Monday February 06, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Former PPP official says PPP is Mayor asserts that the parking meters will stay not true to Marxism-Leninism DEAR EDITOR, On February 3, 2017 an allegedly People Progressive Party (PPP) sponsored protest was held on the northern side of City Hall, Regent Street, Lacytown. The protest was against the Georgetown Parking Metered System, an initiative by the city council to generate revenue, reduce traffic congestion in the city and make our roads and sidewalks cleaner and safer. What was strikingly interesting about the group that had gathered against the parking meter initiative was the number of business owners associated with the PPP who brought their workers and other related staff to demonstrate against the council. Our records show that quite a number of those who shouted the loudest against this innovation, have neglected to honour their civic responsibility and continue to appropriate city spaces without compensating citizens, who collectively own them. I would only note that prior to the new era of local democracy, when the city was trashed with rubbish, unkempt parapets, stagnant alleyways and drains, broken and impassable roads and a host of environmental negatives, that those who are now agitating were neither seen nor heard speaking out against the evils which were committed against the city when the council was controlled from offices in Kingston and Robb Street.
Now that the council is attempting to correct such a situation and make a positive difference in the city, we see heavy political activism on the part of the PPP and their associates. What was significant about the group protesting was the serious economic disparities and the clear line between the haves and have-nots, rich and poor, wealthy and those who eke out a living at the edge of the city. The parking meter initiative has already provided more than fifty jobs for our young people; another forty individuals are being trained to be properly employed within the next two months, with the project. Also, there is a noticeable reduction in traffic congestion in the city and almost zero in criminal activities related to breaches of vehicles in areas, where we have already installed meters. The Mayor and City Council wishes to inform all citizens that it will continue to push ahead with this initiative to secure the integrity of local communities and the city as a whole. The council calls upon all law-abiding citizens to resist this attempt by the PPP and their associates to take Georgetown backwards to indiscipline, lawlessness and confusion and to embrace forward thinking and programmes by the city council aimed at development, progress and prosperity. Let us restore and sustainably develop Georgetown. Patricia Chase-Green Mayor of Georgetown
The protest last Friday is the rise of civil society DEAR EDITOR, For far too long we have been looking at our country’s future through the lens of politics and two political parties, the PPP and PNC (or whatever it’s called now). Like most former colonies of the slave masters, it was always the aim to consume the people under political camps as our minds are contaminated with gang war fare and propaganda fueling our fears. On February 4th we saw something very significant in Guyana and that is civil society standing up for their right to be heard and challenging our political system for their incompetence. The bravery of the business community to risk reprisal for speaking out is admirable and shows a sign that there is hope. Whether you agree or not and whether it is subliminal or not, our political system is the instrument of the colonial powers that dictate a desired outcome from our democratic process. Civil Society as a collective has always been the cornerstone that must transform and guide our future, because it is inherently built with checks and balances through its diversity and desire to build economic growth on the backdrop of
progressive and fair state apparatus and objective politicians. Civil society strive on the things we all want in Guyana and that is security, economic growth, an efficient public service and transparency in fiscal management. As the City Council tries to “milk starving cows” with a vampire mentality, they are losing sight of what truly drives economic growth before implementing things like parking meters. The City Council doesn’t seem to understand that running a city is similar to running a corporation, in many ways it is more like the private sector than a Government mechanism. And this is because the City largely depends on businesses being successful and healthy circulation of money. Governments on the other hand, have other mechanism to depend on, such as natural resources and partnerships with other countries and organizations. Therefore, it is critical that the City do not jump to the end, with things like parking meters, but instead start from the beginning by strengthening the existing system of tax collection and improving efficiency and transparency of the system. Then you can move on to
attract more businesses by providing security and fast and easy process for getting businesses set up. After these things are in place, then you can move to parking meters and other side taxes, because at this stage you are hoping to have a healthy economy where people will be more inclined to support the City Council that supports them. All the signals from the City Council show signs of corruption, in fighting, poor leadership and little to no vision. Therefore it is hard for the people to bestow trust on the Council, a trust that the Council must earn and cannot simply demand. Civil Society must continue to protest for the things that are right and keep the pressure on this or any other government in the future and be that badly needed nonaligned third force that will defend the rights of the people and country when required. It is long overdue that politics should have its limits and not penetrate every aspect our lives. Malcolm Watkins
DEAR EDITOR, Hyder Ally in a letter dated January 27th and captioned “My party, the PPP, is guided by the principles of MarxismLeninism” tried to convince readers that the PPP post Jagan continued to practice the principles Marxism Leninism. What principles? Marxism Leninism? He has got to be joking. When was the last time he or anybody in the party wrote or spoke of those principles? Now that he mentioned them I would be glad if he could write something explaining these principles and how the Jagdeo Government practiced them. Did the PPP government privatize as much as possible? Did they sell out state resources to friends at prices way below value. Did they give away the patrimony to foreign companies in sell out deals? Explain Baishanlin, Ramroop and Sanata Textile Mill. How about prime lands near the University which were sold at rock bottom prices to friends of President Jagdeo? Are these all part of the Marxist principles? Now let’s see how the PPP practised neoliberal policies. It placed its faith in the private sector and the private sector did not deliver. Recognizing that the private sector did not deliver, did the Leninist principle not encourage the government to invest in processing plants to process the farmers’ produce and so diversify the economy by creating value added. Why did this Marxist government during the 23 years, not carry out the expansion of Black Bush Polder so that farmers could get land? Why did it not develop the second phase of the MMA scheme? Mara was abandoned because the government let the road fall into disrepair. Look at the condition of Black Bush Polder after 23 years of PPP rule. These areas would have benefitted its supporters so you can imagine how it treated those who were not its supporters. If the Private sector did not invest in Region 10 among others was it not incumbent on the Marxist government to invest to create jobs. The reality is that the PPP government, the post Jagan one, directed its energies to the enrichment of the leaders. One can only look at the accumulation of wealth by the
PPP leaders. The Principle “lean and clean” was thrown through the window. The working people and the farmers were neglected. The unemployment among youths was very high. Migration continued to be high and the sad reality which I am sure Hydar Ali would admit to, is that Guyana remained a remittance country and had it not been for the high level of remittance from family overseas our people would have had it very hard. There are those PPPites who attack me on social media saying I was corrupt and that I stole money during the flood time and as a consequence was fired. First it was 5 then 10 then 15 Million. The reality is that the flood was in 2005 and my contract at Office of the President was signed in March 2006. Basic chronological logics defied them. There are a number of issues I will write about later explaining why I got into loggerheads with Jagdeo; one is his blocking of a 300 million dollar modern cargo facility at CJIA which would have benefitted farmers and would have been transformative re: the agri. sector. I will just say at this point in time that I was invited by my friend Michael Carrington to be on an Alliance For Change programme that dealt with taxation. We were advocating for allowance to be given to children for we thought the present tax regime was unfair to the workers who were parents. I was asked about and I criticized the corruption that
existed and if you doubt the corruption Donald Ramotar is on record during the 2011 election campaign as saying the corruption was deep rooted and that he would root it out. There are those who say I am not writing against the ills of this government. Well for one; those asking me that question were silent under the previous government. The reality was that I spoke out internally for years and was marginalized. I do recognize that this government has done some wrong things. I am critical internally and I am giving it time as I have done with the PPP. Those who know me know that I have not given up my left leaning ideology and I have written on it in the not too distant past and on social media. I will end at this stage but would consider continuing my writings for this country cannot advance in any real way once our people remain divided. I have always stated this; race is not a homogenous unit. Each race group has varying interests. The working people are unfortunately misguided and are kept divided by race. The only way the working people would advance and the body politics of this country transformed is if and when the working people place their interest as workers before the colour of their skin. The six weeks strike when bauxite and sugar workers were united in struggle is a prime example of what can be achieved when our people are united in their common interest. Rajendra Bisessar
High praise for the Fire and conducted a preliminary Service investigation. DEAR EDITOR, I am writing to express my sincere appreciation to the Guyana Fire Service for the prompt and efficient service which undoubtedly contained the recent fire to the top flat at my home in Republic Park. I would also like to thank the police ranks and officers of Providence Police Station who attended the residence
To my kind and vigilant neighbours, along with the construction workers who spotted the smoke emanating from the house and promptly raised the alarm, I say many thanks. Last, but certainly not least, heartfelt gratitude to Maurice Sears, Barbara Patrick, Trevor Mercurius and Trevor Adams for their support. Erna Bovell
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Monday February 06, 2017
Kaieteur News
Ministry of Finance embarked A healthy body must accompany a healthy mind on a wrong policy direction DEAR EDITOR, One boasts of never in his entire life putting a cigarette to his mouth – as if he is the only one. Another boasts of not eating meat for over the last 20/30 years. Still says; “I have never once drank alcohol”. Good for them but what’s the catch? While these “Nevers” are healthy habits, they are not state of the art requirements for being a good person. Health wise its good, taking care of the body – the temple as some would say is a personal virtue, it’s for one’s own sake. But having a healthy body does not automatically qualify and transfer one into a virtuous person. Tell me again, but I like to remind folks of Adolph Hitler: didn’t smoke, didn’t drink, no personal aggrandizement, non-corrupt-though his mind was all that and more don’ts and yet for all that who was he if not the devil incarnate. I have noted overtime many individuals who are fanatical about their personal well-being, the purity of their body are seldom the nice people. Does the purity of one’s physiology makes one
a paragon of virtue!? The question must be what is their quality of contribution to society? How do they treat fellow men? I came across a wonderful quotation which says the true test of one’s character is seen in the way in which he treats others who he has nothing to gain from or those who can’t fight back - check that out. Do they look out and reach out to the less fortunate? Are they their brothers/sisters keepers? Do they self-deny for the sake of a stranger? Do they stand-up for principle as a matter of right/wrong? Does injustice gnaw their conscience? Do they face up to and stand tall to the ruling authority for what they know to be wrong? Editor, upon these and such like other question, these boastful, egotistic narcissists must be judged and scored, see what they really are at the core. Many would be shocked out of their skin to discover how terrible some of these people are – would even make God look real bad, that they too are of his creation. There are people who carry with them
an evil spirit and don’t know. We all are born for different reasons, like Fidel Castro once said; “some people are born with a baser instinct”. And if you pay keen attention you can know them, for there is a way, a pattern how they move which they can’t help, since they don’t dictate their steps and so can’t avoid doing certain things. It is all involuntary; that’s why some people get badly harmed. Editor, those with abysmally wicked intentions cannot totally veil them, for once that energy starts activating and is set in motion then it takes control of them and is registered on their looks. If you know how to look you wouldn’t miss it, oh yes, believe me! I conclude therefore that – a healthy mind and a healthy body is not always packed together. There are countless examples of those who are fanatical about keeping their body in fine shape, picky about their diet, live on the tread-mill but fall short miserably in living up to the virtues of humanity. Frank Fyffe
His defence of this imposition on citizens is misguided fanaticism DEAR EDITOR, Rickford Burke’s treatise on the goodness of parking meter revenue for development and the need for civic education is an excursion into obscurity and misguided fanaticism for bad public policy. The Mayor’s and City Clerk’s rambles were just as misguided. What they, all three, fail to recognize is that in society bad public policy only results in worse outcomes. Not that good public policy always guarantees excellent outcomes. But, good public policy takes the society down the right road and sets the climate and atmosphere in which public feedback improves the results. The Mayor and Town Clerk seem to believe that they have the authority to set fines and impose taxes without input from citizens and other stakeholders. So, they must take responsibility for the confrontational attitude and climate this parking meters fiasco has engendered. Of course, the responsibility also extends to the national government for allowing this bad policy to be introduced without ensuring suitable public and stakeholders input. For now, let’s stay with the First Responders –
Mayor and City Clerk. The Town Clerk refers to and talks about progress and development and a modernized world in a global society to justify the parking meters. What key words are missing from his occasional rants are Collaboration and Consultation. Without practicing these two elements, forget progress and development and being in the modernized world. In other words, in the absence of the two elements, bad public policies are developed and serve to drive the society backwards. The one two dance; one step forward two steps backwards. What justification has been put forward is that the City is supposed to generate revenue. Okay, that’s a laudable objective as additional revenue could allow for more and better services. Now, show the public the analysis of the options that were considered in choosing to go with Smart City - if it exists. Clearly, it is a just case that users of public space should pay for that privilege. And it appears that citizens would be prepared pay a fair price. Obviously, Smart City’s option is not it. Do the Mayor, Town Clerk and others have character to do the right thing? Phil Williams
