Kaieteur News
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Saturday January 07, 2017
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
COMMONSENSE NEEDED John F. Kennedy once said “There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction”. In this new year, we must demand a new approach to governance and do all we can to reduce crime, develop the economy, end the racial divide and move the country forward. To do all that, there must be practical and commonsense approaches to solve problems before they reach crisis proportions. Action must be taken by those in authority to prevent a freefall of the country. The truth is, Guyana has been adrift in murky waters for some time now, but those who brought a change of government in the May 2015 election, represent a combined force that now appears to be silent, if not waning. Today, the citizens are victims of the slow-response, no-response syndrome by the administration, rampant crime, an archaic justice system, an ill-managed civil service, poor health care, a failing education system, decaying infrastructure, and a landscape besieged by hardcore criminals who prey upon the innocent. Excuse after excuse has been trotted out as to why those with designated responsibilities at the highest level should not be blamed for presiding over a series of failures. The high crime rate, traffic fatalities, declining production in agriculture, lack of foreign investments and mismanagement of the economy are among some of the noteworthy setbacks. Power outages are blamed on repairs to the electrical system, and poor health care and deaths from simple infectious diseases at the public hospitals are blamed on the shortage of medical personnel and drugs. While some parts of the country have potable water, the chronic shortage in other parts is blamed on too little rainfall. Flooding in the city and other areas of the country is blamed on heavy rainfall, high tide and broken pumps, even though the pumps were working before the deluge. Guyana, once a shining light in the Caribbean, now finds itself weighed down by an assortment of excuses. As with most things in life, this government like others shall pass, but it is alarming to think that it will have to be replaced by a force which has marginalized a large segment of the population, divided the nation along racial lines, and used the state resources to enrich themselves, friends and relatives. This is a classic case of being caught between a rock and a hard place. However, not all has gone to waste - for example, the curiosity of the Opposition during the budget debate has highlighted some questionable issues. Without its observations, the nation might not have known about the D’Urban Park development fiasco and the drug bond scandal, among other discrepancies The government essentially spent hundreds of millions dollars to celebrate the 50th independence anniversary while the poor are struggling to survive. Celebrate, yes, but not to the extent that the administration did when the nation cannot afford it. But it is not only about the scandals and the celebrations of independence, it seems that public funds were brazenly misappropriated in the not too distant past, and yet no one has been held accountable. Those in authority are not being taken seriously, because all they have been doing is making lofty speeches with little or no follow-up action. It is called political grandstanding. And the people are fed-up; they have had enough of it. Going forward, we need to systematically solve the problems in all sectors. The people must have a say in the country’s affairs. So, in the new year there must be a firm resolution by everyone, not to be afraid to speak out boldly and confidently on what we expect from our leadership.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
An example of legal lawlessness when the PPP ruled Dear Editor, Notwithstanding which political party is in power in Guyana there must be preservation and maintenance of our heritage so that at all times people of different political dispensation must feel that they have an impartial government. The way the Red House was disposed of in favour of the PPP leaves much to be desired. Legal luminaries speak about the court applying the rule of law in dealing with the matter now that the President has ordered a revocation of the lease. Laymen would want to know if the rule of law was properly applied in its unceremonious acquisition. This case immediately brings to mind a parcel of land adjacent to the Republic Bank in Anna Regina that was leased to a party loyalist. This land provides ingress and egress to the sea
defences. This is an area that experiences breaches and is still constantly threatened. According to engineer estimates an alternative route would cost at least $40 million. Many residents feel that the rule of law used here is an “eye pass” to the community who are always threatened with inundation.What I find hard to comprehend in this issue is the landlord/tenant argument. The Red House fiasco is one of a totally different character. When a landlord charges rent he ensures that provision is made for his sustenance and for maintenance. To arrive at a figure there is a period of negotiation where there is a give and take. It is hard to conceive of a situation where an immaterial amount is paid for a multimillion state entity where the price paid would cost the landlord to starve to a premature death. What a
reprehensible and callous tenant! The other thing I cannot rationalize is protest and counter protest. While it is expected that the PPP will protest, the coalition must understand that this is done to get them to play into their hands where the main issue will be reflected in partisan politics with a racial dimension. The PPP have been masters of this hypocrisy and the coalition must disassociate itself from it. The President has made a patriotic decision and it must be supported. There is no turning back. Red House belongs to the people of Guyana and not the PPP. That is where it shall remain. The many who claim that Jagan’s Red House is taken away should die in their ignorance. Nazir Mohamed, AFC Councillor - Region 2.
I would like to see this gentleman’s qualifications Dear Editor, I have followed the lively debate between Mr Sasenarine Singh and Mr Tacuma Ogunseye. It all started when Ogunseye implied that Singh is using similar tactics used by the PPP, implying that Singh is an operative of the PPP. Sase Singh did not take it lightly and the rest is history. To add a new perspective to the conversation, Mr Nigel Westmaas tried to defend Ogunsege, but in the process muddied the water further. In one of Mr. Singh’s letters he asked that Mr Ogunsege present his qualifications to be appointed in his current job of asset recovery. Now, we are told from Mr. Westmaas that Ogunsege was a well-known market vendor. Don’t get me wrong, I have known a lot of our citizens who are qualified in a particular field and could not get a job, ending up as a market vendor. Is Westmaas telling us that Ogunseye is one such person? Now my concern is that it appears that Ogunseye may not be qualified to fill a position that pays G$8 million annually. One must understand that
qualification in a particular field does not mean that we can function effectively in the field without gaining the requisite skills to do the work. Ask any Medical Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer, Accountant, or any professional how competent they were to work in their field when they receive their diploma. We have heard stories of new professionals making serious mistakes when they start their career. With the knowledge they acquired in their studies, observing and working along with seasoned professionals, making decisions and then taking corrective action when necessary, along with other techniques, these professionals then gradually acquire the skill and competence to excel in their field. Can Ogunseye give the Guyanese people a chronology of his academic and professional experience to function in his current post? A market vendor can be a good sales person and can get their customer to purchase the products they sell, but a vendor does not have to document these procedures and the results achieved. In the case of Asset Recovery, it is much more complex
where some deals are structured in much intertwined cobweb. Following the trail is not always simple and easy. Are the qualifications, skills and competence of Ogunseye geared towards preparing the paperwork to unravel these perceived complex transactions? If Ogunseye cannot provide to the Guyanese people his qualifications and competence for this job that pays him G$8 million annually, then this smacks as square pegs in round holes. Not only is this fraud, but it brings into question whether Ogunseye is doing exactly what he campaigned against where incompetent persons were put in places beyond their competence. I am confident that the newspapers will be prepared to publish his Resume for free so that we can all see who Ogunseye really is. If the newspaper would not want to do it, then I now volunteer to pay for the space in the newspaper. Happy New Year to Sasenarine Singh, Tacuma Ogunseye, Dr. Nigel Westmaas and the people of Guyana. Charles Sugrim
63 beach and the road that leads to it are very dirty Dear Editor, In your publication dated 1 January 2017 on page 66 titled, New Year’s Day Messages, the Government of Guyana’s message indicated the country is on a path to a “green state...to move along a path of economic growth and towards improvement in our citizens’ quality of life.” I want to take this opportunity to urge all leaders and all citizens across all regions in Guyana to adopt a responsible attitude to promote a cleaner town or village along with the vision for a cleaner and ‘greener’ Guyana and a better quality of life as per the Government of Guyana’s New
Year’s Day message. As a visitor to this country, I decided to visit No. 63 Village Beach in Corentyne, Berbice on this New Year’s Day, where I was disgusted by the garbage and overgrown bushes, drift wood, dead animals, religious flags strewn in all areas along the beach. Like many beach frequenters, I also witnessed several young adults drinking beverages near their cars where they threw empty cans and bottles in the sand without consideration for the piles of garbage already on the beach. It is clear, no one is picking up the garbage that is left on the beach or along
the road to the beach. I call on all Guyanese to adopt a responsible attitude of making Guyana a tidy place, not only in Georgetown but throughout all villages and towns across this green nation. As Guyanese, we ought to ask themselves, “What can I do to make my village, town clean?” This attitude of questioning could contribute to an improvement in the quality of life of all Guyanese as well as to add value to the Government of Guyana’s New Year’s Day message as a way forward for the remainder of this year’s journey and beyond. Diaspora Guyanese
Saturday January 07, 2017
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Why a lawyer of Hughes’ huge calibre was not awarded Silk? DEAR EDITOR, I write further on the issue of the recent appointment of Silk. A weightier consideration that should be reflected on is that taking Silk is tantamount to service to the Crown - in our case, service to the government which is the equivalent. This poses an obvious difficulty for judges who are appointed Silk. The challenge here is that their obligation to serve the government by conferral of the title brings into potential conflict the independence of the judiciary. And we all know that the independence of the judiciary is pivotal to the Separation of Powers (there must be separation between the executive, judicial and legislative arms of government). This again threatens the already fragile fabric of our democracy. Still further, SC are ordinarily expected to be very involved and active members of the Bar Association of their respective jurisdictions. Think about the curious situation which would be occasioned by a sitting judge being a member of the Bar As-
sociation, an association which should be a vanguard of the public interest relative to the administration of justice. In December, 2011 the Prime Minister, Chief Justice and a sitting judge, among others, were appointed as SC in Trinidad and Tobago. This sparked a national outcry from the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (the equivalent of our Bar Association), senior attorneys (themselves SC), senior judges, and civil society. The chief justice and the sitting judge abided by the collective sentiments of the objectors and returned their patent. The Law Association caused a Committee to be appointed to report on whether the conferral of Silk should be sustained, and, if so, what should be the method and criteria of appointment. I wish to commend two of the recommendations of the Committee to our appointment of SC. Before I do, permit me to say, frankly, I have the highest respect for the judges who have been appointed SC.
