Monday February 05, 2018
TCV has been doing tremendous work on the ground DEAR EDITOR, We are grateful to Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, for recognising The Caribbean Voice (TCV) as a credible NGO. We are also thrilled with the Hon Minister’s words, “I would support Caribbean Voice. They have done some work in Guyana”. However we are a bit puzzled by the Minister’s statement, “I want to see them going down on the ground doing much more work.” After all, doing work on the ground is what we’re about. Since our launch in 2015 we have done workshops and outreaches (training delivery and sensitization is one of the pillars of our activism) in Regions Two, Three, Four and Six as well as an initial outreach in Region One. Furthermore, we have done workshops at a number of schools, mostly private, and for employees of a few businesses. While the Ministry of Education has endorsed TCV to also do
workshops in public schools, we are waiting for this process to be formalized. The Childcare & Protection Agency has also pledged to collaborate on these workshops. Currently we have a Memorandum of Understanding with the Guyana Teachers’ Union for workshops for teachers, nationwide. Thus far, workshops have been held at the Canje Secondary School, Berbice High School and Lenora Secondary School, with 324 teachers in attendance. As well, workshops for fired sugar workers will be held on Feb. 3 at Rose Hall Estate Community Center, on Feb. 17 at Skeldon Estate Recreation Center and on March 10 at Albion Estate. A similar workshop was held last year at Wales. And in April, TCV, in collaboration with Seva4Life, a Canada based NGO, we will be holding a series of workshops in Black Bush
No let up in Guyana’s defence at the ICJ DEAR EDITOR, It is my sincere hope that the team of lawyers who will be representing the country’s border case against Venezuela at the ICJ in the near future does not let key dates slip by as was demonstrated in the Dipcon fiasco that cost the Nation millions of dollars, which would have been handy today for the sugar workers’ severance. This case is of utmost importance and no mistakes of this sort should be tolerated, for there is a substantial portion of our patrimony and heritage at stake. The ongoing review of progress as it relates to preparation should be made a top priority with a very clear position and understanding of the corresponding counter arguments. The aid of the United Kingdom should be enlisted and a joint position presented so as to ensure clear continuity of the 1899 position, judgement and consistency of the case presented with full historical documentation presented to firmly ground the basis for discussion in the court. Best regards, Jamil Changlee
TRIBUTE TO DR. MARTIN BOODHOO DEAR EDITOR, Dr. Martin Boodhoo was an outstanding unofficial ambassador of Guyana and Guyanese attributes of multiculturalism and inclusivity, wherever he worked, in the UK, with the UN and ILO in Africa, Malaysia and the Caribbean. From humble beginnings, when he could not afford to attend high school, by dint of hard work he strove to achieve. The first UG graduate to obtain a PhD, he became at the peak of his career UG’s Pro Vice Chancellor and UN Consultant. He is featured in the book
‘Guyanese Achievers UK’ containing short bios of Guyanese achievers, including Sir ShridathRamphal, Baroness Amos, Lord Waheed Ali, and cricketing legend Clive Lloyd, among many others. With kind regards Vidur
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Polder. This would be our second intervention in Black Bush Polder, in addition to one outreach also. Outreaches and workshops are also being planned for Regions One, Five and Ten this year. Additionally The Caribbean Voice held the first and only national Stakeholders Conference on Suicide and Related Issues in August 2015, which was attended by over 75 stakeholders. The Honorable Minister spoke at that conference. Also we have held three press conferences. The last one on January 19, generated a tremendous amount of awareness and information dissemination. Awareness building and information dissemination, one of the pillars of our activism, is ongoing as some of our members are media personnel who put their radio and TV programs at our disposal in all three counties, and, as well, we have been accommodated by the media via interviews, letters and articles. Awareness building and information dissemination is also fostered through our w e b s i t e (www.caribvoice.org), our Facebook group and page, our YouTube channel, our blog and five other social media sites. And we have also been invited to address many forums including the National Parliament, as the Hon Minister is aware. Then there is the Annual Anti-Violence Candlelight Vigil, a TCV initiative, organized by Voices Against Violence, a grouping of about 80 Stakeholders, on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10. The first two vigils drew close to 100 stakeholder participants and saw about 800 vigils held across Guyana. The Hon. Minister is also aware of this vigil, as we had sought his support when it was launched in 2015. In fact, our workshops are also done in collaboration with other stakeholders. Also we have participated in quite a number of outreaches organized by other stakeholders in various parts of Guyana. And we Continued on page 6
The city council is reckless with its money DEAR EDITOR, By now it must be pellucid to the youngest child why the City Council is always broke, and in fact totally bankrupt, and that is because of the reckless behaviour and irresponsible actions of the administrative leadership at City Hall. How could the Town Clerk explain maintaining a staff strength of nearly 1000 employees with a monthly payroll of $130 million, whilst contracting out almost all of its services from refuse collection to brush cutting for hundreds of millions of dollars. This is just not sustainable and benefits only the senior administrators at Council. But quite disconcerting is the propensity of the administration of the City Council to boast and pat itself on the back when it finally does something that it should have been doing all along. Examples of this would be the debushing of Le Repentir Cemetery and the repair of the Kitty Market where they criticize the previous central government for not
maintaining these facilities. New Flash these facilities belong to the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown and therefore it is the duty and responsibility of the City Council to maintain them as was done in years gone by. But this current Council has become so accustomed to bailouts from Central Government that it thinks it is an obligation. It is not. Quite dishonestly it continuously announces that property rates have not been increased for more than twenty years. Just two years ago property rates were increased by a whopping 10%. For such treachery the senior administrator of Council should be sanctioned. But very alarming is the cavalier approach the administration has taken to its indebtedness to the Guyana Revenue Authority, the National Insurance Scheme and the utility companies stating that it is not the only entity that has outstanding payment to entities. These entities should take the
council to court to receive their monies. It is illegal and it is not that the Council does not have the money, it is that it spends it recklessly on foreign travel and contractors who do not have to subscribe to tender board procedures. And about the holding of Mayoral elections until March 15, I must say that I smell a rat. Why did all the other municipalities except Georgetown have theirs in December? Why did the Georgetown Municipality have theirs the last time in December? I believe that there is some jiggery pokery afoot. Bearing in mind that the next Mayor would only have at best a term of nine months, it would make perfect sense for that individual to know three months in advance that he has been elected so that the team could plan its programmes and policies. Benjamin Franklin once said: Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don’t have brains enough to be honest. Sincerely Shanta Singh
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM IS STILL TO BE A REALITY DEAR EDITOR, The following is a statement made by the Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, quoted in a Stabroek News article of November 19, 2016. “We went into the election and we promised constitutional reform. The AFC was foremost in its advocacy for certain changes to be made to our constitution to make it more peoplefriendly, if I may say that. Also, to open up the door for greater consultative democracy and participation by all stakeholders, including
opposition political parties, in the process of governance and we have not recoiled from that position,” Some fifteen months later constitutional reform seems to all but have disappeared from the Administration’s agenda. To recap – - September 2015- A Steering Committee on Constitutional Reform was established by Prime Minister Nagamootoo. - April 2016 – A Report (The Hughes Report) ‘Framework for Constitutional Reform’ was presented to Prime Minister Nagamootoo
by the Steering Committee on Constitutional Reform. (The report is not available in the public domain). - February 2017 - A Constitutional Assessment Team from the United Nations Development Team and the United Nations Department of Political Affairs conducted a Constitutional Assessment Mission to Guyana. Their Continued on page 6
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We have competent women who are Questions on this playground fiasco DEAR EDITOR, community run to the court to take out an equally qualified for these positions submit 1) Did the community representatives injunction to restrain the Council? a plan to the Council to show how the 4) If the Council owns a plot of land that is
DEAR EDITOR, I wish to be a part of the conversation about the selection of the very aged New GECOM Chairman. In this stead, I congratulate our President for being bold in making such a move. My issue is that from observation, I have noticed many CEO’s and heads of organization are male, are over the age of 60-65 and that seems okay. On the other hand, we have competent women who are equally qualified and healthy, who find it difficult to attain those jobs or even be accepted for advertised positions. Once they interview you, and recognize that you are over 60, your chances are diminished in being employed. There is talk that some government organizations prefer to have younger females who may not have the experience but let us be very wary of this as
“Weinsteinism” can be a present danger at every organization. Can we address this and not let this appear to be the “male dominated” world. No longer are women eagerly looking forward to retiring and staying home to knit, watch soap operas, gardening and tend to grand children. We are willing to work beyond the age of 60 and should be given that opportunity. We h a v e b e e n u s i n g and quoting North America as an example for many things, therefore we should also take all aspects of their norms; take Britain for example they have Theresa May who is 61 years old and Germany has Angela Merkel, who is 63 years of age, not forgetting the USA senate has at least 12 women who are above the age of 60 and still serving excellently. Even though it is not
This mining company refuses to pay me DEAR EDITOR, A reputable mining company in Region # 2 is refusing to pay money owed to me as an excavator operator during a three month period of employment for last year. The company’s manager had prepared a time sheet which is in my possession showing that one and a half million dollars ($1,500,000.00) is owing to me for services rendered as from 2017-07-17 to 2- 1 7- 1 0- 1 7 inclusive of overtime. A formal complaint of my predicament was made at the Ministry of Labour’s District
Office at Anna Regina where several requests were made for a company’s representative to be present, but it was of no avail. From a visit made at the company’s Charity Office I was advised to make contact with the Minister of Labour and it was done only to show how insult is being added to injury. As an impecunious person not being in a position to pursue court action, I am optimistic that the Ministry’s intervention will help me to get my money. Jacob Gudge
nice to mention but is necessary, according to UNICEF the Life Expectancy rate between males and females have shown that women out live our male counterpart by approximately 10 years, so what could be the reason for reemploying older men and not women also? Let us take a page out of the book and extend those jobs to women who have experience and knowledge and who wish to continue to make strides in Guyana as they continue nurturing and being the softer side of our growing population. Also we should stop calling women “mamie” and the men are not called “dadie”. Let us go back to Sir, Madam, Mr. Thomas, Ms. Smart and not Ms. June. We are looking to attract tourists, let us speak properly. Concerned Guyanese
area can be developed for the benefit of the residents? 2) Why did the community representatives allowed the area to be overtaken with garbage, grass, grime and slush knowing of the financial challenges of the Council? 3) Why only after the Council had announced its plans for the specific area and commenced a regimen of cleaning, did the
transported can the community representatives dictate how it can and should be utilized? In conclusion it may seem that there is more in the mortar than in the pestle. Is it that the elite bourgeoisies believe that the Council’s employees are lesser mortal and do not deserve a space in their earthly paradise. Mortimer Thomside
No good life, if your pension is under minimum wage DEAR EDITOR, There are pensioners who contribute fifteen years and more to the public service and are not receiving a pension for those years. There is this outdated pension policy that states, if you resign instead of retirement, you forfeit your right to a pension. People resign for valid reasons; victimization, hostile working conditions etc. Someone may be employed in the public for twenty years and resigned his position because of victimization. Another person retires at fifty five after spending ten years in the public service, receives a pension. The President described people retiring at fifty five years as ridiculous. I wonder how he would
