Monday December 05, 2016
Suggestions for refining the budget DEAR EDITOR; As sure as there is a tomorrow, businesses will pass on to customers some portion of the input VAT costs related to electricity and water. Additionally, for other increases in tax costs, businesses will also raise prices and pass the costs on to their customers. Due to the foregoing factors, point number 1 below should be a necessary change to the 2017 budget submitted to the National Assembly for approval. Points two and three expressed in a positive way the type of liberty and justice system that should be
apportioned and inherent to the Guyanese way of life. 1. Limit the 14% VAT on electricity and water to nonresidential dwellings and remove any exemption threshold for such entities. 2. Freedom to travel abroad must not be prevented by an order from Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), with the order arising from a taxpayer’s indebtedness to GRA. 3. Any withdrawal by GRA from an entity’s or person’s bank account/s for tax debt must result from a court ruling. Nigel Hinds
THE PLIGHT OF GUYANESE YOUTH DEAR EDITOR; It is a sad situation that our young people are faced with under the present A.P.N.U/A.F.C. Coalition Government. Youths who are qualified are turned down by prospective employers for lack of working experience. How do they gain experience if they are not given a chance? Those who are under-qualified are doomed. They seek permission from their employers to attend the University of Guyana and are often turned down. They would either have to squelch their ambition of attending U.G, or leave their jobs, and tell untruths in order to be able to depart their work environments. Most of our young people do not set out to embrace a life of crime. But no one is looking out for them. On the election campaign trail, A.P.N.U/A.F.C. Leaders promised to provide jobs for our young people, but they have failed miserably on this promise. We are a young nation and Guyana cannot develop if this government does not look out for young people and stop stifling them. Create programs that would give our youths hope and assurance of a bright future. The Government’s Youth Policy has not been effectively implemented to address the dire straits of our youths. Most of our youths are grossly disappointed at the flippant manner in which they are treated, since they formed the majority of electors who voted this government into office. I say to President Granger and relevant Ministers; our youth are crying out for help. Do something and fast. Please! I am most confident that with your great vision and purposeful efforts of those in your charge, our citizens, especially the youths, would be the beneficiaries of your 15th May, 2015 Election Manifesto, that promised” A good life for all Guyanese”. Tessa Joseph
Plaudits for the Ministry of Social Protection DEAR EDITOR; The Ministry of Social Protection workers with Mr. Ricardo Banwarie in particular, must be commended for the expeditious action taken to rectify a mistake which prevented several old age pensioners in Region 2 from receiving their money earlier for this month but who would be able to do so now. A misprint in the 7 digit numbers which had to be identical at two places on the payment voucher did not correspond and this was responsible for no money being paid at the post office for the month of November only to make living conditions
for them all the more difficult. The same problem occurred for December. A letter written by me was published about the affected pensioners’ gloom which has now been transformed into joy and happiness through the excellent work of the Ministry. It was of much significance and commendable too that the book in relation to me was delivered at my Suddie home which was a non-working day. This clearly demonstrates a sense of compassion for the elderly which was very much appreciated. With thanks Persaud
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Suggestions on Guyana’s survival DEAR EDITOR; Trust me! I believe that the Caribbean islands are God’s jewels. I would rather live nowhere else. However the harsh reality is that the real influential numbers revolve around six million souls, sans Haiti. We are simply too small a market to get serious global attention and attract real foreign direct investment. Therefore Guyana is at the crossroads. The situation is so dire that for example the pristine and strategic, real estate and industry in the region are carefully in the ownership of a small percentage of entrepreneurs, and landlords. With the exception of Trinidad and Jamaica we are stuck in primary production mode. Guyana can be of advantage to Caricom basically on two fronts. 1. The reallocation of soil assets for food and energy driven sources e.g., MMA etc.
2. The re-alignment of intellectual capacity by positioning, e.g.Ug as a campus of the UWI. Now to the recovery shift. Guyana from this day onward and by Jan. 2017 had better realise that its destiny is with Unasur; Brazil in particular and China. The United Nations is not tremendously seriously regarded by the big global players who can at any stroke of a pen redistribute your oil reserves or decimate you like Syria in my personal opinion. Tell me honestly if Maduro marches on us next week, where do we stand? If the USA sees Venezuela as strategically going forward, what influence can a 750,000 Republic with all its military brass from rear admirals to major generals, and a miniscule defence force do to safeguard our oil? How many of the most vocal in the diaspora will come to fight? Independence looms large now as a mistake, in my
opinion. The euphoria took us nowhere and pensioners like me would have enjoyed far better conditions had we endured the wisdom of our French and other colonial counterparts who receive the best medical care and opportunities as if they were Parisians. Half of my ancestry is French and Dutch so I am sensitive to these scenarios. North Brazil since Desmond Hoyte’s leadership has pleaded with Guyana to let the north of that country access the sea on Guyana’s coast with a deep water harbour complete with economic free zones and a hub for mainland continental cruise ships tour development. Imagine the roads and towns and transformation of regions from Lethem to Linden and Georgetown and Bartica all providing support services lowering the cost of goods. Here are some more suggestions
1. Stop bauxite overburden leaving, as there could be gold, marble and kaolin in there in commercial quantities. 2. Resuscitate the glass factory. 3. Continue to pave farm to market roads 4. Establish a national development strategy and a code of investment. 5. Bridge the Essequibo. 6. Strengthen our justice system. It is impractical to allow Miami to continue to be the gateway to South America, and America to the north, Central America and Mexico. Travelers can leave South Africa, Brussels, the Far East, Europe and Australia, and access the entire South American continent cheaper, if Timehri- CBJ becomes the hub of aviation activity with its capable English Speaking facility. Trust that this helps guys! Denis Moore
This attorney lacks training in the field of Parliamentary matters DEAR EDITOR; I wish to respond to a letter written by Mr. Maxwell Edwards, Attorney-at-Law, and published in KN 28th & 29th November 2016. Mr. Edwards’ letter is a response to mine in which I examined what responsibility, if any, does a Member of Parliament have to produce a document to which he refers during the course of a speech in the National Assembly. My conclusion was that a Member of Parliament who is not a Minster is not obliged to produce a document to which he refers during the course of a speech in the National Assembly; that on the other hand a Minister must produce a document to which he refers in a speech in the National Assembly. I did not arrive at these conclusions capriciously or vacuously. I consulted the Standing Orders and leading texts on Parliamentary Practices and Procedures in the United States of America, the Union of India and the United Kingdom. In my letter, I named these texts. I see no sense in repeating the names here. Suffice it to say, that these authorities are predicated upon profound research, authored by highly qualified persons in the field
and have withstood the test of longevity and critical scrutiny by millions who consult them. Indeed, they are regarded as the conclusive authority on Parliamentary matters in the respective jurisdictions. Mr. Edwards takes umbrage to my aforesaid conclusions and expresses an agreement with the Speaker. While mine were based upon the venerable authorities to which I have referred, Mr. Edwards grounds his contention thus “My reasoned agreement is based on three grounds - fairness, illogicality and unwritten rules.” He cites no authority in support of his contention. In short, Mr. Edwards is asking your readership to disregard the learnings propounded by those respectable authors and accept his ‘ipsit dixit’ on the matter. I say so with the greatest of respect because Mr. Edwards has no known training in the field of Parliamentary matters and he certainly did not allude to any, while he is entitled to an opinion on these matters every rational mind, will advise that his opinion must yield to those trained in the field. That is a fact of life. Mr. Edwards may not be
aware that our local Standing Orders provide that where it is silent of any matter, reference can be made to the Parliamentary Practices, Usages and Procedures of the House of Commons (UK), in force at the time, for guidance. Erskine May’s Parliamentary Practice is regarded as the premier authority of what the Parliamentary Practices, Usages and Procedures of the House of Commons are, at any given time. Hence my heavy reliance on this text. In the course of his letter, Mr. Edwards took vehement objections to the differential in obligation which devolves upon a Minister when he refers to a document in the course of his speech in the House and that of a Member who is not a Minister. In my letter I highlighted this difference with a direct quote from Erskine May’s. Mr. Edwards castigates me for this differential in treatment, labelling me “Orwellian.” However, it was Erskine May’s, and not me who adumbrates the difference. Unfortunately for Mr. Edwards, one of the privileges of being the leading authority in any specific field is that the authority’s opinion declares and determines what
the position is on any principle in that field. So Mr. Edwards’ opinion on the matter is of miniscule relevance or value, when compared with Erskine May’s. Lastly, Mr. Edwards and I are clearly from different philosophical schools on the issue of freedom. I am of the view that a person is free to do anything unless prohibited from so doing by some known or recognized legitimate rule, regulation, order or law. On the other hand, Mr. Edwards believes in fettering freedom by his concept of “fairness, illogicality and unwritten rules.” Applying my philosophy, I am free to refer to any document in the course of my speech in the House, without having the restriction of being obliged to produce that document unless some known or recognized and legitimate rule, regulation, order or law mandates me to Continued on page 6
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Monday December 05, 2016
Why is GuySuCo paying huge salaries to these nine men? DEAR EDITOR; Reading the disclosure by Sookram Persaud, in your November 30 edition, on the estimated salaries of nine of GuySuCo’s executive management personnel/ consultants has left me speechless, especially when I ponder about the growing level of poverty of the ordinary sugar workers who toil in the fields and factories day in day out. I just couldn’t believe the figures regarding the salaries on my first reading. I had to wait sometime to comment on this matter, just in case the corporation had wanted to refute Persaud’s figures; but since they haven’t done so, then it implies that Persaud’s figures are indeed correct. But Persaud, knowing that much about the salaries of these high-paying officers, ought to
have known that an additional sum of $1.2 million is paid to the CEO to take care of his income tax liability. His gross salary is therefore $5.2 million monthly; and that apart, he is also provided four (4) first class airline tickets to the United Kingdom per year. On becoming a member of the Interim Management Committee, he was given the option of selecting from two choices: either to occupy the company house designated for the CEO, or to draw down a further 10 per cent of his salary as housing allowance for occupying his own house. He grabbed the latter. He also enjoys 26 days paid leave and payment of significant premiums for UK-based medical coverage for himself and spouse. In the circumstances, whereby GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer and the
Finance Director are earning astronomically high salaries, then something is terribly wrong with the Government, GuySuCo Board, and the CEO to assert that “things are really bad” at GuySuCo, so much so that it could not afford even an increase in pay or any day pay for bonus to the poor sugar workers. The CEO is quoted in another section of the media — on November 30 — that sugar workers would not be receiving any production bonus or increase in their wages and salaries this year because the company is “facing a financial crisis, or what he describes as the “deterring factor”. So how come, in the face of this “crisis and deterring factor”, the same company could afford this level of salary for the CEO and eight others? How could a country as poor as Guyana
