Thursday December 29, 2016
What did City Council pay this man for? DEAR EDITOR, There is a press release attributed to the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown appearing in the local media recently, with regard to the recent flooding in Georgetown that was either a clear attempt to mislead the citizens or was authored by someone who has a complete lack of knowledge of Meteorology, Geography and more specifically Coastal Flooding. Contained in this press release was that the city was monitoring overtopping in different sections of the city. And that the overtopping is due to the coincidence of heavy rains and high tides. The word overtopping which is defined as ‘the rising of water over the top of a barrier’ is being misused by the author of this release or is a feeble attempt to downplay the seriousness and the effects of Friday’s weather phe-
nomenon. What occurred was plain and simple ‘flooding’ which occurs most commonly in Guyana and particularly in Georgetown from heavy rainfall when the natural watercourses (our network of drains) do not have the capacity to convey the excess water out into the river or elsewhere. Everyone is aware that the city is below the high tide infrastructure and depends on a system of sluices and pumps for drainage and that is why it was disappointing to learn that at least two of the five hydro flow pumps along the Demerara River were inoperable. Someone should be severely sanctioned for this, if for nothing more, but for the damage done to stock, furnishing etc. in the lower flats of homes and ground floor Continued on page 6
The Granger Government doing very little for Guyana DEAR EDITOR, The soldier’s duty is not to find reasons why to a situation; the soldier’s duty is to follow instructions or die. This is what militarization of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana can end up being, where ordinary citizens are made to follow the diktats of the Generals, active or retired or suffer if you resist. Those in civil society who “stan easy and quiet” now, will, in the long run, be judged as facilitators of this long march to authoritarianism under the Granger government. It is my duty as a Guyanese citizen to continue to tell the story of how the Granger government is doing very little to help the people and doing much to oppress the people. I am told soon the Basil Williams’ Chambers will be launching private action private citizens using state funds
to shut down any voices of dissent on frivolous charges. If this is true, this is the beginning of a journey that we saw once before. For those of us who were old enough to have lived through the past, we saw some of the most horrible incidents on the street of Guyana against the independent voices. Today former Prime Minister is being rewarded with a $21 million per year pension package for services rendered when the public servants cannot even get a $2,100 increase on their salary. The youths of today may not fathom what I am saying because they will have to see these atrocities for themselves to really understand what we have today in government under the Granger administration Jai (Harry) Lall
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
Kwame Apatha was a fine educator and cultural activist DEAR EDITOR, I join with Buxton and Guyana in mourning the passing of Kwame Apata, fellow Buxtonion and WPA member. As an educator and cultural activist Kwame was among the most accomplished of his generation, who because of his political affiliation was not properly recognized in the country of his birth which he gave so much to and sacrificed so much for. He was one of those many Buxtonions and Guyanese who was influenced by the teachings and example of Eusi Kwayana— “Kwayana People dem” as we are called in Buxton. Kwame would remain loyal to that Kwayana tradition of education mixed with culture, independent politics, humanism and humility until his death. Kwame Apata was one of those rare individuals.
Humble to the bone, despite his personal achievements and fame, he was an early mentor to me and my generation of young Buxtonions. When he returned to Buxton in the 1970s, he was my neighbour for several years. His house and books were open and available to me and others. Personally, he helped to refine my appreciation of African culture in both theoretical and concrete ways. If the village folk schooled my generation on the value and cultural authenticity of Queh Queh and Nancy Story, Kwame Apata helped us to understand those traditions in intellectual terms. Kwame was a drummer, dramatist, dancer, Queh Queh singer and cultural activist. He took leadership of County High School’s Tutashinda Culture group Kwayana
School where we did drama and dance, and sang and danced Queh Queh. I remember the Friday nights when we would pile into Kwame’s Mini-Minor and go up and down the coast dancing Queh Queh. Kwame was the consummate educator. As a lecturer at the Cyril Potter Teachers College, he taught teachers how to teach and from all accounts he was among the very best. As an English teacher, he followed in the tradition of his mentor, Eusi Kwayana, by teaching the mechanics of the language as part of the people’s experience. And his linking of English to our resistance language, Creolese, gave the latter authenticity at a time when it was frowned upon. Kwame migrated to Suriname after prosecution and persecution because of his politics. We, neighbours in Buxton were neighbours at Camp Street Prison in 1980.
As a teenage political prisoner, the presence of a big brother helped the then little boy to weather the storm— we forged an even stronger bond in that strange land. I had the opportunity a few years back to hang out for a week with Kwame and fellow Buxtonion Rennie Parris in Antigua where Kwame had moved from Suriname; we talked about education, cricket and politics and lashed up lime swank and conky in reckless abundance. I last saw him in New York two years ago, at his daughter’s 50th birthday. I couldn’t know then that it was the last time I was seeing him. As usual we talked and talked in the limited time. We were the last to leave the venue along with his family; we hugged as villagers and comrades. Farewell Kwame— another Congo Creole swims back to his African land to be with the Ancestors. David Hinds
This comedic act on national television was vulgar DEAR EDITOR, I am not a very great fan of comedy shows but on Boxing Day I was watching Television on NCN Channel 11 also on Channel 65 was the same comedy show. To be honest; I am not very much interested in all these comedy shows but yesterday the comedian mentioned some immoral things on his show that makes me think very deeply. The comedian always talks to a person on a phone he refers to as Uncle George but on Boxing Day he went to the extreme where he made mentioned of the President and Prime Minister’s private parts by referring to their ‘’balls’’ and also other previous Guyanese Presidents. I don’t know who this man is but he is stepping beyond his boundaries by the foolishness he articulates on national television and radio. How can this man disre-
spect the President and Prime Minister by talking about their private parts? He also mentioned lots of political and sarcastic stuff on his insane show. It is my firm opinion that this man should apologize to the President and Prime Minister also his shows should be banned from television and radio. I also note with a great deal of interest that many of these link shows at the Cultural Center and many plays make mockery of the Christian religion and other religions. It’s time we have a censor board to scrutinize all link shows, comedy-shows and drama before they goes public. Many of these shows have lots of defamatory and immoral speeches including cuss words, sexual overtures and tons of racial and political remarks. When our young people
see these shows they create more racial, political, and religious problems in our society. It is my firm view that many of our ‘’so called’’ playwrights here should do more reading and receive more teachings if they wish to produce plays of substance. Many who sings calypsos too for Mash Awards also sing songs of racial discrimination and songs that degrade our leaders. And we give them awards for such immoral renditions. Democracy is good but sometimes it can mean do what you like, say what you like, and live how you like. If we have more shows on na-
tional television like the comedy referred to above show that degrades the President, Prime Minister and past Presidents I think we are really going down the road of immorality. I call upon the Minister of Social Protection and the Minister of Citizenship also the Minister of Public Security to take a look at this man’s show that was aired on Boxing Day to make their evaluation. I also call on the management of these stations to look at every program first before they aired it. This comedian owes the President and Prime Minister a public apology. Rev.Gideon Cecil
PAGE 6
Kaieteur News
Ministry of Natural Resources responds to allegations DEAR EDITOR, The Ministry of Natural Resources would like to point out the inaccuracies contained in the article about small-scale miners being barred from mining in Marudi which appeared recently. The facts are: 1. Following a meeting with miners and residents of South Rupununi that was held in Aishalton Village in March 2016, it was agreed to have a meeting to mediate the differences between the miners, the Romanex Inc. and residents of South Rupununi. The mediation was conducted in May 2016 with Maj. Gen. Joe Singh as Mediator. All sides were present and agreed to the terms and signed to this effect. There is a written agreement. The Minister of Natural Resources was never intended, or expected, to be the mediator; but only to facilitate the meeting which was done at great expense to government. 2. No one was forced or bullied to sign the mediated agreement as was falsely reported. 3. Romanex agreed to accommodate miners who had been mining without permission and to date 85% have been addressed. Some refuse to comply. 4. In November 2017, in
Lethem, a meeting was convened by a team comprising representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Closed Area Committee, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the Guyana Women Miners Association, to address issues arising out of the implementation of the Agreement. Present were miners, shop owners, Tashaos and representatives of Romance Inc. miners who were not accommodated by RomanexInc, were encouraged to take up available mining lands. Application forms were openly distributed at the meeting and many have since submitted their applications these are being processed for early allocation. 5. The story referenced above is factually untrue and is mischievously designed to foment division and discord amongst miners, and between miners and Government. 6. Miners are encouraged to ignore these attempts to create confusion and to continue to go along with the process; this being the mediated and most beneficial one for all concerned parties. N. Johann Earle Public Affairs and Communications Officer Ministry of Natural Resources
Pay nurses and teachers better
And why are we not reand they will stay warding our Guyanese nurses DEAR EDITOR, A recent article in Kaieteur Newspaper claimed that the Minister of Health, Dr. Norton, has stated that Guyana might soon have to “import” nurses to fill the void in our health service system. There are two concerns in taking this expensive route. First, the void exists because locally trained nurses, like teachers, are fleeing the country and giving their services to other more rewarding nations. My bet is that these imported nurses will be paid more than we do our local nurses. In courting nurses from abroad, our government would be in direct competition with developed countries (like the U.S., U.K., and Canada) which are actively courting nurses from developed countries to fill their own voids. These countries have deeper pockets which mean we would have to offer pretty high salaries to lure nurses here.
significantly to encourage them to continue serving our country? I personally know of a few nurses who have plans to migrate because of the poor pay and compensation offered by our local health services. A significant raise in salary and paving the way for nurses to own cars and homes would certainly plug the perpetual leak of our medical talents. The same problem exists in education where our trained teachers are in the islands serving our sister nations after being trained by our government. Every time I see a photo of a graduating class in nursing or teaching I wonder how many of them will still be working in Guyana five years down the road. We have to compensate our professionals adequately to encourage them to remain at home, rather than shipping in expensive foreign talent. Charity begins at home. Malcolm Alves
Thursday December 29, 2016
Challenge to Minister Cathy Hughes on D’Urban Park DEAR EDITOR, I want to refer to the 46th sitting of the National Assembly which was held at the Parliament Building on November 21st, 2016. I left these comments that I heard from Minister Cathy Hughes to rest a bit because I could not believe the fabrication she was peddling so I pretended that after Hansard were published I would be proven wrong and Mrs. Hughes would have been proven correct. This was never to be; exactly what I heard is exactly what is in Hansard. How dare Mrs. Hughes from the great Cholmondeley family descend to this kind of low level politics to explain away corruption, financial conspiracies and venality? Her father, Hugh Cholmondeley, that gentle giant who worked with a team brought the Herdmandston Accord to Guyana. This is the kind of work that family did. I am absolutely sure that he would have been very much ashamed of her performance at this massive cover up of financial abuse. Who is influencing this
sway by Mrs. Hughes to the political gutter? It cannot be her great husband, Nigel because he also is another gentle giant who also did much good work to heal Guyana. So why is Mrs. Hughes wounding Guyana by misleading the Guyanese people on this Ponzi scheme project of the Granger boys call the Durban Park Project? So if I follow her argument in the House, in a haste to have a big march for President Granger within 12 months, it was OK in her books to break all the rules and regulations at a cost to the nation of $1.2 billion. That is over 200 completed middle-class house “down the drain” because of this massive act of financial squander by Team Granger. The sad part because of the state of the economy, these funds are lost forever and will never be touched by the poor people of Guyana anytime soon; thus the bitter medicine from the 2017 Budget. That is 200 Guyanese families who would have lost because Team Granger wants to have a marching band for a
day. That is a blasted expensive marching band - $1.2 billion. Who cares if the 2015 campaign was bitterly fought or not Mr. Hughes, it is no reason to waste $1.2 billion and incompetently at that. But what is even more painful is that many of these millions were allegedly leaked from its intended purposes into private hands and into the accounts of Congress Place and Mr. Hughes has the audacity to want to defend this bogus scheme? Is this what she is made of this day, a PR spokesperson for the financial conspiracy? It is expected that a former Minister of Tourism would have risen with figures and facts to prove that the expenditure of $1.2 billion did deliver on the benefits to justify the cost, but none of this was forthcoming from the Minister. Rather Mrs. Hughes launched into false innuendo and subterfuge in a sea of deception in her attempt to fool the people. This is not about a glass being half-empty or half-full; this is about some 235,000 of our people are living in poverty at the 50th anniversary. That money could have done something significant for
them. Every man, woman, and child living below the poverty line could have benefited from a tax free check of $5,000 each (averaging about $20,000 per family) and we would still have money left to do the marches and flag raising at the National Stadium, the fireworks at Ayangana and a world class dinner at the Convention Center. Whoever authorized that the government proceeds with the Durban Park Project has to be a first class pretender that is nothing but a certified incompetent in financial matters. One only have to read the newspapers today and they shall see that too many of the foreign visitors posted their barrels and brought their clothes from overseas to justify all this spending by the government. In the final analysis, these Jubilee celebrations were a financial loss to the nation all because a former soldier who is hooked on paraded had to fulfill a personal fetish at the nation’s expense. I dare Minister Cathy Hughes to prove me wrong. So what was the net financial impact of the jubilee celebration Mrs. Hughes? Lisa Ally
The Government’s consultation is comestological From page 4 complained that its recommendations to the 2017 Budget were largely ignored. Christopher Ram, a member of an advisory team which allegedly had an input in the 2017 Budget, has distanced himself from those budgetary measures. The government has rejected all suggestions coming from the Leader of the Opposition and the PPP on the ailing rice and sugar industries and the multi-million dollar tax cases which are pending. The government has repeatedly rejected our calls in the National Assembly to send important Bills to a Special Select Committee. Every single amendment which we have proposed to Bills in the National Assembly, has thus far, been rejected. The government has rejected out of hand, the requests of two of the most crucial representative organizations in the country, the Private Sector Commission and the labour movement, to meet in relation to the proposed tax measures
in the 2017 Budget. In like fashion, the Minister of Finance has said to creditors who have claimed more than what the government is paying for works done and materials supplied in respect of the D’Urban Park Project, that the excess will not be paid. It is the same aura of arrogance which inspired a Minister to say to this nation that the government will not apologize for giving itself a 50% increase in salary after being in office for a short period. However, I believe the one that takes the cake is the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority (Amendment Bill) which will be tabled in the House in 2017. I piloted the principal Act through the National Assembly in 2013. Its intention was to remove the Deeds Registry from central government and to create an autonomous statutory agency to be managed by a broadbased board of directors, inclusive of nominees from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Housing, the Guyana Bar Association, the Berbice Bar Association and the Private Sector Commission. The board is to be appointed by the Minister of
Legal Affairs who shall choose its Chairman. One of the fundamental reasons for the creation of this new entity was to minimize political interference. The Board of this organization expired since 2015. To date, the current Minster of Legal Affairs has refused to appoint a new board. The Bill which he will bring in 2017 to the National Assembly (a copy of which I have seen) seeks to amend the principal Act to say that when there is no board, the Minister exercises the powers of the board.
