Wednesday February 22, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Even these three prominent GUYANA’S EXTERNAL POSITION; AN ANALYSIS persons, GTT did not listen to DEAR EDITOR, Public controversies over the availability of foreign currency in Guyana’s financial system, although infrequent, tend to be unhelpful to market participants and the public in general, since shortages hint at a depreciation of our local currency which, if protracted, generally leads to higher prices for imported goods. Rumors, unfounded or not, therefore tend to rattle public confidence and trigger hoarding of foreign currency. The table below presents selected statistics on Guyana’s balance of payments for the period 2013 through 2016, along with figures on the net foreign assets of the banking system. The year 2013 was chosen as a reference since this was the most recent year that could be considered to be relatively free of the negative influences and uncertainty of the political climate which unfolded from the presentation of the 2014 budget through to the change of government in 2015.
or US$317 million contraction in imports over the three-year period. The net of trade in services also showed a 39 percent or US$120 million improvement from a deficit of US$310 million in 2013 to a deficit of US$190 million at the close of 2016. Transfers which include remittances from abroad, played a significant role in bolstering the position of Guyana’s net external position over the years. These reduced the current account deficit by 73 percent or US$274 million in 2016 and by 70 percent or US$417 million in 2015. They totaled US$458 million in 2014, but registered a sharp contraction year-on-year in 2016, falling by 34 percent or US$142 million to US$274 million. Although data for 2016 are best estimates, this sharp reduction in transfers may have been the source of consternation for the commercial banks, since these very probably fell out of line with their projections for the year.
The overall current account deficit improved by 44% or US$80 million to a deficit of US$101 million in 2016, when compared with 2015. The current account excluding transfers, which comprises the net positions of both merchandise trade and services, improved its deficit position by 37 percent or US$223 million, to a deficit of US$375 million. This was due largely to the strengthening of the merchandise trade position, which reduced its deficit of US$340 million in 2015 by 45 percent or US$155 million to a deficit of US$186 million at the close of 2016. The value of exports grew by 19 percent or US$221 million to US$1,372 million, while imports increased by 4 percent or US$66 million to US$1,558 million. The performance of the balance of payments in 2016 reflects a much stronger position when compared with 2013, with the deficit on the current account contracting by 78 percent or US$355 million from US$456 million in 2013 to a deficit of US$101 million in 2016. This was due to the 54 percent or US$434 million contraction in the current account deficit excluding transfers from US$809 million in 2013 to a deficit of US$375 million in 2016. The merchandise trade deficit contracted by 63 percent or US$314 million, from US$500 million in 2013 to a deficit of US$186 million in 2016. The strengthening of the merchandise trade figures was due mainly to the 17 percent
Nevertheless, recent data showed that the net foreign assets of commercial banks improved modestly by 2 percent or US$4 million in 2016 over the previous year to US$278 million, and was up 17 percent or US$40 million from US$239 million in 2013. The net foreign assets of the Bank of Guyana increased by 4 percent or US$21 million year-on-year in 2016, but had declined by nearly 15 percent or US$105 million, from US$717 million in 2013, to US$612 million in 2016. Although Guyana’s external position in 2016 is much stronger when compared with 2013, the marked decline in imports does support claims of slowing economic activity over the three-year period. Both exports and imports had declined in 2014, by 15 percent and 4 percent respectively, or US$208 million and US$84 million. Imports however recorded a sharper contraction in 2015, falling by 17 percent or US$300 million, to US$1,492 million. They however recovered slightly in 2016, growing by 4 per cent or US$66 million to US$1,558 million. The recent spat in the financial system over the availability of foreign currency has resurrected the specter of the delicate balance Guyana continues to hold in its external position, and underlines the need for greater emphasis to be placed on strengthening our international reserve position. Among the Continued on page 6
DEAR EDITOR; In 2012, I applied for a line phone service and met GTT personnel, Mr De Mahos, that assured me that phone service would be made available. I sought the intervention of certain prominent persons in the society hoping they could help. I sought the assistance of Freddie Kissoon, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine and MajorGeneral Joe Singh. All three assured me they would talk to GTT personnel. All three told they did talk to GTT and promises were made to them to see what GTT could do. Five years later, I am still without a phone though some residents in the scheme have received service. My name is Shivana
Raghunandan. I live at 144 Clanbrook Village, Doch Cab Housing Scheme. As a single parent who works in Georgetown with my son preparing for CXC it is very difficult and expensive to depend entirely on a mobile phone which on occasions has to be charged. I recently saw the CEO of GTT proposing an expansion of services to the hinterland, it would be very heartening, my son wrote Common Entrance without the tools of the internet, I do hope that for CXC he could have these necessary items to support him, rather than uncomfortable paid visits to Internet Cafes. Shivana Raghunandan
Some complaints about the Adult Calypso Competition DEAR EDITOR, The just concluded Adult Calypso Competition which was held at Thirst Park at Banks DIH was one of excellence. I truly enjoyed the high standard with which it was executed. Kindly give me the opportunity however, to air my view and concern with the way this and previous competitions were/are being run by one set of people over and over again which always result in flawed decisions, favoritism, friendship and bias this also includes especially the judging system. If one would only take a few seconds to look keenly he/she would observe a pattern that is biased in favour to a few of those contestants and would without a shadow of a doubt conclude that these competitions are not beyond reproach. First I wish to applaud and commend an excellent piece of creative writing by that female contestant, Precious Pearl. We simply don’t get that level of excellence in creativity anymore. Coupled with her presentation, she won that crown without a doubt, her presentation was unique. I marveled at the way that idea was executed to have a plane on stage, along with a banner displaying an amusing name for the Aircraft “Ole Age Airways” and an exceptionally beautiful voice announcing the departure of the aircraft to another
destination. It was so unique, the flavor and humorous act of that woman displaying the different illnesses in the background was unbeatable. These people should be honored and rewarded by the Minister of Culture and the business sector for their effort and as some form of encouragement. We simply have to encourage this high level of excellence or we will either lose it entirely or continue to have only good songs with flat writings as was the case of some of the contestants in the forefront. To Precious Pearl, I wish to say keep on keeping all your songs you have brought to the competitions; they are unbeatable. They can’t keep a good man, in this case, a good woman down. You were the winner by far just let them ask any Trinidadian calypsonian but delayed is not denied. It is known that some producers of recording studios are in league with some officials and judges hence those decisions we often get at these competitions. Some judges should be investigated and no way, their decisions should be final. To the Minister of Culture, it is my
suggestion to change all those people who have been managing this competition for way too long. The time has come for a fresh set of people to be placed at the helm and an entire fresh panel of judges for the next five years and watch Calypso climb to its highest peak. People who don’t deserve to go to the final no matter how professional they are should be thrown out if they don’t bring something acceptable to the table. It is only then the other unfortunate contestants will get an opportunity to showcase what they have and the Calypso Art Form elevated. I close by saying that even though young people are needed to carry on the legacy of calypso, it must not be at the expense of seniority and wisdom. And no good piece of choreography and voice should be given the edge over an excellent piece of creative writing as was the case in this competition. The archive needs these qualities of calypsos that Precious Pearl brings. A Happy Mashramani to all! Looking forward to a better program and a complete change of officials and judges. E. George
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Ministry of Public Infrastructure may have erred in this matter DEAR EDITOR, It was reported in the news media of Feb. 17 that due to bad contract management, the East Bank and East Coast Demerara Highway improvement projects funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has cost the Govt. $543M and still counting for unfinished contract work on these road projects. As a result of this large cost overrun and projects’ delay completion of nearly three years, the Govt. decided to terminate the contracts which were awarded to two contractors. For the records, these were contractors involved in construction of the Hope Canal, a Govt. funded project which had large time and cost overruns as well as several defects which surfaced after construction. Minister of Public Infrastructure (MoPI) David Patterson appeared to have lapsed in the execution of his duties. It is inconceivable that he allowed these failed contractors as well as the supervising consultants, firstly to be awarded subsequent contracts despite their past poor performance on Govt. contracts and secondly, authorizing payments to them for work which was never done. In this respect, Minister Patterson should have reviewed the performance of his staff particularly the chief roads and bridge officer who failed to monitor the work of the supervisors and contractors and
authorized partial payments to them for fictitious work done; hence the cause for the over-payment. Minister Patterson is fully aware through his training and work experience that in any contract there are clauses whereby the supervising consultant monitoring construction of a project has to ensure that the work done was in accordance with the plans and specifications and partial payments are only recommended for work done and/or for materials on site. He is also expected to alert the Govt. of any contract delay and noncompliance with the plans and specifications. Therefore it is unimaginable that the MoPI allowed the abovementioned contractors to be over-paid and chalked-up large time overruns then allowed them to abandon the projects without any financial penalty while leaving the country with a heavy debt to service and unfinished projects to complete. Emil McGarrel, Permanent Secretary, MoPI, implied in his statement that the IDB funded road projects did not allow the Govt. to impose penalties on contractors for non-performance of work, only termination could be enforced. The facts suggest otherwise since the IDB loan agreement with the Govt. did not have any restrictive clause regarding the imposition of penalties for non-performance by contractors. Charles Sohan
Wednesday February 22, 2017
Where is the PNC’s voice on the parking meter scandal? DEAR EDITOR, Permit me to share a few thoughts in your paper on the very obnoxious matter of the paid parking meter policy as is implemented by the M&CC of the city of Georgetown. Whilst there had been continuous opposition to this infringement of the rights of the people of Guyana, namely by the Movement Against Parking Meter, what was noticeable at the inception of this movement was the silence of political parties that make up the ruling coalition. But finally came a sudden outburst against the meter project by the AFC and quite recently The Justice for All
Party. Whilst it is better late than never, such an approach must be lauded to some degree by these minority parties in the coalition government. The only opposition in Parliament, the PPP has been having their say too, but what is interesting, is not a statement from the majority political party in the coalition. The PNC has not yet been forthcoming. What will be more interesting however is if such a statement does appear, one is only left to wonder about its contents. I say this in light of the fact that the signatories to the contract between M&CC and Smart Solutions were high
office holders of the PNC; its general secretary, Oscar Clarke and an executive member of the same party, Patricia Chase-Green. What is mind-boggling is the approach taken by the President, His Excellency David Granger, leader of the PNC and Minister of Communities Honourable, Ronald Bulkan. Both are also high ranking members of the majority PNC in the coalition government. Both of these gentlemen have not been strongly assertive on their position towards this parking meter fiasco that has seen thousands of its own supporters coming out on the streets of Georgetown to
protest this vulgar imposition on the citizens, not only of the capital city but also nationwide. It leaves me to wonder; is the PNC willing to support its executive members over the general welfare and desires of the populace? We have had enough ranting and raving of the previous administration, that is, the failures, and misdeeds of the PPP. We the people are not fools! We can decipher wrong from right and for me the PPP was indeed no angel in government, but can the same be said at this point of time, of the coalition government, made up of the likes of the PNC, AFC, JFAP, WPA and others? I wish the people give this some thought! Bhoj Tharay
Guyana’s judicial system needs radical overhaul DEAR EDITOR, Chief Justice (ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards and outgoing Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Carl Singh, proudly cut the ribbon to formally re-open the Sparendaam Magistrates Court which had been closed for almost a year to facilitate the construction of a new
building, citing that two Magistrates will now preside to deal with the backlogs. What about other judicial and magisterial districts? Are the residents of Lethem and Bartica, for example, not entitled to speedy justice also? What about public disclosures, tenders and advertisements
Minister Broomes should... From page 4 operations is not in the best interest for the sector that has been contributing significantly to the GDP of Guyana over the past years. The approach going forward is to have dialogue with all miners, their representative, the government and relevant stakeholders to find common ground to ensure that the sector continues its contribution to the economy.
