Kaieteur News

Saturday February 03, 2018

City Hall is a source of laughter DEAR EDITOR, There is a new lake in Georgetown, it is called ‘Bel Park Lake’ and it has been created through the foolishness of the Georgetown Municipality. With the City Council having a bulldozer owned by a private contractor mow down all of the trees and foliage there but more importantly making two deep a cut, there is now the creation of a huge basin that has been filled up with rainwater and water from the surrounding trenches. City Hall is just a comedy of errors. It seeks and obtains foreign funding to the tune of US$41,000 to repair the Stabroek Market clock only to realize later that the entire area that houses the clock would have to be rehabili-

tated first before they repair the clock. They have comprehended they don’t have the money to rehabilitate the area that houses the clock’ Then there was the brilliant idea of air conditioning of the bottom flat of the reconstructed Kitty Market and placing extractor fans and other means of ventilation. As part of the grand plan, there was also to be the installation of an automatic switchover generator to cater for power outages. They also planned on having the meat and fish sections of the market equipped with refrigeration facilities to meet public health standards. Alas! What has happened? The Council discovered that it had no money to do any such thing. In fact they

had no money to even finish the building, and had to go cap in hand and beg for money to finish the building. What a sick joke. The situation where the council bought one stun gun instead of two as is required to alternate when slaughtering to avoid over use. Overheating and without enough ammunition is another amusing if not wretched situation. Is there no one there to advise these suckers? And what of the City Constabulary which was given 30 bicycles by a foreign embassy and which had eight of its own only to discover that the patrol unit consists of just 11 members, due to its purported cash-strapped state. Best regards. Deodarie Putulall

GTT’s crappy service DEAR EDITOR, GTT is in need of major improvements as it relates to their overall service. However I am writing today to zoom in on one service in particular. I signed up and paid for the “BLAZE” internet service in the middle of November 2017 being my only option for internet since I recently moved and do not have a landline which is needed to apply for DSL internet service and I was already informed that GTT is not issuing landlines at the moment. It is now February 2018

and to date a technician has not visited my home to commence installation that has been paid for since October 2017 although the service is already being offered to some in my neighbourhood. After standing in a line for almost an hour because of the slow pace of staff at the GTT office on Brickdam to apply and pay for my service to be installed, one month later I was forced to join the same line for almost another hour. I was there just to query my lengthy wait for service. I

was told that they cannot say when a technician will visit my home but I will be contacted beforehand. Several calls to GTT customer service were also placed only to hear the common line “We are not in a position to say when your service will be installed, but it should be soon”. I think I speak on behalf of most Guyanese when I say GTT needs competition, for that is the only time they will get their act together.As for me, I continue to wait. T. Sancho

There are bees at this school DEAR EDITOR, For a long time now bees have been invading and attacking teachers, children and parents at the All Saints Primary School in New Amsterdam. They come from the surrounding area nearby the school. While bees provide us with honey, it is a very dangerous situation when they attack in their swarms as this can result in death. What a tragedy it will be if a child is killed in this way. Today, I saw the children taking their class garbage bags and emptying them in the garbage bins that are in

the yard. These bins have bees hovering inside and around the top. The children are at risk of being stung by the bees. I saw one little boy using the bin cover to hit and ward off the bees while his friend was busy trying to empty the garbage. Some time ago a child got stung and ended up with swollen eyes. This was highlighted in the television news

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in Berbice, but Editor, the bees are still there. I am writing this letter so that the relevant authorities may become fully aware of this dangerous situation and act with some urgency before something serious happens. Thank you. Parent

The Self Proclaimed Pharaoh, PPP and GAWU DEAR EDITOR, As the sugar industry is facing a crisis and the government is doing all that it can to ensure that it is once again profitable, much is in the air that makes Guyanese, especially sugar workers and their families need to think about what is really happening. On several occasions, I have written about the misrepresentation from GAWU. I wrote about the using of sugar workers for political gains by the PPP. I mentioned several times that GAWU has to do what the PPP tells it to, or its head Komal Chand will be kicked out of Parliament and GAWU. Today much needs to be considered. The PPP and GAWU can say what they want about me, that will not change the fact of what I said before and what I am going to say again. I am a fighter for justice and will continue to be no matter what comes my way, only death can make me give up the fight for justice and equality. God

gives lives and he is the one that is entitled to take it. Over the past week, we saw and heard many stories that can start the making of a movie. Well, it seems that GAWU, PPP and the Pharaoh of the party have now started that movie, “When Love Calls”. Imagine the PPP and Pharaoh of that party, who is the Doctor of Doom, portraying over the years that they love and care for sugar workers, that they always stand by and for the rights of the workers at all times. GAWU’s role was blatantly seen as the backup lover during the PPP 23 years rule and within 30 months of this government. So the PPP had its supporting actors that were going around fooling the sugar workers and their families. The PPP used to direct GAWU what and how to go about lying to the workers. The PPP and the Pharaoh were telling sugar workers that this government doesn’t

care about them. GAWU, PPP and the Pharaoh in the party were spreading suicidal thoughts among the workers and across the sugar belt. Well, we all know that when the fox can’t get the grapes, what they say and do?. We know when the movie started it would have some bitter parts in it and that’s when the truth would start to reveal and the viewers will get interested to see the climax. Well, it’s here the PPP and Pharaoh are now attacking their supporting actors in GAWU. Pharaoh, aka Dr. Doom, is offended that GAWU met with the President and his team without telling him and the party that betrayed the workers. GAWU realizes that PPP and Dr. Doom don’t care for the workers; they cared about political power and they (PPP) were using GAWU to achieve their goals. (Continued ona page 6)

The Mar udi miner s Marudi miners ar e desper ate are despera

DEAR EDITOR, We are distraught to learn of Mr. Harmon’s comment regarding the importance of resolving the Marudi Mountain dispute. ‘I can’t say that it is something that has engaged the level of Central Government as of right now. It is still a sectoral issue within the Ministry of Natural Resources’. His comment shows that the government is not taking us seriously. Thousands of livelihoods depend on this matter being resolved. Does the government not care for their people and our survival? There are a few issues that we would like to bring to the forefront: 1. I n t h e f i r s t p l a c e w h y w a s Romanex licence suspended? 2. If there was an ongoing issue,

why or how was their licence renewed? 3. Has the Government received any royalties and taxes since Romanex started operating? 4. If the Government knew they were not giving us, (the small miners), any access to the mountains to work, why didn’t they say so in the beginning. Why are they giving us false hope and prolonging the situation? We need answers! We are no longer going to sit and wait for talks back and forth that intend to frustrate us even more; we are in a desperate situation and need this matter to be solved immediately! Marlon Johnson President, Rupununi Mining Association

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Let’s have a Zip code DEAR EDITOR, With the rapid changes taking place in Guyana, it is very imperative for our postal system to have a Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) code. When doing transactions abroad you are always called upon for your country’s zip code.This may be a good suggestion for

the tourism department, to work along with the postal agency to implement zip. I am looking forward to Zone Improvement Plan, put into place during this year. Thank you. Yours Cooperatively, Parmanand Ram.

The Self Proclaimed Pharaoh... From Page5 Dr. Doom said that GAWU does not have to listen to the PPP, that it is an anonymous body. But yet for all, Dr. Doom and the PPP are now attacking their partner in the love affair. PPP and Dr. Doom felt angry to know that GAWU went to that meeting with the President and didn’t take any of the betrayers in the PPP to break up the meeting. The PPP and Pharaoh are ashamed that they cannot go to the workers anymore and lie because GAWU reached an agreement with the government. GAWU ensured that it put its act together quickly without the PPP input or knowledge so that the union will not crumble like the PPP is doing presently, and that workers will be the beneficiary in the long run. The only things that are keeping the PPP alive are lies, misinformation, race bait and betrayal of each other. We all know that GAWU is an arm of the PPP but yet we are hearing words of war from the lovers. When this government first talked about privatization

of the sugar industry PPP and GAWU quickly jumped and said “NO”. After the PPP came back from India a few weeks now, it publicly announced that it is supporting the government in privatizing the industry. Then another script in the movie went wrong. This time PPP started a campaign to get the head of GAWU Komal Chand out of GAWU. It said workers are demanding that Komal Chand go. GAWU head is now telling PPP and Pharaoh, aka Dr. Doom, that he does not have to consult with them (that should be anymore). Now is the time the PPP needs to invoke the dead and the spirit of Dr. Jagan. Now that the movie has started to see the exchange of words, let’s wait for the street protests against Komal Chand removal from GAWU by the PPP. Let’s wait for the removal of Komal Chand as a PPP MP. Let’s wait and see if PPP and GAWU will publicly tell workers they misled and betrayed them for their gains.

Now that Komal Chand is not answerable to PPP and Pharaoh, let’s see if he will tell the workers that the PPP was using him and GAWU to misinform them of the real happenings within the industry. It is hurting the PPP badly to know that workers are accepting their severance pay because the PPP told the workers don’t accept the money. It was a severe blow to the PPP when the workers turned out in the large numbers to meet with the Prime Minister and his team across the sugar belt. Could you imagine the majority of the protesters in Berbice were not sugar workers? They were pensioners and those who don’t want to work? Imagine the PPP had to ship t w o o f i t s t o p Berbice propagandists to Enmore to start a protest. Shameful. The climax of the movie “When Love Calls” will soon be revealed. Regards Abel Seetaram Regional Councillor Region 5.

‘Ogle Airport Inc. says... From page 4 the contract between OAI and JAGS Aviation is legally valid and that OAI has the authority and has given JAGS Aviation the authority to commence the development of the land allocated to them.

With regard to the newspaper ’s attempt to impugn the good name and reputation of OAI’s Chairman, Michael Correia, it was made clear to your reporter that Mr. Correia holds a minority interest in Trans

Guyana Airways, Correia Mining Company and Caribbean Aviation Maintenance Services Limited, owned by the Correia Group of Companies, in similar circumstances to several other operators and is normal in business. Kaieteur News’s accusation in its reporting of “incestuous relations” is malicious, unfounded and untruthful. Yours sincerely, Ogle Airport Inc.

Saturday February 03, 2018

Dismissed Sugar Workers hardships DEAR EDITOR, I do strongly believe that the severed sugar workers must be given subsidized water and electricity due to the tremendous hardships they and their families have been facing. At this point in time it is difficult for them to provide even the basic needs of food for themselves and their families. It will also be a great boost if the Government can focus its ‘Bus’ initiative in those areas affected. It is now an accepted fact that the Government did not make any provisions to support the dismissed sugar workers even though it was planned long before the preparation and presentation of the 2018 Budget in Parliament. It is also a fact that even the payment of severance was not catered for in the Budget even though the law stipulates that the payment must be made as soon as the worker is severed. There was fiscal space in the Budget to accommodate the severance since there was an extra budgetary allocation of $4 billion for the GDF, the People’s Militia and National Service. However, the Government now has an opportunity to make amends. Let me be clear. This hardship of these sugar workers results from no fault of theirs. It is accepted that the profitability of the industry is severely threated and hence its viability, but it is the responsibility of the Government to ensure their survival. The EU has made that clear in their National Adaptation Strategy that the livelihood of the workers must be protected. We must bear in mind that since Government took Office in 2015, the sugar workers have not received a dollar in terms of wages and salaries increases even though the Minister have been given from 50 per cent to 100% increases even

though they have not actually started to work. Many incentives have be e n t a k e n a w a y f r o m these sugar workers and many have no savings, they live from paycheck to paycheck. ‘Selling dreams’ to them such as being trained to become entrepreneurs, their children will be trained to work in the oil and gas sector, the workers will be given loans from a fund of $100 million (this works out to $20,000 per worker), they will be given one acre of land each to cultivate, they will be trained to do other skill jobs, and the list goes on. What we need to understand is that the Wales Estate was closed since December 2016 and the sugar workers and the surrounding areas are still reeling from the fallout. It was reported in the Press which says ‘Closure of Wales Sugar Estate now taking toll on surrounding communities’ and again it was reported that as at December 2017, the dire situation has not changed. In fact it has gotten worse. Will Skeldon and Rose Hall be any better? No they will not! Privatization is a long way off. The valuation by PricewaterhouseCooper will take at least eight months, according to the Government. The submission of investment proposals from these investors who have shown interest in the purchase of Rose Hall and Skeldon will take another 8 months. This may take us to the end of 2019. Therefore the eventual operation of these estates will take approximately two years. What will the redundant sugar workers do to survive in the meantime? Moreover, it is not assured that all of them will be re-employed. It is submitted that by subsidizing the electricity and

water bills of these workers, the economy as a whole will benefit since the money saved from these bills will increase the spending on consumer goods in the economy and it will have a multiplier effect. More jobs will be saved or created and the economy will be able to withstand the shock of the negative effects of the redundancy to some extent. Some revenue from VAT and other taxation will go to the Government. Furthermore, to give a paltry $10,000 subsidy to all 5,000 workers made redundant in the industry will only amount to $600 million per annum. Linden is given a subsidy of over $2 billion per annum which they do deserve. So to give all the redundant workers a subsidy for water and electricity will not bankrupt the Treasury. Both sugar workers and bauxite w o r k e r s h a v e made significant contributions to the economy in t h i s c o u n t r y ’s h o u r o f need. In the past, the sugar workers have directly given more than $100 billion as sugar levy. In addition, the provision of free transportation to the children of sugar workers in these affected areas such as Wales, Rose Hall and Skeldon will go a far way in alleviating the sufferings of these workers and their families. The plight of the dismissed sugar workers is a test of our morals, whether we care or not for our fellowmen and this is not about politics or race (in fact all race is affected by this redundancy and people from all political parties are affected) but it is about assisting our brothers and sisters and their children and their dependents in their hour of need. I do sincerely ask the Government to carefully consider this request. H.Yusuf RDC Councilor

