Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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

EDITORIAL

A POSSIBLE STABILIZER The proposed development of Georgetown and some areas in the interior as tourist destinations is an idea that needs closer examination. Even if we strive to identify projects of the magnitude and size that can help to boost tourism in order to improve economic growth in the country, the question is: Does Guyana has what it takes to attract tourists? It is an idea that has been thrown around for many years by governments of both parties and by people and organizations in the private sector. But for too long it has been just talk and little action. Guyana’s natural environment is a jewel in the crown of South America and the Caribbean. Making Guyana a destination for tourists is a good decision, particularly because of its pristine forests, unspoiled wilderness and sprawling savannahs, all of which make up more than 80 percent of the country’s terrain. Countless hiking trails, waterways and waterfalls add to the attraction. Not forgetting an Amazon rainforest that is home to more than 6,500 different species of plants, 850 types of exotic birds, over 220 different breeds of mammals and an outstanding wildlife. With average temperatures of 28 degrees Celsius, it’s a win-win situation. Innumerable culinary delights reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage. All of the above should be attractive to tourists. Attractions apart, the infrastructure by and large is in poor condition and leaves much to be desired. Unless financed by private investments, the building of a cruise ship pier could prove to be too much of a costly venture for the taxpayers. The pier must be part of a comprehensive redevelopment of Georgetown and the suburbs, which is an even more massive undertaking. Attempts by previous administrations have not succeeded because of the poor infrastructure and poor planning. Action was needed, not words. Guyana must offer more to tourists than just sun and a trek into the interior to watch birds and wild animals. The current government must be serious about making Guyana a destination for tourists. It cannot be guided solely by wishful thinking while ignoring the pressing problems, including crime, which have beset the country. The country has a relatively high crime rate which means, for example, that the safety of visitors cannot be guaranteed if they drift away from guided tours. Tourists should not have to be cordoned off from some areas within the heart of the capital city. That’s not encouraging. While the economy is currently facing serious challenges, an investment in ecotourism would make sense. It would in some way buttress the sliding prices and low production rates currently being experienced. The development of a viable tourism industry in Guyana requires strong partnerships with the private sector and the resolute support of the public. It is a multibilliondollar industry and one that Guyana could really benefit from financially. It would have the added spin-off of ensuring that the country’s flora and fauna are well protected while adding jobs to a number of areas with very high unemployment. Tourism could become a stabilizing force to the economy. These are exciting times for the tourist industry, but the government must create the infrastructure to enhance it. It would be an important start in diversifying the economy and motivating the citizens to fight crime to make Guyana a safe and an eye-catching destination for tourists. We must be prepared to undertake the serious planning and hard work required to attract tourism. There is great potential for the country, but those in authority, especially the Ministry of Business, must be proactive and lead the way to make Guyana a viable destination for tourists.

Thursday February 09, 2017

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

Retail trade is now in a death spiral DEAR EDITOR, Mayor Chase-Green’s outrageous comment that she has the support of the business community on the parking meter project should be forcefully condemned by the private sector of Guyana. I would recommend that the Mayor step outside her ivory tower for a few minutes and stroll down Reg e n t S t r e e t o r Wa t e r Street and witness firsthand the destruction of commercial activity in the heart of the city. And for good effect she should ask our hands-off President to accompany her on her foray. T here is no need to commission a feasibility study or for businesses to do an audit. The Mayor ’s parking meters have emptied the streets of cars, and of customers. Retail trade is now in a death spiral and by logical extension, so is the city itself. So, the twenty or so staff that the Mayor is proud of hiring for the parking meter exercise would be dwarfed by

the hundreds that could be laid off in the weeks and months ahead. The order the mayor and her people have imposed on Georgetown is the order of the cemetery, and she would have earned the singular distinction of being the Mayor to have presided over the death of the capital city, and indeed the economy of Guyana. And for the Mayor to blithely state that only the well-to-do are against the parking meters is a hideous lie. In fact, quite the converse holds true. It is the average middleclass worker who suffers the most under this parking meter regimen. How can an employee devote over 25% of their takehome salary to parking? The Mayor and City Council have done what no political party has been able to do unite Guyanese of all races and beliefs on one issue. The boycott of the parking meters has been spontaneous, immediate and cohe-

sive. And miraculously, it has been achieved without any central guiding hand or directives from a committee. Rather, it has been the invisible hand of market forces at work as Adam Smith so eloquently elucidated a few centuries ago. The politicians have been largely driven off the field in this exercise, even though City Hall, in their limited, Manichaean world view would prefer to console themselves with the lie that the resistance to the parking meters is a PPP-driven exercise. The President, true to form, has been his cold, indifferent self. The PPP has tried to cash in on this gift from the government but their clumsy efforts are transparent to all. And the matter has not been helped by the blisteringly out-of-touch remarks of Mr Rohee. The private sector leaders seem distant and unengaged. The only politicians who have stood out have been those city councillors in opposition to this nefarious

scheme, in particular the Deputy Mayor and his future replacement. Which begs the larger question, are the views of these fine gentlemen in consort with those of their political party? Certainly not, if one is to judge from the comments of their newly anointed leader. Today, Thursday there will be another silent protest, and I call on the people of Guyana to come out and show their support, including all those who are burdened by house payments, car payments, the rising cost of living and now this latest atrocity coming down the pipeline. I make a special appeal to the business owners, especially those who are experts at complaining within their friendly confines but were glaringly absent at last week’s protests. Do not be intimidated by the presence of the Mayor and Town Clerk. Show the Mayor exactly how much support she has. City Businessman

Guyanese people are way past this nonsense DEAR EDITOR, Like a medieval queen, Her Worship the Mayor has issued her decree from up high in the form of a letter to Monday’s Kaiteur News. Parking Meters Will Stay!!! Madam Mayor, get with the programme. The five hundred plus people you saw protesting on Friday don’t care about who belongs to the PPP or to APNU. We are way past that old time nonsense. Regardless of our political beliefs we share the same views about corruption accountability of elected officials and transparency. Read our collective lips ”We don’t care about

party politics when it comes to the meters”. Stop worrying about who is “high class”, “middle class” or “low class” and start worrying about what our Ministry of Finance said about your meter project in their review report: 1 ”The findings of the review underpin a call for a reconsideration of the feasibility and hence the viability of the project(s) of the MCCCG to provide quality service to the citizens and businesses of Georgetown and its environs and to the Nation as a whole” 2 ”Overall the team has concluded that subject to legal implications, there are

grounds for the contract to be withdrawn” 3 ”Re-tender (assuming that it was done before and includes provision for funding by the tenderers), for bidding in the six zones with Georgetown, separately, so as to allow for greater competition.” This same report finds that Smart City Solutions, in their dealings with the Mayor, adopted what they term as a “rogue approach to exploit the “apparent ignorance”of M&CC [CG] business and financial analyses competencies.” Madam, when you see the empty parking spaces on your streets, you are seeing

what the public truly thinks about your project. Those empty spaces are not the doing of any movement against parking meters. These are the spontaneous reaction of a citizenry who cannot afford your draconian fees who don’t like to be bullied and who sense that something is amiss with your dealings with Smart City Solutions. I note that you refer to the “new era of council democracy”. Given the heavy handed manner in which you are dealing with the response to your meter programme, your use of this phrase is indeed ironic. Marcel Gaskin

Former Chief Parliamentary Counsel corrects Donald Ramotar DEAR EDITOR, A letter to the another newspaper dated Saturday, 4th February 2017, by Former President Donald Ramotar wrongly lists me as a victim, the import of which I believe, is that I was forced to resign from the post of Chief Parliamentary Counsel. This is a falsehood to which I cannot acquiesce. I was working on a contract of three and a half years but after just over a year I decided that I should heed the advice of my doctors and cease ac-

tive duties. So I tendered my resignation which took effect from 1st January 2017. I consider it a moral duty to society to correct the falsehood which time and its nonrefutation could lead to the belief that it is true, and this would be most undesirable. It is wrong to cast blame on an individual where that individual’s action has been nothing but honourable and just. I was never victimized in my fifty years as a law officer. I owe gratitude to the

present Attorney General for his kindness; he was considerate and appreciative of my effort and was a source of encouragement. I take this opportunity to thank every Administration that afforded me the opportunity to serve Guyana for thirty three years as Chief Parliamentary Counsel to seven of the eight Attorneys General, all of whom approved of my work and to whom I am deeply indebted for the learning acquired from them.

I thank the officers of the Ministries and Departments of Government especially those of the Ministry of Legal Affairs for their co-operation and assistance without which my goals as a draftsman could not have been achieved. It was a pleasure serving as Chief Parliamentary Counsel having learnt so much from so many for so long. Cecil Dhurjon, C.C.H., A.A., S.C. Attorney-at-Law

Thursday February 09, 2017

Ministry of Natural Resources to embark on sensitization campaign DEAR EDITOR, We have noted your editorial entitled ‘ExxonMobil developments’ dated February 6, and we hereby clarify some of the points made and questions asked. The invitation to media houses to the high level briefing of senior government functionaries on Wednesday February 1, 2017 at the Georgetown Marriott was not sent out by the Ministry of Natural Resources. There is nothing unusual about the media being asked to leave following the welcoming and opening remarks of an event. ExxonMobil was briefing the government and other members of parliament on their activities leading to oil production. It was not intended to be a public event. There will be wider public briefings and consultations over the coming weeks. ExxonMobil indicated to the media at the briefing in question that subsequent media briefings will be conducted as was done in the past. It is unfortunate that the Editor chose to use the word ‘trite’ to describe remarks of Minister Raphael GC Trotman, who uses every opportunity he can to give to the Guyanese people a measured overview of where the country is in its preparation for oil and gas. To write those comments off as trite suggests that there is no value in the updates that

the Minister or ministry may give. We value the media as an important stakeholder in all of the ministry’s work and it is for this reason that the ministry through its Public Affairs and Communications Unit is always a phone call, an email, or even a WhatsApp or SMS message away. Inquiries which cannot be answered immediately are always acknowledged and a response given when available. This is a fact to which your reporters can attest. Onshore supply base - Government has signaled that it has given its no-objection to the establishment of an onshore supplies base to be located in the area of Crab Island in the Berbice River and to be established through the joint efforts of the Ministries of Natural Resources, Public Infrastructure and Business. Based on our technical advice, the location chosen was the most optimal, taking into consideration all of the relevant factors. These include available land space, availability of skills, and location to offshore oil fields including those in the Stabroek Block. We see no need for the speculation as to why ExxonMobil is not an investor in the facility or the perceived transportation difficulties regarding the chosen location. Continued on page 6

We should work together on issues of national importance DEAR EDITOR, I applaud and fully support KN in its stand against divisiveness in its Editorial “Tire of acrimony and divisiveness” (KN, 7th February 2017). Although I live abroad in the UK, I (like so many other Guyanese living abroad) feel this acrimony and divisiveness impacting on my life as well. It makes me angry the way some politicians are behaving towards each other. Granted

we all have our differing opinions and philosophies. But, this should not deter us from working together on issues of National Importance, co-operating for the national good. By co-operating we will be learning to work with each other building mutual trust, mutual understanding and mutual respect as opposed to opposing just for the sake of opposing. It is time to heal the Guyanese Nation. Sean Ori

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What is it that makes humans so servile? DEAR EDITOR, The saying ‘fear is the key’ had to be coined from empirical knowledge I guess. I once read an article by Ian McDonald where he said that during the reign of King Louis XIV the king and a courtier were playing a game of chess. There was disagreement and a heated argument, and the onlookers were frozen in silence, horrified. Then an old and trusted member turned up and the king requested his opinion; without even looking at the chess board he said to the king, “You are wrong, Your Majesty”. “How can you tell?” responded the furious king. “If you were right,” replied the man, “these frightened men around you would have been only too eager to tell you so”. This anecdote is a familiar one which I’m sure many have experienced some time or the other. This is the behaviour of creepy sycophants whom most men in authority like to have around them. What is it that makes men so servile, so they blindly and shamelessly

commit beastly acts against their fellow man which in their heart they know to be wrong and not in harmony with their conscience? Are men by nature that weak? The answer is not hard to grasp, as we see it in our daily perambulations and interactions with fellow men. The more humble, cordial and benevolent one is, the more he is likely to be disregarded and dismissed as a simpleton, who can be played for a fool. Over time I have come to the opinion that ruthless men and dictators are of two types: the bullies who are spooky cowards – a fact that many of their security cover have attested to in confidence; while the other type is the calculating, cold and heartless psychopaths like Adolph Hitler. History is overflowing with stories where men in power have instilled such fear in others as to make them petrified so they do the weirdest and strangest things. There is no denying that fear has been man’s greatest enemy. Napoleon is smack on

target when he said there are two levers for moving men: “fear and interest”. There is a story about Joseph Stalin who once misplaced his pipe and called up his Commissioner of Police and ordered him to find the culprit who stole it. A little later he found it in his boot, called back the Commissioner and told him to forget it. “But Comrade Leader I have 15 comrades who have all confessed to stealing it,” responded the Commissioner. A woman sits in a ferryboat crossing the Demerara River, the engine cuts out as a ship is approaching; while slowly the boat starts drifting towards the ship, the woman becomes hysterical and attempts to leap into the river without a thought that she can’t swim, but was restrained an irrational act caused by fear. Invariably fear is what causes autocratic rulers to become paranoid, perceive all kinds of threats to their throne, real or imagined, and so carry out all forms of cruel

acts and executions. It is not only weakness but absolute fear which accounts for most people, according to columnist Ian McDonald, “consider[ing] it dangerous to confront all powerful authority and lack[ing] the bravery and staunchness of spirit to stand up for what is right against the great weight of a different opinion.”Fear is indeed the key. On the opening night of a play glorifying Stalin, showering credit on him for every great thing ever done, the playwright sat tense, his eyes fixed on the Comrade Leader. It was only at the end of the play when the dictator stood up with a broad smile on his face that the playwright breathed a sigh of relief and managed to force a smile. That’s fear at work. But I think that the worst fear is that caused to children, which many of us adults and parents are champions at. A most terrible sight is watching a frightened child shaking, because of the dread we put in Continued on page 6