describe the current pension policy? There are a few companies around who pay their employees a pension after serving ten years, whether they retire or resign. There was a commission of inquiry into the public service in 2015. Recommendations were made in relation to the retirement age and the current pension policy, three years later, nothing has changed. The government mission statement is a good life for everyone. However, it is not possible to have a good life, if your current pension is under minimum wage. Hoping to have some kind of intervention soon. Concerned Pensioners
TCV has been doing tremendous work on... From page 5 continually hold meetings with other stakeholders including government ministers, institutions such as UG, various media and influencers in a bid to foster collaboration and advance anti-violence. As well The Caribbean Voice has attended many related forums, organized by various entities, including the University of Guyana, the US Embassy, the Ministry of Public Health, PAHO, The Women’s Roundtable. In fact, building stakeholders’ collaboration – with local government administrations, NGOs, FBOs, CBOs, special interest groups, mass based organizations, media,
government agencies and entities - is another one of the pillars of our activism. Furthermore, there is the El Dorado Awards, in its fourth year, which has sought to highlight the work of social activists and those who make a difference through volunteerism and/or philanthropy, by honoring them and in the process bringing them together for interaction with the general public. To date 48 such honorees from across Guyana have been highlighted. Our ongoing petition calling for the establishment of a registry of sexual offenders has also seen TCV doing work on the ground to obtain signatures in
Constitutional reform... From page 5 findings are contained in a report dated March 6, 2017 - July 2017- Draft legislation establishing the Constitutional Reform Consultative Commission was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitution Reform for consideration and report. - September 2017- At the Turkeyen Tain Talks 9 held at the Pegasus hotel Minister Trotman in response to a question informed the audience that the Constitutional Reform Commission Bill would be considered as a matter of priority in October 2017 at the resumption of Parliament in that month. - February 2018- In the
absence of information to the contrary the process appears to have stalled. RISE Guyana is concerned that the impetus for constitutional reform has been lost, that the coalition government, now in power, has no desire to proceed with the reforms they acknowledged were vital to promoting greater consultative democracy. This does not bode well for our fragile democracy. Yours faithfully, Ede Tyrell Renata Chuck-a-Sang Wil Campbell Jainarine Singh Terrence Campbell Nadia Sagar Marcel Gaskin Luana Falconer For RISE Guyana
walkabouts, at outreaches and at various other events and activities. Then there is our ongoing counseling service offered free by our technical team of seven highly credentialed and experienced clinical counselors. To date over 320 counseling cases have been handled. This year we will also launch our Concert For Hope series in Guyana, a fundraising venture that is anti-alcohol, as are all our events, and that combines great entertainment with messages focusing on suicide and abuse. This concert series was launched in the US last year at a number of different venues. All of this and more in spite of the fact that TCV is a fully volunteer entity, offering all services for free as well as covering all costs related to all our events and activities (including snacks and lunches for workshops),
with no paid staff or overheads, operating on a shoe string budget, with funds raised by our members and with no funding from any external source – here and there we have had some support from a few businesses. In fact, The Hon. Minister would probably be aware of us being told in 2015, just after our conference, that two cabinet members had been designated by the Hon. President Granger, to provide all needed support to TCV, since His Excellency felt that our campaign was worthwhile. Of course we are still awaiting such support. However, we fervently hope that the Hon Minister Ramjattan, would find it possible to accommodate us with a meeting, so we can fill him in on our work on the ground and be able to take up his offer of support. Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice
Venezuela objects to... From page 4 Essequibo watershed south of the junction of the Essequibo and the Rupununi rivers. Today, the claim has extended to all territory west of the Essequibo River, including the islands in the river. It has also been expanded to include Guyana’s maritime region rich with oil deposits. And as is widely known, Venezuela seized Guyana’s half of the border Ankoko Island and its
armed gunboats brazenly venture into Guyana’s section of the Cuyuni River. It will be interesting to hear the response of the UNSG to the Venezuelan rebuff. At the same time, the member states of the United Nations are no doubt hoping for a judicial solution. It is possible that their quiet diplomacy can help to propel Venezuela to work along with Guyana towards this direction. Odeen Ishmael
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Bartica Teachers benefit from Failure to address campaign STEM, Robotics training finance reform will hurt Guyana A robot built by STEM Guyana
STEM Guyana in association with the Ministry of Public Telecommunications recently embarked on a series of certification sessions for technology buffs or school leaders who are interested in starting technology clubs in their communities. Twelve teachers from Bartica, Cuyuni Mazaruni Region Seven were among those who benefitted from the exercise. The teachers along with four community stakeholders recently underwent a one-day training workshop in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Robotics. According to information released to the press, the exercise is part of efforts to help residents of the community enhance their technological skills, which can assist in providing modern solutions to the challenges of transitioning Bartica in a modern town. The training also saw participants from the Lusignan/ Good Hope Learning Centre and The Deaf Association of Guyana, a collaborative effort between the Office of Climate Change (OCC), Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Telecommunications and the STEM Guyana, was facilitated by Founder of STEM Guyana, Karen Abrams and her daughter, Imah Abrams. Project Manager of the Bartica Transitioning to National Energy Security Project, Mr. Gavin Bovell, noted that science and technology play a critical role in developing solutions to many common issues. Taking this into context, he said that the OCC in June 2017 launched a US$650,000 pilot project, for the purpose of establishing a reliable point of reference for the existing state of energy use in Bartica. The financing was received from the Government of Italy in support of the
Model ‘Green’ Town, Bartica Project. The data generated from this project will be used for future measurements and predictions for evidencebased decision-making and pursuance of projects and programmes. One of the components of the five-component project focused on sensitisation and awareness among the populace. It is in this context, he said that the project was born, to not only raise awareness but also equip the residents, particularly students with the relevant skills to help find viable solutions. “For the sensitisation, what we planned to do is to go into schools and have hands-on activities. So we thought it interesting and timely that the STEM Guyana team was here in Guyana already and so we decided to collaborate to sponsor sixteen persons to be trained so that they can go back into their communities and schools and train students.” “We believe that this is important because the kids
can go back into their communities and come up with solutions using the applied skills that they would have received that they can come up with their own solutions,” he said. The pilot project, under which today’s workshop falls, is divided into two phases. In phase one, which is currently being implemented over a period of 12 months, energy audits and public awareness exercises are being completed, along with the establishment of an energy data management centre. To the degree possible, some small-scale demonstrations have also commenced. In phase two the information gathered will be used for the scale up of projects. Mrs. Abrams said STEM Guyana is pleased to be a part of the project. She noted that if Guyana is to fast track its development and compete globally, it is important that citizens be exposed to such programmes so that they can formulate solutions to solve issues ranging from the environment to agriculture to health care.
If the coalition administration is serious about ridding the election process of dirty money and other suspect forms of fiscal support, then it must act with some level of urgency when it comes to reforms for campaign financing. This viewpoint was recently posited by Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr. David Hinds. In his recent writings, Dr. Hinds noted that over the next two years, Guyana is expected to hold two elections—the local government elections later this year and the general elections in 2020. Despite promises of campaign finance reform, he said that the government is yet to tackle this troublesome area of the political process. While he is not sure whether the coalition government is going to push ahead with campaign finance reform legislation, Dr. Hinds said that there has been little if any sense of urgency in this direction. Even when the government indicates that it is willing to address its promise to beef up anti-corruption legislation, the political commentator asserted that they don’t say much about campaign finance reform. “Perhaps the last time the president frontally addressed the issue was more than a year ago, when he promised legislation before the next general election. Since then, we have not seen any movement. So, it’s fair to conclude that there is no urgency. This is worrying– it makes the government look bad. These campaign promises which are in the manifesto represent the ingredients needed for an articulation of the hitherto elusive government’s vision.” The political activist believes that the sloth partly has to do with the contraction of decision-making within the
- with oil money on the way, Govt. must act now, says Dr. Hinds
WPA Executive Member, Dr. David Hinds coalition. In this regard, Dr. Hinds pointed out that everything is decided at Cabinet. He noted however that the Cabinet is made up of ministers who are obviously primarily concerned with management of their individual ministries. Hence, they are less interested and in many regards, less schooled in overall government policy direction, Hinds stated. With this in mind, Dr. Hinds said that the matter of campaign finance, which does not fall under the purview of any subject ministry, except maybe the Legal Affairs Ministry, does not get the treatment it deserves. “The sloth also has to do with the absence of a cohe-
sive and intentional legislative agenda. Governments tend to pay little attention to the legislative branch, except when they want to use their majority to hurry something through the legislature.” “And the parties in the coalition have not been doing their work as far as pressuring the coalition to advance an aggressive legislative agenda that speaks to the overall direction in which the coalition wants to take the country. You never hear from the People’s National Congress, the Alliance For Change, the WPA and the others about their legislative priorities. These parties seem satisfied that they are ‘in government’ and are not prepared to lift their voices beyond support for the government when it finds itself in trouble.” “So, issues such as campaign finance reform for which they vigorously argued when in opposition, get pushed to the sidelines. I therefore repeat my call for the coalition to set up a committee made up of representatives of member parties to do a “mid-term audit” of campaign promises. The objective is to determine what promises have been addressed and others that need to be urgently addressed. Such work cannot be left to (Continued on page 14)
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No insurance provision in Oil Contract for destruction of fishing grounds - nothing also for impact on coastal communities, neighbouring countries By Kiana Wilburg There are many examples around the world where the governments ensure that oil companies provide insurance which would ensure compensation for any impact on communities and neighbouring countries due to the said operations. Unfortunately, Guyana is not one of those nations. In the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed between the Government of Guyana and USA oil giant, ExxonMobil, there is no provision regarding any adverse impact on fishing grounds and coastal communities or on neighbouring countries. This alarming observation was recently pointed out by Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram and political commentator, Ramon Gaskin. Ram in his recent writings noted that Article 20.2 of Guyana’s 2016 Oil Agreement deals with Insurance in respect of, but not limited to assets, pollution, third parties and employees. The Attorney-at-Law pointed out that the Agreement does not require any loss of production insurance as will apply in the case of any major disruption of production or environmental accidents. He said that while this provision is absent from the 2016 Agreement, the 1999 Agreement which was signed by the Jagan administration, allowed for insurance to be taken out by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited’s affiliate insurance company. Esso is a subsidiary
