Kaieteur News
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Saturday December 24, 2016
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
LOOKING FORWARD TO 2017 In just over a week, Guyanese and the rest of the world will usher in the New Year and many are hoping that 2017 will be better than 2016. It should be not surprising to anyone how quickly the calendar year grows shorter the older one becomes. The saying that time flies is true. Looking back, it seems as though the year 2016 had just began but unfortunately for many, the passing of the last 12 months came so quickly that some are wondering what has happened. In Ancient Roman religion and mythology, Janus, named after the month of January, is depicted as the God of two faces, one that looks back to the past and the other that looks forward to the future. Janus has presided over the beginning and the ending of conflicts, and hence war and peace, which in effect symbolizes change and transition over time. It also expresses the need for people to be conscious of those events in society that have altered reality or have transformed their lives. While there is little point in dwelling on the past twelve months, it should be instructive as a reference point for shaping the lives of many in the future or of taking stock and planning a new direction. As a nation, the citizens of Guyana should look back, but at the same time look to the future in order to grasp and understand the best and the worst times of 2016; the glory and the grief the nation has experienced; the terrible loss it has endured; the incredible gains it has achieved; the breathtaking change in governance and the extraordinary achievements of science and technology. The government should be commended for the cleaning-up of Georgetown, restoring Merriman Mall, establishing three new municipalities (Bartica, Mahdia and Lethem) and for calling Local Government Elections, which was last held more than two decades ago. But it was plagued with several scandals, beginning with the controversial trip to China, the drug bond scheme, the D’Urban Park fiasco, and now the granting of scholarships to two Ministers. Looking back, 2016 was a year of personal loss for many, especially those who have lost loved ones to gun violence and traffic accidents, thus leaving the country impoverished.And it was a tough year for many to transition from the general negative feelings to the state of being positive and from despair to confidence. The year 2016 saw the continued abuse of women and children, shortcomings in the judicial system and intensified criminality and gang entrenchment in several communities. There is not a community in the country that is out of bounds to criminals. In Georgetown and other areas of the country, crime is so rampant that residents, mostly the elderly are being reduced to almost sub-human existence as their only safety is the iron bars on their doors and windows. Despite the hunting down of the bandits, the citizenry remain unconvinced that the authorities have a handle on the situation. Over the years Guyana lost some of its best and great intellectual minds due to migration to greener pastures in the Caribbean and North America. Original thinkers, of fearlessness and undying hope, who love Guyana and did much to propel it forward, have left a huge void in both the public service and the public sphere of ideas and debates. Today, Guyana faces an uncertain future. Its politics is combative and its economy has declined, prices for its commodities have fallen, the national debt has risen, and the crime and unemployment rate has surged. However, by looking forward, the possibility exists for a bright future in 2017.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
Heart-felt plea to ban squibs this season Dear Editor; Christmas and New Years’ are a few days away and it will be open season for the thousands of sadists in our midst to embark on their mad campaign to terrorise animals, particularly dogs, and to generally make the lives of the elderly and babies a literal hell. And with the assistance (yes, assistance) from the Police and GRA and all the Agencies which allow these loud explosive devices to enter into this country and to be sold openly on the pave and in shops and by foot-sellers. On last Diwali night, my dog broke its leg in four places and suffered a displaced joint. It was driven mad by the thunderous noise from (are they?) SQUIBS. My dog’s leg is still in
bandages. What did it do to have to suffer as it is? What did I do to have to spend $20,000 at the Vet? I am sure that my experience is not singular. Some people’s dogs were killed during the Diwali night massacre. Cows broke their fences to escape. Our crime? We live in Guyana where these thunder sticks can be set off right under the nose of the Police, if not by the Police themselves. I know; I live two houses from the Enmore Police Station. We live in Guyana where the law prohibits the sale and use of these explosives, but it can still be sold openly without charges being laid. We live in Guyana where the GRA and the Police refuse or cannot work together to maintain some humaneness in our
Society. We live in Guyana! It seems that with every major holiday, bigger and louder squibs enter this country. Some of these explosives are louder than shotguns. They vibrate a radius of over 50 yards. And NO ONE in this country can stop the abuse by irresponsible citizens and greedy businesses. Mr. Editor, I am hopeful that my letter triggers off a set of protests against this sadism. It is only those who have no sense of feeling or guilt that will have “fun” torturing people and animals, as is happening these days. Police, GRA: Start your campaign against the sale and detonation of these thunder sticks! It is the least you can do. Taajnauth Jadunauth
The death penalty is an inhumane process Dear Editor; I note that the Rev. Gideon Cecil has called for the death sentence to be imposed on those guilty of capital crimes (Letters, 2 December 2016). As someone who lives in Guyana I share the concerns that many have regarding crime and security. However, the death penalty is not the answer to these concerns – capital punishment is not only inhumane but is also unnecessary. No compelling evidence exists to show that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to crime. Experience in Europe and other parts of the world have
taught us that the death penalty does not prevent violent crime, nor does it bring justice to the victims of such crimes. Imposition of the death penalty contravenes the right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment. Any miscarriage of justice – which is inevitable in any legal system – could lead to innocent persons being killed and is irreversible. The Reverend Cecil in his letter raises several issues which contribute to people entering a life of crime – dysfunctional backgrounds, homelessness, illiteracy, drug abuse,
etc. It is by addressing issues such as this that crime rates are brought down, not through knee-jerk reactions such as the state killing its own citizens or draconian laws. There is simply no quick-fix solution to crime – the various factors contributing to crime need to be addressed in a holistic and consistent manner. In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all in Guyana a Merry Christmas and a safe, peaceful and prosperous New Year. Derek Lambe Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Delegation of the European Union
The Guyana Flag was in the wrong position Dear Editor; Stabroek Sports, December 13, 2016 carried a headline “Govt committed to investing in athletes” says Minister Henry as boxers return to hero’s welcome. The article displayed a photograph of our heroes in the company of Minister, Nicolette Henry, President of the Guyana Olympic Association, K. Juman Yassin, Director of Sport, Christopher Jones and President of Guyana Boxing Board, Steve Ninvalle. I join with others in congratulating our
boxers for an unprecedented and excellent performance. The Golden Arrowhead flew proudly in Barbados. In the picture taken in our own country it was the opposite. Our flag was held in the wrong position. Kaieteur News had it correctly in their coverage of the special welcoming ceremony. Why those distinguished hosts did not realise that our flag was wrongly displayed and take corrective action before the photograph was taken? If we want to be great achievers in
sports we must be observant and pay attention to little things and inculcate those qualities in the minds of our young sports men and women. It is the little things that we fail to do that will come back later and haunt us. Not paying attention to small details can lead up to among other things showing disrespect for one of our symbols of nationhood, the flag as was the case under review. Let us aspire to do better as we celebrate our golden jubilee. Clinton Conway
Jagdeo must name the Christian Churches he met with Dear Editor; I begin my letter with an appropriate quote; “Man is the animal that speaks. Understanding language is then the key to understanding men; and the control of language, to the control of men.” Thomas Szasz, “The Second Sin.” I noticed a recent claim from the incumbent Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition that the extensive consultations with and within the Guyanese society on the matter of the chairmanship of GECOM included meetings with representative leaders from the three major religions in Guyana - Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. There were even, in at least one branch of the print media, photographs
reflecting attendance at the respective meetings. I noted quietly at the time, that the pictures cited seemed to confirm consultations with representatives of the Hindu and Moslem communities. Pictorial evidence of Christian involvement was markedly absent. In a Press briefing referred to in SN Thursday 22nd. December, 2016 (p.3) Mr. Jagdeo is again reported as claiming to have had consultations with “religious organizations from the three major religions…” In keeping with the current spirit of goodwill and the reported quest of his Party to go beyond the process required
by law or the constitution “… to solicit opinions from a broad range of organisations…”, would the Leader of the Opposition be kind enough to provide the names of the Leaders and respective organisations reflective of the Christian Community within the Nation with whom he had these consultative sessions? Of course, the pictorial evidence as previously cited would be of immeasurable value as means of verification. After all, we are dealing with appreciably more than fifty (50) per cent of the populace of Guyana, a key factor in the preparation for and conduct of National elections. Loris Heywood
Saturday December 24, 2016
Kaieteur News
President Granger cannot escape blame Dear Editor; When last has HE President David Arthur Granger read his 100-Day Plan in his Manifesto? I have read it on the 585th day after the PNC led Granger administration came to office (December 21) and I was utterly disgusted at the delivery performance on the promises made. So it is rather odd and perhaps moronic for some to want to praise Granger as a great performer and corrupt free when the evidence proves
otherwise. What is the definition of corruption? Generally speaking, corruption is the “abuse of entrusted power for private gains”. Abuse does not only mean financial, it also means that while being a father of the gang of thieves, you closed your ears, eyes and mouth when the treasury was plundered on your watch. So you may not be the one putting on the mask and filling the money back with the loot, but the mere fact that you are in the room
when they planned the heist and conducted the banditry, you are as much corrupt as them. Some operative in the Durban Park Project advised me that some $400 million of the donation was deliberately diverted for the 2020 campaign? Under whose watch did this conspiracy happen? At whose desk does the buck stop when this nonsense was carried out? David Granger. Of that I am now absolutely sure. Lisa Ally
The PPP is the most racially diverse party participatory and inclusive shortest possible time. Apart in Guyana society, there still existed a from some new faces in the Dear Editor; The recently concluded Congress of the PPP has demonstrated and reinforced the view that the PPP remains the largest and most politically diverse political party in the country. Even a cursory look at the composition of the delegates and observers at the Congress would suggest that the PPP has to a large extent been successful in attracting a strong body of multi-ethnic and multi-class appeal which makes it a powerful political institution in Guyana. Apart from its predominant IndoGuyanese support base, it has attracted a majority of Amerindian support and a significant number AfroGuyanese and Mixed segment of the population. This strong and diverse appeal has placed the party in a strong position to win national and regional elections on the basis of its own strength. The PPP however has opted for a much more inclusive and participatory approach to governance. It favored a “winner does not take all” model where all Guyanese regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation would become integrally involved in the task of nation building. The fact is that despite the efforts of the PPP when in government to create a
significant degree of political alienation mainly along ethnic lines. The recent national and regional elections had once again brought to the surface the preponderance of the ethnic appeal in terms of voting behavior. The resolution at the recent PPP Congress calling on the Party to pursue in a more aggressive manner the issue of alliance is timely and would serve to give new impetus to the Party’s strongly held position regarding the need to forge deeper and more strategic alliance with key stakeholders in our society. This point was made by both Opposition Leader Dr. Bharat Jagdeo during his opening address and PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee during his presentation of the Central Committee Report to Congress. They both reiterated the need for the Party to reach out more to individuals and groups from all segments of our society in order to further broaden its multi-ethnic and multi-class appeal. The new Central Committee of the Party is tasked with the responsibility of implementing the several decisions taken at the Congress all aimed at strengthening the party and repositioning it to retake political power within the
Central Committee, the right kind of balance of youth, gender and experience has been retained which places the party in a good position to realize the mandate of the Congress. There can be no doubt that the 31st Congress of the Party was a huge success in terms of reinforcing the Party’s broad appeal as the most credible party to resume the seat of government in the next general and regional elections. This is why it is important to garner the support of all those who cherish the ideals of a democratic Guyana. There is need for a broad alliance of all stakeholders both locally and internationally to ensure that the democratic gains of the country are not subverted as in the past. The recent PPP Congress has set the stage for a new kind of politics where the good of the country and her citizens are paramount and where all Guyanese have a role to play in the exciting task of nation building. Hydar Ally Central Committee Member (PPP)
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What next oppressive act can we expect t h e c i t i z e n s f o r t h e now rolling out the system, from City Hall? Christmas. I chuckled to which will not be completed Dear Editor; Wa l k i n g a l o n g t h e pavement on Regent Street a few days ago, I observed the Town Clerk of Georgetown and a gentleman standing next to one of the notorious parking meters that seemed to be gift wrapped and tied with a ribbon which made a large bow. I heard someone hailing out to them from the road way enquiring whether this was the City’s present to
myself, but then I thought seriously that I was witnessing a bully nonchalantly inaugurating a tool of oppression against the hapless citizens and visitors to Georgetown. How sad! And then as a candy coating, I learnt a little later that they were giving us this huge concession of not charging us until next year! Now really? Do they really take us for fools? They are
until next year, so they are not doing us any favours. It is just not practical to begin c h a rg i n g a s y e t u n t i l everything is set up, tested and in place. What other draconian initiatives could we look forward to from City Hall next year? Increased rates and taxes? More trips overseas? More friends and family being hired? More graft and corruption? Deodarie Putulal
Eleven investment programmes to benefit making in our youth; (CVQ) platform; Youth Guyanese youths literally millions of dollars Innovation Fund (YIF). Dear Editor; I grew up on the adage ‘youths are the future’. I say youths are the now. It’s a great time to be young, and especially in Guyana as opportunities abound. And as my mother says, ‘The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized in the lifetime of the opportunity.’ President David Granger rightly said also, that, “Youth development must equip young people with the right education, the right attitudes and the right values if they are to go out into the world and become productive and useful citizens. Youth development must overcome the challenge of u n e m p l o y m e n t . Yo u t h development, also, must give birth to a new generation of Guyanese entrepreneurs; of leaders; of pioneers, young people who are prepared to explore new avenues and opportunities in our economy.” There is no excuse for someone who escaped the formal education system as there are enough opportunities to bring one’s self on par with those who have been exposed to formal schooling. Locally, I have identified eleven significant investments government is
are being invested or is ready to be channeled toward our youth. The suite of programmes include the Small Business Bureau (SBB); Sustainable L i v e l i h o o d & Entrepreneurial Development (SLED); Local Areas Economic Profile (LAEP); Local Economic Development Strategic Plans (LSPs); Community Infrastructure Improvement Programme (CIIP); Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP); Micro and Small Enterprise Development (MSED) P r o j e c t ; Yo u t h Entrepreneurial Skills Training (YEST) programme; Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS); Caribbean
Vocational Qualification
Allow me to elaborate on just a few. The Small Business Bureau was established to promote policies and programmes which foster small business development. The Minister of Business recently lamented that the SBB’s targets are not being met. One publication noted, “Though it has been implementing the programme for three years the bureau is still to disburse more than 80% of a targeted 800 loans under the programme, it has only disbursed 233 of a targeted 300 grants and has created and sustained only 735 jobs under both programmes. It was expected to have created and sustained 2,200 (Continued on page 6)
Kaieteur News
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Saturday December 24, 2016
WPA’s Ogunseye warns about the PPP coming back Dear Editor; I wish to bring to the attention of APNU+AFC members and supporters an important political point made by Bharrat Jagdeo, in his opening address to the PPP/C Congress at Cotton Field Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast. A report which appeared in Kaieteur News on Sunday, 18th December, 2016 credited the Opposition Leader as saying to the Congress that when the PPP/C wins the 2020 general and regional elections they are planning to be in power for 25 years. The political importance of this statement is not about whether the PPP/C can win the next election – I believe this is wishful thing on the part of Jagdeo - it is located in the expressed intention of the PPP/C to rule the country for the next 25 years post the 2020 elections. Jagdeo has, in very clear language, made known his and his party’s intentions for the future of Guyana. To my mind this would be a disaster of unimaginable proportions,
the worst thing to happen to Guyana, particularly when the 23 years of the PPP/C’s rule of Guyana – 1992 to 2015 – is taken into consideration. It cannot be denied that Jagdeo is a politician who not only understands the importance of power being located in the hands of a ruthless person and party, but, more importantly, he has demonstrated that he has the a b i l i t y t o u s e p o w e r, ruthlessly. Consider what this means when we examine fully, the clear unadulterated message, which he directed to his party members and supporters in his presentation at the just concluded Congress. It is this – when we in the PPP/C get back into the power stream we will do whatever is necessary to ensure that we hold unto it for at least twenty-five years. The difference between the political mentality displayed by the opposition party and its leadership as it relates to power and that of many APNU +AFC members and supporters is very clear. On the one hand we see the
PPP/C demonstrating that by the time of the 2020 General and Regional elections power will be theirs once again. On the other hand we see some APNU members and supporters seemingly buying into the propaganda of Jagdeo, the PPP/C and other detractors of the government who feel emboldened to claim that the present coalition is a one term government. This says a lot about our constituents’ political culture and political gullibility. In trying to understand this negative response of our supporters, it is obvious that we have short memory and there are cultural influences, and conditioning at work. Our people at all levels, leaders and masses seem not predisposed to understanding power, or, how to use it in the way the PPP/C leadership and supporters are culturally equipped to do. Instead of thinking how to consolidate the political gains we made in 2015 after being shut out for 23 years with all of the known hardships and degradation,
Guyana must honour Diane Mc Turk Dear Editor; Honour her and honour her well - the late Diane McTurk. I pen those words to the past and present government of the day, the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and the Tourism Sector of Guyana. D.
