Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday February 14, 2017

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

CITY HALL IS A SELL OUT On May 11, 2015, the citizens of Guyana elected the APNU+AFC coalition government to bring about the much needed change it had promised during the campaign. There was no doubt that this government would improve their well-being. The people had got rid of an oppressive regime which had denied them their freedom, violated the constitution, raped and pauperized the country and showed contempt for the people. Less than two years in office, some believe that the government has abandoned the people, especially the poor and the powerless who elected it to office. On the one hand, it had reduced the value added tax (VAT) from 16 percent to 14 percent. On the other hand, it has taxed from water and electricity. There is now parking meter. The massive protests against the parking meters have clearly shown that the people are prepared to fight back. The parking meter contract has been released to the public and the details are shocking. It seems that the duo at City Hall—the Mayor and Town Clerk— signed the contract with their eyes tightly closed. No sane individual would sign such contract. A perusal of the secret contract shows that they have given away the entire Georgetown to Smart City Solutions (SCS) - a foreign company with no known address. Based on the contract, SCS could extend the length of the contract to 98 years and that City Hall is barred from terminating it. It exempts SCS from all costs, legal and otherwise and that City Hall will bear the full cost in the event the contract is terminated or SCS is sued. The contract has also given SCS carte-blanche to establish distinct and multiple Parking Zones within the City which shall be subjected to metered parking fees and fines, including the right to charge for parking beyond 19:00hrs in places such as restaurants/clubs which are typically frequented during evening hours. The contract is absurd and those who signed it on behalf of the city should be investigated for fraud. It is highly suspicious. However, the buck stops with the Council who must rescind the contract. It is new ground for the government to continue to say that City Hall is an independent entity and that it cannot intervene. This is exactly the case in New York and those other metropolitan countries where the inner cities are laws unto themselves. Yet some people feel that the government should scrap the contract. They want it to usurp the power of the council. They say that it cannot allow City Hall to hurt the people anymore and to operate as a state within a state. To make matters worse, the government which is the caretaker of the country has allowed SCS to pull wool over its eyes by pretending to disassociate itself from the profaned-laced diatribe by Ifa Cush; a Director of the company who signed the contract. The convicted felon insulted the residents of Georgetown and all Guyanese by calling them freeloaders, a cabal of unproductive misfits with slave mentality and indentured servants with no gravitas, no moral authority and who lack the intestinal fortitude to control their destiny. How the government could stand idly by and allow such a dastardly attack on its people by the Director of SCS? How could the Ministries of Legal Affairs and Finance examine the contract and not recommend its termination? No country in the Caribbean has parking meters.

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

President Granger gives his Govt. an A grade it doesn’t deserve Dear Editor; I am flabbergasted that the President give himself and the government an A Grade A and at the same time his Minister of Finance, defends the taxing on Education as something good. This demonstrates the incoherent strategies employed by this government. The failed socialist policies are once again coming to the forefront. I am now

suspicious that the objective and intent of this Government is to fail and as a result see mass migration for which they would benefit at the polls. Many ordinary citizens choose to send their children to private schools due to many reasons instead of the Public Schools. This should be beneficial to the Government, as they save our taxpayers money to put back in

the public education system. Simple equation, teachers still have to be hired whether public or private, children still have to get an education, why then tax the private system? The money the government saves on not having to expand the current buildings or pay measly wages to public teachers, should allow them to put it back in to the (Continued on page 6)

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Kaieteur News

Former Asst. Commissioner accused of lying on the dead DEAREDITOR, The Guyana Police Force is responding to an article in Friday’ s of the Kaieteur News under the caption “Many sections of the police force have performed admirably .” The Force feels obligated to respond to the article for two reasons. One is that members of the public are more likely to believe information provided by a former senior member of the Force than by an average member of the public and secondly, Mr. Conway even though he has access to members of the Force through which he can receive factual information, choose not to do that but instead, to be highly speculative in his cut-and-paste articles that are frequently published by Editors. Mr. Conway indicated that the Force is short of over one thousand ranks in accordance with a 1976 authorized strength. The authorized strength of the Force was reviewed in 2014 when it received an increase of 1,546 members. In 2012, Mr. Conway

last year of service, the Force was in deficit of 15% of its established strength. At that time Mr. Conway was responsible for recruitment and training. The current strength of the Force is 4199 which represents a deficit of 757 and not 1000 according to Mr. Conway. In addition, the Force has already processed 120 applicants to fill vacancies of recruits who will be graduating in March. There are also 467 applicants who are on the waiting list. The reason the Force is not at full strength is that the recruit course is a residential course so the amount that can be trained per year is limited to available accommodation. Mr. Conway indicated that the Guyana Police Force has serious communication issues and concerns at the apex of management. The fact is that the Force in contemporary times underwent a lot of reforms in its management that make it completely different from when Mr. Conway served. The

Commissioner currently chairs a Performance Group Meeting that meets fortnightly with all the Senior Officers at Headquarters, Divisional and Branch Commanders. Mr. Conway indicated that the Police Force has training instructors who do not understand and appreciate the basic concept of andragogy and have a phobia for an eclectic approach towards training. During the year 2016, one hundred and eighty-six (186) members of the Force received training overseas, another four hundred and five (405) benefited from international training conducted locally and two thousand two hundred and seventy-two (2272) received training at the Felix Austin Police Colleges. Mr. Conway indicated that since Senior Superintendent Stephen Mansell proceeded on extended vacation leave, very little or nothing has been done in relation to Community Intervention in the Division he commanded. The Force acknowledges that Se-

Minister Bulkan responds to former, President, Donald Ramotar DEAREDITOR; I refer to a letter appearing under the name of Mr. Donald Ramotar captioned, ‘Former President, Ramotar responds to Attorney General,’ (KN, February 10). I refer specifically to Mr. Ramotar’s reference to me “disclosing” that US$5.7 million was paid to BK International (BKI) on, “a mere letter threatening litigation.” I hardly need to remind Guyanese that Mr. Ramotar, the longest-serving member of the Board of Directors of GuySuCo, presided over the destruction of the sugar industry. His history as President too, speaks for itself, and citizens may decide for themselves the weight that they wish to give to his pronouncements. Editor, it appears to me that Mr. Ramotar has gone from being President to acting as mouthpiece for Anil Nandlall. I say this since in Mr. Ramotar’s letter he repeated some of the falsehoods uttered and iterated by Mr. Nandlall in the press in-

cluding those regarding the settlement with BKI for the construction and operation of the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill. Unless I have overestimated the intelligence of both Mr. Nandlall and Mr. Ramotar, I presume that they are both aware that their statements are baseless, deliberately malicious, and aimed at misleading the public. Editor, the settlement with BKI was arrived at against the backdrop of their claim which included: Payment due for the processing of, 250,000 tonnes of waste (158,000 tonnes at $17.03, 92,000 tonnes at $13.63, as per contract, for a total of $3,950,316), retention (operations) – $182,207, retention (construction) $386,491, interest - $725,914, tires (handling, from 2011 to 2015) – $1,500,000, construction in 2013 - $1,058,583, loss of profits (2016 to 2021) - $ 2,000,000+, totaling in excess of US$10 million. Editor, the foregoing information was provided by me on the 8th of August, 2016, at the

Committee of Supply during the examination of Financial Paper No. 2 / 2016. During that exercise, I was extensively questioned about this matter by Honourable members of the parliamentary opposition. Those members included Mr. Nandlall, Mr. Edghill, Mr.Croal, Ms. Teixeira, Mr. Hamilton, and Mr. Dharmlall. I was asked a total of twenty-six (26) questions, including twelve (12) by Mr.Nandlall and eight (8) by Mr. Edghill. Having regard to the facts, all of which are in the public domain, and form part of the transcripts of Parliament (Hansard), I believe that it is most unfortunate that members of the parliamentary opposition would continue to utilize their time and energies for the mischievous regurgitation of that which they know to be falsehoods. Ronald Bulkan Minister of Communities

nior Superintendent Stephen Mansell indeed had an active Social Crime Prevention Program and worked well with Community Leaders in the Division. Assistant Commissioner Leslie James who took over from Mansell continued those projects. Mr. Conway indicated that since Senior Superintendent Stephen Mansell proceeded on leave the crime rate in the Division has increased. The facts are that when Mr. Mansell proceeded on leave on September 01, 2016 serious crime rates were up by 11% relative to 2015, however, at the end of the year it was down by 6% relative to 2015. Mr. Conway’s speculation is very distasteful to the ranks that have worked very hard to achieve that. While the Force cannot dispute Mr. Conway’s experience while he was serving, to say that “ghosting” was done in a large Division when Mr. Greene was Commissioner of Police, is actually lying on the dead. Had that occurred, cer-

tainly there would have been investigations by the Office of Professional Responsibility and Police Complaint Authority. Of the in excess of 800 complaints made to the Police Complaint Authority for 2016, those relating to reported crimes not being recorded was non-existent or negligible. Mr. Conway indicated that the current Mission Statement of the Guyana Police Force was designed and implemented by the Strategic Management Unit. The fact is the Mission Statement was crafted by Consultants from the United Kingdom who were contracted to prepare the Guyana Police Force Strategic Plan 2011-2015, long before the existence of the Strategic Management Unit which was formed in 2013.Additionally, the Strategic Management Department had zero line command and therefore could not have implemented anything in the Force. The SMD function was to facilitate the implementation of the reforms in the Strategic Plan and not to implement them. Mr. Conway indicated that

Wayne Bennett and Karen Hess (2004) posited that one way to access citizen approval or disapproval is through citizens’ surveys which can measure trends and provide positive and negative feedback on the public’s impression of law enforcement. The Force agrees with Mr. Conway that community surveys can help to determine citizens’ approval or disapproval of the Force and wishes to suggest to Mr. Conway that instead of deliberately attempting to mislead members of the public on activities of and issues within the Guyana Police Force, he can positively expend his energies in conducting some of those surveys. Mr. Conway can also tell members of the public to what extent studies of crimes in Developed Countries that he quoted in his article, are relevant to Guyana and to what extent the culture of people in those countries are common and different from the culture of Guyanese. Jairam Ramlakhan Superintendent Public Relations and Press Officer

Questionable occurrences at the NIS DEAREDITOR; We know your newspaper is doing a good job and would highlight our plight. We the hardworking and dedicated staff at NIS are receiving bad treatment because of poor and vindictive management and from a member of the Board. Since Ms. Nelson departed a lot of unpleasant things are taking place under the new dispensation. Here are some that are being condoned at NIS and we are being punished. We do hope this government that we have voted for look into our plight here at NIS. 1 The administration wants to transfer the Chief Inspector who is a dedicated and hardworking individual. That man has ensured that we achieve objectives set. 2 Two NIS employees and a certain NIS official at the Mahaicony office are engaged in a lot of questionable activities

so they want to put their people where they can get their questionable transactions done. Within the NIS system compliance certificates are being issued to Chinese Nationals and others who are not located in the district from which they apply. We have four cases that we identified and give to the current General Manager and no action is taken as yet. We hope that is soon. We are still waiting. A certain NIS official took money from a woman to the value of eight hundred thousand dollars and only gave the receipt for a part. We took the woman to court and then the story burst out. All the senior managers of NIS know this and they not doing anything about it. We have the evidence of all that and more. Even the woman complained and nothing is done. She promised to write the President because she is fed up. 3. The female staff who grant

certain favours (please read between the lines) to NIS big wigs are promoted. Recently we had the inspector promotion and the females who were appointed; well you know what we mean. Those who don’t give in are not promoted and are punished. In the Compliance Section we are not promoted or given opportunity to act. Other vacancies in other sections are filled with favoured persons who give favours (again, read between the lines). 4. The environment that we work in at Brickdam is not healthy and no one cares. The washrooms are not kept in sanitary conditions and when you complain nothing is done. We have evidence on (Continued on page 6)

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 14, 2017

PM Nagamooto is economical with the truth DEAR EDITOR; Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Region Ten Regional Chairman Renis Morian’s reactions to my view that this government has done nothing to honour and implement the 21st August 2012 Agreement prove my point that they are playing a ruthless form of Machiavellian politics with the well-being of the people of Linden/ Region 10. The Prime Minister, who has responsibility for information, is being economical with the truth in claiming that the Linden television licence awaits Sharma Solomon’s action, and based on representations made to him from people in the community he has advised that the Board be expanded. Let me from the outset say, the composition of the Board is not within the Prime Minister’s scope of legal responsibility or authority. The Trust, which is a legally constituted body (established in 2013) and the composition of its board, met the requirements of the laws. If it had not it could not have been established. The PPP/C government’s refusal to grant the licence had nothing to do with the board’s composition which the prime minister is pre-occupied with and mis-

leading the society in thinking the problem exists here. The problem is him. He is interfering into the work of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority, that is responsible for granting the licence, by creating roadblocks for it not to be granted. The PPP/C did exactly the same thing. When that government could not fault the people on the laws and their fundamental right, it created all sorts of excuses and roadblocks. The prime minister is using the same play book. Had the Prime Minister stuck to his constitutional role the licence could have been issued. Blaming Solomon for not expanding the board, and making false argument that the board was constituted to have the Regional Chairman’s presence, as pretexts for refusing to grant the licence is playing deceptive politics. My statement that the Amerindian communities have received broadcasting licences, are allowed the right to self-determine the management of their stations and programmes content, and government is moving to establish similar community broadcasting in Bartica, are factual. For stating these facts I reject the Prime minister’s notion that

they constitute “cheap shot” and should be withdrawn.

from page 4 economy. This is simply nonsense by the President and his Finance Minister. President Granger basically is setting the stage for his campaign 2020 or before message. Sorry, citizens we had to clean up the PPP mess therefore the economy had to collapse. One just had to examine the numbers pre-1992 when the PNC was voted out compared to the numbers at 2015 when the PPP was voted out and would realize the madness at this statement by the President. It signals the President is out of touch with the perils that the citizenry is confronted with during the past 18 months. The diameter of issues ranging from high crime rates to extremely high taxes.