and a company as financially beleaguered as GuySuCo afford to pay this level of salary — that excludes the many other benefits and allowances, as Persaud pointed out? Even a well-managed and profitable large company doesn’t pay its executive as much as US$300,000 per year, which is a little less than what the CEO earns. The Finance Minister, in his budget presentation, stated that “the radical re-organisation of the sugar industry is a matter of urgency”. Will this “radical reorganisation” include revisiting the super salaries of these executives and consultants, since, as the Honourable Minister further added, “the economy continues to feel the drag of the dismal output” from this company? Or will it be
I say to Guyana; beware of foreign experts DEAR EDITOR; With the recent discovery of oil off Guyana’s shores a little over a year ago, we have seen a school of consultants parading around the streets of Georgetown accompanied by the Honorable Minister of Natural Resources Mr. Trotman. According to the Minister, these consultants are experts in their field and have provided similar consultancy support to various other countries. The minister assures us that Guyana is in good hands as he boasts proudly about all the help is receiving from international consultants. Beware of the experts Guyana. One advisor Mr. Tony Paul is currently an advisor to the Ghanaian government. Here is what the Economist magazine had to say about Ghana in its most recent issue. “With public debt hovering at 70% of GDP and debt repayment accounting for a third of government revenue, its finances are precarious. Worse, it has already squandered the windfalls it expects from the development of large off shore oilfields. The roads are full of potholes, there are regular power cuts and big companies talk openly about
moving across the border to Ivory Coast”. Another advisor Ms. Jacqueline Khoury served in an advisory capacity to the Government of Liberia. Here is what a local Liberian newspaper had to say about Liberia. “As desperate as they were or are to see progress in their lives, at least from the windfalls from the oil revenues, those dreams, as of 2015 were shattered as the mammoth bureaucracy known as National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), supposedly is ‘restructuring’ – or as some would say has gone bankrupt, courtesy of unbelievably high salaries and rampant corruption”. In addition it has been alleged that Ms. Khoury has also invited to Guyana, a
Nigerian billionaire Mr. Kaze Lawal, who flew to Guyana on his private jet and was entertained by officials at the highest levels of Guyana’s government. Of course none of this was ever reported in the press and the people of Guyana are once again left in the dark. Let’s be fair, no one can blame the failure and mismanagement of a country’s resources on a single consultant and to be clear these statements are not an indictment on Mr. Paul or Ms. Khoury’s work but it does raise some serious questions about the future of Guyana’s oil revenues and its intended use. It shines the light on an ugly sore that has been like an albatross around the necks of developing
countries i.e. corruption and the lack of transparency and accountability. Further, it tells us that experts alone aren’t enough, and that there is something even more fundamental that is lacking i.e. a basic sense of honesty and integrity. If past is prologue, then the rank corruption of the current ministers speaks volumes. The sovereign wealth fund is more likely to become a personal slush fund for the new tsars. I know the international community is watching and is fully aware of all that’s going on. Remember not so long ago those in the PPP thought they were untouchable and that they would be in power for life. Those who forget the past are bound to repeat it. Errol Thompson
Ministry must acknowledge past Nursery school teachers DEAR EDITOR; The Ministry of Education celebrated forty years of Nursery Education from September 1976 to September 2016. It was most disappointing to note, that most of the teachers who were stalwarts from the commencement of the programme, are currently alive and are still residing in Guyana; they were ostracized. No invitations were extended to those teachers to participate in that grand celebration.
In the early days of Nursery Education, Nursery Teachers were classified as dignified Garbage Collectors. Instructional materials were made manually from boxes thrown out by store-keepers. Ministry of Education did not hire cleaners to clean the schools; so teachers were also cleaners. Head teachers were not given grants by the ministry to purchase essential commodities to enhance the smooth running of the schools. Hence, teachers
Someone once said that division is caused more by impatience than by a conflict in creed.
were ‘fund raisers’ and ‘official beggers’. Despite the many challenges faced by teachers at the commencement of the Nursery Programme, they worked beyond the call of duty. It is an abomination that those who planned that special programme to celebrate ‘forty years’ of Nursery Education in Guyana, did not make any effort to involve teachers who were in the genesis of the Nursery Programme and allowed them to be a part of that auspicious celebration. Brenda Alleyne Linda Dainty Ulis Jones Sandra Joseph
business as usual? Editor, it is but a shameful dispensation for the Government and/or the Board to sustain this astronomical salary level to these executives and consultants, especially when this corporation’s operating expenses are highly subsidized by the taxpayers of the country; who in the wake of this week’s national budget will have to “fork out” 14% VAT on their electricity and water bills, not to mention the imposition of VAT on several basic food items that were previously VAT exempted. One would have thought that paying $12,900,000 per month to nine persons would have resulted in a noticeably
positive turnaround of the sugar industry, but what is obvious is that the anticipated sugar production this year will be the lowest in 25 years. The production this year is a reflection of the current management input for last year. Last year’s production, which was gloated about, was not of their input where cane production was concerned, so their self-commendation was highly misplaced. So what are these people being paid so handsomely for? To collapse sugar production to such a low level that it justifies closing down the industry or privatising it at any cost? If that’s the objective, then they are doing a darn good job! John Williams
Are these children being used to beg? DEAR EDITOR; I am writing this letter to bring awareness to an increasing trend that I have seen around Georgetown. On Thursday 1st December, at 2 PM in the afternoon, at the corners of Camp and Lamaha Streets, I noticed three young boys soliciting donations from the cars that had stopped at the traffic light. I think by now most Guyanese have realized that these solicitations for “donations” using worn out and reused forms are nothing more than a scam. The primary issue here
however is: why are these young children not in school, during school hours and on a school day? Whoever it is that is organizing these children to solicit “donations” is using these children to their own benefit, and parents should be made aware of this. I am sure that many other persons would have seen children asking for money many times now. Is this to become a new norm and be acceptable behavior for Guyanese, or will some government body put a stop to it? Kapil Singh
This attorney lacks... From page 5 do so. On the other hand, Mr. Edwards is of the view that although no known or recognized legitimate rule, regulation, order or law obliges me to do so, I am still obliged to produce a document to which I refer in a speech in the House because according to him, his concept of “fairness, illogicality and unwritten rules” so dictate. I will never subscribe to such a philosophy. It is inherently undemocratic. Freedom is too fundamental to modern civilization for it to rest upon such whimsical and capricious footing. Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP Attorney-at-law
Is Tony Vieira invoking... From page 4 USA, the epicentre for world data services, the UHF is being chopped into blocks and auctioned; companies like Yahoo, Google and Telco giants are going out of their way to lap up these spectrum. What is reserved today may soon be placed on the auction block tomorrow, therefore it is not true to say that the USA has reserved the “14 to 70 in the UHF for broadcasting.” Even if this is so that is a country with hundreds of independent TV stations and will need to reserve far more frequencies for that purpose than Guyana will need in 1000 years. Finally, with respect to the Brig. General (rtd.) Joe Singh’s report that was alluded to by Mr. Vieira, I only received my copy a few days ago and even though I am still reviewing it I have seen enough of it to state boldly without fear that it is decidedly biased and will receive a robust response from me in the coming days. Leonard Craig
Monday December 05, 2016
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Opposition may challenge “My son did not kill himself!” govt. in court on freezing of - mother wants probe into son’s alleged suicide in police cell bank accounts - Jagdeo While the Parliamentary Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party Civic cannot challenge the government on its intention to apply Value Added Tax on electricity and water, it plans to contest the garnishment of funds from taxpayers’ bank accounts in the court, depending on how the measure is implemented. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, informed media operatives last Friday that his party is willing to challenge in court government’s intention to empower the Guyana Revenue Authority to garnish outstanding funds from bank accounts held by defaulting taxpayers. But this depends on how the government plans to implement the system. According to Jagdeo, unless there is a court judgment which the revenue authority is seeking to enforce, only then would garnishment not be challenged. He said that this is one of the many measures he is urging the coalition government to rethink. “Maybe if you get a judgment from the court, then you can look at this as a possibility of recovering your money…but not because you feel the taxpayer owes you.” Jagdeo said that taxpayers may have a problem with how the system has since been described and many will challenge claims by GRA that they are in arrears. “At least if you get a judgment, he (the taxpayer) will know that the money in his account could be garnished but not the way they (government) are planning it.” The politician said that this system should not be implemented as described, since it is a violation of people’s liberties and their property rights. According to Jagdeo, any
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo withdrawal or reduction of the tax rests solely with the executive arm of government. “That’s why I’m appealing directly to the President because it’s not Winston Jordan’s budget. Winston Jordan is reflecting the will of the government through this budget.” Jagdeo urged that President David Granger should convene his cabinet to either withdraw or review the $250B budget for 2017 and the many measures which Jagdeo says he considers to be oppressive and offensive to the ordinary man. He said that when taking into consideration the 2016 budget and the 2017 budget, the coalition government has introduced at least 200 changes into Guyana’s tax regime. He said that the government should release the Tax Reform Committee’s report so that the nation can know what were the recommendations made and the justifications given for each. Garnishment is a legal process whereby payments towards a debt owed by an individual can be paid by a third party which holds money or property that is due to the individual, directly to the creditor. According to the Finance Minister, this measure will
help the GRA’s revenue collection and further improve compliance with claims issued by the authority. Finance Minister Winston Jordan, explaining the proposed tax measure, emphasized that the measure is intended to assist in improving compliance with demands issued by the GRA for outstanding payments. The economist stressed, too, that the provision of garnishment is one which already exists in the Value Added Tax Act that was promulgated by the People’s Progressive Party. He said that while GRA already has this power under the VAT Act, what Government is simply doing is providing similar arrangements under the Income Tax Act. The Finance Minister said that contrary to the confusion, tales and fears being spread and invoked by some, there is no move to have the new garnishment provision being used in an arbitrary manner or “willynilly” fashion by the GRA. As it relates to the application of a 14 per cent Value Added Tax on electricity and water, Jagdeo said his party cannot challenge the issue since it is a matter of policy and not law. He said that the coalition government can easily pass the new measure using their one seat majority in the national assembly. The government had indicated through its Minister of Finance Winston Jordan that in 2017 it will apply a 14 per cent VAT on the electricity and water bills which exceed $10,000 and $1,500 respectively.
