Kaieteur News

Friday February 05, 2016

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news

It is wise for Gov’t to get back into rice-milling

Britny Mack performed...

DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to a news article in today’s edition February 4, 2016 of your newspaper titled, “Govt. considers re-entering rice milling – AgriMinister” If implemented, this is a laudable consideration once the installations are managed efficiently and transparently. Currently, billions of dollars are allocated from the Treasury to cushion negative effects within the industry.

The bulk of this support is geared to facilitate post harvest operations such as paddy purchase and the technical operations of Receiving, Drying, Storage, Milling and Marketing. I am of the view that government should always have an option in assuring food security and transportation services for the nation. Already, one family controls a large percentage of paddy intake installations across

the rice belt; and while private enterprises could be encouraged as the chosen engine of growth for the economy, it’s important for the government to have controlling interest in additional facilities which can guarantee the national interest as a major objective. Derrick Cummings Former Branch Manager Secretary to the Board & Divestment Committee GRMMA

From page 4 bodies of South America (FESUPO) and the Commonwealth (CPF) for a championship to be hosted at home once we have tendered. Incidentally powerlifting was among the first to utilize Princess Hotel as a sports tourism venue (the NAPF Caribbean Championships in 2010).One has only to read the respective websites of the said Federations to appreciate the volume of lifters and support personnel including fans capable of travelling to Guyana for an in-

From page 4 That the Skeldon factory did better in the second crop of 2015, than in previous seasons, was essentially a measure of the very sub-standard performance of those years when, even in desperation, one Head of State publicly declared that he would apply his own considerable manipulative skills to energizing the lethargy surrounding the most ‘modern’ technological development in the sugar industry in the 21st century. Its capacity for absorbing foreign advice was insatiable, as it was for the continuous financial inputs dumped into its suspect viability – arguably depleting funding for more productive entities in Berbice and Demerara; and indeed even weaker ones, like Wales Estate, for example.

Caught in this maelstrom of crass decision-making and the consequent stream of obfuscations and misrepresentations, of the extant situation, the eyes and ears of normally alert stakeholders became befogged. So that while it might have appeared a sudden and abrupt decision, the restructuring of Wales, not its closure, was an inevitability – starved as it had been of the resources – financial and material – it so badly needed (as obtained with counterpart locations). Indeed the World Bank had indicated this a few years ago. What is important to note is that the sugar industry has had a history of reconstruction. We are living in one of these periods – when sugar prices are not only too low, and the cost of production too

high; but in the larger nutritional world, sugar is becoming an increasingly less recommended diet. Hence diversification must be! But in all of this the role of the Unions cannot be trivialised. Rather than displaying concern about the failing health of the industry; showing leadership that would move (with their followership) towards the mitigation of falling production and productivity, they literally found that ‘obstacles’ in the field proved to be financially rewarding, and, more often than not, frightened a misconfident management into agreeing that the latter had in fact placed so many ‘obstacles’ in the path of the workers, that they did not need to go into the field to be paid.

The records would reveal the inordinate sums paid to clear ‘obstacles’ away from strikes. Even so, such rewards were minuscule when compared to the insensitive insistence of annual wage increases, regardless of the business’ ability to pay; as well as the blatant indulgence in rewarding the non-achievement of annual targets – conditions not one of the naysayers would allow in their respective businesses. So should they too not be recognised as contributors after the fact -of a truly Guyanese dilemma, one which could better be healed through the forging of genuine partnerships; rather than abstaining, and allowing the stain on our economy and society spread? E.B. John

Politics and political unionism...

ternational event. “Essentially the only team?” This claim deserves no response. A check of the results on the website give the listed teams in the Commonwealth as representing Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka to name a few. Which Planet is the author on? “Are we getting confused with the males and females? etc” the article in question to which the writer refers was written as powerlifting’s condensed contribution to Kaieteur news annual year in review articles by local Associations and meant to highlight both the male and female athletes whom the Federation considered as outstanding locally and internationally with the input and contributions by the female lifters taking the spotlight (Just note the honorable mentions). Naturally the headline may have been confused the writer due to her / his myopic view. Britny Mack must be given the well-deserved accolades for her stellar efforts at the age of 16 (when most girls can hardly focus on one let alone two activities); ably bal-

ancing her academic studies with the sport she loves along with the responsibility of being a role model to other young ladies in just her first year of competition locally and internationally she has demonstrated the attributes of a real champion. Who knows, maybe somewhere some young woman having read of her exploits may have taken great courage in turning from thoughts of suicide to that of emulating her achievements. Britny Mack needs to be encouraged by her sister lifters and not vice versa. The letter writer of the distasteful article needs to enlighten the reading Public as his / her true identity and the credible contributions made to powerlifting and not just his / her negative sportsman / sportswoman behaviour. Peter Green President GAPLF Editor’s note Chitra Ramlochan called the Kaieteur News to deny authorship of the letter. Kaieteur News would like to apologize to Ms. Mack for any inconvenience suffered

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Kaieteur News

Friday February 05, 2016

US remains keen on sustained anticorruption fight here - Ambassador By Abena Rockcliffe The change of government in Guyana— from one that faced countless accusations of corruption from left, right and centre to one that paints itself as the bastion of clean and democratic governance—has in no way diminished the United States’ interest in ensuring Guyana has adequate anti-corruption mechanisms. The United States Chief of Mission in Guyana, Ambassador Perry Holloway said that his Embassy would still like to see more anticorruption measures in place, suggesting that these can never be too much. He said this during a recent exclusive interview with Kaieteur News at the US Embassy, Duke Street Kingston.

Holloway was asked to comment on the absence of an active Integrity Commission, and whether or not he viewed it as imperative and should become operational soon. The Ambassador chose not to comment on the Commission as a single policy measure to deter corruption, but emphasised that the US is all for any strong mechanism intended to address corruption. Holloway said, “The United States is all for transparency and anticorruption measures. So as much as I assume an Integrity Commission would deal with that (corruption), that is the extent to which I will agree it is important.” He added that the concept of greater transparency in public officials is one that the US has made continuous

efforts to promote in Guyana as well as other countries around the world. Holloway indicated that there are existing anticorruption programmes that the US actively supports the government on. However, as to say what are some of the immediate measures to be taken to address corruption in Guyana and whether the Integrity Commission is urgent in this regard, Holloway asserted, “it is for the government of Guyana, the people and the parliament to decide on the best way to do that”. The envoy added, “I think one of the challenges facing Guyana is that it is still a developing country, it is a young country, relatively speaking, and so it has lots of challenges. So while any given issue reported in the newspaper is important, it is hard for a government to work on all at once. Therefore there needs to be a priority, but unfortunately when you prioritize, it brings a different issue.” “Let’s say her issue is A

and yours B. When I prioritize B because I believe it’s the most important, there are those who will complain everyday about A not being addressed or worked on,” Holloway explained. He stressed that the US is interested in seeing minimum corruption, but is not going to tell Guyana how to get to such a point. “But again I say it is for the government and the people to decide how they will go about having greater transparency and anticorruption practices, but it is certainly a key part of any successful democracy,” said Holloway. The 2015 Corruption Perceptions Index recently released by Transparency International indicated that Guyana has shown little sign of improvement. Guyana received a score of 29, signaling a slip one place down from its score last year. But Guyana did improve in ranking. In 2014 it was ranked 124 out of 175 countries, but in 2015 it moved up to 119 out of 168 countries. Three other countries tied with Guyana in the 119th position. These were Azerbaijan, Russia and Sierra Leone. The report said that any score below 50 indicates a serious corruption problem. Guyana has never been above that. Additionally, twothirds of the countries surveyed scored less than 50. Guyana’s Continental and Regional neighbours did better than it in 2015. The report revealed that Trinidad and Tobago scored 39 while Brazil and Jamaica scored 38 and 41 respectively. Suriname earned a score of 36 while Haiti got a score of 17. The Corruption Perceptions Index measures the perceived levels of public sector corruption worldwide. The scores are measured from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).

The report said that Governments are willing to pass laws addressing corruption, yet enforcing them is a different matter. It said that laws need real teeth. T r a n s p a r e n c y International emphasized that Governments must tackle political corruption. The new government had said that the Integrity Commission will soon be able to do more than just collect statements from politicians regarding their accumulated wealth. Since last September, Minister of State Joseph Harmon told the media that the coalition government is currently examining the mandate of the Commission with the aim of giving it powers to investigate the truthfulness of such declarations. Harmon said that there is still some work to be done at the Commission which he visited. He said, too, that he held discussions with the entity’s Chief Executive. Harmon said that the Commission has been operating without a Chairman and Commissioners for years. Harmon said that for the time being, the Integrity Commission is functioning with a very small staff with a very limited budget. When the coalition government served in the opposition, it had made it pellucid that it would not respond to the calls of the Integrity Commission for the declaration of assets until the body was equipped with a Chairman. In a published advertisement in this newspaper on August 20, 2014, the Integrity Commission called on all public officers who are required by law, to submit their 2014 declaration forms to the Office of the Integrity Commission. It reminded, too, that all defaulting public officials are

US Ambassador, Perry Holloway to submit their outstanding declaration forms from 1997 to 2013 to the Commission as soon as possible. It added that failure to file a declaration with the Commission is an offence under the Commission’s Act and is subject to Section 22 of the said Act. When President David Granger served as the Opposition Leader, he had said, “When there is an appointment of a chairman to a properly constituted Integrity Commission, only then will the APNU members declare their assets.” The new government is yet to appoint a chairman. Meanwhile, the opposition is calling for the government to ensure the operationalisation of the Commission. Under the laws, public officers including the President, Permanent Secretaries, Director of Public Prosecutions, Auditor General, Commissioner of Police, the Army Chief, Heads of the Services Commissions, Foreign Affairs officials, Judges and Magistrates and Department Heads are required to declare their assets. Also required to submit declaration forms of their earnings and gifts received are Regional Executive Officers, the Chief Elections Officer, Mayors, Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers of state companies, Registrars of Lands and the Commissioner of Guyana Revenue Authority, along with Presidential Advisors, and Heads of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and Guyana Forestry Commission. The idea behind the declarations is to ensure that no official has suddenly acquired large amounts of cash or property without proper justification. At this point, the Commission is just seen as a toothless poodle.

Friday February 05, 2016

Kaieteur News

New U.S. intelligence report says Islamic State weaker Islamic State has as many as 25,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq, down from a previous estimate of up to 31,000, according to a U.S. intelligence report revealed by the White House yesterday. U.S. officials cited factors such as battlefield casualties and desertions to explain the roughly 20 percent decrease in fighters, and said the report showed a U.S.-led campaign to crush Islamic State was making progress. The new intelligence estimate “means they continue to be a substantial threat, but the potential numbers have declined,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. “ISIS has sustained significant casualties,” Earnst said. Ground fighting efforts by coalition partners of the United States are having an effect in the conflict against Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, he said.

U.S.-backed Iraqi security forces and tribal militias and moderate opposition groups in Syria have contributed. So too has a U.S.-led air campaign that has launched more than 10,000 strikes against the Islamist extremists, Earnest said. Finally, international efforts are beginning to stem the flow of foreigners seeking to join the movement. “ISIL is having more difficulty than they’ve had before in replenishing their ranks, and we have long been aware of the need of the international community to cooperate to stop the flow of foreign fighters to the region,” said Earnest. The new intelligence report of 19,000-25,000 Islamic State fighters in Iraq and Syria compares to 2014 estimates of 20,000-31,000 fighters. “The decrease reflects the combined effects of battlefield deaths, desertions, internal disciplinary

actions, recruiting shortfalls, and difficulties that foreign fighters face traveling to Syria,” said Emily Horne, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council. S o m e N o r t h A f r i can jihadists who might otherwise have traveled to Syria to join Islamic State may instead have heeded calls by the movement’s leadership to head to Libya, where the Islamists are fighting to expand their grip on territory on the Mediterranean coast. The intelligence report did not account for the Islamic State’s affiliates in South Asia, other parts of the Middle East and North Africa, where its Libyan branch is expanding. There appear to be conflicting U.S. estimates of the strength of the movement’s Libyan affiliate. Defense officials put the number at some 3,000, while other U.S. officials put it at 5,000-6,000.

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Friday February 05, 2016

Haiti’s leader vows to leave power Brazil sprays for mosquitoes as on Sunday as protests intensify Zika fears threaten Carnival

Haitian President Michel Joseph Martelly (Reuters) - Haiti’s president promised yesterday to leave power in three days’ time despite having no replacement after a botched election, as opposition protests intensified and politicians squabbled over who should lead an interim government. President Michel Martelly had earlier warned he would not step aside without an established succession plan, enraging protesters who have marched almost daily in the capital Port-au-Prince over the past two weeks. Haiti’s constitution requires Martelly to leave office on Feb. 7, but runoff elections to choose the next president were canceled last month when opposition candidate Jude Celestin threatened to boycott the vote and protests turned violent. “I am grateful to all those who allowed me to serve. On Feb. 7, I’ll leave without any regret, any envy and without any desire to remain in

power,” Martelly told reporters at an event to inaugurate a new Department of Interior headquarters built after a January 2010 earthquake flattened much of the capital. Martelly’s departure should placate opposition parties who accuse him of trying to unfairly favor his preferred candidate, Jovenel Moise, in the elections but could leave a power vacuum in the poor, volatile Caribbean nation. Martelly denies any wrongdoing. An official, independent evaluation of the election found the first round of voting was flawed, and questioned the registration of more than 900,000 party agents who were able to vote at any polling station. A short distance across town from Martelly, more than two thousand anti-government protesters marched outside parliament, with some demanding that former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, ousted in a 2004 coup, be

called to head an interim government. “Aristide is the right man to deal with the current situation because he is a man of consensus, he is the most popular personality in Haiti, said Gerald Gilles, a former senator and spokesman for Aristide’s party. That solution is unlikely to appeal to Celestin and other opposition candidates, who want a Supreme Court judge to lead an interim government that would more deeply investigate the first round and organize a new election. Protesters clashed with police. Some threw rocks at parliament, where lawmakers met in a joint session of the 50th legislature. “The National Assembly will take all necessary measures to fill the vacancy of the presidency,” said Jocelerme Privert, president of the Senate, in a short speech. A mission from the Organization of American States is trying to broker a solution.