The economy was booming prior to 2015, jobs were there, money was in circulation, our exchange rate was stable, the tax system was netting enough to keep the economy flowing, transformative projects were put in place, then what the heck is the President talking about? Any common person can tell you that their lives are much harder now than it was prior to May 2015. The question for each of us? If the PPP had left such a mess, and it will take five years to clean up, then as you clean up, much more money should be in circulation in the economy. This is not so Mr. President, you economic policies have a stamp of failure written all over it. We need to get on with the business

of managing our nation. Ask your Finance Minister to give you measurable indicators before you make statements that your Government should get a Grade A; for incompetence maybe. The foreign currency earners are taking a beating from this government as they are starved of support, just have a quick look at sugar production which is at an alltime low, capital flight on the rise with exchange rates regulations- a proven failed policy. Exchange Rates on the rise, and sliding sporadically and declining GDP after decades of solid growth are just of the indicators. Citizens complaining of the new 200 plus taxes on their livelihood, housing market collapse, forestry sector sharp decline, discretionary dollars much less for each family, VAT on water and electricity. In arriving at a Grade A, I would like to see your score sheet. Mr. President; ‘c’mon man.’ Peter R. Ramsaroop

The record will show efforts by the people of Linden to have their community broadcasting returned was agreed upon in 2012, long before the Amerindian communities and Bartica. It also shows when the PPP/C created roadblocks to deny return within 14-days of signing the agreement; the people pooled their resources, created and legally registered a Trust in 2013 to ensure their television is returned. The PPP/C confiscated the residents’ station in the 1990s. The Prime minister must now explain to this society his contempt for the Rule of Law and transgressing Lindeners’ right when it comes to the issuance of their broadcasting licence. This is ruthless Machiavellian behaviour driven by the obsession to control a people and deny them their rights as enshrined in the Guyana Constitution. Regional Chairman Morian’s comment that I am ill-informed in speaking about the honouring and implementing of the 2012 Agreement because the Region has an Economic Committee in place with a Five-Year Plan of Action is falsity.

The Economic Committee as required by the Agreement was to be presided over by a panel and input come from the residents in developing an Economic Plan. This committee was established during the PPP/C administration, a Terms of Reference already composed, and the issue left to be settled was the appointment of a Chairman. The PPP/ C was dilly dallying on it. This government has done nothing to appoint a chairman and activate the committee. The deceptive claim that the Linden/Lethem road is a result of some economic committee, society is reminded the plan for this road was conceptualised by the Forbes Burnham government since in the 1960s. Since then its construction has been done in fits and starts. The allocation in the 2017 National Budget represents another shot at continuing its construction. This is the work of Central Government not the Regional Government. The claim that Metallica operating in Region 10 is through the initiative of an economic committee’s fiveyear plan cannot be true. Metallica has been operating in Region 7 and Region 10 since during the PPP/C ad-

ministration. The information by the chairman that a new RDC office and rehabilitated airstrip would constitute an economic plan for the people of this depressed community, fall short. Economic development is about bringing people out of poverty and increasing economic opportunities and the standard of living for all. The Technical Committee which is supposed to be addressing the electricity sector and coming up with measures to provide Linden/Region 10 a self-sustainable energy system has not met under this Government. Under the PPP/C this committee sat but the chairman resigned. What was needed for it to continue

working was the appointment of a chairman. To date this has not been done. The socio-economic situation in Linden/Region 10 has had no positive material change for the masses with the advent of the APNU+AFC. This community must not only be valued as a vote getting machine. The people’s constitutional rights must be respected and the 2012 Agreement must be honoured and implemented. The Machiavellian tactics being displayed must cease, and the change must happen now, for it cannot wait on the possibility of an APNU+AFC second term. Lincoln Lewis

Parking meter project lacks transparency DEAR EDITOR; The parking meter project has not an iota of transparency. To date the city has failed to produce studies, surveys, and assessments that accompany projects of this scale. The absence of a tendering process is the hallmark of corruption. The secret signing of the contract indicates

that there is something to hide. I am sickened by the politicians who are debating rates and fines when an investigation into corruption, bribery and nepotism should be the call. APNU-AFC Coalition acceptance of this deal indicates that they condone skulduggery. M. Craig

My second open letter to President President Granger gives his Govt... Granger leader of a new political gions, went from rags to party, I find it necessary to riches almost overnight? Mr. DEAR EDITOR; Thank you for publishing my first open letter to President Granger. This is my second. My missive follows: Dear President Granger, by now, any reasonable thinking person would expect that your administration would have rolled out some sort of program, designed to provide massive employment for our youths, perhaps a few leadership programs and some sort of empowerment system for our women. To date, all we got from your administration is lip service, arrogance from a few of your ministers, and ineptitude from others. As a citizen of this potentially great nation, and the

confront you on these and other issues. Rather than spending millions of wasted dollars on projects that is not necessary and placing billions of dollars in the hands of some REOs who give out questionable contracts to their friends and party comrades who really cannot justify their work, or establishing a Consulate in Trinidad which we do not need at this time, why not invest in our youths, women and children? Mr. President, have you ordered an audit recently into the spending of some REOs? Have you or any of your ministers, bothered to take notice of how almost all of the REOs in different re-

President the REO Management system under your administration is worst that it was under the former PPP administration. A good point to note is the former REO of Region 9 who was just charged with a criminal offence and subsequently placed on $200,000 bail. I am not commenting on the case; one is innocent until proven guilty. I am just stating a fact and it is a fact he is charged Mr. President, the regional system is broken, just like your promises to our youths. This is just my observation on a few matters . It is called corruption right under your nose. Michael Ryan, Ms. – JD General Secretary Justice Reform and Democracy

Questionable occurrences at the NIS From page 5 camera to prove what we are saying. Mr. Editor. We think that vindictiveness has to stop. We are totally fed up of the behavior of a certain man

at Brickdam. There are many more things but we want the President to conduct a COI of NIS and the findings will not prove us wrong. It looks as though all is well at NIS but a lot of corruption is going between these people. I hope the Honourable Minister of Finance will give us a hearing. There is so much he will discover. As this Government

say it is here to fight corruption we want to see them fight this one. You cannot have a man who was dismissed for corruption and he is now back at the NIS. We know the newspaper will have our voice heard. We do not want our names to be published, that is why we did not attach it for fear of dismissal. Concerned Staff

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Kaieteur News

Guyanese family returns overseas in fear …after home attack by man of unsound mind Even as the Guyana Government is calling on persons living overseas to return home and help develop Guyana, a number are leaving in fear after being the subject of various misdemeanors. An overseas-based Guyanese family has quietly returned overseas in absolute fear after their home was broken into on Old Year’s Day. Mrs Eunette De Nobrega, and her family who have been travelling between Canada and Guyana over the years, returned to Guyana mid-last year with the hope of spending time with family and friends and to have a good Guyanese Christmas and celebrate Old and New Year’s. According to the woman, before returning home they were constantly warned to be extra careful due to the many social ills and misdemeanors being committed in Guyana. They were warned not to travel alone and not to wear jewellery. However despite all their precautions her home at Lot 20 Winkle Street, New

Amsterdam was broken into on Old Year’s Day. What was horrifying is that the incident was committed in broad day light even as a number of persons were at home. The perpetrator managed to break a window but was unable to get into the house because of the grill work. The woman stated that she lived with her husband, two sons and daughter in the two flat house which is well secured. Most of the times, she would be in the lower flat of the building. Relating her horrifying story, Mrs. De Nobrega stated that, on Old Year’s Day, she was at home with her husband, one of her sons, his fiancée and her daughter. She was in the lower flat of the building, doing her chores whilst the others were upstairs. Her Old Year’s preparations and New Year’s plans were suddenly jolted, when she heard the gate being rocked furiously. To the horror of Miss De Nobrega an intruder, who turned out to be a man of unsound mind, barged into the yard after kicking down the gate. She then heard a voice

yelling,”Who lives here? Ah gun get you today.” She began screaming as the person then proceeded to break two of the windows in the lower flat in an effort to get into the house. She was by then petrified, as she recalled all the warnings that the family had received before and upon arriving in Guyana. Her husband and the others heard the commotion and quickly armed themselves and ran downstairs. There they were confronted by the welldressed man who had a haversack on his back. She stated that her plight might have been saved because, luckily her husband, son his fiancée and daughter were at home at the time. What also saved her was the fact that the house was grilled. The intruder, upon being confronted quickly exited the yard. He began running away with residents in hot pursuit. The police were contacted and responded promptly. The man who was later identified

as Leon Williams of Edinburgh was cornered and captured by the police about 200 meters away in the vicinity of the New Amsterdam Hospital and the New Amsterdam Technical Institute. He was brought back to the scene where a confrontation was held and the man was positively identified as the culprit who moments earlier had forcefully entered the yard and broke the windows. He was charged with damage to property, and the matter was subsequently dropped after it was found out that he was of unsound mind. Mrs. Nobrega said that after the incident she took ill and could not participate in any activities. She suffered from fever and shock and had to be constantly treated by her doctor and be confined to bed. Although she had planned to stay for a long time, amidst fear, she had to cut short her time in Guyana and has since left the country.

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Leon Williams after he was apprehended

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Tuesday February 14, 2017

GPL Struggles two shutdowns within hours At approximately 19:58 hours Sunday evening, the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System experienced a shutdown, following a trip of a transformer at the Kingston Power Plant and feeders

supplying electricity to Queenstown, Alberttown and environs. Following the shutdown, the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) said, restoration efforts commenced within 30 minutes. All areas with the

exception of Kitty, Subryanville and Parshad Nagar were repowered at approximately 10.45pm. Meanwhile, at 11:00 hours yesterday, a second system disturbance resulted in trips along the feeders supplying

electricity to Queenstown, Alberttown and environs and the transmission line linking the Kingston to Sophia Substations thus causing a shutdown within the DBIS. “Given the reoccurrence, and potential damage to the

network, a comprehensive examination of the high voltage corridor was conducted. This examination revealed a fault at the junction of Lama Avenue and Vlissengen Road where the feeder supplying electricity to Queenstown and environs and the 69Kv transmission line linking Sophia to Kingston were coming into contact. Necessary corrective work was initiated at 15:00 hrs…” GPL said that

consequently, a load shedding exercise was necessary as a result of the de-energizing of the affected 13.8kv feeder and the 69kv transmission line. Customers along the East Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara, West Bank Demerara and Georgetown were affected by this exercise. “We remain cognizant of the inconveniences these interruptions cause and sincerely offer our apologies.”

