Kaieteur News
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Tuesday January 10, 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 EFFECTS OF HIGH OIL PRICES Following the recent decision by several members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to reduce oil production, prices could climb to levels that have not been seen in a long time. Yet, those in authority have not sounded the alert to the nation that higher oil prices could affect everyone, and we are likely to face an uncertain future. The OPEC oil cartel made the decision in Vienna, Austria, to set the ceiling of oil production at 32.5 million barrels per day by January—a reduction of 1.2 million barrels per day to help reduce the oversupply of oil and increase its price. The impact was immediate as oil prices jumped by 10 percent and most energy companies saw their stocks soar. The price hike is supposed to only last for the first half of 2017, but it may continue because it is boosted by the decision of non-OPEC producers which also dropped their production by 600,000 barrels per day. This will wreak havoc on the economies of many developing countries, including Guyana, which are experiencing low GDP growth rates. Except for Guyana, which has already increased the price of gasoline by $12 a litre, most of the Caribbean countries are shielded by the PetroCaribe arrangement with Venezuela. Guyanese are aware of the impact of high energy cost to the manufacturing and production sectors, and to the prospects for economic growth. In fact, Guyana has suffered immensely from the major oil price increases in the 1970s when OPEC emerged as a cartel and pushed prices up. The fallout was catastrophic for Guyana and the non-oil producing countries in the Caribbean and elsewhere. The last time OPEC dropped the production of oil to stave off falling prices was a decade ago. Unfortunately, the government did not use to the fullest that breathing space to retool and put the country in a position to handle future price increases. However, oil price increases seem to be a mixed bag; it is favourable and beneficial to some economies and disastrous to many others. Venezuela has suffered bitterly from plummeting oil prices; therefore, a price increase would make it more likely to improve its economy and to continue its PetroCaribe deal which benefits many countries in the Caribbean. For this reason, Venezuela has praised the OPEC agreement to cut oil production. And while many non-oil producing countries are concerned about the effects of high prices on their economies, our sister country of Trinidad and Tobago is also heavily in favour with the cut in production to boost the price on the world market. The lower oil prices lasted for more than a year, but the government did not pass on all of the obvious benefits to the consumers. In fact, it had reduced the price of gasoline by about 20 percent while oil prices fell on the world market by over 50 percent. Further, due to the reductions in oil prices, imports increased at twice the pace of exports in the same period, which put a drain on the country’s foreign reserves. The challenge for the government is to not squander such rare opportunities. Fortunately, the discovery of oil in Guyana by ExxonMobil could, in the future, offset any problems in fluctuations in the prices of oil. However, at present, Guyana stands to lose in a general way from high oil prices, given the fact that it is not yet energy sufficient from alternative forms of energy that are being pursued, such as solar, hydro and wind. It is also hoped that conservation programmes would be implemented by the government to help offset the impact of higher oil prices until the oil exploration efforts by ExxonMobil bear fruit. Oil will be a blessing for Guyana. It could provide a better life for all.
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.
I reject Freddie Kissoon’s theory of longevity in office Dear Editor; Let me say from the start that I am not related to K. Juman Yassin. It is somewhat strange that he is the subject of this letter and my name is Yassin. I do not know Mr. Yassin. I do not live in Guyana; making the occasional visit. I suppose like most Guyanese wherever we are, I read the online Guyanese newspapers. I am particularly interested in the writings of Freddie Kissoon, though I do not agree with several of his arguments. But I guess that is the way it is with controversial people like Freddie Kissoon. A b o u t s p o r ts in Guyana, I know the game of cricket only. I am in no position to argue with anyone about good and bad sports administration in Guyana. I have no knowledge of Mr. Yassin’s performance as the major sports administrator in Guyana – the head of Guyana Olympic Association. I write in reference to two publications in your newspaper. The first is a letter with the heading,
“Freddie Kissoon owes K. Juman Yassin an apology.” In that letter, the writer, Harri Narine Singh (I know a Narine Singh but I don’t know if he is the writer) takes Freddie to task for his position that Yassin should have resigned long ago because long stay in office is not good for competence. Mr. Singh quite rightly takes issue with Freddie with the question that such a theory cannot hold because Ya s s i n h a s p e r f o r m e d admirably and he has done so because his long years served him well especially with getting experience . I am in support of Mr. Singh here. Freddie Kissoon then did a column in reply to Mr. Singh, titled, “My theory is both contextual and philosophical.” He sticks to his position that people should not stay long in office. Freddie’s theory is neither contextual nor philosophical. It is simply wrong. It cannot be defended. Even with a brilliant mind like Freddie’s such a theory is unworkable and I do not think learned minds will support it. My letter here is to say that I reject Freddie K i s s o o n ’s t h e o r y o f