Saturday February 03, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Local content policy in Guyana’s oil agreement proving inadequate By Kiana Wilburg Since the release of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between Guyana and ExxonMobil, analysis and viewpoints of all fashion have been flooding the oil and gas debate. For example, some commentators contend that if one were to compare Guyana’s PSA with that of other countries, the citizenry would have a clearer idea of how Guyana was robbed of several opportunities to develop its wealth and the industry as a whole. In fact, this newspaper has found glaring instances where Governments of several African countries were able to negotiate much better terms for their people. The case of Uganda is a prime example of this. In 2012, the Government of Uganda signed a PSA with British operator, Tullow Oil. That entity is also exploring in Guyana’s deep waters. One of the many commonalities between Guyana’s PSA and that of Uganda, is that they both address the subject of Local Content. This speaks to the use of local goods, skills and services in the development of the oil and gas industry. In Uganda’s PSA with Tullow, the Local Content provisions are as pellucid as they are detailed. PURCHASES IN UGANDA In the area of procurement, the Government notes in its PSA that the Licensee shall give preference to goods which are produced or available in Uganda and services which are rendered by Ugandan citizens and companies unless such goods and services are offered on terms which are not equal to or better than imported goods and services with regard to quality, price and availability at the time and in the quantities required. The Licensee is expected to establish appropriate procedures, including tender procedures, for the acquisition of goods and services which shall ensure that the suppliers and subcontractors in Uganda are given adequate opportunity to compete for the supply of goods and services. According to the PSA, the tender procedures shall include, inter alia, the financial amounts or value of contracts which will be awarded on the basis of selective bidding or open competitive bidding, the procedure for such bidding, and the exception to bidding in cases of emergency, and shall be subject to the approval of an Advisory Committee. Within 60 days after the end of each calendar year, the Licensee is to provide the Government with a report out-

… comparisons highlight shortcomings lining its achievements in utilizing Ugandan goods and services during that year. The PSA also specifies that goods shall include equipment, materials and supplies.

was required to pay US$150,000 per 12 months. Following the commencement of production it was asked to deposit US$ 300,000 per 12 months.

TRAINING/ EMPLOYMENT IN UGANDA

LOCAL COTENT & GUYANA’S PSA

According to Uganda’s PSA, the Licensee agrees to train and employ suitably qualified Ugandan citizens in its Petroleum Operations and, following the effective date, to undertake the schooling and training of Ugandan citizens for staff positions. The PSA specifies that these posts must include administrative and executive management positions. The Agreement states that the Licensee will also require its sub-licensees to do the same. The PSA also makes it clear that the Licensee must undertake to gradually replace its expatriate staff with suitably qualified and experienced Ugandan citizens as are then available. However, if the Licensee satisfies the Ugandan Advisory Committee that no suitably qualified and experienced Ugandan citizens are available who are capable of filling key senior management or technical position, the Licensee shall employ expatriate staff in such positions. The PSA goes on to state that an annual programme for training and phasing in of Ugandan citizens shall be established by the Licensee and shall be submitted for approval to the Government’s Advisory Committee, along with the annual Work Programmes and Budgets. Additionally, within 30 days of the end of each calendar year, the Licensee is to submit a written report to the Government describing the number of personnel employed their nationality, their positions and the status of training programmes for Ugandan citizens. The oil company is even required to establish an annual programme, satisfactory to the Government, to train personnel of the Government to undertake skilled and technical jobs in Petroleum Operations. It is also required to deposit with government, or its nominee, on the effective date and each anniversary of the effective date of the contract thereafter, the certain amounts for training of Government personnel selected by the Government and other associated costs for each Licence. For the Exploration period, Tullow was called on to pay US$100,000 per six months. During the development phase, the oil operator

When compared to Guyana’s PSA, one would notice some distinct differences. Guyana’s PSA notes that the local content activities will be carried out not by the Contractor, but by an Operator appointed by the three companies making up the Contractor. In respect of goods and services, the Operator is expected to give preference to Guyanese goods and materials of a quality and quantity, timely delivery and competitive prices. In respect of Guyanese Sub-Contractors, preference is to be given if they are commercially competitive and meet financial and technical requirements. Article 18.2 requires the Contractor to establish tender procedures for the acquisition of goods, materials and services which shall ensure that Guyanese suppliers and SubContractors are given adequate opportunity to compete for the supply of goods and services. Further, Article 18.3 requires the Contractor to train Guyanese suppliers and Sub- contractors in the procedures for participating in tenders and competing for contracts to be offered in the Operations. The contract also outlines that the Government shall provide the necessary work permits and other approvals required by the contractor for employment of expatriate employees in Guyana for the purpose of petroleum operations. Without prejudice to the right of the contractor to select employees and determine the number thereof in the conduct of petroleum operations, the contractor shall require the operator to employ and contractually obligate sub contractors to employ Guyanese citizens having appropriate qualifications and experience in the conduct of petroleum operations in Guyana. During each year of the term of the petroleum prospecting licence, or any renewal thereafter the contractor shall pay to a Government account for the Ministry responsible for Petroleum the amount of US$300,000. The money can be used to provide Guyanese personnel nominated by the Government with on-the-job training in Contractor’s operations in Guyana and overseas and /or practical training at institutions abroad; send qualified Guyanese personnel selected by the Government on

courses at universities , colleges or other training institutions; to send Guyanese selected by the Government to conferences and seminars related to the petroleum industry and to purchase for the Government, advanced technical books, professional publications , scientific instruments or other equipment required by the Government.

Within 60 days prior to the beginning of each year, the contractor and the Minister shall provide a yearly plan for the utilization of qualified Guyanese personnel for the upcoming year. Following the submission of this plan, the Contractor and the Minister shall meet to discuss and consider the effectiveness of the plan. The contractor is also expected to provide half yearly reports within 30 days after

the end of each half year to the Minister outlining achievements in utilizing qualified Guyanese personnel during the previous half year and make appropriate adjustments to the yearly plan to better accomplish the goal of increasing the number of qualified Guyanese personnel available for use by the Contractor in its Petroleum operations and other entities performing petroleum operations in Guyana.

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Saturday February 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

Suspected carjacker nabbed with woman’s stolen vehicle - showed cops ‘valid’ registration when stopped Police appear to be slowly gaining the upper hand against the perpetrators of recent carjackings. The most recent success occurred yesterday, after police were able to link a man who was implicated in a number of recent carjackings to one which occurred last year. The victim, a 66-year-old woman, was about to drive into her yard at Irving Street, Queenstown, on November 4, 2017, when

three men held her at gunpoint. The bandits then drove off with the woman’s Toyota Allion. “Today (yesterday) the woman positively identified her stolen vehicle, which was impounded recently at an ‘A’ Division Station,” police said. “Her registration matched that of the engine and chassis numbers, with the only exception being the (vehicle’s) colour, which was changed.”

“The said vehicle was found in possession of a male who claimed ownership and even produced a valid registration, but police had their suspicions and impounded the vehicle, pending further investigations.” Police said that shortly after, the suspect and anther individual were fingered in a number of robberies, in which the victims were relieved of their vehicles. The suspects have since been charged and remanded, but will now face additional charges. Late last month, police arrested a taxi base operator and four of his employees. They also seized four cars from the East Bank Demerarabased service. Police ranks had visited the taxi service to

look for a crashed vehicle which was taken to the mechanic shop by an individual who was charged and is currently out on bail for stealing a car. It was there that they found the four vehicles, including a crashed Toyota Fielder Wagon and a Toyota Allion in similar condition. The chassis numbers for the two crashed vehicles had been tampered with. Late last year, the man was arrested after he reportedly conspired with others to hijack a car on December 14, last, at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara. There were 41 carjackings in 2015; 36 in 2016, and 47 in 2017. Of 47 cases in 2017, at least 16 of the stolen vehicles were Toyota Premio, and eight were Toyota Allion.

East Canje man jailed for brutalizing woman Roy Archer, 32, of Main Street, Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice, was yesterday sentenced to three months in jail for causing grievously bodily harm. The act was perpetrated on Jaia Bansie on 9th November, 2017, at Main Street, Cumberland, East Canje Berbice. Archer appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh in the Reliance Magistrate’s Court. The case for the prosecution was presented by Prosecutor Corporal Winston

Poliah, who told the court that the victim and the accused live close by and are known to each other. On the day in question, Bansie locked her door and went to sleep. During the night she heard a loud knocking on her door. She thought it was her son and went and opened the door. There she was confronted by Archer, who cuffed her in her face, causing injuries. The man then fled. The matter was reported and Archer was arrested and charged.

Neighbour jailed in absence for felonious wounding - Arrest warrant issued An arrest warrant has been issued for an East Canje resident who has been sentenced to four months in jail in his absence. Somdat Indal, 46, of 1178 New Area, East Canje, Berbice, was yesterday found guilty of felonious wounding. Indal wounded his 59year-old neighbour Roopchan Megnauth of 1177 New Area, East Canje Berbice. The incident oc-

curred on October 30, 2017. Indal appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh in the Reliance Magistrate’s Court. Prosecuting the case Corporal Winston Poliah informed the court that the victim and the accused are neighbours; however they do not get along. Around 17:00 hrs on the day in question the defendant was consuming alcohol with some friends. During that

time the accused was passing by. The men began to argue and got into a scuffle. They were parted, but Indal went and retrieved a piece of wood which he used to lash Megnauth to the head causing him to fall on the ground and receive further injuries to his body. Indal then fled the scene. The matter was reported and Indal was arrested and charged. He was granted bail and failed to show up in court after.

Boy, 10, shot by 12-year-old playing with gun A ten-year-old boy is in serious condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital, after being shot in the stomach by a 12-year-old, who was playing with a relative’s shotgun. Police identified the victim as John Isaacs, and said the incident happened at around 16.00 hrs on Thursday at Taruka Village, Monkey Mountain, Region Eight. A release stated that the boys were play-

ing with a 12-gauge shotgun which is owned by a relative of the elder lad, when the older boy accidentally discharged the weapon. Isaacs was rushed to the Monkey Mountain Health Centre, and transferred to the Georgetown Hospital yesterday. Police said that the 12-year-old has not yet been detained.

Saturday February 03, 2018

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Critics of this appointment are living in the past Quite a few Guyanese are upset over the appointment of a foreign national as the Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Power and Light Incorporated. Unpublishable adjectives were used to describe the appointment. Those opposed to the appointment of a foreign national as the head of our power company pose a simple objection. They ask why a Guyanese could not have filled this position. Government corporations have to operate as businesses, not welfare institutions. The mission should be to get the best persons to be in the senior positions of the companies. The Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is a multibilliondollar concern. It needs the best management. GPL had advertised internationally in order to get the best management. It has selected someone who it feels is best

suited for the job. What can be wrong about that? The fact that the person selected is not Guyanese? It is a hypocritical position. There are Guyanese occupying senior positions in corporations in the Caribbean. They have been doing this from time immemorial. If every nation adopts the position that only their nationals should be employed in their countries, then tens of thousands of Guyanese would be out of jobs. If those countries can allow Guyanese to hold down top jobs in their countries, how is it that we are screaming foul when a foreign national is appointed to head our electricity corporation? The GPL did not rush this decision. They took eighteen months to make the decision on a new Chief Executive Officer. In order to restore

confidence in the management of the GPL, following instability at the top of the corporation, a foreign national, qualified and experienced, would seem to be the perfect fit for the job. Two former CEO’s demitted office in relatively quick succession, and for a company as large as GPL, this was bound to have an effect on the overall quality of management. Those opposed to the appointment seem to forget that we are living in the age of globalization. The American people are presently being subjected to protectionism and to antiimmigration sentiments but even amidst this, there are provisions for the movement of capital and labour. Globalization means that capital and labour should be able to move freely across borders. The free movement of

Dem boys seh ...