Chief parking meter director, Kamua Cush, was jailed for grand larceny Days after he came under fire from the Guyanese public for his disparaging remarks, embattled parking meter advocate, Ifa Kamua Cush is once again facing the heat. This time, Cush who emerged on the local business scene last year, following an announcement by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) that parking meters will be introduced to ease congestion in certain sections of the city, is facing public scrutiny for details emerging from his sordid past. According to the information contained in online documents, on March 15, 2002 Cush, who is a chief player in the controversial parking meter project, pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the third

Ifa Kamau Cush degree in the County Court of Nassau County. He was sentenced to four months in jail and five years of probation, and he was (Continued on page 11)

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Say no to civil disobedience! The government undertook two reviews of the parking meter contract. The details of the contract which are now being made public would have therefore caught the attention. It is surprising, considering the implications of some of the clauses in that contract, that the government did not veto the entire parking meter scheme. The government had a second chance to do this when the by-laws were sent to it for approval. The by-laws, reportedly, were approved but not yet gazetted. Why would the government have approved the by- laws considering the two reviews which were done by the government? There are some troubling aspects of the contract. First, there is the issue of approval having to be obtained from the parking meter company for private parking lots in the city. This impinges on the right to private property. What happens if someone decides to open a paid parking lot in the city? Will City Hall have to see the permission of the parking meter company before granting this permission? This is unacceptable and unconstitutional. If City Hall is interested in greater order, it would be in its interest to encourage private citizens to establish park-

ing lots within the City. In fact, the government should be utilizing some of the public spaces within the City for free parking for motorists since even if everyone decides to pay the new tariffs, there will still be a need for additional parking space in Georgetown. Right now the areas allocated for metered parking are not being fully occupied because people are boycotting the parking meters. But once people decide to start paying, there will be a jostle for prime parking spots; the confusion will return. Parking will be hard to get downtown. When the parking meters were first launched persons began to park in areas where there were no parking meters to escape paying. It is now being suggested that City Hall can designate certain areas in the city as no parking zones. This means that even though there will be no parking meters in those areas, parking will not be allowed. If this is indeed the case, then the reality is that citizens can run but they cannot hide from the parking meter system. All these factors make the entire parking meter issue highly complicated. It is now no longer a matter of the rates charged for

parking. It now becomes possible that the citizens of Georgetown and those who utilize its services will not be able to escape the effects of parking meters. A solution has to be found. There has been a call for the contract to be scrapped. City Hall will face bankruptcy if it walks away from this contract because there are liabilities which will be incurred for doing so. City Hall cannot walk away from this contract. Some persons are demanding a reduction in the fee to $40 an hour rate but there is no way that this can be approved because it will not be feasible for the parking meter company. The reduced rate of $100 per hour will make it unaffordable for workers to pay because this will dig deep into their pockets. Some will be able to pay but those who have to park for long hours, (the workers), will not. This however raises a possible solution to the problem. A solution has to be found for those workers who have to pay for parking. City Hall should allow for parking lots to be established for workers. The government should look seriously, also, at offer-

Ex-cop among three committed to stand trial in High Court for murder Shawn Edinboro,21, of Thomas Street, Kitty, and a former police constable; Sean Collins and Michael Bishop were committed to stand trial in the High Court yesterday after a Magistrate ruled that a prima facie case was established against the three men accused of killing taxi driver Raphael Campbell. As a result, the men will stand trial at the next sitting of the Demerara Assizes. Campbell was shot and dumped at Liliendaal, East Coast of Demerara. According to information Edinboro, Bishop and Collins murdered 30-year-old Campbell of Beterverwagting, East Coast

Demerara, between January 2 and January 3, last year. It is alleged that Campbell picked up some male passengers on January 2, 2016 in Camp Street. He reportedly took the passengers to East Coast of Demerara, where he was slain. His body was found the following day. According to Police, on January 3, Edinboro, Bishop and Collins were stopped at a roadblock on the Soesdyke/Linden highway while they were in a black Toyota Premio that was stolen from the murdered driver. It is also alleged that Edinboro escaped, but Police detained Bishop and Collins.

Dem boys seh

De council people should go to jail When City Hall sign de Parking Meter deal dem didn’t sign it fuh benefit de people of Guyana. Dem sign it to benefit demself, dem children and dem grandchildren. De contract stink way past heaven. Everybody who see it smell it and faint. Dem boys throw it up online fuh people tek a look, Kit Nasty Mento does always find heself between every crookish deal. De hydro seed was one; de Marriott was another and dem had de Beale Deal which would have rockets tekking off from Guyana to carry people to heaven. Nuff woulda end up in hell. Kit seh how de contract secret yet he talking how de contract is fuh 45 years and

not fuh 90 as de contract state. Dem boys seh right now nobody should listen to dem parking meter people. De faster dem come out of Guyana wid dem parking meter is de better for Guyanese. De deal in a nutshell is that Guyana don’t know how much money de parking meter people investing. It could be one million; it could be $20 million. But de council sign on to pay dem back all de

money dem spend if de meter deal scrap. We don’t know how much, suh de parking meter people can spend one million and seh dem spend $35 million. And de Council King; Old Oscar, de one wha Chase Green and de one who does do de budget, Garrett all of dem agree. Dem boys seh jail got to pick these people fuh signing deals like this. Talk half and watch wait to see de end results.

ing free parking at some locations. Bai Shan Lin had developed a part of the government reserve which runs adjacent to Lamaha Street. This part was to be used by the GRA, but because of the distance involved it is not used. The government should open this entire strip to be controlled by free parking in the northern part of the City. Some businesses are already using sections of the strip for customer parking. The Ministry of Finance has taken over a section for its own workers. Thousands of vehicles can be accommodated on that strip which belongs to government. Parade Ground can also be

used for free parking. Other locations can be found which can be utilized by workers who cannot afford to pay for all day parking in the City. The only other realistic option apart from this, would be for the citizens to sustain the present boycott that is in place. But they should stay clear of any acts of civil disobedience as is being proposed. People must obey the law. Those who want to propose civil disobedience should not donate money. Instead of calling on people to park and not pay, they should bring their expensive Mercedes and BMWs and park it in the parking

meter lots so that it can be booted. But do not ask poor people to join in any civil disobedience. Poor people are nobody’s pawns, not City Hall, not the parking meter company, not the government nor those who are preaching civil disobedience!

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 14, 2017

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

President Granger’s civil war theory President David Granger should think long and hard before he makes complex political statements on the body politic of Guyana. Such illthought out deliveries can play straight into the hands of his detractors and opponents. In one instance it has. In castigating the attitude of PPP controlled NDCs, the President observed that he is satisfied with the performance of the mayors but is dissatisfied with the rate of work of the NDCs. As readers would know, in the last local government elections, the PPP won most of the NDCs. Few analysts have looked at that occurrence, but for the Coalition to have lost so badly in the NDCs after 23 years of disastrous PPP rule remains a huge

unpleasant stain on the Coalition’s fabric. The President went on to say respect is not shown to his office by NDC officials and he sees a civil war being waged against the local government system. If Mr. Granger made that delivery based on what he heard a close associate remark, then he should not have repeated it. If it came from his own analytical mind, he should not have even contemplated uttering it. It is a faulty analysis that opposition leaders can devastate without even thinking what to say. First, the President cannot be serious to paint the mayorships and NDCs with the same broad brush. The mayorship of Georgetown is the heart and centre of the municipal sys-

tem. Georgetown is almost (I say almost) coterminous with Guyana. Georgetown is where the seat of government, commerce, financial transactions, security headquarters, the main administrative system for education, and the major health system are located. Just a simple comparison will drive home the point. Although I did not do the research, I would like to think the Georgetown Hospital’s overall operations, number of employees and patients probably combine more than half of other public hospitals and health centres in Guyana. If the President is satisfied with the performance of the Mayor of Georgetown he may be openly embracing a partisan position because she sits in the leadership of his

party’s general council. The Georgetown City Council is as incompetent as any municipality controlled by the PPP in Guyana. If the NDCs do not show respect to Mr. Granger’s office that is morally deplorable but Mr. Granger should lecture his comrades in the leadership of the City Council on the meaning of respect. The Georgetown City Council not only withholds respect for the citizens that elected it but displays contempt for Georgetowners. We are never consulted on any major policy including the worst contract ever signed in the modern world. If President Granger thought and if the Guyanese people believed that President Jagdeo’s Government signed jumbie and

zombie contracts with investors, they should read the parking meter contract. It has no parallel elsewhere in the world. On the question of respect, it was reported in the press that the councilors of Mr. Granger’s party heckled and booed young Sherod Duncan when he rose to speak to congratulate the Deputy Mayor on his election. Mr. Granger should ask his party people why they were booing Duncan. What sin or violation or misbehaviour Duncan is guilty of? This young man is seen in a positive light by most Georgertowners. Mr. Granger said he is not satisfied with the rate of work undertaken by the NDCs. Is he pleased with the performance of his own party in the Georgetown City Council? I park my car at the junction of Howes and Saffon Streets each time I am at Kaieteur News. The gutter there is fetid, stinks and is a horrible sight. It hasn’t been cleaned since the Golden Jubilee. Disease-borne garbage has been on the pavement where I have to park for months now. The situation is the same with all the other gutters in that vi-

Frederick Kissoon cinity. Let me return to the subject of the nature of Mr. Granger’s words. I began by saying he should not have made them. Bharat Jagdeo jumped on the statement immediately. Jagdeo is in no position and will never be in a position to lecture a decent man like David Granger. But on the subject of respect, Mr. Jagdeo knew he had one over Mr. Granger. He said respect must be earned. How many citizens have respect for the administrators of City Hall? And the reason is because City Hall does not respect its citizens. Can Mr. Granger look this nation in its collective eyes and tell us if Royston King has respect for the people of Georgetown? I think King just apologized for disrespecting Mr. Roy Beepat of Giftland Mall.

Tuesday February 14, 2017

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Kaieteur News

70 percent of corneal transplant patients recovering well – Dr. Sugrim - possibility of eye-bank still on the cards Seventy percent of corneal transplant patients who were operated on at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) during the past two years have recovered well. This is according to Head of the Ophthalmology Department of the GPHC, Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, who revealed that while the majority have recovered well, the other 30 percent haven’t due to (cornea) rejection and surgical complication. The cornea is the transparent layer forming the front of the eye. Moreover, a corneal transplant is an operation to remove all or part of a damaged cornea and replace it with healthy donor tissue. While the GPHC was not able to offer this procedure at

one point, according to Dr. Sugrim, collaboration with an international organisation – the Subraj Foundation – has allowed this to become a reality. He revealed that ahead of this strategic partnership, “patients who had suffered cornea disease were referred overseas or had to live with this for the rest of their lives.” According to Dr. Sugrim cornea disease could lead to complete blindness. With the support of the experts associated with the Foundation, the GPHC has been able to offer the crucial service. The Subraj Foundation, founded by now deceased United States based philanthropist, Mr. George Subraj, had initially offered its service

at the Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital where it was also facilitating kidney transplants. With the introduction of the corneal transplant at the GPHC, Dr. Sugrim as head of the Ophthalmology Department, worked closely with the visiting Subraj Foundation experts drawn from reputable facilities in the United States. “I worked with them two years ago during which time they had two visits and we did about 24 transplants and I am following up those patients,” Dr. Sugrim disclosed. Since the death of Mr. George Subraj last November, the Subraj Foundation has not visited Guyana. But according to Dr. Sugrim, the team is expected to return within a month’s time despite the passing of its founder.

And according to the Consultant Ophthalmologist (Dr. Sugrim), GPHC is still looking to embrace the introduction of an eye bank which has been encouraged by the experts of the Subraj Foundation. “The team was pushing for an eye bank here but I would prefer to have somebody trained to specialise in this area before we venture out into that kind of thing,” said Dr. Sugrim during a recent interview with this publication recently. He said that a junior doctor has already expressed interest to undergo such training. The doctor in question, according to Dr. Sugrim, will be exposed to such training this very year for a fourmonth period overseas. “When that doctor comes back we will work with the Ministers of Public Health to push for the legislation and

Woman among three jailed for selling ‘ecstasy’ -arrest warrant for the number one and two accused Omalo Garraway, 24, a handyman of Lot 71 Norton Street, Georgetown; Chevaro Jubithana, 22, a miner of Lot 51 Princes Street Lodge, Georgetown; and Olivia Grimes, 22, of Lot 225 Gordon Street Kitty, Georgetown; were all found guilty at the conclusion of the trial in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and was sentenced to three years each. During Magistrate Leron Daly ruling yesterday, the Magistrate said that she was satisfied that sufficient evidence presented by Police Prosecutor Kevin London. She further

stated that the Prosecution was able to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt and the testimony of the three accuse were not logical. Only the number three accused, Grimes, was present yesterday for the ruling, while the number one and two were sentenced in their absence, An arrest warrant was issued for them to serve their jail sentence. It is alleged that on June 6, last year, at Charlotte Street, Georgetown the three had in their possession amphetamine tablets amounting to 10.5 grams in their possession. According to the information on the day in question

ranks from the Narcotics Branch, CID Headquarters, Eve Leary conducted a sting operation during which the number three accused Grimes claimed that she had ‘Ecstasy’ pills to sell when she was approached by an undercover rank, accompanied by a police officer from the Narcotics Branch. After the officers met with Grimes, she directed them to meet with the number one and two accused at Orange Walk, Bourda, Georgetown. The two defendants then took the officers to Charlotte Street, Bourda, at a bar where they met with the number one

Chief parking meter advocate, Kamua Cush... From page 12 ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $7,981.50. According to a United States District Court Eastern district of New York publication, Cush did not appeal and was released from custody on May 5, 2002. The document outlined that on November 20, 2006, Cush was charged with violating the terms of his probation. The matter was dealt with by Judge John Gleeson of the United States District Court Eastern district of New York. “The County Court signed a Declaration of Delinquency and a warrant was issued for Cush’s arrest. Cush was returned on the warrant in November 2006 and released on his own recognizance the next month. He was then returned again on the warrant on August 30, 2011, and he has been in custody since that time.” Cush had therefore faced several hearings as it regards the violation of his probation. Cush challenged the allegation and a number

of hearings were scheduled. Until May 9, 2012, the court finally held the probation-revocation hearing, found that Cush had violated the terms of his probation, and sentenced him to one to three years of imprisonment. Following several legal arguments on issue, Judge Gleeson dismissed the petition for habeas corpus; (a writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or into court, especially to secure the person’s release unless lawful grounds are shown for their detention.) Last week it was revealed that Smart City Solutions (SCS), the company behind the rollout of the parking meter project in the city, may not have been truthful when it said that Ifa Kamau Cush does not represent them. In a contract unearthed by Kaieteur News Cush, is described as essentially the face of the project. As a matter of fact, the contract, that City Hall signed with Smart City Solutions Inc. on May 13, 2016, includes Cush as a signatory.