Tracing the evolution of the parking meter fiasco DEAR EDITOR, On September 21, 2016 the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan wrote to Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, two of the things he said are of utmost importance: (1) “I write to inform you that your interpretation of the roles of officers does not coincide with the letter and spirit of the laws which govern such matters. As you are aware, central government has a policy of non-interference with the workings of local democratic organs, however, central government reserves the right to intervene whenever and wherever there is clear violation of the law.” (2) “Section 8A of the Municipal and District Council’s (Amendment) Act of 2013, clearly sets out and states the general duties of city councillors. The section repeatedly makes clear that the elected council is supreme; the Town Clerk is but an administrator,

like any other administrative officer, hired to carry out the directives of the council. For example, Section 8A (g) states that one of the duties of the council is to, ‘ensure that the municipality is managed in a professional and competent manner by a qualified Town Clerk.’ Obviously, therefore, it is expected that the council shall hire, manage and oversee the actions of a competent Town Clerk, as it would any other hired officer. The Municipal and District Councils Act Cap 28:01 also defines the roles of officers of the municipality. Section 77 (1) states that the Town Clerk is an administrative officer not an executive official and part 1 of the 6th Schedule of the Act lists his duties. Clearly, therefore, the authority of the Town Clerk is derived from the decisions of the council. As such, he may perform duties only assigned to him

by law and be directed by the decisions of the council. Evidently, the law does not contemplate any scenario in which the Town Clerk makes an order with regard to the management of the municipality in the absence of an order from the council. Further, it is unthinkable that the Town Clerk may make such an order without the knowledge of the council and after doing so inform the council of his own decision. To do so would be to exceed his authority and usurp the mandate of the council.” (end of quote) The advent of the Parking Meter Contract before the Mayor and Councillors of Georgetown occurred on Monday, May 6, 2016. According to Agenda Item #2 of the Statutory Minutes (Opening Remarks by Her Worship the Mayor of Georgetown) the section quotes: “Her worship made mention that on Friday 13th, May 2016 council will conclude the signing

of the contract for the parking meter system” Before this time the Council was unaware that a contract was already negotiated. The new Council took the oath of Office April 1, 2016. The next occasion the Council heard about the parking meter contract was on Monday, May 23, 2016. The Statutory Minutes records the Mayor under ‘Opening Remarks by Her Worship, The Mayor’, and states, “The Smart City Solution Inc. is proceeding with the work. In addition, the Mayor and representatives of the Mayor and City Council have been invited to observe the methods used by the agency in the area of it operation overseas. The invitation was accepted by the Mayor.” The Continued on page 6

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Thursday February 09, 2017

GuySuco needs to provide answers on this type of cane DEAR EDITOR, Each day passes with revelations that are progressively leaning towards the closure of GuySuCoO despite the President’s outreach for ideas to mitigate such an event. An event that will create enormous economic burden on the approximately 25,000 individuals that will directly be displaced within the industry, not to mention about 75000 that are closely related to the industry within ancillaries. In an article in the Kaieteur News dated January 22nd 2017 and captioned, “Using ethanol to mitigate the state’s fuel costs could kill the rum industry” there was no mention by the reporter of any new measures, creative solutions, vision, restructuring that was introduced by the team that Minister Holder put in place. Some are of the view that it was this same team that may have led sugar into the crisis in the first place.

It was also reported that GuySuCo’s CEO, Errol Hanoman, said that the production of ethanol, “would kill the local rum industry which remains heavily dependent on molasses provided by GuySuCo”. In my opinion and I stand to be corrected, this statement is erroneous and signifies a lack of understanding of the process involved in making ethanol within the industry. It also signifies that there is a lack of understanding of his relative responsibility with regards his position as CEO of GuySuCo. Specifically his main concern and efforts should be about saving GuySuCo and saving sugar and not be concerned about the rum industry. That is the purview of another company and another CEO’s responsibility. In fact the rum industry is dependent on the saving of sugar. To pronounce that the production of ethanol may kill

Ministry of Natural Resources... From page 5 We reiterate that oil companies do not, as a matter of practice, invest in logistics bases and we invite your newspaper and any other interested Guyanese to verify this by conducting research on international best practices. While we recognize Mr Jagdeo’s right to seek clarity and ask questions as a Guyanese, we again state that his comments about the onshore supply base project being “pie in the sky” were ill advised. As stated previously, it is our informed position that the supply base is a needed facility for the burgeoning oil and gas sector and should be established sooner rather than later. The Government of Guyana has been careful in the consideration of the project and will ensure the people of Guyana receive value for money and that the project pays ‘dividends’ over its lifetime. Undoubtedly, the cost of having the facility is far less than the cost of not having it in place. It is expected that such a facility will optimize the opportunities for the country

in its quest to be successful in its oil and gas exploration and production. Private parties have already indicated strong interest in being a part of the project and to this end, interviews with a significant number of both local and international interested parties were held at the end of October and early November, 2016. The Ministry of Natural Resources will in the coming months make public the proposed financial and public private partnership arrangements for the facility. The Ministry of Natural Resources will be embarking on a countrywide programme of sensitization and public engagement on this and other matters related to the development of the oil and gas industry, as well as other natural resources. We encourage everyone to remain vigilant and informed and to avoid political mis-directions that can hamper the effective development of this opportunity for Guyanese. N Johann Earle Public Affairs and Communications Officer Ministry of Natural Resources

the rum industry is as good as saying that closure of GuySuCo will kill the rum industry. Where is the molasses for the rum industry going to come from if the industry is closed? Maybe the CEO can tell us. Is this then going to be an argument to actually keep sugar alive? So what would happen to the rum industry if the sugar industry is made to fail, if it’s not allowed to produce ethanol? What would happen to the workers in the rum industry not to forget this is another major foreign exchange earner? Ethanol can be made from cane juice in which case there is no molasses. Or it can go all the way to sugar and so the molasses is obtained and the sugar can be used to produce the ethanol. Here again correct me if I am wrong. In this way some factories may cut the process at the juice level while others may go all the way to sugar then ethanol. In this way the CEO’s concern for the rum industry would be taken care of. In addition the spent waste from the production of

ethanol can be utilized to fertilise the cane plants saving on the use of fertilizers. I do hope I have taken care of the concern that the CEO has for the rum industry and sincerely hope this concern extends to the 75 thousands that would be affected by the closure of sugar and the shortage of foreign exchange that would also result. On the 1st day of October, 2016 Stabroek News published a letter written by me, captioned “Is there a third variety of sugar”. The response, on the 15th of October and captioned “third variety of sugar” by the PR Officer comprised three lines and I quote “With reference to a letter published in your newspapers on 1 October, 2016 by Mr. Rajendra Bissessar, titled: `Is there a third variety of sugar?’ The Corporation wishes to state that this matter has been addressed extensively over the years both in the public domain and otherwise.” I was a bit flabbergasted. No answers to my questions. Does GUYSUCO expect the taxpayers of this country to do extensive research without even pointing out where such responses

What is it that makes humans... From page 5 them in them for various reasons, especially when we are ‘teaching’ them, and becoming impatient and irritable because they are just not getting some concept which in our judgement is easy. And I stand guilty of this, having at one time become so riled up that my daughter wasn’t responding correctly to what I considered was very simple, I raised my voice and couldn’t see that she was scared and no longer thinking. But then I calmed down and gave her the answer, after which she said to me: “I wanted to say that but I was afraid if I was wrong you would have slapped me.” Believe me, I never forgot that. As a child, I was a victim of such ‘teaching’ and it scared the hell out of me, yet I made the same mistake as an adult without realising it. Freddie Kissoon once quoted from a book by Jai

Narine Singh: “I witnessed Burnham changing Guyana’s constitution as if it were a scrap piece of paper, putting himself in the most omnipotent position…He used his power so shamelessly that it ruined the prestige of the legislature, the judiciary and destroyed the economy. I stood by and felt my blood curdle as I was very closely associated with Burnham…” But what did Jai Narine Singh do? He wrote a book when he was safe and sound, and there were others like him. It is like a new leader at the helm who now has all the power narrating an unending list of atrocities committed by his predecessor. Then a voice shouts from the audience, “and where were you all the time?” The leader looks around and menacingly asks, “Who said that?” No one responds, and the leader says, “That is why all those things were done.” Frank Fyffe

have been published? One would have expected some information on the issues raised. I asked about a new variety of cane which according to information was introduced at Skeldon and now I have a name (CO86032) a variety that was brought to Guyana with the consent of the Indian Government and introduced at Skeldon Estate. And to help I have copied this from the net, “Out of commercial varieties, Co 86032 and Co 86249 are becoming the most popular varieties in tropical cane growing states of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat”. My information if correct indicates over 40 tons an acres sucrose content of 25% compared to 17% for varieties

mentioned in the COI. Mr. Errol Hanoman and Mr. Bhim do you know of this variety? I need answers; the sugar workers need answers; the people of this country need answers. I am still hoping that the CEO would be able to supply real answers. I personally mentioned this to the Chairman of the Sugar COI, to Professor Clive Thomas and to the Minister of Agriculture. This is not about politics and political parties. It’s about Guyana. I am calling on the people of this country to demand answers. I am calling on Komal Chand whose voice seems to have been rendered silent, to join me in demanding answers. Rajendra Bisessar

Tracing the evolution of... From page 5 public would notice that this Contract was never brought to the full Council post April 1, 2016 as a proposal for debate and approval. The argument has been that the Contract was entered into before the life of this new Council and as such was binding on the Council. While in Mexico to look at the parking meter company, the Town Clerk issued a press statement, carried in Kaieteur News (June 17, 2018), “King stated that in 2015, the Council signed on to the contract and gave the green light to Cush and his representatives to work with the Council in this area of its responsibility. “The incumbent Council allowed for intense debate and deliberation on the matter; the process of selecting the proposals was both transparent and fair.” However, the year given for the signing of the contract does not reconcile with the finding of the Review of the parking meter contract by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Legal Affairs, which states that the contract was signed on May 13, 2016, and hence within the life of the new Council, but outside its purview and authority. When the team returned from the Mexico trip, a press conference was held. In the course of that press conference, as captured by a post on the Mayor and City Council Facebook Page, Monday, June 20, 2016, the Mayor stated, “We took a deliberate decision not to share the con-

tract because we wanted to secure investment.” This is because of bad experiences with sharing contracts, proposals and initiatives, only to have them taken away from the Council”. The Mayor unilaterally took the step to deliberately not share the contract which is the business of the people of Georgetown through their elected Councillors. I reflect again on Minister Bulkan’s words; in particular, “the elected council is supreme; the Town Clerk is but an administrator, like any other administrative officer, hired to carry out the directives of the council”, and “central government reserves the right to intervene whenever and wherever there is clear violation of the law”. Where is the directive from the Council to the Town Clerk to enter into this contract? (Note, under Chapter 28:01, Section 66, “A council shall cause to be kept a record of the proceedings of all its meetings…shall be received in evidence in legal proceedings without further proof.”) And under whose order was the Town Clerk allowed to single source this contract? (Note as well the Ministry of Finance Review stated if under the arrangements the Tender and Procurement procedures were breached it was enough for Government to withdraw the contract.) Sherod Avery Duncan, LLB, JP. Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Georgetown

Thursday February 09, 2017

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With no new board in place…

Forensic audit report reveals…

Radio licence matter GO-Invest opened itself to rampant abuse by businessmen hangs in limbo After the appointment of a new board in September 2015, the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) has not made any meaningful step forward regarding the revocation of radio licences that were awarded under the Jagdeo regime. In fact, the Board which was led by AFC Member, Leonard Craig, earned nothing but harsh criticisms to the effect that it is, and continues to be, the most unproductive of the boards under the APNU+AFC administration. In addition to this, the board has done absolutely nothing of consequence since it was installed. The Authority is actually months late on a promised implementation of new regulations that were to bring order to the Broadcasting sector. Those regulations were supposed to force broadcasters who are holding “illegal” licences granted to them by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, to surrender their licences and to reapply under a new structure which was supposed to be free from any form of corruption or nepotism. With the GNBA being without a board since last year December, the matter of the radio licences now hangs in limbo. Last month, Prime Minister and First Vice President, Moses Nagamootoo told this newspaper that he was receiving advice on the reconstitution of the board of directors for the GNBA. Nagamootoo said that he is in the process of consult-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo ing on new names, but they would have to be taken to Cabinet for approval. Until such time, Nagamootoo said that the Authority is well equipped with a competent Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Prudence Lewis-Bhola. The Prime Minister reminded that Dr. Lewis-Bhola has a doctorate in Transformational Leadership along with a Bachelor of Laws and a Social Sciences Degree in Communication from the University of Guyana. He said that it is his understanding that Dr. LewisBhola is convinced that there is much to be done at this time and is eager to make a positive contribution to the Authority and the broadcast sector as a whole. “Keenly aware of the issues and challenges of the local broadcast landscape, she is optimistic that much can be achieved from meaningful engagement and collaboration with all stakeholders in the broadcast industry.” “The CEO plans to be proactive and diligent in her ef-

forts to execute the GNBA’s statutory mandate. She has already commenced strategic planning sessions with GNBA’s senior management team and hopes to lead a series of consultative sessions with broadcast operators.” Nagamootoo added, “So while the GNBA may be without a Chairman, there is a competent CEO in place. And in between the functioning of a board, the CEO would have to take those operational measures that are in the interest of the Authority. “As CEO she can take operational measures to ensure basic functions are carried out, but let me make it clear that I have not forgotten about the authority. Moves are being taken on the names for the board and the names have to be given cabinet’s approval.” To date, there has been no update on the appointment of a new board or the way forward on the issue of the radio licences; an issue that was deemed by GNBA and Nagamootoo, to be “unjust, indecent and illegal.”