Exxon just watch dem trees and dey dead Anywhere Exxon guh oil does show up. Fuh years people searching fuh oil in Guyana and nobody find any. Exxon come and within minutes dem find a ton of oil in de ocean. Dem go to Ogle fuh talk bout a piece land pun de airport. De Mighty Karila carry dem and show dem a piece of land off de airport. Exxon barely watch de land and oil tun up. De oil tun up so much that it begin to kill dem trees on de land. Bee Kay get a piece in front of de same land wha Exxon see and dem boys hear he had to spend couple million dollars fuh clear de bushes, only. Exxon just look and de bush start disappearing. When dem boys ask de Mighty Karila

wha going on here, he seh is a natural phenomenon. Dem boys want know wheh else this natural phenomenon gun happen, because fuh years dem boys pee pun bush and tree root and none never dead. Exxon only look. Soulja Bai seh De Mighty Karila use to look at dem same bush and nutten never happen. As soon as he carry Exxon, is problem. Dem boys believe de bush run away from Exxon from de time it hear de oil company coming. De bush don’t want nutten to do wid Exxon. Dem rather dead and go laang dem way in peace, than to get pakoo like de baccoo and Trotty. Talk half and watch wheh more trees gun dead.

labour is also one of the objectives of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy. The principle, in relation to labour, is that the movement of skills should be liberalized under any single market and economy. Guyanese should be free to apply for jobs in the Caribbean and vice versa. There is therefore absolutely nothing wrong with the Guyana Power and Light appointing a foreign national to head the beleaguered power company. In fact, in the present situation which faces the entity, it is best that someone who is not familiar to the local staff is appointed. This person will bring a fresh perspective to the GPL Such a perspective is needed to modernize the aging distribution and transmission network system, and to reduce the acute technical losses in the

distribution of power. Some of those losses are due to theft, and are being contributed to by corruption within the ranks of GPL. Someone from outside would be best placed at this time to break up cells of corruption within GPL GPL needs someone with the experience of running a large utility. There are major projects in the pipeline which require expert help. The introduction to smart meters, the installation of new transmission lines, the expansion of electricity generation and the provision of electricity to unserved areas, are all now priorities which require a full time, substantive Chief Executive

Officer who is not subject to political direction, but to general direction by the Board of Directors. The new Chief Executive Officer should be given a chance to show what he brings to the Guyana Power and Light. The argument that the job should be filled by a Guyanese is outdated.

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Saturday February 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Sam Hinds personifies the collective mind of the PPP leadership There appeared a letter at the beginning of the week in this newspaper and all the other dailies with the same heading; “The morbid one is Freddie, not the PPP/C nor Jagdeo” authored by former Prime Minister Sam Hinds. It is a huge letter replying to my column of January 23 in which I described the PPP government’s attitude to African Guyanese as the politics of morbidity and the morbidity of politics. I stand by that description. Mr. Hinds chose to be personal in the use of his caption. His headline boldly stated that I was the one who is morbid not former president Jagdeo. I will ignore Sam’s personal jab. But for the record, there is a significant detail that must be stated, because it brings into sharp focus just who is morbid when a comparison is made between me and Jagdeo. Historians are people that are obligated to dig deep, so the following needs to be put in print. Next year marks forty years of unbroken marriage for me. I have never been accused of “hi-tech domestic abuse,” the words of Mr. Jagdeo’s common law wife, Varshnie Singh, which is just part of a wider concatenation of accusations in relation to spousal mistreatment. Secondly, I have never held membership in a political party or been part of the exercise of power. Mr. Jagdeo has. And during his tenure,

he has been cited for the most egregious violations of rights. I would like to remind Sam that head of the Energy Agency, Joseph O’Lall, cited President Jagdeo as illegally sacking him in the presence of Mr. Hinds, who uttered not a word of support for him. Surely if Sam finds me morbid, I cannot see how any decent mind can exonerate Jagdeo from such a charge. If you say that I have a record of morbidity, then surely, Jagdeo’s morbid record is billions of miles longer than mine. Let’s examine the contents of Sam’s reply. In his missive he wrote; “I do not do so as a Freddie fan; far from being a fan, I do so respectful of the opinion of any fellow Guyanese, and aware that Freddie’s view would be informed by some scholarship; although in my view it is too often forced, selective and distorted, all in efforts to be critical of the PPP and the PPP/C.” I will be harsher in my judgement. I see nothing scholarly in the many letters Sam Hinds has written since the PPP lost power. They are all propagandistic sermons without even a modicum of regret. They are unadulterated embraces of the tragic roads the PPP presidents took this nation through. This column here is a response to Mr. Hinds’ Sunday piece. He has another letter

in all the dailies yesterday, accusing the then-opposition of creating the mayhem that Guyana experienced during 2002-2006 which is commonly referred to as the crime wave. I will respond on another occasion to that emanation. It is viciously misleading and needs to be confronted. But let’s stick to his propaganda last Sunday. I offered a mere four examples of ethnic insensitive and race crudeness when Mr. Jagdeo ruled with hegemonic bombast. Roger Luncheon’s statement in my libel trial that no African Guyanese was qualified to be ambassador; the refusal of the Public Service Ministry to provide data

on scholarship recipients to a researcher from the Ethnic Relations Commission who investigated ethnic bias in the awards; the horrible racist editorial in the Chronicle by an Indian woman who openly stated that African youths are socialized to hate Guyanese East Indians; and the erection of the 1823 monument on the seawall not at Parade Ground. In every instance, Sam Hinds defended what could not be politically and morally defended. That Indian woman should have been charged and jailed under our anti-discrimination and anti-incitement law. Here are the apologetic words of Hinds as he came to the side of the lady,

“It could only be considered “venomous” in the pain of its truth. I, like Jagdeo and Ramotar, sense no case for sanctioning that lady.” Do readers understand what this former Prime Minister is saying? An editorial posits that African youths have been socialized to hate Indians and that is why they rob and kill them. Hinds is saying that it is a painful truth we must all face. I have several nieces and nephews who are half-African and none of them hate Indian people. Sam Hinds’ sons are African Guyanese. Were they socialized to hate Indians? I will not cite Hinds’ justification of the 1823 monument

Frederick Kissoon placed on the seawall rather than at the Parade Ground, the spot where the slaves were tortured and executed. Sam Hinds’ defence of that caricature honestly makes me nauseated.

Miner remanded for 2016 North West murder After being on the run for nearly 18 months, a miner was yesterday charged and remanded to prison for the capital offence of murder. Thirty-year-old Allen Fredericks of Golden City, Baramita Village, North West District, appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on September 8, 2016 at Perseverance Backdam, North West District, he murdered Orville Williams. The unrepresented accused was remanded to prison and was instructed to make his next court appearance on February 7 when he will appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for assignment. Fredericks is the second person charged with the murder. According to information, a party of police officers went to Big Creek Backdam, North West District and arrested the accused before subsequently escorting him to the Port Kaituma Police Station. He was then transported to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Adrian John, 19, was the first person to be charged and remanded to prison for the murder. John was charged on September 15, 2016, for the murder after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. His matter was transferred to the Matthew’s Ridge Magistrate’s Courts.

Allen Fredericks

Saturday February 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

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Seven students held at gunpoint - robbed of cell phones and cash Children are now the most recent targets of gunmen who have been carrying out a spate of daily robberies. At around noon yesterday, two robbers left seven students, including four girls traumatized, after holding them at gunpoint at Keisha’s Shop, located in Macaw Lane, South Ruimveldt. The victims, aged between 15 and 16, were relieved of three cell phones, a Nintendo game, and $5,500. Police said that the students were at the shop preparing to purchase snacks, when two men rode up on bicycles and held them at gunpoint. They then relieved the

victims of their valuables before fleeing west along Macaw Lane. Police said that there were CCTV cameras in the area. Early Wednesday morning, a 37-year-old security guard was robbed of a Samsung cell phone and $6,000 while walking along Longden Street. The guard was walking along Longden Street at around 05:30 hrs when three men, including one with a handgun and another with a knife, pushed him against a store wall. One of the robbers relieved the victim of his property before escaping with accomplices. Police said that one

of the robbers was identified by the alias ‘Lil Boy,’ and efforts are being made to locate him. And at around 20:30 hrs on Thursday, three bandits robbed security guard Godfrey Anthony, 42, and Kasika Benjamin, 27 in the vicinity of Sea Island Hotel located at High and Princes Streets. Police said that Anthony and Benjamin were standing outside the hotel when the robbers approached from a southern direction. Anthony was relieved of Toshiba laptop computer, while Benjamin was robbed of her cell phone. The robbers fled south into High Street before turning into east into Princes Street.

Saturday February 03, 2018

‘ExxonMobil cannot compromise nor silence us’ ‘… Guyana heavily disadvantaged by contract’ – Jagdeo The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has over the lifespan of the coalition government roundly criticized it on a number of topical issues. On oil, the PPP, while in Government, signed an exploration agreement with ExxonMobil in 1999, leading to the belief in some quarters that it adopted a softer approach to the company. General Secretary of the PPP and former President, Bharrat Jagdeo dismissed the notion that the party has been passive and quiet about the revised Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between the coalition Government and ExxonMobil signed in 2016 The contract has been roundly criticised by a number of economists for being overly favourable to ExxonMobil. “We have made it clear how the renegotiations benefited Exxon, not Guyana and our people. ExxonMobil cannot compromise nor silence us, but I do acknowledge that when they come to a negotiation, they have different objectives than the people who are negotiating on our behalf,” Jagdeo stated. “The people who are negotiating on our behalf have to get the best deal for Guyana. When Exxon sits to negotiate, they are negotiating for the best deal for their shareholders. You can’t totally blame them for pursuing their interest. It is our nego-

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo tiators who have been disappointing us,” Jagdeo noted. Further, he concluded that Guyana is severely disadvantaged by the contract. “Up to now it pains me every time I think about it, to see that we will lose billions of dollars in the future,” Jagdeo noted. He explained that the 1999 contract was signed at a time when there was uncertainty about oil discovery; however, by 2015, the coalition administration knew that there was oil offshore Guyana in ExxonMobil’s blocks. He stated that Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman negotiated the contract at a time when information was available to him that there was at least 3.2 billion barrels of recoverable oil and ExxonMobil, in their continu-

ing exploration, was finding more oil. “That changed the entire situation, because now Guyana could strike a harder bargain,” Jagdeo stated. The former president noted that the coalition administration negotiated a new contract, collected money in the $18 million signing bonus and hid it from the country for a year, after denying it for several months. The PPP plans to join the legal pursuit undertaken by Transparency International Guyana Inc. to have the $18 million transferred from a special account at Bank of Guyana to the Consolidated Fund. “We will keep speaking out against the contract. We believe the contract is an atrocious one,” Jagdeo stated.

