Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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

EDITORIAL

DECEPTION, DISHONESTY AND F ALSEHOODS FALSEHOODS

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hen it comes to deception and falsehoods in politics, President Trump has trumpeted a level of leadership far different from his predecessors. He has the record of uttering falsehoods at a rate that is incredible and never seen before. When Donald Trump won the presidency of the United States, the most powerful position in the world, just over a year ago, billions of people around the world were in shock. The global shock resulted from many factors, but perhaps the chief among them had to do with the concern that falsehoods, rashness and unpreparedness had trumped truth, integrity, reason and fairness. Many had feared that the world had entered a dangerous era; one in which fake news, deception and dishonour would become templates for how other leaders pursue power and lead. Since Trump’s shocking victory, which he himself did not expect, and his assumption of the presidency, the world has seen a new level of meanness, pettiness and unkindness that is perhaps without precedent; most certainly not in recent history. Never before has the “leader of the free world” been so unrestrained and reckless in threats of using nuclear weapons, and in showing disrespect to others, seemingly without consequence. Mr. Trump is perhaps the most unabashed president of the United States in recent history. His administration has been untruthful to the American people with consummate ease and impunity. But a series of events have given hope to Americans. The most recent being the defeat of the Trump-backed Republican senatorial candidate for Alabama, retired Judge Roy Moore by Democrat Doug Jones. Not only did Trump support Moore, but also the Republican National Congress and the divisive and self-absorbed Trump advisor Steve Bannon. The victory of Doug Jones over Roy Moore was a triumph of decency over decadence and morality over depravity. Moore was credibly accused of sexual crimes of underage girls and has been twice removed from the office of judge in the state of Alabama for violations of the canons of good conduct. It was even alleged that he was banned from a particular mall because of his practice of preying on young girls. Had Moore won the election, it would have been the most cruel affirmation that Trump’s style of leadership of vitriol, verbal abuse, disdain for others, lack of honour and integrity, and sheer crassness were acceptable. It should be noted that the state of Alabama has not elected a democrat to the US Senate in over 25 years. But most importantly, it should be remembered that Alabama is the home of some of the worst forms of racial injustice, and is where the Montgomery bus boycott gave birth to the Civil Rights Movement led by the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his fight for racial equality. The victory of Democrat Doug Jones in a favoured Republican State, clearly indicates that leadership by deception, dishonour and falsehoods will not always prevail in today’s world. There had been spectacular Democrat victories in recent state elections in New Jersey and Virginia where democratic governors were elected. The victories were the first forceful rebuke of President Trump and his party by the voters. Democrats have capitalized on his unpopularity to capture the governorships and make significant inroads into communities that once favoured the Republican Party. Indeed, it is a sign that the Trump train is being derailed. But there are other areas in which the Trump’s unflattering world is being unraveled. The recent indictment and guilty pleas of his former aides and advisors by Special Prosecutor Robert Muller, and the likelihood of more to come, are signs that, contrary to what many feared that Trump would become the new norm, and was unstoppable is in fact, thankfully, not the case. Deception, dishonesty and falsehoods will not always triumph.

Saturday February 17, 2018

Perception could become reality DEAR EDITOR, The establishment of President Granger’s most recent Commission of Inquiry raises troubling issues. On the occasion of his swearing in before Minister Harmon and Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan, Justice Trotman is reported in the media as saying that he was committed to upholding the President’s promise of “ probing the truthfulness of things. “ ( Incidentally, as a judicial officer, the Chief Magistrate has no place at Minister Harmon’s office). However, it is in this commitment by Justice Trotman to uphold the President’s promise where lies the germ that many perceive will infect the neutrality and impartiality of the inquiry. Justice

Trotman’s commitment must undoubtedly be to his oath, which he has seemingly cast aside. Even though he has stressed the independence, impartiality, and integrity of the Commission, serious doubt is raised about his emphasis when consideration is given to further statements made by Justice Trotman, which, when juxtaposed to statements made by President Granger significantly erodes Justice Trotman’s assurances of independence, integrity and impartiality. The learned Judge reportedly told the media that the Inquiry has two objectives: To find the truth —There could be no issue with this objective; and to bring healing and closure to the fami-

lies, relatives and friends and all who require justice to be done in this particular instance. Though, well knowing the inanity that emerges from the chambers of the Attorney General and other government sources, I would nevertheless be shocked if Justice Trotman’s Terms of Reference as a sole Commissioner, charges him with the responsibility to bring closure and healing to the families, relatives and friends of those who perished at Lindo Creek. In this frame of mind, Justice Trotman has begun a journey, heading in the wrong direction. He has set himself an objective and will apparently be working towards it. Quite coincidentally,

President Granger on the other hand, is reported in the press as telegraphing his understanding of the outcome of the Trotman Commission of Inquiry, when he reportedly said: “The establishment of the Commission of Inquiry into the Lindo Creek massacre, which claimed the lives of eight miners in 2008 will lead to the unravelling of the criminal network and exposure of operatives who were responsible for the reign of terror during the most deadly decade in Guyana’s history, while also ensuring that justice is served for the affected families.” It is not clear whether Justice Trotman is parroting President Granger or vice versa, but what is clear is (Continued on page 5)

There is a defiant stare on the GFF DEAR EDITOR, The continued unilateral imposition of will by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has many aficionados and stakeholders questioning whether or not they’ve learnt anything from the disgraced period in FIFA’s history. It was the arrogance and corruption perpetrated by many top ranking officials within the FIFA Organisation that created a tsunami that led to the downfall of the previously perceived untouchables. The removal of Sepp Blatter, perhaps the most powerful President in the history of the sport, and many of his emissaries following corruption charges, instigated large scale reform within the Organisation. The world woke up on May 27, 2015 to witness FIFA officials being escorted out behind sheets at the Baur

au Lac hotel in the Swiss capital of Zurich (home of the FIFA Headquarters) in what was termed a shocking development in the sport. The arrests came a day before the 209 member-associations that constitute FIFA, were to meet to elect the next president, a position that was held by Blatter since 1998. Blatter’s leadership was plagued in controversy—including allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and highhandedness, but the 79year-old was still anticipated to retain the top post. However, he eventually ended up resigning in disgrace after 17 years at the helm. Turning back the attention to the GFF, the sport’s local governing body has failed to understand the importance of dialogue and inclusiveness, and has instead exposed a character of highhandedness and bias. The Body’s reluctance to

meet with all stakeholders of the sport will ultimately do more harm for the game’s development, no matter how much injection of financing the sport receives. To remain oblivious of the disgruntlement being expressed within the fraternity is simply ‘burying its head in the sand’ and clearly obstructive to the objectives it is trying to meet. The Federation continues to exude self-importance and guarded security for the office; it appears as though the sport’s holistic development is no longer its priority, but rather its own survival. Most Presidents come into the office with a lot of hubris and self-importance, believing that they have the answers for the tribulations that affect the sport, only to fall prey to the same practices that lead to corruption and nepotism. Very often they are aided

by General Councils that appear weak and compliant, and whose work to contain the excesses and overreach becomes alternate to their mandate. The call by President Wayne Forde to the Guyana Police Force to only grant permission to promoters who are given letters of approval by the GFF is a clear example of cavalier governance, since there was no illustration of wrongdoing to support his call. His urging did not stop there; he attempted to issue his decree to the custodians of facilities that fall under the purview of the Ministry of Sport and the National Sports Commission, but those entities sensibly ignored his plea. These are unambiguous manifestations of someone who is unwilling to engage, but rather, seeking to demonstrate or reinforce ‘who (Continued on page 6)

Mindful of serving UGSSA and TIGI DEAR EDITOR Having read Mr. Kissoon’s February 14, 2018 column (Kaieteur News) in which he indicated that he had twice before identified it as an anomaly that the head of TIGI is a lecturer at the University of Guyana who remained silent while the Unions at the University called for more transparency in Governance, I believe that it is best that I respond. Whereas, I don’t mind the criticism of my person, I feel responsible for how it might reflect on the organisation (TIGI). I thank Mr. Kissoon for the gracefulness of the criticism and in this spirit, I attempt to clarify the issue. As a lecturer at the University, I am represented by the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association

(UGSSA). Over the last year, I have been in email communication with my union on a few matters and have attended union meetings at which information was discussed and decisions were made about how to address various issues. The UGSSA speaks on my behalf on matters pertaining to conditions at the University and it has been vocal. Some of my internal communication with the unions has been circulated widely among University colleagues. I have clashed with the unions and sometimes individuals, supported the unions, openly disagreed with the university administration and have also given voice to my support on some matters. None of this matters,

however, if one must address issues in the press or on television to have spoken out and if what really matters is TIGI’s view as opposed to mine on matters at UG. I suspect that this is the view that Mr. Kissoon has taken. What I believe is overlooked or otherwise considered irrelevant in the argument for my going to the public through the press or television is that there is a conflict of interest into which I risked dragging TIGI. Furthermore, I may possess privileged information and settled perspective shaped by personal grievances during my time at UG. These can lead to inadvertent or deliberate indulgence. In addition, the unions and the administration of UG were for some time locked in negotia-

tions, or dispute as one might prefer, over salaries and penalties for performance anomalies. My personal stake in the matter was clear and I could not in good conscience invoke the name of TIGI to pressure the University to give ground in my favour, nor did I direct TIGI away from such matters. I am satisfied that the unions and others have dealt with the matter publicly and I commend them on pushing for improved conditions and systems of administration. I recently indicated to the unions that especially given the conflict of interest position in which I find myself, the unions should, if they so desire, send TIGI a letter based on which organisation (Continued on page 6)

An Open Letter to the President of Guyana

Noting the greed and the Bel Air land DEAR EDITOR, I have been following the issue of the land in Bel Air Park and the actions at the City Council to take control of it with a view to repurpose it for residential use. My research of that particular stretch of land which is causing so much contention indicates that the land has been in that state for over 50 years. It is very strange to me that no one in that community saw it fit to even approach the Mayor and City Council to clean up that land and to use it as a recreational facility. However, Council’s action to clean up the land seems to have earned the ire of some very rich people living in that special community. But, what is interesting is the fact that further east of that land is a fenced playground which appears to have not been used for the longest while. Its gates are locked and there are loads of earth and other things on the ground. The question is why fight the

authorities for a land that according to reports in the press belongs to the Council to make a playground when there is one already in the community that no one is using; unless there is another reason or motive behind the contention for the land in Bel Air Park. I have been told by sources at City Hall that individual members of that and other communities have approached the Council in the past to purchase sections of the very land for residential purposes. I understand that they were denied the opportunity to buy portions of the land to build houses. The other thing I have noticed is that the Councillors who are representing this issue appear to have an interest in not only the residents but in the land itself. Perhaps, some of our rich citizens in Bel Air Park believe that the lowly poor City Council should not have access to such prime lands even though it belongs to the council. Ryan Williams

MR PRESIDENT, I am writing this letter from Enterprise, E.C. Demerara. We are having a lot of problems in our once beautiful village. First I must thank the people of Guyana for electing you to the highest office. I can see you mean good for all Guyanese. I am so sorry you were not elected years ago. Enterprise is 15 Miles from Georgetown and one mile south from the Main Highway. The PPPC always gets the most vote here , but in the past 23 years they forgot us , neglected us , treated us with little respect , and hardly did any development for us. But in May 2015 the people had enough and quite a number of people voted for the Coalition Government, and you became the Elected President , One of our problems is Noise Nuisance, too loud and vulgar music all over the place, day and night. At the moment of writing the noise is unbearable. On 09 January , about 1.30 am in the dead of the night, a loud music started in Jagan Street , close to the

Chronicle and the stories it carries on City Hall DEAR MR. EDITOR, For some time now I have been paying attention to stories about City Hall reported by the Guyana Chronicle. It does appear to me, a layman and an ordinary citizen, that stories about the happenings at City Hall are published to produce a negative result and impugn the character of Her Worship the Mayor of Georgetown, Mrs. Patricia Chase-Green.

Although the Council is making an effort to clean up the city the Chronicle newspaper could only report on the negatives especially when it has to do with the Mayor. However, comments made by Mr. Sherod Duncan are given prominence on prime pages of the Guyana Chronicle. I have noted that this goodly gentleman even has a column in that

Fraud at Good Hope/Pomona DEAR EDITOR, A leading official of the Good Hope/Pomona N.D.C. in Region Two is allegedly involved in fraud making different cheques payable to himself. These cheques are for thousands of dollars. The discovery was said to have been made after the payment cheques were cashed at a bank and returned to the council’s office. According to an informed

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Saturday February 17, 2018

source, the Regional Chairman was apprised about the anomaly but there seems to be a “cover-up” somewhere along the line. It was also learnt that an arrangement has been made for the culprit to make restitution, but as a matter of public interest, it would only be fit and proper for the police to conduct an investigation. With thanks, Yours faithfully, Observer

newspaper.I wonder if the way stories are reported in the Guyana Chronicle has anything do with the fact that Mr. Duncan is a member of the board of that Corporation. It is possible that his presence on the board and his publicly known dislike for the Mayor of Georgetown could affect the way reports on the activities of the Mayor are reported in that newspaper. Almost every week the City Council is reported on in the Guyana Chronicle in a very negative light. I hope the authorities at the Mayor and City Council take note and seek to correct the kind of image that is being portrayed of the Council by the Guyana Chronicle. Wilfred Torrington

Christian church , and very close to the Hindu Mandir, and two houses away from a Member of Parliament’s mother In law who is in the late 80s. The person was playing his music from his small white car, and if you hear the Curse words from the music. Several calls was made to the nearest Police Station , Vigilance , which is five minutes away by driving but honestly, no help or assistance was given. This music woke up most of the hard working people and school children. It finally stopped about 4.30 am. Tell us, Mr. President, who to call and seek help in the middle of the night? Since the Super Bet Gambling shop came to Park Street is more problems—gambling all hours, plenty noise, smoking of illegal substance, loud and vulgar language. How did the Authorities allowed a license to operate one house away from a place of worship? That license should have never been issued or it should be revoked NOW. This betting shop has caused

the increase in petty thieves—a lot of petty thieves, drugs smoking, and people not feeling safe again. Of greatest concern is the bus service. A lot of letters have been written of the buses. They play the most loud music and we the travelling public have to endure it, whether its senior citizens or the sick , infants , there is no respect being shown. Then it’s the overloading of the buses. How can a bus, Mr. President, leave Enterprise , travel 15 Miles to the City, pass so many police stations and not being stopped or being charged , all because some police ranks are accepting money from the buses for breaking the rule. Do a survey and see if the Bus Driver is paying Tax and have NIS coverage. A great concern, too, is too many illegal rum shops where private cars will stop and the occupants will drink and open up their loud music and disturb the neighbours. Please Mr. President with your help and the Minister in (Continued on page 6)

Perception could become...

