Kaieteur News

Wednesday February 01, 2017

GUYANA IS THE LAND OF THE MINDLESS DEAR EDITOR, I am a founding and executive member of the Caribbean Chapter of the Network in Defense of Humanity. This Network brings together progressive and revolutionary individuals, parties and organizations from across the region, and affords me the opportunity of understanding firsthand what is happening elsewhere, and I can tell you: a great deal more than is happening right here in Guyana. Where are the socialists and the antiimperialists in our midst? In the US, where the neo-liberal agenda has completely failed the people, Bernie Sanders was not afraid to boldly offer a Democratic Socialist alternative. The whole world is rising up against the ravages of Neo-Liberal Capitalism and the Empire of Lies and Deception. However, in Guyana, with the exception of Organization for the Victory of the People (OVP), every political party is unashamedly pro-capitalist and imperialist friendly, Our politicians, all round, do nothing more than squabble about who should manage this dysfunctional and obsolete system for Empire. When L.F.S Burnham addressed the 3rd Biennial Congress of the PNC (not PNCR) in August 1979, in a speech titled: Towards the

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People’s Victory, he said: “Many are the cowards and self-seekers who once cluttered our ranks, who were once fulsome in their praise; they now advise a change of course; a surrender to the enemies of the people. Theirs has been the belief that a revolution is a bed of roses, an endless round of chattering cocktail parties.” Those who advised a change of course back then, have now completely surrendered to the enemies of the people. They are directed by external forces and have no vision or plan to lift Guyana out of its stagnation and ‘persistent poverty’. George Lamming, the great Caribbean writer and anti-imperialist activist, said in the early 80s, that Guyana was the Land of the Mind. Today I fear it has become the Land of the Mindless. We once produced the likes of George G. M James, Ras Makonen, Ivan Van Sertima, Jan Carew, Forbes Burnham, Walter Rodney and Martin Carter to name but a few. We were once among the region’s leaders on almost every issue of social and political significance. What happened to us? Gerald A. Perreira Chairperson Organization for the Victory of the People (OVP)

The job hierarchy in the public service is very interesting DEAR EDITOR, A review of the first National Estimates passed in Parliament in 2016 showed an interesting catergorisation of the job hierarchy in the Public Service. Of particular interest is the proportion of the category identified as ‘Semiskilled Operatives and Unskilled’ to overall staffing. This has been a long established and unchallenged categorisation which has existed without any indication of the mechanism used to discriminate between ‘semiskilled’ and ‘unskilled’, in any case providing a licence for substantial padding of the manning levels. For example, at a distance, it is something of an irony that in the Ministry of Education this category of employee constitutes nearly 15% of the overall staffing with 168 ‘operatives’. The situation is

noticeably less healthy in the Ministry of Public Health, with 403 or 22% of total staffing being Semi-skilled Operatives and unskilled. However, the latter was ominously outnumbered by the Ministry of Public Security with 530 or 68% of total staffing. Surely this high percentage is deserving of a deliberate investigation, unacceptable as it must be to the concept of ‘security’. But it is in the Regional Administrations that this proliferation is more obvious, to the point of at least embarrassment, again demanding not only explanation, but better a forensic investigation. How does one assess value for money from these categories of employees? Well, coming out of the latest Table available the related salary scales for the above with effect from 1st January,

2016 are:- Band 2 $55,000$82,351 monthly; Band 1 $55,000-$60,638 monthly. Interestingly, the above are the bottom two of a fourteen band salary structure. Utilising the minimum of the respective scales is not a problem, since it is exactly the same $55,000 per month. The conservative costs for a total of 1,789 employees would be at the very least in the order of $98,395,000 (per month) or approximately $1.2 billion per budget year. In the absence of any known formal mechanism to first, monitor recruitment; second, differentiate semiskilled from unskilled; third, effectively evaluate the outcomes of performance, how can it be convincingly argued that this is not an area of substantial subsidy in respect of the Public Service as a whole? E.B. John

The political depravities of An illegal rum shop where Guyana’s political parties violence and death wait

DEAR EDITOR; I would like to add some notes to the editorial of Monday, January 30 of the Stabroek News; they should be of interest to Guyanese wherever they are. In that editorial you observed that: “It is a widely held perception in the public that for some time Mr Trotman had been considering returning to the fold of the PNCR where he began his political career.”I bring to your attention my column in the Kaieteur News of Friday, January 27 in which I wrote that four long-serving AFC executive members told me that since the AFC got into power, Mr Trotman has only attended 3 meetings of the executive committee, named the Management Committee, which has been meeting every Monday evening since July 2015. I then specifically asked if there was a paper trail that I could rely on if Mr Trotman denies that should I write about it. I was told that since July 2015 the meetings have minutes and a record of those absent and present. On that information, I went ahead and published the column. I stand by what I wrote because I trust implicitly my sources in the AFC who gave me that information. It is unheard of that an organization would have a written constitution and is silent on the status of attendance of leadership meetings. In my moral book, that should disqualify that leader from becoming the

head of his organization. It is for that reason I was shocked when I read that Mr Trotman accepted contesting the leadership position. This country’s electorate is perhaps more backward than that of any other country in the world. Mr Trotman despite that record of absenteeism is now the leader of the AFC. How can Guyanese and other observers of politics in this land fault members and supporters of the PPP when they glorify PPP leaders who are highly questionable in both their politics and moral values? When I went to the school where the conference was held, it was over and I saw a few delegates wearing T-shirts that said, ‘Vote Raphael Trotman for Leader.’ One such person is a sibling of a minister who knew Trotman missed 98 per cent of the Management Committee’s confabulations. That minister should have told the sibling that Trotman should not have been elected. The sordid politics and questionable moral behaviour inside the AFC and WPA rival those of the PPP and PNC. Because the PNC and PPP held power for so long and ruled Guyana for so long, we tend to see them as the devil incarnate, but the AFC and WPA are not far behind in their political depravities. I will end with one example from each – the AFC and WPA to show how tragic is the political culture of this

sad, bewildered country. In May 2015 when the AFC’s Management Committee sat down to name their ministers, two of its leaders offered the Minister of the Environment to a total outsider of the AFC. They were offering a ministerial position to their personal friend. I wrote this in a Kaieteur News column and then General-Secretary, David Patterson sent me an email. I still have it. He informed me that the AFC took a position since its birth that if it ever got into power it would offer a Cabinet post to a person from civil society. Several persons in the AFC’s leadership told me that was misleading. But who decided who was a member of civil society? The person that was chosen was not a member of civil society. Secondly, Mr Christopher Ram wrote the Kaieteur News to inform it that I was wrong in one of my columns to state he was a member of the WPA. Ram also wrote to say that attorney Jerome Khan was wrong too to say he, Ram was a member of the WPA. I knew Ram sat in the WPA’s executive for more than a decade. When I asked Dr David Hinds to set the record straight publicly, he told me Ram was right. David said that during his time in the leadership of the WPA, Ram never held a membership card. But even that fact, David refused to state publicly. Frederick Kissoon

DEAR EDITOR, We wish to bring to the attention of the Minister of Public Security and the Head of the Guyana Revenue Authority the harm of illegal rumshops along the roadways of the West Coast Demerara and East Bank Essequibo. For too long GRA officials and policemen have been accepting bribes to turn a blind eye to these illegal operations that are operating on a large scale and are done in view of the public. Gone are the days of illegal bottom house rumshops, here are the days of large enclosed styled, brightly painted bars well equipped with dancing girls and strip tease. These shops do not adhere to the 2pm clampdown regulations despite being alongside the major public roads. Police patrols are given bribes to turn a blind eye or they are given free beers. On any given day or night, you will find boys below the age of 16 imbibing alcoholic beverages. Many reports have been made but too many officials have been turned blind. There is a specific illegal bar located alongside the Greenwich Park Public Road. This establishment is a well known venue for many accidents and murders. Last year January 22 year old Dewaun Bacchus was brutally stabbed after an altercation with a patron on the said premises. A couple

months, prior to that, a young driver who was imbibing was killed in a drag race stint. A few nights ago a man was brutally stabbed by another patron whilst drinking. He is currently on life support at the hospital. No report or statement has been made by the owners of this drinking spot about this incident to the police. The owners are denying that the incident took place on their premises and are pointing fingers at another drinking spot (illegal as well) next door. Many complaints have been made to GRA and the police about the illegality and nuisance of these operations but to no avail. Residents of the village are quite fed up of the lawlessness that consists of cursing, loud music, fighting, etc. These bombard our lives

daily. We can’t sleep in peace. The owners were approached by residents who aired their concerns but were greeted with a bunch of ‘cuss-down’ words and the following boast; “nobody can’t do we nothing, we does grease the fat cats so we can’t close down.” Is it fair that GRA increases the licensing fees for rum shops and there is no crackdown on illegal drinking spots? How can the registered businesses prosper whilst these illegal shops are mushrooming about the place giving stiff competition? It seems as though “business persons” who are flaunting the law are more protected than those who paid their taxes and dues on time. Fed-up residents Three signatures

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Why didn’t the Prime Minister Under the PPP, the working refuse his salary increase? class has been destroyed DEAR EDITOR; “He that bringeth his case first seemeth just until it is carefully examined”, proverbs 18:17. The above proverb is applicable to the press release purportedly coming from the office of the Prime Minister (PM) which was published in three of the daily newspapers on Tuesday 31st 2017, concerning relative increases in salaries of the Presidents, Ministers and Public servants over the years 1998 to 2014. Please allow me to make some simple observations: Firstly, if it is true that the salary increases given by the PPP/C were according to the Prime Minister “unconscionable and disgraceful” then the Prime Minister who has now positioned himself as an arbiter of fairness and holds himself out as the epitome of decency, should have refused the increase on an already high salary in 2015, granted by the Granger government to the newly elected Ministers on the Prime Minister ’s words, “unconscionable and disgraceful”. The question then needs to be asked, what adjectives will best describe the huge salary increases that the APNU/AFC government gave themselves one (1) month after being in office: indecent, reckless, hypocritical and even deceptive; especially when this was disclosed by the media, denied by the government spokespersons and subsequently discovered to be secretly done and gazetted. This matter was debated in the Parliament with the opposition calling for an annulment of the order granting the increases to the President, P r i m e M i n i s t e r, Vi c e Presidents, Ministers and Junior Ministers, some 28

in number. This unpalatable situation continues to fester and haunt the David Granger led administration with even their members and supporters crying out against this betrayal of trust. Obviously this unpopular decision has resulted in the APNU/AFC Government resorting to propaganda and in an act of desperation stagemanaged the question by the Hon. Jermaine Figueira and the answer by the Hon. Winston Jordan, Minister of Finance was opportunistically used by the Prime Minister with speedy orchestrated response. At this stage, I will not digress into a realm outside of what was said in this carefully choreographed question and answer segment of the National Assembly, but will use the Minister’s answer to debunk what is being misconstrued to deceive a population at its boiling point of anger against this unpopular administration because of the several inhumane, anti-poor decisions by the Coalition government. In 1999 and 2000 the Armstrong tribunal recommendations were adopted and public servants received increases of 31.06% and 26.66% respectively. Minister Jordan’s answer in Parliament disclosed that the Jagdeo government did not bureaucratically grab the opportunity to increase their salary similar to that given to public servants. In essence neither the President nor the Ministers in the Jagdeo government were provided with similar increases enjoyed by public servants for that year. In the same answer Minister Jordan revealed that in no less than three occasions the President and or Ministers were not given

Petroleum Industry: Environment Impact... From page 4 Producer”. The good news is that for years the US State Department has been trying to prepare Guyana for its potential oil rush with a program that advises the government on how to draft environmental regulations, financial arrangements, and other forms of oversight. In addition to that, while EXXON Mobil’s head Mr. Tillerson is poised to be confirmed as the incoming US Secretary of State, he promised to recuse himself from decisions affecting Exxon Mobil and thereafter consult with ethics officers at the State Department. Guyana’s advocacy of a “green economy” may not be a contradiction if regulations are constructed and complied with, to protect the ecosystem and preserve our traditional habits of organic subsistence farming. Max Wallerson

any salary increases whatsoever. The Minister of Finance in his answer said that the President’s salary was indexed in 2006 to that of the Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Attorney General. The Minister’s salary was indexed to that of Permanent Secretaries, although the records would show that the salary of some Permanent Secretaries (OP& MOF) remains far in excess of the remuneration received by Cabinet Ministers. The clear case in point, is that the PPP/C took office in 1992 and it was not until 14years later after we would have developed Guyana, repaired infrastructure, achieved debt relief, stabilized the economy, fixed health and education services, improved disposable income of the ordinary man, expanded the middle class, made significant investments in the development of the rural and hinterland communities, implemented policies for the revitalisation of the private sector; making Guyana attractive for investment and the overall improvement in the standard of living of all Guyanese before correcting what can be considered an anomaly. By this time our budget’s recurrent expenditure reflected a commitment to pro-poor expenditure to almost 60%. It is important to note there was no public outcry, there was no public rebuke, and there was no secrecy in relation to the PPP/C’s salary increases. This was gazetted, publically known and not handled in an underhand and devious manner. The people saw a government prioritising taking care of the interests of the masses. In the interest of not occupying too much space in your publication, I just dealt with the justice of the situation and not the actual figures which can be dealt with more adequately in another instalment. I conclude by saying this; APNU/AFC Government in its misconstrued beliefs of its messianic stature or more aptly described as manifest destiny will continue to operate as if they are “anointed” to do whatever they want, whenever they want, to whomever they want and no one dares to question them. To do so, is to incur the wrath of the divine. I will not, by my silence, be a sponsor peddling untruths, misinformation and distortions. Not intimidated! Hon. Bishop Juan Edghill, MP-PPP

DEAR EDITOR; Mr Hydar Ally’s letter published in Stabroek News, Wednesday January 25, captioned, ‘No confusion about PPP’s ideological orientation’ and in the Kaieteur News of Friday January 27, under the caption, ‘My party, the PPP, is guided by the principles of Marxism- Leninism,’ caught my attention. Because Hydar Ally has, for years, been the chief ideologue of his party, I was expecting an enlightened discussion on the PPP’s ideology: how it was/is manifested in the party’s praxis, when it was in office and now that it is in the opposition, its relevance on political, economic and social policies. Needless to say I was very disappointed since in the letter, this line of discourse did not materialize. While admitting that there is confusion generated by sections of the m e d i a o n t h e p a r t y ’s i d e o l o g i c a l orientation, Mr Ally, rather than clear the air on his party’s present ideological posture chose to hide behind the utterances of the PPP’s founder leader, Dr Cheddi Jagan, by invoking what Dr Jagan had said in 1992, some 25 years ago, that the PPP’s “ideology is Marxism –Leninism”.