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Public Financial Management reforms…

Limited capacity at Finance Ministry will pose significant challenges – IMF Strong Public Financial Management (PFM) systems are essential for any country to ensure effective and sustainable economic management and public service delivery. Guyana has been carrying out several assessments in an effort to achieve those objectives as best as it could. And while there were some improvements over the years, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently noted that there is still more which needs to be done, especially since the nation is preparing to be an oil producer by March 2020. During one of its recent assessments, the Fund noted that the limited capacity at all levels of the Ministry of Finance, and even in various line agencies, will pose significant constraints when the time comes for the implementation of needed reforms for Public Financial Management. To ensure success going forward, the IMF said that reform measures will need to be carefully prioritized and sequenced, so as not to overload the limited capacity. The Fund said that the extent and wide-ranging nature of future PFM reforms, perhaps requires a more coordinated approach to reform implementation. It said that many countries faced with an extensive body of work, have formed a dedicated reform team to organize, coordinate, and facilitate the required reforms in many PFM areas. It said that the reform unit/team will provide oversight, guidance and monitoring to the PFM reform plan and act as a coordinator of the overall PFM reform programme. The Fund said that a substantial part of their work should be directed to upgrading the skills of staff

in the Ministry of Finance and line agencies by developing a core PFM training programme. It was also emphasised that capacity building in the Ministry of Finance and in line agencies is an important prerequisite for sustainable PFM reform. It said, “A comprehensive assessment of required skills is essential for successful implementation. It could be considered to appoint a small group to analyze the long-term capacity building needs, and to develop an overall plan for PFM capacity development, to be managed and coordinated within the reform unit in the Ministry of Finance.” The Fund added, “The results of the assessment could summarize the skills required in every function. For example, budget office skills in preparing baseline expenditure are crucial or for macro-fiscal division, the analysis of fiscal risks.” It was further stated that capacity building efforts could be coordinated with local training institutions. In this regard, the Fund said that the Ministry should explore further, the options to cooperate with local training institutions (e.g. recently-opened Bertram Collins College of the Public Service; University of Guyana) and other partners to deliver necessary training programmes on a continuous basis. It noted that other costeffective and efficient solutions, such as developing a partnership arrangement with other countries in the region, could be viable options as well. The IMF also stated that new capacity-building actions should be designed to channel appropriate training programmes through these

institutions, and to use staff to perform training. In this way, the Fund said that training skills could be further built up in those institutions to provide sustainable ongoing training in years to come. ONGOING ASSESSMENTS As of now, the Fund said that authorities here, in cooperation with the European Commission, are carrying out an assessment of PFM systems. The last integrated fiduciary assessment of PFM and procurement systems was carried out by a team of staff from the Ministry and three external consultants in 2012. According to the Fund, the team used the Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) assessment methodology and the Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS). The Fund explained that the findings of the ongoing assessment of PFM systems will be used to update a PFM reform programme. In addition, several development partners like the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), World Bank, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, have recently conducted assessments of PFM reform needs which will provide inputs to the PFM reform programme. The Fund noted that the Budget Office in the Ministry of Finance has been a focal point for the PFM reforms. At present, the IMF said that the planning and coordination of the PFM reform process seems to depend heavily on Director of the Budget Office and one or two heads of key departments. It stressed that there is no dedicated reform unit or team

in the Office of Budget or the Ministry to coordinate and guide the PFM reform efforts. At the same time, given current levels of staffing, the Fund observed that most of the staff is fully engaged in day-to-day operations. It said that many of them are learning how to perform operations on the job as the staff turnover tends to be high.

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SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; 683-8734. Omar Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Drawing of house plan, or if you need estimates, call: 2160671/622-0267/692-8464

EDUCATION CXC adults classes (Business & Science subjects) Form 1-5 lessons, Grade 2-6 lessons (slow learners, personal tutor) #690-5008,618-0649 Register your child for after school classes for slow learners in Mathematics, Reading, Phonics, Spelling, etc. Call: 675-4379

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY- $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-2274754. A 140 Toyota Corona manual black wheel drive, carburetor 3A engine. Good working condition. Price negotiable. #677-9077 or 651-6425 All size solar pannel & batteries lowest price guarantee. check us out @ Boodhoo’s General store @ Parika EBE. 1 long base canter, 4 ton GRR series, hydraulic tray lift, price 2.6million and 1 canter driver needed. #609-1040 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL 450 4matic SUV, like brand new, under 20,000 miles. Call: 6741781. Serious inquires only. 20 acres of farm with bearing citrus, coconut & avocado trees. Location: Linden Highway, contact #655-7933 One residential houselot (East Bank) Brand new air condition unit, brand new rattan 4 piece set $3.6M. Tel: 656-0701/6117223 Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 1 Bedford model M truck with winch. 1 portable miller bobcat welding plant. #602-9496/ 6130152 Plant-closing down sale: potting soil, plant pot, flower plant at Garden Centre, Plantation Schoonard WBD #615-2346/627-3443/15001600

SALON

TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS) TOLET One business space, located at 177 Charlotte & Alexander St. Kindly call: 644-3555,6893462, . Serious enquiries only. Rooms in Albertown. Call: 2253234

Saturday February 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

FOR RENT

WANTED

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620

Salesman, good verbal/ excellent attitude, knowledge in stocktaking, computer literate & team player. Keyfood McDoom.

Space for rent at Ashmin’s Building- suitable for salon or office- Call today! 683-7954 1-1 bedroom apartment, 1- 2 bedroom bottom flat 1 furnished 3 bedroom upper flat. Uitvlugt Housing Scheme. Call: 698-2802, 6933340, 254-1801. 2 & 3 bedroom fully furnished luxury apartments to rent, long & short term. #666-7820, 6911432 Business place/Store for rent, located at Grove EBD.Contact 684-6331 Parafaite Harmonie house for rent 4 bedrooms 1 living room, dining room also. 2 full bath, parking available. contact: #685-7064 1 bedroom apartment for rent in Diamond (17th street) contact: #615-7209 1 One bedroom apartment, Herstelling New scheme $30,000 per month. Telephone: 641-2311, 627-3882 PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 15 Public Road, #2 Village, W.C.B. 49ft x 10,314ft $20M Negotiable Contact 648-7109/686-4818 3- Storey commercial buliding, land size- 120ft x 60ft, building size- 62ft x 30ft, location- Lot 1486 Plot B, Herstelling East Bank Demerara. Contact: #609-3777/697-4557 Newly built @ Craig E.B.D land size 91x50 feet; house 40x28, 3 rooms, 1 self contained. Call: 718-213-6496/ 617-7691 House and land available @ La Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Etc. Financing assistance available. Contact Pacific Development: 2236035/ 604-4909 Diamond E.B.D 2 storey concrete, 6 bedrooms, master room. Hot/cold, secured parking, etc. Ready to move in, price negotiable. Call: 6934890

Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses: $90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/688-0009 LEARN TO DRIVE Ultraviolet Driving School is offering a 6 days driving lesson for $7,500. Come and enjoy it! Call 602-2583

AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807

C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).

WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494

CAR RENTAL

Experienced curry cook, counter servers, drivers. Apply Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St.

VACANCY 1 female from Georgetown, age 18-25 to work from 3-9 pm. Apply to Tea shop @ 193 Charlotte & Wellington Streets. Contact: 226-2320 Vacancy exists for 1 experienced pharmacy technician to work part time @ a reputable pharmacy Georgetown- Call: 227-0630

1 Porter to work on vehicle in the interior 18-25 years old #699-4718 Wanted land in Parafaite Harmonie, Eccles or anywhere on the East Bank or West Coast Tel: 697-6311

Security guard, Pastry maker, Cashier. Persons can submit applications to Beacon Cafe (127 Quamina & Carmichael St) Tel: 225-9409/691-6348

Wanted experience hire car taxi driver at Ramada Princess Hotel. Tel: 265-7076. Cell: 6165419 We are interested in buying large quantities of used zinc # 687-6072 Urgently need one houselot to buy in Eccles and Herstelling. Tel: 611-7223/ 6560701

Needed porter boys at Stretch your dollar store/good salary, Robb Street #223-5897 Driver from Age 22 and above, must have police clearance, for more info, call: 223-0090 Cook/Baker & Excavator operator for interior location. must be experienced. Call: 618-2020

Needed bartender/cocktail mixer & waitress, preferably from W.C.D or W.B.D. Tel: 6829457 Counter persons, Puri/Rotimakers. Apply @ Shantas 225 Camp St. (1) Manager to work @ Hotel/ Club on Essequibo coast, previous hotel management an asset. Contact: 500-5923, 676-8764/646-3675 WANTED FULLTIME/ PART TIME: MALE KITCHEN ASSISTANT TO WORK AT AAGMAN RESTAURANT, SHERIFF STREET CALL: 219-0158/219-0161 WANTED SECURITY GUARD TO WORK AT AAGMAN RESTAURANT, SHERIFF STREET. REFERENCES REQUIRED. CALL: 219-0158/219-0161

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6435122/656-0087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

Backhoe operator, woodmizer moulder and edger operator, experience logging truck driver, call Richard: 609-7675/ 674-1705/233-2614 Vacancy exists for one female 25 years + over to work at Del Ice Co. Must have Maths+English. Call: 2311408/642-9191.

GO-Invest anticipates creating almost 6,000 jobs in 2018 Some 5,725 jobs are expected to be created this year through the Guyana Office for Investment (GoInvest) as the agency anticipates investments totalling $154B. According to Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin the agency has already seen interest in a number of sectors. The Minister noted several foreign investors have shown interest in servicing the oil and gas sector, and many businesses have shown interest in the agriculture and construction sectors among other areas. “We are interested in local investors too. There is a lot of liquidity in the system that is not being put to use, and we would like to see some of that money invested in value-added industries in Guyana,” Minister Gaskin said. “We are also trying to encourage local investors where they may not have adequate financing for projects or the requisite experience, especially at an international level - to seek joint venture partnerships with companies that have the expertise.” Additionally, in 2018 the Ministry of Business, GOInvest, and the Caribbean Export Development (Continued on page 23)

VEHICLE FOR SALE F150 late model GSS series no problem lifted suspension for $2.4 million on best offer, excellent condition. Contact:695-7676/676-3612 Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501

LAND FOR SALE

Fielder Wagon. Tel: 664-0802

Prime land to build that dream home. Not far from Princess, New Thriving, Massy, HJ water world $13M neg- Call: 669-8397

Nissan Pathfinder Jeep 4WD Excellent condition $1.4M negotiable. Call: 609-7766/2258427

Parafaite Harmonie main road 2.5M 1.4M 2M 3.5M, ten year up 3M Herstelling 3M Tuschen 5M. Call: 666-2326

2009 Toyota Premio, low mileage, owner leaving country;price negotiable, contact: 669-2518/645-4085 Unregistered Axela 2011 dark interior, fully loaded, Nissan pickup extra cab. Call: 6175536 LAND FOR SALE Uivlugt (100ft x 50ft) $3M Parafaite Harmonie $1.5M Herstelling $2M Farm $3M Eccles $7M. Tel# 651-1969/ 656-0701

100ft x 50ft transported land, Hopetown village, West Coast Berbice $1.4M Contact: 680-1009 De Groot Uitvlugt- $2.5M neg. Parafaite Harmoniemain road $2M Parafaite Harmonie- $1.5M Tel: 6976311

Saturday February 03, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Dr. Carissa Etienne commences second term as PAHO Regional Director Improving access to health for the most vulnerable, ensuring sufficient financing for health, and preparing health services to withstand the effects of climate change are among the priorities of Dr. Carissa F. Etienne. Dr. Etienne will for the next five years continue to be the Director of the Pan American Health Organization [PAHO] and Regional Director for the Americas of the World Health Organization [WHO]. On Thursday she formally began her second term as head of the 115-year-old regional public health agency. “In this Region, most of our countries have reached the stage where many of the easy public health gains have already been achieved,” said Dr. Etienne in her inaugural address, “which means that each incremental improvement in the health of our peoples requires a redoubling of our efforts, in order to reach those most vulnerable and marginalized individuals that still lack health care.” She said that increasing overall investment in health will not be enough to meet this challenge. “Targeted interventions that make a tangible difference in the lives of underserved populations will be the key to our success,” said Dr. Etienne. Over the next five years, Dr. Etienne will work with PAHO member countries to advance toward “health for all.” A high-level commission formed by PAHO will analyze progress toward this goal since the 1978 Alma-Ata declaration on primary health care, will examine the persisting gaps and challenges to

PAHO Regional Director, Dr. Carissa F. Etienne further progress in the Region toward universal coverage and universal access to health. Dr. Etienne begins her second term on a path already set by the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, the WHO General Programme of Work, the PAHO Strategic Plan, and the Sustainable Agenda for the Americas, which provide an intersectoral framework for social and economic development in all countries. Attending Dr. Etienne’s inauguration were SecretaryGeneral of the Organization of American States [OAS] Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Irwin LaRocque, and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services Eric Hargan. Dr. Etienne said she would be advocating for increased funding to be allocated for health and for that funding to be well spent and focused on primary care, with the goal of reaching the most vulnerable. She will also prioritize strengthening of health

information systems, to ensure the availability of quality data that will help to better identify inequities and vulnerabilities and to inform the development of health policies and plans. Towards this end, Dr. Etienne recently created a new PAHO department on Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health. She is the first Caribbean woman to lead the hemispheric health organization and will also focus on prepar-

ing health services in the Region to withstand the effects of climate change. “A key part to ensuring that the health sector responds adequately to natural disasters, lies in the development of resilient health systems,” she said. Her native country, Dominica, was among those countries most affected by hurricanes in the past year. Dr. Etienne’s first fiveyear term began in February 2013. She was re-elected by PAHO Member States during the Pan American Sanitary Conference last September 2017. She was also named Regional Director for the Americas for WHO by the organization’s Executive Board, in Geneva in late January 2018. Over the past five years, PAHO has helped countries in the Americas expand access to health services, strengthen regulatory systems for medicines and health technologies, strengthen the health workforce, and improve access to safe and efficient health services, among other priorities. Under Dr. Etienne’s lead-