DEAR EDITOR, It would be negligent of me, to let another example of poor public policy under the Granger administration pass without offering my remarks. The Guyana Chronicle of February 2, 2017, reported that Minister of Finance Winston Jordan informed the Cabinet about the “disequilibrium (imbalance) in the foreign exchange market” and offered as a policy response, more regulations and guidelines. One assumes that this will be to ensure that exporters repatriate their export earnings to the banking system. Knowing that such badly designed exchange control policy in the past was one of the main reasons that contributed to Guyana’s state of uncreditworthiness in the international community under the Burnham regime, one wonders why we are going back there. Minister Jordan has direct experience in the Ministry of Finance in those hard days of the early 1980’s and thus he more than many ought to have been aware of the questionable nature of that strategy then and now. If this is his policy response, I am shocked because he clearly has to explain his years in the Ministry of Finance. His action today in the face of widespread rejection of these measures from the business community will only guarantee a path to a certain economic meltdown over the next 2-3 years, which will then lead to social and economic implosion that even the promised oil money in 2022 cannot help. Has he learnt anything from Desmond Hoyte, the intellectual architect who turned around Guyana’s economy? The Private Sector issued a firm statement which “strongly condemns this move by the Government”. In the words of the PSC, this move by the Granger administration “would have the certain effect of accelerating the capital flight which has already begun with the erosion of confidence in the economy.” There are two phrases in that PSC statement that sends shivers down my spine - acceleration of capital flight and erosion of confidence. Knowing the information put out by the private sector is one grounded in economic truth and it corroborates what I have already put out in my Straight Up Column of Friday,
February 3, 2017, in the Guyana Times on the state of the investment portfolio. I am now calling on President Granger as Head of State to seek alternative advice on this issue. This recommended policy action exposes a situation where there is a heavy dose of policy paralysis in the Ministry of Finance. I am absolutely sure even the President’s sonin-law, a longstanding businessman Minister Dominic Gaskin has a better grasp of this situation. What is required are policy actions to drive the economic reforms needed to bring back confidence in the economy and stem the capital flight that is now well advanced. Bullyism and regulations to control are not the answer; understanding the real problem is the first step. Hard-nosed, non-political answers to these questions will go a far way in helping the President. Why has the private sector lost confidence in the Granger administration? Why is there a shortage of foreign currency today compared to May 2015 when there was not? How to rebuild the private sector’s confidence in the economy? There is so much more to share but out of respect for the newspapers and their space constraint, I have to hold fire on this matter. The ball now is President Granger’s court. Finally, please permit me now to respectfully invite the President to reconsider this policy of his Minister of Finance. As a guideline, the foundation of this problem is the state of the Net International Reserves in the banking system at the end of December 2016. The facts are Guyana lost some US$60 million of its reserves in the banking system between May 2015 and December 2016 as reported in the Bank of Guyana Statistical Abstract Understanding. What is driving the inflows and outflows are critical to drive the required policy actions. Also understanding why GuySuCo, SARU, SOCU and the GRA are in the middle of the solution is also of critical importance. Alternatively, he might wish to consider asking his Minister of Finance to familiarize himself on how the modern world deals with the issue of capital flight and loss of confidence in an economy by the private sector. Sase Singh
AGE IS JUST A NUMBER DEAR EDITOR, I wish to support the excellent letter written by Dr. David Hinds in KN of 1/2/17 making a strong case against terminating the services of proficient and effective officials on the basis of their age, irrespective of their competencies. As a long serving international Human Resource Management professional (and as one who is already past the biblical
‘three score years & ten’ but still gainfully employed, thank God!), I can attest to the fact that age is not necessarily a measure of someone’s ability to perform well. Indeed, there are numerous examples of persons in their 50’s and 6 0 ’s w h o a r e a l r e a d y mentally and physically ‘challenged’ if not ‘retired’, while there are others who are decades older but still performing optimally.
Pricing structure... From page 4 objectionable – was made to the measure of the citizens of this country. In its present form it should be rescinded, publicly tendered after publicly available feasibility studies, and then awarded under a pricing structure that reflects first the economic reality that the average client citizen is subject to, and then a reasonable rate of revenue for credible investors and the city administration. Ruel Johnson
The challenge is to assess persons based on objective appraisals of their performance and potential without undue consideration of their date of birth. This is especially important in our Guyana context where there is no surfeit of skilled and effective persons and where the dearth of suitable technical and professional persons is likely to become more acute in the coming years. Why put out some of our skilled and effective Guyanese professionals to pasture on the questionable pretext of age while retaining even older others who are not necessarily more effective; in any event there is no proof that they are denying opportunities for younger compatriots! Nowrang Persaud
Monday February 06, 2017
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Kaieteur News
GPL ignores pleas to replace rotting pole
Board Members not above the law - PM Nagamootoo says time right for guidelines on conduct, use of power By: Kiana Wilburg
The crack in the middle of the pole
Despite six months of complaining, Turkeyen, East Coast resident Secanarine Khani says the authorities are still to remove a leaning and rotting utility pole, which is located in front of his Lot 3533 home and posing a danger to his family. Khani stated that in July last he noticed that the pole had several cracks in the middle and the bottom was rotten. A few days later, he filed a complaint at the Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) Main Street branch. According to Khani the employee told him that she will “pass on the information” and that they will follow up the matter. Khani further stated that the employee gave him a reference number to present to the workers when they came. But no one turned up. “This is really overbearing. Six months has passed and up to now nobody ain’t come and look after this pole. These people ain’t even calling me to tell me anything. I have my son who does play in this compound and this rotten pole can fall at any moment.” Khani further stated that he has called and made numerous complaints but to no avail. “I want to know what will happen if this pole fall and damage my vehicle, or injure a child, because like these people waiting for it to fall before it can be fixed.” The residents who live in close proximately to the pole also accused GPL of ignoring appeals to have the pole replaced.
It appears as though some Board Members can no longer be relied upon to be guided by their moral compass. As such, Prime Minister and First Vice President, Moses Nagamotooo believes that the time is right for a Code of Conduct policy to be set in motion for all Boards. The politician made this comment during a recent interview with Kaieteur News. “I believe that the time is right to have guidelines for what Board Members can and cannot do. It is a matter that should engage the attention of the government. There are already guidelines for the composition of Boards, so it is time to move to the next stage.” The First Vice President stressed that Members of Boards must understand that they are not above the law, lords onto themselves or immune from prosecution. He stressed that they must understand the importance of sticking to their jurisdiction, showing respect for rules and regulations and bear in mind that they are there to give guidance on policies and not engage in disgraceful acts. “There is a protocol and a practice of good moral conduct, which they must adhere to. Given what we are seeing, we need to now focus on having these guidelines. So the long and short is that I see the need for guidelines to be issued to Boards regarding the general exercise of their powers.” The issue of misconduct by Board Members was recently highlighted in a forensic audit report on the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest). The report said that former CEO of the company, Keith Burrowes, was just as harmful to the company as those he often accused. Not only did he abuse his
authority and treated the company like his private business but Burrowes acted as though Go-Invest was his personal piggy bank. According to the audit report which was released by the Ministry of Finance on Friday, the former CEO took personal loans amounting to over $3M without approval from the Board. The auditors noted however that those monies were returned in February 2016. The forensic auditors also stressed that the former CEO was not entitled to an entertainment allowance or salary advance(s) from Go – Invest since his salary was funded from Guyana National Co-operative Bank/Guyana Co-operative Financial Services. Be that as it may, Mr. Burrowes still went ahead and authorized and received an entertainment allowance for himself totaling $480,000, without the approval of the Board of Directors. Compounding the issue of misuse of authority was the fact that Burrowes instructed that his personal driver, Mr. Nigel Gordon, be paid a sum of $232,365 for carrying out duties as a driver. This is in spite of the fact that his “personal driver” was not a Go-Invest employee. The forensic auditors found that this instruction was given by a Memorandum dated December 22, 2014 and executed the following day. It was also discovered that there was no clear policy at Go Invest for remuneration of employees. Burrowes dealt with this process in a “discretionary” manner. Furthermore, Burrowes made it seem as though his Human Resources Officer was redundant. In this regard,
Go-Invest former CEO, Keith Burrowes
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo
forensic auditors found that the hiring function was conducted in an ad hoc manner thus allowing the former CEO to solely make hiring decisions. In fact, Burrowes sourced applicants, invited and conducted interviews for new hires by himself, instead of utilizing the Administrative Department. The interview committee comprising the CEO, Accountant/Personnel Officer and a Senior Investment Officer was rarely utilized. He also re-designated employees and fixed new allowances for them. The Accountant/Human Resources Officer/ Administrative Officer had little or no input in the recruitment and selection
process. It was also discovered that repairs and maintenance of vehicles were performed by mechanics “sole sourced” by Burrowes instead of being tendered. If that was not enough, Burrowes as CEO, expended over $1M on cell phones for senior staff, his personal driver and the Financial Consultant. This is in spite of the fact that his personal driver and one Financial Consultant were not employees of Go-Invest and therefore not entitled to such privileges. The auditors concluded that Burrowes’ tenure at GoInvest was one where ad hoc and peculiar decisions were made in several areas.
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Kaieteur News
Monday February 06, 2017
Small miners meet Min. Broomes - willing to comply with new tax measures
GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia and Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes
Several small miners have said that they are committed to complying with the new tax measures but asked for the assurance of lands to mine on. This happened on Saturday when Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources Simona Broomes and Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Godfrey Statia met with miners in the Region Seven community of Bartica to address their
concerns. A GINA release stated that the GRA head assured that the new tax measures would not adversely affect small miners. Rather, Statia told the miners – who overcrowded the boardroom of Bartica’s Regional Democratic Council (RDC) office – that the taxes were part of encouraging greater compliance and intended “to put some semblance of order” in the sector. Statia pointed out that an
analysis of available information revealed that close to 30 percent of all gold that has been produced has not been sold to the Guyana Gold Board. The introduction of the new tax measures seeks to address this short fall. “This law is not structured to catch small miners,” Statia assured the group. The new tax measures include increase in tributors tax from 10 percent to 20 percent and the payment of a two percent tax and the requirement of all miners to file their income tax returns. “Once you keep your records and you pay your two percent and you file your returns and you show me
Miners packed into the Bartica RDC boardroom
that you should not have paid the two percent, the government is going to give you back your two percent,” Statia told miners. The GRA head said that a booklet explaining the new measures, and how it will be implemented, will be distributed to miners. The booklet will also outline the options available to miners regarding the tributor tax. Statia stressed the importance of proper record keeping while acknowledging the difficulties of obtaining a receipt for certain
transactions in the mining sector. “This is not a tax that is going to tax you out of the industry. I care about you paying your rightful tax…regardless of where you may be. That is important,” Statia further assured miners. Following the explanation by the GRA head, miners expressed their confidence in the new system and a willingness to give it a try. “I think until now most of us in this boardroom was suffering from lack of information,” Bartica resident and miner Holbert Knights said in
appreciation for the explanation provided on the new tax measures. Arthur Thorne, a member of the Parika Mora Small Miners’ Association, noted that the new tax measures could protect small miners and labourers against exploitation in the sector. “When you have a good tax system they cannot deny you didn’t work with them. The tax is good for us,” Thorne said in the meeting. Another miner, Desmond Hamer, thanked the GRA head for making himself available to small miners and said he is looking forward to the publication of the booklet. Hamer noted that small miners would often times engage in “runnings” because they were not compliant. “Now that systems are going to be in place we’ll work with the government,” Hamer said. David Daniels, a small miner, called on the government to ensure that lands are available for small mines. However, miners indicated that there are still challenges that they will face such as registering labourers. Workers in the industry often times do not have the required documents for paying taxes such as identification cards and Tax Identification Numbers (TINs). “How do you suggest we deal with that knowing especially how expedient it is for us to have workers,” Knights questioned. Statia explained that the GRA is looking to provide a TIN to workers who are issued with a privilege from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). “We’re going to look at the privilege process to ensure that that works and should solve that problem,” Statia said. Miners also grilled the GRA head on how to obtain their compliance documents among other concerns relating to the new tax measures. “We know that these (Continued on page 11)
Monday February 06, 2017
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Kaieteur News
ADVANCES ARE NOT LOANS It is not unknown for a government ministry, department of corporation to grant advances to members of staff. The issuance of advances is a regular and common financial practice which has been employed for eons. The granting of advances to staff is part of the routine financial transactions of running a government agency. The work of government would be seriously compromised if there were not systems in place to ensure that advances are paid to staff. A government team has to go into the interior or rural Guyana to undertake work at short notice. Money has to be found to pay for the expenses associated with
these outreaches. The team has to be given an advance to cover their expenses and unforeseen costs, all of which will be accounted for on their return. There are numerous other cases in which advances may have to be made so as to facilitate the work of the government and its employees. Advances have to be made also for overseas travel or for hastily arranged events. Advances are therefore part of the legitimate work of government. A practice has evolved over time, which is not necessarily covered by financial regulations, but which is also not necessarily illegal. There are staff members of government
ministries, departments of corporations, who may have a financial emergency. They may, for example, need additional money or need money urgently and cannot wait on payday. And so the practice has developed whereby staff members ask for an advance on their salaries. That is, they ask for a proportion of their forthcoming salary to be paid to them in advance to cover some emergency need. The practice, from reports, has deteriorated and some advances for personal purposes, as distinct for advances concerned with government work, have become so large that they cannot be covered by one month’s salary.