But I have a more profound respect for the collective right of my countrymen to a truly democratic society. Also, even if it were customarily permissible to appoint sitting judges as SC, we should be excited by the fact that neither the Chancellor of the Judiciary nor the Chief Justice made it on this list, whether by application or invitation. Are we to suppose that these high ranking judicial officers who sit at the helm of the judiciary are not possessed of the attributes of SC? Do let that soak in! It has been traditional both in England and certain English-speaking territories in the Region to appoint SC as Attorney Generals (AGs). In Guyana the only AGs who have not been SC are Nandalall and now Williams. Nandalall was of the opinion that the appointment as SC should be automatic for the AG. I cannot say if it is on this basis that Williams has been so appointed. The practice in the other territories, including England, has been for both AGs and judges to take
Red House eviction is similar to what is happening at Wales DEAR EDITOR, The Guyanese Solidarity Movement-New York (GSMNY) is aghast at the efforts to rescind the lease of Guyana’s founding father, Dr Cheddi Jagan’s Research Centre at Red House and vehemently condemns it as an assault on our natural freedom. Red House has been a sterling symbol which celebrates our rich Guyanese history. President David Granger’s order to vacate the premises in fortyeight hours is just untenable and most reprehensible. Adding insult to injury was that the government decided to do the eviction during the Christmas season when there should be tidings of comfort and joy. The coalition’s decision to evict the tenants at Red House is a travesty. The GSM-NY condemns this unjust act and stands in solidarity with the PPP in fighting this. The GSM calls on all right thinking and decent Guyanese and well-
wishers to speak up against this dastardly PNC action. Coming so close after the closure of Wales Sugar Estate and the retrenching of hundreds of sugar workers, it is a striking double whammy on the poor and working class who view Dr. Cheddi Jagan as their hero. Who can imagine the suffering and misery of so many families now without daily bread to feed their families? Eviction of the Red House tenants is just as bad as making Wales workers penniless and hungry. The GSM-NY is heartened that the Red House lease issue is now before the courts and expects the coalition will respect the rule of law. Those who broke the Red House Cheddi Jagan Research Centre sign are guilty of destroying private property. The law must take its course to ensure these occurrences do not become a norm. The peaceful vigil last Friday outside Red House held by
the PPP was violated by Minister Volda Lawrence and her group. It is shameful that the APNU+AFC coalition government would blatantly seek to violate the laws of Guyana. As was explained by Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, Attorney General Basil Williams is wrong to say he was supposed to sign off on the lease between the government and the Red House Research Centre. Dr Jagdeo said he did not sign off on any lease for the 12-year duration when he was President. This, he asserted, was the responsibility of the deeds registry officials, and they are delegated to do so. The GSM-NY is heartened that more and more people are condemning the Red House violation and commends them for their solidarity in this hour of need. Rueben Khusial Secretary Guyanese Solidarity Movement-New
Silk before assuming office in these higher capacities. I have read somewhere that our new SC were appointed on the recommendation of the AG. I have not been able to confirm the accuracy of this representation. And I stand by my own error if it is incorrect. But presupposing the accuracy of this suggestion, it would seem quite the paradox for an AG to become SC upon his own recommendation, save for his appointment as SC being a gift of the office as suggested by Nandalall as the appropriate practice. Nandalall’s utterances on the infamous tape must render his suitability for the conferral of SC untenable. This is regrettable because in my opinion Nandalall is an exceptional attorney, if I were to confine my assessment to his legal acumen and advocacy skills. The Committee appointed by the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago has recommended that the appointment of SC should be upon the recommendation of an independent body with the president ceremoniously confirming the appointments. Non-practicing attorneys
should only be appointed as SC honoris causa, which simply means as a mark of esteem (similar to one receiving an honourary doctorate). However, the obligation of such appointees would be to contribute handsomely to the jurisprudence of the country through sustained scholarly writings (books, articles, etc.). We would do well to follow this practice. Finally, and yes this has been a necessarily long piece, I am particularly unnerved by Nigel Hughes not being appointed as SC. Hughes tendered his application in either 2002 or 2003 when applications were invited for attorneys desirous of becoming SC. This bore no fruit for any of the then applicants. Then in 2014 applications were again invited and Hughes again tendered his application. I was quite surprised when Hughes’ name did not appear on the list of appointees. There can be no sustained argument that Hughes does not match or surpass ever criterion for the appointment of SC. Hughes is a giant oral and written advocate at both the Criminal and Civil
Can someone explain the Nigel Hughes fiasco? DEAR EDITOR, I have a mixed response to the list of Senior Counsel recently appointed by the President. I am particularly heartened that Llewellyn John has finally been recognized for his long contribution to the legal field. But what about Nigel Hughes? His omission is most glaring. If longevity of service and achievement in the field are prerequisites for Senior Counsel, then none can doubt that Mr Hughes stands head and shoulders with the other appointments. His brilliance as a trial lawyer is well known. His contribution to legal thought and his defence of the defenceless on issues of
human rights at a time when lawyers in Guyana no longer donate their services for such causes must surely count in his favour. The previous government publicly indicated that Hughes would not be made Senior Counsel under their watch. Now, the new government, whose rise to power Mr Hughes helped to make a reality, has bypassed him. It is no secret that he is not a cheerleader of the government, but does one have to be a loyalist to be given one’s due? Am I missing something? Is this government continuing the PPP’s embargo on Hughes? Somebody needs to explain this. David Hinds
Bars. And his observance of the oath he has taken and the ethics of the profession are similarly without sustained challenge. The material occasions upon which his practice has been called into question are the Amalia Falls issue and the issue with the jury foreman in the Lusignan massacre case; both of which were persuasively dispensed with. I have had the coveted privilege of working closely with Hughes for two years prior to heading to Law School. Lawyers consult with him; magistrates consult with him; and judges consult with him to tap into his seemingly infinite legal knowledge and wisdom. I have seen Hughes lead teams of attorneys with at least four SC as part of the defence panel. On occasions SC sat in court awaiting his arrival because they refused to commence the day’s proceedings without their lead attorney. It is a marvel for lay persons, attorneys, magistrates and judges alike to watch Hughes in action. And this sentiment has been expressed to me personally by persons in all of these categories. One wonders why an attorney of Hughes’ calibre was glossed over for appointment as SC. Hughes has been critical of the Coalition government while still affiliated with it. He has openly criticised the missteps of the government. Could this have inspired the disfavour of the government in appointing him SC? And Hughes is but one of the SEVERAL attorneys who are most deserving of being appointed as SC. In 2011 Jagdeo did say that Hughes would never be appointed SC under his administration, clearly politicising the appointment process. It would appear that this sentiment has survived the PPP. I continue to be rendered uneasy by the patent silence of the Bar Association on the innumerable issues warranting its comment or condemnation. Ronald J. Daniels
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Saturday January 07, 2017
The right to leave Guyana is in serious jeopardy DEAR EDITOR, The freedom to enter and leave Guyana is guaranteed to every person as a fundamental right and freedom by the supreme law of the land, the Constitution. It is captured in Article 148(1) of the Constitution: 148(1) “No person shall be deprived of his or her freedom of movement, that is to say, the right to move freely throughout Guyana, the right to reside in any past of Guyana, the right to enter Guyana, the right to leave Guyana and immunity from expulsion from Guyana.” In Ghani v Jones, (1970) 1 QDB 613 @ 709, Lord Denning said “a man’s liberty of movement is regarded so highly by the Law of England, that it is not to be hindered or prevented, except, on the surest grounds”. It must be emphasized that England has no constitution or a Bill of Rights. Therefore, those sentiments of Lord Denning must apply to countries like Guyana with a written Constitution containing a Bill of Rights, with even greater force. Indeed, in terms of the relationship between any other law and the Constitution, Article 8 of the Constitution provides: Art (8). “This Constitution is the supreme law of Guyana and, and if any other law is inconsistent with it that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.” Article (8) therefore, imposes an inescapable obligation on those seeking to promulgate laws to ensure that
those laws do not conflict with the Constitution. In short, all Bills must conform to the litmus test of constitutionality. If not, they will suffer the fate of being rendered unconstitutional and void. It is trite law that the Judiciary is imbued with the constitutional mandate and authority to strike down such laws when called upon to do so. Section 45 of the Value added Tax Act, Chapter 81:05 provides: S 45 (1) “Where the Commissioner has reasonable grounds to believe that a person may leave Guyana without paying all tax due under this Act, the Commissioner may issue a Certificate to the Chief Immigration Officer containing particulars of the tax due and request that the Chief Immigration Officer take the necessary steps to prevent the person from leaving Guyana until the person makes: (a) A payment in full; or (b) An arrangement satisfactory to the Commissioner for the payment of the tax: Provided the Commissioner cannot proceed under this subsection unless he has obtained an Order of the Court in respect of the tax due.” The Minister of Finance has already tabled and read for the first time Bill No. 27 of 2016, the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill 2016. By the time this Article is published, it is more likely, than not, this Bill would have been passed by the National Assembly. Among the Amendments which it seeks to effect
is, the following apparent innocuous one liner to Section 45 (1): ”by deleting the proviso and substituting for the colon a full stop”. In that one liner containing a dozen words, the Commissioner General will be empowered to prevent a person from leaving Guyana, without notifying him, without affording him a hearing and obviously, without obtaining a Court Order, if that person owes VAT. It is my respectful view that this provision in the Bill is inconsistent with a person’s right to leave Guyana as is guaranteed by Article 148(1) of the Constitution and accordingly, is unconstitutional. Why would a Government want to remove a resort to the Courts for an Order to stop a person from leaving the country? Why would a Government want to stop a person from travelling without notifying him? Why would a Government want to take away a constitutional right of a person to leave Guyana,
without offering him a hearing in accordance with the rules of natural justice and due process? In 1979, Dr. Clive Thomas’s passport was taken from him for no justifiable reason by Police Officers, thereby preventing him from leaving the country. He was forced to approach the High Court, in High Court Proceedings No. 2557 of 1979. His lawyers would have advanced the same arguments which I am articulating here. They were successful. His passport was returned to him and he was permitted to travel. In 1980, Eusi Kwayana, was “blacklisted” from leaving the country. He filed a legal challenge, in the High Court, No. 265 of 1980. Again, he was successful. Similarly, in 1980, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine was blocked from leaving the country. The reason given was, that although certain criminal charges filed against him were dismissed, the State had appealed that dismissal and the pending
appeal, barred him from leaving the jurisdiction. High Court Judge, Mr. Justice Prem Persaud, swiftly rejected those arguments and a f f i r m e d D r . Roopnarine’s constitutional right to leave the country: (See Roopnarine v Barker 30 WIR 181). From the above examples, it is clear that preventing citizens from leaving the country is a familiar weapon used by this Administration in a previous incarnation. It is now back in vogue. Anyone who has an acquaintance with how the VAT system is administered would know that at any given time, persons authorized to collect VAT on behalf of the GRA for onward transmission to that Agency, such person will owe VAT to the GRA. This is so because the VAT collected is not transmitted instantly to the GRA. It is done at periodic intervals. When this Bill becomes law, the Commissioner General can prevent any of these persons from leaving
the country. Tens of thousands of persons’ right to travel overseas will, therefore, be exposed to the whims and fancy of the Commissioner General. I must emphasize that the exercise of this power does not have to await the hearing and determination of any objections which may be filed under the law; nor does it have to await a final assessment of taxes owed. No civilized legal system will countenance such concentration of power in the hands of a single individual exercisable without due process. In Trinidad and Tobago, such a power was declared unconstitutional. In 1986, the Court of Appeal of Trinidad ruled that a person is not liable to pay income tax until he has been assessed and if he is prevented from leaving the country before assessment, he is deprived of his freedom of movement. (See AG of T&T v Hosein 42 WIR 328). Another legal challenge looms. Mohabir Anil Nandlall
Basil Wiliams is playing boys’ games in men’s arena DEAR EDITOR, Reading Ralph Ramkarran’s insightful piece in Conversation Tree of December 31, 2016, he said “The attempted unlawful seizure of Red House, unlawful restriction of the movement of the occupants and the unlawful sequestration of its property, bring back sad memories of times past when the rule of law in Guyana was being severely undermined as a result of political oppression and authoritarian rule. Let us hope that this event is not a foreboding of what will happen in 2017.” I have also read a letter by another commenta-
tor who said “Red House is not about race”. Both of these statements have caused me to ponder. But the action led by former PNC Vice Chairman, Minister Volda Lawrence has transformed this entire RED HOUSE game into an episode of unpleasant competition in Guyana. Why were the PNC activists attempting to invade the RED HOUSE before the December 31, 2016, deadline? Because of this act from the PNC, this PNC led fledging coalition has now lost all votes it ever got on the sugar belt. What was very painful to many was watching how
two PNC activists trampled on the name Cheddi Jagan on the dirty ground as they attempted to illegally invade the Cheddi Jagan Research Center (CJRC). The majority of people will never forget this act of insensitivity. But what is worse, was the profound untruth associated with Mr. Basil Williams as he tried to defend the case in front of a judge, claiming that the building was occupied. Not true! Is this what legal advocacy has come to in Guyana? Fiction and on top of that, he was awarded politically for his lack of legal pedigree with something that a person like Nigel Hughes was better suited – something called a Senior Counsel (SC)? Has SC status now gone to drain? Shame on you President Granger for polluting this noble institution legally elevating such a politicized mind to SC status. (While I am at it, I want to congratulate two legal luminaries like Neil Boston and Vidyanand Persaud for their elevation to SC, they have served Guyana
well). The sensible course of action now is for all forces to back off and allow the courts to make a decision on this matter. Why did this matter have to go the political route? But as per normal, the noviceship of President Granger and his seemingly very limited Law Officer to the Cabinet, continues to put the chances of the PNC winning the 2020 elections into the deep negative ground. Right now, all they can depend on is the race vote, but that will not cut in 2020. They need the rational middle stratum that clearly not on the side of the PNC led coalition government anymore. The actions of this PNC led coalition are exposing their discrimination and desperation at being politically relevant. But these infantile political and legal moves from someone who is not ready as yet to even attend Magistrate Court, is not helpful. Back off Basil and stop playing boy’s games in a men’s arena. Lisa Ally
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Govt. eyes lawyers for Pradoville 2 Special Prosecution team Government currently has its eyes on a few attorneysat-law to form the crucial Special Prosecution Team that will be tasked with overseeing the Pradoville Two case. This was revealed yesterday during a post cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency, hosted by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. There, the Minister was asked to reveal the names of the persons who would have been proposed to Cabinet for the Special Prosecution Team. While he could not remember the names, Harmon said that the list comprises Guyanese. He said, too, that there were two recommendations made for persons who reside abroad, but are from the Caricom region. “The actual names of the persons I don’t specifically remember now. They are all attorneys in private practice in Guyana right now, who have actually agreed to be part of that team.” The Cabinet Secretary added, “When you engage an attorney you have to have some kind of retainer arrangement and a contract, and that is why I think the Attorney General, Basil Williams, has not released their names as yet, because I think they are still looking at what retainer arrangement can be put in place” The Minister of State said while that arrangement is being sorted out, the persons whom the Minister of Legal
Affairs contacted, expressed a willingness to be part of the team. Harmon said that even those who were not contacted heard about it and spoke with the Attorney General, indicating their eagerness to provide their services as well. “So what we are getting is a pool of legal talent. They are prepared to work with us to ensure that the wrongs of the case are dealt with in a swift manner.” Asked if the prospective persons for the Prosecution Team had spoken with officials of the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) or the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU), Harmon said, “I can’t be specific with that, but there are some people who are helping with the financial analysis work to be done by SARU”. He added that the assistants are attached to the World Bank. He said too that last year they provided their expertise on finishing the legislation for SARU, which is currently before Cabinet. It is officially over a year since investigations started into the Pradoville Two case and a strong case is yet to be crafted. This was confirmed by officials attached to SARU. SARU’s Chief Executive Officer, Aubrey HeathRetemyer, said that SOCU is taking the lead in investigations into the criminal aspect of the case, while SARU is providing whatever support is needed along the way.