So, in short, this Minister is deliberately refusing to discharge his statutory duty to appoint the board and then intends to pass a law authorizing himself to act as the board in the absence of the board. This must be the height of lunacy. It also demonstrates without doubt that the ideals expressed in articles 13 and 38 A of the Constitution are quickly fading away and are being replaced by arrogance and authoritarianism. Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP
What did City Council pay... From page 5 business operations. It is the responsibility of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown as it is the duty of municipalities all over the world to ensure by whatever means necessary 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. It is egregious that the Council doled out approximately seven hundred million or three quarters of billion dollars, most of which went to one contractor on drainage works over the last eighteen
months and yet the drainage system is sti l l f a r f r o m what should be or what it used to be years ago when it was maintained years ago by municipal workers at a fraction of that cost. Mismanagement, corruption, nepotism and a lack of accountability is causing one disaster after another in the city. It is time for the City Council to be honest and straightforward with us, and not attempt through the use of fancy terms which they don’t understand or lame excuses try to pull wool over the eyes of the citizens. Mark Roopan
Thursday December 29, 2016
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
18 months later…SARU still confined to straitjacket By Kiana Wilburg The desire of the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) to take down corruption remains alive. But without legislation, this department of the Ministry of the Presidency remains confined to a straitjacket. This is according to SARU’s CEO, Major (Rtd) Aubrey Heath-Retemyer. Providing an update on the Bill, the SARU CEO said, “We are of the understanding that plans are still on course for it. But we have done our part.” He recalled that there were a number of concerns raised by the Private Sector and those were addressed in a most comprehensive manner by SARU Officials. The Chief Executive Officer said that there were also some concerns expressed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar AliHack, to the effect that the Bill makes a demand on her to comply with instructions of SARU when it becomes an agency, thereby diluting and compromising the constitu-
-Passage of legislation put off until next year -CEO
Attorney General Basil Williams
SARU’s CEO, Major (Rtd) Aubrey Heath-Retemyer
SARU Head, Professor Clive Thomas
tional powers and role of her office. Heath-Retemeyer said that those fears were abated after further discussions between SARU and the DPP. With regard to the Bill and the process for its passage in the National Assembly, the SARU CEO said, “When we
last spoke to the Attorney General, Basil Williams, we were given the assurance that by early next year , it would be read in the House.” He confirmed that the Bill has been with the AG’s Chambers months ago, before October in fact. Heath-Retemyer said, “It
was passed on to his office months ago and we were assured that he had everything that he needed. We were hoping it would have been read since October, but I believe that there were matters that the AG needed to have clarified. This was only communi-
Hinterland electrification to be upgraded in 2017 The electricity supply and distribution systems in a number of hinterland communities is expected to undergo upgrades in the new year as the Ministry of Public Infrastructure had its allocation of $369M for the project in 2017 approved. The large investment will cover the solar farm and upgrading of the distribution network at Mabaruma, rewiring and power supply for community buildings and upgrade of the distribution network in Mahdia. When the Ministry’s estimates of revenue and expenditure were being considered in the National Assembly, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson said that his ministry has allocated o u t of the $369M, $46M which will go towards the construction of a supply network for community buildings
in 25 hinterland villages. He said that the solar panels which will be installed will not be used to supply electricity to residents directly but only to community buildings and offices. Patterson was asked by opposition parliamentarian Juan Edghill to inform the House where the solar panels were installed, which were acquired under the Office of the Prime Minister in F e b r uary 2015 and then transferred to the ministry. Edghill was referring to the additional 6000 solar panels which had been made into a controversial issue by the People’s Progressive Party Civic who accused the government of using the panels at the Ministry of the Presidency offices. Patterson said that to date his Ministry has installed
19,600 units under the Hinterland Electrification programme. Under the PPP/C, 13,000 solar panels were installed in hinterland communities before acquiring the additional units. The minister said that over 186 communities had benefited from this distribution. In February 2015 the PPP/ C government acquired the additional 6000 units to be distributed to the households of these communities since there was an increase of 3000 households. The now PPP/C opposition had often levelled accusations against the present government for using the panels in a manner which was not intended. In July of this year, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had said in the national assembly that $48.6M was
spent to acquire and install 6000 solar panel systems to power buildings within the State House compound. He had said that the intention was to make the buildings completely green. According to the PPP/C, government had confiscated the solar panels procured for ICT hubs in Amerindian communities and villages and commandeering of the panels by the Ministry of the Presidency for its exclusive use. In addition to the distribution of solar panels, Patterson said that a sum of $4M will be spent on the installation of meters and the reconfiguration and upgrade of distribution system in Mabaruma, $27M. Additionally, the installation of a 400 kilowatt solar photovoltaic farm at Mabaruma will cost $264M.
cated to us until recently. We did clarify those and we have the assurance that the Bill should be before the House some time next year.” The SARU CEO said that he is concerned with the manner in which the Bill is being handled. He said, “SARU remains in a straitjacket. And yes, it concerns me, because the longer we wait the more people will think that the government is not serious about addressing asset recovery, or corruption, or those damning forensic audits.” Be that as it may, HeathRetemyer said that the Attorney General has told SARU “that he is not dodging us, but that he is resolute about getting this Bill passed. He had other issues he had to attend to.” The head of SARU, Dr. Clive Thomas has on numerous occasions, spoken to the importance for attention to be placed on recovering stolen public assets. He said that the “rampant corruption under the 23-year rule of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)” should not be ignored. Dr. Thomas stated that any new government pursuing good governance would seek to recover the nation’s assets, which were mismanaged in “some of the most despicable and corrupt ways.” He had said, “A clear line must be drawn against past illicit/corrupt behaviour in order to prevent their future repetition.” He asserted that the corruption that has been taking place in Guyana can be deemed public and not private, because it is based on fraudulent public procurements contracts; illegal capital flows, particularly illicit mis-invoicing of exports and imports and illicit financial transactions; and an underground economy that is driven principally by criminal endeavours and the evasion of taxes.
Dr. Thomas believes that the new administration can make bountiful gains by eradicating certain practices. The economist projected that the APNU+AFC government could rake in a $21B in total revenues once illicit siphoning off practices are halted. Professor Thomas also said that those who held authority over state assets under the previous administration will be subject to “rigourous” audits, preparations for which are already underway. The Economist said that this comes in light of the “hundreds upon hundreds of complaints” that come in on a daily basis to the Asset Recovery Unit regarding individuals who held high office and abused or allegedly stole state assets. Dr. Thomas said that by all legal means necessary, his entity’s mandate to return or regain what rightfully belongs to the state, will be achieved. He noted that under the previous regime, the assets of the state were “misused and in some cases stolen in unconscionable ways.” He said that he will make it his duty to see that due process is followed and that justice is served. The Head of the Asset Recovery Unit stated, “I cannot begin to tell you the amount of complaints we get on a daily basis on persons under the previous government who abused assets of the state and in some cases, the evidence would strongly suggest that they stole it for their own benefit or the benefit of a third party. So we have our job cut out for us.” He noted however that in order for this to be done, the entity must be legally empowered to prosecute and this comes from having its own legislation.
PAGE 8
Kaieteur News
Carrying out of Dutch team’s proposals needed amid recent flooding – Deputy Mayor The recent flooding in the City of Georgetown and along the coast of Guyana reminded Guyanese once again of the nation’s susceptibility to flooding. This vulnerability had pushed the government of Guyana to approach the Dutch Risk Reduction (DRR) team for assistance to help Guyana address its drainage problems. The DRR Team came on two occasions and left reports containing recommendations to be implemented. According to Deputy Mayor of Georgetown Sherod Duncan, as it relates to the capital city, it would be useful for there to be a discussion on how these recommendations can be implemented given the heavy rainfall and flooding of the city recently. When contacted yesterday to ascertain whether the Georgetown Mayor and City Council has considered the recommendations, Duncan said, “Those recommendations have not come before the full council as far as I am aware. But given the heavy rainfall and flooding of the capital recently, it would be useful for us to discuss same.” Duncan, who is also the councillor representing constituency 14 – South Ruimveldt Gardens, one of the hardest hit areas in the city recently, said that when the Dutch team was in
Guyana he took the engineers into his constituency and raised a number of issues with them. The Deputy Mayor added that he is surprised the matter has not reached the level of council as yet, since the Mayor of Georgetown Patricia Chase-Green resides in the neighbouring constituency 12 which takes in North Ruimveldt, which is also prone to flood. “City Hall has made no real headway on the issue besides lip service. I’m considering my options, since the issue is bigger than me and needs action from Council and government. It will be a huge undertaking. Outside of the cleaning of a few trenches and drains, which don’t go to the heart of the problem, we have done nothing.” When asked about what can be done to reduce the vulnerability of his constituency to flooding, Duncan said that it has to do with the clearing of outfalls and kokers. “South Ruimveldt’s run-off comes either to Turkeyen or Ruimveldt. South Ruimveldt because of its geography goes to either Riverview Ruimveldt or Cummings Lodge.” The Dutch engineers who are Masters Students of the Delft University had spent seven weeks studying a number of catchment areas
around Guyana, but particular emphasis was placed on the Ruimveldt and Liliendaal areas, as were identified by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, the National Task Force Secretariat (NTFS) and the Georgetown M&CC. The data which was recorded as a result of the study done by the engineers was used to create a model which is applicable to Georgetown but can be used countrywide. The information was used to inform a modelling process, whereby the variable akin to rainfall and drainage could be inputted into a system to determine what would be the outcome if certain conditions exist, including high levels of rainfall and drainage capacity. After the team had presented their final report in September, there has been no significant move to have the model used and recommendations implemented in the City, and this was confirmed by Duncan yesterday. The team had conducted workshops with a number of stakeholders on how to use the model. These include the NDIA, Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the University of Guyana. Some of the recommendations include the de-silting of outfalls, use of small floating dredges and the enforcement of the Drainage and Irrigation Act of Guyana.
Statements served on Dom. Republic nationals accused of overstaying Three Dominican Republic Nationals who are said to be exotic dancers at the Rio Inn/ Night Club were yesterday served with statements after they appeared before Magistrate Brendon Glasford at a sitting of the Night Court. Stephanie Herrera, Sorblbed Diaz and Cynthia Delarosa had all pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to them by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan last week. It is alleged that Herrera and Diaz, both 25, were given permits to stay in Guyana from
the period of October 12 to November 11, but remained until December 15. Meanwhile Delarosa, 29, was given a permit to stay in Guyana from the period of February 21 to March 21, but overstayed until December 15. The women who spoke to the Court through a Spanish Interpreter denied that they conspired with persons unknown to forge Guyana Immigration Service arrival and departure stamps inserted on a page in their Dominican Republic passports.
The accused are being represented by Attorney Mark Waldron, who told the court that his clients had entered Guyana lawfully via the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, and that they stayed at the Rio Inn Strip Club, where they worked as dancers. Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones had objected to bail citing that the defendants are flight risks because they have no ties to Guyana, but they were each granted bail to the tune of $40,000 by Continued on page 11
Thursday December 29, 2016
Draft Tobacco Control Bill still at level of Cabinet - Public Health Minister “unsure” when it will be tabled
Although it is viewed by many within the public health sector as an especially crucial move, the long awaited passage of the Tobacco Control Bill in the National Assembly continues to be delayed. Although it was slated to be tabled at a recent sitting of the National Assembly, the draft legislation continues to be in a preparatory phase. Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, substantiated this state of affairs yesterday when he disclosed that the draft legislation is currently at the level of Cabinet and is waiting to be placed on the Order Paper for a future sitting of the National Assembly. Although he is eager to see it passed, Minister Norton said he was unable to say definitively whether the tabling of the Bill will be at the next sitting. He revealed, however, that the Bill was not brought to the National Assembly at the most recent sitting because of the budget debate. But the Minister’s disclosure is particularly daunting to those who had long anticipated the passage of the Bill. This is in light of the fact that the Minister in early April of this year had said that the Bill was expected to be tabled shortly. Even then the Minister had admitted that the Bill was ready to be tabled. He said then that “after many delays...the Bill is finally being tabled.” He had disclosed then too that a Cabinet sub-committee had reviewed and approved it and had further stated that the final approval was granted at a Cabinet sitting. The sub-committee is tasked with examining all Bills before submission to the National Assembly. But even before his disclosure, Cabinet had given approval for the Tobacco Control Bill to be submitted to the National Assembly in 2015 although it was still under scrutiny by the committee. Given the many delays, there is no telling when the Bill will be able to gain certain passage through the National Assembly. The Bill was long in the
Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton making and was touted as a crucial need since in 2009, by then Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy. Dr. Ramsammy had not wavered in his call for this Bill to be fast-tracked given the health implications of tobacco use. But it was made clear by Dr. Ramsammy that in order for such a legislation to be introduced, government needs the support of all stakeholders. “There has to be an overwhelming advocacy in our country for this, because part of it is already there...taxation is there, so we don’t need a law for that,” Dr. Ramsammy had long asserted. He’d disclosed too that if the law is to be, it would restrict the advertisement of any tobacco products in Guyana, whether it is on television, radio, newspapers, billboards and posters. “No one can encourage or permit the advertisement of a killer. This is a killer and we must not permit it to happen. I find it most appalling that educated people cannot see the ulterior motives of the marketers and the producers when they make beautiful posters with beautiful adults smoking and state that children should not smoke,” Dr. Ramsammy had amplified. This publication has not been privy to the draft bill in its current state, however, Dr. Ramsammy was of the view that the legislation should be one that restricts tobacco marketing companies and manufacturers from even sponsoring any kind of event. Once made into law it is
expected that the legislation will also regulate where people can smoke. Added to this, it is hoped that as law, it will restrict children under the age of 18 from smoking, and they should also be prevented from procuring tobacco products. With a Tobacco legislation there is expected to be penalties for adults who sell cigarettes to children. Added to this, if a child buys or attempts to buy the product on behalf of an adult, that adult should be punished. Major tobacco company, Demerara Tobacco Company, has not been too heartened by the proposed legislation and has even claimed that it was not consulted as a major stakeholder. If implemented, the legislation could have a major impact on the sale of tobacco products. Based on reports, the sale of tobacco has been increasing along with profits over the years. In the Caribbean, it was reported that profits by tobacco companies in the past had increased between 600 and 1200 per cent. According to statistics that were released a few years ago, although tobacco is such a dangerous substance, at least 11 per cent of children in Guyana are regular smokers and at least 20 per cent of them began smoking before they were 10 years old. A few years ago, the International Monetary Fund had revealed that out of a total of 163 countries, 66 middle or low income countries have either legislation or polices that regulate the sale, marketing and use of tobacco. It meant then that close to 100 countries in the world had no rules when it comes to the regulation and control of tobacco control and sales. In Guyana and in a number of the Caribbean and developing countries, there is no law that would stop a child from buying tobacco. However, Guyana has in place an old Poisons and Therapeutics ordinance law which, according to Dr. Ramsammy, states that children cannot be sold hazardous materials. The latter law, however, has not been effective in preventing children’s purchase of tobacco. According to statistics, every year, tobacco kills six million people – 5.4 million active smokers and 600,000 non-smokers exposed to second hand smoke. It is the only legal consumer product that kills up to half of its users when used exactly as intended by the manufacturer, costing the global economy an estimated US$200 billion each year.