Dem boys seh...
JAGDEO AND TRUMP IS TWO PEAS IN A POD When you dead, you don’t know you dead. All of de pain is felt by others. Is de same thing when people stupid. But this time de pain is felt by de whole world. Donald Trump and Jagdeo is two of a kind. Dem got a lot in common De world don’t know if dem dead or if dem stupid. Trump barely been in office three weeks and he promise to change nuff things. He seh he gun change de things that Obama put in place. Jagdeo now telling people he gun reverse de VAT, something he create; he seh he gun reverse de parking meter; he seh he gun reverse de tax what in place; he gun turn round de arch wha Soulja Bai put up at Agricola. He gun tun it to face de other side. Jagdeo also seh he gun ban all dem people from Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname just like how Trump ban de people from seven country. Then he de Jagdeo seh he gun cut
out nuff of de things de coalition put in place. Dem boys don’t know how dem can believe him because he is de same man who did seh he gun fix de Skeldon sugar factory even if he got to use he bare hands. Up to today he ain’t even go near de factory much less fix it but he like to mek promise. He don’t know that lying and truth got five letters so he mix up de two. Dem boys seh that if he try to tell de truth he mouth gun freeze; that is why he mekking all dem statements about reversing wha de coalition do. Dem boys got five finger but dem only using three. De pinky is fuh dem best friend and de promises they would never break. De thumb is to show de rest of de world dem okay and de middle finger is fuh dem fools who push dem too far. Talk half and see if you can find out if Jagdeo dead or stupid.
Such advances can technically be regarded as a loan. It should be discouraged and it was discouraged under the PPP/ C following criticisms made in the Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General. Advances made by public corporations are not subject to the normal scrutiny of the Office of the Auditor General. But advances made for workrelated purposes should not generate hysteria. Concern, however, should be expressed if the advances are for personal use, since if the advances are greater than one’s month salary, they are technically interest-free loans. Advances for personal purposes are deduced from the recipient’s salary at the end of the month. Accounts are thereby balanced. On the other hand, those who receive advances for work purposes have to give account for how those advances were spent. This has been a problem as successive Annual Reports of the Auditor
General reveal. There are large numbers of advances which remain un-cleared in the system. It gets worse each year. But there are different strokes for different folks. The ordinary worker has to account for his advance. But a minister of the government does not have to do so. Advances are given to them for overseas travel. The PPPC has been highly critical of this development, saying that the APNU+AFC coalition has exempted its ministers from having to clear advances for overseas travel. A Board of Directors cannot waive the repayment of an advance. There is nothing like the repayment of an advance. An advance does not have to be repaid; it has to be accounted for. What is waived is the accounting for any advances made. A corporation, for example, may decide that it is satisfied that an advance to a party has been utilized for the purposes for which it was intended and
therefore it will waive the need for accounting for that advance. There is undoubtedly a need for tightening the regulations concerning advances. The PPP/C had discontinued the practice of salary advances to workers. If it has been resumed, then any advance given should not be greater than the takehome pay of the recipient. This will avoid situations where advances are used as loans. In the case of outstanding advances which are not accounted for and which we are told by the Auditor General, run each year in to hundreds of millions of dollars, it is suggested that if, after six months an advance is not cleared, then a surcharge should be issued against the salary of person to whom the advance was given.
Monday February 06, 2017
DPP orders inquest in fatal accident that caused KN staffer’s death
The sign erected on the Railway Embankment Road, in the vicinity of Campbellville. The Director of Public Prosecutor (DPP) has ordered an inquest into the death of Kaieteur News’ staffer, Harry Brijmohan who died in an accident on November 18, 2016, as a result of poor
Poor GTT services... (From page 3) you would have a percentage of persons saying it is not as good as it was before, but then when you look at the overall picture, Bartica is moving ahead and is moving ahead nicely and of course we would love for everybody to have a better life but everybody has to come on-board and do their part.” Speaking on other utility services provided to the town, Persaud said that over the past few months, there has been improvement with electricity supplied by the Guyana Power and Light Company. She said that the progress is a result of collaboration with the town council and the government of Guyana. “We can remedy that situation and of course moving forward we would like to have zero blackouts in Bartica; Bartica is gearing towards being the first “Green Model” town of Guyana.”
Small miners meet Min... (From page 8) things take time so I would not be pushing to immediately enforce the laws. By the end of the year we should be getting everything in place,” Statia assured miners. Meanwhile, Minister Broomes told miners that a help desk will be set up at the offices of the GGMC to assist miners to comply with the new measures. “You want to try to make up your book? You want to find out something and all of that? We will undertake that you could come in and get some assistance,” Minister Broomes said. The Minister reminded the miners that these services will be of no cost to them.
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Kaieteur News
management of a temporary reverse traffic system implemented to aid congestion. The accident occurred around 06:40hrs at Houston, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Brijmohan was heading south on the East Bank Public Road on his motorcycle, when he collided head-on with a car that was in the eastern carriageway. This carriageway is converted from a two-way thoroughfare into
a single lane during the morning rush-hour. Yesterday, Brijmohan’s fianceé, Zena Henry, said that she was informed by the office of the DPP that an inquest will be held into the death of her loved one. According to Henry, while a date has not been given for the commencement of the inquest, she was informed that she needs to keep in touch with the police for relevant information.
When contacted, the Traffic Chief, Dion Moore said that he has not yet been informed of this development, but will be briefed once the file is returned to him. The Kaieteur News staffer’s death had highlighted the danger in operating the reverse mechanism without a consistent system and public awareness exercises. Following Brijmohan’s death, traffic ranks made an extra effort to place cones on the roadway to notify drivers that traffic flow had changed. It was noted that even signs are now being erected to notify drivers about the reverse system, which is also operated on the East Coast Demerara Railway Embankment. Meanwhile, in a bizarre coincidence, Brijmohan’s fianceé was forced to pen a letter in the daily newspaper revealing that she too could
Harry Brijmohan and his fianceé in happier times. have been injured as a result of poor management of the reverse traffic system. In the letter, she said that she was unaware that the reverse system is also operated on the Railway Embankment road during morning hours and almost
collided head-on with another vehicle in the same lane at Campbellville. Following Henry’s story, the police subsequently erected a sign on the Railway Embankment indicating the hours the reverse system is operated.
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Kaieteur News
Monday February 06, 2017
Women’s Army Corps Jagdeo explains $55B to ‘friends and family’ of PPP celebrates golden jubilee Junior Finance Minister, Jaipaul Sharma is to be taken before the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges by the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP/C) for what that party calls statements that were untruthful. Opposition Leader Bharat Jagdeo said it was Sharma who mentioned that $55B in tax remission was ‘given’ to friends and family of the PPP/ C. Making reference to an extract from the last budget presentation, Jagdeo outlined how the tax remissions were awarded. He was furious that though this was mentioned in the budget speech Sharma accused his party of skullduggery. It was noted that in 2015 there was $47B in tax remission and that was given to hospitals, companies and businesses, churches and charitable organizations, public officials, ministries and government departments,
...moots ‘hauling’ Jaipaul Sharma in front parliamentary court
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo remigrants, diplomats and foreign funded projects. Jagdeo said that it was these organizations that benefitted from the remissions. The two times former President said he found it egregious that a Minister of Government
could make such utterances and nothing should be done. He mentioned that the tax remissions have been reducing, under the current administration, in all areas except Ministries and Government Departments. Jagdeo said that tax remissions in this area have increased from $2.9B in 2015 to $4.3B in 2016; and wonders who is now giving to friends and family. He said that he finds that move very odd, since tax breaks to businesses were reduced and wonders how this can be good for business. He also noted that this move will only bring undue hardship to the business community. The former President said that he wanted to make clear that his administration did not give $55B in tax remission to friends and family of the PPP. Jagdeo said that the opposition will be moving forward to bring charges in the parliamentary court against Sharma at the earliest possible time.
First four female officers; Second Lt. Brenda Aaron, Captain Joan Granger, Second Lts. Clarissa Hookumchand and Hyacinth King (pic from the GDF’s Facebook page) Today marks 50 years since women were allowed to join the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Initially, women were integrated into the GDF on January 30, 1967, to function as a reserve unit. The Women’s Army Corps (WAC) of the GDF was formed primarily to confront the problems of there being insufficient men to defend the Venezuela seizure of Ankoko Island in the Corentyne River on October 1966. It was the first women’s corps to be established among the Anglophone Caribbean States. Based on research, in that year of Guyana’s independence, the GDF had only just established its first battalion of fewer than 500 men, when it was forced to deploy troops to Eteringbang to confront Venezuela’s aggression. The army then resorted to recruiting women. Captain Joan Granger and Officer Cadets Brenda Aaron, Clarissa Hookumchand and Hyacinth King-of the first company of Women’s Volunteer Corps, underwent a special one week orientation course at Atkinson Field subsequently renamed the GDF Training Wing, Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri, East Bank Demerara. They were then joined by 56 other women taken in as recruits on February 6, 1967 (the WAC formation day) and underwent five weeks of training in drill, field craft, skillat-arms, shooting, physical fitness at Atkinson Field. They were formally inducted into the GDF at a parade on March 12, 1967 and were allowed to work in departments where their skills were required. Some of the female soldiers were given attachments and on the job training. Others were trained at the British Army Public Relations Department, the Army School of Catering and
at the Women’s Royal Army Corps, all in the United Kingdom (UK). To commemorate this milestone, GDF has planned several activities, commencing today, with a thanksgiving service at the National Cultural Centre. First Lady, Sandra Granger will deliver the feature address. The following day the WAC fiftieth anniversary medal presentation parade will be held at the Drill Square, Base Camp Ayanganna. The GDF in a Facebook post said, “Through the 50 years, our military women have held various appointments across the force. They train side by side with their male counterparts and continue to impact the force’s development.” Captain Joan Granger was the first Commanding Officer (CO) of the WAC. She served in the GDF for 18 years, retiring on May 17, 1985. She died on June 8, 2003. Captain Granger did her military service on a part time basis and made herself available to deal with disciplinary cases pro bono public, establishing the practice that offences committed by women soldiers should be heard by women officers. By January 1, 1980, she was promoted to the rank of Major, a position she held until her retirement. During her regular service, she held the appointments of Staff Officer 2 (Logistics), Staff Officer 2 (Personnel Services) and CO, Catering Corps. She attended courses both locally and overseas, among these were Junior Staff Course in 1979; Messing Management, UK in 1979; and the Army Catering Corps (ACC) Catering Advisers Course, UK in 1981. According to www.gdf.mil.gy, “It was as Co of the Catering Corps that she
faced her greatest professional challenge. During the first half of the 1980s, Guyana’s economy was in depression, funding for the force was insufficient, imported food stuff was unavailable but, nevertheless, there had to be widespread deployment of troops and frequent field exercises. These conditions tested the resourcefulness of the force’s logistics system and the integrity of the small cadre cooks.” It continued, “Joan Granger struggled to have women reservist accepted as regulars and to have their conditions of service equate to those of men. Later, although she had relinquished the appointment as CO WAC, she continued in the role of what some referred to as “Mother WAC” in the defence and protection of women soldiers.” Aaron hails from Friendship Village, East Coast Demerara and retired from GDF in August 1994. She was Officer Commanding (OC) of the Women’s Training Division and supervised training for both female soldiers and young women recruited to the Guyana Youth Corps (GYC). During her tenure, Aaron was also appointed Officer Commanding the Headquarters Company; Executive Officer, Base Command Timehri; CO WAC from 1981-1983; and Staff Officer 2, Force Headquarters 1983-1994. In 1991, she was promoted to the rank Lieutenant Colonel, becoming the first woman to attain that rank in GDF and probably the Commonwealth Caribbean. Aaron also underwent a number of professional courses in the UK and attained her Bachelors of Social Science Degree at the University of Guyana (UG). She is also the recipient of several military medals.