McTurk deserves to be considered ‘ICONIC’ for her dedication, commitment and sterling contribution, for her work over the years with orphaned giant river otters and the tourism industry of Guyana. She is irreplaceable and I worry so much about what happens to the giant river otters she cared for so many years. The very sad part for my adventure as an independent and private advocate for tourism over the years is that I was never fortunate to cross paths with
her though we were under the same umbrella with our respective work. I say to her immediate family members, relatives, friends etc that I choose to remember her in good spirits for the work she represented and I will not attend her memorial service because if I do, I could very well scale down with my work from the other end of the avenue. My memory with her is one that she is smiling and clutching in her bosom a giant river otter. T.Pemberton
too many of us are engaged in promoting the selfdestructive “enemy propaganda” of a one term government for APNU+AFC. Jagdeo‘s declaration of impending PPP/C domination of the country should serve as a, “wake up call” to all of our supporters and the country at large. To all of those members and supporters who have latched on to the propaganda that the APNU+AFC coalition is a one term government, I say to you think of the atrocities committed by the PPP/C in
the twenty three years of their stewardship of the country, think about the disappearance of the over 400 persons whose fate is still unknown, think about the role of Roger Khan and his state sponsored killers, think about the criminalization of the state, the corruption and theft of state resources that took place under Jagdeo, think about all of the horrors we experienced under Jagdeo and the PPP/C and if after having done so you continue to see the missteps which have occurred under the incumbent government as a basis for
political change in 2020, then as a people we are suicidal . In closing, I want to say that the PPP/C was never a party with a democratic political culture. It has always had a culture and an ideology of absolute power and absolute domination. We experienced their style of governance for 23 years and its consequential destruction of the country. My call is therefore directed to all those who suffered. Wake up sleeping people! End this nonsense of one term government. Tacuma Ogunseye
Eleven investment programmes... From page 5 jobs.” Why aren’t our youths taking full advantage of this opportunity? I was privileged to have launched in my Constituency (14) the Ministry of Public Security’s Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (Component 1: Community Crime and Violence). The specific objective of this component is to improve behaviours for non-violent conflict resolution in target communities which will contribute to the overall aim of the programme: contribute to a reduction in crime and violence in Guyana especially in the targeted communities and among youths through skills training. 300 youths will benefit from entrepreneurial training i n i t i a l l y, t r a i n i n g t o approximately 4,000 at-risk youth over the next four years. Students will be supported with small grants to facilitate small business start ups. Each youth will be given approximately 70 US per month to cover transportation to and from school, meals and other expenses. Teenage mothers and fathers will be provided
with additional resources to cover day care support. This is a five million US investment overall. In 2017 Government aims to focus, “on the empowerment of individuals and the facilitation of small and micro-enterprise, expanding existing programmes aimed at fostering youth entrepreneurship. The Micro and Small Enterprise Development (MSED) Project will continue with its financing and training and development activities, targeting prospective and established entrepreneurs and small businesses. To this end, a total of 660 clients are targeted for training and business support. Additionally, a total of 600 micro-enterprises will be visited to review their business plans and the results of training facilitated by the Project”. It is my sincere wish that our young people would grab hold of these opportunities. In his 2017 Budget presentation the Honorable Minister of Finance Winston Jordan introduced the Youth Innovation Fund (YIF). “This Fund will provide a
financing platform to launch exceptionally innovative ideas, harnessing the energetic and creative minds of our young people. The criteria for accessing this programme are still being finalised, but will include level of originality, viability, applicability beyond demonstration, and maintaining zero net impact on the environment. This Fund, which will be overseen by a multi-stakeholder steering committee, will be endowed, initially, with a sum of $50 million with the intention of supporting successful start-up applicants.” Editor, as 2017 beckons it is my fervent wish that our young people take to action what is embodied in the phrase, ‘carpe diem’, seize the day; remembering in their pursuit of all things what Dr. Steven Covey suggests, “The single most powerful investment we can make in life is investment in ourselves.” Kudos to the Government for providing the opportunities. Sherod Avery Duncan, LLB, JP. Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Georgetown
Saturday December 24, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Proposals for GuySuCo’s future far exceed IMF expectations - Agri. Minister By Kiana Wilburg Thousands of workers within the sugar sector will soon know their fate, as a Cabinet subcommittee has finally finished drafting its recommendations on the way forward with the industry. This was confirmed yesterday by Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder. Holder is a member of that subcommittee, which was established last month. Other members include Finance Minister Winston Jordan, Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. Holder told this newspaper that the subcommittee has put together a paper with its recommendations which will go before Cabinet next Wednesday. He said that Cabinet will decide whether to keep or discard part or all of the options on the paper. While he was not able to divulge a few of the suggestions on the way forward, he stated that they far exceed the expectations of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which has been calling on the authorities to reduce its billion-dollar bailouts to the sector. The IMF documented this in its Article IV Consultation report in March, last. The report said that
according to the authorities in Guyana, planned budget transfers for the sugar industry are expected to decline and eventually cease over the medium term. The IMF also noted that transfers to the loss-making stateowned sugar company (GuySuCo) remain a drag on fiscal performance. In its report, it noted that transfers to GuySuCo were equivalent to 1.8 percent of GDP in 2015, and are budgeted at about 1.3 percent of GDP for 2016. IMF staff urged the local authorities to adopt a restructuring plan for the sector that will improve cost efficiency, productivity, and alternative revenue streams, drawing upon the reforms proposed by the Commission of Inquiry into GuySuCo. It said, too, that the scope and pace of reform should take into account social implications. Finance Minister Winston Jordan recently opined that based on the allocation for sugar in the 2017 budget, government has indeed started the process of reducing the billion-dollar bailouts to the sector. He said, “When we started in 2015, we started with $12B; then 2016 we had $11B going towards the sector; and for 2017 we have $9B. So there is a process of
reduction that is taking place…” Kaieteur News was able to confirm from two reliable sources that the options up for consideration include privatization as recommended in the Commission of Inquiry into GuySuCo, and the most extreme being the closure of the sector. According to the COI report, it was recommended that the process of privatization should start as early as practicable, with an aim to be completed within a three-year period. As a consequence, the report said that the state should divest itself of all assets, activities and operations currently associated with GuySuCo. Government officials have also agreed that radical reorganization and diversification are urgently needed. Another recommendation made to Cabinet was the need to bring an end to the production of bulk sugar at the Skeldon Sugar Estate. Kaieteur News also understands that the US$200 million factory is in dire need
of costly repairs. In this regard, Chairman of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Dr. Clive Thomas said, “Skeldon needs to be divested. We thought it would have been saved or salvaged by a mechanization project and that was not helpful. Then to get the costs down to competitive levels, moves were made to involve private cane farmers in supplying cane to Skeldon. That, too, did not work. The reality before us is that the factory has lots of faults; it is badly designed and poorly constructed.” Thomas added, “The factory is deteriorating. New steel is needed, some of the furnaces don’t work, some of the boilers don’t work…the factory is just not properly built. The cost for the repairs needed is about, if not over, US$60M ($12B). It is that big of a disaster.” A few months ago the sugar sector received a whopping $2B in assistance from the national purse. This financial support is to help meet routine expenditure, and is in relation to the second
crop for the sector. The cost to repair Skeldon alone would be six times that bailout. The amount needed to fix the problems facing Skeldon is also more than the $11B ploughed into the sugar industry for the entire year. Government was also presented with the option to diversify Rose Hall / Providence and the East Demerara estates. It was noted that in addition to the Wales Estate, the estates at East Demerara and Rose Hall are underperforming and should be transitioned into diversification. “We were told that those estates have prime
agricultural lands, have access to the required facilities, and are strategically located for access to support services and trade,” said one official. He concluded, “We were also advised by GuySuCo officials that these advantages should be exploited in financially viable diversification ventures. They said that preparations should commence from January 1, 2017, so that the lands can be prepared for proposed diversification projects as the canes are harvested during 2017. The diversification plans are contingent on this decision.”
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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 24, 2016
UK’s biggest buyer relaxes outright ban for greenheart - agrees to allow Iwokrama’s FSC-certified timber More than a year after one of the biggest traders in the United Kingdom (UK) placed a procurement ban on Guyana’s greenheart timber, significantly curtailing exports, there is a move underway to send a shipment. The shipment will be made by Wijma, a UK sales and distribution division of Dutch European Sustainable Tropical Timber Coalition (STTC), which hopes to deliver the first greenheart to its customers in early in the new year. The timber will be coming from Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, which a few months ago made significant strides when it was certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The STTC is an alliance of industry, business, government and NGOs dedicated to increasing European demand for sustainably sourced tropical timber. The forest, located in the forest-rich Guiana Shield region and managed by the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development, was audited by the Soil Association, with backing from STTC founder and supporter IDH,
More than a year after UK’s biggest timber buyer placed restriction on Guyana’s greenheart, Iwokrama is set to send a shipment early next year. the sustainable trade initiative. According to Iwokrama, following pre-assessment last May, the FSC certificate was awarded on October 14. Half the forest will be kept as ‘wilderness reserve’ and half as ‘sustainable use for-
est’, with a harvest cycle based on natural regeneration, allowing removal of 10 trees per hectare and stipulating reduced impact logging. Greenheart is widely used in the UK and across the rest of Europe in marine applications.