In closing, miners should be facilitated to allow the sharing of information on best practice techniques for prospecting, mining, processing and environmental management. Segregation will only lead to confusion and hostility towards each other. The mining fraternity needs to ameliorate, more than ever, to face the ever present challenges associate with these types of ventures. Members of the GGDMA
concerning the costs and allocation of this public works contract? We deserve public accountability. Unfortunately, photo-ups like these will not alleviate the culture of procrastination and downright laziness that has plagued our judicial system one that will only get worse unless changes are made from the highest offices to the lowest ones. It is little secret that many judicial officials from top to bottom, from Georgetown to Linden to Lethem and all across the country only work part time. Many of them do not return for work after lunch and those who remain in their offices have prolonged breaks indulging in paper work related to their private businesses. Most have allowed their decisions to accumulate for years and procrastination is noticeable. Some have left the positions without giving a
Guyana’s external... From page 5 benefits to be derived from this are improvements in the stability of the exchange rate, larger incomes and higher tax revenues which can be used to fund our infrastructural needs. This necessarily requires greater public/private collaboration and cooperation to address the issues and constraints to private sector growth, and thus facilitate the development of appropriate strategies and solutions. Craig Sylvester The Georgetown Consulting Group
written decision on completed cases, further backlogging the system unnecessarily with de novo (new) trials. Let me make it plain; this is not a blanket statement. This is not directed at all; I say emphatically some of them do behave as described. The system does have very good and dedicated judicial officers - both judges and magistrates. They deserve our respect. Poor work ethics aside and the culture of favoritism are endemic. Ask any practitioner, and he or she will tell you there are lawyers, mentors or friends who will barefacedly and unmitigatingly receive favoured treatment. Long gone are the days when a courtroom in Guyana reflected humanity, clarity and justice. We are no longer colonial plantations, but a Republic. More importantly, justice delayed is justice denied, even if the new, spanking court rooms are paved in gold. Shakoor Maharaj
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Wednesday February 22, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Workers’ union promises ‘rigid’ action against GTT Following the announcement that the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company will be laying off about 120 of its employees over the next 12 months, the Guyana Postal and Telecommunication Workers’ Union (GPTWU) which represents the majority of the workers - has committed to take ‘rigid’ action to protect the interests of its members. This assertion was made by General Secretary of the Union, Eslyn Harris, who did not go into detail as to what specific action the Union will take in light of the pronouncement by the company. Harris was at the time addressing members of the GPTWU yesterday at a meeting held at the union’s East Street Headquarters. Union president Harold Shepherd was also present. According to the General-Secretary, the excuse given by the company to ‘reorganise’ operations would take workers along a certain path. However, she recalled that some time last year there was talk about ‘redesignation,’ starting with employees of the call centre. Harris said that reorganisation encompasses a holistic approach. According to her, the company “cannot reorganise the floor employees and not the management”. Additionally, she said that the company went about informing employees of the move in the wrong way, violating common industrial relations protocol. The company had apparently sent out an email to all its employees informing them of
...to protect members’ interests
GPTWU President, Harold Shepherd the changes to take place. According to Shepherd, the union learnt of GT&T’s move through the media last Wednesday. The union president said that the announcement can impact any of the over 700 workers which the company employs. He told those in attendance that the union has a role to play to represent the interest of its members. According to Shepherd, the union understands the level of frustration and uncertainty
being felt by employees. Shepherd said that although the company has announced it wishes to part ways with 120 workers, the possibility exists that the company may want to go beyond that number, which is another cause for concern. The company had justified the move by saying that positions are becoming redundant. According to Shepherd, employees do not become redundant, rather the positions become redundant. Thus far, six employees have been laid off. According to one member, one of the six individuals worked in a number of departments. He suggested that the company could have simply reassigned the individual instead of laying him off. He said that the union is of the strong opinion that GT&T is trying to create positions to place contract
employees. Under this agreement the company will not have overhead costs nor would its workers need to be placed in pension schemes. Shepherd assured his members that the union will take appropriate action and seek the necessary guidance as they move forward to ensure that the telecommunication company “pays for its actions”. Speaking with Kaieteur News, the Union boss said that the move by the company will have a negative impact on the employees, particularly for whom GT&T
predicts will remain. “We believe the action by GT&T against its longserving employees will not be in the best interest of the company, and also, it actually impacts negatively on the workforce generally, even those they envisage to remain. It will impact at least their future, because obviously you would not want to work with a company that you have no security of tenure, because how can you plan your life.” Further, Shepherd said that the move will affect the service offered to the general
public. “GT&T customers have over the years complained about the quality of service they are receiving as it relates to the time taken to rectify problems. It shows clearly that the company is understaffed and these are experienced people with the necessary skills to get the job done. They have the competency.” In the statement issued by GT&T on the issue, Chief Executive Officer Justin Nedd had said that the company is on the verge of creating an entity built for the future and therefore needs to position itself to ensure that everyone understands their role and is driven in the same direction.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 22, 2017
Nursing students finally re-sit State Final Exam - Health Ministers visit to lend moral support Nursing students, whose results were affected following allegations of the leaked Professional Nurses State Final examination which was conducted in October of last year, were finally able to re-sit their exam yesterday. The test was conducted at the Critchlow Labour College in Woolford Avenue, Georgetown. Senior Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda
Lawrence, at a press conference earlier this month had said that, based on the advice of the Nursing Council, approximately 150 students were slated to participate in Paper One of the Clinical and Functional examination. Ahead of the sitting yesterday, students were graced with a visit from Minister Lawrence and Minister within the Public
Everything will be okay! Health Ministers Volda Lawrence (right) and Dr. Karen Cummings were present to provide moral support to the students before yesterday’s exam. Health Ministry, Dr. Karen Cummings. When Ministers Lawrence and Cummings made the surprise visit to the examination centre, they both affirmed their confidence in the integrity of the freshly prepared examination and the intellectual uprightness of the students. “We know you will have good success, we are here to give you moral and spiritual support and we have full confidence in you,” Minister Lawrence told the group of student nurses. The students from four nursing establishments, representing the counties of Demerara and Berbice, were forced to retake the exams following the discovery of a breach after the State Finals last year. The Guyana Nursing Council’s investigations later confirmed the breach and eventually steps were taken to have the students re-sit the exams. It was the first time that the Council has had to deal with a breach of its examinations. The breach, which is reportedly still gaining the attention of the Police Force, was brought to the attention of the Public Health Ministry through an anonymous tip. While nursing students have denied involvement in the exams violation, it has been confirmed that an undisclosed number of students from the Georgetown School of Nursing were in possession of the leaked exam papers. Nursing students, while being relieved that the exam was finally being re-written, expressed their concerns in the way the system operates. “Although we are very pleased to be putting this behind us, we can only hope that something of this magnitude doesn’t happen again and if it does, that the relevant authorities reprimand the schools or regions
that the leak took place,” the students stated. The authorities are of the belief that the breach originated in the Nursing Council. Moreover, Minister Lawrence said that she is desirous of having the Council hold talks with local and regional examinations bodies to get fresh insights into their overall responsibility, especially how to deal with the issue of security of examination papers. Among the examination bodies were the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) - to help find a way to improve the scholastic abilities of nursing students. “We have nothing to hide. We want the best for our students,” Minister Lawrence recently said. She also stressed the need for firmer security consciousness, clearer guidelines for the Council, an enhanced marking scheme and outsourcing the grading of students’ examination scripts – all of which are likely to characterise the future of the nursing programme. The State Finals in October of last year saw a total of 250 nursing students participating. Minister Lawrence had disclosed that while the Nursing Council was tasked with providing tutoring sessions for the nursing students who registered for the re-sit, the Ministry of Education was given the responsibility to prepare the actual examination. It is expected that the results of the examination will be presented to the Public Health Ministry by next week and the declaration of the results will be done no later than March 2, 2017. It is believed that those involved in the leaked examination might have earned thousands of dollars from the illegality.
Wednesday February 22, 2017
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Kaieteur News
The Minister and the VAT! Minister of Finance Winston Jordan has laid out an explanation for the imposition of VAT on private education. One of his positions is that VAT is a fiscal tool and not a cure for social ills, but that the proceeds from the collection of VAT will be used to correct social ills. No tax can ever been seen as a means to cure social ills. What the Minister means is that it can be used in order to effect changes in behaviour relating to social ills. For example, if there is a problem with alcoholism in society, then the government may seek to impose a tax on alcoholic products in order to discourage consumption.
The Minister, however, needs to be reminded that it was he who assigned to the VAT certain social functions. It was he who, when the VAT was imposed on the consumption of electricity and water above certain thresholds, indicated that the tax would have the effect of promoting conservation. In other words, the VAT was being used to effect a change in behaviour to address a social ill – the wastage of water. The argument therefore that VAT is a fiscal tool does not hold up to scrutiny. The APNU+AFC coalition had called for a reduction in VAT when in opposition, since the
parties said it was an albatross around the necks of the people. They have taken two years to reduce it by 2%. The PPPC which had invited the then APNU+AFC to submit additional items on which to zero rate the VAT, did not use the VAT only as a fiscal tool. The PPPC also tried to cushion the effects of the VAT on the small man by zero-rating a number of items, including basic foodstuff, health and education. There was no VAT on water, electricity and transportation. APNU and the AFC when in opposition were opposed to merely adding items to the
DEM BOYS SEH...
Hope Bridge mek Soulja Bai buss he mouth When Jagdeo did get fed up of flooding all dem people in Mahaica Creek he decide that he gun build a canal pun de East Coast close to town. De idea did sound nice, but wha people didn’t realize was that Jagdeo was finding money fuh he friends and family. De canal start and when it was to finish it still continue. Dem boys remember was extension pun extension and every time dem ask Rob de Earth and Jagdeo himself telling dem that de cost of de project ain’t change. That mean that dem price it high, very high, and dem was struggling to done de money. But as dem boys know, dem always have de smart fly. This one tackle de bridge. Was one expensive bridge. Of course since dem build de Berbice Bridge people realize that dem have nuff money in bridges. That is how de Hope Bridge come to cost $300 million. But just like how people seh London Bridge is falling down dem start to sing how Hope Bridge standing up and de road around it falling down.
Dem boys seh that Soulja Bai get vex. He was sleeping in he car coming from Berbice when de car bounce hard pun de bridge. De man knock he head pun de roof. Same time de driver mash brakes and Soulja Bai knock he mouth pun de seat in front of him. He couldn’t eat hot food or drink hot tea fuh days. That is how dem come to repair de bridge. Believe it or not, de same engineer who tek good money to supervise de bridge suddenly want to supervise de repairs. Dem boys seh if Soulja Bai give him de wuk both he de engineer and Soulja Bai gun end up in jail. Dem boys know how de engineer actually screw up de bridge. When de contractor tell him that de drawing wrong he seh that he is de boss and that de contractor must build de bridge. Dem boys believe that he shouldn’t go nowhere wheh dem have a bridge. Talk half and watch out fuh de next engineer.
exempt and zero rated lists. They called for a reduction in the rate. But when they got into power, their approach was no different to that of the PPPC. They added items to the list of zero–rated products. The Minister goes on to state that the allocations for the Ministry of Education were increased in the 2017 Budget. In other words, the tax measures imposed allowed for greater allocations to the education sector. The Minister needs to be reminded that the allocations for public education are increased almost every year and this was achieved under the APNU+AFC coalition government, without an increase in the rate of VAT. But the Minister’s argument cannot be left there. If the argument is taken to its logical conclusion, then it reads as follows: we are widening the tax base –which means taxing private education – in order to provide a better public
education. In other words, a tax on those who can afford private education will contribute to increasing the allocations for public education. Does this not imply that the rich and middle class - who can afford private education – are being used to improve public education? He then goes on to state how private schools will benefit from the new regime of tax amendments. He says, for example, that prior to the changes, private school providers had to claim refunds of VAT imposed on a wide range of school supplies. Now, all of these items have been moved to the Exempt Schedule, which means that no VAT is charged and none has to be refunded. This does not of course ease the burden on the schools. It just reduces the administrative costs of GRA. Also, for students attending private schools, the cost of bulk of the educational materials used by them are borne by their parents and these were, in any event,
already free of VAT. Parents and the schools are not complaining about educational materials. God forbid if conditionalities are imposed on their exemption from VAT! Parents and schools are complaining about the VAT on tuition fees. It is the largest expense which parents have to bear to send their children to private schools. The 14% will hurt these parents. It may force many of them to seek public education. It will affect, in the mediumterm the enrollment in private schools because, particularly poor parents who may have dreamt of sending their children to private schools, will have to foreclose on those dreams. The Minister is correct when he points out that the burden of the tax falls on the payee rather than the school. Continued on page 15
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Wednesday February 22, 2017
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN...