Gunmen snatch $4M, firearm from flour distributor Gunmen yesterday afternoon relieved 45-year-old Rudolph Dyal of Station Street, Kitty of $4M in cash and a loaded firearm. According to Dyal, who is a flour distributor employed with NAMILCO, he had just returned from a delivery on the East Coast of Demerara, around 5pm, when he was cornered by four men in a car. Dyal said that he was carrying two bags - one containing his laptop and the other had the cash. He said as he was walking along Station Street, a car suddenly stopped immediately in front of him. “Three of the car doors open and I see the one man at the front passenger seat pointing an AK-47 at me.” Dyal said that he also saw from the corner of his eye, two other men seated at the back

pointing what he believes were 9mm pistols. A traumatized Dyal said that one of the gunmen that was seated at the back exited the car, while the one with the AK-47 had his weapon trained on him throughout. “When he come out the car he snatch the laptop bag, then the one at the front said tek the other bag.” Dyal said that all this time he knew he had his weapon and he thought that they would not have taken it, but to his surprise the AK-47 bandit who seemed to be the leader requested that his accomplice ‘pat him down’. After relieving him of the weapon, the bandit rejoined the others and the vehicle sped away. Dyal reflected that he was lucky to be alive and throughout the ordeal, that seemed as

if it took forever, he was thinking about his wife and his children. Dyal said that although he was armed it would have been unwise to attempt to defend himself when he saw the weapons that the men possessed. Police have launched an investigation and were trying to source CCTV footage from nearby cameras. (Brushell Blackman)

Poor management systems, unsavoury practices and failure to perform annual reviews of Investment Agreements are just a few of the reasons that contributed to the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) leaving itself wide open for internal as well as external forms of abuse. In fact, forensic auditors of Nigel Hinds Financial Services discovered that in several instances, some businessmen used GO-Invest to obtain incentives and tax breaks on certain products, only to keep them for their personal use. This worrying dilemma was documented in the forensic auditors’ report on GO-Invest. In their report, the auditors said that the entity is a conduit for corporations and other businesses to obtain tax concessions. “However, there is evidence that despite the fact that concessions were granted to many investors, little or no business activity related to the Investment Agreement took place,” expressed the auditors. They added, “In some instances, GO-Invest was used by businessmen as an opportunity to obtain products without paying import duty and other taxes, then reselling the goods or keeping them for personal use.” Also contributing to the abuse, GO-Invest opened itself to the fact that its system for filing was in an inexcusable state. In this regard, the auditors said that the unsatisfactory state of the filing system at GOInvest contributed greatly to the inability of management to provide timely and accurate information regarding the operations of GOInvest. In many instances, the auditors said that documents placed in an investor’s file were not bound, resulting in missing documents. The auditors said that in some instances, files examined were not properly indexed, so there is no way of knowing what should actually be in the file. It was noted that the movement of files were not always documented, thus making it difficult to locate files in a timely manner. At the time of its report, the auditors said that files for Zhonghao Shipyards Inc. and Atlantic Network Inc., could not be found by officers of GO-Invest. The forensic auditors also criticized the lax manner in which GO-Invest treated investment agreements for some businessmen. The auditors said that in many instances, files examined had un-dated draft Investment Agreements, which undermined the integrity

Former GO-Invest CEO, Keith Burrowes of the documentation process for a key area of GO-Invest responsibilities. The forensic auditors said that this opened the verification and review process to opportunities for forgery and undermined the use of an audit trail. The auditors said that there was no indication that Go-Invest complied with Section 41 of the 2004 Investment Act which requires annual recommendation to the government for alteration to the regime of fiscal incentives as detailed in Section 2 of the Income Tax in Aid of Industry Act of 1994. Additionally, the auditors said that the Investment Act of 2004 made the Guyana Office for Investment, the primary investment agency in Guyana. The auditors said that it is unfortunate however that GO-Invest does not have a comprehensive database of investments made in Guyana. In this regard, they made reference to the fact that Kaieteur News carried an article where the former CEO of GO-Invest Keith Burrowes admitted that “Go-Invest can only account for 10% of the investments made in the country”. Also, the auditors said that the management of GO-Invest acknowledged that some investment agreements falling within their range of investments for consideration were done directly by the Office of the President.

British Advisor confident of SOCU's ability... From page 2 capacity to handle these high-ranked cases, Dr. Sittlington admitted that the unit lacks manpower. However, he noted that it has the skills required to operate. “It is a matter of prioritising and gathering what they need. One of the good things is that we have inhouse lawyers; the special prosecutors assisting with cases.

So there would be a lot better direction in terms of what they need for court. There is also a forensic accountant attached to the unit as well,” Dr Sittlington said. Dr Sittlington's advisory role to the SOCU is being facilitated by the British High Commission, and he will be in Guyana until February 2018, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan had explained at a press conference hosted earlier this month.

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Thursday February 09, 2017

Kaieteur News

Detective testifies to detaining Public Infrastructure Ministry crafting accused for 2012 D’Urban St murder database to monitor contractors’ performance – Patterson

Police Detective, Prem Narine yesterday told the court that he had cautioned and arrested murder accused Roy Yokum called “Ray Ray” on May 8, 2012 in relation to the robbery and death of gold miner, Glen Xavier. The detective was called to the stand, where he gave details of the arrest of the number three accused in the murder of the businessman and miner. Fizal Moore called “Hard Mouth’, Stephan Campbell called “Burnham”; and Roy Yokum called “Ray Ray” were accused of murdering Xavier at Corn Bread Minimart at D’ Urban Street, Werk-en-Rust, on May 8, 2012. Xavier is said to have been killed in the furtherance of a robbery. He died as a result of gunshot injuries. The three men are facing a trial before Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed 12-member jury at the Georgetown High Court. The case is presented by State Prosecutors, Siand Dhurjon and Tuanna Hardy.’ The accused are represented by a team of lawyers including Trenton Lake, George Thomas, Peter Hugh and Maxwell McKay Yesterday, Officer Narine was called to the stand by the

State Attorney Dhurjon. In his evidence, the witness stated that on March 8, 2012 he acted on information and arrested Roy Yokum called ‘Ray Ray,” in the vicinity of Orange Walk, Bourda. The detective said that he knew Yokum, because he was known to the police since he (Yokum ) had a few run-ins with the law. The policeman said that he cautioned the accused and put the allegation of murder to him before he was arrested. Narine explained that the suspect was placed in a police car and taken to the Criminal Investigations Department,(CID) at Eve Leary, where he gave a statement. While at the CID, the witness told the court, the allegation of murder was again put to the accused, he was also cautioned in accordance with the judge’s rules before he agreed to give the statement to Detective Rodwell Sarrabo. The witness said that during the taking of statement, Yokum said that he went on the robbery but he never killed anyone. The witness said that the statement was freely and voluntarily given. On Tuesday, Sarrabo tes-

tified that the accused, Stephan Campbell had supplied investigators with a caution statement in which he told them that he had been on a robbery with his partners, but he never shot anyone. Detective Sarrabo returned to the stand and read the caution statement procured from Stephan Campbell. According to the statement, Campbell told detectives of a robbery plot. In the statement, Campbell noted that he and his friends travelled on motorcycles to commit the act. He said during the process of the robbery, ‘Hard Mouth’ (Fizal Moore) whipped out a gun and shot the man (Xavier). “I didn’t kill da man, me and ‘Hard Mouth’ go pun the wuk…I didn’t know that ‘Hard Mouth’ woulda shoot the man.” The accused also told police that ‘Hard Mouth’ got $90,000 and a cell phone from the robbery, but didn’t give him any of the loot. Sarrabo later faced questions from the team of lawyers on the defence team, but he maintained that all the necessary protocols were observed and the accused gave his statement freely and voluntarily.

Sophia woman raped at gunpoint A 24-year-old woman was raped at gunpoint around 23:15 hrs on Tuesday while walking through an alleyway in Sophia. The victim had just come off from work and was heading home when a man on bicycle approached her with a gun and demanded that she remained quiet. A police source who is familiar with the investigation said that the woman was hysterical when she went to the station to report the incident.

According to the source, the woman said that after leaving work, she took a bus and stopped off at Joe Singh Drive. “She said she was walking through this alleyway when a chubby, dark-skinned man on bicycle confronted her with a gun,” the source said. Reports are that the suspect tied a cloth around the victim’s face and demanded that she perform oral sex on him after which he raped her.

“She said that she throw her phone in the grass so that he wouldn’t see it.” Kaieteur News was told that after raping the woman, the suspect picked up his bicycle and rode away. The victim then ran further up the alleyway where she saw a group of young men and alerted them as to what had happened but the suspect had disappeared when the men attempted to locate him. The woman was subsequently taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where a medical examination was done.

NPTAB Head, Berkley Wickham The Ministry of Infrastructure is currently in the process of creating a database which will keep a track record of the number of projects awarded to local projects and their performance with respect to each. According to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, the programme is expected to serve as a mechanism to better inform the process for selecting competent contractors to handle government projects. The move is one which is supported by the head of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, Berkley Wickham. Speaking with this newspaper, Wickham said that it is important for procuring entities to keep a record of the performance of companies with regard to projects awarded. Wickham was asked whether the tender board has a record of the contractors in Guyana, the number of contracts they would have awarded, their progress to date with some, and the performance over the years with previous projects awarded. He said however that this is not the responsibility of tender board, but for the procuring entity. He added, “After all, they are the ones who would be involved in monitoring its progress, while tender board’s role is simply facilitating the process for the contract to be approved.” Wickham was also asked by this newspaper whether the contractor’s years of experience and performance on projects awarded by government entities would be taken into consideration during the

Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson

award of contracts for goods and services. The Tender Board Head noted that the process for selecting the contractors is guided by the evaluators. These evaluators, he said, follow the criteria for the selection of the contractor as stipulated in the tender document of the procuring entity. In the meantime, Wickham emphasized that the Tender Administration Board is satisfied with the progress they have made in arming the system with effective anti-corruption mechanisms. Wickham said that every initiative or intervention undertaken this past year was aimed at changing the long held perception of a tainted public procurement process. He said that the difficulty of this task was never underestimated, but its success is rooted in the need to achieve transparency, accountability, fairness, integrity and efficiency. The NPTAB head said, “We are not there yet, but significant advances have been made. Some of these are; increases in the threshold limits for Regional, Ministerial/ Agency Tender Boards; work in progress in developing debarment procedures; the Bid Protest Committee has been established and is functional; the Public Procurement Commission has been established; and we have been an active participant in the Task Force for the development of the Caricom Public Procurement Regime”. Wickham said that NPTAB has also been working with the Ministry of Business to facilitate the participation of small businesses and women-owned busi-

nesses in the Public Procurement process. Pursuant to Section 17 of the Procurement Act 2003, Wickham said that the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board has been organizing training in public procurement. Wickham emphasised that it is important to note that procurement planning within agencies is a weak area. As such, he vowed that the Procurement planning intervention model will be rolled out countrywide. The NPTAB head said that website improvement will satisfy the statutory requirement of timely posting of advertisements of procurement opportunities as well as awards. This, he said, will also prepare a strategy for the introduction of e-procurement in Guyana. On another note, Wickham said that the existing legislation does not provide for e-procurement. He said that an upcoming legislation review will provide for this. He promised too that a debarment procedure will be fashioned for implementation. The NPTAB Head said, “There will be further training in February 2017 in contract compliance and management. As you can see we have been very busy this past year. In my opinion, we are poised to take procurement out of a long period of stagnation.” Wickham said that moves are being taken to ensure that the Procurement system is elevated onto a pathway where electronic government procurement is the major tool to build a world class procurement process in Guyana.

Thursday February 09, 2017

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Kaieteur News

The AFC is part of the government The AFC must believe that Guyanese were sleeping while it was silent. The AFC has out of the blues called for the parking meter system to be parked. The AFC’s belated call has only come following a public protest by civil society elements against the parking meter system. It came on the very day that Cabinet met and expressed some concern about the burden of the parking meter fees on citizens. The AFC was part of the government which had commissioned two reviews of the parking meter contract. The first review concluded that there was nothing illegal about the parking

meter contract. The second study, done by the Ministry of Finance, opined that the fees would be burdensome. No one bothered to find out how the public felt. The public was never silent on this issue. Voices and words of opposition were expressed from the day this deal became public. The terms of the contract were lambasted in the media. The lack of public consultations was criticized. The fee structure came in for a hammering. The government was asked to intervene. It did not. It allowed City Council to vote on the issue and the Council approved of the deal.

It was public condemnation which caused the parking meter fees to be reduced from the proposed $500 per hour to the present rate of $200 per hour. There are calls now for the rate to be further reduced, but it not feasible for the parking meter company to go any lower. People who lived in certain areas where the meters were to be located complained that the meters would affect them, since many of them parked on the roadside. Was the AFC listening? Taxi drivers were worried about the effect of the meters on them. Did the AFC take them seriously?

Dem boys seh...

Old paper this time, sh** next time When people like stretch dem hand dem does collect all kinds of thing. But that ain’t stop people from stretching dem hand. Things reach de stage when Guyana get a world rating fuh corruption. De people who measure corruption put Guyana near de bottom of de scale. When this announcement come out de first time Jagdeo get vex. He claim how dem have people who trying to mek he government look bad. That is why he stop talking to Chris De Ram, de same Ram who he appoint to be chairman of de Guyana Elections Commission. But everybody use to stretch dem hand. Some of Jagdeo people use to stretch dem hand as soon as somebody win a contract. Dem boys seh that is why dem use to get kok wuk pun all dem road projects. De road build one day and bruck up de next. Up to now people stretching dem hand but de government planning to chop it off. Basil de Willie introduce some laws. One of dem is to protect people who squeal. That is de Whistleblower legislation. Dem got laws fuh anti-money laundering, laws fuh jail people

tek state property, and laws fuh people who don’t pay tax. Things so bad that de British had to come in to help Guyana. That is how dem investigate a rice board and find out that people buy vehicles fuh de board and end up giving dem wife. To show how dangerous things can get fuh some people, de man cut up some old newspaper and put it in some envelope. All de people at a seminar feel nice when de man tell dem that he giving dem a portion of his salary. Dem boys still laughing. De man share out de envelope and being nice people de people at de seminar did not open de envelope right away. Dem didn’t want to show de man that dem deh bad. But dem had to open it some time. Dem didn’t wait till dem meet home. De man tell dem that de lesson is that when dem stretch dem hand dem can get a pile of sh**. That nearly happen to Jagdeo. Dem boys had to beg de person not to do that. Talk half and watch how you stretching you hand.

Man who chopped neighbour over food gets seven years Bhajan Nauth called ‘Boy,’ ‘Lall’ or ‘Corilla’ of Diamond Squatting Area has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the felonious wounding of his neighbour, Hubert Jerry. Nauth was originally charged for wounding the man with the intent to murder him. He pleaded guilty to the lesser offence yesterday after his case was called before Justice Joann Barlow at the Georgetown High Court. According to the indictment, the incident occurred on December 30, 2013. As stated in the facts of the matter, on December 30, 2013, the victim was heading to his Diamond Squatting area residence and found Nauth standing at a fireside nearby, saying that he wanted to kill someone. Jerry told the accused to “rest himself,” and

continued walking on the dam towards his home. However, the victim said as he walked away, he felt something “bore” his side. He then realized the accused had plunged a cutlass into his body. Nauth reportedly pulled the cutlass out of Jerry’s side and the wounded man fell face-first on the ground. The attacker then proceeded to chop Jerry about the body, inflicting wounds to his arms and shoulders. The incident was witnessed by a community policing rank, who arrested the attacker. After he was apprehened, Nauth told the police that he chopped the man because he (Jerry) had thrown away his food from his (Nauth’s) pot. According to the report, the police observed a pot on two stones at the fireside, but there was no food in the pot and no fire be-

neath. Nauth was taken into custody and the cutlass was retrieved. The victim was taken to the hospital for medical attention. When Nauth appeared before Justice Barlow yesterday, he opted to plead to the lesser offence of felonious wounding. He was represented by Attorney Madan Kissoon. Following his guilty plea, the judge calculated a sentence of 10 years in prison for the offence. However, two years and three months were taken off the sentence for the guilty plea and for time Nauth spent in prison, prior to his trial. Hence, he is expected to serve seven years, eight months for the offence. The matter was presented by State Attorneys Shawnette Austin and Tameka Clarke.