Workers prepare to spray insecticide to combat the spread of the Zika virus in Recife, Brazil, on Feb. 3, ahead of Carnival. The city expects more than a million visitors for the celebration. (Jane Derenowski / NBC News) (NBC News) Health department workers are spending the week spraying insecticide up and down the streets of Brazil’s major cities, including Recife, the city at the epicenter of the country’s fastspreading outbreak of Zika virus. They’re trying to kill as many mosquitoes as possible before Carnival, the giant festival of parades, music and dancing that attracts millions of visitors from around the world. As crowds pour into Recife airport, they’re met with bands and warnings. Staffers in mosquito-decorated T-shirts offer information about the Aedes aegypti mosquito that’s spreading the virus across Latin America and the Caribbean. “In a couple of days we will have about 1.5 million people on these streets during Carnival,” said Jailson Correia, health secretary for the northeastern coastal metropolis. The concerns are mostly for pregnant women. Recife’s also the epicenter of what looks like a surge in cases of microcephaly, a serious birth defect in which a baby’s brain is underdeveloped. There are hints of other types of brain damage to babies, as well.

Researchers are also checking reports of an unusually high number of cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a serious neurological condition that sometimes develops after an infection. Doctors say most people never know they’ve been infected with Zika, which causes mild symptoms at the worst — mostly a rash and fever. Brazil’s president Dilma Rousseff said she’d deploy 220,000 troops to help eradicate the mosquitoes, which bite during the day and breed inside and around homes. “What we are doing is going house to house in this area, doing the mechanical removal or the elimination of any breeding sites,” Correia said. “Part of our job is actually to provide education to show people how can they do the job themselves to find the places where the mosquito tends to find as a breeding site in the households.” Aedes mosquitoes are notorious for their ability to breed in small pots of water and even discarded bottle caps. The preparations are a practice run for the Olympics, scheduled for August

in Rio de Janeiro. That’s winter in Brazil, and officials say they hope the mosquitoes will be less active then. Brazil once eradicated Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, 50 years or so ago. But the insects crept back when eradication efforts ended. Now the mosquitoes, which prefer densely populated urban spaces and which bite during the day, spread dengue virus and Chikungunya as well as Zika. They carry yellow fever virus, also, but there’s a vaccine against that one. There is no vaccine against Zika. The World Health Organization declared the rapid spread of Zika and its feared link with microcephaly to be a global health emergency. The mosquitoes live in hot zones as far north as Florida, and spraying efforts are under way in Miami, also. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is unlikely Zika will take hold in the U.S. in the way it has further south. Travelers will bring the virus on occasion and if there are Aedes aegypti mosquitos circulating in an area, there could be small outbreaks, CDC predicts.

Friday February 05, 2016

Kaieteur News

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WILL THE PEOPLE GIVE BENSCHOP A CHANCE THIS TIME AROUND?

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he talk of the town is about giving Mark Benschop a chance in the Mayoral elections. This is the buzz in the city at the moment. People feel that even if he does not make it to become Mayor, at least if he gets to become a member of the council he will create an atmosphere of change, since he will speak out and be an independent voice at City Hall. A great many people voted for change on May 11, 2015. They have been disappointed. They have not seen the change they expected. Sure enough the

city is cleaner – that is a positive development – but there is a feeling more of exchange rather than change. Their expectations have not been met. There has been a great deal of disappointment. Things were promised that have not been delivered; things that to the ordinary man were important. Some people of course will be happy with the present situation. They do not mind one bit that the change expected has not materialized. Their only objective was to see the backs of the PPP and it really does not matter if APNU

Three months jail for battery thief Magistrate Leron Daly sitting in the Providence Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday sentenced a Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara resident to three months imprisonment for stealing a battery from a minibus. Abrahim Abdul, 49, pleaded guilty to a charge of simple larceny read to him. Particulars of the charge stated that on February 2, he stole a battery valued $55,000-property of Shazan Deen. According to court facts, the two parties are known to each other. On the day in question, Deen

made checks on his minibus BKK 7855 and found that the battery was missing. Further checks revealed that the vehicle’s trunk was opened and the door had been damaged. Deen subsequently reported the matter to the police and identified Abdul as a suspect. Abdul was later taken into police custody, where he admitted to stealing the battery. He was cautioned, arrested and charged with the offence. The article was recovered and handed over to Deen.

turns out worse than the PPP, these persons are going to be quite content with the fact that the party they support is in power. The AFC has been a major disappointment. Many felt that the AFC would have been able to exercise greater influence on the affairs of government. However, the AFC has been effectively sidelined in the new administration and is quite content, seemingly, to “toe the line.” People who voted for change have not seen the change. Local government elections give these persons another go at creating change in the country. This time the stakes are not high. The government is not going to fall if APNU loses in areas where they are expected to win. The government will not fall if APNU does not do as it believes it should do. The PPP is not expected to pose a threat to APNU within the city. The PPP will struggle to gain 20% of the total votes in the city. So it has no chance whatsoever of either winning or controlling City Hall. This alone should encourage voters to break with traditional voting patterns and to vote for a real change rather than allow the local government elections to be a two-way contest between APNU and the PPP. In this type of scenario where the PPP is not a threat to APNU’s power base and

where even the loss of a few NDCs and municipalities will not present problems for the ruling coalition - people theoretically may be inclined to give the independent candidates and independent parties a chance. People want to see a difference in the politics of this country. They want to see an end to this constant political bickering between APNU and the PPP. The AFC was supposed to create this change. But it has not done so and has become an appendage of APNU. People are therefore looking for an alternative. They want change. They want to see and hear

independent voices. They want leaders who are not caught up in this lowintensity civil war that has existed for sixty years between the PNC and the PPP. They may not like some of the independent candidates or even know them. But they are desperate for something different and they may just as well take a chance on some of the independent candidates and parties. This is one reason why perhaps they may want to give Benschop a chance. They may want to give him a chance, not because they like him, but because some third or fourth forces are needed in

Guyanese politics, even at City Hall. And seeing that at the local government level, a win or loss for the PPP or APNU will not affect power at the centre, the people may just be tempted this time to give Benschop the chance they did not give him at general elections.

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Car dealers voice concerns over reduced taxes, importation restrictions On Friday last, Finance Minister Winston Jordan, during the National Budget Presentation, proposed the removal of excise tax on vehicles under four years old and less than 1500cc, and the proposed importation restriction on vehicles under eight years and older. This move by the Government’s was seen as a measure in keeping with its programme of “greening the economy” and protecting the environment. These vehicles, according to Jordan, currently attract excise tax at the rate of 30 percent and an effective tax rate of 118.7 per cent, however, with this removal, the effective tax rate will be reduced to 68.2 per

cent. Jordan also revealed that there will be a reduction of excise tax from 50 per cent to 10 per cent, on motor vehicles under four years old, between 1500cc and under 2000cc. As a result, he said, the effective tax rate of 152.3 per cent will be reduced to 85 per cent. While some dealers have lauded the government’s move to restrict importation of used vehicles to under eight years old from the date of manufacture to the date of importation, others have expressed that it will bring little or no real benefit to low and middle-income earners. This restriction will be enforced from May 1, 2016. An auto dealer yesterday,

who requested anonymity, stated that while the Government’s move is admirable “blended with a thought for the earth’s safety”, they should not neglect or block the dreams of the low and middle-income earners to own a vehicle. “A high-class or rich individual or let me use urban slang, “a monster”, will benefit because it is in his or her range to buy a brand new…or newer model. They will benefit from this. But what happens to the poor man who cannot afford to buy a new one or recent model? Or can only import a used car to fit their budget? They are denying the poor, the same thing with the used tyres situation. Guyana is not ready

to take these big gigantic leaps,” the man opined. “Then there are the Bank loans…A low-income man can go and take a $3M loan to buy a normal car…Will the bank give him a loan of let’s say, double that amount, to buy a partially brand new car? Will he have collateral to put up to match that amount?” A representative of Fazela Auto Sales in Anna Catherina said that he supports the government’s move in regards to the restriction. The reason for endorsing the move, he stated, was the “fact” that older imported cars carry higher maintenance costs and fuel consumption. The man continued that he was somewhat disappointed by the government’s move to

not “leveling the field”. “Private (individual) car importers are playing less tax than car salesmen. The government should address or level the field, because we pay more and we have to go through all the processes like licencing…So we were a little disappointed by this, (but) car sales will still continue though, people are still going to buy cars,” he said. A popular Georgetown importer, who requested anonymity, said that while he is thankful for the tax reduction, he is worried about the impact the restriction will have on the majority of his customers, who are usually the middle and low income earners. “We are thankful for the

duty reduction, but the ban (restriction) will fall way above the reach of our customers who usually go after the $2M to $2.8M range. A used Premio 2013 model before shipping and taxation is $3.4M, then (adding) the (new) taxes and shipping, it ends up to somewhere around $5.8M (while) older models; the 2006, 2007, 2008 models in our showroom are between the $2M to $2.8M range…you can see the difference.” “Then you should take financing into consideration, the customers are barely qualifying as it is to get a $2M loan from the banks, much less, a loan for $3.5 and $5.8M. This ban (restriction) will affect everyone.”

Friday February 05, 2016

Kaieteur News

Natural Resources Ministry lending support to Zika fight An outbreak of the Zika Virus in the northern and eastern parts of Brazil has prompted the Ministry of Natural Resources to throw its support behind the Ministry of Public Health. The two ministries will together spearhead a massive education and awareness campaign to inform members of the public of ways to protect themselves from the virus, particularly in the mining communities. This strategic collaboration will serve to augment support already being offered to monitor and arrest the spread of the virus here. A number of agencies, national and regional, are supporting the efforts of the Public Health Ministry. Natural Resources Minister, Mr. Raphael Trotman, on Wednesday convened a meeting with the Heads of the collaborating agencies to draft a strategy to address the public health threat. Coming out of that meeting it was decided that the Natural Resources Ministry through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) will be embarking on a threepronged approach to support the Ministry of Public Health. The first phase will entail the dissemination of information and brochures to remote areas throughout the Mining and Forestry districts countrywide. The Natural Resources Ministry will also be soliciting support from the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA), the Guyana Women Miners’ Organisation (GWMO), and companies within the forestry and mining sectors in this endeavour. The agencies and companies

operating within these sectors will also be expected to provide other tangible support as part of their corporate responsibility to the communities in which they operate. Secondly, the Ministry will be providing logistical support and equipment via its Occupational Health and Safety mechanism to bolster the efforts of the Ministry of Public Health to fog and apply other vector control measures in remote hinterland communities. Additionally, all buildings under the Ministry’s purview, across the country, will be fogged and all receptacles cleared as a matter of priority. The meeting was attended by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Mr. Joslyn McKenzie; Head of the PAC, Mr. Damian Fernandes; Head of the EPA, Dr. Indarjit Ramdass; Head of the GFC, Mr. James Singh; Head of the GGMC, Mr. Newell Dennison; Ministerial Advisor, Ministry of Natural Resources, Mr. Clayton Hall and Technical Assistant, Ms. Teresa Gaime. To date, only one case of the Zika virus has been confirmed in Guyana. A patient was diagnosed with the virus in January, but all of her symptoms have reportedly since disappeared. Her relatives have however been under medical supervision and continue to be closely monitored. Since the outbreak in Brazil, the Ministry of Public Health has stepped up monitoring at all hospitals and medical facilities for persons presenting with flu-like symptoms. The Ministry’s Vector Control Unit has also been undertaking fogging and other exercises to tackle the Aedes mosquito and eliminate the spread of Zika and other tropical diseases like dengue and chikungunya in Guyana.