Funny and serious moments of 2016 in Guyana One just gets caught up in a vortex of never-ending bad news in this country, so your planned columns just keep on getting shifted and you write on breaking news all the time. I normally look back at interesting moments of the year just gone by. I didn’t do it for 2016, and now we are at the end of February. But as they say: better late than never. Reflecting on 2016, I would say that the funniest moment was connected to Ramon Gaskin, the most serious with Khurshid Sattaur. Let’s start with Gaskin. Walter Ramsahoye sued me over a letter that appeared in this newspaper that did not carry a signature. Ramsahoye
in his affidavit said it was written by me. The case is over, but there was a hilarious moment in court that if the reporters were there it would have made headlines. Ramsahoye’s chief witness was Ramon Gaskin. Gaskin testified that even though the letter didn’t bear my signature, it was me who wrote the letter because of one particular factor that he cited to the court. He explained to the judge that the unsigned letter was in response to an article on Ramsahoye the previous day. Gaskin testified that in the newspaper business, a person cannot get a letter published the next day in response to something written the day before. He told the judge such a quick
publication could only be done by someone working with the newspaper and in this case that would be me. Many persons reading this will say that I am exaggerating that such nonsense cannot be spoken in a court of law. But Gaskin spoke it, and if reporters were there such testimony would have been carried in all the newspapers. If you don’t believe me then you can ask the editorin-chief of this paper, Adam Harris. The defence called Adam to testify on how soon a person can get a letter published in a newspaper. In response to several questions from my lawyer, Adam explained that one has until about 9 p.m. to get a letter into the edition of the
next day. So you can see a story about you in the newspaper of January 1, and reply to it and send in your letter to the newspaper for the next day, that is, edition of January 2. This was one of the most hilarious yet incredible moments in my life in 2016. Up to now I burst out with laughter when I think of that day in court and Gaskin’s explanation as to why I wrote the unsigned letter. I am absolutely sure there isn’t a reader of this article here who believes a person would tell a judge such nonsense. Now that I have brought out this aspect of Gaskin’s testimony (I’m so sorry this aspect of the case was not reported in the press), I wonder what his good friend, Christopher Ram must be saying to himself and to Gaskin. One of the most satisfying moments of my life in 2016 was the eventual end of Khurshid Sattaur’s reign at the Guyana
Revenue Authority. We like to criticize Burnham and his politicization of the public service, whereby public sector managers were made to carry out political orders at the detriment of their professional status. It is my opinion that Sattaur fell into that category and behaved in a politicized manner that I had never seen under the Burnham administration. I would go on to add that Sattaur descended into the area of politics and took on people directly using his vast power to victimize them. I know this because I know what he did to me. In trying to get at me, I paid the GRA $72,000 by mistake. I would forever be grateful to Nigel Hughes. If it wasn’t for a no-nonsense letter from this great human rights activist, I may have ended up paying the GRA all the little savings I had in the bank. I hope never to let malice
Frederick Kissoon and spite destroy my idealism, but I could never have any kind of appreciation for Khurshid Sattaur. If the promised forensic audit results in criminal charges, I would be willing to testify against Sattaur as I would against Jagdeo and Ramotar. I do not approve of the direction the Coalition Government is heading into, but I say with the deepest of emotions, I do not want to see the PPP ever in charge of my country again. I would join up with the Devil to remove them in such an eventuality. Civilization lives with risks and the PPP is one such risk.
Wednesday February 22, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Mabaruma, Mahdia and Lethem to get Fire Stations During the opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) yesterday, the Ministry of Public Security was listed as the procuring entity for three contracts: the construction of the Mabaruma Fire Station phase one; construction of the Mahdia Fire Station in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo); and the construction of the Lethem Fire Station, also in Region Nine. The Mabaruma Fire Station, Phase One:
Tenders were also opened for the purchasing of classroom equipment for the University of Guyana. This contract was divided into two lots and the procuring entity was listed as the Ministry of Education.
The Education Ministry was listed as the procuring entity also, for the contract for repairs and Maintenance works to the St. Mary’s Secondary School. The engineer’s estimate was announced at $9.6M.
The construction of the Mahdia Fire Station: Bids were opened for the supply and installation of 43 kilowatt peak (kWp) grid-connected solar power photovoltaic system. The procuring entity was announced as the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).
Two firms submitted financial proposals for the co-ordination of the implementation of the Ministry of Business’s Strategic Plan, 2016 to 2020. These firms were: Ramdial and Haynes; and Joseph Brian Singh. The Business Ministry is also the procuring entity for the construction of a chain-link fence at Belvedere Industrial Estate, Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne). The engineer’s estimate was announced at $17.7M.
The Lethem Fire Station: Tenders were opened for the supply of equipment, materials and labour for the rehabilitation of potable water wells in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne). The procuring entity is the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).
The GWI is also the procuring entity for the contract to supply and deliver water meter boxes.
Tenders were also opened for the rehabilitation of the water distribution network and upgrade, in Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima/Waini). The engineer’s estimate was announced at $27.9M.
>>> Continued on page 12 <<<
PAGE 12
Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 22, 2017
Parking meter fiasco…
Enforcement activities continue despite active court actions One of the booted vehicles yesterday in front of National Hardware.
Enforcement activities by Smart City Solutions (SCS) and the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) in the city continued yesterday despite there being two active matters in the High Court staying the project from proceeding. As a result of this, there was a standoff between employees of SCS and Chief Executive Officer of National Hardware Eddie Boyer along with a number of his employees after SCS staff clamped the vehicles of two customers, driving motor cars PVV 9578 and PNN 8075. Kaieteur News understands that the clamping took place around 14:30hrs. Having knowledge of the pending court matters, this newspaper tried to speak with the lone SCS employee to ascertain who authorised the activities. However, the staff member refused to comment after being probed several times. The young man was in the company of two City Constables. They were both asked by this newspaper what role they were playing in enforcing paid parking. One of the Constables said that they were providing security for the parking meters which have been put down along Water Street. Further, he said that he received instructions from his superior, Chief Constable Andrew Foo. It was expected that SCS and the M&CC would not proceed with enforcing paid parking, since the municipality is before the
court on the matter. Speaking with an attorneyat-law close to the Movement against Parking Meters (MAPM), this newspaper understands that persons who would have been clamped or ‘booted’ can take legal action against the company to get refunds for damages. The lawyer said that the enforcement puts the company and the municipality in contempt of the two court orders and therefore affected motorists would be entitled to redress. Members of the MAPM have described the actions by SCS employees as intimidating. Additionally, they find the fact that it is a foreign company supposedly bullying Guyanese even more disrespectful. What took place in front of National Hardware was just one instance of enforced paid parking, as several cases were reported by the movement with images and video evidence being posted on Facebook. During a Town Hall meeting on Saturday organised by the MAPM at St. Stanislaus College, attorney-at-law Pauline Chase had said that if the city and the company went ahead with the project this week, they would be in contempt of court. She had been asked whether there would be legal implications against the M&CC and SCS since there are pending High Court matters calling for the M&CC to show good reason why the contract should not be quashed. Continued on page 13
Mabaruma, Mahdia and Lethem to... From page 11 The Ministry of Public Health was listed as the procuring entity for the extension of the Charles Rosa School for Nursing (faculty) building and external works. The engineer’s estimate was announced at $28.5M.
Tenders were opened for the construction of a mental institute building. The Ministry of Public Health was once again, listed as the procuring entity and the engineer’s estimate was announced at $65.7M.
Finally, financial proposals were submitted for audit services for the period of 2016, for the Global Fund for HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria programmes.
Wednesday February 22, 2017
PAGE 13
Kaieteur News
Lack of preparedness undermines medical evacuations - Ministry reports The Ministry of Public Health has been depending heavily on medical evacuations to improve its delivery of health care. Indeed the Ministry has been using this measure to help with the reduction of maternal mortality. According to a report produced by the Ministry, during the course of 2016 the public health sector upped its number of medical evacuation. Former Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, had informed that “the number of medical evacuations increased because of the Ministry’s position on the transfer of all high risk pregnancies from hinterland regions in an effort to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity.” For the year 2015, the Ministry recorded a total of 17 maternal deaths. The figure recorded last year was an unprecedented 12 cases. So far for this year this Ministry
has recorded no deaths. By taking full advantage of medical evacuation, the Ministry was in a better position to ensure that potentially problematic pregnancies were swiftly transferred to a location that they could be effectively attended to. But there have been challenges associated with the execution of medical evacuation. The Ministry in its report, which outlines what occurred during the course of last year, revealed that among the challenges was the lack of preparedness of an appropriate number of kits for the variety of cases being presented. Added to this, medical evacuations have been affected by the absence of a ‘ready team’ of appropriately trained persons to escort patients at any time during the day or night and the lack of appropriate monitoring equipment to take on board
Enforcement activities... From page 12 Chase said that what has been ordered by the court in two actions is an ‘order nisi’ which means that persons need to prove why a specific order should not be changed. “As far as my learning is concerned that nisi acts as a stay. So it ought to be stayed and in the very least, any matter before the court, parties should not take any step that would in any way render the proceedings void for any reason.” She added that the court proceedings call for a stay and any act contrary to that would be in contempt of court or in the very least contemptuous. However, for this, the court would have to be moved by an application to so do. Chase said, “I rather suspect that should Smart City Solutions take that step, you will see an application being moved to the court for contempt.” At present there are two actions engaging the attention of the court. The first is being led by The New Building Society Limited challenging the placing of parking meters outside its Avenue of the Republic Office. In that matter Justice Brassington Reynolds ordered Town Clerk Royston King and Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan to make presentations in the High Court - arguments as to why the parking meter project should not be rescinded. The second action is being led by an employee of a law firm in Georgetown. Chief Justice (ag) Yonette CummingsEdwards in that matter has ordered the Town Clerk Royston King and Mayor Patricia Chase-Green to present similar arguments. The Movement Against Parking Meters is staging its fourth protest outside City Hall, today from 12-1pm.
the aircraft. The medical evacuation programme is an initiative implemented for the purpose of providing efficient and safe emergence and transportation service for critically ill patients from the hinterland regions, but not limited to same. In 2015, a total of 185 patients, who were accommodated on 142 flights at a cost of approximately $66.6 million, benefited from the medical evacuation services. In 2016, with the exception of the month of December, a total of 255 patients benefited from the service and were accommodated on 212 flights
at an approximated cost of $82.3 million. Cases included maternity complications, snake bites, malaria, gun-shot and stab wounds. However, the Public Health Ministry has been putting other measures in place to improve regional health services. The Ministry, according to the report, had recognized that adequate infrastructure is critical for the delivery of health services across the country. In 2016, it was reported that rehabilitation and extension works were done or were being done on several health facilities. Among these facilities were the North East La Penitence, Agricola,
Lodge, David Rose, Sophia and the No. One Dispensary health centres. Among the projections for this year, according to health officials, will be moves to have all regional hospitals staffed by specialist care services, even as efforts are made to review the human resource gaps to have specialist at all regional hospitals. Further, the Public Health Ministry will be looking to equip and upgrade district hospitals to deliver the full suite of mandated services, the Ministry has announced. This measure will be complemented by the addition of a medical
superintendent and administrator or chief executive officer at all regional hospitals as continued deployment of medical doctors remain constant to hinterland regions. To ensure efficiency too, the measures are expected to be put in place for the provision of a national biomedical service provider to effect timely repairs and maintenance to equipment. This will be done even as keen efforts are made to sustain the monitoring of the supply and transportation of medication and medical supplies to hinterland regions.