Consummate politician that he Mr Ally, is fully aware that the issue which is causing confusion among sections of the public and among party members and supporters, is whether the present PPP leadership is guided by the principles of Marxism-Leninism. This problem has to be clarified and cannot be wished away. If it is true that the principles of Marxism-Leninism have indeed guided the PPP, then it has to explain the contradictions which have been so glaring after the death of the late President Cheddi Jagan and the subsequent rise of Bharrat Jagdeo, when the criminal state developed and there was an unprecedented rise in corruption. If the policies of Marxism-Leninism have been adhered to by the PPP then Mr Ally must explain how under the PPP the working class in Guyana has been destroyed, both in terms of its numbers and its ability to act as a class in defence of its interests. Mr Ally ought to know that simply hiding behind the words of his party founder leader is not enough to convince those who believe that the party, after the passing of President Cheddi Jagan, abandoned Marxism-Leninism. Tacuma Ogunseye

An open letter to President David Granger DEAR EDITOR; This missive here takes the form of an open letter to Mr. Granger. As a citizen of Guyana and like most of us, I am dissatisfied, disappointed, and to a point fed up with the way Government is handling the people’s business. Since you were elected to office as President of the republic of Guyana, optimism and hope among the majority was on the rise. For the first time in many years, I saw Guyanese Indians and Blacks alike, hugged each other and rejoiced and celebrated with each other and together hoped for the best. Our expectations were high. In my mind, the first sign of trouble came when you started to appoint a school of ex- military officers as advisers and assigned them to very important projects for which they had no experience. This bothered most of the nation, even APNU/AFC members and officials. Even though I have many friends and supporters who are or were PPP members, I am no fan of the former PPP executives and former ministers, however, if the PPP were in Government and had done anything even closely resembling Joe Harmon actions, your Party would have let out a very loud and deafening cry for the removal and the head of someone, yet, you allowed Harmon to remain in his position while the nation

collectively demanded his removal. Mr. President, you rode into office on the backs of the youths of this nation, promising jobs and a bright future. To date, the youths of this nation is still waiting, in fact, we have more youths in prison now than before your government took office. We have youths going to prison for four years over one joint of weed, while former government ministers who stole millions are walking free. You are opening the door for a new party to rise up and win the next election. Mr. President, your Ministry of Social Cohesion is a waste of time. The Minister placed there and the one before was inept. No effort was made to unite us as a nation of six people. Guyanese have been divided for too long. We vote race in Guyana and not progress. Where is the real effort by your minister of social cohesion, where is it? Sir, your national policy lack the basic elements for a developing nation. I looked at your resume Mr. President, you are one of the brightest men on this planet. Where is the master plan for our national development? You do not have one in place. What we have is a failed management system with all of the ministers stumbling around like Adam in the Garden looking for his clothes. The sugar industry is in shambles. We are not

blaming you for its current condition, but we look to you for the implementation of a master plan. Your failure to execute on this issue, gives one the impression that it’s pay back to one section of our society. We need to fix the sugar industry as quickly as possible. I know for a fact, a person who is not in Government employ; one of your most trusted advisors indicated he had found a massive market in Europe for our sugar by the metric tons, your advisor brushed him off and nothing happened since That person has since contacted a Caricom member country and they are in talks; Europe is still on the table.. I can produce documents to this effect. Mr. President you are failing us in a big way. People are fed up. People are ready to vote you out. Your Minister of Security made a statement to the effect that your government could not prosecute people who stole from our nation because the witnesses are scared. Mr. President, here is my take. That statement is laughable. Had I been the president of this nation, I would have fired that minister the same day he made that statement. He should have said that before you were elected and see how many votes you would have gotten. Michael Ryan, MS, JR General Secretary JUSTICE REFORM and DEMOCRACY

Wednesday February 01, 2017

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Three charges for captured Linden-Lethem road Trini who shot Guyanese dead construction now on the cards A Trinidadian, 52-yearold, Noel Gow, on Monday appeared in court charged with murdering a Guyanese national, wounding the deceased man’s friend and having possession of a firearm and ammunition, according to the Trinidad Express. Gow, 52, of San Fernando, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Nannette Forde-John in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court charged with killing Khemraj Persaud, who was also known as Khemraj Ramkarran and Leaf, on April 25, 2016 at Duncan Village, San Fernando. Magistrate Forde-John also told him that he was charged with wounding Shawn Boodoo with intent to do him grievous bodily harm. It is also alleged that he was in possession of a firearm and ammunition while not being exempted or having a firearm user’s licence. Gow was not called upon to plead to the indictable charges laid by PC Tricia Knights. Police prosecutor Cleyon Seedan said Gow’s file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a State attorney to be appointed in the case. Forde-John remanded Gow into custody until February 23. Gow was captured after nine months on the run. The Trinidadian national was arrested as he pulled into a service station at Duncan Village, San Fernando, last week Monday night. He was held by head of Anti-Crime Operations, Inspector Don Gajadhar, who had him under

Killed: Khemraj Persaud

Charged with murder: Noel Gow

surveillance as he awaited the arrival of back up from the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) and Homicide Region Three. According to reports, around 7 pm on Monday, Gajadhar spotted the suspect who, lived in the area and was believed to have fled to Venezuela after the murder. He was seen exiting a heavily tinted vehicle and entering a supermarket in Duncan Village. Gajadhar kept him under surveillance as he called for backup. However, before help could arrive, the man exited and drove off. The officer continued to follow the man as he pulled into the service station. As the suspect waited by the pump to fill his tank, the RRU arrived and together with Gajadhar, apprehended the man. Persaud, 30, was shot to death at Duncan Village, La Romaine, on April 25. His friend, Guyanese Sean Boodhoo, with whom he shared an apartment, was also shot, but survived. The two men were employed in construction work in T&T. Persaud was

also an avid cricketer and represented many local cricket teams in the eight years he spent in Trinidad According to a police report, the suspect, while visiting a relative in the apartment building where Persaud and Boodhoo lived, reportedly urinated on a washing machine the men used. An argument ensued when Boodhoo, who witnessed the act, chastised the suspect. Persaud who was inside the apartment came out and tried to quell the disturbance. However, the suspect went to his parked vehicle, took out a gun and opened fire, hitting both men. Persaud was shot twice in the head and died on the spot. Boodhoo was shot in the chest. Persaud’s body was flown back to his Berbice home for burial, ten days after he was murdered. Generous Trinidadians responded overwhelmingly to an appeal from his fellow Guyanese national and friend Kumar Shivpersaud, who said Persaud’s family was very poor.

Construction for the first phase of the Linden-Lethem Road Project is expected to commence without a hitch as the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the UK Government work closely towards its success. The first phase of the project covers approximately 122.5km of road from Linden, and the construction of a bridge across the Essequibo River at Kurupukari River. This phase is being funded by the United Kingdom Government through its UK Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF) programme. It is currently in the design stage. As part of the collaboration with the UK Government, the government is seeking to engage a multidiscipline and transport sector-experienced consulting firm to assist in the preparation of a twocomponent capital project. The components for this capital project include the upgrade of approximately 122.5 km of road between Linden and Mabura Hill (including drainage) and construction of a new single or dual lane fixed bridge across the Essequibo River at the Kurupukari ferry crossing( approximately 600m long). While the proposed road upgrade applies only to one section of the Linden-Lethem road, the capital works on the remaining 331.5km of the

laterite road will be undertaken through funding from other sources. The remaining capital works would fall under additional phases and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has already engaged the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) on possible funding for the stretch of road between Mabura Hill and Lethem. Earlier last week, Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, met with officials from Inter-American Development Bank on the project. Another team is slated to return to Guyana for further discussions. The final cost of phase 1 of the project is not yet known

but will be determined by the detailed design study being funded by the UKCIF. Meanwhile, the Ministry is optimistic about the success of the project. According to Mr. Patrick Thompson, Chief Planning and Transport Officer, the Ministry and the UK Government are working closely together to ensure that the project progresses smoothly. “We’ve received very favourable responses so far and we are feeling very optimistic about the progression of the first phase of this project,” Mr. Thompson said. He added that construction can commence in eighteen months.

More people making use of decentralized passport service Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, has said that more persons are now able to access passports and other civic documents since the service was decentralized. Felix explained that the government is currently working to acquire locations in Linden and New Amsterdam to set up passport offices. “At the New Amsterdam location we have gone a stage further in terms of processing the papers. At

the Linden location I’m at the initial stage. We are still at the stage where we were dealing with New Amsterdam and Linden on last year’s programme. “We also did some work in Parika and we’re currently doing some visits to Lethem to provide them with services as well,” Minister Felix explained. The Minister of Citizenship said his Ministry aims to provide the services in as many communities as (Continued on page 25)

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Wednesday February 01, 2017

Ambiguity surrounds Govt. ‘policy’ on hiring retired persons - Dr. Hinds Political Activist, Dr. David Hinds, is raising questions about policy as it regards retaining the services of experienced retired persons, following news that Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, (PCA)

Justice Cecil Kennard has been asked to step down from the post because of his age. The matter has become a source of concern since the APNU/AFC administration has been retaining the services of a number of

experienced people as advisors to the Government following their retirement. These persons include Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green, who is Chairman of the Central Housing and Planning

Authority. Green is over 80 years old. Last month the Government via State -owned Guyana Chronicle newspapers announced that both the Chairmen of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Justice Prem Persaud are expected to retire by the end of March. The article outlined that the administration had considered the age of both men who have already attained age 80 as the basis of the retirement. The distinguished retired jurists have been employed by the State for years, with Kennard a retired Chancellor of the Judiciary being at the helm of the PCA since 2001. In a subsequent statement to the press, Dr Hinds a political activist questioned Government’s stance on the issue. He said that it is a clear case of ambiguity. Hinds said, “If the government has a policy whereby people past a certain age should not occupy certain posts, then it should formally announce it and explain to the public the basis behind it.” Underlining what he believes is a clear case of discrimination, Hinds said

Political Activist and commentator, Dr. David Hinds

Police Complaints Authority Justice Cecil Kennard

that the failure by the Government to clarify its stance on the issue opens the administration to the charge of selective targeting of officials as appears to be the case with Justice Cecil Kennard. “But even if there is a policy to remove people from some positions because they are too old, I would have a serious problem with it.” “Since when does age determine competence?” Hinds asked. “When I read the news story about Justice Kennard’s removal because of old age, I thought he was

physically and mentally challenged.” “But, from all indications, despite his so-called old age the man has been quite competent at what he does. If indeed he is being removed because of his age, then it is a clear case of age discrimination.” Hinds said that that the country is woefully short of competent people to staff its expanding bureaucracy; we should not be in the business of firing people simply because they are getting old. “If an official is competent to do his or her job and is in good health, that is all that should matter. I am afraid that we are setting an unhealthy precedence,” he added. Hinds added that if the government is removing Kennard for some other reason, as could well be the case, then it should be honest enough and say so, rather than hiding behind age. “I know of many people in government service who are nearing 80 and doing good work.” “There are also some Ministers who are not too far away from 80 years old— Should they be removed from Cabinet because of their age? I think not.”

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VAT! VAT! VAT! The New Year has brought with it a deluge of taxes on the Guyanese consumers. Those who presumed that the only new taxes which they would have been required to pay in 2017 were VAT on water and electricity above a certain level, have now awoken to find that VAT is now also being instituted on a range of services which were not previously subject to that tax. Many parents want the best for their children. They save their money and they cut corners in order to afford to send their children to private school in the hope that these children will get a good education. School fees now attract

VAT. This should never be. The government has been stressing the importance of education. They have been calling for every child to be in school. Well that school may soon only be public schools, because private schooling is not cheap and to ask parents to pay VAT on school fees may be asking them too much. The former government did not place VAT on school fees. It also did not place VAT on medical services. Right now, the Peeper is afraid to get sick. The Peeper is not going to the public hospital. The waiting time there is too long. The Peeper will get sicker waiting to see a doctor at the public hospital.

The Peeper therefore has to seek private medical care. But that is now at an increased cost since VAT is now chargeable on medical services. Doctors like to send you for all kind of tests these days. Those tests now attract VAT. And if you have to be admitted to the hospital, then is more VAT to be paid. The Peeper went to his doctor for some advice since his better half seems to be having a hearing problem. The Peeper told the doctor that he needs some free advice since he cannot afford to pay VAT for medical advice. The doctor says that the law is the law; any advice I give you must be paid for.

Dem miners threatening Soulja Bai Dem boys seh...

People does talk bout de tail wagging de dog when de junior or de servant decide that he is de master. Soulja Bai is a quiet man. He don’t micromanage like some people. He don’t got people frightening him like everybody, even Donald Dumb, use to frighten Jagdeo. Dem boys remember when de air traffic controllers ask fuh a pay increase. Dem was wukking short staff and dem had to work long hours. Dem decide to ask fuh more pay and when de government decide to ignore dem, de people call a strike. Jagdeo is a man who does always travel suh when de air traffic controllers call a strike Jagdeo was returning from one of he overseas trips. De man was so bad that dem same air traffic controllers call off de strike as soon as Jagdeo land. And Jagdeo tell dem that if he did ketch dem striking he would send home all of dem.

Now dem gold miners wukking fuh dem own money. Dem using de government land and dem get duty free concession fuh nuff of de things dem use. Now de River man Jordan ask dem fuh pay a small piece more and dem vex. Dem give Soulja Bai an ultimatum. “Meet wid we in two weeks or else…” De tail start wag de dog till one of Soulja Bai people ask dem wha dem gun do if de man ain’t meet wid dem. One of de miners send and tell de man that dem gun suck Soulja Bai big toe.

But dem right fuh tek dem eyes and pass big people. De same big people hire nuff of dem old friends to wuk in nuff office. Then dem tun round and sending home some people on de grounds of old age. Some of these people who getting send home younger that some of dem on de job. Dem boys seh is double standards. AND dem seh dem not talking bout first standard or de National Bureau of Standard. Talk half and watch some people in de Palms apply to de government fuh wuk.

The Peeper said to the doctor, I thought you were only a doctor. I did not know that you were also a lawyer. Anyway the Peeper decided to ask for the advice. “Doc,” he says, “I think my wife’s going deaf.” The doctor answers, “Well, here’s something you can try on her to test her hearing. Stand some distance away from her and ask her a question. If she doesn’t answer, move a little closer and ask again. Keep repeating this until she answers. Then you’ll be able to tell just how hard of hearing she really is.” The Peeper goes home and tries it out. The Peeper walks in the door and says, “Honey, what’s for dinner?” The Peeper doesn’t hear an answer, so he moves closer

to her. “Honey, what’s for dinner?” Still no answer. The Peeper repeats this several times, until he’s standing just a few feet away from her. Finally, she answers, “For the eleventh time, I said we’re having MEATLOAF!” Schools fees now attract VAT. This was never the case under the PPP. Education was free in public schools and free of VAT in private schools. Now you have to pay VAT for private education. One woman decided that she cannot afford to pay the VAT. So she asked the teacher if instead of doing all the subjects her son can be excluded from doing geography and physical education. “But why do you want to drop those particular subjects?” enquired the

teacher. “I want him to become a doctor, not a traveler” replied the mom. The pressure is on. Guyanese need stress relief. Some people unwind by watching TV. Some people like to watch sports on TV but since Bharrat is no longer the President, NCN is not bringing as much international cricket as before. So people are forced to pay for cable television just to be able to relax. Guess what? From today, the cable companies charging VAT on their fees. Even to relax you now have to pay VAT! Heaven help us here in Guyana!

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday February 01, 2017

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN...

