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Another ex-cop, six others held… Wednesday Edition

More stolen cars and parts seized

February 14, 2018 - Vol. 13 No. 7

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Guyana agrees to not go after ExxonMobil's hidden financial records regarding operations here Oil Contract reveals…

- Clause not found in Agreements of more than 15 countries Prison officer busted trying to

smuggle ganja, cigarettes into facility

Correct ExxonMobil contract …or it will be an uphill struggle to get other companies to do better - Nigel Hinds Cricket World Cup probe…

GBTI challenges SOCU over release of records Smuggled items

Govt. still to release other oil contracts

Police Inspector dies after vehicle overturns at Lethem Why did Guyana waive its sovereign immunity in oil agreement with ExxonMobil?

Wednesday February 14, 2018

How much is it really worth?

DEAR EDITOR, There is much excitement around the wealth to be had in the oil industry. However, if we take a closer look at the numbers, it could be less income for those who had been working in the sugar industry and could range from approximately G$640 to G$9,600 per day depending on the life of the contract, with the most probable outcome being approximately G$3,200 per day for each household given the following assumptions: > 10 Billion Barrels discovered > Price range in $US of $18 to $120 > 2% of revenue > 15% of revenue is operating income (positive assumption on historical data) > 50% split of operating income between partners > 50% of the resulting national income goes to the government for renewable energy projects, oil spill resolution and safe closure of wells at the end of the project > An industry life of 20 years to 60 years > A population of 1 Mil-

lion people > A household size of 4 people > Exchange rate of $200G to $1US > 50 weeks in a year > 5 days in a week Given this possible outcome and the level of risk involved, the population of Guyana needs to resolve 2 important issues: 1. If we are willing to stick with the current contract that has been outlined with Exxon - knowing that if renegotiated the possible wealth of the nation will increase significantly.

2. We should be approaching the United Nations with what the value of the oil in the ground is worth, and a decision needs to be made as to what price the world (especially those signed onto the climate mitigation plan via the Kyoto Protocol) is willing to pay to maintain the strength of the Guyana Shield and to reduce the risk of furthering the negative impact on the Earth’s Climate.

A balance must be found, as we are a third world country under sea level on the

coast by the Atlantic Ocean, and the adverse effects of climate change have started to impact us. As a good world citizen and assuming that the world after witnessing the destructive negative effects of climate change, is more willing to ensure that we all work together to prevent further destruction, it is my hope that the United Nations will be willing to support Guyana’s growth in such a way that our oil may remain in the ground while our economy and people may still benefit from its value.

As for the oil oligarchs, they too should be interested in reducing the supply of oil on the world market, thus ensuring a higher price for the commodity, while also helping to curtail its usage and negative impact on the environment.

This would be a win-win outcome for the Earth, as all nations increase their usage of renewable, sustainable and environmentally-friendly energy sources.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

Mr. Gill’s assessment of the water situation in Region 5 is void of facts DEAR EDITOR, In response to a letter published in your daily newspapers on Sunday, February 11, 2018 captioned “Stop disrespecting water consumers in Region 5” by Mr. Harry Gill (PPP Member of Parliament), I would like to issue the following statement to rebut the allegations regarding the general water situation in Region 5 and water stoppages at the Cotton Water Treatment Plant over the last two years Raw Water to the Cotton Tree Water Treatment plant is sourced from Rosignol Well Station, which operates on a 24-hour basis using electricity provided by the Guyana Power Light (GPL) and a standby generator, equipped with an automatic changeover switch, in an effort to negate any unplanned stoppages due to power supply issues.

Last Saturday (February 10, 2018), the period of stoppage which Mr. Gill referred to, was an isolated case, and this was due to an unbalanced voltage supply from GPL to the Rosignol well station.

At the time of my response to his letter, that issue is still

to be resolved by GPL, as we continue to operate on the standby generator. The changeover switch that was put in place to start the generator only reacts when there is a power outage and high or low voltage condition, and neither occurred at the time.

Mr. Gill’s assessment of the situation is void of facts and seems to be hinged on this isolated incident, which was beyond the control of the water utility. He also has the phone number of the GWI Regional Manager who is usually in contact with him on GWI matters, and whom he could have contacted for additional information.

Please note, there is a continuous supply of water to the communities supplied by the Cotton Tree Water Treatment plant from 4 am to 9 pm daily, with maximum demand pressure supplied between the hours of 5 am and 12 pm and from 3 pm to 9 pm.

Off peak periods are used to facilitate the cleaning of the filters, which is a necessary

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part of the operation and boosting the system for the next peak operation. GWI is also currently working to increase water supplies to the treatment plant in an effort to move to 24-hour supply at this facility.

The management of GWI Region 5 can boast of remarkable improvements in water quality, level of service, improved coverage and the continuity of supply across the Region, as we strive to meet the needs of our customers in every zone.

Below is a list of achievements and accomplishments that have benefitted the Region over the past 2 years: • 3,330 customers served from the Ithaca well station are now seeing cleaner tiles and whiter clothing in their homes due to the chemical treatment of the water supplied to those residents at the same cost.

• An increase in coverage of the Cotton Tree water treatment plant has (Continued on page 6)

Are we witnessing the evolution of a repressive Federation?

DEAR EDITOR, As I watch the new approach by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), which seems intent on imposing its will on the game’s landscape, reflections of a past era come right back, and I’m tempted to think that we are witnessing the birth of authoritarianism.

The GFF’s payback approach to referees Wayne Griffith, John Callender and Okeshi Croker, following their participation in a well-liked street competition, gives off a stench reminiscent of that that permeated the corridors of the world governing body FIFA for a number of years.

Speaking with Griffith, who has developed into one of the better futsal referees and undisputedly one of the most experienced of the few we have in Guyana, he said that it appears as though the Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC), under the guidance of GFF President Wayne Forde, has decided to debar them indefinitely from officiating in competitions in the absence of a hearing, thereby affecting their right to earn.

According to Griffith, it

was Forde who told him, during an inquiry he made in connection with the trio’s nonselection to officiate in a tournament currently being played (albeit their experience and the paucity of futsal qualified referees), that it was his decision to withdraw their services until further notice, because of their participation in the popular street competition.

Griffith said that upon hearing the reason why their services were not required, he asked whether or not the GFF had jurisdiction over the ‘Street-styled format’ and was told that the institution did not have such a mandate.

Widely regarded as two of the most experienced referees (Griffith and Callender) in the format, with hundreds of games under their respective belts, he further prodded Forde for any other basis that would have resulted in them being ignored, and according to him, he was told that because they had officiated in an unsanctioned tournament, they are being reprimanded for their actions.

Griffith is therefore questioning the motive for their punishment and is calling on

the GRFC and the GFF to publicly state the real reason(s) for their actions as well.

The well-respected referee recounted that he had asked Forde for an official letter indicating why they were overlooked, but the President was reluctant to do so, advising that the aggrieved referees await a decision sometime in the future.

Griffith is contending that if the President feels that they had acted in contravention of any guideline, then the right thing to do is to officially notify them of their infraction(s) and to state the penalty associated with the infringement. Failure to do so can be interpreted as debarring them indefinitely and maybe without cause.

It must be noted also, the scramble to organise a futsal course for referees - which is a welcomed development, but manifestly late, since the current futsal tournament is being officiated by referees with little or no experience in the format, thereby running the risk of putting the event into disrepute.

There is need for such (Continued ona page 6)

Police lawlessness and bullyism DEAR EDITOR, For quite a while now I have been seeing personally, the blatant abuse of the law by those appointed to uphold it.

Many of the young men and women that are in the Guyana Police Force and the City Constabulary seem ignorant of the law that they are supposed to uphold, and untrained to deal with certain matters, especially in the public, which result in them taking matters into their own hands.

Sadly some end up in great embarrassment and sometimes death, while they are untouched and continue with their lawless ways.

I wonder if the rush to put them out in the streets without proper training is the cause of their actions.

Editor, on Monday 12th February at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, I was able to witness the sitting M a g i s t r ate dismissing a charge brought against a driver.

Fact of the matter is, the vehicle the driver was driving had expired documents and belongs to the driver’s sister, whose name is on the registration.

Now the driver was taken into the station and charged, even though he had the correct documents in the car and the police refused to allow him

or his father to get them.

When he displayed it to the court the magistrate dismissed the case.

Had that errant officer been properly trained and looked into the matter as he should have, the driver or the court’s time would not have been wasted and instead, the policeman could have been doing something else worthwhile.

Do the senior officers follow up on charges made by the junior officers and are they disciplined for their embarrassing actions?

Why is this nonsense continuing? We are going nowhere with this bullyism?

Sahadeo Bates

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Mr. Gill’s assessment of the...

From page 5 seen residents from No. 5 and No. 6 Villages being supplied with treated water.

• A well was resuscitated to increase the production and service hours of the Cotton Tree Water Treatment Plant. Auxiliary works are currently ongoing to bring this water to the plant.

• Extension of water distribution mains in the villages of Ithaca, No. 22, Lovely Lass, Golden Grove, Onv e r w a g t , T r a f a l g a r, No. 30, Te m p i e , Belladrum, Lichfield, No. 40 - 42, Ross, Catherine, Calcutta, Farm to La Raisonable Villages have seen 550 households receiving water in their homes for the very first time, while others benefited from improved level of service.

• The construction of a river crossing at Wash Clothes Village Mahaicony River and installation of one Km o f d i s t r i b u t i o n m a i n in Hyde Park and Esau and Jacob, Mahaicony Creek have seen residents receiving potable water for the very first time.

• The Region can also continue to boast of its continuous development, rehabilitation and maintenance of its network with upgrades of 11 trench crossings in several villages.

• Metering and upgrade of 850 service connections have resulted in

improved level of service between the villages of Ithaca and Farm and this exercise is ongoing.

• The installation of 46 new service connections was done for residents of the New Hope Housing Scheme in Onderneeming Village, who now benefit from potable water in this new housing area.

• A mini water quality laboratory was constructed and staffed to monitor the water quality supplied to residents on a daily basis.

• GWI has now taken ownership of testing water quality of storage facilities at schools and health facilities, providing recommenda-

tions where necessary.

• The Region has embarked on the successful chlorination of water well and rehabilitation of water supply network for residents in the riverain community of Moraikobai, Region 5.

G.W.I continues to partner with all communities in the Region and welcomes comments that are factual, unbiased and free from any ulterior motive, as we continuously seek to improve the service provided to all.

Mr. Garfield Archibald GWI Regional Manager (ag). – Region No. 5

Giving credit where it is due DEAR EDITOR, I refer to Mr E B John’s letter in yesterday’s media (13/2/18) which made reference to mine of the 3rd February titled: “Where are our HRM leaders” and which apparently rubbed Mr John the wrong way, in that he thought that I was incorrectly giving credits to the great Mr. Davis for his role in starting Guyana Institute of Management (GIM), instead of congratulating him and Mr Khan, who apparently “raised a motion” to have the said GIM started.

Are we witnessing the ...

From page 5 a course, but to completely ignore the input of senior practitioners, the likes of Griffith and Callender, smacks of revenge.I’m one who usually exercises caution when expressing opinions on the ills of sports administrations for fear of sullying the image of the sport, but at the same time I am unwilling to shirk my responsibility to highlight high-handedness or apparent victimisation.

The President of the GFF, who, according to Griffith, shouldered the blame for the present situation, should do the honourable thing and reveal the real reason(s) for his

actions.

It is also imperative that the media investigate the injustice being meted out to the three referees and publish their findings. It might help in stopping the evolution of repression within the corridors of the GFF. The incumbent has made several decisions of recent for all concerned with the sport to be worried, because it seems a deviation from his election promises, which was to engage all stakeholders.As I’ve mentioned in a few of my previous articles and letters, there is something about the office that alters the personalities of those involved in it.As the legendary British investiga-

Wednesday February 14, 2018

tive journalist Andrew Jennings, who instigated the fall of many high-ranking FIFA officials in 2015 once said, “once upon a time FIFA officials walked down the street with their FIFA blazer, the FIFA logo ‘I’m from FIFA. I’m important.”

Following the departure of disgraced top FIFA officials who disrespected him at every opportunity, he asked, “Who would do that now?

Who would dare do that now?

None of them.

It was Jennings who quoted the late Louis Heren’s advice to a young reporter to find out “Why is this lying bastard lying to me?”, and Lord Northcliffe’s “News is what somebody, somewhere, wants to suppress. Everything else is advertising.”

Griffith, Callender and Croker’s punishment should ignite a serious response, but sadly I’m not sure if there is the will to do so, since some of us have already invited the media masseurs into our club.

Yours respectfully, Rawle Welch

Obviously, anyone could have raised any number of such motions, but it needed and took the wise, brave and action-oriented Harold Barrington Davis Sr., to put such motions into practical action, from which so very many Guyanese and Guyana benefitted.

Let’s give ‘Jack his jacket’ as we say in Guyana!

My earlier letter to which Mr John made reference was intended to encourage people like him and my other good friends currently in the HRM function to play the kind of leadership r o l e t h a t our

boss, Mr H B Davis, played when he headed the HRM function not only in the Booker Sugar Estates, but also the initial GuySuCo period.

May I again appeal for s o m e l e a d e r s h i p a c t i on by my friends in the current HRM function to initiate actions that would raise the profile of the critical HRM function, especially in our current Guyana, beset as it is by new challenges such as the advent of our oil and gas industry.

Nowrang Persaud

It’s the law: ...

From page 4 of retrenchment, Section 15 (1) of the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act (TESA) further establishes that ‘Where a contract of employment for an unspecified period of time is being terminated for any reason of redundancy under Section 12, [], such contract of employment shall except during the probationary period, be terminated by the employer upon giving the following minimum period of notice in writing – (a) Two weeks where the employee has been employed by the employer for less than one year; (b) One month, where the employee has been employed by the employer for one year or more.’

Finally, in respect to severance payments in lieu of notice, Section 16 (1) reads ‘In

lieu of giving notice of termination under section 15 (1) the employer shall pay the employee a sum equal to the remuneration and benefits due to the employee up to the expiry of any required period of notice.’There therefore seems little room for argument regarding the conditions of retrenchment, terms of notification, and the amount and period of payment of severance to retrenched sugar workers.