of ExxonMobil. Ram stated, “That requirement has been changed and now allows the Contractor to have the right to self-insure against the risks identified. This is a major concession by (Natural Resources Minister, Raphael) Trotman on an issue that only specialist lawyers know about. What it means in practice, is that anyone seeking to make an insurance claim will have to lodge that claim against Esso, CNOOC/Nexen or Hess, all of which are external companies. Those potential claimants must thank Raphael Trotman for making their chances even more difficult to succeed.” CASE OF UGANDA In 2012, the Government of Uganda signed a PSA with British operator, Tullow Oil. That entity is also exploring in Guyana’s deep waters. In the PSA of that African nation, there are strict provisions for Insurance. The PSA notes that the Licensee is to provide a Performance Security in the form of Insurance Bond or Bank Guarantee amounting to USD $500,000.00 which shall, inter alia, guarantee the payment by Licensee of the sums, if any, due and payable to the Government pursuant to the paragraph hereunder. “To ensure that Licensee, its Contractors and Sub-contractors meet their obligations to third parties, or to the Government, that might arise in the event of damage, loss or injury (including environmental damage or injury, removal of
wrecks and cleaning up caused by accidents) caused by Petroleum Operations, Licensee shall maintain in force an insurance policy through an international insurance company of good financial standing covering the activities of itself and its contractors and sub-contractors, sublicensees and the employees of all such parties.” “…To the extent that third party liability insurance is unavailable or is not obtained, or does not cover part or all of any claims for damage, loss or injury caused by or resulting from Petroleum Operations, Licensee shall remain fully responsible and shall defend, indemnify and hold the Government harmless against all such claims by the Government arising from any such damage, loss or injury. Licensee shall indemnify, defend and hold the Government harmless against all third party claims for damage, loss or injury, including, without limitation, claims for loss or damage to property or injury or death to persons, caused by or resulting from any Petroleum Operations conducted by or on behalf of Licensee.” OIL SPILL ISSUES With ExxonMobil set to kick start in March 2020, Guyana is yet to see what provisions are in place by the company or the government in relation to oil spill prevention and the readiness to respond. Asked by Kaieteur News about contractual provisions for such an eventuality. Coun-
Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman try Manager for ExxonMobil, Rod Henson advised that there is “language” in the contract it has with the Government which speaks to this. But the only detailed financial arrangement in place Article 28 of the Contract, which focuses on Social Responsibility and Protection of the Environment, is for social and environmental projects to be discussed and agreed upon by the two parties. That arrangement says, “The Minister and the Contractor shall establish a program of financial support for environmental and social projects to be funded by the Contractor. The Contractor shall directly fund the amount of three hundred thousand United States Dollars (US$300,000) per Calendar Year with any unspent portion carried over into the ensuing Calendar Years of the Agreement.” Furthermore, Henson noted that ExxonMobil has in place, its own Oil Spill Response Plan. He said that the Government of Guyana is in possession of this document. The nation is yet to see this plan. EXXONMOBIL’S OIL SPILLS Over the years, ExxonMobil has been criticized for causing some of the world’s most detrimental oil spills, leaving marine life as well as communities devastated for decades. One of the worst in its
Chartered Accountant and Political Commentator, Ramon Gaskin
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram
track record is the infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill which occurred in Alaska on March 24, 1989. The Exxon Valdez, an oil tanker owned by Exxon Shipping Company, was bound for Long Beach, California. On its journey, it struck the Prince William Sound’s Bligh Reef and spilled 10.8 million gallons of crude oil for several days. Given its effects, it is considered to be one of the most devastating humancaused environmental disasters. But more than 20 years later, many question whether ExxonMobil actually learned anything from the great Valdez mistake. On May 1, 2010, a ruptured ExxonMobil pipeline in the state of Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, spilled more than a million gallons of oil into the delta. The leakage contaminated waters and coastal settlements in the predominantly fishing communities along Akwa Ibom. Importantly, Nigeria’s authorities flagged ExxonMobil for its response to the oil spill as it sought to use certain chemicals which were proven to be toxic to human and marine life. In fact, Rev. Samuel Ayadi, Akwa Ibom State Chapter Chairman of Artisan Fishermen Association of Nigeria (ARFAN), said that ExxonMobil was in the habit of using dangerous chemical dispersants which are scientifically proven to be toxic to human and aquatic life to clean up oil spills whenever
they occur. He also noted that dispersants were even more dangerous than crude oil because it breaks down the crude oil and sinks it to the sea bed where it kills fish eggs and fingerlings thereby wiping out generations of fish stock and other sea food and marine creatures that make up the food chain. Even as early as February of this year, ExxonMobil found itself under investigation after Australian regulators discovered that there was an oily sheen around ExxonMobil’s rig in the Bass Strait of Australia. The findings of the investigation revealed that it was indeed an oil spill caused by ExxonMobil and worse yet; its failure to properly respond increased the risk of contamination and posed a “significant threat to the environment.” Sources used: https:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ 2010_ExxonMobil_oil_spill, http://www.petrocom.gov.gh/ a s s e t s / Petroleum(Exploration%20and%20Production)Act2016.pdf, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Exxon_Valdez_oil_spill, h t t p s : / / www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/feb/03/oil-spillnear-exxonmobil-drilling-platform-in-bass-strait-to-be-investigated, https:// www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/10/ exxonmobil-criticised-over-response-to-bass-strait-oilspill.
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Kaieteur News was not misleading Kaieteur News in its article of January 30, 2018 entitled “Contract reveals… Guyana to foot bill for litigation brought against ExxonMobil” never once asserted that should there be an oil spill in relation to the operations of Exxon Mobil in Guyana that Guyana will have to pay the cost of any cleanup. In a letter published in yesterday’s edition of the Stabroek News, one Sherwood Low accused Kaieteur News of misrepresentation of who bears the cost of an oil spill. Kaieteur News did not say that it was Guyana who has to bear the cost of any cleanup of an oil spill. There are two sets of
potential liabilities which will emerge in the event of an oil spill. The first is the clean-up costs and the second is cost of defending actions relating to litigation. The Kaieteur News article of January 30, 2018 spoke about litigation costs, not clean-up costs. The Kaieteur News article of January 30th, 2018 deals strictly with the liability relating to litigation. Kaieteur News quoted the Annex C which states the following: “All costs and expenses of litigation and legal or related series necessary or expedient for the procuring, perfecting, retention and protection of the contract area and in defending or prosecuting lawsuits involving the contract area
or any third party claim arising out of the activities under the agreement or sums paid in respect to legal services necessary or expedient for the protection of the interest of the parties are recoverable.” That section is clear. Any litigation or legal costs relating to activities in the contract area are recoverable. Article 38 does not transfer this liability to Exxon in the event of an oil spill. All it does is address the issue of clean- up costs, not litigation costs. Article 38 of the PSA deals with the obligation of Exxon to comply with the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act of Guyana. Subsection 38.4
Mashramani needs to return to Linden, place of its ‘birth’ By Enid Joaquin This year Guyana celebrates forty eight years as a Republic and it would also mark the forty eight year of Mashramani celebrations. The National festival would be celebrated in a big way in Georgetown, the country’s Capital. However in Linden, where the event was conceptualized and executed over four decades ago, celebrations are slated for the following week. This issue has become a bone of contention among Lindeners over the years, who are mostly of the view that this community is treated like “an afterthought” where Mashramani is concerned. But Chairman of the Commemoration Committee, Charles Sampson, who is tasked with overseeing the planning and execution of such activities is working to change all that, and is adamant that come 2020, Mashramani must return to its birthplace. Sampson said that a proposal/ request was made by the Regional Chairman and councilors of Region Ten and forwarded to the National Mashramani Secretariat to launch Mashramani in Linden in 2019 and host the National celebrations on February 23rd 2020, to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. He acknowledged that should this proposal be approved, lots of preparatory works will have to be done, to ensure that adequate accommodation is available for the influx of visitors. Additionally, extensive work will have to be done to extend the Bayrock facility to accommodate floats and revelers.
- Commemoration Committee Chairman, Charles Sampson Mashramani celebrations got underway in the mining Town last week with the hosting of the Children’s Costume, Dance and poetry Competitions. On February 28, a concert for the elderly is scheduled to be held at the Lichas Hall, beginning at 14: 00 hours. Sampson said that a flag raising ceremony is scheduled for the evening of the 22nd February, in front of the Regional Democratic Council office. Also planned for this date is the popular ‘Mash Bash,’ though tentative at this moment. On February 23, a band with approximately 200 revelers will travel to Georgetown to participate in the Mashramani Costume Competition. M a s h r a m a n i celebrations in Linden will culminate with a ‘wet fete’ or ‘jouvert’ on 3rd March and float and costume parade on the following day. This event will begin on the Mackenzie shore; with the main assembly point being the Linden / Georgetown bus Park. It will end at the Bayrock Community Center. Floats from the Georgetown Mashramani Competition are expected to be on display. Sampson noted that years ago, many persons would travel from Georgetown to Linden to participate in Linden’s Mashramani. However, such participation has consistently dwindled over the years. While Lindeners are for the most part excited about
Mashramani, many are of the view that more needs to be done in the mining town with regards to its celebration. Ironically, Lindeners who were the first to celebrate this event forty eight years ago are now among the last to take to the streets in celebration. Mashramani which means celebration after hard work, was birthed in Linden in 1970, then taken to Georgetown for the first time in 1972, following governments decision for it to become a national festival. Linden residents were however far from enthused about this decision, but DEMBA nonetheless sent a 500-strong contingent to Georgetown. It was the first region to put together such a big band, according to Jimmy Hamilton, an old bauxite worker and PR specialist who was integrally involved in putting plans together for the event. Hamilton in another section of the media had reflected on the daunting task of putting together such a large band, pointing out that it required a lot of work to shuttle people from areas as far as Ituni and Kwakwani to Mackenzie and then carry the whole contingent to Georgetown. Gone are those days of massive contingents leaving the mining Town for the Capital City. But with another Republic celebration mere days away, Lindeners wait with bated breath to see this grand festival be afforded the prominence it deserves in the Town of its birth.
states that if the Contractor fails to comply with the provisions of the EPA and this failure results in pollution and damage to the environment, the Contractor shall take reasonable measures to remedy the failure and the effects. This sub-section deals strictly with Exxon’s obligation to stem and cleanup any oil spills. Exxon’s obligations here do not extend to litigation costs. But even though Exxon is obligated to take action to clean-up after an oil spill, subsection 28.6 states that if
the Contractor does not act promptly, the Minister, meaning the Minister of Natural Resources, shall take action and the reasonable costs of such action shall be borne by the Contractor. It could not be clearer that the costs of actions taken by the Minister which has to be borne by the Contractor are the costs of mitigating the effects of any pollution or damage to the environment. It does not extend to the environment which takes place post-oil spill. It is true that 3.3 (h) provides for the Contractor to
bear the costs associated with willful misconduct or negligence. But these costs do not relate to litigation, legal fees, fines or compensation. Legal expenses and claims are covered by a separate section in Annex C and these expenses and claims are recoverable. And even if, for the sake of argument, they are not, what happens if the oil spill is deemed to be accidental?