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HIV fight attracts more Gov’t. spending By Sharmain Grainger “We are not out of the woods yet,” said Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) situation in Guyana. He disclosed during a recent interview with this publication that currently Guyana still sees just under 1,000 new cases, and a number of these are noticeably young people. “We are seeing younger and younger people being HIV-positive. The younger the people coming in, that means that we will have to care for them for a longer period of time, because the life expectancy rate among those persons has extended to almost that of non-HIV people,” related Dr. Persaud. He pointed out that once a person is diagnosed with HIV and treatment commences, this must be continued for the rest of that person’s life. He added though, “The big challenge is to keep that going and avoid complacency. So I think that the monitoring systems in place; the systems to continue to address the sexual practices and the risky behaviours, must be reemphasised.” And according to him,

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud Government is playing an increasingly greater role in the national fight against HIV. He disclosed that Government has almost fully taken up responsibility in this regard. While in the past Guyana depended heavily on donor support to source medication for instance, the CMO assured, “We are buying from many of the pharmaceutical agencies, fully, and in quantities that are adequate for the number of cases that we have on treatment.” But despite the commitment of Government, Dr. Persaud noted that support is nevertheless forthcoming to the public health sector. He disclosed

that the United Nations agencies are altogether expected to continue to support Guyana for a while longer. This support, he explained, is trained mainly on reaching at-risk populations within Region Four. The at-risk populations are Commercial Sex Workers, Men who have Sex with Men, persons who are vulnerable because of their placement in less favourable environments, street dwellers and migrant-type workers. “They are providing a lot of support for these groups...The (US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) PEPFAR programme has been contracted based on the evidence that it has to focus a lot more on Region Four,” informed Dr. Persaud. This effort is complemented similarly in the other Regions by Government through the Ministry of Public Health. But according to the CMO, the number of positive cases found among the at-risk populations in the other Regions are significantly less when compared to what obtains in Region Four. WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT Although unable to put a figure to Government’s spending in the area of HIV, Dr. Persaud was able to share his conviction that measures to ‘prevent mother to child transmission’ have been dubbed one of Government’s biggest and most worthwhile investments. And because of the gains that have been made through this programme, Dr. Persaud said that the programme has

- but donor support still forthcoming

been extended to include all antenatal sites, nationally. “We would like to have all mothers who go to antenatal clinics to be tested. The protocol requires that testing be done countrywide, twice. (Pregnant women) must be tested for HIV during the early stages and once before delivery,” related Dr. Persaud, as he added that “HIV could be present but not detected in the early stages.” He said, “If that person is pregnant it means that person has had unprotected sex and there is a chance that that person could be infected...so we are checking that.” Based on the Ministry’s data garnered through the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr. Persaud confided that the number of mother to child transmission cases has been reducing considerably. In 2014 Guyana’s transmission rate stood at 1.6 per cent which places it in a position to attain elimination status. But the data for last

year is yet to be validated, according to Dr. Persaud. Cuba has been named the first country to achieve elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV and “we can do that too,” the CMO added. Already Guyana has been striving to sustain a safe birthing programme for HIVpositive women. This, according to the CMO, entails a mostly normal birthing procedure with some little modifications in the cutting of the umbilical cord. Caesarean section has also been deemed a good way of safely delivering the babies of HIV infected women as there is even less exposure. “We would like to be the next country to declare that we have eliminated mother to child transmission. We have started to do some of the work and there is even a programme for the male partner,” Dr. Persaud divulged. This is particularly important, he said. “There is

no point you are testing the mother and the men are probably having additional contact. That can put the mother at risk...so we are looking at all of that and then the follow-up and care of the children; we are trying to ensure that they (mothers) don’t breast feed.” Dr. Persaud noted that government has been supporting the use of breast milk substitutes in order to further its mother to child transmission programme. Breast milk substitutes are procured and distributed regularly to HIV positive mothers. “They can’t say ‘oh, baby is out of milk, so I have to breastfeed’,” said Dr. Persaud. He added too, that there are other forms of nutritional support offered as part of the prevention programme. “Our (transmission) numbers have been coming down...even if we find a positive among the mothers seen, we immediately have measures that we put in place to ensure that the babies are not infected and so we think we can totally achieve elimination, at least, by 2018,” said a confident Dr. Persaud. Guyana’s health sector has therefore fully embraced the ambitious UNAIDS 90-9090 goal. This goal speaks to ensuring that 90 per cent of all people living with HIV know their status; 90 per cent of all people diagnosed with HIV receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90 per cent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy have viral suppression. It is the hope of UNAIDS that the 90-90-90 goal will be realised by 2020.

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

Friday February 05, 2016

Kaieteur News

Fourth man charged with Bank of Baroda robbery A fourth man was yesterday charged for allegedly staging a daylight robbery at the Bank of Baroda branch at Montrose, East Coast Demerara, two weeks ago. Shawn Harris a/k “Bruk Up”, 27, of Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown had been wanted by police in connection with the crime. He subsequently turned himself in. Harris was remanded to prison after appearing before Magistrate Zamilla AllySeepaul at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court. Three other men were also charged last week with the armed robbery. They too were remanded to prison. They are Sean Anthony Aaron a/k Ninja or Ratty, 34, of Lot 317 North East La Penitence, Georgetown; Kennard Jabar, 28, of Lot 88 Freeman Street, East La Penitence and Eon Campbell,39, of Campbellville. It is alleged that on January 22, at Mon Repos, the men while being in the company of others and armed with a gun, robbed Raywattie Lall and Latchmie Mohabir of over $2M—property of Bank of Baroda. They were further accused of stealing a .32 Taurus revolver belonging to Roshan Khan, from Shirley Lucas, a security guard who was on duty at the time of the robbery.

From left: Kennard Jabar, Eon Campbell and Sean Anthony Aaron The quartet was not required to plead to the indictable charge. They will make their next court appearance on February 18. Police are still on the hunt for Timothy Asher Morrison. He is being sought for questioning in relation to the robbery under-arms. It was reported that Campbell, a graphic artist, who operates a tint shop was the alleged accomplice of the other accused. He reportedly supplied false number plates for their getaway car. According to reports, four armed men stormed the bank around 12:50hrs on January 22. They held up the lone security guard and relieved her of the .32 Taurus revolver before turning their attention to the female tellers. During the five-minute ordeal the men relived the bank staff of over $2M before

WANTED: Timothy Morrison making their escape in a Toyota Premio motor vehicle bearing a false number plate PNN 8984. Two of the accused reportedly told investigators that the cash was divided at the home of one of the gang members in North East La Penitence. Police have obtained two caution statements and an oral confession from the men.

Shawn Harris at his court appearance yesterday Jabar, a former Office of the President driver, is no stranger to law enforcement. Back in 2013, he was charged with possession of illegal firearm and ammunition.

Page 35

No bail for seaman accused of trafficking ganja in box A seaman accused of owning a box containing marijuana was yesterday remanded to prison on a drug trafficking charge. Appearing before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan was 31 year-old Ron Morris, a father of two, of North Haslington, East Coast Demerara. It is alleged that on February 2, at Ekereku Landing, he had 453 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. Morris pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded to prison until March 21, when he will appear in the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court. Police Corporal, Deniro Jones presented the prosecution’s case. He said that several marked boxes were posted into the area. Jones said that after the boxes were offloaded from the airplane the defendant claimed ownership for a box labeled ‘Troy Hope’. According to the prosecutor, Morris was asked by the police if he had anything illegal in the box and he told them “yes”. He said that the defendant told lawmen that he had some “weed” inside the box. The prosecutor stated that Morris

Ron Morris tried to bargain with police to avoid being charged, but was later taken into custody. Six yellow parcels containing the illicit drug were unearthed from the box. Although the police were unable to obtain a caution statement from Morris, Jones said that he orally confessed to the crime. However, an attorney for Morris told the court that his client has no knowledge of the drug and requested that he be admitted to bail. The attorney pointed out that special circumstances arise under the condition in which his client was charged. He said that on the date in question, two planes arrived with cargo in the area (Continued on page 40)

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Kaieteur News

Gov’t paying keen attention to early childhood development Strategic measures have been implemented to advance early childhood development and Government is fully on board. In fact, Cabinet was recently privy to extensive measures that have been implemented in this regard and those that are expected to be realised in the near future. According to Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, at the most recent post-cabinet press briefing, Cabinet was enlightened of the current state of early childhood development in Guyana. A presentation in this regard was delivered by Ms. Audrey Rodrigues, Learning and Development Officer at the United Nations Child Fund (UNICEF). Trotman disclosed that the presentation also saw Rodrigues giving details of the activities undertaken by the Childcare and Protection Agency in collaboration with UNICEF, in 2013 and 2014. The activities included the establishment of the Early Childhood Development Unit, organising of an accredited certificate programme for early childhood development

practitioners at the University of Guyana (UG) and the certification of 15 facilitators and lecturers as Caribbean vocational qualification assessors. The collaboration also saw the realisation of the integration of early childhood development and community health workers training in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine and the production of early childhood posters in the Macushi, Wapishana and Akawaio languages. Added to these achievements, last year the collaboration saw the approval of two post graduate programmes in early childhood development by UG. This undertaking was supported by the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica, Minister Trotman disclosed. But even more plans are apace to advance early childhood development. According to Trotman, already a requisition and assessment of space for an early childhood development centre of excellence has been made. And he disclosed that “the President has mandated that wherever space was found it should not just be for a building, but there should

be adequate facilities for sports and recreation, that is, a ground should come along side that building.” During the recent presentation to Cabinet, Rodrigues highlighted priorities and projections for 2016 and onwards, and even emphasised that early childhood is a key element in creating sustainable human capital and promoting national development. Cabinet was advised of its role in promoting early childhood development and the responsibility of specific Ministries in this regard. The specific Ministries to be involved in such endeavours are: Citizenship, Social Protection, Education, and Public Health. Meanwhile, Minister Trotman also spoke of the creation of a training centre in Guyana to stimulate the development of children, adolescents and youths with special education needs associated with disabilities. This project, he noted, has its genesis in the 4th Caricom Cuba Summit held in Trinidad and Tobago in December 2011 and the 15th Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations which was held in Suriname in May 2012. At the latter forum

Guyana volunteered to take the lead role in the creation of the training centre, Trotman added, even as he disclosed that it was against this background that an oversight committee was established in November 2012. “That committee comprises representatives from the Caricom Secretariat, the then Ministry of Health, Education, Human Services and Social Security and the National Commission on Disability,” Trotman informed. He went on to note, too, that following the recent presentation Cabinet decided to approve a cooperation of technical assistance agreement between Caricom, the Ministry of Education, the Republic of Cuba, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on behalf of Government. “This agreement will lead to the establishment of the training centre,” said Trotman, as he pointed out that Cabinet has also mandated the relevant Ministries within the oversight committee to meet urgently with the Caricom Secretariat to resolve all outstanding matters, including the selection of a suitable site to locate the centre and enable effective implementation of the process.

Friday February 05, 2016

Police community outreach programme gathers steam The Guyana Police Force says that it is continuing to make significant development through community outreach activities in keeping with its Social Crime Prevention Programme which places great emphasis on the empowerment of youths. During January 2016 a number of activities were held in policing Divisions. The Police Force in a press release stated that in ‘A’ Division (Georgetown/ East Bank Demerara) Commander Clifton Hicken visited the Alberttown, Queenstown and North Sophia Police Youth Clubs where he interacted with the youths and offered them words of encouragement and advice. The Commander, accompanied by Pastor Ewart Williams who is attached to the COPS and Faith Community Network, visited the Agricola Chosen Generation Police Youth Club where a presentation on suicide was given. Further, motivational sessions on leadership, teamwork and public speaking were held with

youths attached to the Timehri and Yarrowkabra Youth Clubs. This is in addition to a seven a-side Futsal competition among teams from Police Youth Clubs in the Division which was held at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary. In ‘E’ Division (Linden/ Kwakwani) ranks of the Mabura Police Outpost in collaboration with residents of the community, conducted repairs to the fence of the Mabura Primary School with support from members of the business community. The Library at the Mackenzie Police Station was given a boost through a donation of educational books and magazines by businesswoman Janice Moore-Mc Calmont of J&C Renaissance. Not to be outdone, Kevin Adonis, the Divisional Administration of ‘G’ Division (Essequibo Coast and Islands) held an award ceremony for students of Police Youth Clubs, who had excelled academically and in sports during 2015. Continued on page 37

Friday February 05, 2016

Kaieteur News

Page 37

Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news

I say a little prayer for you

DEAREDITOR, I gave The Lord thanks for Kaieteur News’ spiritual insight, maturity, humility, and boldness, to call on the people of Guyana to pray for the choking bonds of wickedness to be paralyzed, and be destroyed, so that it’s evil grip on this nation be loosed, be obliterated, and never return. Mr. Editor, I believe that it was the Prayer of many that saw the faithfulness of God manifested in the election of May 11th. 2015, for a new and just government to take over the reins of the nation. The Scripture informs us that the faithfulness of God last throughout all generations, so we must have no doubt that His faithfulness will continue to rest upon the land and His blessings will continue to be poured out upon it as we continue in Prayer for this Dear Nation of ours. We must however be cognizant of the reality that just as today transitions to tomorrow at midnight, there is darkness from the time of midnight to just before sunrise, and the spiritual reality is, that that is the time evil thrives in. We see it in the increase of suicides, murders, robberies, and other criminal and devious activities, but we also

see that the time is shorter still to sunrise over Guyana, as it is said “it is always darkest nearest the dawn’, the darkness will have to flee, and we will see the country being like the sun when it rises in its strength, at which time we will proclaim over this dear land before it celebrates its 50th year of Independence, (which incidentally is a year of jubilee) “Arise and shine for your light has come and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee” Yes Mr. Editor, with the eyes of faith, I see from a distance the emerging sunlight as many have continued in prayer for this nation, I feel the power of the Ruler of the Kings of the earth descending upon it, and I hear the crumbling of the citadels of the evil ones, who are now fleeing for refuge to other countries and places. For those who remain impatient about the pace at which things are moving let them be reminded that sunrise does not occur at midnight, night must run its course, and the dawn will surely come. As you so perspicaciously pointed out Mr. Editor, Guyana is a deeply religious country with 57% of the population being Christians, and others, Muslims and Hindus, must all pray for the

Government to solve the problems besetting the country. May I add the Scriptural injunction:-”It is righteousness that exalts a nation” and this must be the poignancy of our Prayers so that effective and enduring prosperity, the reward from God, never cease to flow on the land. Mr. Editor. It now falls into the realm of the Church that is entrusted with the mysteries of God to wage a good warfare against the Principalities, the powers and the rulers of the darkness that have hither fore beset the nation so that the light of Christ illuminate the hearts of the people even as the sun rises in its strength and its heat dries up the carcass, and extinguish the stench of evil that pervaded the nation. Mr. Editor, I end this with a Prayer for You, Kaieteur News and the Government of Guyana. May God through His Son Jesus Christ, bestow on you all, Understanding to know Him, diligence to seek Him, Wisdom to find Him, a faithfulness to embrace Him, and the will to walk in the light of His Presence and exult in His righteousness. May He uphold our President, David Arthur Granger, with His righteous right hand, and grant

From page 36 The youths were presented with trophies in recognition of their achievement. A presentation on Leadership and Suicide Prevention, facilitated by the police, was given by Dr. Astell Collins of the Youth Initiatives Department, Ministry of the Presidency to police ranks, members of

the Guyana Defence Force, Community Policing Groups and the general public at the Richard Faikal Police College, Suddie, Essequibo Coast. Also police ranks met and held discussions with members of the community and the Cotton Field Secondary School Parent Teacher’s Association on January 21, where issues

discussed included Suicide, and violence and substance abuse in schools. A d d i t i o n a l l y, on Monday last, the police in ‘B’ Division (Berbice) established another Youth Group which was launched at Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice and involves students of the Edinburgh Primary School.