The administration should therefore re-examine its position to withhold severance payments to sugar workers any longer, and all workers and the entire nation shou l d e x a m i n e t h e s e sections and encourage the coalition to honour its obligations to these workers immediately.

Yours Faithfully, Craig Sylvester

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Wednesday February 14, 2018

Correct ExxonMobil contract

By Abena RockcliffeCampbell Chartered Accountant Nigel Hinds is pleading, once again, with the Government of Guyana and ExxonMobil to negotiate the “lopsided” Petroleum Sharing Contract (PSA) that they signed in 2016.

Hinds said that along with the many ills of the contract, the APNU+AFC government needs to realise that if it does not fix the contract, other companies will want to take Guyana along the same road.

“So we will be leaving our-

…or it will be an uphill struggle to get other companies to do better - Nigel Hinds selves unguarded over and over again.”

Hinds said, “If Chevron or Total finds oil, they would not want an agreement that is too dissimilar from this one (the ExxonMobil agreement.)

So we will be shooting ourselves in both feet.

That is why it is important that this contract be renegotiated.

That is why I said before that ExxonMobil needs to have compassion.”

Hinds said that ExxonMobil is very aware that it has found a financial paradise in Guyana and as such should not hesitate to give the country a better deal.

He stressed, “Our oil is of top quality; it’s a superb find for ExxonMobil and the company is already benefitting.”

Hinds said that Guyanese should listen to the Q4 2017 conference calls of ExxonMobil and Hess Corpo-

Prison officer busted trying to smuggle ganja, cigarettes into Prison A Prison Officer attached to the New A m s t e r d a m Prison was Monday evening, arrested inside the prison after he was caught with a quantity of cannabis sativa and cigarettes.

According to a source at the prison, the officer was about to enter the lunchroom when he was arrested.

The marijuana was subsequently weighed and amounted to 528 grams.

Also found were 20 packets of cigarettes.

A case file is currently being prepared to be sent for legal advice.

Meanwhile, police acting on information received, ventured to a location in Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam Berbice about 12:00hrs yesterday and found hidden in a c l u m p o f bushes, a five-gallon p l a s t ic bucket containing

The marijuana found in Angoy’s Avenue. eight parcels of compressed cannabis.

The illegal substance

which has a total weight of 3,665 grams, is lodged as investigation continues.

ration to understand how the oil find offshore Guyana is seen as a highly valued component of their assets and share valuation.

The accountant said that as a result, “I do not see why we should be settling for that which we have accepted.”

Chartered Accountant, Nigel Hinds.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

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Wednesday February 14, 2018

RISKS VS. REWARD…

Oil can increase Guyana’s economic challenges - World Bank Official

By Kiana Wilburg The local oil and gas debates have been fraught with critiques about how citizens will stand to benefit from the sector and how much will be put aside for future generations. But even as reward is fundamental to the oil and gas industry, so is risk.

At the recently concluded Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit (GIPEX), World Bank Senior Country Officer, Pierre Nadji, was one of the eminent minds who highlighted the risks facing Guyana as it inches closer to oil production.

Nadji articulated that, indeed, oil can bring transformational changes and even revolutionise the society. However, the challenges in getting to those outcomes are enormous.

The Senior Country Manger said that there are several challenges which will remain with Guyana, with or without oil. These include vulnerability to the effects of climate change, high susceptibility to commodity prices due to a lack of economic diversification, an underdeveloped investment climate and lack of infrastructure to support private sector growth. The official also added that Guyana’s education systems still face challenges in terms of building the right skills to meet the market demands.

“With oil, some of these challenges are likely to be exasperated. The economy could be exposed to greater volatility once oil production begins. This will put much greater pressure on fiscal monitoring policies to main-

tain the macroeconomic stability.”“In that sense, I would like to stress the importance of fiscal sustainability/ fiscal consolidation. This is essential to address vulnerabilities and reduce debt accumulation. Financial sector strengthening is critical to private sector development and enhancing banking sector resilience.

“The 2008 financial crisis was not long ago and you want to be able to handle the flow of money that would be coming into the country.”

The official said it is essential for the authorities here to establish a mechanism to save oil revenues which would be important to reduce the risk of currency appreciation as well as improve the welfare of future generations.

There are many examples of this, Nadji commented.

OTHER RISKS/ CRUCIAL QUESTIONS As witnessed in many countries, the World Bank official said that natural resource discovery is often associated with rapid currency appreciation, which leads to a loss of competitiveness. He said that this affects especially traditional sectors such as manufacturing and agriculture. Nadji said that this could be a risk in Guyana.

Additionally, Nadji noted that there are some crucial questions which must be considered.

“What will happen to agriculture or what will happen with the urban development of Georgetown? We have seen property value increase tremendously with government having limited capacity controlling all sorts of investments. What will happen with the popu-

lation in Guyana?”

As one considers the aforementioned, the official said one should also bear in mind, the importance of civil society and the willingness of the people in working for a common objective. Nadji said, too, that what drives staff at the World Bank group is eliminating poverty and improving shared prosperity.

In that sense, he said it is crucial that a country has a shared vision about the future.

If the oil becomes a curse as seen in a few countries, Nadji noted that poverty can increase, and wealth, rather than being shared, ends up being overly concentrated in some provinces.

He said that the risks regarding issues of corruption such as misappropriation of funds also calls for increased governance transparency. He said that this is essential. The World Bank official believes that Guyana has made some important steps. It became a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). The officer noted, too, that the Government is on the right path with its green state development strategy.

EITI STATUS The International Board of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) has approved Guyana’s application to become a member of the prestigious anti-corruption body which demands good governance in oil, gas and other mineral resources.

Head of the EITI local chapter, Dr. Rudy Jadoopat, has said that the next step is for Guyana to submit its first EITI report within 18 months. He said that it must meet all the

strict EITI Requirements which are covered in the EITI Standard 2016 (See link for more information on this: https://eiti.org/document/ standard.)

Fredrik Reinfeldt, Chair of the EITI, said that the expected growth of the oil and gas sector in Guyana is both a huge opportunity and a big challenge. He said that the further development of the mining sector is also an important focus of public debate.

Further, Reinfeldt noted that implementing the EITI rules will help Guyana lay the foundation for transparent and accountable management of its natural resource wealth.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, is also pleased with Guyana’s success in this regard. He noted that the Government of Guyana has approached the EITI process with a commitment to transparency and openness as well as a recognition, acceptance and deliberate effort to foster the truth that the resources of this country belong to every Guyanese in equal measure.

Trotman asserted that this EITI initiative has the potential to deliver significant benefits to the Guyanese economy through increased accountability and transparency, translating into more informed public policy debates and guidance on managing our resource endowments.

He said that it also has the potential to increase the confidence of business and enhance Guyana’s reputation as a sound investment destination.

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Wednesday February 14, 2018

Get a legal opinion first before using the money Guyana has set aside US$15M for legal fees to finance its legal case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). That is a lot of money, amounting to some $3 billion.

However, it is not going to be sufficient to finance a case in front of the ICJ which only goes to show that Guyana did not even succeed in ensuring that it was able to obtain a satisfactory signing bonus to cover its full legal fees.

Three billion dollars is going to evaporate quickly if this matter ever goes in front of the ICJ. However, there are petro dollars expected – estimated at $200 million per day.

It may sound like a lot but Guyana is spending about half of that amount right now to keep an unproductive bureaucracy afloat while complaining about the bail out of the sugar corporation.

Exxon has Guyana in such a state of confusion that the government is planning to hire lawyers without even first ascertaining whether the ICJ will hear our case. But that is nothing unusual when it comes to Guyana. We once built a glass factory without knowing where we were going to sell the glass that it was supposed

to produce.

Burnham got taken in by some experts who told him that there was scientific justification for the project when in fact we probably did not have enough sand for a project of that scale.

Granger has to be careful he does not get outfoxed by charlatans who must be licking their fingers hoping to become part of the Guyana legal team so that they can share in this massive sum which has been set aside for legal fees.

The Guyana government has indicated that it will be assembling a legal team. But it has to be careful that it is not wooed by persons who have little or no experience is matters before the ICJ but who are hoping to impress the government by saying what the government wants to hearThe President has to be very careful. He has to look out for those legal opportunists who are going to spin arguments to convince him that Guyana has a case and that they should be part of the legal team.

He has to be careful with whom he is selecting because the least that he wants at this stage is for some halfschooled lawyer to advance

some atrocious argument which will be thrown out by the court. He has to be wary of those who come bearing things he wishes to hear.

The first hurdle the President has to overcome is to determine whether the Court has jurisdiction to hear this case in the absence of consent by Venezuela.

This column has given its position on the question of jurisdiction. It is an unassailable position which seems to have given some persons a panic attack.

The President should not begin to disburse that US$15M signing bonus just as yet. These are early days yet. The President should first clear the issue of jurisdiction before even assembling a new legal team. He should approach one of the international legal firms which have appeared before the ICJ and ask them for an advisory opinion as to whether the consent of both parties to a contentious dispute is required to trigger the jurisdiction of the Court.

The President should not act prematurely and put together a legal team. He should seek legal advice as a first step from a firm which he will not hire

Education Ministry starts talks on reintegrating adolescent mothers into school system A multi-stakeholder group that includes the Ministry of Education met yesterday at the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD) to discuss the first draft of the Education Sector Policy on the reintegration of adolescent mothers into the formal School system.

The group comprises government Ministries and non-governmental organisations.

During the discussion, adjustments were also made where necessary.

According to a release from the Education Ministry, the policy, which must be approved by Cabinet, will assist in reducing the number of pregnancies among school-aged

girls. In addition to that, the policy will also increase the number of adolescent mothers who re-enter the formal school system to complete their secondary education without hindrance.

There is no formal policy on this issue in Guyana, the release stated; as a result, it is the hope of the ministry that when completed, the document would be used to guide how affected young women should deal with pregnancy, if so confronted.

If the draft becomes a formal policy, Guyana would become the second country in the Commonwealth Caribbean behind Jamaica to have a policy in place to deal with such issues.

DEM BOYS SEH Exxon contract mek PM end up in hospital Nobody does put cat fuh watchman milk.

It is unheard of. When you put cat fuh watchman milk, you can’t expect fuh tun yu back and come back and see milk. Milk does disappear. But nuff time cat get blame because dem boys drink out de milk and seh is de cat.

Exxon find milk and Soulja Bai mek a mistake and put de Baccoo and Trotty fuh watch de milk. He fuhget Baccoo can’t live without milk and banana. Exxon know dat, suh dem decide fuh start minding de Baccoo from Day one.

He did get e-mail complaining how de Waterfalls paper talking too much and if he don’t stop dem is done de milk done. He got to drink black tea.

As for Trotty, de big lawyer, he had to get milk, banana and honey because ee sign de lopsided, one-sided oil contract.

Dem boys gun go to dem grave believing dat Exxon share bribe.

De sweetheart deal –de give aways—in de oil contract not even Soulja Bai grand pickney dem will allow dat fuh pass dem eyes.

Suh nobody woulda expect lawyers and season politicians fuh pass dem eyes.

Soulja Bai, you need to wake up. People don’t want believe is yuh minista dem sign dis contract. Tell de nation it’s a mistake, please.

Tell de nation is not you put a cat and a baccoo fuh watch milk. Dat contract is wha send Moses to hospital and dem boys don’t want you follow Moses.

Today is Valentine’s Day and everybody know is fuh lovers. Nuff people gun wear red and white, including de Waterfalls boss man.

Nuff man gun carry out dem woman to lunch and dinner but dem got some man who got nuff woman does find excuse to get rid of some on day like today.

Brassy want get rid of ee sweet woman.

He buy two egg and ask she fuh boil one and fry one. De woman do exactly wha he seh and he get vex.He seh’ “Woman. We done from today.”

She ask he “Brassy, wha happen?”He seh you fry de egg wha you suppose to boil and you boil de egg wah you suppose to fry.”

Talk half and listen to de people who really need de milk.

for the case, so much so that they do not have an interest in giving him an opinion which is in their interest.

There are international legal firms who have experts in international law who can give this opinion in one day.

It is only after this opinion has been received that the President should even contemplate assembling a legal team. It makes no sense as-

sembling a legal team if, as expected, the consent of Venezuela is required.

Venezuela is not totally averse to going to the ICJ. It had, sometime last year, virtually resigned itself to this inevitability. But it is not going to give its consent in this election year and not in the face of an onslaught by imperialism.

It is not going to place the future of its claim to the Essequibo in

the hands of a Court which its views with suspicion.

When it comes to ICJ, Venezuela will not be interested at this stage. And that is all the more reason why the President should seek a legal opinion on the issue of jurisdiction of the Court.

Wednesday February 14, 2018

Kaieteur News

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GTT frustrates potential customer A pregnant customer of Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company is in state of bewilderment over to a lack of urgency and haphazard service offered to her by GTT. The customer is alleging that she approached the GTT Beterverwagting branch for a form to apply for a landline phone and was told by the customer services that there was no form available at the time.

The woman said that it took about two weeks before forms were available.

She alleged that after receiving a form in October 2016, she applied for her landline phone and paid for it on December 18, 2017. A number was then given to her and she was told that within the next 21 working days her landline phone would be installed.

That time passed since January 19, 2018 and no installation has been done.

The customer is claiming that she called several times after the 19th of January and was told that the technicians have to deal with it.

Recently, on February 3, she received a phone call from a landline 256-0309 while she was in church and the person on the landline said that he was a GTT technician and that his team was coming to install her phone.

She retorted that they promised to call the day before they planned to come, since she works during the day and no one is at home.

This, she said, was not done, so she had no time to make any alternative plans to accommodate them or to set a mutual time or date.

She then claimed that she

suggested that they could come on February 4, last, and they claimed to have made a note of it, but they did not show up or call.

She explained that this was conveyed to the technicians and the customer service representative but ever since Saturday, she has not received any other call from GTT. She said the last call she made was on February 7, last, and was told by the customer service representative that there is no installation date on the application and there is nothing more that they can help her with.

According to this customer, she is in dire need of her phone because she is living far away from family, has no immediate neighbours, and is six months pregnant, she also said that she is preparing for the possibility of 7 months delivery and needs to have her landline phone in case she has no credit in her cellular.

Once the phone is installed, she supposes it will also help her in getting Wi-Fi access.