GO-Invest anticipates... From page 22 Agency will collaborate to host Guyana’s first Business to Business exhibition. A Government statement said that the event is expected to attract participation from 75 companies and seeks to foster ties between local sellers and international buyers, with a view to boosting exports and attracting investments. In 2017, the investment portfolio of GO-Invest was restructured to ensure greater diversification within the economy. There was a special focus on the tourism, agriculture, and light-manufacturing sectors as the agency endeavoured to target $139.8B in investments. Also in 2017, the agency hosted and participated in several business forums to foster investment in the country. Recently, GO-Invest participated in FIHAV, the largest trade fair in Havana, Cuba, which saw over 1,000 companies participating.

ership, PAHO has also supported member countries during a series of epidemics, including Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. The Region of the Americas became the first WHO region to eliminate endemic transmission of

measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome as well as neonatal tetanus. Four of the region’s six countries that are endemic for onchocerciasis have eliminated that disease, and one (Continued on page 24)

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The Internet thinks the dad who tried to tackle Nassar is a hero (CNN)When Randall Margraves asked an Eaton County, Michigan, judge on Friday morning for “five minutes in a locked room” with disgraced doctor Larry Nassar, he was turned down. “That’s not how our legal system works,” the judge said. Instead, Margraves took matters into his own hands, lunging toward Nassar before being tackled and arrested by court security. But as footage of the incident spread like wildfire across the Internet, social media users largely expressed support for Margraves and his actions, which reflected the pent-up frustration and pain the nation and Nassar’s victims have endured through weeks of victim testimony that revealed the doctor’s sexual exploitation of girls and young women. Margraves’ three daughters were among the victims. “Dear Randall Margraves,” wrote Liz Finnegan on Twitter, “We are in your corner, and we’ve got your back.” Her note was signed, “The world.”

Others shared the sentiment, calling the father of three a “hero.” Some wrote that they couldn’t blame Margraves, that they probably wouldn’t have reacted any differently if they were in his shoes. Nassar’s sentencing in Eaton County is his third in recent months, as dozens of young women and their families step forward to confront the doctor for his sexual abuse of gymnasts under the guise of medical treatment. But some users noted, that no matter how depraved Nassar’s actions, violence didn’t provide a path to justice. The American justice system would do its job, they noted. “Wow, control your anger,” one user wrote on CNN’s Facebook page. “The guy was sentenced to a total of 175 years...he’s never seeing the light of day again. Why put your own family’s future in further danger by doing this?” “No, Internet,” Freeman said, “we should not root for Randall Margraves to be let

go by the bailiffs so he can continue his attacking lunge at Larry Nassar in Michigan. That’s wrong.” “But,” he continued, “we should DEFINITELY pay his bail and legal fees.” Margraves, for his part, later apologized to the court for his actions during a lunch break.“I lost control. I apologize a hundred times,” Margraves said. “I’m definitely calmed down. I’m embarrassed. I’m not here to upstage my daughters. I’m here to help them heal.” The judge released the father without a fine or punishment, “given the circumstances of the case,” she said, while ensuring he understood his actions were unacceptable. “We cannot and I cannot tolerate or condone vigilantism or any other type of action that basically comes down to an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” she said. “That’s not what’s best in this situation. What’s best here is that we take this horrible tragedy and we learn to educate people.”

Cuba: Fidel Castro’s son ‘takes own life’

Saturday February 03, 2018

Finsbury Park attacker Darren Osborne jailed for minimum of 43 years (BBC) A man who drove a van into a crowd of Muslims near a north London mosque has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 43 years behind bars.Darren Osborne, 48, was found guilty of murdering Makram Ali, 51, after deliberately ploughing into a crowd of people in Finsbury Park in June.Mrs Justice CheemaGrubb told Osborne, from Cardiff: “This was a terrorist attack. You intended to kill.” Mr Ali’s family said they could not imagine the trauma he felt as he died. Speaking outside court, his daughter, Ruzina Akhtar, said: “Our father, like the victims of most terrorism, was entirely innocent which makes his death in this violent way all the more hurtful.” “He was such a peaceful and simple man, he had no

Darren Osborne bad thoughts for anyone,” she added. Osborne mowed down worshippers in Finsbury Park shortly after 12.15am on 19 June last year, killing Mr Ali and injuring nine others. The father-of-four, who

was also found guilty of attempted murder, said “God bless you all, thank you”, as he was led away from court. The jury took an hour to return the verdict at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday after a nine-day trial.

Dow sees sharpest drop since June 2016 (BBC) The blue chip Dow Jones Industrial Average suffered its steepest decline since June 2016 on Friday, amid wider losses in US markets. The fall came after a string of disappointing earnings reports from giants such as Apple.Strong wage growth in the latest payrolls data also spooked investors raising the possibility of higher interest rates than expected. The Dow fell more than 665 points or 2.5% to 25,520.96.The S&P 500 tumbled 59.8 points, falling 2.12% to 2,762.13, while the Nasdaq closed 144.91 points lower at 7,240.9, down 1.96%. The losses touched every sector, with the steepest declines in energy and technology stocks. Chevron and Exxon were the two biggest losers on the

Dow, falling more than 5%. Apple was number four, retreating 4.3%. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note hit a four-year high on Friday, extending increases that have come as central banks globally ease stimulus programmes and raise rates. The gains in bond yields have touched off fears in the stock market that higher borrowing costs could hurt consumers, while making stocks a less attractive investment. There are also geopolitical questions that could be rattling markets, including trade tensions with major US partners that include China. “There are still a number of question marks on the side of fiscal policy,” said Lindsey Piezga, chief economist at Stifel Fixed Income. Analysts cautioned

against reading too much into the market declines, which follow a massive rally in 2017 that was fuelled by a strengthening global economy and high expectations for US corporate tax cuts. The three major stocks indexes also closed January up more than 5%. The Dow, which tracks about 30 major companies, in particular is not a good gauge, said Brian Barnier, head of analytics at Valuebridge Advisers. “It’s very important to separate trading activity from real investing activity,” he said. Assuming they have welldesigned portfolios, “mom and pops sitting at home... should not be concerned, given the massive run up in the market,” he added.

Dr. Carissa Etienne commences ... “Fidelito” (right) lived in his famous father’s shadow (BBC) The 68-year-old son of Cuba’s former leader Fidel Castro has killed himself in Havana, according to Cuban state media. Fidel Ángel Castro DíazBalart was found on Thursday morning and is said to have suffered from depression. The first-born son of the late president was nicknamed “Fidelito”, or Little Fidel, after his father. He was a nuclear physicist, trained by the former Soviet Union. “Fidel Castro Díaz-Balart, who had been treated by a group of doctors for several

months due to deep depression, took his life this morning,” Cuba’s official newspaper Granma reported - little more than a year after his father. State television said he had been receiving medical treatment as an outpatient in recent months, following a hospital stay. Fidel Ángel Castro DíazBalart had taken his own life after suffering with deep depression which doctors had been treating him for over several months, state TV said. As much as the death itself may shock ordinary Cubans, it was those unexpected

circumstances which caught them by surprise. As the personal lives of members of the Castro family are generally kept away from the public eye, almost no-one will have known he suffered mental health issues prior to the announcement of his death. At the time of his death, he was a scientific adviser for the Cuban Council of State and he served as vice president of Cuba’s Academy of Sciences.He headed the island’s nuclear programme from 1980 to 1992, before it was suspended after the Soviet Union’s collapse.

From page 23 country has eliminated trachoma. Meanwhile, several countries are close to certifying their elimination of malaria. Seven countries and territories have received validation of their elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis, following Cuba becoming the world’s first country to be so validated. Efforts to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases have also been a priority for PAHO in recent years. A number of countries have made particular progress in the areas of food labelling legislation and taxation of sugary beverages. Dr. Etienne joined PAHO in 2003 as Assistant Director in charge of technical areas at PAHO headquarters in Washington, D.C. From 2008 to 2012, she was Assistant Director for Health Systems and Services at WHO in Geneva, where

she focused special attention on renewing the primary health care approach and strengthening health systems based on primary care. Before joining PAHO/WHO, Dr. Etienne held positions in her own country, Dominica, including coordinator of the National AIDS Program, coordinator for national disasters in the Ministry of Health, president of the National Committee on HIV/AIDS, and director of Primary Health Care Services. She began her career as a medical officer in Princess Margaret Hospital, where she rose to the post of Medical Director. Dr. Etienne received her degree in medicine and surgery from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica and a master’s degree in community health in developing countries from the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Kaieteur News

Saturday February 03, 2018

Jamaica to host Caribbean Travel Marketplace in 2019

The Caribbean Tourism Association (CHTA) officials. KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett says Jamaica will host the next Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) annual Caribbean Travel Marketplace (CTM), scheduled for the first quarter of 2019. A release from his ministry explained that the Caribbean Travel Marketplace is the largest and most prominent tourism marketing event in the Caribbean, which serves as an important platform to enhance exchanges between tourism suppliers from around the world. Bartlett made the announcement following a successful bid to CHTA’s CEO Frank Comito in San Juan, Puerto Rico earlier this week. “I am very pleased to announce that Jamaica will once again play host to an important tourism event, which will see thousands of delegates, stakeholders and investors

in attendance from across the region. It is an incredible achievement for our country and I am certain we will reap significant benefits,” said Bartlett. The CTM gives thousands of suppliers the opportunity to meet face-toface with wholesalers from the Caribbean over the course of two days. It showcases hotels, tourist boards, destination management companies, tour operators, airlines among others related to the travel industry. While in Puerto Rico, the minister also participated in a press conference where he gave an update on the Global Resilience Centre, which should be situated at the University of the West Indies, Mona — with oversight from United Nations World Tourism Organisation, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, the World Travel & Tourism Council and CHTA.

The centre, which was recently endorsed by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, will be designed to assist affected states to combat disruptive events and strengthen capacity to predict and manage crises. It will also include a Sustainable Tourism Observatory, which will assist preparedness, management and recovery of crises which impact tourism and threaten economies and livelihoods. Bartlett also announced plans to host another international conference in Montego Bay, with special focus on Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises in January 2019. The minister is accompanied by Executive Director of the Tourism Product Development Company, Dr Andrew Spencer in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is expected to return to the island on February 03. (Jamaica Observer)

Trump-Russia: Republican memo accuses FBI of abusing power (BBC) The US Congress has released a memo accusing the FBI of abusing its power in its investigations into Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. The memo, written by Republicans, alleges the FBI used unsubstantiated evidence to spy on a Trump aide. The FBI had warned against the memo’s release and said key facts had been omitted. Democrats said it was aimed at derailing ongoing investigations into the Trump campaign’s links with Russia. The memo has become a flashpoint in the bitter dispute between Republicans and Democrats over investigations into whether Russia colluded with the Trump campaign in the 2016 election.

What’s in the memo? It centers on court-approved wiretapping of Carter Page, a foreign policy adviser to the Trump campaign who was put under electronic surveillance by the FBI. But the memo accuses the FBI and the justice department of using an unsubstantiated and Democratic-funded report to obtain the October 2016 warrant that gave permission to spy on Mr Page.

It says that they did not tell the authorities their claim to the warrant was partially based on a dossier funded in part by the rival Hillary Clinton campaign. It also says that the author of that dossier, a former British intelligence agent called Christopher Steele, told a senior justice department official that he was “desperate” that Donald Trump not win the vote.