Thursday December 29, 2016
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
The end is near for a historic industry Wales Estate and factory will officially close on Saturday. Close to 1200 workers will reportedly be placed on the breadline. Private cane farmers on the West Bank of Demerara now face an uncertain future. Saturday will be one of the saddest days in the country. It is never easy for people who have lived in the shadow of an estate all their lives, to be told that the estate will no longer be there. People are scared. People are uncertain. The opposition is offering support. The government is keeping its dis-
tance because it has nothing to offer those affected. No alternatives have yet been provided to those affected. The closure of Wales will affect businesses also, since workers will no longer have incomes to spend. It promises to be a bleak New Year on the west side. It is no use belaboring the point that sugar’s economic contribution is not about profit and losses. It is about foreign exchange earnings also. It is sometimes justifiable to keep an industry going at a loss because of its foreign
exchange contribution. Sugar is also about the social costs involved. But these types of arguments have fallen on deaf ears because sugar is deemed to be costly to taxpayers and has to be phased out, beginning with Wales. The government has indicated plans to convert GuySuCo into a commercial agricultural corporation. But that is cheap talk. The government has no plans, no vision for undertaking such as a task. Previous estate closures offered alternatives to the workers. When Diamond
Dem boys seh...
Idle Odle slippery like ochro NICIL was a parallel treasury to de government. That was when Brassy, that fat crook, and Jagdeo, that scamp, use to run Guyana. De new kids wha tek over from dem scamp use to cuss and seh how dem gun scrap NICIL. Yesterday dem change dem mouth and it look like dem doing things in a secret manner like wha use to happen. Dem boys believe Jordan is becoming just like Jagdeo and Brassy—nuff bluff and fluff. Jagdeo had Brassy, Jordan got Odle who very Idle. Odle never able fuh talk. He always finding an excuse. De man very slippery, more slippery than ochro. It look like he join de eel family. His actions sending a signal. When people call him he ducking and hiding. Dem boys want know is wha he really hiding. He boss Jordan seh he gun tell Idle Odle to open up. Fuh certain Jordan ain’t saying that Idle should open he foot. He must open he mouth and tell de media suh de nation could know he not carrying on de way that fat crook use to run that place. He already got about fifteen reports from dem audits that was carried out and to this day nobody know how much Brassy tek and
how much he give Jagdeo. Jordan try fuh mek excuse fuh that Idle Odle. He seh de new board conservative nah got nutten to hide but when you call any of dem they have nutten to say. And according to dem boys any govt official who ain’t got nutten to say have a lot of thing to hide. And that is what you call conservative. Dem boys got a message in de new year, from Day One, fuh plenty of de new govt officials. If dem think dem gun run Guyana de way Jagdeo or de Pee Pee Pee treat de country like a secret state, dem got to think again. This is not a threat, is a duty and dem boys love this duty more than anything else on earth. It tun out none of the previous govt officials use to want to talk and avoid dem boys, but dem boys didn’t kay. It look like de same thing will happen wid this new administration and dem boys wouldn’t kay a dam again. Is only because of this holiday season and dem boys in a joyous mood drinking dem vodka wid coconut water, dem tekking it light at this time. Talk half and wish 2017 get Idle Odle busy.
closed, workers were offered work at Wales, Leonora and as far as Enmore. That made no sense to the workers. They cannot afford to travel all that distance from their homes to get to work. But there was an alternative for Diamond workers. A large number of the workers laid off at Diamond found work in the construction sector at Grove/Diamond. No similar development is taking place on the west side. The economy of the West Bank is stagnating. The closure of Wales will make the situation worse. All it would have taken is 1.9 billion dollars to save the jobs at Wales. The west side for centu-
ries has moved to a particular rhythm. It was the rhythm of estate work, from the early morning horns, to the annual spending spree following the payout of the annual production incentive. That rhythm will now be disrupted. The economic pulse of the west side will be thrown into disarray. The west side will now see scrambles for livelihoods. But the die is cast. Even the AFC cannot save Wales. It cannot save GuySuCo. Sugar has been deemed a bottomless hole. It has to go. Sugar workers have become the eye pass of the APNU+AFC government. No increase in wages, no annual production incentives. The
union begged for the Christmas bonus to be paid to sugar workers. Wales is not alone. The construction sector has contracted. Barama has shut shop after not hearing from the government about the renewal of their leases. Workers are being put on the breadline. The pressure is on. Wales marks the beginning of the end of sugar. It marks the beginning of hard times for the workers of Guyana.
Contractor stabs worker in back after refusing to pay A contractor who refused to pay his 28-year-old worker for his labour, stabbed him three times to the back yesterday before escaping. The incident happened shortly after 10:30 hrs at Bourda, in the vicinity of Bounty Supermarket. Jason Decock of Meadow Brook Gardens was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was immediately treated. He is said to be in a stable condition. According to information received, Decock worked with the contractor for some
time and was not paid. Yesterday, he approached the man, who was spading sand, and asked him for his salary which is said to be long overdue. The contractor allegedly told Decock to return later for the money and an argument
ensued. It was during this time that the man attempted to hit Decock with the spade but missed. He then picked up an ice pick and stabbed Decock in the back before fleeing the scene. Up to press time the suspect had not been arrested.
PAGE 10
Kaieteur News
Thursday December 29, 2016
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Catching a killer at 3 a.m. By now the world knows how the Tunisian terrorist who murdered twelve persons in Berlin with a truck was caught. A street patrol of two policemen approached him at a train station in Italy. The confrontation took place at 3 a.m. Obviously they do nocturnal foot patrols in Italy; not only in Italy, perhaps in the rest of the world, except Guyana. Each time I am driving after 9 p.m. going home and I pass in the heart of the city, I always wonder where the policemen are. You never see foot patrols in Guyana during the night. One evening last week, at around 7 p..m, I dropped off Tiana Cole, a Kaieteur News journalist at Idiho, the Banks DIH outlet on Brickdam opposite Parliament building. I stopped at the western section of the junction of Brickdam and High Street to let her off.
I said to her I would wait in my car and watch as she makes her way west on the pavement parallel to St. Andrews’ Church to Idiho, because the place was lonely. I do not see police foot patrols at the night in Guyana. I don’t doubt they drive around. During the day, there are anti-crime cops on motor cycles. They normally patrol in pairs. These guys are ubiquitous. There are all over the place. I cannot begin to count the number of times, I see them targeting and profiling innocent citizens. In Eping Avenue in Bel Air Park, a Brazilian woman pulled up rashly next to me, came out of her car, yelling to me; “Look them, look them.” I asked her what the hell was going on. She said the two anti-crime guys that just passed me like to shake her down all the time. I drove behind them. They saw me and began to pull away at terrible speed. I
wasn’t into that, so I went on my way. I reported them to their superior at Brickdam who was unapologetic. He stood there and defended them, even though I told him what the lady said. There and then I suspect there may be a venal nexus between lower ranks shaking down motorists and the senior officers. It is an alleged secret that the juniors raise money from these schemes and senior officers get a percentage. A very senior official of the Guyana Cricket Board showed me incontrovertible proof where a senior police officer requested from his relatives, airline tickets for him and his wife, in exchange for freedom from harassment; his relative had three minibuses. But anyway let’s get back to street patrols. Where are these anti-crime guys in the nights that we see daily on their motor cycles? Are they afraid of the
night or is it a policy that when sundown comes, they put up their HarleyDavidsons until the sun comes up the next day? If you drive through the heart of downtown Georgetown after 8 p.m. you will see clerks, nurses, students taking popular streets to get to the East Coast, East Bank and South Georgetown car parks, and these people are easy prey for sadistic criminals. But not a police patrol in sight. Drive to the airport from Georgetown between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. and you are likely to encounter elephants walking on the deserted East Bank highway than any kind of police patrol, whether on motor cycles on in cars. What a predictable country we live in. Did you expect an outpouring of rage by the public and important stakeholders over the police fiasco at Springlands? The victim and his neighbours were fran-
tically calling the big boys in the force, even those in Georgetown, while the gang was preoccupied trying to get into his house. The entire episode lasted for almost 40 minutes, but the police were a noshow. Any country has to be a failed state when a gang of fifteen men could take 20 minutes to break into a resident’s house, while 10 of their acolytes spread out on the streets waiting for a confrontation with the police. They stole money and got away. The incident took place five minutes drive from one of the main police stations in Berbice. With all the horrible crimes that have been taking place in Berbice, one would expect a rapid response unit to be stationed in Berbice. Guess
Frederick Kissoon what the police are exceedingly successful at in Berbice? Raiding marijuana farms. I am in the National Park every day. When the SWAT team was set up, I saw them being trained there for weeks. I would pass them, and offer a cynical smile. Where is the SWAT team? Who or what swatted them out of existence?
Man accused of stealing gold band from cop remanded A man, who is accused of stealing a gold band from Police O f f i c e r R o b e r t Tyndall, during the busy Christmas Eve shopping at the Stabroek Market, was yesterday remanded to prison when he appeared in a City Court. Ceon Maynard of Alberttown, Georgetown, denied that on December 24, he stole a gold band valued $150,000 from Tyndall. During his address to the court, Maynard maintained that he did not steal the band from the cop. According to the defendant, he and his girlfriend were walking in the market doing shopping when a policeman walked up to him and said he looked like the man who snatched a bag. Maynard claimed that the
officer lashed him to the face with a gun and took him to the Brickdam Police Station. However, Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones informed the court that the stolen gold band was recovered in the defendant’s possession. “Me ain’t thief no band. They carry me at the station and I see this officer (Tyndall) take out the band,” Maynard shouted. He was however advised by the Chief Magistrate to keep his explanation for when the matter goes to trial. Prosecutor Jones opposed bail for the defendant citing the fact that he provided police with conflicting addresses. Maynard will make another court appearance on January 12, for statements.
Thursday December 29, 2016
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
Finance Minister must tell nation what happened to billions at NICIL - Nandlall - calls for explanation on outstanding GTT shares, other issues
“As the guardian of the national purse, Finance Minister,’ Winston Jordan cannot expect to make a dim-witted statement that “’NICIL is no longer rich. He must explain to the nation why this is the case.” This was the assertion of Opposition member and former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. The politician’s viewpoint came on the heels of comments which were made by Jordan and carried by this newspaper on Wednesday. The Finance Minister had expressed that it is no longer business as usual at NICIL. He stated that the entity is no longer as rich as it used to be and has nothing at the moment to transfer to the Treasury. Nandlall, however, refuses to buy into the Minister’s explanations. He wants specifics. He wants evidence. In fact, the former Attorney General recalled that for years, APNU+AFC while in Opposition, had accused the PPP administration of hoarding billions of dollars at NICIL which were intended for the national coffers. With this in mind, Nandlall said that the Finance Minister “must come clean on what happened to the billions which were held at NICIL”. “The billions simply cannot vanish. Either it was stolen under this Administra-
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan tion, or APNU+AFC lied to the nation when it made those bold allegations that NICIL was hoarding billions of dollars. The Minister cannot eat his cake and have it. He is obliged to choose one of the two options to which I have alluded if he wishes to be taken seriously!” Nandlall stated emphatically Additionally, since the Minister spoke to NICIL’s financial status, Nandlall said that Jordan must update the nation on the position of the US$5M which remains outstanding for the sale of Government’s shares in
Statements served on... From page 8 Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. They will make their next court appearance on January 5, for the commencement of trial. It was reported back in June, eleven women, who were said to be suspected victims of human trafficking none of whom are Guyanese - were detained by Police at the said Rio Inn Strip Club,. According to a source,
the women were removed from the Strip Club during a late-night operation and three men were arrested.