Wednesday February 14, 2018

The principles of the former slaves can help sugar workers In the year 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act was agreed upon by the British royals.

Slaves who worked for years under the harsh hands of their slave masters were freed to live under less cruel conditions, though it would take about four years later for a “complete” physical emancipation. The then freed slaves learnt the value of working together to ensure their survival.

Soon after the village system was birthed, which demanded a continued collective working among the emancipated to build for themselves a society that would guarantee their continual existence, in the absence of this unified approach cause and social breakdown was inevitable.

Through the years, the village systems that were formed by the freed slaves have gone through many changes culturally and socially, but the fundamental principles that existed then that ensured their success

through the early post slavery times can serve as teaching tools for all today, especially the newly laid off workers of GuySuco.

Pooling resources for a greater good One such principle is merging or pooling. No one slave could have bought a village; the slaves pooled their moneys, strength, and mental faculty to ensure a better life.

Similarly the laid off sugar workers could pool their resources and ideas together to bring a remedy to the unemployment they now face.

Whether it is money, land or human capital all resources can be combined. Field staff, with office staff merging their experiences can birth a rounded, well organized, profitable business venture.

Doing agricultural businesses The freed slaves farmed; agriculture was the way of life for the post-colonial society.

Though the freed slaves sought to move away from the plantation life, agriculture was

of paramount importance to the economic development of the day.

Guyana today is rich with avenues for agricultural endeavours, the planting of vegetables, the coconut industry and cattle rearing are among the many agricultural avenues these citizens can ventures into.

The social support for each other was among the common practices that helped newly freed slaves to endure the “after slavery life”. In like manner, the estate workers could look out for each other and offer social support for each other.

No man is an island, a word of encouragement, a good thought an idea passed on can be all it takes to help someone through.

There is a saying that only those who feel it knows, hence it can only be beneficial for those who feel the pains of unemployment to come together and help each other through in whatever positive way possible. (Samuel Gillis)

GPOC to produce stamp for Cheddi Jagan centennial

The stamp is slated to be unveiled in time for Cheddi Jagan’s birth anniversary The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) is preparing to launch a commemorative stamp in honour of former president, Cheddi Berret Jagan.

The centennial stamp was announced during a press exercise held at the GPOC Training Centre, Lamaha Street.During the conference, Minister of Public Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s , Catherine Hughes, told the media that the Post Office recently entered into an

arrangement with the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre to produce a philatelic stamp to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of “our former President and one of Guyana’s founding leaders, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.”

“We look forward to the relationship we have with the agency and the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre on this exciting project,” Hughes added.

The stamp is being produced and designed by

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday February 14, 2018

the Inter-Governmental Philatelic Corporation (IGPC).

The company is located in New Jersey in the United States of America (USA).

The IGPC shares a longstanding relationship with the GPOC and has produced many stamps and related materials over the years and has done similar.

The stamp is slated to be released to the public on March 22, 2018, marking the 100th birth anniversary of the former president.

Seven trials, five convictions at new Sexual Offences court Less than three months after it opened its doors for operation, the Sexual Offences Court is reporting that it has heard some seven cases and seen five convictions.

Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George told the Department of Public Information (DPI) recently that the operation of the court is moving ahead smoothly.

Justice Simone MorrisRamlall currently presides over the Sexual Offences Court.

“We think the court is working fairly well; we are going to do an analysis of the stats of the court in the coming weeks to have a formal assessment of how it is working, but from all reports, it is going fairly smoothly,” Justice George told DPI. The average length of a trial is approximately four days. The longest so far has been eight days and the shortest three days, the Chief Justice said.

Justice George said the courtroom is a purpose-built facility where judges are required to document the evidence manually. It also has an audio-visual room for wit-

Chief Justice (ag) Roxanne George nesses to testify.

The Sexual Offences court is housed in the Supreme Court and represents the commitment of the judiciary to be responsive to the concerns raised in society about the conduct of trials of sexual offences cases.

Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yo n n e t t e Cummings-Edwards at the opening of the court last year November, said victims and witnesses of sexual offences require specialist treatment. She said if the process is not handled carefully, it can

pose secondary trauma to them.

As such, the idea of a specialist court dealing with everyone involved was birthed; a court that would provide justice for all, she noted.

The court has a panel of eminent judges including Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, Justice Jo-ann Barlow, Justice Navindra Singh, Justice James Bovell-Drakes and Justice Brassington Reynolds whose functions are rotated.

Witnesses also have a special room to give their testimony, while a panel of support staff is being overseen by the Chief Justice.

Looking ahead, Justice Cummings-Edwards had said the service will be taken to Berbice and Essequibo, the two-sub registries that have supreme courts.

“They are also looking at training for the persons involved in dealing with the sexual offences matters.

Training will be provided by two Trinidad and Tobago specialists in sexual abuse and psychologist and judge with years of experience trying sexual abuse matters,” she said.

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Wednesday February 14, 2018

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Better Modems, Faster Speeds – GTT begins free modemchange in Berbice Customers in the New Amsterdam and Rose Hall, Corentyne will soon begin experiencing significantly better online experiences, more stable and stronger internet connections, along with better technical support as a result of GTT’s project to change their current modems to new ones.

The modem change out programme will be done from Friday until Sunday. It is the first part of a wider ongoing project which will be done in phases in several other parts of Guyana.

The process is a simple one where customers are sent appointment invitations via email, SMS and calls, encouraging them to

take their modems to the GTT’s New Amsterdam office.

Invited customers are required to take their current modem along with the power cord and present their national ID. Those who are not the account holders must present a written authorisation along with their ID and that of the official account holder. The process would take no longer than five minutes.Every customer who keeps his window of appointment for the change out will receive $3,000 credit on his April DSL bill.

Similar invitations will be sent to customers as the project moves to other communities.

Seven murders, 45 robberies with firearms in January

Despite seven murders and 45 robberies in which firearms were used, the Guyana Police Force is reporting a 19 percent drop in serious crimes, including rape, for January.

A release from the Force’s Public Relations Department also indicated that the numbers were similar this year and last year January, in respect to murders and robberies under arms where firearms were used.

Of the seven homicides that occurred last month, four were disorderly murders, one occurred during a domestic dispute; one during an armed robbery, and one for which the motive is unknown. There was a 13 percent decrease in robbery where no instruments were used; a 50 percent decrease in robbery under arms where instruments other than firearms were used.

The Force also recorded a 50 percent decrease in robbery with aggravation; a 50 de-

- but police record 19 percent drop in serious crimes crease in larceny from the person; a 24 percent decrease in rape( 19 last month in comparison to 25 for the same period last year) a 52 percent decrease in burglary; a nine percent decrease in break and enter and larceny.

However, there was a 45 percent increase in robbery with violence.

Police also reported the seizure of 19 firearms, including 12 pistols, three revolvers, three shotguns and a sub-machine gun.

Twelve of the firearms were seized in ‘A’ Division; three in ‘B’ Division; two each in F’ and ‘G’ Division. There was a 20 percent increase in fatal accidents and a 14 percent decrease in deaths at the end of last January.

Wednesday February 14, 2018

Accused in murder of America Street money changer alleges police brutality Kerwin Dos Santos, one of two men who were yesterday charged with the murder of America Street, money changer, Shawn Nurse, called ‘Fabulous’, has alleged that he was assaulted by detectives while in custody at the Brickdam Police Station.

Dos Santos made the allegation of police brutality when he and George Hope, both 24, of Freeman Street, La Penitence, Georgetown, were arraigned before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman for the murder of Nurse.

The murder accused duo had no legal representation and were not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Particulars of the charge alleged that on February 4, last, at America Street, Georgetown, they murdered Nurse, during the course or furtherance of a robbery.

In his address to the court, Dos Santos requested to be taken for medical attention claiming that he was assaulted by two police ranks whose names he mentioned.

Dos Santos expressed, “I had kidney damage and I ain’t know if it raise up back when they (police) knock me.”

Police Prosecutor, Arvin Moore indicated that a total of 20 witnesses will be called during the preli m i n a r y inquiry.

Among the documents to be tendered during the PI, are caution statements from

MURDERED: Shawn Nurse

MURDER ACCUSED: George Hope

the two murder accused.

Both Dos Santos and George were remanded to prison until February 21, next, when the matter will be called for reports.

Nurse, known as ‘Fabulous,’ of Apartment 33 Shopping Plaza, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was shot in the left side of the face during a struggle with a gunman, who was attempting to relieve him of a large sum of foreign and local currency.

The father of three died at the scene, while his killer fled with an undisclosed sum of cash and a quantity of gold jewellery.

According to the police, Nurse was shot to the left cheek just below the eye by an identifiable male dressed in a red hoodie and brown three-quarter pants who then escaped on foot via Avenue of the Republic and Charlotte

Street. Police ranks from the scene of crime unit processed the area and the body. A single gunshot wound was seen to the left cheek just below the slain man’s eye; while a 9mm spent shell was recovered at the scene.

Last year October, Hope was arrested by police after he was suspected to be involved in the murder of 58year-old Fazal Shaheed, who was shot and killed during an invasion at his family home in East La Penitence on September 24, 2017.

A few weeks after that killing, Hope was arraigned in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he was remanded to prison for allegedly being in possession 736 grams of marijuana for trafficking.

According to reports, a party of policemen descended on the East La Penitence home of Hope, who was allegedly seen standing next to a barrel, which when search, contained a haversack with leaves, seeds and stems inside.

Wednesday February 14, 2018

Kaieteur News

Town Clerk faces questions over unilateral actions in Bel Air Park Playfield saga Members of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, (M&CC) are raising questions over the actions of Town Clerk, Royston King, in relation to the destruction of the green space earmarked as the Bel Air Park playfield.

The playfield is at the centre of a legal battle between the M&CC and Attorney-at-law Devindra Kissoon, a resident of the community.

Kissoon had successfully challenged the Council’s attempt to take over the playground in Court. Council had intended to sell or lease the reserved community lands to a private developer.

Members of the Council were in negotiations with local housing developer, Terrence Taljit, to transfer to him prime community lands despite a restriction on the transport of the property for use as community purposes only.

The M&CC had proposed a plan to use the land to construct houses for members of the city administration, including the Town Clerk.

Subsequent to a ruling of the Court, last month, which essentially blocked the M&CC intentions for the land, Town Clerk Royston King moved to fence and clear the playground of all vegetation.

He later returned to Court to have the order set aside.

On Monday, the Town Clerk faced a series of questions from Councillors, who expressed concerns over the manner in which the city administration is handling the matter.

Councillor Alfred Mentore raised the issue at the statutory meeting held at City Hall

Town Clerk: Royston King yesterday.

He noted the Town Clerk had acted on his own by moving to clear the land and appeal the Court ruling.

“I want to know which committee approved this and how much money was spent.”

Mentore contended that the issue surrounding the Bel Air Park Playfield should be treated as a sensitive one in light the Court proceedings.

“Who authorised the clearing of the land and destruction of the vegetation (green space)… It should not have been touched at a time like this,” Mentore added. He called on the Town Clerk to provide full disclosures on the matter.

Councillor Andrea Marks and a few others present at the horseshoe table yesterday raised their voices in support of Mentore.

In response, King told the meeting that the matter is being addressed by city administration but he does not have a problem updating the council with information based on the issues raised.

Deputy Mayor, Lionel Jaikaran, had previously

warned that King’s pursuit of legal action in the Bel Air playground matter is without the approval of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).

Last month, King approached the Court in a bid to have a ruling by Justice Gino Persaud pertaining to a plot of community land located at Eping Avenue, Bel Air Park Georgetown, set aside.

“News of the Town Clerk’s continuation of the court action stopping the city council’s attempt to appropriate the Bel Air Park playground has come as a complete surprise to me, there being no consultation or vote by the council on this matter,” Jaikaran had explained.

It is unclear how much taxpayer funds are being used to pursue the matter in the High Court, which now appears, based on Jaikaran’s observations, to be devoid of council members.

Even after the court ruling, officers of the Council moved to clear and fence the open playfield.

“I am extremely concerned that the unilateral acts of the Town Clerk are tarnishing the reputation of the entire council, this being particularly troubling since the matter has neither been discussed nor voted on by the full council,” Jaikaran stated.

He noted that the decision to ‘destroy the park’ and use it for housing was never discussed and sanctioned by the full Council.

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, has condemned the attempts by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council to convert the Bel Air Park playfield into a space for residential use.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday February 14, 2018

Teen dies after motorcycle slams into sheep FOR RENT

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; 683-8734. Omar REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, FREEZERS,SALE OF AC’S TEL:6294946,225-4822 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 House plans and estimates. # 6 1 3 - 5 6 2 8 / sirachenterprises@gmail.com Budhram’s Landscaping & Tree cutting service. Free advice, Free design, Free after care follow up. Tel#626-1044

SALON Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc.

- Cosmetology Courses: $90,000 - Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/6880009

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

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY- $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-2274754.

All size solar pannel & batteries lowest price guarantee. check us out @ Boodhoo’s General store @ Parika EBE. Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 6 weeks old, vaccinated dashund pups for sale. Call: 670-2653, 638-8449.

Used strong American construction steel scaffle for sale. Call: 623-1615 for more information.

Plant-closing down sale: potting soil, plant pot, flower plant at Garden Centre, Plantation Schoonard WBD #615-2346/627-3443/15001600 Supari palm, Lipstick, Royal, Foxtail. Exora 4 for $1000 Ficus 4 for $1000. Organic potting soil. Tel: 626-1044 1 3pc Suite - $50,000 1 flat screen TV 42"-$80,000.

Tel#662-9832.

Lenovo desktop with 17" Acer monitor, keyboard and mouse -$35,000. Call: 624-7155

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

MASSAGE & HEALTH

TOLET Furnished executive one or two bedroom suite in Diamond. Ideal for foreigners.

Call: 600-2466.

Angels Massaging Spa. Come relax and be pampered.

Call: 694-9775. New attendants available.

Lower two bedroom apartment in excellent location Farm EBD and three bedroom home in Eccles. #616-7635.

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 2 & 3 bedroom fully furnished luxury apartments to rent, long & short term. #666-7820, 691-1432 Fully furnished apartment two & one bedrooms in Providence, apartment at Diamond East Bank Tel: 6721906/216-2299/682-6238 3 bedroom apartment at the back of UG, 2 bedroom in Diamond. Tel#680-5944/ 6564211 Vreed-en-hoop junction.