From page 4 that there is a meeting of these two distinguished minds in relation to their predictions of the outcomes of the Inquiry. Note must be taken of the fact that both President Granger and Justice Trotman, have not qualified their predictions by the use of words such as “ likely” or “ possible”. Their predictions of the outcomes of the Inquiry have been expressed with great clarity and certainty. These statements throw up many questions. Is Justice Trotman also committed to unravelling some criminal network? We know that Justice Trotman has predicted closure and healing for families

and friends of the Lindo Creek victims as an objective of his inquiry which President Granger has declared will ensure justice for those families and friends. But President Granger has not yet heard the evidence to be presented to the COI. How does he know that there will be an unravelling of any kind? How does President Granger and Justice Trotman know in advance that justice will be served to the families, relatives and friends of the Lindo Creek victims? It is not unreasonable, in the context of all the public comments made by both President Granger and Justice Trotman, to assume that Jus-

tice Trotman may just also be committed to meeting the expectations of President Granger. In recent comments to the press about criticisms that were being made about the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry , Justice Trotman, who has been appointed a sole commissioner reportedly said: “we are not fazed by it. we will press on.” Who is Justice Trotman, referring to , when he speaks of “we”? Could it be , that unthinkingly, Justice Trotman was referring to himself and President Granger? Perception is sometimes reality. Sincerely Selwyn Persaud

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A premature Commission of Inquiry DEAR EDITOR By now many Guyanese would be aware that there was a Counterforce in operation to stem the violent crime wave unleashed on the Guyanese Nation during the period 2002 to 2009. Who exactly were these Counterforces? Were they vigilantes? Were they criminals who were fighting a turf war? Were they police officers/army people? Let us be clear, the extrajudicial killing that occurred were illegal even if it was an attempt to rid Guyana of notorious criminals who had taken up arms against The State to unseat the

democratically elected PPP/C Government. While I have my reservation about the planned CoI (in that they are being used to continue to play The Blame Game and The Who Pon Top Game) hopefully the Commissions of Inquiry (CoI) will finally provide some answers as to what was going on. Saying that, the CoI needs to work chronologically so that we all come to an understanding as to what was going on at the time in question. You need to start at the beginning, not at the end. Yours Faithfully Sean Ori

From page 5 your Government and the Police, Crime Chief, Police Commissioner, Guyana Defence Force, caring citizens, the media , if steps are taken soon at least, we will have some quiet and peace and development under your Presidency.We feel there should be a Police Outpost set up soon in Enterprise to assist with our many problems , or allow the Guyana

Defence Force to set up a Base to do some patrols day and night, My Final word and wish to you is I Pray and hope that God will protect you and give you long years and good health to bring back the pride which we had but was destroy by the previous Government. Yours Truly Concern Citizen

An Open Letter to the...

Mindful of serving UGSSA ... From page 4 can determine what it might do to address matters at the University. Should the unions follow my suggestion, I will recuse myself from relevant discussions at and actions on the part of TIGI. I am aware that this position does not resonate with everyone, but I must think beyond myself even when I believe that I might be substantively correct. I cannot neglect my own conflict of interest, when it is convenient or appears that way, and maintain the authority to exhort anyone else to avoid such positions. Let me say however, that all bets are off if I know that corruption is involved. Transparency is an essential element in

the fight against corruption. I support calls for transparency in general and especially in our low trust society that has been deformed by corruption. Consistent with this, I will not arrogate to myself the right to operate outside of the framework that I prescribe for others. It is important that we let the methodology determine the outcome as opposed to inspecting the outcome to determine what methodology to apply. Yours faithfully Troy Thomas, Ph.D. President of TIGI And Director of Undergraduate Research University of Guyana

Saturday February 17, 2018

Jagdeo exhibited the worse form of unpatriotism DEAR EDITOR, A friend drew my attention yesterday to a letter written by former president Donald Ramotar that suggested that no one in the Coalition Government could call anyone in the Opposition unpatriotic. He was commenting on an advertisement that was placed in local newspapers during last week, calling on investors to take their money and resources elsewhere. This happened during the oil conference at the Marriott Hotel. Mr. Ramotar cited a few instances where he accused the opposition, which is now in Government, of being unpatriotic itself when it cut budgets for some ministries during his presidency from 2011-15. Maybe in the world in

which he exists, he could so deem such open and transparent action in Parliament, the highest forum in the land, as unpatriotic despite the fact that it was a legitimate exercise done by parliamentarians against a government which was widely seen as corrupt and law breaking. But please, Mr. Ramotar, take cognizance of one simple confession at the highest levels of Government and the State. This has to do with your boss and father giver, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo. He recently confessed to plans to give away a portion of our sea space to Venezuela just to get the Venezuelans off our backs and to settle the claim to Guyana. For me as a highly patriotic Guyanese, that amounts to the worst incident of be-

trayal of the Cooperative Republic. And just think about who it came from? None other than the man who was the head of state of this nation for more than a decade. He almost gave away a piece of our sea space just to appease and make nice with Venezuela. He said so in his own words. And not once did he consult with Guyanese. We could have woken up one morning and learned that our cartographers were working to redraw the map to include the space given to Venezuela. Luckily things changed at the last elections. So respectfully, Mr. Ramotar, nothing could be worse than that astonishing confession by Mr. Jagdeo on the Venezuelan issue. Absolutely nothing. Earl Hamilton

From page 4 is boss’. Guyana’s football landscape is complex and habitually thorny, so it has to be taken in that context, and engagement containing all stakeholders is the only recourse for harmony. We’ve seen cases of previous administrations - both at the Federation and association levels - struggle to govern, because of instances of preferential treatment afforded to some, but that approach has always had a negative impact on the sport’s development and also tainted its image. There are myriad problems affecting the sport, but without meaningful commitment to hear from all, the sad reality is that the sport’s advancement will never materialise. Until non-partisanship

posture is seen, then and only then will real development occur.The community is small and while some may feel that the secret meetings and exclusion of some is the best option, it is just an illusion. The GFF should set its sights on commencing a probe into the alleged buzz surrounding the conduct of some of its referees and hopefully repair the damage that has been afflicting the Referees’ Council. It must be one of the Federation’s utmost priorities, failing which, it will ultimately be failing many of the young female aspirants in the sport. When the talk of the town is centred on the alleged misconduct of referees (responsible for one of the most important a s p e c t s o f t h e sport), then there must be some level of urgency to investigate the veracity of

such allegations. Some of these game managers believe they have a sense of entitlement; they pose as though they are incorruptible, but are anything else, while their conduct has been nothing short of despicable. The conduct of some is the sole reason why the Council has not been attracting female referees - because of the constant sexual harassment, threats of not being assigned duties, and other sorts of persecution. Where is the “Me Too” movement, the GFF will be better served investigating with the intent of punishing those found culpable of such accusations, instead of pretending that they do not exist. Ask many of the female aspirants why they are no longer attracted to the Council, it may serve the Federation’s best interest to open a probe and expose its findings before someone else does. There seem to be many Harry Weinsteins in the sport and it is time that the powers that be have a laser focus on the institutions and personnel that could bring the beautiful game into disrepute, and not target certain innocent stakeholders. It may be pertinent to remind the top football officials that there is a defiant stare on them to act, since corruption is not only about financial culpability, but other forms of indecency as well. Just remember, in every institution not everyone is inclined to flout the law, so they either become whistleblowers or simply resign. Yours sincerely, Rawle Welch

There is a defiant stare ...

Saturday February 17, 2018

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GWI installing meters on neighbours in car wash clampdown They have been springing up in almost every coastal village. It was estimated that at least 10,000 vehicles were entering the country annually. With many families working, the need for wash bays has grown considerably. There are at least five such operations in the Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara. Recently, the issue of the car washes, as they are known, came up at a hearing by regulator, Public Utilities Commission. Appearing this week before the PUC was the stateowned Guyana Water Inc. (GWI). The company is currently asking for an increase in rates and tariffs that are more than a decade old. However, consumer advocates present at the hearings were concerned about the efforts of GWI to reduce the theft of water. The questions were raised by consumer advocate, Ramon Gaskin. According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Richard Van West Charles, GWI has been challenged in finding persons who are stealing water. It is highly dependent on neighbours and other citizens making reports when such cases arise. And the reports have been coming in. He disclosed that the water company has started cracking down on car wash operations. While in the beginning GWI started placing water meters, they found that operators were resorting to other means. Some managed to take illegal connections from neighbours.

Consumers’ advocate, Ramon Gaskin makes a point during the public hearings this past week.

According to the CEO, the water company has now started to ensure meters are attached to homes or properties located around the wash operations - left, right front and back. The issue of water theft is not something that is unique to working class, domestic

customers alone. In fact, some of the bigger homes have been caught stealing. While some agreed to pay fines and reconnection, others promptly illegally reconnect, Van West Charles said. There are even some homes in the city not paying

water bills for over a decade. In some cases, GWI has removed parts, but these were replaced by some home owners. Gaskin made it clear last

week that they wanted to see the numbers - what GWI is losing through transmission and other technical issues and what is lost through theft. Both GWI and the Guyana

Power and Light Inc. have been battling massive theft from customers. GPL is losing at least 15 percent of the electricity to theft.

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Draft Local Content Policy to finally have meaningful additions - Substantial use of goods and services to be in place – Chatham House Advisor By Kiana Wilburg The “substantial” use of local goods and services by oil operators is just one of the many meaningful features one can expect to see when the nation’s draft Local Content Policy is released once more for consultations. This is according to Oil and Gas Advisor to Chatham House, Mr. Anthony Paul. The Trinidadian national also serves on Guyana’s Local Content Committee. He confirmed the aforementioned during an interview with Kaieteur News. The Chatham House Advisor was asked to provide an update on Guyana’s draft policy. Paul reminded that the first draft of the Local Content Policy Framework was posted on the Ministry of Natural Resource’s website and shared with a range of stakeholders for feedback. Several stakeholders provided written comments. The Oil and Gas expert reminded that last year, a series of public and private engagements were held with stakeholders in Georgetown, Berbice, Linden and Essequibo. He said that based on feedback from those sessions, the policy draft has been amended and a second draft is being considered by the Ministry of Natural Resources. Paul said that some of the meaningful changes include;

an extended introduction and narrative, intended to provide more context and explanation/ education to those unfamiliar with the industry; definitions, including of local individuals and firms and local content; a strategy for implementing the policy; and an approach to developing an implementation plan, inclusive of public education; The Oil and Gas advisor said that the Ministry is advanced in its review of the updated draft and should be releasing a final version shortly after the appropriate approvals. SUBSTANTIAL USE Since its release, Guyana’s Draft Local Content Policy was criticized for the absence of provisions which ensure that there is a substantial use of local goods and services. Many commentators have also cited nations which ensure such provisions are in place. In Brazil, for example, local content policies obligate the oil contractor to buy a specific percentage (as agreed upon with the government based on regulatory criteria) of goods and services locally during the exploration and development phases of petroleum operations. The performance of this obligation is verified by means of certification on local content by the relevant government agency. In the second review of Guyana’s Local Content Policy, Paul was asked if such a provision was taken into

consideration. He said that the Guyana’s Policy Framework highlights that there will be areas identified for Guyanese to be given preference. He added that a suggestion is that the implementation plan will “identify targets for local content in specific areas of goods and services”. DRAFT POLICY Guyana’s draft Local Content Policy has been criticized in recent months for lacking many provisions which would safeguard against exploitation by companies. The draft speaks nothing of how to avoid procurement fraud, conflict of interest and favouritism, among other crucial areas. Several commentators have expressed hope the second round of reviews and consultations will see these loopholes being addressed. In the interim, the Local Content Policy framework simply seeks to address the suite of opportunities that may arise and the approaches to be taken in selecting and developing opportunities related to enhancing the capabilities of Guyanese nationals and businesses. The Policy also states that Guyanese will participate in a manner that gives preferred access and opportunities to improve and enhance the country’s capabilities so that it can become internationally competitive and in the end, the country will progressively provide a greater amount of future services.

Entrepreneur highlights importance of knowledge transfer Based on business principles, knowledge transfer is a process whereby information or the know-how of a particular technique is filtered from one or more individuals to others within an organisation. Moreover, it is said that like knowledge management, knowledge transfer seeks to organise, create, capture or distribute knowledge and ensure its availability for other users. Among the businesses that have been taking the notion of knowledge transfer seriously is Global Seafood Distributors. With Ms. Allison Butters-Grant at its helm, the medium-scale seafood processing and packaging facility organisation is one that has been evolving since it opened its doors in 2014. The company recruits a number of individuals for the demanding task of cleaning fish, for example, and Butters-

Grant during an interview with this publication emphasised that it is certainly not her intention to see her employees remain stagnant. In fact she confided that her frequent advice to her employees is, “You don’t have to clean fish for the rest of your life.” She moreover lives by the principle, “If I can give back to anybody in order for them to build capacity or to basically upgrade their lifestyle or take care of their kids, that means a whole lot to me.” In so doing, Butters-Grant has not only been ensuring that her staffers are exposed to regular training sessions to enhance their abilities, but she has also been known to lend support to ambitious staffers to further their academic studies. But her goal in adopting this approach has not only been for the sole purpose of upgrading her staff, but to give them a chance to elevate

themselves wherever possible. Butters-Grant has in place a programme to ensure that those who are certified, impart their knowledge to other staff members. For instance, she revealed that “our Quality Control person, we hired him from the Guyana School of Agriculture [GSA] and he is doing knowledge transfer with the knowledge he has from GSA, to the staff who would not have had the opportunity to go to GSA”. Taking the lead in knowledge transfer is particularly important to Butters-Grant, who as a re-migrant has been able to see the usefulness of such tactics in the developed world. “I want to see the same things I have been exposed to during my travels happen in my country. That has been a big thing for me, even in the (Continued on page 11)