PAGE 14
Wednesday February 22, 2017
Kaieteur News
$46.6M rehab commences on $350M Hope Bridge Less than two years after its commissioning, Government has to now plug millions of dollars more into repairing the crooked $350M Hope Canal Bridge, which is one of the three main
components of the Northern Relief Channel constructed at Hope/Dochfour, East Coast Demerara, at a cost of $3.6B. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure has already awarded the contract for
repairs, to H. Nauth & Sons Civil Engineering Contractors. The project to remedy the eastern and western approaches of the bridge will cost the Government some
$46,571,074. Head of the Work Services Group, Geoffrey Vaughn told Kaieteur News yesterday that the contractors have already been mobilized, and that preparatory works have commenced. Speaking on behalf of the contracted firm, Julian Archer, an engineer, said that the company has already submitted a new design for the approaches, to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. “We are monitoring the settlement while we wait on a response from the Ministry in relation to the design for the elevation,” Archer said. Meanwhile, George Jervis, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, explained that contrary to previous reports, the repairs to the structure do not apply to the actual bridge itself, but the approaches to it. “The bridge has no problem. That is perfect. What happened is that there were concrete slabs placed at the approaches. The road, with the asphaltic surface and so, was cast over it. But, as vehicles began to use the structure, the concrete slabs continued to sink further,” Jarvis told this newspaper. When a flaw in the design had become clear, the contracting firm, DIPCON Engineering refused to take the blame, saying that it objected to the design of the bridge, but was told to go ahead by the consultancy firms - CEMCO and
SRKN’gineering. This was done during the tenure of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). When the Coalition Government took office, it said that it would be instituting the penalty clauses against the consultancy firms. PENALTIES Yesterday, Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder said that CEMCO/ SRKN’gineering offered to do the designs to rectify the bridge, free of cost. However, the government shut down the offer and decided to withhold the monies it owed the company for its consultancy on the entire Hope Canal project, which was valued at $64M. Asked whether stiffer action would be taken against the consultant firms, Holder said he would not be able to say at this time. OVERPAYMENTS Meanwhile, as the books continue to reflect the cost of the Northern Relief Channel as being $3.6B, an audit report into the operations of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) showed that it was actually completed with additional $700M. A report compiled by Nigel Hinds Financial Services showed that the Hope Canal project actually cost taxpayers more than $4.1B. In the report, which is available on the Ministry of Finance’s website, the authors said, “We were not able to obtain any information
from the MOA (Ministry of Agriculture) to confirm whether any payments for the Hope Canal Project were made through its records as was done in the case of NDIA (National Drainage and Irrigation Authority).” The auditors went further to state, “We were unable to obtain all the documentation to compute the actual cost of the Project, as it would appear that deliberate efforts were made to understate the actual cost. NDIA, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Finance were unable to access the Loan Agreement to determine the parties to the contract, the terms of the loan and the method of repayment.” After about six deadlines and close to three years of continuous delays, the now defective 74.4 metres long bridge was commissioned by then President, Donald Ramotar. The structure has 47-metre sloped approaches on both sides, and the capacity to accommodate two-lane traffic. The bridge is also outfitted with sidewalks. The construction of the Hope/Dochfour Northern Relief Channel was a venture undertaken by former Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, who estimated an 18-month completion, when construction commenced in February 2011. After a number of delays, the bridge component of the project was finally completed during the first quarter of 2014. (Rehana Ahamad)
These file photos from July 2016 showed the defects in the approaches to the Hope Bridge.
Wednesday February 22, 2017
Body on Rupununi roadway‌
Woman died from fractured skull, blunt trauma Police are to seek legal advice today to ascertain whether a Rupununi resident will be charged for the murder of his wife, who was found dead on a roadway last Sunday. Police said that a post mortem has revealed that the victim, 47-year-old Justil Leonard of Shulinab village, died from a fractured skull and blunt trauma. It is alleged that the couple was consuming wine at a shop shortly before the woman met her demise. The husband had told police that he had headed home, leaving his partner behind. He then claimed that when he reached home, he realized that he did not have the house keys and headed back to the area where he had left his wife. He claimed that he found her lying lifeless on the roadway. Police sources said that they have received reports that the woman was beaten. The detained man is said to be cooperating with investigators.
The Minister and... From page 9 But it affects the school, because the administrative costs of running a private school is spread across the total school population, and if the increase in VAT has now to be spread across a diminished population (because less parents can afford to enroll) then it increases even further the cost of private education and the enrollment levels. The suggestion that the private schools should consider absorbing the VAT, just as how the CJIA and GT&T are doing, is tantamount to asking them to absorb the VAT, which really defeats the function of the tax which is to be applied on the level of value added. The VAT as applied in Guyana is a tax on consumption. The Minister’s suggestions on absorption will turn it into a tax on gross profits. Absorption of the VAT, in the case of private schools, means reducing the cost of tuition, which by 14%, will bankrupt the private schools. Many of the private schools which are tax exempt institutions are actually using their profits to provide subsidies for children who cannot afford to pay for private education or who have been granted scholarships by these schools. Asking them to absorb the VAT will hurt those poor students who are enjoying subsidized private education.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 15
PAGE 16
Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 22, 2017
UK envoy lauds Govt.’s approach to financial transparency, accountability British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn says that since the coalition government took office, he is pleased with the measures taken to ensure financial transparency and accountability. He made this comment yesterday during an interview with this publication. Asked if there were other areas he believes that the government could improve on as it relates to transparency and accountability, the High Commissioner said he has not given any thought to that specific matter. “But I have said before that on the whole concept of transparency and accountability, everyone in every administration should be as transparent as they possibly can. Only on those issues relating to national security should there be any justification to not be transparent.” He reminded that this has been supported by President David Granger. Since the APNU+AFC administration took office, a number of steps have been taken to put a dent in corruption. The Government established a State Asset Recovery Unit, which will soon become Guyana’s anticorruption agency. It also made considerable moves to root out corruption and bribery in the forestry sector. This, however, was not without contributing effects on the declining production figures of the sector. There has also been the launch of over 40 forensic audits, so as to identify areas of abuses which took place under the previous administration and to ensure that measures are implemented to avoid repetition. After many years, the Government also succeeded in establishing the long awaited Public Procurement Commission. But be that as it
President, David Granger may, the APNU+AFC administration continues to face harsh criticisms that it is not moving as swiftly as it should in the fight against corruption. However, the Alliance For Change (AFC) holds a different view. In fact, the party insists that in a period of 20 months, the coalition administration has been able to put a “significant dent” in corruption. At the level of ministries and other government agencies, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson was the first to contend that there have been meaningful improvements in the fight against corruption. Speaking for his Ministry, Patterson said he had the “good fortune” to be in charge of an area that is susceptible to fraud. And within 18 months, the General Secretary of the AFC was proud to disclose that the opportunities for corruption to occur have been reduced considerably. While no one can claim that corruption has been eliminated altogether, the Public Infrastructure Minister stated that moves have been made to get the process started. The AFC General Secretary also stated that every report of wrongdoing in his field or against his staff is always investigated without fear or favour. Offering similar remarks
British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn was Minister of Public Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes. Hughes told Kaieteur News that the administration is committed to the process of reducing corruption in Guyana. She emphasized however that the task is not an overnight one, as corruption has become a culture in Guyana. In this regard, the Executive Member of the AFC said that the coalition administration has been focusing on ensuring that ministries and agencies have the necessary checks and balances to reduce all forms of corruption. Hughes said, too, that the importance and significance of taking such an action cannot be emphasized enough. At the level of state, Leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan believes that there have been major improvements in the fight against corruption. In this regard, he pointed to the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission. The Minister of Public Security expressed, “We have done what everyone should be proud of when it comes to ensuring that this big anti-corruption institution called the Public Procurement Commission came into being in the second year of our being in office. It took how long for us to get it? Almost a whole decade and more, and this is in spite of the fact that the Constitution made provision for it.” The AFC Leader also chided the previous Cabinet that was run by the PPP for such a constitutional office not being established. He said that it was the Cabinet of former President Bharrat Jagdeo that set the tone for all other cabinets under the PPP to never give up that noobjection role in the public procurement process. He said, “We have been clamouring for that while in opposition…And having it today is a far, far, cry from what we have come from.” (Kiana Wilburg)
Wednesday February 22, 2017
PAGE 25
Kaieteur News
Health Ministry looking to considerably decentralize dialysis With an increasing number of individuals suffering from kidney failure, there currently exists a major need for dialysis. To address this glaring dilemma, the Ministry of Public Health has been putting strategic measures in place. This is according to Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings. She disclosed during a media forum that “currently, the Ministry is exploring opportunities to train persons in the placement of catheters for peritoneal dialysis and is looking to decentralize this service across Guyana.” In fact, she made known that the Ministry during the past year procured a once per month injectable erythropoietin for patients with kidney disease. Erythropoietin (also known as EPO) is a growth factor that stimulates the production of red blood cells. Most of the cells in the blood are red blood cells, and their main function is to carry oxygen throughout the body. EPO is used to treat anemia resulting from kidney failure or cancer treatment. It is considered to be an alternative to blood transfusions.
Minister of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings According to Minister Cummings, “This drug can be administered at an outpatient setting, thus decreasing the frequency for hospitalization of patients with renal disease.” These measures, according to the Public Health Minister, come as part of its efforts to further tackle the challenge of dealing with chronic non-communicable diseases. She related that in 2016, health promotion for noncommunicable diseases continued with the observance of World Kidney Day and World Health Day in collaboration with several organisations. Activities hosted
included a Continuing Medical Education session for some 300 Medical practitioners on kidney diseases as well as cricket matches and episodes of Merundoi that were focused on lifestyle changes to commemorate World Health Day 2016. Added to this, in the quest to increase public awareness for chronic noncommunicable diseases, 14 outreaches were conducted, which saw a total of 1,200 persons screened for diabetes mellitus, 2,306 for hypertension, and a total of 4,212 persons received treatment based on an outpatient setting. During the course of this year, the Ministry will continue its mission to tackle chronic non-communicable diseases. In so doing, Minister Cummings said that some of the projections for the Ministry’s Chronic Disease Unit this year will include, among other things, the establishment of a formal non-communicable diseases organogram and Secretariat, and the reconstitution and relaunching of the National Commission on Prevention and Control of NonCommunicable Disease. According to information out of the Ministry of Public
Health, 70 percent of the Ministry’s health budget is expended on addressing chronic non communicable diseases. The top four causes of premature death in Guyana are cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease. The Public Health Minister said that although the Ministry is advocating for citizens to adopt healthy lifestyle changes to help
tackle the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases, the Chronic Diseases Unit of the Ministry of Public Health has the designated mission to address the aforementioned causes of premature death, thereby ensuring that a multisectoral, integrated approach is maintained. Minister Cummings in regarding the process as an immense task noted that, “we at the Ministry of Public Health are optimistic that 2017
will bring additional achievements that further promote the work of the Unit.” In collaboration with the Country Office of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Unit completed the first leg of the implementation plan for the years 2016 – 2018 in alignment with the Integrated Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Disease Strategic Plan 2013 – 2020.
PAGE 26
VEHICLE FOR SALE
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Landscaping: We design, supply and implement residential and commercial indoor & outdoor Landscaping. Call 648-1821 Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:6294946 or 225-4822 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Trade in your old empty printer ink cartridges for a new full one and pay HP $1,500, Canon $2,000- Call: 690-3883
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/6605257 Register Now! Cosmetology, Nails & Wig designs courses, classes commence February 20th 2017. Call: 618-2417
MASH SPECIAL! 2010 TOYOTA AX10 - $2.6M, 2010 TOYOTA RAUM $2.3M – CALL: 642-7295
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
1 Big music set, owner migrating. Call: 690-5225
1-Leyland DAF GRR Series; excellent condition. Call: 6804101
1 Professional music set (complete), 1 Jacuzzi whirlpool. Call: 253-3070/654-2732
Brains Construction & Rental Service: we rent all types of equipment, excavator, bobcat, trucks, tools. Call: 2190904/601-5024
One live in female supervisor for bar & grocery starting salary -$80,000 monthly, age 25-35yrs- Call: 610-3974
Nissan Pathfinder Jeep; Toyota Vigo pick-up. Call: 609-7766
1 Marina 40HP outboard engine with 14 Aluminum boat, 1 Yamaha 75HP outboard engine in excellent condition. Call: 643-1622
Lot 14 Croal & Longden Street: 4 Storey building (infront Demico). Call: 6631876
Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic. Call: 223-7500 Monday-Saturday 8:15-4:15
Room for working couple/ single person. Light, water, bed included $30,000 monthly, $30,000 security @ South Ruimveldt- Tel:6230076 Journey Inn Apartments & Car Rental @ Eccles East Bank . Low Mashramani deals US$15- Call: 658-0927, 233-2300 Two- one bedroom selfcontained apartments, situated at Public Road Timehri, E.B.D – 3 minutes from the airport. Call: 664-6000 TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
One Mazda engine gear box, one slush machine, one Tormo King refrigeration unitContact Hanif 646-2293
LAND FOR SALE Land @ Soesdyke, 6 lots measuring 135’X175’. Call: 627-3334/696-8935, email:fcranmore@guyana voice.com
Cook & baker for Interior location. Call: 618-2020 Admin Staff; must be computer literate, Diploma in Business Management; 5 CXC Subjects. Call: 2181156/ email: info@cevons.com 1 Cashier, 1 sales assistant with pleasant personality & police clearance. Apply: written application @ 232 Camp & Middle St. Ice Palace Igloo. Call: 225-3672 One experienced pastry maker; one driver with 3years experienced; one sales clerk. Call: 681-3983
TO LET
One Tundra for sale -$1.2M – Call: 682-8236
The New Creation of Hair & nail Beauty Salon is offering courses in cosmetology & nails. Call: 616-6221/ 2705074
VACANCY Customer Service Reps for Express International. Call 267-2992 or email jobs@expresstrucking corp.com.
Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 Three new industrial singer sewing machines. Call: 6616076/ 689-5743
La Harmonie - $1.4M, $1.8M, $1.6M, $1.3M, Uitvlugt -$2M, $4.5M, Herstelling -$5M, Tuschen (front) $2.5M, price negotiable. Call: 614-6802 La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.4M, $1.8M, $3.5M, Farm -$6M, Uitvlugt -$4.5M, Tuschen School Street -$3M, Herstelling -$5M. Call: 6046724 Transported corner lot with approved building plan @ 90 Garnett & Republic Streets, Newtown Kitty. Call: 6016000/227-3305
TOURS Suriname weekend Tours Feb 23-26 & Lethem Rodeo from April 14-17 Bonfim, fallsTel:665-5171, 639-2663, 6583758, 223-7589
Property for rent; 3 bedrooms top and bottom flat house on W.C.D, Canal No #2 Polder -$35,000 monthly. Call: 613-1860 One 2 bedrooms apartment in Covenden, East Bank Demerara. Call: 623-1615 Bottom flat house @ 25 North Road & Oronoque Street, fully furnished/ air condition/ residence /business. Preferably with no children. Call: 226-7012 Apartment in Great Diamond, EBD- Contact: Ronique 6439286, Thandeka 603-0067
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Property at 14 th Avenue, Diamond, New Scheme, E.B.D -$23M negotiable – Call: 668-6940/601-1355
Upper flat for rent 3 bedrooms in Atlantic Gardens- Call: 2274377/227-0613/624-6013 Space for rent at Ashmin’s ideal for commercial, office and cafeteria use, no deposit. Call: 616-9660/ 671-1846 One bedroom in Eccles (7 minutes drive to town) $30,000 – Call: 610-4081 or 629-1805
2 Storey building located at 50 Durban & Halley streets, Wortmanville- Call:231-5108, 625-8884
33 Acres of land for agricultural purpose at Kuru Kururu. Call: 619-0673
6 Bedrooms property at Onderdeeming, West Bank Demerara - $25M. Call: 6567590/663-3602
Three bedrooms fully furnished upper flat at Diamond, Housing Scheme, E.B.D- Call: 216-0644/ 668-8403
CAR RENTAL
CAR RENTAL
For short term rental, 1 selfcontained 2 bedrooms apartment @ Avenue B, Diamond, E.B.D. working couple preferred- Call: 658-5452 2 Bedrooms house for rent with A/C and pressure pump system at lot 33 Somerset Court Herstelling, E.B.D – Call: 661-4849
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122, EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
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AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807
1 Female cleaner for office in Eccles and home- Call: 2332745
Cook/Baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must be experienced, for details call: 618-2020
Prime business place on Sheriff Street to rent only for offices. Call: 627-6740 or 2278644
Uitvlugt New Scheme (100ftX50ft) with Reserve $3M, La Parfaite Harmonie $1.3M-Call: 233-3006/ 6585897/ 651-1969
Drivers, Carpenters, Security Guards. Call: 266 4427
Accounts Clerk for Eccles, Industrial Site area knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT, Quickbooks. Call: 614-4358
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SERVICES
Wednesday February 22, 2017
Kaieteur News
One driver/porter from Diamond, Grove area. Call: 2161043, 677-6620 2 Labourers, 1 mason/carpenter. Monday- Friday, 8am-4pm- Tel:265-3586
Body work man- Call: 6603004 1 Experienced Diesel Mechanic to work in G/town, apply in person. Call: 2271717 Drivers for water truck to work on W.C.D $50 per bottle/ $26,000 weekly. Call: 662-9341/ 684-8231 1 House to buy in La Parfaite Harmony/ West Coast Demerara $4-6M with legitimate papers. No agents! Tel: 628-4854, 628-4879 Live in waitress to work in a bar- Call: 604-6606;692-4646 Experienced salesgirl @ Christine’s Variety Store, Lambard Street. Call: 2278529 1- Nail Technician with clientele, 1 barber station & 1 hairdressing station to rent. Call: 616-6221 Experienced Boat Captain to work in Bahamas; experience mechanical background; general maintenance. Email:lightbourneseafoodGB@ outlook.com/ Call: 1-242-6464989
Three bedrooms upper flat at ‘BB’ 296 Eccles Housing Scheme. Call: 233-2306
EDUCATIONAL I.A.E Classes for CSEC June 2017: Mathematics, English A, Business & Science Subject for Students, Adults & repeaters. Call: 683-5742
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
Wednesday February 22, 2017
Kaieteur News
GTT launches Pre-paid Mobile Bundles GTT has introduced Pre-paid Mobile Bundles which combine Voice, SMS and Data into an even more affordable offer for its customers on its 4G network across Guyana. The Mobile Bundles allow customers the options of selecting a daily, 3 days, weekly or monthly plan which suits their Voice, Data and SMS needs. According to the company, customers who purchase the Mobile Bundles can save up to 65% and receive more services when it is compared to purchasing each option separately. The company is also encouraging its customers to
“compare our rates to our competitors”. “GTT customers will be getting more for less. This means you can text more, have longer conversations and use your favourite apps on the go. We are committed to providing our customers a tether free experience. GTT continues to listen to feedback from our customers and has fashioned the new bundles to give the greatest value,” says Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Justin Nedd. The company explained that Voice minutes are valid for on and off net calls, the United States of America and Canada. The allotted SMS is
GTT’s CEO, Justin Nedd valid for all networks. Mobile Bundles can be accessed on the *100# menu. Data plans will continue to be rolled over once it is resubscribed for before the plan expires.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 22, 2017
Former murder accused remanded over shooting security guard, armed robberies Former murder accused, Kevin France has found himself before the courts again. The 27-year-old man was yesterday remanded to prison on charges of attempted murder and robbery under-arms when he made an appearance before Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. France of East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown was not required to plead to the indictable allegations. Particulars of the first charge alleged that on October 28, 2016 at Water Street,
Georgetown, France unlawfully and maliciously wounded Quacy Joseph, with intent to murder him. According to reports, Joseph was an on-duty security guard at Fogarty’s building, Water Street, Georgetown, when he was shot by a fleeing bandit after a robbery within the Electronic City store. It is also alleged that on October 12, 2016 at Church Street, Georgetown, while in the company of others and armed with a gun, he robbed Bibi Jahbar of $6,000 cash.
Further, France is also accused of robbing Roopnarine Budhoo of $800,000 while he was armed with a gun and in the company of others on October 1, 2016, at Robb and Alexander Streets, Georgetown. During a bail petition, attorney Patrice Henry asked that his client be released on reasonable bail. The lawyer told the court that his client was arrested since Valentine’s Day. Henry disclosed that police arrested France and told him of an allegation in relation to a robbery committed on the East
Coast of Demerara. However, Henry revealed that after realizing that they did not have sufficient evidence to charge his client, police detained the accused for an additional 72 hours. In relation to the robbery under-arms charges, the lawyer contended that his client was never placed on an identification parade nor did he provide detectives with a confession statement. Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru, opposed bail for France, citing there is a likelihood he might not return to court. According to the prosecutor, another person, who is currently on remanded for the same three charges, implicated France in the crimes, in a statement to detectives. Kaieteur News was able to confirm that Jason Howard also known as ‘Smelly’ was charged earlier this year with the offences. Howard and three other men are also on remand for the murders of Mohamed Munir and his wife Bibi Jamila Munir, the rice farming couple who were burnt to death in their Good Hope, East Bank Essequibo home on April 17, 2016 by bandits.
Additionally, Prosecutor Mangru disclosed that advice is being sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) as it relates to using Howard as a state witness France will make another court appearance on March 20, when the preliminary inquiry into the attempt murder charge is scheduled to being. Also, Prosecutor Mangru will report on whether the Administration of Justice Act (AJA) will be applied to robbery underarms charges, which will allow the accused to plea. In August 2015, France had a murder charge discharged against him in the Magistrates’ Court by Magistrate Judy Latchman. He was at the time accused of kill-
ing Bharrat Ramcharran, a salesman attached to Patsan Trading Services. According to reports, bandits on a CG motorcycle gunned down 57-year-old Ramcharran outside the business place, before escaping with a bag of money, on April 24, 2014. Ramcharran of Enterprise, East Coast Demerara was shot in the back after he threw a bag of money over the gate of the John Smith Street, Campbellville premises to prevent the bandits from making off with the cash. The salesman was later rushed to Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Randolph Marques, 20, was however, committed to stand trial at the High Court for this same murder.
Lethem cop accused of sexually harassing female doctors Police are investigating allegations by two female doctors that they were victims of sexual harassment by a rank attached to the Lethem Police Station. A senior police official said that the complaints were filed last week by two physi-
cians from the Lethem Hospital and that the rank, who is a corporal, has been placed under close arrest. Both parties have been questioned and a full report is to be handed over to senior police officials next week.
Wednesday February 22, 2017
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Kaieteur News
AG presents arguments over issue of jurisdiction in Red House court case Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall is set to respond to arguments presented by Attorney General Basil Williams on matters relating to the Red House. Williams presented legal arguments in relation to the national heritage site, when the matter came up for hearing before Chief Justice (Ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards on Monday. In his preliminary arguments, the Attorney General, (AG) submitted that the Court’s first duty is to determine whether it had jurisdiction to proceed to hear the matter. The Attorney General contended that the Chief Justice had no Jurisdiction to proceed with the matter for a number of reasons. One of the reasons the AG contended is that an applicant for the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Inc. (CJRCI), who goes ex parte to the Court, has a duty to be candid with the Court and make full and frank disclosures of material facts within his knowledge. Failure to so do entitles the Court to discharge any order made and refuse to deal with the merits of the matter. The Attorney General therefore submitted that the Applicant, the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Inc. (CJRCI) failed to make full and frank disclosures of material facts in its Ex Parte Application by way of Affidavit for Conservatory Orders when it concealed from the Court that President Ramotar sanctioned/approved the lease in 2012; that the lease being 99 years was not executed in the manner of a transport before the Court e.g was not published in the official Gazette; the lease was not filed as record in the Registry and annotated and Red House was a National Monument under the National Trust Act Chapter 20:03. Williams submitted that the omission to execute the contract in the manner of a transport before the Court and file it as of record in the Registry was fatal since under the Deeds Registry Act Chapter 5:01 such a lease was
When we pause and experience silence, we discover answers that activity does not have time to reveal. During your day, take three-minute “vacations”. Relax and re-energise. Take time out to feel the peace of silence.
invalid, ineffectual and could not be pleaded in a Court of Law. As such he surmised that the Chief Justice as a result had no Jurisdiction to proceed to hear the application that is founded on such a lease. Attorney Nandlall is set to respond to these submissions when the matter continues on March 2. Nandlall, nonetheless spoke to media operatives following the in Chamber proceeding. He described the points made by the AG at this stage of the trial as “deeply flawed” and “premature.” He said that while the AG was intended to address the Court on matters of jurisdiction, his arguments were based on whether or not the case has merit. Additionally, Nandlall expressed concerns over the
language of the AG with regards to the President. During the course of the case, Nandlall noted that the AG continually used the name of the President, saying he (the President) is anxiously awaiting the determination of the matter. The lawyer believes that such use of the President’s name is improper and is viewed as a manner of putting pressure on the Judge. He noted too that the President is not listed a respondent in the matter. Additionally, Nandlall pointed to the fact that the AG has not file the initial affidavit in response to the action. “To date, he has failed to file the Affidavit in Answer which he was ordered to do within 21 days since the December 30, last.” Red House has been the subject of a court matter since
December 2015. The PPP/C had moved to the High Court to bar the revocation of a lease and the removal of artifacts from Red House, a national heritage site. The move came after President David Granger ordered that the lease to the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Incorporated (CJRCI) be revoked and that the occupants vacate the property by December 31, 2016. The Red House lease was granted by the then PPP/C government to Cheddi Jagan Research Centre Incorporated (CJRCI), a company formed by the members of the same party.