The teachers had to negotiate with the parking meter company to be exempted from parking meter charges. Should this not have signaled to the AFC that other workers would be affected? Workers were asking what would happen to them if they had to pay for parking meters all day. Where was the AFC? The AFC is in bed with the government. The AFC is part of the government. If the AFC could not force the government to take action, then what is the use of the AFC in the government? What say does the AFC have in the government? Can it influence things within the government or is it simply tagging along? The government, of which the AFC is a part, had a second chance to park the parking meters. The government was required to approve of the bylaws. Reports in the media indicated that it did. The AFC must now say whether it

called on its partners in the government to not approve the deal. The AFC is afraid that it will lose its support base within the city because of the parking meter system. Civil society is outraged by the parking meters. The AFC has decided that it must now express its reservations. It has done so, but people will ask why did the AFC not use its position within the government to not approve the by-laws? The government itself, in the face of public pressure, is now expressing some reservations. But what good is that now? The horse has already

bolted from the stables. The AFC is now calling for the stable doors to be shut. A contract has been signed between City Hall and the private company which is implementing the parking meter system. There is one last chance for the AFC to show that it has teeth. The government has to gazette the by-laws for parking meters. Let us see if the AFC can force the government to park that decision.

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Thursday February 09, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

The AFC: Much too little, much too late The Alliance For Change has come out against the parking meter implementation in its present form. It wants the current shape of the project to cease. One can only speculate if this is a direct result of the vibes that its leadership picked up at its national conference two weeks ago. If so, it means that the AFC would be trying to salvage its original ontology which propelled it to nation recognition and societal admiration. If this is so, it has come too late It is outside the scope of one column to enumerate the flaws that the AFC deliberately fertilized in its garden to cause the flowers to wilt after it went into power in 2015. These will have to wait for future analyses. For now, I

want to look at one particular weakness which it looks like it has now discovered, thus its parking meter statement. It has to do with its acceptance that as a party in government it has to take a united stance with Cabinet and therefore cannot criticize its partners’ mistakes. This is crude ignorance of what a coalition government is. I now quote from my June 21, 2016 column captioned; “Has the WPA betrayed Rodney, its supporters and itself?” to define the nature of Coalition Government. “Coalition government is seldom solid. What makes coalition rule unsteady is the very nature of it - it is a coalition. Any dictionary will inform you that a coalition regime is a number of differ-

ent organizations that came together with each wanting to use the State, if it wins elections, to implement its ideas and programmes. The most common example of instabilities that characterize coalition governments is Israel. Each party has its own agenda, and to form a government, the larger parties have to make concessions. Some of these parties are theocratic, some strongly anti-Palestinian, some procompromise. Italy once had several governments within each year because the coalition entities could never agree thus they would pull out of the formation and new elections would have to be held. Italy became a joke around the world for the number of governments it would have in each year. One thing is common in coalition administrations – each party must have some of its cores values transmitted into policy. There is no way a coalition would last if one of its units is an environment party and the government refuses to commit itself to climate change. What brings trouble in multi-party regimes is that each of the units fights in government to keep its raison d’etre.”

Again in my August 30, 2016 column titled, “Cabinet Solidarity in Coalition Regimes is Pathetic Nonsense.” I wrote the following; “There is no such thing as cabinet solidarity in coalition regimes because it is a contradiction in terms. How can you say the mango is sweet bad but very bitter? The two cannot be reconciled. Bitter/sweet taste is not a scientific term but a romantic phrase and is popular in literature but has no place in science. Either the milk is good or it has turned. You cannot have turned milk that is good to drink. You cannot have a unitary cabi-

net if there are several parties that make up the government. The loyalty of each party is to country, party and supporters. I am not going to define what a coalition regime is here. What the PNC, AFC and WPA have been doing is to mask their opportunism by telling Guyanese, they cannot speak about this and that because not is not the way Cabinet operates; Ministers have to show solidarity with the Cabinet. That is not only foolish but dishonest.” The analyst is hard pressed to project a scenario for the next three years in which the AFC can recapture

Frederick Kissoon that original ontology and national support it once had. But more importantly, the gargantuan question is; does it have a significant pool of dependent voters as the PNC and PPP do. Sadly, the answer is no.

Businessman accuses GRA of procrastination over compliance …threatens legal action Berbice businessman and contractor, Peter Lewis, of Associated Construction Services, 23 ‘A’ Campbell Street, Hampshire, Corentyne, Berbice, is accusing the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Berbice Branch of procrastination, and of unnecessarily using its authority to spite and deprive persons of earning legally. The businessman through the legal firm, Anamayahs Law Offices, has threatened to take legal actions against the GRA if his tenders are not successful. He is claiming late production of his compliance. In a letter address to the Chairman of the Central Tender Board in Georgetown, Mr. Lewis is stating that he bid for four projects: Upgrading of Farm Access Road at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara; Construction of Timber Bridge at President’s College; Upgrading of Roads at No. 76 Village, Corentyne, Berbice; and Upgrading of Roads at Perseverance, East Bank Demerara. The letter states that the Guyana Revenue Authority has implemented a host of new demand/requirements. Lewis said that Associated Construction Services complied with all of the new stipulations and requirements put forward by the GRA. Yet his company was not granted

a compliance certificate until a legal notice was served on the GRA. The letter stated, “My client was issued with a Certificate of Compliance in July 2016; it expired on December 31, 2016. “In 2017 my client was issued a Certificate of Compliance on the 10th of January, 2017, which expired on the 31st of January, 2017. When he questioned the logic of issuing only a one-month compliance, he was assured that a new compliance would be issued within three working days. The company is contending that there was something fishy, because such action was never taken before, especially for companies that pay all their taxes in full. The company applied for a new Certificate of Compliance on February 1, 2017 and was told to uplift the document on February 3, 2017. “However on the 3rd of February, 2017 at about 15:30 hrs my client’s agent was informed that the Compliance was not ready.” “On Monday the 6th of February, 2017, my client’s agent was belated informed by the operatives of the GRA in New Amsterdam that late payment penalties were outstanding for the years 2014 and 2016, and amounted to $38,977. This they insisted

had to be paid before the Compliance could be issued. This was promptly paid.” However to the company’s surprise at 15:45 hrs, Lewis, the head of the company, was informed that PAYE for December 2016 was outstanding. This was immediately disputed, since the PAYE for December, 2016 was paid on January 23, 2017. A copy of the receipt was duly sent to GRA. However the GRA operatives were adamant that payments were not made, despite Lewis having the record and receipt to show that the PAYE was paid. GRA kept insisting otherwise and maintained and that it needed to verify same. The letter to GRA continued, “As a result of the bureaucratic blundering of the Guyana Revenue Authority and the incompetence of the officers the company was not issued with the requisite Certificate of Compliance, and therefore cannot submit same along with the tender documents through no fault of his.” “In the circumstances, my client is politely requesting that his tender be accepted pending the submission of the Compliance. “My client has instructed me to institute legal proceedings against the Guyana Revenue Authority if his tenders are not accepted. The cost would be to the value of the tenders.” After all the undue delays, a full letter of Compliance was issued by the said GRA office to the Company, hours after the legal document was delivered to the company. The letter was copied to the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Camp Street, Georgetown, Demerara and the Supervisor of the GRA, New Amsterdam Branch.

Thursday February 09, 2017

Kaieteur News

Early screening is key to reducing diabetic retinopathy, says Surgeon

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...as GPHC benefits from training to help address challenge

Technician, Ms. Kelli Wilson (L) and Registered Nurse Elisa Urruchi during yesterday’s training session for GPHC nurses. Globally there are some 370 million people suffering from diabetes. Of this sizeable number many will suffer impaired vision and some will even go completely blind. The cause, according to Retinal Surgeon, John Carter, is diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy, also known as diabetic eye disease, is when damage occurs to the retina due to diabetes. The retina is the third and inner coat of the eye which is a light-sensitive layer of tissue. Dr. Carter, who practices at the Winchester Medical Centre in Virginia, United States, is currently here in Guyana lending support to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to help address the ever increasing eyes concern linked to diabetes. And according to him, during an interview with this publication, screening of all

diabetic patients, with and without symptoms of diabetic retinopathy is the key to addressing this challenge. “The most important thing that we want to do is make sure that all patients who have diabetes have their eyes examined even before they have symptoms. So the best option is that every patient with diabetes has an eye examination as soon as they are diagnosed,” said Dr. Carter. This, however, must be an ongoing process whereby patients are screened on an annual basis even if they do not develop symptoms. “What we are trying to avoid is patients waiting until their vision is bad, because often when their vision is very bad they would suffer vision loss and we can’t get it back. So the treatment is most effective even before the patient notices something is wrong,” explained Dr. Carter. He noted that although

vision loss is preventable, people continue to go blind because they often seek medical attention when cases are far advanced. “We are here to help prevent some of that blindness,” said Dr. Carter as he pointed out that the state of affairs that he has observed here was in fact what he’d anticipated. “There is a large unmet need...I have had the privilege of working with Dr (Shailendra) Surgrim (Head of the GPHC’s Ophthalmology Department) and other colleagues, but the challenge before us is how to keep people from going blind from diabetes. We are examining what is going on and seeing how best to address the tragedy of all these people going blind when they don’t have to,” Dr. Carter asserted. The Surgeon’s visit here comes as part of an Orbis International mission to Guyana.

Dr. John Carter (seated) in the company of (from left) Ophthalmologists Damonie Lamy, Rameeza McDonald and Celestine Hinds. Orbis International is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) involved in Eye Care. Dr. Carter is part of a threemember team including Registered Nurse, Elisa Urruchi, and Technician, Ms. Kelli Wilson, who were yesterday tasked with spearheading a training session for nurses. Dr. Carter on the other hand was yesterday engaged in a training session that catered to Ophthalmologists Celestine Hinds (who practices at GPHC and Suddie Hospitals), Rameeza McDonald (who practices at the Linden Hospital) and Damonie Lamy (who also practices at the GPHC). All ophthalmologists in Guyana were also involved in a weekend workshop on Diabetic Retinopathy which was held February 4 and 5 last at the GPHC. Doctors were updated on the current methods of management of diabetic retinopathy and had refresher

lectures on the basics of diabetic retinopathy. The visiting team is slated to depart Guyana on Saturday but, according to Dr. Carter, he is optimistic that the collaboration between Orbis International and the GPHC will be sustained. Orbis International lends support primarily by training ophthalmologists and nurses via Hospital Based training programmes. In November of last year, Orbis facilitated a first bout of training at the GPHC for two ophthalmologists who were trained to perform laser treatment on diabetic patients. Apart from training ophthalmologists, there was also a week-long training for nurses who underwent a workshop focusing on “Key Nursing Skills to deal with Diabetes and the Eye”. A total of 27 nurses were trained then. Orbis has continually been contributing towards the

strengthening of human resources and has committed to continued training of various eye care professionals, according to Dr. Sugrim. He disclosed that over the past two years Orbis has supported training of a Clinical Director to attend a management course in India; training of one Biomedical Technician on how to deal with eye equipment, and facilitated the attendance of four ophthalmologists to the annual American Academy of Ophthalmology Conference in the US. Dr. Sugrim noted too that the training offered by Orbis comes as part of the Guyana Diabetes Care Project (GDCP) which is a three-year project made possible through the collaboration of Orbis, the World Diabetes Foundation, the University of Toronto, GPHC and Ministry of Public Health. The GDCP came about Continued on page 23

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Teen pregnancy in hinterland regions surpasses national rate – CMO The rate of teenage pregnancy recorded in three regions of the country has been found to be higher than the national recorded rate. This state of affairs was recently amplified by Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud. According to Dr. Persaud, “when you look at Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, the teen fertility rate skyrockets to 6.5 when compared to 2.6 for the overall country”. In fact, the CMO revealed that based on some available statistics, four out of every

100 15-year-olds are pregnant. Added to this, he noted that statistics also show that 16 of every 100 under-19s have already given birth. Even as he noted that several girls were mothers before the age of 21, the CMO considered that “some of them have grandmothers who are just 15 years older than their mothers; so there seems to be a cycle.” It is the expectation of the CMO that the recent national launch of the Adolescent Clinic Day/ Community

Parenting Support Group by the Adolescent Health Unit of the Ministry of Public Health will help to address this prevailing situation. According to Dr. Persaud, 41 percent of teens who become mothers live in homes with mothers alone and about 24 percent of them live with grandparents, while about seven percent live with a father alone. However, some have become pregnant while living with traditional families consisting of both parents. In Guyana, according to

the last census, about 35 percent of the population was under the age of 15 while another 8.9 per cent were between 15 and 19. This suggests that a significant portion of the population is at the critical adolescent age, according to Dr. Persaud, who noted that in most countries, adolescents are a very important part of society. He noted that the risk that teens take multiply as they pass the age whereby they are sheltered by homes. As such, he noted that it can be speculated that when youths enter the stage of primary education their vulnerability increases. “Their sexual debut starts on average at 12, but can be as early as nine years for both boys and girls,” said Dr. Persaud as he disclosed that about 33 per cent of females by the age of 12 would have already had one sexual encounter. This is compounded by the fact that many of these youths also indulge in the abuse of alcohol and tobacco

at an early age. “When we look at their consumption of tobacco and alcohol we find that girls are probably a little better, but 15.5 percent of girls under 19 drink and 2 to 4.7 percent of boys drink regularly...16.7 percent of boys under 19 smoke and 3.8 percent of girls also smoke,” Dr. Persaud disclosed. “We know that our modern Guyanese teens are like any other teens across the world and have access to two cell phones - Digicel and GTT – so they do less in terms of physical activities. Also they eat a lot of food that they like [that is] very sweet and salty foods, foods low in fibre, high in calories, they walk less, they play less, they run around less,” underscored Dr. Persaud, as he noted that this does not augur well for their health on the whole, thus putting then an even greater risk. “Most of us would recall the days when we had to get out and assist the family in our farms with the chickens, even the persons who lived

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud in Georgetown (the capital city) had to help out. All in all this precious group of Guyanese, our adolescents, are under siege not only from their own unguided action, but also from the pressures that exists out there,” said Dr. Persaud, as he stressed the importance of the implementation of programmes to help reverse the prevailing trend.