Monday February 06, 2017
Kaieteur News
Trump steps up attack on judge, court system over travel ban Reuters - President Donald Trump yesterday ramped up his criticism of a federal judge who blocked a travel ban on seven mainly Muslim nations and said courts were making U.S. border security harder, intensifying the first major legal battle of his presidency. In a series of tweets that broadened his attack on the country’s judiciary, Tr u m p s a i d A m e r i c a n s should blame U.S. District Judge James Robart and the court system if anything happened. Trump did not elaborate on what threats the country potentially faced. He added that he had told the Department of Homeland Security to “check people coming into our country VERY CAREFULLY. The courts are making the job very difficult!” The Republican president labelled Robart a “so-called judge” on Saturday, a day after the Seattle jurist issued a temporary restraining order that prevented enforcement of a 90-day ban on citizens
from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen and a 120-day bar on all refugees. A U.S. appeals court later on Saturday denied the government’s request for an immediate stay of the ruling. Vice President Mike Pence defended Trump yesterday, even as some Republicans encouraged the businessman-turnedpolitician to tone down his broadsides against the judicial branch of government. “The president of the United States has every right to criticise the other two branches of government,” Pence said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” programme. It is unusual for a sitting president to attack a member of the judiciary, which the U.S. Constitution designates as a check on the power of the executive branch and Congress. U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Trump seems intent on precipitating a constitutional crisis.
Judge James Robart Some Republicans also expressed discomfort with the situation. “I think it is best not to single out judges for criticism,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on CNN’s “State of the Union” programme. “We all get disappointed from time to time at the outcome in courts on things that we care about. But I think it is best to avoid criticizing judges individually.”
Republican Senator Ben Sasse, a vocal critic of Trump, was less restrained. “ We d o n ’t h a v e s o called judges ... we don’t have so-called presidents, we have people from three different branches of government who take an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution,” he said on the ABC News programme “This Week.” The ruling by Robart, appointed by former Republican President George W. Bush, coupled with the decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco to deny the government’s request for an immediate stay of the ruling dealt a blow to Trump barely two weeks into his presidency. It could also be the precursor to months of legal challenges to his push to clamp down on immigration, including through the construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border, and complicate the confirmation battle of his U.S. Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch.
May’s Brexit plan under pressure ahead of parliamentary test Reuters - Pro-Europe MPs’ efforts to temper Theresa May’s Brexit plan gained traction yesterday when a member of her own party broke ranks to criticise her strategy before parliamentary votes that will test her government’s slim majority. A three-day debate on a law giving May the right to trigger Britain’s exit from the European Union begins today, and will be followed by a series of votes on whether to attach extra conditions to her plan to start talks by March 31. MPs voted overwhelmingly in favour of the principle of the new law last week, signalling May is unlikely to be blocked outright from triggering Brexit. But, she will need the support of her whole party to approve the strategy without change. Yesterday brought the first signs of internal Conservative Party dissent which, if they spread, could see the law amended, damaging May’s authority domestically and potentially giving EU negotiators a powerful lever in the exit talks. “We could be faced with the prospect of leaving the EU by ‘falling off a cliff’ – as
Theresa May some have described leaving with no deal – with potentially disastrous economic consequences,” MP Neil Carmichael said yesterday. May has said parliament will be given a choice between accepting the deal she has reached with the EU, or rejecting it and leaving the bloc without any agreement on issues such as trade and immigration. But, MPs want to be given more influence. “Parliament must have a final say when we get to the end-game,” Carmichael wrote in the Mail on Sunday, arguing that MPs should be able to send May back to the negotiating table. Carmichael is the most
outspoken of a handful of critics within May’s party who could join forces with opposition MPs from the Labour Party and the Scottish National Party to defeat the government. May has a 16-seat working majority, but the actual number of rebels needed to inflict defeat could be higher depending on how smaller parties and pro-Brexit Labour MPs vote. One source said upwards of 20 Conservative votes might be needed to defeat her. Pro-Brexit MPs were keen
to head off the threat of a revolt. “Any vote to amend this simple bill is a vote against the implementation of the referendum result,” said Conservative Eurosceptic MP Steve Baker. Baker said there were as many 27 rebels in waiting. A source familiar with the crossparty talks said that number was higher than their own estimates. So far only Carmichael and one other MP, Anna Soubry, have publicly suggested they might vote against the government.
Guyanese pilot flies solo... (From page 19) want to risk the chance of flying over water. I flew 3 to 4 hours because I didn’t want to exhaust myself”, Billy said. His advice to young people out there is to, “study hard and do not give up your dreams, there are always obstacles to overcome and if you work with what you have, you can make the best of anything”. He said that, aviation requires a lot of discipline and being humble about what you do and safety is the most important and does not start in aviation but starts right now. “Flying is not just a job it has to be something that you love and it has to be within you”. “It is a good feeling to know that I can do this, and hopefully I get to do it again soon”, he said.
Someone once said that division is caused more by impatience than by a conflict in creed.
PAGE 21
Tale of Two Donalds Trump gives Europe splitting headache Reuters - “Our Donald”, or “the other Donald”? European Union leaders meeting in Malta found themselves taking sides, between their summit chairman, “our Donald” Tusk, and the new U.S. president, Donald Trump. But despite declarations of unity, EU states are split on how to respond to policies from a man who has reversed staunch postwar U.S. support for European integration and suggested others follow Britain out of a bloc he has called “a vehicle for Germany”.Tusk, a former Polish prime minister, said EU leaders gave him the “our Donald” nickname in Malta. He presented it as a sign of their support, saying before the summit that Trump posed a “threat” to the bloc, alongside Russia, China and violent Islam. “The mood in the room was ‘our Donald’ and ‘the other Donald’,” said one person present at the talks, where Tusk also felt confident enough in his support to confirm he wants a second term as president of the European Council. His political enemies in the Warsaw government publicly disavowed any sense of unanimity behind Tusk, however, calling his criticism of Trump a “gross abuse” and accusing him of “sowing fear” and “seeking confrontation”. Others, less publicly, said there was wider disquiet that the EU could turn its back on its Transatlantic relationship. Such internal arguments pit historic unease, especially in France, over U.S. influence against fears of weakening a Western front against Russia and, increasingly, China. How they play out will help shape Trump’s hopes, for example, of saving U.S. money spent on NATO and shifting world trade in Americans’ favour. They will also flavour the EU’s Brexit talks with London where Prime Minister Theresa May sees Britain being a bridge between Washington and Brussels - as well as efforts by some states to tighten cooperation on euro zone economic policies and other areas, notably an independent EU military capability.
PAGE 22
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana 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 B U D H R A M ’ S LANDSCAPING SERVICES: FREE ADVICE, FREE DESIGN. CALL: 656-1326 Repairs and services: refrigerator and A/C unit, also auto AC repairs in G/town. Call: 683-6741/ 643-0455
1-2 Story building: top flat- 4 bedrooms, 1 self contained, air-conditioned, 2 apartment bottom flat, 2 bedrooms each apartment. Call: 645-9157 Aubrey Barker Road, triple lot -$27M, campbellville, DaSilva Street, Diamond Bungalow 12.5M, East$11.5M. Call GME Realty: 231-2199/ 618-7483 1 Front building & a 2 storey building on 1 (lot) 180 Charlotte Street Bourda W30XL120 $55M negotiable. Call: 624-7341/ 227-6817/226-5183
VACANCY Live in/live out waitresses. Call: 643-9007/ 666-4647 Driver/General assistant for city location and cook/ baker for interior location. Call: 618-2020 Male supervisors (housekeeping Dept) 3255yrs @ 233 South Road, Lacytown. Call: 225-0198 Glam & Co. Beauty Salon: New Market Street, GT Hair Station, available for rental. Call: 638-1106 1 Female cleaner for office in Eccles. Call: 233-2745
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 6972969/646-0966
2 Storey house 35X45 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained @ 5th Avenue Diamond, H/ Scheme. Call:677-0583/6645052 Newly built @ Craig E.B.D land size 91X50feet; house 40X28, 3 rooms, 1 selfcontained. Call: 718-2136496/617-7691 Property @ 28 Johana Cecilia Essequibo Coast, suitable for supermarket, bar etc $12M. Call: 630-4744 Transported property @ Grove/Diamond, 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained, concrete fence, price $14M. Call: 660-1353/ 216-4338 Lot 704 House & Land at Zeelugt, Brother Dam W.C.D. Call: 616-5606/ 277-0281
TO LET Two bedroom self-contained apartments, situated at Public Road Timehri, E.B.D – 3 minutes from the airport. Call: 664-6000 Top flat apartment located @ Mon Repos ‘mouth’ E.C.D $60,000 per month. Call: 6929295\ 660-5233
Transported Property at Soesdyke -$4M, Acres. Call: 615-3054 Goat Creek, Riverfront , 75 Acres land -$7M, Lanaballi River Front, 50 Acres -$9M. Call: 688-0087 Riviera Island: 145 Acres $30M, Tuschen property $5.8M, $6M, $15M. Call: 6880087
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).
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)
Monday February 06, 2017
Kaieteur News
CAR RENTAL CAR RENTAL
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122, EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740/686-3500 Used furniture in need of repair- Tel:616- 2445 One complete sawmill situated at Yarrowkabra Industrial Site Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. Call: 6441190/ 609-8041 1 3600 watts generator, 1 30HP motor 3PH, 1 Automatic switch 600A more electrical stuff. Call: 627-7835 Combines 7300 John Deere (2000hrs), Fiatagri L413 (2500hrs), Laverda 132 & Tractors: Massey 399, Fiat 110/90, Ford 6610-Call: 6859878; 338-4354
VEHICLE FOR SALE
WANTED
2009 RAUM -$2.2M, 2009 SIENTA -$2.3M, 2011 MAZDA AXELA -$2.7M, 2011 NOAH & VOXY $2.6M. CALL:617-2891
Cook & Cashier for snackette, attractive salary. Call: 697-5387/ 677-9279
3 TON OPEN BACK CANTER, NEVER REGISTERED -$3.5M. CALL: 617-2891 One Nissan Duke, PTT series, lady driven, low mileage, price negotiable. Call: 653-0018/ 666-7748 serious enquiries only. 320i BMW for sale. Call: 6381106 1 Hauler, 1 Dump Truck for more information. Call: 6811132 Ford Raptor-$8.5M, Audi A4$3.5M, BMW 318i-$2.5M, Toyota Ist-$1.9M, Honda S2000 Convertible-$3M. Contact#650-0402
1 Big music set, owner migrating. Call: 690-5225 1 Stembow Boat & Engine, 200HP Yamaha with Power Steering Kit. $1.6M Negotiable Call 658-5299/ 638-7748 2 -950 Caterpillar front loader, 1 clark ranger skidder, 1 Watkins 6 head molar plain, 1 LT 300 woodmizer saw. Call: 662-2078 Glass cases/ metal shelves and photocopy machines for store & offices. Call: 2332725/2439 Grease Rag any amount $200 per lb, white spandex cloth 60" width -$120 per yrd. Call: 266-2700/ 681-9130 Sale! Laptop and desktop, computers, windows 10, games, etc from $45,000 @ FutureTech. Call: 231-2206/ 644-6760 Garden Centre & Plant Shop, Valentines Plant Sale Feb 419, 10am-4pm at Plantation Schoonard – Call: 615-2346/ 628-0200 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 Canter Parts: 4D - 36 – 35 4M40 Cylinder Heads, Front & Rear Springs Bundles. Tel: 680-3153. Canter Crank Shaft: 4D 35 – 32 – 4M40 Pulley-oil Pump – Power Steering Pump 4D – 32 Engine Block. Tel: 680-3153. Canter Rack Ball Joints Arm – Spring Bushings, Ring Gear, etc. Call: 680-3153.