Police community outreach programme...

him continued wisdom, and understanding to lead and conduct the affairs of the nation with uprightness and integrity. May he give to him a steadfast

heart, which no unworthy affection may drag downwards, an unconquered heart which the burdens of governing a nation cannot wear out, and an upright

heart which no unworthy or unjust purpose may tempt aside, and may he forever be mindful that he is always in God’s sight. Stanley M Beresford

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Kaieteur News

SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals and Black Opal - Cosmetology Courses - Nail Technician Course Call: 647-1773/660-5257 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezersCall:629-4946 or 225-4822 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Building Construction: house plans & estimates, floor sanding, lacquering & painting, boat for Santa Mission –Call: 650-4362 Guytec Speacialised in air condition unit, washing machine, dryer, pizza oven, convection oven, pressure pump- Call: 684-2119; 6802377 Guytec Specialised in stove range, water heater, dish washer, deep fryer, treadmills refrigerator etc. Call: 6842119; 680-2377 Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Building Contractor: drawing of house plan, general home maintenance, free estimatesCall: 216-0671; 692-0267; 6928464 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; 683-8734. Omar Cleaners’ R’ us: janitorial cleaning including: window cleaning, office cleaning, pressure washing, etc. Call: 660-9478; 672-0865 or 2236544 Tax Services: custom brokerages, individual income tax, property tax, value added tax, compliances certificates, etc. Call: 660-9478 TAXI SERVICES GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)

WANTED Rider for 3 wheel motorcycle to deliver water- Call: 6869296; 655-1534

Earn a Certificate in cosmetology, nails, wig designs & hair cutting etc. Classes commencing February! Register Now! Call: 666-5241; 619-7603

Part-time maid (35-40yrs) from 8-1pm, text information (name & address) to 642-0418, we will get back to you. Live in waitress to work in a bar and hotel. Call: 604-6606 Urgently! Garbage company needs experienced drivers must have police clearances, two reference one picture. Call: 223-7012/670-7920 EXPERIENCE SECURITY GUARD, MUST BE FIT & ALERT. SOME MILITARY BACKGROUND & POLICE C L E A R A N C E @ RUIMVELDT. CALL: 2318529 / 231-8344

WANTED

1 Mechanic welder to work in the interior, interested persons can call 625-5136 on Mon-Fri between 8am-4pm. Salesgirls, porters and security guard. Apply with written application at Lot 1E Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellville. 1 Bond clerk to work in factory from age 25 & older; must have working experience & a valid police clearance. Call: 223-0090 Live in waitress must have secondary education, courteousness & honesty is a must. Call: 610-5043 Experienced washbay attendants, living in Georgetown. Call: 646-8748 We want land in Eccles. We are paying cash, we pay between $2M-$4M. Call: 6117223; 604-2207 Coal Burners & body workman to work in Yarrowkabra. Call: 226-0395 Sales person and canter drivers wanted for a food distributing comp. application & police clearance. Call: 231-8529 Live in or live out, babysitter/ domestic –Call: 223-7500 Monday-Saturday, between 8:15-4:15pm Live in couple: husbanddriving/mechanical skills, wife- domestic. Call: 227-1830 Dispatcher- Call: 661-2824; 223-1377

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

VEHICLE FOR SALE STAR CARS AUTO SALE: 30-06 PREMIO, 03-07 FIELDER, NEW RAUM, IST, BLUEBIRD, AXELA, PITBULL. CALL: 679-3140; 268-3509

Wholesale & Retail quantity of all types of belts Call: 670-2343

AT212 HIRE car, HC 1042, good condition- Call: 6999381

ADORABLE PUPPIES FOR SALE. CALL: 6004212 Crazy Deals: Dell/HP desktop & laptop computers from $49,000, free games & educational programs @ FutureTech: 231-2206 Lots @ Blankenburg behind the gas station- $3.9M- Call Us Today: 650-0402

4X4 PFF 6163 (Green) 4 door LHD,3 liter 3VZ engine, good condition – G$1.6M- Call 657-6063

Food caravan for sale or rental. Call Renie: 689-4339; 227-4646

Minibus, SUV, Pickup 39.8 rear deferential & 14.5ft fiberglass boat with trailer and 35HP motor- Call: 678-9536

Cleaners: persons living in the areas of Soedyke E.B.D to Timehri. Call: 223-6544; between 9:00am-5:00pm

One slate pool table, price $300,000- Call: 228-2098; 6285796

Experienced cake decorator, roti/puri cooks, counter servers. Apply at Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St.

Pure bred Akita pups, fully vaccinated, parents imported, one Cummings generator 350KVA. Call: 6941418; 260-4157 Stalls 64-72 (47feet long x 7 feet wide) @ La Penitence Market Albouystown. Call: 663-1597; 218-4837

PROPERTY FOR SALE One 2 family back house in Lamaha Street drive with own way parking for vehicles, price:$30,000,000 negotiable. Call: 226-1935 Church and 2 storey building Lot 180 Charlotte Street Bourda-Call: 227-6817; 6247341 Transported Property at Parika/Hydronie, Public Road, prime spot for business, size 0.47 acres. Call: 647-7878; 669-2800 One family house at Kuru Kururu. Call: 664-2576 Property for sale, Grove $20M / Rent: $50,000 per month. Tel: 625-5461. Transported property @ Tuschen Housing Scheme $7M negotiable. Call: 2641050; 683-7045/669-3553 1 Acre land (37X1200) with flat house, chicken pen & fruit trees -$11M negotiableCall: 642-7898 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244 FOR SALE BY OWNER: FLORIDA DESIGN, WATER FRONT PROPERTY LOCATED AT MADEWINI RESORT COMMUNITY. CALL: 6245048; 624-5042

Friday February 05, 2016

Toyota Ipsum, fully loaded, music system – 5,800 watt, 7 seater, excellent condition – Call: 653-1003 Sliver Nissan Murano, late PNN series- $6M –Call: 6815548 or 695-5701 RAV4 2001, 91000km, crash bar & roof rack -$3M negotiable- Call: 216-1893 2 HB Allion for sale, “as is, where is”, best offer. Call: 6902250 Black Toyota Celica 2002; 2 door sports car, immaculate condition- Call: 614-8870; 222-2431 To y o t a R a u m , S p a c i o , AT192, Allion, L-Touring Wagon, EP71-starlet, IST, Nissan March & Pickup 4X4 (4door). Call: 6445096; 697-1453

50X85 house lot in Grove/ Diamond Scheme, property @ Yarrowkabra, land size100X200- Call: 676-0931

One new shape Allion, very clean condition, for sale at bargain price. Call: 678-8035

Toyota Hilux 2.5LTD 2010 carry boy tray, Goodrich, immaculate condition, silver, UK import, price -$5.2M- Call: 629-2200

Honda CRV (RD5), PNN series, stick gear -$2,350,000 negotiable, Toyota IST, PSS series, candy pink $1,650,000. Call: 691-1198

One wedding dress, size 6, off-white, brand: Maggie Sottero. Call: 647-6075

Unregistered Spacio, Allion: dark interior, TV, fog, rear spoiler, 2004-Call: 617-5536

5 Bedrooms; 2 bath, fully furnished, transported property located @ Rosignol W.B.Berbice. Motivated seller- call: 602-6333; 6793496; 699-4689; 666-2528 Pure bred pit bull pups, 8 weeks, fully vaccinated and de-wormed. Call: 661-1715; 669-2434 German shepherd pups- Call: 220-8904; 220-2277; 629-1471; 629-1419

1AT 212 PRR, 1 Allion PRR Series, 1 Premio PPP, owner leaving country. Call: 6422645 1 Toyota Landcruiser Prado, PMM series. Call: 219-5354, Monday-Friday 8:15-4:15pm & Saturday 8:15-1:15pm. Allion 2010, PTT series. Call: 626-7464

Double lot 9950 Sq. Ft @ Republic Gardens, price $25M (negotiable). Call: 6247686 Gold & Diamond blocks for sale or rent in the Ekereku, Puruni & Siparuni area. Call: 615-8810 $1.2M Parfaite Harmonie (80ftX50ft), $1.6M Zeelugt (100ftX50ft), and $2.6 M Parfaite Harmonie (with foundation) - Call: 611-7223; 604-2207 Land @ La Grange Public Road to sea dam, 4 acre, could use for housing development-Call: 625-1514 Land @ Providence -$5M, La Parfaite Harmonie: $1.8M, $1.6M, $1.3M, 11 St. Tuschen - $3M, Phase2- $1.4M, Parika -$65M, terms available. Call: 604-6724

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 One two room house at Grove, E.B.D. Call: 266-0892; 681-1047 Vreed-en-Hoop Junction: lessons places, st o r a g e bond or church -$25,000 per month.Call: 603-6400/264-2123 Building for rent on Croal Street near to Stabroek Market. Call: 647-6075 Executive 2 bedrooms apartment in exclusive Residential Area close to the Ogle Airport. Call for appointment: 653-2920 Two bedrooms, bottom flat, with A/C, hot & cold, security in business area, overseas clients only, asking $600USDCall: 226-1519 Two bedrooms apartment @ Alexander Village -$35,000Call: 226-4653

Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740; 686-3500 XBOX one with games, kinect and controller, XBOX 360E. Call/whatsapp: 683-8386

LAND FOR SALE

MASSAGE

Dachshund pups mix with Pekingese for sale – 7weeks old -$20,000, males only. Call: 677-2476

Happy Touch Day Spa: come & experienced heavens touch with new attendants: Kala & Lisa. Visit us today! – Call: 690-6079

One Toyota starlet engine 1500cc complete with gearbox and computer box, never used in Guyana. Call: 690-5827

The Gent’s Spa: deep tissue & 4 (four) hands massage: Angel, Tiffany and Alicia. Call: 689-5056

TO LET Modernized 2 bedrooms apartment at Vreed-en-Hoop, W.C.D . Call: 698-6496 3 Bedrooms apartment in gated community @ Versailles W.B.D. Call: 6185070 Continued on page 39

Friday February 05, 2016

Kaieteur News

Page 39

Young Hare Krishna devotee - had just returned from shot, critical Religious function “Pray for my brother” was the plea of a teary-eyed Nanda Gopaul Kishundyal, as devotees of the Hare Krishna Movement flocked to the outside of the Georgetown Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit yesterday morning. Inside the facility, nursing a gunshot wound to his abdomen, lay 21-year-old devotee Chaitanya Kishundyal. Unresponsive to treatment from medical professionals, the man was wheeled into the Accident and Emergency Unit, after which he was treated and transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. His condition is listed as critical. On Wednesday night, Kishundyal, described as a peaceful person with no known enemies, was attacked and shot by a lone gunman as he closed his gate at Lot 28 First Street, Swamp Section, Rosehall, Corentyne. Police are looking for the assailant who escaped after shooting the man, but the man’s brother claims that the gunman was one of four men who were at his brother’s home, based on video footage recovered after the incident. Reports are that the Kishundyal who lives with his parents had just returned home at about 22:30hrs when tragedy struck. Prabu Dave, head of the Hare Krishna Movement in Guyana, has since issued a call for the police to afford more security in Region Six to address the apparent growing acts of criminality being

The wounded Caitanya Kishundyal perpetrated by criminal elements. Detailing what transpired, Nanda Gopaul Kishundyal said, “Chaitanya had just dropped home some other devotees who were all part of a religious function. When he reached home there were three suspicious-looking men close to his gate, but it was while he was closing the gate, a man who was in the yard attack he.”