March 1 deadline set for NICIL/GNIC arbitral award

- Entities in dispute over total rent paid for Lombard Street facility A March 1 deadline has been set for the settlement of the arbitral award between the Government’s holding company, National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) and the Guyana National Industrial Company Incorporated (GNIC) for rent owed, dating back to 2006. The matter was called before Commercial Court Judge, Justice Rishi Persaud yesterday. During the brief hearing, NICIL informed the court that $108 million has been paid to its coffers as part of a settlement. GNIC is contending that it has paid the full amount of whatever rent was owed. Both parties set this sum at $148 million. Attorney-at-law Neil Boston SC is representing GNIC, while Mr. Timothy Jonas is representing NICIL in the matter. Both Attorneys were present yesterday as the court was updated on the course of the settlement. The matter has been adjourned to March 1for a final report on the arbitration. GNIC has been arguing that the amount has been paid in full, while NICIL has been contending that the company still owes $40 million. Its contention and this was announced in court, is that GNIC has so far paid $108 million. Court documents seen by this newspaper revealed that

a $60 million payment was made on February 1. Prior to that, some $48 million was paid to NICIL by the company. The payments are as a result of a court decision made in 2013. GNIC, a company owned by Laparkan and the Guyana National Industrial Company (employees), purchased the assets of the former Guyana National Engineering Corporation (GNEC) and leased Lots 1-12 Lombard Street as part of the privatization of GNEC. NICIL reduced the rent due from GNIC by 50% in 2000 and the sale price of equipment in 1995 by 30%. Despite these concessions, GNIC reportedly failed to honour its obligations to pay under the lease. The matter was forwarded to arbitration in July 2009. The award of $148,860,870 was made by the Court following the arbitration proceedings between NICIL and GNIC for unpaid rent in 2013. The matter dates back to 1995, a period which saw the privatization of Guyana National Engineering Corporation (GNEC). GNIC purchased the moveable assets of GNEC located at the leased lands of Lots 1-12 Lombard Street. GNIC operates the largest wharfing and industrial facilities in Guyana. This facility is involved in ship-building, fabrication of

parts and smelting. On the disbanding of GNEC on May 30, 2002 by vesting order #13 of 2002, NICIL whose Chief Executive Officer (CEO) was Winston Brassington, became the successor of the lease agreement of October 30, 1995 and supplemental deed of lease agreement of January 2002. The term of the lease was for 15 years commencing November 1, 1995. In 2002, NICIL with the consent of the then PPP government via Cabinet, retroactive to 1995, reduced the annual rent to be paid by GNIC from US$1M to $70M and the sale price of equipment by 30 percent. Despite these concessions, GNIC failed to honour its obligations to pay under the lease and the matter was forwarded to arbitration in July 2009. Additionally, the term of the lease expired on November 1, 2010 and NICIL became entitled to possession of the property. In court, lawyers for NICIL underlined that the respondents (GNIC) failed to comply with the said award and paid no part of the sum it was directed to pay, even up to July 2015. As a result Commercial Court Judge, Rishi Persaud, made an order enforcing the arbitration award.

Thursday February 09, 2017

Kaieteur News

PM Skerrit says his government will not be overthrown ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit Wednesday said that his ruling Dominica labour Party (DLP) would not be removed from office unless through the ballot box as he condemned the violence that erupted here on Tuesday night as police used teargas to disperse opposition supporters demanding his resignation. Addressing the 24th annual general meeting of the Agricultural Industrial and Development (AID) Bank, Skerrit, who had earlier toured some of the businesses looted or set on fire by the protestors, said that his silence should never be regarded as a sign of weakness. He told the bankers that the riot organised “clearly by the leadership of the United Workers Party and their associates” had resulted in millions of dollars in losses. “I visited the Muslim store; they set fire to the back of the store and I saw the volume of stock, millions of dollars destroyed. Those that were not damaged by smoke or fire were damaged by water,” Skerrit said. It is incomprehensible as Christian people who go to

church every morning and praise God “would be condoning this action by the United Workers Party (UWP) because of our partisanship…” Skerrit, who was due to address the nation late yesterday on the violence, said that the store owners and others had invested significant amounts of resources into the island. The stores attacked were done so randomly, Skerrit said. He said the acts aimed at toppling his administration by force would never succeed. “I am saying to people in Dominica, that nobody or groups of individuals are going to get out or my government out without going through the ballots. Never take my silence for weakness. I am measured with my approach with life …as the leader of the country let it be known that there should be no actions on the part of individuals of Dominica to overthrow this government. Earlier, Opposition Leader Lennox Linton condemned the “violence and vandalism” in the capital on Tuesday night and denied that the party played any role in getting protestors to set fires and loot several buildings.

“Today we say, the United Workers Party condemns the acts of violence and vandalism that erupted in the streets of Roseau during the evening of February 7, 2017 causing widespread loss and damages to business enterprises and triggering fears for safety and security in a season of heightened tension in our practice of civility,” UWP leader Lennox Linton said in an address posted on his Facebook page. “The leadership of the United Workers Party was being blamed on the grounds that the disorder resulted from a public meeting…earlier in the day calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. He said that the police must also be commended for keeping peace in the capital, “attending to acts of arson…the last one being a fire and a road blockage at Fond Cole” on the outskirts of the capital. The police on Tuesday night fired tear gas to disperse the protestors who had earlier marched to the Financial Center, where the office of the Prime Minister Skerrit is located, demanding his resignation as well as his entire Cabinet.

St Lucia PM Staying Out of Minister’s Nude Photos Scandal CASTRIES, St Lucia,– St Lucia’s Prime Minister Allan Chastanet has refused to be drawn into any controversy regarding investigations involving Minister in the Ministry of Finance Dr Ubaldus Raymond. Raymond landed in the spotlight after nude photos said to be of him and extracts of a WhatsApp conversation that reportedly took place between him and an 18year-old girl, were circulated on social media. The teenager was arrested and charged with blackmailing Raymond on January 13. The minister has not publicly spoken on the matter but issued a statement saying he would “not give in to political operatives who will use the most disgusting tactics in order to malign my name or to scare me into submission”. However, several calls have been made for Raymond to step aside. Pressed by reporters yesterday for his position on the matter, Chastanet made it clear that the Government will not engage in any “hearsay and who-say” and would determine its course of action once investigations are completed. “Once the case is heard

Dr Ubaldus Raymond. and we understand what the facts are, then everybody can jump to whatever conclusion they want based on facts. At this point, all we know is that charges have been brought against a young lady, that there are pictures in circulation and there’s a bunch of hearsay,” he said. The Prime Minister snubbed reports that his Cabinet was divided on the matter, stressing that his ministerial team was powerless to intervene and the investigation should be allowed to run its course. Several local groups,

including the National Students’ Council, have expressed disappointment at the development. In a statement, the organization stressed that St Lucia should demand better examples from its leaders. The council also made a case for Government to offer support to the female student at the centre of the controversy. Former Gender Relations and Health Minister Alvina Reynolds also called on Raymond to step aside, insisting he should be held accountable. (Caribbean360)

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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.

Register Now! Cosmetology, Nails & Wig designs courses, classes commence February 20th 2017. Call: 618-2417

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 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 6972969/646-0966 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:629-4946 or 225-4822 Landscaping: We design, supply and implement residential and commercial indoor & outdoor Landscaping. Call 648-1821 Advertising Production: TV commercials, press advertisements, graphic designs, website designs, www.markchand.com or 6023136 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158

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

Thursday February 09, 2017

Kaieteur News

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 Newly built @ Craig E.B.D land size 91X50feet; house 40X28, 3 rooms, 1 selfcontained. Call: 718-2136496/617-7691

VACANCY 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 Pump attendant – Call: 6240033; Driver for company Call: 680-3863, Accountants Assistant, email CV to laltag@yahoo.com or Whatsapp: 680-3863 Truck drivers for 6x6 TM & Model M trucks. contact 223-5273/4 1 Driver for office in EcclesCall: 233-2745 One fast food supervisor, one dhalpuri maker, one dishwasher. Call: 225-0723 for more information.

Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740/686-3500

1 Stembow Boat & Engine, 200HP Yamaha with Power Steering Kit. $1.6M Negotiable Call 658-5299/ 638-7748

Lot 704 House & Land at Zeelugt, Brother Dam W.C.D. Call: 616-5606/ 277-0281

Grease Rag any amount $200 per lb, white spandex cloth 60" width -$120 per yrd. Call: 266-2700/ 681-9130 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 Nighthawk Motorcycle 750cc -$1,000,000 negotiable, serious enquiries only, excellent condition, used twice in Guyana. Call: 6192902 Honda CBR 929 for sale; also land at Bushy Park, E.B.E – Call: 694-4609 German Shepherd puppies for sale – Call: 682-5664

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122, EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807

Cook & Cashier for snackette, attractive salary. Call: 697-5387/ 677-9279

320i BMW for sale. Call: 6381106

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

1 Hauler, 1 Dump Truck for more information. Call: 6811132

Office staff with 5 CXC subjects, must be computer literate. Also 1 MechanicTel:218-5105

Allion, Premio, Blue Bird, IST, Honda CRV, Toyota Spacio, Fielder Wagon, 212 Carina, RZ & Pitbull bus – Call: 6507501

Glass cases/ metal shelves and photocopy machines for store & offices. Call: 2332725/2439

DRESSMAKING Learn to sew- one step at a time at Debonair Fashion, also dressmaking. Call: 6619945/ 218-1352 or 612-3716

One Nissan Duke, PTT series, lady driven, low mileage, price negotiable. Call: 653-0018/ 666-7748 serious enquiries only.

1 3600 watts generator, 1 30HP motor 3PH, 1 Automatic switch 600A more electrical stuff. Call: 627-7835

Transported property @ Grove/Diamond, 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained, concrete fence, price $14M. Call: 660-1353/ 216-4338

Friendship Public Road (house & land) -$22M, La Parfaite Harmonie (6 bedrooms; brand new house) -$25M. Call:233-3006/ 658-5897/651-1969

WANTED

Ford Raptor-$8.5M, Audi A4$3.5M, BMW 318i-$2.5M, Toyota Ist-$1.9M, Honda S2000 Convertible-$3M. Contact#650-0402

2 -950 Caterpillar front loader, 1 clark ranger skidder, 1 Watkins 6 head molar plain, 1 LT 300 woodmizer saw. Call: 662-2078

Transported Property at Soesdyke -$4M, Acres. Call: 615-3054

VEHICLE FOR SALE

One complete sawmill situated at Yarrowkabra Industrial Site Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. Call: 6441190/ 609-8041

Property @ 28 Johana Cecilia Essequibo Coast, suitable for supermarket, bar etc $12M. Call: 630-4744

FOR SALE/RENT 2 Storey house for sale or rent $15M, rental -$20,000 each flat- Call: 672- 9428/ 684-0036 Ms Ramotar.

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

Over 300 Japanese Vehicle parts (brand new) fuel pump, steering ends, pressure plate, hub, etc -$175,000 – Call: 673-9283 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.

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 FULL TIME WAITER/ WAITRESS TO WORK AT AAGMAN RESTAURANT ON SHERIFF ST. CALL: 219-0158

LAND FOR SALE Land @ Soesdyke, 6 lots measuring 135’X175’ -$24M negotiable. Call: 627-3334/ 696-8935, email:fcranmore@ guyanavoice.com Tuschen front (with fence) $2.8M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.6M, Zeelugt -$2M, Uitvlugt -$2M. Call:642-1252 Greater Georgetown Guyana: 253 DeAndrade St, N/Town, corner lot 0578 acres, 2517.76 sq. ft. - $14M negotiable. Call executrixon: 615-1100 Uitvlugt (100ftX50ft) -$2.5M & $2M, Diamond –$6.5M, Eccles - $4.5M, La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.3M. Call: 2333006/658-5897/651-1969 La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.4M, $1.8M, $2M, Farm-$6M, Uitvlugt -$2M, Diamond $4M, Tuschen School Street -$3M, Herstelling -$5M. Call: 604-6724 La Parfaite Harmonie- 1.4M, $1.8M, $2M, $3.5M, Uitvlugt -$2M, $4.5M, Herstelling $5M, Tuschen (front) -$2.5M negotiable. Call: 614-6802 Independence Street La Grange W.B.D. Call: 646-9002/ 601-9414 30 Acres of Land at Yarrowkabra, Linden, Soesdyke Highway, price $20M negotiable. Call: 6615033/663-5524 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).

(2) Two persons to work in supermarket at Bartica (free house to live in). Contact# 650-0402, 260-4124 Drivers for water truck to work on W.C.D -$50 per bottle or $26,000 weekly. Call:684-8231/ 629-4236 Urgently needed lands in Herstelling, Farm, Providence, Eccles, Zeelugt, Bartica & Florida. Call:2333006/658-5897/651-1969 We buy land in Eccles, Providence, Herstelling, Farm, Uitvluft, Zeelugt, La Parfaite Harmonie, Tuschen. Best Price Pay! Call: 614-6802 Experienced roti/puri, curry cooks, counter servers, cleaners, strictly day shift. Apply @ Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce Street. Female models needed for photo shoots and TV commercials see model page www.markchand.com or call: 602-3136 One skilled or semi skilled gasoline mechanic, attractive salary – Contact: 231-6587, 649-1290/ 671-8122 Experienced taxi driver at Princess Hotel @ Providence. Call: 616-5419 One General Live-in Domestic to work in Mahaicony River- Call: 6559419/ 225-6571 Talented Hairstylists and Nail Technicians needed. Overseas Employment, Tortola, BVI. Call (284) 5431410 or email bvisalonowner@gmail.com. Continue on page 23

Thursday February 09, 2017

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Emergency meeting held on parking meter issue From page 22

EDUCATIONAL Classes for slow learners in Reading, Spelling, Mathematics, and much more for children all ages. Call: 6754379 Learn at own pace Tutorials: Microsoft Excel, Power Point, Word, Publisher, CorelDraw, Photoshop. Call:602-3136

A three hour-long emergency meeting in relation to the parking meter issue was held last evening at State House, involving President David Granger, Local Government Minister Ronald Bulkan, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, City Mayor Patricia Chase-Green and Town Clerk Royston King. There are reports that as a result of the meeting, a reduction of the parking meter fees is imminent, but Kaieteur News was unable to confirm this. . The current rates plus 14 percent VAT are GYD$50 per 15 minutes of parking; garaged parking of up t0 GYD$175 per 15 minutes; parking violations GYD$6,000 ; booting fee of GYD$8,000; towing fee of GYD$12,000 and storage fee of GYD$7,000 per 24 hours.