Opposition Member, Anil Nandlall
GT&T. “The time for the payment of that sum of money under the agreement by which those shares were sold has long expired. The nation needs to be told what steps, if any, are being taken by this administration to recover those monies.” Nandlall continued, “It may also be opportune for the Minister of Finance to say how much of the billions of dollars which were in commercial bank accounts and in accounts held by extra-budgetary funds, have been transferred to the Consolidated Fund.” In this regard, Nandlall said that during the 2015 budget debates, the Minister had promised to transfer all these monies into the Consolidated Fund. In fact, the attorney-atlaw opined that this was also a major platform promise made in the elections cam-
paign by the APNU+AFC coalition. Nandlall commented that 19 months after, the Minister ought to account to the nation how much money has been transferred from these accounts to the Consolidated Fund, and if all the monies have not been transferred as he promised, he must give the reasons why he is breaching his own promise. When the coalition party assumed office, it had launched a series of forensic audits, one of which was conducted into the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited. The audit, which was conducted by Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran, found that billions of dollars were indeed being transferred from various organizations to the entity. In one instance, Goolsarran found that $1B was placed in a special ac-
count, while amounts totaling $7.320 billion were received from different government agencies for various works. Government revealed to the nation last year that $1B was transferred from NICIL to the national coffers. With regard to other transfers this year, the Finance Minister recently stated that there is nothing more at the entity to be transferred. “There is nothing to transfer. They (NICIL) need lots of money, because remember, they are agents for certain agencies plus they are a holding company, AHI is a holding company for Marriott and NICIL is the holding company for AHI. So trust me, they don’t have anything to transfer.” The Finance Minister said that in any case “it is business unusual” at NICIL. At
the level of dividends, Jordan said that the entity is now only required to hold it in accordance with what was the original intent of the company, and then transfer in full to the Consolidated Fund. “So there is nothing that NICIL has to hide. What they have is a very conservative board and management who like to stay away from the public and do things quietly. But I will talk to them about holding a press conference early in the new year,” Jordan said. Since last year, Kaieteur News has tried relentlessly to contact NICIL’s Chairman Maurice Odle, as well as Minister Joseph Harmon, on a number of issues relating to the entity. But all efforts proved futile. It continues to be a case of the “royal run around.”
PAGE 12
Thursday December 29, 2016
Kaieteur News
Police detectives face questions about 2008 Bartica killings
Mark Royden
Roger Simon
Dennis Williams
Detective, Rodwell Sarabo and Superintendent of Police, Trevor Reid yesterday faced a series of questions regarding their investigation into the 2008 Bartica Massacre. The incident took place on the night of February 17, 2008, when gunmen attacked Bartica, slaughtering 12 people, including three policemen, during an hour-long strafing. It was reported that the gunmen attacked the police station first, killing three policemen and freeing prisoners. They then took the vehicle assigned to the police station and went on a rampage, terrorising the community and murdering nine others. According to reports, the gunmen arrived in the area by boat and departed in similar fashion taking with them firearms they had grabbed from the police station and from a mining company. Mark Royden Williams called Durant and Smallie; Dennis Williams, called Anaconda; and Roger Anthony Simon, called Goat Man are currently on trial at the High Court for twelve counts of murder. Yesterday the officers
who were called as witnesses in the Bartica Massacre trial faced questions from Defence Attorneys Saphier Husain, Roger Yearwood and Peter Hugh. Under cross examination, Detective Reid told the Court that Dwayne Williams was questioned in connection with the killings at Bartica. In response to questions by the attorney, the policeman told the court that former co-accused in the Lusignan massacre, Dwayne Williams called ‘Small Fren’ had given information regarding certain criminal activities being committed at Lusignan and Bartica. The officer also noted that although Williams was questioned about the incident at Bartica, he was never charged for it. The witness said that Williams had only admitted to being at the locations where criminal activities were taking place. The police officers are among some 37 witnesses set to testify in the trial. The case is being presented by State Prosecutors, Diana Kaulesar and Stacy Goodings. Earlier in the trial, ASP Luis Golden told the court that he stood a mere 62 feet away
from the Bartica Police Station, the night it came under attack by gunmen. Golden was the Officer in Charge of the station at the time of the incident. He recalled that as he stood 62 feet away, he heard what sounded like gunshots, coming from the direction of the station. He later recalled peeping out from a hiding place and getting a glimpse of a police vehicle speeding off towards the direction of the Bartica Stelling. On Sunday night, February 17, 2008, a number of gunmen attacked the mining community of Bartica, Essequibo, killing twelve residents - Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, Constable Shane Fredericks and Constable Ron Osborne; Edwin Gilkes, Abdool Yassin Jr, Deonarine Singh, Errol Thomas, Ronald Gomes, Baldeo Singh, Ashraf Khan, Irving Ferreira and Dexter Adrian After murdering the police officers, the gang stole cash, arms, ammunition and a vehicle from the police station. Using the stolen police vehicle, they drove through the streets of Bartica shooting at civilians. They proceeded to CBR Mining, where they stole arms and ammunition, and removed two safes containing cash and gold. And after their one-hour rampage, the gunmen departed from Bartica by boat.
Nabbed Meadow Bank suspect charged with Albouystown murder Twenty four-year-old Howard Rambharose is now the third person charged and remanded to prison for the murder of Orin David formerly of 89 Laing Avenue, Georgetown - who was gunned down in front of his home in view of his reputed wife. Rambharose of 6 Second Street, Meadow Bank, East Bank Demerara, is alleged to have murdered David, also known as ‘Malik’ on August 1, last. Rambharose who is known to law enforcement was apprehended by police on Christmas Eve in Agricola during a sting operation. Kaieteur News had previously reported that police received information that Rambharose and two other men had returned to Guyana for the holidays from Suriname. Police are still to apprehend the other men. Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones informed that the case file is completed and 10 witnesses will be called to testify. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan adjourned the matter until January 3, and transferred it to Courts 10 and 11 for commencement of Preliminary Inquiry (PI). Currently on remand for the same murder are Regus Lamazon of 51 Durban Street, Georgetown and Samuel McIntyre. Lamazon and McIntyre are currently before Magistrate Dylon Bess in Court 6, where a PI is underway. David, a 33-year-old father of five, was killed after one of five men came out of a car and riddled him with bullets. According to reports, David who was freed on a murder charge, had confrontations several times with a man from Agricola, East Bank Demerara, whom he had bailed out of jail sometime last
Murdered: Orin David
Murder Accused: Howard Rambharose
year. Based on reports on the day in question, David and the suspect were involved in a heated argument over the monies. It is alleged that the Agricola resident went away and later returned with four people and killed David. Last year February, David was freed after spending five years in prison for the 2010 murder of Mahaica farmer, Lakhram Bishundial, called Mohan, who was shot and killed during a robbery at Hope Turn, East Coast Demerara, as he was on his way to a nearby Ashram to make preparations for his younger brother’s wedding. Last year, Rambharose and 24-year-old Lloyd Sadloo of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara were remanded to prison for possession of 1.452 kilogrammes of cannabis sativa (marijuana). However, the charge against Rambharose was dismissed while Sadloo was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment and fined $30,000. He was also freed again in April 2015 on a robbery under-arms charge. It was alleged that on July 30, 2014, Rambharose, while armed with a gun at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown robbed Nalini Kawall of $830,000 and other items to the value of $955,000. The charge against him
was dismissed after the alleged victim failed to show up in court. Another charge for this same offence was dismissed against him that same year after the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case against him. This charge stated that on July 14, 2014, at Sheriff Street, while armed with a gun and in the company of others, Rambharose robbed Leroy Hinds of $1.7M. In 2014, Rambharose, Rajiv Singh of Laing Avenue, Georgetown and Alistair Naughton of La Penitence, Georgetown were freed on a robbery under-arms charge after the prosecution’s witnesses failed to show up in court on several occasion. It was alleged that on December 20, 2013, while armed with guns, they robbed Mahesh Chetrani of $17,250,000 - money belonging to Shamdas Kirpalani. Based on reports, Singh had been employed by the general store and had been tasked with depositing the store’s funds into its bank account. According to reports, on the day in question, Singh was in the company’s vehicle en route to deposit the funds when the vehicle was allegedly held up by Rambharose and Naughton.
Thursday December 29, 2016
Kaieteur News
Growing chorus of calls on US to reverse course on Haitian deportations By Nelson A. King NEW YORK, CMC – The Obama administration has resumed deportation of Haitians living illegally in the United States amidst a growing chorus of calls for Washington to reverse the policy. In the latest appeal, three legislators in Brooklyn, New York have dispatched a joint letter to the US Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, and to the Obama administration asking them to rescind their decision to resume deportations of Haitians. New York State Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, New York City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, the son of Grenadian immigrants, and New York State Senator Kevin Parker; said Haitians being deported are unfairly “singled out.” Bichotte, the first Haitian American in New York City to
be elected to New York State Assembly, has also participated in a social media campaign imploring the US administration to re-designate Haitians refugees for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) classification and to expand the Haitian Family Reunification Programme. The three elected officials represent largely Caribbean districts in Brooklyn, with high concentration of Haitians. Bichotte represents the 42nd Assembly District, Williams the 45thCity Council District, and Parker the 21st Senatorial District. “America has long been known as the land of opportunity, and a country that has opened its borders to immigrants,” the legislators say in their joint letter. “If we look at more recent immigrants, such as Cubans, there has long been a policy that once they arrive, if they make it to our shores, they are
allowed to stay and granted refugee status. “There were also Salvadorans and Guatemalans, which sought asylum in our country during the civil war in El Salvador, many to whom asylum was granted,” they added. “Ultimately, legislation was put in place –the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central Relief Act (1972) – which allowed these groups to apply directly for a green card. In addition, the Obama administration recently said it would accept 110,000 Syrian refugees. In light of these policies, it would appear that these Haitian immigrants are being singled out.” “We would like to urge the Obama Administration to please reconsider their recent actions and reverse their course to deport undocumented Haitian immigrants, while there is still time,” the legislators wrote.
Two St. Lucian nationals detained following murder of French national FORT DE France, Martinique CMC – French police have detained two St. Lucian brothers in connection with the shooting death of a young man in Martinique. The police said, one of the brothers, who is described as the person who did the shooting, surrendered to law enforcement officers on Christmas Day, while the other unidentified brother was arrested later in the day.
Police said that 24-year-old Sebastien Goujon was shot in the stomach and died later at the Pierre Zobda Quitman hospital in the capital. They said the shooting on Christmas Eve stemmed from a dispute between the men over money. French media reports noted that all three men knew each other and that the victim’s sister, who was present at the scene, called the emergency services.
In Venezuela, lynchings kill one person every three days: report Roughly one person is being lynched in crisis-ridden Venezuela every three days as frustrated residents take revenge on suspected criminals, a monitoring group said on Wednesday. The Venezuelan Observatory of Violence (OVV), which monitors crime, said mob killings have become a generalized phenomenon across the country, with 126 deaths reported in 2016 versus 20 last year. “Due to being repeated victims of crime for more than a decade, and the feeling of not being protected, many people have decided to take justice into their own hands,” the OVV said in its latest annual report. In the past, it said, lynchings of suspected murderers and rapists were relatively uncommon, but this year angry crowds have increasingly attacked petty criminals too, with police often turning a blind eye. Venezuelans have long
suffered alarming levels of violent crime, in part because of the widespread availability of guns, inadequate policing and a bribe-riddled justice system. A crushing economic crisis has compounded crime. The OVV, a group of academics who compile data from police sources and the media, said Venezuela, with an estimated 28,479 homicides this year - or more than three killings per hour - was the world’s second most murderous nation after El Salvador That would represent 91.8 murders per 100,000 inhabitants this year, up from 90 in 2015, it said. The OVV put the homicide rate at more 140 per
100,000 people in Caracas, making it one of the murder capitals of the world. El Salvador had a rate of 116 murders per 100,000 inhabitants in 2016, according to the Institute of Legal Medicine in El Salvador. President Nicolas Maduro’s socialist government rejects the OVV figures as inflated for political reasons. The last official murder rate it gave was 58 per 100,000 inhabitants for 2015. Another researcher has also disagreed with the widely cited OVV data, criticizing its methodology and putting the 2015 figure at 70 murders per 100,000 people. (here).
PAGE 21
PAGE 22
Kaieteur News
Thursday December 29, 2016
One year later…
No sign of man who left to work in interior 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
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 697-2969/6460966 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Do you need a building contractor, estimate, house plan to be drawn? Give us a call: 2160671/692-8464/622-0267
Pearl white Raum -$850,000 negotiable, owner migrating. Ralph: 613-9390/ 662-5052 1 AT 192 Carina and 1 Mitsubishi Dingo for sale. Call: 695-0704
VACANCY The #1 Plant Shop, sale staff and general maintenance and sales persons 20-30yrs. Call: 643-7193 Popular East Coast Gas Station (Non-Pareil) Day/ Night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 610-9182/ 695-9880
Repairs to refrigerator, gas stove, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; 683-8734. Omar
YEAR END SPECIAL: 2012 TOYOTA RACTIS -$2.6M, 2010 TOYOTA FIELDER $2.6M 4WD, 2009 TOYOTA ARIUS -$2.6M. CALL: 6427295
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Spacious one bedroom upper flat at 239 Herstelling E.B.D. Call: 265-0204/ 601-0223/645-9921 One 3 bedrooms, downstairs house, fully fenced, parking @ Lot 28 Church Street Stanleytown, W.B.D. Call: 662-9633/630-9556 Three bedrooms bottom flat @ Lamaha Gardens. Call: 2258084/ 689-6001
Toyota Vigo pick-up and Nissan Pathfinder, cheap. Call: 609-7766 Nissan Duke in immaculate condition, lady driven, PTT series, low mileage, price negotiable. Call: 653-0018/ 666-7748 (serious inquiries only)
TO LET 1 Fully furnished apartment located in Eccles, E.B.D, Internet, parking, cable etc. Call:667-2536
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Organic Potting soil -$900, lawn grass -$1400, Ficus, Exora, Crotons, Foxtail palm, Supari palm, Ashok trees. Call: 626-1044 Cargo trawler- Call: 682-8724, 616-5954 Taxi Service for sale (Georgetown) Prime location, including 16 radio sets. Call: 695-0704 1 Stem bow boat and engine 200HP with power steering kit -$1.6M negotiable. Call: 6585299/ 638-7748 Dredge mining operation: excavator, dredge, camp, truck, ATV bike, welding set with gas bottle. Call: 676-7943 White Ford F-150 1997 4WD Plate #GJJ 5305, excellent working condition, a bargain sale @ $2.8M. Call: 662-5133 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 MX 2000, 1500, 1000 Bass, MID horn, tweeter, EQ, Mixer, Juggler ETC and 1 Jacuzzi. Call: 253-3070/ 6542732
Two and three bedrooms luxury apartments to rent fully furnished, long term and short term. Call: 665-3505
Communication towers, Guy towers, self supporting. Call: 602-6706
Rooms with bed to let $20,000 & $25,000 per month. Call: 223-9677 8am-5pm
Milking cow with calves and breeding bull for sale. Call Faizad: 265-4333/ 654-0507
FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578
German Shepherd pups for sale -$100,000 7 weeks old, fully vaccinated with clinic card. Call: 699-6006
LAND FOR SALE House lot at Herstelling. Call:614-2377
EDUCATIONAL Private Custom Brokerage, certificate training course in Jan 2017, Register & get 50% discount for Christmas. Call: 694-8322/671-9603
One year ago, 22-year-old Ravendra Sahadeo left his home at 208 Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, to seek employment in the interior, in order to assist his mother in building a house. His mother, Kamlawattie Sahadeo is yet to hear from the young man, who goes by the alias “Ravi”. The older Sahadeo in an interview yesterday said that she was hoping to hear from the eldest of her four children for the holidays, but she received no calls and she knows very little of the location he has left to go and work at. All she knows is that her son went to work on a dredge that is close to the border with Brazil. Sahadeo, who still believes that her son is somewhere out there working, re-
lated that he left home last year November to go and work but never returned or called home. It was not the first time he has left home to go and work in the interior. “He went couple times before and spend like four to five months, but this time after I see he didn’t come, I say he mussy throw out he belly because we want to build a house so he went to work up some money,” the woman related. She explained that before her son left home in mid-November 2015, he had said that he found a water dredge to work on. “I don’t know any other details,” the woman said. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the young man is asked to contact the nearest police station.