“I want justice for my son - I know he did not kill himself in that lock up, so I would like to see a thorough investigation into this matter.” That’s the appeal of Camille Smith, the mother of 19-year-old Maurice Sumner, who reportedly committed suicide two Thursdays ago, while in custody at the Mackenzie Police Station. Sumner had been in police detention since Monday November 21st, following an altercation with an uncle he had allegedly chopped. Smith, who was living overseas, said that she was returning home to surprise her son. Instead, it was she who got the surprise, and a nasty one at that. “I come home to be with my son, to see him, because I hadn’t seen him in 11 years, but instead of meeting a living son, I meet a dead one.” I came here prepared to take him back with me, and I know that he would‘ve been happy to see me, so why would he commit suicide?” Smith said that Sumner who lived with his father in Amelia’s Ward, was her only child. His grandmother, Dora Andrews, said that she had gone to the Mackenzie Police Station on the very Thursday of the tragedy. “I went to the police station to see my grandson that very Thursday, but when I asked to see him, a female officer told me that she couldn’t open the lockups then, because if she did, she would faint.” Andrews said that she later went home, and around
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Camille Smith
Maurice Sumner
15.00 hrs that day, three police officers visited her home and told her that Maurice had committed suicide. The grandfather said that Maurice had been locked up, following an altercation with his uncle, whom he had chopped. “Maurice was on his way to work two Mondays ago, and overheard his uncle cussing out the grandmother. “He went into the house and rebuked his uncle about abusing his grandmother and that is what started the whole thing. The uncle picked up a
piece of iron and Maurice went for a cutlass. That is how he (uncle) end up getting chop.” Sumner said that Maurice was kept in detention until his death on Thursday November 24. According to a police report, Maurice Sumner was discovered hanging in his cell at the Mackenzie Police Station. He was hanging from a grill bar with the jersey he had been wearing. The discovery was made during a routine check by ranks.
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Kaieteur News
Finance Minister maintains VAT on water, electricity not “unreasonable” By: Kiana Wilburg While scathing criticism is mounting over Government’s menu of tax measures for 2017, particularly those relating to the water and electricity bills for consumers, Finance Minister, Winston Jordan maintains that these measures would not be a burden on the citizenry. In his 2017 budget speech, Jordan announced that Value Added Tax (VAT) would be reduced from 16 percent to 14 percent. The economist also proposed to introduce next year, a VAT of 14 percent on electricity consumption that exceeds $10,000 per month. While VAT will not be applied to consumption up to $10,000, Jordan said that it will be applied to the full amount once consumption
- says govt. stands to lose over $10B annually with other tax measures exceeds $10,000. The Finance Minister also proposed to introduce a VAT of 14 percent on water use in excess of $1,500 per month. In this case as well, he stated that the $1,500 limit is not an allowance. Jordan said that while VAT will not be applied to consumption up to $1,500, it will be applied to the full amount once utilization exceeds $1,500. The economist told Kaieteur News yesterday that based on statistics received, the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) has some 138,000 customers on its database. Of that amount, Jordan said that GPL
informed him that some 105,000 customers pay $10,000 and less. In addition to this, he said that over 4400 businesses pay $10,000 and less per month. As for the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the Finance Minister said that similar statistics were produced which show that the bulk of the nation’s GWI customers pay less than $1500 a month. In the end, Jordan said that the new tax measure is not one that was made in an irrational manner. He noted, too, that it will even serve to promote “some level of conservatism.” LOSING BILLIONS
The Finance Minister stated that based on certain measures proposed in the 2017 budget, Government would actually be losing billions in revenue. Considering the revenue implications with just four of those measures, he said that Government stands to lose over $10B annually. Elaborating in this regard, Jordan said that the proposed reduction in the Income Tax from 30 percent to 28 percent will cost the government $3B. Jordan said that the reduction in the Corporation Tax rate, from 30 percent to 27.5 percent, for manufacturing and noncommercial companies, will
Absence of permanent solution for sugar in Budget disappointing - PSC By Abena RockcliffeCampbell President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Vishnu Doerga said he is disappointed with government for its failure to propose a permanent solution for the problems in the sugar industry. Doerga recently spoke at a press conference held by the Private Sector Commission (PSC). At that forum, he said that the GCCI was really looking forward for solutions in Budget 2017. “We were looking for a permanent solution to our ailing sugar industry because in some way or form,
number of tax measures for the new year, it has actually increased the spending power of the citizenry “significantly” with its Income Tax and threshold measures.
we are all subsidizing GuySuCo (Guyana Sugar Corporation) as taxpayers of this country.” He said that the Chamber is being left out of the loop and is yet to lay eyes on the “many reports from the many inquiries.” The President said that jurisdictions around the world have been able to arrive at a solution to similar issues like the one Guyana is facing with the sugar industry, but Guyana seems to be getting nowhere. Doerga said that the “perfect solution” may not have been have been arrived at as yet, because of the manner in which the government is attempting to solve the problem.
“Who said that the way they are going about it is right, look at the manner in which they arrive at these reports. Again I say all across the world, matters like these have been solved, but we continue to struggle.” PSC Chairman, Eddie Boyer thinks that there can be a solution if there is a “national talk.” He said that this discussion must benefit from input from the opposition, government and private sector “instead of the way the government has been going about it.” Boyer admitted that the cost of sugar production is higher in Guyana than any other part of the world. Yet, he expressed confidence that
there is a “practical solution” that can be arrived at to keep the industry alive. Former PSC Chairman, Ramesh Dookoo said that the government seems to have no idea on the way forward for the sugar industry. He disclosed that the PSC had numerous meetings with the Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder that included talks about the sugar industry. He said that at these meetings, Holder is quick to offer one solution— diversification. “He is always quick to shout diversification, but diversification is not a strategic plan, it is an element of a strategic plan. We need a plan,” said Dookoo.
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan see Government losing over $7B annually while the increase in the threshold of $660,000 per annum to the greater of $720,000 per annum or one-third (1/3) of the employee’s salary, will cost the Government some $200M. He added that the reduction on the VAT rate from 16 percent to 14 percent will cost the government over $4B annually. Additionally, the Finance Minister stated that Government would be losing some $150M due to removal of VAT on sanitary napkins and panty liners. The Finance Minister acknowledged that due to the projected loses explained, other tax measures had to be put in place. He is adamant however, that even those other measures would not be enough for the government to recover the billions it stands to lose. The Finance Minister stressed too that on several occasions last year, he did indicate that reduction in VAT would have implications. In this regard, he said that VAT would be added to other items. He also made the point that even though Government has proposed a
THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY Several members of the business community have voiced their concern regarding the numerous tax measures that the Government proposes to implement for 2017. The Private Sector Commission took issue with the fact that Jordan proposes to expand the list of exempt items and eliminate all zerorated items, with the exception of those pertaining to exports and manufacturing inputs. The Commission is of the view that this will have a troubling domino effect to the point that there could be an increase in prices for basic goods. Jordan however believes that the business community is not being entirely “honest” in this regard. The Finance Minister noted that even though over 20 items were zero-rated in the 2015 budget, the benefits were not passed on by businesses to the consumers. The items which were zero-rated in 2015 included; yogurt, cereals, fresh carrots, milo and ovaltine, nestum, mustard and mayonnaise, locally-produced fruit juice, locally-made chowmein, vinegar, locally-made uncooked pasta, ketchup, chicken sausages in packets, locally produced Chinese sauce, baking powder, liquid detergent, household cleaning agents, rolls of paper towel and computer printers for non-commercial use. The estimated loss of revenue was $680 million.