But in the UK, where it is especially popular for sea defences, the Environment Agency (EA) issued a procurement ban in 2015 after assessing that proof of sustainable sourcing was inadequate. “The EA have now removed the outright ban on greenheart after we advised them of the FSC certification awarded to Iwokrama,” said Damian Cole of Wijma UK. “They will accept Category A FSC 100% Greenheart from Iwokrama, but at the same time say that Category B timber from Guyana [which is material under UK rules backed by other forms of sustainable sourcing documentation] does not meet their requirements.” Wijma will be among the first suppliers to put the certified greenheart on the market and the customer for its initial shipment will be the EA itself, which undertakes timber procurement for public projects. The timber is for sea defences at Dawlish Warren on the south coast. A range of other species is available from the Iwokrama forest, including purpleheart. Whether the UK’s EA will specify these too remains to be seen, but it has a programme to evaluate and increase use of lesser known tropical timber species. Earlier this year, when it became public knowledge that UK’s greenheart market was in deep trouble because of EA’s stance, Government and the private sector had announced collaborative efforts to have it reversed. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; and Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin; met with representatives of the pri-
vate sector and stakeholders of the logging industry to tackle the issue. The restrictions, which have cut exports of wood products to UK by almost 65 percent, since the May 2015 advisory by the Environment Agency (EA), has been engaging Government and stakeholders, it was disclosed. EA is one of UK’s biggest buyers of lumber for state projects in that country. Greenheart was until a year ago widely used in sea defence projects by UK contractors. Government and private sector agreed to take the matter to the diplomatic level, among other things. According to Minister Gaskin, the issue had indeed a troubling one that should be of concern to all Guyanese. Greenheart, he stressed, is part of the “Guyanese identity” with the current procurement restrictions harming exports and local production. Minister Trotman made it clear that the issue is of concern to Government with the focus on finding solutions now. According to the Minister, Guyana’s systems of monitoring and verification to ensure logging is done in a sustainable and legal manner have been tested and proven over time. It is a standard that is not only recognised by the current EU-FLEGT negotiat i o n s b u t b y N o r w a y, which has a US$250M agreement with Guyana for the protection of the forests here. More than US$100M has been paid out, after intense checks were carried out by inspectors to ensure that deforestation levels are kept at manageable levels and that logging is conducted in
a sustainable and legal manner. The main concern, Trotman had said, is to ensure that Guyana’s reputation is kept intact where forestry activities are concerned. Guyana was supposed to engage its High Commissioner to UK, Hamley Case, who has intense knowledge of the country’s forestry sector. Over the last four years, Greenheart exports were a massive US$27M. The impact saw Guyana’s Greenheart exports nose-diving last year from US$3.2M in 2014 to US$1.1M last year. This represents a massive 65% decline. In effect, the EA decision has tarnished Guyana’s reputation and could impact investments in the forestry sector. Already, the impact on logging activities is being felt, with jobs and markets affected. Not only is foreign exchange earnings affected, but also the lives of thousands of Indigenous persons have been impacted. EA did not consult with Guyana on the issue, officials said. Timber represents a major export earner for Guyana, last year totaling US$45.6M, compared to the US$54.1M in 2014. The Iwokrama International Centre (IIC) was established in 1996 under a joint mandate from the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat to manage the Iwokrama forest, a unique reserve of 371,000 hectares of rainforest, “in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and to the world in general”
Saturday December 24, 2016
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Kaieteur News
BRING BACK THE VAT The rains have come with an intensity which would be considered, in the old days, as moderate. Yet the whole coast is flooded. The rivers are swollen in some riverain communities. There is no doubt in my mind that the levels of rainfall today are no different from what fell in the past. There was always flooding, but the run-off was rapid and the destruction of crops and infrastructure such as roads was always far less than they are today. The problem with flooding in Guyana has been over-diagnosed. The causal factors have been reduced to clogged drains, silted outfalls and the concreting over of parapets and reserves which have reduced water absorption. The solutions are obvious. Just correct these problems and the flooding will end. Right? Not quite. Flooding will not disappear even if all the things that people propose are done. The reason is simple. The infrastructure which was built to drain our coastland was premised on the fact that ac-
cumulation in times of heavy rainfall was unavoidable, but the water would eventually be removed off the land. This is why houses were built on silts. The drainage infrastructure of Guyana is outdated and outmoded. It is not intended to provide same-day drainage when rainfall levels are in excess of 3 inches or 75mm. Less than that now causes serious flooding. There is need for modern thinking in terms of our drainage systems. Gravity drainage is going to be too slow to deal with flooding caused by climate change. Pumps are not as efficient in removing flood waters as kokers are. The flood infrastructure has to be changed. We can no longer expect gravity and pumps to drainage the coastland. It simply will no longer work. The alternatives will be costly and perhaps unaffordable until Guyana finds oil. But there are some things which should be considered. The first is to establish massive holding areas for water along the East Coast.
This can be one area for diversification of GuySuCo. Instead of forming an agricultural corporation, form a company to help the country fight flooding. The government has to keep the private sector out of developing or maintaining the country’s flood infrastructure. It is in the interest of the private sector to ensure that drainage is improved but not enough to make private contractors redundant. Why should private contractors provide alterative solutions to government when these private contractors benefit every time there is need for drainage works. The state should take over drainage, and this is where GuySuCo can come in. It should offer, for a fee, to manage the country’s drainage systems, half of which, in any event belong to the sugar company. The second should be, where possible, to have two kokers instead of one at a particular location. This will allow for twice the discharge of water. Adjusting the infra-
Dem boys seh... Soulja Bai show up Jagdeo when de rain fall Rain fall bucket a drop Friday morning. In fact, dem had so much rain that all who use to boast that flooding is a thing of de past had to shut dem mouth. Road tun river and car tun boat. People normally don’t go to wuk when rain fall but when de rain fall Friday people lef dem house. Dem boys believe that dem woulda see de normal behavior of people staying home and calling in sick. Of course, couple days ago all dem streets full of cars. You can’t hope to walk in de city. You come out a minibus and you got to watch how you coming out because a car deh right outside de minibus door.
Friday morning although de rain fall de road had more car than any time of de year. Then dem had people. De same people who wouldn’t got to wuk when rain fall suddenly deh pun de road. Who didn’t have raincoat walking wid umbrella. People even walk in de rain. Is de same people who wouldn’t go to wuk in de rain. And when de rain come down de place flood. From de time de water raise Jagdeo jump and holler that de government must get rid of de water. Dem boys get vex right away. This was de same Jagdeo who nearly drown de city in sh**. One of ee minister ac-
tually seh that he want an epidemic. Soulja Bai seh that Jagdeo sick in he head. When de place flood de water stay fuh seven days when Jagdeo was president. This time by de time de rain done de water run off. People who come off de plane suddenly start to ask to see de flood that dem hear bout when dem was coming pun de plane. Dem boys seh that Jagdeo ain’t got nutten to talk about suh he look fuh something. Suh dem buy a zip fuh he mouth. Talk half and tell Jagdeo he got to look at videos of he days when rain fall.
Bandits tie, rob overseas-based Guyanese An elderly woman, who came to Guyana to spend Christmas with her family, was tied and robbed by two men around 09:30 hrs on Friday at Meadow Bank, Georgetown. According to information received, the bandits gained entry to the family’s twostorey property by an open back door.
The woman was the only person at home at the time of the robbery. Reports are that when the men entered, they tied the woman’s hands and feet, blindfolded her and stuffed a piece of cloth in her mouth. Once they were finished ransacking the house, the two men made good their escape. A source said that it was after some time, that the woman
managed to untie herself and run to the verandah where she started shouting for help. Images of the men were captured on surveillance camera. When this publication visited the woman’s home yesterday, her relatives refused to speak to the media. Police sources said that no one has been apprehended as yet.
structure to double the drainage will cause a dramatic reduction in flooding. There are many other things which can be done to improve the drainage infrastructure. The government has to think outside of the box. It cannot continue, year after year, to be pouring monies into finding solutions to flooding caused by heavy rainfall. Drainage solutions are no longer rocket science. Every house should be required to have a vat to store rainwater for use in gardening. GWI water should not be used for watering plants and gardens. The government should share out vats to col-
lect rainwater. Rainwater should also be used for washing your car and your yard. Six million gallons of rainwater can be collected and stored each month by citizens in vats. The more rainwater that is collected and stored by private citizens, means the less that will be available to overtop the drains and canals. The government should cease trying to fix the system, it should employ new tech-
nologies and construct new infrastructure to finally rid Guyana of this flooding which arises after any heavy downpour.
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Saturday December 24, 2016
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Jagdeo’s GECOM choices This column is not in the least a personal commentary on Mr. Jagdeo’s selections for the position of GECOM’s Chairman. But as an opinionmaker, I am entitled to offer my take on the person that is likely to be chosen to head a very strategic placement within the physiology of this nation. Any appointment to one of a country’s vital institutions will generate commentary and analysis. It is happening right now with Donald Trump. All of his picks for the most important ministerial portfolios have attracted widespread analyses, with academics and commentators looking at peculiar and particular speeches these people
have made, especially when it comes to race, trade and security issues. When Mr. Trump fills the current vacancy in the Supreme Court, look out for a deluge of criticism from the liberal sections of American society. Getting personal with myself, I know that I do not politically qualify to be GECOM’s chairman so I would not allow anyone to pick my name. I am unapologetically suspicious of the humanity in the PPP leadership. I don’t think many of them have humanity in them. If the PNC or AFC when in opposition had suggested my name to President Jagdeo or President Ramotar, I would have been turned down with an immediate display of an-
ger. Unlike all other names selected by the opposition for the president to make a pick since the Carter formula was put forward in 1990, Mr. Jagdeo’s list is too politically partial. I can think of no other list that has so many known politically inclined people as Mr. Jagdeo’s. When I say “politically inclined,” I don’t mean party affiliation. I am referring to expressed views of partisanship on the subjects of race and support for a particular party. In fact, if you examine all GECOM chairmen, since the Carter Formula was accepted by President Hoyte, there weren’t people known for open support of government or opposition. Perhaps Doodnauth Singh does not fit the bill perfectly, but he was not a public associate or open supporter of the PPP and WPA. Major-General Joe Singh and Dr. Steve Surujbally were not in the
least connected to a public embrace of the opposition. Mr. Jagdeo’s choices do not exactly exude political impartiality. I think people are under a misconception of what the Carter Formula entails. What Carter did is that in asking the opposition to name names, he did not in the least have in mind people with strongly partisan views. What Carter meant was that the opposition would look for credible, independent personalities and submit them to the President, who then would not be uncomfortable with the submissions because their neutrality or professional independence was there to be seen. Carter never had in mind, the selection of citizens who held strongly biased beliefs on race and politics. Against this background if I had the opportunity to advise President
Granger, I would suggest he refuse four names on Mr. Jagdeo’s list. I begin with Ms. Ryhaan Shah. She is a weekly columnist with the Guyana Times newspaper and she writes very strongly in support of the PPP. Her views on race will not go down well with most stakeholders in Guyana. Here is Ms. Shah in her own words; “Citizenships can change. I can be Guyanese, or American or Canadian, etc., if I cared to be. But how does one deny or change one’s essential being? I would never negate my Indian self. It is my DNA. It is my history, my legacy, my traditions, my culture. It is my spiritual home. If I ever denied any of it, that would be the real dishonour”. There is nothing abnormal in that sentiment, though I would not ever say that of myself. The question is; in a multi-racial country, would other groups feel safe with Ms. Shah as the GECOM chairman? Dr. James Rose was a candidate for the PPP in the 2011 general elections, was honoured last year for his contribution to service with
Frederick Kissoon the PPP, and is openly close to the PPP. Would it not be valid to say that such political affiliation should be considered when one takes into consideration that this man will head the body in charge of elections? Next is Mr. Norman Mc Lean. It is public knowledge that Mr. McLean enjoyed the confidence of President Jagdeo and President Ramotar. Shouldn’t the President go for a less politicized individual? One can say the same for Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo. He has had an enduring closeness to the government of both Jagdeo and Ramotar. I think President Granger should not consider these four names, the reason being, they are not in keeping with what Carter had in mind.
Saturday December 24, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Foreign Ministry to target bilateral states for deepened economic cooperation, trade next year In the coming year, the coalition administration proposes to target a selected group of bilateral states with the objective of deepening economic cooperation and trade. This is according to Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge. The politician said that there will be increased focus on the strengthening of economic relations for the promotion of Guyana’s trade, investment and tourism potential and opportunities utilizing existing arrangements such as the Partial Scope agreement with Brazil. Arising out of the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Greenidge said that his Ministry will be pursuing the review of this agreement in a bid to broaden the range of products covered, especially those which Guyana can export to Brazil. The Minister said that this effort is to give effect to the strategic objective of strengthening Guyana’s political, economic and social relations with targeted countries through the outcomes of structured bilateral mechanisms and high-level visits to reflect national priorities and the CARICOM agenda. Additionally, the Foreign
Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge Affairs Minister said that Guyana remains committed to multilateralism and a rulesbased international order. To this end, he said that the Ministry will continue as far as possible to participate and play an active role in all fora of the United Nations (UN) system and its specialised agencies, funds and programmes in promoting the pillars of multilateral activity, namely global security, sustainable development, human rights and international law. He stated, “We will continue to embrace all
initiatives aimed at strengthening the UN system and its central role in multilateralism. We are of the belief that the resolution of international conflicts should be peaceful and in accordance with the centrality of the UN Charter and the principles of international law”. Greenidge commented
that the policy advanced by the Ministry therefore recognises that to achieve a better life for all, development and security are best addressed through adequate attention to all global threats facing humanity. Speaking to the Guyanese Diaspora, the Foreign Affairs Minister said that this remains an important partner in the national development programme. He shared that as a follow-up to the High Level Meeting on Migration held in September of this year, the Permanent Mission will play an active role in the negotiations relating to the global code of conduct of refugee and migration to be crafted in 2017. He said that the Ministry will continue to promote the strengthening of SouthSouth cooperation and will seek to play an active role in the formulation of the agendas of the South in all relevant fora in order to ensure that they are supportive of Government’s national interest. “We will continue our engagement with countries of
the South through participation in the NonAligned Movement; Group of 77; the Africa-South America and the Arab-South America mechanisms. We believe that this is essential for building important regional partnerships, especially for the translation of international commitments to concrete actions,” Greenidge expressed. Significantly, the Foreign Affairs Minister disclosed that perhaps the most significant trend during the year was the increased emphasis placed on establishing close linkages between Guyana’s foreign policy and its domestic developmental aspirations. In this regard, he stated that the Ministry’s international outreach has
been tailored to create the most propitious climate for domestic growth, with a focus on green growth. He said that this proactive outreach has already shown results in the number of offers received from several bilateral partners for development of projects to be implemented in 2017 in the area of renewable energy and disaster management. In this regard, Italy has committed to the greening of Bartica. As such, the Foreign Affairs Minister said that in 2017 the Ministry will seek to pursue the possibility of Guyana becoming a pilot country volunteer for a Review of Guyana’s implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 24, 2016
Major works planned for UG Caricom Secretary General with $202M approved allocation stresses importance of reform The University of Guyana is expected to undergo a number of upgrades and changes in 2017 as the government of Guyana through the Ministry of Education plans to spend a total of $202M on the Tertiary institution. This information was divulged in the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly this week by Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry during the consideration of the 2017 estimates of revenue and expenditure. She said that the University will be getting a new Administration building at the Turkeyen Campus. A total of $6.5M is to be expended on this particular project. The Administration building houses several important offices of the institution, inclusive of the examinations department, office of the ViceChancellor, along with those of the Registrar and Assistant Registrar. Before work commences on the building, Minister Henry said that consultancy work will be done first at a cost of $140,000. Further, she
Minister, Nicolette Henry said that the University will get an additional lecture theatre which will be a rollover project from 2016. This will cost government $5M with a consultancy of $200,000. The library will not be left out in this project as the Minister indicated that the building will undergo re-wiring at a cost of $1.5M. Henry also informed the House that there will be the construction of a
teaching and learning complex for science and mathematics at the Turkeyen campus. This new addition will cost government $69M. The Ministry plans to also install a regulator for $24M. The University’s Pere Street, Kitty building is expected to be rehabilitated at a cost of $12.5M. That location has been designated as the Office of the Pro-Chancellor. Henry said that there will also be a new maintenance building to cost $37.8M, a new generator at $24M and a tractor with slasher to cost $22M. The project entails the construction of a maintenance building, rehabilitation of the University’s Pere Street building and provision for generator, voltage regulations, tractor and slasher. As it relates to work which had begun and was not completed in 2016 but will be rolled over in the New Year, Henry said that the construction of the new admin building, the construction of the lecture theatre and the re-wiring of the library are the only projects which would be rolled over. In 2015, central government had expended $35M towards the project and another $157M was spent in 2016. There is no foreign funding being spent on this project. The benefits to accrue from these works would be to improve education delivery, operational efficiency and accommodation.
