikh Mkhitaryan opened his league account for Jose Mourinho’s United, days after scoring his first for the club in the Europa League, with a sizzling first half strike. The Armenian midfielder’s afternoon ended
painfully, however, when he was taken off on a stretcher with 10 minutes remaining after a heavy tackle left him clutching his ankle. United remained sixth with 24 points, three behind fifth-placed Tottenham who might otherwise have overtaken Manchester City on goal difference. Third-placed Liverpool, four points behind Arsenal, were playing struggling West Ham United at Anfield in the later kickoff. Southampton recovered from the disappointment of their midweek Europa League elimination to return to winning ways in the Premier League. Their goal came in the 53rd minute when Sofiane Boufal picked the ball up from James Ward-Prowse and unleashed an unstoppable left-foot shot to claim his first league goal. Sunday’s results: Chelsea 1 - West Brom 0 Man Utd 1 – Tottenham 0 Southampton 1 – Middlesbrough 0 Liverpool 2 - West Ham 2
Louisville QB Jackson is youngest... From page 33 and 30 touchdowns with nine interceptions. The sophomore added 1,538 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground. “I’m shaking right now,” the native Floridian said at a presentation ceremony in New York that included 22 former winners of the award. “I’m truly honored and humbled. I’m extremely proud to represent this class (of finalists) and the University of Louisville with their first Heisman Trophy. “For my team mates, it’s an award for all of us.” Jackson was the third major college player to register 30 passing touchdowns and rush for 20 more in a season, joining Cam Newton and Tim Tebow, who both also won the Heisman.
The Louisville sophomore won by a big margin in what turned out to be a two-man race among the five finalists. Jackson received 2,144 points in the voting by media members, while Clemson University quarterback
Deshaun Watson received 1,524. The other finalists were quarterback Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma, Oklahoma receiver Dede Westbrook and linebacker Jabrill Peppers of Michigan.
Deandra Dottin … top-scored with an unbeaten 60 to see Brisbane Heat to victory. SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – Barbados and West Indies stroke-m a k e r D e a n d r a Dottin took the Women’s Big Bash league by storm yesterday, pummelling a stroke-filled half-century to fire her new franchise Brisbane Heat to a commanding five-wicket victory over Sydney Sixers. Chasing 139 for victory in their opening game of the tournament at the North Sydney Oval, Heat overhauled their target with four balls to spare, with the right-handed Dottin ending unbeaten on 60 off 44 deliveries to earn Player-ofthe-Match honours. Heat were in chaos at 38 for four in the ninth over before Dottin arrived to inspire a 76-run fifth wicket stand with Jess Jonassen,
who made 30 from 18 deliveries. When the left-handed Jonassen, who struck three fours and one six, departed at the end of the 16th over, Heat still needed 25 runs from 24 balls to secure victory. Both Dottin and Jemma Barsby (9 not out) struck key boundaries to keep Heat in touch with the run rate, and they entered the final over needing just five for victory. Dottin then made sure of the result, smashing consecutive boundaries off the first two deliveries of the final over sent down by offspinner Lauren Smith. All told, Dottin counted nine fours and a six in what was her career-best in the Big Bash following an underwhelming last campaign.
Earlier, she had taken two for 24 from three overs of medium pace to help limit Sixers to 138 for six off her 20 overs. Alyssa Healy top-scored with 48 off 42 deliveries in a 74-run opening stand with Ellyse Perry who made a runa-ball 42. In the second game of the triple-header, Dottin’s Barbados and West Indies teammate , Hayley Matthews shone with the ball but failed with the bat as her Hobart Hurricanes crashed to a 17-run defeat to Perth Scorchers. She grabbed two for 19 from her four overs of off-spin as Scorchers reached 142 for four but then made just nine as Hurricanes could muster only 125 for nine from their 20 overs.