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Kaieteur News
Cohesion Ministry yet to prove its worth to Guyanese - Dr. Hinds their origins. He said that the Ministry should determine the most effective tools and Social approaches to do that delicate activist/ repair work. “These must be a distinction between artificial Political walls of separation and Analyst, cultural boundaries—the Dr. David latter are a function of diversity and not necessarily Hinds destructive.” “The work is multifaceted, but one cannot do any serious social cohesion work outside of the ethno-political divide. That’s the area where our polarization is most glaring. If you start there, then you can open a conversation that could lead to other possibilities. But to ignore it as a critical area of discourse and engagement, as the Ministry seems to be doing, is to commit an error only slightly less grave than doing By Abena Rockcliffebelieves that the work of the nothing at all.” Dr. Hinds said that the Ministry is not being taken Campbell seriously by many role of the Ministry of Social Guyana has not recorded individuals and groups Cohesion should be to many racial driven crimes, but whose participation and facilitate, to put mechanisms this does not negate the fact cooperation are pivotal to any in place that are national in that there is an unhealthy process of healing and their conception and outlook. level of racism that still exists. reconciliation. He said that “I see the Ministry of Social It often manifests itself the People’s Progressive Cohesion as a Bridge around General and Regional Party Opposition, for example, Ministry, a bridge between Elections. The APNU+AFC has not been too enthusiastic and among other relevant government, with knowledge about the Ministry and is Ministries such as Education, of this fact, set up a Ministry adamant that there will be “no Youth, Culture, Amerindian of Social Cohesion that falls meaningful cohesion without Affairs, Information and Social Protection and under the Ministry of the the blessings of that party.” Further, Dr. Hinds said agencies such as the Ethnic Presidency. In this year’s Budget the Ministry has been that the Ministry has not Relations Commission and given another $90M to further adequately articulated to the Youth Empowerment. Dr. Hinds said that the its “consultation and nation its understanding of the concept of social Ministry needs to facilitate sensitization drive.” national conversations In delivering his speech, cohesion. “You have the mass among the various national Minister of Finance Winston organizations Jordan spoke of the media, the education system, ethnic commencement of a Strategic the arts, popular culture. representing our various Plan for 2017-2021 and the 29 Social Cohesion, from my ethnic communities. He said that it also needs social cohesion sensitization perspective, is about and strategic plan education, conversation, to serve as a bridge between and our communities which exist consultations that have been communication articulation of a national side by side often in held. ignorance and But there are social activists “I am wary of a consultant driven process fear of each other and a bridge and political which is where I sense the Ministry is within the analysts who feel headed. There is a place for consultants but i n d i v i d u a l that the Ministry communities. In is yet to realize they should not drive the process. The all our ethnic progress and process of national cohesion cannot and communities, prove its worth should not be at the mercy of models which there are to Guyana. Dr. often have little to do with the lived realities religious, socialDavid Hinds is class, politicalone such of human beings in their communities.” tribal and gender activist. conflicts that cry During an interview with Kaieteur ethos, in which all our diverse out for resolution. “So, all this work should News, Dr. Hinds said that he groups and communities feel be done simultaneously. But is “wary of a consultant respected and included.” The activist pointed out the desire must flow from a driven” process, “ which is where I sense the Ministry is that one lead trainer at the larger vision of the Ministry headed. There is a place for recent training session and the government. If I were consultants, but they should downplayed the centrality of advising the Ministry, I would not drive the process. The politics in the grand scheme advise a national listening process of national cohesion of things. Dr. Hinds thinks tour, whereby the Ministry cannot and should not be at that this is an ill-informed and other leaders go from the mercy of models which approach that cannot reap community to community and find out from people what often have little to do with the much benefit. Dr. Hinds said that if they understand the work of lived realities of human beings Social Cohesion means the Ministry to be, what are in their communities.” He said that it is perhaps breaking down the artificial their issues, insecurities and too early to tell whether the walls of separation among fears and how they think many forums have had any groups and communities in these can be corrected. It is direct or indirect effect on the the society, then such an not too late to do that...But effort must identify those the consultation driven mode targeted groups. However, Dr. Hinds walls and begin by tackling will not work.”
DISGRACEFUL! The morning after Fidel Castrol died the President of Guyana was interviewed by the local media. He described how Castro transformed politics in the western hemisphere, he was the best known person in the western hemisphere, he was of significance to Guyana and Guyana is saddened at his passing. Guyana may have been saddened but it surely has hardly mourned the death of Fidel. Last Friday, at the urging of the Caribbean Community, Guyana declared that all flags be flown at half-mast. Guyana did not declare a day or a week of mourning for Fidel, one of the most influential leaders of the 20th century. It is of note that the former President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar signed the Book of Condolence at the Cuban Embassy before our own Head of State, who signed it only after he had returned from the 50th Independence anniversary celebrations in Barbados. Guyana has not announced any commemorative activity in honour of this icon of the Caribbean. This is the type of tribute that the Guyanese nation is paying to a country which has been the most helpful to Guyana in its fifty years of Independence. No other country has been as helpful and generous to Guyana as has been Cuba, a nation which has been subject to economic genocide because of the economic embargo which was placed
on it by the United States of America. Fidel Castrol helped Guyana more than any other leader. Cuba still has a significant medical presence in Guyana and has trained hundreds of local doctors and other personnel. The Cuban medical personnel must be distraught by the death of their former leader. Yet, no activity has been organized to offer support to the Cubans who are working in Guyana. That is shameful. The Communist Party of Cuba, the party of Fidel Castro, was close to both the PPP and the PNC. In fact, the closet that Guyana has ever come to political unity was because of the Cubans who urged both Burnham and Jagan to mend their fences. The Castro government declared days of mourning for Guyanese political leaders. It declared days of mourning on the death of Dr. Walter Rodney. It did the same when Forbes Burnham died in 1985 and again when Cheddi Jagan died. Guyana could not muster the courage to declare even one day of mourning for Fidel. It has to be urged on by the Caribbean Community. This is a disgrace considering that the two major political parties in Guyana have had very close fraternal relations with the Cuban Communist Party. The lukewarm expressions of sympathy and lack of any meaningful support for the Cuban people is perhaps reflective more about concerns as to how the
United States would react. Many years ago, Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa paid a visit to the United States. At one public event, he was questioned as to how it is he can have friendly relations with Castro and Gaddafi, given their human rights records. Mandela’s answer almost took the roof off. He said that one of the mistakes that (western) political analysts make is to assume that their enemies were the enemies of South Africa. He said that South Africa’s attitude to other nations is based on those nations attitude to South Africa and as far as he was concerned, Cuba and Libya had supported the struggle of the African National Congress to the hilt. The PNC ought never to have forgotten what Cuba did for Guyana. It ought to recall the extremely close ties its founder leader had with Castro’s Cuba. Self-interest alone should have forced Guyana to adopt a more sympathetic stance towards the death of Castro. Guyana is facing a threat from Venezuela. If there is any nation in the western hemisphere which can restrain Venezuela, it is Cuba. For that reason alone, it should have declared a week or mourning for a fallen comrade, El Commandante Fidel Castro Ruz!
Monday December 05, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Sign language interpreters a first during National Budget presentation
Sign language interpreter, Sean Thomas, in his office at the Burrowes School of Art
Sign language interpreter, Mikoowanya Yosef-Yisrael, during the presentation of the Budget speech by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, on Monday, in the National Assembly The use of sign language interpreters, initiated during the recent presentation of the 2017 National Budget by Finance Minister Winston Jordan, was a first for the budget presentation in the National Assembly. The sight of the interpreters set tongues wagging. The Ministry of Finance’s Budget Director, Sonya Roopnauth, said the decision was taken after discussions with Barbara Lawrence at the Ministry of Health.
“We were talking about budget hearings a couple of budgets ago and people participating, and Finance (Ministry) was concerned that people were not fully engaged in the budget process.” The Finance Ministry official said that if the average person in the street is asked, what he or she thinks about the budget or the process, that person is not really sure what it is about. “One of the things we thought we could do for
persons who couldn’t actually hear the speech is to do a sign language version so that you have a broader section of society able to access the information,” the official explained in Government statement. The Finance Ministry’s Budget Director noted that feedback will indicate whether the initiative was a success. “When we get the feedback understanding whether that was a useful intervention or not, then we will know if it worked,” Roopnauth stated.
The two sign language interpreters, Mikoowanya Yosef-Yisrael and Sean Thomas are from the Burrowes School of Art. Thomas revealed that he learned the art in 1994 and then “became more passionate about it” in the year 2000. For the 46-year old Thomas, it was a chance to help the deaf community “focus more on what is happening and on what is in the Budget for them…It is a way to increase awareness so that the hearers will get to
communicate with the deaf community.” Thomas views the move to use sign language interpreters as a starting point for others with similar skills to “come on board, to be on television interpreting so that the message could reach across to the deaf community. Most of the time, the deaf are being left out of what is going on the society.” Noting that it was a first for himself and his colleague at a National Budget presentation, Thomas said that it was challenging since they were not given a script as is often done to prepare beforehand. Interpreters are supposed to follow the speaker closely,
Thomas explained. “For instance if you give a joke, and you have not got to that part as yet and the deaf person sees a set of people laughing, they will want to know, what is it. Now you come up with the translation after, but you are supposed to be in it, so when the persons start laughing they will also get the joke at the same time. You need the script to be in tune so you wouldn’t be lagging behind.” And the interpreters are available. Persons wishing to use their services can contact them on 626-9723 or 673-5980, the Guyana Deaf Association, the Guyana Deaf Mission or the Ministry of Education’s Culture Department.