Early screening is key to reducing diabetic retinopathy... From page 11 after the successful completion of an initial project involving Diabetes Foot Care and according to Dr. Sugrim, the GDCP is slated to concentrate care for diabetics in two new areas – Diabetic Retinopathy (Eye Complications of the Diabetics); Diabetes in Pregnancy and Strengthening Health Information Systems in collection of Data on Diabetes in Guyana. The establishment of the Guyana Diabetic Retinopathy Programme (a subsidiary of the Guyana Diabetes Care Project), essentially served to

introduce for the first time in Guyana easy access to all diabetics to have their eyes screened for Diabetic Eye complications. “Usually diabetics begin to have changes in their eyes and are not aware of these changes. The only method of detecting these changes in the past was an annual eye examination by an ophthalmologist,” Dr. Sugrim noted. But with the project in place, he noted that the GPHC has been able to introduce a modern method of detecting eye complications, that is, to

Phone card vendor shot... sons along the public road of

From page 15 Division, Ian Amsterdam, who responded to the scene minutes after hearing about the incident, told reporters that they received a call at just about 14:20 hrs that there was a robbery at a shop in Adventure Village. Upon arrival he stated that they were informed that the vendor, who sells phone cards, was shot and had been taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. According to Amsterdam, based on information received, the motorcycle was found abandoned by two per-

Friendship village on the Corentyne. “We received information that they were picked up by a silver grey Toyota Premio and were headed east.” When Kaieteur News arrived at the area where the motorcycle was left abandoned, detectives were seen dusting it for fingerprints. The Commander confirmed that Danian Jagdeo was shot three times. Police are on the hunt for the suspects. Jagdeo leaves to mourn his wife, four children and parents.

have digital retinal photos taken of the inside of the eye. These photos are then interpreted by highly trained eye care professionals who grade the stage of retinopathy, according to Dr. Sugrim who pointed out that patients can now book their appointments for testing through the facebook page: http:// w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / eyeguyana or by email: eyeguyana@yahoo.com. They can also walk-in to book appointments or for opportunistic screening on the

same day. This programme, which was developed by Dr. Surgim, also offers laser treatment to patients. According to Dr. Sugrim, the World Diabetes Foundation, as a major partner, has helped to procure expensive retinal cameras and ophthalmological examination instruments. The organization has also helped with the procurement of a retinal laser to treat patients who have severe diabetic eye complications.

Investigators trained to... From page 20 which he believes is instrumental in ending corruption, is by having strong a legislative framework that promotes the prevention, detection and prosecution. “Already we have laws that seek to aid in the fight against corruption. Legislation such as the Integrity Commissions Act, Chapter 26:01, which is soon to be amended, to give it “more teeth”; and also the Access to Information Act 2001, which provides the practical regime to counter corruption by promoting transparency and accountability in the working of Government.”

Williams said also that the State Asset Recovery Bill, the Witness Protection Bill and the Prohibited Disclosures (Whistleblowers' Bill) once enacted, will enable the authorities to tackle corruption. “We will have to be more proactive in seeking international assistance, as well as cooperating with other states by sharing information. Anti-corruption initiatives can only be successful if there is recognition of the adverse effects of corruption and the willingness on all stakeholders to work to eradicate it,” Williams told the gathering.

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 Brains Construction & Rental Service: we rent all types of equipment, excavator, bobcat, trucks, tools. Call: 2190904/601-5024 Space for rent at Ashmin’s ideal for commercial, office and cafeteria use, no deposit. Call: 616-9660/ 671-1846 Lot 14 Croal & Longden Street: 4 Storey building (infront Demico). Call: 663-1876 2 Bedrooms apartment in Eccles & rooms in Alberttown. Short & long term. Call: 225-3234 3 Bedroom flat @ Supply E.B.D – Call: 648-5149/ 678-3826

FOR SALE Canter Rack Ball Joints Arm – Spring Bushings, Ring Gear, etc. Call: 680-3153 1 Complete set of salon equipment for sale with/ without rental contract in V/ Hoop area. Call: 676-9575/ 613-4025 Cool Tech Solution: 6754959/233-2008: New & used spare parts: fridge, freezer, washer, A/C, chill water system, ice makers. 1 Marina 40HP outboard engine with 14 Aluminum boat, 1 Yamaha 75HP outboard engine in excellent condition. Call: 643-1622 TO LET Two- 1 bedroom self-contained apartments, situated at Public Road Timehri, E.B.D – 3 minutes from the airport. Call: 664-6000 2-3 Bedrooms apartment close to PHG & Market $50,000 monthly. Call: 2239677

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Thursday February 09, 2017

Kaieteur News

Brexit vote: Clive Lewis quits shadow cabinet as MPs back bill (BBC) MPs have overwhelmingly agreed to let the government begin the UK’s departure from the EU as they voted for the Brexit bill. The draft legislation was approved by 494 votes to 122, and now moves to the House of Lords. Shadow business secretary Clive Lewis was one of 52 Labour MPs to defy party orders to back the bill and he resigned from the front bench. PM Theresa May wants to trigger formal Brexit talks by the end of March. She will do this by invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, but requires Parliament’s permission before doing so.

Mr Lewis, who earlier said he was undecided on whether to support the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill, announced his resignation as MPs began voting for the final time. He said he “cannot, in all good conscience, vote for something I believe will ultimately harm the city I have the honour to represent, love and call home”. Leader Jeremy Corbyn said he understood the difficulties the vote presented some of his MPs but said they had been ordered to back the Article 50 because the party would not “block Brexit”. Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, who missed

last week’s initial vote on the bill, backed it this time. She told the BBC she had “a lot of misgivings about the idea of a Tory Brexit” and predicted the UK would “come to regret it”, but added: “I’m a loyal member of the shadow cabinet and I’m loyal to Jeremy Corbyn.” The Labour rebellion was five MPs up on last week’s vote, while former Chancellor Ken Clarke was again the only Conservative to vote against the two-clause bill. During the voting, SNP MPs were reprimanded by deputy speaker Lindsay Hoyle after they started singing Ode to Joy, the European Union anthem.

Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo elected Somalia’s president M o g a d i s h u (CNN)Somalia’s Parliament elected former Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, a dual US-Somali citizen, as the country’s new president Wednesday. Farmajo was declared victorious after incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dropped out of the contest following the second round of voting. Amid rising security concerns, the 328 members of Parliament met at an air force hangar in Mogadishu to cast their votes. Mohamud, who took office in 2012, withdrew from the final ballot after losing 184 to 97 to Farmajo in the second round. Farmajo’s victory was greeted by celebratory gunfire in government-controlled areas of the country. Farmajo, 54, was born in

Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo Mogadishu. He worked at the Somali Embassy in Washington in the mid-1980s and decided to stay in the United States because of political

turmoil in Somalia, according to his campaign website biography. He moved to Buffalo, New York, because of its sizable community of Somali refugees, reported the Buffalo News, citing his daughter, Intisar Mohamed, who still lives in the area. He worked as Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority commissioner and at the New York State Department of Transportation, the campaign website said. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, the website said. In 2010 then-President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed asked him to serve as prime minister, a position he resigned because of a rift with the President, the Buffalo News reported.

Boko Haram Factions ‘Cannot Pay Fighters’ Salaries:’ U.N. Report Both factions of the Nigerian militant group Boko Haram are running out of money and are unable to pay their fighters a monthly salary, according to a United Nations (U.N.) report. A report to the U.N. Security Council issued Thursday stated that many of the attacks perpetrated by Boko Haram factions are in order to steal provisions, including food, and that the lack of funds has seen defections from within its ranks. Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is forbidden,” took up arms against the Nigerian government in 2009. The group has killed thousands and displaced more than two million

in the course of its armed insurgency, which is aimed at establishing an extremist Islamic caliphate in northern Nigeria. The group’s leader since 2009, Abubakar Shekau, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) on behalf of Boko Haram in 2015. But in 2016, the group fractured after ISIS appointed a new leader, Abu Musab al-Barnawi, to take charge of Boko Haram. The appointment was rejected by Shekau, who now leads a separate faction to Barnawi. Jeffrey Feltman, U.N. under-secretary-general for political affairs, told the Security Council in New York Tues-

day that, despite its financial difficulties, Boko Haram still posed a “serious threat” to regional security in West Africa. Feltman’s report covered the threat posed by ISIS and its affiliates in Europe, North Africa and West Africa. A Nigerian military offensive has reclaimed much of the territory once held by Boko Haram and pinned the group back into the remote Sambisa forest in the northeastern Borno state. A regional joint task force has also conducted operations against the militants, who have spread into the Lake Chad basin and carried out attacks in Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

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Trump under fire in Nordstrom Ivanka row Gunmen rob security officers at schools NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – Police have launched an island-wide search for the suspects responsible for two separate armed robberies at two government schools earlier this week. The police said that in the first incident on Monday, four armed men entered, tied up the two security guards at a Senior High School after demanding cash. “The males tied up the two security officers and robbed them of cash, a watch and a cell phone. The suspects then ransacked the school office before speeding off in one of the security officer’s

vehicle.” The lawmen said in the second incident on Tuesday, two security officers were on duty at a Junior High School, when four armed men accosted them and demanded cash. The police said that the men used the same tactics employed in the first incident and also “ransacked the school office and several classrooms before fleeing on foot”. The police did not say whether the suspects are the same in the two robberies, adding that investigations are ongoing in both incidents.

CARICOM and Cuba sign new trade agreement GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Guyana-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat says the 15-member regional integration movement has reached an agreement with Cuba on the expansion of preferential access to each other’s mar-

(BBC) Democrats have condemned President Donald Trump’s tweet attacking a clothing retailer after it dropped a fashion line owned by his daughter. Mr Trump tweeted that “Ivanka has been treated so unfairly” by clothing retailer Nordstrom. A Democratic senator called the post “inappropriate” and an ex-White House ethics tsar dubbed it “outrageous”. Earlier this month Nordstrom became the fifth retailer to drop the Ivanka Trump clothing line, citing lack of sales. The move comes amid a boycott of all Trump products, which activists have dubbed #GrabYourWallet, in reference to a 2005 comment Mr Trump made about women’s bodies. A spokesman for Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey said the senator “feels it is unethical and inappropriate for the president to lash out at a private

company for refusing to enrich his family”. Norm Eisen, who served as ethics tsar under President Barack Obama, called the move “outrageous” and advised Nordstrom to sue Mr Trump under the California Unfair Competition Law. In 1950 President Harry Truman penned an angry letter to Washington Post music critic Paul Hume, who had panned a singing performance by the president’s daughter, Margaret. Sixty-six years later, another president has come to the defence of his offspring.For Truman, the incident led to widespread ridicule. Donald Trump’s Twitter attack on Nordstrom may have graver consequences, however, calling into question the appropriateness of a president using his public megaphone not just to p r o t e c t a d a u g h t e r ’s honour, but to advance the family’s business interests as well.

Mr Trump has slammed companies before, but that at least has been in the name of advancing US economic interests. This is different. This is personal. Ethics experts have warned that Mr Trump’s assurances of a “firewall” between his presidency and his family’s financial concerns was insufficient. Now the president has provided a new, key piece of supporting evidence that could very well be cited in lawsuits trying to force Mr Trump to fully divest from his business empire. The irony is that Mr Trump’s efforts may backfire. Would any retailer want a partnership with Ivanka Trump knowing they risk the ire of the president and his supporters if things go sour? The White House has played down the row. Press spokesman Sean Spicer said that Nordstrom’s decision was political, and the president was simply reacting to “an attack” on his daughter.

Six Afghan ICRC workers ‘killed by Islamic State’ (BBC) Six Afghans working for the Red Cross have been killed by suspected Islamic State (IS) group gunmen in the province of Jowzjan, officials say. The workers were shot in the Qush Tepa area, the provincial governor said. Two others are unaccounted for, feared abducted by IS, he told the BBC. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed the deaths but said it did not know who was to blame. The ICRC said it was putting its work in Afghanistan on temporary

hold. “We need to understand more clearly what happened,” ICRC Director of Operations Dominik Stillhart said. “But... this is one of the most critical humanitarian contexts and we will definitely do everything to continue our operations there.” IS has been in Afghanistan since 2015, claiming attacks in Kabul and the east. But there has been no immediate claim for the attack in Jowzjan. The ICRC has had an uninterrupted presence in Afghanistan for 30 years and the organisation said in a tweet that it was “shocked and

devastated” by the news. President Peter Maurer said it was a deliberate attack on his staff which “we condemn in the strongest possible terms”.

kets. n a brief statement, the Secretariat said that the agreement was reached during the 10th meeting of the Joint Commission established under the Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement between CARICOM and Cuba held here late last

month. “A significant number of items from the Community, including beer, fish and other agricultural products, and manufactured goods, have been approved for entry into the Cuban market free of duty once both sides formalise the agreement.

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Lewis Hamilton & Valtteri Bottas will work well together, says Mercedes boss BBC Sport – Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is confident there will be no trouble between Lewis H a m i l t o n a n d Va l t t e r i Bottas when the 2017 season gets under way in March. Bottas landed the drive alongside Hamilton after Nico Rosberg retired five days after winning the 2016 title. Hamilton and Rosberg’s relationship deteriorated when they were team-mates but Wolff does not expect a repeat. “They respect each other and so far from what I have seen, Valtteri has settled in well,” said Wolff. “The balance between Valtteri and Lewis works.

They are two very different personalities. Nico had a certain role in the team and Valtteri pretty much fits into that. “We believe the interaction and dynamics between the two drivers is going to work well.” Bottas, who has joined Mercedes after four seasons at Williams, has been a t t h e t e a m ’s B r a c k l e y headquarters since Monday, working in the simulator and meeting his new colleagues. Mercedes won 19 of 21 grands prix last season en route to their third consecutive drivers’ and constructors’ titles, but with sweeping rule changes in play for 2017, Wolff is in

cautious mood.”The guys are pushing flat out in order to bring the car and engine in to meet the performance targets we have set ourselves,” he said. “I am most excited to see how the new car is going to go because we all expect them to be much faster and look spectacular plus much more physical for the drivers. “We have set aggressive targets for where the car should be going, also with the engine, and we are pushing flat out to achieve those targets. “Will those targets be enough or will other teams get out of the blocks bett e r t h a n u s ? We d o n ’t know.”