Macron’s party loses in two by-elections PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron’s party lost two by-elections for parliamentary seats yesterday in the first electoral test since it won a commanding majority last June. The two lower house seats were won by the conservative Republicans party, in a boost for its new leader, Laurent Wauquiez, a hard-hitting critic of Macron. Wauquiez dismisses Macron as out of touch with rural France and weak on security. Macron, whose proEurope, pro-business Republic On The Move party still controls 309 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly, has seen his popularity wane
since he took power. “It’s a blow which severely punishes the government’s policies whose impact on the ground is being judged harshly by our fellow citizens: tax rises for the middle class and pensioners and an unprecedented explosioninimmigrationandcrime,” Wauquiez said in a statement. One of the conservatives was reelected in the Belfort 1 constituency in the east of the country with 58.93 percent of the votes, against 41.07 percent for the candidate supported by Macron’s party. Other parties, including the far-right National Front, were eliminated in the first round last Sunday.
President Emmanuel Macron The second seat in the running in the Val d‘Oise area north of Paris was lost by Macron’s candidate, who conceded defeat to her conservative rival late yesterday. Final results were not yet available.
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Delays in prosecution of child rape cases continue to raise concerns
With some strides made locally to adequately deal with matters related to sexual offences particularly those involving children, concerns have been continually raised over the delays and length of time matters of such are dealt with by the criminal justice system. Some sexual offences matters have been languishing in the system for a number of years. One such case is the matter involving Muslim Scholar, Nezaam Ali, who was charged with several counts of Sexual Activity with a child by Abusing a Position of Trust. It has been six years since Ali was charged but the matter is still in the Courts. Ali, who was a 33-year-old Imam at the time, is alleged to have sexually assaulted the nine boys, who take Quran and Arabic lessons from him, between December 2011 and January 2012. The virtual complainants allege that Ali had penetrative anal intercourse with them while they were minors. The incident allegedly took place as the boys were attending classes at an East Coast Demerara Masjid. The Muslim Scholar appeared before a Magistrate on several counts of sexual activity with a child by abusing a position of trust. But the matter from all indications appears to be at a standstill with
- one matter still in court after six years; another pending after ten
Muslim Scholar, Nezaam Ali the disappearance of the medical reports and birth certificates, of the nine boys allegedly raped. Last year, the matter was sent back to the Magistrates’ Court based on directive of the Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP). According to the information s released from the DPP’s Chambers, the DPP Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack, in letter dated February 13, 2017, remitted the matter to Magistrate Alex Moore to re-open the paper committals. The DPP also issued a directive to the Guyana Police Force to obtain certified copies of the original documents before the re-opening of the paper committals. According to the statement, subsequent to the first
preliminary inquiry held before Magistrate Moore, it was discovered that the original documents which were tendered during the PI, had gone missing from the depositions. Ali had been committed to stand trial in the High Court following a ruling by Magistrate Alex Moore. In 2013 after perusing the evidence brought before him during the preliminary inquiries, Magistrate Moore found that there was sufficient reason to send Ali for High Court trial. However Ali, through his lawyer Nigel Hughes, applied to the High Court to quash the committal. His application was made on several grounds, including that the Magistrate acted in excess of his jurisdiction when he failed to consider the expert opinion of Dr. Walter Ramsahoye, who testified that it was impossible for the accused to commit the act, since he is impotent. This statement was the essence of Ali’s defence, one which the defence claimed was ignored by the prosecution and the Magistrate. But Magistrate Moore in response, noted that police witness, Inspector Hatty David, testified that Dr.
Ramsahoye’s opinion was formed from information provided by Ali, and was not one which came as result of doctors treating and attending to a medical condition, which the accused suffered, over a period of time. Eventually, the then acting Chief Justice (CJ) Ian Chang ruled the court does not see it fit to quash the order of committal of the Magistrate. Representatives of various child rights groups have since issued a collective call for an immediate and thorough investigation, into the disappearance of the files in this case. One activist lamented the fact that the sexual offence case has languished in the court system for so many years. The activist stated that denying the alleged victims their right to a fair trial within a reasonable time, is a violation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Guyana has signed and ratified. The activists noted the corruption in the court system and said his exposes Guyana as a country where access to justice and justice itself can apparently be perverted by
money, power, access and influence. The groups issued a call to the UN agencies in Guyana, and in particular UNICEF and all rights organizations to speak out publicly against the violation of the rights of child victims of sexual violence and to do all in their power to ensure that such rights are effectively protected. Another matter that is still before the Court for close to a decade is the case against convicted Charlestown businessman, Kevin Jordan. Jordan was released on $1 million bail, pending an appeal of the jail term imposed on him for sodomising a seven-yearold boy. Jordan, of Lot 524 Republic Park, East Bank Demerara, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for rape following an in-camera trial, at the Georgetown High Court. Jordan’s lawyers petitioned the Court of Appeal for him to be granted bail, pending an application to overturn his conviction and sentence. The appeal Court subsequently released Jordan on $1 million bail, pending the appeal of his sentence. The bail was granted, since it is likely that the businessman could be successful with the appeal. However as a condition of his bail, Jordan was also ordered to lodge his passport/ travel documents with the
Businessman Kevin Jordan Court. When the allegations surfaced in 2007, Jordan, the proprietor of Jordan’s Spare Parts at High and Broad Streets, Charlestown, was charged for sexually assaulting four minors. The victims were all boys, aged between six and eight years old. The acts were allegedly committed at the man’s business place. However, the details did not come to light until a seven-year-old student of a primary school located a short distance from the Spare Parts dealership, complained of pains in the anus. Blood was found after the child was examined. The boy was subsequently questioned and he implicated the businessman. Three other boys came forward also alleging that Jordan had committed sexual acts on them during the lunch period at his business place. However, the latter cases never made it to the High Court.
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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 & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
LAND FOR SALE Prime land to build that dream home. Not far from Princess, New Thriving, Massy, HJ water world $13M neg- Call: 669-8397 Parafaite Harmonie main road 2.5M 1.4M 2M 3.5M, ten year up 3M Herstelling 3M Tuschen 5M. Call: 666-2326 De Groot Uitvlugt- $2.5M neg. Parafaite Harmonie- main road $2M Parafaite Harmonie- $1.5M Tel: 6976311 Land at Tuschen Housing Scheme, near school, 3 minutes away from main road. Call: 261-2988
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Monday February 05, 2018
Kaieteur News
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 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 Flat concrete 3 bedroom house, fully grilled. Tuschen $8M. Tel: 669-7393/689-4713 Pups and dog for sale, for more information call: #2670205/670-4228
SALON 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 C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
FOR RENT
WANTED
VACANCY
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Salesman, good verbal/ excellent attitude, knowledge in stocktaking, computer literate & team player. Keyfood McDoom.
Vacancy exists for 1 experienced pharmacy technician to work part time @ a reputable pharmacy Georgetown- Call: 227-0630 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 Cook/Baker & Excavator operator for interior location. must be experienced. Call: 6182020 Vacancy exists for one female 25 years + over to work at Del Ice Co. Must have Maths+English. Call: 2311408/642-9191.
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 One bedroom apartment, Herstelling New scheme $30,000 per month. Telephone: 641-2311, 627-3882 Fully furnished apartment two & one bedrooms in Providence, apartment at Diamond East Bank Tel: 6721906/216-2299/682-6238 Space for rent at Ashmin’s Building- suitable for salon or office- Call today! 683-7954
Experienced curry cook, counter servers, drivers. Apply Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St. 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 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 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 Hire car drivers & contract car @ Gems Taxi Service # 2261200, 225-5075, 622-6413
PROPERTY FOR SALE
1 Secretary must have strong written and computer skills, send resume info @ ladywendyshow.com, sales person needed too. Vacancy exist for 1 Diesel mechanic & welder between the ages of 30-50 yrs. Contact: 623-8078/ 220-2034 Vacancy exist for 1 Office assistant must be computer literate, between the ages of 30-55 yrs. Contact: 623-8078/ 220-2034 Guards needed to work in a community at Providence, mail application, police clearance to PO Box 10908.
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
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German coalition talks to continue on Monday and focus on health and labour BERLIN (Reuters) German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives and the Social Democrats (SPD) failed to conclude coalition negotiations in time to meet a self-imposed yesterday deadline but have made progress and will reconvene today, SPD members said. More than four months after a national election, Europe’s largest economy and pre-eminent powerbroker is in political paralysis, causing concern among investors and partner countries that policymaking on issues such as Britain’s looming departure from the European Union and euro zone reform may be held up. The conservatives and SPD had hoped to agree yesterday to renew the “grand coalition” that has governed Germany since 2013, but disputes over healthcare and labour policy remain.
Supreme Court said to seek impeachment of Maldives’ President (Reuters) The government of the Maldives will resist any attempt by the Supreme Court to impeach President Abdulla Yameen for disobeying its order last week to release jailed opposition leaders, the attorney general said yesterday. Following are details of the tussle between the court and the president, which is threatening to spark a constitutional crisis and undermine Yameen’s control of the Indian Ocean nation since he took power in 2013. What is behind the tussle between the Supreme Court and President Yameen’s government? The court on Thursday ordered the immediate release of former president Mohamed Nasheed and eight other opposition leaders and ordered they be tried again, saying the previous proceedings had violated the constitution and international law. In its ruling ordering the release of Nasheed, the Supreme Court said it found that prosecutors and judges had been unduly influenced “to conduct politically motivated investigations” into the allegations leveled at Nasheed and others. The nine had been jailed on charges ranging from terrorism to treason and corruption.