Lessons place, church, storage bond, office, other.

Call: 603-6400.

Space for rent at Ashmin’s Building- suitable for salon or office- Call today! 683-7954

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

Keyfood McDoom.

1 maid for East Bank area. Call: 614-4358 Contract cars and Drivers.

Contact: 231-0316, 231-0002 (1) Manager to work @ Hotel/ Club on Essequibo coast, previous hotel management an asset. Contact: 500-5923, 676-8764/646-3675 Experience worker to work on the West Bank willing to work & carry out duties. Age 17-25 Tel 664-3853 Cashiers to work in Mahdia, must be computer literate. # 618-1838 We buy land in Eccles, Herstelling, Providence, Farm, Parafaite Harmonie, Covent Garden. Legal fees paid. Tel# 656-0701/ 651-1969

A 17-year-old is now dead following an accident that occurred along the Number 79 Public Road on February 6, last, some time around 19:50 hrs.

Adil Ali Khan, of Lot 167 Number 77 Village, Upper Corentyne was riding a motorcycle and proceeding south along the eastern side when a sheep ran across his path. After colliding with the animal, Khan lost control of his motorcycle and landed on the road.

He sustained serious head injuries which rendered him unconscious. He was transported to the Skeldon Hospital and later transferred to New Amsterdam Hospital.

He was subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he remained unconscious. The teen succumbed to his injuries Monday night . According to information

WANTED

VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501 2006 Audi A4 PRR Series. $2.5M. 623-3839 2 Fielder wagons. One 19 seater pitbull, never worked passenger. Tel:664-0802 PROPERTY FOR SALE 3- Storey commercial buliding, land size- 120ft x 60ft, building size- 62ft x 30ft, location- Lot 1486 Plot B, Herstelling East Bank Demerara. Contact: #6093777/697-4557 House and land available @ La Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Etc. Financing assistance available. Contact Pacific Development: 2236035/ 604-4909

EDUCATION CXC adults classes (Business & Science subjects) Form 1-5 lessons, Grade 2-6 lessons (slow learners, personal tutor) #690-5008,618-0649 First aid/CPR and home nursing courses. To enroll: St John Association 110 Cowan Street #225-9082 Register your child for after school classes for slow learners in Mathematics, Reading, Phonics, Spelling, etc. Call: 675-4379 Live & work in Canada?

Become a certified support worker/ Caregiver. Care for Elderly & Children. Call 2274881 Jean offers courses in Dressmaking, Curtains, Floral, Cake decorations. Barr St, Kitty. Tel#670-2653, 638-8449.

Lot 15 Public Road, #2 Village, W.C.B. 49ft x 10,314ft $20M Negotiable Contact 648-7109/686-4818

Electronic classes beginning March 6th. Enroll early, limited spaces. Abdul Electronics.

Tel: 226-6551/225-0391.

Property for sale at 97 Sugarcane street S/Rvldt Gardens. Price US 1.5M neg.

Tel: 695-1356 & 687-8445

LEARN TO DRIVE

LAND FOR SALE

Ultraviolet Driving School is offering a 6 days driving lesson for $7,500. Come and enjoy it! Call 676-8783.

Parafaite Harmonie (upfront) $1.5M Herstelling $1.8M Farm $3.2M Schoonard Residential $2.6M Uivlugt $2.8M. Tel# 656-0701/6117223

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

Experienced dump truck drivers to work in the interior.

Kindly contact 223-7165 for further details

VACANCY Hair station & Barber station rental, New market street #6381106. Experienced persons preferable.

Kitchen assistant for interior location. Job entails assisting cooks and generally cleaning.

Call: 618-2020.

We l d e r / f a b r i c a t o r, machinist,mechanic,store keeper, female cleaner. Must have technical back ground and 3 years’ experience.

Call:233-2745 Log truck drivers. Tel: 6646062.

Accounts clerk (knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT and quickbooks). Call: 614-4358 Hydraulic hose technician, Inventory clerk (must have technical background). Call: 233-2745 One surveyor to work in the interior. Contact: 223-5273 One foreman to work on interior roads. Contact 2235273 One yardman age 30 to 45.

Contact: 223-5273

KILLED: Adil Ali Khan gathered he only returned from overseas on December 31. He was a former student of Line Path Secondary School.

Scores turn out to DemBake Cancer Screening...

(From page 22) give keen attention to climate change, the low carbon development strategy and different aspects of how humans can help to improve the environment and by extension help to “make Guyana a greener, greater country,” Dr. Gooding underscored.

She said, too, that this segment, which is being solely sponsored by Demerara Bakery, is intended to ensure that “the pageant is not just a beauty pageant; we don’t want to only focus on the girls’ physical attributes...We want some of the projects that the girls do contribute to in a significant way to their final score.”

Eligible delegates will be drawn from a pool of girls between the ages of 18 and 25 who are single, have no children, are Guyanese by birth.

Suitable applicants have until February 22 to apply by visiting the Miss Earth Guyana w e b s i t e , www.missearthguyana.com or by visiting its 15 Ketley and Drysdale Streets, Charlestown Georgetown office or by contact members of the management committee on telephone numbers: 6120247, 653-0436, 697-5127.

They can also visit the official pageant Facebook page under the handle of Miss Earth Guyana and on Twitter and Instagram @missearthgy.

Coronation night is slated for April, 28, 2018.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday February 14, 2018

Cricket World Cup probe…

Five Lindeners in the final GBTI challenges SOCU ten for Soca Monarch crown

over release of records The US$500M fraud probe of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) that landed a bank and the police main anti-money laundering unit in court is not yet over with more legal challenges now.

The Guyana Bank For Trade and Industry (GBTI) is heading to court again today to take on the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) over the release of transaction information regarding spending for the Cricket World Cup in 2007.

Guyana built a stadium and hosted a number matches for 2007; the spending is what is under question.

It will be recalled that SOCU had gone to court asking for orders mandating the bank to share information regarding the cricket accounts.

However, the bank is fighting those requests.

According to court documents, the bank is opposed to an ex-parte application made by SOCU to direct the institution to produce the Banker’s Book on the basis of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act of 2009.

The records are related to banking transactions conducted by the official Guyana World Cup Inc. for a period of nine years; between March 2007 and December 31 2016.

GBTI is arguing that the anti-money laundering laws were enacted in 2009. SOCU is asking for records from 2007.

Earlier this year, SOCU through its head, Sydney James, applied to the court to have copies of all the records including wire transfers, instructions letters for purchases of US dollars and

GBTI DIRECTORS, Richard Isava (left) and Edward Beharry at court. bank account drafts, among other things.

Additionally, SOCU was also seeking certified copies of all GBTI documentation that resulted from the processing of the transactions.

These include details of the beneficiary to whom the final payment is made, the full details of the beneficiary bank including the address, the beneficiary account number and the full details of the corresponding/intermediary bank through which the transaction was routed including SWIFT CODE, IBAN and/or Fedwire details for the period.

However, the bank has moved to challenge the SOCU application citing sections of the Anti Money Laundering Act. GBTI is seeking a declaration that the applicant cannot be lawfully ordered to produce and create documents since it is of the view that sections of the article 144 guarantee every citizen the secure protection

of the law which affords every person a fair hearing before any order is made which may affect the legal liability of that person.

SOCU’s actions in the court conflicts this protection, GBTI is arguing.

GBTI is also arguing that SOCU is asking for the evidence to be presented in a certain manner which the bank is unable to do as it would conflict with the evidence law.

The bank has been battling SOCU since last year over release of information which dates back to the administrations of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic.

Last year, several directors were taken to court, charged with contempt.

SOCU wanted transactions for GRDB accounts but there were delays. SOCU filed charges.

Tough anti-money laundering laws mandate reporting entities like banks to fully cooperate with authorities in investigations.

From left GBTI Directors: Suresh Beharry, Carlton James, Basil Madhadeo, Shaleeza Shaw and Robin Stoby.

The Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Social Cohesion, culture, Youth and sport in collaboration with Carib Beer on Saturday hosted the Carib Soca Monach Semi finals at the Linden/ Gt Bus Park.

Scintillating soca music permeated the air as the audience eagerly awaited a fun-filled night that would determine the lucky ten to make it through to the Finals billed for the Capital City on Saturday. Fifteen contestants set the stage on fire as they vied for a place in the top ten. At the end of the night’s proceedings, five Lindeners were amongst the ten that qualified for the finals.

Those that qualified were Brandon Harding, Dianna Chapman, Shellon Fluffy Garraway, Roshanna Fraser, Samantha Grant, Melissa “Vanilla” Roberts, Young Bill Rogers, Alicia Sasha Melody, Jonathan Lil Red King and Lil Colwyn. Providing musical accompaniment was the Heat Wave Band which turned up the heat with their pulsating rhythms and energetic dancers and singers. It seemed as if this ensemble was daring

the artistes to bring their A Game...or run the risk of being dubbed mediocre.

Dexter Copeland, the inaugural Junior Soca Monarch, lit the stage with an electrifying performance. He was followed by a few other guest artistes... then it was Showtime!

First to hit the stage was Linden artiste, Lil Colwyn, who set the stage for what was to come. Considered an upcoming little dynamo in the music world, this artiste appealed greatly to the crowd.

Brandon Harding, the GTT 2011 Jingle and Song Competition winner; lit up the stage with his rendition, “I’m Alive”.

It was indeed an electrifying performance. Some felt it was one of the best. The crowd loved him.

Other artistes were DJ Avalanche with Celebrating Life, which received a lukewarm response from the crowd. He was followed by Lindener, Norek Mas. Lil Red though delivering his usual energetic performance also elicited a lukewarm response.

Colwyn Abrams, known as the Soca Quinn delivered

his “Soca Rage,” but somehow failed to convince the crowd.Young Bill Rogers with his money song though delivering a good performance failed to move the crowd as he usually does.

Linden school teacher, Roshanna Fraser, dropped her school warm demeanour, to give a lively performance and received resounding applause from the crowd for her rendition.Vanilla as usual did not fail to impress.

Other artistes were “Cardiac” Lewis....aspiring heart Surgeon, Delon Soca Azore, Samantha Grant, Sasha Melody Shellon “Fluffy” Garnett and Dianne Chapman.

Both of these artistes pulled out all the stops to deliver performances that were dubbed, “Off the hook!”The contestants were judged on lyrical content, stage performance, melody, originality, party appeal, and crowd response.

The Judges were Winston Caesar, Charles Sampson, Staydon Payne, Naressa Pearson, Major Robert Burns, Paul Carew, Merano Issacs and Chief Judge, Sean Bhola.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday February 14, 2018

PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS GOING SOLAR

As is usual, on Tuesdays, the National Procurement Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) opened scores of tenders for state projects.

There were significant interests in the construction of living quarters at the Mazaruni Prison, Region Seven, the building of a nursery school in Schoonard, West Demerara and the construction of solar power systems in all 10 regions.

Below are some of the tenders that were opened: The Ministry of Public Security has invited tenders for the construction of living quartersLots 1 and 2- at the Mazaruni Prison, Essequibo River, Region Seven. The tenders opened were:

The Region 3 Administration is moving to build a new nursery school at Schoonard, West Bank Demerara. The tenders that came in were:

In Region Three, the Regional Administration is moving to construct a perimeter fence at the Zeeburg Secondary School, West Coast Demerara. There were 35 companies that submitted tenders: The Region Three Administration has also gone to tender for a backhoe. These were the tenders:

The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) is going solar in all the 10 administrative regions. The systems will be grid-connected and are of the hybrid photovoltaic type. The tenders for the 10 regions were:

>>>> Continued on page 29 <<<<

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday February 14, 2018

Woman stabbed at Charity Parliament Buildings going... waterfront by abusive ex >>>> From page 28 <<<<

STABBED: Shenella Marks A woman from Upper Pomeroon River, Region Two, is now in the intensive care unit of the Suddie Public Hospital, after she was stabbed by her reputed husband, on Monday.

The victim has since been identified as Shenella Marks, 23 of Dredge Creek, Upper Pomeroon River.

Police investigations reveal that some time about 16:00hrs, the woman was stabbed multiple times by her reputed husband, who was identified as 36-year-old Leonard Grant.

This publication was informed that the suspect later fled the scene, but was eventually apprehended by police, and has since admitted to committing the bastardly act.

Kaieteur News understands that Marks shared an abusive relationship with her reputed husband, Grant, for about nine years.

About a month ago, however, the woman mustered up the courage and moved out of her matrimonial

The victim’s mom, Jenita Anthony (right) with her brother, Eon home at Westbury, Essequibo Coast.

She immediately moved into her parents’ home, located at Dredge Creek, Upper Pomeroon River, along with her eight-year-old son.

This publication was able to speak with a key witness to the incident, who happens to be mother of the victim, Jenita Anthony.

Anthony told Kaieteur News that prior to the incident, she and her daughter were both confronted by Grant.

“We were moored in a boat at the Alfro Alphonso gas station when the man confronted us. He said good afternoon but we didn’t answer him and it must have irritated him.

Then he told me that very soon I would cry for my daughter.”

After Grant reportedly threatened Mrs. Anthony, she immediately approached two policemen, who were on

patrol on the Charity waterfront.

The woman said that as she made her way to the police officers, she noticed persons rushing towards the boat, where she had left her daughter.

Anthony said that when she arrived on the scene, she saw her daughter unconscious in the water, with the broken knife blade still stuck into her upper shoulder.

After 20 minutes, the woman was rushed to the Charity Hospital-about half a mile from the scene-in a Canter truck. She was later transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital, where she underwent an emergency surgery, and remains in a stable condition.

Police were informed that Grant already has a pending criminal charge of assault committed on the victim, at the Charity Magistrate’s Court.

Door-to-door goldsmith shot in attempted robbery In an attempted robbery that took place on Sunday, a goldsmith of Experiment, Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice was shot in the leg by a gunman who attempted to rob him.

Yesterday, Divisional Commander, Lyndon Alves, divulged that a suspect fitting the description of the gunman was arrested yesterday morning.

The police are currently awaiting Dilchand to identify him. Namdeo ‘Nam’ Dilchand, 54, told police that at approximately17:30 hrs at Welfare Street, East Canefield, Canje, he was conducting door-todoor goldsmith service in his white Toyota Fielder Wagon.