A scuffle ensued then a shot went off hitting him in his midsection. Yesterday afternoon the injured man’s brother said that based on what was seen on the video footage recovered from his brother’s house, his brother prevented what could have been a home invasion by fighting the gunman. “It’s like the gunman and the other three were waiting

to stick my brother up to get in the house, but after he put up a fight and the shot was fired, the other three ran away and the gunman followed shortly after,” the brother detailed. While the video was not clear enough for images of faces to be collected, the older brother is adamant that “he went to a religious function and when he come back the four guys were waiting on him, and after the one open the car door and shot him in the abdomen, the three run away. Everything happened in less than a minute.” He said based on what he saw, the men were wearing masks, and they did not manage to take any of his brother’s belongings. Describing his brother amid tears, he said he could not imagine what could have happened to him because “he is a peaceful person with no enemies.” The man was first rushed to the Port Mourant Hospital then to New Amsterdam before ultimately being transferred to the Georgetown Hospital, where he remains unconscious. Medical professionals at the Georgetown Hospital reported that the man’s condition is critical. “The police really need to get this crime situation under control, a lot of people are feeling unsafe and this that happen to my brother does not help,” Nanda Gopaul Kishundyal said. He said that six years ago some $200,000 in cash was stolen while the family was out.

From page 38

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM

VACANCY Cook/baker and truck driver for the Interior location, applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 1 Driver- apply at Technical Services; 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles. 1 Professional nail technician to work at new spa- Call: 6967337 for details. One 1 driver/purchaser; must have experience in the said area, must be between ages 35-48yrs. Call: 226-9768; 625-1413 Experienced bartender, waitresses, cooks and bouncers needed. Call for appointment @ Eden’s Bar & Lounge, Tel: 652-0074 Security Officers; apply in person. Massey Security (Guyana) Inc, Lot 0 Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Call: 225-5773-6 Hairdressers, nail technician, barbers, also hair & nail stations available for rental location: New Market StreetCall: 638-1106 Popular East Coast Gas Station: day/night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 6694755; 695-9880, Non-Pareil Female clerk. Call: 265-3586 Local & International e m p l o y m e n t : www.jobfairworldwide.com. Call: 233-6517/622-1957/6380595 between the hours of 9am-5pm Mon –Sat. Experienced: female bar/shop worker & handyman for Ekereku Bottom (Interior), ages 17-30yrs. Call: 231-0363 CARPENTERS AND LABOURERS. 676 6700 M A R K E T I N G ASSISTANTS, DRIVERS and WELDER/FABRICATOR. 676 6700 Receptionist – Call: 695-0007 Handyman, domestic/maid, male receptionist, carpenter @ Hilton Hotel. Call: 2234597; 225-9211 Western Union CSR, evening shift cashiers, computer literate, 5 CXC subjects. Apply: Survival, 173 Sheriff Street, C/Ville G/Town. Tel: 227-5286-90 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building- Tel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 6895997

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Industrial action affects several sugar factories …as colleagues show solidarity with Wales Estate workers Yesterday, “vital” factory maintenance work in the sugar factories across the country and other field works were severely affected as the “overwhelming” majority of sugar workers too k industrial action in support of the Wales Estate sugar workers and “aggrieved” residents in ongoing efforts to stay the decision to close the Estate. This was according to a release from the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) yesterday. The union stated that along with the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), they were engaged in yesterday’s solidarity action which highlights the “fact that workers of both Unions will have their livelihoods threatened by the Wales Estate closure”. “The solidarity strike proceeded during the day with picketing exercises at the various Estates Administrative offices with placards reading “No to the

closure of Wales Estate”, “Poverty, Destitution, Crime and more Unemployment for communities around Wales Estate”, “APNU and AFC are betraying sugar workers” among others. At today’s picketing exercises, workers also drew attention to the outstanding wages and API matters for 2015,” the release stated. The Union continued that the intention by the Corporation and political authorities to shut down Wales has set in motion “justifiable anxiety of the wider workforce who are increasingly asking: What next? Who’s next?” “This unconscionable blow from the authorities has only fed the alienation within the industry and will, most likely, de-moti v a t e t h i s sector of our productive workforce.” GAWU stated that it is their estimation that some 2,500 workers and farmers would be directly affected by the Wales Estate closure. Additionally, the closure has become “distressing to contemplate the hardship that

Some Uitvlugt Estate workers yesterday.

Enmore workers showing solidarity. will befall the families of those who will join the jobless” “We can only begin to

imagine the effects of the economic dislocation that will ensue and the repercussions it would have on the communities of the West Bank of Demerara, especially. The intransigence, so far, displayed by the authorities is a cause for concern for workers not only in the sugar industry but workers

generally. When considered against the unjust treatment meted out to the sugar workers over the latter part of 2015, and ignoring essential practices of Trade Unionism, the situation is indeed troubling.” In closing, the GAWU and NAACIE urged the Government and GuySuCo

not to go down the path of closure of the Wales Estate. “We are sure that is it not beyond available expertise to come up with proposals to save Wales and once more, ensure its viability. We subscribe to the belief that people and their well-being must be given priority attention.”

No bail for seaman accused of... (From page 35) and his client’s name was among others written on boxes. The lawyer said that Morris told officers that he had no knowledge of the box marked Troy Hope. He told

the court that officers told Morris that the box belonged to him, searched it, and found the narcotic. Further, the lawyer explained that his client was temporarily in the area working as a shopkeeper. He

added that the defendant has no pending matters or previous convictions. The prosecutor pointed out that the defence had failed to provide special reasons for the court to consider bail. The bail application was denied.

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Russia and Turkey trade accusations over Syria (Reuters) - Russia said yesterday it suspected Turkey was preparing a military incursion into Syria, as a Syrian army source said Aleppo would soon be encircled by government forces with Russian air support. Turkey in turn accused Moscow of trying to divert attention from its own “crimes” in Syria, and said Aleppo was threatened with a “siege of starvation”. It said Turkey had the right to take any measures to protect its security. In another sign of the spreading international ramifications of the five-year-old Syrian war, Saudi Arabia said it was ready to participate in ground operations against Islamic State in Syria if the U.S.-led alliance decided to launch them. The United Nations on Wednesday suspended the first peace talks in two years, halting an effort that seemed doomed from the start as the war raged unabated. Washington said on Thursday however it was hopeful they would resume by the end of the month, and Russia said it expected that no later than Feb. 25. Donors convened in London to tackle the refugee crisis created by the conflict. British Prime Minister David Cameron said they raised $11 billion for Syrian humanitarian needs over the next four years. Turkey said at the conference up to 70,000 refugees from Aleppo were moving toward the border to escape air strikes. BORDER MARCH Footage online showed hundreds of people, mostly women, children and the elderly, marching towards Turkey’s Onucpinar border gate, carrying carpets, blankets and food on their backs. Four months of Russian air strikes have tipped the momentum of the war Assad’s way. With Moscow’s help and allies including Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Iranian fighters, the Syrian army is regaining areas on key fronts in the west. Russia’s defense ministry said it had registered “a growing number of signs of hidden preparation of the Turkish Armed Forces for active actions on the territory of Syria”. Any Turkish incursion would risk direct confrontation between Russia and a NATO member. “The Russians are trying to hide their crimes in Syria,” said a senior official in Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s office.

Residents inspect damage after airstrikes by pro-Syrian government forces in the rebel held Al-Shaar neighborhood of Aleppo, Syria yesterday. (Reuters/Abdalrhman Ismail)

“They are simply diverting attention from their attacks on civilians as a country already invading Syria. Turkey has all the rights to take any measures to protect its own security.” In London, Davutoglu said the “humanitarian logistic corridor” between Turkey and Aleppo was “under the invasion of these foreign fighters and regime forces (with) the support of Russian warplanes”. “What they want to do in Aleppo today is exactly what they did in Madaya before, a siege of starvation,” he added. Davutoglu pledged that whatever the cost Turkey’s door would remain open to all Syrians. It has already taken in more than 2.5 million. Relations between Russia and Turkey have deteriorated badly since Turkey shot down a Russian warplane near the Syrian border in November. State Department spokesman John Kirby declined to comment on Turkish military operations on the Syrian border, saying only: “They are working to secure that stretch of border, but I’m not going to comment on specific military activities of another nation inside their borders.” ALEPPO, STRATEGIC PRIZE Aleppo, just 50 km (30 miles) south of the Turkish border, is a major strategic prize in the war and is currently divided into areas of government and opposition control. Many of the rebels fighting in and around the city have close ties to Turkey. This week, three days of intensive Russian bombing helped the army and allied fighters to sever a major supply line to the northwest of the city, in the process reach-

ing two Shi’ite towns loyal to the government for the first time in 3-1/2 years. The army source said operations to fully encircle Aleppo from the west would be launched soon. A senior, non-Syrian security source close to Damascus said Iranian fighters had played a crucial role. “Qassem Soleimani is there in the same area,” said the source, referring to the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ elite Quds force responsible for overseas operations. Residents thanked Assad, Iran and Hezbollah in celebratory scenes from the Shi’ite towns of Nubul and alZahraa broadcast by Hezbollah’s al-Manar TV. The powerful Kurdish YPG militia, which controls wide areas of northern Syria, meanwhile added to the pressure on insurgents, capturing two villages near Nubul and al-Zahraa, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. The Syrian Kurds have consistently denied opposition claims that they cooperate with Damascus.

All diplomatic efforts towards ending the conflict have failed. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the latest steps in peace talks were undermined by increased aerial bombing. U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura announced a three-week pause. “I think the special envoy decided to suspend the talks because the organization did not want to be associated with the Russian escalation in Syria, which risks undermining the talks completely,” a U.N. official told Reuters. Mohammad Javad Zarif, foreign minister of Iran, called in London for the talks to resume and for an immediate ceasefire. But he said later that should not mean stopping military operations against “recognized terrorist organizations”, naming the Nusra Front and Islamic State. REBELS HOPE FOR MORE WEAPONS U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov had agreed on the need to discuss how to implement a ceasefire in Syria during a call

on Thursday. The State Department said later Kerry would travel to Munich next week to seek an agreement on a ceasefire after assurances by Lavrov that Moscow was committed to a political solution in Syria. The State Department’s Kirby, however, said that Russia’s pledges to end the Syria conflict through political dialogue did not match its military actions on the battlefield, where it continued to bomb opposition positions. “We’re certainly seeing, at least in the very recent past, discordant messages” by Russia, Kirby added. Rebel commanders said they hoped the peace talks’ collapse would convince their foreign backers, including Saudi Arabia, that it was time to send them more powerful and advanced weapons, including anti-aircraft missiles. Assad’s foreign opponents have been funneling weapons to vetted rebel groups via both Turkey and Jordan. One rebel leader said he expected “something new, God willing” after the failure

of the Geneva talks. Another rebel commander said: “They are promising to continue the support. In what form, I don’t yet know ... How it will crystallize, nobody knows ... We need to wait.” Both spoke on condition of anonymity. While vetted “Free Syrian Army” rebels have received weapons including U.S.-made guided anti-tank missiles, their calls for anti-aircraft missiles have gone unanswered mostly because of fears they could end up in the hands of powerful jihadist groups such as the Nusra Front, which are also fighting Assad. A Russian defense ministry spokesman said a Russian military trainer was killed in a mortar attack on Feb. 1. “They (Russian military servicemen) are not taking part in ground operations,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. “We are talking about advisers. This is linked to teaching Syrian colleagues to operate equipment which is being delivered to Syria under existing contracts.” A Saudi general said the kingdom was “ready to participate in any ground operations that the (U.S.-led) coalition (against Islamic State) may agree to carry out in Syria”. Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri, who is also the spokesman for the Saudi-led Arab coalition fighting Iranian-backed forces in Yemen, was speaking to Saudiowned al-Arabiya TV.

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Guyana Boxing Board of Control ‘Hostile Territory’

All systems in place as boxers affix signatures to their contracts P r o m o t e r s o rg a n i s e boxing cards but the boxing matches are not authenticated until the boxers affix their signatures to their respective contracts. Yesterday afternoon several boxers trooped to the Avenue of the Republic offices of Abdool and Abdools Insurance Brokers and affixed their signatures to their respective contracts for the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) boxing extravaganza, dubbed ‘Hostile Territory’ at the Giftland Office Max Mall, Liliendaal ECD February 27. Those in attendance were Dexter Marques, scheduled to do battle with Venezuelan, Freddy Baleno in a 10 rounds flyweight fight, Imran Khan and Quincy Gomes, who fights in a 6 rounds lightweight affair. Mandessa Moses will match gloves with Ansilla Norville over 4 rounds and both principals were also at the signing ceremony. International Boxing

Federation (IBF) InterContinental Bantamweight champion, Elton ‘The Bully’ Dharry, is expected in the country on February 23 to keep his ring date with top Panamanian boxer, Israel Hidrogo, in a 10 rounds bantamweight duel. In the other preliminary bout, Barbados based Guyanese pugilist, Revlon Lake, will get an opportunity to avenge an earlier loss to Barbadian, Miguel Antoine when they clash over 10 rounds in the welterweight division. Also, in what was obviously a slight move away from tradition, two amateur boxers, Jason Phillips and Nankumar Singh, featured at the press conference. They will duke in out over three rounds in what has been regarded as a grudge match. Three other amateur bouts will also comprise the card but the organisers are awaiting those submissions from the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA). Meanwhile, President of

Peter Abdool(2nd left sitting) shares the head table with Vikash Panday, Karen Agtarap and Michael Fung while the boxers are in the back row. the GBBC, Peter Abdool, presided over yesterday’s proceedings and shared the head table with (GBBC) official, Michael Fung, another board executive, Vikash Panday and Giftland Office Max representative, Karen Agtarap. Mr. Abdool noted that the last card was held since October last year and ever

since his executives have been working assiduously to put together a qualitative card. The GBBC boss said that the Giftland Office Max venue has made a significant difference in the attendance at the cards and they are in the process of establishing it (the venue) as the permanent venue for future cards.