Monday February 05, 2018
Kaieteur News
House intelligence panel to take up Democratic memo today – sources WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - The U.S. House Intelligence Committee will consider today whether to release the Democratic rebuttal to a Republican memo that alleged bias at the FBI and Justice Department against President Donald Trump, two sources told Reuters. The four-page Republican memo, made public on Friday, has fuelled a battle between Trump and top leaders at the FBI and Justice Department over Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. The memo accuses the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Justice Department of using misleading information when they sought approval from a top secret court to monitor the communications of a former Trump campaign adviser, Carter Page, on Oct. 21, 2016. Investigators asked the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act court for permission to monitor Page as part of the wider probe into alleged Russian meddling in the election and potential collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia. Russia has denied meddling. Trump has insisted there was no collusion by his campaign and has called the Mueller probe a “witch hunt” and a “hoax.” Democrats accuse Trump and his Republican allies of trying to use the memo to
President Donald Trump (left) and Robert Mueller undermine the Russia probe and possibly make the case for the firing of Mueller or Rod Rosenstein, the No. 2 official at Justice who is overseeing Mueller. The Republican-led House Intelligence Committee released the memo, which said the FBI and Justice Department sought a warrant for monitoring the communications of Page based on unverified information from a dossier partly paid for by Democrats. The FBI objected, however, saying it had “grave concerns” that the document gave an inaccurate account of the application to carry out surveillance on Page. Democrats contend the Republican memo mischaracterised highly sensitive classified information. The Democratic lawmakers’ memo is expected to outline what they see as flaws in the Republican document. Two sources told Reuters on condition of
anonymity yesterday that the House Intelligence Committee would consider declassifying the Democratic memo today and making it public. One said the meeting would take place at 5 p.m. (2200 GMT) and that there would be a vote. The White House said the president would be open to releasing the Democratic memo after it was subjected to a security review. “If voted out, we’ll consider it. Nothing more to add,” White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said yesterday. A Democratic member of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, Michael Quigley, said yesterday he was concerned that Trump could censor the Democratic memo that must be sent to him for a five-day security review before it is released under the same rule by which the Republican document was made public.
UK will not ‘surrender’ over bespoke Brexit deal with EU – minister LONDON (Reuters) Britain will not “surrender” in its fight to win a bespoke deal with the European Union that would offer tariff-free trade as well as control over immigration, a minister said yesterday before a crunch week for the government in Brexit negotiations. Home Secretary Amber Rudd was one of several senior Conservative members of parliament to take to the airwaves to support Prime Minister Theresa May, under pressure from Brexit hardliners who fear she is diluting her plans for a clean break with the EU. With reports in the local media suggesting that proBrexit ministers are being urged to get ready to replace May, Rudd tried to play down the deep divisions in government, saying there was more unity than so-called Brexiteers thought. “ We w a n t t o h a v e a
Amber Rudd bespoke agreement. Now we’re not going to surrender before we have that battle,” Rudd told the BBC when asked whether ministers were pursuing what the EU has already ruled out as “having its cake and eating it” - demanding tariff-free access to the EU’s market while controlling immigration.
She also told the Andrew Marr Show she supported May in demanding that EU citizens arriving after Brexit Day in March 2019 should have settlement rights different to those who came before that date - something the EU has opposed. Asked whether Brexit campaigners were right to say that some in her cabinet were trying to blunt prospects for a wholesale departure from with the EU, Rudd said: “I have a surprise for the Brexiteers, which is the committee that meets in order to help make these decisions ... is more united than they think.” Her words come at the beginning of a week when the government will flesh out some of its demands in negotiations with the EU on their future relationship and Brexit negotiations start in earnest again.
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Iran’s Rouhani raps new U.S. nuclear plan as threat to Russia DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran accused the United States yesterday of threatening Russia with new atomic weapons after Washington published a document outlining plans to expand its nuclear capabilities to deter others. The review of U.S. nuclear policy published on Friday has riled Russia, which viewed the document as confrontational and raised fears that it could increase the risk of miscalculation between the two world powers. “The Americans are shamelessly threatening Russia with a new atomic weapon,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, a pragmatist who opened the way to Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers including longtime adversary Washington, said in a speech. “The same people who supposedly believe that using weapons of mass destruction is a crime against humanity... are talking about new weapons to threaten or use against rivals,” he said in his televised address. Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif earlier warned in a tweet that the U.S. policy document posed the risk of “bringing humankind closer to annihilation”.
The U.S. military has put countering China and Russia, dubbed “revisionist powers”, at the centre of a new national defence strategy unveiled earlier this month shifting priorities away from fighting Islamist militants. By expanding its own low-yield nuclear capability, the United States would deter Russia from using nuclear weapons, according to American officials. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Saturday it was very disappointed by the content of the document, which, it said, has a confrontational feel and anti-Russian orientation. German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said the U.S. decision showed “the spiral of a new nuclear arms race is already under way” and added that Europe was, much like during the Cold War, especially vulnerable. “That’s why we need to start new initiatives in Europe for arms control and disarmament,” Gabriel said in a statement, adding that developing new weapons sent the wrong message and risked triggering an arms race. Zarif also said in his tweet: “(U.S. President Donald) Trump’s obduracy in killing the #JCPOA (Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers) stems from the same
President Hassan Rouhani dangerous imprudence”. Trump gave the Iran nuclear deal, negotiated before he took office, a final reprieve last month but warned European allies and Congress they had to work with him to fix “the disastrous flaws” in the pact or face a U.S. exit. He said he would waive sanctions against Iran that were lifted as part of the international deal for the last time unless his conditions were met. The ultimatum put pressure on European Union powers - key backers and parties to the 2015 international agreement to curb Iran’s nuclear programme – to satisfy Trump, who wants the pact strengthened with a separate agreement.
Erdogan rejects option of partnership with EU Rome (AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected proposals of a partnership with the EU, insisting full membership to the bloc is the only option, in an interview published yesterday. Hosting Erdogan on a visit to Paris in January, French President Emmanuel Macron said it was “hypocrisy” to say progress could be made on Turkish EU membership, floating the idea of a partnership instead. The EU must “keep its promises” to Turkey, Erdogan told Italy’s Stampa newspaper, ahead of his arrival in Rome yesterday evening for a 24-hour visit. “The EU is blocking access to negotiations and suggests that lack of progress is because of us. It’s unfair. Just like it is that other countries are pushing for options other than membership,” he said. “We want full membership. Other options are not satisfactory,” he added. He stressed the country’s
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “important” role stemming the flow of migrants to Europe, which he said offered “security and stability” to the continent. Turkish ambitions to join the EU date back over half a century but accession talks started in October 2005. Out of the total of 35 chapters needed to be closed to join the EU, 16 have been opened with just one closed. No new chapter has been opened since financial and budgetary provisions was opened in June 2016.
The Turkish leader also defended his recentlylaunched “Olive Branch” operation in the northern Syrian region of Afrin, fighting Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia which Ankara sees as a terror group. “The Turkish armed forces are not in Afrin to fight armed Kurdish groups. We don’t have problems with the Kurdish Syrians, we are only fighting terrorists, and we have the right to do it,” insisted Erdogan, repeating that Turkey was not seeking territorial gains. Erdogan’s flying visit to Italy will include a meeting with his Italian counterpart Italian Sergio Mattarella. He will also be the first Turkish president to visit the Vatican in 59 years, where he will thank Pope Francis for challenging US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a city also claimed by Palestinians. “We are both in favour of the status quo and we have the will to protect it,” he said.
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Govt. receives funds to support energy management programme
Finance and the Public Service Minister, Audley Shaw (left), greets InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) General Manager, Country Department, Caribbean Group, Therese Turner-Jones, and Stefano Manservisi. KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – The Jamaican Government has received additional funding support for its Energy Management and Efficiency Programme (EMEP) through a US$10-million grant from the European Union (EU). This is being allocated through the European UnionCaribbean Investment Fund Facility (EU-CIF) and will serve to promote more
efficient use of energy resources by the State that would free up public funds through the reduction of oil imports. The EMEP will target a reduction in electricity consumption in public buildings and support capacity building for energy planning. Finance Minister, Audley Shaw, and Director-General for International Cooperation and Development in the
European Commission, Stefano Manservisi, signed the agreement formalising the grant allocation, during a ceremony at the ministry in Kingston on Friday. The money is in addition to loans totalling US$30 million that were provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which has been appointed
administrator of the grant. Total investments in the EMEP now stand at US$40 million. Shaw, in welcoming the EU’s allocation, noted that the organisation is the largest provider of grant assistance to Jamaica and “remains an invaluable partner in achieving our development aspirations”. He pointed out that the Jamaica-EU partnership commenced in 1975 when the country joined the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of Nations, and since then, the organisation has provided over €1.2 billion in funding support, mainly grants. He explained that this excluded funding received under the Caribbean regional programmes, and bilateral programmes with several EU Member States, including the
United Kingdom and Germany. “The GOJ-EU Cooperation Programme is, therefore, directly aligned with the country’s priorities articulated in its successive Medium-Term Socioeconomic Policy Frameworks, utilised to implement the National Development Plan…Vision 2030 Jamaica,” he said. “Importantly, the EU has led the way with programming its resources through budget support, which is a clear indication of confidence in the Government’s continuing reform of the public sector and public finance management,” Shaw added. For his part, Manservisi underscored the importance of energy efficiency in facilitating macroeconomic development, while lauding the roles of the IDB and JICA
in partnering with the EU to support the EMEP. “I can assure you that the EU is committed to remaining in Jamaica, and to do better than we have done in the period since 1975 in which we have been working together,” he added. In her remarks, IDB General Manager, Country Department, Caribbean Group, Therese TurnerJones, described the signing as the “ultimate coming together of partners” in a farreaching project. “This project is extremely important because not only will Jamaica be saving around US$6 million a year on its electricity bill, but the EU part will bring savings of just under US$2.5 million in the seven hospitals (targeted)… so that’s tremendous,” the general manager said.
US mulling sanctions on Venezuela oil — Tillerson BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AFP) — The United States said yesterday it has not ruled out sanctions on Venezuelan oil as it turns the screw on President Nicolas Maduro, but is wary of hurting the country’s people. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is in Argentina as he tours Latin American to bolster a common front against Venezuela’s bid to hold a presidential election it deems illegitimate. He has received support from other governments in the Americas, including yesterday from his Argentinian counterpart Foreign Minister Jorge Faurie, but some are cautious about sanctions. At a joint news conference, Tillerson confirmed the ultimate option of sanctioning Venezuela’s key oil sector is under consideration, but that Washington shares its allies’ concerns. Venezuela’s political crisis has brought it near to economic collapse, which South American capitals fear could trigger a humanitarian crisis that might destabilise the region. And Tillerson did not push back against the suggestion that it might also hurt US companies that have built refineries in the southern United States geared to accept Venezuelan crude. “Obviously sanctioning oil or prohibiting the oil to be sold in the United States ... is something we continue to consider,” Tillerson said, while acknowledging Faurie’s concerns.