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Monday December 05, 2016
Kaieteur News
Hospital promises probe into baby’s death Losing a child is never easy but for Basanti Lall and her husband, Mohammed Khan, the mystery surrounding their infant son’s death is what makes it even more painful. The couple’s trouble all started last Wednesday, when what was supposed to be an ordinary visit to the doctor’s office ended in tragedy. The couple who reside at La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara visited the Accident and Emergency Unit of the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), after their six month old developed a sudden fever coupled with bouts of diarrhea and vomiting. According to the child’s mother, her son Sahil was a healthy baby. “He didn’t have any complaints, but I took him to see the doctor after he started with this diarrhea and
Distraught Parents: Basanti Lall and her husband, Mohammed Khan vomiting.” The mother said that initially she took the child to a private physician at VreedEn- Hoop but the symptoms
persisted. She noted that the private doctor prescribed some medicine for the infant but his condition did not improve.
“So we took my baby to (WDRH) Best Hospital and we explained to the doctor there, what happen and he decide to do a blood test on the baby. “ The mother noted she and the sick baby had to wait quite a few hours before the blood test came back. “All the time the baby having diarrhea and passing white …. I ask the nurse and doctor if I could feed him and they said no,” the mother stated. She added that the doctor eventually told her that her baby would be fine; and jut gave the child saline and some medicine. “After almost the entire night all they said is that they suspect is a bacteria and the baby fever gone and we could go home. He will be alright,” the grieving mother of six said. The woman and her husband spent the entire
night at the hospital before the baby was released early the next morning. “The doctor said I should give him panadol syrup for the fever,” the mother said noting that the doctors recommended nothing for the diarrhea. The couple subsequently travelled to their La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara residence but after arriving home, they noticed something strange about their baby. “We bathe him and he started turning blue in his hands and feet. We call a taxi quick and started for the hospital, but he didn’t make it. He get stiff and stopped breathing in the car. Lall is adamant that the hospital could have done something to save her baby “but they just treated us like is nothing because we are poor people.” “Look how long I had to
wait for baby to get look after…” The couple has since buried their infant son. “It is hard for me to understand because I have other children and this never happen. It is very hard to lose my baby. “ A post mortem examination has revealed that the infant died due to bronchial asphyxiation (choking). However, the mother is still not satisfied with the autopsy report. She still believes that there is much more to be explained. “They said that something about baby feed getting into baby lungs because me aint burp he after he feed.” Given their dissatisfaction, the couple lodged an official complaint with top officials of WDRH, who they said promised to investigate.
President fetes over 300 children at West Berbice
Some of the children
President David Granger is urging citizens to hold strong to the value of fellowship, which is best exemplified at Christmas time. The President made these remarks yesterday at Onderneeming Village, West Coast Berbice, where he distributed Christmas gifts to over 300 children. He was assisted by Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ms. Simona Broomes and Minister within the Ministry
of Public Infrastructure, Ms. Annette Ferguson. The President said that, “Christmas is about faithfulness and fellowship. We forget our differences, we forget our religion, we forget racial differences, we forget geographical differences and we all come together and we look forward to living a good life in this country… [And] as we plan for the New Year we must hold certain values.” The Head of State said that Guyana’s rich diversity
is what makes it a unique country and reminded the gathering that they all have the good fortune of living in the biggest, most beautiful and bountiful CARICOM country that is capable of producing enough for everyone. Turning to the children, he urged them to stay in school and said that the Christmas gifts are a demonstration of his Administration’s love and concern for children and their welfare. “It is a token of our faith for the future and it is a token of our commitment to you to make sure that Guyana remains a land of plenty that is capable of providing a good life,” he said. (A GINA feature)
This little guy seems to be getting all the information he needs about his new toy truck from President David Granger while Minister Simona Broomes looks on
Monday December 05, 2016
Kaieteur News
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FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
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Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 697-2969/6460966 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
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Weeder available for yards or lawns, reliable and affordable. Call Elan: 6047623.
Cargo trawler- Call: 682-8724, 616-5954 Cat 928F loader, 3406 Cat Engine, 3116 Cat Engine, 3208 Cat Engine. Contact #650-0402 One complete sawmill situated at Yarrowkabra Industrial site, Soesdyke, Linden Highway. Call: 6441190/ 609-8041 Muscovy Ducklings and ducks (Live & Pluck)). Call: 602-7203
One house @ Lamaha Gardens -$1,000US per month, one business place on Sherrif St. - $2,000US per month. Call: 670-7171
Need fairy lights to put up & beautifully arrange for homes, business or parties. Call Elan: 604-7623.
2 Bedrooms apartment for rent, recently renovated. Call: 641-3318 4 Bedroom apartment fully furnished in Industry, 2 full bathroom -$1200USD. Call: 684-7853/619-2388 Available from 16-12-31: 1-2 bedrooms apartment @ 529 Section ‘B’ Block ‘X’ Diamond, E.B.D. Call: 2164200 after 6:00pm & 689-1518 3 Bedrooms apartment, bottom flat -$50,000 per month @ Triumph, E.C.D. Call: 604-0883
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WANTED Experienced cahiers, curry cooks, cleaners. Apply @ Hack’s Halaal with written application, 5 Commerce Street. Couple to work on farm @ Yarrowkabra, ages 35-45yrs, must be experienced in farming. Call: 642-9191/ 2311408 8am-2pm
Honda Civic (04) stick shift from Singapore. Rims, deck. In immaculate condition $1.150M negotiable- call: 618-4257
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1 Complete boat & engine with hydraulic power steering system 200HP $2.5M Negotiable. Tel:6585299
Canter driver to sell bottle water on the West Coast Demerara - $5,000 daily. Call:684-8231
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1 Porter to work in shop in the Interior. Call: 678-0565
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Security officers wanted, 8 hours & 12 hours shifts, remuneration $3,000 daily, base on qualifications. TIN/ ID/NIS needed. Call: 2316052/40
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Bluebird for sale 2011 model, dark interior, reverse camera $2.7M negotiable, preorder any vehicle Call: 655-3400
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Monday December 05, 2016
Kaieteur News
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Two buildings on lot at180 Charolotte Street Bourda (W30XL120). (Price negotiable). Call:624-7341/ 227-6817/226-5183 Vreed-en-Hoop -$27M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$4.5M & $18M, Second Bridge Herstelling -$4M, Parika $45M. (Terms Available). Call: 604-6724/ 673-6300 House & land for sale at Good Hope Public Road, East Bank Essequibo. Call: 689-0785, 660-2504, 671-5095
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Cook/baker for the Interior location, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 One Supervisor for Xenon Hotel in Charity. Contact 2235273/4 One sales representative needed. Please contact: 2258205 1-3 Days domestic, age 2532. Call: 223-3430 Cooks, kitchen assistant, waiters, waitresses, handy boy, bond clerk. Send email to chungsoffice@gmail.com Receptionist and canter driver. Apply in person to Double Day Hotel, must live within the vicinity of Zeeburg to Parika. Tel: 642-6664.
Monday December 05, 2016
Kaieteur News
Afghan president says Taliban wouldn’t last a month without Pakistan support Reuters - Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said yesterday that the Taliban insurgency would not survive a month if it lost its sanctuary in neighbouring Pakistan, urging its neighbour to take on militant groups on its soil instead of giving Kabul financial aid. Ghani’s remarks, made at an international conference in the northern Indian city of Amritsar not far from the border with Pakistan, suggested tensions were rising with Pakistan after Ghani attempted to improve relations with Islamabad when he took office in 2014. Pakistan said while violence had increased in Afghanistan, blaming another country for it didn’t help. Violence has spread around Afghanistan and the Taliban’s ability to conduct coordinated high profile attacks in the capital Kabul has piled pressure on Ghani’s
Ashraf Ghani Western-backed government to provide better security to a war weary people. Last year, Afghanistan suffered the highest number of civilian casualties and military related deaths in the world, Ghani told the Heart of Asia conference aimed at getting regional players together to help stabilise his
country. “This is unacceptable... Some still provide sanctuary for terrorists. As a Taliban figure said recently, if they had no sanctuary in Pakistan, they wouldn’t last a month,” he said. Analysts say Pakistan has historically backed the Afghan Taliban as a hedge against the influence of archrival India, with whom Pakistan has fought three wars, in its backyard. Pakistan denies this and instead said it is itself a victim of terrorism and that fighters of the Tehrik-i-Taliban, one of the main groups carrying out attacks inside Pakistan, were operating from Afghanistan. Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan’s top foreign policy adviser said it was true that there had been an upsurge in violence in Afghanistan. “We need to have an objective and holistic view rather to blame one country,” he told the conference.
Rebels defiant as Syrian army nears Aleppo’s Old City Reuters - Syria’s army and allied militia advanced towards rebel-held areas of Aleppo’s Old City yesterday in an attack which a military source predicted would be over in a matter of weeks. Western and regional states backing the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad appear unwilling or unable to do anything to prevent a major defeat for those fighting to topple the Syrian leader, whose campaign to regain all Aleppo has been backed by the Russian air force and foreign Shi’ite militias.
Rebel groups in Aleppo have told the United States they will not leave their shrinking enclave, a senior rebel official told Reuters, after Russia call for talks with Washington over a full withdrawal of opposition fighters. But the rebels may eventually have no choice but to negotiate a withdrawal from eastern Aleppo, where tens of thousands of civilians are thought to be sheltering, in the face of relentless bombardment and ground assaults.