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Kaieteur News

Oil riches are a myth There have been many myths about Guyana’s entry into the oil industry. Guyanese are deceiving themselves into believing that thousands of jobs will be created and every Guyanese will soon become millionaires. The first of these was that a great number of Guyanese were going to be employed. These hopes were dashed when it was made clear by ExxonMobil that not many jobs were going to be made available. Most of the skills that ExxonMobil needs for its Guyanese operation are not available locally. Guyana is new to oil and therefore does not have the human resource skills base to allow the

country to provide very many, if any at all, of the jobs which are needed on ExxonMobil’s oil rigs. Upon hearing about the prospects of oil, a great many Guyanese began to talk about pursuing studies in subjects that would allow then to work in the petroleum sector. A number of locals also felt that thousands of jobs were going to be created in Guyana. None of these persons seem to realize that ExxonMobil is only going to bring up the oil from the seabed. They are not going to refine any oil. They are only likely to make minimal investments in gas and these may, if at all, be limited to

running a pipeline from the rig to shore. There will not be many jobs here too. As such, Guyana has to seek private investors to do this, and the cost of investment is prohibitive and not likely to materialize. Employment is the victim of the failure of ExxonMobil to invest in a refinery for oil or to bring the gas to shore. The jobs that Guyanese were predicting and planning for will not come, because ExxonMobil, I reiterate, is just interested in producing the oil but not refining it. ExxonMobil is a multinational. The company has the resources to invest in a refinery if it really wanted to. But it is only interested in

Dem boys seh ... Guyana story more sweet than Cinderella own When you poor you don’t have no family. Not even you schoolmates does talk to you. But as soon as you put you hand pun money, like if you win de lottery, all of a sudden family you didn’t know you had does tun up. How dem does find wheh you live is a mystery, and dem who can’t find wheh you live does find you anywhere you deh. De odda day dem boys was talking bout how nuff days Guyana studying wheh she gun get money to pay some of de bills. One Prime Minister even cuss Jagdeo, because everywhere he go, Jagdeo use to walk wid he begging bowl. De man above smile pun Guyana. He know that de Exxon people was crooks, but only dem had de equipment, suh he mek dem find oil. From de time that happen is plane after plane of foreign people coming to Guyana. Dem seh Guyana story more sweet than Cinderella own. De Marriott that was empty all de time

suddenly don’t have room, and is not because dem drop de price. Dem boys getting call from some family who use to cuss Guyana and talk how dem wipe de dust from this country from dem foot. Now dem same people calling to find out if somebody can pull some strings fuh dem get wuk in de oil industry. Is not only Guyanese who lef and go away since Noah was building de ark, people coming from dem islands. Was a time when Guyanese go to a country like Barbados dem had to sit on de bench and get put on de next plane back to Guyana. Trinidad was de same thing. Now dem boys seh that people going to dem countries and de immigration officers does even refuse to stamp dem passport. As dem boys seh, poverty like failure is an orphan but money, like success, got many parents. Talk half and watch how Guyana suddenly tun a magnet.

Grove wedding house murder PI winds down With the prosecution left to call two more police witnesses, the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder of Alston Henry, who was beaten to death at a wedding at Grove Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara, is winding down. Charged for the capital offence is 32-year-old Rajen Dindial, of 653 Section ‘C’ Block Y, Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara. He is alleged to have committed the murder on September 3, 2017. When the matter came up yesterday before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, a Voir Dire (trial within a trial) was done to ascertain the admissibility of certain statements made to the police by the murder accused. Representing the accused is Attorney-at-Law Jed Vasconcellos. The PI resumes on Monday. It is alleged that Dindial and Henry were at a wedding celebration when an argument ensued between them, after Henry pushed down a portable toilet and refused to

MURDER ACCUSED: Rajen Dindial pick it up. The court heard that Dindial became annoyed and armed himself with a wooden food paddle and dealt the victim several lashes about his

body. The court heard that Henry fell unconscious and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

extracting Guyana’s oil and shipping its 50% to its other operations. This is what it is about. Or it may be simply using the Guyana find to boost its stock and asset value. Nothing wrong with that, except that if no oil is produced by 2020, the Guyanese people would want to know why. As things stand, oil prices are increasing, and once the price does not drop back to below $60 per barrel, ExxonMobil may be inclined to begin production. But anything lower than that base price would not be feasible, given that Guyana’s oil is deep sea oil. The second myth concerns local content. What local content? If you go through the list of items which are subject to be precertified for clearance and tax concessions, Guyana is nowhere near to being able to produce any of those goods. ExxonMobil is always going to be able to source those items cheaper than Guyana. So the local content jobs

relating to petroleum will be negligible. There has been an argument that there are no penalties should Exxon breach the local content requirements. There is no need for any local content requirements to be incorporated in any contract. It needs to be incorporated in the country’s laws. The only local content Guyana is going to supply will have to do with some shipping and accommodation services. This is minor and will not have any major impact on the economy. ExxonMobil will need a shore base and it has already begun to prepare for that, but the long-term impact of that is not going to create the sort of jobs or demand for goods and services which many people feel it will. Guyana therefore must not be lulled into believing that in any renegotiation there should be greater emphasis on local content. Guyana cannot really supply much to Exxon even the food for the workers is not likely to come from

Guyana. Exxon is trying to paint a different picture with its advertisements. It is trying to make Guyanese believe that after profit oil is divided, there will be a lot of money for the country. US$300M per year works out to a per capita of $80,000. This means if all the revenues which Guyana earns each year is divided equally among the citizens, all that each Guyanese will receive is G$80,000 per year. Wake up and smell the coffee, Guyana! The country has been given the shaft, good and proper! The promise of massive jobs and riches from oil is just a myth. “O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!”

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Saturday February 17, 2018

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

The only decent decision that faces the AFC at the Georgetown Club today I wonder if the AFC leadership heard what the head of the German Government, Chancellor Merkel said last week about the coalition arrangement. The Finance Ministry went to the junior partner, the Social Democrats. Merkel in an interview said it was painful ceding that ministry, but the minister will not be able to do what he wants.

It is a practical statement that has a realpolitik message. Merkel’s essential point to the world is that her party is in coalition, and in a coalition her party will have its say. The AFC took the opposite position, with all its leaders proclaiming that it cannot be seen to be criticizing its coalition partner, exposing its fundamental ignorance of what coalition government

means. Today at the statutory meeting of its National Executive, there will be no such attitude as the AFC debates the two most important items on the agenda – whether to contest the 2018 local government elections (LGE) separate from APNU and whether to negotiate changes to the Cummingsburg Accord. What the AFC wants in a renegotiated Accord has not been spelt out since last April when it held its National Executive meeting in Linden and announced that it wants to discuss changes to the covenant. It is doubtful that eighteen months before the campaign season begins in 2019 for the 2020 national elections, APNU will agree to the assignment of more state power to the AFC. Analysis

of a renegotiated accord makes no sense until the AFC pronounces on the new shape it wants. What is of more exigent nature for the AFC is the LGE. The AFC is caught between morality that is important in modern day politics and political pragmatism which inheres in politics generally. Morally, the AFC leaders owe it to themselves and their country to test their support in front of the Guyanese people as the AFC and not as the coalition. It is important for their own integrity to find out how popular they are with the population. Guyana is governed through the process of electoral competition. A political party like the WPA has become a caricature, because not one Guyanese knows

how the WPA will be received by the nation, as it does not contest elections. The AFC should not find itself in such a comical situation. It can go one of two ways for the AFC, but the shape of the results should not deter the AFC from going to the LGE on its own. If it does not chalk up a decent share of votes in the LGE, then it would know that it has suffered serious fallout with voters since its birth. That information is indispensible for future direction. Without it, then you do not know what are your strengths and weaknesses. If the AFC loses badly on its own in the LGE, it would be a national embarrassment, but the alternative of going with the coalition can be a worse fate. Instead of testing its electoral credibility and allowing its resilience to help it to restrategize if its showing is poor, the alternative of going with APNU and not bringing in votes in its known constituencies could spell the permanent humiliation of the AFC, and most definitely there will be no accord for the 2020 elections. Could the AFC physically survive in this mode? Here is the likely scenario. If the AFC goes into the LGE as the coalition and it does not win even four NDCs and no municipality where it is supposed to have support, then the PNC leadership will argue that is a rehearsal for what will happen in 2020.

Frederick Kissoon Losses in Indian areas in the LGE will tell the PNC that the AFC cannot bring in votes 2020. It is reasonable, and highly so, for PNC leaders to dilute the AFC presence and input in the arrangements for the 2020 general poll. One suspects the AFC lives in mortal fear of PNC’s anger if it goes it alone in the LGE and does not win. It fears PNC leaders asking it what it can continue to bring to the table. That should not be the reason why the AFC should continue to contest in a coalition slate. It will never know how even African Guyanese think of it. That arithmetic is simple. If the coalition picks up Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Bartica, who did they really vote for – the AFC or the PNC. Both parties contesting the election on their own allow them to see what electoral credibility each has. Can the AFC win the Georgetown, Linden and Bartica municipalities on its own?

Saturday February 17, 2018

Kaieteur News

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Saturday February 17, 2018

Kaieteur News

Another ex-cop faces court for carjacking - under probe for vehicle theft, fraud

REMANDED: Shawn Archibald From the evidence, it appears as though a number of former police ranks are part of the recently dismantled carjacking ring. Yet another ex-cop was charged yesterday for a carjacking he allegedly committed in 2015. Jason Harry, 26, of 458 Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Particulars of the charge against him allege that on May 26, 2015, at D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown, while armed with a gun, he robbed Phillip King of a Toyota Premio motorcar valued $3.2M, a phone valued $60,000, a pair of slippers and a cologne—all totaling $3.3M. Harry pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded to prison until March 3, when the matter will be called for reports. Last Friday, police ranks descended on 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. In one of several photographs released by the police, a number of vehicle seats, a trunk door, steering wheel and other parts were scattered under a shed. The other photos depict a Toyota Runx bearing number plate PPP 5957, a grey Nissan Bluebird with licence plate PSS 4593, all of which, were seized by police ranks. During a bail petition for Harry, Attorney-at-Law Melvin Duke told the court that police has no case against his client in the matter

REMANDED: Ex policeman Timothy Waldron

that is three years old. According to the lawyer, at the time of the alleged commissioning of the offence, his client was a member of the Guyana Police Force. In explaining why Harry was in possession of the suspected stolen motorcars and parts, the lawyer said that his client’s father, who is now deceased, owned a welding shop. Objecting to bail for the robbery accused was Police Prosecutor Richard Harris, who pointed out that a gun was used to commit the robbery. The prosecutor said that Harry was positively identified by the virtual complainant. Further advancing his objections to bail, the police prosecutor revealed that Harry is currently being investigated for car theft and fraud, and there is a likelihood of other charges being brought against him. According to Prosecutor Harris, at the time of his arrest, Harry could not provide police ranks with a reasonable explanation as to why the suspected stolen items were in his custody. Moreover, the prosecutor stressed that it was Harry along with others who robbed the victim of his belongings. Harry, Prosecutor Harris added, should not be released on bail based on the possibility that he could tamper with witnesses. These objections were upheld by Magistrate Daly. On Thursday, another expoliceman Timothy Waldron and Shawn Archibald, both of Unity Place, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown were remanded to prison for carjacking.

The first charge against the duo alleged that on November 4 last, at Irving Street, Georgetown, while being in the company of each other and armed with a gun, they robbed Ryhaan Shah of one Toyota Allion valued $4M, a cell phone valued $10,000 and $15,000 in cash. It was also alleged that on the same day in question and at the same location, while being armed with a gun, they robbed Nadir Williams of a white Toyota Allion motor car valued $2.9M. And Waldron was charged for robbing Gregrick Layne at gunpoint of a Toyota Axio motorcar valued $2.5M on November 28, at Pere Street, Kitty, Georgetown. Together, the men face other charges for robbery under-arms, whereby it is alleged that they stole cash, cellular phones, clothing and a television. Earlier this year, both Waldron and Archibald were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate on a series of robbery under-arms charges. According to reports, Waldron and Archibald, a construction worker, were allegedly captured on CCTV gun-butting a miner before relieving him of several gold chains worth $740,000. During their hearing, the court was informed that the robbery accused duo was positively identified by the victim. The cars which were used to transport Waldron and Archibald to and from their locations were found with fake registration numbers. The duo was also charged for using fake registration numbers. Kaieteur News understands that Waldron has a pending matter for robbery under-arms at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts, while Archibald has pending matters for the same offence at the Providence Magistrates’ Courts.

Saturday February 17, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Govt. not forthcoming on border security issues – Jagdeo The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has accused the coalition administration of not being forthcoming on border security issues. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said that the party supports the Government on security and the integrity of the borders. “I have been President of Guyana for over 12 years and so I am acutely aware of the need for confidentiality in the conduct of border affairs, but I do believe that any Government has to balance the need for confidentiality with the necessity of keeping our public informed,” Jagdeo noted. In recent months, there have been concerns expressed by citizens and miners living in border communities with represent to foreign gangs operating in the mining districts. The military has debunked these claims. Jagdeo said that there is need for the public to be informed, particularly when there are enhanced threats. “I believe that there is an active threat to our territorial integrity and that our Govern-

Guyana and Brazil delegations meeting at State House on February 9. ment is not forthcoming enough in addressing that threat and informing the pub-

lic of the nature of the threat, but it is an enhanced threat and I do not say these words

Entrepreneur highlights importance... From page 8 fishing industry...the fish has got to be at a certain temperature, it has got to be at a certain quality, and so we do a lot of capacity building.” According to ButtersGrant, in her view the fishing industry is not just a field for persons who were not able to complete school, but it could be poised for great things if advantage is taken of the vast knowledge available today to improve how business is done in just about any sector. “When you look at the Diaspora locations in

the same sector and you go as far as the US, they have programmes where people go in and get trained and certified as a fish cleaner or as a fish processer, and if they are not literate, there are programmes for them to become literate,” Butters-Grant informed. Moreover, ButtersGrant has been taking keen interest in staff she employs with a view of ensuring that they are aware of all of the available opportunities to become literate. “I have two of my staff right now doing the Logistics and

Supply Chain Management programme that is sponsored by ExxonMobil. I myself did the first two models of Logistics and Supply Chain Management courses,” said Butters-Grant as she assured, “we are very big on seeing Guyana transform into sustainable sectors.”

lightly, because I have been president for several years.” Jagdeo assured that the Government has the PPP’s full support in responding to the threat. “This doesn’t belong to APNU [A Partnership for National Unity] or to the coalition Government alone...it is the people of this country who would be called upon to defend it,” Jagdeo noted. Recently, Guyana and

Brazil announced plans to review a formal agreement for military cooperation following developments in neighbouring Venezuela where hundreds are fleeing a repressive regime. Brazil’s Minister of Defence, Raul Jungmann Pinto led a visiting delegation that included Minister of Justice Torquato Lorena Jardim and high-ranking military officials into talks at State House with President Granger,

members of his Cabinet and the Defence Board. Both sides committed to review the September 2012 Joint Communiqué, which followed the official visit to Guyana by Ambassador Celso Amorim, then Minister of Defence of Brazil. The review is intended to update the agreements in that document and bring them in line with presentday realities, as well as, to deepen defence cooperation.