United States’s Secretary of State Rex Tillerson gestures at a press conference at San Martin Palace, State Department headquarters, in Buenos Aires, yesterday. (Photo: AFP) “As the foreign minister indicated, our disagreements are with the Venezuelan regime not with the people, the Venezuelan people are suffering mightily in the current circumstances.” Tillerson said oil sanctions could be deployed it is decided that this would bring the crisis to a more rapid end “because not doing anything to bring this to an end is also asking the Venezuelan people to suffer for a much longer time. But he added that Washington was also looking at how to “mitigate the impact on US business interests.” Faurie agreed with Tillerson that Maduro’s attempt to call an election on terms set by Venezuela’s nonelected Constituent Assembly was illegitimate
and would be rejected by Argentina. “As for the sales of oil and trade in oil that exist, that is particularly important, we should closely follow up on this to ensure appropriate balance between what the Venezuelan nation needs and what is being used by the leaders of the Venezuelan government,” he said. Tillerson is due to meet Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri today before flying on to Peru and then Colombia, which has already received around half a million Venezuelan refugees. He will then visit Jamaica for talks on how regional powers can replace the subsidised oil that Venezuela ships to Caribbean nations, in the event it is hit by sanctions or economic collapse.
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GAPLF Novices/Juniors Championships
69 year-old Cummings, White, Oudit, Taharally set new records The Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) ran off another successful Novices and Juniors Championships yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall where a number of records were set whilst new prospects came to the fore watched by a sizable crowd. The elder statesman of the championships, 69-year old Noel Cummings of Buddy’s Gym who is also a bodybuilder and Trainer at Buddy’s Gym, competing in the 66kg Masters 4 category set a new National RAW Squat Record of 115kg along with new records in the Bench of 85kg, Deadlift of 140kg and RAW Total of 340kg. Cummings is oldest competitor in Guyana in this sport and second oldest competitor overall for Guyana behind USA based Nairjanjan Singh who is 74 years old. Other National Records were set by Runita White (Buddy’s Gym) in the Female Open RAW and Female Junior RAW 84+kg in the Deadlift of 175kg; Lisa Oudit (Buddy’s Gym) in the Female Open RAW 84kg Deadlift 142.5kg, Benchpress 61kg and Total of 328.5kg. Nadina Taharally also of Buddy’s Gym contesting the Female Open Raw and Female Master 1 RAW 72kg set a new Squat record 123kg, Benchpress of 65.5kg, Deadlift of 157.5kg and Total of 346kg. The Overall winners were
White, Pluck, Bagla, Shewdas and Williams are Overall Standouts
Gumendra Shewdas receiving his Overall Trophy. Runita White (Female RAW Novice Overall and Female Equipped Novice Overall, Female Raw Junior Overall Winner), Timothy Bagla (Overall Male Novice Equipped) and Bjorn Williams (Overall Male Novice RAW). Following are the overall results of yesterday’s championships: Runita White, Female Junior RAW 84+kg 1st place Runita White, Female Open Novice RAW 84+kg 1st place Ede Tyrell, Female Open
Novice RAW 72kg 1st Place. Ede Tyrell, Female Master 1 RAW 72kg 1st place: Squat 80kg, Bench 57.5kg, Deadlift 125kg, Total 262.5kg Wilks 373.709. Junica Pluck, Female Equipped Open Novice, 63kg 1st Place. Susan Rodrigues, Female Open RAW Novice, 57kg 1st Place: 57.5kg, Bench 30kg, Deadlift 75kg, Total 162.5kg, Wilks 198.039. Overall Female Winners - Female RAW Novice Overall winner Runita White:
Squat 145kg, Bench 62.5kg, Deadlift 175kg, Total of 383.5kg, Wilks 313.511. Female Equipped Novice Overall Winner Junica Pluck: Squat 100kg, Bench 60kg, Deadlift 125kg, Total 285kg, wilks 314.041. Female Raw Junior Overall Winner Runita White: Total 383.5, Wilks 316.646. Overall Male Novice RAW Bjorn Williams: Total 622.5kg, Wilks 389.187. Overall Male Novice Equipped: Timothy Bagla:
Total 445kg, Wilks 383.412. Novice Results Male 59kg Open Equipped: Keshawn Rahiman 1st place, Total 367.5, Wilks 335.417. 66kg Open RAW: Noel Cummings 1st Place, Total 340kg, Wilks 275.842; Rajiv Indarjeet 2nd place Total 340kg, Wilks 261.536. 66kg Open RAW: Timothy Romalho 1st place, Total 452.5kg, Wilks 365.937; Timothy Bagla 2nd Place, Total 445kg, Wilks 383.412. 74kg Open Equipped: Fawaz Rampertab 1st place, Total 515kg, Wilks 381.152. 74kg Open RAW: Shivdatt Hansrag 1st place, Total 432.5kg, Wilks 319.920; Christopher Sookdeo 2nd place, Total 410kg, Wilks 294.913. 83kg Open Equipped: Sherlock Rigby 1st Place, Total 447.5kg, Wilks 313.340. 83kg Open Raw: Matthew Maycock 1st Place, Total 440kg, Wilks 302.588. 105kg Open RAW: Bjorn Williams 1st Place, Total, 622.5kg, Wilks 389.187; Greg Stevens 2nd Place, Total 440kg, Wilks 271.480. 120kg Open Equipped: Ramzan Mohammed 1st Place, Total 532.5, Wilks 317.530. Male Junior Championship - Overall Junior Equipped: Gumdra Shewdas, Total 502.5kg, Age
Elder Statesman, Noel Cummings Wilks 501.688. Overall Junior RAW: Brandon Badal, Total 525kg, Age Wilks 374.417. 58kg Junior Equipped: Gumendra Shewdas 1st Place. 59kg Junior Equipped: Keshawn Rahiman 1st Place, Total 367.5kg, Age Wilks 335.417. 66kg Junior RAW: Rajiv Indarjeet 1st Place, Total 320kg, Age Wilks 264.151 66kg Junior Equipped Timothy Romalho 1st Place: Total 452.5kg, Age Wilks 376.915. 74kg Junior Equipped: Fawaz Rampertab 1st Place: Total 515kg, Age Wilks 392.586. 83kg Sub-Junior RAW: Brandon Badal 1st Place: Total 525kg, Age Wilks 374.858.
Eagles beat Patriots in epic Super Bowl LII Yahoo Sports - MINNEAPOLIS – In the wildest shootout in Super Bowl history, unheralded Nick Foles outdueled legendary Tom Brady to lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl title, defeating the New England Patriots 41-33. Foles went 28-for-43 for 373 yards and three touchdowns, including leading a come-frombehind, game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter. A back-up most of the season to Carson Wentz, Foles was particularly brilliant when it mattered the most, on third and fourth downs in clutch situations. He even caught a touchdown pass at the end of the first half. New England somehow lost despite never punting. Brady, seeking his sixth championship, broke his own Super Bowl record for most passing yards with 505. He went 28-for-48 and tossed three touchdowns. Brady was brilliant. It was Foles who was the champion and Super Bowl MVP though. Trailing for the first time in the game, 3332 with 9:26, Foles led the Philly offense on a legendary game-winning drive. It included converting twice on third down and once on fourth down, often by the smallest of margins. It ended with a six-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Zach Ertz, who leapt across the goal line. Ertz lost the ball on contact with the field just after he crossed the goalline. Replay ruled
Eagles Zach Ertz scores a touchdown agaisht the Partiots in the fourth quarter. (Mark J Rebilas USA Today Sports) it a catch, determining he had made a football move and became a runner therefore the play was dead when the ball crossed the plane of the end zone. In the third quarter, Foles hit running back Corey Clement on a 22-yard dime into double coverage. The running back initially controlled the ball, bobbled it a bit and then
appeared to fail to get both feet in the end zone. Initially ruled a touchdown, it was upheld on a controversial replay review and brought one of the NFL’s most tired storylines – what’s a catch – to the Super Bowl. After the Ertz score gave Philly the lead, Brady got the ball back with 2:21 remaining in the game, spurring thoughts of another
dramatic Patriots comeback. Not this time, though. The Eagles defense stepped up when Brandon Graham stripsacked Brady, causing a fumble that was recovered by the Eagles. Philly kicked a field goal to extend the lead to eight. With 1:05 remaining, Brady then attempted to drive New England again for a touchdown and two-point conversion but couldn’t do it. It was the first sign of life by the Philly defense. New England, to that point, had neither punted, had a turnover or allowed a sack. That’s the Eagles though, opportunistic, confident and more than capable of standing up to the NFL’s biggest bully and punching back. The game was an offensive classic, setting multiple Super Bowl records, including most yards gained before the start of the fourth quarter. The Eagles led 22-12 after a wild, entertaining first half that saw a little bit of everything. There was 683 total yards. A brilliant 37yard Foles-to-Jeffrey touchdown pass. A 46yard Rex Burkhead catch and rumble. Tom Brady dropping a pass from Danny Amendola that hit him directly in the hands. Foles catching one for a touchdown on a daring fake-audible, wildcat snap, reverse, throw-back to the QB were key plays.