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Monday December 12, 2016
Caribbean Development Boxing Tournament
Guyanese boxers dominate tournament as ‘prospecting’ team returns laden with gold A brutal display of power punching, mixed with skill and aggression, netted Guyanese boxers several knockout victories and eventually the lion’s share of gold medals when the curtains were drawn on the 17-nation, 2016 edition of the Caribbean Development Boxing Tournament in Bridgetown, Barbados last Saturday evening. The local pugilists totally dominated the tournament and were eventually crowned undisputed champions of the Caribbean after clinching 10 gold medals and one silver; Kevin Allicock being the silver medalist after surrendering a point’s decision to Barbadian, Jabal Breedy, in the finals last Saturday evening. Lightweight (youth) boxer, Christopher Moore, distinguished himself among his peers after winning three fights in immaculate fashion
Colin Lewis to take the honours in his division. He was later adjudged Best Boxer in his
category. It must be noted that Moore was called to duty less than two hours after landing on the Island last Tuesday afternoon. Though tired from the long journey, he went on to win his inaugural bout against Alex Smith of Cayman Islands after the Referee stopped the contest in the 3rd round. Moore returned on the second night and employed a severe two fisted attack that sent Miguel Diaz (Anguilla) reeling and forced the Referee to call a halt to the proceedings in the early stages of the first round. The rampaging Moore then closed off his sojourn with a points’ victory over Grenadian, Nelson Cyrus. Light/Welterweight, Colin Lewis, complimented an earlier victory over Frederic Pierre (Guadeloupe) with a devastating first round TKO
victory over Barbadian, Derek Hyman, while Desmond Amsterdam was also in a no nonsense mood and closed off Jamaican, Jonathan Harmon in the second round of their Middleweight encounter. Super/Heavyweight pugilist, Jason Bakker, also clinched a gold medal after registering a lopsided points’ win over another Jamaican, Ricardo Brown. Sebert Blake was the Head Coach with assistance from Adrian Thomas and Clifton Moore. Meanwhile, President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle, was ecstatic over the accomplishments and hailed it as “The best Christmas gift ever.” He also said that the boxers are poised for a majestic take off and their forward movement will depend heavily on strategies employed by his executive as well as the support of government and the
St. John’s Secondary wins at Draughts
The GDA Boss (left standing) pose with the smiling children. St. Johns Secondary School with 27 points emerged winner over Christchurch Secondary with 21points in the PreChristmas Annual Inter School Draughts competition played last Saturday in the compound of the National Gymnasium. President of the Guyana
Draughts Association Mr. Jiaram addressed the children before the start of the competition. He gave them a brief historical background of the game, and the high expectation he envisaged during the tournament. The GDA Boss told the children that the game can
help them focus more and would impact positively in their academics. He also challenged the youths that if he assess them of high playing ability, they would have the chance to compete with Suriname and Trinidad. The games were contested on the 100 square boards which coincides with
international games. The rule of international Draughts was also applied. Joshua Sobers of St. Johns Secondary was the key player of his team, he registered the maximum 12 points. Runako Williams of Christchurch Secondary with a brilliant 9 points could not stop his team’s defeat. Teacher, Downer of St. John’s, was given the task of selecting one player from Christchurch and one from St. John’s to compete for the most valuable player. He came up with Williams and Sobers respectively. At the end of the two allotted games both players were locked in a deadlock but a tiebreaker saw Joshua Sobers taking the edge. During intervals the players were treated with icecream and drinks compliments of Banks DIH Ltd. The first and second place trophies were also donated by Banks DIH. Trophies for the best players on both sides were donated by the Guyana Draughts Association. All the players were given a bag of health foods donated by H.A Snacks before their departure from the venue; much to their delight and surprise. The event was coordinated by Mr. Paul D’Anjou who is also coordinator of the GDA.
BEST BOXER: Christopher Moore corporate community. “This is the best repayment for that grueling 100-mile walk and the painful moments spent soliciting sponsorship for the team,” posited Ninvalle. He said that the performances of the boxers were indeed heartening and deserving of high kudos. “When we left for the tournament we said that they owed us and repayment would have been in the form of victories, now, we now owe them!” a visibly delighted Ninvalle emphatically pronounced. Along with Guyana, the other participating countries were Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, Jamaica, Anguilla, Dominica, Guadeloupe, St Maarten, Belize, French Guiana, Cayman Island, US Virgin Islands, Martinique
and Grenada. Trinidad and Tobago had opted out without offering a reason. Mr. Ninvalle also expressed gratitude to the many individuals and members of the corporate community that unselfishly contributed to the team’s participation. These include National Hardware, E C Vieira Investments, Mohamed Cambio, Nicholas Boyer (National Hardware), Dolly Sukhdeo, Harvey’s Fashions, Z Mohamed and Sons Trading, Swiss House Cambio, BEV Enterprise, Permaul Mangal, LIAT Airline, Host of Maximum Sports, Max Massiah, former professional boxer/journalist Michael Benjamin, Director of Tang Soo Do International, Kyosanim Roland Eudoxie and former World Champion, Gary St. Clair.