longevity in office that he is so bent in putting forward. I will offer one source o f ev id en ce to r eject Freddie Kissoon’s theory and that is Freddie Kissoon himself. He has been a columnist for over thirty years. I read where he said he is getting on in age and is over sixty years. If he is over sixty years and has been a columnist for thirty years then that is a vast amount of experience. It is that experience that has made him into one of the finest minds in Guyana. Guyana has not produced a columnist that has been writing for thirty years. There isn’t a columnist or commentator that does a daily offering. In the US we have people like Rachel Maddox every night except weekends How does he manage that? The answer is through experience accumulated over long years. It is those thirty years that provided him with the unique ability to infuse his columns with philosophy making people like me understand the thinking of great philosophers. Freddie Kissoon educates the nation
of Guyana. I dare say if Kaieteur News should part company with him, I am willing to bet that Guyana Times of all people will make an offer. The owner of the Guyana Times is an astute businessman. Take Freddie, let him do his thing, and as we know much of it will be against the PPP, but people will buy the newspaper to read Freddie Kissoon. Here in New York, a columnist like Freddie would have vast marketability I end by saying if longevity in office has made Freddie KIssoon a national hero as Mr. Harri Narine Singh observed, why can’t Freddie let the same circumstances do for K. Juman Yassin what they have done for him. This position of him is strange. I am not an intellectual but I have never heard anyone say that longevity in office is a bad thing. Freddie where are you going with this? Is it directed personally at K. Juman Yassin? You ought to know better Adbul Kadir Yassin New York
Vic Oditt corrects Kaieteur News Dear Editor; I note the inclusion of my name in a letter of Jan 9, titled “President Granger has to stop being aloof”. I shall not comment on the contents of his letter but I need to clarify the following
issues: 1. I have never been a member of a “cabal” 2. I have never been a member of the PPP 3. No state lands were transferred to
me during the “PPP time” I would ask, Mr. Editor, that you check the facts when letters are written with incorrect and potentially libelous statements. Vic Oditt
President Granger has to investigate City Hall’s atrocities Dear Editor; U n f o r t u n a t e l y it seems that there is never any good news, uplifting information or stimulating reports emanating from the Georgetown Municipality, instead there are only advisories about increased taxation, threats of punitive actions against citizens and measures to stifle entrepreneurship. Most recent of all we learnt of the intention of Royston King to seek an increase in the already costly fines of $10,000 which have to be paid for littering. This is in addition to the whopping 10% increase in property taxes for residences and businesses in Georgetown. Then came the
bad news of having to pay for parking and for containers offloading in the city. Vendors on the Merriman’s Mall were forced to pay five times more to rent what has been described as ‘Dog Kennels’. Whilst all of these increases have been implemented, the services being provided have never been worse. The city floods after just a few hours of rain, persons are robbed on a daily basis in and around the markets, animals are slaughtered in a most inhumane and insanitary way at the municipal abattoir, staff at the municipal stores in Water Street are forced to sit all day in a poorly lit and
unventilated room whilst enduring a constant drip from the toilet facilities located on the floor above. Most of the buildings from City Hall, to the Solid Waste Building to the South Road Health Center are all in a derelict state, all of their garbage trucks and other machinery such as street sweepers, loaders, bulldozers, backhoes, tractors etc are all in utter disrepair. In the midst of all of the bedlam and turmoil the Council is seeking to deprive vendors who sell chicken outside of the markets of their livelihoods, have cruelly forced other vendors into a squalid facility that they have the audacity to call
‘Parliament View Mall’, have put some hair stylists under some rickety tents on the Merriman’s mall, all of whom are catching hell during this rainy season, paying their workers late every month.If the President is serious about the provision of ‘a good life for all Guyanese’ which of course includes the citizens of Georgetown, then he must order the commissioning of an enquiry into the operations of the Council, ordering of a forensic audit regarding its financial malfeasance and the removal of the incompetent and corrupt senior administrators at City Hall. Nadine Jerrick
Tuesday January 10, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Region 8 REO should be commended Traffic rank at Suddie station abusing programmes geared par- a number of issues facing resiporal drove up and said to me wrong by the station sergeant for his efforts and ticularly at bringing about dents; along with the setting his power “Driver, you must take your who advised against doing DEAR EDITOR; I humbly crave your permission to have some space in your newspaper as I firmly believe that the efforts of the Region 8, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rafel Downes needs the highest commendation. I sought to highlight the good that he continues to do in what many have regarded as the most challenging administrative region in Guyana. Downes who evidently has some short comings continues to do a splendid job at executing his mandate as the accounting officer for the people of Region 8 thus generating significant admiration and best wishes. The REO continues to keep abreast with the many challenges faced by residents within his region thus he has implemented a number of aggressive avenues to confront these challenges. His continued efforts in implementing a number of creative and innovative changes to the region will certainly bring about relief, as he works to ensure that residents in both subsection one and two are less adversely affected by the increased challenges and difficulties over the past few years. Despite Region 8 being a gold and diamond mining community it is evident that with the drop in gold and diamond prices and the fact that there continues to be a rise in unemployment, there is an urgent need for more projects