WANTED 1 Offset Printer to operator AB Dick machine. Inter services Enterprise. Call:2261877/641-3687 (attractive salary)
WANTED
Land at Eccles and Diamond, Cheap. Call:609-7766
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
Missing: Ravendra Sahadeo
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 CAR RENTAL CAR RENTAL
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807
House & Land available for sale. Contact Pacific Development Inc: 223-6035/ 227-8274 Two buildings on lot at180 Charolotte Street Bourda (W30XL120). (Price negotiable). Call:624-7341/ 227-6817/226-5183 WANTED Responsible hire car drivers and contract cars- Call: 2317475
1 Live in nanny/domestic to take care of children & home, must know to cook various dishes 38-48yrs. Call: 6001898
Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic. Call: 223-7500 Monday-Saturday 8:15-4:15
Live in waitress to work in a bar- Call: 604-6606;692-4646
Need immediately dry cow mold 400 bags, preferably from Berbice Area. Call: 6437193
FULL TIME WAITRESS/ WAITER TO WORK AT AAGMAN RESTURANT, SHERIFF STREET. CALL: 219-0158/ 219-0161
One live in couple to work as domestic and clean yard, in Mahaicony River. Call: 6446905/655-9419 Live in waitress. Call: 643-9007
Thursday December 29, 2016
Drought-prone Region Nine villages to get rainwater harvesting facilities in 2017 Earlier this year, the extreme dry weather occasioned by El Niño scarred a number of Indigenous communities, with reports emerging of livestock perishing in several communities in the Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo Region (Nine). Previous reports had indentified South Pakaraimas as a sore point, flagging communities such as Paipang, Taushida, Tiger Pond and Tipuru. In the North Pakaraimas, communities such as Annai, Masara, Toka and Anwera were also indentified as hardhit areas. The phenomenon had birthed an initiative by Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) to dig eight wells in the region. The company is still collaborating with local contractors to combat the possibility of an El Niño recurrence. Residents are also expected to benefit from an initiative from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) which will see the construction of rainwater harvesting facilities scheduled to come on stream in 2017. Rainwater Harvesting is the practice of capturing, infiltrating or utilizing rainfall from roofs, constructed catchment surfaces, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and streets. The process is regarded as an effective water conservation strategy in urban and rural areas around the globe, decreasing unnecessary use of heavily treated drinking water for landscaping, toilet
Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder flushing, and laundry washing. With proper filtration, rainwater can also serve for potable water uses. The NDIA, according to the Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, is set to embark on this project in the coming year as the Government zeros in on agricultural development within the district. The North and South Rupununi villages have traditionally suffered from inadequate water supply for their crops and livestock during dry months of the year – which had a proven negative impact on the livelihood of thousands that occupy the region, the Minister said. He added that the agency will be improving on or building such facilities in communities, commencing in the North. Works are planned for the villages of Wowetta, Rupertee, Annai, Aranaputa, Massara, Toka, Parishara and Nappi. The NDIA is also expected to commence mapping
of agricultural facilities and drainage and irrigation channels in each administrative region. These maps, he explained, will show their location and other pertinent data. Meanwhile, the Ministry is working towards reducing flooding on the coastland. With these plans factored into the Agriculture Ministry’s 2017 agenda, the NDIA is expected to be more ‘proactive’ with the introduction of a dredge for clearing outfall channels, a Government Information Agency report stated. Recommendations in the draft of the final report for the modelling of an effective and efficient drainage system for the city of Georgetown was submitted by a team of Dutch Engineering students. This report will be used as a guide to ensure the flooding situation in Georgetown is corrected, the Minister said. He pointed out also, that with the effects of Global Warming on rainfall patterns and rise of sea levels, his Ministry recognises that current systems must be improved to counter these issues. The objective of executing capital works in the medium-term, he explained, would therefore be made to improve drainage and irrigation throughout Guyana, which would contribute to the long-term goal of achieving high capacity drainage and irrigation system that actively contributes to improved agricultural productivity and reduced incidence of flooding.
Bail for drug trafficking accused Two men appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday and pleaded not guilty to charges of trafficking in narcotics, break and enter and larceny among others. They were released on bail after their arraignment in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Lawrence Joseph, 63, a farmer of Kamaka Waterfront, Mabaruma, North West District denied the charge which alleged that on December 25, he had two grams of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. According to Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones, the illicit substance was found in the defendant’s handbag. The Chief Magistrate granted bail to Joseph in the sum of $170,000 and instructed him to return to court on February 21, at the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court. Meanwhile, in another case, a 30-year-old man was released on $165,000 bail after he pleaded not guilty to four
offences, including break and enter and larceny. The man, Alex Williams of Arakaka, Four Mile, pleaded not guilty to the allegation which stated that on October 24, at Arakaka, he broke and entered and stole 10 penny weight of raw gold valued $100,000 and a cell phone - all totalling $155,000 - property of Wilbert Nephbinton. It is also alleged that between September 13 and 14, at Red Road, Backdam, North West District, Williams stole a pump among other items to the value of $120,000 property of Godfrey Ashby. Williams is also accused of stealing a Honda pump, and 20 feet flex hose on December 4 - all worth $160,000 - property of Terrence Bowman. And finally, he is accused of using threatening language to Nephbinton, also on December 4. Williams, who had no legal presentation, told the court that he has no knowledge of the articles
PAGE 23
Kaieteur News
mentioned in the charges. Prosecutor Jones was not opposed to bail for the defendant. He however requested that bail be granted in a substantial amount. Nevertheless, the Chief Magistrate released Williams on bail and instructed him to stay 50 feet away from Nephbinton, after Prosecutor Jones said he threatened to kill the man. Williams was also placed on a bond to be on good behaviour. According to Prosecutor Jones, Williams threatened to kill the virtual complainant after he confronted him about the stolen items. This matter will be called again on February 7, at the Matthews Ridge Magistrate’s Court.
Minister Scott dispels reports of unions being sidelined “There is no union that is ostracised from dealing with me,” asserted Junior Minister of Social Protection, Mr. Keith Scott. His remarks were forthcoming even as he recently addressed allegations that there are unions that have been peddling reports that he hasn’t been giving them sufficient attention. The Minister, in defending himself against the allegations, asserted that since taking office as the Junior Social Protection Minister, he has had an ‘open door’ policy when it comes to the unions. He categorically declared that “even those unions that do not have recognition, as long as they call themselves a union or a body that represent people, whether it is workers or not, whether they are organised or unorganised, I will speak to them.” He revealed that in some cases he has even met with some groups and encouraged them to apply for recognition in order to be more effective in their representation quest. “There is no hard and fast exclusion of anybody,” stressed Minister Scott, who was at the time speaking at a press briefing at his Ministry’s Brickdam, Georgetown boardroom. The press briefing, which saw the attendance of representatives of the Federation of Independence Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC), was in fact called by the Minister for him to issue an apology to the two umbrella bodies for regarding
Minister Keith Scott is adamant that he is not guilty of ostracising unions. them as “impotent” during the recent national budget debates.According to the Minister, “I have never ever not invited the unions to any activity or press conference or any dealings that requires (their) attention – for example issues with the people they are representing, or issues with employers – whenever we are invited to participate.” He however stated that the Ministry has been opting to not interfere as far as possible, although “we do have the power to interfere with or without invitation to any dispute that exists among trade unions and employers.” “Under my watch we have always tried to wait until, more or less, we are invited by either party – employers or employees. I have always tried to show a balance way towards dealing with them (industrial matters),” the Minis-
ter underscored. According to the Minister, too, his Ministry has consistently worked towards bringing all parties concerned to the table and “so far, on the balance sheet, we have succeeded more than we have failed.” He further observed that in carrying out its mandate, his Ministry is not always able to “please everybody at the same time. This industrial relation thing it involves time...on Monday I might be emotionally hyped, but if I were to wait until Thursday you might find that both parties might have ‘cooled off’ and there is a better chance of success. We understand that principle and we have done that as much as we can.” It was at the very press briefing that Minister Scott confidently declared that “I have always been committed to trade union unity, trade union principles and the principles of brotherhood. This is why since I am in this Ministry and I have not yet stopped assiduously pursuing the goals of trade union unity and everything I have done so far, and the records will reflect it... I have done to ensure that the unions are treated with respect.” He added, “I cannot explain anybody’s interpretation of my actions; I cannot move at a pace that suits other people, but once I am involved I will go about things as I see how best to handle it and so far, out of the hundreds of matters I have arbitrated since I am here, very few remain outstanding”.
Pump attendants suspended... From page 15 were made where necessary, and that the pumps were up and running efficiently. Though two pumps were down at Lamaha Street and Riverview Ruimveldt at the time of the flood, the flood waters still receded within 24 hours. Currently these two pumps are being looked at, and they should be up and running today, this is accord-
ing to Venture. As a result of leaks of hydraulic oil, the Princes Street pump also went down over the Christmas weekend, Venture said. This, he said, could have been because of garbage getting into the pump and causing restriction of the impeller. The City Engineer related that over the weekend they had to break a road in the
North-East La Penitence area as there were persons who were still under flood water. Those persons would have spent the Christmas under water if this had not been done. “We are monitoring the drainage in every area, because whenever there are heavy rains you always have clogs or blockages that cause flooding,” Venture said.
PAGE 24
Thursday December 29, 2016
Kaieteur News
Russia, Pakistan, China warn of increased Islamic State threat in Afghanistan (Reuters) Russia, China and Pakistan warned on Tuesday that the influence of Islamic State (IS) was growing in Afghanistan and that the security situation there was deteriorating. Representatives from the three countries, meeting in Moscow, also agreed to invite the Afghan government to such talks in the future, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. “(The three countries) expressed particular concern about the rising activity in the country of extremist groups including the Afghan branch of IS,” ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters after the meeting. The United States, which still has nearly 10,000 troops in Afghanistan more than 15 years after the Islamist Taliban were toppled by U.S.-backed Afghan forces, was not invited to the Moscow talks. The gathering, the third in a series of consultations between Russia, China and Paki-
stan that has so far excluded Kabul, is likely to deepen worries in Washington that it is being sidelined in negotiations over Afghanistan’s future. Officials in Kabul and Washington have said that Russia is deepening its ties with Taliban militants fighting the government, though Moscow has denied providing aid to the insurgents. Zakharova said Russia, China and Pakistan had “noted the deterioration of the security situation (in Afghanistan)”. The three countries agreed a “flexible approach to remove certain figures from sanctions lists as part of efforts to foster a peaceful dialogue between Kabul and the Taliban movement,” she added. Earlier on Tuesday, Afghan Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmad Shekib Mostaghni said Kabul had not been properly briefed about the Moscow meeting.
Russia could face sanctions over US elections hacking
The three US senators have been touring the Baltic states together (CNN) Three prominent US senators have warned that Russia and its president may face sanctions over the country’s alleged interference in last month’s presidential election. They said the move had cross-party support in the senate. President-elect Donald Trump has rejected claims of Russian interference. Outgoing President Barack Obama is expected to announce retaliatory measures as early as Thursday. These could include economic sanctions and changes to diplomatic relationships. Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova responded in a
statement: “If Washington really does take new hostile steps, they will be answered. “Any action against Russian diplomatic missions in the US will immediately bounce back on US diplomats in Russia.” Earlier this month, CIA officials told US media they had “high confidence” that Russian hackers had attempted to sway the US election in Mr Trump’s favour. The Trump team responded to those reports by saying “these are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction”. Republicans John McCain and Lindsey Graham, and Democrat Amy
Klobuchar, voiced their support for sanctions on Wednesday while visiting the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which are Nato members close to Russia’s western edge. Mr Graham told CNN the proposed sanctions would “hit Russia hard, particularly (President) Putin as an individual. The EU is still sanctioning Russia over its 2014 annexation of the Crimea peninsula. The sanctions, which target Russian arms exporters, banks and individuals blamed for the pro-Russian insurgency in Ukraine, have taken a heavy economic toll on Russia to date.