Thursday February 09, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Try to be honest when dealing with your mate. You may want to clear the air where older relatives are concerned.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Caustic language may cause you to want to get out of the house. Your nerves are frazzled.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) You will want to complain about the injustice that is going on, Sudden changes regarding work and colleagues are apparent.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You could experience unusual circumstances and meet eccentric individuals. Your outgoing nature will surprise others today. You may want to take a serious look at your goals and objectives.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You can buy or sell if you're so inclined. Your diplomatic nature will help you in straightening out unsavory situations.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Travel opportunities must be taken advantage of. Don't be a pest or a troublemaker today.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Work quietly behind the scenes. You could make extra cash through creative hobbies. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Travel will promote new romantic connections. Opportunities for romance will develop through activities with large groups. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You may find that female colleagues will be more help than you anticipated. You may not be as well received in group endeavors if you try to force your will on others.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You will be confused about the intentions of someone you work with. You can make excellent career moves if you are open to the opportunities that exist. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) If you're in the mood, go out and socialize, or get involved in sports activities. Romantic opportunities may not be as they appear. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Get involved in volunteer work that will bring you satisfaction, not an empty wallet. Stick to travel or do things in conjunction with groups.

Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton will line up as team-mates for the first time at the season-opening Australian GP on 26 March. (Getty Images)

Red Force beat Kent by five wickets – 31st game NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago Red Force defeated Kent Spitfires by five wickets, in their Group A game of the Regional Super50 at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium here yesterday. Scores: KENT 194 off 46 overs (Will Gidman 50, Darren Stevens 38, Alex Blake 30; Ravi Rampaul437, Roshon Primus 2-35). RED FORCE 198 for five 41.2 overs (Jason Mohammed 78 not out, Denesh Ramdin 56; Darren Stevens 3-34).

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Sharapova handed Madrid Open wildcard BARCELONA (Reuters) Former world number one Maria Sharapova has been invited to play at the M a d r i d O p e n i n M a y, which takes place less than two weeks after her 15month doping ban expires, tournament organisers said yesterday. The five-time grand slam winner has been given a wildcard for the event, which begins on May 5. It is scheduled to be her second comeback tournament after her suspension for doping, with the Russian set to return to action at the Stuttgart Grand Prix in April. “Sharapova requested a n i n v i t a t i o n t o p l a y. . . (She) is one of the best players of the last 15 years and also a past winner of our tournament,” said event director Manolo Santana. “In Madrid she always plays well and I’m sure she will come back to the courts highly motivated and hoping to do well.” Following a positive test for the drug meldonium at the 2016 Australian Open, the Russian was suspended for two years by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) cut the ban by nine months last October, allowing her to return from April 26. Her case divided opin-

Maria Sharapova speaks to the media announcing a failed drug test after the Australian Open during a press conference at The LA Hotel Downtown. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports) ion in the sport. The Florida-based Sharapova, who turns 30 on April 19, had called the ITF’s original ruling “unfairly harsh” because she had not intentionally violated anti-doping rules. Meldonium was only added to the World AntiDoping Agency list of banned substances at the

start of 2016 after mounting evidence it boosted blood flow and enhanced performance. CAS cut Sharapova’s suspension but said she “bore some degree of fault” by relying on agent Max Eisenbud to check the banned list for changes and failing to ensure he had done so.

Thursday February 09, 2017

Russian coaches can’t work without doping — Mutko Moscow, Russia (AFP) — Russian athletics coaches “don’t understand how to work without doping”, Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko said Tuesday after the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) extended a ban on the country’s team to the World Championships. Russia has been barred from international track and field competitions — including the Rio Olympics — since November 2015 following a damning report alleging State-sponsored doping in the country in Olympic sports over several years. Moscow denies any State role in doping, but Mutko, who was promoted from sports minister to deputy prime minister despite the doping controversy, pointed the finger at Russia’s athletics coaches. Russia’s tainted athletics federation ARAF “had a lot of (doping) violations”, he told thevR-Sport agency. “Athletes broke rules and many coaches don’t understand

how to work without doping — it’s time for them to retire.” On Monday world athletics boss Sebastian Coe said that Russia could not be reintegrated into the sport before November, meaning the country will miss August’s World Championships in London. The IAAF said Russian progress over doping was mixed, pointing also to “unhelpful public comments recently made by some Russian sporting officials” — a possible reference to the outspoken Mutko, who is close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mutko said that Russia — which insists that drug cheating is an international issue — was cleaning up its act. “Over the past year we have done a massive amount of work,” he said. “They (IAAF) tell us: ‘You have done great work, but there is still a lot to be done (to stop Russian doping). “That happens when there aren’t clear criteria, clear regula-

tions.” ARAF deputy chief Andrei Silnov said he was buoyed by IAAF comments which said that while Russia was not ready to return to the fold, it recognised “several positive developments”. “They don’t have any serious grudges against us,” he told a press conference. Individual Russian athletes can apply to take part in international events as neutrals if they are deemed drug-free. However, the reigning 110m hurdles world champion Sergey Shubenkov, who has applied to compete as a neutral, said that the latest IAAF verdict would do little to help Russian athletes. “They said we have a chance to compete as neutrals, but for some reason we still do not compete,” he said. Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov told TASS news agency that if any Russian athletes qualify as neutrals, then Moscow would guarantee funding.

Thursday February 09, 2017

Kaieteur News

Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2017

India skittle Thailand for 55 in second win ESPNCRICINFO - Mansi Joshi, the medium pacer, took three wickets in a single spell as India shot out Thailand for 55 and then completed the chase in 12.4 overs to register their second successive win. Thailand, who elected to bat, lasted just 29.1 overs, with only two batsmen getting into double digits. India’s spin trio of Deepti Sharma, Poonam Yadav and Rajeshwari Gayakwad picked up two wickets each. Harmanpreet Kaur, promoted to open, fell for 15, but MD Thiru s h k a m i n i a n d Veda Krishnamurthy struck cameos - unbeaten on 24 and 17 respectively - to complete the formalities. India, who beat Sri Lanka in the tournament opener on Tue s d a y, a r e a l l b u t through to the Super Six stage. S o u t h A f r i c a ’s n e w ball bowlers Shabnim I s m a i l a n d Ay a b o n g a Khaka claimed five wickets between them to dismantle Scotland for 142 and give their side a six-wicket win at Mercantile Cricket Association ground in Colombo. Ismail picked up 3 for 30 in 10 overs; Khaka’s figures were more astonishing: 10-6-9-2. Having opted to bat, Scotland were reduced to 74 for 5 in 28 overs with Ismail and Khaka doing the bulk of the damage. Kari Anderson and Elizabeth Priddle then

briefly rebuilt the innings by adding 58 runs in 16.5 overs. The stand ended in the 45th over when Priddle was run-out for 19. Anderson was bowled by Khaka in the next over, and Scotland crashed to 142 all out, Kirstie Gordon falling off the last ball of the innings. Dane van Niekerk, the leg-spinner, assisted Ismail and Khaka by taking two wickets. Chasing 143, South Africa lost Lizelle Lee and Mignon du Preez early but 35 each from L a u r a Wo l v a a r d t a n d Trisha Chetty put the side back on track. Chloe Tryon then bashed 45 not out off 40 balls, including eight fours and a six, to seal South Africa’s second win in two days with six wickets and 101 balls to spare. Pakistan bounced back from their 63-run loss against South Africa to beat Bangladesh by 67 runs at the P Sara Oval. Legspinner Ghulam Fatima took three wickets while left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu and off-spinner Sana Mir picked up two wickets each to dismiss Bangladesh for 160 after a string of cameos from the top and middle order guided Pakistan to 227. Having opted to bat, Pakistan started solidly w i t h Ay e s h a Z a f a r a n d Nahida Khan adding 76 for the first wicket. Bismah Maroof, Rabiya Shah,

Aliya Riaz all made thirties before Pakistan lost their last five wickets for just 15 runs. Bangladesh later collapsed in their chase, going from 62 for 2 to 160 all out. Sanjida Islam (34) and Nigar Sultana (41) were the only batsmen to pass 20, and apart from them only opener Sharmin Akhter and Fargana Hoque reached double-figures. Fifties from Prasadani Weerakkody and Dilani Manodara, and a threewicket haul from Inoshi Priyadharshani, headlined Sri Lanka’s rout of Ireland at Nondescripts Cricket Club in Colombo. Having chosen to bat, Sri Lanka lost their openers early, but Weerakkody and Mandodara lifted the innings, then cameos from the lower order pushed the score to 239. Isobel Joyce was the pick of the bowlers for Ireland, taking 4 for 39. Priyadharshani then ripped out the Bangladesh top order in the chase, and Weerakkody then took care of the middle order as the score became 69 for 7 in the 28th over. Ireland added only 24 more runs before they were wiped out with nearly 15 overs to spare in their innings. Clare Shllington - one of the two Ireland batsmen to move to double-figures - stayed unbeaten on 36 off 37 balls, including six fours.

New Test Championship model... From page 28 warm-up games for Tests against other opponents in the same region. Were a country to be touring England, for instance, they could play a Test against Ireland rather than a warmup against a second division County side. Similarly, a match against Afghanistan could presage a series against Pakistan in the UAE, or a meeting with Zimbabwe serve as the entree to a series against South Africa. Since Shashank Manohar’s appointment as ICC chairman in May last year, the governing body and member nations have mulled three different concepts for a championship. The first, which called for two tiers of six sides, was thrown out due to opposition from the boards of India and Sri Lanka in particular, amid concerns that it divided Full Member nations into first and second rate cricket-playing coun-

tries. Plans for a workable Test Championship league structure have been tossed around for so long now that international cricket is now well into the year that was supposed to have witnessed the second edition of the championship playoff - the first was meant to have taken place as far back as 2013. That model, first unveiled by then ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat in 2011, was preceded by serious discussions around the idea of a Test Championship in 2008, when a model was put together by the Rohan Sajdeh of the Boston Consulting Group and advocated by the Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland. In 2009 Lorgat had summed up the benefits of a league simply: “There’s no doubt a Test championship would be of great benefit. Let’s say you and your

mate are South African and Australian - and India are about to play Sri Lanka. If the result impacts on your t e a m ’s championship standing you are bound to be more interested.” However the 2008 discussions floundered due to opposition from the boards of India and England. The later attempt was also filibustered by the same two nations, with added commercial pressure from broadcasters who did not wish to accept the idea of replacing the ODI Champions Trophy with a Test Championship play-off. This time around, the championship will be set to begin in 2019 at the commencement of the next round of fixtures and broadcast rights. But much like a raft of other issues discussed in Dubai last week - from the ICC’s financial model to its constitution - final approval and implementation remains elusive.

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Thursday February 09, 2017

Japan chief questioned over Hustlers manhandle two opponents in one night Tokyo bid payment: report West Dem/East Bank Dem Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition

- Competition continues tomorrow Hustlers underlined their billing as one of the top teams in this year’s West Demerara/ East Bank Demerara Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition after registering two impressive wins on Tuesday night, at the Pouderoyen Tarmac. In their first encounter, goals from John Waldron in the second minute and Rastaf O’Selmo in the 17th helped them to a comfortable 2-0 win over Bagotstown Warriors, before returning later to beat Prospect Jammers by a similar margin through strikes from Donavan Francis in the 7th minute and Waldron in the 11th. Money Team, Young Ballers of Crane and Jetty Gunners were also in winners’ row in their respective matchups. Money Team beat Goed Fortuin 3-0 with Amuniki Buntin registering the first ever hat-trick in the zone with

goals in the fifth, seventh and 18th minutes. Young Ballers of Crane inflicted a similar thrashing on Gas Team with Lindsay Scott, Tefon Welcome and Oswin Boyce netting in the 11th, 17th and 19th minutes respectively. Jetty Gunners scrapped to a 1-0 win over Police courtesy of a 12th minute strike from Shane Hamilton. In other results, Golden Warriors outlasted Shattaville Gunners 3-2 in sudden death penalty shootout after regulation time ended 1-1. Shattaville took the lead through Stephon Griffith in the first minute, before Akeem Houston l e v e l l e d f o r Golden Warriors in the 14th minute. Goal Getters were another team to win in a penalty shootout, beating Classic-7 2-0 after regulation time ended and failed to break a 1-1 deadlock. Kevin Gordon had given Goal Getters

the lead in the fourth minute, before Daniel Gibson’s ninth minute equaliser forced a penalty shootout. Brothers United defeated West Side Starz 3-2 in sudden death penalty kicks after regulation time ended in a goalless stalemate. Harmony Ballers then survived 2-1 in another penalty shootout against Best Road Ballers after a nil-all draw in regulation time. The other teams who’ve already cemented their passage to the group stage include reigning champion Showstoppers, West Side Ballers, Admiral United, Good Intent All-Stars, Future Crane, ESPN, Patentia Street Ballers and De Kinderen Ballers. The sixteen (16) teams will now be divided into four groups of four after which the top two finishers from each cluster will advance to the quarterfinals. The winning team will take away $450,000, the championship trophy and right to represent the zone at the Na-

tional Championship, while second, third and fourth placed teams collect $150,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. Meanwhile, action in the competition continues tomorrow with the opening round of group matches, at the same venue. At 19:00hrs, West Side Ballers tackle Brothers United to be followed by The Money Team versus Jetty Gunners at 19:30hrs. ESPN the take on Harmony Ballers, before Tajoe’s Admiral United square off against De Kinderen at 20:30hrs. Then at 21:00hrs Patentia Street Ballers oppose Agricola, before Young Ballers engage Goal Getters from 21:30hrs. At 10:00hrs, Hustlers go up against Golden Warriors, before Showstoppers battle Goed Intent All-Stars at 10:30hrs. Hustlers and Patentia Street Ballers matchup brings down the curtains for the night.