He noted that the card will set the stage for the C o m m o n w e a l t h bantamweight title fight between Dharry and an English foe and even hinted that Marques may be pulled in for a shot at the Commonwealth flyweight title, also against another Englishman. Those fights are

tentatively set for May 21. Summing up his thoughts on the imminent card later this month, Mr. Abdool declared, “This will be an explosive card and fans will not want to miss it. Admission is $5000 for a ringside seat while general seating costs $2000. (Michael Benjamin)

Denroy Junior tops field in sixth Desmond Dorsett Memorial Road Race Classic

Competitors and organisers before the start of the race. The sixth edition of the Desmond Dorsett Memorial Road Race Classic was successfully held on Sunday last on the Corentyne Coast which saw 27 athletes from the Ancient County facing starter’s orders. The four mile race saw Denroy Junior crossing the fine line ahead of his opponents to win the Under19 category thus taking the overall trophy and bragging

rights in the race that was organised by the Dorsett Family of Leeds/No50 village Corentyne. Placing second was Arsenio Grey with Keran Sampson third; Chelsea Toney was the one runner in the female U-19 category with being all alone. Among the juniors boys De Andrea Shabaz was the first to cross the finishing

line followed by Devon Joseph and Ralph Seenarine in that order. Swarsattie Mattadin was the leading junior female ahead of Leisa Fraser. The top finishers were all presented with trophies, medals and monetary rewards compliments of the Dorsett family. Participants were presented with a Desmond Dorsett Memorial t-shirt,

certificates and ribbons for competing. The main race route covered from #47 village to the popular #53 Complex, a distance of four miles; the U15 athletes and the U-19 females covered a distance of 3 ½ miles from #49 village. Residents in the communities along the route came out in large numbers to witness the event.

The race was held in memory of the late Superintendent Dorsett, an ardent sports fan who participated in numerous sports activities including cricket and athletics in the Guyana Police force and community. Director of Sports Christopher Jones was on hand at the event and during a brief address, noted his commitment on

b e h a l f o f t h e Government. Contributions for the race was garnered from Retired Assistant Commissioner Alvin Smith, Anthony Jerrick, Deputy S u p e r i n t e n d e n t Boodnarine Persaud, Nicholas Jaundoo, Vishnu Super Store, overseas based Cordel Bernard and Dr. Dennis Whyte. (Samuel Whyte)

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Snoop Dogg steals the show as rap legend leaves Broncos players starstruck Snoop Dogg is famed for cameo appearances with the likes of Dr Dre and Tupac Shakur, but he stole the show at the Denver Broncos’ final media session ahead of Super Bowl 50. The louche rapper, real name Calvin Broadus, sashayed his way through the wowed assembled press during Peyton Manning’s last podium appearance. After Manning politely replied to stock questions from Japanese and Mexican media, Snoop struck. ‘Can I get a 50 per cent discount on Papa John’s pizza when I enter the state of C o l o r a d o ? ’ ‘Absolutely,’ said Manning - who owns 21 of the pizza

giant’s franchises in Denver poker-faced. Snoop continued to enquire if Manning will glean advice from father Archie and younger brother Eli before the game with the Carolina Panthers. Manning, no stranger to this question during a tiring week, took it in his stride. ‘Snoop,’ he said, before a brief pause. ‘I always enjoy my conversations with my dad and Eli as far as things having to do with the NFL. ‘I had dinner with Eli the other night and we talked about a lot of other things. Certainly, it helps that he had played against (Carolina) earlier in this year and the routine he had

set up. My dad is always a great sounding board for me. I’m grateful to have both to be able to talk to.’ Dogg exited the press conference and after a large media scrum formed around him, he continued to interview other star-struck members of the Broncos roster. As Evan Mathis shot a video, other members of the offensive line took selfies. ‘I have to get a picture with Snoop,’ Tyler Polumbus said. ‘He was my idol growing up.’ Running back CJ Anderson, a fellow California native, shouted: ‘You have to come over and show me some love.’ Not done there, Dogg also spoke to running back

Friday February 05, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Investments that deal with property will be lucrative; however, upsets with family members may be likely. Enjoy taking courses or lecturing others. Take your time; do not make any decisions in haste. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Self-improvement projects will payoff in more ways than one. The existing problems must be dealt with one way or another. Work quietly behind the scenes. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Losses are likely if you get involved with uncertain individuals. Implement your ideas into your projects at work. You may have difficulties while traveling or problems dealing with close friends or relatives.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Look into attending seminars that can expand your perception. Don't reveal anything about your personal life to those who may use such information against you. You'll regret every word for some time to come. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Outings with relatives or good friends will provide you with stimulating conversation. Pushy people must be kept at arm's length. Get involved in groups that are creative in nature. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Your emotional stability may influence the changes taking place in your personal life. Don't overspend on luxury items. Your loved ones could set you off.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) It might be time to shake a leg and do a personal makeover. Real estate investments will be extremely profitable in the long run. You'll be an emotional basket case today.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Real estate should be lucrative for you. Sudden changes in your financial situation are likely. Take a look at investment opportunities.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) This is a turning point. Travel for business or pleasure will be enlightening. Your contributions will be valued and helpful.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Do not travel unless absolutely necessary. Be careful. Take care of any dealings with government agencies. Don't deny yourself today.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Don't let your emotions interfere with your professional integrity. You should get out and meet new people today. You can find out important information if you listen to friends and relatives.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your family may not be pleased with your decisions. You can do well on stage or behind the scenes, the choice is yours. Watch your weight gain due to water retention.

Legendary rapper Snoop Dogg jokes with the Carolina Panthers ahead of the Super Bowl 50 Ronnie Hillman. He has a personal connection with the 44-year-old after playing on youth football teams managed by Dogg. ‘He changed my life,’ Hillman said. ‘Once I started playing on those teams, I stopped getting in trouble

Hayley Matthews committed... (From page 54) Cricket Stadium, East London Mon 29: 3rd ICC Women’s Championship One-day International – Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium, East London Fri 4: 1st Twenty20 International – Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban Sun 6: 2nd Twenty20 International – Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg Wed 9: 3rd Twenty20 International – PPC Newlands, Cape Town ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Group “B” Matches Wed 16: West Indies Women vs Pakistan Women – Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai Sun 20: West Indies Women vs Bangladesh Women – Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai Thu 24: England Women vs West Indies Women – HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala Sun 27: West Indies Women vs India Women – PCA Stadium, Mohali

and focused on ball.’ That was cool, man. Snoop Dogg in the flesh, man,’ cornerback A q i b Ta l e b added. ‘Never met him before.’ ‘I never thought I’d be interviewed by Snoop,’ wide receiver Demaryius Thomas said. ‘It

was cool. He asked some good questions.’ But Dogg was not done there and surprised the Panthers later on in the morning, with quarterback Cam Newton saying: ‘Snoop D-O double G!’ after spotting the rapper. (MailOnline)

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Michael Schumacher: Latest news not good, says Luca di Montezemolo Schumacher and Di Montezemolo shared in five world title wins at Ferrari between 2000 and 2004

F1 great Michael Schumacher’s former boss at Ferrari has said the latest news about the German’s health “is not good” - but has refused to elaborate. “I have news and unfortunately it is not good,” Luca di Montezemolo told reporters yesterday. When contacted by BBC

Sport, Schumacher’s official spokesperson Sabine Kehm declined to comment. Seventime world champion Schumacher, 47, suffered severe head injuries in a skiing accident in December 2013. Schumacher continues to receive intensive treatment at his home in Switzerland fol-

lowing the accident in France. In November, FIA president Jean Todt said Schumacher was “still fighting”, almost two years after the accident. ”Life is strange,” added Di Montezemolo. “He was a fantastic driver and only had one accident with Ferrari in 1999.” (BBCsport)

Friday February 05, 2016

McIlroy lifted by unlikely birdie in Dubai World number two Rory McIlroy, boosted by an unlikely birdie four on his front nine, made an encouraging start to his title defense by shooting a 68 in the Dubai Desert Classic first round yesterday. The four-times major winner’s four-under-par effort left him two strokes behind leader Alex Noren of Sweden. McIlroy, who began his round at the 10th hole, started off with a bogey six but recovered in style with three birdies on his outward half including a brilliant four at the 18th that came after he drove his ball into the water off the tee. He had three more birdies on his inward nine, mixed in with a bogey five at the second hole. “It wasn’t the best way to start... but to bounce back and birdie some of the tougher holes on the course, I was really pleased with that,” the 26-year-old Northern Irishman told reporters. ”When I got myself out of position I was able to get back in play.” There has been something of a question mark raised about McIlroy’s form on the greens in recent times but he said it was now going

Rory McIlroy watches his tee shot at the 3rd hole during the final round. Reuters / Paul ChildsLivepic in the right direction. ”I still feel there’s room for improvement in my putting but it’s definitely got better,” he added. “Ever since winning this tournament back in 2009, the strides I’ve made in my putting have been great. I feel like I’ve got a consistent routine in practice and that definitely helps on the course.” McIlroy’s victory in the Desert Classic seven years ago was his first win as a pro-

fessional. Triple champion Ernie Els of South Africa also carded a first-round 68, as did British trio Chris Wood, Graeme Storm and Simon Dyson, Spain’s Alvaro Quiros, American David Lipsky and Bernd Wiesberger of Austria. In second place on 67 were Spain’s Rafael CabreraBello, Brett Rumford of Australia, South African Trevor Fisher and Peter Hanson of Sweden. (Reuters)

Durant puts free agency talk on back burner to sink Magic

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) handles the ball against Orlando Magic forward Tobias Harris (12). Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports Kevin Durant turned the conversation back to the court and away from his impending free agency with a final-second jump shot that lifted the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 117-114 victory over Orlando Magic on Wednesday. With daily reports focusing on Durant’s possible departure from Oklahoma City following this season, the All-Star forward provided a timely reminder that his loyalty at this moment remains with the Thunder. Oklahoma City and Orlando were locked at 114-114 when Durant pulled off a nifty cross-over dribble and fired a three-pointer that found the bottom of the basket with less than a second remaining.

Prior to fending off Magic defenders, Durant had spent much of his time shaking off questions about potential new suitors. “It’s out of my control. Guys are going to write stories about what they want to write about (and where I could go),” Durant told reporters prior to scoring 37 points in Wednesday’s game. ”(The free agency talk) is ramped up a bit. I just try to stay locked in to where I am.” Durant, 27, has spent his entire career with the Thunder franchise dating back to their days in Seattle before they moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. But after failing to win an NBA title alongside running

mate Russell Westbrook, speculation has mounted that Durant could ply his trade elsewhere and there are no shortage of rumored suitors for the four-time league scoring champion. He has been linked to the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, and most recently, the defending champion Golden State Warriors, in various stories swirling around him. “It’s just a part of this (free agency) process,” Durant said. “When the time comes we’ll talk about it. Right now I’m 100 percent locked in to helping (the Thunder) be the best we can be.” (Reuters)

Friday February 05, 2016

Kaieteur News

T&T U-20 star Garcia scores first goal with AZ Nijmegen, Netherlands – A week after making his Dutch Eredivisie debut, Trinidad & Tobago under-20 international Levi Garcia scored his first goal for AZ Alkmaar in a 3-0 win over host NEC Nijmegen on Saturday. Garcia entered the match in the 69th minute as a substitute for Iran international Alireza Jahanbakhsh and completed the scoreline three minutes later, striking off a left-sided cross by Ridgeciano Haps. The winger signed with the club in February 2015, but had to wait until November – when he turned 18-year-old – to launch officially his career in Europe. ”This is big, big, big, big,” said Garcia, who played in four games at the

T&T U-20 international Levi Garcia (left) is congratulated by head coach John van den Brom. (AZ Alkmaar) CONCACAF Under-20 Championship. “I cannot explain it. I am very excited. I prayed for this goal. Every time I pray for something, it comes out.” With the goal, it is believed that Garcia became the youngest-ever player from Trinidad

& Tobago to score in a European league match. Soca Warrior legend Dwight Yorke, a UEFA Champions League champion with Manchester United in 1999, had netted for Aston Villa at the age of 19. (CONCACAF)