He signed it as Ifabamila Kamau Cush – Director. Also signing on behalf of Smart City was Simon Mosheshvili, Chairman and Director. Signing on behalf of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) was Town Clerk, Royston King while Mayor Patricia Chase-Green and Oscar Clarke, Chairman of the Finance Committee of M&CC, were the witnesses. Last Friday, SCS responded to a charged Facebook posting by Cush, who told protestors against the parking meters that they had the mentality of slaves and indentured servants. Cush was reportedly at the time asked for a copy of the contract. The issue also saw SCS, through its public relations consultant, issuing a statement claiming that Cush’s missive was issued without the knowledge and authority of Smart City Solutions. “Mr Cush neither speaks for nor represents Smart City Solutions,” the company stated.

accused. The number one accused then went away claiming he was going for the pills. Shortly after he returned and handed over the pills to the officer from the Narcotics Branch. The three accused were arrested by ranks and taken into Police custody. At their first appearance they all pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to them by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and were each granted bail at the sum of $75,000.

Dr. Shailendra Sugrim work towards getting the eye bank,” Dr. Sugrim asserted. Once the relevant legislation is in place, it is anticipated that the setting up of an eye bank could be in place within one year. With the legislation in place it will allow for Guyana to harvest, store and by extension, transplant corneas. In fact it is believed that Guyana could extend this service to the Caribbean. Dr. Sugrim has said, earlier, “We need to set up an area; we need to buy equipment; we need to train people to go out and harvest corneas…and once this gets off the ground, we can supply corneas to other countries so if anybody else wants to send (corneas) they can ship these to us, and then we can make them available for use.” Another important aspect of the process, he noted, would be to commence a pro-

cess of advertising for people to become organ donors. Once a person who is an organ donor becomes deceased, for example by way of a vehicular accident, trained technicians would be dispatched to remove their corneas. This process would have to be conducted within about two or three hours of an individual’s demise, according to Dr. Sugrim. Ophthalmologist, Dr. Stephen Waller, who has been a part of the visiting corneal transplant team in the past, had emphasized at a Continuing Medical Education (CME) session at the GPHC in 2015 the importance of having an Eye Bank. At that forum Dr. Waller disclosed that while donation laws and certification are important, Government must also have the “political will” to make such a decision. And in doing so, he is convinced that Government will first have to see the value that could be made available to the citizenry with such a facility. Dr. Waller is of the firm belief that putting a crucial system as an Eye Bank in place, will not only be a plus for the Guyanese people but he too stressed the possibility of it benefiting the entire Caribbean. ”I think it could be a winwin situation for everybody and yet not cost a lot of money to the Guyanese people…You can get a lot of blind people back on the streets and even working again,” said a confident Dr. Waller.

PAGE 12

Zoning takes spotlight… As the new administration continues to grapple with decades-old problems of zoning in the country, at least one East Coast Demerara family is battling with a multinational company over noise. The case has brought to fore the serious deficiencies the current environmental regulations. In the case of Shameer Ali, a retiree, his life and that of his family has been turned upside down with the construction of a major distribution centre mere feet away from his home. He has written the

Tuesday February 14, 2017

Kaieteur News

Atlantic Gardens family battles Massy over noise President, several ministers and even engaged Massy Distribution, the company in question. Despite some changes, Ali is insisting that he is still suffering. Kaieteur News has attempted to speak with Massy’s officials on the matter, leaving telephone numbers but the Trinidadianheadquartered operations, which has several subsidiaries, has not been responsive. According to Ali, he has been living with his family for years on the double lot at Atlantic Gardens, an upscale neighbourhood on the East Coast. One of the properties

is a rental one with the tenants signaling intentions to move out because of the loud noise. Behind his home was Starlite Drive-in which has now been taken over by Massy. Ali explained that in 2015, Massy erected a large building next to his home. Since then, the noise from the generators and other equipment has been heavily affecting him. He produced correspondence that dated back to April 13, 2015 in which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) noted problems with the location of an industrial generator; water pumps, compressors and

other air condition equipment. EPA acknowledged that the noise will continue to be an environmental issue. The agency said it has written Massy asking for a meeting to discuss steps to be taken to mitigate the noise levels of the equipment. Following meetings of EPA, Massy was placed on a “Compliance Monitoring Schedule” to ensure that it takes steps to reduce the noise levels. However, it appeared that Ali and his family remained unhappy and uncomfortable with the noise. On July 29, 2015, weeks after he entered office, President David Granger was written to by the family. The President was sent pictures of the closeness of the business to the homes. The family complained generators and condensers were emitting excessive pollution. Ali said that he had written to EPA and even the regional authorities. He insisted that there appears impropriety in the installation of the equipment and that residents were not consulted before the project. Ali claimed that he and his family were suffering because of the current situation with the noise intolerable in his bedroom. Ali, through his lawyer, Anil Nandlall, in August 2015, wrote the company warning them that they were in

violations of the law and bylaws. The warning letter was copied to EPA. Ali said that it was during August 2015, that the Ministry of the Presidency wrote him back and said that the matter has been handed over to the Ministry of Communities. Ali provided correspondence in which Luckhoo and Luckhoo, lawyers for Massy, acknowledged that same month that the matter was engaging the company’s attention and that it is the company’s objective to comply with the laws. Ali said that his lawyer subsequently received another letter from Massy’s legal representative who said that the company is convinced that it has taken enough steps to correct the situation. As a matter of fact, Luckhoo and Luckhoo said, his client has been engaged in continuous discussions with the EPA and a series of tests have been carried out by an independent Trinidadian firm. Massy contended that based on the Guyana Standard Guidelines for noise emission, the company does not appear to have exceeded the guidelines. The company, however, agreed that it will install noise reduction panels and other sound attenuation materials around the equipment in question. Massy insisted that an exhaust pipe from a large generator was not breaching regulations. Massy’s lawyers also

pointed out in the letter that Central Housing and Planning Authority has classified that land occupied is a commercial and industrial area. Luckhoo and Luckhoo insisted that their client has all intentions to meet standards established. Ali said that he and his family can hardly watch TV when the generator and condensers are in operation. “I don’t so mind that the breeze has been blocked to my home from the Atlantic Ocean. But the noise is intolerable. All we are asking is for the noise levels to be reduced. Ways must be found to do so.” The issue between Ali and Massy is not anything new. The administration has announced plans to get tough on zoning to ensure residential areas are protected from commercial and industrial operations. However, there has been little progress. A government official made it clear that EPA’s regulations and other laws have to be upgraded as there are vague explanations with regards to noise and other pollutions along with zoning. “Times have changed and we are entering uncharted waters. It is difficult for residents who have put millions of dollars into their homes to be faced with this. To be fair with Massy, they would have received permission. Was consultations done? We are not sure,” a senior government official said yesterday.

The proximity of the equipment to the homes. Massy has since built enclosures around them but residents are complaining of the noise.

The fence that separate an upscale residential home from a commercial operation.

Tuesday February 14, 2017

Dataram’s wife walks free on passport felony charge Anjanie Boodnarine, 21 of Lot 79 Patentia Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara, the reputed wife of self-confessed and convicted drug lord, Barry Dataram, yesterday walked free on a charge of conspiracy to commit a felony. Boodnarine appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Renita Singh, where the matter was dismissed after the Magistrate ruled that the Prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence against Boodnarine whom they charged with conspiring with persons to commit a felony. It is alleged that between January 1 and October 2015 at Camp Street, Georgetown, Boodnarine conspired with persons to commit a felony. The Magistrate before her ruling told the court that she found it strange that the police ranks who investigated that matter was unable to institute a charge of uttering a false document to immigration officials and that was not the charge brought to her by the Prosecution. Boodnarine was previously charged with conspiring with others to commit a felony. She allegedly tampered with the bio-data pages of the passport and put in false information and immigration stamps to show that she

11-year-old reportedly ingests poison The county of Berbice was rocked with the shocking news of an 11-year-old girl’s death after it was alleged that she intentionally ingested a lethal dose of carbon pills. Trishana King, of Fort Ordinance, Canje, succumbed on Monday at the New Amsterdam Public Hospital. Although details are sketchy, Kaieteur News understands that the grade six

student of St. Therese’s Primary ingested the poison on Sunday evening. Sources disclosed that the child, a few days before committing the act, told classmates that she was going to ‘kill herself’. It was noted that the child was involved in a relationship with a student from another school, but this publication has yet to confirm the reports.

It was further disclosed that her father had reportedly taken away her phone on the day in question. When Kaieteur News visited the school on Monday, the mood was somber as the teaching staff was still coming to grips with the news. The child was described as a bubbly individual who would participate in a number of cultural activities. Investigations are ongoing.

Parking meter fees to be slashed by weekend -Free parking for banks and utility companies -Special rates for taxis and businesses

Conspiracy to commit a felony charge dismissed against Anjanie Boodnarine departed Guyana to neighbouring Suriname. She along with her husband departed Guyana illegally. Boodnarine is expected to appear before Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on February 15 for continuation of the trial in which she is charged with forging a passport.

On January 19, Boodnarine was freed of the charge of possession of illegal ammunition after her husband took responsibility of the ammunition found and Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford announced that the Prosecution was withdrawing the charge against her.

SOPHIA WOMAN FEARS JILTED EX LOVER -‘Turpin’ on the run after torching house

ARSON SUSPECT, LEON “TURPIN” ANTHONY The beginning of this year has not been kind to Younette Roberts. Back in January, she lost her ‘A’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown home, in which she had hundreds of thousands of dollars in valuables. Still, she managed to console herself with the fact that she was still breathing, but this was short lived, because the woman is

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now fearful for her life. Leon Anthony, also known as ‘Turpin’, is Roberts’ ex-lover, and the man responsible for torching her home. “He wasn’t a very good man, and after I live with he for a while, I decide fuh end things and put he out,” the disturbed woman told Kaieteur News.

She explained that it was shortly after the man’s eviction that threats began. “He used to tell people to tell me that bad things gon happen.” And so they did, because Roberts is now without a home of her own. “Now, he telling me that the fire was just the beginning, and that everything gon end when he tek my life,” the woman complained. She told this newspaper that despite the police being aware of the danger she is in, nothing is being done to apprehend the arson suspect. A high-ranking official of the Guyana Police Force told this newspaper that the Turkeyen Police Station is aware of the woman’s fears and are working “feverishly” to arrest Anthony. “The last thing we heard was that he was staying in a house at Plaisance, (East Coast Demerara), and we are going to look into it.” Roberts, not having much faith in the operations of the police force, is pleading for the public’s assistance in locating, and hopefully arresting Anthony.

By: Brushell Blackman The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is to slash parking meter fees by 50 percent once this and other new measures have been approved by the General Council and Smart City Solutions (SCS). Motorists will now pay $25 plus Value Added Tax (VAT) for 15 minutes instead of the current rate of $50 plus VAT. According to the Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis, these measures are more than likely to be introduced by this weekend. Lewis said once the council meets with all the relevant stakeholders and the measures have been ratified and gets the blessings of the relevant authorities; the parking meter project will once again be fully operational. She said that bank employees will be issued with special parking permits to park for free in front of banks. There will also be new measures for businesses and their employees. “We are looking at giving reduced parking fees to businesses and their employees for parking spaces in front of their premises.” The new measures go further; utility companies such as Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT), Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and DIGICEL will be allowed free parking in the course of doing their work. The PRO added that it is important that company logos are prominently displayed so that there will be no issues. On top of that parking around religious institutions such as Mosques, churches and temples will now be free. In what appears to be measures that seek to silence the myriad criticisms leveled against the parking meter project M&CC is going even further. Unused minutes from a previous parking card will now be rolled over and can

One of the many parking meters around the city be used in a different parking location. Previously this could not be done and many motorists complained bitterly about this and other measures that came with the parking meter project. Taxis will now be granted permits to park at a rate lower than the newly proposed $100 plus VAT for one hour of parking to ply their trade. Lewis noted that the measures will be far reaching and she envisages more rewarding measures once all stakeholders have been consulted this week. The Council is also expected to issue disabled badges for the differently abled motorist who will utilize the parking meter service. It is expected that this group will now be able to park for free. This is in addition to teachers who are allowed to park for free in front of schools after meetings were held between the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and M&CC. Lewis could not say if fixed penalty notices will be

issued instead of clamping but she did confirm that when the new measures take effect clamping of vehicles will resume. She advised that motorists purchase tickets to avoid such inconvenience; the PRO could not say if the fee to remove a clamp which is currently $8,000 will be reduced as well. The PRO told Kaieteur News that the M&CC will be holding a press conference soon to announce the new measures that are currently on the cards and any other additional ones. The parking meter project has come in for an avalanche of criticisms from all sections of society. The Alliance for Change (AFC), the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP/C) and the Movement Against the Parking Meter Project have called for the scrapping of the project. The M&CC never made the contract for the project public and many saw this as suspicious. To date SCS or the M&CC have disclosed the cost of the parking meter venture.