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Venezuela detains 85-year-old survivor of 1950s dictatorship CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuelan intelligence agents detained before dawn yesterday an 85-year-old activist who is the sole survivor of a clandestine group that fought against a 1950s military dictatorship, according to his family and Twitter feed. Lawyer Enrique Aristeguieta is an outspoken opposition campaigner who regularly compares the 19521958 dictatorship of Marcos Perez to the current “narcotyranny” of socialist President Nicolas Maduro. His family and political party Justice First said he was taken from his home in Caracas in the early hours. “(Intelligence agents) are in my house looking for me,” Aristeguieta tweeted just before 4 a.m., without giving further details. Maria Alejandra Aristeguieta, his daughter, said in a statement they had

Venezuela detains 85-year-old survivor of 1950s dictatorship no idea of his whereabouts. “We demand the immediate liberation of Enrique Aristeguieta,” she wrote. Venezuelan authorities did not respond to a request for comment.

Local rights group Penal Forum said Aristeguieta was one of 14 activists rounded up over the past week, among about 200 in total who are being detained by the Maduro government.

J’cans suspicious of Tillerson’s impending visit to Jamaica KINGSTON, Jamaica — The impending visit of United States Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson to the island has sparked an online debate among Jamaicans, some of whom expressed little confidence that there will be a good outcome from the visit. Tillerson is to embark on his first major tour of Central and South America this week as a worried region watches Venezuela’s slide into crisis. He is scheduled to meet with the Jamaican government on Wednesday before heading back to the US. The political and economic turmoil in Venezuela will be top of the agenda at each of the stops: Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia and then a few hours in Jamaica on the homeward leg and he seeking to rally support for Washington’s tough stance against President Nicolas Maduro’s regime, international media have reported.However, several OBSERVER ONLINE readers have suggested that the Trump administration cannot be trusted, while others ponder whether or not the visit is a reward for Jamaica abstaining from the Jerusalem vote last year. “Trump, is using Jamaica to save face with his s***hole comment and to thank Andrew for abstaining from the UN vote condemning him for his untimely recognition of Jerusalem as Israel capital,” argued one reader. The comment was in reference to the island, among a number of other CARICOM countries, to either abstain or not turn up on December 21, 2017 as the UN General Assembly voted whether to denounce Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Meanwhile, another reader said: “THE EXXON MAN!! Arriving in Jamaica? Can’t fool me!....Most probably to deliver a message, which might say – keep cool and look the other way when they try to take down the Cuban regime this spring. And YOU Jamaicans, just pretend YOU didn’t see nothing, when they go after the Venezuelan regime and the oil!” “I heard everywhere that man visit a pure destruction take them ... hope that’s not the

Rex Tillerson case here,” said one reader. Many have also expressed that the US is worried about the Chinese in Jamaica and rightly so, Tillerson yesterday warned that China and Russia are assuming “alarming” roles in Latin America and urged regional powers to work with the United States instead. “Latin America doesn’t need new imperial powers that seek only to benefit their own people,” he said, adding that “China’s stateled model of development is reminiscent of the past. It doesn’t have to be the hemisphere’s future.” Tillerson warned that “unfair trading practices” would cost local jobs.” Meanwhile, a few readers have expressed hope that the secretary of state is “coming with a signed document to say the US is no longer opposed to Jamaica legalising Ganja.” Still, other readers are waiting to see the result of the visit, with one reader saying: “Well let’s see what fruit this bears.. Hoping for positivity with this visit.. Good luck Mr Holness and Mrs Johnson Smith.. Do unnu ting! We have always had a relationship with the US so not as usual as people making out.”

Kaieteur News

Saturday February 03, 2018

PM says matter involving Opposition Leader has international significance BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris says the case in which his government is seeking a High Court ruling on whether or not a former prime minister should be removed from Parliament because he is alleged to be in possession of a diplomatic passport of another country has “significance to the Commonwealth family with their rich Westminster model of democracy”. “The Constitution specifies who can be a member of the Parliament and how membership in the House is invalidated or brought to an end. Dr Douglas then will defend the case as to whether he is in breach of the Constitution at section 28(1)(a) and the National Assembly Elections Act,” Harris told a news conference as he made reference to the eff o r t s t o remove former prime minister and Opposition Leader Dr. Denzil Dou-

Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris (Left) and Opposition Leader Dr. Denzil Douglas glas from the Parliament. Last month, Attorney General Vincent Byron said the government had filed a fixed date claim form for the High Court to rule on whether or not the former prime minister possessed a diplomatic passport of another country. According to the documents filed in the High Court, the government is seeking a declaration that since the election to the National Assembly on February 16th, 2015, “Douglas became disqualified

from being elected as a member of the National Assembly and was accordingly required to vacate his seat in the National Assembly by reason of his becoming a person who, by virtue of his own act, is in accordance with the law of the Commonwealth of Dominica, under an acknowledgment of allegiance, obedience or adherence to a foreign power or state, namely the said Commonwealth of Dominica”.

Coalition groups to stage anti-Trump protest NEW YORK - CMC – A coalition of African, Caribbean and African-American human rights and professional organisations, including the New York-based Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW), will lead a protest rally outside the United Nations Headquarters later this month to denounce what the group said are “the recent racist and bigoted anti-Africa comments by US President Donald Trump.” The IBW, a major Black organisation, said that the rally will also highlight “the past and continuing contributions by people of African descent to the creation of wealth and prosperity in the United States and other Western countries.” In addition, the coalition will denounce the “brutal exploitation of African migrants whose plight was highlighted in a recent CNN exposé showing auctions of African migrants who have been enslaved in Libya”. Trump reportedly referred to African nations and Haiti as “shithole countries” in a meeting with US lawmakers over immigration. At the UN rally, IBW said the coalition will issue a set of demands under the framework to The White House, the United Nations, and other international organizations to address the socio-economic

Donald Trump and political marginalization of Africans and African descendants all over the world. The IBW said the #ProudAfricans Coalition was brought together by the United African Congress (UAC), a New York-based organization representing African immigrants in the US under the leadership of Dr. Mohammed Nurhussein, Chairman, and Sidique Wai, president and national spokesperson. “We are Africans of diverse backgrounds from across the continent and the Diaspora who are proud of our heritage, who have come together to denounce strongly, without stooping to his level of depravity, the vile and racist characterization of people of African descent by the current occupant of the House that enslaved Africans built,” said Dr. Nurhussein, a retired physician. “As an Immigrant from

Morocco and as a human rights activist and community organizer, I also denounce the hateful words used to describe my beautiful motherland Africa,” said Souad Kirama founder and director of New Horizon Center for Advocacy and Development. “We are here in this wonderful newly founded coalition to say it loud and clear #ProudAfrican!” IBW president Dr. Ron Daniels, a distinguished professor at the City University of New York, and Convener of the Pan African Unity Dialogue, said he was “proud to stand with our sisters and brothers in the Diaspora in repudiating the foul-mouthed insults that spewed recently from the current occupant of the White House. “We will not be disrespected,” asserted Dr. Daniels, one of the chief organisers of the protest rally at the UN.“Donald Trump represents the kind of racism towards Africans and African immigrants that we see around the world today. As the world now knows from the recent CNN expose, Africans are even being auctioned into slavery in Libya. This is the 21st century and we will not stand for it,” says Bourema Niambele, a leader of New York Citybased African Diaspora Coalition for Justice, one of the protest organizers.

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Andre Russell set to return after year-long ban Hurricanes beat Scorpions ESPNcricinfo - West Indies allrounder Andre Russell played his first competitive cricket match in a year when he represents Jamaica in the Regional Super50, West Indies’ domestic 50-over competition, against Leeward Islands yesterday in Antigua. Russell is free to play cricket again having served a year-long ban for violating the whereabouts clause under the Wo r l d Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. An independent tribunal in Jamaica found Russell guilty of the charge and banned him from playing any cricket between January 31, 2017 and January 30 this year. A three-member tribunal comprising Hugh Faulkner, Dr Marjorie Vassell and Dixeth Palmer,

a former Jamaica cricketer, found Russell guilty of being negligent in filing his whereabouts on three separate occasions within a 12-month period in 2015. Under the WADA rules, that amounts to a failed dope test. Russell is one of the most sought-after players in T20 leagues around the world. Recently, along with his West Indies team-mate Sunil Narine, Russell was one of the two players retained by Kolkata Knight Riders before the IPL auction. Knight Riders paid Russell INR 8.5 crore ($1.33 million approx.) for the retention. At present, Russell’s focus would be to test his physical as well as match fitness in the Super50 tournament in the West Indies. Out of the eight matches Jamaica play, Russell is expected to play most, if not all, before

by 25 runs – Group B ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Leeward Islands Hurricanes defeated Jamaica Scorpions by 25 runs in the eighth match of the Regional Super50 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground here yesterday. Scores: HURRICANES 287 for five off 50 overs (Marlon Samuels 106 not out, Montcin Hodge 61, Kieran Powell 44, Devon Thomas 27; Chris Gayle 2-41). SCORPIONS 262 for nine off 50 overs (Andre Russell 74, Chris Gayle 44, Peal Salmon 31, Chadwick Walton 30; Justin Athanaze 3-32, Akeal Hosein 2-29, Marlon Samuels 2-35).

South Turkeyen... Andre Russell warms up ahead of the match, Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers, Big Bash League, Sydney, December 20, 2016 ©Cricket Australia/Getty Images he departs for the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which starts in Dubai from February 22. Russell is part of Islamabad United, the inaugural title winners in 2016. As he prepared for his return, Cricket West Indies an-

Saturday February 03, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A picture of an art object from a different culture could arouse some strange feelings in you, Aries. You won't know why, but it will spark a new interest in that culture

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) At times like this, it's really best to listen rather than try to give advice. Your partner probably just needs to talk it out. Be patient and all will be well.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Are you worried about the psychological and emotional state of a friend, Taurus? Don't get yourself too worked up over it.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A close friend or your love partner may present you with a gift, Scorpio. You'll be touched but you'll also feel uncomfortable. Maybe the present is costly or not something you really like..

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your current love interest could be experiencing some family problems, Gemini. Therefore, don't expect too much scintillating conversation this evening. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Is someone you know having a birthday, Cancer? If so, beware of all the great food that will undoubtedly be brought to the party! If you're trying to improve your level of health and fitness, you'll be sorely tempted to depart from the program LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Are you into abstract art forms, Leo? Today you could find yourself irresistibly drawn to them, whether blank verse, abstract painting, or New Age music. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Have you been toying with the idea of redecorating your house, Virgo? If so, you might actually come up with a few solid ideas, although you'll have a difficult time deciding among them.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Love matters may seem to be far worse than they really are, Sagittarius. Emotion runs high as your current love interest seems preoccupied and uncommunicative CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Is your imagination brimming over with ideas for new projects, Capricorn? Are you drawing upon old memories for inspiration? Your past can be a very fruitful resource AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Are you suddenly falling for an old friend, Aquarius? This may have you confused and a little frightened since you've never viewed this person in this way before. However, this person probably does reciprocate the attraction PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Are you in love, Pisces? You might find that thoughts of your beloved haunt you today, even while you're apart.

nounced last week that Russell was one of the four players that had decided to skip the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers, which run parallel to the PSL. The CWI media release quoted Courtney Browne, chairman of selectors, saying Russell, along with the Trinidad & Tobago trio of Narine, Darren Bravo and Kieron Pollard had opted to play in the PSL instead of the Qualifiers.

Hamilton... From page 35 chair from AH&L Kissoon. In addition there will be a four team, winner takes all, $20,000 Brian Tiwari Cup being contested between Zeelugt, Wales, Den Amstel and Bagotsville. Other major sponsors of the event are Banks DIH limited, BK International and Bakewell. Admission to the venue will me $500 come match day.

Everest... From page 33 Sadik 2-16 and Gangaram 218. Mohamed was named man-of-the-match, while the visitors were presented with trophies compliments of Suriname Cricket Board.

Hetmyer... From page 33 soon after reaching his ton with the score on 167-2. Johnson, gaining in confidence as his innings progressed, swept Tamil Patel for four before steering Saurabh Netravalkar for another boundary to move into the forties. Another four off Netravalkar carried him to 49 before he got to 12thfifty at this level from 63 balls, while Reifer (11) finished the contest with a boundary. The Jaguars face host Leewards Hurricanes in a Day/Night game at Coolidge from 14:00hrs tomorrow.

From page 30 15:00hrs tomorrow.Entrance fee per team is $6,000. The trophies for the event have been donated by Tent City and Trophy Stall Bourda Market. Meanwhile, medals have been donated by Johnny Barnwell and “Sadam. The event is organised by “Overseas” and “Sadam”.