Listening to Gail Teixeira is not for the faint-hearted Leonard Gildharie was listening to Gail Teixeira’s parliamentary speech on Monday, and I was right next to him. I then turned to him and said that if someone came from another planet and heard Teixeira’s condemnation of goods that were VAT exempted but now carry the tax, they would never believe that this lady and her party ran Guyana for twenty-three years. Listening to the lady was unbearable. It was not her condemnation of the VAT on items that previously were VAT-free but the exclamations that punctuated her speech. On the imposition of VAT on educational materials, she yelled out; “How can you do this to poor people?” The Teixeira sermon was about the mistreatment of the poorer

classes. But it was this very lady’s government that birthed VAT and initially put it on every conceivable item that was essential for the diet of the poor. One recalls, Guyanese woman icon, Andaiye writing a letter to the press expressing her indignation of VAT on eggs and bread. With the exception of bread, every other bread product like tennis rolls, butter-flaps, coconut rolls, sweet bread, and pastries carry VAT. I don’t support the new broad categories of items that now carry VAT and for which poor people will feel the burden and for which the Coalition will pay a heavy price at the 2019 local government elections and 2020 national elections.

My point is that the PPP leadership has no moral authority, no moral right to speak about the worsening economic conditions of the poor. What is playing out in this country is so bizarre that it is incomprehensible. In the raging dispute over the ownership and function of Red House, what was never brought out was the PPP’s attitude to the location of the 1832 slave rebellion monument. Without exception, all African-rights organizations were angry that the Parade Ground was overlooked. It is there that the captured slaves were brutally tortured and put to death. This was a terrible moment in the misuse of power under the PPP for which they should not be forgiven. This monument was not the business of East Indians, Amerindians or Chinese Guyanese or Guyanese of European descent. It concerned the

descendants of the slaves who came to Guyana. They should have been the ones to decide where they wanted the structure to be placed in honour of their ancestors. In what can only be described as insane abuse of power, the PPP Government arrogated to itself the right to make decisions on the culture and history of other communities of Guyana. Today the monument lies in a disgraceful condition on the old seawall road not far from the Kitty pump station. Every Sunday night there are huge bacchanalian abandonments on the seawall road and the next day, the monument is a mountain of garbage. During the week, homeless people invade it and make it their permanent cocoon. The grassy parapets surrounding the monument haven’t seen the grasscutter’s hands in ages. This was how the PPP ruled Guyana. This sad mistreatment of a part of

Guyanese history is not important to the PPP but Red House is. There is an oceanic outburst of indignity from the PPP about Red House coming under control of the Government. What was never given the exposure that it should have were the insults heaped upon the legacies of Presidents Burnham and Hoyte in the PPP’s rejection of the suggestion that the Red House be used as a library of past presidents. The PPP issued a statement saying that it was totally unacceptable to have the names of Burnham and Hoyte lying next to that of Cheddi Jagan at Red House. The statement went on to say that it was contamination (PPP’s word) of the name and legacy of Cheddi Jagan to have those two presidents’ papers in the same house with those of Jagan. But it was alright to insult half of the population of Guyana by putting the 1823 monument on the grass on the

Frederick Kissoon seawall road. Listening to Gail Teixeira so-called protection of the poorer classes in that speech in Parliament made me both disgusted and angry and I told Leonard Gildharie how sick the PPP is. What is playing out in Guyana is eerie and macabre. It is as if the PPP is asserting their angelic portfolio. In real life that portfolio was demonic. It is so sad that the continuous mistakes of the hapless government of the APNU-AFC have allowed the PPP to catch a lifeline. Each day the blunders of the government allow PPP leaders to fool the Guyanese people. History is crying!

Wednesday February 01, 2017

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Kaieteur News

OUTSTANDING MONIES…

Arrest ordered for Nigerian ship in which Guyanese crew holed up UNITED Nations International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea judge, Anthony Lucky, has hailed the decision of the local court to arrest the Nigerian ship, MT Tumini, in favour of the five Guyanese crew members who have been holed up in the vessel since 2013. “It is a landmark decision for this country; a commendable move by the local courts, to arrest a Nigerian vessel for whatever breach it was,” said Lucky who is based in Hamburg, Germany where he presides as a judge in cases relating to the conflicts between countries on sea matters. The MT Tumini has been docked off the Trinidad Cement Limited’s Claxton Bay jetty for the past four years, apparently abandoned by its owners in Nigeria. The crew, who are all Guyanese nationals, decided to stay on board until they are paid their wages and for securing the ship for its owners. It is not the first time that a ship was arrested by the court. Lucky reminded that in 1996, while presiding as a judge of the High Court, he made an order in an Admiralty action filed by the officers and crew of the foreign tanker “Duchess” which was docked off the Port of Spain jetty. Lucky granted leave to arrest the ship so that the officers and crew could be paid. In commenting on the order of Justice Devendra Rampersad, the judge told Newsday that if and when the MV Tumini is sold, the

The Nigerian vessel in which the Guyanese crewmembers have been holed up in since 2013, off Trinidad, demanding they be paid. money would be paid into the court and the obligation in disbursing payments, would be first, to the crew members on board. Under Admirality Law, Lucky said, the first obligation is for the crew to be paid their wages. The International Law of the Sea judge said that had the ship not been arrested via the action taken by the agent and the crew, the matter could have become one for consideration by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Lucky said, “I must commend the judge and the local courts for taking a step in the right direction. It will enhance our development in dealing with such matters.” In the judge’s order, the MT Tumini is to be sold in the next nine months, failing which, the court will sell the vessel by private

auction. The crew named as claimants in the action are: Gerald Andrews (agent) Rakesh Jim (Chief Officer); Foy (not Roy) Fredericks (Chief Engineer); Lawrence Daniel (second Engineer); Mohamed Gadwah (second officer); Neil Rampersaud (Assistant Engineer/ oiler). They were hired in July 2013 by Echo Bank who took over management of the vessel in a mortgage from the previous owner. But the MT Tumini needed repairs and was docked off Trinidad Cement Limited jetty in Claxton Bay. In 2015, the men claimed that they were owed approximately US$400,000 in wages. First claimant Andrews, a marine consultant of Maraval, who was the local agent for the MT Tumini, outlined in an affidavit details about the vessel, in which he

stated that following a mortgage between the vessel’s first ower, Petroleum

Brokers Limited and Echo Bank, the latter became owner. The claimants name

Echo Bank of Lagos, Nigeria, as the defendant. T h e v e s s e l ’s C h i e f Mate, Jim, also filed an affidavit, in which he contended that he is responsible for the crew and that since no “Certificate of Discharge” had not been entered by the vessel’s owners, they are obliged to remain on the ship, maintain it, as well as protect its’ contents. Jim stated that the class of the vessel requires that 12 persons man the ship. He also stated that Echo Bank had appointed TriContinental Oil Services Ltd, a Nigerian company operating in Trinidad, to represents its interest in respect of the vessel.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday February 01, 2017

Lama, Warimina Guest houses to be rehabilitated During the opening of tender yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), 13 contractors vied for the contract to rehabilitate the Guesthouse at Lama, located at the East Demerara Water Conservancy, Region Four (Demerara/ Mahaica). The procuring entity was the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA); the engineer’s estimate was announced at $ 28.7M. The GEA was also listed as the procuring entity for the delivery of Light Emitting Diode (LED) street lamps.

The Ministry of Education Department of Youth, Sport and Culture, was listed as the procuring entity for the contract of “Procurement of Commodities, Lot One to Four for the Kuru Kuru Training Centre, Soesdyke/Linden Highway. Bids were also submitted for the rehabilitation of the Warimina Guest House, Boerasirie Conservancy, in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara). The procuring entity was once again, the NDIA, and the engineer’s estimate was announced at $29.7M.

Tenders were also opened for the procurement of commodities, Lot One to Four for the Sophia Training Centre, East Coast Demerara. The Ministry of Education’s Department of Youth, Sport and Culture, was listed as the procuring entity.

NDIA was also listed as the procuring entity for the construction of a relief structure at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara. The engineer’s estimate was announced at $35.6M.

The Department was also listed as the procuring entity for the contract “Procurement of Commodities” for the New Opportunity Corps which is located at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara).

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was listed as the procuring entity for the procurement and installation of areas one, two and three of a Global Martine Distress Safety Signal (GMDSS) System abroad the DDFS Essequibo. The vessel is the GDF’s flagship and was acquired in September 2001, the GDF’s website states.

Tenders were open also, for the procurement and supply of emergency escape breathing devices. The procuring entity was once again, listed as the GDF.

Tenders were also opened for the supply and installation of one complete 30 kilowatt per hour (kWp) grid-connected solar photovoltaic system. The procuring entity was listed as the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).

Finally, tenders were open for the procurement of a new engine for the Liverpool pump, East Berbice Corentyne Region.

Wednesday February 01, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday February 01, 2017

Public Health Ministry provides Regions with primary drugs Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, has disclosed that the Administrative Regions across the country have received 60 percent of their primary drug needs in a drive to address an ongoing drug shortage. This announcement was made even as the Minister moves toward creating a better system to ensure efficiency in the procurement and distribution of drugs to serve the health needs of Guyanese. The Minister, in an interview with the Ministry of the Presidency’s Press and Publicity Unit, said that as of January 30, 2017, seven out of the 10 Administrative Regions, which were asked to submit a list of drugs needed, were provided with 60 percent of the required drugs. The

-- IN ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS DRUG SHORTAGE three remaining regions, she said, indicated that there were no immediate drug needs. As the Ministry continues to engage suppliers, it is expected that the remaining 40 percent, though not immediately needed by the regions, would be provided in the coming days. “We have one of the containers, which arrived last Friday and presently we are taking possession of so that we can distribute to the various regions. Not many of them would have need for some of the drugs that are here presently. “As we speak, we are engaging with suppliers because we are going to treat it as an emergency so that we

can have those drugs arrive through a quicker process than would be the norm and so our outside date is February 15,” she said. Last Thursday, while conducting a tour at the Ministry of Public Health’s Drug Bond located at Diamond, the Minister found several gaps and loopholes, which she said needed to be addressed. Among the gaps identified was the shortage of some drugs at the bond. After the tour, the Minister immediately convened a meeting with her Directors, Permanent Secretary and other officers from the Ministry to begin work on creating short and long term solutions to prevent a re-

occurrence. At the same time, the Director of Regional Health Services was mandated by Minister Lawrence to make contact with all of the regions across the country to ensure that they were not affected and to determine their primary drug needs. Already, the Minister has begun taking steps to facilitate a change in the system, which governs the procurement, storage and distribution of drugs. From engaging suppliers to determine the estimated arrival of shipments and challenges affecting deliveries to completely overhauling the management system, Minister Lawrence is committed to seeing the gaps

and loopholes removed from the health centre. The Ministry, she said, has a lot of work to do but she is optimistic that it will be achieved. “We are looking at how data is captured in terms of needs and to ensure that the averages, which are taken for the various drugs across the regions that that is as accurate as possible so that we are not ordering short quantities which creates a need. We are seeking to ensure that we fill those vacancies especially with the officers within the various regions whose job requires them to ensure that the register for the drugs in stock, usage and balance are done in a timely manner and that information is forwarded to the Secretariat in a timely manner. “We are also going to look at the system. It is still a paper system and too many papers shuffling around the place and we are going to work with our partners to ensure that we review the present system and have an electronic system put in place so that the connection is there,” she said.

Further, the Minister noted that work will also have to be done to determine critical levels for drugs and examining the right number and looking at the stock factor in checking the critical levels to ensure. The onus, she said, is on her to address the deficiencies and these will be addressed during her leadership at the Ministry. “We are looking at our critical levels because if you look at your critical levels it gives you time to place an order to have the process done because all of that is taken into consideration in arriving at that level. “We have to ensure that we have the right data, the correct information. We have to correct from within. The government has recognised that there are issues and that we also recognise and believe that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation and we are working towards removing the bottlenecks and removing the gaps. “I have dedicated persons, intelligent persons and persons fitting to be in this sector. What I have to do is to give them the tools to do their work and do it in a timely manner,” Minister Lawrence said. (Ministry of the Presidency)

Wednesday February 01, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Bandits escape with $6M after Ruling looms in Tucville trailing woman from City bank driveway fatal shooting Indranie Budhu

A Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara (ECD), woman was robbed of $6M in cash after two gunmen trailed her from a City bank to her home around 11:00 hrs yesterday. The woman, Indranie Budhu, of Lot 31 Chateau Margot, and her husband, Moolchand Budhu, operate an upholstery business at their home. After withdrawing the money from the bank, the woman called a taxi to take her home. As she was entering her yard, one of two armed bandits rushed in behind her and

grabbed the bag. While the cops are questioning the taxi driver, Budhu said that she is convinced that he played no part in the robbery since she has been using him for a number of years. In an interview, Budhu explained that they were going to purchase a plot of land so she went to the bank to withdraw the cash. “My husband was supposed to come pick me up but after I couldn’t get onto him, I called the taxi and when it reached, I tell the driver to come in the bank and collect me because I got money on me,” the woman recalled. She explained that once she got into the car, she locked the doors and looked around for suspicious movement as she was heading home in the car but noticed nothing unusual. “I saw nothing suspicious. When the driver dropped me off, I walked in the yard and then this man approached me and tried to grab the bag but my husband was in the work shop and I throw the bag at him, but the gunmen run to him, hit him in the head and collect the bag,” Budhu said. She explained that as she was running out of her yard, she saw the gunman running behind her with the bag and grabbed onto it. “He hit me on my hand and he was going to take my bangles but I asked him if he wanted fake gold too and he collect the bag and runaway,” the devastated woman related. She said the men escaped in a grey Toyota Allion bearing registration number HB 5059. The gunmen also escaped with two passports, both with US visas belonging to Budhu and her husband. A report was made and an investigation has been launched.

MURDERED: Colin Perreira

INJURED: Gail Ann Chacon

Following closing submissions by Police Prosecutor Christopher Morrison, February 7, has been set for ruling on a prima facie case in the preliminary inquiry (PI) for which Robert Benn, a businessman is charged for fatally shooting a man in his driveway. It is alleged that on August 23, 2015, Benn murdered 24-year-old Colin Perreira. Benn is also accused of discharging a loaded firearm at Gail Ann Chacon, 22, the girlfriend of Perreira, with intent to commit murder. When the matter was called in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts yesterday, Prosecutor Morris laid over submissions to the court. According to reports, Perreira, called ‘Malcolm’ formerly of Lot 213 Barr Street, Kitty, Georgetown was driving a heavily tinted motorcar, with Chacon seated in front. He attempted to turn around the vehicle, in front of the Benn’s residence at Perry Street, Tucville, Georgetown.