He stated that it is a norm for him to conduct business

in Canefield on Sundays. He had just uplifted an undisclosed sum of cash from a customer and had returned to his car. Dilchand stated that he was at the time perusing some records while sitting in his driver seat when an individual walked from behind his car to the driver side window which was down and pointed a handgun at him. The gunman reportedly demanded a bag that was rested on the front left passenger seat, Dilchand refused and the armed man attempted to push his hand and collect the bag when the victim pushed him away.

This resulted in the perpetrator discharging a round, hitting Dilchand on the right thigh, approximately six

inches above the knee.

The perpetrator then abandoned his attempt to grab the bag and picked up his cycle that was behind the Fielder Wagon and rode east on Welfare Street, Canje.

Dilchand who is said to be a licensed firearm holder discharged some rounds at the suspect as he rode off.

The goldsmith was eventually taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital to be treated for his injury.

Reports have also indicated that the goldsmith would normally have a bodyguard with him while carrying out his door to door service.

However, that particular day of the attempted robbery, the bodyguard was absent.

Investigations are ongoing.

The Guyana Energy Agency is also moving to supply, install, and commission 120kwh grid-connected solar photovoltaic system, 180 kw hybrid inverter and 250 kwh energy storage system at the Parliament Buildings:

The Ministry of Public Telecommunications is retendering for contractors to design and build a “whole-of-Government EDMS platform. The electronic document management system (EDMS) is a software system for organising and storing different kinds of documents.

This type of system is a more particular kind of document management system, a more general type of storage system that helps users to organise and store paper or digital documents. The tenders that came in were:

The Demerara Harbour Bridge has advertised for companies to design and supervise services for the construction of its asphalt plant’s administrative and control laboratory building.

The tenders that came in were:

For the provision of new vehicles, Lots 1-2, for the Guyana Prison Service and the Juvenile Hold Centre, these were the tenders opened:

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday February 14, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday February 14, 2018

ANOTHER EX-COP, SIX OTHERS HELD…

More stolen cars and parts seized at Kuru Kururu Police appeared to have cracked another major carjacking ring in raids at Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden yesterday, arresting an ex-cop and six others and seizing at least two cars and a truck laden with spares.

The ten-hour operation was carried out by ‘A’ Division ranks and concluded around 03.00 hrs yesterday.

“The suspects are reportedly employed by an expoliceman, who is in custody along with others assisting with the investigations,” a release stated.

The ranks seized two cars, and a Canter, which is registered to a Barr Street, Kitty resident. It was loaded with the shell of a silver Toyota Spacio and a quantity of vehicle parts. A release said that vehicle and spares were “suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained.”

Yesterday’s operation occurred just three days after police seized several stolen vehicle parts during raids at North Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara and Monument Hill, Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

A former policeman, a husband and wife and four women were detained in that raid.

Police believe that the vehicles were stolen during carjackings and stripped of their parts which are being sold.

The raid at North Vryheid’s Lust was carried out by ranks from the Major Crimes Investigation Unit.

They raided the home of a 29year-old taxi driver and his 25year-old wife.

They found several car mirrors—with engraved licence plate numbers— doors, lights, wipers and other vehicle parts for Toyota Allion, Spacio and Premio motor cars.

As a result, the couple was taken into custody after the husband provided police with conflicting stories as to why the suspected stolen vehicle parts were piled up at his residence.

An ex-policeman and four women were detained after police ranks in ‘A’ Division went to a property at Monument Hill, Kuru Kururu and conducted a search during which a quantity of vehicle parts and several vehicles suspected to be stolen or unlawfully obtained were found.

The items have been lodged at the Timehri Police Station.

In one of several

Some of the suspected stolen vehicles

photographs released by the police, a number of vehicle seats, a trunk door, steering wheel and other parts were scattered under a shed.

Police Inspector dies after vehicle overturns at Lethem A police inspector was killed and two ranks injured around 14:00 hrs yesterday after the vehicle in which they were travelling overturned at Lethem.

Police identified the dead as Inspector Ian Welch. He was said to be in his late thirties.

According to reports, Inspector Welch and other ranks were patrolling an area known as Rattlesnake Hill when their vehicle overturned.

There are reports that Welch was flung from the vehicle tray.

He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Lethem Hospital. The other ranks were treated for minor injuries.

Inspector Welch was previously stationed at the Albion Police Station and Springlands Police Station. He was transferred to Lethem late last year.

The vehicle in which the ranks were travelling.

DEAD: Inspector Ian Welch

The other photos depict a Toyota Runx bearing number plate PPP 5957, a grey Nissan Bluebird with license plate PSS 4593, all of which, were seized by police ranks during the raid at Kuru Kururu.

The discovery of the stolen vehicles and parts would come at a time when the police, only last month, seized four cars from a taxi service base at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara.

According to information

received, police ranks visited the taxi base on January 21, last, to look for a crashed vehicle which was taken to the mechanic shop operated

by Ganesh James, who is currently on $100,000 bail for hijacking a car.

It was there that the ranks found four vehicles, including two crashed cars in which the chassis numbers had been tampered with. The two crashed cars along with a Toyota Fielder Wagon and a Toyota Allion were seized.

James was arrested late last year after he allegedly conspired with others to hijack a car valued $2.1M from Ramesh Ramoutar on December 14, 2017 at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara.

Recently, there have been a number of carjacking with Toyota Allion and Premio motor cars being the most targeted.

For last year, 25 vehicles were hijacked, including three Carina 212 and a Toyota Spacio.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday February 14, 2018

Jamaican businesses benefit from billions of dollars in funding KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) says it has provided more than eight billion dollars (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents) in funding support for businesses throughout Jamaica since the start of the 2017/18 fiscal year in April.

DBJ managing director, Milverton Reynolds, said the funds have been made available through equity funding under the Jamaica Venture Capital Programme (JVCP) as well as through capacity development and technical assistance initiatives.

Addressing the launch of the DBJ’s fifth National Business Model Competition (NBMC), on Monday Reynolds said that between April 2017 and January this year, loans totalling six billion dollars had been disbursed to micro, small and mediumsized enterprises (MSMEs).

He said these included J$4.8 billion to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through approved financial institutions (AFIs), and J$1.2 billion to micro entrepreneurs through approved microfinance institutions.He said that the DBJ issued 1,120 vouchers to entrepreneurs, which enabled them to access J$263.25 million and that under the “revolutionary” voucher programme, hundreds of entrepreneurs are now able to access loans and other forms of funding, “because their businesses have been

Milverton Reynolds strengthened”.

Additionally, he said the DGJ facilitated 26 business start-ups under its Innovation Grant from New Ideas to Entrepreneurship (IGNITE) programme, which enabled those entities to access $60 million in grant funding, resulting in the creation of hundreds of new jobs.

Reynolds said that the DBJ has committed approximately US$2.25 million under the JVCP to three private equity and three private credit funds entities, along with over US$233 million from local and international investors for investment in local and regional businesses.

While noting that the Bank is “very pleased by these achievements”, the managing director acknowledged that they did not result solely from the DBJ’s efforts, but involved collaborations with AFIs and microfinance institutions as well as fund managers and

business service intermediaries.“Also of tremendous significance is the support from our international development partners, such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) and World Bank.

“Over the years, we have developed partnerships with a critical group of institutions and organisations that share our mission, and we are deeply grateful for their support and belief in what we do at the DBJ,” he added.

Reynolds said that the DBJ is Jamaica’s foremost development bank and its role in nation-building is reinforced by “our focus on economic growth and development”.

The National Business Model Competition, which commenced in 2014, encourages and promotes entrepreneurship on the campuses of Jamaica’s colleges and universities.

Participating institutions in this year’s competition include the University of the West Indies; University of Technology; Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts; and Northern Caribbean University, which has won the competition since its inception.

The winner of the competition, which ends on March 23, will represent Jamaica at the International Business Model Competition, slated for May10 to 11 in the United States.

Brazil president promises funds zuelan inf lux to ad dr ess Vene dress enezuelan influx addr SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s president promised Monday to do whatever it takes, including sending all necessary funds, to help a northern state cope with an influx of Venezuelans fleeing hunger and unrest.

Tens of thousands of people have poured into Roraima state in recent years from Venezuela, as the government there has moved to consolidate power and the nation’s economy has entered a tailspin. The influx has strained services and caused tensions, and state officials have been increasingly clamouring for help.

President Michel Temer interrupted his Carnival holiday to fly to Roraima on Monday and promised a federal task force that would work with the state to address the problems.

“I will not rest until we have solved the problems of Roraima,” Temer said at a meeting with the governor

Michel Temer and various state and federal officials. “All necessary resources will be sent to solve this Venezuelan question.”

Temer said some migrants could be moved to other states but that Brazil would not turn its back on those fleeing misery.

Defense Minister Raul Jungmann later added that

the armed forces would set up a field hospital at the border and work with local authorities to build triage centers, according to the G1 news portal.

In the capital of Boa Vista alone, officials estimate there are some 40,000 Venezuelans — making up about 10 percent of the city’s population — and many are living in the streets.

There are concerns that the migrants are taking jobs away from Brazilians in an already lackluster economy.

Last week, a man set fire to two residences where Venezuelans were living, injuring five people.

The government of Roraima presented federal officials with a list of demands last week, and Temer’s administration agreed to double the federal security forces at the border to 200. The state has also asked for more vehicles and equipment for its own security forces.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday February 14, 2018

Courts shut down as judges protest chief justice issue

People walk past the Supreme Court in downtown Kingston where judges met for most of the morning. (Photo: Bryan Cummings) Jamaica Observer Courts islandwide were on ‘lockdown’ Monday morning as almost 100 judges met at the Supreme Court in Kingston to discuss concerns regarding the appointment of Justice Bryan Sykes as acting chief justice and Prime Minister Andrew Holness’s comments in relation to the appointment.

“The thrust of the meeting was to reaffirm the hallowed principles of the separation of powers doctrine and the independence of the judiciary,” a spokesman for the judges said.

The unexpected, historic meeting follows heavy flak from the parliamentary Opposition, the Jamaican Bar Association, and several groups who have accused the prime minister of signalling an intent to interfere with the judiciary.

Holness drew the criticisms after saying at Sykes’ swearing-in ceremony at King’s House on February 1, that “actions that bring results will determine the assumption of the role of chief justice”.

Sykes replaced Zaila McCalla who has retired.

Monday, the Court Management Services issued a release admitting that judges across the island did convene a meeting at the Supreme Court building in which a number of issues, including the appointment of Justice Bryan Sykes to act in the role of chief justice, were discussed.

“We apologise to the members of the public, the legal fraternity, witnesses, jurors, and all other our stakeholders for the loss of time and inconvenience caused.

The courts will undertake a number of measures in an effort to address the time lost,” the Court Management Services said.

The judges, through their spokesperson, also expressed regret at the inconvenience to litigants, attorneys, and the public, but said that the meeting was an “absolute necessity”.

Among the cases affected

by Monday’s action was the murder trial involving St Thomas businessman Michael McLean, who is being tried for the deaths of six family members, including four children,

in 2006.

But lawyers who spoke to the Jamaica Observer Monday at the Supreme Court were in solidarity with the judges.

“I don’t think that the prime minister ought to have appointed the chief justice to act. Quite apart from issues of constitutionality, it does not appear to have been a good idea,” said Queen’s Counsel Michael Hylton.

“It has created a great deal of uncertainty in the profession and the judiciary, which is very undesirable, so we hope it will be resolved quickly,” he added.

Another attorney, George Clue, said, “I think Justice Sykes ought to be appointed as chief justice as he is the best man for the job and I believe we will see some good results.”

Efforts to reach Justice Minister Delroy Chuck for a comment were unsuccessful but he was quoted in the electronic media last Friday as saying the prime minister will be making an announcement in relation to the matter soon.

Mud volcano erupts

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – At least three homes were evacuated and several cracks have appeared on the road as the Devil’s Wood Yard mud volcano in New Grant, south of here, erupted early yesterday.

Members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS) and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) have converged on the site of the volcano that began erupting at around 4.00 am (local time).

In a statement, the OPDM said it is “closely monitoring” the situation together with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Geological Society of Trinidad and Tobago (GSTT), the University of the West Indies (UWI) Geo-

logical Society, the UWI Seismic Research Centre and the Princes Town Regional Corporation.

“Presently, the EMA is mobilizing a team to visit the site to conduct air testing in the area. Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS) and Police Service (TTPS) are on site to maintain public safety and security.”

Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat said three homes have been evacuated, and there are cracks on the road and that the area.

He said there was still seismic activity at the site and the size of the mud flow was growing.

The first recorded eruption of the mud volcano occurred in 1852 and 30 years later.

But it has been dormant since then with small cones emitting mud and gas over the years.

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Israeli police recommend bribery charges against Netanyahu JERUSALEM (Reuters) Israeli police yesterday recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin N e t a n y a h u f o r b r i b e r y, opening the way for what could be the biggest challenge yet to the right-wing leader’s political survival.

Against the backdrop of Israeli flags in a televised speech at his residence, a somber Netanyahu called the allegations baseless and vowed to complete his fourth term in office.

It will be up to Israel’s attorney general to decide whether to file charges, a process that could take weeks if not months.

The recommendations, which police made public last night, were at the more serious end of the range of charges that had been expected to be leveled against Netanyahu in two criminal investigations that have gone on for more than a year.

One of the cases, known as Case 1000, alleged the “committing of crimes of bribery, fraud and breach of trust by the prime minister, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu.”

In a detailed statement, police named Arnon Milchan, a Hollywood producer and Israeli citizen, and Australian businessman James Packer, saying that for nearly a decade, from 2007 to 2016, they gave gifts that included champagne, cigars and jewelry to Netanyahu and his family.

In all, the merchandise was worth more than one million shekels ($280,000), the

statement said. Any legal proceedings would likely focus on whether political favours were sought or granted.

Netanyahu’s lawyers said the presents were simply tokens of friendship.

Israel’s Channel 10 television quoted a lawyer for Milchen as saying that occasional gift-giving was devoid of any business interests.

Packer could not immediately be reached for comment.