A section of the exclusive East Coast Demerara housing scheme
The SARU official said, “Work is ongoing in this matter. This case has a criminal aspect and a civil one. We are looking at the latter. With regard to the criminal aspect, it was known by now that investigators had to get the valuations for the lands at Sparendaam. “These were sold to officials with strong ties to the former regime. But even after this was secured, SOCU is still without a strong case.” Retemyer said that plaguing the criminal side of the case for SARU is securing statements from persons within the various agencies that would have been involved in the Pradoville Two
scheme. He said, “We were able to get the valuations of the lands, but SOCU was subsequently advised that there were still other requirements. They are still to get corresponding statements from government agencies that are implicated in the entire scandal.” The anticorruption advocate continued, “These agencies include the Central Housing and Planning Authority,
Lands and Surveys Commission and the Deeds Registry. I believe SOCU has about 60 persons that it has taken statements from. We are still putting together a strong case for the civil and criminal aspect.” In early October 2015, SARU completed a report which stated that in 2010, the Bharrat Jagdeo Cabinet made a decision authorizing the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited
(NICIL) to privatize State lands. NICIL is the body tasked with overseeing the privatization of State assets. It reportedly spent more than $200M to develop the seafront community without the knowledge and blessings of the National Assembly and other relevant bodies. The said lands were then secretly sold to the former Ministers and known friends and associates of the (Continued on page 11)
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President has ‘final say’ in choice of new GECOM chairperson - Harmon The APNU+AFC administration has denied it has already made up its mind in the choice for a new Chairperson for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, during the first postCabinet press briefing of the year, disclosed that the process of selection is ongoing. On Tuesday, the Cabinet of Ministers was updated. Former Chairman, Dr. Steve
Surujbally, who served over a decade, had late last year signaled his intentions to resign. His last day on the job was supposed to be November 30th. Explaining the process, Harmon, said it is clearly set out in Article 161 of the Constitution. It involves the President writing Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, to supply a list of six nominees after consultations with
the wider society. This process was apparently followed by the Opposition Leader and a list was submitted to the President. Since then, the President has requested curriculum vitae (CVs) of the six persons. Making it clear that there is “some amount of misinformation out there”, Harmon stressed that if unsatisfied with the current list, the President can ask the Opposition
Leader for a fresh one. If after that is done, there are still persons who do not fit the requirements, the President can then call in Jagdeo for “meaningful consultations” and if no agreement is reached, the President has the right to appoint somebody whom in his estimation is right for the job. According to Harmon, there is no truth that President Granger has skipped the
steps and has already chosen someone. “Certainly that is not the case. I want to lay that to rest right now,” the Minister assured. The six persons submitted last month are Major-General (Ret’d) Norman Mc Lean, Lawrence Lachmansingh, James G. Rose, PhD, Ramesh Dookoo, Ryhaan Shah and Christopher L. Ram. The list had been dispatched by the Leader of the Opposition to the President on December 21, 2016 but Granger had asked for the CVs. Last month, President Granger said that the CVs would help to better determine him determine the suitability of the candidates. ”I replied to him (Jagdeo) right away, because although those six names might be known to the public, I could not be sure that their nominations were in accordance with the Constitution. I have asked him to let me have copies of the Curriculum Vitae of each one, so that it can guide me in making my decision. So that is where we are now, and I would say that the ball is in his court. I would say let me have the resume for the persons so we can go ahead with
President, David Granger this process. It is very important that we have a Chairman as early as possible,” the President had said. Article 161 (2) of the Constitution states that “…the Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds or who has held office as a Judge of a Court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a Court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such (Continued on page 12)
Saturday January 07, 2017
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Kaieteur News
The awarding of Senior Counsel should be abolished Burnham was an enigma. Despite his anti-colonial stance, he was inured to the conventions and traditions of the British monarchy. When Guyana became Independent, Burnham retained many of the trappings of colonial rule, one of which was the practice of awarding silk or Senior Counsel status, to members of the legal profession. He himself was a
Queen’s Counsel recipient. He retained that elitist tradition even while telling the Guyanese people that Guyana was becoming an egalitarian society. He perpetuated this elitist practice in Guyana. Members of the inner sanctum belong to an exclusive group within the legal profession. It is a sanctum which is not open to all. In
Dem boys seh... Sex and kickback was rampant in de drug trade A study show people does retain 75 per cent of what they see, compared to only 13 per cent of what they hear. Dem boys believe that is a true. De whole country use to hear bout Babbie and he drug bond, but none body ever remember that because dem never see it. De auditors been and see it and wha dem see tek over 100 per cent of dem memory. Dem can never forget. Dem see stuff without label so you can’t tell is wha. You don’t know if is Whizz, cocaine or propane. De record wha dem boys see lef dem more confuse and dumb. Records show dem dump stuff but dem didn’t know wha dem dump. Everybody know this is wheh de kak deh. When a man don’t know wha he dump he certainly can never know wha he got. De people keep buying every hour and dumping every minute. Dem even bring in expired drugs wha dem get paid for and de Ministry dump de next day. This is wheh de runnings been. Yesterday de news come out about an investigation on a $554 million contract that de PS give out. In de first place he was not even sup-
pose to be meddling in de drug importation and distribution. Dem boys seh when de contract was given he was suppose to pay 30 per cent as advance which is $166 million. This was a contract Babbie get. Instead de PS pay 50 per cent which is $277 million. That is $111million more than he was to pay. Then he tun round and when nobody was looking, he doctor de document - and dem boys don’t mean send de document to a doctor. He alter it himself. Dem boys believe that de $111million was he kickback that he wanted up front. That is how Jagdeo and de Pee Pee Pee boys operate on most of not all contracts granted under dem. Dem does want de kickback before de wuk start or de goods supplied. This way nobody can’t rob dem. Dem boys don’t want to believe that this kickback and sex was common from top to bottom. In de case of some of dem in de Pee Pee Pee, dem boys certain bout de kickback, but dem ain’t certain who was sexing who. Talk half and ask Babbie and Brazzy. Dem was always in de middle.
fact, it has historically been reserved for the few. The President of Guyana, David Granger, in defending his decision to award Senior Counsel has tried to drive home the point that no Senior Counsel were appointed over the past twenty years. He should make a count of the number of persons who were appointed in the 28 years his party was in power. If he does, he may reconsider his decision to ensure that appointments to the position of Senior Counsel are done annually. If he announces Senior Counsel each year, then by 2025, all the attorneys in Guyana may end up becoming Senior Counsel. The members of the inner sanctum would no longer constitute an exclusive group, and the value and respect associated with this elitist appointment
will diminish. The judiciary should put a rest to most innuendos about the neglect of the tradition of appointing Senior Counsel. They should publish the names and dates of the appointments of Queen’s Counsel and later Senior Counsel since Guyana became independent. This information will confirm that the established practice has been to limit the number of such appointments in keeping with preserving the value and elitist character of the appointments. You cannot have a situation where there are more than twenty five Senior Counsel in the legal profession in Guyana. It will devalue the silk. The number of persons being robed in silk has to be limited. And because of this fact, there will be controversies as to who is deserving of
appointment, and there will be the usual debate as to why certain persons were left out. The appointments will be subject to criticism that is not objective. There is always the option of establishing fixed criteria for a person to be robed in silk. In some jurisdictions, a person can only become a Queen’s or King’s Counsel based on distinction in the higher courts. In Guyana, we are awarding persons who have never or rarely practiced in any court at all. The awarding of Senior Counsel should be abolished. It is a colonial relic. It is a trapping of elitism which has no place in modern societies. It has never been and is still not a measure of legal competence or brilliance. If you look at the judgments of the Caribbean Court of Justice, in its appellate jurisdiction, you will find some
very young Guyanese lawyers making a name in the highest Court of Guyana. The young lawyers have been impressive. Their cases are reported in the law journals and law reports. They are matching minds and arguments with those robed in silk. The President has made nine appointments to the position of Senior Counsel. He should end it at that. The award should be dispensed with. It has no relevance and place in modern jurisprudence. It belongs to an age that is long past.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday January 07, 2017
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Late night conversation next to Cuffy Former PPP Government Minister, Dr. Henry Jeffrey, wrote that the APNU+AFC Coalition is feasting its detractors. By detractors he meant the PPP opposition. What Jeffrey did not go on to say is that the Coalition is feeding the monster so it can come out of the water to eat it up. What is taking place in the heads of the people who make up the leadership of APNU and the AFC is virtually incomprehensible. Even the so-called impeccable ones in the WPA who are supposed to be imbued with Rodneyite
culture have lost their mooring. Dr. Maurice Odle is surely not the WPA guy I knew forty years ago. On Thursday night, I had dinner at the newly-opened Chinese restaurant, KAMBOAT on Albert Street with two highly placed persons in the Alliance for Change. I am not going to name one of them because he asked me not to. The other person was Marlon Williams. While taking Marlon home on Vlissengen Road, someone was blowing on us. He pulled over and Marlon
suggested that we move to Square of the Revolution, because it was disrespectful to stop in front of the Office of the President. I agreed, so we went to Cuffy. I am not going to name this person; suffice it to say he holds a substantial position with the government and is a senior party person. I am not going to identify to which of the two Coalition partners he belongs. The conversation left a bitter taste in my mouth. So I ask the question again; what is taking place in the minds of these people that were successful in removing the PPP in a general election? This gentleman was totally prepared to defend two Ministers who received funding to pursue higher education. I went at length to explain to him what the term scholarship means, and that as far as I know, the Government of Guyana only uses taxpayers’ money to fund citizens to study within a certain frame-
work. For example, exemplary performance at CAPE earns one a Guyana Government scholarship. Now the term Guyana Government scholarship can be misleading. When foreign governments and international organizations offer a scholarship to Guyana, it is arranged and processed by the Ministry of the Public Service. When you get one, you get a Government scholarship. It does not and should not mean that the Government of Guyana is funding your education at a university you chose. We did away with that in the seventies. Top Queen’s College performers went to top foreign universities funded by the British Guiana Government. Some of these people went to Oxford and Cambridge. Many of them are still around. Rupert Roopnaraine is one. I told the gentleman that
I am not aware that the “scholarships” that the two Ministers got were advertised. I have been told that they were not openly advertised. That could be wrong. To avoid the penetration of the PPP propaganda, the Government’s public relations department should cite date and place of advertisement. Then the conversation took another turn. Having conceded to me that he does not know if the offers were advertised and conceding that it is the Treasury that is paying for the two Ministers, he then posed two questions to me which enraged me. He asked what was wrong with the government funding two public servants whose skills it needs. Obviously my reply was legalistic -- ministers are not public servants. I told him that Donald Trump has to find five thousand employees, because when Obama goes those five thousand who are political appointees have to go. He then shifted the goalpost, but unfortunately it fell into the trench. He intoned; “But Freddie, haven’t these people served?” There and then, I had enough. It was getting late,
Frederick Kissoon plus Marlon Williams was anxious to get home. I parted company saying I didn’t know what he meant by “serve”, choosing to say that once we live in Guyana we serve. I mentioned Banks DIH and DDL and asked if they didn’t serve. But really I had enough. Then came my bombshell. And if he had answered I would have stayed on and Marlon Williams would have had to call a taxi. I told him to sustain an intellectual polemic against Jagdeo’s sharing out of radio licences to his chosen friends. I bluntly told him I want to hear an argument of what was wrong or bad or depraved or immoral or unacceptable about that. He knew I had baited him. And there and then the conversation ended. Many in APNU and the AFC may not be different from the Jagdeo circles.