Jason Baker (right)
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Kaieteur News
Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition Young players perform in Woodpecker Products annual BATTLE OF CHAMPIONS Badminton Christmas singles HEADLINE SEMI-FINALS The Wookpecker Products Annual Badminton Christmas Singles tournament started on Saturday last at the National Gymnasium. This is the 7th year that this tournament is running and the GBA is extremely happy that Ms. Fernandes of Woodpecker Products made possible, assisting with the development of Badminton and Sports in Guyana. We also thank Banks DIH for providing refreshments, a release from association President Gokarn Ramdhani informed. The Tournament saw a number of young players in the (Juniors) Under-11, 13, 19 & (Seniors) Open in the Male & Female Singles Events in action. Guyana’s leading female player Priyanna Ramdhani dominated both the Junior Under-19 and Open Ladies Singles by reaching both Finals and in the Open Men Singles she lost in the Quarter-Finals to Javid Rahaman in a thrilling three setter: 21-18, 14-21, 16-21. The results of the Events are: Under-11 Boys Singles
Quarter-Finals: Jeremy Tenpow defeated Natham Nickram: 21-8, 21-6 Omar Samad defeated Demetri Lowe: 21-12, 21-12 Justin Tenpow defeated Nikhil Sookraj: 21-11, 21-11 Under-11 Boys Singles Semi-Finals: Jeremy Tenpow defeated Avinash Ramnarine: 21-13, 21-13 Omar Samad defeated Justin Tenpow: 21-9, 21-10 Under-11 Girls Singles Semi-Finals: Haily Choo-A-Fat defeated Mishka Beharry: 2114 Under-13 Boys Singles Finals: Vikash Mootoo defeated Matthew Beharry: 21-5, 21-5 Under-13 Girls Singles Semi-Finals: Lesha Singh defeated Lathika Kendavel: 21-15, 2119 Elesa Sangster defeated Sasha Singh: 21-14, 23-25, 1621 Under-19 Boys Singles Finals: Jonathan Mangra defeated Akili Haynes: 21-17, 21-15 Under-19 Ladies SemiFinals:
Ambika Ramraj defeated Crystal Singh: 21-7, 21-1 Open Men Singles First Round: Ronald Chang Yuen defeated Cecil Abrams: 21-10, 21-11 Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Akili Haynes: 21-8, 21-14 Open Men Singles Quarter-Finals: Ronald Chang Yuen defeated Darrell Carpenay: 21-14, 21-12 Javid Rahaman defeated Priyanna Ramdhani: 21-18, 1421, 16-21 Open Men Singles SemiFinals: Nicholas Ali defeated Ronald Chang Yuen: 21-17, 21-12 Javid Rahaman defeated Jonathan Mangra: 24-22, 2116 Open Ladies Singles Round Robin: Ambika Ramraj defeated Greer Jackson: 21-16, 14-21, 21-17 Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Greer Jackson: 2117, 21-11 Several matches were set for yesterday with the remaining finals being contested.