The second, Case 2000, also alleged “bribery, fraud and breach of trust by the prime minister” and by the publisher of the biggest-selling I s r a e l i n e w s p a p e r Yedioth Ahronoth, Arnon Mozes.

The two men, police said, discussed ways of slowing the growth of a rival daily newspaper, Israel Hayom, “through legislation and other means”.

Netanyahu, who has denied wrongdoing, has been

questioned several times by police since the start of 2017.

In his television appearance, minutes after police made their recommendations public, Netanyahu, 68, recounted his military service as a commando and said he had never sought personal gain from politics.

“I will continue to lead Israel responsibly and faithfully for as long as you, the citizens of Israel, choose me to lead you,” he said.

“I am certain, I am certain, that the truth will be revealed, and I am certain that at the next elections, which will be held on schedule, I will earn your trust again, with God’s help.”

Israel is next scheduled to go to the polls in late 2019.

“Because I know the truth, I tell you ... things will end in nothing,” Netanyahu said.

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, asked about the police decision, cited Washington’s “very strong relationship” with Netanyahu and the Israeli government.

“We’re certainly aware of it, but we consider it to be an internal Israeli matter,” Nauert said.

Israelis have seen their leaders embroiled in legal trouble before.

Last year, Ehud Olmert, prime minister from 2006 to 2 009, was released from prison after serving 19 months of a 27-month sentence over a variety of corruption charges.

ST.GEORGE’S, Grenada - CMC – The Grenada government says it has not been preventing from exercising its right to vote at the United Nations even as it acknowledged that it is one of eight member countries that had prevented from doing so because of outstanding arrears.

A statement on the UN General Assembly (UNGA) noted that as of January 29, this year Grenada was one of eight countries that will not have a vote in the 72nd session of the General Assembly.

The other countries listed are Dominica, Suriname, Central African Republic; Equatorial Guinea; Libya; Venezuela and Yemen.

Under Article 19 of the UN Charter, a member state in arrears in the payment of its dues

in an amount that equals or exceeds the contributions due for two preceding years can lose its vote in the General Assembly.

But a government statement noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated that on February 5, the Permanent Mission of Grenada to the UN dispatched a cheque to the United Nations Secretariat for processing of Grenada’s dues for 2018.

The statement noted that the government expects to see this reflected soon in the UN’s information system.

“In real terms, Grenada has not been prevented from exercising its voting rights in the community of nations because the first voting opportunity of 2018 is in June when Grenada votes in support of

candidates (member states) for non-permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council,” the statement noted.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assures the nation that Grenada continues to maintain a high level of credibility and respect at the United Nations and in the wider international community,” it added.

This is the second time that Grenada has fail to pay its UN dues.

On October 11, 2012, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 67/2 by which it decided that some States shall not be permitted to vote.

The regional members were St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada and the Dominican Republic.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. (Israeli Pool/via Reuters)

Grenada says it will still able to vote at UNGA

Wednesday February 14, 2018

Wednesday February 14, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Sharma ton helps India secure ODI series victory PORT ELIZABETH (Reuters) - Rohit Sharma’s century helped India wrap up the One Day International series against hosts South Africa with a 73-run victory at St George’s Park yesterday.

India took an unassailable 4-1 lead in the six-match series as Sharma finally came good with the bat, scoring 115 after India were asked to bat first and amassed 274 for seven wickets in their 50 overs.

South Africa, who needed victory to keep alive their hopes of levelling the series, were all out for 201 in response.

India replace South Africa at the top of the International Cricket Council’s ODI rankings. India’s ODI series victory came after they lost 21 in the three tests played between the two countries last

month.

Sharma had struggled with his batting on tour but got India off to a storming start as he finally found form. He was dropped on 96 by Tabraiz Shamsi before going onto make his 17th ODI century, reached off just 107 balls.

“It was a long time coming. I just had to keep myself in a good frame of mind. I didn’t feel I had to change a lot and I knew that the runs would come,” he said after being named man of the match.

But his dismissal, for India’s fourth wicket, precipitated a mini collapse as 21year-old fast bowler Lungisani Ngidi took four wickets in quick succession to finish with figures of 4-51.

India’s last 10 overs produced only 55 runs and handed South Africa a

Lungi Ngidi then cramped Rohit for room and sent him back for 115 ©BCCI gettable target at a run rate of 5.50.But the hosts were 65-3

Wednesday February 14, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Get-togethers with friends today could prove a bit unsettling, Aries, as someone who attends them could throw out an opinion or possibility that seems rather shocking.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Someone close to you could develop some strange symptoms that cause this person to panic. It never hurts to consult a doctor GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Group activities might prove a little unsettling for you today, Gemini. Animated discussions could turn into angry quarrels and this could offend your desire for harmony.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Your relationships continue to be a key part of your life. Indeed, with sobering Saturn in your relationship zone for some time to come LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Attempts to contact others in different states or foreign countries today could go awry, Leo, as technology that we tend to take for granted, such as telephones and the Internet, could malfunction VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your sector of romance and creativity could be particularly intense at this time and remain so for some while yet.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) This might be a good day to take some time for yourself.

Contact with others, no matter how much you love them, isn't likely to go well SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today you might be trying to learn about a new form of modern technology, perhaps computer related, Scorpio, and you could find it too confusing for words.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Weirdness is the keyword for today, Sagittarius. You could be flooded with information from newspapers or the Internet that seems very strange to you. There's a reason for this CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Rumors may be circulating today, which could cause a certain panic. Some of your friends and colleagues could be calling you at home to discuss the matter.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Bizarre news that comes to you from far away, possibly via email or the Internet, could be spreading like wildfire among the people you know and causing a lot of excitement, Aquarius.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Some rather disturbing news about trends in the world economy could have you and everyone around you worrying about your financial future. Have faith, Pisces.

when AB de Villiers went cheaply after a rash shot in the 13th over and once Hashim Amla departed for 71 after a needless run out, home hopes were dashed.

A cameo 39 from wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen, who had been the hero of South Africa’s victory in the last match, could not stem the inevitable.Kuldeep Yadav cleaned up the tail to finish with 4-57 in his 10 overs.

“We lost wickets in clumps and never got any momentum although it was a decent tally to chase,” South Africa’s stand-in captain

Chase Academic...

From page 43 weekend’s inclement weather, will kick off this afternoon at the Ministry of Education ground from 16:00hrs, following Monday’s matches.

The tournament is also part sponsored by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) with the theme: “There is no excuse for violence.”

(Calvin Chapman)

Four explosive...

From page 41 ]V17th Okanie Fraser-22nd and 24th Tyrese Forde-4th Albouystown-B Scorers Andrew Webber-1st Carl Tudor-9th Game-7 Sparta-3 vs Ansa McAl AllStars-1 Sparta Scorers Eusi Phillips-2nd and 15th Quincy Adams-22nd All-Stars Scorers Delroy Dean-3rd Game-8 Gold is Money-3 vs North East La Penitence-2 Gold is Money Scorers Colin Nelson-28th and 29th Jamal Pedro-2nd North East Scorer Keifer Brandt-17th and 23nd

Rohit Sharma gave India a fluent start with a volley of leg-side strokes ©BCCI Aiden Markram said. 71, Kuldeep 4-57) by 73 runs.

Rain forces abandonment at Oval BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Persistent rain resulting in a wet outfield forced the abandonment of the 30th match of the Regional Super50 between Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at Kensington Oval here yesterday.The Group A, day/night affair was scheduled to get started at 2 pm but heavy rains which swept across the country just after midday ensured players never took the field.

Match officials eventually called time on the game at 6:30 pm.Red Force entered the contest second in the standings on 20 points while Marooners were one from bottom on five points.

Both teams gained two points from the no-result.

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Warne returns to Royals as mentor ESPNcricinfo - Shane Warne has returned to the Rajasthan Royals franchise as its mentor ahead of the 2018 IPL season. Warne, 48, will renew his association with the side he led to a title in the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008.

The former Australian legspinner went on to lead the Royals for the next three editions, before retiring after the 2011 season. Warne, who has mentored the side in the past, remains the Royals’ thirdhighest wicket-taker of all time, with 58 scalps from 56 matches.

“I am very happy and excited to be back with the Rajasthan Royals, who I believe hold a very special place in my cricketing journey,” Warne was quoted as saying in the Royals website.

“I am overwhelmed by the love and affection showered on me by the franchise and fans of Rajasthan Royals.

We have a strong, young and energetic bunch of boys, and I am looking forward to work with them.”

While Warne has worked with India batsman Ajinkya Rahane in the past, he will work with compatriot Steven Smith - the frontrunner to lead the side - for the first time in the IPL. Warne will also be joined by another old Rajasthan Roy-

Shane Warne at Australia’s training session in Sydney, March 25, 2015. ©Associated Press als hand Zubin Bharucha, who has now taken over as head of cricket. Bharucha and Warne had worked together during the early years of the Royals.

Manoj Badale, co-owner of Royals, said bringing back Warne was a way of giving back to the fans “who have stood by us in trying times.”

“As we are looking to build a strong team that can be in contention for the title, we believe Warne is the right person to mentor the Rajasthan Royals,” Badale said. “Zubin has also contributed immensely to the growth

of the team, and we are happy to have both back on board.

We are excited and looking forward to a successful comeback.”

According to the Royals website, Warne will have a “multitude” of tasks on and off the field.

“His main role will be to work closely with the senior leaders in the team, particularly the captain, to ensure all areas of strategy and tactics are covered. In addition, he will be working with all the spinners to impart technical knowledge in the art of spin.”

Berbice Cricket Board elections set for Sunday 18 at New Amsterdam Town Hall

Court to supervise process Following court battles and verification process it has been decided that the High Court will be supervising the impending Berbice Cricket Board elections to be held on Sunday 18th February at the New Amsterdam Town Hall beginning at 11:00 hrs.

This was a decision handed down by Justice Navendra Singh in the Berbice High Court on January 30th.

The Court had ordered on December 18th that elections will be held in the month of January, but had recalled that order and replaced it with this new one. Justice Singh had initially ordered the elections which were held on October 8 and which were subsequently deemed fraudulent.

The court order further stated that an Agent of the Court will convene the meeting for the purpose of the election being held.

It went on to mention that the Agent shall verify the presence of the delegates/ representatives of the various

clubs and associations from the lists approved by the court.

Such verified delegates/representatives shall then vote for a Returning Officer from among all the persons present in the room.

The Returning Officer shall then conduct the election for the office bearers of the Berbice Cricket Board ( B C B ) .

It went on to state that failing to comply with the terms of the judgment persons will be in contempt and may be liable to imprisonment of have their assets seized.

Following the holding of the Court ordered elections, on October 8 which incidentally was ordered by Justice Navendra Singh following a lengthy legal process, a number of clubs and association present complained that the elections were not held in a fair and transparent manner.

They had taken the matter back to court complaining that the election process had been

“fundamentally flawed, unfair and undemocratic,” and that the office-bearers could not have been properly elected.

They had also complained that it was not held in accordance with the Cricket Administration Act and that a number of decisions made by the Judge were not kept.

They had also complained that there was bullyism and interference.

Some 22 delegates were debarred from voting or refused to take part in voting in solidarity with the others.

After the matter was taken back to court Justice Singh had declared the elections held on October 8 “unlawful, null, void, and of no legal effect as the entire election process was fundamentally flawed, unfair and undemocratic”.

After a thorough verification process, Justice Singh then ordered that new election be held.

There are 11 clubs and three Sub Associations that are expected to vote.

(Samuel Whyte)

Wednesday February 14, 2018

Stokes heads to New Zealand after not-guilty plea ESPNcricinfo - Ben Stokes is set to join up with his team-mates in New Zealand and could resume his England career in the coming weeks after he pleaded not guilty to a charge of affray over an incident outside a Bristol nightclub in September.

His case was referred to Bristol Crown Court, with a first hearing set for March 12.

Although Stokes will not currently be considered for the T20 triangular series involving New Zealand and Australia, he is set to depart the UK today. The ECB released a statement saying that he would link up with the team in Hamilton, where England play New Zealand on Sunday.

“Having entered his plea at Bristol Magistrates’ Court today(Tuesday), Ben Stokes will now travel to New Zealand to join the England squad,” an ECB spokesperson said. “He departs tomorrow, Wednesday 14 February, and will arrive on Friday 16 February, ready to train with England team-mates in Hamilton.

“Any decision to include him in upcoming matches will be made by head coach Trevor Bayliss and the England management team. He is not currently being considered for the ongoing international T20 tri-series.

“ECB fully respects his right to defend himself in court and any obligations he has within the legal process will always take precedence over England commitments. It has been confirmed that he will not be required to return to the UK for the first hearing at Bristol Crown Court on Monday 12 March.”

Stokes arrived at the Magistrates’ Court in the city shortly before 10am, to be met by a scrum of cameras and re-

Ben Stokes arrives at court to answer a charge of affray, Bristol, February 13, 2018 ©Getty Images porters. Stokes spoke in court only to confirm his name, address and enter his plea on the basis of self-defence or the defence of another. Two other men charged with the same offence, Ryan Hale and Ryan Ali, also entered not-guilty pleas on the same basis. All were offered unconditional bail.

Having played no part in the Ashes, Stokes has now been cleared to represent England but a comeback in New Zealand during the tri-series was deferred by his need to appear at the Magistrates’ Court.

He was named in England’s squads for the oneday series with New Zealand, which starts on February 25, as well as the subsequent Tests, on March 22-26 and March 30-April 3.

He is also expected to play in the IPL, which begins in early April, after being bought for GBP1.37m by Rajasthan Royals in last month’s auction.

Stokes was charged with

affray last month, having not been considered for selection during England’s tour of Australia while police investigated the Bristol incident. He was arrested in the early hours of September 25 on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm; his England team-mate Alex Hales was also present and is likely to be called as a witness as the trial.

After the announcement by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Stokes tweeted his intention to defend himself: “I am keen to have an opportunity to clear my name but, on advice, the appropriate time to do this is when the case comes to trial. The CPS’ decision to charge me, as well as Ryan Ali and Ryan Hale, at least means that my account of what happened that night can come out in court and be made public.”

Affray is an each-way offence - meaning it can be tried either at Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court - with a maximum possible prison sentence of three years.