Five dead in attack in China’s Xinjiang (Reuters) Attackers drove a car into a government building in China’s unruly far western region of Xinjiang on Wednesday and set off an explosive device killing one person, while all four of the attackers were shot dead, the regional government said. Hundreds of people have been killed over the past years in resource-rich Xinjiang, on the borders of central Asia,
in violence between the Muslim Uighur people who call the region home and ethnic majority Han Chinese. The government has blamed the unrest on Islamist militants, though rights groups and exiles say anger at Chinese controls on the religion and culture of Uighurs is more to blame for the unrest. China denies any repression in Xinjiang.
Thursday December 29, 2016
Kaieteur News
Student sentenced to jail for murder KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC – A 14year-old student was sentenced to 12 years in custody for the murder of a fellow student two years ago. High Court judge Justice Kathy Ann Latchoo handed down the penalty is what is believed to be the first time in this country’s history that someone so young was charged, convicted and jailed for murder. The 14-year-old had on November 30, this year pleaded guilty to murdering the 15-yearold student during an altercation on June 8, 2015. In sentencing the accused last week, Justice Latchoo ordered that she receive peri-
odic reviews and that she continue her schooling during incarceration. The accused is not being kept among the prison population at Her Majesty’s Prisons. The girl’s guilty plea earned her a onethird discount on her sentence which would take it down to about eight years. The Ministry of Education is to provide the court with reports on the girl’s progress, at the periodic reviews, while the prison authorities will provide the court with reports on her conduct. The judge also ordered that the convicted girl spend a minimum of six years behind bars.
Jamaica wants to sign Open Skies agreement with five African countries KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica is holding talks with Kenya and South Africa as it seeks to enter into Open Skies agreements with five African Countries. Transport and Mining Minister Mike Henry, who recently signed an Open Sky agreement with Canada, said that the new initiative is aimed at establishing direct flights to Jamaica from these countries. Henry said signing similar agreements with African states will enable travelers from the Asian and African continents to fly directly to the southern parts of the world without an
in-transit visa. “The outreach that I have here relates to the open skies, by flying people from the Far East across the African continent into Jamaica, Jamaica being the centrally located hub that distributes them across the globe, both here and backwards, because as I have said everyone who lives in those countries – India, Japan… all need an in-transit visa to mobilize,” he said. “It was therefore important for Jamaica to sign air service agreements with the countries that make that linkage grow,” he added.
PAGE 25
PAGE 26
Kaieteur News
Thursday December 29, 2016
Thursday December 29, 2016
Manila residents speak out about Duterte’s war on drugs
Brexit: Civil service faces ‘bumpy ride’ says union leader (BBC) The civil service faces a “bumpy ride” making Brexit happen while dealing with other priorities, the union leader who represents Whitehall staff has warned. Dave Penman, from the FDA union, said more resources were needed or
(Reuters) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte completes six months in charge on Friday, with the rising death toll from his war on drugs showing no sign of easing. More than 6,000 people have been killed in the anti-narcotics drive since he took power, about a third in police operations with the rest still being investigated. Many are believed to be vigilante murders, which Duterte has refused to condemn. The former crime-busting mayor of the
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
southern city of Davao had said that the war on drugs would be over within six months but has since pushed back the deadline. Last month he said that he will continue “until the last pusher drops dead”. His hardline measures have been criticized by many, including the United States and the United Nations, but Duterte retains a “very good” opinion poll rating at home, the Philippine Social Weather Stations survey group said this month.
ministers would have to rethink other goals. A Cabinet Office spokesman said the civil service was “fully focussed” on getting “the best deal for the UK.” Mr Penman said without more investment in the civil service, some aspects of
Prime Minister Theresa May’s domestic agenda would suffer. “It is pure politics that is defining the Brexit debate and forcing May to say this is not a big, difficult job, and it is all in hand,” he said.
PAGE 28
Kaieteur News
Thursday December 29, 2016
Thursday December 29, 2016
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
Azhar, Warner run-feast illuminates... US-Canada-Mexico 2026 World Cup bid From page 30 sapping heat and humidity, but only for 48.5 overs before being caught behind feathering an edge off Wahab Riaz. Warner, when on 81, was bowled with a no-ball from Wahab, one of the 10 comm i t t e d b y t he errant paceman. The 30-year-old also survived a string of edges to complete his 17th ton, his first in nearly a year and first at the MCG, which had been a conspicuous void in his burgeoning resume. Warner also raced past 5,000 test runs during the innings to join an honour roll of Australian batsmen including Don Bradman, Ricky Ponting and the Chappell brothers Greg and
Ian. “A childhood dream, it is one I hadn’t really ticked off,” Warner told reporters, having celebrated his maiden Boxing Day ton with his customary jump and fist-pump. “I was a bit emotional. It was a lot of weight lifted off my shoulders.” Gritty Azhar’s double hundred was another endorsement of a late-blooming career and the highest by a Pakistan player in Australia. He also became the first from the south Asian nation to surpass 200 twice in a year, having struck an unbeaten 302 against West Indies in Dubai in October. “You get a bit itchy when you’re out there in
the field and you’re coming off and on and off and on,” said Warner. “That’s credit to Azhar Ali, the way he played, to switch on and off like that and score 200 runs on the MCG is fantastic.” Azhar’s leap for joy after reaching 200 rivalled Warner’s for exuberance and he was thrilled to stamp himself at the iconic stadium. “It certainly is a big achievement,” he said. “It’s a big, big tour for our team. So I was very focused and really wanted to get there.” Scores: Australia 2 for 278 (Warner 144, Khawaja 95*) trail Pakistan 9 for 443 dec (Azhar 205*, Sohail 65, Shafiq 50, Hazlewood 3-50, Bird 3-113) by 165 runs.
Thursday December 29, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) You will have to be sure not to burn the candle at both ends. Don't reveal any personal details. Back off if you want to keep the relationship intact.
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You need to take some time out to decide what you want to do. You can pick up valuable information if you listen to those with more experience.
TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Discord could be unnerving. You will meet a person who may turn out to be more than just a friend.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You are best to concentrate on work. Finish off old projects before starting something new. You may find yourself in an emotional fix if you interfere in other people's problems.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21) If you haven't already, consider starting your own business. You need to control your temper and deal with the situation rationally. CANCER (June 22-July 22) You should get out and enjoy social events where you are likely to meet new potential mates; however, don't over spend. Take the whole family and make it an enjoyable outing. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You should not be concerned with coworkers who insist on spreading rumors. Use your better judgment before you sign up for a costly venture. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Work quietly behind the scenes for best results. Your outgoing, aggressive nature will attract someone you've been eager to meet.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Dead end projects could plague you. Try to understand their point of view. Limitation could set in if you've been spending too much. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) It will do you some good. Your lover may be annoyed if you have been flirtatious or not attentive to their needs. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Observations will be far more productive. Social activity should be on your agenda today. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Business or pleasure trips will be knowledgeable as well as highly successful. You may need help with your financial situation. You need activity.
a possibility: CONCACAF President DUBAI (Reuters) Football officials from the United States, Canada and Mexico are likely to meet next year to discuss a joint bid for the 2026 World Cup, CONCACAF
Cook century as South... From page 29 adrift of South Africa’s first innings score. An unusual lightning storm forced the players off after 90 minutes of play in the morning and lunch was taken early. The afternoon session was also interrupted by rain, but the game was then played out in bright sunshine and the weather is not expected to be a factor for the remainder of the test. Scores: South Africa 286 and 351 for 5 (Cook 117, Elgar 52) lead Sri Lanka 205 (De Silva 43, Philander 5-45) by 432 runs.
President Victor Montagliani said yesterday. FIFA confirmed on Oct. 14 that co-hosting would be allowed at the 2026 tournament and that there would be no restrictions on the number of countries in a given bid. “It’s obviously a possibility,” Montagliani told Reuters on the sidelines of a sports conference in Dubai. “We are fully aware that each country could probably host it on its own. CONCACAF governs football in North and Central America and the Caribbean. A successful joint bid would be the first World Cup in CONCACAF since the tour-
nament was held in the United States in 1994 and the first cohosted World Cup since 2002 in South Korea and Japan. “It’s time for it to come back,” Montagliani said, adding that CONCACAF “absolutely” expects the 2026 tournament would be held by one of its 41 members. Formal discussions over a possible joint US-CanadaMexico bid are likely to start in 2017 once “all the rules and regulations” related to the bid are announced, he added. FIFA is proposing to expand the 32-team World Cup to up to 48 teams, potentially starting with the 2026 tournament.
PAGE 30
Thursday December 29, 2016
Kaieteur News
FIFA boss says football federations back expanded World Cup
Lynn’s 85 seals dramatic win for Heat
Pat Cummins attempts to run out Chris Lynn © Getty Images
Paris St Germain coach Unai Emery speaks after receiving the Special Award trophy as FIFA President Gianni Infantino stands next to him during the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards Ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 27, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer DUBAI (Reuters) Football federations are “overwhelmingly in favour” of expanding the existing 32nation World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said yesterday. The global football federation boss wants to increase the number of teams playing in the World Cup final tournament to 48, arguing that it can be done in the same time frame as the current tournament. “We have to be more inclusive,” Infantino said at a sports conference in Dubai, adding that a 48team tournament was the most financially appealing. Infantino is proposing a 48-team format with an initial round of 16 groups of three teams. The top two teams of each group would qualify for a round of 32 knockout stage, then round of 16, quarter finals, semi-finals and final. There would be little to no impact on players under the proposed format with the winning team still play-
ing seven games in 32 days as they do in the current 32team World Cup, the FIFA boss argued. A total of 80 games would be played compared with the current 64 games. When he was elected in February, Infantino had promised to expand the tournament from the 32 teams to 40. CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani told Reuters he supported the expansion plans but said he would like to see the proportional number of places awarded to each federation to remain the same as today. CONCACAF governs football in North and Central America and the Caribbean. On Tuesday, Italian and Portuguese football federation presidents Carlo Tavecchio and Fernando Gomes said at the conference they were in favor of the proposal. “We support the idea in order to increase the num-
ber of the teams pending of course the conditions and the formula for the competitions,” Gomes said. Any changes to the s t r u c t u r e o f t h e Wo r l d Cup, however, are unlikely to be made until the 2026 World Cup, which is yet to be awarded. The last time the number of teams competing in the World Cup increased was in 1998 when it went from 24 to 32. The FIFA Council, made of up members of the global federations, is to discuss the expansion in January. Infantino also said he was hopeful video technology would be introduced in time for the 2018 World Cup in Russia following the use of the video assistant referee system at the Club World Cup in Japan. The tests in Japan were in “the right direction,” he said. “Even though there is still a bit of fine tuning to be made, the tests have been very, very positive.”
Ethiopia to impose lifetime bans... From page 31 IAAF president Sebastian Coe as in need of “critical care”. Kenya, Morocco, Ukraine and Belarus are other nations in that category. Russia, meanwhile, is currently banned from all athletics following the discovery of a state-sponsored doping regime and revelations of corruption. The New York Times reported earlier on Wednesday that officials from Russia’s antidoping agency RUSADA had for the first time admitted there had been an organized con-
spiracy to dope in the country. It cited Anna Antseliovich, the acting director general of RUSADA, as making the admission in an interview. RUSADA has since dismissed the report. Gebrselassie, considered one of the sport’s greatest distance athletes, gave up competitive running in March last year. Nearly unbeatable on the track in his prime, he won the first of eight indoor and outdoor world championship gold medals at Stuttgart in 1993 and went on to hold world records in events from the 5,000 meters to the marathon.
ESPNcricinfo - A stunning innings from Chris Ly n n s i n g l e - h a n d e d l y dragged Brisbane Heat over the line against Sydney Thunder. The Heat needed 75 runs from 36 balls with just four wickets in hand. B u t Ly n n a n d J a c k Wildermuth (29 from 20) struck six sixes and four boundaries between them to run down the total with two balls to spare. The Thunder dropped four catches, including Lynn three times. Earlier the Thunder looked in trouble with the bat until some late hitting from Chris Green salvaged the innings. Eoin Morgan held the innings together with a composed 52 but Green launched three sixes in the final over to drag the total up to 157. Pat Cummins ripped through the top order of the Heat with genuine pace but he could not remove Lynn. Lynn-sanity Lynn was the star of last season’s BBL as the leading run scorer in the tournament but his 2016-17 domestic season for Queensland has been completely curtailed by injury. He produced another gem in Heat colours tonight. The Heat were 3 for 27 in the sixth over with Pat Cummins breathing fire. Lynn crushed five consecutive boundaries to get the chase back on track. He lost three more teammates and the run-rate tipped beyond 12 an over at one stage but he bided his time against the spinners before backing his raw power against the quicks late. He had some luck but he created some of it with his power hitting. He has now scored a century and four
50s from his last 10 BBL innings. Thunder keep fumbling The Thunder dropped Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques twice in game one, including first ball, and he made them pay with an unbeaten 76 in a clinical run-chase. They dropped Lynn three times tonight to lose their third consecutive match. They also dropped a fourth catch, which was probably the most important. The Heat needed 57 off 27 when Wildermuth miscued a delivery from the off spin of Green straight d o w n A n d r e R u s s e l l ’s throat at long-on. It burst through Russell’s hands and over the rope for six. The next ball disappeared o v e r his head. Although Wildermuth holed out from the last ball of Green’s over, the equation was back to 45 from 24. Ryan Gibson misjudged a flat off drive from Lynnn at long off that also went for six. Jake Doran dropped a gloved pull off Cummins and then the skipper Shane Watson dropped a sitter at cover in the last over to seal the Thunder’s fate. Quick and easy for Cummins Cummins bowled a spell that will leave Australian cricket fans salivating at the thought of him returni n g t o Te s t c r i c k e t . H e cranked up the pace to knock over Brendon McCullum and Alex Ross in the Powerplay and leave the Heat reeling. He delivered a 150kph outswinger that knocked back McCullum’s middle stump, while a 151kph yorker made a mess of R o s s ’ p e g s . Wi t h s o m e luck he might have nabbed Lynn and been the match-
winner for the Thunder. He regularly clocked 150kph and swung the new ball. But four overs since Boxing Day is vastly different to the 31 overs fellow firebrand Mitchell Starc bowled at the MCG in the second Test against Pakistan. It must be remembered that Cummins hasn’t played first-class cricket since August 2015 and he hasn’t played Sheffield Shield or Test cricket since 2011. Russell unsettled by short stuff Andre Russell is a T20 gun for hire and his talent with bat, ball and in the field makes him a very attractive recruit for the Thunder and other franchises around the world. Last season he averaged 23 with the bat striking at 186 and his power-hitting is very dangerous. But his big hitting may well be nullified in this tournament if teams continue to bowl short at him. This season he has scored just 19 runs from 24 deliveries across three innings. He was bounced out by Sixers quick Doug Bollinger in game one and H e a t s k i pper Brendon McCullum was clear with his tactics in this game. Ben Cutting bowled short at him with a leg gully and then McCullum changed the field to give Russell the impression Cutting would go full, but again he bounced him and a skied pull shot landed just short of deep square leg. He holed out not long after. Russell will need to work out a plan against the short stuff. Sports: Brisbane Heat 7 f o r 1 6 0 ( Ly n n 8 5 * , Ahmed 2-19) beat Sydney Thunder 7 for 157 (Morgan 52, Badree 2-20) by three wickets.