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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 & freezer-Call: 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 Automotive servicing and repairs integrity reliability personalized attention Mondays-Fridays: 8:00am4:00pm Saturdays 8:00am2:00pm Checkered Works Garage #666-9719 Drawings of house plan, or if you need estimates, call: 2160671/622-0267/692-8464

SALON Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/6880009 MASSAGE & HEALTH Angels Massaging Spa. Come relax and be pampered. Call: 694-9775. New attendants available.

Saturday February 17, 2018

Kaieteur News

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. New 2 Post car hoists for mechanic shop. Lifting capacity: 4.5 tons. Telephone# 222-1730 6 weeks old, vaccinated dashund pups for sale. Call: 670-2653, 638-8449. Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 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 Restaurant pans- stainless steel. Heavy duty, various sizes, great condition. #6266335. Compressors for refrigerators & freezers, Used, Good condition. 115V/ 1 phase. Cheap #626-6335 Yamaha outboard motor, 200, 225, 9.9, 40, crank shaft and double control box, all foreign use. Please call: 672-5830 Brand new export quality hand crafted rattan lobby sets. Sofa & love piece, single & coffee table. $220,000. Tel#656-0701 (2) Lg red snapper fishing boats, fully equipped ready to work (1) New (1) 4 yrs old. $15,000,000 each. George #6528970 or 674-3735 Enclose canter 3 ton for sale contact: 613-0830,666-2549

TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)

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

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

Petboy shop at Howes & Ketley streets, Charlestown.

1 maid for East Bank area. Call: 614-4358 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 (1) Manager to work @ Hotel/ Club on Essequibo coast, previous hotel management an asset. Contact: 500-5923, 676-8764/646-3675 Experienced Jet + Marack men. 1 male cook $100,000 monthly # 672-3359 1 male to work on chicken farm #616-6702 Experience wash boys (Male) Nandy park, E.B.D #233-5227. Experienced dump truck drivers to work in the interior. Kindly contact: 223-7165 for futher details. We buy land in Eccles, Herstelling, Providence, Farm, Parafaite Harmonie, Covent Garden. Legal fees paid. Tel#656-0701/651-1969

3 bedrooms apartment in close proximity to UG & Teacher training college. $40,000 #6859127

Experience curry cooks, counter servers, drivers, roti/ puri cooks. Apply Hack’s Halaal. 5 Commerce St.

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

Partner needed to invest in gold and diamond mining and river dragger. #697-7708 2 reliable responsible delivery guys for full time deliveries with own motorbikes- Call Tonya: #644-5884

Parafaite Harmonie $800,000 $1M, $1.2M, $1.5M, $2.6m (100ft x 50ft) Second avenue. Tel# 656-0701/651-1969

Kitchen assistant for interior location. Job entails assisting cooks and generally cleaning. Call: 618-2020.

Farm (New scheme) East Bank with reserve. Housing penalties paid. $3.2M Tel# 611-7223/656-0701

Accounts clerk (knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT and quickbooks). Call: 614-4358

Prime residential area in Schnoord (100ft x 50ft) $2.6M Title ready. Tel# 6560701/651-1969

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 Vacancy exist @ People’s choice kitchen for 2 assistant cooks, strictly night shift. Tel: 679-9449 or 658-3400

19 seater pitbull, never worked passenger, 2 fielder wagons. Nissan Bluebird. Excellent condition. #664-0802 Nissan Pathfinder Jeep 4WD excellent condition $1.4M negotiable. Call: 609-7766/2258427 1 Nissan Datsun pick-up, $500,000 (neg) contact #6611121,614-6511 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).

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

TOLET

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Furnished executive one or two bedroom suite in Diamond. Ideal for foreigners. Call: 600-2466.

Reliable rentals. Cars, SUV at low rate and security deposit special rates for long term. #227-2322/601-2622

Herstelling New scheme (4th Bridge) on a turn $1.9M Tel# 656-0701/651-1969 Uivlugt (New scheme) first street (100ftx50ft) with reserve $3M & 2M Tel # 651-1969/656-0701 Parafaite Harmonie (upfront) $1.5M Herstelling $1.8M Farm $3.2M Schnoord residential $2.6M Uivlugt $2.8M Tel# 6560701/611-7223 Eccles New scheme (concrete fence, concrete bridge, land filled) 100ft x 50ft $7M Tel#611-7223/6560701

Room attendant, age 25-45 Tel#225-0198 or visit 233 South road, Lacytown.

7 transported house lots in Bella Dam W.B.D for sale. Contact#264-2495, 668-0484

One hardworking, willing and literate personnel for Plant shop in Georgetown. Age 25 yrs & over. Tel#652-6837.

Providence New Scheme (High income) 100ft x 50ft $5M Tel#656-0701/651-1969

EDUCATION

PROPERTY FOR SALE House and land available @ La Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Etc. Financing assistance available. Contact Pacific Development: 223-6035/ 604-4909 Riumveldt Public Rd (opp Massey) (6) bedroomed house on double lot. (2) apartments with all utilitiesparking, fenced. Call: 2258427/609-7766 Diamond EBD 2 storey concrete, 6 bedrooms, hot/ cold, secured parking, etc. Ready to move in. price negotiable. Call: 693-4890

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

LAND FOR SALE

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

CXC adults classes (Business & Science subjects) Form 1-5 lessons, Grade 2-6 lessons (slow learners, personal tutor) #690-5008,618-0649 Register your child for after school classes for slow learners in Mathematics, Reading, Phonics, Spelling, etc. Call: 675-4379 Jean offers courses in Dressmaking, Curtains, Floral, Cake decorations. Barr St, Kitty. Tel#670-2653, 638-8449. Electronic classes beginning March 6th. Enroll early, limited spaces. Abdul Electronics. Tel: 226-6551/225-0391. PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 15 Public road #2 Village. West Coast Berbice. 49ft by 10,314ft. $20M. Contact:6487109/686-4818 166 4th street, Alexander Village. Tel#691-6201

Property for sale (1) 3 story building at 97 Sugarcane street S/Rvldt Gardens. Price US 1.5M neg. Tel: 695-1356 & 687-8445

Saturday February 17, 2018

Mom, teen daughter refused bail on cocaine charge Two days after ranks from the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) found a quantity of cocaine concealed in the handbag of a female passenger who was scheduled to travel to the United States, a teenager and her mother were yesterday brought before the court and remanded to prison for the offence. Rachel Narine, 19, and Kavita Persaud, 30, both of Lot 55 Annandale, East Coast Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. It is alleged that the duo, on February 14, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, trafficked 2.660 kilograms of cocaine. Both defendants denied the charge after it was read to them by the Magistrate. They were represented by Attorney-at-law Lammy Singh, who asked that bail be granted to his clients in a reasonable amount. However, CANU Prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford objected to bail being granted to both defendants citing the serious nature of the offence and the penalty the charge attracts. Facts presented by the prosecutor stated that on the day in question, Narine was a passenger at CJIA,

Remanded to prison: Kavita Persaud (L) and Rachel Narine and it was while she was going through the internal scanner at the airport, several bulky parcels were observed in her handbag. She was then intercepted by CANU ranks and her bag was examined and the narcotics were discovered inside. The prosecutor added that after the discovery was made, CANU ranks contacted her mother who had escorted her to the airport

with a taxi driver. They were all then taken into CANU Headquarters, and both defendants gave detailed confession statements outlining their involvement and their supplier’s information. The Chief Magistrate after listening to the Prosecutor remanded both defendants to prison. They were instructed to make their next court appearance on February 22.

Education ministry targets new software to improve results Secondary school teachers from Regions Three (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara), Four (Demerara/ Mahaica) and Georgetown have commenced training in the use an Education Management Information System (EMIS) software, intended to improve information management and efficiency in schools. The EMIS will enable teachers and the Ministry of Education’s policymakers to efficiently manage the education sector data and take effective measures to address key sector issues. Addressing the opening of a workshop on Wednesday, Minister of Education Nicolette Henry said once there is valid data and information, changes can be made and support is given to implement policies that will transform the education systems. That transformation, she said can, in turn, create highquality institutes of learning that will regain Guyana’s international reputation of producing accomplished, toprated students. The landmark training

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programme for teachers from twenty schools is intended to impact the human resource of the ministry and by extension the country. Head of the Management Information Systems Unit (MIS), of the ministry, Indar Singh explained that the software features include enrolment information, attendance, grade book, report card, transcripts, end of year processing, class portal, teacher web pages, parent portal, teacher information, time-tabling, and reporting. “This will be a major resource to gather the information we need to monitor, assess and inform educational policies moving forward,” Singh said. Meanwhile, Minister Henry has commenced “Fit for Purpose” visits to various departments of her ministry. She was apprised of the many exhibitions and training opportunities as well as curriculum development towards reform. In the field of dance, through the Unit of Allied Arts, there are ongoing workshops for teachers in several regions. Additionally, some

teachers and students have completed the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and their performances continue to improve based on the results being achieved. “We have to take a strategic approach to impact our children positively...we want more of our students to get into Ivy League Universities and your unit is integral to His Excellency’s Vision for all Guyanese,” Minister Henry encouraged. Further, the Allied Arts employees were reminded: “You come to work to be an agent of social change here in Guyana, and ultimately the global village, and this much I expect from you as part of the team as an obligation.” The team was advised of their importance to the groups responsible for national education development and as such, there is no room for working in silos. “The world is changing and so should we... Let’s think of modern ways of getting our children interested in education and self-development,” Minister Henry noted.

Missing “Witch” jailed for five years in absence An arrest warrant has been issued for well-known character and jail regular, 45year-old Clifton Ramsarran called “Witch” who was on Friday sentenced to five years in jail. Ramsarran was on trial in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Alex Moore on a charge of robbery committed on his 58-year-old neighbour Sabita Kellawan on May 10, 2017. The incident was committed at the woman’s home at Fort Ordnance, East Canje, Berbice. The suspect who is well known to the authorities and is a regular in jail for committing a number of infractions attempted to strangle the woman after robbing her. . According to Police Prosecutor Corporal Winston Poliah around 08:00 hours on the day in question, the woman was in her house when the suspect, armed with a cutlass and a rope, attacked and robbed her. He then placed the rope around the woman’s neck in an attempt to strangle her if she did not hand over cash and valuables.

Jailed in absentia: Clifton ‘Witch’ Ramsarran The woman was taken to the upper flat of the house where Ramsarran continued to demand money, gold and other jewellery. At the time of the attack, Kellawan was at home with her sick mother. After committing the act, the bandit scaled a fence and escaped on foot. Police said that the suspect boarded a motor car and was on his way across the Berbice River Bridge. Ranks from the Central Police Station were alerted and they managed to intercept the mo-

tor car that the suspect was in. Sensing that he was cornered, he exited the vehicle and fled into a nearby savannah but was pursued by police officers and later caught. The man was subsequently granted bail. He then fled the area and an arrest warrant was issued for his arrest, but the man remained at large. He was sentenced to five year in jail in his absence. Ramsarran had just been released from jail when he committed the aforementioned offence.

Authorities close illegal funeral... From page 19 It was revealed that fifteen bodies were prepared and stored in the “undocumented mortuary” since November, while two more were in cold storage at the time of the visit. The facility can only accommodate three bodies at a time and adjacent to the morgue area stands a room inclusive of a table (to prepare the bodies) with pipeline connections. There was a ‘drain pipe’ leading aback of the building. Neighbours live just a few metres away. After the documents could not be produced, the police instructed the persons

present to shut the facility down and cease all operations until the legal documents could be produced. According to a Town Council source, previous attempts were made by the representatives of the council to verify the legality of the establishment but these were unsuccessful. “We would normally meet doors and gate locked”. Meanwhile, when the CIOG head office was contacted they stated that they could not comment on the issue since the head of the organisation was unavailable.

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CPM condemns position adopted by three CARICOM countries on Venezuela BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – The Barbadosbased Clement Payne Movement (CPM) has criticised three Caribbean Community (CARICOM) state for supporting the Lima Group of countries, critical of the ongoing political situation in Venezuela. The CPM, considered to be a left-wing organisation here, said that Jamaica, Guyana and St. Lucia, have also thrown their support behind initiatives by the Donald Trump administration to destabilise the Central American country. The Lima Group, initially comprising Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay and Peru, approved a declaration addressing the critical situation in Venezuela and vowed to “explore ways to contribute to the restoration of democracy in that country through a peaceful and negotiated solution; Among other issues, the group demands the release of political prisoners, calls for free elections, offers humanitarian aid and criticizes the alleged breakdown of democratic order in Venezuela. Guyana and St. Lucia have signed on to the declaration, while Barbados, Grenada and Jamaica are the other CARICOM countries that have supported the move by the Lima group. In a statement, the CPM said it noted the recent visit to Jamaica by US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, saying it was aimed at enlisting “Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the government of Jamaica in the USA’s ongoing crusade against Venezuela”. The CPM said that “these recent happenings are all part and parcel of a well-coordi-

Prime MInisters Andrew Holness of Jamaica and Allen Chastanet of St. Lucia nated strategy on the part of the Donald Trump administration to cause maximum disruption and subversion in our sister Caribbean country of Venezuela in the lead up to Venezuela’s critical Presidential election of April 2018.” It also questioned why Jamaica, Guyana and St. Lucia “would remove themselves from our collective *CARICOM* umbrella” and instead associate with this “big power” campaign of subversion against Venezuela. “The questions therefore arise:-* Do the citizens of St. Lucia and Guyana know anything at all about this “Lima Group of States” that their governments have joined? Was any of this discussed with the people of St. Lucia and Guyana by Prime Minister Alan Chastanet and President David Granger respectively? “Is it the case that St. Lucia, Guyana, and Jamaica…have been transformed into myopic puppet states of *Donald Trump’s USA? Have these three once proud pillars of Caribbean nationhood become the *”three blind mice”* of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)?” The CPM said that the leaders of the three

CARICOM countries while “relative newcomers to Caribbean political leadership …must be aware that one of the fundamental objectives of our *Caribbean Community (CARICOM*), as enshrined in *Article 4 *of the *Treaty of Chaguaramas,* is the coordination and the collective articulation of the foreign policy of our 15 CARICOM member states, and “the achievement of a greater measure of……..effectiveness of Member States in dealing with third States, groups of States, and entities of any description”. It said that the Caribbean “has a proud tradition of standing up and courageously speaking truth to power,” recalling the decision of the leaders of Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago to defy Washington “and broke the diplomatic isolation of the nation of Cuba. “We took a stance based on principle and the rest of the hemisphere followed us. That is the type of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) that we must remain committed to being,” The CPM said, adding the Caribbean must therefore not allow it unity to be fractured.