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Kaieteur News

‘Strong evidence’ of corruption in Ajman All Stars League - ICC ESPNcricinfo - There is “strong evidence” to suggest that an unsanctioned T20 event in the UAE was corrupt though the onus will now likely fall on member boards to take action against any players who may have participated in it. That places the focus on the PCB, after it emerged that Salman Butt among a handful of other former Pakistan internationals - played or were scheduled to take part in the Ajman All Stars event.The tournament was a private one, unapproved by the ICC and Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), and because it falls outside their jurisdiction the two bodies, according to the ICC, cannot take action under anti-corruption codes “against anybody who may have engaged in any corrupt practice”. But the game’s governing body will continue to investigate and try to shed light on the organisers of the event. “After speaking to a number of those involved, we consider there to be strong evidence to indicate this was a corrupt event and damaging to the wider reputation of

cricket and as such will continue the investigation,” the ICC said in a statement. “Our ongoing enquiries will now focus on identifying the organisers of the tournament to prevent similar incidents occurring elsewhere and to disrupt corrupt practices wherever we can.” This is the second statement the ICC have released in a matter of days on the subject - unusual not only because the event does not lie within the confines of formal, approved cricket, but also because the governing body’s policy on its corruption investigations has hitherto been to say as little as possible publicly. The ICC took notice after a video of one particular match - broadcast by Neo Sports - went viral in which batsmen appeared to be trying their best to get dismissed. The tournament involved expatriates from a number of South Asian countries and a few former international players. One of the former internationals involved was 35-year-old Hasan Raza, a one-time Pakistan international who now

Ronnie Flanagan, head of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit, speaks to reporters in Lahore. AFP) lives in the UAE. He told the National that he played the first game of the tournament before walking away when he saw the suspicious nature of the cricket on display. “I played in the first opening match and I was told it was a friendly game, but after the second match I was shocked at the tournament,” Raza said. “This is the first time I’ve seen something like this in Ajman. The first match was fine. The second match was a night match. I knew

there was something wrong. It felt different. It didn’t feel like an organised tournament and there were many dropped catches. I understood it was not a proper match. On the third day I just walked out. “Nobody approached me. The youngsters said people came to them. I don’t know if they offered money. Maybe they tried to put them under pressure. These are young, Twenty- to 22-year-old players. They came to me. They said they were told, ‘Lose

your wicket, drop your catch’. Those are the things they were told and what they told me. I told them to play their own game, their natural game, and I told them not to listen to anybody.” Raza was one of a few former internationals from Pakistan - perhaps as many as four - but there is no suggestion that any of them might be implicated. The ICC has, however, asked member boards to consider whether by dint of their participation they may be in breach. “All Member Boards whose players have participated in this event will be asked to consider whether, by doing so, those players are in breach of any other applicable rules, including those that prohibit participation in unsanctioned cricket, and if so for disciplinary action to be taken against them.” Where that leaves the former Pakistan captain Butt is unclear. Butt, 33, confirmed that he was involved in the event, even though he was not one of the players in the footage that led to the controversy, and there is no evi-

dence for his involvement in any wrongdoing. “I went there as I was not picked for [my domestic team] Lahore and I was doing nothing,” Butt told PTI. “But when I reached there I realised it was just an amateur-level event which had no match referee, ICC anti-corruption representative or even scorers. Since the spot-fixing scandal, I try to stay away as far as possible from any related controversies. I am happy the ICC is investigating the event because there were lot of flaws in it. But I played just two games and then went away to Dubai.” Butt was banned for ten years by the ICC, five of them suspended, after he was convicted of convincing his fast bowlers to bowl no-balls at specific stages on the first day of the fourth Test match between England and Pakistan at Lord’s in 2010. After maintaining his innocence for several years, Butt accepted his guiltin 2013. He has since returned to the domestic circuit, but been unable to make an international comeback so far.

Victims’ father charges at ex-U.S.A. Gymnastics doctor in court (Reuters) - The enraged father of three daughters sexually abused by Larry Nassar charged toward the former USA Gymnastics national team doctor and tried to attack him during a sentencing hearing in a Michigan courtroom yesterday. He was nearly within striking distance of Nassar before court guards tackled him roughly to the ground in front of his shocked daughters. The chaotic scene began after sisters Lauren and Madison Margraves had finished tearfully reading their victim statements on the second day of hearings at a court in Eaton County, much as nearly 200 women have done before them at earlier hearings. Standing alongside his daughters and wife, Randall Margraves, a tall man with an intense gaze dressed in an electricians’ union sweatshirt, then asked to speak. “I would ask you as part of the sentencing to grant

me five minutes in a locked room with this demon,” he said to the judge, gesturing toward Nassar, who has already been sentenced to up to 175 years in prison at an earlier hearing after pleading guilty to molesting young women under the guise of medical treatment. Judge Janice Cunningham told him he knew she could not do that, and chastised him after he called Nassar a son of a bitch. He asked for one minute alone instead. The judge demurred as some in the courtroom laughed uncomfortably. Margraves then bolted toward Nassar, seated in an orange jump suit behind a nearby table. His daughters’ hands flew to their mouths, and one of Nassar’s lawyers moved to shield his client. Gasps, cries and shouts filled the courtroom as Margraves was wrestled to the ground, knocking things off a desk on the way down, and put in handcuffs while Nassar was taken out to safety. “One minute!” he demanded repeatedly, his head pinned to the floor. As court

South Turkeyen Sports Committee & New Level Sports Bar host Domino tourney The South Turkeyen Sports Committee (STSC) and New Level Sports Bar are set to host a six-team domino “PreMashramani” competition in honour of Johnny “Overseas” Barnwell at Sadam Place, lot 8 Dennis Street Sophia from (Continued on page 29)

officers pulled him from the room, he implored them, “What if this happened to you guys?” Some victims fled the room in tears. Looking distressed, the lead prosecutor, Angela Povilaitis, turned to the victims and relatives in the courtroom and tried to restore calm, saying she did not want to see anyone else end up in handcuffs. “I understand Mr. Margraves’ frustration but you cannot do this,” she said. “This is not helping your children.” The hearing resumed after a short break, with the judge addressing what she called a “scary” scene. “My heart started beating fast and my legs started shaking,” Cunningham said. “We cannot react by using physical violence,” she told the courtroom, noting she could not imagine Margraves’ pain as a father. Nassar was back in his seat, looking downcast. The hearing then reverted to the ritual established at earlier sessions: woman after woman rising to confront Nassar with accounts of a revered doctor they trusted making them strip naked and penetrating them with ungloved hands, and affirmations that they are no longer victims but survivors. Margraves was being held in a cell at the courthouse, according to a corrections officer, but it was not

Randall Margraves, father of three victims of Larry Nassar, left, lunges at Nassar, bottom right, Feb. 2, 2018, in Eaton County Circuit Court in Charlotte, Mich. (Cory Morse/The Grand Rapids Press via AP) immediately clear whether he would face any charges. People reacted on social media with empathy for Margraves, with some offering to help cover any legal costs he faces. Views were more mixed at the courthouse. “If he had gotten some licks in, I wouldn’t have cried over it,” Lavonda Simon, whose daughter was among Nassar’s victims, said. “I totally understand the feeling of wanting to hurt him. You bet.”

Mariah McClain, who testified about Nassar’s abuse of her after the break, said she had to leave when Margraves erupted. “It was very upsetting,” she said. “It was just too much for me.” Nassar, who is also serving a 60-year federal term for child pornography convictions, has sparked broader outrage after numerous victims accused USA Gymnastics, the sport’s governing body, and Michigan State

University, where Nassar worked, of failing to investigate complaints about him going back years. U.S. Olympic officials have also been criticized by some of the sport’s biggest stars, including gold medalists Aly Raisman, Simone Biles and McKayla Maroney. Multiple investigations, including at least two by members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, are ongoing into how Nassar was able to abuse women for so long.

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The Race for the LGC Club Patriots seek record-tying sixth Super Bowl title Champion’s Cup begins The month of February is set to be packed with excitement and events as the Lusignan Golf Club hosts the first of ten (10) club tournaments designed to measure the best players in Guyana as they compete for points all year in an effort to put their name in the record books. The battle begins today at 7:30 am in an effort to ensure that all players have no excuse not to participate and points will be assigned to the top players over the next ten months. At stake is the Top Golfer, Best Gross and Best Net ranking at the Lusignan Golf Club which comes with the perks of the BIG trophy, assigned parking space, hampers and prizes and of course...a full year of bragging rights!

On Sunday Feb 11, members of the CARICOM Secretariat along with more than 30 women will converge on the Club’s grounds to enjoy an introduction to the game on the newly revamped grounds and indulge in wine tasting, poetry, photo ops and much much more. Students from the University of Guyana will also be there as they continue their quest to master the game of golf, referred to as the sport of kings! February 18th will see hundreds of visitors and families descend on the course as the Club hosts its first GreenSome of 2018 with delicious barbque and more than $100,000 in prizes to be won. Lots of fun will be had as members team up to play a best ball tournament and then

all join together to share their secret recipes with visitors. Tickets are just $1,000 and can be obtained from any member or by calling the Club. Thanks to sponsors such as Trophy Stall, Kissoons, Banks DIH, Mccorp, Vish Trading, Continental Group, Assuria, Nand Persaud, Ansa Mcal, Scotia Bank, to name a few, who have contributed in the years past and have already committed to the success of the Club in 2018, this promises to be an exciting year for golf. For more information on how you can learn the game, how to become a member or just simply walk the exquisitely manicured grounds, call 220-560/645-0944; mail lusignangolf@gmail.com or visit us on Facebook Lusignangolf

Jamaica Tallawahs likely to play three home games in Florida ESPNcricinfo - Caribbean Premier League franchise Jamaica Tallawahs is expected to host three of its five designated home matches during the 2018 CPL season in Florida, according to an ESPNcricinfo source with knowledge of the situation. It follows an ESPNcricinfo report from August 2017 which indicated that the Tallawahs’ Floridabased ownership group planned to make more of an effort to establish roots in their home state and away from the official Tallawahs base in Jamaica. Worldwide Sports Management Group, who bought the Tallawahs from Texasbased businessmen Ron Parikh and Manish Patel, signed an agreement with Lauderhill’s Central Broward Regional Park (CBRP) for exclusive rights to stage international cricket at the facility in 2017. As part of the agreement, they have guaranteed three international events per year.Having three separate match dates for the Tallawahs would satisfy that and a source has told ESPNcricinfo that three dates have been blocked off at the CBRP in August for the Tallawahs to host matches. The CPL announced on Wednesday that the tournament for 2018 would be held between August 8 and September 16. While it is not confirmed that the three Tallawahs matches would be the only games in Florida, that is likely to be the case after CPL 2017 organisers operated games

A fan with plenty of US flags. (AFP) in Florida at a financial loss for the second year in a row, according to multiple sources. In 2016 the CPL organised six games over four days in the USA, but cut the two weeknight matches in the 2017 return, opting to play four games scheduled as a pair of double-headers on Saturday and Sunday after both days sold out in 2016. In comparison, there were sparse crowds for the Thursday and Fright night matches, as well as the elevated cost of hiring temporary floodlights to support the permanent floodlight structures which were deemed inadequate. However, organisers raised ticket prices by 50% for 2017 and attendance dropped sharply for the Saturday and Sunday double-headers. The official attendance for the first double header was 5200 - though the actual number was far less than that at its peak, with most ticket holders opting to attend only one of the two games - at the 10,000 capacity venue. On Sunday, the attendance was estimated to be less than 2000 - the CPL did

not provide an official number to ESPNcricinfo despite multiple requests - and the sight of a mostly empty stadium cast doubt on CPL matches as a financially viable proposition in the future. This was exacerbated by Trinbago Knight Riders’ absence from the 2017 slate of games in Florida, with the franchise drawing by far the largest support for the games played in 2016 at the same venue due to the influx of Trinidadian expats travelling in from New York and Toronto.Sources said that the CPL actually lost less money on the event in 2017 than in 2016, though. This was due in part to lower operational expenses by only renting out the stadium for two match days instead of four as was the case in 2016, and by also having earlier starting times to eliminate the need for using lights. The trade-off was that the matches were played at the height of the daily heat and humidity in south Florida, with many fans staying away due to lack of comfort accommodations at the stadium.

MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - The defending champion New England Patriots will try to add to what is arguably the NFL’s greatest dynasty when they seek a record-tying sixth Super Bowl title tomorrow. For Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who is already widely considered the greatest quarterback in NFL history, adding a sixth Super Bowl title to his resume would further cement that status and win over even his harshest critics. Either way, the game will mark the end of a season that some feel could mark the beginning of the end for the Patriots after ESPN reported in January about a rift between Brady, head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft. The trio quickly denied reports of any off-field tension and have since carried on with their usual determination to add to a legacy that includes many championships and a couple of cheating scandals known as “Spygate” and “Deflategate.” The Patriots, seeking their third title in four years, are favored to beat a Philadelphia Eagles team still looking for their first Super Bowl crown and will bring plenty of firepower into the biggest game of the NFL season. Brady, who at 40 is having yet another remarkable season in an already illustri-

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) and teammates prepare to take the field. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) ous career, is the all-time leader in many Super Bowl passing categories, including yards, touchdowns and completions. There has been plenty of attention this week paid to Brady’s right throwing hand, which he injured during the week leading up to the AFC Championship Game and kept under a black glove for much of the week in Minneapolis. But when the Super Bowl begins under the translucent U.S. Bank Stadium roof, Brady is fully expected toss footballs with his usual precision. With the Patriots expected to have trouble running the ball against the Eagles defense, Brady will likely lean heavily on his receiving options in hopes of building an

early lead and forcing Philadelphia into uncomfortable passing situations while in catch-up mode. Brady will have his biggest weapon at his disposal as tight end Rob Gronkowski was cleared from concussion protocol on Thursday, 11 days after a helmet-to-helmet hit left him visibly shaken. The NFL has not had a repeat champion since the Brady-led Patriots accomplished the feat in 2004 and 2005, the latter title coming against the Eagles and giving New England their third championship in four seasons. Should the Patriots prevail in chilly Minneapolis, they would join the Pittsburgh Steelers as the only NFL teams to win six Super Bowl titles.

Narine, Lewis shine as Red Force bully Marooners BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – It was carded as a day/night affair but Trinidad and Tobago required less then three hours to dispose of a listless Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners by nine wickets in their second match of the Regional Super50 here Thursday. Off-spinner Sunil Narine was brilliant, claiming five for 10 from 7.4 overs, to sink Marooners for 101 off 25.4 overs after the Barbabadosbased unit opted to bat first at historic Kensington Oval. Left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell picked up three for 40 while left-arm spinner Khary Pierre took two for 15. Veteran left-hander Ryan Hinds top-scored with a stroke-filled 32 from 19 balls but was just one of two batsmen to reach double figures, as Marooners went from dominant in their opening win against Windward Islands Volcanoes, to dreadful all in the space of three days.

West Indies opener Evin Lewis then added to the Marooners’ woes, blasting a breathtaking unbeaten 70 from just 42 balls, as Red Force raced to their paltry target in the 12th over. The aggressive lefthander showed little mercy, smashing nine fours and four sixes as he raced to his halfcentury off 28 balls. He was particularly severe on Aaron Daley, taking 20 from the medium pacer ’s third over – the 10th over of the innings – by belting a pair of fours and sixes. Lewis put on 37 off 31 balls for the first wicket with Tion Webster who made 15 before going bowled by Daley in the sixth over. Left-hander Amir Jangoo, who struck three fours in an unbeaten 12, was more or less a bystander as Lewis dominated an unbroken 65-run, second-wicket stand off just 37 deliveries. Earlier, Cottrell produced

a lethal new-ball burst to knock over captain Kyle Corbin (0), Kjorn Ottley (8) and Oraine Williams (7), and reduce Marooners to 22 for three in the fifth over. The left-handed Hinds then paired with Yannick Ottley (17) to rebuild the innings in a 53-run fourth wicket partnership. Hinds scored all his runs in boundaries – eight of them – while Ottley held up the other end in a 39ball knock which included a single six. There was no sign of the imminent collapse as the pair navigated the Red Force attack but the introduction of Narine and Pierre changed the complexion of the game. Pierre broke the stand when he removed Hinds in the 11th over and Ottley followed in the 18th when Narine trapped him lbw. Narine then worked his magic as Marooners lost their last six wickets for 13 runs.

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Saturday February 03, 2018

Kaieteur News

Omar McLeod, world’s best hurdler, challenges top sprinters at Millrose Games USA TODAY Sports – Usain Bolt took three more gold medals in his final Olympic dash at the 2016 Rio Games before resurfacing briefly last summer, with a final sprint of farewell races — including a third-place finish in the 100 at the World Championships in London — bringing to an end the most awarded career by a male sprinter in the sport’s history. Eighteen months after Rio, the void he left behind as the face of track remains unfilled. Maybe runners of Bolt’s achievement, personality and worldwide recognition can’t be replaced by one individual athlete. It’s also common to see the sport’s popularity plummet in post-Olympics years, among U.S. viewers in particular, and for track athletes to be replaced in the public eye by Olympians of a different sort — figure skaters, skiers, bobsledders and the like. That doesn’t mean the sport of track and field isn’t obsessed with the question: Who’s next? It’s only natural to ask, if almost impossible to answer. On the men’s side, maybe it’s American sprinter Christian Coleman, a silver medalist in the 100 meters in London. It could be Canada’s Andre De Grasse, who took a silver and two bronze medals in Rio. Or maybe those wondering about Bolt’s successor won’t need to look far, geographically speaking. In fellow Jamaican Omar McLeod, the reigning world and Olympic cham-

pion in the 110 hurdles, track and field may find an athlete capable of at least mimicking Bolt’s impact — in Olympic success and, for the self-described “complete goofball,” in temperament and enthusiasm. “It’s all about having an image. It’s all about the fans. If you connect with the fans, you automatically win,” McLeod said. “That’s something I’m trying to do more. It’s a different level to it, taking up that mantle. It can’t be, ‘I run fast but don’t have personality,’ or, ‘I have personality but don’t run fast.’ “Talent speaks for itself, and I don’t think you should necessarily try to be someone else. But that’s my personality. Just like Bolt, I have an upbeat personality. Being myself is all about that. I always laugh, I always have a joke.”To chase the long shadow Bolt cast over the sport meant to change. McLeod’s post-Olympic stretch has been a period of transition, from changing coaches, his home base, his training style and even his primary focus. While already established as the world’s top hurdler, McLeod and his coach, Edrick Floreal, have spent this season concentrating on something else: sprinting. The decision came after a summit with Floreal, the track coach at the University of Kentucky, who not long after meeting McLeod — the two were connected by his agent, Claude Bryan, and found common ground as former

Omar McLeod with his gold medal at the World Championships last year. (Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports) track standouts at the University of Arkansas — broached the idea of widening the 23year-old’s skill set. In choosing Floreal as his coach, McLeod joined a Kentucky staff of volunteer assistants that includes long jumper Sha’Keela Saunders and 11 hurdles world recordholder Kendra Harrison 400 hurdles world champion Kori Carter. In discussing their common goals, Floreal raised the opportunity to potentially grasp a leading role in track; the idea appealed to McLeod, who was at a point in his career where “he needed change,” he said. Both agreed on another idea: McLeod’s talent may be wasted if focused solely on the hurdles. McLeod wanted to expand his horizons, Floreal said. “He doesn’t want to be known as a guy who just runs the hurdles,” Floreal said. “In

Big Bash League: Adelaide Strikers edge Melbourne Renegades to reach final BBC Sport - Adelaide Strikers set up a Big Bash League final against Hobart Hurricanes, edging past Melbourne Renegades by one run in their home semifinal. Travis Head, released from Australia’s Twenty20 triseries squad to play in the game, hit an unbeaten 85 from 57 balls, adding 104 with Jake Weatherald (57) in the Strikers’ 178-5. Marcus Harris (45) kept the Renegades in touch but they needed 13 off the last over and seamer Ben Laughlin held his nerve against Tom Cooper (36 not out) and Kieron Pollard (29 not out). Adelaide Oval will now host Sunday’s two finals. Earlier at the same venue, the Strikers lost their Women’s Big Bash League semi-final to holders Sydney Sixers, despite a half-century from England’s Tammy Beaumont.

Adelaide-born Head hit 96 against England on his home ground in an ODI on Australia Day last week. (Getty Images) Sunday’s Big Bash finals (Adelaide Oval): WBBL final: Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers (01:20

GMT) BBL final: Adelaide Strikers v Hobart Hurricanes (05:30 GMT)

our sport, if you’re just a onetrick pony you’re just a person. But if you’re able to dominate and able to do multiple events, you become a little more marketable. He thought he could leave a bigger mark by doing more events. “I think one thing that people forget is Omar has won all the championships – — world indoor, world outdoor, Olympics. So it’s almost like, what’s next? Just keep running. We’re fully emerged into that and trying to take it to the next level.” Sprinting isn’t new to McLeod, who has cracked the 10-second mark in the 100 and has the strength and endurance to shine in the 200, the latter his favorite of the two distances. This weekend, McLeod will be in the 60 at the Millrose Games in New York, racing against fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell and Americans Cameron Burrell, Ronnie Baker and Clayton Vaughn.Yet embracing the discipline entails accepting an unfamiliar sensation. McLeod is a dominant hurdler, but the shift toward sprinting will come with its risks — central among them an inevitable growing curve against athletes concentrated solely on the shorter distances. The choice also raises a question: When so dominant in one event, is McLeod wise to draw his focus away from

Omar McLeod has been practically unbeatable in the 110 hurdles the last two years. He also wants to test himself against the world’s top sprinters. (Photo: Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports) hurdling? “I know I can be really successful with it,” McLeod said. “Maybe it’s a little risky, going from what I do and what I dominate to another event where I’ll probably get beat a couple of times. But that’s OK. I know that I can grow. “It aligns with the goals I set out for myself. I know if I accomplish those goals I’ll be well on the way to taking up that mantle. It’s humbling and it’s an honor. All I need to do is do what I do, be myself, and I think it’ll happen.” Any short-term struggles,

should they exist, are aimed at the long-term goal of inheriting Bolt’s status as the must-see figure in men’s track and field. Hurdlers can dominate an event but can’t own the sport; an athlete capable of competing in the hurdles and sprints at a gold-medal level can, however. The question of who’s next in track may be answered by how well McLeod handles what’s next. “It’s not a matter of reinventing the wheel,” Floreal said. “We’re just expanding the wheel, making the wheel a little bit bigger.”

UCCA’s 2018 season began yesterday with Inter Primary School competition -R and R Auto Rental Services of No 79 village Corentyne is the sponsor The Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) began their 2018 cricket season yesterday with the commencement of the Davendra Ramgoolam, R and R Auto Rental Services Inter Primary School Softball Cricket Competition, for school in the Upper Corentyne area. A total of 10 Primary Schools are down to participate in the competition which will be played on Fridays. The schools have been divided into three groups or clusters, which is in keeping with the Ministry of Education arrangements for schools in the area. The schools down to participate are Crabwood Creek, Skeldon and Corriverton Primaries in one group; No71, No 68, New Market and No 59 Primaries in another group, while No 56, No 51 and No 48 Primaries are in the third group. The winner of each

group will qualify to participate in the final on a date to be announced. The competition began with play in group one which was held at the Crabwood Creek Ground. Corriverton Primary drew the bye to the final. Crabwood Creek won the toss and put Skeldon into bat and they reached 65-5 in their 10 overs with Krishna making 20. Crabwood Creek in reply were dismissed for 60 to lose by five runs. Nathaniel made 19.In t h e f i n a l g a me Skeldon defeated Corriverton by 24 runs in a low scoring affair. Skeldon won the toss and batted first and were held to 49-9 in their allotment of overs with Nicholas making 12. Corriverton in their turn at the crease were bundled out for 25 with Nicholas returning to take five wickets. Skeldon has thus qualified for the grand finale. At the end of the day’s competition all the players were presented with exercise

books, pencils and pens. The school received reading materials. All compliments of Hilbert Foster CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club MS. The competition continues on Friday at the No 71 ground, with matches in cluster/group two which will see No71, No68, New Market and No 59 Primaries in action.At the end of the competition the winning team will receive $15,000 gift voucher, while the runner up will collect $10,000. These will go to the players to purchase stationary and school supplies of their choice from the Deckers Store on the Upper Corentyne.The winning and runner up trophies compliments of R and R Auto Rental Services will go to the respective schools. Vice President of the UCCA and former national Wicketkeeper batsman Sydney Jackman is the Coordinator. (Samuel Whyte)