economic relief. As such, the economic situation of many is vulnerable thus resulting in increased social ills and challenges. Therefore, the efforts by REO Downes should be highly commended as he has and continues to do a remarkable job. While the region’s main source of economic development comes from Gold and Diamonds, it is important to note that they are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in prices. Therefore, increases in prices for these will tend to lead to increase earnings aided with investments made by other individuals in a number of areas. As such, with a number of new innovative measures being implemented by the REO it is evident that the residents of Region 8 will certainly see an economic boost with his continued efforts and should be highly praised for his tireless contributions. Among some of the measures implemented were; New doctor’s quarters built in PK; Rice Planting at Monkey Mountain; assistance to a number of new and small contractors thus allowing them to benefit from a number of projects within the region; economic assistance to a number of single parents whose children are attending PK and Madhia Secondary Schools; the establishment of a review committee to address
up of a committee to address social ills facing especially women and youths within the region with the view of finding jobs and training for persons. These are just some of the many initiatives that were implemented by the REO which frankly puts him ahead of many of the other REO’s in Guyana. Therefore, the Minister of Communities, the Hon. Ronald Bulkan along with his Permanent Secretary Emil McGarrel should also take their hats off for ensuring the appointment of Rafel Downes. It’s my sincere wish that the Ministry will recognise his efforts while using it as a module so that other regions can emulate his brave and hardworking efforts. In closing I would like to publicly thank Mr. Downes for his sterling contributions thus far to uplifting Region 8; his approach in putting political affiliation aside and focusing on development instead of politics is highly commendable. It’s no secret that there is still much more work that needs to be done while the REO certainly is doing his best which is an indication that he is sincere and determined in his efforts to be a servant to the people of Region 8. I join with others in thanking him for his service and to wish him continued success in the face of evident adversity. Marilyn De Costa
Only when accidents occur, then we act DEAR EDITOR; As a resident and taxpayer living in Agriculture Road, that leads to the Guyana School of Agriculture and NAREI, I am concerned about some issues. I observed on the exact day of the local government elections a hymac and dragline were digging the trench on the left hand side of the road. I also saw a small hymac digging some trenches in Block 8 where my church is located. To be honest, in over 12 years these people from the NDC never dug a trench here or cleaned the sides of the road which has tall black sage bushes, but they came suddenly the day of the local government elections. What were they trying to prove? I guess they were trying to get votes for their personal laziness and incompetence. Just
as the local government elections were over, I noted with a great deal of interest a new road was built through Market Street that leads up to the BV/Triumph NDC. Now that these new people are in power they are only concerned about themselves and do nothing for the residents in this road. The trench on the right hand side of this road has not been dug in 15 years; the BV/Triumph NDC is responsible for this trench. It is very dirty and shallow, and just one hour of rain will flood the entire place, but no one at the NDC is concerned. From Fiber Tech Industry going back, this trench is like the gateway to hell; it is filled with big bushes and trees so that a car could drive over it very easily, and it harbours dangerous snakes and alligators. Not long ago I
killed a dangerous 12-foot snake which came out of this trench up my veranda shed. Now in a situation of constant rain the water in this trench is stagnant; it goes nowhere. The water in my yard drains has not moved for over 5 days now. I am calling on the relevant authority at the NDC to get this trench dug immediately. We have another hazard in this road in the form of huge potholes. Just opposite NAREI is a big pothole, like a little trench; the middle of this road is broken in two because of a huge pothole. If one drives on this road when it rains one is left in these holes. Not long ago a car bounced off a hole and dropped into the big trench; luckily residents saved the driver. The Chairman and administrators (Continued on page 6)