Costa Rica Named Host for 2016 CONCACAF Futsal Championship Miami – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) yesterday announced that Costa Rica will host the CONCACAF Futsal Championship 2016, to be played May 8-15 in San Jose. In confirming the site of the Championship, CONCACAF also announced the official draw, scheduled for March 16. With qualifiers recently completed in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and the Central American Football Union (UNCAF), six of the eight participating sides have now been determined, with the final two spots to be decided by two play-in series at the tournament site in the days leading up to the championship. As host country, Costa Rica is automatically qualified as one of the three representatives of UNCAF. Central America qualifying champion Guatemala and silver medalist Panama have also qualified

directly to the Championship. From North America, Mexico was awarded an automatic spot by virtue of being the highest placed North American team from the 2012 Championship, while the second North American spot will be decided by a play-in contested between Canada and the United States. From the CFU, regional champion Cuba and runnerup Curacao have qualified, while Trinidad & Tobago — third-place finisher of the CFU Futsal Qualifying-Championship – also secured a trip to Costa Rica, where it will attempt to best UNCAF Futsal Qualifying Championship third-place holder Honduras for a berth in the championship round. Each pairing of nations in the dual play-in series will dispute two matches against one another — one on the 5th of May and one more the following day on the 6th — with the teams emerging victorious by virtue of aggregate

goals rounding out the field for the tournament. At the official draw in March, the eight qualified Participating Member Associations will be divided in two groups of four. At the championship, the winner and second-place team from each group will qualify to the semifinals of the Championship, and the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016. The winners of the semifinals will advance to the final and the two losing semifinalists will compete in the third-place match. In addition to crowning the Confederation’s champion in this discipline, the CONCACAF Futsal Championship will qualify four teams to the FIFA Futsal World Cup, to be played in Colombia later this year. Costa Rica is the defending champion of the CONCACAF Futsal Championship, having won the title in Guatemala in July 2012. (CONCACAF)

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Direct TV WConnection and UWI Academy of Sport, Cave Hill Campus sign MoU Pt. Lisas, Couva - On Monday 1st February, DIRECTV WConnection FC and the Academy of Sport – High Performance Center of the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Barbados Campus signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement will see the joint establishment and implementation of various programmes and projects aimed at the development of football and its supporting areas for the mutual benefit of both parties, and by extension the Caribbean. Key areas of the MoU included development of the Player, Administrator, and Coach. The Academy of Sport currently fields the UWI Blackbirds Football Club which participates in the Barbadian Premier League and will benefit directly from the partnership. The signing ceremony, which took place at the Cave Hill Campus was attended by DIRECTV WConnection’s Board Chairman Mr. David Martin, who signed on the club’s behalf. Parties of note included Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal Professor Eudine Barriteau, Academy of Sport Head Mrs. Amanda Reifer and Mr. Roland Butcher, Head Coach of the Academy of Sport. Comment-

Signatures being inked on the MoU ing on the new partnership, Mr. Martin stated that he was a believer in progress on the field as well as through the growth of outside relations which the MoU facilitates. He continued by saying that “Our mission statement of the club speaks to the harnessing of young talent and we have never restricted ourselves to the Trinidad and Tobago market. We have coaches and players from all across the Caribbean…” Club CEO Ms. Renee JohnWilliams whilst unable to attend the signing ceremony expressed her satisfaction with the formation of the partnership as she stressed the significance of networking and relationship building for the growth and development of local and Caribbean football. ”Over the last 17 years, our organisation has experienced great successes both on field and off field, much of which can be attributed to the

importance we have placed on building regional and international partnerships from a business perspective. The relationship that we have sought to build with the University broadens our reach across the Caribbean with an aim to not only raise the standard of football across the region, but to benefit from a more educated approach to its management and administration. Sports administration and education is now a growing field in the Caribbean…it has opened avenues for our athletes to continue their careers…” Pro Vice Chancellor Barriteau stated that for as long as she could remember, Trinidad and Tobago had excelled in football and it was an opening for the further development of the student footballers’ skills. The club also made mention of further partnerships at the local level to be announced at a later date. (CFU)

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Friday February 05, 2016

ICC announces review of 2014 restructuring The ICC has announced it will carry out a complete constitutional review of the changes brought about by the “Big Three” takeover in 2014. Moves have already begun to dismantle the system of governance proposed by the BCCI, ECB and CA two years ago, with confirmation of the expected change to make the ICC chairman an independent position. The outcomes from the ICC board meeting on Wednesday also included removing permanent positions for India, England and Australia on the Executive Committee and the Financial & Commercial Affairs Committee - the ICC’s two most powerful forums. In a statement, the ICC said the board had “agreed to carry out a complete review of the 2014 resolutions and constitutional changes with a view to establishing governance, finance, corporate and cricketing structures that are appropriate and effective for the strategic role and function of the ICC and all of its members”. Shashank Manohar, the BCCI president who is also currently serving as ICC chairman, signalled his intention to

India and England are two of the most powerful nations in international cricket roll back the changes overseen by his predecessor N Srinivasan in an interview last year, when he referred to “the three major countries bullying the ICC”. Manohar will now head the five-man steering group set up to conduct the review, with an aim of putting forward recommendations at the ICC’s annual conference in June. Alongside Manohar on the steering group will be ECB president Giles Clarke, in his role as chairman of the F&CA Committee. Clarke was one of the ar-

chitects of the ICC revamp which resulted in a greater share of revenue for the three main boards - and had been expected to run for the position of chairman. The rest of the group will comprise heads of the ICC’s Governance Review Committee, Executive Committee and Associate/Affiliate Member group: Nazmul Hassan, David Peever and Imran Khawaja respectively. The introduction of an independent chairman was intended to “avoid any potential conflicts of interest and

to follow best practice principles of good governance”. The ICC’s next chairman, to be elected later this year, will no longer be able to hold a position on their home board, as Srinivasan and subsequently Manohar did. Candidates to succeed Manohar must have served as an ICC director. The chairman will be able to serve for a maximum of three two-year terms. Manohar said the board had agreed on a need for greater transparency and would reinstate the practice of Full Member boards presenting

their audited accounts to the ICC on an annual basis. Three of the board’s four annual meetings will now take place outside of the UAE, where the ICC is headquartered, with the Annual Conference set to be held in Edinburgh from June 27 to July 2. ”We had very purposeful and positive meetings, and the decisions taken clearly reflect that we collectively want to improve the governance in a transparent manner, not only of the ICC but also the Member Boards,” Manohar said. ”This, in turn, will enhance the image and quality of the sport. No Member of the ICC is bigger than the other and I am determined to make a meaningful contribution in this regard with support of all the Members.” Other areas addressed during the board meeting in Dubai included an update on the cricket’s potential viability as an Olympic sport, which concluded that further work was required; and t h e e stablishment of an Anti-Corruption Oversight Group, which includes former India batsman Rahul Dravid, to annually review strategies to fight corrup-

tion. The ICC has also reinstated Sri Lanka Cricket’s full membership. SLC had been stripped of its voting rights at the ICC table in April last year, when the ICC took a dim view of a politically appointed board in Sri Lanka. That board was dissolved and elections held early in January. The ICC also said “SLC is now entitled to full funding”, after having kept payments due to SLC in escrow last year. The USA Cricket Association remains suspended, although the ICC has approved development and high-performance projects for 2016, to be funded from a “special projects” budget. A change has been made to the qualification process for the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, with the highest-placed Associate team from the ongoing tournament in Bangladesh being given an automatic spot, alongside the ten-Test playing nations. The remaining five sides will qualify through the regional qualifying tournaments. (ESPNcricinfo)

President Obama welcomes Warriors to White House with mad jokes Fresh off their highlightheavy Wednesday win over the Washington Wizards, the Golden State Warriors stuck around the nation’s capital to celebrate their 2014-15 NBA championship. We’ll let Warriors guard Leandro Barbosa tell us where they were going and what they were doing: That’s right — the Dubs visited the White House, getting suited and booted and ready to have their accomplishments lauded by noted basketball enthusiast President Barack Obama. Obama praised the Warriors for their work both on the court, where he called them beautiful to watch and so good it’s almost not fair, and off it, citing their efforts in the NBA’s partnership with his administration on the My Brother’s Keeper mentoring initiative and in speaking out against gun violence, among other issues. And, as he’s done throughout his time in office, Obama took the opportunity to lob a few zingers the way of the defending champs, having a bit of fun both with and at the expense of his guests from the West Coast. To wit: • He expressed displeasure at the absence of the Internet’s favorite daughter, Riley Curry: • “It is rare to be in the pres-

President Obama and the players

ence of guys from the greatest team in NBA history,” Obama said, before the former Illinois senator dropped the hammer. “So we’re pretty lucky today, because we’ve got one of those players in the house: [Warriors coach] Steve Kerr, from the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls!” (Don’t look now, Mr. President, but the 454 Dubs are getting awfully close to turning fortune cookies into fact.) • “Now, for those of you who don’t know, the Warriors started the season without Coach Kerr, who was recovering from back surgery, so [assistant coach] Luke Walton stepped up and led the team to a ridiculous 39-4

record,” Obama said. ”Unfortunately, the NBA won’t let Luke count those wins as his own. Which, man, that doesn’t seem fair. You defied the cynics, you accomplished big things, you racked up a great record, and you don’t get enough credit. ... I can’t imagine how that feels.” • “Let’s face it: beautiful was not how folks described the Warriors for many years. I may be one of the few who are old enough to remember the last time they were good.” • “[Stephen Curry] is a pretty good shooter. Heh. For those of you watched the game against the Wizards last night, he was, to use slang,

he was clowning.” “Just settle down, all right?” The president called Klay Thompson’s jumper “a little prettier” than Steph’s and called out Draymond Green for being “known to add a few more words [to his trash talk] than I cannot repeat” before jokingly telling him to watch his mouth on the court, before settling into more serious and measured praise of the Warriors’ unselfishness and focus on sharing the ball, the responsibility and the credit. ”The point is, this is a great basketball team, but it’s [also] a great organization, a great culture and these are outstanding young men,” Obama

said. “They’re the kind of people you want representing a city, representing the NBA and the kind of people you want our kids to be rooting for.” Not to be outdone when it was his turn at the podium, Kerr teed one up for the commander in chief. “I want to say thank you. I also want to say congratulations for becoming the first president in our nation’s great history to use the term ‘clowning,’” Kerr joked. “Although maybe Teddy Roosevelt used it somewhere in there. I don’t know.” And with that, Kerr gave America’s 44th president the personalized jersey that has

become associated with such trips, setting the stage for the 10-day contract we all expect to come once Obama has left the Oval Office: Whether the Warriors are able to finish this historic season with a record-setting 73 wins remains unclear, but one thing seems certain: if they’re able to successfully defend their title and hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy once again this June, it’s hard to imagine either them or whichever candidate wins this November’s election having quite this much fun with next year’s visit. A pretty strong NBA-champion-feting swan song, President Obama. Kudos.

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Kaieteur News

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President Granger inducted as RHTY&SC Honorary Patron Describes Club as one of Guyana’s treasures

President David Granger, Club Secretary/CEO and Ms. Beverly Harper with members of the RHTY&SC at the Office of the Presidency. The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), Guyana’s leading youth and sports organization on Wednesday last inducted President David Granger as its fifth official Patron. The President was formally inducted by former Patron Ms. Beverly Harper at a simple but significant ceremony attended by club members who travelled to the Ministry of the Presidency for the historic swearing in. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to the President for accepting to serve as the Club’s Patron for the next five years and noted that he

would be following in the footsteps of the late President Hugh Desmond Hoyte, Peter Ramsaroop, June Mendes and Beverly Harper. As Patron, President Granger would be the public face of the club, a role model to its members and offer advice to its management. The President would also be expected to attend major activities, including the annual award ceremony, prepare Patron’s remarks for all RHTY&SC publications and assist the club to fulfil its mandate in making a positive difference in the lives of youths, the elderly and less fortunate. The long serving

Secretary/CEO traced the achievements of the club over its 25 year history and disclosed that under P r e s i d e n t G r a n g e r ’s Patronage, they would be placing special emphasis on its Say No to Crime, Suicide, Drugs and Say Yes to Education/Sports Programme, Charity Outreach, expansion of its cricket section and promotion of sports as an alternative to a life on the road for youths and the development of the Area ‘H’ ground. Foster expressed confidence that President Granger would lead by example and that the RHTY&SC would continue

to maintain its status as Guyana’s best. Ms. Beverly Harper stated that it was a privilege to serve the club as its fourth Patron. The organisation Ms. Harper noted is quite passionate about its work and very generous with its time, energy and spirit. The Ansa McAl boss stated that it was an honour to pass on the Patron’s baton to President Granger, a leader who in a short few months has been leading the fight to raising our image internationally, defending our borders and moving us forward to a good life. Ms. Harper described the RHTYSC as a small entity from a small community

doing great things and creating miracles. President Grander was formally inducted by Ms. Harper when she presented him with the Patron’s Sash, c l u b ’s i n s i g n i a a n d certificate. President Granger after taking the Patron’s Pledge, expressed his delight at been afforded the opportunity to serve in such an important role. The Commander in Chief committed to working along with the club’s membership to make a positive difference while expressing the hope that every township and region in Guyana can have a club like the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club.

Describing the entity as a treasure, President Granger urged the management to share its vast experience and contacts in the corporate community with other communities across Guyana. The new Patron also urged club members to always strive for excellence. Foster in response to the President’s remarks stated that the club was always willing to share its success story with others and assist communities across Guyana to establish similar organisations. West Indies female cricketer Erva Gidding presented a special gift to the President on b e h a l f o f t h e c l u b ’s membership.