Saturday January 07, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Background checks for staffers of children’s homes - two more gender-specific homes for Berbice Gaining employment at a government-run children’s home from this year will be a particularly thorough process. In fact, persons seeking employment at such institutions will be subjected to background checks, among other things. This disclosure was recently made by former Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Volda Lawrence, who revealed that “we are also going to review the way in which we employ persons to deal with our children”. All individuals being employed by the Ministry will not escape passing through the Public Service Commission too. This process was seen as imperative, since a number of persons were reportedly employed without proper scrutiny and were found to be wanting in some instances. Currently there are over 600 children in residential care. There are about 20 facilities that are privately operated. However, there are three Government-run children’s home – the Sophia Care Centre, the Mahaica Children’s Home and the Drop-In Centre. The latter was razed by fire in July of last year which claimed the lives of two young residents. According to Lawrence, whose ‘scrutinising of staffers’ plan is likely to be brought to fruition by Minister Amna Ally who recently assumed leadership of the Social Pro-
tection Ministry, considerable efforts are being directed towards improving residential care offered to children by the State. Lawrence, at the start of this year, was redesignated as Minister of Public Health. According to Lawrence, the Social Protection Ministry has plans to rebuild a centre for the children of the Drop-In Centre in the Sophia area. However, the facility that has been proposed will in fact be a modern centre, according to Lawrence. “We want to build a modern centre not just a centre, and within that centre we are hoping to have some studio apartments.” The purpose of the studio apartments, according to Lawrence, will be to temporarily accommodate the family members of children in the care of the State while the legal system decides their fate. “So when we have to remove children, one of the parents not involved in the reason why they are being removed from the home (in the first place)... we can accommodate that family member there, and we can keep them there until the court decides on the programme best suited for the affected child,” Lawrence noted. The Social Protection Ministry will also be looking to have in place two facilities dedicated for the residential
Govt. eyes lawyers... From page 7 previous regime. At the time of the sale, the report said, the lands were grossly undervalued and sold at a price substantially below the market value, thereby depriving the state of its full benefits. SARU said, “There is a direct link between the misconduct and the abuse of powers and duties of their position. The former Cabinet members knew they were doing a wrong in transferring State lands to their names and that of their acquaintances for undervalued market prices for the land. The lands
were sold for $114 per square foot at the time.” The Department of the Ministry of the Presidency said that Public Officers ought to carry out their duties, not for the benefit of themselves, but for the benefit of the public as a whole. “If they neglect or misconduct themselves by their actions in the course of their duties, this may lead to a breach or abuse of the public’s trust. The act of the Cabinet members for their benefit is serious enough to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust.”
care of boys and girls respectively. Already the Ministry has been given access to two buildings in Tain, Region Six, which were handed over to the Ministry by the Regional Administration. The facilities, once fully set up, will accommodate children who are involved in court matters in the Berbice area. “So instead of them going
to the lockups or remaining in the situation, they can find themselves in a comfortable space whereby we can help,” Minister Lawrence noted. Commenting on the Ministry’s performance during the past year, the Minister noted that the fire that resulted in the deaths of the two young DropIn Centre residents and a subsequent fatality at another children’s home in Berbice were daunting for the Ministry. This was coupled by the fact that the
Ministry was unable to see some ventures brought to fruition. “I am disappointed in us not being able to get off the ground the kind of programmes that we have at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute. In terms of legislation there are many we are aware of that we need to amend and we did not get them off the ground,” informed Minister Lawrence. She, however, assured that her Ministry is poised to continue where it left off and realise all goals that were not reached in
2016 within the first quarter of this year. Minister Lawrence confidently asserted “if we weigh the downsides against what we have been able to achieve, we have achieved a lot. We were able to take all of our services to all of the regions and not just the regions but to the sub-regions, so there is not one administrative arm in the country that is not serviced by the Ministry of Social Protection and that is good.”
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Kaieteur News
Saturday January 07, 2017
No decision on sugar industry’s future without stakeholders’ input – Govt There has been a lot of tension in the air as it relates to the future of the sugar industry – which from all indications – is on ‘life support’ as was pointed out by one observer last year. The David Granger-led Administration has for the last year or so, been accused of making decisions without consulting stakeholders, resulting in the Opposition and respective Trade Unions airing their concerns. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, during a Post Cabinet Press Briefing yesterday, sought to “make it clear” that the Government has made no decision on the future of the
industry nor that of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). In fact, the Minister stressed that no decision will be made without consulting stakeholders. Harmon’s remarks would come days after the Government – being led by the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan – the appointed Government leadperson – began consultations on the future of GuySuCo, at a meeting held on December 31, 2016 between the Administration and “national stakeholders”. These stakeholders included the People’s Progres-
sive Party/Civic (PPP/C); the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) and the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE). Additionally, workers’ representatives from the various estates in the sugar industry were also present at that meeting which was held at the boardroom of the Ministry of Agriculture, Regent Street and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown. Harmon said that the Government shared documents related to the state of the sugar industry and the possible options regarding the
future of GuySuCo. “These documents were shared with the stakeholders and it was agreed that they would be given an opportunity to peruse the documents and that another meeting be held shortly,” the Minister disclosed. He added that the engagement came out of a decision made by Cabinet after considering several options that were put forward. Harmon asserted that it is in the best interest of all Guyana that the national stakeholders be part of meaningful consultations, as he dubbed the meeting as the first step in that direction. “We want to make it very clear that the Government has not arrived at a decision on
the matter and we expect that through these negotiations; these consultations, we will arrive at a decision that is in the best interest of not only the financial interest, but the economic, the cultural, the religious (and) the social circumstances which affect the workers in the industry…The sugar industry is a very old industry which has been here for over a century now, and all of these are factors which could not be taken very lightly at arriving at a decision,” Harmon emphasised. He reiterated that it was important that the Government share all the documents presented to Cabinet with stakeholders so that they can arrive at “a position” on the industry.
He added also that the Commission of Inquiry into the sugar industry was conducted and its findings subsequently laid in the National Assembly. The document, he pointed out, is now with the Economic Services Committee and is being considered. “It has always been the Government’s intention to ensure that all of the information coming to the Government is shared with stakeholders so that they understand the process at arriving at a decision on this important industry (and) that it is done, taking all of the views expressed into consideration,” the Minister said. Over the past few months, the David Granger-led (Continued on page 23)
President has ‘final say’ in choice of... From page 8 Judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons, not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the nongovernmental political parties represented in the National Assembly. Provided that if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list as provided for, the President shall appoint a person who holds or has held office as a Judge of a Court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a Court
having jurisdiction in appeals from any such Court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge.” The names would have come after weeks of public and internal consultations by the Opposition— the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) — with civil society, including religious and other groups. Surujbally’s resignation was touted to be effective November 30, 2016. However, he remains on the job, but on leave. GECOM is the authority that oversees general and regional elections and local government polls in Guyana.
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo
Saturday January 07, 2017
Union offers olive branch ahead of planned strike PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Oilfield Workers Trade Union (OWTU) Friday extended an olive branch to the authorities ahead of a planned 90-day strike on Monday even as the government said that contingent plans were in place to reduce the effects of the industrial action within the energy sector. Finance Minister Colm Imbert told Parliament Friday that in discussions with the state-owned oil company, PETROTRIN, “I am satisfied that appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure a continuity of fuel supplies to the population.” The OWTU, which is seeking a 10 per cent wage
hike for the workers, has rejected the company’s offer of a zero per cent hike over the period 2014-17. Negotiations for the previous period, 20112014 is currently before the Industrial Court. But OWTU President Ancel Roget, speaking to reporters following the latest round of talks involving Labour Minister Jennifer Baptiste Primus, said his union had placed before the court for consideration a 10 per cent wage hike for the workers for the period 201114. “If the company comes this afternoon with a 10 per cent offer for the period 201114 we will consider that offer
a need to dampen spending further in order to protect the country’s reserves of foreign exchange,” Worrell wrote. He said the reserves are what protect the country from the devaluation of the local currency, adding that the Central Bank remains in a position to provide US dollars “at the 2:1 exchange rate to meet all legitimate needs, if no other source is sufficient”. Worrell said the Freundel Stuart government is committed to a further reduction in the fiscal deficit in order to relive pressure on the foreign exchange reserves. “The immediate objective is to set the debt to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) firmly on a downward path by achieving a deficit which is lower than the increase in GDP forecast for 2017.”
Former Haiti coup leader, wanted in US, arrested
and of course we are prepared to call the strike off should the company settle at 10 per cent for the earlier period 2011-14,” he told reporters. Roget maintained that the repeated offer of zero per cent is offensive and that any new agreement must be made before January 9. “We cannot accept zero, zero, zero for the period 201114 and another set of zeros for 2014-17 and since that one (the 2014-17) is at the Ministry of Labour and that one is the vehicle that brought us to that point which we have served strike notice on but everybody keep saying we have to settle the earlier one before.
Central Bank Governor has concerns over foreign exchange issues BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados (CBB), Dr. DeLisle Worrell says the island has failed to achieve a balance between foreign exchange inflows and outflows, which is the foundation for growth in a stable economy. Worrell in his January economic letter, titled “We are the Craftsman of our Economic Fate” noted that this situation has existed since 2013. “We know when we have achieved that balance because in that case we do not have to dip into the Central Bank’s reserves of foreign currency to make up the difference. “The country has failed to achieve that balance since 2013 and there remains
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Kaieteur News
Worrell said that will serve to boost confidence and give access to funds from banks and other investors whose contributions to government finances has not increased in recent years. The CBB governor said the tourism sector, the international business sector and the export of world renowned rums and other products as well as renewable energy account for the island’s foreign exchange and the drivers ‘of our open economy”. In his letter, Worrell repeated an earlier statement reminding Barbadians that independence means that that the future of the island remains firmly in their hands. The Central Bank is expected to release a review of the island’s economic performance on January 24.