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India cruise to victory as Chahal Test stars named to face Lions puts South Africa in a spin PRETORIA (Reuters) Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal took career-best figures as India cruised to a thumping nine-wicket OneDay International victory over a woeful South Africa yesterday, though their moment of triumph was reduced to a farce by the umpires. Aleem Dar and Adrian Holdstock stuck to the rules and called for a lunch break with the tourists needing just two runs for victory at Centurion. That ensured the final act was played out 40 minutes later in front of a sparse crowd, a decision that left both teams bemused. Chahal finished with 5-22 in 8.2 overs, ripping through the middle-order as India won the toss and skittled their hosts for 118, South Africa’s lowest total in home ODI matches. India then reached the victory target in 20 overs to humiliate their hosts. After victory in the opening match of the sixgame series in Durban, India always looked in control of the chase as opener Shikhar Dhawan (51 not out from 56 balls) and captain Virat Kohli (46 not out from 50 balls) made light work of the home attack. The third match in the series will be played in Cape Town on Wednesday. The decision to call for lunch with the game all but over will be the major talking point to come out of the match, but it should not overshadow what was a dominant display from a highly impressive Indian unit. Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav also recorded his career-best figures of 3-20 in six overs as South Africa
Yuzvendra Chahal trapped JP Duminy lbw and went on to complete his maiden five-for in ODIs ©BCCI slipped from 51 for one to lose their last nine wickets for 67 runs. “The spinners were outstanding, it was a hard surface so they were getting pace and bounce off the wicket as well,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation. “We want to play positive cricket and take the opposition on. We know their middle order is inexperienced and we want to cash in on that.” SOFT OPTIONS The home side were captained by 23-year-old Aiden Markram in just his third ODI game with both experienced batsmen Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers missing with finger injuries. They made a cautious
start, losing their first wicket two balls shy of 10 overs with just 39 on the scoreboard as Hashim Amla (23) was dismissed. The introduction of the spinners proved the catalyst for South Africa’s collapse, with Chahal picking up the wickets of innings top-scorers JP Duminy and debutant Khaya Zondo, who both scored 25. “There were a couple of soft options (shots), starting with myself, so I am going to have to lead from the front and do better going forward,” Markram said. Scores: India 119 for 1 (Dhawan 51*) beat South Africa 118 (Chahal 5-22, Kuldeep 3-20) by nine wickets.
Khaya Zondo, on debut, made the highest score of the innings - 25©BCCI
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Left-handed opener Kieran Powell is among five current Test players named in a strong 13-man West Indies A squad to face England Lions in the three-match fourday “Test” series starting next week Sunday. The 27-year-old Powell, who has played 31 Tests, will skipper a side that includes batsman Jermaine Blackwood, wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, all-rounder Raymon Reifer and fast bowler Miguel Cummins. Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who played the last of his four Tests two years ago, has also been named in the unit for the February 11 to March 1 series, which also includes three one-dayers. Chief selector Courtney Browne said with the Sri Lanka Test series already on the radar, it was important to afford several players the opportunity to prepare themselves for the upcoming assignment as well as enhance their chances of selection. “With a strong England Lions team touring the Caribbean, the selection panel felt that it was a good opportunity to strengthen the A team with some of our Test players who will not have the opportunity to play any first-class cricket ahead of the Sri Lanka series,” Browne said. “This series also provides some of the incumbent Test players the opportunity to restate a claim for a position in the Test match squad for the what will be two important home series (vs Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in June and July).” Powell, despite his experience, only returned to international cricket last year following a three-year selfimposed break, and has yet to really impress with a mere two half-centuries in 19 Test innings. Likewise, Blackwood, a virtual fixture in the Test side in recent years, has struggled to get among the runs. He has a single hundred in 27 Tests and 15 runs in his last five innings. Dowrich, too, has failed to tie down his spot and with veteran Denesh Ramdin having scored nearly 800 runs in the recent first class season, the Lions series will hand the Barbadian the opportunity to re-establish himself. Meanwhile, Shamarh Brooks, who has captained Windies A in recent years but will serve as vice-captain of the side, will look to back up the 632 runs he compiled
Test opener Kieran Powell … to captain Windies A against England Lions. during the recent first class season. He struggled for form in a similar three-match series against Sri Lanka A last October with just 93 runs in five innings and at age 29, this year could be vital for the Barbadian right-hander. Brooks, along with the quartet of Vishaul Singh, John Campbell, Jahmar Hamilton and Keon Joseph, all featured against Sri Lanka A last year while Leeward Islands Hurricanes seamer Jeremiah Louis has gained favour with selectors for the first time. Browne urged these fringe players to use the chance to force themselves into the selection frame for the upcoming Tests. “The team also includes several players who have been part of the ‘A’ Team programme before and we believe their focus should be on performances that will elevate them to the senior team,” Browne said. “We originally included Sherman Lewis, an exciting
young fast bowler, but he had to withdraw due to injury. His replacement is Jeremiah Louis, a talented swing bowler, who did really well during the PCL fourday season. “He is also a capable batsman and will fit well into this set-up.” The opening Test will be played at the Trelawny MultiPurpose Stadium, with the second game scheduled for Sabina Park starting February 18. Cricket West Indies also announced yesterday that the third game, beginning February 26 at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, will be played under lights. The 50-overs squad will be announced at a later date. SQUAD – Kieran Powell (captain), Shamarh Brooks (vice captain), Jermaine Blackwood, John Campbell, Rahkeem Cornwall, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Jahmar Hamilton, Keon Joseph, Jeremiah Louis, Raymon Reifer, Vishaul Singh, Jomel Warrican.
Johnson, Paul give Jaguars... From page 32 for six to leave the Hurricanes on 68-3. Hodge and Cornwall took the score to 112 before Hodge departed to set the stage for the partnership between Cornwall and Ward which took the score from 112-4 to 2435 before they were both removed by Paul in the space of 16 runs as the Jaguars prevailed in the end.
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Boxing could face expulsion Roach, Cummins rip apart from Games, IOC warns Volcanoes as Pride win third straight BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies fast bowlers, Miguel Cummins and Kemar Roach, once again combined with devastating effect, sharing eight wickets as title-holders Barbados Pride continued their effortless march through the Regional Super50 with a commanding 100-run win over Windward Islands Volcanoes here Saturday night. The hosts were not quite at their best as they struggled to 211 for nine off their 50 overs at Kensington Oval but any hopes Volcanoes had of chasing down the small total were quickly scuppered. Cummins claimed four for 27 while Roach picked up four for 35, the pair slicing through the Volcanoes top order to reduce the visitors innings to virtual ruins. Only the composed Kavem Hodge with an unbeaten 36 showed any enterprise but he was one of just three batsmen to reach double figures and the only one to pass 20. Shai Hope had earlier topscored with a patient 53 from 89 balls as Pride found scoring difficult after opting to bat first. Shamarh Brooks scored 32, Jonathan Carter got 28 and Roston Chase, 27, as several batsmen got starts but failed to carry on. Volcanoes made early strikes when left-arm pacer Delorn Johnson, who finished with three for 36, removed both openers Kevin Stoute (3) and Kraigg Brathwaite (18) inside the first eight overs, to leave Pride on
Fast bowler Miguel Cummins bowled outstandingly to finish with a four-wicket haul. 23 for two. Hope then led a revival, posting 43 for the third wicket with Carter before adding a further 63 for the fourth wicket with Chase. The right-handed strokemaker struck two fours and a six while Carter counted three fours in his 35-ball knock before falling lbw to offspinner Shane Shillingford (228) in the 20th over. When Chase nicked a drive at fast bowler Obed McCoy and was caught at the wicket in the 33rd over, Hope followed four overs later, lbw on the backfoot to
Shillingford. On 137 for five, Pride benefitted from a critical 41run, sixth wicket stand between Brooks and Carlos Brathwaite (17), as they rallied in the latter overs to pass the 200-run mark. Barbadian seamer Kyle Mayers struck key blows to finish with three for 59. Volcanoes, in reply, never seemed up for the fight, despite the unimposing target and lost wickets steadily. Left-hander Devon Smith’s rut continued when he cut Roach to Carter at point in the third over to fall for one with two runs on the board, and Johnson Charles followed in the fourth over for 11, lbw playing across one from Cummins at 14 for two. Andre Fletcher (6) nicked Cummins into Sulieman Benn’s safe hands at first slip and when Tyrone Theophile played on to Roach for six in the ninth over, the Volcanoes innings lay in strife. Former Barbados and West Indies batsman, Kirk Edwards, played a couple of lovely drives in 16 before his defence was breached by Roach and Mayers (2) failed to impress before his native crowd, caught at backward square pulling at Roach. Hodge, struck on the helmet first ball up from Roach, settled well to construct an innings off 69 balls with five fours, but support was never forthcoming and Volcanoes slid to their second defeat in as many outings.
Kvitova outplays Mladenovic to lift title in St Petersburg
Petra Kvitova (CTK/AP) (Reuters) - Double Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova captured the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy yesterday for her first title of the year, beating defending champion Kristina Mladenovic 6-1 6-2 in the final. Kvitova, who entered the tournament as a
wild card, was dominant in the opening exchanges and hit 16 winners in taking the first set. The 27-year-old broke her French opponent’s serve twice more in the second set to seal the match in just over an hour. “This was a special tournament for me,” Kvitova said in her on-court interview. “All week, I played unbelievable matches and I really had to fight to make the final. It is not easy at the beginning of the year. I had to focus hard for the win.” The Czech left-hander gave few opportunities on her serve to Mladenovic, firing nine aces and saving all three break points faced in front of a buoyant Sibur Arena crowd. “Coming into this week, there was a lot of pressure and I don’t think many people expected me to show up in the finals,” the 24year-old Mladenovic said in her runner-up speech. “I fought very hard every single match to make it back here but Petra had an amazing week.” The victory meant Kvitova maintained her streak of winning at least one WTA title since 2011 and now moves back up to world number 21, while German semi-finalist Julia Goerges will make her top-10 debut in today’s rankings.
PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (Reuters) - Boxing could be knocked out of the 2020 Tokyo Games if the International Olympic Committee is not satisfied problems with the sport’s finances and governance are sorted out, IOC President Thomas Bach warned yesterday. Speaking in Pyeongchang ahead of next week’s Winter Olympics, Bach said the IOC was “extremely worried” about how the sport was run and said the body was prepared to make bold decisions. “The IOC reserves the right to review the inclusion of boxing in the programs of the Youth Olympics 2018 and Tokyo 2020,” he told reporters. Bach added that the IOC would be freezing all contacts with the sport’s governing AIBA “excluding the ones on a working level necessary to implement the respective IOC decisions”. AIBA said the IOC
decision was “extremely disappointing” after the boxing body had submitted a progress report as requested. Following a two-day Executive Board meeting in Pyeongchang, Bach said the IOC had not been satisfied with the AIBA report and that it would be opening an investigation into the body. AIBA has been riven with in-fighting for months, with former president and IOC member CK Wu first provisionally suspended and then stepping down last November after a bitter dispute with his executive committee. AIBA named Uzbek Gafur Rahimov as its new Interim President last Saturday, following the unexpected resignation of Interim President Franco Falcinelli. The Olympic ruling body had also announced in December it was freezing payments to AIBA until boxing got its house in order. Previously, the IOC withheld payment of more
than $1 million of television rights from the Athens 2004 Olympics after a refereeing scandal at those Games. AIBA said in a statement that the IOC had demanded a new report on its governance by April 30th and it would comply with that. “This decision was made despite AIBA’s fulfilment of the IOC’s request to submit a Progress Report outlining all steps AIBA was asked to take and continues to take to improve its governance,” it added. The statement said AIBA had hoped the IOC would have understood that “the processes necessary to implement even more measures require more time.” The boxing body added that it had shown already a willingness to reform and would be carrying out a complete organisational review over the next six months leading to a “New Foundation Plan”. The Winter Olympics runs from Feb. 9-25.