- points to need to make CSME more responsive As difficult and challenging as reform is, it is absolutely essential in order to confront the ever-changing nature of today’s global environment. This assertion has been made by Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, in his end of year message. “When the history of this year is written, it will record that the seeds of change in our Secretariat and our Community began to bear fruit in 2016,” said LaRocque as he pointed out that “the framework of our reform process has begun to take shape both within the Community and its Secretariat.” According to LaRocque, reform is not an end in itself, but a means of ensuring that the citizens of CARICOM derive the maximum benefit from the process of integration. At the end of it all, he noted that the regional integration process would be much more efficient and effective, in serving the interests of the people of the Community. He noted that one of the major factors in advancing those interests is the operation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Heads of Government have mandated that a comprehensive review of the CSME be conducted. “We are undertaking that review. We are also looking at how we can re-calibrate the CSME to make it more responsive to address issues of growth and competitiveness. In this regard we will work with Member
Ambassador Irwin LaRocque States to accelerate implementation of the elements of the CSME and in utilising its provisions, give our Community the best chance of establishing the socio-economic platform for prosperity,” said LaRocque. He added, “We have also taken steps through information technology to simplify some of the administrative procedures which allow our citizens to benefit from the CSME.” The CSME Application Processing System (CAPS) streamlines and harmonises the skills and services processes. It allows persons to apply for their skill certificates online and will eventually allow for payments to be made and all approvals, including issuing of the certificates online. The roll out has begun and will be in more countries in the coming year,
LaRocque has noted. ”The interests of the private sector are also engaging our attention as steps are being taken to ease the conduct of doing business in our Region,” said LaRocque as he pointed out that “The power of our unity and the instinctive togetherness of the people of our Community were amply demonstrated once more as we went into action to assist those of our Member States affected by the passage of Hurricane Matthew”. The Secretary General, however, noted that the hardest hit countries, Haiti and the Bahamas, are still in recovery mode, particularly Haiti, where the storm cut a wide path of devastation. The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) performed (Continued on page 28)
Saturday December 24, 2016
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
Coastal flooding... The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) following a tour throughout the city yesterday, said that a special technical team is in the fields monitoring the overtopping in different sections of the city. This overtopping is due to the coincidence of heavy rains over the last 24 hrs (almost 3 inches in a 6-hour period) and high tides, the Town Clerk Royston King stated yesterday. The city is 4 ft below the normal high tide and an addi-
M&CC monitors overtopping in city - Operation Room set up to receive info from sluice, pump attendants tional 2 ft at spring tide. It depends on a system of sluices and pumps for drainage, he said. He added that there are five hydro flow pumps along the Demerara River, of which there are operable; two are under repairs. Also, there are twelve sluices
which are opened during low tides to facilitate outflow of storm water. Also, there are four electrically-operated pumps which discharge into the Atlantic Ocean. King said that over the last two weeks, the City Engineer’s Department has been reviewing
Caricom Secretary General... From page 12 yeoman service as they coordinated the recovery efforts which were also boosted by efforts from the government and people of many Member States, LaRocque said. The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF), a unique disaster-related financial service initiated by CARICOM, also honoured their financial commitments to those countries whose level of destruction triggered the compensation clauses in their insurance policies. However, LaRocque noted that “we have also had cause for special celebrations this year as Barbados and Guyana marked their Golden Jubilee as independent countries. Our athletes, led by the incomparable Usain Bolt,
made the Region proud at the Rio Olympics. Our cricketers recorded a historic treble as champions in the Men’s and Women’s International Cricket Council World T20 as well as the Under 19 World Cup.” But according to the Secretary General, as 2017 approaches with the uncertainties on the international scene and closer to home, the continuing issue concerning correspondent banking, one thing is certain. That is, “we will be better able to confront whatever challenges arise through being a united force. The strength of our integration movement gives us a solid platform upon which to build our resilience,” said Ambassador LaRocque. In that regard, LaRocque said that Heads of Government, Min-
isters, Officials and staff of regional Institutions continue to demonstrate their leadership and commitment to the integration process. He noted that interaction with stakeholders in civil society, the private sector and among the youth, there is widespread support for creating the viable Community for all that the Community is working towards. He added, “The same is true in respect of the many International Development Partners who are engaged with us...I must pay tribute to my staff at the CARICOM Secretariat for their dedication to the task and commitment to the ideal of integration. I must also thank our stakeholders and our partners for their continuing support,” LaRocque added.
the city’s drainage system and drains in local communities. The Department, he said, has been working closely with the Ministries of Public Infrastructure and Agriculture to ensure the integrity of the drainage system with the areas that fall under the M&CC’s remit.
At the moment, the City Engineer has set up an operation room at City Hall to receive information from sluices and pump attendants, to monitor the situation and provide technical and allied assistance to local neighbourhoods.
“The Mayor and City Council leans upon the understanding and cooperation of all of its citizens to ensure that our drains, canals and waterways are free from garbage and other things that could restrict their capacity to hold storm water and reduce the flow through our outfall channels,” King said. Last year, the M&CC expended in excess of $500M in drainage works. So far for this year, the Treasurer’s Department has expended in excess of $155M.
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Saturday December 24, 2016
Kaieteur News
GRA clamps down on auto dealers still shipping vehicles over 8 yrs old
GRA has warned that it will be forfeiting any vehicles older than eight years that are imported to Guyana. Over a year ago, Government announced a number of critical changes regarding the importation of vehicles into the country. Among other things, it included restrictions on vehicles over eight years old. However, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said that despite the arrangements, a number of
importers have not been a d h e r i n g . The tax agency yesterday warned that it will be forfeiting any vehicles that are over eight years old, whether the Customs duties have been paid or not. “It has been observed that several importers of used motor vehicles (motor
cars, vans, sports utility vehicles, pickups and buses), in particular auto-dealers, have been submitting Customs declarations for processing using the date of first registration instead of the date of manufacture,” GRA explained yesterday. It was pointed out that Item 12 (a), Part 11 of the Second Schedule of the
Customs Act, restricts the importation of certain categories of motor vehicles. With immediate effect, importers are being warned that the requirements are clear, the authority said. “Prior to submitting documents to the GRA, importers must ensure that the date of manufacture is used on the Customs Declaration to confirm the age of the motor vehicle.” GRA said that its Entry Processing Unit will assume that the date declared is the date of manufacture and not the date of first registration. “Upon examination, if the vehicle is found to be over eight years, whether Customs duties have been paid or not, the vehicles w i l l b e f o r f e i t ed in
accordance with the provisions set out in the Customs Act.” Importers, GRA urged, must confirm the date of manufacture of the motor vehicles from their suppliers prior to making purchases and prior to shipping and they must also ensure that sufficient time is given for conveyance of the motor vehicle from the country of origin to Port Georgetown. The authority said it will not be held responsible for shipping delays and other related issues. “These categories of motor vehicles are processed by the Entry Processing Unit (EPU), Customs Excise and Trade Operations (CE&TO) based on the documents presented by the importer or Customs
Broker and upon examination by Customs, it is often discovered that the vehicles are older than eight years.” Importers who apply to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for permission to take delivery of the vehicles after discovering that the motor vehicles are older than eight years are being asked to note that this is contrary to law and that the provisions of the law will apply.” The restrictions which were announced during last year ’s first national budget by the Coalition Government were to ensure that older vehicles were not being dumped in Guyana. It was also in keeping with plans to green the e c o nomy and reduce emissions.
Saturday December 24, 2016
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Kaieteur News
US forces in fight for Mosul Berlin truck attack suspect shot dead by police in Italy
Iraqi rapid response forces gather during a fight with Islamic State militants in Intisar district of eastern Mosul, Iraq (REUTERS) U.S. forces assisting Iraqi troops to retake Mosul from Islamic State are embedding more extensively, a senior commander said on Friday, a move that could accelerate a two monthold campaign which has slackened after quick initial advances. More than 5,000 American service members are currently deployed in Iraq as part of an international coalition that is advising local forces in a bid to recapture the third of the country the jihadists seized in 2014 when Iraq’s army and police dropped their weapons and fled.
Coalition advisors were initially concentrated at a high-level headquarters in Baghdad but have fanned out over the past two years to multiple locations to stay near advancing troops. Now, as Iraqi forces controlling around a quarter of Mosul - Islamic State’s last major stronghold in Iraq - proceed deeper into the northern city and encounter fierce counter-attacks that render progress slow and punishing, U.S. troops are stepping up their involvement. During a rare interview at
the U.S. section of a base for Iraqi army and Kurdish peshmerga forces in Makhmour, 75 km (47 miles) southeast of Mosul, the combat brigade commander would not be drawn on whether his troops were operating inside Mosul proper. But Sylvia, who commands the 1,700-strong Task Force Strike which he described as the “backbone” of the coalition’s ground forces, told Reuters the level of integration resembles that of small special operations teams embedding with larger indigenous forces to help build capacity.
(REUTERS) A 12-year old German-Iraqi boy tried to detonate a bomb at a Christmas market in the western town of Ludwigshafen last month and planted another explosive device near the town hall a couple of days later, German prosecutors said on Friday. Focus magazine cited security and judicial sources as saying the boy was “strongly radicalised” and apparently instructed by an unknown member of the militant group, Islamic
State. A spokesman at the Federal Public Prosecutor Office in Karlsruhe confirmed that officials were investigating the case but declined to comment on any possible Islamic State link. Nobody was hurt in either of the incidents. The boy, born in Ludwigshafen in 2004, is below the age of criminal responsibility, meaning no formal proceedings were launched against him, Public Prosecutor Hubert Stroeber said.
The youth welfare office is taking care of the boy and the Federal Public Prosecutor Office is in charge of investigating whether there are any suspects linked to him, Stroeber added. He said the boy left a backpack containing a self-made nail bomb at the Christmas market on November 26, but the device did not go off because the detonator apparently failed He then planted another explosive device near the town hall of Ludwigshafen on December 5 but an “informant” called the police and specialists defused it, he said. The Focus magazine report said evidence pointed to the child having thought about travelling to Syria last summer to join militants.
(REUTERS) Italian police shot dead the man believed responsible for this week’s Berlin Christmas market truck attack, killing him after he pulled a gun on them during a routine check in the early hours of Friday. The suspect - 24-year-old Tunisian, Anis Amri - travelled to Italy from Germany via France, taking advantage of Europe’s open-border Schengen pact to cross the continent undetected. As anger grew over the fact that Amri had escaped expulsion twice in 18 months thanks to bureaucratic loopholes, eurosceptic parties called for the reintroduction of border controls, while Germany said deportations had to be made easier. Amri is suspected of ploughing a truck through a
festive Berlin market on Monday, killing 12 people. In a video released on Friday after his death, he is seen pledging his allegiance to militant group Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. “I call on my Muslim brothers everywhere... Those in Europe, kill the crusader pigs, each person to their own ability,” he says in the video posted on Islamic State’s Amaq news agency. Amri had arrived in Milan’s main railway station from France at 1.00 a.m. (1.00 a.m. BST) and then travelled to the working class suburb of Sesto San Giovanni, where two young policemen approached him because he looked suspicious idling on a street. Milan police chief Anto-
nio De Iesu told a news conference his men had no idea that they might be dealing with Amri. “They had no perception that it could be him, otherwise they would have been much more cautious,” De Iesu said. “We had no intelligence that he could be in Milan.” He failed to produce any identification so the police requested he empty his pockets and his small backpack. He pulled a loaded gun from his bag and shot at one of the men, lightly wounding him in the shoulder. Amri then hid behind a nearby car but the other police officer managed to shoot him once or twice, killing him on the spot, De Iesu said. Amri was identified by his fingerprints.