Guy Philippe
Port-au-Prince (AFP) Onetime Haiti coup leader Guy Philippe, who has long been wanted by US authorities on drug trafficking charges but was recently elected to the country’s senate, was arrested, police said. Philippe, 48, was participating in a live radio talk show in a Port-au-Prince suburb when heavily armed antinarcotics police took position outside the studio, shooting into the air and sparking a panic in the neighbourhood, according to journalists at the scene. Philippe emerged from the building in handcuffs and was loaded into a police vehicle. A national police spokes-
man confirmed the arrest but declined to tell reporters the charges faced by Philippe, who has close ties to the country’s president-elect Jovenel Moise. A local radio station reported that Philippe — who does not yet enjoy immunity from prosecution as a senator because he has yet to take the oath of office — was the subject of a US extradition request and was being taken to the airport. A lawmaker who asked not to be named told AFP Philippe was indeed at the airport, without offering further details. Philippe, who was elected to represent the Grande Anse department in southwestern
Haiti, helped lead an armed rebellion against then-president Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 2004 that led to Aristide fleeing the country. The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has long sought Philippe on drug trafficking charges. The DEA was not immediately available for comment on the case. But those charges did not stop Philippe from living in the open in his political fiefdom of Pestel, located 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Port-auPrince. Haitian police concluded in July that Philippe was the mastermind of an attack against a police station in Les Cayes in May, which left one officer dead and two others seriously wounded. Philippe has consistently denied those claims, and Moise, whose election to the presidency was confirmed this week, appeared at the new senator’s side at a campaign event in Pestel. Some lawmakers criticized Philippe’s arrest as illegal, but until he takes the oath of office scheduled for Monday, he does not enjoy immunity. In a statement Thursday, the US embassy in Port-auPrince asked employees to stay home due to an “ongoing law enforcement / security situation” and urged all US nationals to shelter in place. Supporters of Philippe blocked roads in Pestel with tree trunks and blazing tires.
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Kaieteur News
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DRESSMAKING Turn your flair for fashion in an exciting career or hobby, classes starts in January. Call: 626-2629/ 676-6312 Working suits and more, professionally made within 3 days. Call Sharmie: 6262629/ 676-6312 (Canadian Trained)
WANTED Live in waitress. Call: 6439007 One Floor Manager, must have at least five (5) years, experience in Hardware Store. Contact # 650-0402 1 Live in nanny/domestic to take care of children & home, must know to cook various dishes 38-48yrs. Call: 600-1898 Lorry Drivers. Requirements: Driver’s License and ID. Call: 682-1048/602-0001 Security Guards. Call: 2181156 Urgently: Handyman to work 7 days per week ½ day in Campbellville, ages 35-45yrs. Call: 641-3687 Primary School teachers. Apply to teacher @ OBSC, 8 Oronoque & Lamaha Street, Queenstown. Call: 695-9625 Cleaners. Apply in person @ Shikhan Hotel, Princess Street, Wortmanville. Call: 227-7749 Experienced Diesel machine to work in the Interior must have knowledge of Perkins Engine & Doosan Excavator. Call: 661-5307/ 625-1413 One live in couple or a general domestic to work in Mahaicony River. Call: 6559419/644-6905 1 Female Shop attendant to work in the Interior. Calll: 6780565 1 Male or female to look after layer birds in the Interior. Call: 678-0565 Bahier to cook in the interior. Call: 678-0565 1 Porter to work on vehicle in the Interior. Call: 678-0565 Responsible hire car drivers and contract cars. Call: 2317200
WANTED American Variety Store: 140 Regent & Light Street: experienced & mature cashier; apply in person with application. One able body female shop assistant must know how to cook. Call: 218-3108/ 671-1168
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
Saturday January 07, 2017
1 Domestic worker within G/ Town. Call: 223-9677 New Management: GT Express wanted contract cars (1 week free base fee), Dispatcher & Drivers. Tel: 231-0316/ 231-0002 Live in couple: husband – driving, handyman, semi construction skills an asset. Wife – domestic. Call: 227-1830
Experienced cleaners, waiters and counter servers. Apply with written application, Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St. (Day Shift only). Domestic help/babysitter required in Kitty. Police Clearance, ID, Proof of Address a must. Call: 6523593/652-3587 One live in cook to work at Port Kaituma. Call: 670-4584/ 658-2019 Wanted land to buy: Uitvlugt, Tuschen, Zeelugt & La Parfaite Harmonie. Call: 6579594 One Arc/Acetylene welder construction and fabrication skills, excellent rates. Call: 227-1830
VACANCY Popular East Coast Gas Station (Non-Pareil) Day/ Night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 695-9880/684-4197 Articulated hauler/dump truck operator for interior location, applicants must be experienced with verifiable references. Call: 618-2020 Cook/Baker and Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must be experienced, for details call: 618-2020 Office Assistant/Customer Representative. Contact Pacific Development Inc, Lot 3 Church Street, G/Town. 1 Canter Driver/Porter preferably from Diamond/ Grove Area. Call: 216-1043/ 677-6620 Skill experienced carpenter, apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek. Office clerk age 18-25, security guards, care taker to work in Atlantic Garden, E.C.D- Call: 638-5303/2277380 Cashiers & Sales staff @ Nirva Supermarket. Apply in person with written application @ 49 Sheriff & Craig St. Tel: 227-5771 Experienced bar/shop worker & handyman for Interior and G/Town. Call: 231-0363 from 9am-4:30pm Able-bodied driver/salesman for Leyland DAF lorry, involves lifting. Telles Steel. Call: 226-6771 Receptionist, Security Guard, Room Attendant. Apply to 233 South Road – Tel: 2250198 One fast food supervisor, one chef, dhal puri maker, one cashier. Call: 225-0723 for more information.
TO LET Three bedrooms bottom flat @ South Ruimveldt Park. Call: 628-7496/ 617-0560 Room for working/single couple with bed, wardrobe $30,000 monthly+$30,000 security @ Aubrey Barker Road. Call: 623-0076 Three bedrooms apartment, recently renovated, free Wi-Fi @ Nandy Park. Call: 641-3318 Continue on page 23
Saturday January 07, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Reduction in rape, murders account for 16% decrease in serious crimes The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has recorded a 16 percent decrease in serious crimes at the end of December when compared to the same period last year, the police said in a release yesterday. There was a six percent reduction in murder with a 64 percent clear-up rate; a seven percent decrease in gun-related robberies; a 19 percent decrease in armed robberies where other instruments were used, and a 19 percent decrease where violence was used. There was also a seven percent decrease in robbery with aggravation; robberies where no guns were used decreased by nine percent, while there was a 21 percent reduction in rape with a 34 percent clearup rate and a 15 percent decrease in burglary. Break and enter and larceny also reduced by 19 percent. The police were able to take 109 illegal firearms off the streets last year as compared to 115 in 2015. The firearms comprised 49 pistols, 32 revolvers, 26 shotguns, two rifles and one submachine gun. For the decrease in serious crimes, the police credited the public’s trust, which resulted in a higher level of information sharing due to community engagement by divisional commanders and their sub-divisional officers. In the release, the force said that exposure to training both locally and internationally continues to be a top priority at all levels. Last year, 108 ranks, inclusive of 40 officers, attended courses in
No decision on sugar.. From page 12 administration would have proposed several plans that have attracted both praise and criticism, and sparking intense public discourse especially on the large chunks of money being plugged into GuySuCo to keep the industry afloat. Government has also been talking about diversification, with works already started at the Wales Estate which ended sugar production a little over a week ago. Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder said last week that decisions have to be made, pointing out that should GuySuCo continue as structured, $18B would be required in 2017 and a further $21B in 2018. “It doesn’t get any better going forward, so something has to be done,” Holder had stated.
over 19 foreign countries. The Force lauded the efforts made by members of the Cops and Faith Community Network which was launched in September of 2014. The network has made thus far 343 interventions in matters involving juveniles and young persons
who were first offenders of minor offences, of which 211 were males and 132 were females. In all the cases, the youths were counseled by the religious leaders, and following the involvement of parents and guardians, and the victims where necessary, the majority of them were
warned and sent away. The Force said that it has also made significant input as it relates to the supervision of the Learner Drivers Theoretical and Practical examinations countrywide, and also the marking of the aforesaid exams. They have also coun-
seled persons who have attempted suicide, police ranks who had traumatic experiences, and victims of serious crimes. With respect to traffic management, there was a 10.3 percent increase in fatal accidents with 128 deaths recorded last year as compared to 126 in 2015.
From page 30
TO LET Three bedrooms concrete top flat in South Ruimveldt Gardens -$85,000 per month. Call: 218-1949 1-Bedroom apartment at Queenstown -$35,000 monthly, serious enquiries. Call: 619-1307 Bedrooms to let for students or single person $20,000 & $25,000. Call: 223-9677 Gold mining land for rent. Call: 604-1045
LAND FOR SALE One transported house lot in Tuschen, WCD. Call: 6934667/ 277-3743 Cuyuni Mining BlocksDistrict 4, 973 Acres, gold and diamond -$4M. Call: 6585897/ 651-1969/233-3006 La Parfait Harmonie -$1.2M, Providence (100FTX50FT) $3.5M. Call: 651-1969/ 6585897/233-3006 Land for sale: 46 house lots on 70 acres of land, situated at Parika E.B.E. Call Raiz: 6226971/ 661-2289 Uitvlugt -$2.3M, Zeelugt $1.7M, Tuschen -$1.6M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.4M – Call: 642-1252
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable
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Saturday January 07, 2017
Saturday January 07, 2017
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Kaieteur News
No more long lines to pay travel tax at airports Brazil gang kills 33, many hacked to death, as prison violence explodes By Pedro Fonseca and Brad Brooks (Reuters) Jailed members of Brazil’s most powerful drug gang killed 33 inmates at a penitentiary yesterday, decapitating and cutting out the hearts of most of them, in revenge for a separate prison massacre that left 56 dead this week. The massacre in the Monte Cristo prison in the Amazonian state of Roraima carried out by members of the First Capital Command (PCC) gang sparked concerns that months of violence between criminal groups controlling Brazil’s prisons was spiralling out of control. The PCC itself was targeted on Sunday in neighbouring Amazonas state in Brazil’s worst prison slaughter for more than two decades. In a cellphone video that circulated widely on social media, self-described PCC members are seen hacking away at bodies littering an
outdoor patio inside the prison. “You killed our brothers, didn’t you? Look here, look what is going to happen you! This is revenge for what you did to our brothers,” a PCC member is heard saying on the video as dozens of bodies lie in thick pools of blood. One victim, bare-chested and wearing sky-blue surfer shorts, began to move on the ground. The inmate taking the video calls out to fellow gang members “We’ve got a live one!” before another gang member rushes over and cuts off the victim’s head with a white-handled barbecue knife. State officials said the riot in Roraima’s largest prison was brought under control by elite police forces. Violence between rival drug gangs there had already led to 10 deaths in October. Roraima’s top security official Uziel de Castro blamed Friday’s violence at the staterun prison on the PCC. He later added that it was be-
lieved most of the inmates killed Friday were not members of the group responsible for this week’s attack on the PCC in Amazonas and indeed had no gang affiliations. Justice Minister Alexandre Moraes insisted that the government had control over Brazil’s prison system - the fourth largest in world and home to more than 620,000 inmates. Security experts had predicted more violence in Brazil’s gang-controlled penitentiaries in the wake of Monday’s massacre. In Monday’s uprising, PCC members were attacked by the North Family drug faction, which controls the Anisio Jobim penitentiary in Amazonas, according to officials. North Family is believed to dominate cocaine traffic in Amazonas from Colombia and Peru, according to authorities. The group is allied with the Rio de Janeiro-based Red Command drug gang, Brazil’s second most powerful faction after PCC.