LAND FOR SALE Land @ Soesdyke, 6 lots measuring 135’X175’ -$24M negotiable. Call: 627-3334/ 696-8935, email:fcranmore@ guyanavoice.com Hararuni, Linden Highway, Road Side Land, 21Acres (good on housing) price negotiable. Call:692-8216/233-5539 Tuschen front (with fence) $2.8M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.6M, Zeelugt -$2M, Uitvlugt -$2M. Call:642-1252 Transported corner lot with approved building plan @ 90 Garnett & Republic Streets, Newtown Kitty. Call: 6016000/227-3305
Urgently wanted a professional cosmetology at Natural Beauty salon and spa, Grove, Market Street, E.B.D – Call: 652-5800 1 Waitress, 1 bartender & 1 bar supervisor. Call: 6965768/ 218-0013/601-1949 2 Beauticians with pleasant personalities & passion for their work must be qualified and have clients. Call: 626-6450 1 Experienced office staff, must have Accounts experience. Apply: written application, police clearance, photo @ 112 3rd &Albert St. Albertown. Call: 225-6255/ 226-9000 Wanted land to buy: La Parfaite Harmonie, Uitvlugt, Zeelugt, Tuschen. Call: 6579594 The Garage @ Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt Gardens : Admin Assistant, Cashiers, counter staff & handyman. Apply within. Call: 223-2300 Office staff with 5 CXC subjects, must be computer literate. Also 1 MechanicTel:218-5105 One domestic to work in Trinidad, between ages of 25-35. Call 1-868- 683-1528 Ladies to work in Suriname. Call: +597-875-4660 One driver/porter & porter. From Diamond, Grove area. Call: 216-1043, 677-6620 To rent one restaurant/liquor restaurant or bar at E.B.D or Georgetown- Call: 673-9283 Driver wanted, age 40- Call: 225-7417 FULL TIME WAITER/ WAITRESS TO WORK AT AAGMAN RESTAURANT ON SHERIFF ST. CALL: 219-0158
EDUCATIONAL Classes for slow learners in Reading, Spelling, Mathematics, and much more for children all ages. Call: 6754379 Now Registering! 9 Courses Diploma in computers $40,000, Computerize Accounting, Graphics Programs @ MicroGraphics, Vreed-en-Hoop. Call: 2643057 Visa Processing Centre: all visitors and students visa for USA & Canada. MicroGraphics, Vreed-enHoop. Call: 264-3057
(2) Two persons to work in supermarket at Bartica (free house to live in). Contact# 650-0402, 260-4124
FOR RENT 2 Bedrooms apartment in Eccles & rooms in Alberttown. Call: 225-3234 Continue on page 23
Monday February 06, 2017
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Kaieteur News
‘Torture’ in the Middle East
Trini speaks out…
Tariq Mohammed, left, on arrival at Piarco International Airport last December, greets his baby who was born while he was detained in Saudi Arabia. His wife, Saudah, reurned to T&T last year and the baby was born soon after. Trinidad Guardian “Clear my name...” That’s the appeal to the police and Government from Islamic studies scholar Tariq Mohammed who was detained in Saudi Arabia for 16 months since August 2015. Despite being questioned about suspicion of terrorism, Mohammed—a student at the University of Medina—was not charged with anything and was released. He arrived home last December.
Detailing his time under interrogation in several Saudi jails, where he was in solitary confinement and made to withstand bright lights 24/7 for eight months straight, Mohammed has one messsage for T&T nationals: “Mine was a horrible experience. I wouldn’t encourage anyone to go to that side of the world—even to study.” Mohammed added Saturday, “You could fall
victim to entrapment. T&T is a nice little island, let’s just stay neutral and enjoy it. I thought I’d never return home.” Mohammed’s family delivered letters to the Commissioner of Police and National Security Ministry on Friday, bidding to have his name cleared so he could find a job, take care of his wife and two babies, and return to normal life. Mohammed, 31, the son of 106.1FM announcer Shamoon Mohammed, is the nephew of attorney Nafeesa Mohammed. Mohammed’s nightmare began in 2015, his final year at the university where he had been pursuing Isalmic studies for seven years. He and his family had lived in Saudi Arabia, returning home annually. After his last visit in May 2015, he was interviewed by Special Branch police but was not arrested or told not to travel. He and his family left in August 2015 to return to Saudi Arabia. Their Turkey stopover was part of the route normally selected by the university. On arrival in Saudi, they were summoned off the Turkish Airlines flight He related: “People were telling us ‘sign here’ and ‘sign here’, which we did. But apparently, the signing facilitated my handing myself over to authorities. I was separated from my wife. But we remained calm. They took me to a place in Medina which I realised was a political
Jobs in Canada coming for Antiguans and Barbudans Daily Observer Antiguans and Barbudans could soon be provided with new job opportunities in Canada, and Foreign Affairs Minister Max Fernandez said this is among several agreements signed with that country. Fernandez told the Budget debate in Parliament last week, that one of the main areas of interest is the national caregivers programme, which according to him, recruits nationals to work in Toronto in the areas of housekeeping and babysitting. “The Counselor Core is actively engaging policymakers in having it available again,” he said. Fernandez said over the years, women from Asia have been moving in and “squeezing out Caribbean women”, but we are seeing
Max Fernandez how we can open it up again”. Meantime, the Foreign Affairs Minister said discussions were also held to address the challenges to obtain accreditation from Canadian professional bodies, after arriving in
Canada. “We also discussed expanding temporary foreign workers’ resident visas to include areas other than agriculture production, tourism, hospitality, trucking and retail distribution service industries,” Fernandez said. He explained that the jobs that were available were limited to agriculture “so we are seeing how we can open it to other disciplines,” the minister disclosed. The issue of deportation and the expansion of resident visas are expected to be discussed during a follow-up meeting carded for some time this year. Fernandez said among the other plans are the advancement of an agenda aimed at enhancing the profile of Antigua and Barbuda and the Caribbean in Toronto.
prison.” Mohammed did not know then that he would be seeing the inside of different prisons for the next 16 months. They asked me about Isis, seeking general opinion. They wanted to know about T&T people who went there (Isis). I told them the situation was known to T&T authorities and to look at the amount of coverage on T&T media. Arabia is the heart of the Muslim world so you could meet people from many warafflicted States. So my advice is: stay out of there even if you’re studying. You could easily fall into entrapment.” Inmates included scholars, political prisoners, and people who fought in Afghanistan. He was flown to another prison in Aseer where what he describes as psychological torture began. “They’d keep us under extremely bright lights 24/7. I stayed under those lights for eight months straight. Some guys had been under them for years. “When they eventually
dimmed the lights, I felt a physical change in my entire body. “Your system isn’t made to handle glaring bright lights day and night. Solitary was very bad, but those lights were the worst. Thank God I make it through.” Mohammed was then flown to Riyadh where conversations with his wife were stopped.. They were running tests (not disclosed) on me. By the second session, one of the guys told me, ‘That’s it, you’re not going to come back here. Hopefully you’ll be going home.’” Mohammed was flown back to Qassim, then Medina and Jeddah. He returned home via Turkey, Bogota and Panama—to a two-hour interview with T&T Immigration. Mohammed said he has not seen Government’s proposed anti-terrorism legislation. However, after his experience he is not encouraging anyone to ‘study anything in the Middle East”.
Finance Ministry: No Govt. incentives for Chinese merchants Jamaica Observer - The Ministry of Finance has asserted that there is no tax incentive offered to Asian merchants across the island, thus putting paid to a previously held popular belief. Last year in the ‘Asian Invasion’ series published in the Jamaica Observer, multiple local entrepreneurs alleged that Chinese merchants were granted incentives that created unfair market conditions. They alleged that the Chinese wholesale operators were given five years to operate their businesses without paying taxes. “The Government has no policy initiative at this time that incentivises businesses of Asian origin,” an e-mailed response from the ministry’s Public Relations Officer Kadisha Sharp stated. It continued: “Since 2014, the GoJ (Government of Jamaica) has encouraged and continued to provide for nonsector-specific productive incentives through the Fiscal Incentives Regime, as provided by the Fiscal Incentive (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. In addition to this general incentive framework which is applied in a non-discriminatory manner
provided the qualifications are met by the entity, the GoJ retained select individual incentives due to the peculiarities of such incentives. These include — Bauxite and Alumina Industries (Encouragement) Act, the Special Economic Zone Act 2016, and the Income Tax (Amendment) 2012 (which supports group headquarters), urban renewal, provide a broad scheme of incentives that are accessible to foreign investors.” In light of this, the ministry stated that the country has seen an improvement in foreign direct investments and in the Doing Business index, as well as an increase in tax revenues and employment opportunities. The ministry also stressed that foreign investors are not taxed differently than locals.
FOR SALE/RENT 2 Storey house for sale or rent $15M, rental -$20,000 each flat- Call: 672- 9428/ 684-0036 Ms Ramotar.
From page 22
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Bottom flat house @ 25 North Road & Oronoque Street, fully furnished/ air condition/residence / business. Call: 226-7012 Newly renovated, grilled, self-contained apartments for rent (light & water included) in Sussex St. Charlestown. Price-$35,000. Call: 689-8757/659-3597 Brains Construction & Rental Service: we rent all types of equipment, excavator, bobcat, trucks, tools. Call: 2190904/601-5024 Three storey 75X30 feet building/bond, open floor, two offices, 2 washrooms, driveways @ 25B Princes St., Charlestown. Call: 2230654/225-0605 Space for rent at Ashmin’s ideal for commercial, office and cafeteria use, no deposit. Call: 616-9660/ 6711846 One large two bedrooms top flat in Wortmanville- Tel:6162445 Two bedrooms apartment to rent @ Better Hope, E.C.D – Call: 617-3001 Lot 14 Croal & Longden Street: 4 Storey building (infront Demico). Call: 6631876 One- two bedroom apartment in ‘B’ Field Sophia. Contact Maureen: 650-8827/ Colin: 621-5781 For short term rental, 1 selfcontained 2 bedrooms apartment @ Avenue B, Diamond, E.B.D. working couple preferred- Call: 6585452 Lodge apartments (Vlisssengen/Durban): unfurnished $40,000-$80,000 monthly, furnished (for visitors) USD$600-USD$1,000 monthly- Call:668-7687/ 6779638/697-6421 Lodge (Vlissengen/ Durban):650Sq.Ft Professional/Office/ Business (no food retailing) space. Call: 668-7687/ 6779638/697-6421
Monday February 06, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Trump under fire for saying he respects ‘killer’ Putin Palm Beach (United States) (AFP) - President Donald Trump is drawing fire from Republicans and Democrats alike after playing down political assassinations in Russia and Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Trump — now two weeks into his four-year term — showed no signs of yielding to demands from within his own Republican Party to distance himself from President Vladimir Putin’s regime, instead plunging himself into a fresh political firestorm. “I do respect him. Well, I respect a lot of people, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to get along with them,” Trump said in an excerpt of an interview with Fox News’s Bill O’Reilly that aired before the Super Bowl yesterday. When pressed in relation to Putin’s alleged links to the extrajudicial killing of journalists and dissidents, Trump said, “we’ve got a lot of killers. You think our country’s so innocent?” “Take a look at what we’ve done too. We’ve made a lot of mistakes.” Trump’s fellow Republicans, including
Vladimir Putin Senate leader Mitch McConnell, were quick to criticize the president’s remarks. “I don’t think there is any equivalency with the way the Russians conduct themselves and the way the United States does,” McConnell said. “He is a former KGB agent, a thug, not elected in a way that most people consider a credible election,” he told CNN. That criticism was echoed by Michael McFaul, a former ambassador to Russia and advisor to president Barack
Obama, who described Trump’s comments as “disgusting.” “This moral equivalency that Trumps continues to draw between the USA and Russia is disgusting (and inaccurate),” he said on Twitter. M a i n s t r e a m Republicans have repeatedly called on Trump to distance himself from Putin, with little impact. Throughout the election campaign, Trump refused to criticize the R u s s i a n l e a d e r, s a y i n g better relations with the Kremlin would be in the US national interest. The new president has advocated working with Russia to combat the Islamic State group in Syria. “If Russia helps us in the fight against ISIS, which is a major fight, and Islamic terrorism all around the world, major fight. That’s a good thing,” Trump told Fox. Moscow has deployed aircraft, naval assets and troops to Syria, but has so far trained its fire on rebels with the aim of propping up President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Scottish independence vote may be decided ‘within weeks’ - Sturgeon ally Reuters - A decision on calling a new Scottish independence referendum could be made within weeks, said a Scottish Greens lawmaker whose party is a key ally of Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The timing of a potential new Scottish referendum which polls say most Scots do not want - would be determined by the process of Britain’s exit from the European Union, said Ross Greer, a lawmaker and a key campaigner in the 2014 vote in which Scots rejected independence by a 10percentage-point margin. “We are working on a timescale now where Article 50 (which triggers Britain leaving the European Union) will be activated next month – that’s the timescale when it will almost certainly become clear whether there’s going to be a referendum or not. So that’s the timescale we should be working on to get our
Nicola Sturgeon campaign up and running,” Greer told The Herald yesterday. Scotland - one of the United Kingdom’s four nations along with England, Wales and Northern Ireland voted to keep its EU membership last June, but will leave the EU because the UK as a whole voted to do so.