Smartt replaces injured Selman for New Zealand tour ESPNcricinfo - West Indies women have picked seamer Tremayne Smartt as a like-for-like replacement for the injured Shakera Selman, for the upcoming limitedovers tour of New Zealand.

Smartt hasn’t played international cricket since West Indies’ tour of India in 2016.

Her inclusion is the only change from the squad that had been named for the home series against Sri Lanka.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) chairman Courtney Browne said continuing the momentum from the series win against Sri Lanka would be crucial in the lead-up to the side’s World T20 defence in

November.

“We will be hosting the ICC Women’s World T20 event later this year and as defending champions we will want to put on a good show in front of home supporters and win again,” Browne said.

“This tour will help us assess where we are and tighten up on those areas that need close attention.”.

West Indies women squad: Stafanie Taylor (capt), Anisa Mohammed (vice-capt), Merissa Aguilleira, Britney Cooper, Reniece Boyce, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight,

Tremayne Smartt finished with figures of 10-3-24-5.

(WICB Media) Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Akeira Peters and Tremayne Smart.

Wednesday February 14, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Mission Kim-possible as teenager soars to gold PYEONGCHANG (Reuters) - Chloe Kim blew away the competition to win the women’s snowboard halfpipe gold at Pyeongchang’s Phoenix Snow Park yesterday, the American teenager finishing well clear of China’s Liu Jiayu and compatriot Arielle Gold.

The 17-year-old Kim produced a top score of 98.25 points on her third and final run to beat Liu by almost 10 points in front of the largest crowd seen at the venue so far to live up to her billing as a heavy favorite for the gold.

Liu was the only woman who seemed capable of challenging Kim and will be delighted to earn her first Olympic medal at the third time of asking, as she also denied the United States a chance of sweeping the podium.

The Chinese, ranked second in the world, laid down a good first run to score 85.50 but Kim responded immediately and sent a comprehensive message to the rest of the field with an opening 93.75 effort that she made look easy.

Her performance put pressure on her rivals to raise their game and Liu, competing at her third Games, tried her best to respond with an improved

performance on the longest halfpipe in Olympic history.

Liu scored 89.75 to close on Kim, who fell attempting back-to-back 1080s during her second run, but the 25-yearold Chinese failed to score higher in the final round, allowing the American a chance to enjoy what was effectively a victory run.Kim launched into her back-to-back 1080s, the first method and the second cab, to score a near-perfect 98.25 and cement her status as the leading light in women’s snowboarding.

“I knew I wouldn’t have been satisfied going home with the gold but knowing I could have done even better,” said Kim, who admitted to being hard on herself and thought she could have done even better on that final run.

“So that final was just for me and to show myself that I could do it and put down the best run that I could.”

LAYING DOWN AMARKER Kim, who leads the world rankings and was the overwhelming favorite coming into the Olympics, admitted there had been pressure on her to succeed.

“There has definitely been a lot of hype around this,

It was obvious that the 17-year-old was operating on an entirely different altitude to the rest. (AFP/Getty Images) on just a two-hour time period (for the final). It is pretty nerve-wracking as this has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl,” she added.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself and wanted to put down the best run I have ever done.”

Gold left it late but deliv-

ered when it mattered, saving her best for the final round, which she started with a risky 1080 at the top of the run on her way to scoring 85.75.

The 21-year-old, who suffered a separated shoulder shortly before the 2014 Sochi Olympics, said coming third was tinged with sadness as it

Crawford is new GCUC President Shannon Crawford was elected President of the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council (GCUC) when the body held its Bi-annual General Meeting and elections on Sunday at Union Hall, Woolford Avenue.

Arleigh Rutherford will serve as the Vice President, while Nolan Hawke was elected as the Secretary.

The Treasurer is Eddie Nicholls, while Javed Persaud is the Assistant Secretary Treasurer and Matthew Kissoon the Public Relations Officer.

The committee members are Joseph Jeffrey, Zabier Zakier, Moses Ramphal and M. Yosef Yisrael.

In the absence of Crawford, who is performing duties in the Regional Super50 tournament is Barba-

The newly elected executive of the GCUC. Missing is Shannon Crawford. dos; Rutherford expressed gratitude to the members for their confidence and urged his executive to work collectively for the growth of umpiring.

He said that the general membership should hold the executive accountable, adding that he is looking forward to the first statutory meeting

which will be held on March 5. The Selection, Disciplinary, Fundraising and Training and Executive committees will be named at the said meeting.

Rashid’s five-wicket haul dismantles Zimbabwe ESPNcricinfo - Rashid Khan claimed 5 for 24 - his third five-wicket haul in ODI cricket - to dismantle Zimbabwe for 154 in 34.3 overs and usher Afghanistan to a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.

Rashid struck twice in his third over to remove Sikandar Raza and Ryan Burl. By then, Zimbabwe had lost half their side for 117.

When Rashid pinned

Craig Ervine lbw, Zimbabwe slumped further to 126 for 7.

The legspinner went onto blast out the tail and finish with figures of 5 for 24 in 8.3 overs.

Sixteen-year-old Mujeeb Zadran, who had made light work of the top order, ended with 3 for 45 in his 10 overs. Only three Zimbabwe batsmen passed 20 with Craig Ervine topscoring with 39.

Chasing a slim target, Afghanistan lost their openers Mohammad Shahzad and Ihsanullah to Tendai Chatara inside eight overs. However, a 69-run third-wicket stand between Rahmat Shah and Nasir Jamal stabilised the innings.

Both batsmen went onto bring up their half-centuries as Afghanistan made deep inroads into the target.

While Rahmat fell to Ryan

Burl fell for 56 off 52 balls, Graeme Cremer brought Nasir’s 51-run effort to an end in the 27th over.

Najibullah Zadran then wrapped up the chase in the following over with back-toback fours.

Scores: Afghanistan 158 for 4 (Rahmat 56, Jamal 51, Chatara 2-18) beat Zimbabwe 154 (Ervine 39, Rashid 5-24, Mujeeb 3-45) by six wickets.

America’s Chloe Kim finished almost nine points clear of the field to win halfpipe gold. (AFP/Getty Images) bumped team mate Kelly Clark off the podium.

“It was a bittersweet position to be in when it came down to Kelly and I for third position,” Gold lamented.

“She is someone I have looked up to ever since I started snowboarding, even more so after I got to know

her. All the work she does behind the scenes is something I have tried to incorporate.”

Clark, competing at her fifth Games, showed she still has plenty to teach the younger generation with a score of 83.50 on her third run.

However, the day was all about Kim.

Despite rain Berbice Volleyball Association 2018 season opener comes off successfully Despite the inclement weather the Berbice Volley Association (BVA) 2018 season opener was successfully held on Sunday last at the Kilcoy Community Centre Ground, Corentyne Berbice.

The weather however forced the organisers to change the format of the competition from the usual six per side to an all fours competition.

Ten male teams and two female teams participated in the day’s activity.

The male teams were Port Mourant Training Centre 1 and 2, (PMTC1 and PMTC 2), Rollers Volleyball Club, Guysuco Training Center / Port Mourant 1 and 2(GTC/ PM1 and 2), Corriverton Jets, Black Bush Polder, Kilcoy and

Police Recruits. At the end of the day’s activity which was intense, PMTC 1 came out winners with PMTC 2 coming in second with Rollers placing third. A $10,000 prize was handed over to the winning team with the second place also collecting a trophy.

The Female category saw Corriverton Jets and Port Mourant Females competing with Corriverton Jets taking top honours. They received a trophy.Allison Haynes of Corriverton Jets was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) among the females.Tournament was sponsored by Hemo and others. The tournament was coordinated by BVA President Levi Nedd.

(Samuel Whyte)

Lions (252 & 132) vs Windies A (279) & 31-1 – 3rd day, 1st “Test” FLORENCE HALL, Jamaica, CMC – West Indies A, set 106 for victory, reached 31 for one at the close on the penultimate day of the opening four-day “Test” against England Lions at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium here yesterday.Scores: LIONS 252 (Paul Coughlin 60, Nick Gubbins 50, Keaton Jennings 49; Rahkeem Cornwall 5-68, Raymon Reifer 2-50) and 132 (Haseeb Hameed 39, Joe Clarke 31; Jomel Warrican 7-33, Rahkeem Cornwall 3-55).

WINDIES A 279 (Shane Dowrich 119, Jomel Warrican 71 not out, Jermaine Blackwood 35; Jack Leach 3-84, Liam Livingstone 2-30, Jamie Porter 2-47, ) and 31 for one.

PAGE 38

Wednesday February 14, 2018

Kaieteur News

Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Committee Triple Crown Horseracing Championships

Keen battles as Vera’s Finally challenge Just Call Me Boss, Storm Bird vs. It’s My Choice The battle lines have been drawn as horseracing fans and turfites ‘chomp at the bit’ as they anticipate the exciting contests arranged for the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Committee first Triple Crown horseracing championships which will see over $20million in cash prizes up for grabs in the three-day event.

Most if not all of the country’s leading thoroughbreds will be in action and the excitement has been building to a crescendo.

Vera’s Finally a horse who hasn’t lost a race since she arrived in Guyana, being 2 for 2, is on the hunt to add the prestigious local Triple crown.

She is a Kentucky (USA) bred horse, owned by Jumbo Jet Racing Stable, trained by F. Habbibulla and ridden by jockey Colin Ross.

It is being said by some that she would not be able to complete the three wins for the Triple crown, while others are saying the opposite, she will storm to the crown.

Trainer Habbibulla did not say much of his charge, only to mention that Vera will speak for herself when the day comes on the racetrack. He did also note that he has been in for pleasing surprises every day with improvements shown by the racehorse.

Vera’s Finally will have

several challengers, one of them is Just call me boss, a Jamaican bred racehorse owned by Kris Jagdeo Racing Stable and trained by T. Jagdeo. This horse finished second twice to Vera’s Finally, but hopes to turn the tide and steal the triple crown event.

Trainer T. Jagdeo informed that his horse is at a 100% ready for these 3 events and he feels he can snatch the crown. It is left to be seen.

Many of “Boss” fans are hoping that he will win the 3 events, due to him carrying less jockey weight than Vera’s Finally.

The reason for ‘Boss’ carrying less weight is due to him stepping up to Vera’s class which is a higher class. The die has been cast and fans would not want to miss any of the three races.

There is the speedy Princess She’s not of the Sheriff Racing Stable, now returning to the track after a long rest.

She’s a Guyana Cup winner in 2016 at Port Mourant Turf Club. Honey Flow from the Karibee Rice Racing stable, who’s known for lots of speed, are two other horses being touted to upset Vera’s Finally and Just Call me Boss.

And the list of exciting contests continues to grow when you add Storm Bird versus It’s my choice. These are

two very fast horses that will take part in the co-feature.

These two horses were stars in there two and three year olds races when they had just started racing.

Both are Trinidad bred horses and both are sired by the same father. It’s been over a year since these two horses have run together and they are expected to light up the track.

Storm bird is owned by I. Bacchus and trained by F. Habbibulla, while It’s my choice is owned by Sham Chattergoon from the Jumbo Jet Racing Stable and trained

by Ramroop.

The “Triple Crown” championship which is the first of its kind to grace the shores of Guyana will be competed on three separate race days at two different venues.

The first race day is slated for this Sunday, February 18th at the Rising Sun Turf Club followed by the second race day at March 4th at the same Arima Park, West Coast Berbice, racetrack.The third and final showdown will be on Easter Sunday at the Port Mourant Turf Club in Corentyne Berbice.

Both meets at the Rising Sun Turf Club will have the following 1st place cash prizes in the respective classes: C-Class and Lower -

“Mash Feeling” floodlight softball competition on this Saturday on the East Bank Floodlight cricket will bring the Red Scorpion ground at Kuru Kururu Soesdyke alive when Rainbow Promotion hosts its “Mash Feeling” five-over-per-side softball tournament.

This competition which is sponsored by Banks DIH is set for this Saturday from 18:00hrs at the venue. Entry fee per side is $15,000 and teams will be battling for a grand cash prize of $100,000.

Teams interested in being part of the action are asked to contact Sham on 626-6564.

$1 million, F class and Lower/ E- Class Non-earners/Last Start - $400,000, 3-year-old Guyana Bred - $350,000, H1 and Lower - $300,000, J/K & Lower - $240,000, K Class Non earner last start -$230,000 and L & Lower - $200,0000.

Meanwhile, the final leg in Corentyne will have the slightly bigger 1st prizes which are as follows: C-Class and Lower - $1.2 million, F class and Lower/E- Class Non-earners/Last Start $500,000, 3-year-old Guyana Bred - $400,000, H1 and Lower - $350,000, J/K & Lower $240,000, K Class Non earner last start -$200,000 and L & Lower - $150,0000.

There will be bonuses for any horse that win all three of their races in the Triple Crown event with a maximum bonus payout amounting to $500,000. According to the organisers of the event, horses will not be promoted nor demoted for any events in their classes as to give them the opportunity to win the bonus and to be hailed the “Triple Crown” champion in their class.

The three-leg championship will be competed under the rules of the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee.

A raffle is also part of the activity with the winner of the main prize driving away with a 2011 Nissan Tida sedan car.

The other prizes on offer are

Storm Bird a 125 motor cycle, Samsung 40" Smart TV, 2-samsaung cell phones, a stove, microwave and a Refrigerator.

Raffle tickets are being sold throughout Guyana and can be purchased from Soesdyke Junction, Eccles at the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales location, 92 Smyth Street Georgetown at the Jumbo Jet location, Croal Street Georgetown at the BM Soat Auto Sales, Chester Fried Chicken in West Berbice and Bush Lot Village West

Berbice at the two Jumbo Jet Auto Sales locations, Punai’s Pharamacy at Rose Hall Town, The Arabian Nights Sports Bar, #22 Village Hopetown West Berbice and the Discount Store on Regent Street.

Any information on the event including registration can be sourced by contacting:Chandu Ramkissoon: 624-9063/6089063/232-0633; Alan Podmore: 232-9115/ 619-1909 and Nikita Ross: 662-4668.

Marcel Hirscher wins first Olympic gold in men’s combined BBC Sport - Austrian skiing great Marcel Hirscher won a long-awaited first Olympic gold medal with victory in the men’s combined event in Pyeongchang.

Hirscher won with a combined time of two minutes 6.52 seconds over the downhill and slalom events.