(REUTERS) Hijackers armed with what were probably replica weapons forced an airliner to land in Malta on Friday before freeing all their hostages unharmed and surrendering, having declared loyalty to Libya’s late leader Muammar Gaddafi. Television pictures showed two men being led from the aircraft in handcuffs. The prime minister of the tiny Mediterranean island, Joseph Muscat, tweeted: “Hijackers surrendered, searched and taken in custody”. The Airbus A320 had been
on an internal flight in Libya on Friday morning when it was diverted to Malta, 500 km (300 miles) north of the Libyan coast, after a man told the crew he had a hand grenade. Muscat said the grenade and two pistols the hijackers were also carrying appeared to be replicas, according to an initial forensic examination. A Libyan television channel reported it had spoken by phone with a hijacker who described himself as head of a pro-Gaddafi party. Gaddafi was killed in an uprising in
2011, and Libya has been racked by factional violence since. With troops positioned a few hundred metres (yards) away, buses were driven onto the tarmac at Malta International Airport to carry away 109 passengers, as well as some of the crew. Television footage showed no signs of struggle or alarm. After the passengers had left the plane, a man briefly appeared at the top of the steps with a plain green flag resembling that of Gaddafi’s now-defunct state.
Libyan aircraft hijack ends peacefully
12-year old boy tried to detonate bomb at German Christmas market
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Saturday December 24, 2016
Kaieteur News
eGovernance project...
Govt. has no choice but to buy bandwidth from GTT - Minister Hughes The government will continue to expand the E-Government project across Guyana in 2017. In doing so, Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes has said that government will have to buy bandwidth from the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), as it would be impossible for the Brazil connection to reach Georgetown.
Hughes informed the National Assembly of this earlier this week when she was quizzed about the 2017 budgeted expenditure on the EGovernment project. She was asked by opposition Member of Parliament Juan Edghill to indicate to the House what the state was paying to the Brazilian provider under the People’s Progressive Party Civic. According to Hughes, her Ministry could find no record of the Brazil agreement among its records.
Hughes added that the plan to bring the cable from Brazil to Georgetown did not work and as a result, the government had no other option to provide the service but through an arrangement with GTT. Edghill responded by informing Hughes that what was already paid to Brazil can be found in the Hansard. However, Hughes debunked Edghill’s stance by informing the House that there is no cable which can bring the connection to Georgetown. She said that US$6M was already expended on that attempt and the country is unable to use the product. That money was spent on a cable intended to link Georgetown to Lethem with internet service provided by Brazil. Hughes was also asked by opposition MP Joseph Hamilton to explain how the $314M allocation for th e project in 2017 will be spent. According to the Mini s t e r, p r o c u r e m e n t o f internet access for government buildings to facilitate public internet access will
Public Telecoms Minister, Cathy Hughes cost $114.6M; securing the E-Government network infrastructure, $73M; extend the E-Government network to Timehri, $64.2M; procurement of software inclusive of data storage, $25M; design and implementation of network infrastructure
for the Ministry of the Presidency, $10.5M; improving standby power and efficiency of data centre at Castellani House, $8.5M; to develop and implement software for feedback and interaction, $8M; the acquisition of a mini-
bus and minivan to facilitate travelling between locations, $4M; procure licences, $2.2M and connecting educational institutions through fibre optic cable, $1.2M. Hughes said that presently 22 government agencies have been connected on the network. Some of these are the Ministries of Natural Resources, Agriculture, Public Infrastructure, Central Planning and Housing Authority, Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Guyana Public Hospital Corporation, Ministry of Business, Guyana Police Force Headquarters, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Public Health. The Minister indicated that there will be an aspect of the project which will focus on citizens being able to report complaints to government agencies using mobile applications. She said that this will be implemented in 2017. The bandwidth will be bought from GTT at a cost of US$145 per megabyte. The government is paying in total for one gigabyte per second.
Saturday December 24, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Barbados signs military UNC: FATCA ball in PNM court aid protocol with China
Barbados Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, and Ambassador of China to Barbados, Wang Ke, signing the protocol between the Barbados Defence Force and the People’s Liberation Army of China. (A. Miller/BGIS) BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) — Minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, Senator Maxine McClean, and ambassador of China to Barbados, Wang Ke, on Monday signed a protocol between the Barbados Defence Force and the People’s Liberation Army of China. During the signing, McClean explained that the initialisation of the document followed the signing of an agreement between the Barbados Defence Force and China on March 15. Under this agreement, China will provide Barbados with military aid gratis, valued at almost six million Barbados dollars (US$3 million). “The protocol signed today serves to detail the specific equipment which the People’s Liberation Army has
agreed to provide to the Barbados Defence Force. It should be noted that although the Chinese government has donated military equipment to Barbados on previous occasions – military equipment which has been a tremendous benefit to the Barbados Defence Force in the execution of its duties; this is the largest such donation to date,” McClean said. The minister also stressed that the agreement would continue the strong tradition of nation building, a major tenet of which is the security of Barbados and its people. “The aid is therefore of paramount importance, not only as an opportunity to assist our military, but to secure our gains over the past 50 years,” she added. Wang Ke expressed her
delight at the agreement between the two countries. She explained that the equipment to be purchased included a patrol boat. “I believe that the protocol is a demonstration of the friendship between the People’s Republic of China and Barbados and will play a pivotal role in capacity building, especially for the Coast Guard and in disaster mitigation,” she noted. Adding that in 2017 both countries would celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the ambassador said that the protocol, along with other recent collaborations, had “kicked off” activities to mark the celebrations. “More is expected and we will organise a series of joint celebrations in the first half of 2017,” she said.
More than 100 nationals involved in terrorist financing activities –FIU PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) believes an estimated 182 people here are involved in financing terrorist activities worldwide, the Minister in the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, Stuart Young, has said. Young, speaking at the weekly Cabinet meeting on Thursday, told reporters the Trinidad and Tobago nationals may be involved in financing the activities of terrorist organisations
such as the Islamic State (ISIS). “What the FIU has picked up in their STRs (Suspicious Transaction Reports) and SARs (Suspicious Activity Reports) is that approximately 182 Trinidad and Tobago citizens, we suspect, may be involved in the financing of terrorist activities,” Young said. “And at the end of the 2016 reporting period the FIU’s intelligence has revealed 182 citizens of Trinidad and Tobago being suspected of being involved in terrorist activities. Approximately 182 Trinidad and Tobago citizens may be involved in the financing of ter-
rorist activities.” Young said the total monetary value of the 739 STRs submitted to the FIU for this year was TT$805.5 million (One TT dollar =US$0.16 cents) representing a 127 per cent increase in the STR submissions to the FIU in 2015. Young told reporters that the STRs and SARs could involve banks, financial institutions, private members clubs, attorneys and real estate agents and that the focus is on, “certain countries in the Middle East and near to the Middle East.”
Trinidad Guardian - The Opposition United National Congress is accusing the Government led by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley of holding the country to ransom by failing to do the right thing on the FATCA legislation. UNC chairman, David Lee, told the T&T Guardian that instead of accusing the Opposition of trying to create mayhem to get back into office by withholding their support from the FATCA Legislation, the Prime Minister should instead tell the country “why did the Government renege on a commitment made by Finance Minister Colm Imbert on September 9 this year for a Joint Select Committee to review the legislation...Why does the Government want to hold the country to ransom ?” Lee said contrary to what is “being peddled by the Prime Minister and the Government, we in the UNC do not want to create mayhem, we want to pass good legislation and the way to get that is for the experts to be called before the JSC for us to get proper advice on the legislation.” Lee said the Prime Minister must tell the country “why is the Government so against a JSC, even after they agreed
to it, we not asking for anything unreasonable, if they want our vote then they should agree to our request for the JSC, had they kept their commitment the legislation would have been passed already.” Lee said the UNC has been unable “to fathom why the Gvernment does not want the legislation to go before a Joint Select Committee.” He recalled when the Government brought amendments to the Procurement Bill “which we drafted they said they wanted the amendments to go before a JSC because of good governance and we agreed, so why are they so against a JSC for the FATCA legislation?” he asked. Lee said the Gvernment had made “several changes to the legislation, which was first brought to the Parliament on September 9, all of that could be discussed at a JSC, the strength of the JSC is to tap in to technical expertise through individuals who we can call to assist to have the best legislation passed,” he said. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday might, Rowley told reporters that the Opposition was “banking on mayhem in the country to help it get back into office.”
MP for Tabaquite, Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, said the Prime Minister appears to be “blind to the mayhem that has already descended upon this country because of both him and his Ministers poor leadership and management of the nation’s affairs since taking office.” He said Rowley’s “comments about mayhem stems from what he has now perceived as a growing anger and disappointment in the population of his administration.” This according to Rambachan was evidenced in the “reaction of his own supporters to his party and government in the last Local Government Elections.” Rambachan said, “The UNC is committed to passing good law and this includes the FATCA legislation. The UNC is not in the business of governance to cause mayhem but to ensure the safety and security of citizens and their families, peace in the country and economic prosperity and social progress for all citizens.” The FATCA legislation requires a three fifths majority for passage. Government has 23 votes and therefore requires the support of at least three Opposition MPs.
Corruption probe clouds survival of Brazil’s transition leader BRASILIA (Reuters) Corruption allegations implicating Brazilian President Michel Temer and his party are casting doubt on his ability to remain in office and causing the first cracks in his coalition amid growing calls for early elections. Allegations that Temer and members of his inner circle solicited illegal funds for his 2014 vice presidential campaign threaten to undermine a solid majority in Congress that put him in office by impeaching leftist Dilma Rousseff in August. Losing that majority would dismantle the two goals Temer set himself as caretaker president through 2018: to restore fiscal discipline and revive Brazil’s flailing economy. Key allies are still with Temer, for now. But there are signs some are ready to break ranks, and others are divided over getting burned by association with his deeply unpopular government. Senator Ronaldo Caiado, whose Democrats Party is one of the strongest backers of Temer’s austerity measures before Congress, said this
Michel Temer week the president lacked enough support in the country for the measures and should consider stepping down to allow elections next year. In the centrist PSDB party, which fully backs Temer’s fiscal reform program as it eyes its own presidential bid in 2018, party leader Aecio Neves reconfirmed his support for Temer this week, as long as he sticks to the austerity agenda. Temer is trying to strengthen his base by offering the PSDB, Brazil’s thirdlargest party, a fourth Cabinet post, the ministry in charge of relations with Con-
gress. Some coalition allies warned they may drop their support for Temer if allegations emerging from the investigation into state-run oil company Petrobras continue to involve the president. That is likely, given that the testimony of another 75 executives on Odebrecht’s massive role in Brazil’s biggest-ever graft scheme has come to light. Odebrecht executives have already testified that the engineering firm illegally funded Temer’s 2014 vice presidential campaign. Temer has denied accepting illegal donations.
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VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Toyota Allion PVV series: TV Camera, HID, lights, alarm & remote start $2.2M negotiable Call: 649-0956 Leyland DAF 65 (sand truck). Call: 623-3895 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
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Saturday December 24, 2016
Kaieteur News
WANTED 1 Offset Printer to operator AB Dick machine. Inter services Enterprise. Call:2261877/641-3687 (attractive salary)
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Nighthawk 750 motorcycle in excellent condition. Call: 6192902
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Cambellville 2 storey house -$31M, $45M, South Ruimveldt -$17.5M, $25M, 32M, Grove -$9M, East $12M. Call Shawn: 231-2199/ 618-7483 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578
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Saturday December 24, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 24, 2016
Saturday December 24, 2016
Kaieteur News
Govt. denies signing secret oil and gas agreement ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada - CMC – The Grenada government has denied signing a secret legal agreement that will allow for a British based oil and gas exploration company to get involved in the exploration and development of hydrocarbons in a subterranean area adjoining the maritime boundary with Trinidad and Tobago. Political leader of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nazim Burke, said the Keith Mitchell administration had “secretly” signed the agreement with “MX Oil PLC without telling anyone”. Burke described the oil and gas sector here as the last economic frontier for the island and called on the government to make public any agreement signed to develop the sector. But in a statement the government said that the signing of the MOU with MX Oil PLC does not guarantee that the company will be successful in securing a production
sharing agreement and that the company update the market in due course in the event of any significant development. The release explained that various companies have continuously show interest in exploring for oil and gas in Grenadian waters. It said that after contacting the Energy Ministry, they are given information on available areas for exploration and that there is no seismic data for these areas since these areas have never been investigated before. The statement noted that such virgin areas hold little prospects for investors/explorers, who eventually move to other countries with greater prospects and where data are available. “”MX Oil and Government, through the MOU, will engage in three months of discussions to ascertain whether conditions can be reached for MX Oil to enter into an exploration arrangement with government of Grenada.