CAS ruling surprising and disappointing, says Bach PYEONGCHANG (Reuters) - The decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn lifetime Olympic bans on 28 Russian athletes came as a complete surprise and it could make the fight against doping more difficult, said IOC President Thomas Bach yesterday. CAS said on Thursday there was insufficient evidence of anti-doping violations against the athletes, and while it confirmed 11 other Russians had committed doping offences it reduced their lifetime bans to a suspension from this month’s Pyeongchang Winter Games. The bans were originally imposed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) following an investigation into alleged systematic doping in Sochi four years ago. The IOC has banned Russia from Pyeongchang as a result of its “unprecedented systematic manipulation” of the anti-doping system, although individual Russian athletes can compete as neutrals if they can meet stringent IOC criteria. Russia has repeatedly denied state involvement in doping. “This CAS decision is extremely disappointing and surprising,” Bach said on
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach Sunday after an IOC Executive Board meeting. “We would never have expected this.” CAS had told the IOC that its reasoned decision for upholding the athletes’ appeals might not come until the end of February, but Bach said this was “extremely unsatisfactory given the gravity of the cases”. After receiving the reasoned decision, the IOC would explore the possibility of an appeal, he added, warning that the CAS decision had the potential to have a “very negative” impact on the fight against doping. He also said the ruling had showed it was necessary
to change the internal structure at CAS to allow it to “better manage the quality and the consistency of its jurisdiction”. Bach said the decision to invite 169 Russian athletes to compete at this month’s Olympics in South Korea gave them a chance to show the country’s sporting community that clean athletes can be successful. “We gave a new and young generation of Russian athletes, after having passed great scrutiny by the independent panel, the opportunity to be invited to participate in the Games and to be ambassadors for a clean sport,” he said.
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Upper Corentyne Cricket Association T20 GTTA to start 2018 Activities with NSC competition pushed back to mid-February Mashramani Cadet and Junior C/ships The Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) T 20 cricket competition for teams in the Upper Corentyne has been pushed back to later this month due to circumstances beyond the organisers control. According to former national Wicketkeeper/batsman Sydney Jackman, who is one of the coordinators of the cricket competitions, a number of factors have forced the UCCA to push the competition back to mid-February. The competition was set to begin on January 26. According to Jackman a number of noncricket issues has surfaced and the UCCA is swiftly dealing with them. He stated also a group calling themselves the UCCA which was aligned to the disbanded and illegal Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has created some uncertainty and mischief among clubs and that also is being taken care of. He said that another issue was that the executives want to give the teams enough time to prepare and get themselves in order. They noticed that some of the grounds are not fully in order as yet and by mid-February everything should be streamline. He gave assurance that apart from the ongoing Inter Primary School competition and the Inter Secondary School competition which
28 teams entered is to begin shortly, a T20 competition will be played before the end of the month to be followed by a number of competitions including 40 and 50 overs. He said that a squad will be named to go into training to select the UCCA first division team which plays in the Berbice Board first division competition, while some female cricket competitions will be organised. The UCCA executives comprise of Dennis De Dandrade –President and includes former National wicketkeeper batsman Sydney Aloysius Jackman -Vice-President, Winston Roberts-Secretary, Chatrapaul Lionel – Treasurer. The committee members are Deodat Persaud Thakurdin, Navendranauth Balram andClayton Ricardo Griffith. Over the years the UCCA has worked with a number of sponsors including NPG Packaging (Nand Persaud), Hotel Riverton Suites, De Andrade and family, 4 R Bearings, Guytrack, Price is Right Supermarket, Republic Bank, Inner City Taxi Service, Twin Boy Beer Garden, The Mash Cup, Parbattie Jaggai Inter School tournaments Davendra Ramgoolam of R and R Auto Rental Services among many others.
Scorpions remain winless after batting flops NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Jamaica Scorpions suffered their second straight defeat of the Regional Super50 here yesterday, when they crashed to a disappointing four-wicket defeat at the hands of English County Kent. Let down by their powerful batting lineup, Scorpions were dismissed for 156 in the 42nd over, with only Andre McCarthy resisting with a top score of 76 off 86 deliveries. Seamer Ivan Thomas (4-30) and leg-spinner Joe Denly (4-35) claimed four wickets apiece as Scorpions started poorly and never recovered. In reply, Kent were staring down the barrel at 25 for four in the 10th over before left-hander Alex Blake rescued the run chase with an unbeaten 74, to see them home in the 44th over. Drama unfolded from the very first delivery of the opening over when left-arm spinner Chris Lamont trapped Daniel BellDrummond lbw without a run on the board. Three balls later, Sean Dickson was run out for one and when pacer Andre Russell bowled opener Zak Crawley in the next over, also without scoring, Kent were in strife on six runs for three wickets. Off-spinner Peat Salmon, who made his debut in last Friday’s defeat to Leeward Islands Hurricanes, bowled captain Will Gidman in the 10th over for 11 and fast bowler Oshane Thomas had Denly caught at the wicket for 17, to leave the innings in tatters at 47 for five in the 15th over. But Blake came to his side’s aid, stroking 10 fours in a fluent innings that lasted 105 balls. More importantly, he anchored a key 72-run, sixth wicket stand with wicketkeeper Adam Rouse, who made 28, to revive Kent and put them on course for victory. Rouse departed in the 36th over but Blake kept things steady by adding a further 40 with Callum Haggett (10 not out) in an unbroken seventh wicket partnership. Earlier electing to bat first at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Scorpions lost a
The Guyana Table Tennis Association is set to kick start its 2018 calendar of activities with the commencement of the National Sports Commission, Guyana Table Tennis Association sponsored Mashramani Cadet and Junior Table Tennis championships, scheduled for the 16th-19th February 2018 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue Georgetown. The tournament comes on board after a two year hiatus and based on discussions with the National Sports Commission Director of Sports Christopher Jones agreed and saw the need for the reintroduction of the championships and committed his
o rg a n i s a t i o n ’s s u p p o r t t o p r o v i d i n g funding to the key event which formed part of the GTTA’s domestic calendar of events for many years and for which many of Guyana top racquet wielders stake their claim form domestic supremacy. Winners runners-up and semifinalist will be awarded with trophies of gold, silver and bronze in all events. Players interested in participating in the championships are ask to contact national Coach and GTTA general Secretary Mr. Linden Johnson on telephone number 6217630 email lindenj20032003@yahoo.com or GTTA Hon Treasurer Mrs Deirdre Edghill telephone 650-4520 email deirdrebaynes@hotmail.com.
The championships will see 15 categories being contested in the flowing divisions: 1. Boys’ 18 Yrs. and Under Singles: 9. Girls 18 Yrs. and Under Singles : 2. Boys’ 15 Yrs. and Under Singles: 10. Girls’ 15 Yrs. and Under Singles: 3. Boys’ 13 Yrs. and Under Singles: 11. Girls’ 13 Yrs. and Under Singles 4. Boys’ 11 Yrs. and Under Singles 12.Girls’ 11 Yrs. and Under Singles 5. Boys’ 9 Yrs. and Under Singles 13. Girls’ 9 Yrs. and Under Singles 6. Novices Girls Singles 14. Novices Boys Singles 7. Girls Doubles Juniors 15. Boy Doubles Juniors 8. Mixed Doubles Juniors
Big Bash League: Adelaide Strikers beat Hobart Hurricanes to win maiden title BBC Sport - Adelaide Strikers’ Jake Weatherald scored the first century in a Big Bash League final as his side beat Hobart Hurricanes to win the 2018 title. Opener Weatherald reached his ton from 58 balls and went on to score 115 to help the Strikers to an imposing 202-2. D’Arcy Short (68) and George Bailey (46) gave the Hurricanes hope of chasing down the score but the target proved too much. The Hurricanes made 1775 as the Strikers won their first BBL title. Strikers bowler Peter Siddle took 3-17 from his four overs. The Strikers are coached by former Australia pace bowler Jason Gillespie, who will take charge at Sussex this year and led Yorkshire to the County Championship title in
Sydney Sixers thrash Perth Scorchers to win female final 2014 and 2015. Hurricanes all-rounder Jofra Archer will be one of the players Gillespie will manage at Sussex. Archer, who has been signed for £800,000 by Indian Premier League side Rajasthan Royals, proved expensive in the final as he took 1-46 off his four overs. Scores: Adelaide Strikers 2 for 202 (Weatherald 115, Head 44*) beat Hobart Hurricanes 5 for 177 (Short 68, Bailey 46, Siddle 3-17) by 25 runs. Meanwhile, Sydney Sixers secured a dominant victory over Perth Scorchers to claim their second successive Women’s Big Bash title at the Adelaide Oval.
Perth Scorchers, who included England’s Katherine Brunt and Natalie Sciver, won the toss and batted but were all out for 99. Sarah Coyte was the stand-out bowler for the Sixers as she took 3-17. In reply, Alyssa Healy scored 41 before Ellyse Perry and Ashleigh Gardner led the Sixers to victory in 15 overs. Perry was unbeaten on 36, while Gardner was 22 not out as they helped their side win the third staging of the WBBL. Scores: Sydney Sixers 1 for 100 (Healy 41, Perry 36*) beat Perth Scorchers 99 (Cleary 18*, Coyte 3-17) by nine wickets.
Andre McCarthy top-scored with 76 for Scorpions. cluster of wickets inside the first 15 overs, to concede the early advantage. Openers Chadwick Walton (1) and Chris Gayle (3) fell in successive overs to leave Scorpions on seven for two in the fourth over, and another five wickets fell for 57 runs, as last year’s losing finalists collapsed to 86 for seven in the 21st over. McCarthy, however, stepped up to produce a face-saving knock, striking 13 boundaries as he put on 49 for the eighth wicket with captain Nikita Miller (16). The right-handed McCarthy was eventually eighth out in the 35th over, bowled by seamer Haggett. Scores: SCORPIONS 156 off 41.3 overs (Andre McCarthy 76; Ivan Thomas 4-30, Joe Denly 4-35). KENT 159 for six off 43.3 overs (Alex Blake 74 not out, Adam Rouse 28; Andre Russell 2-30).
Sixers captain Ellyse Perry (second from right) scored 36 not out. (Getty Images)