REMANDED: Robert Benn

In the process, Benn who was reportedly in his yard whipped out his licensed handgun and discharged several rounds at the vehicle, hitting Benn and Chacon about their bodies. Benn was charged based on advice given by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). At Benn’s first court appearance, Attorney Ronald Burch-Smith had argued that his client did not premeditate to kill Perreira. The attorney had also raised questions as to why his client was charged with murder and not manslaughter. As a matter of fact, Burch-Smith had told the court that his client was living in fear since several threats had been made on his life. According to the attorney, persons had threatened to attack, kill and rob his client. In addition, the court was told by the attorney that Benn felt afraid when he saw the car turning on his bridge because he believed that the occupants of the vehicle were bandits.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday February 01, 2017

Wednesday February 01, 2017

Kaieteur News

Police corporal fished out of Ekereku River after boat capsizes A policeman was yesterday fished out of the Ekereku River, Region Seven, after the boat in which he and his colleague were conducting patrol duties, accompanied by a captain, sank. The dead rank has been identified as Belgrave Bartholomew, a police corporal. His colleague is constable Bess. The boat captain is 37-year-old Devon Williams, a miner of Lot 139 Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD). According to reports, the lawmen were heading across the river from patrol duties when the vessel started taking in water at a fast rate and sank within minutes. Bess and Williams swam to

Dead: Belgrave Barthlowne shore but the police corporal did not make. A source said that they were in a wooden boat propelled by a Yamaha engine. Kaieteur News understands that upon

reaching the middle of the river, the three men observed the boat taking in water. Soon after, the vessel and engine went down. Reports are that the three men started to swim to shore but only constable Bess who had to let go of his fire arm due to difficulties while swimming and Devon Williams made it to shore. Upon checking, they discovered Bartholomew was missing along with his firearm. Several persons were informed and a search party comprising of police constable Rodney and about 20 persons made checks in the river but came up empty handed. His body floated up yesterday morning.

C’tyne labourer stabbed in bar fight A labourer of No.1 Village Corentyne, Berbice is currently a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital in a serious condition after being stabbed several times about the body by a childhood friend at a local bar in the village. The victim has been identified as Martin Ramsarack, 26, whilst the attacker was identified as Simon Palimgam, 25. The wife of the injured man, Rohini Persaud, told this publication, “I was in my bed and somebody come and call say Martin get bore up”. She stated that upon asking him what took place and what led to the incident he didn’t say much. She said that he told her that he ventured to the shop/bar to purchase something. “He and dem had an argument and (his assailant) just pull out a knife and start stab he”. According to her he was

Stabbed: Martin Ramsarack not consuming alcohol with Palimgam. Meanwhile, Palimgam’s mother, Wellai Sammy, related that her son told her a different story of the incident. “He de talking with the shopkeeper when Martin come in and ask he who he talking to. He seh I aint talking to you. He start chuck up Simon and Simon pull out the knife. He seh Ramsarack try fuh tek the knife and bore he, and then dem two start scramble.” She stated that her son told her that the shopkeeper

ordered them out the shop but the scuffle did not end there as they continued on the public road where Ramsarack received more stab wounds to his body. Sammy told this publication that she wants the matter settled and has already spoken to the victim’s relatives about it, but she has not received a response. The suspect is still at large whilst Ramsarack remains in a serious but stable condition. Investigations are ongoing.

More people making use of... (From page 7) possible, thereby eliminating the need for persons to travel to Georgetown which can be time consuming and costly. The minister noted, that persons in the hinterland are among those who were recently able to apply for birth, marriage and death certificates in their communities. “While these locations are not the core of the decentralization programme, what we’re doing is taking the service to as many locations as possible to ensure that people get the service in their community and they don’t have to travel to Georgetown and waste a lot of hours to get a

minor service done,” the minister explained. Felix added that by the end of 2017, persons in all the ten administrative regions will be able to apply for birth, marriage and death certificates in their communities. He said persons are appreciative of the services provided and have been making full use of it. “They are supporting it and coming in their numbers and I think it is set now for general acceptance use by others who may not have been familiar with it,” Minister Felix emphasised.

The Minister of Citizenship said the government is committed to providing improved services to all Guyanese, in or as close to their communities as possible. In the 2017 National Budget, the sum of $625M was allocated for Citizenship and Immigration Services, including strategies to cover births, deaths and marriages, issuance of work permits and granting of citizenship. An additional $50M was budgeted for the establishment of two new passport offices.

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

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PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461

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

SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257

Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 B U D H R A M ’ S LANDSCAPING SERVICES: FREE ADVICE, FREE DESIGN. CALL: 656-1326 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezersCall:629-4946 or 225-4822 Repairs and services: refrigerator and A/C unit, also auto AC repairs in G/town. Call: 683-6741/ 643-0455 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Bottom flat house @ 25 North Road & Oronoque Street, fully furnished/ air condition/residence / business. Call: 226-7012 Newly renovated, grilled, self-contained apartments for rent (light & water included) in Sussex St. Charlestown. Price-$35,000. Call: 689-8757/659-3597 One two bedroom apartment for rental, price -$45,000, locationDiamond,NewScheme.Call:6042431/216-2339 Bottom flat to rent for store, shop, etc at Lot 117 Bagotville front, W.B.D. Call: 647-1347/ 665-3512 Brains Construction & Rental Service: we rent all types of equipment, excavator, bobcat, trucks,tools.Call:219-0904/601-5024 One –two bedrooms bottom flat ‘A’ Field Sophia. Call: 625-0940/219-1045 1 Bottom flat 1 bedroom @ 33 Fourth Street La Penetence. Call: 225-2351/669-4865

1-2 Story building: top flat4 bedrooms, 1 self contained, air-conditioned, 2 apartment bottom flat, 2 bedrooms each apartment. Call: 645-9157 Aubrey Barker Road, triple lot -$27M, campbellville, DaSilva Street, Diamond Bungalow 12.5M, East$11.5M. Call GME Realty: 231-2199/ 618-7483

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740/686-3500 Popular taxi service for sale located on Sheriff Street Georgetown, includes 16 radio sets. Call: 695-0704

1 Front building & a 2 storey building on 1 (lot) 180 Charlotte Street Bourda W30XL120 $55M negotiable. Call: 6247341/227-6817/226-5183

Cat 928F Loader $7.3M, 3406 Caterpillar Engine $1.3M, 3306 Caterpillar Engine $1.3 M - Contact: 6500402\260-4115

2 Storey house 35X45 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained @ 5th Avenue Diamond, H/ Scheme.Call:677-0583/664-5052

3116 Caterpillar Engine$1.1M, 3208Caterpillar Engine $700,000, Diesel Welder, BMW 318I $2.5M, IST $2M. Contact: 6500402\260-4115

Newly built @ Craig E.B.D land size 91X50feet; house 40X28, 3 rooms, 1 selfcontained. Call: 718-2136496/617-7691 Property @ 28 Johana Cecilia Essequibo Coast, suitable for supermarket, bar etc $12M. Call: 630-4744 Transported property @ Grove/Diamond, 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained, concrete fence, price $15M. Call: 660-1353/ 216-4338 Goat Creek, Riverfront , 75 Acres land -$7M, Lanaballi River Front, 50 Acres -$9M. Call: 688-0087 Riviera Island: 145Acres -$30M, Tuschen property -$5.8M, $6M, $15M. Call: 688-0087 Lot 704 House & Land at Zeelugt, Brother Dam W.C.D. Call: 616-5606/ 277-0281 LAND FOR SALE Concrete structure (upper flat) 24X40, Diamond New Scheme $7.5M. Call: 653-3381 High income houselot in Uitvlugt, price negotiable. Call: 676-4051

Leyland DAF 75 Hauler in good condition GNN series $2.2M. Call: 655-5117 or 6233839

CAR RENTAL CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807

PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122, EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Toyota Allion PVV series: TV Camera, HID, lights, alarm & remote start $2.1M negotiable Call: 649-0956 2009 RAUM -$2.2M, 2009 SIENTA -$2.3M, 2011 MAZDA AXELA -$2.7M, 2011 NOAH & VOXY $2.6M. CALL:617-2891

One 6 inches dredge owner is ill. Call: 673-7883/ 619-5784/ 610-6738 One complete sawmill situated at Yarrowkabra Industrial Site Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. Call: 6441190/ 609-8041 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231

WANTED Experienced drivers, waiters, roti/puri cooks, day shift only. Apply at Hack’s Halaal with written application, 5 Commerce Street. Cook & Cashier for snackette, attractive salary. Call: 697-5387/ 677-9279

3 TON OPEN BACK CANTER, NEVER REGISTERED -$3.5M. CALL: 617-2891

1- Honest Driver salesman, must have lorry license, CXC subjects. Mail application to 10 La Grange, W.B.D.

One Towa ace small bus, in working condition. Call:6751787/ 614-4275

Need immediately dry cow mold 400 bags, preferably from Berbice Area. Call: 6437193

Land Rover, Suzuki Sport X-90, Chevy Cargo Van, Grand Jeep Cherokee. Owner Leaving! Call: 227-8519/ 653-4287 Silent diesel generator 10KVA (1 with welding set), Jackhammer, used Indian Costumes and accessories. Owner Leaving! Call: 2278519/ 653-4287

Urgently wanted a professional cosmetology at Natural Beauty salon and spa, Grove, Market Street, E.B.D – Call: 652-5800 Driver, porters experienced in water sales. Call:682-1048 Bartender, cook & waitress. Call: 227-4897 1 Waitress, 1 bartender & 1 bar supervisor. Call: 6965768/ 218-0013/601-1949

1 Brand new pool table 8ft (slate). Call: 691-1161 VACANCY The #1 Plant Shop, sale staff and general maintenance and sales persons 20-30yrs. Call: 643-7193 Live in/live out waitresses. Call: 643-9007/ 666-4647 Driver/General assistant for city location and cook/baker for interior location. Call: 618-2020

Handy boy, must have police clearance. Apply to Shanta’s @ 225 Camp & New Market Street Live-in housekeeper to care for sick person; cook and general care. Call: 603-3571 between 7:00am-7:00pm Wa n t e d U rg e n t l y ! 1 Houselot in Diamond between 7th to 11th Avenue. Call: 610-5957

Houses at Blankenburg$12.9 M and Up. Contact # 650-0402/260-4124

Male supervisors (housekeeping Dept) 3255yrs @ 233 South Road, Lacytown. Call: 225-0198

2 Beauticians with pleasant personalities & passion for their work must be qualified and have clients. Call: 626-6450

Elevator very good condition, price negotiable. Call 231-1284

All rounder person to work in salon at Lot 6 North Road . Call: 666-6917/ 223-1821

J o i n e r, mason and carpenter. Call: 690-6327/ 603-3949

Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999

1 Female cleaner for office in Eccles. Call: 233-2745

One experienced lorry driver at Xclusive Water, 29 Howes Street, Charlestown. Contact Adrian Lalljee: 678-1234

25 Lbs 8" and 25lbs 10" Nylon drift seine number 18 and 30 twine, double knot complete. Call: 670-3912

TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)

EDUCATIONAL Phonics & Reading classes for 4-8yrs, Common Entrance Lessons- Grades 4 & 5, full time school, Grades 7-9. Call: 677-0296

Wednesday February 01, 2017

Kaieteur News

1 3600 watts generator, 1 30HP motor 3PH, 1 Automatic switch 600A more electrical stuff. Call: 627-7835 Combines 7300 John Deere (2000hrs), Fiatagri L413 (2500hrs), Laverda 132 & Tractors: Massey 399, Fiat 110/90, Ford 6610-Call: 6859878; 338-4354 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578

LAND FOR SALE Land @ Soesdyke, 6 lots measuring 135’X175’ -$24M negotiable. Call: 627-3334/ 696-8935, email:fcranmore@ guyanavoice.com Land @ La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.2M, $1.4M, $1.6M, Uitvlugt- $2M, Tuschen School Street $3M, Providence -$5M, Eccles -$5M. Call: 604-6724 Hararuni, Linden Highway, Road Side Land, 21Acres (good on housing) price negotiable. Call:692-8216/233-5539

One general domestic to work in Bel-Air, must know to cook, Indian & English dishes. Call: 223-9888/6643507 TO LET 2 Bedrooms upper flat @ 59 cc Eccles Housing Scheme – price $55,000. Call: 233-2082/ 663-1109 Top flat apartment located @ Mon Repos ‘mouth’ E.C.D -$60,000 per month. Call: 6929295\ 660-5233 One - two bedrooms apartment located in Cummings Lodge, opposite UG. Preferably young couples. Call: 2223123/ 615-8469

Wednesday February 01, 2017

Kaieteur News

East Canje man hospitalized after car topples A 23-year-old man is said to be in a stable condition at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital after he was involved in an accident yesterday. Rovin Behari, of Fort Ordinance Housing Scheme, East Canje, was picked up in an unconscious state by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the medial institution after he lost control of his motor car and crashed it into a utility pole. According to reports, around 3:00 pm, Behari was proceeding north along the East Canje public road at a fast rate. He lost control of his car bearing registration number PKK 8119. Eyewitnesses disclosed that Behari grazed a parked car then crashed into a utility pole before toppling several times and landing on the parapet of the Rose Hall Estate Compound. He was rushed to the hospital and family members were informed.

The accident scene.

INJURED: Rovin Behari

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Wednesday February 01, 2017

KNews grenade attack…

‘10 Charities in 10 Days’ as Digicel celebrates 10th anniversary High Court grants Number

one accused bail again

Alfie Garraway, the number one accused in the June 2016 grenade attack on Kaieteur News, has once again been granted bail. Garraway was previously placed on $300,000 bail after his attorneys applied to the High Court. But Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan had reversed the High Court decision, shortly after ruling that a prima facie case had been made out against Garrwway, and the other two accused, Janeil Howard and Leroy Williams. They have been committed to stand trial in the High Court. Williams, 25, of 11 D’Urban Backlands; Howard, 20, of 322 Section ‘C’ Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara; and Garraway, 36, of Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown, are accused of conspiring together with other persons to cause an explosion by way of throwing a grenade, likely to endanger lives and cause damage to property. The grenade was lobbed at a vehicle belonging to Kaieteur News publisher Glenn Lall. The offence occurred on June 4, 2016, at Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. According to reports, on the day in question, a member of the Kaieteur News security staff heard an unusual sound near Lall’s Toyota Lexus SUV, PRR 8398. The vehicle was parked on the western side of

Saffon Street outside the building housing the newspaper offices. Video footage from the company’s CCTV cameras showed a grey-coloured vehicle slowing as it approached Lall’s vehicle. The driver accelerated after the explosive was thrown. Shemar Wilson, also known

as ‘Abdue’, is still wanted by the Police for questioning in relation to the grenade attack. He is 20 years of age and his last known addresses have been given as 43 North Sophia and 51 West La Penitence, Georgetown. The three men will stand trial at the next sitting of the Demerara Assizes.

Three charged following theft from Jumbo Jet Three employees of Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Business Enterprise at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, who stole items valued over $1M, appeared in the Blairmont Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver on two charges of simple larceny. Howard Mohamed, 24, an electrician of Bush Lot village, West Coast Berbice, is accused of stealing two computer boxes valued at $1M. Mohamed who was represented by attorney at Law

Joel Edmonds was granted bail in the sum of $150,000. The incident is said to have been committed between September 13 and September15, 2016. The other two, Bishram Heralall, called “Ryan”, 24, an electrician of No 7 West Coast Berbice, and Zahir Yakub, 22, a mechanic, of 118 Waterloo, Bath, West Coast Berbice, are jointly charged with simple larceny. They are accused of stealing a fuel injector and temperature gauge valued at

$250,000. They were granted bail in the sum of $100, 00 each. According to prosecutor, Corporal Rochelle Mars, the men who have exclusive access to the entity heavy duty facility and work shop at Bush lot reportedly removed the articles during the time mentioned. The men reportedly made arrangement with a buyer to sell the items for a price. However something went wrong with the arrangements. As the men were reportedly in the process of taking the articles to sell, the owners were tipped off. The police were informed and the men were contacted and ordered to return the items. Two of the men had skipped work on the day with various excuses. A file was prepared and sent to the DPP for advice and it was instructed that all three be charged.