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Kaieteur News

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FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. 1 3600 watts generator, 1 30HP motor 3PH, 1 Automatic switch 600A more electrical stuff. Call: 627-7835 1 Stembow Boat & Engine, 200HP Yamaha with Power Steering Kit. $1.6M Negotiable Call 658-5299/ 638-7748

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MASH SPECIAL! 2010 TOYOTA AX10 - $2.6M, 2010 TOYOTA RAUM $2.3M – CALL: 642-7295 Ford Raptor-$8.5M, Audi A4$3.5M, BMW 318i-$2.5M, Toyota Ist-$1.9M, Honda S2000 Convertible-$3M. Contact#650-0402 1 RZ mini bus, late BNN series, VVTI -$1.3M negotiable. Call: 656-6852/ 231-6552

Office staff with 5 CXC subjects, must be computer literate. Also 1 MechanicTel:218-5105 One domestic to work in Trinidad, between ages of 25-35. Call 1-868- 683-1528

We buy land in Eccles, Providence, Herstelling, Farm, Uitvluft, Zeelugt, La Parfaite Harmonie, Tuschen. Best Price Pay! Call: 614-6802

1 Professional music set (complete), 1 Jacuzzi whirlpool. Call: 253-3070/654-2732 1 Complete set of salon equipment for sale with/ without rental contract in V/ Hoop area. Call: 676-9575/ 613-4025 Cool Tech Solution: 6754959/233-2008: New & used spare parts: fridge, freezer, washer, A/C, chill water system, ice makers. 1 Marina 40HP outboard engine with 14 Aluminum boat, 1 Yamaha 75HP outboard engine in excellent condition. Call: 643-1622 Next to new 7 Land Ranger & Nordic Track Incline treadmill $79,000. Call: 673-9283 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999

Like new Apple I-Phone 6 and I-phone 6 plus 64GB $79,000. Call: 675-3062

Allion, Premio, Blue Bird, IST, Honda CRV, Toyota Spacio, Fielder Wagon, 212 Carina, RZ & Pitbull bus – Call: 650-7501

Wanted land to buy: La Parfaite Harmonie, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt, Tuschen. Call: 6579594

1 Big music set, owner migrating. Call: 690-5225

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Tuesday February 14, 2017

1 Slate pool table- $275,000, Toyota Wagon -$175,000. Call: 661-5099 Garden Centre & Plant Shop, Valentines Plant Sale Feb 419, 10am-4pm at Plantation Schoonard – Call: 615-2346/ 628-0200 WANTED One male to work on chicken farm in the interior, must have knowledge about chicken rearing. Call: 680-2702 We pay immediate cash for land in Eccles, Herstelling & Farm, all legal fees and cleaning. Call: 233-3006/6585897/ 651-1969 Body work man- Call: 660-3004

Experienced roti/puri, curry cooks, counter servers, cleaners, strictly day shift. Apply @ Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce Street. One skilled or semi skilled gasoline mechanic, attractive salary – Contact: 231-6587, 649-1290/ 671-8122 Experienced taxi driver at Princess Hotel @ Providence. Call: 616-5419 One General Live-in Domestic to work in Mahaicony River- Call: 6559419/ 225-6571 Talented Hairstylists and Nail Technicians needed. Overseas Employment, Tortola, BVI. Call (284) 5431410 or email bvisalonowner@gmail.com. Driver/Porter for water truck on the E.B.D- Call/Whatsapp: 682-1048 Corilla Bush (dried) in large quantities any amount. Call: 665-1397 One live in supervisor for bar & grocery starting salary $80,000 monthly, age 2535yrs- Call: 610-3974 Bartender, receptionist, domestic, live in watchman. Hilton Restaurant, 12 Henry Street –Call: 225-9211 Experienced puri/roti cooks. Apply at Shanta’s The Puri Shop, 225 Camp & New Market Streets. Require to rent for keeping classes. Call: 665-2274 Experienced cook & cashier to work in Restaurant & internet café; preferably from the West Bank or West Coast. Call: 678-3400 Annabel Bistro. Continue on page 23

Tuesday February 14, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Cops await enhanced surveillance footage to probe Saffon Street robbery The police are waiting on enhanced surveillance footage to determine the identity of the suspect in last Thursday’s robbery at Saffon Street, Charlestown. The robbery took place opposite La Penitence Market where three men in a Nissan Bluebird broke into a parked car and escaped with US$5000 and personal documents. While surveillance footage showed how the suspects in the sky-blue car trailed their victim and waited on him to exit his vehicle, it was difficult for the police to determine the number plate. However, a vehicle which has similar features to the one used to trail their victim, Balchandra Hardowar, was intercepted the following day on Hadfield Street, Georgetown. It matched the suspected vehicle right down to a sticker on the rear windscreen, the silver rims and the lining at the base of the car. Ranks have requested an additional 72 hours to detain the driver of the vehicle.

Trio burnt to death… Investigators are said to be looking at a theory which suggest that 34-year-old Leonard Pollard might have poisoned his estranged partner and one-year-old daughter before setting his house on fire at Lot 1 Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Sunday. Neighbours in the area said that when the fire was blazing, they heard no screams and had no idea that people were in the house. The charred bodies of Latoya Telford, Leonard Pollard, 34, and his one-year-old daughter, Nakasia Pollard, were found in the burnt-out building that was set alight around 02:30hrs on Sunday. While initial reports suggested that the woman might have been hacked to death, police sources said that this might not be the case. “If she was chopped, people would have heard screams or even if both she

Yesterday, this newspaper was informed that the cops had sent the original CCTV footage to headquarters so that the video can be enhanced. They are hoping that from the footage, they will be able to see the number plate. The footage showed the suspects’ car as it parked behind Balchandra Hardowar’s vehicle and three men exited after the victim left his vehicle to make a purchase. While two of the suspects were on the lookout for Hardowar, a third man broke the lock of the driver’s side of the Toyota 212 and later broke into the man’s trunk and escaped with US$5000 and his personal documents, including a land title and his US driver’s licence. This happened in less than five minutes. Surveillance footage showed the Nissan Bluebird slowly driving behind Hardowar’s vehicle on Saffon Street. Hardowar said that he stopped at the business place to purchase chicken and

From page 22

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The vehicle that is impounded when he returned to his vehicle, he noticed the lock was broken. He then discovered that

the victim from a bank on Water Street, Georgetown where he went to make a deposit.

Jilted man might have poisoned partner, daughter before torching house and the baby were burnt to death, people would have still heard something,” the source suggested. It is suspected that the woman and her child might have been poisoned. Pollard and Latoya Telford, who had three children, separated last November after his mother instructed Pollard to vacate her home to accommodate a relative. Kaieteur News was informed that the woman and her children moved to her mother’s La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD) home and would sometimes take the children to visit their father. On Saturday afternoon, Telford allegedly left her mother’s home with little Nakasia to visit Pollard at his Beterverwagting home. According to information, the murder-suicide may have stemmed from a text message Pollard found in his es-

Dead: Latoya Telford

Nakasia Pollard

tranged partner’s phone. The message was reportedly from a man. His brother, Leon, said that his sibling had showed him a text message some time

last week in which a man texted his estranged partner asking, “Morning baby, how are you. What time are you finishing work?” Leon Pollard revealed that

Wales sugar workers demand... From page 14 independently sign a petition aimed at quashing the injunction filed by Nandlall. Before that petition could reach the courts though, Nandlall's injunction achieved the desired effect. GuySuCo representatives met with leaders of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), as well as GAWU to discuss fair payments, which were later agreed to by

his bag with personal documents, including money, was gone. It is believed that the suspects may have followed

GuySuCo, the representative Unions and the sugar workers themselves. “The legal aspect is completed, so right now, I'm not sure what is causing the hold up,” Nandlall added. Shortly after assuming office, the coalition government took the decision to close down the estate, because of poor performance by the entire sugar corporation, which continues to spiral downwards. “But if that is the case, let them go ahead with the shutting

down, but give the people their money. Give we, we money. We work hard and sweat fuh it,” one sugar worker protested. And as the placards indicated, the workers are standing firm, in their demand. The union says that it is their legal right to refuse a transfer to another estate. As of last night, the Ministry of Agriculture issued a press statement, indicating that the workers have been paid their severance in full.

his sibling called him Saturday midday and informed him that Telford was coming over, but claimed that he warned his brother against having her there because his mother does not want her at the house. The sibling said that he expected something like this would have occurred because of the way the couple was living. Telford had reportedly moved to her mother’s place on four previous occasions. Residents at a wash bay opposite the burnt house said that Pollard, who allegedly “loved” his marijuana, went over to borrow a bicycle to go to the shop. He claimed that he couldn’t find his cycle. This newspaper was told upon his return, he had a bottle, suspected to be gasoline, wrapped in a plastic bag and a pumpkin. Residents suspected that he might have cooked and laced the food with a poisonous substance.

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PAGE 24

Tuesday February 14, 2017

Kaieteur News

Parents protest dismissal of Trump expects only ‘tweaking’ of Common Entrance teacher trade relationship with Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (L) greets U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House yesterday. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque) (Reuters) President Donald Trump said yesterday the United States would be “tweaking” its trade relationship with Canada, stopping short of calling for a major realignment in a development likely to please visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trump has pledged to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) linking the economies of the United States, Mexico and Canada, to make the terms more favorable to Americans. At a joint news conference with Trudeau after White House talks, Trump said his biggest concern with NAFTA was the U.S. trade relationship with Mexico, which he has frequently accused of stealing American jobs. “We have a very outstanding trade relationship with Canada. We’ll be tweaking it,” Trump said. “It’s a much less severe situation than what’s taking place on the southern border.

On the southern border, for many, many years the transaction was not fair to the United States,” he said. Trump said the United States and Canada were stronger when they joined forces in matters of international commerce, and both countries benefited from having more jobs and trade in North America. “We should coordinate closely - and we will coordinate closely - to protect jobs in our hemisphere and keep wealth on our continent, and to keep everyone safe,” Trump said. Trudeau carefully steered around questions about the Canadian trade relationship with the United States in what was his first meeting with the new president. He said he expected each country to always remain each other’s most essential partner. “There have been times where we have differed in our approaches and that’s always been done firmly and respectfully. The last thing Canadians expect is for me to come

down and lecture another country on how they choose to govern themselves,” Trudeau said.Trump’s vow to renegotiate NAFTA has unnerved Canadian officials, even though he has singled out Mexico in his criticism of the free trade deal. Canada sends 75 percent of its exports to the United States. Canadians have become more supportive of NAFTA since Trump’s election victory on Nov. 8, a poll from the Angus Reid Institute showed yesterday. Forty-four percent of the 1,508 surveyed said NAFTA had benefited Canada, up from 25 percent from a poll last June. Trudeau, when asked about Canadian firms’ concerns about possible changes to NAFTA, said: “It is a real concern for many Canadians because we know our economy is very dependent on our relationship with the United States. “Goods and services do cross the border each day...we have to allow this free flow of goods and services and we have to be aware of the integration of our economies.” Trudeau had a strong rapport with former Democratic President Barack Obama, prompting pundits to describe their relationship as a “bromance.” Soon after Trump put a hold on allowing refugees into the United States and temporarily banned travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries in an executive order on Jan. 27, citing the need to head off attacks by Islamist militants, the Canadian prime minister took to Twitter to say refugees were welcome in Canada.

-But CEO insists action was warranted

Parents protest the dismissal of a Providence Primary School teacher yesterday. Protest action outside the Providence Primary School yesterday followed the termination of a teacher said to be the school’s “best Common Entrance teacher”. The protest action was reportedly spearheaded by some parents who are members of the school’s ParentTeacher Association (PTA). The protestors armed with placards called for the termination of the head teacher who they claimed was behind the termination of the teacher. One vocal protester, Ms. Caroline Hunt, said that the teacher in question, Mr. Rodwell Simon, has over the years efficiently guided many pupils to successful Grade Six Assessment performances. “Last Common Entrance (Grade Six Assessment) he sent up 42 pupils and they all got good schools...schools like (The) Bishops’ (High) and Queen’s (College); not one came back to the East Bank; all the children got good schools,” asserted the woman who claimed to have grandchildren attending Providence Primary. It was revealed during the protest that Simon has been so dedicated to his pupils over the years that although he offers extra lesson he does not even demand fees from those whose parents or guardians can ill-afford to pay.