However according to information obtained by the current government, on March 30, 2012 the Red House lease agreement was initiated without the approval of either the President of the day or The National Trust of Guyana, in contravention of Section 10 of the Lands Department Act Chapter 59:01. A subsequent affidavit was filed in the High Court by former President Donald Ramotar to support the motion filed by the PPP/C opposition seeking to bar the revocation of a lease to the Red House. According to a sworn document, Ramotar said that
at all material times, he was aware and authorized and sanctioned the issuance of a lease of the Government land for educational /research purposes on the March 30, 2012 in respect to areas ‘A’ now called Red House comprising of Lots 65, 66 and 67 High Street, Kingston, acting on behalf of the Government of Guyana and the Cheddi Jagan Research Institute. In the affidavit dated January 30, 2017, Ramotar had explained that as President of Guyana, he exercised all powers conferred upon himself by the Constitution and Laws of Guyana in leasing the property.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 22, 2017
Wednesday February 22, 2017
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Kaieteur News
British suicide bomber dies in attack on Iraqi forces in Mosul (BBC) A British IS fighter who died in a suicide bomb attack on Iraqi forces in Mosul is a former Guantanamo Bay detainee, the BBC understands. The self-styled Islamic State group said two days ago that Abu-Zakariya alBritani detonated a car bomb at an Iraqi army base in Tal Gaysum, south-west of Mosul.
He is believed to have been originally known as Ronald Fiddler. Fiddler, 50, and from Manchester, was sent to Guantanamo Bay in 2002. IS has now published a photograph of Fiddler, who was also known as Jamul-Uddin alHarith before taking the nomdu-guerre Abu-Zakariya alBritani. He had been seized by US
Jean-Claude Juncker: UK faces hefty Brexit bill (BBC) European Commission President JeanClaude Juncker has warned the UK it faces a “very hefty” bill for Brexit. He promised two years of “tough negotiation”, when discussions on leaving terms get under way between the government and the European Union. Exit will not come “at a discount or at zero cost”, he said in a speech to the Belgian Federal Parliament. Reports suggest the UK could have to pay the EU up
to 60 billion euros (£51bn) after Brexit talks start. Mr Juncker’s comments came as the House of Lords held a second day of discussion of the government’s European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, which, if passed into law, will allow Prime Minister Theresa May to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, allowing formal talks with the EU to start. She is hoping to do this before the end of March, with EU negotiations expected to take up to two years.
forces in Pakistan in 2001, before being sent to Guantanamo. US interrogators found he provided useful information to them about the Taliban’s methods, and he was released after two years. The Daily Mail reported Fiddler received a million pounds in compensation from the government when he came back to the UK. The BBC has seen IS registration papers signed by Fiddler in April 2014 when he crossed into Syria from Turkey. He volunteered to be a fighter, saying his knowledge of Islam was basic. His wife told the Daily Mirror that she and their five children went to Syria try to persuade him to come back, but failed, and they ended up having to flee for their lives from IS territory. Afzal Ashraf, a former counter-terrorism adviser to the United States in Iraq, told the BBC this incident demonstrated that “some of the people in Guantanamo Bay were up to no good”. “It also throws into question some of the
organisations that were supporting him, that brought him back [from Guantanamo]. “Some of them were associated a little too closely with this radical ideology, and they use the legal system - freedoms of speech, the importance of the rule of law - in order to subvert some of our systems in the UK and elsewhere.” BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says the “pipeline” of British and Eu-
ropean jihadists who once crossed the Turkish border into Syria, into IS-controlled territory, has now “pretty much dried up”. He added: “Guantanamo Bay was incredibly bad in the ideological fight against extremism. It makes it very difficult for America, Britain and other countries whose nationals are there to maintain any kind of moral high ground, because they [detainees] were
imprisoned without trial. “And what do you do about the estimated 400 British jihadists who are still out there? If they don’t die on the battlefield, are they going to try and come back? How do you monitor them? Do you believe the people who say ‘I’ve turned my back on all of that’. “Most people will probably want to do exactly that. Some, though, may have other ideas.”
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 22, 2017
Trump administration widens net for immigrant deportation
(BBC) The Trump administration has issued tough guidelines to widen the net for deporting illegal immigrants from the US, and speed up their removal. Undocumented immigrants arrested for traffic violations or shoplifting will be targeted along with those convicted of more serious crimes. The memos do not alter US immigration laws, but take a much tougher approach towards enforcing existing measures. There are an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the US. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said on Tuesday the new guidelines
would not usher in mass deportations, but were designed to empower agents to enforce laws already on the books. “The president wanted to take the shackles off individuals in these agencies,” Mr Spicer said. “The message from this White House and the Department of Homeland Security is that those people who are in this country, who pose a threat to our safety, or who have committed a crime, will be the first to go.” The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) new blueprint leaves in place Obama-era protections for immigrants who entered the US illegally as children, affecting about
750,000 young people known as Dreamers. But it expands the more restricted guidance issued under the previous administration, which focused its policy on immigrants convicted of serious crimes, threats to national security or those who had recently crossed the border. Donald Trump’s immigration order marks a sharp break with those Obamaera policies. Instead - according to the Department of Homeland Security implementation memos the Trump administration essentially will “prioritise” the deportation of almost all undocumented immigrants, everywhere.
Wednesday February 22, 2017
Kaieteur News
US working with TT to fight money laundering and terrorism financing PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The United States is providing Trinidad and Tobago with assistance in combating money laundering and terrorism financing, the US Embassy here announced Tuesday. It said that John Murphy, an economic crime advisor from U.S. Treasury, is here assisting the government as part of Washington’s ongoing partnership with the government building capacity in the security sector. “This technical assistance is based on an agreement signed between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago in August 2016. The U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Technical As-
sistance Economic Crimes Team, funded by the Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, provides capacity and technical assistance in antimoney laundering and counter financing of terrorism in various countries.” The embassy said that during his stay here, local stakeholders established a Trinidad and Tobago Financial Crime Working Group to work collaboratively in effective implementation of antimoney laundering and counter financing of terrorism procedures. It said that Murphy, a specialist in financial crimes, be-
gan his work with U.S. Treasury’s Office of Technical Assistance in 2012, with projects in Africa, Central America and the Caribbean. Most recently, Murphy served as the Team Lead in Ghana and Jamaica. Prior to his work overseas, Murphy was a subject matter expert/advisor for the U.S. Department of Justice, Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section in Washington, D.C., and served for 21 years as a law enforcement officer with the New York City Police Department in both the Organized Crime Investigation Division and the Joint Organized Crime Task Force, the Embassy added.
MINUSTAH head calls on authorities to respect human rights of detainees
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UNSG) and head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti ( M I N U S TA H ) , S a n d r a Honoré,, has reiterated her concerns over the deaths of 42 detainees since the beginning the start of the year. “The recurrent lack of food and access to medi-
cal care combined with overcrowding, confinement and poor sanitation and hygiene are unacceptable,” she said. Media reports here state that the detainees live in disreputable conditions with no toilet in the cells forcing prisoners to use polystyrene containers and throwing them out of the windows. They also report a lack of lighting, ventilation and that the overpopulation is such that it is
not uncommon for four detainees to share a bunk. In addition to the shortage of food the water is unsuitable and causes skin diseases: itch, scabies etc…. and intestinal: diarrhoea and cholera. The detainees also complain of the presence of rats and various insects in the cells, which they said promote the spread of certain diseases. As a result, healthy inmates often fall ill…
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 22, 2017
Wednesday February 22, 2017
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Land of Wood and Water prevail... Changes made to Guyana Cup rematch... (From page 39) scored another brilliant goal as Jamaica lengthened their lead in the 11th minute of period two, Anderson scored with a header from a throw in; Jamaica 5 Guyana 2. In the third and final p e r i o d Guyana played energetic, created chances by being awarded a number of free kicks but the kickers kept putting the ball way into the stands rather than making the goalie save. Anderson sniffed in his third goal with creative work by the Jamaicans, rushing into the box to tap in a throw in that stretched the score to 6 goals for the lads from the land of wood and water in the 7th minute of the final period. But the lads from the land
of many waters touched in their third from a corner seconds later as the match saw end to end action. Jamaica prevailed 6-3 to record their first win as Guyana remained without a win heading into their final group game today against Belize. Canada and Mexico which posted openi n g w i n s against Barbados and Guadeloupe respectively in Group B play went head to head with the Mexicans remaining unbeaten with a c l i n i c a l d i s p l a y a g ainst the Canadians; they won 8-3. In Group D play, El Salvador made light work of a young and inexperienced Turks and Caicos Islands with a 9-2 win, led by a hat-
trick from Jose Ruben Batres and a brace from Darwin Daniel Ramirez. In another Group D match-up, Panama prevailed over Costa Rica 2-1 on penalty kicks after a thrilling and intense 1-1 tie in regulation and extra time, the goals coming in the first period, this was the first match for both nations at this championship. Guadeloupe clawed their way back against Barbados to post their first win after going down to Mexico on the opening day; winning a 5-4 thriller; Sebastien Hell netting all five goals, the winner coming with 5 seconds to play. It was the Bajans second loss in as many matches after losing to Canada on the first day.
Wednesday February 22, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Communication will be your best bet. This will not be the best day to initiate change. You can make financial gains through investments and dealing with other people's money. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Controversial subjects should be avoided at all costs. Don't believe everything you hear. Don't let your health suffer because of abuse. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Competitive games will be your forte. Your partner could also use some time alone with you. Problems with relatives and friends could surface. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Business conducted in your own office will proceed smoothly. Take a long look at your present direction and consider your professional options. Overindulgence will mean poor health. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You can meet friends who will let you know how valuable you are. Your energetic personality will make you the center of attention at social gatherings. You can convince anyone of anything. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Be sure not to burn any bridges. Look after financial transactions today. Don't let your partner goad you into wearing your heart on your sleeve.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You will find good buys and you will lift your spirits. You may be sensitive to a point of absurdity. Use your charm to get your own way. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This could be a serious relationship. Travel will lead you in new directions. Use your own ideas to further your interests. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Invite friends in for a visit. Try spending the day catching up on any responsibilities that need to be taken care of. Don't ruffle the feathers of those you care about most. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You can pick up additional responsibility that will lead to higher wages and a better position. Restrictions may be difficult for you to live with. Your relationship appears to be stressed out and depleted. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Limitations on the home front can be expected if you have been restricting your mate's freedom. You can develop your creative talents if you take the time to practice your art. You're in need of love. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Opportunities for new partnerships will develop through the organizations you encounter. Mingle with those who can help you get ahead. Take the day to relax and pamper yourself.
(From page 33) trophy. There is an 1100M event for three-year-old West Indies bred horses maiden animals for $220,000. The event for three and four-year -old Guyana bred maiden horses with winning prize money of $200,000 and trophy over 1100M. The J2 and K class event has its first prize tagged at
$175,000 and trophy over 1100M. The animals classified L and lower will compete for the winning pocket of $130,000 and trophy over 1100M. The top Jockey along with the runner up, the top stable and champion trainer will all be presented with trophies and other incentives compliment o f t h e Trophy Stall of Bourda
Market and t he organisers. Interested persons can contact Fazal Habibulla on 657-7010 or 232-0232, Donald Lawrie on telephone Nos 2254530, Campton Sancho 6021567 or Ramnauth on 6971979. Race time is 12:30 hrs. The coordinator is Nasrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohamed. (Samuel Whyte)
New leadership has transformed... (From page 35) witnessed that they have restructured this administration because, don’t forget, the administration is the important tool to organise football.” Mosengo-Omba said he had been impressed with the popularity of football in Guyana, and that it could soon become the number one sport in the country. “Everywhere we are crossing the city of
Georgetown, even on the small pitch: people are playing football,” he said. “Even the roundabouts, they are playing football.” The success of the Stag Elite League and the GFFNAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 League, and the establishment of a GFF women’s football development league have all contributed to growing interest in the sport. The GFF-
Scotiabank Academy Training Centres will also boost interest in the sport through weekly grassroots sessions for young boys and girls aged 5- 11. “This is, for me, the impression I have to leave this country: that it is the country of football, and soon we will beat cricket,” Mosengo-Omba said. “Maybe it is already done, in terms of popularity, of course.”