…as amendment passed
Lines such as these at the Departure Tax booth will be no more, following amendments to the Tax Act On Wednesday, this newspaper published a photograph depicting a long line leading to the Departure Tax booth at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. Yesterday Minister of Finance Winston Jordan gave assurances that this shall be no more when the National Assembly passed amendments to the Tax Act Cap. 80:01, which speaks to a Travel Tax. The amendment is to Section 56 of the Act which will now give power to the Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority to appoint agents for the collection of travel tax and for the remission of the tax to the Commissioner. Carriers or collection agents who fail to remit travel tax to the Commissioner-General or a carrier who fails to remit travel tax to an agent or the Commissioner-General will be liable to a penalty. According to Jordan, Guyana has been way behind
in making these changes. He said that just before passengers proceed to the immigration department at the CJIA, they have to stop at the tax booth where they would pay $4,000 and receive a ticket. “This $4,000 as you will know is called the departure tax and has really two parts, $2,500 is for the travel tax and being generous to a sister organisation, and $1,500 is collected by the airport as a security tax.” He said that this process is slightly different at the Eugene Correia International Airport (ECIA) at Ogle, East Coast Demerara whereby a traveller proceeding to an external destination is only required to pay $2,500 in keeping with the travel tax requirements of 1998. There is no requirement to pay a security fee; Jordan said he cannot say how much longer this will be so. The Finance Minister explained that at ECIA, passengers can only pay in cash. He said that Guyana may be the last country in the Caribbean
where persons are required to pay departure tax at a booth. The Minister said that now the tax can either be collected by an airline or a collection agent instead of a booth at the two airports. He said that based on information received, the Commissioner-General of GRA is already in talks with an airline and collection agent to begin this process. The collection agent is expected to be International Air Transport Agency (IATA). He explained that the cost will be attached to the airline ticket when persons make their purchase and the money owed to the Commissioner will be remitted to the GRA on such occasions and time agreed. Jordan said that this new procedure will eliminate one of the lines when travelling abroad. He said that the other three lines, Check-in, Immigration and boarding cannot be controlled by the government since they are compulsory.
Billion$$ in pharmaceuticals poorly... From page 17 both stores. The lists presented were incomplete. In both cases bin cards found were more than triple the amount of items listed on the master lists. The department then requested a list of all bin cards kept by the Stationery Store to aid the preparation of the Master List. The Store Keeper was verbally reminded daily for over a week to which no progress was made,” the report said. The report had also mentioned several other worrying revelations with regards to the procurement and management of the country's drug supplies for its regional hospitals and health centres. It recommended the sacking of current Permanent Sec-
retary (PS) Trevor Thomas, for failure to properly carry out his duties. He was accused of allowing a major supplier, New GPC, to be overpaid more than $100M in an advance for pharmaceuticals last year. The PS was also accused of turning a blind eye when it was brought to his attention that a staffer was colluding with a Trinidadian company in leaking information about other suppliers. There was no investigation, yet the staffer was transferred. There were several other instances of what appeared to be wrongdoing at the ministry, the report said. The report by the re-
tired senior cop also recommended a shake-up in personnel in the procurement, finance and management departments of the ministry. The Cabinet of Ministers is set to consider the report next week at its weekly meeting. Yesterday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, expressed displeasure that the report had made its way into public without being considered by Cabinet. He said that the persons named had a right to be heard and replied. He said that action will be taken, based on the recommendations, but these will be dependent on the considerations of Cabinet.
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Saturday January 07, 2017
Saturday January 07, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Raonic knocks out Nadal to join Jordan upstages Pollard as their Strikers win Wawrinka in Brisbane semis born England all-rounder, bowled superbly to claim
(Reuters) Defending champion Milos Raonic beat former world number one Rafa Nadal in three sets yesterday to reach the Brisbane International semi-finals. The big-serving Canadian blasted 50 winners, including 23 aces, to overcome the Spaniard 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and set up a last-four clash with seventh seed Grigor Dimitrov. Returning from a wrist injury, Nadal took the first set but momentum swung at 3-3 in the second when Raonic claimed four straight games. Raonic capitalized on an early break in the decider and served out to book a semifinal against Dimitrov who beat Austrian Dominic Thiem
6-3, 4-6 6-3. “It was a great match tonight and I’m very happy with myself, how I competed against such a great player and competitor as Rafa,” Raonic said in a courtside interview. Raonic fired down 19 more aces than Nadal. “That’s six games I got for myself without having to run too much, which is very generous of myself,” he added. Nadal, returning to the tour this week after injury, struck 19 winners as he continued his preparations for this month’s Australian Open. “He was more aggressive than me... but I take the positive. It was a small difference,”
said the Spaniard who had added former world number one Carlos Moya to his coaching team last month as he seeks to revive his career following a spate of injuries. World number four Stan Wawrinka survived aggressive hitting from Briton Kyle Edmund before winning 67(2), 6-4, 6-4 in another quarter-final. Edmund cruised through the first set tiebreak before Wawrinka, making his Brisbane debut, raised his game to beat the world number 51. Swiss Wawrinka will meet Kei Nishikori in the semis after the Japanese third seed’s 6-1 6-1 win over local favorite Jordan Thompson.
Saturday January 07 , 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Talk to someone with experience about budgets or consolidating debts. Don't let your jealousy be the reason for a decaying relationship. There's a good chance that they won't come back. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Communications with loved ones may be strained. Make sure that you make reservations early. You may have ignored or neglected your mate lately. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You will have an inaccurate assessment of your status in society. Don't believe everything you hear. Overindulgence could cause problems for you with your loved ones. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You will be overly sensitive today. Try not to attempt to do something unless you are fully intent on following through with the plans. You can bet that situations will get out of hand if you allow others to interfere. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You must be extremely careful not to let relatives or friends interfere in your personal life. Don't let the cat out of the bag. You may want to plan physical activities that will help burn off some of their excess energy. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Don't lament to a friend about any grievance regarding your mate, or it may be hard to rectify your relationship. Try to be patient and understanding. Keep an open mind when listening to the opinions of others.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Business partnerships should turn out to be quite lucrative. Don't let your anger consume you and don't allow important matters go unattended to. If you have treated them equitably, you might be able to count on their loyalty. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You are best to avoid confrontations. You need to distance yourself from the situation for a little while first. Don't hesitate to talk to your partner about rekindling your relationship. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Chances are they are jealous. You can get your point across if you don't beat around the bush. You have more energy than the rest of the people you live with anyway. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Don't overspend or give too freely to others. Find a quiet spot where you can work diligently and stay out of the way. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Help if you can, but more than likely it will be sufficient just to listen. Don't expect romantic encounters to be lasting. You can make a difference if you offer your help at functions that involve children. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Don't put all your cash in one place. You must make sure that all your personal documents are in order. Your involvement with children will be most rewarding.
Barbados-born England all-rounder, Chris Jordan.
ADELAIDE, Australia, CMC – Chris Jordan outshone West Indies star Kieron Pollard as Adelaide Strikers won for only the second time in five outings with a five-wicket victory over Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League here yesterday.
Matthews gets one... (From page 31) 11 deliveries with two fours. It was her unbroken, fourth wicket stand of 46 off 28 balls with Amy Satterthwaite (32 not out), which propelled the innings late on. In reply, Thunder could only muster 127 for nine off their 20 overs with Indian star Harmanpreet Kaur hitting a run-a-ball 32 not out and opener Rachael Haynes chipping in with 28 from 22 deliveries. Taylor’s struggles continued as she fell for just 10, run out in the fourth over with Thunder on 25 for one. Matthews claimed the key wicket off captain Alex Blackwell for 20 in the 11th over at 73 for four, as she finished with one for 27 from her three overs of off-spin.
Sent in, Hobart managed 161 for eight off their 20 overs at Adelaide Oval, with number seven Beau Webster hammering an unbeaten 67 off 43 deliveries and Jonathan Wells getting 55 from 37 balls. The pair dug Hobart out of a hole at 30 for five in the sixth over, putting on an invaluable 89 for the sixth wicket. Jordan, the Barbados-
three for 24 from his four overs. In reply, Adelaide got home in the penultimate over with left-handed opener Ben Dunk top-scoring with an unbeaten 79 from 49 balls. He added 69 for the third wicket with Brad Hodge who made 30 and then partnered with Jordan in an unbroken 31-run, sixth wicket stand to see Adelaide to victory. Jordan struck 15 not out off 14 balls with a single six. However, Pollard’s struggles with the bat continued as he made just 15 off seven balls with three fours before falling lbw to seamer Daniel Christian in the 14th over. The 29-year-old has scored just 60 runs in five innings during the tournament. With the win, Strikers climbed into sixth spot in the eight-team standings on four points while Hobart remained fifth on four points.
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Five-star City demolish woeful West Ham
Saturday January 07, 2017
V Net Communications renews sponsorship with Paul By Zaheer Mohamed
Manchester City’s David Silva scores their third goal. (Reuters / Toby Melville Livepic) (Reuters) Manchester City crushed West Ham United 5-0 to give manager Pep Guardiola the perfect introduction to the FA Cup as they cruised into the fourth round with a thumping victory at the London Stadium yesterday. After taking the lead through Yaya Toure from the penalty spot, the five-times winners swept their opponents away with devilish attacking verve, inflicting on the beleaguered Hammers their worst ever home defeat in the competition. They survived a solitary scare when the hosts’ Sofiane Feghouli inexplicably shot wide from in front of an open goal, but went in at the break with a 30 advantage after an own
goal from Havard Nordtveit and an effort from David Silva. Sergio Aguero then flicked the ball home early in the second half to become the third highest scorer in City’s history and defender John Stones netted his first for the club with a header from a corner with seven minutes remaining. If City’s inconsistent form had started to weigh heavy on manager Guardiola, who was in the tetchiest of moods following their Premier League victory over Burnley on Monday, the Spaniard’s spirits would have been lifted by their display in the capital. There were flashes of his former Barcelona side in some of City’s attacking play and the ease with which they
dismantled a poor West Ham, who looked off the pace from the start and were thoroughly outclassed throughout a nightmare 90 minutes. Efforts from Pablo Zabaleta and Silva, which were blocked and saved by defender Winston Reid and goalkeeper Adrian respectively, served early notice of City’s intent, but they had to wait 33 minutes to open the scoring from the spot. Zabaleta powered into the box and had his heels clipped by Pedro Obiang, leaving Toure to step up and blast his effort past Adrian. West Ham’s Feghouli, under pressure from Gael Clichy, somehow pulled an effort wide from two metres out with the goal gaping, but
that was about as good as it got for the hosts. Two City goals in two minutes before halftime effectively killed the tie with both stemming from flowing passing moves. Nordtveit turned into his own net with Raheem Sterling lurking to double City’s lead, while the England winger then teed up Silva to calmly control and stroke the ball into the net two minutes before the break. Any hope of a secondhalf resurgence was crushed five minutes after the restart when Aguero got his milestone goal, turning Toure’s shot home from close range for his 154th for the club, one more than Colin Bell. Only Tommy Johnson (166) and Eric Brook (178) have more. Stones rounded off the victory with a header that Mark Noble tried in vain to clear of the line.