Rebel fighters stand near a damaged bus used as a barricade in the rebelheld besieged Bab al-Hadid neighbourhood of Aleppo, Syria. The graffiti on the bus reads in Arabic: ‘Aleppo is tired mother...19/10/2016 and we still want freedom.’ REUTERS/Abdalrhman Ismail
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Monday December 05, 2016
Castro buried, mourning ends SANTIAGO, Cuba – In a private ceremony that was in stark contrast to the public mourning and tributes paid to Fidel Castro since he died on November 25 at the age of 90, the ashes of the late Cuban leader were laid to rest yesterday morning in the city known as the birthplace of the revolution he led. The ashes were interred next to next to the 85-foot mausoleum of 19th Century Cuban independence hero José Martí in the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in the southeastern city of Santiago. The interment brought an end to nine days of national mourning that saw, according to Castro’s brother and
Fidel Castro
President Raul Castro, “millions” coming out to pay tribute. Castro’s crypt is a boulder-like structure with a metal plate bearing one word
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Kaieteur News
– Fidel – covering the entrance through which the ashes had been placed. President Castro said Saturday that, in keeping with his brother’s wishes, there
would be no statues of him or places named after him. He said his late brother, from whom he took over when his health deteriorated in 2008, “strongly opposed any manifestation of cult of personality”. Opinion on Castro, who ruled Cuba as a one-party state for almost half a century, remains divided. Those who mourned his passing say he returned Cuba to the people and praise him for some of his social programmes, such as public health and education; while critics called him a dictator, who led a government that repressed opposition and dissent. (Caribbean360)
Portia to step down as PNP President before September The Gleaner - People’s National Party (PNP) president Portia Simpson Miller has announced that she will not be seeking reelection next September. She was addressing Comrades at the Cedar Grove Academy in St Catherine a short yesterday at the party’s National Executive Council meeting. Simpson Miller said a date will be announced for her departure. However, she says she is giving potential contenders adequate time to organise their presidential campaigns. Simpson Miller was elected PNP president on February 25, 2006, beating fellow contenders Drs Peter Phillips, Omar Davies and Karl Blythe. She has since faced challenges on separate occasions, from Phillips and Blythe but prevailed with overwhelmingly more votes. Yesterday, Simpson Miller said having served the
Portia Simpson Miller PNP for more than 40 years and as president for 10 years it was time for her to make her exit as leader. However, she says she is staying on in the short term to help rebuild the party. She left the venue with chants of “No Portia: no Bunting, no Lisa”.
Venezuela to issue larger bill as currency continues to melt
Workers fix the plaque on Fidel Castro’s tomb at the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery Santiago de Cuba yesterday. (Photo credit: YAMIL LAGE AFP/Getty Images)
Demonstrators march in Brazil to support corruption crackdown RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Demonstrators marched in cities across Brazil yesterday, protesting corruption and a recent vote in Congress that was perceived as an effort to intimidate judges and prosecutors currently leading
graft probes. Dressed mostly in the national colours of yellow and green, thousands gathered in cities like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Brasilia to demand accountability at a time when Latin America’s biggest
Pastor ‘caught having sex with girl, 14’ Trinidad Express - A San Fernando pastor was arrested in Sangre Grande for allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-yearold girl. The 26-year old pastor, of Pleasantville, was caught in the act by police officers. Last week, residents informed police that a child dressed in school uniform was allegedly seen in the man’s vehicle on their street. Officers responded and found the man having sex with the schoolgirl under an almond tree at the side of the road. The pastor was taken into custody by Sangre Grande police, and the girl was interviewed by officers of the Child Protection Unit. The suspect is expected to be charged with statutory rape. He is expected to appear before a Sangre Grande magistrate.
country is reeling from corruption scandals, political gridlock and a prolonged economic recession. In São Paulo, the country’s largest city, protesters marching along the business thoroughfare of Avenida Paulista unfurled a long banner reading “Corrupt Congress.” At a seaside march in Rio, where two former governors were recently jailed on corruption charges, demonstrators waved banners with messages like “Thieves Out!” and “We are all Sergio Moro,” the judge overseeing a historic investigation into kickbacks around the state-run oil company. The demonstrations are smaller than massive marches that erupted across Brazil in recent years when an economic boom soured and once-successful leftist policies exhausted public
finances. With the downturn, though, Brazilians are increasingly frustrated by an age-old culture of impunity for those caught robbing public coffers. The problems this year helped topple former President Dilma Rousseff, who was impeached for breaking budget rules, and now plague the administration of President Michel Temer, her conservative successor and a politician who many Brazilians already complain inspires little hope for change. “The struggle has to continue,” says Iara Soares, a 56-year-old Rio schoolteacher. “We need a real renovation.” Temer, who took over for Rousseff last May, has already lost four ministers to corruption allegations. Near a giant poster of a rodent bearing the Senate president’s name, protesters vented in Brasilia on Sunday.
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Venezuela said it will issue higher-denominated bills as triple-digit inflation and a currency meltdown leave the country’s largest note worth just around 2 US cents on the black market. The central bank said in a statement Saturday that six new bills ranging from 500 to 20,000 Bolivars will begin circulating on Dec 15. Currently the largest-denominated bill is 100 bolivars, while a 2-liter soft drink bottle can cost 25 times that amount.The issuing of new bills comes as Venezuela is bordering on economic collapse. The currency lost 67 per cent of its value on the black market last month, falling to 4,587 bolivars per US dollar — the steepest monthly plunge ever, according to data by Dolar Today, which tracks the black market rate by monitoring transactions with the currency at foreign exchange houses across the border in Colombia. Inflation meanwhile is soaring and expected to surpass four digits next year, according to the International Monetary Fund. Venezuela’s government hasn’t published price data since 2015. Adding to the currency woes, cash has become impossible to find with ATM withdrawals capped at an extremely low amount and on Friday the nation’s credit card payment system unexpectedly froze up for several hours.
Govt. to pass state of emergency declaration this week SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - CMC – A bill to declare a state of emergency in the 15 provinces worst affected by torrential rains last month, will be passed in Parliament tomorrow. According to the spokesman for the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) Gustavo Sánchez, the bill has already been passed in the Senate. The state of emergency bill gives President Danilo Medina special powers to act to assist the victims. This is not the first time that legislators have been asked to pass a bill to declare a state of emergency – following hurricane Georges, then President Leonel Fernandez made the request but it was rejected by congress Early last month, heavy rains lashed the county, forcing President Danilo Medina to issue a state of emergency in several of the 31 provinces.
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Italy PM Renzi says he will resign May’s Brexit plans face British Supreme Court test following referendum defeat
Matteo Renzi
Reuters - Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said he would resign following a stinging defeat yesterday in a referendum over his proposals for constitutional reform. “The experience of my government ends here,” Renzi said in a televised address to the nation after early voting results suggested his ‘Yes’ camp may have lost the referendum by as much as 20 points. Renzi said he took full responsibility for the “extraordinarily clear” defeat and that this afternoon he would convene his cabinet and then hand in his resignation to President Sergio Mattarella.
Theresa May Reuters - Prime Minister Theresa May’s government launches a challenge today against a court ruling that it requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, a decision that could upset Britain’s Brexit plans. If the Supreme Court, the United Kingdom’s highest judicial body, dismisses the government appeal it could derail May’s timetable for triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and leaving the EU. The government’s legal fight comes
against a backdrop of claims by some politicians and newspapers that establishment judges want to thwart the Brexit process. It will be the most high-profile and complex case the court has considered since it came into being seven years ago and is due to last for four days. For the first time all its 11 justices will sit on the panel with the verdict due later in January. “The case raises difficult and delicate issues about the constitutional relationship between government and parliament,” Brenda Hale, the Supreme Court’s Vice-President said in a speech last month. “What is meant by the exercise of the executive power of the state? We do not have a written constitution to tell us the answer. But I doubt whether many written constitutions would tell us the answer either.” If May wins, she can proceed with her plans to invoke Article 50 by the end of March. But if she loses, parliament could in theory block Brexit as most lawmakers (MPs) supported staying in the EU in a referendum in June, though few observers expect such an outcome. Even so, lawmaker approval could open the process to greater scrutiny and delay. Investors believe the greater parliament’s involvement the less chance there is of a “hard Brexit” in which tight controls on immigration are prioritised over European single market access. The pound surged after November’s High Court ruling.
Monday December 05, 2016
Kaieteur News
Kerry says would be valuable for Trump to seek advice before calls Reuters - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday it would be valuable for President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team to seek State Department recommendations before contacting foreign leaders but that it had yet to do so. “We have not been contacted before any of these conversations. We have not been requested to provide talking points,” Kerry said during a question-andanswer session at a think tank conference. “I do think there’s a value, obviously on having at least the recommendations, whether you choose to follow them or not is a different issue, but I think it’s valuable to ask people who work the desk, and have worked it for a long period of time, their input on what’s the current state, is there some
John Kerry particular issue at the moment,” Kerry added. “I think that’s valuable and I would certainly recommend it, but, obviously, that hasn’t happened in a few cases.” Trump’s call with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on
Friday triggered a diplomatic protest from China and raised questions about whether the Republican president-elect might be signalling a change to U.S. policy. Vice Presidentelect Mike Pence denied that yesterday, describing it as a “courtesy call.” The telephone conversation was the first by a U.S. president-elect or president with a Taiwanese leader since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of “one China.” The diplomatic contretemps was one of several recently for Trump, a real estate magnate who has never held public office and has no foreign affairs or military experience. Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, is still considering his choice for secretary of state.