RHTY&SC teams assists Schools with Cricket... (From page 38) completed including 205 in 2017. Among major activities completed last year were the construction of a multi-million family playfield, hosting of a Massive Say No/Say Yes campaign, multi-million Christmas Charity campaign, GUYOIL Traffic Educational Programme, Christmas Village and distribution of $1M worth of school bags to less fortunate students. He urged the Club Cricketers to uphold their high standards on and off the cricket field, while issuing an appeal to other cricket teams across Guyana to develop similar programmes for their member-
ship. Senior Teacher of the PMSS, Rohan Etwaru, who accepted the cricket gears from the Club, expressed gratitude to the eight teams. Etwaru
noted that the RHTY&SC, M.S should be very proud of its achievements over the years and expressed hope that others would continue to benefit in the future.
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday February 22, 2017
Blairmont Cricket Club continues U-15 practice matches Blairmont Cricket Club continues its preparation for the upcoming U-15 cricket season in Berbice with a few more practice matches a g a i n s t R e s t o f We s t Berbice, Young Warriors and
Albion Cricket Clubs U-15 teams. Blairmont defeated the Rest of West Berbice by 200 runs. Blairmont batted first and scored 274-2 with Farook Subhan retiring on
100 and Marvan Prashad retiring on 86. Keith Milne was on 11 and Travis Jawahir 13 not out. The Rest of West Berbice were bowled out for 74 with Lenny Dhanna 17 and
Anthony Sukra 13. Bowling for Blairmont, Gourav Nowrangilall led the way with four wickets, while Travis Jawahir picked up three and Prashad two. Blairmont then defeated Young Warriors by 67 runs. Blairmont were dismissed for 157 with Subhan 32, Prashad and Keith Milne 25 each and Keshwar Adin 15. Zid Ramsammy and Andy Ramsammy picked up three
wickets each. Young Warriors were dismissed for 90 with R Lottupersaud 21 not out and Raj Ramdeol 11. Bowling for Blairmont Akash Heeralall and Prashad picked up wickets each, while Shahid Baksh snared two. Their final match against Albion Community Centre at Albion was abandoned due to the inclement
weather. Blairmont were dismissed for 55. Bowling for Albion Fazil Amoi with three, Sase Chatnonne and Ian Shajan with two each were the main wicket takers. Albion in reply was 38-6 when the rain came. Kesh Kirrum made 16. Akash Heeralall and Keith Milne were the wicket takers. (Samuel Whyte)
Wednesday February 22, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Changes made to Guyana Cup rematch horse race meet, over 60 now entered iW th the horseracing season getting off to an enterprising start, last weekend with the successful staging of the one day Sprint Meet held by the Nand Persaud Group of companies, the attention is now turned to the annual Guyana Cup rematch event set for Sunday at the Rising Sun Turf, Club Arima Park, West Coast, Berbice. The meet which is organised by the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing Stables in collaboration with the Rising Sun Turf Club, has been attracting tremendous attention over the past few days, with
numerous entries. As such the organisers have been forced to make a few more changes to the programme to cater for the rush. The most notable change will see the event for three-year-old West Indies bred maiden animals being upgraded to an event for three and four year old Guyana bred maiden horses with winning prize now being increased to $200,000 and trophy. Over 60 horses have been entered so far for the meet and with entries set to close today more is expected to enter. Eight races are listed for
the programme which has over $7M in cash trophies and other prizes up for grabs. The revised list now reads -The feature event for animals classified D2 and lower over 1800M has a winning take of $1M and trophy with the likes of Princess She Not, CP Got Even, Golden Blue Ecko, Lady Budapest, Honey Flow, Score Even, Just Call Me Boss, Spit Fire, Jack in My Style, Release the Beast and Light up Canada looking for the big pay day. The other events are – the race for horses classified E1 and lower West Indies bred
non earners for 2016 and E3 US and Canadian bred non earners for 2016, running for a winning money of $600,000 and trophy over 1400M. The event for four years
old West Indies Bred and animals classified G3 and lower for a winning pocket of $300,000 and trophy over 1400M. Horses classified H and lower will race for winning
take of $275,000 and trophy over 1100M. The three years old West Indies bred and I1 and lower horses will cover 1400M for a first prize of $225,000 and (Continued on page 31)
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday February 22, 2017
Gladstone’s 31 points push Kwakwani into final four after 84-32 whipping of Falcons Newcomers Kwakwani won their second game in as many matches as Domar Gladstone hit in a joint tournament high 31 points when they made light work of Bankers Trust Falcons with a
84-32 whipping of the Ward side, while fourth seed Retrieve Raiders got their second win also with a smart 40-34 points victory over Block 22 Falcons Sunday night when the Linden Amateur Basketball
A s s o c i a t i o n ’s H a m i d Foundation Under-23 basketball championship continued at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court. Last Sunday Kwakwani through Gladstone’s 31 point
game, which included six from three point territory in tandem with guard Shafeeq Thomas with 21 points as Leonard Primo added seven, easily disposed of their opponents Falcons after leading at half time 40-13 with Stephen Duncan’s nine points being the best score from a Falcons player as Akeel Primo and Raphael Robertson each netted six points. Kwakwani’s last game is against second seed Amelia’s Ward Jets on Saturday night as they prepare to enter the semifinals the following Saturday. Raiders also won what was a close game as the Flames sparked at times after trailing 15-23 at the half way mark. Coel Winter was the leading scorer for the winners with 13 points as
Raiders also virtually through with 40-34 win against Flames
Domar Gladstone Travis Sutton had another good game for the Raiders this time getting 10 points and Otis Williams contributing seven.
The Flames were led by their top scorer Selwyn Henry who again played well as Rondel Fraser got seven.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 22, 2017
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Mike’s Wellman capture Mike’s Pharmacy, Trophy Stall softball crown A spirited performance by Mike’s Wellman handed them a six-run victory over Ariel Masters when the final of the Mike’s Pharmacy, Tr o p h y S t a l l s o f t b a l l tournament was contested on Sunday at Malteenoes Sports Club. Mike’s Wellman batted first and posted a challenging 151-9 of their 20 overs. Wayne Jones and Nandram Samlall struck 30 each with the former hitting two sixes and the latter two fours and two sixes. Eon Lovell supported w ith 18 (1x4,2x6) as Surujlall Kumar snared 2-20 and Eric Jeffrey 2-23.
Ariel threatened but fell for 145 in 19.5 overs in reply. Hafeez scored 25 with one four and three sixes while Talesh Ramotar made 22 (3x4), Richard Persaud 16 and Kumar 14. Greg De Franca claimed 3-17, Samlall 2-15 and Jones 2-17. Samlall was named man-ofthe-match. Savage beat HS Masters by nine runs in the third place play off. Batting first, Savage managed 143-2 in 15 overs. Anil Beharry stroked a f l u e n t 6 1 w h i l e Tr o y Ramsaywack made 53. HS Masters were limited to 1348 in 15 overs in reply. Danny
Mohanram got 47 and Sahadeo Boodhoo 31. Ramo Malone had 3-20 and Ramsaywack 2-17. M i k e ’s We l l m a n overcame Savage by six wickets in their semi final encounter. Savage scored 120-9 in 20 overs, taking first strike. Ramsaywack made 37 and Malone 27; Eon Lovell grabbed 4-14 and Mike Singh 3-15. Mike’s Wellman responded with 123-4 in 15.4 overs. Latchman Kallicharran hit 38; Lloyd Rooplall got 36 and Jones 33. Zameer Hassan had 2-13. Ariel got the better of HS Masters by 43 runs in the
The victorious Mike’ Wellman team.
New leadership has transformed image of GFF – says FIFA President likely to visit Guyana Georgetown: The new leadership of the Guyana Football Federation Inc. (GFF) has transformed the image and reputation of Guyana in the world of football governance, FIFA’s Director of Member Associations and Development for the Caribbean and Africa said in an interview at the end of a two-day visit to Guyana. And, in a sign of confidence in the progress the GFF has made since November 2015, FIFA Director Veron MosengoOmba said FIFA President Gianni Infantino was likely to also visit Guyana. “Since he (GFF President Wayne Forde) was elected, he gives a different image of the Guyana Football Association than in the past,” said Mosengo-
Omba, who is responsible for overseeing the administration and growth of football in the region. “I can say that the (FIFA) President, Gianni Infantino, I think, will visit soon Guyana,” MosengoOmba said. “We are confident in him (GFF President Forde) because of what he is doing now, when he started doing it – less than two years – this is giving us confidence. That is why I am here also, because we are convinced of that. I met his Executive (Committee) yesterday – all of them, they are working like one single person: this, for me, is the mark of confidence.” The GFF Executive C o m m i t t e e a n d administration is working to restore credibility and trust to football in Guyana
through a programme of sustained football development and governance reform. This month, the GFF launched a nationwide network of 13 GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres, managed by nine full-time GFF Technical Development Officers and 14 GFF Youth Development Coaches, in an effort to discover and better develop more talented boys and girls from different regions. “I came to pay a courtesy visit to the GFF President and his Executive and to witness the good job that they start doing here,” he said. “That is the impression that we have in FIFA, because I came here: the impression is good … They started a good job, and I have (Continued on page 31)
next semi final game. Ariel took first knock and posted 133-9 in 15 overs. Peter Persaud slammed 49 and Roy Kumar 29. Edward Barlow picked up three wickets. HS Masters were bowled out for 90 in 14.2 overs. Barlow made 38 and Naving Singh 29. Ramotar snared two wickets. (Zaheer Mohamed)
Man-of-the-match Nandram Samlall (left) accepts his prize from Skipper of Savage team Vicky Ramsawyack.
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday February 22, 2017
GT Motorsports / GMR&SC Karting Grand Prix launched -Teams gear up for riveting rivalry starting tonight Motor racing fans will get a glimpse of the future stars when GT Motorsports in collaboration with the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) stages a two-day Karting Extravaganza, starting tonight, at the GMR&SC, Albert Street and Thomas Road. The Extravaganza which has been divided into two
parts beginning with the Endurance Rental Cup tonight and ends on Friday with the Georgetown Grand Prix which was launched yesterday, during a simple ceremony, at the GMR&SC. The occasion saw in attendance sponsors representatives including Ansa McAl under its Stag Beer brand, Banks DIH under its Monster Energy
brand and Continental Group of Agencies under its Sunburst Juice brand, Secure Innovations & Concepts, ENetworks among others. GT Motorsports’ Vishok Persaud, the architect of the stirring revival of karting at the recently resurfaced and m o d e r n i s e d f a c i l i t y, speaking to attendees said the occasion is significant since it will mark the first
time in a long time that such an event has been organised and he urged members of the public to come out and support the young drivers. He pointed out that some of them have not been in the sport for very long, but have been enjoying the experience with their ages range between 6-15 years. Persaud, a former President of the GMR&SC in underscoring the significance of the facility disclosed that since 2007, Guyana has been very active in terms of turnout at regional Meets, while the performances of our drivers continued to improve, adding that to maintain that upward mobility, the need to constantly produce drivers of quality became necessary and karting was the first step in doing so. In relation to the facility, Persaud spoke of major improvements made by Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, informing that the objective of the karting facility is to create a nursery that will continue to develop and produce more young drivers. Additionally, Persaud revealed that the entity already has plans to expand the sport to include drivers
from other countries and pointed to the participation of Trinidad & Tobago’s father and daughter combination of Ravi and Bridget Singh in addition to Canada’s Daryl Timmers as testimony of that expansion. Drivers Kevin and Kristian Jeffrey, who is a former Caribbean Motor Racing champion, both spoke of how important it is to have such a facility and the role it could play in the development of young drivers as Guyana seek to have a steady production of top level drivers for regional and international competitions. The younger Jeffrey (Kristian), who wrapped up last season in the Radical Series by being, voted Most Outstanding Driver gave a brief synopsis of his journey in motor racing and the difficulty one faces, especially when you’re from the Caribbean. Jeffrey, however, urged the young drivers to remain dedicated and committed to the sport since there is always the likelihood that a scout might see your talent and provide that opportunity for you to exhibit that ability on a bigger circuit, meaning Europe or possibly North
America. GMR&SC President Rameeze Mohamed in his remarks said the club was happy to be working with GT Motorsports and extended gratitude to the organisation for the work that they are doing in advancing the sport. He added that they will be providing trained FIA marshals for every event that is held. Also, adding his voice at the Launch was Stefon Jeffrey, who spoke of the technical issues, urging parents not to be afraid to seek advice from him pertaining to the technical aspects of the karts or even the competitors. The categories that will be contested are: 60cc; 125cc; Superkarts and the four-stroke powered by Honda. Meanwhile, the sponsors representatives who were present including Harold Hopkinson of Secure Innovations & Concepts, Colin Stuart of Stag Beer, Justin Stoby of Monster Energy and Rudy Jairam of Sunburst Juices, all echoed similar sentiments of their respective entities support for the event, while pledging their commitment in the future.