Govt. to intensify energy savings, conservation measures KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — The Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, will be intensifying energy savings and conservation measures under the Energy Management and Efficiency Programme (EMEP). Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen, made the disclosure as he delivered the Throne Speech to open the 2018/19 parliamentary period in Gordon House Thursday. EMEP is being implemented by the Petroleum

Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) through funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The three main objectives are to reduce electricity consumption and carbon dioxide emission in public-sector entities, including hospitals and educational institutions; decrease travel times and fuel consumption through improved traffic control management; and increase capacity in the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology.

The Governor-General also reported that the Ministry will be looking to enact critical legislation in fiscal year 2018/2019. These are the Data Protection Act; Information and Communications Technology Act (Telecommunications Act Repeal); Information and Communications Authority Act; Electricity (Electric Power Wheeling) Regulations; Electricity (Net Billing) Regulations; Electricity (Electrical Work, Registration and Licensing) Regulations Resolution; and the Petroleum (Quality Control) Act.

Saturday February 17, 2018

Govt. commits millions to sugar farmers Kingston, Jamaica - CMC – The Jamaica government says it will provide a further J$70 million (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents) to assist farmers in Trelawny with the transportation of sugar cane to the Appleton Estate and Worthy Park factories this year. Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Karl Samuda, said the government is cognisant of the challenges being faced by farmers since the shutdown of sugar production at the Clarks Town-based Long Pond Factory in the parish a few years ago. “I have been able to support you, so far, and I could never turn my back at this stage when things are so difficult. And, that is why I said to the permanent secretary, only two days ago, that we cannot leave the farmers of Trelawny to suffer the consequences of not having the resources to transport the cane. “And so, we decided that we are going to provide the same amount that we provided last year, which was J$70 million. I had said J$50 million, but I told him, add J$20

Karl Samuda million to it, so that we can be assured that all the farmers’ cane will be transported to the factory,” Samuda said at the opening of the 63rd Hague Agricultural and Industrial Show in Trelawny, northwest of here. He recalled the efforts of the government to keep the Long Pond Sugar Factory open during its first year in office, noting that he had indicated, at the time, that this could not be continued, as the “cost of keeping it open was too great for the Government to underwrite”.

He said as a consequence, the ministry had moved to provide money to assist small farmers in particular, to transport the sugar cane from Long Pond to Appleton Estate in St Elizabeth and Worthy Park in St Catherine. Samuda said he remains highly optimistic that the sugar cane industry will continue to thrive in Trelawny, despite the various challenges, noting that there are forthcoming developments that will give rise to an even greater demand for the produce. He said that Everglades, owners of Long Pond, continues to pursue its objective of trying to restructure the plant, so that it can produce energy to supply the Jamaica Public Service (JPS) Company. He said this would require increased cane production. “I have great hopes…. I have expectations for the expansion of cane in Trelawny, not the contraction. And even if there is a shift in the kinds of crops, the employment must be maintained and expanded upon, and I will do everything within my power to see to that,” Samuda said.

Lawyers want answers on status of probe into CJ’s conduct Trinidad Guardian - Members of the legal profession are calling for answers from the Law Association on the ongoing investigation into allegations made against Chief Justice Ivor Archie. Several senior and junior attorneys told the T&T Guardian they are angry the association has not been keeping the membership up to date on the investigation which started several months ago. They say the election for a new executive is due in mid-March and they want the current leadership under Douglas Mendes SC to say what has happened with the investigation. It is now more than a month since the association wrote to the CJ requesting answers to allegations about him in the public domain. Archie issued a brief press release in December denying allegations against him, which include claims he sought to expedite Housing Development Corporation (HDC) housing for certain individuals and discussing judges’ security with Dillian Johnson, who was described as his friend and who has since sought asylum in the United Kingdom. Johnson was shot in his hand in December at his Gasparillo home and subsequently claimed that there was a plot to kill him. A committee comprising Mendes, association vice president Rajiv Persad, Elton Prescott, SC, Theresa Hadad and Lynette Seebaran-Suite submitted an interim report to the association’s council late last year. The committee’s findings were sent to Archie for his response and although there were reports the interim report would have been submitted to the membership that was not done. Well-placed sources also said it seems the

Chief Justice Ivor Archie investigation has been stalled, as no brief has as yet been sent to the two Senior Counsel, former Belize attorney general Eamon Harrison Courtenay and Grenada Bar Association president Francis Alexis, who were retained to advise on whether there are sufficient grounds to petition Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to invoke the impeachment provisions of section 137 of the Constitution to investigate the CJ. A meeting of the association’s council is carded for next Tuesday and attorneys say they are hoping to get an update on the investigation. Contacted on the status of the investigation yesterday, Mendes said he preferred “not to give any update at this point.”

Saturday February 17, 2018

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Mexico’s Foreign Minister to visit CARICOM countries MEXICO CITY, Mexico CMC – Mexico’s Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray is to visit three Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries as part of the efforts to erode Venezuela’s influence in the Caribbean. The Reuters News Agency said that while there has been no official confirmation of the visit to Jamaica, Grenada and St. Lucia, Videgaray’s visit comes on the heels a visit to Latin America and the Caribbean by U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who announced plans to study how possible oil sanctions against Venezuela could be mitigated in the Caribbean. “The message is: Venezuela is not the only country that can help (Caribbean nations), that if there’s a crisis in Venezuela, they have more friends,” Reuters quoted an un-named Mexican official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the foreign minister’s upcoming visit to the Caribbean. Last June, Cancun, foreign ministers from the 34-member Organization of American States (OAS) failed to reach agreement on a resolution criticizing Venezuela, with only 20 countries backing the proposal. St. Kitts- Nevis, St.Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica voted against the resolution, while Grenada, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua and Barbuda abstained. Jamaica and St. Lucia backed the proposal. The Mexican official told Reuters that officials from other Caribbean countries will be present in Jamaica when Videgaray vis-

US Secretary of State (left) Rex Tillerson greeting the mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray. its the island, adding that the Caribbean trip represents an attempt to end the stalemate in the June OAS meeting. “It’s a result of Cancun. There was a bloc in the Caribbean that wasn’t pulling in the same direction as the OAS,” he added. Last week, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness joined Tillerson in expressing disappointment with the actions of the Nicolas Maduro government that Washington has sought to isolate in recent years.Holness said Jamaica has always supported human rights as well as peace in the region “and Jamaica wants to see the people of Venezuela being able to enjoy their democracy. “This is a principle that has nothing to do with any other country. This has always been Jamaica’s position. We wish the best for the people of Venezuela,” he said, noting that the island

does not now import oil from the South American country as it used to do in the past under the PetroCaribe initiative that Caracas had instituted several years ago to help regional countries deal with the high cost of petroleum products on the global market. “With the new dynamics in the global trade in energy and with the United States now becoming a net exporter of energy resources Jamaica can in this new paradigm benefit from that”. Holness, takes over the chairmanship of the 15-member regional integration movement (CARICOM) in July and said both Kingston and Washington agreed “that positive engagement between the government and the opposition in Venezuela is essential”. He said they both expressed regret that the attempts by the Organization of American States (OAS) to “promote dialogue have not been met with success”

Rio de Janeiro violence: Brazil army to take control of security (BBC) The Brazilian government has appointed an army general to oversee security in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in response to growing gang violence. President Michel Temer compared the violence to “a cancer” and said organised criminals had all but seized control of the state. Rio’s governor issued an appeal for help after the annual carnival celebrations were marred by violence. The army will oversee police and other security services. Overseeing the operation will be Gen Walter Souza Braga Netto, head of the Eastern Military Command. He was widely praised for his part in co-ordinating security for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. What led to the situation?

Signing the decree, Mr Termer said he was taking “extreme measures” because circumstances demanded it. “The government will give tough and firm answers, taking all necessary measures to eradicate organised crime,” he said. There were chaotic scenes during the famous Rio carnival, with gun fights and

looting. Three police officers died in violent clashes. National TV news bulletins also broadcast footage of gangs surrounding and robbing tourists. With the security situation apparently spiralling out of control, state governor Luiz Fernando Pezao made a plea to the national government saying military intervention

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Saturday February 17, 2018

South Africa’s new President invokes Mandela, promises ‘a new dawn’

(CNN)South Africa’s newly installed President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his maiden State of the Nation address on Friday, declaring “a new dawn” that will “confront the injustices of the past and the inequalities of the present,” before vowing to crackdown on corruption. The 65-year-old was confirmed as the country’s new leader on Thursday just hours after his scandalplagued predecessor Jacob Zuma finally resigned. Ramaphosa, head of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party since December, went unopposed during a session of Parliament. Ramaphosa’s elevation has been welcomed by many South Africans eager for

change in the country, which faced nine years of economic stagnation under Zuma. During that time, Zuma faced a slew of corruption scandals that have drained support from the ANC, earning him the moniker of the “Teflon president.” Zuma denies all the corruption allegations against him. Delivering the key speech at the National Assembly in Cape Town, Ramaphosa invoked the memory of Nobel Peace Prize winner and former President Nelson Mandela while highlighting the deep divisions that still exist within the community, particularly along racial and gender lines. “We are continuing the long walk he began, to build

a society in which all may be free, in which all may be equal before the law and in which all may share in the wealth of our land and have a better life,” Ramaphosa said. “We are building a country where a person’s prospects are determined by their own initiative and hard work, and not by the color of their skin, place of birth, gender, language or income of their parents.” The annual State of the Nation address should have been delivered last week but the flagship event was postponed to allow party officials to negotiate the political transition. Ramaphosa will now lead the party — and the country — through to the 2019 general elections.

Ethiopia declares national state of emergency

Demonstrators celebrate the release of political prisoners in Adama, Oromia (BBC) A national state of emergency has been declared in Ethiopia just one day after the unexpected resignation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn. A statement by the state broadcaster said the move was necessary to stem a wave of anti-government protests. Hundreds of people have died in three years of unrest in the country. A 10-month state of emergency that ended last year failed to stop the protests, as did the release from jail of thousands of opposition

supporters. No details were given of how long the latest state of emergency will last or what the restrictions are. The government has been under pressure because of continuing street protests. In recent weeks it has released hundreds of prisoners including opposition politicians but the protests have shown no sign of ending. On Thursday, Mr Hailemariam said he had made his decision to stand down in the hope that it would help end the years of unrest and political upheaval.

“I see my resignation as vital in the bid to carry out reforms that would lead to sustainable peace and democracy,” Mr Hailemariam said. The political demonstrations in Ethiopia began in Oromia in November 2015. Protests later sprung up in the Amhara region. Oromia and Amhara are the homelands of the country’s two biggest ethnic groups. Many people in these communities feel they have been marginalised since the current government took power in 1991.

Kaieteur News

Saturday February 17, 2018

Mueller indicts 13 Russian nationals over 2016 election interference CNN) Special counsel Robert Mueller has indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian entities for allegedly meddling in the 2016 presidential election, charging them with conspiracy to defraud the United States, the Department of Justice announced Friday. In addition, three defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and five defendants with aggravated identity theft. “The defendants allegedly conducted what they called information warfare against the United States, with the stated goal of spreading distrust towards the candidates and the political system in general,” Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said. Mueller had convened the grand jury as part of his investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election as well as any possible connections between Russia and

Trump campaign associates. The sweeping indictment describes in detail an unprecedented campaign by Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election, affirming the longstanding conclusions of the US intelligence community. It is at odds with President Donald Trump’s repeated questioning of those conclusions, which has continued throughout his first year in office. CNN reported this week that Trump is still not convinced that Russia meddled in the election. Trump emphasized the lack of allegations of any impact on the presidential election. “Russia started their antiUS campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for President,” he tweeted. “The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong - no collusion!”In a statement, the White House said Trump was fully briefed on the indict-

ments and “is glad to see the Special Counsel’s investigation further indicates— that there was NO COLLUSION between the Trump campaign and Russia and that the outcome of the election was not changed or affected.” “(I)t is more important than ever before to come together as Americans,” Trump said in the statement. “We cannot allow those seeking to sow confusion, discord, and rancor to be successful. It’s time we stop the outlandish partisan attacks, wild and false allegations, and farfetched theories, which only serve to further the agendas of bad actors, like Russia, and do nothing to protect the principles of our institutions. We must unite as Americans to protect the integrity of our democracy and our elections.” FBI Director Chris Wray and Rosenstein briefed the President on the indictments at the White House on Friday morning, a White House official said.

Turkey jails six Turkish media workers for life, releases German reporter (CNN)A Turkish court sentenced six journalists and other media professionals to life in prison Friday, Turkey’s Anadolu state news agency reported, roughly an hour after another court freed a German-Turkish reporter who had been behind bars for the past year. The six were all sentenced for being associated with the movement of USbased Turkish cleric Fethullah Gullen, which Turkey says was behind a failed coup attempt in July 2016. Journalists Ahmet Altan, Mehmet Altan and Nazli Ilicak received life sentences on the charge of being informed about the coup attempt before it happened. Their sentence officially means they must serve 40 years. They were also sentenced for attempting to disrupt constitutional order, as were Fevzi Yazýcý, Yakup Þimþek and Þükrü Tuðrul Özþengül, who worked at Gulen-linked newspapers and a television station. “This is a dark day for press freedom and for justice in Turkey and sets a chilling precedent for scores of other journalists facing trials on similar trumped-up terrorism charges,” said Gauri van Gulik, Europe director for Amnesty International, in response to the sentencing. Earlier Friday, a separate court in Istanbul freed Deniz Yucel, a correspondent for

The freed German reporter and his wife outside the prison walls Germany’s Die Welt newspaper, according to the German government. The German-Turkish journalist was accused of spreading propaganda for the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, a Kurdish separatist group that the Turkish government has branded a terror-

ist organization. He was also accused of inciting violence in support of Gulen’s movement. Yucel was detained on February 14 last year and has always denied the accusations. His case had become a cause of serious friction between Berlin and Ankara.