“If an agreement is reached after the three month period of discussions, then the Government of Grenada will be able to say it has an investor,” the release said. The statement noted that the area covered by the MOU includes underexplored prospective Grenada Tobago Basin acreage adjacent to the Venezuelan/Trinidadian Patao – Poinsettia gas trend. “The intention of the MOU is to form the basis for the negotiation of a more detailed Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) which, if signed, is likely to occur during the first half of 2017.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 24, 2016
Saturday December 24, 2016
Kaieteur News
Health sector public-private partnership policy for Cabinet KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Minister of Health, Dr Christopher Tufton, says a public-private partnership policy will be brought before Cabinet next year as part of measures to improve efficiency within the public health sector. He made the disclosure during the launch of a project to extend the surgery hours at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), held at the facility in Papine, St Andrew, on December 21. “This will see us looking at those functions within the public health system that rightfully should be done by someone else, because not everything that we do, we are the best persons to do it,” Dr Tufton said. He added that some functions, such as diagnostics, should be outsourced, as the public health system cannot afford the cost associated with acquiring and maintaining certain types of equipment. he Ministry of Health is also looking at patients who
Dr Christopher Tufton have chronic illnesses to make regular visits with a family doctor, instead of visiting the outpatient clinic at the hospitals. “(We would) negotiate an arrangement for that private doctor to manage those patients in order to reduce the stress on the hospital system. The truth is, we have some patients in the system that are monthly visitors, as they need to check their blood pressure, their diabetics and ensure
that they are taking their medication,” Dr Tufton said. “I am pretty sure we can assign those patients to a doctor to give that support with appropriate referrals when the time is necessary and, therefore, free the system up for dealing with some of the other things,” he added. Dr Tufton noted, however, that proper benchmarking of costs will have to be done before such initiatives are implemented.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday December 24, 2016
Starc excited for maiden Boxing... Scorchers flick the furnace... (From page 36) chance. “I guess I’ve been in a similar position in a way, where I’ve been in and out quite often through the start of my career,” Starc said. “There were some times when I was back more and given more of a chance and a longer run of cricket, where my performances started to pick up and I got that consistency in my game. “I definitely think ‘Maddo’ should get another chance. In the end it’s up to the selectors, but continued cricket at this level can only help him. It would be a great opportunity for him on Boxing Day after we’ve had a couple of
wins together as a unit, so it would be nice to stick together.” It would also give Maddinson a chance to prove his credentials against the red ball, for so far he has played only pink-ball Test cricket, against South Africa in Adelaide and then against Pakistan in Brisbane. Starc is pleased to be returning to the red-ball game, with the pink Kookaburra having proven hard work for the fast bowlers at the Gabba. “ We w o n ’t h a v e t o worry about a pink one for the rest of the summer, thankfully,” Starc said. “I think they’ve come a long way with the pink ball where it’s improved a lot
since they first introduced it, but it still doesn’t wear like a red ball. It’s a ball that’s really hard to get to go reverse because the leather is different. When it wears it sort of cracks and splinters off, whereas the red one scratches and creates a rough side where you can reverse it. “I still think there’s a way to go where they’re very similar. But look, Kookaburra are working really hard and I’m sure they’ll get there eventually. And the product is a fantastic thing, when you see the numbers and the spectacle that is day-night cricket. It’s definitely here to stay. The ball’s just got to catch up.”
Saturday December 24, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Get them to pitch in, if you need help. Changes in your residence may be financially favorable. Pleasure trips will ease the tension between you and your mate.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Confusion regarding other people's money and joint ventures will come to a head. Rewards for past good deeds will highlight your day. Don't deny yourself today.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Do not hesitate to help elders with legal documents that are too confusing for them. You must be careful not to ignore the needs of the youngsters in your family. Pleasure trips will turn out to be better than anticipated.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Caustic language may cause you to want to get out of the house. You will find that social activities will be enjoyable and will promote n e w c o n n e c t i o n s . Yo u must try to include your mate in your activities today.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You'll be able to discuss your ambitions with your mate. Work quietly behind the scenes. Verbal abuse may lead to walkouts; don't make any rash statements you may regret later.
SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Find ways to make extra cash. Start making things or reusing rather than buying ready made. Find a quiet spot where you can work diligently and stay out of the way.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Shopping could cost more than you bargained for. You are best to avoid confrontations. Mingle with those who can further your goals.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) A lack of support and negativity have been the main problems. Change will be required to make your life more harmonious. Don't agree to make any of those cosmetic alterations you've been considering.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You will be extremely sentimental, and if pushed by others you may hold a lasting grudge. Don't give in too quickly. Tell them to get out of the mess they are in and then you'll consider getting together with them. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You must be extremely careful not to let relatives or friends interfere in your personal life. You may find your mate somewhat perturbed. Don't let domestic problems interfere with your objectives.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) It's time to get yourself back on track. This will not be the best day to make changes or renovations to your residence. You can make new connections if you play your cards right. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) They won't pay you back and you'll be upset. Try to get out and socialize. You need to spend some time with individuals who have more experience than you.
(From page 37) 3 for 121 in the 13th over, a platform was set. Turner hit four sixes and two fours to build it skywards, and the resultant scoreboard pressure undid the Strikers from the first over of their chase. If you can’t win tough, win funny Perth crowds have quickly become accustomed to success during the Big Bash, and didn’t smile much at missing out last year. They managed a good laugh during the end of their
Former British middle... (Continued on page 32) 100% we know in our hearts he would have never stepped foot in that ring to spar. “His family and friends are his world and we know he never wanted us to go through this again, but he genuinely thought he was at full health.” “Merry Christmas to the Blackwell family who have been truly amazing these past few weeks. I couldn’t think of a family more deserving to be happy than you lot.” ‘Can’t let go’ Lockett believes Blackwell’s love for the sport played a part in his decision to spar again and says other boxers make the same decision and put their health at risk. “Nick has been a fool for what he has done, but we won’t stop caring about him because of that,” he said. “The worrying thing is that Nick is not the only boxer who has retired with a head injury who ends up sparring again. “There are others out there. You get more confident again after feeling good, following a spell away from the ring and they can’t let boxing go.”
batting innings, though, as Ashton Agar slapped a single towards cover and tried to come back for a second. There was not even half a run there and the allrounder should have been run out by yards. Instead, as he watched helplessly, wicketkeeper Dunk couldn’t handle the throw. It went through his gloves to backward point where it was kicked even further away on the slide, and a single plus a wicket had instead become three runs and no dismissal. Commentators called for the Benny Hill music, and the orange-clad throng in the crowd lapped up every second. Strikers teeter early, Scorchers solidify Two adverse results, and the Strikers are in early trouble. They haven’t managed to chase successfully from two attempts this season
and now they have to wait for New Year’s Eve for their next chance at home against Sydney Sixers. A good start for Perth though, with all the confidence that will flow from an early win in which all departments excelled - Johnson with three wickets, new boy Bell with runs, and Marsh showing that he isn’t downcast after his Australian troubles. A trip to Sydney two days after Christmas to tackle the Sixers is next. Geoff Lemon is a writer and radio broadcaster on history, sport and politics. He edits the Australian literary publication Going Down Swinging Scores: Perth Scorchers 7 for 197 (Bell 61, Turner 44*) beat Adelaide Strikers 9 for 149 (Hodge 56, Johnson 3-33) by 48 runs.
Saturday December 24, 2016
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Guyana Horseracing Authority releases classifications of horses eligible to race in Guyana After a long time and in an effort to bring some semblance of order back to Horseracing in Guyana members of clubs of the now defunct Guyana Racing Authority (GHRA) has sat together and released a list of classifications of most of the horses eligible to race in Guyana. The group is headed by Mohendra Persaud Managing Director of the Nand Persaud Group of
Company Limited and owner of the Karibee Rice Stable and Sky Plus Incorporated. The committee also involved a number of members of other clubs and promoters. According to Persaud the reclassification exercise is being done in an effort to reorganize the sport which is in decline at the moment. He said apart from the legislation being passed, which they have no
control over. The classification is part of the effort which would bring some semblance of order. Persaud was also quick to point out that this list is not the final document and is an ongoing process. He said that a few horses might have been left out and interested persons can make contact so that the necessary information could be passed around and the necessary adjustments made if necessary.
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Eagles win 1-0 over Kwakwani Strikers, Winners halt Botafago to advance to semifinals Yonnick Simon got the deciding goal of the game as Eagles United gained their first win, a 1-0 victory against Kwakwani Striker as champions Federal Winner Connection halted previously unbeaten Botafago 2-0 as play continued Wednesday night in the Upper Demerara Football Association’s (UDFA) GT Beer Christmas football championship at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground Wednesday night. Winners Connection completed their round of four matches, winning three and losing one for nine points as Botafago and Hi Stars now have to wait for their final clash, against different opponents next Tuesday to decide who will join Winners Connection in the final four playoff. Playing the first game on a rain soaked MSC ground, v eter an s tr ik er R aw le ‘Boney’ Gittens was able to complete a fine play started by a headed ball to him from Kester Randolph as the play began on the left wing with Gittens clipping the ball to the last upright to score in the
12th minute. Botagao were unable to get the equalizer before the first half ended as Jamal Haynes was brought down by the Winners captain Marlon ‘Scarry’ Maxius and Jashawn Haynes first was unable to score and successive rebounds were muffed by Akeem Aaron, first with a shot and then a header. But after the first half came to an end the Winners Connection came back strong and through Shawn Gittens the ball was played in to the middle where Kevin Sears rose to head home goal number two in the 56th minute. From then the champions maintained their control, and came away victorious and into the final four. Then it was a slippery outfield and the play never really was that entertaining, but for the near misses and slides. However, the robustly built Yonnick Simon was able to uncork a powerful shot from on top the 18 yards box and score the lone goal of the game for the Eagles United side which came
away winners after that 53rd minute strike. Group A currently has Silver Shattas, with one game remaining are on nine points from three wins and no losses, Kwakwani Strikers ended on six points from two wins and two loses, Eagles United are on four points from three matches, Milerock are on three points from three losses and Net Rockers are on one point from one draw and two losses. Group B is headed by federal Winners Connection with nine points from the wins and one loss, Hi Stars and Botafago each have six points from two wins and one loss and one game to p l a y, A m e l i a ’s Wa r d Panthers have three points from one win and two loses and Blueberry Hill are still to win after three losses. Tonight the penultimate round robin play is set for the tournament venue the MSC and in the first game at 18.00hrs Blueberry Hill and Amelia’s Ward Panthers faceoff and in the other at 20:00hrs is between Milerock and Net Rockers.
Trophy Stall continues support for KMTC Xmas meet The annual Kennard Memorial Turf Club XMAS race meet set for Monday December 26 at their racetrack Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, has received the usual backing of the Trophy Stall of Bourda Market. Victor Sunich, who operates the Trophy Stall branch in Canada and brother of local Proprietor Ramesh Sunich, handed over trophies for the Champion Jockey among others to Justice Cecil Kennard of the KMTC.
Sunich have over the years presented the trophy for the Champion Jockey in memory of his father who was a jockey and horseracing fan and supporter. Eight races are carded for the day with the main race being the B and Lower W/A which goes for nine furlongs and carries a top prize of $1,200,000. Many of the country’s leading racehorses are expected to be on show during this event. Other events are the L class
non winners for a top prize of $130,000, E and Lower for a winning purse of $500,000, WI Bred and Guyana Bred for a winning prize of $ 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 , Tw o y e a r s Guyana Bred with $220,000 for the winner, L Open W/A with a $130,000 purse, G 1 and Lower has a $280,000 prize and the J1 and Lower for a $180,000 winners money. The races will be run under the rules of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club.
Saturday December 24, 2016
Federer expects injury layoff to prolong playing career
Switzerland’s Roger Federer during a press conference after losing his semi final match to Canada’s Milos Raonic at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (REUTERS/Gary Hershorn/Pool) MUMBAI (Reuters) Roger Federer believes his six-month absence due to a knee injury could help prolong his playing career, with the 17-times grand slam winner saying he has enjoyed the break. The 35-year-old Swiss had surgery on his left knee in February and, after missing the French Open w i t h a b a c k i n j u r y, announced in July that he needed extensive rehabilitation and would be sidelined for the rest of the season. Federer returns to action at the Hopman Cup, starting on Jan. 1, which he will play in for the first time since he teamed up with his now wife Mirka in 2002. He will partner compatriot Belinda Bencic, 19, at the international team tournament in Perth. Federer said it was a tough call to take a sixmonth break and he looked at the bigger picture before deciding. “I do believe that it could
be very beneficial for the future of my tennis career,” he told reporters on a conference call. “To have had this sixmonth layoff, rejuvenated, refreshed... maybe mentally I needed this rest more than I thought I would. Maybe my body needed a rest more than I thought it would. I tried to look at the big picture, I hope it’s going to pay off. “At least one thing I know now is I have no regrets. I did everything this year to get my body back in shape. It didn’t feel too gruelling, too long, too hard to go through this process. I have actually enjoyed it.” UNIQUE YEAR For much of his career, the former world number one had been blessed with a body that seemed bulletproof against the aches, pains and injuries suffered by most top athletes. Until May this year, Federer had appeared in 65 succes s i v e g r a n d s l a m tournaments and the
last time he was a b s e nt from one of the four majors was at the 1999 U.S. Open. But his semi-final defeat by Canadian Milos Raonic at Wimbledon, which saw him drop to 16 in the world rankings, was his last professional match this year. Federer said his goal was to get fully fit and he was looking forward to a few matches in Perth before the year’s first grand slam starts later in the month in Melbourne. “This year is unique because maybe this is the year more than any time before where I do need matches at the beginning of the season,” Federer said, adding that he was doing everything possible to add more majors to his trophy cabinet. “Matches have a different intensity about it and your body reacts according to it.” Federer said he had expected Andy Murray to be world number one at some point but was surprised the Briton finished the year at the top of the rankings ahead of Serb Novak Djokovic. “That just gives even more credit to Andy for not becoming world number one but finishing world number one,” he said. “Those are two separate things. “Becoming world number one for a week or finishing a year as world number one, it’s a different animal.”
Kaieteur News
Saturday December 24, 2016
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Tevez set to leave Boca Jordan, Pollard fail to save Strikers from defeat in big-money move to China PERTH, Australia, CMC – Chris Jordan and Kieron Pollard shared three wickets, but failed with the bat, as they saw Perth Scorchers beat Adelaide Strikers by 49 runs in the Big Bash League yesterday. Jordan, the Barbadosborn, England all-rounder, captured two wickets for 48 runs from his allotted four overs and Pollard added one for 10 from one over, as the Scorchers posted 197 for seven from their allocation of 20 overs. Jordan’s former England teammate Ian Bell hit six fours and two sixes in the top score of 61 from 42 balls for the Scorchers, after they were put in to bat in the fifth match of the competition played at the WACA. Pollard was dismissed for four off former Australia left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and Jordan was trapped lbw to discarded Aussie spinner Ashton Agar, as the Strikers restricted to
(Reuters) Muchtravelled striker Carlos Tevez is set to leave Boca Juniors for Shanghai Shenhua in the New Year, Argentine media reports said yesterday. Earlier this month it was reported that the Chinese club had offered a transfer fee of 84 million euros ($87.79 million) for Tevez. The 32-year-old, who on Thursday married the mother of his three children Va n e s a M a n s i l l a , i s expected to announce next week that he will sign a twoyear contract with Shenhua who are coached by former Uruguay midfielder Gus Poyet. “With the figures that are b e i n g h a n d l e d , i t ’s
Chris Jordan: took two wickets 149 for nine in their 20 overs, sinking to their second straight defeat. The Strikers have eight
days off before they face Sydney Sixers on Old Year’s Day on home soil at the Adelaide Oval.