NaMilCo maintains strong union with Fruta Conquerors FC Fruta Conquerors FC and National Milling Company (NaMilCo) of Guyana further strengthened their long standing affiliation following the donation of a quantity of training equipment and travelling uniforms by the latter yesterday, at the club’s Headquarters in Tucville. The gift which included training vests, balls and branded travelling shirts is a timely one since it will assist the team’s preparations and outfit for the Finale of the Stag Beer Elite League which is set to restart later this month. Finance Director, Fitzroy McLeod in his remarks said the partnership between the two entities is an enduring one which has lasted over a decade, adding that the relationship has been driven by accountability. According to McLeod, they share a similar vision to

that of the club which is to prioritise youth development and lauded the executive for its unrelenting effort to do so despite the steady challenges they encounter. He promised the Company’s future assistance to the club in its pursuit of helping its members realise their dreams, adding that they will work committedly with the organisation to make it an even stronger institution locally. Hafeeze Khan, Public Relations Consultant of the company in his address told the gathering that while the company has always been involved in various sports, it has a special relationship with Fruta Conquerors, referring to the club as “its baby” According to Khan, the company intends to ensure the club fulfill its potential and rise to be a giant in the sport.

Donates training equipment, balls, branded shirts

Finance Director of NaMilCo Fitzroy McLeod (2nd left) hands over the training equipment to Fruta Conquerors Secretary Daniel Thomas in the presence of Company officials and club members yesterday. H e u rg e d t h a t t h e executive be recognised for its outstanding work in constsntly striving to upgrade the facility which

has become one of the best in Georgetown. Head Coach of Fruta Conquerors Calvin Allen in his response extended

gratitude to the Company on behalf of the club for its sustained support over the years and urged that the union remains strong into the

future. Meanwhile, an anonymous donor handed over two refurbished dugouts to the club recently.

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PCL practice match ends in draw, Motie bags 5-57 on final day

Gudakesh Motie By Sean Devers Former West Indies U-19 left-arm spinner 20 year-old Gudakesh Motie’s success continued in senior cricket when he took 5-57 for Vishaul Singh’s X1 at Bourda on the last day of the Jaguars’ three-day practice in preparation for the second half of the PCL First-Class tournament. Taignarine Chanderpaul and Test opener Rajendra Chandrika then gave Singh’s X1 a solid foundation as the game against Robin Bacchus’ X1 ended in a draw on the rain affected final day yesterday despite 54 from Chanderpaul Hemraj and impressive bowling from West Indies Test leg-spinner

Rajendra Chandrika pushes one back to Raun Johnson at Bourda yesterday

Devendra Bishoo who (28) and Anthony Adams captured 4-33. (29) staged a rear guard Scores: Singh’s X1 (383 recovery to push Bacchus’ & 130-5), Bacchus’ X1 X1 to 185. (191). Bacchus’ X1 resumed But Test left arm spinner on 115-4 with Chanderpaul Veerasammy Permaul had Hemraj on 37 and Bishoo on Adams LBW before Motie two and they took the score polished off the innings on to 127 before Bishoo (4) had the stroke of Lunch. Permaul his stumps rocked by Keon (3-40) and Joseph (2-29) Joseph who then trapped supported Motie for Singh’s Sherfaine Rutherford LBW X1 who reached 130-5 by for a duck without addition the close. to the score. The 19 year-old Motie then removed Chanderpaul scored 81 Hemraj and Paul Wintz (0) against Jamaica in the last as two wickets tumbled at PCL match in 2015 and 141 before Kemol Savory yesterday he and Chandrika GCB/BANKS DIH/DIGICEL NSSCL...

Taignarine Chanderpaul launches into a drive against Andre Stoll at Bourda yesterday put together 40 for the first wicket before Chandrika was bowled for 29 with four fours, by Raun Johnson. Kevin Boodie struck two fours in 10 before he hit Bishoo to point with the score on 63-2. Chanderpaul who has played 10 FirstClass matches, continued to bat with confidence. He rocked back and pulled Wintz disdainfully for a couple of boundaries under overcast skies as the persistent drizzle got heavier. After two stoppages for

rain and an early Tea, play resumed. Chanderpaul seemed in a hurry to get after Bishoo and after a few aggressive shots found the fielders, Chanderpaul threw his wicket away when a mistimed a pull was skied to Raymon Reifer at mid-on as Bishoo struck at 85-3. Bishoo flighted the ball teasingly while Jonathon Foo extracted prodigious bounce and turn from a track with moisture, beating the bats of the left-handed pair of Reifer and Skipper Singh. But it was Bishoo who

bowled Reifer ‘through the gate’ when he essayed a big cover drive to a perfectly pitched leg break which turned back to hit the off stump with the Bajan on 12 and the score on 98-4. Seven runs later Bishoo induced Singh (12) to push forward and trapped him LBW at 105-5. Anthony Bramble (15) and Permaul took their team to the close. The Guyana Jaguars face the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force from next Friday in the sixth round as the PCL resumes.

Chase Academy trounce Charlestown Secondary Matthews fully committing to cricket Chase Academy led by Dwayne Dick’s mesmerising spell of bowling trounced Charlestown Secondary by 10 wickets while Leguan, Annandale and Skeldon Line Path also recorded victories when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) National Secondary School Cricket League (NSSCL) sponsored by Coco Cola and Rainforest Water along with Digicel continued yesterday. At Everest, Chase Academy blew away Charlestown Secondary for 52 in 16.5 overs, batting first. Dwayne Dick bagged 6-8 off 6 overs. Chase Academy responded with 55 in 5.5 overs. Joshua Persaud struck 44 not out off 16 balls. Over at Parika, Leguan Secondary eased past Parika Salem Secondary by seven wickets. Parika Salem could only muster 83 in 17 overs, taking first strike. Wazim Mohamed made 25; Junior Bezindre claimed 4-13, Mark Rankin had 3-17 and Malcolm Caesars 2-14. In reply, Leguan Secondary got to their target in 14.1

Dwayne Dick overs while only losing 4 wickets in the process. Rankin got 27 not out; Wazim Mohamed had 3-19. At Enterprise, Annandale Secondary got the better of Hope Secondary by five wickets in their Inter-Zone clash. Batting first, Hope were bowled out for 101 in 25.3 overs. Denzil Wilson made 22 not out as Tyrese Assanah bagged 4-21, Chandrapaul Ramraj 3-14 and Ayube Sammy 2-24. Annandale Secondary in reply finished on 102-5 in 18 overs. Saif Samaroo hit 24 and Mike Persaud 20; Gopaul Applesammy took 3-32. At Skeldon Community Centre ground, Skeldon

Line Path defeated Tagore Memorial by 41 runs. Batting first, Skeldon Line Path made 158 all out off 26.3 overs. Alex Burnette scored 24. Bowling for Ta g o r e M e m o r i a l S e c o n d a r y, M u k e s h Shivpersaud had 4-44, Alex February 3-14 and Andy R o h o m a n 2 - 2 4 . Tagore Memorial were bowled out for 117 in 26 overs in response. Alex February made 46; Afseer Hussain snared 3-21 while Navin Chatterpaul took 327. The Competition continues today with Chase Academy oppose Annandale Secondary in a GeorgetownEast Coast Demerara InterZone clash at Everest. In the Essequibo Zone, Leguan Secondary will play Wakenaam Zone winner, Essequibo Islands Secondary, at the Wakeenam Community Centre ground. The first match of the Combine Elite League Stage will be played between Mahaica and Mahaicony at Fairfield.

Bridgetown, Barbados – West Indies Women’s allrounder Hayley Matthews says she is fully committing to the sport from here on. At 18 years old, Matthews is the youngest member of the Windies Women’s team and is taking part in the training camp being staged here. She is looking to get in gear for the Tour of South Africa to be followed by the ICC World Twenty20 in India, having just returned from Australia, where she played in the inaugural Women’s Big Bash League for the Hobart Hurricanes. Speaking with WICB Media, Matthews said she really excited to play big bash T20 in Australia. “I didn’t do as well as I wanted but relished the experience. Playing there assisted me to access to different conditions and batting at number four helped me to play a different role as well,” she added. The all-rounder, who also won gold for Barbados at CARIFTA games, stated that she wants to be among the

Hayley Matthews ©Getty Images

runs during the upcoming tournament in South Africa and help the team progress in t h e Wo r l d T 2 0 . ”My dad taught me to be patient and that helps me a lot. Cricket is more of a skills game, I don’t really see much future for me in track and field so I am trying to focus on cricket at the moment,” s h e p o s i t e d . Matthews feels the team can do well at South Africa and at the World T20. “The girls gel together and it is a very good team, there are lots of players you can really look up to,”

she said, adding that her goal is to be the best player in the W o r l d . Tour of South Africa F e b r u a r y Mon 22: Eastern Province Women vs West Indian Women – University of Fort H a r e , A l i c e Wed 24: 1st ICC Women’s Championship One-day International – Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium, East L o n d o n Sat 27: 2nd ICC Women’s Championship One-day International – Buffalo Park (Continued on page 49)

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Kaieteur News

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MOE/NSC hosts Circle Tennis clinic at Hyde Park

Participants before the close of the practical session at Timehri Red ground. The Ministry of Education Department of Sport/National Sports Commission hosted a Circle Tennis workshop recently at Hyde Park, East Bank

Demerara under the theme, “Taking The Game Back To Its Glory Days”. Organiser and facilitator of the programme Alistair Munroe said participants

were tutored on the basics rules of the game and he was satisfied with the attendance. He added that they will not measure its success on

the attendance but how well the sport develops in the schools and communities. The programme was declared open by Technical

Development Officer Seon Erskine who spoke about the importance of discipline. Munroe was assisted by David Wren, Nigel Hope, Edward Cobenna and

Michael Trotman. Similar programmes are set for Regions 2, 3, 4 and 5 as well as the villages in the Demerara River in the near future.

Tiger Bay dominate Police Youth Group Futsal tournament

Tiger Bay won all four titles last weekend when the Central Georgetown Police Youth Group hosted the finals of the Commander of ‘A’ Division/Rainforest Water 5-A-Side Futsal tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. In the first final, Tiger Bay Trainers defeated Agricola Trainers 7-1 before Tiger Bay returned to beat Yarrowkabra 7-4 in the Open Community game. Tiger Bay Females won 2-0 against Mocha while Tiger Bay ‘B’ defeated Tiger Bay ‘A’ 3-0 to complete the domination. The tournament was held under the theme: “Revive!

Rejuvenate! Represent! Feeding the Flames of Progress”. Chairman of the Central Georgetown Youth Group, Colin Haynes observed the role sport plays in brining communities together. He said that the initiative is a continued effort to build better relationships between communities and the Police. C o m m a n d e r o f ‘ A’ Division, Clifton Hicken, who is also President of Georgetown Football Association (GFA), had noted that it was necessary for them to take grassroots football to the communities of Central Georgetown.

GFA President and Police Commander of ‘A’ Division, Clifton Hicken (about fifth left) poses with the winning Tiger Bay teams following the finals last weekend at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

UDFA Div. 1 League resumes on Sunday

Leaders Topp XX oppose Federal Winners Connection; Eagles face Milerock The Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Division One League is set to resume after one month break with point’s leaders Topp XX taking on Federal Winners Connection in the feature game of the at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. Opening play at 18:30hrs brings together Eagles

United and Milerock. Topp XX lead with 10 points, three more than their opponents Winners Connection who are third on seven points, a position they share with Milerock. Eagles United have so far accumulated four points, the same as Amelia’s Ward Panthers, Blueberry Hill and Net Rockers.

Silver Shattas are second one point behind the leaders while Botafago have six points in fourth place with Hi Stars on five. Next We d n e s d a y t w o m o r e matches are set for the same venue, Blueberry Hill will play Hi Stars to be followed by a clash between Net Rockers and Amelia’s Ward Panthers.

NA League football underway in Berbice Following a few years of d o r m a n c y, o r g a n i s e d football for senior teams is finally being played in Berbice with the staging of The NA League Cup for teams in the New Amsterdam area. Three teams are participating in the competition; Cougars Football Club, New Amsterdam United and Hope Football Club. The competition which

will be played over two rounds / round robin got started on Sunday last with one game at the once famous Burnham Park between Cougars and Hope FC, it ended 2-2. Horace Roach opened the scoring for Hope FC in the 5 minute from the penalty spot with Jaleel Fraser scoring in the 58 minute. Netting for Cougars were Stephen Hinds in the 22 minute and Alvin th

th

nd

Reynolds in the 63 minute. The competition will continue on Sunday with NA United taking on Hope FC from 15:30 hrs at Burnham Park. The game will be preceded by a junior fixture between NA United and Hearts of Oak FC. The competition is being organised by a group of football enthusiasts including Sherwin Forde and Neil Humphrey. rd

t r o Sp

President Granger inducted as RHTY&SC Honorary Patron Describes Club as one of Guyana’s treasures

Guyana Boxing Board of Control ‘Hostile Territory’

All systems in place as boxers affix signatures to their contracts

New Patron President David Granger and Immediate past Patron Ms. Beverly Harper

Jason Phillips (L) and Nankumar Singh gear up for what promises to be an action packed amateur encounter.

GCB/BANKS DIH/ DIGICEL NSSCL...

Chase Academy trounce Charlestown Secondary Denroy Junior tops field in sixth Desmond Dorsett Memorial Road Race Classic

Retired Headmistress Ms. Wavney Dorsett (4th left) poses with the respective category winners. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210