Digicel will be celebrating its 10th anniversary on February 14 and has kicked off this milestone by giving back. The cell phone giant will be visiting 10 special needs schools and orphanages throughout Guyana in ten days to deliver some much needed appliances, school supplies, school shoes, food hampers and other items. The St. John’s Boys Orphanage was the first stop in a series of visits; Head of Marketing Jacqueline James and several members of staff joined the boys and administration yesterday as they delivered breakfast, school shoes, school packs, school items, a washing machine and other supplies that were needed by the orphanage. “We are happy to be here with you as we will soon be celebrating our 10thanniversary. We would like you to know that we are here to support you, young people and we will always be here to lend a helping hand,” said James to the small gathering. After the handing over of the items to Director Sister Julie Matthews, staff members were more than happy to help the boys find their sizes so they could be off to school

Head of Marketing Jacqueline James helps with fitting one of the boys with brand new school shoes. in their new shoes and new backpacks. Sister Matthews and 14year old Stefan Holmes of St. John’s Orphanage thanked Digicel for the timely donations and encouraged those present to ‘keep doing good’. St. John’s Bosco Orphanage was established in 1879 by Fr. Luigi Casati an Italian missionary when he gave shelter to a number of boys in Plaisance. St. John’s is home to fifty boys between the ages of three to six years old. The telecommunications company plans to visit nine more special needs schools and orphanages including

Diamond Special Needs School, Linden Resource Unit for the Blind, New Amsterdam Special Needs School and the Gifted Hands Special Needs School. Digicel officials said that the company remains committed to its Corporate Social Responsibility with charity and special needs remaining at the top of its list. Special Needs intervention is central to their mandate throughout the Caribbean and Central America and they are committed to enhancing the welfare of children with special needs across those markets.

Girlfriend send goldminer to steal chainsaw, TV Grove, East Bank Demerara …court hears and that his girlfriend was Christopher Punch was very honest with the court when he disclosed that he was sent by his girlfriend to break into a home and steal a television set and a STHIL chainsaw. He even told the court that his girlfriend, who is the caretaker of the home, gave him the keys to go into the house. He detailed how he removed several window panes to make it appear as though someone had broken into the home and steal the items. Punch, 27, of West Coast Berbice appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where he was indicted for break and enter and larceny. The unrepresented man pleaded guilty to the allegation which stated that between January 7 and 24 at Bartica, Essequibo, he broke into the dwelling house of Anthony Mahase and stole a Premiere television (TV) set and a STHIL chain saw- all to the value of $275,000. He was ordered to pay Mahase $200,000 as compensation for the chainsaw or in default serve 12 months in prison. During his address to the court, Punch further related that he and his girlfriend sold the chain saw and divided the money between each other.

Sent by his girlfriend to steal: Christopher Punch He said that they were unable to sell the television set. Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones, said that Mahase secured his home on January 7, last, with the items mentioned in the charge intact. According to the prosecutor, when the virtual complainant returned on January 24, he noticed that the items in the charge were missing and summoned the police. Jones related that police acting on information, went to Mahase’s home where they found the television. The prosecutor said that the virtual complainant identified the television as his belongings. He said that Punch’s girlfriend told police that he brought the television home. The prosecutor disclosed that Punch was arrested at

also charged with the crime. Prosecutor Deniro Jones informed the court that he has no objections to the defendant being released on bail. Jones related that the parties are known to each other. As condition of bail, the Chief Magistrate placed Punch on a bond to be of good behaviour until the determination of the matter. The Chief Magistrate also ordered him not to go within 50 feet of Mahase. Punch was advised that if he fails to comply with the court’s orders, his bail will be revoked and he would be remanded to prison. This matter will be called again on February 20 at the Providence Magistrate’s Court. In the end, the Chief Magistrate advised Punch not to be influenced by women. Meanwhile, in another case, an unemployed man was released on $70,000 bail for a similar offence. It is alleged that between December 24 and January 28, at Craig, East Bank Demerara, Lloyd Felix broke into the dwelling house of Alan Harmon and stole a transformer, three pairs of sneakers, a digital camera, an electrical iron and a quantity of clothing. Felix of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara pleaded not guilty to the accusation.

Wednesday February 01, 2017

Trinidad confirms more than 100 nationals involved in terrorist activities overseas

National Security Minister Edmund Dillon PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The Trinidad and Tobago government yesterday said more than 100 nationals are involved in terrorist activities “in countries away from Trinidad and Tobago”. National Security Minister Edmund Dillon told the Senate that many of the persons had left the country giving false information regarding their true destiny. “Madam President based on our information at this point in time there are roughly 130 nationals who have left Trinidad and Tobago to involve in terrorist activities in the countries away from Trinidad and Tobago. Information at hand right now reflects about 70 adults and 58 family members. “In terms of our

intelligence and information gathering people would leave Trinidad and Tobago, sometimes on a destination not mentioned. They may leave for instance Trinidad and Tobago to go to England and they end up in Syria so that their intended destination is sometimes not known to us,” he told legislators. Dillon said that Trinidad and Tobago has to rely on its international partners “to give us the kind of information, the kind of intelligence that will confirm that they are in a terrorist country”. On Monday, Trinidad and Tobago joined its Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member state, the Bahamas, in dismissing a report on the American television network, MSNBC, that the terrorist group, ISIS, has members in

the two CARICOM countries. In a statement, the Office of the Prime Minister noted that Trinidad and Tobago and the United States have a historic, enduring and multifaceted bilateral relationship built around significant cultural, economic and national securities interests and ties. “In fact, the United States is the home to a number of vibrant Trinidadian and Tobagonian communities reflecting the bond of friendship between our two nations.” Reporting on the decision by United States President Donald Trump to sign an executive order banning citizens from seven countries, namely, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, an MSNBC contributor, Malcolm Nance, described as an expert in security and terrorism, indicated that the United States “have not banned terrorists from Brazil. “ISIS has dozens of members from Brazil or Trinidad or The Bahamas who have more terrorist members than any of those other countries,” he added. But Port of Spain said that “Nance’s broad and simplistic statement is not supported by fact and ignores the robust and substantial national security cooperative partnership between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States”.

Regional banks support FATCA BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – The St. Lucia-based Caribbean Association of Banks (CAB) yesterday urged Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries that have not enacted the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) Inter-Governmental Agreements (IGAs) with the United States to do so urgently. CAB said it fully supports the positions adopted by national bankers associations in their efforts to have their respective governments finalize the legislation. “CAB remains concerned about the number of Caribbean countries which do not yet have IGAs in force and therefore renews the call for Caribbean countries to enact the necessary legislation for the implementation of FATCA. “Failure to do so has far

reaching implications for banks in terms of an increase in sovereign risk and its impact on their ability to conduct business,” CAB said in a statement. The FATCA legislation, enacted in the United States in 2010, demands that foreign banks provide information to America’s Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on any customer deemed a “US person” if they have more than US$50,000. Washington has said that the legislation aims to crack down on tax dodgers who hide hundreds of millions of US dollars in offshore accounts annually in an effort to avoid paying taxes.

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In the statement, CAB warned that if a country does not have an IGA in force, “the domestic Financial Institutions in that territory will have to establish an individual agreement with the US Government at significant cost, which may have to be passed on to their customers. “Failure to comply with the Act, will result in a 30 per cent withholding tax on any “payment of interest, dividends, rents, royalties, salaries, wages, annuities, licensing fees and other FDAP income, gains and profits, if such payment is from sources within the United States. “Additionally, any gross proceeds from the sale or disposition of U.S. property of a type that can produce interest or dividends and certain foreign pass-through payments” will be liable to the 30 per cent tax withholding,’ the CAB said.

High court trial for accused in Robb Street fiery murders

MURDERED: Theresa Rozario, Feresa Rozario and their father Hilrod Thomas

MURDER ACCUSED: Avishkar Kissoon The two men who are accused of killing two sisters and their father in a fire at their Robb Street, Georgetown home, will go on trial in the High Court. Ganga Krishna, 72, a businessman of Lot 11 North Road, Bourda, Georgetown;

MURDER ACCUSED: Ganga Krishna

and his employee, Avishkar Kissoon, 24, of Lot 1 Sheriff Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, had their preliminary inquiry (PI) into the offence completed yesterday. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan who presided

over the PI which was done by paper committal ruled that a prima facie case was made out against the two accused for the offence charged. It was an emotional testimony by Clarissa Rosario, the mother of the (Continued on page 30)

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Kaieteur News

High court trial for accused in Robb... (From page 29) dead children which prompted the Chief Magistrate to have the PI done this way. Theresa Rozario, 15 and her 12-year-old sister, Feresa Rozario, were burnt to death after an early morning fire destroyed a Robb Street, Georgetown building they occupied with their father. The fatalities occurred in November, 2014. The two sisters, who were reportedly asleep, were trapped in the early morning inferno. Thomas, 63, managed to jump through a window to escape the flames. He, however, sustained second and third degree burns and later succumbed while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). This matter took police two years to crack. A drug addict reportedly confessed to police that he was offered money to set fire to the disputed building. Police believe that the building was torched to drive out individuals who were also claiming ownership of the property by prescriptive rights. During her ruling, the Chief Magistrate said that oral statements made by Krishna and Kissoon were admitted to form part of the prosecution’s case and evidence. According to Chief Magistrate

McLennan, the two accused were cautioned by detectives before they made their statements and that there were no breaches in the judge’s rule. She said that the statement given to detectives by the two accused were freely and voluntarily made and that she found no threats, force or inducements were made by detectives to obtain the statements from them. When asked if he had anything to say in answer to the charge, Krishna told the court that he was “very innocent” and that he will reserve his defence for the High Court. Kissoon also professed his innocence and declined to call witnesses in his defence. The duo will go before a judge and jury at the next practical sitting of the Demerara Assizes. During the PI, Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers called a number of witnesses to testify. These consisted of several police officers attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown and civilians. Among them were Assistant Superintendant of Police (ASP) Mitchell Caesar, officer in charge of the Major Crimes Investigations Unit; Inspector Suraj Singh and Inspector Devon Lowe.

Wednesday February 01, 2017

Wildcat for Sale This baby ocelot, also known as the dwarf leopard, has been on sale for the past week. It is clear that the seller is unaware of the protection offered to these endangered species under the laws. The photos are being circulated, worrying and a n g e r i n g conservationists. All wildcats are protected by law in Guyana. It is illegal to capture or sell them. Wildcats provide an essential role in the natural environment and in keeping the food chain balanced. When humans encroach on their habitat and further compound this by entrapping and selling them it decimates their population even further. Wildlife and wildcats have heavily been promoted as an essential part of the country’s tourism industry. The price for this one was originally $100,000 but this has been reduced to $50,000. The matter has been reported to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Wednesday February 01, 2017

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Some nations affected by U.S. immigration order may stay on list (Reuters) Nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries temporarily barred from the United States by President Donald Trump’s executive order may be blocked indefinitely, and others might be added to the list, Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said yesterday. Under the order released on Friday, travelers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen may not enter the country for at least 90 days while Kelly and others determine whether there is enough information available to screen them. “Some of those countries that are currently on the list may not be taken off the list anytime soon, if they are countries that are in various states of collapse, as an example,” Kelly told a press conference. Kelly said others may be added if it is determined they “could tighten up their procedures” to ensure more secure vetting. Several lawsuits have been filed blocking portions of the order, which drew harsh criticism from some of Trump’s fellow Republicans,

-others might be added Democrats, human rights organizations and some Western U.S. allies. Vice President Mike Pence was closely questioned about the order by Republican senators during their weekly caucus lunch. “Obviously what happened Friday, they have to understand, was not well done,” Republican Senator Bob Corker told reporters. “...There are a lot of issues here that I don’t think were well thought through.” Confusion mounted during the weekend as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, rushed to brief airlines and customs agents about how to implement Trump’s order. The executive action was not explicit about how to handle a wide range of people trying to enter the United States, including permanent residents, students and even Iraqi pilots training to protect U.S. troops. Acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan told reporters he had briefed appro-

priate parties “within two hours” of the order. Kelly said he knew the order was coming and “had people involved in the general drafting of it.” But a Department of Homeland Security official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Customs and Border Protection officers had no advance notice of the order or how to respond. ANSWERING QUESTIONS Some issues were addressed yesterday. Kelly said people from the seven targeted nations who hold dual citizenship would be allowed to enter the United States on the passport of a non-restricted nation, which had been uncertain. The executive order also stopped the resettlement of refugees for 120 days. But the administration granted waivers to 872 “in transit” who will be arriving this week. Kelly came to the U.S. Capitol later yesterday to brief congressional leaders and the heads of national security committees about the

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly (R) looks on as U.S. President Donald Trump signs an executive order at Homeland Security headquarters in Washington, U.S., January 25, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst order. He was peppered with questions from both Republicans and Democrats concerned about the lack of planning. Senator Claire McCaskill, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security Committee, said Kelly made clear the White House is

happy with the order, and that the administration had not wanted to wait to address details about its implementation. “It was pretty clear that the president wanted this executive order put in place, and he wanted it implemented immediately. And it’s not going

anywhere,” she told reporters. Since the order, 721 travelers with visas from the seven countries were denied boarding U.S.-bound flights, according to McAleenan. The department has also processed 1,060 waivers for legal permanent residents, such as green card holders.

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Wednesday February 01, 2017

Trump nominates Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court

President Trump announced Judge Neil M. Gorsuch as his nominee for the Supreme Court on Tuesday in the East Room of the White House. Credit: Stephen Crowley/The New York Times (New York Times) WASHINGTON — President Trump yesterday nominated Judge Neil M. Gorsuch, a federal appeals court judge in Denver, to fill the Supreme Court seat left open by the death last year of Justice Antonin Scalia, elevating a jurist whose conservative bent and originalist philosophy fit the mold of the man he would succeed. Mr. Trump’s announcement, delivered during prime time in the East Room of the White House, marked his first bid to reshape the nation’s highest court, as he had promised so often on the campaign trail. “ J u d g e G o r s u c h has outstanding legal skills, a brilliant mind, tremendous discipline and has earned bipartisan support,” Mr. Trump said, standing beside the judge and his wife, Louise, in the East

Room. “It is an extraordinary resume — as good as it gets.” If confirmed, Judge Gorsuch would restore the 5to-4 split between liberals and conservatives on the court, handing Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, 80, who votes with both blocs, the swing vote. At 49, Judge Gorsuch is the youngest nominee to the Supreme Court in 25 years, underscoring his potential to shape major decisions for decades to come. In choosing him, Mr. Trump reached for a reliably conservative figure in the Scalia tradition but not someone known to be divisive. Mr. Trump, who recognized Justice Scalia’s wife, Maureen, in the audience as he announced his choice, praised the “late, great” jurist, saying his “image and genius was in my mind

throughout the decisionmaking process.” Judge Gorsuch said he was humbled by his “most solemn assignment” and said he would be “a faithful servant of the Constitution and laws of this great country.” he said. The president, facing what is likely to be a bitter partisan battle over Judge Gorsuch’s confirmation, expressed hope that he could avoid such a dispute. “I only hope that both Democrats and Republicans can come together for once, for the good of the country,” Mr. Trump said. Still, Democrats in the Senate, stung by the Republican refusal to confirm President Barack Obama’s nominee for the seat, Judge Merrick B. Garland, have promised stiff resistance.