DEAR EDITOR; My hire car H.A.8307 was not involved in an accident and I did not commit any offence whatsoever, when a traffic corporal attached to the Suddie station ordered me to drive to the station with passengers inside, whilst the vehicle was stationary in the Suddie car park. At the time the rank gave no reason for his action but on reaching the station he told me that I was under arrest and instructed the sentry to pass me through the charge sheet for obstruction and put me in the lock-up. It was only then I knew what the offence was. The corporal seems to be power drunk and had definitely abused his privilege much to my detriment. His arrogance will further damage the already tarnished reputation of the force. Around 5:30pm on December, 2016 from the day’s incessant heavy rainfall, I had to park my car in a “slantish” position to prevent passengers having to walk in the water in the many pot holes to get into my vehicle. All of a sudden, this cor-
car to the station “I then enquired for what reason and what the offence was that I had committed, that required my going to the station. He responded “I don’t want to hear that, me go teach you something”. At the time four passengers were in the car when I told him “if you feel me commit any offence give me a ticket” but he insisted that I drive the car to the station. I even pointed out to him that I would “drop off” the passengers at the nearby Onderneeming Sand Pit area and then come to the station but this did not find favour with him. As I was about to turn around, he stopped the car and stood in front of it while ordering me to reverse on the busy public road with the passengers still inside and go to the station which I did and on reaching there all he said to me that I was under arrest. While sitting on a bench in the enquires office, the corporal instructed the sentry officer to pass me through the charge sheet for obstruction and put me in the lock-ups but this move was deemed to be
so, as such an offence did not warrant incarceration. The corporal ignored the advice from the sergeant in a disciplined service, by openly stating that he was instructed by the divisional traffic inspector not to put me on bail and to have me incarcerated. The sentry officer had already indicated to me to take off my boots and surrender my belongings to go in the lock-ups when he made contact with the sergeant at his home with there being a change and I was allowed to continue sitting on the bench. After waiting on the bench for some two hours the corporal stated that a rank will have to come from Anna Regina station to do a breathalyzer test, but as it turned out to be, he did so with the test showing “zero”. The corporal had the kit at his disposal all the time but he was just out to pressure me an abuse of power - after my hard day’s work. The long wait was very distressing to endure and it was most unjustified to spend such a long time before being released on my own bail. Gildharry Singh
The Drug Shortage needs a bipartisan importantly everyone at the was 100% in effect. solution MMU had a passion and the With support from our inDEAR EDITOR; During the period 2007 to the end of 2011 the management of Drugs and Supplies saw real and credible success and it was because we had the systems and leadership focus that was geared towards improving the supply and delivery of medicines and supplies to all ten regions in Guyana. Under the guidance of Minister Ramsammy, we worked closely with our partners to ensure that we built a supply chain system that would ensure 100% availability of vital medicines and 90% of all other supplies in every health facility nationwide. And this was done using a fraction of the current budgeted money for 2017. Our first step was to ensure the proper training and retention of key personnel; we built strong working relationships with our suppliers and implemented a robust procurement planning strategy that was based on a number of factors that included Guyana’s geographic location, data availability and effective forecasting. But most
will to make sure our country is served. In 2010 we implemented the first ever Public Prequalification system to short list eligible suppliers for medicines and supplies and this remained the standard until now. However, due to a lack of appreciation and understanding for all the hard work done, it was instead forgotten and fell to the wayside. As stated in the BOI it is clear the MMU is in a state of crisis. We also had a functioning efficacy laboratory for testing the quality of medicines before accepting them from suppliers and we rejected any medication that was delivered with less than six months shelf life remaining. There was a donation policy that restricted NGOs and individuals from making Guyana a dumping ground for expired products and it
ternational partners we built the pharmaceutical bond at Diamond with the aim of making it a distribution center and a center of excellence for not only the Caribbean but all of south and Latin America. In 2010 we were the envy of the South American countries for having the best distribution system of which countries like Bolivia and Peru were willing to come and learn from us. Regardless of the unfair criticism and unjust politicking we pushed on to make sure poor patients were not out of drugs when they needed it the most. And I take great pride in having had the opportunity to lead the (Continued on page 6)
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Poor traffic management could have killed me yesterday morning DEAR EDITOR; After losing my finance’ just over a month ago in a vehicular accident it is with anger, sorrow, confusion and tears that I pen this letter knowing that my life could have been taken in a similar manner. Just after 8:00am yesterday morning I was heading to the Ogle Airport. I decided to drive through Campbellville to join the Railway Embankment popularly called “line top” road. The traffic light was green so I made a right turn heading east onto the Railway Embankment. To my surprise there was a vehicle occupying my lane. I was fortunate to halt my car before slamming head on with the vehicle. That’s when I realized that a reverse lane had been opened since the Railway Embankment, which usually accommodates vehicles heading in an eastern direction, was now only available to vehicles heading in a western direction. Like the East Bank Demerara Public Road, the only other I am of aware of, the Railway Embankment road is subject to a reverse system which allows traffic to flow in an opposite direction during certain hours of the day. I was totally unaware of this, and there was no police rank or traffic sign to indicate what was happening. Editor, I am desperate to