Thursday December 29, 2016
PAGE 31
Kaieteur News
7th Annual Atkinson Brothers 5-a-side Football Tournament - Silver Sands retain Women’s crown
Huradiah upset Paloma for men’s title
Part of the action in the men’s final that featured newly-crowned champions Huradiah and former champs Paloma on Boxing Day in Moruca. A capacity crowd that at times threatened to burst the perimeter of the sidelines watched newly-crowned champion Huradiah dethrone Paloma in the final of the men’s category of the 7th Annual Atkinson Brothers 5a-side Football Tournament which ended on Boxing Day, at the Kumaka Recreational ground in Moruca, Region 1. Playing in the final game that brought the curtains down on what was an exciting competition Seth Robeiro’s smashing low free kick from just outside the penalty area was all that mattered, before the final whistle sounded to send off an eruption of celebrations among their supporters, who appeared to outnumber the defending champs fan base. It came as a result of a foul
committed just outside the ‘red zone’ and despite a wall, Robeiro’s powerfully delivered missile never left the turf and rocketed past the jumping line of defenders and the goalkeeper to land into the right corner of the goal in the 10th minute. Unaccustomed to finding themselves trailing, Paloma tried desperately for the equalizer before the break, but found the steely defence of Huradiah too tough to penetrate and the half came with no adjustment to the scores. The start of the final period provided fans with an early glimpse of what was in store for the remainder of the match as Huradiah’s first possession was a shot at goal, but the attempt sailed harmlessly wide. However, it was proof that
they were not going to let Paloma dictate the proceedings. Paloma too was not going to go down without a fight and came close twice to scoring the equalizer, but a glaring miss and a feeble shot erased those chances. Huradiah urged on by raucous support from the sidelines orchestrated a few attacks of their own and it took magnificent goalkeeping to dent their efforts. As time went by, even the Paloma goalkeeper got involved in their offensive scheme and was lucky not to concede more goals as Huradiah seeing him way off his goal-line tried a few long range shots that were way off target. Once again, Paloma threw away a good opportunity to
Letter to the Sports Editor
Let me educate you Dear Sports Editor, Mr. T. Pemberton I really don’t want to be rude to you but I think you are picking on the wrong person. To be fair I don’t even have to prove to you about what I have done for track and field in Guyana, I really feel that you are old and outdated and need to be upgraded . I think that you are still in the analog stage because there is no way that you watch television or read the newspaper that you would question my work. I think if you should type in my name into any search engine you would be ashamed of yourself. Not to say that I would also
challenge you to ask me about the millions I have spent, how dare you, if you go on YouTube you will see all the evidence to put you to shame not to say that the over 850 running shoes I have given out for free and when you read all these facts you should not only apologize but go to Basil Bradshaw and he will put you on national television at my expense to apologize to the thousands of viewers who witnessed all that I have done for my beloved country. Yes I said it and would say it again that Mr. Juman Yassin has not done anything for sports in Guyana other than himself. I deal with track records not
views of a few like you. So as for you and others like you go to YouTube and type in my name and also all the articles that were published in this newspaper to question my integrity and I am proud to say that while I am working to develop track and field in Guyana what have you done in your lifetime that help thousands of kids in Guyana, show me one, so stop looking for someone to pick on because you are not in my league. And to answer to all the others out there, Guyana’s Olympic sport programme is in a sad state with Juman Yassin as president of the GOA. Andy Medas-King
score with a pass from their half finding an unmarked Ronald DaSilva, but his sidefooted attempt landed agonizingly inches outside the right upright seconds before the final whistle sounded to confirm a new champion. The women’s final had no such alarms or upset as reigning champions Silver Sands through a goal from tournament topscorer Annalisa Vincent in the 2nd minute scraped past a pesky Vendetta unit 1-0 to retain their title. Vincent, who netted a total of ten goals, received a long pass that was delivered from inside her half and with only the goalkeeper to beat, dribbled past her and fired into an empty goal. That proved to be the winning goal and enough for
them to keep the title and bragging rights for another year. Earlier, in the men’s semifinals, Paloma beat Construction 1-0 through a first minute goal from R. DaSilva, while Huradiah hammered Kamwatta 5-0 with Terrence Howard netting a hat-trick in the 8th, 20th and 25th minutes, while Lexter Fredericks and Andel Abrahams added a goal apiece in the 14th and 15th minutes respectively. Also occurring earlier was the Boys Under-13 and 15 and Veterans finals. In the U-13 FINAL, Rising Sun beat Kumaka 2-1 with Roland Henry firing in a brace for the winners in the 5th and 8th minutes, while an own goal accounted for the losers response. In the U-15 final, Night
Warriors defeated Kairie 2-1 with Aaron Edwards and Dexter Jose netting in the 8th and 16th minutes respectively, while Navin Griffith responded in the 23rd minute for Kairie. In the Vets final, Kumaka squeezed past Huradiah 1-0 thanks to a Michael Atkinson 26th minute strike. The men’s champions and runner-up received $200,000 and $75,000 and trophies respectively. The women’s category saw the champs collect $100, 000 and trophy, while the runner-up took home $40,000. The Veterans went away with $15, 000 and the winning trophy, while the U-13 and 15 champions were rewarded with medals and trophies. The event was deemed as a success by the Organisers.
Inclement weather forces Guyana Cup Rematch meet to be rescheduled to February The inclement weather has forced the organisers of the Third Annual Guyana Cup Rematch horserace meet to postpone the event. The activity which is organised by the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing stable in collaboration with the Rising Sun Turf Club was slated for Sunday at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast, Berbice. According to the organisers the Rising Sun Turf Club has been inundated with water due to the consistent rain falls. The event is now expected to be held in February. Seven races were listed for the day with over $7M in cash, trophies and other incentives are up for grabs. The feature B and lower event is expected to be a
scorcher and with most of the top horses in the country expected to feature. A whopping $1.2M and trophy is available for the winner over 1800M. The other events were for animals classified F1 and lower for a winning pocket of $400,000 and trophy will be run over 1400M. The 3 years old West Indies bred and G3 and lower horses will race over 1400M for a first prize of $350,000 and trophy. There is an 1100M event for three year old West Indies bred horses that have never earned over $200,000 and animals classified H3 and lower for a winning pocket of $300,000 and trophy. The Two-year-old event for Guyana bred horses has its first prize tagged at
$260,000 and trophy over 1100M. The J, K and lower event over 1100M fetches the winner $200,000 and trophy. The animals classified L and lower will compete for the winning pocket of $180,000 and trophy over 1100M. The top Jockey along with the runner up, the top stable and champion trainer will all be presented with trophies and other incentives compliments of the Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and the organisers. For further information persons can contact Fazal Habibulla on 657-7010 or 2320232, Donald Lawrie on telephone Nos 225-4530 or 225and Campton Sancho 6021567 or coordinator Nasrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohamed jr. (Samuel Whyte)
PAGE 32
Thursday December 29, 2016
Kaieteur News
Williams wins AAG Cross Country
Dottin to see face surgeon after sustaining multiple fractures
Region One’s Ricky Williams on the cross country course on Tuesday at the National Park. The Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) hosted a Cross Country race on Tuesday in the National Park that witnessed athletes competing in three male and female categories. In the male Under-16 race, Nicholas Daw from Mahaica, East Coast Demerara outran Buxtonians Joel Williams and Benel Ogle to take that title, while Kisanna Glen also from the East Coast took the fe-
male top prize. Alisha Headley and Beyonce Depeazar were second and third in the female category. In the male U-20 race, Region One’s, Ricky Williams won the 5.2km race in 14:35 ahead of Ronaldo Wishart (15:37) and Christopher Dharry (19:35) respectively. Toyan Raymond (20:28) won the female race ahead of Leyanna Charles (22:15). In the senior 7.8km race,
Mathew McKenzie won in 26:20 ahead of Jonathon Fagundes (26:42) and Anfernee Headecker (27:48) respectively. In the female race, Claudrice Mckey (31:57) won ahead of Assata Eastman (32:45) just after the Holidays. The AAG release said that the next event is a second cross country slated for the Mining Town of Linden next Sunday.
UDFA GT Beer semifinals on tonight at MSC ground Winners Connection face Eagles United, Shattas oppose Botafago The semifinals of this year’s Upper Demerara Football Association’s (UDFA)/ GT Beer Christmas football championship is on tonight as the reigning three time winners, Federal Winners Connection collide with Eagles United at 18.30hrs in the first game and at 20.00hrs Botafago and Silver Shattas come to grips in the second at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. When the final set of preliminary games was played on Tuesday night, Eagles United scored a 1-0 win to inflict Silver Shattas with their only defeat after they were pushed into a win or go home match. That win allowed them to
reach the final four, while Botafago also reached the semifinals after they thrashed Hi Stars 5-2 and claim the second spot in Group A. Yannick Simon was once again the savior of the Eagles team, netting a penalty in the 77th minute that decided that encounter. With the must win game won, Eagles United ended on seven points from two wins, one draw and one loss which meant that Kwakwani Strikers were booted out of contention as Eagles netted five goals and allowed in three. To head Group B, Silver Shattas after playing their four games had nine points from three wins and one loss,
scoring seven goals and conceding one. Botafago qualified after they were faced with either winning or being knocked out and they made it through with a convincing 52 shutting out of Hi Stars. If they had gained a sixth goal from a missed penalty taken, they would have bettered Winners Connection to top that group. However, it was enough for them to move into the semifinals and they could have finished on top as against being second to champions Winners Connection as they both had three wins and lost once. Botafago’s missed penalty therefore still saw them into the semifinals as the number two ranked side in this ten team championship which was divided into two groups of five. Botafago were led by goals from Kellon Primo in the 12th minute, Antwoine Gill in the 41st, Tyron Adams in the 59tth, Tevin Davis in the 77th and Jevon LaFleur in the 88th minute. An own goal in the first minute and a 58th minute strike accounted for the goals by Hi Stars.
Deandra Dottin (bottom of photo) and Laura Harris lie just beyond the boundary at Allan Border Field, following their on-field collision. BRISBANE, Australia - CMC – West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin has revealed she sustained multiple fractures of her cheek bone during her on-field collision with Brisbane Heat teammate Laura Harris in Tuesday’s Women’s Big Bash encounter against Melbourne Stars. Speaking on her Facebook page, the 25year-old said it was now likely she would titanium plates would be needed in order to rectify the injury. “I went to hospital for scans which have now revealed that I have multiple fractures of my cheek bone. Eye socket and eyesight is fine, Jaw and teeth fine,” the Barbadian said. “I am out of hospital now recovering before a specialist appointment with a face surgeon Thursday. At this stage it is believed I will require titanium plates to fix the issues.
All is going to be fine!” She added: “I must thank dearly the Brisbane Heat coaching, support and medical staff who have been very professional, helpful and caring to me. These guys are like my family. Thank you. “Thank you all for the well wishes.” The franchise said Dottin is expected to see Brisbane oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr John Arvier. Dottin collided with Harris while attempting to field a ball on the boundary, and had to be stretchered from the field with a suspected concussion. Harris, however, walked away from the collision and was able to remain at the ground. Dottin joined Heat this season after spending the inaugural campaign last year with Perth Scorchers.
Russia’s anti-doping body says did not admit to sports dope conspiracy (Reuters) Russia’s antidoping agency RUSADA said day it had not admitted to mass doping in the country’s sports system and that a report in the New York Times which suggested it had was a distortion of its position. The U.S. newspaper reported yesterday that RUSADA officials had for the first time admitted there had been an organised conspiracy to dope in Russia. It cited Anna Antseliovich, the acting director general of RUSADA, as making the admission in an interview. “It was an institutional conspiracy,” it cited her as saying. She said top officials had not been involved. That appeared to chime with the final part of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s inde-
pendent report into doping which this month provided evidence of an elaborate doping scheme. The report found more than 1,000 Russian competitors in more than 30 sports were involved in a conspiracy to conceal positive drug tests over a period of five years. But RUSADA said in a statement on Wednesday that Antseliovich’s words, as reported in the New York Times, had been “distorted” and “taken out of context.” “We want to underline that RUSADA does not have and could not have the authority to admit or deny such a fact (of an institutional conspiracy),” RUSADA said. “The Russian Federation’s Investigative Committee is looking into the matter (of doping). Every accused sports person has the
indisputable right to object to the accusations.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Russian authorities had always denied that the Russian state had been involved in doping. Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week there were some problems with sports doping in Russia, but that there was no statesponsored doping system as critics have alleged. Sports should not be politicized, said Putin. More than 100 Russian athletes were barred from competing at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this year after the International Olympic Committee set criteria for Russian athletes to meet, including a clean doping past and sufficient testing at international events.