Wednesday February 01, 2017

Kaieteur News

Jamaica govt. to roll out crime plan in coming months KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – The Jamaica government says it will in the coming months roll out strategic policies to address the country’s homicide rate and put in place a plan to secure Jamaica. “We are making the investments in national security assets to put us in a position to cut the flow of illegal weapons into the island, to limit the movement and activities of gangs, to be able to intercept criminals in the act and to create a real deterrent,” said Prime Minister Andrew Holness. He told a ceremony here over the last weekend that the new strategy is being undertaken in addition to putting in place a new national security architecture that will better integrate all the crime fighting resources which are not all in the Ministry of National Security. “We have appointed a national security advisor whose job it is to bring together all the national security assets to fight crime. So I am confident that we will be able to bring the homicide rate down significantly,” he added. Holness said in making Jamaica the centre of the Caribbean, the government must ensure that the rule of

Jamaica PM Andrew Holness law is never challenged. He acknowledged that the present situation with crime, specifically murders, poses a challenge, but declared that the country will not be defeated. Last year, Jamaica recorded 1320 murders and so far this year, the figure is nearing 100. In addition, Prime Minister Holness said that the government is committed to stamping out corruption. “We are not satisfied with the recent ranking that we have and we are going to redouble our efforts to ensure that Jamaica improves its standing on the corruption perception index.

“This government is absolutely committed to that. We think it is an important part of attracting investors to our country and so we are going to redouble efforts,” he said. Jamaica was ranked 83rd by Transparency International in its latest ranking of corruption involving 176 countries. The prime minister explained that the marginal decline in the perception index is due to the pace at which the country is moving to implement the various pieces of legislation. This, he said, will be addressed in the next financial year as the government will ensure that legislation is put in place.

Mas bands hurt as crime, visa ban affect visitors (Trinidad Guardian) Concerns about crime and US immigration are affecting Carnival 2017 as some mas bands are reporting that registration has been affected. “It appears Carnival has taken a hit because of this as a number of bands have reported lower registration numbers so far for this year, including from overseas customers,” National Carnival Development Foundation (NCDF) chairman Mahindra Satram Maharaj told the T&T Guardian. NCDF represents a number of large and small bands. Maharaj said concerns have arisen due to campaign trail promises by the new US administration regarding deportation of undocumented people from the US. This was heightened by last weekend’s US visa ban on seven Middle East and African countries. Last week, Culture Minister Nyan Gadsby-Dolly confirmed that there had been declining or very stagnant tourist arrivals and dwindling audiences at Carnival

events. Maharaj subsequently said bands have reported very, very slow registration, but added that band leaders are hoping for the usual rush in the last week before Carnival. “A key deterrent to registration is the crime situation, particularly the bizarre types of crimes being seen in T&T. There have also been reports from members that some persons in the Diaspora — where we have a lot of masqueraders — have been reluctant to participate this year since they are uncertain about US immigration policies,” he said. “We have about 40,000 people who normally come to T&T for Carnival. One or two bands have said their customers aren’t affected, but others have said they are. However, one band has said it’s getting many overseas customers.” Lorraine Pouchet, of the T&T Tour Operators Association, said the US visa ban has prompted investigations

on the number of people who may have booked Carnival costumes and paid for hotel rooms but cannot come due to fears about returning to the US. T&T Hotel and Tourism Association president Hassel Thom said: “Since the US visas ban began last weekend, it will also trigger fear in the minds of t h o s e i n t h e Diaspora, so we must ascertain how it will affect Carnival and we’re doing that research with stakeholders now.” Other industry sources said fears in the Diaspora about difficulties to return home after Carnival were also fuelled by last weekend’s comments by MSNBC counter terrorism expert Malcolm Nance who claimed T&T, the Bahamas and Brazil had more “terrorists” than the seven predominantly Muslim states the visa ban applies to. There are concerns that T&T nationals returning to the US might be red-flagged because of that.

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Wednesday February 01, 2017

Wednesday February 01, 2017

Pistorius prosecutor quits focusing on... (From page 33) for the 2013 murder of the athlete’s girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, after an earlier manslaughter verdict was upgraded on appeal. The case remains open after he challenged the new sentence on the grounds it was still too lenient. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku, confirming Nel’s resignation, said the file could now be assigned to another lead prosecutor. At the trial, Nel painstakingly crafted a picture of Pistorius as a coldblooded killer. The athlete known as the Blade Runner argued he shot dead Steenkamp by accident, firing through a bathroom door after mistaking her for an intruder in his house.

Nel is joining the AfriForum group, whose chief executive Kallie Kriel said it aims to bring private prosecutions of cases in the public interest. He said public figures could be called to account in cases that are dropped by state prosecutors. “We will take over where the state fails in their duty,” Kriel told Reuters. “We believe nobody in the country is above the law, including the president.” Asked if he planned to take on cases involving President Jacob Zuma, Nel told a news conference: “We will not identify any subject of an investigation at this stage.” Zuma’s popularity has been jolted by a series of scandals, which last year contributed to the ruling party’s worst electoral per-

formance since the end of white minority rule in 1994. Nel, in a 36-year career at the NPA, was known for taking on the powerful and politically connected. His biggest scalp was former police chief and Interpol head Jackie Selebi, who was convicted of corruption in 2010. Some on social media said Nel’s move to the private sphere was a mistake. Lawson Naidoo, the Executive Secretary of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution, tweeted that he “runs the risk of destroying his legacy of a proud career in public service.” Responding to the criticism, Nel said: “I understand all the perceptions. I won’t sell my integrity. I’m just excited to be part of something new.”

Wednesday February 01, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) The information that you gain can be used in every aspect of your life. Self-deception regarding your own worth may lead you down the wrong path. In-laws or relatives may oppose your personal intentions. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You can ask for favors or run your ideas by those who will be able to support your objectives. Your high energy will enable you to take the role of leader in group functions. You can't live your life for others. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Don't be too eager to spend money that you really don't have. Get into some activities that will help you in making new friends. Involvement in financial schemes will be followed by losses. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Be careful while traveling. A little rest will do wonders. Be cautious when dealing with coworkers. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Organizations may cost you more than you can afford. Be discreet and don't present your ideas until you're certain that they're foolproof. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) The information that you gain can be used in every aspect of your life. A quiet restful day just staying in bed or catching up on reading will be your best bet. You

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Kaieteur News

need to concentrate on your business ventures more than on your relationship today. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You should socialize with clients or upper echelons of your industry if possible. Don't avoid your true feelings. This will not be the day to lend money to friends or family. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Restrictions may be difficult for you to live with. Don't let your emotions interfere with your efficiency. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Control those desires to cast your fate to the wind. Communication will be your best bet. Talk to someone you trust in order to see the whole picture. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Don't make a move; your confusion has caused this dilemma and you are best to back away and reassess the situation. Emotional disputes will only end in sorrow. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You must be extremely careful not to let relatives or friends interfere in your personal life. Your lover may cost you financially. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Take your time before making personal decisions. A change of attitude has probably disrupted your home environment. Someone you least expect may not have your best interests at heart.

Due to your outstanding performance... (From page 35) expected.” He also promised the BVA assistance in sending the team to Trinidad for an annual tournament sometime around Easter. Touching on the U19 team’s performance at the IGG 2016, where most of the players came from Berbice. The Guyana team swept all and sundry in a dominating performance. He said that even the

Suriname DoS was impressed with their performance. The Dos also admonished the players to continue to play hard, work hard and be disciplined. “Do not be too swell headed, you have demonstrated the ability to represent your club, village, region and country. You have to be a role model, many of you may be a beacon light to your community and to that I am ask-

ing you to be that leading light in your community.” He drew reference to Jamaican Usain Bolt whom he said came from an humble beginnings and is now the most famous and one of the richest sports pers o n a l i t y i n t h e Wo r l d . “There is no difference between Usain Bolt and any of you here.” “You too can be a Usain Bolt,” Jones mentioned. (Samuel Whyte)

Two-hour marathon not possible... (From page 37) before returning to claim the Olympic 5,000m title in Rio last year. She said she would have won the 10,000m as well if her team mates had co-operated, suggesting that Alice Aprot blundered by running too fast too early and leaving Cheruiyot and Betsy Saina on their own.

Quiet night for... (From page 35) whistle came with no addition to the scoresheet. It meant that the GPF secured full points, while Camptown who drew their opening game against Riddim Squad will now have to beat Mahaica Determinators to remain in the reckoning. In the opening encounter, Linden’s Winners Connection, who head Group A, were held to a goalless draw against a rejuvenated Northern Rangers team. The first half saw a lacklustre performance by both teams and even though the action picked up significantly in the second period, the two teams failed to trouble the goalkeepers, before the final whistle sounded. Action in the competition resumes today with another double header at the GFC ground. In the first game, Milerock take on Grove Hi Tec from 18:30 hrs, while in the feature clash Western Tigers go up against the youthful Eagles United out of the Mining Town of Linden.

Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana won in a world record time of 29 minutes 17.45 seconds. Cheruiyot was second and Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba third. “Olympics need meticulous planning, knowing the advanced level of competition. She (Aprot) declined (our plan) and we did not run as a team,” Cheruiyot said. She is now focused preparing for the London Marathon on April 23 and will run another marathon in Septem-

ber. “I want to run well in London and I am feeling no pressure, despite the strong lineup. Mary (Keitany) and (defending champion) Jemimah (Sumgong) are there, but because I have not competed with them and I have not run the marathon, I don’t feel any anxiety,” she said. “I have just started preparing for the event, I ran my first 40km two weeks ago as part of my preparation. I think it will be exciting,” she said.

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Wednesday February 01, 2017

EPIC Guyana partners with TICKETS available online today Digicel to donate football shirts

for WI vs England ODI series

Surujdai Mukhram, EPIC Guyana Programme Coordinator (left) and Owan Wills, Yarrowkabra Jaguars Coach (right) display the shirts. Last Thursday, EPIC Guyana in collaboration with Digicel Guyana donated a total of 20 red and white football shirts to the Circuit Ville Jaguars Youth And Sports Club. The club, which is registered in accordance

with The Friendly Societies Act was founded late last year, and works with youths and youth development along the East Bank Demerara. EPIC Guyana, as part of its mission seeks to engage

with other organisations that f o c u s o n y o u t h empowerment and community development. The shirts will be worn by the Ya r r o w k a b r a J a g u a r s Football team as their official competition kit.

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Patrons will be able to purchase tickets online from t o d a y ( We d n e s d a y, February 1) for the threem a t c h o n e d a y international series, West Indies vs England. The series set for March 3, 5, (Antigua & Barbuda) & 9 in Barbados used an Official Tour Operators Programme. The arrangement was with International Cricket Tours, Howzat Travel, Sports Tours Plus, Living with the Lions and Gullivers’ Sports Travel. Commercial Manager, WICB, Nelecia Yeates says,

“I am pleased with the takeup of tickets so far. The five Official Tour Operators we partnered with, have delivered on expectations. We therefore hope that the rest of the region will capitalise on the package we have for the usually-popular West Indies vs England match-up series in the Caribbean. Yeates added that “any series with West Indies vs England always attract keen attention from fans all around the world. We look forward to welcoming them to what is expected to be an exciting series.” There is a special

promotion for children which gives 50 per cent off, once purchased with an adult ticket. There is also a special promotion for patrons over 60. The allocation is one (1) free ticket. Th a t p r o m o t i o n i s within the first week of Box Office ticket sales and are for Caribbean Nationals ONLY. Those tickets are on a firstcome, first-served basis. Patrons will also have to honour the No Re-entry rule. Ticket prices for the series range from US $25 $75.

Wednesday February 01, 2017

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Coe denies misleading doping committee Pistorius prosecutor LONDON (Reuters) The head of world athletics Sebastian Coe has denied that he misled a British P a r l i a m e n t a r y committee investigating doping in sport when he appeared before it last December. C e n t r a l t o C o e ’s evidence was his insistence that he did not know the specific detail of an email sent to him by f o r m e r L o n d o n Marathon race director David Bedford, which Coe says he sent to the I A A F E t h i c s Commission without opening the attachments. Bedford told the Parliamentary Committee this month that he was surprised to hear that Coe had not read the attachments of the 2014 mail and committee chairman Damian Collins said Bedford’s evidence had raised questions over “the timing and extent of Lord Coe’s knowledge of these allegations”. A mail sent by Coe to

Sebastian Coe, IAAF’s President, attends a press conference as part of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) council meeting in Monaco, December 1, 2016. (REUTERS/Eric Gaillard) Michael Beloff, head of the Ethics Committee, and released by the Parliamentary Committee on Wednesday, suggested the IAAF President was aware of the detail of the allegations. Coe’s mail to Beloff referred to the receipt “documentation of serious allegations being made by and on behalf of the Russian female athlete (Liliya)

Shobukhova from David Bedford”. “The purpose of this note is of course to advise you that I have now been made aware of the allegations,” Coe added. Coe, however, said he did n o t k n o w t h e specifics of Bedford’s claim and explained why in a four-page email to Collins this week which was made public by the

c o m m i t t e e (www.parliament.uk/docum e n t s / c o m m o n s committees/culture-mediaa n d sport/Correspondence/Lord -Coe-to-Chair-re-DavidBedford-evidence-26-012017.pdf). “I wish to confirm that to the best of my recollection I was not aware prior to December 2014 of the allegations that Papa Massata Diack/others associated with the IAAF were involved in covering up Russian doping,” Coe, who was an IAAF vicepresident at the time before being elected president in 2015, wrote. “This is even though I accept that in August 2014 David Bedford emailed me documents containing allegations along those lines,” he added. “I trust this clarifies the matter to the satisfaction of the committee and as such there are no grounds for suggesting I misled the committee in any way.”

quits focusing on private cases

State prosecuter Gerrie Nel (REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo) JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) South African prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who laid out the murder case against Paralympian Oscar Pistorius, has resigned to join a civic group that plans

to bring private prosecutions in criminal cases that the state opts not to pursue. Nel, nicknamed “The Bulldog”, eventually secured a six-year jail term (Continued on page 31)

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Wednesday February 01, 2017

Russell sidelined after NSC working to improve UG’s sporting capacity JADCO imposes 12-month ban GUYANA, GINA, - The National Sports Commission (NSC) and international weightlifting coach, Dr. Kyle Pierce, are working towards the formulation of a sports programme for the University of Guyana. The programme will be one that is recognised regionally. In 2016, Dr. Pierce conducted a ‘strength and conditioning’ training programme in Guyana which saw several sport persons receiving certificates of participation. Director of Sports, Christopher Jones said that Dr. Pierce expressed an interest in establishing a programme at the University of Guyana that would train persons and issue them with a certificate that would be recognized regionally. Over the years, the University of Guyana has produced athletes of exceptional standards. In 2016, three students were