But according to the protesters, despite the consistent good work of the teacher for some reason the head teacher who was recently placed there “seems to have some problem with him...he has been here for years... and all of a sudden he got dismissed with no pay.” “We came to a meeting last week and we asked the head teacher about it and she said she has nothing to say. We can’t understand that he was sent home just like that. Because of his work we were the most improved school last year when the results came out,” said another protester yesterday. There were suggestions yesterday that the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) was addressing the state of affairs. Teachers are usually disciplined, dismissed or transferred by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC). But when contacted yesterday GTU General Secretary, Ms. Coretta McDonald, shared her conviction that “for the Teaching Service Commission to dismiss you there must be a reason. Teaching Service Commission doesn’t dismiss people just like that...The teacher had to have done something.” But when contacted yesterday, Executive GTU Mem-

ber, Mr. Lancelot Baptiste, who claimed to have knowledge of the dismissal disclosed that while teachers usually seek the support of the GTU when a problem arises this was not done in Simon’s case. “The young man only visited the union after he would have gone to the Teaching Service Commission to a hearing. He went there without asking the union for any assistance...He said that he thought that he could’ve handled it. He went there and according to him he was told he would be dismissed and he later received a dismissal letter,” according to Baptiste. Baptiste continued, “He came to us after all of that happened and I advised him he could ask for a review of the penalty. I suggested to him that he should write one and he left the office with the intention of doing so. I have not seen a copy of the review so I have no idea if he did write the review.” But when this publication subsequently contacted Chief Education Officer, (ag), Mr. Marcel Hutson, on the matter, he assured that the dismissal was in fact warranted. He revealed that “We received reports that Simon refused to teach children whom he is being paid to teach. He is not prepared to teach children who are not very brilliant and that matter went before the Commission... “The regional officials recommended that disciplinary action be taken for neglect of duty and non-performance.” It was reportedly against this background that a decision was taken to terminate Simon, this publication was told.

Tuesday February 14, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Brazil’s Temer denies shielding ally from corruption case

Brazil’s President Michel Temer (REUTERS/Adriano Machado) (Reuters) Brazilian President Michel Temer yesterday dismissed criticism that he promoted a close aide to shield him from prosecution and vowed to dismiss any minister indicted for corruption. Although he did not mention the aide by name, the statement by Temer follows an uproar in Brazil that was triggered by the president promoting Wellington Moreira Franco on Feb. 2 to a full-fledged cabinet post, where he would be partially protected from prosecution in Brazil’s biggest-ever corruption probe. Until the promotion a top advisor charged with overseeing infrastructure plans, Moreira Franco was reportedly implicated during plea bargain testimony by a defendant in the sweeping brib-

ery and political kickback investigation known as “Car Wash.” The probe, centered around state-run oil company Petroleo Brasileiro, has already ensnared dozens of top government, political and corporate leaders over the past two years and could implicate many more, including Temer himself, as plea bargain testimony advances. “My government would never interfere in the investigation which is the hands of the police, prosecutors and judiciary,” Temer said in the statement to reporters. “The government will not shield anyone.” Last week, two opposition parties obtained lower court injunctions ordering Moreira Franco’s removal from the cabinet. While those were overturned by federal judges on Friday, the Supreme Court this week is expected to make a final ruling. As a minister, Moreira Franco can only be charged before the Supreme Court, where a trial would drag out for months or years. Temer ’s denial highlighted the vulnerability of Brazil’s government to accusations of corruption at a time when it hopes to rebalance government books, restore confidence and revive and economy in its worst reces-

sion on record. The president said one mention in plea bargain testimony was not enough to dismiss a minister. Although criminal charges would lead to suspension of the minis-

ter pending investigation, the official would only be dismissed if indicted. If more accusations emerge, or the minister or other aides are in fact indicted, the scandal could further weaken

Temer’s coalition in Congress. For now, he enjoys a majority that will back his proposals for unpopular austerity measures that reduce pension benefits and labor rights. Explosive plea bargain testi-

mony of 76 executives from Odebrecht, Brazil’s largest engineering conglomerate, is expected to deepen uncertainty by naming dozens of politicians in Temer’s coalition as recipients of graft money.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 14, 2017

New nuclear-capable missile test a success, North Korea says (Reuters) North Korea said yesterday it had successfully test-fired a new type of medium- to longrange ballistic missile the previous day, claiming advances in a weapons programme it is pursuing in violation of U.N. resolutions. North Korea fired the missile on a high arc into the sea early on Sunday, the first probe of U.S. President Donald Trump’s vow to get tough on an isolated regime that tested nuclear devices and ballistic missiles last year at an unprecedented rate. The North’s state-run KCNA news agency said leader Kim Jong Un supervised the test of the Pukguksong-2, a new type of strategic weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The United States, Japan and South Korea requested urgent U.N. Security Council consultations on the test. Japan said further sanctions against North Korea could be discussed at the United Nations, and called on China to take a “constructive” role in responding. China is North Korea’s main ally and trading partner but is irritated by its repeated aggressive actions, although it rejects suggestions from the United States and others that it could be doing more to rein in its neighbour.

“We have asked China via various levels to take constructive actions as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and we will continue to work on it,” said Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga. China said it opposed North Korean missile tests that run contrary to U.N. resolutions. “All sides should exercise restraint and jointly maintain regional peace and security,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told a regular briefing, adding that China would participate in talks at the United Nations on the launch with a “responsible and constructive attitude”. Russia’s foreign ministry expressed concern over the launch, RIA news agency quoted the ministry as saying. HIGHANGLE North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests, including two last year, although its claims to be able to miniaturise a nuclear weapon to be mounted on a missile have never been verified independently. Leader Kim said in his New Year speech the North was close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and state media have said such a launch could come at any time. A fully developed ICBM could threaten the continen-

A view of the test-fire of Pukguksong-2 guided by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on the spot. (KCNA/Handout via Reuters) tal United States, which is about 9,000 km (5,500 miles) from North Korea. The KCNA news agency said the missile fired on Sunday was launched at a high angle in consideration of the safety of neighbouring countries. A South Korean military source said on Sunday it reached an altitude of 550 km (340 miles). It flew about 500 km towards Japan, landing off the east coast of the Korean peninsula. The missile was propelled by a solid fuel engine and was

an upgraded, extended-range version of its submarinelaunched ballistic missile that was tested successfully last August, according to KCNA. The missile’s name Pukguksong-2 - translates as north star or Polaris, the same name of the first U.S. submarine-launched missile. South Korea’s military said the missile had been launched using a “coldeject” system, whereby it is initially lifted by compressed gas before flying under the power of its rocket, a system used for submarine-launched

missiles. North Korea’s pursuit of large solid-fuelled missiles was “a very concerning development”, said Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. “Large solid-fuel motors are difficult to make work correctly so this is indeed a significant advance by North Korea,” McDowell said. ‘INTOLERABLE’ In addition to launching more quickly, solid-fuel engines also boost the power and range of ballistic rockets. “Solid-motor engines mean that the fuel is prestored and the missile can be launched quickly. For example, rolled out of a cave, tunnel, or bridge,” said Melissa Hanham, a senior research associate at the U.S.based Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, California. “They are also more difficult to track by satellite because they have fewer support vehicles in their entourage.” The North’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper showed pictures of a missile fired from a mobile launch vehicle, with a flame appearing only after it had risen clear of the vehicle. Before Sunday, the North’s two most recent missile tests were in October. Both were of intermediate-

range Musudan missiles and both failed, according to U.S. and South Korean officials. A U.S. official said at the weekend the Trump administration had been expecting a North Korean “provocation” soon after taking office. The latest test came a day after Trump held a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and also followed a phone call last week between trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Abe described the test as “absolutely intolerable”. In brief comments made while standing beside Abe in Florida, Trump said: “I just want everybody to understand, and fully know, that the United States of America is behind Japan, our great ally, 100 percent.” Trump and his aides are likely to weigh a series of responses, including new U.S. sanctions to tighten financial controls, an increase in naval and air assets in and around the Korean peninsula, and accelerated installation of new missile defence systems in South Korea, the administration official said. However, the official said that, given that the missile was believed not to have been an ICBM, and the North had not carried out a new nuclear explosion, any response would seek to avoid increasing tension.

Tuesday February 14, 2017

Kaieteur News

Islamic State leadership targeted in air strike, Baghdadi fate unclear: Iraqi military (Reuters) The Iraqi air force carried out a strike on a house where Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was thought to be meeting other commanders, the Iraqi military said yesterday, without making clear whether he had been hit. In a statement, it said Iraqi F-16s had targeted the house in western Iraq on Saturday. It published the names of 13 Islamic State commanders it said had been killed in the air strike, but the list did not include Baghdadi. Three other Islamic State

positions in western Iraq were targeted in the same wave of air strikes, killing 64 fighters, the statement said. The m i l i t a r y s a i d Baghdadi moved last week in a convoy from Raqqa, in Syria, to the region of alQaim, on the Iraqi side of the border, to discuss with commanders “the collapse happening in Mosul and to choose a successor for him”. Baghdadi, an Iraqi whose real name is Ibrahim alSamarrai, has been reported wounded several times in the

past. His last known public message goes back to November, when he called on Islamic State fighters to defend Mosul, their last major urban stronghold in Iraq. U.S.-backed Iraqi forces have completed the first phase of the campaign to retake Mosul, removing the militants from the eastern side of the city last month. An Iranian-backed Iraqi Shi’ite paramilitary force is also battling the Sunni militants west of Mosul, trying to prevent their escape to Syria.

Blast kills at least 13 in Lahore (Reuters) An explosion near the Punjab provincial assembly in the Pakistani city of Lahore killed at least 13 people and wounded 83 others yesterday, a senior police official said. Mushtaq Sukhera, inspector general of police in Punjab province, said five police officers were among the dead when an explosion rocked a protest organized by Pakistan’s chemists and pharmaceuticals manufacturers. “It was a suicide attack. The bomber exploded himself when successful negotiations were underway between police officials and the protesters,” Sukhera told reporters. A spokesman for Jamaatur-Ahrar, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban, called Reuters and claimed responsibility. The militant group also warned the Lahore attack was the start of a new campaign against government departments. “You are on our target across the country,” it added in a statement. Jamaat-ur-Ahrar had also

claimed responsibility for an Easter Day bombing in Lahore last year that killed more than 70 people in a public park. Security in Pakistan has vastly improved in recent years but Islamist groups such as the Pakistani Taliban and Islamic State still pose a threat and have carried out mass attacks. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the attacks will not weaken Pakistan’s resolve in fight against militancy. “We have fought this fight against the terrorists among us, and will continue

to fight it until we liberate our people of this cancer, and avenge those who have laid down their lives for us,” he said in a statement. The latest blast may jeopardize plans by Pakistan, a cricket-obsessed nation, to host the final of its domestic Twenty20 tournament on home soil in Lahore in March. For years, Pakistan’s international test cricket matches have been played abroad and the current Twenty20 tournament is being played in United Arab Emirates due to security fears.

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 14, 2017

Tuesday February 14, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Red Force whip Hurricanes to emerge... GCB/DMLAS/MOE/NSSCL commences... (From page 30) Hamilton chipped in with 27 and Nkrumah Bonner, 23, but the always suspect Hurricanes batting failed to fire. They were well placed at 80 for two in the 23rd over but then lost their last eight wickets for 109 runs. Man-of-the-Match Ravi Rampaul was behind their demise, claiming three for 27 from his 10 overs while fellow speedster Shannon Gabriel picked up three for 41. In reply, Red Force overcame a few stutters to reach their target in the 35th over, with opener Evin Lewis topscoring with 47, while Imran Khan stroked an unbeaten 38, Jason Mohammed, 34, and captain Denesh Ramdin, 31 not out. Off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall, who finished with three for 40, caused the only real consternation in the Red Force run chase but those jitters were soon smoothed over. Lewis, as usual, gave the innings a flying start when

he put on 57 off 46 deliveries for the first wicket with Kyle Hope whose 20 came from 29 balls and included three fours. The left-handed Lewis slammed seven fours and two sixes in a 23-ball cameo but was one of three wickets to fall for 19 runs as Red Force slipped to 76 for three in the 13th over. However, any thoughts Hurricanes had of a comeback were quickly squashed as Red Force mounted two key partnerships to stitch up the innings. Mohammed, who faced 39 balls and counted three fours and a six, put on 43 for the fourth wicket with Khary Pierre (7) before Imran Khan and Ramdin added 54 in an unbroken fifth wicket partnership. Hurricanes had earlier slipped to 23 for two in the sixth over after opting to bat first, with their leading runscorers Powell and Monctin Hodge (15) falling cheaply. Powell edged Gabriel behind to wicketkeeper Ramdin with the score on five in the

third over and Hodge followed with 18 runs added, driving Rampaul to Mohammed at cover. The best stand of the innings followed when Otto and Bonner combined to add 57 for the third wicket, and halt the decline. Otto faced 64 balls and struck five fours while Jamaican Bonner, still searching for form in the tournament, faced 50 deliveries and counted two fours. Both fell within the space of 11 deliveries to left-arm spinner Pierre (2-31) and Hamilton and Chesney Hughes (21) cobbled together 34 for the fifth wicket before the innings stuttered again, as five wickets tumbled for 31 runs. In strife at 150 for nine in the 40th over, Hurricanes found salvation in the dependable Gavin Tonge who lashed 21 from 35 balls in putting on 39 for the last wicket with Jason Campbell (15 not out), to ensure the tail wagged.