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Saturday February 17, 2018

ACP Secretary General calls for more funding to deal with housing problems BRUSSELS - CMC – The Secretary General of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group, Dr. P.I. Gomes, is calling on the governments to make it a policy and create an annual budget towards slum upgrading in the 79member countries. Gomes, addressing the launch of the Phase III of the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP) that began in 2008 and is a joint effort of the ACP, the European Commission (EC) and UNHabitat, said the ACP remains grateful to the European Commission for providing financial and technical support to the PSUP over the last eight years and the new programme, 2017-2021. Jamaica and Haiti are Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries involved in the third phase of the PSUP for which 10 million Euros (One Euro=US$1.29 cents) have been secured. “The Secretariat of the ACP is chairing the Steering Committee of the PSUP and as such, we have a special interest to keep the political

prioritization of urban poverty high on the agenda, as well as advocating for resource allocations to address the challenges of slums in member countries. “We do understand that there is great demand for countries to participate in the PSUP and benefit from its progressive approach and tools. We have been able to communicate and accommodate the growing demand with our partners: EC and UN-Habitat,” the Guyanese-born ACP official said. Gomes said that the demand is as a result of growing awareness of the programme and “we dream of the time when all the 79 member countries will be implementing the PSUP. He said he has personally requested for the Steering Committee to be held in an implementing country for the members to appreciate the achievements of the PSUP while at the same time gaining insight into the scale of the slum challenge that we need to tackle. Gomes said that the PSUP

has already shown that it is people-centred, culture sensitive and particularly targets women and youth who are the most marginalized in ACP cities. “I would like to see the programme contributing to the transformation of women’s and youth’s lives and provide culture-based sustainable livelihoods while improving the physical environment in the slums in your respective countries.” Gomes said that while the funds for the 2017-21 programme represent a ‘a significant fund towards tackling urban poverty,” which he views as “a catalytic fund for slum upgrading” in many ACP countries “poverty and misery of slums that manifests itself in environmentally unsuitable living conditions, inadequate sanitation, inadequate housing and gender violence is too gigantic in our cities”. He said that 10 million Euros to be shared by all 40 implementing countries and 160 cities, is not able to achieve much in addressing

these challenges but it’s a good start, as a catalyst fund and to equip with policies, strategies and innovative financing entry points. “I congratulate the PSUP implementing governments and local authorities who announced their financial commitments towards complementing the PSUP funds with counterpart financing. This is a very bold and encouraging step and I urge you to make an annual commitment. We have already seen positive changes with improvement of lives for slum dwellers as a result of the co-financing. “I am making a passionate call to all the national governments and local authorities …to make it a policy and financial priority and create an annual budget towards slum upgrading and more specifically to complement funds allocated to the country by the PSUP. “The EC elaborates opportunities of the EU blending for up-scaling the PSUP with us. I invite countries to explore this opportunity and engage in discussing with

Dr. P.I. Gomes national EU Delegations and other financing institutions with the technical assistance of UN-Habitat.” Gomes said he was also using the opportunity of addressing delegates to the 9th World urban Forum in Malaysia, to assess their contributions to the programme. “We need a strong and expanded partnership to fully leverage this important initial investment. I particularly call for the contributions of na-

tional, regional and global financing partners. It will be essential to engage now and equip governments in addition to their contributions and political visions with finance instruments to tackle the scale incrementally. “The EC again has done the first step, and I invite you to join this effort. The ACP Secretariat remains available to support any of these and facilitate partnerships wherever possible,” he added.

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Ice hockey: Russians up and Hampshire condemn Marooners to fifth defeat running with big win over Slovenia BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – James Adams and Joe Weatherley hammered half-centuries as English county Hampshire made light work of Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners, brushing them aside by nine wickets in the battle of the bottom-placed teams in Group A of the Regional Super50 here Thursday night. Choosing to bat first at Kensington Oval, Marooners were bundled out for 124 in the 34th over, with Trinidadian Kjorn Ottley top-scoring with an attacking 50 and captain Kyle Corbin chipping in with 31.The pair gave the campus side a solid start as they put on 56 off 62 deliveries for the opening stand. Ottley lashed four fours and three sixes in a 57-ball

outing while Corbin also scored at a fair clip in a 37ball knock which included six fours. Seamer Gareth Berg (3-28) trapped Corbin lbw in the 11th over to spark a slide which saw five wickets fall for 16 runs before Ottley and Kenny Pennyfeather (17) propped up the innings in a 32-run sixth wicket partnership. Ottley’s dismissal, lbw to off-spinner Bradley Taylor (426), put the innings in terminal decline as the last five wickets perished for 20 runs. In reply, Hampshire lost Thomas Alsop cheaply for 11 in the fifth over but captain captain Adams hit an unbeaten 66 and Weatherley, 56 not out, to see the visitors to victory with 22 overs left. Adams faced 68 balls and

struck six fours and a six while Weatherley hit eight boundaries in an 88-ball innings, as the pair shared a 114-run, unbroken second wicket partnership. The win was Hampshire’s second in seven matches while Marooners slid to the bottom of the standings with their fifth defeat. In the final preliminary matches on Saturday, Hampshire face Windward Islands Volcanoes at 3Ws Oval while Marooners take on Barbados Pride at Kensington Oval. Scores: MAROONERS 124 off 33.3 overs (Kjorn Ottley 50, Kyle Corbin 31; Bradley Taylor 4-26, Gareth Berg 3-28). HAMPSHIRE 125 for one off 28 overs (James Adams 66 not out, Joe Weatherley 56 not out).

Saturday February 17, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today, Aries, you might find yourself getting more irritated than you usually would at the quirks of friends, colleagues, partners, and children. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Temporary difficulties at home might cause you to want to stay and resolve them rather than go to work or anywhere else. However, Taurus, career matters may also be pressing GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Some rather unsettling communications could come your way today, perhaps from out of state. This isn't likely to be anything serious CANCER (June 21–July 22) Some minor money matters may need to be handled today, Cancer, and you might find this irritating as you probably have other things you'd rather do. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The healing of a temporary rift with your partner is likely to take place today, with a lot of honest communication and more apologies than are necessary. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) The desire to go off by yourself and enjoy a little solitude is likely to be in conflict with the reality of your obligations today, Virgo. You could find yourself spacing out at times and unable to concentrate on any tasks at hand, so try to stay focused

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't expect any creative projects to go smoothly today, Libra. You could experience mental blocks that you find difficult to get beyond. Don't let it get to you. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Obligations to others could incline you toward staying home today, Scorpio, but important career issues could pull you in to work. This could cause some inner conflict, and you may have to face a choice. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you’re likely to feel torn in two different directions, Sagittarius. Apart of you could want to sequester yourself somewhere and read CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Minor difficulties over money could put you in a state of frustration. The problems aren’t Earthshaking, but they still need to be handled AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) An argument with your partner could have you feeling very disheartened and somewhat depressed today, Aquarius. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might wake up this morning feeling a little less than your usual self, and you might not be able to figure out why. There could be some sort of minor physical imbalance

GANGNEUNG, South Korea (Reuters) - After a stunning opening loss to Slovakia, Kiril Kaprizov scored a hattrick as the Olympic Athletes from Russia stormed back yesterday to crush Slovenia 8-2 and set up a key group game against the United States in the men’s Olympic ice hockey tournament. The Russians, the strongest team on paper and led by former NHL all stars Pavel Datsyuk and Ilya Kovalchuk, looked set to take the Games by storm when they netted two early goals against the Slovaks.But the Big Red Machine’s motor ran silent for the next 74 minutes as they lost 3-2 to Slovakia and they started slowly against the Slovenians.

Roger Federer... From page 34 The result: Federer’s endorsement earnings are the highest in the world among active athletes at more than $50 million a year. He ranked fourth last year in Forbes’ annual look at the world’s highestpaid athletes with $64 million, including prize money and appearance fees. Federer’s long-term partnerships, as well as the nearly year-round tennis schedule, don’t leave time for many new brands to muscle their way into the fold. But Federer added a new sponsor last year in Barilla, the largest pasta company in the world, with estimated revenue of $3.7 billion. The multiyear deal is worth up to $40 million, according to industry sources. Federer is currently playing in the Rotterdam Open, where a win in the quarterfinals today against Robin Haase would elevate Federer to the No. 1 ranking in the world for the first time in over five years. Federer would be the oldest player in men’s history to hold the top ranking. He currently holds the records for most weeks all-time at No. 1 (302) and consecutive weeks (237).

GFSCA tourney From page 34 will then battle for supremacy in the Open final from 16:30hrs. The champion team will pocket a trophy and $100,000 and the runner up a trophy and $25,000. Player of the final and player of the tournament in each category will take home $5,000 and a trophy each. Admission to the venue is free and teams can contact Wayne Jones on 650-1790 or 685-7908 for more information.

“We were a little nervous. We have a lot of guys their time in the Olympics, and we were trying to do too much,” said Kovalchuk, who is playing in his fifth Olympics. The Russians got back on track late in the first period with two goals within 22 seconds, the first from Sergei Mozyakin on a powerplay and the second from Kovalchuk who buried a shot from the point unassisted. The floodgates opened in the second period as the Russians scored four times through Alexander Barabanov, Ilya Kablukov, Kaprizov and Kovalchuk, who also had an assist on the Kablukov goal. Kovalchuk carried the puck into the Slovenia zone, threaded through two defenders and looped behind their goal before feeding Kablukov in front to knock it home.Kaprizov completed his

hat-trick with two third-period goals. “First game we played a good first five minutes, today we played good all 60,” Kovalchuk said. “That was the difference.”Captain Jan Mursak scored the first goal for the Slovenians, who came from two goals down in the third period to beat the United States in overtime on Wednesday. Ziga Pance scored their second with under a minute left. The Russian’s lopsided win set up a pivotal game today against the Americans in Group B, where all four teams have a win and a loss each. The U.S. sit top of the standings with four points because their defeat by Slovenia came in overtime, and the Russians are third. If the Americans win, they will top the group with seven points and if they lose they could drop to third.

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New Lankan Premier League set to clash with CPL and T20 Blast ESPNcricinfo - Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has finalised dates for its Lankan Premier League (LPL) T20 tournament, but its ability to attract foreign talent may be limited due to scheduling clashes with the Caribbean Premier League and England’s T20 Blast. The LPL is scheduled to run between August 18 and September 10, while the CPL is set to be played from August 8 to September 16, and the English domestic season ongoing throughout. The LPL will feature six teams in its inaugural edition. Although the clash seems an oversight, perhaps there

was no way around it. With the IPL taking up almost two months, and the southernhemisphere T20 leagues being played roughly from December to January, the Sri Lankan board is hamstrung by a busy schedule, not to mention the island’s monsoon season. An August-September window may be the best of a poor set of options. There is, at least, a slight lull in the international cricket schedule in those months. SLC may target players from New Zealand, Bangladesh and Australia, with those teams likely to be free during this period. Pakistan players could

also be an option, particularly if their tour to Zimbabwe is called off. As the T20 blast and the CPL - in particular - are bigger-ticket tournaments, the LPL may struggle to attract the marquee players that other T20 tournaments boast. Nevertheless, news of a high-profile Sri Lankan T20 tournament will be welcomed by local players, who have not had a regular domestic T20 tournament over the past few years. SLC had hosted an IPLstyle T20 event in 2012, called the SLPL. That tournament collapsed after its first edition, largely due to lack of interest.

SLC hosted an IPL-style T20 event in 2012, called the SLPL. (Ron Gaunt/SPORTZPICS/SLPL)

Saturday February 17, 2018

Chelsea stroll past Hull into FA Cup quarter-finals LONDON (Reuters) - Last season’s FA Cup runners-up Chelsea struck four times before the break to crush second-tier Hull City 4-0 and stroll into the quarter-finals at Stamford Bridge yesterday. Willian bagged two and Olivier Giroud scored his first goal for the club since joining from London rivals Arsenal, while Pedro was also on target for Antonio Conte’s dominant side. The night’s other fifth round tie saw Leicester City also in action against Championship opposition but having to work far harder for a 10 home victory over Sheffield United.Jamie Vardy struck the only goal after 66 minutes — the fifth game in a row in all competitions he has been on target. Leicester held on to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2012 when they were knocked out by eventual winners Chelsea — the last time the west London club won the Cup. There are four more ties today when 12-times winners Manchester United visit Huddersfield Town while another all-top-flight clash sees West Bromwich Albion at home to fellow strugglers Southampton.Third-tier

Willian wheels away in celebration after giving Chelsea the lead in just the second minute with a delightful curling finish. (Andy Hooper/Daily Mail) Rochdale host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday and on Monday runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City face third-tier Wigan Athletic in a repeat of the 2013 final surprisingly won by the Latics. CONFIDENT CHELSEA Willian needed only two minutes to give Chelsea the lead against Hull, curling the ball in with his left foot from the edge of the penalty area. Cesc Fabregas sent Pedro

away to make it 2-0 after 27 minutes and Willian then used his right foot to devastating effect to skim a low shot past keeper David Marshall. French international Giroud clipped in a neat finish from Emerson’s cut back to make the second half academic.With an eye on Tuesday’s Champions League last 16, first leg at home to Barcelona, Chelsea took their foot off the gas in the second half.

Jaguars beat Scorpions on D/L to reach Super50 semis ST JOHN’S, Antigua, – The Guyana Jaguars won by 4 wickets (with 8 balls remaining) on the Duckworth /Lewis method last evening, beating the Jamaica Scorpions the at Coolidge Cricket Ground yesterday to advance to the semifinals of the Regional Super50 tournament in Antigua. Jamaica Scorpions, opting to bat first, reached 264 for eight off their 50 overs, in the day/night 36th match. Led again by Chadwick Walton, who hit a superb 104, Jamaica looked in good stead to set a decent target. Odean TEAM Guyana Kent Jam LwdIs USA

M 8 7 7 7 7

GROUPA TEAM M BDOS 7 T&T 8 WWD 7 Hants 7 CC&C 7

W 6 5 4 2 1 W 6 4 4 2 1

Chanderpaul Hemraj pulls for six during entertaining 80 last night.

GROUP B L 2 2 3 5 6

T 0 0 0 0 0

P 26 21 19 9 5

NRR 0.425 0.375 0.727 -0.236 -1.251

L 1 3 3 5 5

T 0 0 0 0 0

P 27 22 17 9 7

NRR 1.568 0.423 -0.477 -0.445 -1.043

Guyanese fans enjoyed the entertainment provided by Jaguars despite the rain breaks Smith 32 not out and Steven Taylor 32 offered support as Guyana made some inroads in the middle overs. Ramaal Lewis took 2-36 bowling for the Jaguars. Chasing their target, a few rain interruptions saw

the Jaguars being set a revised target of 212 after a good start from the openers. Chanderpaul Hemraj 80, Christopher Barnwell 56 and Ta g e n a r i n e Chanderpaul 27 were the main contributors to see the Jaguars home and into the

semis. Pete Salmon captured 4-35 bowling for the Scorpions. Full details tomorrow. Scores: SCORPIONS 264 for eight (Chadwick Walton 104, Odean Smith 32 not out, Steven Taylor 32; Ramaal Lewis 2-36).