Director of Sports Christopher Jones awarded scholarships to study in Jamaica at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona Campus. The scholarships were awarded due to the exceptional performance they demonstrated while representing the University at athletics meets at the UWI. Jones noted that the sports programme will see the NSC exploring ways to upgrade the ground on the

Turkeyen campus. According to the Sport Director, the National Sports Commission will be working along with UG to complete their lawn tennis court. Jones pointed out that the construction of the court started some years ago but remains incomplete due to the lack of funds. In the 2017 National Budget, the sum of $978,180M was allocated for sports development.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, C M C – We s t I n d i e s Tw e n t y 2 0 s t a r, A n d r e Russell, was yesterday ruled out of several major upcoming global tournaments after being slapped with a 12-month ban for an anti-doping whereabouts violation. The 28-year-old globetrotting all-rounder missed three drugs tests back in 2015 after failing to report his whereabouts, and was penalized by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission. He had faced up to a twoyear ban if found guilty of the violation but will now sit out the game until next January under the 12-month sanction which takes immediate effect. “What the panel was required to do was look at the evidence given and to find whether the complainant established the requisite standard of proof, and that standard of proof is that it must be to the comfortable satisfaction of the tribunal that there was a first filing failure,” chairman Hugh Faulkner said afterward. “And we found from the evidence that there was a first filing failure for the period January 1, 2015 to March 31, 2015.” He continued: “Again, using the standard of proof that we had enunciated, again to the comfortable satisfaction of the tribunal,

we found that there was a filing failure – a failure to find whereabouts information – for the period 1 July 2015 to 30 September 2015, and then the third filing failure would have been for 1 July 2015 to 30 September 2015 but specifically, failure to provide the explanation required by the anti-doping rules for why you are late with the whereabouts filing. “Now the rules require that they must be three missed tests and that three missed tests happen within a 12-month period and we found that was the case. “As a result, the panel had no option but to apply a sanction. We looked at all the circumstances of the case, we looked at the evidence, looked at previous cases – precedents – and we came up with a one-year sanction.” Russell has played one Te s t , 5 1 O n e - D a y Internationals and 43 T20s for West Indies, and was part of the squad which won an unprecedented second T20 World Cup in India last April. However, it has been on the global T20 circuit where he has made his name as an athletic fielder, a dashing lower order batsman and a lively seamer. In particular, he will miss the cash-rich Indian Premier League where he is contracted to Kolkata Knight st

th

st

th

Riders and for whom he is a key player KKR’s chief executive Venky Mysore described Russell’s ban as a “big loss”. Russell also features for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League in Australia, Sylhet Royals in the Bangladesh Premier league, Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League and Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League. The hearing to determine Russell’s fate wrapped up last September and he continued to play while awaiting the judgement to be handed down. Faulkner said the panel had opted not to make the dates of the ban retroactive and had also felt under the circumstances, that only a one-year ban was necessary. “In some instances, they (bans) commence on earlier dates before the decision and in this instance, bearing in mind all the circumstances, w e b e l i e v e t h e commencement date should be at the date of the decision,” Faulkner pointed out. He added: “In our decision, we cited the circumstances, we cited the cases and explained therein … our decision [not to apply] the maximum [ban].” Earlier this month, Russell was forced out of the Big Bash with a hamstring injury.

Wednesday February 01, 2017

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Limacol Round Robin / KO Football Competition Due to your outstanding Quiet night for goalperformance you are rewarded Lights and Shed for BVA facility at Port Mourant - Director of Sports

Director of Sports Christopher Jones addressing the gathering. Having being lauded for their outstanding performance, as one of the better run sports organisations in the country, the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) was promised further rewards for their outstanding and exemplary performance for the year 2016. The promises were made by no other than Director of Sports (DoS) Christopher Jones. Jones was the feature speaker at the Berbice Volleyball Association ( B VA ) i n a u g u r a l presentation and awards ceremony held last Saturday at the Port Mourant Community Center. Jones, who has been the DoS since the coalition government took office in 2015, has been applauded for doing an exemplary job so far. In a wide raging speech, the Sports Director congratulated the BVA and the players, especially the awardees for its exemplary performance. He had words

of appreciation and praise for the BVA President Levi Nedd. “Let me say that when you speak of volleyball and the development of volleyball in Berbice, you hear the name Levi Nedd. Not too long after taking the office of DoS I became familiar with the name and person, Levi Nedd. Nedd has been a tower of strength behind the many accomplishments of the BVA.” “We have been in contact on a regular basis, talking about plans, programmes and ways and means of improving the sport in Berbice and Guyana in general.” “I am extremely happy that the BVA has embarked on a drive to spread the game throughout Berbice. Thus places like Orealla and Siparuta have been participating on a regular basis and the females virtually dominating in their c a t e g o r y. T h a t s h o w s improvement. The BVA

initiative to include the young the old, women, hinterland and even the differently able, tells a story,” the director said and assured that the Government will endorse and embrace the BVA’s activities. He is happy that the BVA had taken on an “active anti suicide drive” as part of the programme and noted that, not only that the BVA has performed well, but clubs within the Association have stood out both on the local and overseas shores. He mentioned that the APNU/AFC government when it took office immediately embarked on an initiative to take sports to all 10 regions of the country. “Despite there was no system in place, we set out to make sure that all parts of Guyana benefits, in what we call sports for all.” “A big part of the undertaking is facilities development. Under which we have the Light It up Campaign. Where we set out to place lights at most sports facilities, so that out athletes can train after sundown.” He told those gathered that the BVA has performed exemplary and for such performance the Government will be presenting lights to the BVA to light up the International Volleyball Court at Port Mourant. However, this is depending on how fast the BVA can acquire the light poles. “Within 24 hrs you will get the lights,” Jones stated. Jones also mentioned the Government’s willingness in assisting to cover the facility before the end of the year. Quoting a phrase from the Bible, Jones said, “To whom much is given, much is (Continued on page 31)

scorers, but GPF win

-Tigers take on Eagles in headliner today at GFC

Quincy Holder It was a relatively quiet night for goal-scoring when the Limacol Round Robin / Knockout Football Competition continued on Monday, at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground. However, it was not a case of lack of excitement as teams showed how much they are benefitting from the initial round robin format with improvements being exhibited as the competition progresses. In the lone affair that resulted in a goal being scored, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) resisted a spirited display by Camptown to beat them 1-0 with Quincy Holder’s 32nd minute strike separating the teams. In came following a long ball delivered from centrefield that eluded the Camptown backline and Holder raced on to it, rounded the advancing goalkeeper, before slotting the ball into an empty goal. After then, Camptown urged on by supporters played with a high level of urgency, but the fitter GPF

unit repelled every intended incursion and went to the break clinging to a slim 1-0 advantage. In the final period, both teams treated the fans with some exciting football, creating opportunity after opportunity and it required the attentiveness of both goalkeepers to deny those chances. Camptown experienced Captain Troy Prescod had no less than three free kicks just outside the penalty area, but just could not evade the wall,

except for one that swerved away from the fortress only to land harmlessly outside the right upright. GPF also had a few chances to score, but again the Camptown goalkeeper was quick to avert any danger and despite a few anxious moments in the dying minutes when the lawmen seemed to pull back players to defend their advantage, allowing the Camptown strikers a glimmer of hope, the final (Continued on page 21)

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Wednesday February 01, 2017

Jaguars third in Zone ‘B’ at the halfway stage Johnson, Shiv & Reifer only Jaguars’ batsmen with 100 runs Shiv needs 10 to become leader scorer in Regional 50-over cricket By Sean Devers in Barbados In Association with Bounty Supermarket, Vnet Communications, Life Time Reality & Ming’s Products & Services As the race for semi-final spots heat up in Zone ‘B’ in Barbados, the host team Barbados Pride are unbeaten with 14 from their three games, while CCC Marooners are in the second position with nine points from three games, while Guyana Jaguars are also on nine points but they are the only side to have played four matches. Jamaica Scorpions are in the penultimate spot in Zone ‘B’ with 4 points from three game, while ICC Americas, with three consecutive losses so far, are yet to register a point. While the tournament continues today with ICC Americas playing the Scorpions at the 3Ws Oval and Pride facing the Marooners at Kensington, the Jaguars are the only team to complete the first half of the five team Barbados zone. The top two teams from each zone qualify for the ‘Final Four’ from February 15-18 in Antigua. The Jaguars next match will be on Friday in their fourth day/night fixture at Kensington where they play their return game against the Marooners. This could be a crucial game for the Jaguars and depending on the outcome of today’s clashes in which Pride and Scorpions are favored to win. And it could be a race for the second

Raymon Reifer

Shiv Chanderpaul spot between the Jaguars and the Scorpions. However, cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties as was shown when the Marooners upset the Scorpions in the first round. The Jaguars need to win at least three of their remaining four matches for them to book a trip to Antigua. The big match of the second half of the Zone ‘B’ will be when Pride face-off with Jaguars from 09:00hrs on Sunday at the 3Ws Oval at Cave Hill since if the Marooners stage another upset in their game with Jaguars on Friday the South American Franchise will have to defeat Pride, a team packed with 12 West Indies players and the only side not to lose a match so far in a must win game. Led by two centuries and 271 runs from Kieron Powell, the Leewards Hurricanes lead Zone ‘A’ in Antigua with 14 points from three matches. The left-

handed Powell has the most centuries so far and with five more games, is on track to break Ramnaresh Sarwan record three tons in the 2005 tournament when Guyana won the last of their nine titles. Pride’s Kraigg Braithwaite in second in the aggregate with 150 runs including a century from three innings, while Jaguars’ Skipper Leon Johnson, back in his favored middle order position after being forced to open for the West Indies, is third among the overall run scores with two fifties 135 runs from four innings. Windward Volcanoes’ Sunil Ambris (130 runs) from three innings including two half centuries, is fourth, while 42-year-old Jaguars left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul, who missed the opening game against the Pride due to ‘stiff neck’ and did not bat when Jaguars beat the Marooners, sits in fifth position with 123 runs from two innings including a century against the Scorpions. Chanderpaul, who played the first of his 95 Regional 50-overs games for Guyana in 1992, has two tons at this level and needs another century to join Brain Lara (4), Chris Gayle, Sarwan, Floyd Reifer and Keith Arthurton (3 each) as batsmen with more than two Regional 50-overs hundreds. The walking run machine enjoys an amazing average of 123 in this tournament and need just 10

runs to surpass Floyd Reifer to become the leading run scorer since 1976 when the inaugural Regional 50-over cricket tournament was played. Raymon Reifer (114) is the only other Jaguars’ batsman with 100 runs, while Assad Fudadin (83), Rajendra Chandrika (55) are other Jaguars batsmen with 50 runs in what has been a generally disappointing overall batting performance. P r i d e ’s o ff - s p i n n e r Ashley Nurse with 10 wickets in the tournament’s leading wicket taker while West Indies U-19 and Hurricanes’ pacer Alzarri Joseph and Jamaican speedster Jerome Tailor have 10 each. Jaguars’ left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul is joint third highest wicket taker along with Pride’s Sulieman Benn, West Indies U - 1 9 Vi c e - C a p t a i n Guyanese Kemo Paul and Hurricanes’ Gavin Tonge, all with eight each, while Jaguars’ Ronsford Beaton, who captured a career best 4-28 in his last match has seven wickets, the same as T&T’s Ravi Rampaul. Devendra Bishoo has been inconsistent in this tournament and is the next best Guyanese wicket taker with six. Raymon Reifer (4) and Steven Jacobs (3) are next in line. Jacobs is the only bowler with an economy rate of under three runs per over in the tournament.

Brady pumped up to dispel asterisk over Deflategate HOUSTON (Reuters) Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is the man who has everything — leading man good looks, super model Gisele Bundchen as his wife, lovely children and hundreds of millions of dollars in earnings. Everything, that is, except the fifth Super Bowl ring he is fiercely determined to win on Feb. 5 against the Atlanta Falcons. For Brady, this has become a quest as personal as any in a 17-year career that has already brought him four Super Bowl titles. It comes after serving a four-game suspension this season from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell over the controversial underinflation of balls in the AFC title game two years ago, a punishment he fought in the courts. “Deflategate and being accused of cheating, any athlete will want to prove everybody wrong and say ‘if you think that’s what let me win, you’re wrong,’” mental game expert Dr. Joe Parent told Reuters in a telephone interview. “His feud with Roger Goodell about that is one of his motivations to show everybody it’s not about the footballs. Athletes want to remove doubt about their accomplishments. “Nobody wants an asterisk by their records,” added Parent, author of ‘Zen Golf’ and ‘Zen Tennis’. Brady has already rewritten the postseason record books as he makes his record seventh appearance in the Super Bowl, and at age 39 played at a level as high as ever this season. “For Brady, his personal integrity has been questioned. That made it personal. That’s more fuel to use as motivation,” said Parent. Inspiration is perhaps the most common m o t i v a t i o n a l f a c t o r, according to Dr. Matthew Lorber, a psychiatrist at New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital, but other emotions can be effective tools. “Anger is a major emotion tied into motivation

in people who are successful,” Lorber told Reuters. “Anger has to be turned into the drive to fix what you’re angry about. “A big thing I work on is what can patients control in their lives,” said Lorber. “Tom Brady, the moment he is suspended, he really cannot control. But he can control his motivation. “He can control if he lets up a bit in the gym or if he g r i n d s e v e n h a r d e r. Motivation is something we have control over.” Brady has shrugged off suggestions that he has been using his suspension as motivation, but his competitive fire has clearly been ablaze this season. “ T h e r e ’s a c e r t a i n amount of energy devoted to getting your head geared up to play in a very serious, fierce fashion,” Dr. Victor Fornari, a psychiatrist at Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, New York, told Reuters. “Tarnishing that sense of greatness would be met with tremendous resentment and upset. “I think we see that not just with athletes, but with people who have a very strong opinion of themselves. The truth is that everyone needs a healthy amount of narcissism. That you look in the mirror and feel good about what you see and who you are.” Parent does not think the fire will abate regardless of the outcome of Super Bowl 51 in Houston. “Three things about ch a m p i o n a t h l e t e s . Champion athletes hate to lose. But they love to compete. They l o v e t o t e s t themselves against the best. That makes it s p e c i a l , ” h e s a i d. “Brady needs something to play against. Maybe he’s playing partly against Goodell. “That’s to get the adrenalin going and the intensity of focus, but it can’t be a fire out of control. Brady has what I’d call cold fire. He can show his fire but not at the moment of the play. He channels the fire, ice-cold focus.”