New Test Championship model creeps closer

The aim of the new model is to bring more context to each Test series for the fan, irrespective of their favourite team’s participation © Getty Images ESPNcricinfo - Scheduling symmetry and a gentler entry into Test cricket for the likes of Afghanistan and Ireland were among the factors that saw plans for a Test Championship of two sixteam conferences evolve into the 9-3 concept approved by the ICC’s chief executives committee in their quarterly meetings in Dubai last week. Having agreed in-principle to move forward with two conferences of six nations after the October meet-

ings, the CEC reconvened to be told by ICC management that the conference model was unwieldy and impractical. Matters were complicated by the need for cross-conference fixtures in the event that teams like Australia and England or India and South Africa were not drawn in the same conference for a protracted period. Chief executives were instead presented with the 9-3 model, which will require each of the top nine-ranked nations

to play each opponent at least once home or away over a two-year period before a championship decider is held. Teams would then swap home and away series in the next cycle, meaning an “icon” series such as the Ashes would still be played on a four-year, home and away basis. Those present at the meeting agreed that a landscape of two home and two away Test series each year - albeit with the flexibility of being

able to play anything from a one-off Test to a series of five matches - was the best and most symmetrical option for the top nine nations. At the same time, the “other three” Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan will play amongst each other in Test matches with the additional option of a regional scenario whereby higher ranked nations can meet them for one-off fixtures. Such matches would most likely take the place of (Continued on page 27)

Japan Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda speaks during a news conference in support of the Tokyo 2020 summer Olympics candidacy in Buenos Aires September 4, 2013. (REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci) (Reuters) Tokyo prosecutors have questioned the president of the Japan Olympic Committee over controversial payments made to a Singaporean consulting firm during the bidding for the 2020 Summer Games, Kyodo News agency reported yesterday. The questioning of Tsunekazu Takeda, who led the successful bid, and several other people involved in the bidding, was voluntary and carried out at the re q u e s t o f t h e French authorities, Kyodo said. Takeda and the others denied doing anything illegal, the report said. T h e To k y o p r o s e c u tors’ office and the JOC declined to comment on the report when contacted by Reuters. French prosecutors last year announced an investigation into more than $2 million of payments made by the bid committee to the consultancy, Black Tid-

ings. Black Tidings is headed by Ian Tan Tong Hon, who is known to be friends with Papa Massata Diack, son of disgraced former international athletics chief Lamine Diack. Japanese officials repeatedly said the payments had been legitim a t e c o n s u l t a n t ’s f e e s , and a panel commissioned by the JOC said in September it had found that the payment was legitimate. Tokyo 2020 organizers have been grappling with a list of headaches including soaring costs and calls to change venues. The country club that will host the golf tournaments has come under fire for its policy of barring women from becoming full members, and a trade show group is calling on Tokyo to find a new location for the international media center.

Kings’ Cousins faces suspension after 16th technical foul (Reuters) Sacramento Kings power forward DeMarcus Cousins is facing a suspension after receiving his 16th technical foul of the season on Monday against the Chicago Bulls. Cousins tallied a pair of technical fouls during the 112-107 loss to the Bulls, boiling over the league limit. By league rule, an accumulation of 16 technical fouls is an automatic onegame suspension. Cousins received his first ‘T’ of the night when

he pushed aside a Bulls assistant coach during a scrum at the end of the t h i r d q u a r t e r, t h e n w a s ejected with a second remaining in the game after arguing that he was fouled on a shot attempt. If the technicals are upheld by NBA review, Cousins will be banned from Sacramento’s game against Boston yesterday. Cousins, who will be making his third All Star appearance later this month, finished the night with 18 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.

Thursday February 09, 2017

Regional Super50 By Sean Devers in Barbados In Association with Bounty Supermarket, Vnet Communications, Life Time Reality & Ming’s Products & Services The Election of Donald Trump as America’s 45th President is already affecting West Indies cricket, forcing the ICC Americas to be without one of their top batsmen when they face the Guyana Jaguars at the 3Ws Oval in the Regional Super50 tournament from 09:00hrs today with neither team capable of advancing to the semi-finals which starts next Wednesday in Antigua. Fahad Babar was born in Pakistan but migrated to USA at 14. He represented that country at U-19 level and is one of six Muslims in the ICC Americas team including Akeem Dodson whose father is Guyanese. The 24-year-old was forced to return home after playing against the Jaguars for fear of being banned entry under US President Donald Trump’s recently imposed immigration ban. Following the ban on Muslim immigrants from seven countries by President Donald Trump, Babar is a green card holder and Pakistan is not one of the countries on the banned list. But Babar has returned to the United States on the recommendation of his lawyers. “He’s from Pakistan which is close to those other countries and might be next on the chopping block. If he’s out of the US when they say, ‘okay we’re extending the ban to Pakistani people’, Fahad will be barred. He will not be allowed to come back into the United States even if he’s traveling for cricket and that’s what we’re scared of,” Said Babar ’s lawyer William McLean in a statement. While the ICC Americas had an upset win in their last match on Tuesday against CCC Marooners, the Jaguars suffered backto-back last over defeats in

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Trumps Presidency already affecting West Indies cricket as Jaguars play for pride today

Chairman of selectors Rayon Griffith and Skipper Johnson could make some changes today.

Fahad Babar batted well against the Jaguars and will be missed today.

Reifer is Guyana’s best all-rounder a spot once held by Barnwell (right). (Photos by Sean Devers)

Shiv about to be caught against Jamaica and could be rested today for Foo or Hetymer.

their last two games against unbeaten Barbados Pride and Jamaica Scorpions who have both qualified from zone ‘B’. Against Jamaica, in a must win game, the usually frugal Steven Jacobs leaked 54 from his eight overs after conceding 46 in the previous game against Barbados, while Ve e r a s a m m y P e r m a u l ’s

eight overs cost 44 runs and Devendra Bishoo had seven overs and gave away 37 runs. All three slow bowlers went wicketless. Raymon Reifer (4-38), Ronsford Beaton (2-33) and Christopher Barnwell (2-45) shared eight wickets between them but got no support from the spinners as 10 fours and 15 sixes were scored by the Jamaicans in the 255. Guyana’s two leading run scores failed to fire in the must win game; Skipper Leon Johnson, the team’s only batsman with 200 runs, made three and Shiv C h a n d e r p a u l , G u y a n a ’s only centurion, fell for 17, while three run outs did not aid Guyana’s cause. Assad Fudadin and Reifer got fifties, while Permaul and wicketkeeper Anthony again contributed in the lower order.

To d a y t h e J a g u a r s might toy with the idea of replacing Chanderpaul, Barnwell and Jacobs with Jonathon Foo, Shemron Hetymer and Paul Wintz in a match only of academic interest for them. Reifer has shown he is the Jaguars’ best all rounder, while Johnson (230 runs with three 50s) gets another chance to get a big score and pick himself for the England and Pakistan home series, while Fudadin, who got a century last year, gets a chance to get another three-figure score today. Hetymer and Foo, if selected, should be given the clearance to play their shots and enjoy their batting. ICC Americas, with one more game after this to play, will hope to end their tournament with a couple of upset wins and will depend

on Skipper Nitish Kumar, Kamau Leverock and Timroy Allen, who all scored fifties in their first win in this competition against CCC, which broke a 10-match losing streak that began in last year’s Regional Super50 tournament. Off-spinner

Nikhil Dutta, left-arm spinner Saad Bin Zafar and legspinner Timil Patel should enjoy the 3Ws Oval track. But with rain forecast for today it could be a gloomy end to the Jaguars campaign and still without a title since 2005.

Thursday February 09, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

GFF committed to Beach Nalico Nafico Insurance supports Soccer development – Forde New Era Clash of the Champions Futsal GBSA President Tappin comes in for high praise By Franklin Wilson President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wa y n e F o r d e h a s expressed delight at being able to facilitate the passage and development of Beach Soccer in Guyana. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport on the rise of this segment of the sport, Forde stated that the governing body is committed to holistic support. The Guyana Beach Soccer team wings out today for Barbados where they will compete at the Barbados Beach Soccer Showcase which will feature teams from Trinidad and Tobago, England, Antigua and Barbuda and the host nation. This competition will serve as needed warm up for the Guyanese ahead of another historic sojourn l a t e r t h is month, the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship Bahamas 2017, February 20-26. Forde offered his take on the achievement of the team that has been training since last year following the conclusion of the Corona Beach Soccer League, another first for the sport in Guyana. ”It is indeed a great feeling to bring this level of prominence to a n e m e rg i n g f o o t b a l l product but the credit really belongs to Mr. Rollin Tappin and his hard working Executives. They have done an exceptional job and I am very proud of what they have achieved under difficult circumstances. The Executive Committee of the Guyana Football Federation is fully committed to providing the funding and technical support throughout this campaign.” Forde offered the view that they expect the tournaments ( B a r b a d o s a n d Bahamas) to serve as m o t i v a t i o n t o w ards greater interest in the game among clubs and communities pointing out that the GFF would be working with the Guyana Beach Soccer Association to develop more playing venues around the country. ”Our focus will be on building the playing

Rollin Tappin f a c i l i t i e s a n d implementing an aggressive awareness campaign. Beyond that, financing will be interest driven.” With exclusive sponsorship for the team on tour provided by the GFF, Forde offered his take on what would be his call/challenge to associations with regards to pushing the sport: “I think they need to spread the reach of the sport but they of course need the funding to do that. A good initiative would be an outreach programme with Clubs and association but more importantly, a good result at the Championship would be a great incentive for players to test themselves against this format of Football.” Kaieteur Sport was able to catch up with GBSA President Rollin Tappin who is currently in the USA for a c omment on the team. Ta p p i n g , s i n c e h i s ascendancy to the position has already organised a league with sponsorship from Carona Beer (2016) following which a squad was shortlisted for the C O N C A C A F Championship. ”The GBFA would like to express thanks to president Forde and the GFF for embracing beach soccer. The mere fact that they are sending this team it means that they the GFF is robust in developing all forms of the game. I was always worried how we were going have quality match readiness to compete at the CONCACAF level, so I’m extremely happy that Barbados invited us and it was accepted by GFF.”

Wayne Forde Ta p p i n a l s o n o t e d t h a t t h i s w e e k e n d ’s tourney in the Land of the Flying Fish, Barbados will offer the Technical Staff headed by Abdullah Hamid an opportunity to assess and remedy any kinks in team as they come up against fellow CONCACAF teams and England. ”This will be a huge confidence booster for the boys, I expect Keon Sears, Jermaine Grandison Deshawn J o s eph, Michael Wilson who all have international tournament experience to lend strong support to the new comers. We at the GBFA are also hoping that this will be the catalyst for sustained development for beach soccer in Guyana. I’m extremely optimistic about our chances once we play as a team and complement each other on the pitch.”

Vickash Persaud (2nd left) Manager of Nalico Nafico hands the sponsorship to Shareef Major in the presence of Aubrey Major Jr (left) and Kenrick Noel. T h e N e w Entertainment/Eyefull Entertainment, Stag Beer Futsal Clash of the Champions which is set to be played this weekend, Saturday February 11 and the following Saturday February 18, received a boost with sponsorship from Nalico Nafico Insurance Company. Nalico Nafico Manager, Vickash Persaud handed over the sponsorship to Shareef Major Co-Director of New Era in the presence of the other Co-Directors Aubrey Major Jr and Kenrick Noel. He expressed pleasure at the opportunity to support the young group wishing them every success.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) approved event will see four official games as well as two exhibition games on each night with the two official teams battling for the championship playing each other on both nights. The two teams in action for championship honours are Dave and Celena’s Hustlers who won the Mohamed’s Enterprise New Era Entertainment Cell Smart Futsal tournament in Linden and Sparta Boss who are the Guinness Greatness of the Streets Georgetown champs. Saturday’s action is billed for the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue with Bent

Carter free to run Jamaica Observer Embattled Jamaican sprinter Nesta Carter could end nearly a year and a half of inactivity this weekend when he leads a MVP men’s 4x100m relay team at the 39th Milo Western Relays at the Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall. News broke Tuesday that Carter, who was found guilty of using a banned stimulant methylhexaneamine at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and had his 4x100m gold medal stripped, is free to run, the IAAF has reportedly told the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA). Carter is free to compete pending

the outcome of an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), a letter from the IAAF said, as he has not been suspended following the retroactive testing of his sample from 2008. The letter to the JAAA from the IAAF is reported to have said “it appears Mr Carter is not provisionally suspended and is eligible to compete in athletics competition, pending the CAS procedure”. Jamaica’s athletics boss, Dr Warren Blake, told the Jamaica Observer last night that he was informed by the IAAF that Carter’s fate in his appeal to the CAS will be known soon. “I was asked

the question and I wrote them, and they said he hasn’t been sanctioned as yet. They are awaiting a determination

Street going up against Tucville in the first match followed by Gold is Money facing Tiger Bay and Broad Street battling Leopold Street before the main event. The following Saturday, February 18, the games move over to the McKenize Sports Club Hard Court, Linden where Magic Stars face Good Fellas and Town Cars (Georgetown taxi drivers) take on Linden bus (Linden bus drivers). Both Sparta Boss and Hustlers have strong fan bases and many are expected to throng the various venues to witness the action and support their favourites. The competition promises to be keen and fans are in for a treat.

Nesta Carter

of whether an offence has been committed. So he is clear to run,” confirmed Dr Blake.

Thursday February 09, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

Rio’s Olympic warm-up pool has turned a disgusting shade of orange as the village continues to fall apart Pool Before in the Summer from another angle.

Pool now.

(Yahoo Sports) Rio de Janeiro spent about $4.6 billion to host the 2016 Summer Olympics. Six months later, four months after the end of the Paralympic Games, the city’s Olympic infrastructure is falling apart.

in. Other venues appear to not have received any necessary upkeep. Even the Maracana, Rio’s Olympic stadium, is without power as city officials argue about who should pay the electricity bills.

Over the weekend, the Brazilian news outlet O Globo published footage of various abandoned and decrepit Olympic venues. According to O Globo, limited security has resulted in theft, and the ceilings are falling

Most shocking is a warm-up pool that has turned orange. O Globo reports that mud, insects, and rainwater have contributed to the jarring

colour. The tiles in the background, which were made by the Brazilian artist Adriana Varejao, have either fallen or been taken, according to O Globo. During the Olympics, the pools were a source of frustration as they turned different, but equally unpleasant, shades of green — ironic, considering the uproar before the games over Rio’s sewage-infested bodies of water.

The argument against hosting the Olympics has always been that it doesn’t make sense to pour billions of dollars into sporting venues that would most likely have no use after the two-week spectacle. From Athens to Beijing, abandoned Olympic venues are common. Rio is the latest example — at least until after the next Olympics.

t r o Sp West Dem/East Bank Dem Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition

Hustlers manhandle two opponents in one night - Competition continues tomorrow

P.28

Part of the action in this year’s West Demerara/East Bank Demerara Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Competition.

Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2017

India skittle Thailand for 55 in second win P.27

India are all but through to the Super Six stage © IDI/Getty

Ayabonga Khaka took astonishing figures of 10-6-9-2 © Getty Images and Cricket Australia

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