know why the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic department continues to fail citizens by not ensuring their complete safety in this regard. The reverse traffic system is being operated without massive public education. While necessary to ensure traffic flow, this reverse system is extremely dangerous. My fiancé, Harry Brijmohan who died at Houston on November 18, 2016 was heading home that faithful morning when he slammed into a motorcar occupying his lane. As someone who was not accustomed to using the EBD road during the reverse system, he fell prey to the ad-hoc and in my view and that of many others, poorly managed EBD road reverse system. There are no signs on the roadway, sometimes no police rank or traffic cones to indicate the changes. It was noticeable that the Monday following my fiance’s death the police saw it fit to place cones from Rahaman’s Park all the way to McDoom. Editor who is responsible for ensuring this system works, are they trained in proper road management? I dare say that if this person cannot function he or she should be fired immediately and someone knowledgeable hired. To date the EBD road and as seen yesterday with the Railway Embankment, this thing is NOT managed
properly. Up to now, why is the police not publicising these changes on television, radio and the newspapers on a regular basis, if they fail on signs? Why no permanent signs that say between these days and these hours, the traffic system changes; and not signs you read a few feet from where the system is being operated, but notification some distance away so drivers are aware of what is happening ahead. Signs in the city indicate the days for paid parking, why not the same for this operation? The police noticed the need for change after my fiancé’s death, but never issued a statement on the matter, not even one that reassured citizens that all was being done to ensure their safety during the reverse system and also meaningful public awareness on when these traffic changes occur. Reverse systems happen all over the world, why is it not being done right here? I call on those in charge. I call on citizens to speak up. Many are dying on our roadways, we do not want the State adding to the danger we face. The management of these roads has got to improve or else Editor, many families will go through the sorrow I am facing right now. Zena Henry Journalist
The Drug Shortage needs a bipartisan... From page 5 Management of Drug Supply during this period. Now we have a national crisis on our hands and we must take a minute to truly understand the severity of this problem, it is the poor and middle class that will feel the pain of drug shortages and this will have unforgiving ripple effects on other aspect of these poor families’ economic situations. I believe there is good intent to fix the system, but it requires more than intention, we need political will, skilled people and visionary leadership if we want to really see improvement in drugs supply in Guyana. I see this as a bipartisan issue and believe
Tuesday January 10, 2017
Kaieteur News
that everyone should come together to solve this problem. A supply chain solution is required and the Government must act fast before it’s too late. With a 6.5 Billion 2017 budget, there is more than enough money to ensure everyone that requires public health care, get access to medicines and supplies. The following are a few things the Government should consider: 1. Understand that a Supply Chain System is required and not simply buying, storage and delivery. 2. Skill set is a must and it’s a nonstarter if you don’t have the right people in the right function.
3. The 2017Budget has more than enough money to fix the problem. 4. Make this a bipartisan issue and remove politics from the process. 5. Think about changing to a Supply Chain Department and create a system where you can find and pay for the right skills with some elements of private sector style management. 6. Part time overseas consultants WILL NOT solve the problem, it never has. It needs a local organic approach with people who understand the local system and culture. I would personally put my politics aside to help on this front. Malcolm Watkins
Can Blacks afford to wait while Trump makes America great? DEAREDITOR; Historically the Black community has been too intractably attached to the Democratic Party, and in addition to the party’s recent loss to Republican Donald Trump; over the past 30 years it has also been losing political control nationally. As a consequence the Black community is also a loser. When Trump makes America great again, what is the Blacks’ fate? Even a casual observer of the current political climate in America will agree that things are not moving in the right political direction for the Democratic Party, and by association the Black community. In other words Blacks have placed all their eggs in the Democratic basket, so when Democrats lose, Blacks also lose There have been consequences to Blacks taking their eyes off the prize and none could be more obvious than in their recent political miscalculations. When participating in the political process, a well-established and fundamental concept is that political players and their agenda are never supposed to lose. Those that lose are the politicians themselves, but not the political players or their agenda. The Democratic leadership failed the Black community miserably, doing exactly the opposite of what they