This means Scotland must have a fresh choice on its future, Sturgeon’s nationalists argue, if its wishes are not respected as part of the Brexit negotiations. They have proposed a special deal for Scotland within Brexit which they say the British government has yet to consider. Greer said he expected a successor to the “Yes Scotland” campaign from 2014 to begin to take shape in the coming weeks. “We will know in the next few weeks how to (take) that a step further and in the next few weeks I expect moves will be made to form what could be that organisation,” he was quoted as saying. The Scottish Greens’ six seats in the Scottish parliament would complete the 65 seats for a majority that Sturgeon’s Scottish National Party (SNP), with 63, would need to pass legislation on a referendum. Technically the British parliament, which is sovereign, could block another referendum on independence. But to do so would likely provoke a constitutional crisis if opinion polls were to show most Scots favour a ballot.
Monday February 06, 2017
Kaieteur News
Anti-Coup Squad in Venezuela “Hunts” Opponents Seen As Threats CARACAS, Venezuela – President Nicolas Maduro, who blames subversive external and internal forces for the economic and political crises crippling his country, has appointed a select committee designed to foil potential coups d’états. The president said he had created an “anti-coup command” made up of five Chavistas tasked with preventing any attempt to destabilize and ultimately overthrow the socialist regime. In a televised announcement of the new command, Maduro warned his opponents to surrender, “because the anti-coup command has arrived and is dedicated 24 hours a day to take preventive, legal and corrective measures against all coup and terrorist sectors.”Six high-ranking opposition members have been captured and thrown into jail – most on weapons charges – since the announcement.
Nicolas Maduro Fox News reports that Congressman Gilber Caro and his friend Stacy Escalona have been accused of illegal possession of an automatic rifle and C-4 explosives, a similar charge to that slapped on Maracaibo councilmember Jorge Gonzalez for allegedly carrying explosives and cartridges in his car. Two retired generals have also been targeted by the newly-created unit – General
Raul Baduel, a former ally of Chavez and now an adversary of Maduro, and General Ramón Lozada – as well as activist Irwin Roca and councilmember Roniel Farias. They are all suspected of being connected with the socalled “Alcatraz Plan,” purportedly conceived to release opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez from jail and unseat Maduro. Rocío San Miguel, director of non-governmental organisation Control Ciudadano, told Fox News that the actions of the anticoup command indicate it is part of a “selective criminalization apparatus” to infuse fear into opposition parties. Meanwhile, the opposition urged the Venezuelan people to continue to engage in peaceful protests as part of a sustained movement to pressure Maduro into moving up the next presidential election, which is currently scheduled for late 2018.
Portia to demit office April 2 ...
New PNP President to be announced March 26
Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller greets a supporter following the PNP NEC meeting in Manchester. (Norman Grindley photo) The Gleaner - People’s National Party president Portia Simpson Miller is to demit office on April 2. A week earlier on March 26, the party will host a special delegates’ conference to choose its new president. Simpson Miller, a short while ago, announced at a meeting of the party’s National Executive Council in Manchester that she will
submit her resignation as Opposition Leader to Governor General, Sir Patrick Allen, after her March 16 contribution to the Budget Debate in parliament. She said she will resign as Opposition Leader but will remain the Member of Parliament for St Andrew South West. Dr Peter Phillips is expected to go unopposed for
the position of PNP President. However, he will still need at least 50 per cent of delegates to affirm his presidency. Simpson Miller demits 11 years after serving as president and serving as Prime Minister twice. She won her own mandate in the December 2011 general elections, defeating the Andrew Holness-led Jamaica Labour Party. However, she lost to Holness in the general election last year, with many calling for her to give up leadership of the party and to set a timeline when she would demit office. At a meeting of the NEC in December last year, she told comrades that she would not be offering herself as president at the next Annual Conference in September 2017. Recreation does for you what it says literally. It creates you again. It refreshes the mind, renews the spirit, and motivates the body. Constant working towards some objective can do the opposite, unless we control it by rest and relaxation.
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Talks ongoing to amalgamate Jamaica to seek re-election to International Maritime Organisation OECS indigenous banks BASSETERRE, St Kitts (WINN) — Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) Governor Timothy Antoine is continuing to push for the amalgamation of local banks in the OECS subregion. He spoke to the issue recently in Dominica, and again returned to the subject in Anguilla. Antoine cited two examples of amalgamation in Anguilla and Antigua and Barbuda. “So we now have 12 national banks, a year ago we had 14. There’s two in Anguilla that came together as one, everybody knows that, what many people don’t know is that in Antigua and Barbuda, not far away, we have ABIB which is now part of ECAB and before that we had Bank of Antigua which is how ECAB was established. So there you see in Antigua and Barbuda there
Timothy Antoine has been amalgamation, ECAB is actually making profit already,” he said. Antoine said there are ongoing amalgamation talks in some parts of the OECS. “In St Lucia and St Vincent talks have been going and among some other countries which I won’t name now but which I’m aware,
there are also discussions going on about coming together. If you ask the other bank managers many of the indigenous banks they will tell you that it is very important for them to be able to not just only survive but grow and compete with international banks for market share. Now notice, that coming together may mean a smaller number of banks but it does not mean a drop in market share, if they come together well they can not only protect that market share but potentially grow that market share and even buy an international bank in the future, that’s possible, but they are not going to get to do it individually,” he explained. The ECCB governor indicated that there is amalgamation going on outside of the Caribbean, even among bigger banks. (Caribbean News)
KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Jamaica will be seeking re-election to the Council of the London-based International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The country will be submitting its candidature to the Council’s Category ‘C’ for the 2018-2019-election period. Elections will be held during the 30th Regular Session of the IMO Assembly in London from November 27 to December 8. Jamaica was elected to the Council during the 2008-2009 biennium and in the four succeeding biennia from 2010-2015. Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, says the decision to present Jamaica’s candidature
to the Council, is based on the belief that the country has much to contribute to the work of the organisation. He noted that the IMO’s position in taking steps to prevent maritime pollution from ships strongly resonates with Jamaica. “We attach importance to the protection of the environment. Our pristine beaches are some of the world’s best and serve as one of our main tourist attractions as well as for recreation for our people,” he said. Holness, in pre-recorded remarks at a recent ceremony to launch Jamaica’s bid to the IMO noted further that “a healthy maritime environment
Andrew Holness is also important in maintaining the livelihood of our fisher folk and the food security of our nation”.
Moise’s party consolidates in Senate PORT AU PRINCE – CMC - The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has released preliminary figures of the January 29 legislative and local government elections giving the party headed by President-elect Jovenel Moise and its allies a majority of the seats in the Senate. The CEP warned though that the final results of the elections “will be available after the challenge period and the handling of possible cases”. The Council said it was investigation why some votes had not yet been tabulated and according to Robenson Cherilus, the Director of the Voting Tabulation Centre, acts of vandalism on Voting Centres could be the cause. Moise, will be sworn into office on February 7, one year after Michel Martelly left office without an elected successor. The results polls of the January 29 polls give Haiti a full Parliament following the electoral marathon that lasted almost two years.
Jovenel Moise According to the preliminary results released late Friday, Moise’s PHTK party won four of the eight senatorial seats, with party allies winning three. The coalition lost in the Ouest department, which includes Port-au-Prince and represents some 40 per cent of the Haitian electorate. The PHTK candidate, Fednel Monchery, came out on top during the first round of that battle, but ultimately lost to Patrice Dumont, a popular former sports
journalist. Meanwhile, a number of Presidents have confirmed their attendance at Tuesday’s inauguration of the new leader of this Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country. The authorities said that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Danilo Medina of the Dominican Republic, Ecuador ’s head of state, Raphael Corea and Trinidad and Tobago’s President Anthony Carmona have already confirmed their presence at the investiture ceremony. The authorities said that at least 60 invitations have been sent to Heads of State and governments having diplomatic relations with Haiti to participate in the investiture “We are waiting for further confirmations,” said Lucien Jura, the spokesman of the Joint Commission on the handover of powers, pointing out that other countries responded through their diplomatic missions like Mexico, France, Taiwan, the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda.
Turkey detains 450 IS suspects in nationwide sweep Istanbul (AFP) - Turkish police yesterday detained almost 450 suspected Islamic State group members in nationwide raids just over a month after an attack on an Istanbul nightclub claimed by the jihadists. Security forces rounded up 448 suspects, the state-run Anadolu news agency said, in Turkey’s biggest police operation against IS since the New Year attack on the Reina nightclub that killed 39. Among those detained were foreigners and those suspected of planning
attacks in Turkey, the Dogan and Anadolu news agencies reported. During the operation, 150 suspects, all Syrians, were rounded up in raids on hotels and private homes in Sanliurfa in the southeast, Dogan said. Another 47 were detained in the nearby city of Gaziantep close to the Syrian border which has a known jihadist presence while 38 were picked up in Hatay, also bordering Syria. Sixty suspects, mostly foreigners, were detained in
four districts in the capital Ankara. Dozens more arrests were made in provinces ranging from Bursa in the west to Antalya on the Mediterranean and Bingol in the east. Television footage showed police in body armour battering down a door in a pre-dawn raid. In the usually peaceful Aegean city of Izmir, nine people suspected of travelling to and from Syria and planning attacks in the city were detained, Anadolu said.
Monday February 06, 2017
Iran will issue visas for U.S. wrestlers: IRNA (Reuters) Iran will issue visas for a U.S. wrestling team to attend the Freestyle World Cup competition, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported yesterday, reversing a decision announced Friday to ban visas for the team in retaliation for an executive order by President Donald Trump banning visas for Iranians. Bahram Ghasemi, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued a telegram message yesterday noting that visas would be issued for the Americans partly because of the decision by a U.S. federal judge to “halt the execution of discriminatory restrictions against the entrance of Iranian citizens to America”, IRNA reported. On Friday U.S. District Judge James Robart put on hold the travel ban for refugees and citizens of seven mainly Muslim countries called for in Trump’s executive order. Ghasemi did not say whether Americans currently
holding Iranian visas would be allowed entry to the Islamic Republic or if any new visas would be issued to U.S. citizens. The Freestyle World Cup is one of wrestling’s most prestigious events and is scheduled for Feb. 16-17 in the western Iranian city of Kermanshah. USA Wrestling had previously said it would send a team to the competition. Tensions have ratcheted up between Tehran and Washington since Trump took office last month. On Friday, the Trump administration imposed new sanctions on Iran because of a ballistic missile test carried out by the Islamic Republic last weekend. A Revolutionary Guards commander announced Saturday that Iran would be carrying out a military exercise. Home-made missile systems, radars, command and control centres, and cyber warfare systems were to be tested, state news agencies reported.