V Net Communications of Delph Street, Campbellville has renewed its sponsorship with talented all-rounder Keemo Paul. The entity has been providing support to the player for over a year and yesterday at their office Managing Director of the company Safraz Sheriffudeen made a presentation to the player. Sheriffudeen said he is happy to lend support to such a talented cricketer and wished him well. He added that Paul has shown tremendous improvement and urged the player to remain committed. Paul, who has been selected as one of the three overage players for the West Indies U19 in the upcoming Regional Super 50 tournament, expressed gratitude to Sheriffudeen. The Super 50 will commence on January 24 in Antigua and Barbados, and Paul said he is confident of doing well in his upcoming assignment. “I have been doing a lot of training with the GCB academy coaches both in the gym and in
the nets. It helped me to improve my strengths and weaknesses so I am confident,” he added. Paul who was born in Saxacally and migrated to Wakenaam at the age of 11 where he started his career with the Noitgedacht SC stated that he is looking forward to the Super 50. “These players are preparing to defend the U19 World Cup so I will be happy to share my experience and render assistance in other areas which will help them going forward,” he posited. Paul who also plays for the Demerara CC pointed out that one of his goals is to score runs and take wickets consistently and help the team progress. “It is important that the players know what it’s like to play for your country in a World Cup and what it takes to be successful in such a tournament so definitely I will share my experience with the younger players,” he related. V Net Communications provides satellite communications to remote areas in Guyana such as satellite internet, satellite phones and VOIP services.
Saturday January 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 29
Scorpions unveil new boy Sewell ahead of Super50 Jamaica Observer - Offspinning all-rounder Damani Sewell is the only new face added to the Nikita Millerled Jamaica Scorpions squad set to take part in the Regional Super50 cricket tournament slated to begin later this month. The 22-year-old Sewell, who plays for St Ann CA in local club cricket, is a former national Under-15 representative. During the senior team trial matches, the right-hand late-order batsman has been dismissed only once in five
innings, while top-scoring with 37 not out. With his offspin bowling he has taken 13 wickets, and up to yesterday he was second on the wickettakers’ list behind left-arm pacer Gavon Brown. “I’m feeling elated because I came to the trials with the expectation that it would be difficult. But over the course of the trials I put out the work and the work has paid off,” Sewell, the former York Castle High student, said Thursday. Also included in the 14man set-up is United States-
based top-order batsman Steven Taylor. The 23-yearold left-hander represented the ICC Americas outfit in last season’s Super50 and has also played for Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League. The rest of the squad includes batsmen John Campbell, Jermaine Blackwood, Andre McCarthy, Brandon King, Rovman Powell, and the pair of wicketkeeper/batsmen Chadwick Walton and Antiguan Devon Thomas. Miller, the left-arm
Jamaica Scorpions squad members Damani Sewell, Gavon Brown and Steven Taylor at Kensington Park Thursday. (Jamaica Observer) finger spin ace, plus Damion Jacobs, the wrist spinner, and Sewell are the slow bowlers
FIFA says court rules in its favour over Qatar working conditions (Reuters) A court has rejected a lawsuit against FIFA brought by labour unions which said it had failed to use its influence to ensure fair treatment for people working on 2022 World Cup facilities in Qatar, the world soccer body said yesterday. FIFA said in a statement it welcomed the decision by the Commercial Court of Zurich in the case which concerned its “alleged wrongful conduct and liability for human rights violations.” The court could not immediately be reached for comment and FIFA did not give further details on the case itself.
The FIFA logo is seen outside their headquarters in Zurich October 7, 2015. (REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann) The suit was filed by Bangladesh Free Trade Union Congress, backed by the Dutch union FNV, on behalf of a Bangladeshi man who says he was exploited in Qatar. It called on FIFA to force Qatar to adopt “minimum labor standards” for migrant workers preparing for the tournament, including at least the right to quit a job or
leave the country. The Gulf state has faced criticism of its treatment of foreign workers from Amnesty International, the B u i l d i n g a n d Wo o d Workers’ International organization and others. Doha has previously denied exploiting workers and says it is implementing labor reforms. Under Qatar’s “kafala”
system, foreign workers must get their employer’s consent to change jobs or leave the country. The Qatar government passed a new law last month and said the reforms would make it easier for migrant workers to change jobs and leave the country, but human rights organizations said the changes would not end abuse or exploitation. FIFA said it took labor conditions in Qatar “very seriously.” “FIFA monitors the situation very closely and ... will continue to urge the Qatari authorities to ensure safe and decent working conditions for construction workers,” it said.
team Scorpions are expected to rely on. The veteran fast bowler Jerome Taylor, who recently retired from Test cricket, has also been selected. He is expected to guide the young pace-bowling pair of Reynard Leveridge and Brown. Christopher Gayle, who remains an in-demand star on the Twenty20 circuit, had expressed an interest in representing the Scorpions in this season’s Super50, but national chairman of
selectors Junior Bennett said the left-hander was ruled out due to injury. Another international star, Marlon Samuels, is said to have signed with the Leeward Islands Hurricanes. Squad: Nikita Miller (capt), John Campbell, Steven Taylor, Jermaine Blackwood, Brandon King, Andre McCarthy, Rovman Powell, Chadwick Walton, Devon Thomas, Damion Jacobs, Jerome Taylor, Reynard Leveridge, Gavon Brown, Damani Sewell.
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Saturday January 07, 2017
Wrecking ball Warner fires Australia towards sweep SYDNEY (Reuters) David Warner clubbed the second fastest half century in test history to help fire Australia to the verge of a 30 series sweep over Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday. The tourists were 55 for one at close of play on the rain-disrupted fourth day of the third test, still 410 runs short of their unlikely victory target of 465. In-form opener Azhar Ali, who had made 11 not out, and nightwatchman Yasir Shah, unbeaten on three, were at the crease at stumps after debutant Sharjeel Khan had chipped the ball to a midwicket fielder for 40 off spinner Nathan Lyon. Warner needed just 23 balls to score his half century — two more than the record set by Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq against the Australians in Abu Dhabi in 2014 — to help the hosts knock off 241-2 before declaring after tea. Steve Smith (59), Usman Khawaja (79 not out) and Peter Handscomb (40 not out) also poured on the runs after Warner was dismissed for a swashbuckling 55 off 27 deliveries. “The way the guys batted
today, especially Davy of course, to get those runs as quickly as possible and do some pretty unselfish batting, and got us in the position we are in now,” said paceman Josh Hazlewood, who took 4-55. “The wicket’s still pretty good, but I think there’s enough there to create nine more chances, if it’s reverse swing or spin.” Earlier, after the opening session was washed out for the second day in a row, Younus Khan completed an imperious 175 not out before running out of partners as Pakistan were dismissed for 315, still 223 behind Australia’s first innings 5388. Australia started the day with the bad news that they had lost opener Matt Renshaw for the rest of the match because of a concussion after he was hit on the helmet while fielding on Thursday. WARNER BLITZ Khawaja opened in his place but spent his first 40 minutes mostly a spectator as Warner, who on Tuesday become the first batsman to score a century in the opening session of a test in Australia, again laid waste to the Pakistan bowlers.
Nathan Lyon broke Pakistan’s opening stand, Australia v Pakistan, 3rd Test, Sydney, 4th day, ©Getty Images
Warner slapped a four over midwicket from the first ball he faced and had added 10 more boundaries by the time Wahab Riaz removed his off bail some 42 minutes later. In one stunning over, the lefthander smashed spinner Yasir for two sixes and two fours from the first four deliveries before adding a single off the fifth for good
measure. Younus’s knock had, by contrast, been a necessarily gritty affair as his team collapsed around him. The 39-year-old, who on Thursday completed a set of centuries in each testplaying nation, batted for 443 minutes and faced 334 balls, scoring 18 fours and three sixes.
Pakistan had resumed on 271-8 after the rain delay and thwarted the Australians for more than an hour until Yasir (10) and Imran (0) departed within three balls of each other. “We want to finish this test series on a good note, so I think it will be better for us if we show some fight,” Younus said. “It will not be easy
because (its) the fifth day... in Sydney and they have two spinners and good fast bowlers as well. It is our wish that we finish this test match on a good note.” Scores: Pakistan 315 (Younis 175*, Azhar 71, Hazlewood 4-55) and 1 for 55 need 410 runs to beat Australia 8 for 538 dec and 2 for 241 dec (Khawaja 79*, Smith 59, Warner 55).
Saturday January 07, 2017
Harden gets last laugh as Rockets top Thunder Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13)(Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports)
(The Sports Xchange) R u s s e l l We s t b r o o k repeatedly had his way with the Rockets defence, torching it to the tune of a Toyota Center scoring record for an opponent before three late misses set the table for James Harden to play the role of facilitator at the most opportune time for Houston. Nene corralled a pass from Harden, absorbed a foul, and sank two free throws with 0.7 seconds left as the Houston Rockets eked out a 118-116 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night. Off an inbounds play originating with 3.8 seconds left, Nene set a screen for Harden and rolled to the rim. Harden followed by passing out of the double team, hitting Nene in stride and forcing Thunder forward Jerami Grant to commit the foul. Nene finished with a
season-high 18 points over 17 minutes. “They (the Thunder) did a good job (setting up defensively) on the first play so we called a timeout,” Harden said. “I just got open and I saw two defenders guarding me, made the simple play to Nene and he knocked down two free throws.” Harden posted 26 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists. All five Rockets starters scored in double figures, including guard Patrick Beverley (11 points, eight rebounds). Eric Gordon scored 22 off the bench. The Rockets (28-9) regained possession after Westbrook missed a pull-up jumper with 5.7 seconds left, his third consecutive errant shot following a 3pointer that cut the Houston lead to 114-113 with 2:38 left.
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Westbrook scored 49 points, sinking a career-best eight 3-pointers. He added eight rebounds and five assists for the Thunder (2116), which has lost four of five games and three in succession. Houston took a 2-1 season-series lead against the Thunder, with all three contests decided by one possession. “It’s fun, definitely fun,” Rockets forward Trevor Ariza said. “It’s all you can ask for: a hard-fought game and we get the win at the end of it.” After the Rockets erased a 14-point deficit with a 25point turnaround in the first half, the Thunder returned the favor by wiping away an 85-67 third-quarter deficit. Victor Oladipo (17 points) capped the rally with a corner 3 for a 116-114 lead at the 1:55 mark. The Thunder bludgeoned the Rockets on the boards in the fourth, chipping away behind Enes Kanter (15 points, 13 rebounds) and Westbrook. Westbrook scored nine points in the period and Oklahoma City turned six offensive rebounds into eight second-chance points in the fourth. But Westbrook missed 6 of 8 shots in the quarter as the Thunder failed to maintain the momentum that sprung from its long, methodical push to the lead. “There is nothing to take you through,” Westbrook said of his final attempt. “I missed the shot.
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) is guarded by Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) in the third quarter at Toyota Center. (Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports)
Federer signals intent with rout of Gasquet
Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts during his match against Richard Gasquet of France at the Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia. (AAP/Tony McDonough/via REUTERS) (Reuters) Roger Federer overwhelmed Richard Gasquet 6-1, 6-4 in under an hour at the Hopman Cup yesterday to signal his return to form following a long injury layoff. Returning this week after six months out of action, the Swiss 17-times grand slam champion beat Briton Dan Evans before suffering a three-set loss to German teenager Alexander Zverev at the mixed team event in Perth, Australia. Federer ’s 58-minute masterclass against Frenchman Gasquet in front of more than 13,000 spectators, however, should reassure his fans ahead of the year’s first grand slam at Melbourne Park later this month. “It was completely different to the previous two (matches),” the 35-year-old said after putting Switzerland 1-0 up against France at the Perth Arena. “Every opponent makes your life difficult in a different way, trying to make it as hard as possible. Today was great, I had many more swings on the ball...had a bit more time. “It’s the third match into the year; I started to feel the ball better and better, and just moving around the court better. “I’m surprised how I’m playing already. Could not be more happy right now.” The former world number one has slipped to 16th in the rankings but was happy with his form against Gasquet who is 18th on the
list. “It’s only the beginning, hopefully many more matches to come. I’m just very pleased to be on a
Centre court. I did enjoy the last six months out, I enjoyed the last 18 years playing, so I’ll stay around for a little bit long, if I can.”