stated they were all about – diversity and inclusion, has now taken on the appearance of an illusion. A fact that should be always remembered and never forgotten is that there are Republicans, Democrats and White People, and despite their political affiliation, White People hold considerable privilege. Unlike White Democrats, when they lose, they have the ability to withstand the loss and, in many cases, initiate a campaign to regain what was lost. Restated, White people can take an ideological position and lose because they are not economically impacted by such losses as Black people are. Donald Trump spoke directly to the Blacks by telling them of his intention to bail out their cities, and bring more jobs back to the urban communities. Regardless, of whether or not it was rhetoric, the Democrats failed to match this rhetoric. There was little pre-election discussion on the issues Blacks felt to be important, such as, poverty, criminal justice system, jobs, education, etc. and whenever there was any discussion it was lumped into discussion with other groups. Here a deeper picture emerges, beyond the Black community and the Black agenda. The Republicans now have control of Washington, and with it comes the power to implement their agenda, which is absolutely not a Black agenda. Had the Democrats been victorious, the Black agenda would still be compromised. At this juncture it is appropriate to pose two
pertinent questions: -Where do the Democrats go from here? The future of the party must be quickly and specifically addressed. -Where does the African American community go from here? The African American community must address their relationship with the Democratic Party. The two do not a similar path or future share. The Democratic Party is currently leaderless, and the same can be said of the Black community, and the diehard Black Democrats who believe until now that party affiliation is the answer. Since the defeat of the Democrats, things have been disturbingly quiet. With the exception of Senator Bernie Sanders, nothing of substance that speaks to their failing status and how they plan on improving has been said. Their self- imposed silence speaks volumes and I strongly feel that the reason underpinning the silence is that they do not have an answer. There is still existing concern as to who will emerge from within the ranks possessing the intellectual and political fortitude along with the capacity to change the tide for the ailing party. Barack Obama is no longer there, and while he displayed a unique spirit, let us not for a nano second overlook the fact that he did not build the Democratic Party. Now where does the Black community go from here? The answer is simply, in the same direction it needed to go before the election, but this cannot be accomplished in the absence of leadership. Black leadership is virtually non-existent, with the community operating like an aircraft on autopilot. Real political leadership is not with Black elected officials, but comes instead from the private sector, primarily from the business community. Who takes responsibility for our political leadership? Who takes responsibility for developing and implementing our agenda? To what does the Black Agenda refer? Therein lies the crux of the problem, the Black community is without political leadership, and we lack the resources to do the same things that the Whites do. Regrettably, Blacks spend most of their time focusing on the things that they need in the “now”, and possess very little capacity to pay attention to the things that they must control in the future. Not only is this a leadership issue, but also a resource issue. We have very little capacity to plan for the future and to build capacity when we always fight for survival. We definitely cannot build capacity without resources. Blacks may be resourceful but in truth and reality resources are lacking in the Black community. What are the Blacks expecting from President elect Trump? Yvonne Sam
Only when accidents occur, then we... From page 5 of the NDC and the administrators at NAREI drive along this road daily but it doesn’t bother them. Only when the Agriculture Minister or the President is coming to the Guyana School of Agriculture will I see those at NAREI or the NDC hustling to throw some sand in the potholes. Why hustle to build when someone in authority is coming? These educated folk could make representation to the Ministry of Public Infra-
structure to resurface the bad spots, but they just turn a blind eye to it until it gets worse. Most of our roads are badly damaged because no one is maintaining them. What I see in this country is that we leave things to be destroyed when they could have been rescued and repaired before they completely collapse. Most accidents in this country are caused by bad roads and not speeding alone. When will someone fix these dangerous potholes in Agriculture Road? Maybe only when a great accident occurs. If we can’t dig trenches and fix basic roads then how are we going to govern this whole country? Very soon we will have to offer a new degree at the University of Guyana, to drive in
Guyana a PhD (Doctor of Potholes). I am calling on the NDC to get these trenches cleared or residents will be flooded out; I am calling on NAREI to make representation to get this road fixed immediately. Most of the flooding we now see is caused by negligent and incompetent NDCs so why are we really paying taxes? Guess we are paying to be flooded out. I am calling on the Minister of Public Infrastructure to get the Agriculture Road repaired and other relevant authorities to address this garbage dump by dealing with the residents living there who make this environment a living hell for those walking and driving on the road. Rev Gideon Cecil