Foreign Ministry Office Assistants Sports
Guy Oil win at dominoes, Eccles NDC take cricket title
The dominoes winners, Guy Oil, claim their prize from James Lewis after their triumph. The Foreign Affairs Ministry Sports promotion team held a two-day event as a part of their Mash programme last Friday, at the Ministry of Agriculture’s canteen. Guyana Oil Company won the Ambiance Furniture Company trophy and medals defeating NDIA and the Ministry of Agriculture in
the finals. Guy Oil scored 78 games with J. Cox scoring 18 and E. Gittens 17. NDIA finished with 67 and MOI on 61. In the finals of the James ‘Sports Ambassadors Tr o p h y ’ c r i c k e t , E PA defeated Ministry of Agriculture, making 76 and Agricultural replied with 53. In the four-team
championship clash, Eccles NDC defeated Ministry of Education after scoring 63 off of their six overs and then restricting MOE to 49 when their overs expired. Eccles NDC won the Innovative Engineering Consultancy Services trophy and medals. The presentation was made by Sports Ambassador James Lewis.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 22, 2017
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Sheriff takes charge at Sprint Classic horserace meet Honey Flow of Nand Persaud Karibee Rice Stable takes Prime Minister Trophy in feature
Prime Minister Rep, Gobin Harbajan presents the PM’s trophy in the feature D class event to Mrs Sharda Persaud as owner Mohendra Persaud savours the moment with winner Honey Flow in the background. Honey Flow of the Nand Persaud Karibee Rice Stable made sure that the sweet taste of victory remains at the host entity when it won the feature event at the Nand Persaud Karibee Sprint Classic held last Sunday in collaboration with The Sky Plus Group at the Company’s racing facilities, No36 Village, Macedonia Estate, Corentyne, Berbice. The two previous feature events were won by stalemate Golden Blue Echo. Imported from the USA
in July last year, Honey Flow, in only its fourth outing, showed that it has acclimatized sufficiently and is ready for the big league with a telling victory in winning its first race on Guyana’s soil. Tr a i n e d b y o w n e r Mohendra Persaud and ridden by Prem Chandra the animal wasted little time in hitting the front in the 880yds (4furlongs) event. It was sweet revenge for the horse in earlier losses as it flowed nicely with
MS Aneesa Razak in white receives the winning trophy for The Rocket explosive victory from Sharda Persaud of the Nand Persaud Company.
rhythmic progression as the experienced Chandra kept urging it on, as it ran away with the Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo trophy and the $400,000 compliments of Banks DIH Limited. In second place was Release the Beast with Firing Line and Red and Lovely rounding out the money in the eight horses filed. The E maiden and 3Furlongs race was a competitive affair with Wichie Poo ridden by Trinidadian Nicholas Patrick
Owner Zahir Shariff receives the winning trophy for Puppy tail victory in the 3 year maiden event. Trinididian Jockey Nicholas Patrick is perched on top of the animal.
of the Shariff Stable taking that race ahead of Honey Flow, Brave Sky and Passion for Song in an earlier encounter. Chelsea owned and ridden by Winston Appadhu won the H and lower event fr om Q uiet D ancer, Appealing Harvest and Sweet Return. Puppy Tail of the Shariff stable with Nicholas Patrick in the stirrups ran a marvelous race to take top honours in the 3 years maiden Guyana bred event with Genuine Risk, the Rock
and Royal Master being brushed aside. Secret Escape of the C.P. Racing sable with Ajai in the saddle escaped to victory from Miss Kristina, Red Region and Ready for Romance in the I3 and lower gallop. The Rocket of the Aneesa Razak stable with Colin Ross the rider was explosive as it raced away with the L class event ahead of Flow Jo, Easy Lion and I am back for its second consecutive win. Roy Son owned by Boyo
and ridden by Ajai scored its first victory as it took the LL maiden event from Little Mc Gaiver, Cause She Royal and Physical Disturbance. The champion stable was the Shariff stable with Zaheer Shariff the top trainer. The wily Trinidadian rider Nicholas Patrick was adjudged the top jockey. They were rewarded compliments of the Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and the organisers. (Samuel Whyte)
GTCPM Annual Apprentice Road Race Samuel Crawford runs away with event
Outstanding performers pose with their silverware and coordinator Levi Nedd standing at right and manager Jainarine Sookpaul (with cap centre). By Samuel Whyte Second year apprentice student Samuel Crawford on Sunday last ran away with the annual GuySuCo Tr a i n i n g C e n t r e P o r t Mourant (GTCPM) six miles road race. The race which began at 6:00hrs at Adventure on the
Corentyne and ended in front of the GTCPM hostel at Port Mourant saw Crawford covered the distance in a time of 37minutes and 51 seconds. A total of 109 apprentices took part in the event, 105 presently live-in the others were third and fourth year
apprentices. Following Crawford across the finish line in a close finish was Michael Jaundoo who came in at 37 minutes and 53 seconds. The other top finishers were Ganeshwar Singh, Damyonion Al Ahamed,
Neil Hutson, Raymon Marks, Joshua Samaroo, Renaldo John, Nicolai Sawh and Michael Manroop who placed 10th. The first five finishers were presented with trophies while the other five received medals all compliments of the
GTCPM. A special prize was presented to Adrel Moore, who was one of the recent past apprentices, for his outstanding run. The event was started by Manager of the GTCPM Jainarine Sookpaul. Speaking with the media,
Coordinator and Students Affairs Officer, Levi Nedd, said that the annual event is part of the apprentices’ extracurricular training at the institution. The athletes were escorted along the journey by members of the Guyana Police Force.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 22, 2017
RHTY&SC teams assists Schools with Cricket gears, Trophies, Educational Materials
Club Secretary Hilbert Foster hands over the donation to Sir Rohan Etwaru of PMSS. Looking on are other Teachers.
Teachers of the four schools poses with some of the educational materials.
The eight cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club on Tuesday 14th of February last assisted several schools in Berbice as they continue to make a positive difference in the lives of others. The cricket teams – Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Bakewell Under 17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under 19/Intermediate, Metro Females and Gizmos &Gadgets First Division and Under 21 have been mandated by the management to successfully complete a total of 160 programmes/activities as part of the RHTY&SC, M.S target of 500 for 2017. The Cricket teams donated a pair of batting pads, two pairs of batting gloves and a scorebook to teachers of the Port Mourant Secondary School to assist them to participate in a Guyana Teachers Union Cricket competition. A large collection of Educational
Material was handed over to t h e R o s e H a l l To w n , Belvedere and Tain Primary Schools along with the Rose Hall Town Nursery School. The teams also donated three cricket trophies to students of the Cyril Potter College of Education, Tain Campus. The trophies would assist the students to organise a cricket tournament at the Rose Hall Canje Estate Ground as part of their mandate. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster hailed the outstanding work of the eight cricket teams. The Club’s policy of mandating its cricketers to be involved in community development is to get them to understand the importance of giving back to society. The RHTY&SC is the only cricket club in Guyana and perhaps the Caribbean which has such a programme, Foster proudly stated and over the last twenty years a total of 2100 programmes/activities were (Continued on page 31)
Plaisance Guardians win ‘League of Champions’ Division I third place title -UG Trojans are U-23 third position winners
Nikkoloi Smith (left) and Sherland Gillis Nikkoloi Smith poured in 44 points to help Plaisance Guardians blow out Pepsi Sonics to win the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) ‘League of Champions’ third place title at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall Monday night. Plaisance Guardians dismissed Sonics 95-62 with Smith also grabbing 11 rebounds for a doubledouble along with Trenton Woolford scoring 17 points and 10 rebounds. Guard, Ron Campbelle added 10 points and 13 rebounds in a solid performance. Guard, Trevor Smith had 16 points and eight steals for Sonics as Aubrey Austin scored 15 points and Junior
Lovell 10 in support. Jermaine Reid had eight points with no one else really contributing on the offensive end. Meanwhile, in the U-23 third place game, University of Guyana Trojans also dished out a heavy whipping on Eagles, winning 82-64 with Sherland Gillis scoring 19 points and grabbing 13 rebounds for a doubledouble. The consistent, Kadeem Peterkin scored 14 points, while Alester Lewis and Jonathan Browne added 13 each for Trojans. F o r E a g l e s , Tr a v i s Belgrave scored 31 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to go with seven steals, while Darroll Williams supported with 13 points.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday February 22, 2017
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CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship
Land of Wood and Water prevail against Land of Many Waters; Jamaica 6 Guyana 3
Guyana’s Jahshawn Moore in control against Jamaica last night at the BFA Soccer Stadium at Malcolm Park in the Bahamas. By Franklin Wilson in the Bahamas with the compliments of Ringbang, Crown Mining Supplies, Fazia’s Collection, Fitness E x p r e s s , G e r m a n ’s Restaurant and Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club. Watched by over 1400 fans, Guyana failed to register their first win of the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship being contested at the BFA Soccer
Stadium at Malcolm Park here in Nassau, Bahamas. The Guyanese went down to Jamaica 6-3 as they suffered their second loss in as many matches. Guyana started badly against the Jamaicans with goalkeeper Ethan Sparman making a fundamental blunder by handling the ball twice which resulted in a free kick from just outside the area, luckily Rohan Reid’s shot sailed over the cross bar. But soon after Reid made
LABA planned secondary chools five-a-side postponed to next Friday Due to unforeseen circumstances Tuesday’s planned Inter-Secondary Schools Five-A-Side Basketball Championship for schools in Linden has been postponed until next Friday. President of the association, Lawrence Simon, said it was unfortunate that the inaugural championship billed for the MSC hard court had to be put back due to problems outside the control of his association. He said the trophies have already been acquired for the event and thanked the sponsor so far for their faith in bringing off the event for school players Under-19 years of age. He said the Education department has been helpful in getting the schools to play in the event but hopes that next Friday the players will get a chance to show their talent. The schools invited to s e n d t e a m s a r e
LABA President, Lawrence Simon, posing with one of the trophies for the tournament. C h r i s t i a n b u rg Wi s m a r S e c o n d a r y, W i s b u r g , Harmony, New Silvercity, Linden Foundation Secondary and Linden Technical institute.
amends when Sparman advanced off his line to cut him off but his shot from an acute angle squeezed into the back of the nets to send the
Jamaicans into the lead which was doubled minutes after when Reid again netted to double the Reggae Boyz advantage. Guyana though, created chances and kept up a steady attack on the Jamaicans as Coach Abdullah Hamid rang the changes with a view of having fresh legs on the pitch to keep up the attack. With ten minutes on the clock, Guyana pulled one back when Jahsahwn Moore’s shot bounced awkwardly for goalkeeper Kirk Porter as it beat him into the back of the nets. The first period ended with the Jamaicans enjoying a one goal cushion. The first half did not start well also for
the Golden Jaguars as the Referee penalized Captain Deshawn Joseph for a hand ball (four minutes into the period) which did not touch his hands. The ensuing free kick just over the half way mark was blasted past Sparman by Reid for his hat-trick which was also Jamaica’s third. But in the 7th minute great work by Michael Wilson saw him
bicycling a ball into the path of his Captain Joseph who finished clinically past Porter; Guyana 2 Jamaica 3. But the Jamaicans restored their two goal advantage when the play was restarted, Jermaine Anderson’s long range shot from the starting point eluded Sparman; Jamaica 4 Guyana 2. Anderson again (Continued on page 31)
t r o Sp GT Motorsports / GMR&SC Karting Grand Prix launched -Teams gear up for riveting rivalry starting tonight
Young participants pose with GT Motorsports representatives and GMR&SC President Rameeze Mohamed yesterday.
CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship
Land of Wood and Water prevail against Land of Many Waters; Jamaica 6 Guyana 3
Guyana and Jamaica in battle last night at the BFA Soccer Stadium at Malcolm Park in the Bahamas. (Photos by Franklin Wilson)
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