Guyana 213/6 (38.4/ 4 0 o v, t a rg e t 2 1 2 ) Chanderpaul Hemraj 80, Christopher Barnwell 56, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 27; Pete Salmon 4-35) Result: Guyana won by 4 wickets (with 8 balls remaining) (D/L method).

Saturday February 17, 2018

Speed skating: Visser resumes normal service for dominant Dutch GANGNEUNG, South Korea (Reuters) Dutchwoman Esmee Visser powered to gold in the women’s 5,000 meters speed skating as normal service resumed for the Netherlands at the Gangneung Oval yesterday. Defending champion Martina Sablikova of the Czech Republic claimed silver in the longest Olympic speed skating distance for women and Natalia Voronina took the bronze medal for the Olympic Athletes from Russia team. The Dutch have now won six of the seven gold medals on offer in the speed skating events after missing out on gold in the men’s 10,000m on Wednesday. Visser became the secondyoungest athlete to win the event at the age of 22, behind only German veteran Claudia Pechstein, who finished eighth in the 12-strong field six days shy of her 46th birthday.“It’s amazing,” Visser told reporters. “It was very surprising for me because I’ve never competed against these big women.” The champion was a surprise inclusion in the Dutch squad and offered proof there is no foreseeable end in sight to the Netherlands’ domination of the sport. “For this season my goal was to compete in my first world cup and I made that,” she added.“It was a big achievement for me. For the longer term my goal was to get to the Olympics in Beijing in 2022 so I never thought about this.” Racing in the first pair after the ice preparation break, Visser showed no signs of nerves and credited her coach

Esmee Visser won the 5,000m gold. (Getty Images) with calming her down enough to allow her to put in a performance of consistent laps built on a foundation of solid technique. “He kept me laughing and he said to me, ‘You can do it. You just have to show what you do in training. He pushed me to just do what I always do,” she said. Her last lap was her slowest, but by then she had done enough to knock compatriot Annouk van der Weijden, who took to the ice in the first pair, off the top spot. Visser had to wait for veterans Pechstein and Sablikova to finish racing, but neither could match the staying power of the Dutchwoman, who shaved more than six seconds off her previous best time to finish in 6 minutes, 50.23 seconds.

Sablikova, who won golds in the event in Vancouver and Sochi, was still troubled by the back injury that had prevented her from training fully until six weeks before she arrived in South Korea. She was quicker than Visser over the first 2-1/2 laps, but failed to match the Dutchwoman’s smooth stride thereafter. The Czech found a burst of speed on the last lap to get her toe ahead of Voronina for silver.“I am very happy today,” she said. “I feel like I‘m a winner because in November I had a really bad time. I couldn’t skate more than three laps. “I thought I wouldn’t go to the Olympics. It was a very hard time but now it’s like satisfaction because I‘m here with silver.”

Rossi turns 39 as MotoGP tests in Thailand (Reuters) - Valentino Rossi celebrated his 39th birthday on the test track yesterday with MotoGP having a first taste of Thailand’s Chang International Circuit that will make its debut on the calendar this year. The Italian great, a nine times world champion, completed 74 laps of the Buriram layout and ended the day as the fastest Yamaha rider and eighth overall. “The last three or four years, I think I always rode the M1 (bike) on my birthday,” said Rossi, whose contract runs out at the end of this year but has shown no signs of wanting to retire.

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“From one point of view it’s a bit difficult, because you have to work, but from another point of view this is the best way to spend my birthday.” LCR Honda’s British rider Cal Crutchlow was fastest in the heat, despite a crash, with Suzuki’s Spanish rider Alex Rins second and reigning world champion Marc Marquez third on a factory Honda.“It seemed quite fast to me when I lapped it on a scooter yesterday, but today riding my bike, I realized it was slower than I was expecting, with many second or thirdgear corners,” Marquez said of the layout. “Still, there are some hard

Valentino Rossi (Yamaha Racing) acceleration and braking points, and it will probably be challenging to manage tyre life, so we’ll work on that as well.”

Record-breaker Kohli leads India to another easy win over South Africa PRETORIA (Reuters) India’s Virat Kohli set a new batting record as he put on another masterclass with an unbeaten century against hosts South Africa yesterday to secure an easy eight-wicket victory and win the one-day international series 5-1. India strode to a comfortable win at Centurion as they reached their victory target with 107 balls to spare after putting South Africa into bat and bowling them out for 204. India, who have taken over from South Africa as the world’s top-ranked ODI team, were 206 for two wickets in reply in another dominant performance with captain Kohli again leading from the front. He scored 129 not out to set a new record for the most runs in a six-match ODI series. Kohli reached his 35th ODI ton in just 82 balls, was dropped on 103 and finished the six-matches with a total of 558 runs, easily eclipsing the previous mark of 491 runs achieved by team mate Rohit Sharma against Australia in the 2013-14 season. South Africa had been

Virat Kohli made his fourth fifty-plus score of the series to lead India. ©BCCI hoping for a consolation win at the end of the series, but were again in trouble early in their innings as talisman AB de Villiers (30 runs) struggled once more with the bat and wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals. Khaya Zondo, in only his third ODI, top scored with 54 as Shardul Thakur took 4-52. South Africa were all out with 19 balls still to face, set-

ting India a modest target that Kohli comfortably reeled in with a flourish of stroke play. India, who lost the threematch test series 2-1, now play South Africa in three Twenty20 internationals at end of their two-month tour. Scores: India 206 for 2 (Kohli 129*, Rahane 34*) beat South Africa 204 (Zondo 54, Thakur 4-52) by eight wickets.

Back on top, Federer becomes oldest ATP world number one (Reuters) - Roger Federer added yet another record to his vast collection when he guaranteed becoming the oldest ATP world number one by beating Dutchman Robin Haase 4-6 6-1 6-1 to reach the semi-finals in Rotterdam yesterday. Fresh from winning his 20th grand slam title in Melbourne this month, Federer took a wildcard into the ABN AMRO World Tennis event with his eyes fixed on a return to number one for the first time since November 2012.Needing to reach the last four to overtake great rival Rafael Nadal, Federer showed some early nerves in his quarter-final clash in the port city’s Ahoy Arena, dropping serve in the ninth game on his way to conceding the first set. But the 36-year-old Swiss, as he usually does, moved through the gears to punish a physically struggling Haase. A demoralised Haase double-faulted on match point and after an initially restrained celebration Federer

sat on his chair and looked close to tears as his feat sank in — as did some of the Swiss fans leading the rapturous applause. “Reaching number one is one of, if not the ultimate achievement in our sport,” Federer said on court after being handed a huge No.1 shaped plaque by Dutch former Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek, the tournament director. “Sometimes at the beginning you just kind of get there because you played so well, but later you have to fight for it and have to wrestle it back from someone who deserves to be there. When you are older you maybe have to put double the work in. This maybe means the most to me in my career.”Federer, whose glittering career has re-ignited since taking six months off in 2016, has won three of the last five grand slams having gone five years without one. One of the greatest ever late-career runs by any sportsman or woman means he surpasses Andre Agassi who was the previous oldest

man to top the ATP rankings. American Agassi was 33 when he scaled the summit in 2003. He was one of the first to congratulate Federer. “Roger Federer continues to raise the bar in our sport. Congratulations on yet another remarkable achievement!!” Agassi said on Twitter.Federer also set another record with the more than five-year gap between his previous and most recent stints as world number one being the longest since ATP rankings began in 1973. Incredibly Federer first reached number one in 2004, as a 22-year-old, and having now returned there 14 years later playing some of the best tennis of his career, he looks capable of another lengthy stretch on the throne. He already holds the record of 302 weeks ranked number one. On his Instagram account later, Federer said: “A night to remember forever. Thank you to all my fans who have been there for me since the beginning.”

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Saturday February 17, 2018

Kaieteur News

Short powers Australia to record run chase against New Zealand AUCKLAND (Reuters) D‘Arcy Short anchored a high-powered Australian batting order to produce the highest successful run chase in Twenty20 international cricket to beat New Zealand by five wickets in their tri-series clash at Eden Park yesterday. Short, who started his innings with several edges and false shots that went for boundaries at the small ground, scored 76 from 44 balls as the Australians reached 245 for five with seven deliveries remaining. The run chase eclipsed the 236 for six West Indies achieved in beating South Africa in Johannesburg in 2015. New Zealand had scored 243 for six in their 20 overs after Martin Guptill (105) and Colin Munro (76) had produced a blistering 132-run opening partnership in 10.4 overs. Short and captain David Warner (59), however, put on 121 runs in 8.3 overs to give

the visitors the ideal start before Glenn Maxwell, who scored 31 from 14 balls, and Aaron Finch (36 not out) ensured they got home. Having won their previous three matches before yesterday, Australia had already qualified for the final of the tri-series, that also includes England, at the same ground on Feb. 21. New Zealand had been strong favourites to join them in the final at the innings break after Guptill and Munro scored at more than 12 runs an over, exploiting the short boundaries down the ground. Munro hit Andrew Tye for three successive sixes off the first three balls of the 11th over but was then undone by a cleverly-disguised slower delivery on the next and was caught at wide long on by Maxwell. Guptill then picked up where Munro had left off, reaching his second Twenty20 international century in 49 deliveries before Tye

Joseph/Wiltshire dominoes tomorrow in Linden President of the Georgetown Dominoes Association Faye Joseph and senior Organising Secretary Mark Wiltshire will be hosting a dominoes competition tomorrow at Supervisor club, Mackenzie, Linden. Entrance fee is $12,000 and the winning team will take home a trophy and $175,000, runner up a trophy and $75,000 and third place a trophy and $35,000. Action gets underway at 13:00hrs and teams can contact Wiltshire on 6655855 for registration.

Faye Joseph

BVA holds annual awards ceremony 2017 today The Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) will be holding its awards ceremony for the year 2017 today. The activity will be held at the GuySuCo Training Center / Port Mourant hostel, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice, commencing at 14:00hrs. A number of awards including trophies and other incentives will be given out to outstanding teams and individual players who would have excelled during the 2017 Volleyball season. Among the categories that awards will be presented to are -male and female champion clubs, male and

female volleyball players of the year, most promising volleyballer of the year. The BVA referee of the year and the most disciplined player will also be rewarded. Reports and remarks will be made by a representative of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF), The National Sports Commission (NSC) and the President of the BVA.All clubs and the executive members will be present to witness the ceremony.Trophies and other incentives will be presented by the NSC, the GVF and the BVA. (Samuel Whyte)

Martin Guptill drills down the ground as runs flowed from early on ©AFP had him caught by Maxwell at deep midwicket to leave the hosts 212 for three in the 17th over. Australia then dragged the New Zealand innings

David Warner smashed a fifty off 20 balls as Australia responded to a record chase in style ©Getty Images back with three wickets for four runs in six deliveries. Ross Taylor hit two sixes in an 18-run final over from Tye to propel New Zealand to their equal-highest T20

score. New Zealand face England in Hamilton tomorrow, with the hosts holding the advantage having won their game in Wellington on Tues-

D’Arcy Short made his maiden international fifty and a remarkable victory came into view ©AFP day by 12 runs. Scores: Australia 245 for 5 (Short 76, Warner 59) beat New Zealand 243 for 6 (Guptill 105, Munro 76) by five wickets.

Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Committee Triple Crown Horseracing Championships

Slight change to Triple Crown race dates Organiser Junior Mohamed has informed that there have been a few changes to the race dates for the first Triple Crown horseracing event in Guyana. While it may be a slight disappointment to some, it may be a blessing to others as stables have a few more days to get their thoroughbreds in top shape for the Triple Crown event. Organised by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Committee and with over $20million in cash prizes up for grabs in the three-day event, and due to start tomorrow, the event has been pushed back by about two weeks. Mohamed informed that the dates have been changed with the first race set for March 4th at the Rising Sun, while the second event will be April 1st at Port Mourant and the 3rd and final race in the series is fixed for April 29th at Rising Sun Turf Club. The drawing of the grand raffle will be shifted to the final leg on April 29th. Mohamed informed that for the slight disappointment to the fans, the committee has decided to give away 1000FREE kites for the first 1000 fans that enter the ground on April first. Both meets at the Rising Sun Turf Club will have the following 1st place cash prizes in the respective classes: CClass and Lower - $1 million, F class and Lower/E- Class

The Nissan Tida on offer at the Triple Crown raffle. 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, 3year-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. The raffle will see the winner driving away with a 2011 Nissan Tida sedan car, which is the first prize. The other prizes on offer are a 125 motor cycle, Samsung 40" Smart TV, 2samsaung 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 and changes can be sourced by contacting: Chandu Ramkissoon: 6249063/608-9063/232-0633; Alan Podmore: 232-9115/ 6191909 and Nikita Ross: 6624668.

Saturday February 17, 2018

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Bounty Farm handicap Squash tournament Beer producer ‘donates’ sled to Jamaica women’s bobsleigh team Top Seed Nyron Joseph wins on night two BBC Sport - The Jamaica women’s bobsleigh team are expected to compete at Pyeongchang 2018 in a sled “donated” by a beer producer. The participation of Jamaica’s first women’s Winter Olympic bobsleigh team was under threat following the departure of coach Sandra Kiriasis. The former Olympic champion said she used her contacts to secure their previous sled and was “legally responsible” for its use. She was demanding payment in order to allow Jamaica to use it.A Jamaica Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (JBSF) spokeswoman said it was “donated” by one of Jamaica’s most popular beer producers, Red Stripe. Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian and Carrie Russell are hoping to become the first Jamaican women to compete at the Winter Olympics - 30 years after the Jamaican men, who inspired the film Cool Runnings, made history in Calgary. It is the latest twist in a long-running saga regarding the equipment used by the women’s bobsleigh team following the declaration by a Japanese manufacturer that they were considering taking legal action against the JBSF. The Tokyo-based company claim to have had an agreement in place, whereby they created a bobsleigh for

The Jamaica women’s bobsleigh team used a sled supplied by then coach Sandra Kiriasis during an unofficial training session on 8 February. (Getty Images) the team free of charge in exchange for it being used during the Olympics. However, it is understood that, although the Jamaicans used the sled earlier in the season, they were forced to borrow another - via Kiriasis’ contacts - after the manufacturer failed to deliver the craft to Europe in time for the second phase of the World Cup. Using the replacement, they finished seventh at the Winterberg World Cup in Germany in December. The best finish for a Jamaica team at an Olympics is 14th, by the men’s four-man line-up at Lillehammer 1994. Analysis - John Jackson, former Great Britain

bobsleigh pilot The Jamaica team can use any sled in training but the race sled will have to be checked by the IBSF jury and be given an Olympic stamp. It’s hardly ideal preparation because if it is a new sled, Fenlator-Victorian will not have a lot of time to get used to the sled, she may not have a feel for it, and that can play on the dynamics of the team and the confidence. In official training they have to put down two clean runs - by that I mean not crash - to be eligible to race in the Olympics. The situation is a mess and it is like Cool Runnings, but 30 years on you would expect Jamaica Bobsleigh to be better than this.