Death toll in Oakland, California, loft fire rises to 33
Flames rise from the top of a warehouse, which caught fire during a dance party in Oakland, California, U.S. Seung Lee/Handout via Reuters Reuters - A fire that devastated an Oakland, California, loft building during a weekend dance party has taken at least 33 lives and the toll will likely rise, authorities said yesterday, as criminal investigators joined recovery teams at the charred ruin. Firefighters in Oakland, east of San Francisco, found the remains of nearly three dozen victims as they sifted through the debris-filled shell of the two-story converted warehouse being used by an artists’ collective. The cause of the fire was still undetermined, officials said. Arson is not suspected but investigators want to find out if the building, which was often used for musical performances, had a history of code violations.
Mayor Libby Schaaf said the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office activated its criminal investigation team at the fire scene. A representative of the prosecutor’s office is monitoring the recovery process, she said, adding she was not authorized to say if a criminal probe was under way.
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Monday December 05, 2016
Monday December 05, 2016
Kaieteur News
Barbados Caribbean Development Championships
GBA hopeful of fielding complete squad following successful walk-a-thon Determination and grit are the hallmark of any good boxer desirous of becoming a champion and the executives of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), charged with initiating developmental projects towards the boxers’ development, have shown that they also possess similar traits when they engaged in a walk-a-thon over 100 miles to accrue much needed funds to facilitate a full-fledged team to the Caribbean D e v e l o p m e n t Championships slated for Barbados between December 7-12. Led by President of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle, the exercise netted approximately $600,000 and Mr. Ninvalle, who led from the front, was a visible presence throughout the journey. He was joined by Guyana’s lone Olympics Bronze medalist, Michael Anthony Parris and his wife Ursula, coaches of the Republican and Forgotten Youth Foundation Boxing Gyms, Adrian Thomas and Sebert Blake respectively, coach of the Essequibo and Pocket Rocket Boxing gyms, Clifton Moore and Orlon Rogers, respectively, GBA Tournament Director, Terrence Poole, FYF boxer, Richard Subratee and host of Maximum Sports, Max Massiah. The walkers started the trek on Friday around 08:30hrs from #43 Village Corentyne and continued to New Amsterdam where the team rested for the night. They resumed the trek on Saturday up to Mahaica where they once again rested before starting the final leg of the journey up to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). A tired group arrived at the CASH at just around 11:30hrs yesterday morning where GBA Vice President, Maurice Rajkumar, congratulated them on their brave effort. He had special praise for Ninvalle who he described as a true leader. Mr. Rajkumar further stated that he had intended to travel the entire journey but was unable to do so after developing lacerations on his leg. Nevertheless, he said that he is deeply committed to the effort and would continue to work assiduously to ensure that a full-fledged team participates in the impending tournament.
Mr. Ninvalle was also high in praise of the efforts of the walkers and said that he also wishes to field a team of at least 11 boxers, 2 coaches and a manager. “Along with monies received during the walk-athon we hope to receive a few other donations promised,” said Mr. Ninvalle. He said that his executives will aspire to accrue the required balance within the next few days. Meanwhile, the team will depart for Barbados on Wednesday and the boxers were instructed to be at the Andrew Lewis Boxing Gym (ALBG) this afternoon at around 18:0hrs where they will be briefed on the composition as well as what is expected of them. Mr. Rajkumar said that he hopes to field all the selected boxers but reiterated that this will only be determined based on the final funds accrued. “We are in the process of
ascertaining the amount of money in hand but rest assured we will aspire to have all selected personnel on board,” he reiterated. The GBA officials came closer to realizing this goal when officials of the LIAT Airline agreed to a concessionary fare in the interest of boxing development. “This bit of chivalry has strengthened GBA official’s hopes of realizing their goal of fielding a complete squad,” assured Mr. Rajkumar. Several other boxing affiliates and friends also made donations when the walkers arrived at the CASH including Max Massiah, former professional boxer/ journalist Michael Benjamin and Director of Tang Soo Do International, Kyosanim Roland Eudoxie. Former World Champion, Gary St.Clair, now residing in Australia, has also pledged US$100.
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India avoid U-19 Asia Cup disaster, but not heartbreak Oversight of an important email from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) left India on the verge of embarrassment in the lead-up to the Under-19 Asia Cup. The cost of the error is not insignificant: it has broken the hearts of seven young cricketers born between November 1997 and November 1998. On November 3, the BCCI announced through a media release a fresh batch of Under-19 cricketers who were to take part in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka in mid-December. On December 2, a day before the conditioning camp began in Bangalore, the Indian Express reported that the selectors had made seven changes to the original squad because of the last-minute discovery of the ACC email. It turned out that the selectors picked the original team based on BCCI tournament norms: anyone who is under 19 can play Under-19 tournaments. The ACC, though, had clearly communicated its eligibility norms to the BCCI: only those who qualify for the next Under-19 World Cup, to be held in New Zealand in early 2018,
were eligible for the Asia Cup. This communication was noticed because of a recent reshuffle of duties within the BCCI. Ratnakar Shetty, the BCCI General Manager Game Development, who is now looking after Under-19 operations, spotted the email and arranged a fresh selection-committee meeting. The selectors were caught off guard themselves. “The board didn’t communicate to us the eligibility norm,” Venkatesh Prasad, the Chairman of the Junior Selection Committee, told ESPNcricinfo. Even Amitabh Choudhury, a BCCI joint Secretary and Convenor of the Junior Selection Committee, didn’t know of the eligibility criteria. The selectors met again last week to pick seven new players. In one blow they had lost three quicks. Of the 39 players that played in the Under-19 Challenger Trophy, 22 were born before November 1998, and were thus ineligible to play the Asia Cup. Had they seen the email from the ACC earlier, the selectors would arguably have selected the Challenger Trophy squads
Himanshu Rana is one of seven newly included players in India’s squad for the Under-19 Asia Cup © PTI accordingly. If not for this reshuffle within the BCCI, India could have landed up in Sri Lanka with half its squad ineligible. While the risk of disqualification
has been averted, seven players who had their passports made, visas stamped, and bags packed to go to Bangalore to train under Rahul Dravid suddenly have nowhere to go but their state Under-19 matches.
“Our biggest concern as selectors was the psychological effect of this on these kids,” Prasad said. “If I were in their place, I would feel pretty angry and disappointed. We have been assured by the BCCI that it will speak to them and take all necessary steps.” This has unwittingly brought to fore a gap in the Under-19 system. The World Cups are played every two years, and with boards directing all their efforts towards winning those events, it could mean every alternate batch of Under-19 cricketers doesn’t get to play big tournaments. Cricinfo understands the BCCI is in talks with the ECB for a bilateral series early next year, and these seven players could get their chance there. This is not the first time the BCCI has made unexplained changes to a representative side. In August this year, more than a month after naming the India A squads for the tour of Australia, the selectors made changes less than a week from departure, without acknowledgement or explanation. (ESPNcricinfo)
India lift sixth Asia Cup title after Raj’s unbeaten 73 India’s dominance in the women’s Asia Cup extended as they sealed their sixth title in as many editions with a 17-run win over Pakistan in Bangkok. It was the second consecutive time India had beaten Pakistan in an Asia Cup final, having done so in 2012-13 as well. The win also ensured India remained unbeaten in this year’s tournament, which was being played in the T20 format for the second time. It was Mithali Raj who set up the win, scoring an unbeaten 73 after
India opted to bat and taking them to 121 for 5. The bowlers then sent down economical spells to choke Pakistan in the chase, restricting them to 104 for 6. Raj dominated almost every partnership she featured in. She started off by putting on 24 for the first wicket with Smriti Mandhana, who contributed just 6. After her dismissal, it was the turn of Sabbhineni Meghana to play second fiddle as she made 9 in a second-wicket stand of 44. Veda Krishnamurthy and Harmanpreet
Kaur, the India captain, were also sent back for single-digit scores, before Jhulan Goswami’s late cameo lifted India. Goswami pinged two sixes on her way to a 10-ball 17 before perishing off the penultimate ball of the innings. Raj had struck seven fours and a six in her 65-ball knock. Left-arm spinner Anam Amin topped the wickets column with 2 for 24 in four overs, while Sana Mir and Sadia Yousuf were economical in their respective quotas and took a wicket apiece. Pakistan scored at
nearly a run a ball during the first half of the chase, but lost three wickets. Goswami had Ayesha Zafar bowled in the fifth over before Asmavia Iqbal fell in similar fashion in the next over, sent down by Shikha Pandey. Javeria Khan added 28 with captain Bismah Maroof, but could not make her start count as she was snuffed out by Ekta Bisht, the leftarm spinner, and Pakistan became 56 for 3. That third-wicket stand was the highest Pakistan could manage as
The victorious Indian team with the Asia Cup trophy © Facebook/Indian Cricket Team
regular wickets stalled them. Nida Dar and Mir made identical scores of 12 not out in late resistance, but both were kept quiet - neither scored a single boundary as Pakistan fell short. India’s bowlers shared the wickets around. Bisht, who opened the bowling, took 2 for 22. Anuja Patil, Goswami, Pandey and Preeti Bose took a wicket apiece. Scores: India women 121 for 5 (Raj 73*, Amin 2-24) beat Pakistan women 104 for 6 (Maroof 25, Bisht 2-22) by 17 runs. (ESPNcricinfo)
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AMERICAN VARNER SHOOTS 65 Thunder sweating as Russell awaits fate TO CLINCH AUSTRALIAN PGA
Harold Varner III. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports Big-hitting American Harold Varner III bagged nine birdies in a sizzling final round 65 to win the Australian PGA Championship by two strokes from overnight leader Andrew Dodt on the Gold Coast yesterday. Varner, who missed out on the title after a playoff last year, rode some brilliant iron work in blustery conditions at Royal Pines to become the
first non-Australian to win the title since New Zealander Greg Turner in 1999. The 26-year-old, who last year became the first African-American to earn his U.S. PGA Tour card through the feeder Web.com circuit, is also the first winner from the United States since Hale Irwin in 1978. “It’s the first time I’ve
won outside the mini tour so it’s a step in the right direction for sure and I played some great golf today,” said Varner, who stands just 1.73m tall but ranked just outside the top 20 in driving distance in 2016. “I wasn’t too disappointed (last year), it was my first time in Australia but to get it done today was awesome. I’m looking forward to coming back.”