Tuesday January 10, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Ministry forges strategic partnership to fight NCDs Seventy percent of the Ministry of Public Health’s budget is expended on addressing Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). It is for this reason that the Ministry is touting as imperative, the need for persons to develop healthy lifestyle choices and practices early, so as to avoid falling prey to NCDs. This is according to Junior Minister of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, who recently revealed that the top four causes of premature death in Guyana are cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease. According to her, although the Ministry is advocating for citizens to adopt healthy lifestyle changes, the Chronic Diseases Unit of the Ministry of Public Health has the designated mission to address the aforementioned causes of premature death, thereby ensuring that a multisectoral, integrated approach is maintained. Understandably, achieving this goal comes as no small burden to Government and the families and caregivers of those suffering from chronic diseases. However, in the quest to address this existing challenge, Dr. Cummings said that the Chronic Diseases Unit performed creditably during the past year when compared to other years. As such, she noted that “we at the Ministry of Public Health are optimistic that 2017 will bring additional achievements that further promote the work of the Unit.” In collaboration with the Country Office of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Unit completed the first leg of the implementation plan for the years 2016 – 2018 in alignment with the Integrated Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Disease Strategic Plan 2013 – 2020. Moreover, the Unit was able to work unremittingly to ensure it achieved all the activities that were programmed for 2016. CAPACITY BUILDING According to the Public Health Minister, the Chronic
Disease Unit will this year continue to ensure that capacity building occurs in the regional facilities. Between October 17–28, 10 new providers were trained and placed in the health care sector to ensure that screening for cervical cancer continues. The training also produced a new provider in the Charity area, signaling the launching of a new site for VIA screening. There are now 20 sites located across Guyana with a total of 33 VIA-certified providers, according to Minister Cummings. Added to this, she said that a new cohort of 17 doctors and nurses from the six Regions of the country where there are Regional Diabetic Foot Centres, were trained in Diabetic Foot Care and Management. Added to this, Minister Cummings revealed that in November 2016, the Ministry met with members of the Guyana Business Coalition on Health Awareness, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was developed, which will see affiliated private sector companies allocating funding towards chronic non-communicable diseases. The funding, she divulged, will cover focal point nomination, support groups, training, screening, and purchasing of gym materials to allow for more physical activities in workplaces. The entities also agreed to enforce the no smoking policies in their work environment, Dr. Cummings said. The Chronic Disease Unit of the Ministry during the past year developed a training course and manual for community personnel to become more actively involved in sensitizing their peers on non-communicable diseases. The programme, entitled “Community Leaders in Health” is a conglomeration of all the essential services offered by the Ministry of Public Health which are essential in combating NCDs. At two training sessions held in August and November of last year, a total of 51 persons from communities in Region Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and
10 were trained, Minister Cummings related. PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS Currently, the Chronic Disease Unit is working collaboratively with a number of international partners and stakeholders which include PAHO, the Guyana Diabetic Association and the Caribbean Public Health Agency. According to Dr. Cummings, in February 2016, the Coordinator of the Chronic Disease Unit was able to attend the First Global Meeting for NCDs programme managers and directors. This meeting saw Guyana opening discussions related to free trade and innovative approaches towards combating non-communicable diseases. “The launch of the National Commission on Prevention and Control of NonCommunicable Diseases was an idea which met the unreserved approval of the forum and the Ministry of Public Health intends to make this Commission a re-
Junior Minister of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings ality in 2017,” Minister Cummings assured. STEPS SURVEY In advancing the fight against NCDs, the Minister said that there were recent collaborations with
the Chronic Disease Unit, Bureau of Statistics, PAHO and the Caribbean Public Health Agency. This strategic collaboration, according to her, saw Guyana for the first time executing the
Stepwise Approach to Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance, commonly referred to as the STEPS surve y. T h i s s u r v e y t o o k place in all 10 administrative Regions of Guyana, and targeted approximately 3,456 persons to participate in Steps One and Two, while a total of 1,728 persons participated in Step Three. Minister Cummings disclosed that “there was a response rate target of 66 percent for Steps One and Two, and 25 percent response rate target for Step Three. A 77 percent response rate was recorded for Steps One and Two and a 57 percent response rate was recorded for Step Three.” Currently, the project is being analysed and, according to Minister Cummings, a final report is expected to be produced by March 31, 2017. The Steps Survey cost approximately $110 million and was collaboratively funded by Government and PAHO.