Brazil coach confirms 15 names for Russia SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil coach Tite said yesterday he had filled 15 places in his World Cup squad, with Thiago Silva and Roberto Firmino among those who will definitely be going to Russia. Silva was unexpectedly dropped from the Paris St Germain team that lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday. Firmino, who plays for Liverpool, has faced tough competition for one of Brazil’s back up spots to first-choice forwards Neymar of PSG, Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City. “The 11 who will start are Alisson; Marcelo, Miranda, Marquinhos, Daniel Alves; Paulinho, Renato Augusto and Casemiro, Neymar,

Thiago Silva (right) and Roberto Firmino (AFP) Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus,” Tite said in an interview with UOL Esportes, a popular Brazilian website.Manchester City’s Fernandinho and Willian of Chelsea are the two other confirmed names in the 23-man squad. The only team to win the

World Cup five times, Brazil have been drawn for this year’s tournament against Costa Rica, Switzerland and Serbia in Group E. Their next matches are March friendlies against host nation Russia and World Cup holders Germany.

The second day of the Bounty Farm handicap Squash tournament was in full swing with a packed schedule of evening matches at the Georgetown Club on Thursday. In Category A the Verwey brothers both provided some thrills for the night. In the matchup between Nicholas Verwey (5) and Ethan Jonas (-2), the two boys fought down to the wire. Ethan Jonas showed real grit after conceding the first game 12-15 by winning six straight points to tie up the second game 15-13, and then clawing his way up from 6-14 in the final game to take the match. Nicholas’s brother Joshua also had a tough match as he stepped up in a fight to the finish with Monisha Persaud; both games reaching 14 all before Joshua stitched it up 15-14, 14-14. Nyron Joseph (-22) did not disappoint in the Open Category coming from -22 to tire out Brian Young (8). After a master display, Joseph almost let it slip allowing a 14all in the second game before finishing off the match 15-9, 15-14. Samuel Ince-Carvalhal put in a valiant effort in the second game against Alex cheeks who had him at 14-12

Nyron Joseph in action. before Ince-Carvalhal dug deep to bring it to 14-all, but he couldn’t bring it home and acrobatic Cheeks won in two straight games; 15-11, 15-14. Scores for Thursday Evening: Open Category Adam Alves (5) beat Robert Natiello (10) 15-12, 13-15, 1511. Javid Rahaman(-2) beat Ashley Khalil (-4) 15-7, 15-7 Ian Mekdeci (8) beat Regan Pollard (-12) 15-3, 14-15, 15-3 Alex Cheeks (-2) beat Samuel Ince-Carvalhal (5) 15-11, 1514 Nicholas Naraine (-12) beat Robert Hiscock (11) 7-15, 15-

11, 15-11. Joe Mekdeci (2) beat Jonathan Antczak (7) 15-14, 15-10 Taylor Fernandes (-4) beat John Maikoo (8) 15-14, 15-13 Nyron Joseph (-22) beat Brian Young (8) 15-9, 15-14 Category A Ethan Jonas (-2) beat Nicholas Verwey (5) 15-12, 15-13, 1514 Joshua Verwey (9) beat Monisha Persaud(13) 15-14, 15-14 James Mekdeci (5) beat Zachary Persaud (7) 8-15, 158, 15-10 Madison Fernandes (2) beat Jared Saul (12) 15-12, 15-11 Paige Fernandes (8) beat Grant Fernandes (13) 15-6, 158 Keenan Naraine (13) beat Noah Rahaman (13) 15-14, 1514 Kirsten Gomes (0) beat Chad De Abreu (10) 15-12, 15-10 Demetrius De Abreu (-4) beat Kamir Khan (7) 15-12, 10-15, 15-10 Jason Gomes (7) beat Beau Fernandes (11) 15-8, 15-9 Louis DaSilva (6) beat Lajuan Munroe (12) 15-7, 15-8. Michael Alphonso (-6) beat Teija Edwards (11) 15-11, 1513 Lucas Jonas (2) beat Brenno DaSilva (13) 15-12,15-11 Osmond Mack (10) beat Malia Maikoo (13) 15-1, 15-2

Kent eye semis with easy win over USA NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – English county Kent kept themselves in the hunt for a semi-final spot when they beat USA Cricket by 30 runs in their Group B clash of the Regional Super50 here yesterday. Needing a win to remain in contention for the playoffs, Kent looked in danger when they collapsed to 51 for six in the 20th over, after choosing to bat first at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground. But Grant Stewart struck 44 and Calum Haggett, 42, to get their side up to 172 for nine off their allotted 50 overs. Seamers Roy Silva (231), Elmore Hutchinson (233) and Saurabh Netravalkar (2-43), along with left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige (2-20), all finished with two wickets each. In reply, USA Cricket lost early wickets but recovered to reach 93 for three in the 27 th over, to leave the game an open affair. Silva top-scored with 50 and Sunny Sohal got 29 but left-arm spinner Imran

Qayyum grabbed four for 33 while seamers Grant Stewart (2-20) and Calum Haggett (2-25) supported with two wickets apiece to undermine the innings. With the victory, Kent moved into second spot in the standings with another game remaining on Sunday against Leeward Islands Hurricanes. Their start here yesterday left a lot to be desired, though, as wickets tumbled steadily before Stewart and Haggett put on a crucial 87 for the seventh wicket. Stewart faced 86 deliveries and counted three fours and a six while struck three fours in a 73-ball innings. When they fell in successive overs, Kent failed to find any late acceleration and stuttered to their final score. Faced with a modest target, USA Cricket coasted to 26 without loss before losing three wickets for eight runs to be in danger of collapse. However, Silva and Sohal combined in a 59-run, fourth wicket stand which propped up the innings and put Kent under pressure. Silva was forthright in his

Leg-spinner Imran Qayyum. approach, belting three fours and three sixes in a 57-ball knock while Sohal was boundary-less in a patient 75-ball stay at the crease. Once Sohal was lbw to Imran Qayyum in the 27th over, Silva found no more support and the innings faltered. Scores: KENT 172 for one off 50 overs (Grant Stewart 44, Calum Haggett 42; Nosthush Kenjige 2-20, Roy Silva 2-31). USA 142 off 42 overs (Roy Silva 50, Sunny Sohal 29; Imran Qayyum 4-33, Grant Stewart 2-20).

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Saturday February 17, 2018

Kaieteur News

ICC women’s world T/20 world cup UAE seals showdown with Windies launched in Guyana at Umana Yana The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Women’s T/ 20 World Cup, which bowls off in the West Indies this November, was launched yesterday at Guyana’s Umana Yana in Kingston. Among the attendees of the opening ceremony were the Minister with responsibility for Sports, Dr. George Norton, Cricket West Indies (CWI) Directors Anand Sanasie and Jennifer Nero, among members of government and the local organising committee. For the first time, the women’s tournament will be a standalone event unlike the last which in which both the West Indies male and female teams participated in 2016. CWI and tournament director Jennifer Nero noted that, “The tournament will be of great significance as it signals to the world that gender equality is an integral part of ICC and CWI agendas.” She further posited, “Our (CWI) vision is to bring the Caribbean flavour to successfully host the games. CWI will use this tournament as a springboard to raise children and women’s participation of the sport in the region.” ICC’s Executive David Richards was unable to attend the opening but shared a video message where he expressed pleasure in the Windies women’s chance of defending their title on home soil. Minister Norton welcomed the tournament to the shores of Guyana and noted that the sport has come a long

Minister George Norton being presented with the symbolic cricket bat by CWI director Jennifer Nero. way since the inception of professional cricket with players now earning as much as US$20 million per year. Another Government of Guyana official, Melissa DowRichardson who is the Assistant Director at the National Sports Commission (NSC), commended the effort of CWI in gaining the rights to host the tournament. “The launch of the game in Guyana is symbolic and everyone will be happy with the significant matches which will play here (at Providence National Stadium). CWI can be assured that the locals will rally behind the home team with tremendous support.” Guyana will host preliminaries and group matches dur-

CWI Director Anand Sanasie was the Master of Ceremony at the launch. ing the tournament that begins on November 4th.

RHTY&SC extends Get Well Wishes to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo The Management and Members of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS is extending Get Well Wishes to the Hon Prime Minister of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo. “We were saddened when we first learnt that he was required to undergo a Heart Bypass Surgery in the United States of America but were delighted that the surgery was a success. We pray that he would make a total recovery and would shortly return to con-

tinue his outstanding service to the Guyanese Nation,” the club stated in a release. Prime Minister Nagamootoo is an Honorary Member of Guyana’s leading Youth and Sports Club and also received their highest Award “The Dolphin Award of Excellence” for being a Positive Role Model to their Members. “Mr. Nagamootoo is a strong supporter of the work we do in Rose Hall Town and we value highly his words of advice and encouragement. We would like to encourage

all Guyanese to pray for the speedy recovery of our Prime Minister,” the release continued.“We would also like to extend words of Support to his wife Sita and Children Maria, Angela, Adela and Ernesto. One of the things that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club strongly believes in is that Prayers move mountain and we are confident that the prayers of all Guyanese would be answered by the God that we cannot see but strongly believed in.”

GFSCA tourney concludes tomorrow at Zeeburg The Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association, Nauth Motor Spares, Trophy Stall and Mike’s Pharmacy softball tournament is set to conclude tomorrow at Zeeburg. The action will get underway with the semi-finals of the female category;

Trophy Stall Angels will face Blue Divas on pitch one and Mike’s Wellwoman will take on 4R Lioness on pitch two at 09:30hrs. The Masters’ final will be contested at 11:30hrs with Regal playing Mike’s Wellman; the winner will take home a trophy and $100,000

and the runner up a trophy and $25,000. The female final will be played at 14:30hrs. The winning team will receive a trophy $50,000 and the runner up a trophy and $25,000. Speedboat and Success (Continued on page 25)

WINDHOEK, Namibia, CMC – United Arab Emirates booked their spot alongside West Indies at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe starting next month, after beating Nepal by seven runs to win the ICC World Cricket League Division 2 title here Wednesday. With the triumph, UAE have been installed in Group A of the March 4-25 tournament, along with the likes of Ireland, the Netherlands and Papua New Guinea. Nepal, meanwhile, will do battle in Group B alongside Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Scotland and hosts Zimbabwe. UAE skipper Rohan Mustafa warned that based on the tenacity displayed

over the last week, his side would be a force to be reckoned with throughout the upcoming qualifiers. “This performance has been such a morale booster that I am sure we will do much better in the World Cup qualifiers,” he said. “The way we have fought back [from defeats during the tournament shows that we will be a hard team to beat in the World Cup qualifiers.” West Indies, the highest ranked side in the tournament, open their campaign on March 6 against UAE at the Old Hararians Sports Club in Harare. The Caribbean side will then take on PNG two days later, Ireland on March 10 before wrapping up their prelimi-

nary round with a clash against the Netherlands. Following the preliminaries, the top three from each group will advance to the Super Sixes where they will each play three matches against teams they did not meet in the preliminaries. The finalists will secure the final two berths at the ICC World Cup scheduled for England next year from May 30 to July 15. West Indies failed in their bid for an automatic qualification spot after falling outside the top eight in the oneday rankings at the September 30 cut-off date last year. Hosts England, along with the remaining top seven teams, all earned direct qualification.

West Indies … will face UAE in Group A of the ICC qualifiers.

Roger Federer Signs Blockbuster Sponsorship Extension With Mercedes-Benz FORBES - Roger Federer’s remarkable run on and off the court has continued this year. The 36-year-old won the Australian Open last month to extend his career record for Grand Slam titles among men to 20. With the Swiss star showing no signs of slowing down, brands still clamour to align themselves with the apparently ageless Federer. The latest is MercedesBenz, which first partnered with Federer in 2008. The German auto brand’s parent, Daimler, announced an extension yesterday of its endorsement deal with Federer. The new multi-year deal will net Federer an estimated $5 million annually. “Roger Federer is an outstanding athlete who has shaped tennis for decades and stands for top performance. As a successful top athlete, he ideally represents our brand as we are united by the demand for perfection and the will to succeed,” says Dr. Jens Thiemer, vice president Mar-

keting Mercedes-Benz Cars in a press release on the news. Federer first partnered with Mercedes a decade ago in a three-year deal focused exclusively on China. The agreement was extended in 2011 as a global deal, with MercedesBenz using Federer in its marketing around the world. The pact was extended for another three years at the end of 2014. Mercedes has used tennis as one of its marketing pillars for more than two decades. In addition to Federer, Mercedes is a primary sponsor of the US Open and annual Shanghai ATP Tour stop. Mercedes-Benz sponsored the inaugural Laver Cup in Prague last year. The team event featuring players from Europe taking on those from the rest of the world was founded and organized by Federer and his management company, TEAM8. The Mercedes’ renewal follows Swiss chocolate brand Lindt, which re-

upped with Federer at the end of 2017 in a multiyear deal worth more than $20 million. Lindt originally signed Federer to an endorsement in 2009. Athlete-brand partnerships tend to run their course after a few years, but Federer’s brand partners tend to never leave his endorsement stable. Nike, Rolex, Credit Suisse, Jura and Wilson have partnered with Federer for more than a decade. With these latest agreements, you can add Lindt and Mercedes-Benz to the list as well. Credit Federer’s 15-year run at or near the top of the sport. He also benefits from the global nature of the sport and the attractive demographics of the tennis fan with high disposable income to spend on cars, watches and equipment. Federer is arguably the world’s most attractive endorsement personality for brands in sports or otherwise. (Continued on page 25)