The 28-year-old is regarded as one of the all-time greats in the sport with 55 World Cup race wins but had never won gold in two previous Winter Games.

Frenchmen Alexis Pinturault and Victor Muffat-Jeandet won silver and bronze.

Hirscher has previously played down the importance of an Olympic medal, saying World Cup wins were more important for his status in the sport, but afterwards said the gold was a “dream come true”, although he also said he felt “the same” as when becoming world champion.

Asked if the gold medal cements his legacy as one of the sport’s greats, he added: “For sure. I’m super-happy because now this stupid question is gone away.

“If I’m thinking that my career is perfect without a gold medal, now this question is zzz, deleted.”Hirscher was well placed for gold after a 12th-placed finish in the downhill, his less favoured of the two events, and clinched the win with the fastest time in the slalom.

Marcel Hirscher trained for the men’s downhill Saturday at the Jeongseon Alpine Center at the PyeongChang Games.

(Dimitar Dilkoff/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images)

Wednesday February 14, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Secondary Schools annual Windball Cricket tournament bowls off DPI - Over 20 secondary schools gathered Monday at the National Gymnasium, to participate in the Georgetown Secondary Schools 27th Annual Easter Term Windball Cricket Champions tournament. The competition is being held in observance of the late Executive President, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.

In brief remarks, Vincent Alexander, Chairman of the Forbes Burnham Foundation explained that the initiative, celebrated on the birth anniversary of the late president, commemorates one of his many pursuits.

“This year is the 95th birth anniversary and we celebrate it in various ways, we do things we think he would have done.

One of the things he would have been involved in is the game of cricket and the

involvement of young people in the sport,” Alexander told those gathered for the match.

The Chairman also thanked the youths for participating in the tournament and urged them to enjoy a clean game.

“It does not matter whether you win or lose, it is how you play the game that matters. We want you to play the game in the spirit of camaraderie and to pursue that goal of national cohesion,” Alexander emphasised.

Director of Sport, Christopher Jones thanked the chairman and members of the Forbes Burnham Foundation for launching such an initiative, noting that it provides an insight into the country’s history for the youths.

“The National Sport Commission (NSC) is only too

Vincent Alexander, Chairman, Forbes Burnham Foundation showing the students how it is done. proud to be a part of these games, in fact, as part of our work programme in recognition of all of our past presidents, the NSC provides funding for the same.

Hence, we will be celebrating the late President Cheddi Jagan in Region Six,” the Sport Director said.

Saints Stanislaus College is the defending girl’s

champions, whilst for the boys, Christ Church & Cummings Lodge hold the two top positions. Matches were slated for East Bank secondary schools

yesterday; schools in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) play today and East Coast Secondary schools tomorrow. (Neola Damon)participants.

Windies to play at Lord’s in hurricane relief match BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – West Indies will take on an ICC Rest of the World XI at Lord’s in May, to raise funds for the rebuilding of stadia in Dominica and Anguilla damaged by the passage of Hurrianes Irma and Maria last year.

The Twenty20, scheduled for May 31, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and has been sanctioned by the International Cricket Council as a full international.

Cricket West Indies has partnered with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the England and Wales Board to stage the match,.

“Hurricanes Irma and Maria have devastated parts of the Eastern Caribbean and we have been considering how CWI can best show support for our region in the most impactful way,” CWI president Dave Cameron said.

“I would like personally to thank MCC for agreeing to host the match at Lord’s, and ECB, especially their president Giles Clarke, for their kind and generous support of this initiative.“I am sure the match will be highly entertaining and competitive, as well as a great platform for us to raise muchneeded funds.”

ECB chairman, Colin Graves said his board were always ready and willing to assist in the ongoing relief efforts in the region.

“To have two category 5 hurricanes in the space of two weeks was unprecedented and everyone around the world was shocked by the destruction which was caused,” he explained.

“The ECB and CWI have always enjoyed a fantastic relationship and we are keen to support them and the people of the Caribbean in this fundraising initiative.”

And MCC chief executive and secretary, Guy Lavender, said the event revived memories of a similar match hosted at Lord’s just over half-a-century ago, when Sir Garry Sobers led a Windies side against a World XI skippered by Australian Bob Simpson.

“MCC is delighted to be able to host this very special match. The last time that a match between West Indies and Rest of the World was held at Lord’s was in 1966,” he recalled.

“MCC has enjoyed a warm relationship with the people of the Caribbean for over a century, and is proud to be able to play a part in providing relief for the areas that were devastated by last year’s hurricanes.

“I am looking forward to seeing a capacity crowd to help raise funds to restore important cricket facilities.”

Last September Hurri-

West Indies … set to play T20 International at Lord’s. canes Irma and Maria barreled through the Caribbean leaving billions of dollars in damage and resulting in over 50 deaths.

Windsor Park, the Test venue located Dominica, was badly affected after the country took a direct hit from Maria.

Softball action set for Lusignan Sunday Softball action set for Lusignan SundayThe Lusignan PPP group will be hosting a softball competition on Sunday, starting at 09:30hrs at the Lusignan Community Centre ground. The competition will be played in the Open and Over-40 categories and in order to enter the competition teams are required to purchase 12 barbe-cue lunches on the day of the tournament.

Registration starts at 09:00 on the said day. For more information teams can contact organiser Seeraj Bhimsain on 6472840.

Organiser Seeraj Bhimsain (right) accepts the trophies from chairman of the group Ayube Mohamed in the presence of ‘councillors Agnes Persaud and Chitralika Persaud.

PAGE 40

Pyeongchang Winter Olympics rocked by first positive drugs test Japanese speed skater Kei Saito is found with Acetazolamide in his system Daily Mail - A Japanese short-track speed skater has produced the first positive drugs test of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

Kei Saito failed an out-ofcompetition test, with Acetazolamide found in his system.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport anti-doping division, which announced the violation, lists the substance as a ‘diuretic or masking agent’.

The 21-year-old has now left the Olympics under a provisional suspension. It will cause embarrassment for Japan, who made a big play of their clean doping record ahead of being awarded the hosting rights for the 2020 Olympics.

A CAS statement read: ‘Kei Saito, short track speed skating, Japan, positive out of competition test with acetalozamide diuretic/masking agent/specified substance). An order on request for a provisional suspension has been issued by the CAS ADD.‘The athlete accepted on a voluntary basis to be provisionally suspended and to

ESPN to use Sky Sports for Formula One coverage LONDON (Reuters) ESPN will look to Sky Sports to provide its Formula One coverage in the United States this season, the broadcaster said yesterday.

Formula One announced last October that ESPN, majority owned by Walt Disney subsidiary ABC, would replace NBC as the sport’s U.S. broadcaster with all 21 races to be aired live on ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC. “We are excited to work with the Sky Sports team,” said Kate Jackson, ESPN co-

ordinating producer for motorsports in a statement.

The agreement for ESPN to air the Sky Sports coverage was arranged by Liberty Media-owned Formula One, with the approval of both broadcasters, ESPN said.

It added that ESPN and Sky Sports production personnel would work together on the U.S. presentation, with Sky producing special segments to appear on various ESPN platforms to supplement the television coverage.

Media mogul Rupert

Murdoch’s Twenty-First Century Fox is currently seeking to overcome regulatory concerns and buy the 61 percent of European pay TV group Sky that it does not already own.

Looming over that takeover is a $52.4 billion deal that would result in Disney buying Fox’s TV and film studios, its cable TV assets and international TV businesses including Sky. The Formula One season starts in Australia on March 25.

Winter Olympics Ice Hockey: The 21-year-old skater Kei Saito (right) has now left the Olympics under a provisional suspension. (AP) leave the Olympic Village. As a consequence, the athlete is provisionally suspended from competing at the OWG Pyeongchang 2018 and at any future ISU competition pending the resolution of this matter.

‘No results at the OWG

Pyeongchang 2018 have been affected. The procedure the merit of the case will continue and the CAS ADD will issue a final award after the end of the Games.’

The positive test is the first ever by a Japanese athlete at the Winter Olympics.

Mithali Raj, Anuja Patil lead India to 1-0 with seven-wicket win ESPNcricinfo - Mithali Raj made an unbeaten 54 - her third successive fifty in T20Is - to marshal India’s chase of 165 and put them 1-0 up in the five-match series. This after T20 specialist offspinner Anuja Patil claimed 2 for 23 in her four overs to pin down South Africa’s batting line-up.

After South Africa were sent in, Lizelle Lee launched the innings with three boundaries in five balls across the the second and third overs.

Shikha Pandey, however, recovered from an 11-run first over to have Lee caught at mid-off in the fifth over. Dane van Niekerk then gave her side direction with 38 off 31 balls. She found support from Sune Luus (18) and Mignon du Preez (31) to haul the hosts close to 100. Chloe Tryon then provided a blazing finish with 32 off seven balls, by smack-

Wednesday February 14, 2018

Kaieteur News

ing three sixes and a four off Pandey in the last over that went for 23 runs. Eighteenyear-old medium-pacer Pooja Vastrakar - one of India’s four debutants - returned 1 for 34.

India’s chase also started with a flurry of boundaries when Raj and Smriti Mandhana collected three fours and a six off Marizanne Kapp in the opening over. On 47 in the fifth over, India faced a bit of a stutter when Mandhana fell for a quick 15ball 28 and captain Harmanpreet Kaur was run out on her first ball. However, 17-year-old Jemimah Rodrigues, also on debut, came out all guns blazing by clobbering three fours and a six in her first seven balls of international cricket. She and Raj scored 69 runs together in under nine overs, including Rodrigues’ 37 off 27 balls,

studded with four fours and a six.

The platform had been set

by Raj’s fifty that included six fours and a six. She was particularly severe on Shabnim Ismail, hitting 22 off 11 balls.

She stayed unbeaten along with Veda Krishnamurthy (37*) to steer India home with seven wickets and seven balls to spare. Krishnamurthy continued from her two successive fifties in the ODI series and sealed the chase with a six in the 19th over. Five of South Africa’s seven bowlers conceded more than eight runs an over, and three of them more than 11 an over.

Scores: India women 168 for 3 (Raj 54*, Krishnamurthy 37*, Rodriques 37) beat South Africa women 164 for 4 (van Niekerk 38, Patil 2-23) by seven wickets.

PRIDE beat Hampshire by 17 runs (D/L) – Group A LUCAS STREET, Barbados, CMC – Barbados Pride defeated Hampshire by 17 runs under the Duckworth/Lewis method, in the rain-hit 29th match of the Regional Super50 at the Windward Cricket Club here yesterday.

Scores: PRIDE 253 for six off 49.2 overs (Roston Chase 105, Shamar Springer 49, Kraigg Brathwaite 42; Fidel Edwards 4-35).

HAMPSHIRE 107 for five off 20.3 overs (Joe Weatherley 54 not out; Ashley Nurse 3-37).

U.S. women down Russia on strength of record-quickest goals GANGNEUNG, South Korea (Reuters) - American Jocelyne LamoureuxDavidson set an Olympic record for the fastest two goals scored by a single player, helping power the U.S. women’s ice hockey team to a 5-0 win over an outgunned Olympic Athletes from Russia team yesterday.

Lamoureux-Davidson tallied twice in the space of six seconds in the second period and injected a spark into a flatfooted American squad. That was two seconds faster than the previous record of eight set by Sweden’s Carl Goran Oberg in 1960 at Squaw Valley, California.

After tapping home a rebound on a shot from her twin sister and line mate Monique Lamoureux-Morando to put the U.S. up 2-0, she stole the puck on the ensuing faceoff and broke in alone on goal.

Lamoureux-Davidson then fooled Russian goaltender Valeria Tarakanova by faking a wrist shot and pulling the puck to her backhand and lifting it home.

“I don’t think I’ve ever scored two quick ones like that

before,” she said. “I‘m just happy I can help contribute and contribute for the win and be a spark for the team.

“I don’t know if I’ll ever come close to that again, but we’ll see.”

“It’s great that she got it.

I‘m sure that there’s something that she wants a lot more than that,” said U.S. coach Robb Stauber, referring to the gold medal that has eluded the American women since 1998.

Three other Americans scored on the night.

Gigi Marvin poked home a rebound less than three minutes after LamoureuxDavidson’s pair. Kacey Bellamy, who netted the game winner in the first period, and Hannah Brandt, who scored in the third period, rounded out the U.S. scoring.

It was just the kind of offensive burst Stauber has been waiting for. The Americans had to come from behind to edge Finland 3-1 in their opener on Sunday, and before that they had managed just three goals in four games to round out last year’s exhibition series with arch-rivals Canada.

After a quiet first period when the U.S. managed only seven shots on goal, Stauber’s players came alive, peppering the Russians with 24 shots in the second period.

They finished the night with 50 and allowed just 13 from the Russians.

“In the first period we missed some opportunities,” Stauber said. “Getting the puck to the net, it’s not always going to score, it’s not about that, but if you’re not taking the opportunities that you’re given, that’s going to come back and bite you.

“We just have to stop doing that, which clearly we did in the second and third.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Canada notched their second win, topping Finland 4-1. The U.S. and Canada face each other in their final preliminary game tomorrow.

The two are the only teams ever to have won gold medals in women’s Olympic ice hockey since the event was introduced at the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan. The Americans won the first one, and Canada have won the last four.

France drop several players for Italy game after night out BBC Sport - France head coach Jacques Brunel has dropped a number of players who went out in Edinburgh after the Six Nations defeat by Scotland on Sunday.

Six Nations top try-scorer Teddy Thomas is among those left out of the squad for the Italy game on 23 February.

Scottish police questioned players at Edinburgh Airport after a report of a sexual assault during the night

out but found no crime had been committed.

French Rugby Union described the players’ behaviour as “inappropriate”.

“They did not respect their status as international players,” the governing body added in a statement.

Police said a report of sexual assault was made in the early hours of Monday.

The French rugby team’s plane was delayed during the

questioning, leaving two hours after the scheduled 11:00 GMT departure time.

The FFR did not name the players sanctioned, with Alexandre Lapandry, Arthur Iturria, Anthony Belleau, Felix Lambey, J o n a t h a n D a n t y, R e m i Lamerat and Louis Picamoles and Sekou Macalou also missing from the 31-man squad preparing to face Italy in Paris.