TSC BEAT POLICE TO SECURE FINAL BERTH
Joshua Wilson
Shawn Massiah
Transport Sports Club registered an eightwicket victory over Police to secure their place in the final when the semi finals of the Georgetown Cricket Association Noble House Sea Foods second division two-day tournament concluded yesterday. Batting first at Eve Leary, Police were bowled out for 118 in 28.4 overs with Clytus Gibson scoring 19, Reginald Rodrigues, Paul Tyndall and Fitzroy Culley 18 apiece. Joshua Wilson grabbed 4-38 while Devaughn Nandan, Keon Morris and Kevin Ross had two each. Transport SC replied with 261 all out in
Vishal Jaigobin
65.1 overs. Shawn Massiah struck 51 with four fours and two sixes while Nandan made 41, Rafeal Singh 36, Sunil Singh 25 and Adrian Hinds 20. Leg spinner Vishal Jaigobin bagged 6-84. Trailing by 143, Police scored 167 all out. Rodrigues hit 35, Tyndall and Steven Harris 31 each. Nandan grabbed 4-65, Azeem Azeez 2-4 and Massiah 2-56. Chasing 25, Transport reached their target for the lost of two wickets with Ryan Hemraj scoring 20. Meanwhile, Everest failed to field a team in their fixture against GNIC SC. (Zaheer Mohamed)
A player from Sparta Boss (centre) contemplates his next move as he is closely watched by two players from Camp Street All Stars on Saturday night in quarter-final action. It will be a battle of current and former champions when title holders Sparta Boss square off against inaugural winners Back Circle for a place in the final of the Georgetown Zone of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition tomorrow night, at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac. The two teams, who’re the most successful of any in the competition’s history, earned the right to face each other following narrow victories against their respective opponents on Saturday night, at Demerara Park opposite Thirst Park. In the other semi-final, a resurgent Tucville unit held off a tough Leopold Street side by a 2-1 margin to march into the last four, while another team that is looking dangerous and playing excellent, Broad Street Bullies, coasted to a comfortable 2-0 triumph over Queen Street of Tiger Bay, who many felt were favourites to advance. Playing in the third game of the evening against the stubborn Camp Street All Stars, who undoubtedly have been the revelation of the tournament, Sparta Boss had to wait until the 21st minute to pierce the airtight opposition defence when Courtney Britton fired into the goal. Both teams treated the large crowd to some enchanting attacking football, but when the final whistle
sounded, the score-line remained unchanged in favour of the champs. Back Circle had similar difficulties against a spirited North East La Penitence side, before Sylvester Richardson’s 19th strike settled the issue. Earlier, Tucville stood up manfully to an aggressive Leopold Street unit, before winning 2-1. Leon Richardson’s 21st minute strike had given them the lead, but the nippy O’Kenie Fraser equalized eight minutes into the final period. However, Denis Edwards scored the winner three minutes from full time to earn Tucville a spot in the semis. Broad Street Bullies have been the most impressive team to date and a betting person would not be unwise to place a wager on them meeting the final following a string of inspiring
performances. An own goal handed them the lead in the 21st minute, before Lennox Cort sealed the deal one minute from full time to secure their semi-final berth. The night’s full results are seen below: Game-1 Tucville-2 vs Leopold-1 Tucville Scorers Leon Richardson-21st Dennis Edwards-37th Leopold Scorer O’Kenie Fraser-28th Game-2 Broad Street Bullies-2 vs Queen Street Tigerbay-0 Own Goal-21st Lennox Cort-39th Game-3 Camp Street All-Stars-0 vs Sparta Boss-1 Courtney Britton-21st Game-4 Back Circle-1 vs North East La Penitence-0 Sylvester Richardson19th
WDCA TRIALS SET FOR TODAY The West Demerara Cricket Association will commence its preparation for the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board 50over franchise league with a trial game today at Joe Vieira Park. Those called to trials are Yogendra Singh, Deoram Chanderbir, Randy Ramroop, Emanuel Chrisnauth, Jermaine Maxwell, Adrian Johnson, Mahendra Dhanpaul, Safraz Esau, Vikash Dhaniram, Ramnarine Mangra, Narneda Persaud, Keshram Seyhodan, Malcolm Hubbard, Richie Looknauth, Travis Persaud, Ronaldo Renee, Daniel Basdeo, Kevin Paul, Wazim Hussain, Ganesh Pooran, Aman Joe, Yetesh Dhanpaul, Balbinder Shivpersaud and Anthony Ifill. The game commences at 09:30hrs.