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Saturday January 07, 2017
Kohli succeeds Dhoni as India’s limited-overs captain (Reuters) Virat Kohli has taken over from Mahendra Singh Dhoni as India’s limited-overs captain, becoming his country’s skipper in all three formats of the game, the Indian cricket board (BCCI) said yesterday. Dhoni has been named as wicketkeeper in the squads for three one-dayers and three Twenty20 Internationals against England beginning on Jan. 15. The 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman relinquished the limitedovers captaincy on Wednesday after nine trophy-laden years, which included two World Cups and a Champions Trophy. Having taken over the test captaincy from Dhoni in late 2014 and led the team to top the top of the ICC rankings, the 28-year-old Kohli was a natural choice to
skipper the limited-overs squads. “Virat was on Skype with us...and we chose the best possible squad (for the England series),” chief selector MSK Prasad told reporters. Kohli took to social media to join the outpouring of tributes to Dhoni’s captaincy. “Thanks for always being the leader a youngster wants to have around him. You’ll always be my captain @msdhoni Bhai (brother),” Kohli tweeted. India’s limited-overs stalwart Yuvraj Singh returned to both the one-day and Twenty20 squads after his impressive form in domestic cricket. U n c a p p e d wick e t k e e p e r - b a t s m a n Rishabh Pant was named in the Twenty20 squad which also includes 37year-old fast bowler
Ashish Nehra. India ODI squad: Virat Kohli (captain), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Yuvraj Singh, Ajinkya Rahane, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Jaspreet Bumrah, B h u v n e s h w a r K u m a r, Umesh Yadav. India Twenty20 squad: Virat Kohli (captain), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Mandeep Singh, L o k e s h R a h u l , Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Yu z v e n d r a C h a h a l , Manish Pandey, Jaspreet Bumrah, B h u v n e s h w a r K u m a r, Ashish Nehra.
Letter to the Sports Editor
Can’t believe he said that Dear Mr. Editor, Thanks for giving me space in your papers, but after writing and responding to several letters that have not been published I hope this one make it in the papers. I am willing to respond to not only Mr. Narine Singh (Mr. Apology) and also (Mr. never heard of Medas-King) are you guys really serious. I really can’t believe he said that Juman Yassin did so much for Guyana, what are these guys really looking at. Sometimes I really wonder what some people call good. I am simply saying this since I spent over $21million dollars directly towards track and field in Guyana and people are claiming they never heard of me, Andy Medas-King, the Founder and Organiser of KingMedas-Pansy Adonis Classic which have not only attracted the largest amount of athletes to date in Guyana, something you can watch on youtube, by giving out over 850 pairs of running shoes over the past 8yrs for FREE, have the most lucrative 5K,
3K,2K,&1K in Guyana’s history to date, assisted several athletes and coaches both directly and indirectly in several ways, one can simply say that I Andy Medas-King have done more that Juman Yassin in his 20yrs as head of the GOA put together. I am not going to back away from saying this because Mr. Yassin, Mr. Apology nor Mr. I never heard of Medas-King can together and put in writing what Juman Yassin has done in his time as president of the GOA. I can tell you of many people in Guyana who have contributed to helping athletes in Guyana but would not. I also have to thank the many viewers of the Wake up Guyana show on channel 9, also HGP TV 16/67 who have watched me doing several presentations and contributions towards track and field, also what about the presentation I did to recognize Olympic medalist Michael Parris on national television. I am still wondering where was Juman Yassin, Singh, and Pemberton what were they
looking at. I also want to mentioned to Mr. Pemberton if he did his research he would have noticed several times in this same newspaper my name was highlighted along with my daughter for being a dominant sprinter here in the USA, also if you should Google search my name you would see all the articles attached to my name. So to Mr. Harri Narine Singh and Mr. T. Pemberton, it’s guys like you that are responsible for Juman Yassin still being there and why sports in Guyana is in this terrible state and I must repeat what Freddie Kissoon said, there cannot be another country like Guyana, and to end I can simply say this out loud to Mr. T. Pemberton, shame on you do your research and when it comes toward contributions towards track and field, I am way ahead of Juman Yassin, he’s not in my league, if so, let him produce the evidence and Mr. Harri Narine Singh you should apologize to Freddie Kissoon. Andy Medas-King.
India’s Virat Kohli celebrates his double century. (REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui)
LABA Executive special club meeting set for this afternoon at MSC Pavilion The Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) will be having a Special General Meting this afternoon at 18.00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club Pavilion for its a f f i l i a t e c l u b representatives. These clubs are Victory Valley Royals, Retrieve Raiders, Block 2 Flames, Half Mile Bulls, Amelia’s Ward Jets, Bankers Trust Falcons and Kwakwani. Either two executives,
Secretary / President and club captain, are invited to attend. Discussions will surround this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Elections and immediate tournaments for the first quarter of this year. Secretary of the LABA, Joseph Chapman, informed that the meetings are to be chaired by President of the association Lawrence Simon. Among the immediate tournaments to be looked at
are the postponed Open Christmas championship and the 104.3 Power FM Open. Actually, the LABA Executive will meet at 4.00pm before the Special General Meeting at 15.00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club pavilion. Clubs are advised that these meetings will not exceed two hours and representatives are reminded punctuality is most important.
Berbice volleyball 2017 season kicks off today with one day competition at Blairmont The Berbice Volley Association (BVA) had a very successful year in 2016 and has all intentions of having another successful year in 2017. The BVA, which is touted as one of the most active associations in Guyana over the years, will serve off his platter of events today. The BVA 2017 season will get into action with the playing off of a one day Open competition at the Blairmont ground, West Berbice beginning at 10:00 hrs. Teams are asked to turn
up with their uniforms and balls if possible and get registered. Prizes, trophies and other memorabilia are up for grabs and will be presented to the winning and runner up teams and outstanding individual players including the best setter, best spiker, most discipline team and the team in the best uniform. A number of top teams have so far registered for the competition including Port Mourant Training Centre One and Two, and Three, Port Mourant Jaguars,
Strikers, Albion United, Ta i n H u m a n i t a r i a n , Corriverton Jets, No 52 Survival, Defenders, Rollers and Port Mourant Jaguars among others. Female teams including Black Birds, Port Mourant and Corriverton females and teams from the riverain communities of Orealla and Siparuta are alo expected to participate. The day’s competition is expected to be played in three parts -Senior, females and juniors. (Samuel Whyte)
Saturday January 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Hockey’s success last year should gain mainstream consideration By Rawle Welch If there was ever a doubt about what the year would be for local hockey, the 14th staging of the Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Festival provided all the answers. The successful conclusion to the year best described what kind of year it was for the sport and the overpowering consensus was that it was great. Hockey has never enjoyed mainstream consideration in Guyana with disciplines such as boxing, football, cricket and motor racing snatching the limelight. However, in recent years, the leadership of the sport has risen to the challenge and has managed to raise the level of awareness of the sport’s capacity to attract larger viewership than it previously enjoyed, while also increasing participation among young athletes.
The Guyana Hockey Board through a dedicated bunch of executives aided by a strong will from current and former players has been able to catapult the sport to new levels with Guyana now an emerging force with the Caribbean as well as within the Pan Am region. Last year saw some remarkable achievements by the men’s national team, while the outstanding individual performances of s o me o f its memb er s managed to catch the eye of scouts and clubs overseas, a fair reflection of the strong programme that has been developed here. Board President Philip Fernandes has been at the helm of the sport for quite a few years and while he has echoed sentiments of bringing an end to his tenure on many occasions due to family and work commitments, his astute leadership combined with
his corporate connections has proven invaluable to the hockey family in many ways. He has played an integral role in sustaining what has become one if not the premier indoor tournament staged in the Caribbean, attracting teams from North American and the Region and this event has been identified as amongst the primary reasons for the improvement in the standard of players and at the same time the increased enthusiasm in the sport. Guyana still does not have an artificial turf to play outdoor hockey so the Board made a sensible decision to focus most of its attention towards the development of the indoor segment of the sport and it is now reaping dividends for such. This is not to say that the outdoor segment has disappeared, but the poor state of grounds and the uncertainty in weather
patterns have combined to provide headaches for the Board. Last year there was a lot of emphasis placed on youth development so much so that many feel the year saw clubs being dominated by the appearance of a number of young exciting players, a feature that many feel augurs well for the future of the sport. More and more of our young players are being invited to play in leagues that are much higher that any we’ve got here and this is another indication of the improved level of our players. The exposure gained by the Under-21 boys at the Pan Am Championships will no doubt prove immensely valuable for the long term plans of the Board, while the DMW experience playing against players of a high caliber will also add value to the development programmes as
Philip Fernandes well. Another significant achievement of the past year was the strong resurgence of women in the sport and this has helped to generate more interest at every level, while the attainment of scholarships is another component that has ignited interest in the sport among young aspiring players. The Board has been able to exceed its performance in 2015 and with a number of international competitions scheduled to be played this year including the Men’s and
Women’s Pan Am Indoors then another exciting year lies ahead. Fernandes did say that much more is in store this year for the further development of the sport in all sectors including officiating, coaching etc and should our national teams excel at their overseas engagements then the review could be superlative come next year. Kaieteur Sport extends best wishes to the Guyana Hockey Board for another inspiring year.
Adams - a surprise omission Matthews gets one over from the trials squad Taylor as Hurricanes dominate
Ricardo Adams
The Guyana Cricket Board selectors have named a 28-man squad for trials for possible selection on the Guyana team for the upcoming Regional Super 50 tournament. But due to rain the players will have to settle for practice sessions to prove their worth since the team is expected to be named
this weekend. However, a surprise exclusion from the squad is talented Essequibo allrounder Ricardo Adams. This player continues to perform creditably in local tournaments and his performance in the Jaguars three-day league was good enough to earn him a call up to any trials locally.
Though he failed to register a century he notched a highest score of 87 versus East Coast Demerara at Imam Bacchus and also took a five-wicket haul against West Berbice at Cumberland with his left arm spin. Adams, who has a Regional U19 century under his belt, is an asset to any team, especially in the limited overs version of the game, and the fact that the selectors have left him out of the trials squad is hard to digest. Adams is one of the hardest hitters of the ball locally and his bowling and fielding is second to none. A player of this caliber should be given a fair chance like the others to vie for selection on the national team. It must be noted that Guyana reached the final f o u r i n l a s t y e a r ’s tournament and no doubt the fans are looking forward to them going all the way in 2017. However, it will be interesting to see what the selectors come up with for the touring party. (Zaheer Mohamed)
Hayley Matthews
LAUNCESTON, Tasmania, CMC – Hayley Matthews emerged with bragging rights over her West Indies captain, Stafanie Taylor, when her Hobart Hurricanes pulled off a convincing 44-run win over reigning Women’s Big Bash champions Sydney Thunder here Thursday. Playing at the Aurora Stadium, neither West Indies
player had much of an impact, as Hurricanes used a powerful batting performance to climb to fourth in the standings on nine points, alongside Thunder also on nine points but ahead in third spot on net run rate. Choosing to bat first, Hurricanes piled up an impressive 171 for three off their 20 overs, with captain
Heather Knight top-scoring 47 from 29 balls and opener Erin Burns getting 46 from 47 deliveries. Burns put on 44 off 36 balls for the first wicket with Georgia Redmayne (8) and a further 64 for the second wicket with Knight. Matthews, batting at an unfamiliar number five, finished on 16 not out from (Continued on page 25)
t r o Sp Wrecking ball Warner fires Australia towards sweep
V Net Communications renews sponsorship with Paul
Australia’s David Warner hits a six. (REUTERS/David Gray)
Managing Director of V Net Communication Safraz Sheriffudeen (left) makes a presentation to Keemo Paul.
Five-star City demolish woeful West Ham
Manchester City’s John Stones (3rd left) scores their fifth goal against West Ham United in the FA Cup Third Round at London Stadium. (Action Images via Reuters / John Sibley Livepic) 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