Letter to the Sports Editor
More of Juman Yassin Dear Mr. Editor, I was so upset but not surprised to wake up and see in the newspaper that Juman Yassin re-elected to the post as President, and I have my reasons why. Knowing how things are in Guyana certain things don’t surprise me anymore, it’s just that I get upset, something that I am entitled to and the reason for that is
my feelings and no one else. So don’t let me stray away from the point and this is to say with all that talk about replacing Yassin you tell me that no one took that step to challenge him, my good God above are my Guyanese people in their right minds. I have to leave this alone so with that being said I am
STAG Nations Cup KO Football put on hold Due to the current inclement weather and yesterday’s heavy rainfall which left the Grove Playfield waterlogged, the Stag Nations Cup knockout football tournament has been put on hold until further notice. The final two quarter final matches were scheduled for last night. Grove Hi Tech were down to play New Amsterdam United and Den Amstel would have been up against Ann’s Grove. Teams already into the quarter final are Western Ti g e r s w h o w i l l p l a y
Pouderoyen; Santos which will oppose Uitvlugt Warriors. Police awaits the winner of the Grove Hi Tech/New Amsterdam United clash, while Riddim Squad will tangle with the winner of the Ann’s Grove/Den Amstel showdown.
just going to speak my mind and it is plain and simple, whenever I am in Guyana I am not going to listen to all of the people that have things to say and that is because none, I mean none of them were man or woman enough to step up to the plate and challenge him, everyone just stood there and allowed him be re-elected despite his performance. Shame, shame, shame on all you law abiding citizens of Guyana, the only way to get change is by voting and this is a big problem among my sisters and brothers and I really don’t care who read this article and vex with me, but the truth be told and I now know what to do and how to do it because after all not all complains are complains let the truth be told. The athletes of all the different sports body in Guyana should open their eyes and see that no matter how hard they work it will be in vain; Sad, but strong. Andy Medas-King
impossible he won’t go,” Boca president Daniel Angelici was quoted as saying at the wedding. E a r l i e r o n F r i d a y, English Premier League leaders Chelsea announced that Brazil midfielder Oscar would be joining Shanghai SIPG in the New Year. No financial details were released but media reports said the club would be paying 60 million euros for Oscar. Tevez, who played for We s t H a m U n i t e d , Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus during a decade in Europe after leaving Boca for Brazil’s Corinthians in 2005, will end his second spell with the Argentine club
on a high. Having helped them win the league title last year, he starred in a 4-2 win over arch-rivals River Plate in the ‘superclasico’ two weeks ago, a victory that lifted Boca into first place in the championship. Tevez leaves just as the team are gelling again. They have hit 12 goals in three successive wins but fear that Boca’s Argentina midfielder Fernando Gago may take the same path after media reports also linked him with a move to China. “We’re talking with (Gago’s) agent. There’s an offer from China and if it’s big we won’t be able to compete,” Angelici told Radio La Red on Friday.
Former British Cycling coach Ken Matheson says ‘culture of fear’ exists BBC Sport - A “culture of fear and favour is endemic” within British Cycling, according to a former senior coach. Ken Matheson, 71, says he suffered a nervous breakdown and “seriously contemplated suicide”. The claims are made in his statement, which the BBC has obtained, to the UK Sport independent review into the culture at British Cycling. The review came after separate allegations of bullying and sexism at British Cycling. Performance director Shane Sutton resigned in April after being accused of making sexist and derogatory comments to cyclists - though he was later cleared of all but one of the claims against him.A British Cycling spokesman said evidence for the independent review into the culture of its World Class Programme had been “sought and welcomed from a wide range of sources”, but added it would be “inappropriate to comment” until the full review is published. What are his allegations? Matheson worked for British Cycling from January 1999 to December 2002, coaching Team GB’s men’s road squad and managing the road programme, the women’s endurance programme and
the Paralympic team. He says after he “fell from favour” with senior staff, he was subjected to “undermining, intimidating and threatening” behaviour, which he described as a “frightening experience”. He describes the culture within British Cycling as “macho, brutal and divisive” with fear used as “a powerful management tool”. Although he says he signed a confidentiality agreement on leaving, he tweeted on Wednesday: “I’m talking now - and sod the gagging clause!” Matheson says he was “bullied” into leaving British Cycling, and his solicitor advised him not to accept the terms he was offered. Among the other allegations made by Matheson are: § Discrimination against Britain’s Paralympic team “certainly existed”. § The World Class Performance Programme worked in a “bubble” with “little or no supervision” by British Cycling’s management. § A “considerable amount of money” has been spent on financial settlements for staff who were “forced” to leave British Cycling. § Favoured athletes and staff tended to form “enclaves” and those on the outside were “often treated
badly and fearful for their future”. § He was “forced” to accept the role of Paralympic team manager in 2001. In response, Peter Keen - who was British Cycling performance director at the time - said the move was due to Matheson forming “a close personal relationship” with a female rider under his management. Matheson’s account of events is highly critical of Sir Dave Brailsford, who joined British Cycling in 1997 and worked under Keen before succeeding him in 2003. Matheson says during his time at the organisation it turned into a dictatorship with a “management style based on fear and favour”. Earlier this week, Brailsford, 52, appeared in front of a culture, media and sport select committee holding an inquiry into tackling doping in sport. During Brailsford’s time at British Cycling, it delivered its biggest medal haul since 1908 with four at the 2004 Olympics. Great Britain topped the medal table at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Games. Matheson’s statement will form part of UK Sport’s independent review into the culture within British Cycling, which stopped accepting evidence on 30 November and is expected to publish in January.
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Saturday December 24, 2016
Clippers battle past Spurs despite Paul injury (The Sports Xchange) Despite losing Chris Paul to a hamstring injury, the Los Angeles Clippers beat the San Antonio Spurs 106-101 at Staples Center on Thursday. Paul suffered a strained left hamstring early in the third quarter and did not return. He finished with a team-high 19 points, six assists and seven rebounds in 23 minutes. Wi t h o u t P a u l , t h e Clippers received a boost from their bench. Marreese Speights had 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while Raymond Felton added 13 points. Jamal Crawford chipped in 11 points as the Clippers’ reserves outscored the Spurs’ bench 58-31. Center DeAndre Jordan had 11 points and nine rebounds, and J.J. Redick also scored 11 for the Clippers (22-8), who beat the Spurs for the second time this season. Kawhi Leonard led the Spurs (23-6) with 27 points and nine rebounds. Pau Gasol contributed 21 points
San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) moves in to dunk against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half at Staples Center. (Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)
and eight rebounds. Danny Green and LaMarcus Aldridge scored 10 apiece. The Spurs lost for only the second time on the road and are 15-2 away from
home. The Spurs cut the Clippers’ double-digit halftime lead several times in the second half but were unable to overcome it.
San Antonio closed to within five early in the fourth quarter but again the Clippers increased the deficit back to double figures again. The Spurs made a late
run near the end, but it was not enough. The Clippers dictated for much of the first half, taking a 57-45 lead the break. They held the Spurs to 38.5
percent shooting while hitting 50 percent of their shots in the first half. Los Angeles converted 6-of-13 (46.2 percent) from behind the arc compared to 2-of-6 (33.3 percent) for San Antonio. For the game, the Clippers hit 46.4 percent of their shots to 40.2 percent for the Spurs. From long distance, the Clippers were 11-of-28 (39.3 percent) to 6of-19 (31.6 percent) The Spurs played without reserve Manu Ginobili after Spurs coach Gregg Popovich decided to rest the 39-year-old before the trip. Before leaving, Paul passed Kevin Garnett (16th) for career steals with 1,859. Paul is one theft shy of moving pass Isiah Thomas for 15th place at 1,861. Paul’s problem added to the Clippers’ injury woes. Forward Blake Griffin underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday and could be out for up to six weeks.
Starc excited for maiden Boxing Day Test ESPNcricinfo - Four years ago this week, Mitchell Starc received cricket’s equivalent of a lump of coal for Christmas. He was rested for the Boxing Day Test. Not dropped. Rested. Starc was 22 at the time, and was entering what team management called a “danger period” due to his heavy workload. “We don’t want a high-risk strategy,” chairman of selectors John Inverarity said at the time. Australia’s then coach, Mickey Arthur, said Starc “took it very well”. Perhaps Starc was just a good actor, because that decision still irks him. Four years on, Starc is the leader of Australia’s attack, the No.6-ranked Test bowler in the world, and the owner of 136 Test wickets. And he is still waiting for his first Boxing Day Test. He enters this year’s Melbourne Test having sent down 56 overs in A u s t r a l i a ’s w i n o v e r Pakistan at the Gabba - his highest workload in any first-class game - but don’t expect Starc to rest this time. “It’s happened before. He’s in the other camp now, I think,” Starc said in
Melbourne on Friday, referring to Arthur, now the coach of Pakistan. It is perhaps surprising that Starc has not played a Boxing Day Test, for it feels that he has been a fixture in the side for many years. But in 2012 he was rested; in 2013 he missed the whole home Ashes due to a stress fracture of the back; in 2014 he was dropped from the XI that beat India in Brisbane to accommodate Ryan Harris, who was returning from injury; and in 2015, Starc missed the second half of the summer due to an ankle injury. “There’s a few of us in the rooms that are yet to play one,” Starc said. “Personally, as a kid growing up watching the Boxing Day Test, it’s always been a dream of mine to play in front of a full house at the MCG on Boxing Day. If I get the chance this week I’ll tick that one off and it’ll be a fantastic experience to walk out and sing that anthem. To play a Boxing Day Test will be pretty special.” The heavy workload of Starc and Josh Hazlewood in
Brisbane - Hazlewood also bowled 56 overs, his highest tally in a first-class match has led Australia’s selectors to include uncapped allrounder Hilton Cartwright in the squad. There is a chance they could bring Cartwright in at the expense of No.6 Nic Maddinson to ease the burden on the fast men, although Starc said he felt fine after the Gabba Test. “Whether we’ve got three quicks and a spinner or three quicks, an allrounder and a spinner, there’s going to be times when we have high workloads and times when we dont” he said. “So I guess it comes back to us and making sure we can take ten wickets quicker than 130 overs, and then no one’s asking that question. Whichever way they go this week, we’ll prepare to bowl a lot of overs if we need, and if not, perfect. “The last ball I bowled in that Test match, which was in my 56th over, was 149 clicks, so no issues on my end. I can only speak for myself. You’d have to ask
Mitchell Starc screams after dismissing Stephen Cook, Australia v South Africa, 2nd Test, Hobart, 1st day, November 12, 2016 ©Getty Images the other quicks if they’re any different. A Boxing Day Test just gets everyone up and ready to go.” Should the selectors decide not to change their winning XI, it will mean
another chance for Nic Maddinson, who has made 0, 1 and 4 in the three innings of his fledgling Test career. Starc knows all too well how difficult it can be to gain traction as a Test cricketer
without being given a decent run in the side - for the first few years of his career he was often in one Test and out the next - and he hopes Maddinson is given another (Continued on page 32)
Kaieteur News
Saturday December 24, 2016
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Eagles take early flight to soar over sloppy Giants
Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) as cornerback Jalen Mills (31) looks on in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. (James Lang-USA TODAY Sports) New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) makes a reception past Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Malcolm Jenkins (27) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. (Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports) (The Sports Xchange) The Philadelphia Eagles took an early lead, then held on to defeat the Giants 24-19 at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday, a victory that prevented New York from clinching a first playoff berth since 2011. The Giants (10-5) had two chances to pull out a victory in the fourth quarter but came up short both times. First, they drove to the Eagles’ 37-yard line but a fourth-down pass from
quarterback Eli Manning was batted down by Nolan Carroll. Then, with five seconds to play, Terrence Brooks picked off Manning on the Philadelphia 11-yard line. The result allowed the Dallas Cowboys to clinch the NFC East title and the top seed for the NFC playoffs. The Eagles (6-9) lost quarterback Carson Wentz briefly in the third quarter when they led 21-16. Wentz was dropped by Giants
defensive end Olivier Vernon after he threw an incomplete pass, and the QB’s shoulder hit the ground hard. Vernon was flagged for unnecessary roughness and Wentz left the game with what was diagnosed as a head injury. He was replaced by Chase Daniel for one series — the Eagles drove to the New York one-yard line and were stopped short on fourth down — before returning for
the next series. Those were the only snaps Wentz has missed all season. Wentz finished the game completing 13-of-24 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown with an interception. Manning completed 38-of-63 passes for 356 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Two of those picks were by safety Malcolm Jenkins, who returned the first one 34 yards for a touchdown that gave the Eagles a 14-0 lead. The Eagles have made slow starts most of the
season but they marched 78 yards in seven plays on their first possession and capped the drive with a 25-yard touchdown run by Darren Sproles to make it 7-0 with 9:48 left in the first quarter. The Eagles did not need long to make it 14-0. On the Giants’ ensuing possession, Manning tried to pass to tight end Will Tye over the middle but Jenkins cut in front of him, intercepted the pass and returned it for the touchdown. The Giants had two good chances to get back in the game, driving to the Eagles’
17 both times but had to settle for field goals. The Eagles, meanwhile, sputtered on offense until Wentz connected with wide receiver Nelson Agholor on a 40-yard TD pass to give Philadelphia a 21-6 lead with 4:59 left in the second quarter. The Giants had one last shot before the half and took advantage, driving 84 yards in 12 plays and scoring on a 13-yard pass from Manning to wide receiver Sterling Shepard to head to the locker room trailing 21-13.