Kaieteur News
Thursday December 29, 2016
PAGE 33
Cook century as South Africa build huge lead Stephen Cook hammers one through mid-off, South Africa v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Port Elizabeth, 3rd day, ©Getty Images
Vernon Philander completed his 11th five-wicket haul in Tests, South Africa v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Port Elizabeth, 3rd day, ©AFP PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA (Reuters) Opener Stephen Cook scored a career-high century to help South Africa build a massive 432-run lead over Sri Lanka despite rain delays on the third day of the first test at St George’s Park yesterday. South Africa were 351 for five at the close and in a commanding position to seal victory. The hosts, with two days left, are likely to put the touring side back into bat early today, leaving plenty of time to claim the 10 wickets they need to go ahead in the three-match series. Cook reached his century off 152 balls and went on to score 117 before being caught
behind, trying to tickle a ball down to third man but only getting a faint edge to Dushmantha Chameera’s delivery. Cook shared a 116-run opening partnership with Dean Elgar, who scored 52, and another 105-run stand with Hashim Amla, who was out for 48 off 53 balls. Elgar top-edged an attempted pull shot and was caught at mid-on off Suranga Lakmal in the first success for the visitors on a track that was supposed to favour the seamers. Amla, who has struggled with form in recent months, showed aggressive intent
when he came to the crease but was trapped lbw by Nuwan Pradeep with the last ball before tea, the 10,000th leg before decision in test history. JP Duminy and Temba Bavuma were the other batsmen out with captain Faf du Plessis (41) and Quinton de Kock (42) unbeaten at
the end of the day’s play. It was not a day to remember for Sri Lanka as earlier Vernon Philander completed a five-wicket haul, taking two wickets in the opening over of the day to help dismiss the touring side for 205, leaving them 81 runs (Continued on page 25)
Thursday December 29, 2016
Kaieteur News
PAGE 34
It’s illegal for the GCB to call elections Taylor fails as Thunder lose - Former WIBC Director Raphael and Ex-Test player Harper By Sean Devers Reacting to a story in the Christmas day edition of this newspaper headlined GCB Elections to be held on January 29, former West Indies offspinner Roger Harper said the GCB has no authority to call Elections because doing so contravenes the Guyana Cricket Administration Act. “The GCB cannot call Elections since that would be flouting the Law and that would be an illegal act,” Harper, the President of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) who played 25 Tests and ODIs between 1993 and 1996, said. This view is also held by former WICB Director Claude Raphael, who said according to the Law the Sports Ministry shall appoint an Ombudsman and set a date for the first Elections. Raphael, the Chairman of the National Selection Panel from 20052011, asks if Mr. Sanasie is in contempt of the law since he signed the notice in the newspapers. The 68-year-old Raphael, who served as a WICB Director from 2007 to 2009, stressed that the Bill, which was passed in the National Assembly on May 15, 2015 and was accented into law by former President Donald Ramotar on August 14, 2014, stipulates what can and cannot be done. “The Government has some level of responsibility in ensuring that the board administrates the cricket in a fair and legal manner. However, t h e Government should not get involved in controlling the game in Guyana,” Raphael said. Part VII of the Guyana Cricket Administration Act (Holding of Elections) says (17) The (Sports) Minister, after meaningful consultations with the West Indies Cricket Board, shall - (a) be responsible for the appointment of a Cricket Ombudsman, who shall be responsible of verification of register of Clubs and
Claude Raphael in his office yesterday performing the functions of Returning Officer of the first Election of the membership of the Guyana Cricket Board; (b) Have no part to play in holding of subsequent Elections of the said Guyana Cricket Board and the election and appointment of the Ombudsman. The WICB was contacted by mail and after being ignored the then Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony appointed Dr Winston McGowan as the Ombudsman. The GCB represented by its Secretary Anand Sanasie was among 11 Cricket Boards, Associations and Clubs who filed a writ against the Attorney General and the Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport on December 9, 2014 who were represented by Attorney Stephen Fraser. On April 30, 2015, the honorable Chief Justice Mr. Ian Chang after hearing the Attorneys for the Plaintiffs and the defendants made the verdict that the holding of Elections of Office Bearers of bodies under the Guyana Cricket Administration Act No 14 of 2014 be and is hereby suspended until the hearing and determination of the substantive Action. The Chief Justice further ordered that this matter do take its normal course but since then a new Government was
SYDNEY, Australia CMC – West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor failed as reigning champions Sydney Thunder slipped to a 33-run defeat to cross-town rivals Sydney Sixers in the Wo m e n ’s B i g B a s h yesterday. Set a challenging 165 for victory at Sydney Showground Stadium, Thunder never mounted a serious run chase and stumbled to 131 for seven off their allotted 20 overs. For Taylor’s side, the loss broke a two-game winning streak after wins over Melbourne Renegades on Boxing Day and the following day Tuesday. The right-handed Taylor managed just 12 as Thunder started poorly, slumping to 19 for two in the third over. However, Erin Osborne top-scored with 32 while captain Alex Blackwell
West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor. struck 31. Osborne put on 34 for the fifth wicket with Indian Harmanpreet Kaur (18) and a further 31 with Nicola Carey (20) for the sixth wicket, but neither partnership was able to get Thunder over the line. Earlier, 19-year old
Ashleigh Gardner slammed a 31-ball unbeaten 52 to lift Sixers to 164 for three after they were sent in. Alyssa Healy top-scored with 55 from 38 balls in an opening stand of 88 with captain Ellyse Perry who made a run-a-ball 42.
Azhar, Warner run-feast illuminates Melbourne test Roger Harper elected. The Honorable Basil Williams was appointed Attorney General and Nicolette Henry put in charge of Youth, Culture & Sports with Dr Rupert Roopnarine, who played a pivotal role on the ‘Bill’, overseeing Sports since ‘Sports’ was added to the Education Ministry of which he presided over as Education Minister. Fraser is no longer representing the defendants since he was removed from that position since the previous Government reportedly overpaid him for his work in this matter. Raphael said the Attorney General should put into effect the appeal against the Chief Justice’s ruling that there should be no further elections and challenge to the act shall go to normal course. “The continuation of this crisis is, in my view, being escalated due to the lack of will by this Government in enforcing the Act which is a Law of Guyana. The Sports Minister and the Attorney General should do something about people breaking Laws and doing what they want, when they want,” an upset Raphael charged. He added that Minister Henry and the Attorney General the honorable Basil Williams should take this next step since they are the defendants.
David Warner exults after completing a hundred off 113 balls, Australia v Pakistan, 2nd Test, 3rd day, Melbourne, ©Cricket Australia/Getty Images
Azhar Ali celebrates his second double-ton of the year, Australia v Pakistan, 2nd Test, 3rd day, Melbourne, ©Getty Images and Cricket Australia
MELBOURNE (Reuters) Two days of rain dampened the Boxing Day test between Australia and Pakistan but sunshine returned to the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday as a pair of opening batsmen ignited day three with over 300 runs. Azhar Ali’s epic unbeaten 205 raised Pakistan’s hopes of a series-levelling victory after lunch before David Warner crushed them ruthlessly with an exhilarating run-aball 144 after tea. Warner, who shared in a 198-run partnership with Usman Khawaja, propelled
Australia to 278 for two at stumps, having slashed the deficit to 165 runs after the tourists declared their first innings at 443 for nine. Although both players enjoyed reaching a string of milestones, their innings shared little else in common. Right-hander Azhar had to grind through six rain interruptions over the course of his nine-and-a-half hour knock and marched off unbeaten after 364 balls. Left-hander Warner had to labour in (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
Thursday December 29, 2016
PAGE 35
Former WBA world champion, Andrew Romascindo and Garnett are Best Boy ‘Sixhead’ Lewis’ mother, Yvonne, passes on and Best Girl in Mini Tennis Red Ball Apparently, still grieving over the death of her son, f o r m e r Wo r l d B o x i n g Association (WBA) welterweight champion, Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis, his mother, Yvonne Lewis, has gone to meet him after battling the debilitating effects of cancer for more than two years. She was 63 years old. A usually conservative individual, up until Andrew’s world title feat, Yvonne was regarded as one of the key contributors to her son’s achievement and was very visible during the countrywide celebrations after he returned home in honour and glory. Andrew loved his family and was so attached to his Hutsonville home which he had purchased after his historic world title achievement. She had also accompanied him to the United States for his first world title defence against Larry Marks. Kaieteur Sport spoke with Loren, his sister, moments after her mother had breathed her last breath and she was overcome with grief. She said that her mother had resided in the USA ever since her son had won the world title. Loren
Yvonne Lewis said that Yvonne was diagnosed with cancer and other ailments to her kidney and heart. She was hospitalized in the King’s County Hospital, Brooklyn USA, and was unable to attend her son’s funeral. “After being admitted for quite some time, the doctor told her that her ailment had reached an advanced stage and there was nothing more that medical science could have done for her. He surmised that she barely had three weeks before the disease took its toll. Yvonne returned to Guyana and was subsequently hospitalized up to the time of her demise.
“She was the driving force behind ‘Sixhead’s world title win,” Loren explained amidst tears. The grieving woman further said t h a t Yv o n n e w o r k e d tirelessly towards her son’s advancement and was responsible for his meals and other prerequisites during his preparation for the (Larry) Marks and (Ricardo) Mayorga defences in New York just before he left for the Poconos Mountains to round off training sessions. Lewis died on May 4 last year but Yvonne was unable to attend the funeral since she was also battling with personal health issues. She returned to Guyana following the (American) doctors’ prognosis and was later admitted to the Public Hospital Georgetown where she died. Yvonne has left to mourn 3 children, Loren, Samuel Kellman and Colin Lewis aka Yah Yah. Then there is her grandson, Colin Lewis (jnr), who has taken up the sport and has recently returned from Suriname and Barbados with gold medals. Kaieteur Sport joins the grieving family and friends in extending heartfelt condolences at this unfortunate demise.
Ethiopia to impose lifetime bans on drug cheats ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) Ethiopia, one of five countries the IAAF says is in “critical care” over its drug-testing systems, will impose lifetime bans on drug cheats, the new president of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation (EAF) said yesterday. The Horn of Africa country has for many years dominated distance running along with neighboring Kenya, but it had its credibility questioned this year when six of its athletes came under investigation for doping. The EAF subsequently announced that it would carry out tests on up to 200 athletes. Distance-running great Haile Gebrselassie, who was elected head of the EAF last month amid discontent over mismanagement, told Reuters his administration has adopted a “zero tolerance” approach toward doping. “Our stand is no excuse toward someone who has
Haile Gebrselassie. (Alex Grimm/Getty Images Europe). cheated. As of today, any athlete who has offended will be hit by a life ban,” he said. The move means Ethiopian athletes who fail tests and are subject to a four-year ban from Dec. 28 onwards will no longer be able to represent the country in any competition. The punishment is much stricter than the one currently imposed by the International Olympic
Committee whose rules stipulate that athletes caught doping can face four-year bans but after serving it they are eligible to compete in any international event, including the Olympics. Gebrselassie said his aim was to convince the sport’s world governing body that Ethiopia was serious in tackling doping and for it to be removed from the list of countries identified by (Continued on page 26)
(From left) Ricky Romascindo, Maxim Leacock, Maliyah Rambarran and Ngina Garnett. Ricky Romascindo of St Gabriel’s Primary and Ngina Garnett of Success Elementary emerged as Best Boy and Best Girl respectively in the recently held 2016 GLTA Mini Tennis Red Ball Competition at the Transport and Harbours Sports Club. The competition which was conducted by National Junior Coordinator Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan attracted 23 boys and 4 girls which she lamented is a far cry from competitions in recent years which attracted substantially more girls than boys. The four girls Ngina Garnett, Maliyah Rambarran of New Guyana School, Akeela August of Buxton Youth Developers and Ciara Bathija only played one round of a total of 6 matches where Garnett prevailed unbeaten with 3 match wins in hand and Rambarran runner-up with 2. Akeela August won 1 match and Ciara Bathija 0. The boys endured a total of 10 rounds of 56 matches for a winner to be declared. In the end the four finalists were Ricky Romascindo of St. Gabriel’s Primary, Maxim Leacock of St. Paul’s Primary, Kemo Prince of Buxton Youth D e v e l o p e r s a n d Wa d e Beckles of Marian Academy. Being tied at 2-1 for the
match win-loss ratio, the games win-loss ratio was applied where Romascindo edged out Leacock to cop the top spot with a ratio of 17-10 to Leacock’s 17-12 with Prince and Beckles 13-13 and 4-17 respectively. The trophy for Best School was presented to the Buxton Youth Developers for their enthusiastic participation. The team was elated since for their first competitive participation in mini-tennis, a player was able to make it to the finals. T h e R e d B a l l competition was the first tennis event held at that v e n u e s i n c e G LTA Executives engaged its Manager, Charles Greaves about starting a tennis programme there. M r. Greaves being a sports enthusiast welcomed the initiative to start grassroots tennis programmes for juniors and adults until the organization can upgrade the tennis court to the standard size for full court tennis. At the Closing Ceremony, Chair of Junior M i n i Te n n i s G r a c e
McCalman expressed thanks to National Coordinator Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan for a well executed competition and to the parents for braving the inclement weather to get their children involved in starter tennis competition. She reiterated that the GLTA intends to expand their grassroots programme to increase participation but much support is needed to make this venture a reality. Robin Phillips who is the Sports Director of the Buxton Youth Developers (BYD) also came in for high praises for travelling the distance to participate in the first tennis competition for the group. He also conveyed his interest in developing tennis at the Vigilance Community Centre for the young BYD team. GLTA’s President Jamal Goodluck congratulated the players and thanked Mr. Greaves for sharing the vision of the GLTA to expand tennis and for his commitment to partnering with the GLTA in developing tennis at his facility.
t r o Sp 7th Annual Atkinson Brothers 5-a-side Football Tournament - Silver Sands retain Women’s crown
P.27
Captain of Silver Sands Annalisa Vincent collects the championship trophy and first prize monies from member of the Organising team Michael Atkinson in the presence of teammates during the presentation ceremony on Boxing Day in Moruca.
Huradiah upset Paloma for men’s title
Newly-crowned champion Huradiah Captain Terrence Chappelle receives the winning trophy and first prize monies from Ingrid Atkinson in the presence of teammates on Boxing Day.
It’s illegal for the GCB to call elections - Former WIBC Director Raphael and Ex-Test player Harper
P.30
Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210