ICC begins ‘Big Three’ rollback despite India objection
Giles Clarke and Shashank Manohar were in attendance at the ICC Board meeting, Dubai, February 4, 2017 ©Getty Images (Reuters) The International Cricket Council (ICC) has agreed “in principle” to reverse the 2014 decision which effectively put India, England and Australia in control of the game’s
Cameroon lift Nations Cup after Aboubakar’s late stunner LIBREVILLE (Reuters) Vincent Aboubakar scored a brilliant late goal to hand unfancied Cameroon a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Egypt and their fifth African Nations Cup title in an entertaining final yesterday. Cameroon, who had eight of their players withdraw before the tournament, came from a goal down after midfielder Mohamed Elneny had put Egypt ahead midway through the first half. Nicolas Nkoulou equalised on the hour and, as Egypt tired, Cameroon appeared to find a new gear, creating several chances before Aboubakar struck the winner in the 88th minute after chesting the ball down and flicking it over defender Ali Gabr. It was Cameroon’s first title since 2002 and denied Egypt a triumphant return to the tournament they last won in 2010, while at the same time inflicting a first loss on the North African side in 25 Nations Cup matches dating back to 2004. “We are delighted but we are not yet the finished product. We can still make a lot of improvement,” said Cameroon’s delighted Belgian manager Hugo Broos. Egypt dominated the early
possession and had the lead after 22 minutes as Cameroon’s defence stood far too static. Elneny collected the ball in space on the right-hand side of the area and, with the defence and goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa expecting him to square the ball into the sixyard box, the midfielder rifled his shot into the roof of the net. TACTICAL MASTERSTROKE Cameroon created few chances in the first half and were reduced to shooting from distance but they upped their intensity in the second period and began to exert some control. They levelled when substitute Nkoulou towered above the defence to head home a cross from Benjamin Moukandjo, only the second goal conceded by the North Africans in the tournament. Cameroon then attacked in waves as Egypt appeared to be holding out for extratime and penalties. It looked as though the game was headed that way with Cameroon wasting with their opportunities until a moment of excellence from Aboubakar, brought on in what proved a tactical masterstroke by Broos, two minutes from the end.
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The striker, who plays his club football in Turkey with Beskitas, controlled the ball on his chest in the box and, as Ali Gabr stood off him, he skillfully knocked it over the defender’s head and fired into the far corner of the net. For Egypt coach Hector Cuper it was more disappointment. Having lost five finals in club football, including Europe’s elite Champions League twice, he is an unlucky loser again at international level. “Cameroon deserved to win. I have deep sorrow for my players but it was too much for them, they were too tired. For myself, losing another final, I don’t want to say I’m getting used to it,” the Argentine said. But for Cameroon’s young Indomitable Lions it was a moment of unexpected triumph in a tournament the country will host in two years’ time as defending champions.
finances and administration. Unsurprisingly, the influential the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) voted against the new proposal after failing to defer the vote in a three-day ICC board meeting that concluded in Dubai on Saturday. Vikram Limaye, representing BCCI at the meeting, sought to defer the vote on the proposal until the next meeting in April, saying his body had had insufficient time to evaluate it. Limaye, a financial executive, is one of the four administrators named by India’s top court on Monday to run BCCI as part of administrative reforms imposed on the world’s richest board. The ICC board will take a final decision on a new financial model and governance structure at the April meeting, the governing
body said in a statement. “Today was an important step forward for the future of the ICC and cricket around the world,” the ICC’s Indian chairman Shashank Manohar said in a statement. Former BCCI president Manohar has been critical of the 2014 changes, which he felt allowed the three major countries to bully the ICC. “I want the ICC to be reasonable and fair in our
approach to all 105 Members and the revised constitution and financial model does that,” he added. “There are still details to work through and concerns to be addressed, but the principle of change is agreed and not for debate,” said the 59-year-old lawyer, who led the working group which prepared a new constitution. The proposed governance structure includes a new revenue distribution model, which seeks to address the current imbalance favouring the ‘Big Three’. The three-day meeting in Dubai also proposed a nine-team test league, a 13-team one-day league and advocated a regional qualification process for the World Twenty20. The governing body is also considering test cricket status for Ireland and Afghanistan, provided they meet full membership criteria. The chief executives committee agreed to extend the Decision Review System (DRS) to World Twenty20 matches, giving a level of consistency in the use of technology across international cricket. The same committee also authorised the governing body to amend its anticorruption code to permit the use of cell phone data extraction equipment.
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Falcons QB Ryan named league’s Most Valuable Player
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) walks off the field after the game against the Green Bay Packers in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. (Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports) (Reuters) Quarterback Matt Ryan was named the National Football League’s Most Valuable Player on Saturday after a landmark season in which he led the offence-minded Atlanta Falcons to an 11-5 record. The 31-year-old Ryan garnered 25 votes to earn the NFL’s most prestigious award at the ceremony in Houston, with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady finishing second (10 votes). Ryan, who was not at the awards show since he was preparing to face Brady and the Patriots in Super Bowl 51 on Sunday, was also named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year. Playing in his ninth season, Ryan led all quarterbacks with a 117.1 passer rating and placed second in passing yards (4,944) and touchdowns (38).
“I just want to say thank you, this is an incredible honour for me,” Ryan, popularly known as “Matty Ice”, said in a video acceptance speech for the MVP award. “Obviously there are so many other great candidates and players who had amazing seasons. I want to thank all of my team mates ... without them none of this is possible.” Coach of the Year went to Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys, whose team survived the pre-season loss through injury of their starting quarterback Tony Romo but went on to post a 13-3 record, win the NFC East and send six players to the Pro Bowl. Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Khalil Mack was named Defensive Player of the Year for the first time, edging out Denver Broncos
pass rusher Von Miller by just one vote. Defensive Rookie of the Year was defensive end Joey Bosa of the Los Angeles Chargers, while Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was named Offensive Rookie of the Year. Comeback Player of the Year was Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson, who battled back from a torn ACL in his right knee that ruled him out of the entire 2015 season and went on to catch 97 passes for 1,257 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2016. Larry Fitzgerald, wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, and Eli Manning, quarterback for the New York Giants, jointly received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, given for having made a significant, positive impact on their respective communities.
Guyana National Referees Council receives sponsorship Georgetown: The Guyana National Referees Council (GNRC) has received a donation of gears from the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation Inc. (GPC) on Friday, 27th January, 2017. The donation was made under the “EXCITE” brand and was presented by New GPC’s Marketing and International Sales Associate, Ms. Elizabeth Ram to President of the GNRC and Executive Committee Member of the Guyana Football Federation Inc. (GFF), Dion Inniss. The donation consisted of eighty (80) shirts, forty (40) shorts, socks and warm-up tops and will aid referees’ training and other physical activity including fitness tests.
In an invited comment, Head of the Refereeing Department, Stanley Lancaster, lauded the company for the timely gesture, noting it was done at a point when the Council is expanding its membership. He noted the interest and the confidence that the company has in the football fraternity which was demonstrated in its continued support and sponsorship. The NEW GPC Inc. is a household name in Guyana and according to the company’s website, it is the Caribbean’s oldest and largest pharmaceutical manufacturer of generic pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter preparations of the highest quality.
Monday February 06, 2017
Guyana to play in B’dos Beach International Soccer Tourney By Sean Devers in Barbados Guyana will be one of five teams scheduled to participate in the inaugural Barbados International Beach Soccer tournament at the Brandon Beach, Spring Gardens here in Barbados. The tournament is being held by the Barbados Football Associa t i o n ( B FA ) a n d according the Martin Parris, a member of the Futsal and Beach Soccer C o m m i t t e e o f t h e B FA which is headed by Capt. A l Wa l c o t t , w h o t o l d Kaieteur Sports, this is the first time the tournament will be held but it is hoped that it will be an annual event. Parris, the son of f o r m e r Te s t C r i c k e t Umpire Stanton Parris, informed that the Beach Soccer Showcase will be held on February 11th & 12th and four teams from the Caribbean (including Guyana which is geographically a part of South America) in addition to England, will compete in the two-day tournament. ”The participating teams will be Antigua & Barbuda, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, England and Barbados. The visiting teams will be arriving
between February 8 and 9, 2017 and departing on February 13, 2017,” Parris informed Matches will be played on Saturday and Sunday nights from 18:00hrs after a ‘Meet and Greet’ dinner is held for the teams at Rascals Restaurant, Brandon’s Beach, St. Michael from 19:30hrs on February 9th. Guyana could use this tournament to gain important overseas exposure for Guyana who has been drawn in Group A of the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship, Bahamas 2017 since the CONCACAF tournament kicks off on February 20, in Nassau. The Golden Jaguars will face host Bahamas, Jamaica and Belize. In Group B, defending CONCACAF Beach Soccer champion Mexico was joined by Guatemala, Canada and Guadeloupe, while United States, Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua & Barbuda and US Virgin Islands make up Group C. El Salvador will be in Group
D with Costa Rica, Panama and Turks & Caicos Islands. “Guyana stands a chance of coming out of the group into the knock-out rounds once we play to our potential,” President of the Guyana Beach Football Association (GBFA) Rollin Tappin told reporters last October. “We believe that we can get past the countries in our group and are very excited by the draw. The coaching staff will pull out all the stops in getting the players ready for the tournament and we are looking forward to competing for the first time at the Beach Soccer level,” Tappin said. Parris feels that teams like Guyana, Trinidad & To b a g o a n d A n t i g u a & Barbuda could use the Barbados International Beach Soccer tournament as an ideal warm-up for the CONCACAF tournament later in the month in the Bahamas.
Itinerary for the Showcase is as follows: Feb 8 & 9 Arrival of Teams, Feb 10th – 6.00 p.m. - 10.00 p.m. Game Night #1 Feb 11th – 6.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. Game Night #2 Feb 12th – 6.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. Game Night #3 Feb 13th – Departure of Teams
Second half of Stag Elite League Season 2 rescheduled Georgetown: The second half of the Stag Elite League, originally scheduled to begin February 5, 2017, yesterday with the League Leaders Tournament, has been rescheduled to February 26, March 1 and 5, 2017 respectively, a release from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) informed. This has become necessary to enable clubs which have acquired new players during the recent transfer period a chance to adequately prepare for the tournament while facilitating the promotion of the league. The transfer period, which concluded on January 31, has seen a number of players being moved to various clubs across the country; with Fruta Conquerors FC acquiring the highest number of transfers. The League Leaders tournament will feature a double-header on February 26, that is, Victoria Kings FC vs Buxton United FC and GDF FC vs
Fruta Conquerorss FC (Playoff # 1 and #2). This will be followed by Playoff # 3 and the finals which will f e a t u r e Wi n n e r o f # 1 Playoff vs Loser of # 2 Playoff on March 1 and Winner of # 2 Playoff vs Winner of # 3 Playoff on March 5 respectively. The prizes for the ‘League Leaders’ Tournament are as
follows: 1st Prize - One & one half Million Dollars ($1,500,000.00) 2nd Prize - Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($700,000.00) 3rd Prize - Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) 4th Prize - Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00)
C6 crowned Tenth Street dominoes champs C6 marked 44 games to win the final of the Tenth Street Sports bar four-game Dominoes competition which was contested recently at Tenth Street Sports bar, Diamond, East Bank Demerara. Spartans placed second with 41 games, while TNT finished third on 34. Brain Edwards led C6 with 11 games while Marvin Thom contributed nine. Leroy Edwards got nine for the runner up team while Trevor Smith and Kenrick Samaroo made 10 and nine respectively for TNT who drew the bye to the final. Spartans won the semi final encounter with 41 games ahead of C6 40 and Beast 36. Leroy Edwards and Navin Singh chalked 11 and 10 respectively for Spartans, while Brain Edwards made 11 and Marvin Thom 10 for C6. Loraine Reid made nine for Beast.