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Kaieteur News
DIGICEL REGIONAL FIRST-CLASS CRICKET
Fifties by Hope (70) & Chase (57) help Pride’s fight back By Sean Devers A responsible 70 by Test batsman Shai Hope and good supporting knocks from Royston Chase, Shane Dowrich and Shamarh Brooks kept the Guyana Jaguars at bay as Barbados batted 86 overs on the penultimate day of their fourth round Digicel Regional First-Class Day/ Night game at Providence yesterday. The 23-year-old Hope, batted 231 balls, 288 minutes, reached the boundary 10 times and cleared it once before he threw his wicket away when 30 short of his fifth First-Class ton. Hope shared in halfcentury partnerships with Brooks (41) and Chase (57), while Shane Dowrich made 44 as the Barbados Pride were dismissed for 288. Keon Joseph (2-70),
Veerasammy Permaul (4-68) and Gudakesh Motie (2-55) bowled well for the Jaguars, who were 32-2 in their second innings with Shemron Hetymer on 14 and night watchman Gudakesh Motie on one with their team leading by 55 runs. In the top-of-table clash which started with the host just .2 of a point ahead of the visitors, and after an intriguing day’s play the contest is evenly poised going into today’s final day which starts at 14:30 hrs. Watched by a handful of spectators in bright sunshine and a strong breeze, Barbados Pride resumed on 48-2 with Hope on 20 and Brooks on 10 and the pair looked organised with Brooks elegantly stroking Reifer past mid-off for four before flicking the Bajan, who
SCOREBOARD Pride 1st inns (O/N 48-2) Kraigg Braithwaite c wkt Bramble b Joseph A Alleyne c Chandrika b Reifer S Hope c Johnson b Permaul S Brooks c wkt Bramble b Motie R Chase stp Bramble b Permaul S Dowrich c Hetymer b Joseph J Carter b Motie K Stoute LBW b Permaul J Greaves b Permaul K Roach lbw b Barnwell J Warrican not out Extras (nb-9, b-5) Total: all out (104.1 overs)
6 8 70 41 57 44 0 20 20 1 1 14 288
Fow: 15, 17, 100, 177, 210, 221, 243, 277, 286, 288 Bowling: Joseph 20-2-70-2, Reifer 17-4-59-1, Barnwell 9.1-1-31-1, Permaul, 34-16-68-4 Motie 24-10-55-2 Jaguars 2nd innings R Chandrika lbw b Roach S Hetymer not out L Johnson c Brooks b Chase G Motie not out Extras (nb-4) Total (10 overs)
0 14 13 1 4 32-2
Fow: 0, 28, Bowling: Roach 5-1-14-1, Chase 5-0-18-1
UG holds glitzy ceremony... From page 34 proportionality and the most important aspect here is simply the effective and appropriate management of time. We set our over-all goals and plan each day step by step to accomplish our objectives. We may not have all the necessary resources, but must be efficient with what’s at hand to do what has to be done. Equally important, at the administrative level we need to see more collaborative efforts and togetherness in planning and execution of decisions; likewise, the inclusiveness of all other stakeholders involved. In so doing we are likely to move closer to achieving commonly set goals, thereby, better results, which in turn will be best not only for sports in Guyana, but society as a whole. In closing, I say we must be slow to speak; think before we act now to improve facilities, technical knowledge and opportunities for sports”.
encountered early no-ball problems, for another boundary in the over when he stayed leg-side. Hope, who played seven Tests, was dropped at first slip by Chanderpaul off Keon Joseph on 30 and the total 802, while left-arm spinner Motie replaced Reifer from the Southern end. A classy on-drive by the 27-year-old Brooks, who made his debut at this level against Guyana as a 19-yearold, reached the boundary like a bullet in Chris Barnwell’s first over as the partnership began to flourish in overcast conditions. With the score on 100, Brooks was well taken down the leg side by Anthony Bramble off Motie to end the 83-run partnership, 58 minutes into the day’s play. Brooks’ 41 lasted 119 minutes, 79 balls and was decorated with seven boundaries. Chase joined fellow West Indies batsman Hope as Joseph was brought back for another burst and Hope spanked him through wide mid-wicket for four. Chase got going with three fours off the lively Joseph. Two were edges past the slip cordon while the other one was an imperious cover drive. Chase dumped Motie for six before Hope eased Motie for six over long-off and punched him for his eighth four to bring up his seventh fifty at this level. His delightful fifty also included a six and came from 165 minutes and 126 balls. Chase, who dominated the partnership with Hope, lofted Permaul for six before rocking back and hammering him to the ropes at cover. Another six off Permaul posted the 50 partnership from 79 balls as the Jaguars’ struggled for
Jaguars 32-2 at close leading by 55 runs
Roston Chase drives Gudakesk Motie as Rajendra Chandrika take evasive action yesterday. potency on a slow but good track. The 24-year-old Chase, who has one Test ton from seven matches, soon reached his 14th fifty from 74 balls, 68 minutes with six fours and two sixes. But on the stroke of the dinner break, Chase pushed forward to Permaul and was stumped for 57 with the score 177-4 to end an entertaining 77-run stand. Chase’s innings lasted 93 balls, 91 minutes and included seven fours and two sixes. At the break Barbados were still 134 away from the Jaguars’ score. After the break Hope and Dowrich took the score to 210 to give the Pride their first batting point before Hope top-edged a sweep off Permaul for Leon Johnson at slip to run back and take the catch.