Scorchers flick the furnace back on ESPNcricinfo - Perth Scorchers opened their Big Bash season with a 48-run win at the WACA, racking up 197 for 7 before holding the Adelaide Strikers to 149 for 9 in reply. Ian Bell and Mitchell Marsh drove the innings past the halfway mark before Ashton Turner finished it off with an unbeaten 44 off 19 balls. Ben Dunk and Jay Weatherald had put on a partnership of 133 in Adelaide’s so-nearly run chase against Brisbane Heat two days earlier, but they contributed one run between them against Perth. David Willey got them both after opening the bowling, and after three overs of the chase Adelaide were 2 for 7. That slipped to 3 for 15 in the last ball of the fourth when Travis Head nicked Jhye Richardson behind off an extravagant cut.
Mitchell Johnson took three wickets to rip through the Strikers’ middle order © Getty Images Ian Bell attempts a crossbatted shot, Perth Scorchers v Adelaide Strikers, Big Bash League, Perth, ©Getty Images Brad Hodge played a gem in resistance, including four consecutive fours off Richardson after the fall of Head, a cover slash for four to welcome Mitchell Johnson back to competitive
cricket, and a top-edged flick for six off Andrew Tye. But Johnson got Kieron Pollard that same over, and Hodge’s eventual 56 off 33 balls wasn’t enough. Bell tolled you so
Ian Bell was in ordinary form when he was squeezed out of the England Test team, but that middle order hasn’t had a convincing replacement since. It may seem far-fetched to suggest
that a good BBL could vault him back into the reckoning, but it wouldn’t hurt his cause. Bell’s first ball in the BBL was dropped by Weatherald at midwicket
from a top-edged pull, but thereafter the new signing was a picture of composure and class. English batsmen are supposed to struggle with the bounce of Australian pitches, but Bell’s cross-bat shots were a feature of his innings. The highlight, though, was his cover drive for six off one-time England teammate Chris Jordan. Bell was out in the 16th over, and his 61 off 42 balls had set up the match. The engine room delivers With Bell steaming along like a well-tended bain marie, Marsh came out to join him at 2 for 64 in the eighth. Another player recently dumped from his country’s Test team, Marsh came good with a couple of massive sixes in his 31 from 19 balls. By the time he fell it was (Continued on page 32)
Kaieteur News
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Saturday December 24, 2016
IOC investigates 28 Russian athletes over Sochi samples ZURICH (Reuters) Twenty - e i g h t R u s s i a n athletes who took part in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi face disciplinary proceedings o v e r p o s s i b l e manipulation of their urine samples, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said yesterday. The global skiing body (FIS) later announced that it had suspended six Russian cross-country skiers who were among those being investigated and said Russia had pulled out of hosting the final meeting of the sport’s World Cup season. The moves follow publication earlier this month of the second and final part of the World AntiDoping Agency’s independent McLaren report into Russian doping. It found more than 1,000 Russian competitors in more than 30 sports were involved
in an institutional conspiracy to conceal positive drug tests over the course of five years.. The IOC said on Friday that in the case of the 28 athletes being investigated, there was “evidence of manipulation of one or more of their urine samples” collected at the 2014 Sochi Games for doping tests. The IOC added that the 28 cases were not considered positive doping tests although “the manipulation of the samples themselves could lead to an Anti-Doping R u l e Vi o l a t i o n a n d sanctions.” IOC president Thomas Bach said: “This is the immediate follow-up to Professor (Richard) McLaren’s Report. “The IOC will go beyond the findings of the (McLaren) report by reanalyzing all the samples of all the Russian athletes who participated in the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014 as
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach attends a news conference after an Executive Board meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, December 8, 2016. (REUTERS/Denis Balibouse) well as all those who participated in the Olympic Games London 2012.” SYSTEMATIC COVER-UP The McLaren report said there was a systematic cover-up, which was refined at the 2012 Olympics, 2013 world athletics championships and 2014
Sochi Winter Olympics. It said that more than 30 sports were involved in concealing positive doping samples. Among its findings the report said four Sochi gold medalists had samples with physiologically impossible salt readings, while there was evidence that bottles
containing the urine samples of 12 Russian Sochi medalists had been tampered with. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday there were some problems with sports doping in Russia, but that there was no state-sponsored doping system as critics have alleged. Speaking at an annual end-of-year news conference, Putin said that sports should not be politicized. The FIS said Russia had “returned” the final meeting of the cross-country World Cup season, due to be held in March in Tyumen, as a sign of goodwill. “The Russian CrossCountry Ski Association has communicated to FIS their determination to build its credibility in the crosscountry skiing community and commitment to clean sport,” said the FIS. FIS president Gian
Franco Kaspar said the McLaren report’s findings had “seriously damaged the integrity of sport and we are determined to ensure the necessary measures are undertaken to punish the offences. “We will work together with the Russian Ski Association to rehabilitate the Russian cross-country skiing community and we sincerely count on their commitment to clean sport.” Russia has already been stripped of the right t o h o s t n e x t y e a r ’s bobsleigh world championships in Sochi in March and a speed skating event scheduled for Chelyabinsk in the same month by the governing bodies of the respective sports. It has also pulled out of h o s t i n g a Wo r l d C u p biathlon meeting in Tyumen, due to be held the week before the cross-country event.
Former British middleweight champion Nick Blackwell out of coma after sparring injuries BBC Sport - Ex-British middleweight champion Nick Blackwell has woken from a coma after being injured in a sparring session. Blackwell had surgery to reduce swelling on his brain after returning to sparring in November. The 26-year-old Englishman retired earlier this year after being placed in an induced coma following a fight with Chris Eubank Jr. A British Boxing Board of Control hearing into the unsanctioned sparring session will be held in January. “This is the start of a long old process. It is going to be a long road to recovery,” Gary Lockett, Blackwell’s former trainer, told BBC Wales Sport. “But at this point I think we are winning. It is more than we hoped for.” Blackwell woke from his c o m a o n F r i d a y, 1 6 December. He will now undergo a period of physiotherapy and will require an operation in 2017.
“We’ve been hoping he would get to this stage but didn’t think it would be for another few months yet,” Blackwell’s father, John, told the Wiltshire Times. “There’s still a long road ahead, though, and he’ll need another operation sometime next year to replace the part of his skull which is missing, but we’re just so happy to see him smiling again.” An initial BBBofC investigation found Blackwell was involved in a gym sparring session with a licensed boxer on 22 November. The boxer who sparred with Blackwell, Hasan Karkardi, and the trainer who oversaw the session, Liam Wilkins, have been suspended for their roles in the incident.His former promoter, Frank Warren, described the circumstances that led to Blackwell’s injuries as “total madness”, and called for all those involved to have their licences revoked.
Nick Blackwell (left) lost the British middleweight title fight to Chris Eubank Jr by stoppage in the 10th round. (Rex Features) ‘Christmas miracle’ for Blackwell family In a post on Facebook, the girlfriend of Blackwell’s brother, Chantelle Spong, said his family had been told at one point that the boxer “would be paralysed or he
would never wake up”. She wrote: “A few days ago we had the Christmas miracle we’ve been wanting so badly to happen...We walked into the hospital expecting to see Nick staring blankly at us, but instead he
was watching telly and really trying to get words out to talk to people.” On his decision to take part in the sparring session, she said: “We don’t know what was going through Nick’s mind at the time but
we do know boxing was Nick’s life and full time job for 10 years, it was all he ever knew and it got ripped away from him. “If Nick thought for one second that he didn’t feel (From page 38)
Kaieteur News
Saturday December 24, 2016
PAGE 43
T&T’s Lawrence logs Dave Pharmacy onboard third-round TKO for KPL fundraiser CARACAS, Venezuela, CMC – Sheldon Lawrence ended the year successful, when he stopped Estarki Peralta in the third round of a scheduled eight-round fight on Thursday. It was the fifth victory in the last four months for the super middle-weight pugilist from the two-island republic of Trinidad & Tobago, whose record has now improved to an impressive 8-1. “I was not at my best, as I picked up a virus the day before the fight and had to conserve energy,” said Lawrence following the fight. “I am not going to celebrate Christmas as I am about to prepare further for the FECABOX & Commonwealth titles in January. I am very excited for this fight to represent my country at the highest level.” Lawrence endured a few rasping punches from Peralta in the opening round of the bout at the Mocho Navas Gym, and the pattern continued into the second round until the T&T boxer caught Peralta with a punch and dropped him to his knees for an eight count. After this, Lawrence did not ease up in delivering punishment, connecting with a succession of blows to end the second round. Lawrence continued to show no mercy at the start of the third round, swamping Peralta with some vicious body shots and sharp right hooks to the head.
Sheldon Lawrence (Trinidad Guardian)
Samuel Kingston in Trinidad and Tobago in February 2017 will cost US$5,000. The white big ball will be used for the Over 40 category which will be of 20
overs duration, while the Open segment will be played with the supreme balls and will lasts for 15 overs a side. The winning teams will be given trophies and medals.
Sir Viv calls for return of Hawksbill Peralta’s corner, sensing their fighter was in deep
trouble, called a halt by throwing in the towel.
Haiti leads the way in end-of-year rankings KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Haiti will end the year on top of the Caribbean Football Union rankings. The Haitians led the way among the region’s nations in the final FIFA World Rankings for the year, holding their position at the summit they obtained two months ago, following a successful spell in the qualification for next year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. They finished ahead of Curaçao that created waves in the sport this year with their meteoric rise. The tiny Dutch nation secured several positive results in the Gold
Dave Pharmacy of Albert and Sixth Streets Georgetown has supported the KPL fundraising softball tournament which is set to commence on January 2 at the Carifesta Sports Complex. The entity recently presented trophies to organizer Samuel Kingston. The tournament will be played in the over-40 and open categories with an entrance fee of $20,000 in each division. The competition has been organised to help raise funds for organising secretary of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc Kingston who has to undergo an operation on his right eye. Kingston was struck on the eye during a recent match at t h e G a n d h i Yo u t h Organisation ground. The operation which will be done
Cup qualifiers to rise an extraordinary 76 places in the World rankings, making the top 10 in the Movers-ofthe-Year list. With very few matches since the release of the last rankings, there have been few significant changes with no movement inside the top five which is completed by the traditional powers of Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, along with St. Kitts & Nevis. There has been a shake up in the rest of the top-10 h o w e v e r, w i t h C u b a plunging 26 places in the World rankings, the worst of any nation, putting them out
of the CFU top bracket and into 11th place. Antigua & Barbuda, although tumbling 11 places, the second worst behind the Cubans; along with the Dominican Republic, Guyana and Puerto Rico maintain their place in the CFU top-10, but Suriname has been the beneficiary rising to the 10th spot. The Guyanese and 16th place St. Lucia were the best movers in the region over the last month, both advancing three places in the World rankings. The next rankings will be published on January 12.
Sir Vivian Richards wants the return of the Antigua & Barbuda Hawksbills to the CPL ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – West Indies legend Sir Vivian Richards said his homeland can benefit from a return of the Antigua & Barbuda Hawksbill to the Caribbean Premier League. The Hawksbills were replaced by the St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots in the CPL last year following a lack of Government support, as well as failure to find a buyer for the franchise which played its matches at the international venue which bears the name of the former West Indies captain. “The last couple of games we had here, I think
we had something that was spectacular enough that, in my opinion, could be classified and classed with any that was held in the
region, so yeah there is a purpose for that,” said Sir Viv. “With all the other huge tournaments around the world, our guys can be showcased where they are in a reasonable enough position for them to highlight their skills and maybe draw attention to other franchises around the world because that I think is a huge outlet.” At the time of its removal, Pete Russell, chief operating officer of the CPL, said the Hawksbills franchise had not been terminated, but was left out as the format and the tournament window could not accommodate seven teams.
t r o Sp Eagles win 1-0 over Kwakwani Strikers, Winners halt Botafago to advance to semifinals
Yonnick Simon
Kevin Sears
Kvitova determined to play again after knife attack
Rawle Gittens
Trophy Stall continues support for KMTC Xmas meet
Czech Republic’s tennis player Petra Kvitova speaks during a news conference, after she was injured on Tuesday when she fought off an intruder in her home, damaging all the fingers on her playing hand, in Prague, Czech Republic. (REUTERS/David W Cerny)
Victor Sunich (left) hands over one of the trophies for the Champion Jockey among others to Justice Cecil Kennard for the KMTC Xmas meet.
( R e u t e r s ) Tw i c e Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova said yesterday she would do everything she could to return to tennis after suffering a hand injury in a knife attack that will keep her out of the sport for at least six months. Kvitova was wounded on Tuesday when she fought off an intruder at her home in the Czech Republic, damaging all the fingers on her left playing hand. The world number 11 addressed the media directly for the first time yesterday after an operation to repair the tendons in her hand and was determined to get back to playing. “I have no choice but to look ahead, and not back, to
see how everything will develop,” she told a news conference at which she could be seen smiling and laughing at moments. “It does not really matter to me how long it will take (to play again), whether it is three months, six months, a year or however long. But certainly I want to return one day and I will do everything possible to do so.” Kvitova said she had been able to move her fingers in a session with doctors on Thursday, which she called “the greatest Christmas present”. News of the attack on Kvitova this week shocked the tennis world. The hardhitting 26-year-old rose to
world number two in 2011 when she won the first of her two Wimbledon singles titles. She had been a virtual fixture in the top 10 before slipping somewhat this season. However, she showed improved form in recent months, winning the Wu h a n O p e n t i t l e i n October and the seasonending WTA Elite trophy in November. Media have reported the intruder into her apartment had posed as a boiler inspector to get in. Police are still searching for her attacker. The attack has been described as a random act with Kvitova not specifically targeted.
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