Monday February 06, 2017
Wales trample Italy in Six Nations opener ROME (Reuters) Wales overcame a poor start to eventually trample Italy 33-7 in their opening Six Nations encounter in Rome yesterday, a game that will leave the visitors plenty to ponder before a clash with champions England next weekend. The Welsh appeared to take Italy, the tournament’s perennial wooden-spooners, lightly at first, squandering chances at goal in search of an elusive five points and failing to find top gear until the final 20 minutes of the match when they raced away. “We will have to put England under more pressure than we did today against Italy,” Welsh coach Rob Howley said, adding the team had shown composure to overhaul their hosts. Fullback Leigh Halfpenny calmed nerves after Italy had improbably opened the scoring in the first half with a try by scrumhalf Edoardo Gori, who was carried under the posts by a rolling mall, breathing life into a home crowd of 41,000. Italy’s long-suffering fans have dared to hope this year after their team, under new Irish coach Conor O’Shea, ambushed South Africa in Florence last autumn, beating the former world champions for the first time in their biggest upset of all time. The Welsh, unable to breach Italy’s defence in the first half, tightened up their game and turned to sharpshooting Halfpenny who fed off Italy’s numerous mistakes and steadied nerves with four
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Wales’ George North runs in to score a try against Italy in the Six Nations Championship at Stadio Olimpico, Rome. (Reuters / Alessandro Bianchi Livepic) straight penalty kicks. But Wales still took an hour to cross the chalk in a game that was fought hard up front — so hard that the game was stopped at one point to wipe the ball clean of blood — but is unlikely to give England coach Eddie Jones sleepless nights. England also made an unimpressive start in their opening victory against France at Twickenham on Saturday, but Wales struggled for half the game against opponents who would give away 15 penalties by the final whistle. “There were parts of that game that I think we can make big improvements on,”
Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones said. ITALYTIRE Despite having 60 percent of the possession, the Welsh failed to penetrate through the middle or get their big backs into space during the first half. The Welsh scrum and rolling mall were also blunted in an opening stanza that belonged to Italy’s veteran captain, Sergio Parisse, who set up the home side’s only try. But Italy tired under the weight of penalties and tackles, and Welsh centre Jonathan Davies finally touched down. The floodgates opened, and tries followed from winger Liam Williams and, in
the dying minutes, a rampaging George North, who overcame a corked thigh to race more than 50 metres to seal the win. O’Shea blamed the penalty count for Italy’s blowout in the final 20 minutes, implying that they did not enjoy fair treatment from Irish referee JP Doyle. “We can’t lose the penalty count 15-5 and still win matches,” O’Shea said. “Wales were the better side today in the end, but I think that we were the better side in the first half and we have to make sure we change the perception of people that look at us... so we are refereed on a level playing field.”
Wales’ George North in action with Italy’s Tommaso Benvenuti. (Reuters / Alessandro Bianchi Livepic)
STAG Nations Cup KO Football
Western Tigers cage Santos to lift $2M top prize; Police edge Riddim Squad for third Western Tigers have ended as the only unbeaten team and their reward was a whopping Two Million Dollars as the top prize for the just ended Stag Nations Cup knock-out football championship which attracted teams from five associations and sanctioned by the Guyana Football Federation. The Tigers caged and subsequently hammered into submission Santos Football Club 3-0, the losers eventually ending the championship match with 9 men after two of their players including their most prized possession, Job Caesar were sent packing via the red card route. Caesar who was effectively nullified during the match, eventually lost his composure and focus on the match in the 63rd minute when he elbowed Western Tigers’ Jamal Pedro in full view of the Referee who had no hesitation in issuing a straight red card. At the time of the card, Santos were already trailing 2-0 on account of well taken goals by the rampant Tigers who never allowed their opponents to settle down and piece passes together. From the first whistle it was clear that both coaches, as they had said before were relying on the tactical acumen of their charges to deliver the goods for them. Santos, featuring a brigade of youths were coming up against a Tigers unit not void of experience which was what made the difference between the two sides, ultimately. With the match just over half an hour old, the Tigers were well on their way to pocketing the grand prize as they were already 2-0 up. They got their first off the boot of Anthony Sancho on 25 minutes and that advantage was quickly doubled in the 32nd minute, thanks to a dagger like goal from the nagging Randolph Wagner. Even though Santos never showed signs of allowing the confident Tigers to impose their will by putting in a few enterprising raids of their own, with each passing minute the task of responding goal wise, looked more bleak as
Western’s players nullified every attempt of Santos on goal. The West Ruimveldt fans also helped to energise their team on a beautiful evening for football witnessed by a colourful crowd. While both teams showed good organisation in offence and defence, it was the Western unit which looked the better oiled side with more punchy plays and a desire to win. The Tigers were also effective in shutting out Santos’ main weapon, the diminutive Caesar whose mental fortitude eventually waned as he was evicted from the match when his presence would have mattered. It was always going to be an uphill task for Santos to come back to erase a 2-0 deficit, let alone win the match. Any thoughts of mounting a comeback were effectively thrown out the game venue when Western scored their third goal in the 78th minute, thanks to Shane Morris’ effort. But even before the third goal, Santos found themselves a man short when Caesar was sent off. They did not help their cause in crunch time when yet another player, Vashile Cantilaar was sent packing by Referee Gladwyn Johnson in the 81st minute. It was all over for Santos with 9 minutes to full time; Western earning t h e t o p p r i z e o f Tw o Million Dollars and Santos, despite the loss, pocketed $1 Million. Earlier, the third place match-up between the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Riddim Squad saw the Police arresting the Mocha based Riddm Squad 2-1 to take home the third place prize of $500,000 with $300,000 going to the losers. Quinsi Holder netted both goals for Police, while Riddim S q u a d ’s consolation strike came off the boot of Rawl Ramsaey in the 42nd minute, the game effectively sealed in the first half. The second half produced end to end action with Riddim Squad creating lots of opportunities but were kept at bay by the lawmen.
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Andrew’s Art on board with RHTY&SC, MS – Club to host Andrew Juman Memorial 20/20 Tournament
Mrs. Chandrawattie Juman of Andrew’s Art hands over donation to Mark Papannah of the RHTY&SC in presence of members of the club and sponsor. Advertisement agency, Andrew’s Art on Saturday last became the latest corporate entity to come on board with Guyana’s leading youth and sports Club, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S. The agency which is located at Ogle, East Coast Demerara donated a carton of trophies to the Club who aims to host a total of 500 programmes/activities by the 20th of December 2017. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to the Management and Staff of the Company especially its Managing Director, Mrs Juman. The 24 trophies would be used by the
Club to host a 20/20 cricket tournament involving four secondary schools in the Lower Corentyne area and several educational competitions under the Say No/Say Yes Campaign which targets 60,000 youths in the ancient county. The 20/20 tournament would be named in memory of the late Andrew Juman, founder of Andrew’s Art, while the four schools would be the Lower Corentyne Secondary, J.C. Chandisingh Secondary, Port Mourant Secondary and Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary School. Each school would be permitted to play a total of
seven Under 19 students and four teachers per game, while matches would start at 1PM. J.C.C.S.S would clash with P.M.S.S in the opening Match, while CCHS and LCSS would play in the second game. The winners would clash for championship honours, while the two losing teams would play for 3rd place. The top teams and outstanding players would receive trophies and medals. Foster stated that the Club was pleased to be associated in keeping the memory of the late Andrew Juman alive as he was an outstanding friend and supporter of the RHTY&SC, M.S. Among the
educational programmes to be organised are spelling bees, art competitions and essay tournament. Mrs. Juman in brief remarks stated that Andrew’s Art is proud to be associated with the RHTY&SC, M.S as it is an organisation that is well known across Guyana for its wide range of activities and for being a role model organisation. Her late husband, she stated was very delighted when he was inducted as a honorary member of the RHT&SC, M.S in 2006 and it was only fitting that she continue the relationship with the Club and its eight cricket teams.
Fighter capture KV Contracting Services dominoes
Monday February 06, 2017
Nand Persaud, Sky Plus Inc. Sprint Classic Horserace meet
Banks DIH Limited, Trophy Stall and 4R bearings among major sponsors With the Sprint Classic Horserace meet organised by the Nand Persaud Group of Companies through its Sky Plus Incorporated Promotion Group gaining momentum, a number of organisations, individuals and other companies are quickly teaming up with the august body as they stage another horserace event. Known for its signature Karibee Rice Brand, the company is also known for a number of major achievements in Guyana, the horseracing arena is one. Two successful Sprint Classic horserace meets have been held so far by t h e c o m p a n y. A n o t h e r event is slated for Sunday February 19th at the C o m p a n y ’s n e w a n d improved racing facilities at No36 Village, Macedonia Estate, Corentyne, Berbice. A number of companies such as Banks DIH Limited, 4R Bearings, Trophy Stall, Jerry Outar Motor Rewinding, Vimal Outar Gas Station, NTN Television, Ram Office Express and Think About The Future Trucking Service among others have provided valuable sponsorship assistance for the event. The meet will once again see the horses running in a straight line from start to finish and dubbed as the “Nand Persaud Karibee Sprint Classic”. The races will be 880, 660 and 440 yards. The seven-race card has over $4M in cash, trophies and other incentives available.
The events listed for the day will see horses competing in the feature D and lower event over 880 yards for a winning purse of $400,000 and trophy. The other events are for animals classified F and lower over 660 yards for a top prize of $320,000 and trophy. There is the race for H and lower horses running a distance of 880 yards for a winning take of $300,000 and trophy. The animals classified I3 and lower will be competing for a winning take of $240,000 and trophy over 660 yards. Animals classified Three year maiden, born and bred in Guyana and the West Indies will have a chance to match skills over 660 yards for a $200,000 top prize and trophy. The L and lower animals will be running the 880 yards distance for the first prize of $105,000 and t r o p h y. The animals classified LL will also be running 880 yards for a take home of $100,000 and trophy. Jockeys will earn points if their horses place during the events. Horses will not be allowed to race if they are not listed in the classification. All entries must be paid in full before the race start. The event will be run under the rules of the Sky Plus Incorporated. Sky Plus reserves the right to cancel/refrain any race mentioned. Interested persons can contact Neil on telephone 685-3658 or 325-3564 or Mohini on 600-4728 for further information. The Coordinator is Mohendra Persaud. (Samuel Whyte)
Prideful Bajans beat...
The victorious Fighter dominoes team with MVP Rajesh Ross (stooping). Fighter chalked up 81 games to win the KV Contracting Services dominoes competition which was played on Friday night at Romain Sports bar 115 Industry Market Square, East Coast Demerara. Witnessed by a fair sized crowd, the tournament was closely contested with Fighter holding on to the lead throughout despite the challenges of Masters and Shop 6. Masters took the runner up spot with 73 games followed by Shop 6 on 70.
Rohan Seecharran led Fighters with 16 games while Narine Singh made 15. Rajesh Ross who was given the man-of-the-match award scored the maximum 18 games for Masters while Ameer Ally got 15. Khalid Haslim and Parsram Baijnauth marked 15 each for Shop 6. Fighter collected a trophy and $18,000 while Masters and MVP Ross collected trophies. KV Contracting Services is located at 1B Area G Ogle.
From page 34 boundary before edging him to third man for another four as Bramble back in the side after an ankle injury, was watchful against the Bajan spin attack before Reifer edged a big cut off Kraigg Braithwaite for 21 from 31 balls with two fours as the Jaguars sunk to 114-6. Jacobs (2) was taken leg slip pushing forward at Chase five runs later before Bramble pulled Holder to deep square leg at 161-8 before Bishoo (1) was removed and Permaul who was last out off Holder. Scores: JAGUARS 186 off 50 overs (Veerasammy Permaul 32, Rajindra Chandrika 30, Anthony Bramble 29; Ashley Nurse 3-28, Roston Chase 2-21, Jason Holder 243). PRIDE 188 for eight off 49.3 overs (Shai Hope 63, Kevin Stoute 51; Raymon Reifer 4-46, Ronsford Beaton 2-41).