Dodt, chasing a wire-towire victory, did very little wrong in his fourth round 69 but was unable to stay with the inspired American down the stretch and finished second on 17-under. World number seven Adam Scott nailed a 40-foot putt for birdie at the first but, despite another huge putt for eagle at the 15th, never really challenged the leading pair and settled for a 67 and third place on 15under. Varner grabbed two eagles in his last four holes on Saturday to move into contention for the final round but his front nine on Sunday was fairly straightforward compared with the fireworks that followed. His approach shot set up the birdie at the third and a 12-foot putt gave him another at the seventh before he lofted a brilliant wedge to within inches of the pin for a third at the eighth. It was not until the 16th that he would again par a hole as five more birdies, one with a sensational approach shot that left him with a tap-in at the 13th, and a couple of bogeys saw him clear of Dodt. “I think on the back nine I only made two par, so a little up and down so like yesterday, I just hung in there and I just wedged it really well all week and it paid off,” Varner said. (Reuters)
Australia thrash New Zealand as captain hits SCG top score Australia captain Steve Smith hit the highest one-day international score at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a 68-run win over New Zealand. Smith struck 14 fours and four sixes in a blistering 164 from 157 balls as the hosts amassed 324-8. Opener Martin Guptill smashed 10 fours and six sixes in 114 off just 102 balls in reply, but New Zealand were all out for 256 in the 45th over. The second game of the three-match series is in Canberra on Tuesday. Smith, who later took an outstanding one-handed diving catch in the field, won the toss but was back in the middle in the first over after opener Aaron Finch was bowled first ball. The skipper reached his first ODI century against the Kiwis in the 37th over and went on to record his highest score in the 50-over game
Steve Smith struck his seventh ODI century in his 88th match. before departing 17 balls before the end of the innings. New Zealand lost Tom Latham in the second over but Guptill became their fastest player to score 5,000 ODI runs and reached his 11th century in the format
Andre Russell ©BCCI Sydney, Australia, CMC – Sydney Thunder have been left sweating on the availability of Andre Russell for this season’s Big Bash campaign, as the explosive West Indies all-rounder awaits his fate from Jamaica’s Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel. The Thunder training camp bowls off on Saturday but there is no indication yet whether Russell will be able to suit up or if he will be slapped with a two-year ban for committing an anti-doping whereabouts violation. He missed three drugs tests in a 12-month period after failing to inform authorities about his whereabouts. The hearing to determine Russell’s fate concluded recently and Thunder chief executive, Nick Cummins, said they were hopeful of a positive outcome. “Two of the alleged filing failures were while he was playing for West Indies at the World Cup so he was hardly hiding in a cupboard,” Cummins contended. “He was on international television representing his country. But they’re the rules. “Certainly from what we’ve followed we think there’s enough evidence to exonerate him but it’s not my decision obviously and we’ll just have to see how it goes.” Russell has emerged as one of the most sought-after players in the T20 format, and is one of a plethora of West Indies players who ply their trade in multiple foreign leagues. A big-hitting lower order batsman and a lively seamer who is also brilliant in the field, the 28-year-old has already played 225 T20s and made over 3400 runs and taken 202 wickets. Cummins said the fact Russell appeared in person before the Anti-Doping had been a good sign. “I’ve spoken to him a couple of times over the journey. He feels like he’s done everything he can,” said Cummins noted. “He attended the hearing in person. So he’s taking it very seriously and wanted to make sure that was noted.” A huge fan favourite, Russell was excellent for Thunder last season, grabbing a high 16 wickets and gathering nearly 200 runs, as they franchise won their maiden Big Bash title. Cummins said while they preferred to have Russell again this season, they had been understandably forced into contingency planning. “While he’s an important player we believe that our contingency plan is enough to give us a good run to defend our title. We don’t think it will be jeopardised,” the official said. “We know what Andre can deliver, and he’s a well-loved member of the team, so we would much prefer he keeps playing with us.” The Big Bash League bowls off December 20.
Windies players return to... from 93 balls in the 31st over with a six over long-on. However, Guptill was caught at the second attempt by substitute Glenn Maxwell at mid-wicket at the end of the 33rd over with 140 still needed - and Australia went on to end
a run of five successive oneday defeats. Scores: Australia 324-8 (50 overs): Smith 164, Head 52, Boult 2-51. New Zealand 256 (44.2 overs): Guptill 114, Hazlewood 3-49. Australia won by 68 runs. (BBCsport)
From page 32 This weekend’s contest constitutes a top-of-the-table contest with Pride lying second on 33.4 points, narrowly behind leaders Jaguars on 33.6 points. Pride are one of just two unbeaten teams in the tournament along with Leeward Islands Hurricanes, who have shown good form so far to be third on 29.4 points. Jamaica Scorpions are third on 28.6, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force sit fifth on 27 while Windward Islands Volcanoes are bottom on 17.6.
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JAMAICA EDGE ENGLAND All-rounder Kumar picked IN THRILLER TO SEAL SERIES to lead ICC Americas Nitish Kumar © Peter Della Penna
A capacity crowd of over 4,000 watched the series decider in Coventry. England lost their series against Jamaica 2-1 with a 6457 defeat in a thrilling deciding match in Coventry. The home side led after the first quarter, but Jamaica hit back in the second to lead 3329 at half-time. England came roaring back at the end of the third quarter to draw level, only to cede the momentum once more as Jamaica ground out the victory. The Roses had earned a 63-50 victory in the second Test on Friday, after the tourists won 66-49 in Tuesday’s opener. (BBCsport)
St John’s, Antigua, CMC – All-rounder Nitish Kumar has been appointed captain of an ICC Americas 15-man squad which will contest next January’s Regional Super50. The 22-year-old, who also skippers Canada, is no stranger to the region having already played for St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League and for the ICC Americas in their outing in first appearance in the Super50 earlier this year. He replaces Ruvindu Gunasekera who has returned to his native Sri Lanka to pursue his career there. Kumar is one of eight surviving players from that outing last January when the Americas unit failed to win a single game in the competition. He was, however, one of four players to pass 100 runs and topped his side’s bowling with six wickets at an average of 23 and economy rate of 4.3 with his off-breaks. Kumar will have as his deputy, United States captain Steven Taylor who struggled in the 2016 Super50 with 82 runs from five innings. However, the left-hander produced decent form in the CPL and in the recent ICC World Cricket League Division Four tournament in Los Angeles, United States where he gathered an unbeaten 124 against Oman. Taylor is one of eight US players in the
squad with all-rounder Timroy Allen, fast bowler Ali Khan, leg-spinner Timil Patel, batsmen Alex Amsterdam, Nicholas Standford and Fahad Babar, along with fast bowler Jessy Singh all included. Canada off-spinning all-rounder Nikhil Dutta has gained selection for the trip after missing out last January. All-rounder Kamau Leverock, who grabbed the attention of selectors with a brilliant 137 over Jersey in the WCL Division Four tournament, is the only Bermudian in the squad. ICC Americas will do battle in Group B of the Super50 alongside Barbados Pride, Guyana Jaguars, Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners and Jamaica Scorpions. Group A comprises reigning champions Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, West Indies Under-19s, Windward Islands Volcanoes and visiting English County side, Kent Spitfires. The Super50 runs from January 24 to February 18 in Antigua and Barbados. SQUAD – Nitish Kumar (captain), Steven Taylor, Hamza Tariq, Timroy Allen, Alex Amsterdam, Fahad Babar, Nikhil Dutta, Ali Khan, Kamau Leverock, Timil Patel, Cecil Pervez, Jessy Singh, Nicholas Standford, Srimantha Wijeyratne, Saad Bin Zafar.
Windies players return to strengthen Pride for Jaguars day/nighter Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC – Barbados Pride has been significantly strengthened for next weekend’s fourth round clash in the Regional Four-Day Championship against reigning champions Guyana Jaguars, with five West Indies players returning to the 13-man squad. Opener Kraigg Brathwaite, who has taken over from all-rounder Kevin Stoute as captain, will be joined by left-hander Jonathan Carter, wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, batsman Shai Hope and off-spinning all-rounder Ashley Nurse for the day/night fixture at the National Stadium in Georgetown. All five players were members of the West Indies side which last week returned from the Tri-Nations Series in Zimbabwe. They replace the injured Kenroy Williams, wicketkeeper Mario Rampersaud, leg-spinner Nikolai Charles, batsman Aaron Jones and fast bowler Kevin McClean. West Indies captain Jason Holder, allrounder Carlos Brathwaite, left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn and fast bowler Miguel Cummins – all Barbadians – were also in the Tri-Nations Series squad but are not a part of the contingent for the trip to Georgetown. Continued on page 31
Kraigg Brathwaite ©AFP