Tuesday February 14, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You will have the discipline and fortitude to accomplish what you want today. Watch for empty promises that may give you false hope. Plan to get out and do a bit of travel. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You can accomplish a lot if you direct your thoughts toward starting your own small business on the side. However, be careful with luggage; it may be rerouted. Be courteous if you wish to avoid major delays. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Travel will promote romantic connections. You must be careful not to ignore the needs of the youngsters in your family. You may be frazzled today. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Erratic behavior at home may be hard to handle. You might be overly emotional when dealing with your partner. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't exaggerate. Visitors are likely to drop by and chances are, they may even stay a little longer than you want them to. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Be aware that you might be at fault as well. Keep an open mind when listening to the opinions of others. Try not to hurt your partner's feelings.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Accept the inevitable. Tell it like it is. Get back into the swing of things. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your family may not be pleased with your decisions. Avoid any gossip and be careful that you aren't misinterpreted. Avoid extravagance or risky financial schemes. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Do not force your opinions on others the connections will be short lived. You will have a problem holding on to your cash today. Do something special for them. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may find yourself mixed up in a triangle of sorts. Good friends will give you honest answers. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) They will not be in the right frame of mind to put up with tactless comments. Plan your social events carefully. You can easily wrap up overdue personal legal matters that have caused problems for you. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Any capricious behavior will confuse loved ones and your mood swings will result in loneliness. Those you live with may be experiencing problems.

(From page 27) Demerara-Essequibo District, Upper Demerara Zone champions, Linden Foundation Secondary will oppose the Highway Zone winners of St . C u t h b e r t ’s M i s s i o n Secondary. St. Cuthbert’s Secondary is expected to face an uphill challenge, since they come up against a school that had progressed to the quarter-finals in the previ-

ous year’s school league. This match will be played at the Bayroc ground in Upper Demerara, while last year ’s nationwide champion school, Chase Academy will compete with Tutorial High School at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground. Both matches start at 11:00 hours. On the 16 February, 2017 Tutorial High will take on Charlestown Secondary

and Charlestown will oppose Chase Academy. The combined schools phase of the league will commence on 7 March, 2017 and will feature selective groups of the better players from the zone and districts across the country, as a means of determining the nationwide champion district. This phase of the league will conclude on the 21 March, 2017.

Jadeja, Ishant wrap up India’s... (From page 26) Saha’s. Taijul skied a topedge and was caught at short leg though both KL Rahul and M Vijay went for it with neither one backing out. Ashwin completed formalities in bizarre fashion as the tea break was postponed. His slider beat No.11 Taskin Ahmed and India appealed, presumably for lbw. Umpire Marais Erasmus went across to his partner Joel Wilson and brought the third umpire into play to check for a batpad catch. The replay showed the ball had clearly spun past the inside edge,

but Virat Kohli went for a DRS review that confirmed the lbw. Ashwin bowled only 14.3 overs on the last day as opposed to Jadeja who wheeled away for 29 overs and nearly bagged his second successive five-wicket haul in the second innings. Like a popgun, he kept firing into the rough in an interrupted spell this morning. His 14-6-31-1 included the wicket of Shakib Al Hasan, which summed up the enormity of negotiating a deteriorating fifth-day track in India.

Jadeja got one to explode from the rough outside off, graze the top glove of Shakib and loop to Cheteshwar Pujara at short leg. Jadeja celebrated, sticking his tongue out and flashing a naughty little smile. It would only grow as the day wore on. Scores: India 687 for 6 dec. (Kohli 204, Vijay 108, Saha 106*, Taijul 3-156) and 159 for 4 dec. (Pujara 54*) beat Bangladesh 388 (Mushfiqur 127, Umesh 3-84) and 250 (Mahmudullah 64, Ashwin 473, Jadeja 4-78) by 208 runs.

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Tuesday February 07, 2017

‘Jaguars still have a lot of work to before Bahamas’ says TD By Sean Devers in Barbados In a tournament which was used as a yard stick to measure their preparedness for next week’s COCACAF Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers in the Bahamas, Guyana’s Golden Jaguars finished with two wins and two losses from four games in the Barbados International Beach Soccer Showcase which concluded on Sunday at Brandon’s Beach just off Spring Garden Highway. According to Technical Director of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Englishman Ian Greenwood, who arrived in Barbados on Saturday, the Jaguars will remain here until Friday for a five-day Training camp before travelling directly to the Bahamas. The Jaguars will play the last game on the opening

night on February 20 against Trinidad & Tobago and the 32-year-old Greenwood said that while he is confident that Guyana will be competitive in the qualifiers, he is of the view that the team still has a lot of work to do before Bahamas. “It’s a great learning curve for them but the team still has a lot of work to do before Bahamas. They have shown a l o t o f improvement since the training camp began in Guyana and we need to take this momentum to Bahamas,” Greenwood told Kaieteur Sports. “We will keep the training camp here in Barbados and I am sure that the Coach (Abdulla Hamid) who has done a great job in such a short space of time, will continue to work on their flaws as they get ready for their biggest challenge in the Bahamas,” said

Greenwood, who was given a four-year contract as GFF’s Technical Director last year. Greenwood who is in charge of all aspects of G u y a n a ’s F o o t b a l l development, explained that most of the focus here will be directed on improving the player ’s individual creativity and tactical understanding. “This team has plenty of natural talent but it is important to understand that the team is still in a developmental stage,” stressed Greenwood, who has a strong background working on youth development and coaching at the grassroots level. Looking at the overall tournament, Greenwood said that the standard was good and the competition showcased lots of individual skill. “From what I have seen

GFF’s TD Ian Greenwood (2nd from right) talks tactics during a period break when the Jaguars opposed Antigua on Sunday night. (Photos by Sean Devers) Trinidad and Tobago looked the best team but all the games have been very competitive,” Greenwood, a UEFA-Qualified Professional Football Coach, concluded. Manager Mark Young said that the two back-to-

back wins have given the Jaguars confidence and disclosed that team spirit is high and everyone is fit and rearing to go. “I will talk to the BFA (Barbados Football Association) to see if we can use this facility (Brandon’s

beach) for our practice sessions. I believe that Trinidad is also staying on here before going to the Bahamas so we could even have a practice game between the two teams if plans work out,” Young disclosed.

Sensei Williams conducts Jadeja, Ishant wrap up India’s 208-run win Texas Referee Clinic

Sensei Darryl Williams (seated right) and the successful participants in the Texas grading programme. Sensei Darryl Williams conducted a successful Referee course for members of the Texas branch of the USA Karate International (USAKI). Williams is the referee coordinator for the Wo r l d U n i t e d K a r a t e

Organization (WUKO) and travels extensively conducting courses and examinations for the organization. The Texas seminar was hosted by Hanshi Orlando Redwood and approved by

the WUKO. The following were awarded licenses after passing both written and practical areas of the course. National RefereeManuel Pascale - National Referee State Referee- Orlando Redwood State Judge - Gilberto Valdez, Wade Jenkins ,Jerome Coleman, Eduardo Valdez, and Rodolfo Valdez. Sensei Williams, who also holds a 7th Dan in ShitoRyu Karate, will be in Trinidad and Tobago soon to conduct seminars as a guest of the Trinidad and Tobago Karate Federation (TTKF).

ESPNcricinfo Ravindra Jadeja’s relentless accuracy and Ishant Sharma’s reverse swing ensured India dismissed Bangladesh for 250 in an improbable chase of 459 and secured a 208-run victory in Hyderabad, extending their undefeated streak to 19 Tests. Bangladesh’s major source of resistance on the fifth day came via a Jekylland-Hyde 56-run stand between Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah, who made his first fifty since July 2015. Facing a target of 481 22 more than Bangladesh were set in Hyderabad South Africa tried to block their way out to a draw in Delhi in 2015 but couldn’t. Chasing 475 in Indore last year, New Zealand attacked and collapsed dramatically. Bangladesh did a bit of both to play out 100.3 overs, and had lasted 127.5 in the first innings as well. Though they couldn’t win their first Test in India, they did bat more than 100 overs twice in a match for a sixth time. Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah showed sound judgement outside the off stump against the seamers but took on the spinners, sometimes at great risk. Mushfiqur charged at Ashwin’s second ball of the day - a non-turning offbreak

India congratulate R Ashwin on dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim, India v Bangladesh, one-off Test, Hyderabad, 5th day, ©Associated Press

- to cover drive a boundary all along the ground. Two balls later, he used his feet again, but hit over the top against the break to hole out to wide mid-off. While it is understandable that the Bangladesh captain wanted to upset India’s best bowler, he might just have taken it too far. Mushfiqur exposed the inexperienced lowermiddle order to the opposition and added to the list of inglorious Bangladesh dismissals in the recent past. Ishant Sharma pinned Sabbir lbw for 22 in the fourth over after lunch. Mahmudullah, who had sent

Jadeja over the top for backto-back fours, continued to live dangerously against spin. But it was pace that undid him. Ishant tucked him up with a chest-high short ball on the leg stump and forced a top-edged pull to long leg. Mehedi Hasan and Kamrul Islam Rabbi saw off the second new ball with a partnership of 17 in 85 balls, but the re-introduction of Jadeja produced the breakthrough. He found extra bounce and turn to glance off Mehedi’s glove and into Wriddhiman (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 07, 2017

PAGE 31

Limacol Round Robion / Knockout Football Competition

Quarter-finalists decided after Round Robin phase ends Milerock vs. Winners Connection: Caption- Part of the action in the feature clash between Milerock and Winners Connection on Sunday, at the MSC ground in Linden.

-Three teams from Mining Town make it

Eagles United scorers: From l-r: Kendolph Lewis, Kurt Johnson and Kelon Primo pose for a photo op following their win against New Amsterdam United on Sunday. A fair-sized crowd that converged at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden on Sunday saw all three teams from the Mining Town that took to the starting line in this year’s Limacol Round Robin / Knockout Football Competition make the qualification mark and by virtue are among the teams in the quarter-finals. In the feature clash, Milerock and Winners Connection played to a nilall draw in what many felt was a disappointing game with the teams merely content on securing their berths to the next stage. However, in the opening fixture, the young and entertaining Eagles United produced another encouraging performance en route to a comfortable 3-0 triumph over Berbice’s New Amsterdam United. The skilful Kendolph Lewis opened the scoring in the 8th minute to give the partisan support much joy, but that was contained to the break as the visitors defence adjusted from a nervous start. After the break, the hosts continued to create chances, but were held at bay as the NA United packed players

behind the ball. However, Eagles were able to prise open the airtight defence through Kurt Johnson, who nettted in the 70th. Playing an attacking brand of football, Eagles looked menacing on every possession and should have scored another shortly after, but Lewis saw his effort pushed wide into touch. Not content with the 2-0 scoreline, Eagles continued to push forward and got their reward three minutes from full time when Kelon Primo made it 3-0 which lasted until the final whistle sounded to hand the Mining Town team a place in the last eight. In the night’s full results: Game-1 New Amsterdam (NA) United-0 vs Eagles-3 Kendolph Lewis-8th Kurt Johnson-70th Kelon Primo-87th Game-2 Milerock-0 vs Winners Connection-0 Meanwhile, below are the results of the games played on Saturday, at the Victoria ground. Game-1 Mahaica Determinators-

3 vs Camptown-2 Mahaica scorers Neil Lynton-16th and 36th Devon Harris-75th Camptown scorers Joel Juman-45th+2 Andy Parks-63rd Game-2 Ann’s Grove-1 vs Den Amstel-4 Den Amstel scorers Delon Lanferman-1st and 6th Gideon Payne-45th and 90th +2 Ann’s Grove scorer Phillip Williams-76th The teams that advanced to the knock out stage are: Den Amstel, Santos FC, Wi n n e r s C o n n e c t i o n , Milerock, Western Tigers, Eagles United, Mahaica Determinators and Police. A double header will be played on Sunday, at two venues. At the MSC ground, Milerock host Western Tigers, while Winners Connection takes on compatriot Eagles United. At Victoria Ground, Police square off against Den Amstel, while Mahaica Determinators entertains Santos.