Jonathon Carter (0) was bowled by Motie as the Bajans slipped from 100-2 to 121-6 and the Jaguars were in the ascendency. Dowrich struggled to get the ball away while Kevin Stoute dumped Permaul for six. But armed with the second new ball, Joseph removed Dowrich on the stroke of Tea at 243-7. His 44 included seven fours but took him 89 balls. Justin Greaves joined Stoute whose highest FirstClass score (186) was made against Guyana and with the new pink ball doing a lot more than it did in the natural light, Joseph almost decapitated the head of Greaves as he got into a tangle evading a quick short ball. Barbados collected their second batting point when they reached 250 and
Guyana’s ‘catching woes’ this season continued when Barnwell at slip, put down Stoute off Joseph. Johnson also at slip, grassed Stoute in Joseph’s next over as the pacer, who has improved tremendously since his ‘A’ Team trip to Sri Lanka, watched in dismay. Stoute (20) was lbw to Permaul at 286-9 to give them three bowling points, while Barnwell trapped Roach (1) LBW to leave the Jaguars to bat 10 overs under lights. Jaguars lost Rajendra Chandrika (0) first ball LBW to Roach before Johnson and Hetymer survived to the end although Hetymer was dropped at slip on three off Chase, who opened the bowling. Johnson (13) hooked Roach for six before driving Chase to extra cover at 28-2.
Revived Volcanoes put Hurricanes on back foot ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Tyrone Theophile perished agonisingly short of another first class hundred but teammate Sunil Ambris was eyeing his third, as Windward Islands Volcanoes conjured up their best performance of the new Regional Four-Day Championship, to take command of their fourth round contest against Leeward Islands Hurricanes. Their bowlers first provided the momentum, removing the last four Hurricanes wickets cheaply for 50 runs, as the visitors were dismissed for 259 in their first innings here yesterday.
And armed with a lead of 34 runs, Volcanoes marched to the close on 311 for six, to be 345 runs ahead going into the final day of the game at Windsor Park. Sunil Ambris was unbeaten on 84 while Tyrone Theophile fell for 96 with his third first class hundred within touching distance. Taryck Gabriel chipped in with 30 and West Indies limited overs batsman Johnson Charles, 28. Volcanoes batted well in partnerships, with Theophile anchoring two key stands up front. He put on 68 for the first wicket with veteran left-
hander Devon Smith (22) and a further 53 with Charles for the second wicket. Unbeaten on 47 at lunch, Theophile upped the tempo afterwards, taking the attack to West Indies seamer Alzarri Joseph, as he raced to 96 on the stroke of the drinks break. But a lapse in concentration followed in the first over after the resumption and he skied a mis-timed stroke of pacer Gavin Tonge for Haydn Walsh to take the catch at 153 for three. Theophile struck 13 fours and two sixes and faced a mere 113 balls. Ambris then produced a
patient knock to control the game for Volcanoes. He put on 74 for the fifth wicket with Gabriel and another 32 with Kyle Mayers (12) for the sixth wicket. He has so far faced 146 balls balls in 170 minutes at the crease and counted three fours. Earlier, wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton failed in his bid to reach his fourth first class century when he fell for 94 after resuming the day on 77. Shane Shillingford finished with five for 96 while captain and fellow off-spinner Liam Sebastien picked up four for 78.