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Associations not proactive Red Force make light with submission of work work of hapless Under-19s programmes to GOA

K. A. Juman Yassin By Franklin Wilson President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), K. A. Juman Yassin on Monday last informed that the request by the Olympic body to its affiliates for submission of their work programmes leading up to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, has been slow. Up to the time of the GOA press conference on Monday last, only two affiliates of the body’s 23 affiliates had submitted theirs. The deadline for submission of those programmes was January 31st, 2017, yesterday and Yassin was hopeful that the other affiliates would have complied before the deadline. ”Once we get that, then all of those applications will be looked at either by a subcommittee but a final decision would be made by the executive of the GOA as regards how we move forward.” Commonwealth Games With the Commonwealth

Games set for the Gold Coast, Australia, April 2018, the GOA has already began to put systems in place to ensure that Guyana is in good stead in order to medal. Yassin reported that they are hoping to field a team of about 30 athletes and former GOA Executive Member Noel Adonis has been appointed as Chef de Mission. Committee to re c o m m e n d Tr a i n i n g P r o g r a m m e s A committee headed by r e c e n t l y e l e c t e d Vi c e President Godfrey Munroe has been appointed to look at and recommend to the Executive of the GOA, programmes that the local body can approach Olympic Solidarity to fund. Apart from Munroe, the other members are Nicholas Fraser and Seon Erskine. “We felt that this is a committee of wide experience, especially two of them, Fraser and Erskine who have got a degree in sports science from Cuba. We hope that they would

be able to make proposals for courses.” Queens Baton Relay The Queens Baton is expected to be in Guyana from August 7-11. Yassin said that Dr. Karen Pilgrim who has been in charge of the activities surrounding the Queens Baton Relay would continue to serve at the helm. ”On the 8th the baton would be in Georgetown and the 9th somewhere out of Georgetown as is the norm.” N e w G O A H e a d q u a r t e r s The entity is hoping to start occupying this new edifice by the end of March this year Yassin reported. Captain John Flores, President of the G u y a n a Vo l l e y b a l l Federation has been appointed the head of security, he would be responsible for making recommendations to the GOA in this regard. Flores would also be in charge of security for the Queens Baton Relay. At the new building, the GOA would be setting up a museum; a committee headed by Mr. Ronald Burch Smith has been set up to forward recommendations to the GOA regarding the setting up of the museum. ”Ronald is now looking at that and he would also recommend to us other person (s) who he feels can make a contribution to this. If there is any member of the sporting fraternity who feel that they can make a contribution, I would ask them to get in contact with me or our general secretary, Hector Edwards and we would see how best your recommendation and your input can be developed into this museum.”

Fast bowler Roshon Primus … finished with two wickets against West Indies Under-19s. (Photo courtesy WICB Media) NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Reigning champions Trinidad and Tobago crushed an out-ofsorts West Indies Under19s by eight wickets in quick time here yesterday, to win their second game and move into second spot

in Group A of the Regional Super50. Wounded by a defeat to Kent Spitfires last Sunday, Red Force routed the Under19s for a meagre 58 off 31 overs and then galloped to their target off 10.2 overs at the Vivian Richards Cricket

Stadium. They lie second on nine points, three behind leaders Leeward Islands Hurricanes who they meet in their next game at Coolidge Cricket Ground on Thursday. Opting to bowl first, Red F o r c e ’s a t t a c k w a s spearheaded by Jamaican left-arm quick Sheldon Cottrell who claimed three for six from seven overs while left-arm spinner Khary Pierre (2-16) and fast bowler Roshon Primus (220) picked up two wickets apiece. Emmanuel Stewart, batting at number four, topscored with 30 from 66 deliveries with four fours but failed to get support as no other Under-19s batsman reached double figures. In reply, T&T lost openers Kyle Hope (8) and Evin Lewis (19) but Nicholas Alexis struck four boundaries in 19 not out off 20 balls to see his side home without further hiccups. West Indies Under-19s are bottom of the standings without a win in three outings.

Two-hour marathon not possible, says Cheruiyot ELDORET, KENYA (Reuters) Running a marathon in under two hours is not possible, Kenya’s Olympic 5,000 and world 10,000 champion Vivian Cheruiyot has said in response to an initiative by sportswear manufacturer Nike to achieve that feat. Nike has enlisted Kenya’s Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, Ethiopian Lelisa Desisa Bekele and Eritrean

Zersenay Tadesse in a bid to break the two-hour mark this year. “I have no problem with the project, but I am very skeptical about it,” Cheruiyot, 33, told Reuters during a break in training for the London Marathon. “The world record can be broken... Kipchoge can do it. The time can still come down from the current (2:02:57), but 1:59:59 is setting the bar too high. They could have set

it below the current world record,” she said. “Running a marathon in under two hours is impossible. It doesn’t look real. They should have set the bar at slightly under ( D e n n i s ) K i m e t t o ’s 2:02:57,” she said. Cheruiyot, who won two gold medals at the 2011 world championships in Daegu, South Korea, took time off to have a baby (Continued on page 31)

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Gittens makes pledge to Best Boxer The international boxing competition scheduled to be staged on February 19th at the National Gymnasium has been given a boost as another overseas based Guyanese has steeped in to provide support. USA Based Samuel Gittens has pledged US$200 and a large trophy for the Best Boxer. Gittens decided on the donation immediately upon reading of the upcoming event and recently contacted Guyana Boxing Association president Steve Ninvalle to

make known his offer. The international card will feature 15 fights and will see participation from St Maarten, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago and the host nation. It is being organised by Seon Bristol and Alford McDonald in collaboration with the GBA to kick start the latter’s activity for 2017. Gittens said that his intention is to make the donation annual. Guyana is expected to field a number of youth and junior boxers to assist in

Century best moment of my career, says Rawlins

MUMBAI, India, CMC – Newly-capped Bermudian all-rounder Delray Rawlins has hailed his unbeaten century in England Under19s’ victory over their Indian counterparts in the opening one-dayer here on Monday as the “best moment of my career”. Samuel Gittens Left-hander Rawlins, on his England Under-19 debut, p r e p a r a t i o n f o r t h e hammered five sixes and Caribbean Schoolboys and eight fours in his 88-ball 107 Junior tournament scheduled not out as England made 256 for April. for seven from their allotted 50 overs at the Wankhede Stadium. He then returned to claim two for 46 from 10 overs of orthodox spin as India were bundled out for 233 in 42.5 overs. Rawlins, who skipped an assignment with the ICC Americas team at the o n g o i n g We s t I n d i e s Regional Super50, where fellow Bermudian Kamau Leverock is featuring, said afterwards: “It’s a great feeling.” He had been had been presented with his one-day cap by chairman of the England Under-19 selectors David Graveney before the start. “Getting the England cap was a special moment,” said Rawlins.

Boxing association presents 4-year plan to GOA

Wednesday February 01, 2017

Bermudian all-rounder Delay Rawlins. “Then to go out there and have another special moment getting to three figures, I’ll never forget it – definitely the top moment so far. “I knew I was going well, and then our 12th man Will Jacks came out and asked me if I wanted to know how many I’d got. “I definitely did – it was 98, and I got a couple of singles to get to the hundred. But it wouldn’t feel the same if we hadn’t won the match.” Rawlins arrived at the crease with his team struggling at 98 for four. That

soon became 106 for five with the dismissal of opener Harry Brook for 51, with Tom Banton to follow soon afterwards for nine. Rawlins, who is on the books of English county side Sussex, then launched a blistering counter-attack while finding an able partner in captain Matthew Fisher. The pair put on 116 runs for the seventh wicket in a ball short of 17 overs, Fisher contributing 26. The second game of the five-match series takes place on Wednesday.

Motorcycling: Rabat to undergo surgery after crash in testing

GBA President Steve Ninvalle (right) hands over the document to GOA President K.A. Juman Yassin on Monday. The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) on Monday presented its four year plan to the Guyana Olympic Association as they seek to have their boxers properly prepared to secure a medal at the 2020 Olympic Games set for Japan.

The plan charts the course that would lead to a strategic development of the sport and the addition of another Olympic medal for Guyana. GBA President Steve Ninvalle handed over the document to GOA

President K.A. Juman Yassin. The GOA had requested member association submit their plans so they could effectively allocate assistance for a successful trek to medaling at the 2020 games.

(Reuters) Spanish MotoGP rider Tito Rabat will return to Europe for surgery after breaking his hand in a crash during the first pre-season test in Malaysia yesterday. The Marc VDS Honda rider, the 2014 Moto2 world champion, was taken to hospital in Putrajaya with a fractured right hand, a lacerated left knee and injuries to two toes on his left foot. The turn 11 crash near the end of the rainhit session brought out red flags at the Sepang circuit on the second day of testing. “Rabat will return to Europe for treatment and rehabilitation in a bid to be fit for the next MotoGP test at Phillip Island (Australia), which starts on 15th February,” the team said in a statement. Italian Andrea Iannone was fastest overall

Kale Moto2 rider Tito Rabat of Spain (REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo) for Suzuki, with Yamaha’s Spanish rider Maverick Vinales second on the timesheets. The season starts in Qatar on March 26.

Wednesday February 01, 2017

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Zero tolerance on athletes who do not comply with whereabouts submissions Non compliant athletes won’t be able represent Guyana under aegis of the GOA Despite being very patient with local athletes apart from hosting consistent anti-doping training sessions, the Guyana Olym p i c A s s o c i a t i o n (GOA) is still not getting the desired participation from athletes in relation to the submission of their whereabouts information as stipulated by the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA). Dr. Karen Pilgrim who is the GOA’s Representative on the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO) stated that

Dr. Karen Pilgrim according to GOA rules, all athletes at a national level are supposed to submit whereabouts forms to the GOA for the purpose of

doing random out of competition testing. The media was informed that this process has not done well over the years which have now prompted Dr. Pilgrim and Doping Control Officer Charles Corbin to come up with a strategy that would see athletes complying. Recommendations should be presented at the next Council Meeting of the GOA. ”Last week Thursday we have started to discuss if we can find a different way, a more user friendly way of

getting the information because whereabouts information, we know it’s not an easy thing to do even though it’s a requirement because it means the athletes have to be telling us for every single day of the year where they can be found for at least an hour.” Dr. Pilgrim said that getting athletes to complete those forms and submit same would have been, “virtually impossible”. GOA President, K. A J u m a n Ya s s i n w a s unapologetic in stating that

athletes who do not comply with the requirement would not be able to represent Guyana under the banner of the GOA. Yassin informed that Guyana is expected to send about 24 athletes (six disciplines) to the Islamic Solidarity Games set for Baku, Azerbaijan from May 12 to May 22, 2017 and they have made the threat to athletes before of ensuring that they comply. ”We have made this threat before but unfortunately in the past we did not uphold it but I know

Charles is very strong on this. It was made at the council meeting and endorsed by all the members of the council and so we are going to implement this.” The GOA, Dr. Pilgrim informed, has been doing a lot of anti doping t r a i n i n g w h e r e federations have been invited to attend. This would continue in 2017 with a view to having athletes understand and appreciate the seriousness as well as consequences of doping.

Regal are KPL softball champs By Zaheer Mohamed Regal were crowned champions of the KPL Softball tournament which concluded on Sunday at Everest Cricket Club. Regal All Stars defeated Mike’s All Stars by 46 runs in the open final while in the Masters’ category Regal overcame Mike’s Wellman by nine runs. Led by 38 from Roohit Dutchin and 32 from Safraz Esau, Regal All Stars posted 127-7 off their allotted 10 overs, batting first. Following the demise of opener Navin Singh (02) with the score on three, Esau added 52 for the second w i c k e t w i t h Vi s h n u Tammechandra to steady the innings before Esau was dismissed after smashing two fours and three sixes. Regal All Stars then lost Wazir Husain (00) and Tammechandra for 19, but Dutchin beefed up the innings hitting five fours and one six as Greg Singh captured 3-24. In reply, Mike’s All Stars were reduced to 10-3 before Chien Gittens struck 31 and W. Edwards 22, but their efforts were not enough as Mike’s Allstars finished on 81-4. Timure Mohamed picked up two wickets, while Privnauth Motilall and Kelvin Olford had one each. Dutchin was voted the manof-the-match. Regal All Stars beat De Hoop by 70 runs in their semi final encounter. Batting first, Regal All Stars rattled up 160-3. Esau stroked one four and seven sixes in a top

The victorious Regal open and masters’ teams. (Zaheer Mohamed photo) score of 54, while Navin Singh scored 41, Roohit Dutchin 24, Marvin Bobb 20 and Wazir Hussain 16. De Hoop were restricted to 90-8 in reply. Motilall snared three wickets while Hussain had two. M i k e ’s A l l S t a r s overcame Farm by six wickets in the second semi final. Farm made 103-7, taking first strike. Greg Singh and Imran Hussain captured three and two wickets respectively. Mike’s All Stars responded with 104-4 in 9.5 overs. Gittens slammed 41 and Singh made 20. In the Masters’ final, Regal took first strike and posted 134 all out in 14.5 overs. Raymond Harper and Eric Thomas added 31 for the third wicket after they were reduced to 27-2 before Thomas fell for 11 and Harper for 19. Mahendra Arjune struck five sixes in a

top score of 33 while David Harper made 15 and Rudolph Baker 14. Sheldon Perch snared 3-22 and Latchman Kallicharran 216. Pacer Laurie Singh picked up three early wickets as Mike’s Wellman found themselves in some trouble at 27-3, but Lloyd Rooplall and Wayne Jones resurrected the chase with a fourth wicket stand of 42 before Jones was taken off Ricky Persaud for seven. However, Kallicharran continued to play his shots and along with Perch kept their team in the hunt before Persaud uprooted the stumps of Perch for 26. Regal bowlers maintained a steady line and as Mike’s Wellman were bowled out for 125 in 14.5 overs. Rooplall hit three fours and four sixes in scoring 41 as Persaud finished with 3-18, Singh 329 and David Harper 2-20;

Harper was named man-ofthe-match. Regal Masters got the better of Parika-Amazon by 62 runs in the semi final. Regal Masters took first turn at the crease and scored 1804. Fazleem Mohamed cracked 52 not out, Thomas

made 41 and Baker 37. K. Persaud had 2-16. Parika Amazon responded with 118-5. B. Singh made 43 as Mahendra Arjune captured 2-23. Mike’s Wellman beat Savage by four runs in their semi final match up. Mike’s

Wellman made 109 all out, batting first with Jones scoring 32 and Nandram Samall 21. Savage got to 105-8 in reply. K. Luke made 28 and T. Ramsaywack 20 as Motilall Chumandatt grabbed 3-14.

The runner up Mike’s Wellman. (Zaheer Mohamed photo)

t r o Sp

Jaguars third in Zone ‘B’ at the halfway stage

Russell sidelined after JADCO imposes 12-month ban

Johnson, Shiv & Reifer only Jaguars’ batsmen with 100 runs Shiv needs 10 to become leader scorer in Regional 50-over cricket

Leading from the front! Johnson is Jaguars’ most consistent batsman. (Sean Devers photo)

DOWN AND OUT: West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell … slapped with a 12-month ban after being found guilty of an anti-doping whereabouts violation.

Zero tolerance on athletes who do not comply with whereabouts submissions Non compliant athletes won’t be able represent Guyana under aegis of the GOA

Limacol Round Robin / KO Football Competition

Quiet night for goalscorers, but GPF win -Tigers take on Eagles in headliner today at GFC

Players from Police (Blue uniform) and Camptown battle for possession of the ball near the touchline in their clash on Monday at the GFC ground.

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