GCB/DMLAS/MOE/NSSCL commences today The 2016/2017 GCB/DMLAS/MOE National Secondary School Cricket League commences its Inter Zone Winners’ phase, where the zone winners will compete among each other, as a means towards determining countrywide winner. The league, which began in October, 2016 with over

150 secondary schools across the country, saw a number of emerging winners for their zones. These include, Linden Foundation Secondary for Upper Demerara, St. Cuthbert’s Mission Secondary for the H i g h w a y, D i a m o n d Secondary for East Bank Demerara, West Demerara Secondary for West Bank

Last year’s nationwide champs Chase Academy seeks to repeat Demerara, Saraswat for West Coast Demerara, Chase Academy for North Georgetown, Tutorial High f o r E a s t G e o rg e t o w n , Charlestown Secondary for South Georgetown, IBE for East Coast Demerara, M a h a i c o n y f o r

M a h a i c a / M a h a i c o n y, Number 8 Secondary for We s t B e r b i c e , N e w Amsterdam/Canje, East Bank Essequibo, Leguan S e c o n d a r y, E s s e q u i b o Islands Secondary for Wakenaam and Anna Regina Multilateral for Essequibo

Coast. The league will comprise two major districts, that of Georgetown-Berbice and Upper Demerara-Essequibo, with the winner of both districts qualifying for the finals on 3 March, 2017. This final will determine the

n a t i o n w i d e GCB/DMLAS/MOE Secondary School Under-17 champion. Today’s matches will feature one match each in the two mentioned districts, where in the Upper (Continued on page 25)

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Tuesday February 07, 2017

B’dos International Beach Soccer Showcase

Jaguars end Tourney with 4-3 win over Antigua By Sean Devers in Barbados On the back of a couple of goals from Jamal Haynes and goals from Jermaine Grandison and Skipper Deshawn Joseph, Guyana’s Golden Jaguars ended the three-night Barbados International Beach Soccer Showcase at Brandon’s Beach auspiciously with a 4-3 win against Antigua & Barbuda on Sunday night. The Jaguars, who used this event as warm-up for their CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers in the Bahamas, won their last two games after being beaten by Trinidad & Tobago 5-2 and England 5-1 in their first two matches.

On Sunday night, in overcast conditions, the Jaguars recovered from a 3-1 deficit in the first period to claw their way back into the game and when the sand had settled it was Jaguars 4, Antigua 3. The largest turn out of the tournament, which was surprisingly attended by only a few Guyanese living in Barbados, saw the ‘Red headed’ Haynes open the scoring for the South Americans in one minute and 25 seconds of the first period and the Guyana camp, which included GFF’s Technical Director Ian Greenwood and Exco Member Keith Ojeer, were on its their feet. But in a fast paced encounter, the Antiguans got

more ball possession and Jaguars Keeper Ethan Spearman was beaten three times in quick succession as Steven Hughes equalized in the fourth minute and Jamiel Simon and Prince Walter found the back of the net. At the end of the first 12-minute period the wounded Jaguars were down by 3 goals to one. But Spearman, making some good saves and the Jaguars in attacking mode, Joseph hammered one past the Antiguan Custodian and some felt that the ball had deflected off of Simon in what would have been an ‘own goal’ but the Guyana Captain was allowed to claim his third goal of the tournament and Jaguars were down 2-3, which was the

Jaguars’ Goal Scorers from left Jamal Haynes (2), Jermaine Grandison and skipper Deshawn Joseph. score-line at the end of the period. Antigua began the last stanza ahead but under plenty of pressure since the Jaguars had found their flow and when Grandison scored, it was 3-3. Haynes then

Milo 18 and under Schools Football Competition

Former champs Lodge impress

registered his second goal of the match to give Guyana the lead for the first time. With less than two minutes to go, the Antiguans pressed forward but there was not enough time for the

Islanders to score again and when the final whistle blew the Jaguars had followed up their 4-3 win over Barbados with another victory by the same margin. The team departs for the Bahamas on Friday.

2016 refugee team wins Laureus award

-Morgan’s Learning Centre hit 5 past Small Lessons Lodge, champions of 2014, got their campaign in this year’s Milo 18 and under Schools Football Competition off to a positive start with a 3-1 win over St. Mary’s on Sunday, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. Playing in the opening fixture, Lodge took the lead after nine minutes when Simeon Hackett netted, but they were made to wait until the 42 minute to get their next goal this time through Shemar Dover and took a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break. Coming out in the second period, Turston Gordon put the game out of reach for St. Mary’s when he scored in the 58 for a 3-0 advantage, before Simeon George’s 64 minute strike gave the losers some amount of solace. In the second game, East Ruimveldt squandered a good opportunity to earn victory after a defensive lapse enabled Kingston to come from behind to secure a 1-1 draw. Alwin Franklin’s goal on the stroke of half time had given East Ruimveldt the lead, but Dwayne Jacobs’ 50 minute goal erased that advantage. In the third game of the day, Tucville led by a brace

Players from Tucville and St. John’s College battle for ball possession in their clash on Sunday.

The Refugee Olympic Athletes’ team arrives for the opening ceremony. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)

nd

th

th

th

from Rondave Noel in the 25 and 52 minutes and a sole effort from Godfrey Phillips in the 10 handed them a 3-1 triumph over St. John’s College whose lone response came off the boot of Isaiah McPherson in the 40 . In the curtain closer, one of the tournament favourites, Morgan’s Learning Centre, cruised to an impressive 5-0 win over Small Lessons with the skilful Leon Richardson, who is the nephew of Golden Jaguars standout Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, netting in the 42 and 57 minutes while support came from David Coates in the 3 , th

nd

th

th

nd

th

rd

Orin Moore 19 and Tyrese Rowley 46 . Play in the competition resumes next weekend with four matches scheduled for Saturday and Sunday respectively. In the day’s full results: Game-1 Lodge Secondary-3 vs St. Mary’s-1 Lodge scorers Simeon Hackett-9th Shemar Dover-42nd Turston Gordon-58th St. Mary’s scorer Simeon George-64th Game-2 East Ruimveldt-1 vs Kingston-1 East Ruimveldt scorer th

th

Alwin Franklin-45th Kingston scorer Dwayne Jacobs-50th Game-3 Tucville-3 vs St. John’s College-1 Tucville scorers Rondave Noel-25th and 52nd Godfrey Phillips-10th St. John scorer Isaiah McPherson-40th Game-4 Morgan Learning Centre-5 vs Sir Small Lessons-0 Leon Richardson-42nd and 57th David Coates-3rd Tyrese Rowley-46th Orin Moore-19th

(Reuters) A refugee team that competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics with 10 athletes from countries including Syria and South Sudan was named yesterday as winner of a Laureus Award for sporting inspiration. “This award is for the 65.4 million displaced people globally, who cannot go to their homes because of strife,” Kenyan distance runner Tegla Loroupe, the team’s chef de mission, told a news conference in Monaco. “Each of the 10 inspirational people in our team have triumphed over adversity and endured unimaginable journeys to get to the start line.” The hand-picked team of refugees from Syria, Congo, Ethiopia and South Sudan provided one of the highlights of the Games with the athletes taking part in athletics, swimming and judo. One of those attending Monday’s news conference was Syrian swimmer Rami Anis, who made the hazardous sea crossing from Turkey to Greece after fleeing his home town of Aleppo and ended up in Belgium. “Sport gives everyone a chance, and what happened at the Rio Olympics showed people around the world who have trouble and fear in their lives that there is hope,” he said in a Laureus statement. The International Olympic Committee has yet to decide whether to send another refugee team to Tokyo in 2020. More than a million refugees streamed into Europe in 2016 alone as they fled fighting in the Middle East and elsewhere. Millions more are housed in camps in countries across the world, having escaped wars or armed conflicts in their home nations.

Tuesday February 07, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

Nets fire on offence to trap Eagles -Colts win again Republic Bank Nets finally got it together offensively to trap Eagles for a morale boosting win in the

Division I category of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) ‘League of Champions’ on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Nets bagged Eagles 72-

55 with most of its senior players in double figures. Forward Fabian Johnson led the way with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Mortimer Williams and Pelham Doris scored 11

points each. In addition, Mortimer Robertson and Hodayah Stewart finished with 10 points apiece while Sheldon Howell had seven points to complete a full-team

contribution on the offensive end of the court. For Eagles, Louis James scored 15 points while Kevin Higgins added a doubledouble of 13 points and 15 rebounds. Owan Walton scored 12 points while Devon Murray had seven points and 11 rebounds. In the other Division I game, Colts continued its winning form with a 78-59 points win against Pepsi Sonics. Guard, Shelroy Thomas had 22 points while Stanton Rose added 21 points. Shane Webster scored 10 points Jermaine Slater seven points. For Sonics, shooting guard, Trevor Smith and forward Earl O’Neil finished with 14 points apiece with O’Neil also racking up nine rebounds. Junior Lovell

finished with eight points for Sonics as its national guard, Jason Squires is overseas.

Pelham Doris

Mortimer Williams

Fabian Johnson

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Tuesday February 07, 2017

Red Force whip Hurricanes to emerge group winners ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Reigning champions Trinidad and Tobago Red Force clinically avoided a semi-final clash with last year ’s losing finalists

Barbados Pride when they humbled Leeward Islands Hurricanes by five wickets in the final preliminary game of the Regional Super50 here Sunday night.

Needing to win the day/night contest at Coolidge Cricket Ground to top Group A, Red Force hardly put a foot wrong as they completely outplayed a listless

Hurricanes, to finish with 31 points from their full complement of games. Hurricanes, who led the group from the start of the competition, finished second

on 28 points and will now face tournament favourites Pride in one semi-final while Red Force take on Jamaica Scorpions in the other. With all to play for, Hurricanes chose the wrong time to turn in perhaps their worst performance of the tournament when they were dismissed for 189.

Captain Kieran Powell, with three centuries and two halfcenturies in his last five innings, finally tasted failure for the first time when he was dismissed for one and it was left to rookie Jermaine Otto with 38 to carry the Hurricanes charge. Wicketkeeper Jahmar (Continued on page 25)

Captain Denesh Ramdin pulls during his innings against Leeward Islands Hurricanes on Sunday night. (Photo courtesy WICB Media)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday February 07, 2017

PAGE 35

LABA/ Hamid U-23 basketball

Bulls, Jets, Kwakwani and Raiders start on winning note National shooting guard Terron Welch led all scorers with a 31 point performance as top ranked Half Mile Bulls knocked off the challenge of Block 22 Flames 85-53, but second ranked Victory Valley Royals went down to new comers Kwakwani, 55-25, while the Jets got the better of Bankers Trust Falcons 5746, and Retrieve Raiders blew past the returning

Christianburg Pistons, 48-8 in matches played at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court over the weekend. In the opening matches Saturday night, Bulls proved too strong for Falcons and romped home winners 85-53 with Welch hitting in a game high 31 points as support was given by Tahquille Johnson with 13, Keifer Tappin 11 with Travin Dryden and Rolston

Richmond each scoring eight points. The Falcons’ best shooters were Rondell Fraser who netted 15 points, Selwy Henry 13 and Jonathan Copeland 11. On that opening night also Jets overcame falcons 57-46 with Akinni Wilson leading the scoring for the winners with 24 points, Vibert Benjamin contributed 17 and Travis Archer eight.

The best shots for Falcons were Akeel Primo with 15 points as Kobe Roberts and Stephen Duncan each got nine points. On Sunday night the Kwakwani boys entered the championship against the second seed Victory Valley Royals and shocked them 55-25 as Shafeek Thomas topscored with 12 points, Jamal Gilkes added 10 and Leonard Primo supported

with seven. Yannick Tappin was in good form for the Royals with 10 points and Daniel Lee scored six. In the final game Sunday night Raiders shut out Christianburg Pistons 48-8 as Travis Suttton had a top score of 12 points, Coel Winter got nine and the Williams brothers Omisi and Otis had six points apiece. Two more matches are billed for the MSC hard

Terron Welch court on Friday night when the Bulls play Pistons in game one and Jets meet Royals in the other.

t r o Sp B’dos International Beach Soccer Showcase

Jaguars end Tourney with 4-3 win over Antigua

Antigua’s Steven Hughes (8) watches as Jamal Haynes finds the back of the net for the second time for the Jaguars. (Photos by Sean Devers)

Limacol Round Robion / Knockout Football Competition

Quarter-finalists decided after Round Robin phase ends -Three teams from Mining Town make it

Milo 18 and under Schools Football Competition

Former champs Lodge impress -Morgan’s Learning Centre hit 5 past Small Lessons

‘Jaguars still have a lot of work to before Bahamas’ says TD Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210