$5000 bail for fraud accused Colleen Kendall of Penny Lane, South Ruimveldt Gardens, Georgetown has been released on $5,000 bail. The 57-year-old woman made an appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday and pleaded guilty to a charge of fraudulent conversion. It is alleged that between September 1, 2016 and January 5, 2017, at Georgetown, Kendall, being solely entrusted by Angela Venkatsammy with a quantity of household articles to the value of $223,817, in order to sell and return the proceeds to the said Venkatsammy, fraudulently converted same to her own use and benefit. However, after admitting to the crime, Kendall offered to repay the virtual complainant (VC) and was given time to do so by the Chief Magistrate. Yesterday in court, Kendall handed over $20,000, which she claimed was the only monies she had,
to Venkatsammy. The Chief Magistrate ordered her to pay the VC at least $50,000 or more on January 30, when she will make another court appearance. According to Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones, the parties are known to each other. Jones said that the VC owns a store at the Brassonic’s building, Water Street, Georgetown, and that the defendant would from time to time take items from her to sell. Jones said that Kendall took the items to the value mentioned in the charge, to sell and agreed to return the proceeds to the woman. However, he pointed out that efforts made by the VC to contact Kendall after the transaction were futile. Prosecutor Jones added that Venkatsammy reported the matter to police and the defendant was arrested and charged. When asked by the
Magistrate as to why she failed to pay the woman, Kendall explained that she was experiencing some financial difficulties at the time. She admitted that she would purchase stocks from the VC to sell at her store. However, she said, she was forced to close down the business because she was not making enough money to pay rent. Kendall revealed that she still had some of the
household items in her possession and was advised by the Chief Magistrate to sell them off to get back money to pay the VC. The defendant told the court that she is presently unemployed and is now being forced to sell her home. It was then that the Chief Magistrate advised her to look for a job or sell her assets to get money to pay Venkatsammy.
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New Magistrate assigned to Carvil Deonarine in January 2016 for Duncan trial the theft of $984,900 and City Magistrate Fabayo Azore has been assigned by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan to preside over the trial of Carvil Duncan in relation to the alleged theft of over $27,757,500 from the Guyana Power and Light (GPL). When the matter was called in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts yesterday, Magistrate Azore fixed January 25, for commencement of trial. The reassignment of the case comes days after Magistrate Leron Daly recused herself from the matter on the ground that she presided over the trial for which Duncan was charged with stealing $984,900 from GPL, and found him not guilty. Duncan, 73, of 1977 Williamstad Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown and former Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GPL Aeshwar Deonarine are accused of being part of a multimillion-dollar fraud at the company. They are alleged to have illegally transferred almost $28M to their personal bank accounts from GPL. The Government had asked the police to investigate the two senior officials in July 2015. It was reported that the men paid themselves without authorization. In light of investigations, Deonarine was sent on administrative leave. The discoveries of the suspicious transfers were
Tuesday January 10, 2017
Kaieteur News
CHARGED: Carvil Duncan made by independent auditors who were probing the PetroCaribe Fund, which holds proceeds of oil shipments taken from neighbouring Venezuela. It was while tracking payments to GPL that auditors unearthed the strange transactions. Deonarine, who had been responsible for administration had reportedly wanted to receive the same level of pay as the then Deputy CEO (Technical), Colin Welch, but his approaches to the Board of Directors were rebuffed. He had reportedly offered to repay the money but GPL was supposed to have waited until it was transferred from his US bank account. In light of the revelations, joint charges were instituted against Duncan and
$27,757,500 respectively, from the power company. However, Duncan was the only one present to answer to the charges since Deonarine fled the country. The Chief Magistrate had issued a warrant for his arrest. A few months after the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) withdrew the charges against Deonarine and the prosecution made a request to the court to have Deonarine’s name amended from the joint charges to proceed with trial of Duncan. This request was granted. In light of the court proceeding, President David Granger ordered that Duncan be suspended from constitutional bodies. A President-appointed tribunal comprising Justice Roxanne George-Wiltshire, Justice (retd.) Winston Patterson, and Attorney Robert Ramcharran, was set up to determine whether the criminal charge Duncan was facing was enough to have him removed as Chairman of the Public Service Commission. However, Duncan and his attorney Anil Nandlall moved to the High Court and had the tribunal halted by Justice Franklin Holder. This prohibited the tribunal from investigating and pronouncing on whether Duncan should remain a Member of the Public Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission and Police Service Commission.
26 cases disposed of at October sessions of Criminal Assizes - New session to start today Twenty-eight matters were disposed of in the last session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes. The Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, (DPP) reported that the session officially ended with Justice Roxanne George dispensing the jail delivery, yesterday. According to the information by Justice George, there were 141 cases listed for trial in the Demerara Criminal Assizes October 2016. Of those cases, 26 were disposed of. Fifteen cases received attention in the High Court of Demerara and 13 others were nolle prosequi by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) based on statements from the Virtual Complainants (VC). Of the 15 cases, 11 were for Murder, one for the offence of Carnal Knowledge of a Girl Under 12 Years, another one for the offence of Rape, one other for Sexual Activity with A Child By Abusing A Position of Trust and one for the offence of Attempt to Commit Murder. Justice Roxanne George, Justice James Bovell-Drakes and Justice Jo-Ann Barlow presided over the October Criminal Assizes. There were five not guilty verdicts by jury, one hung jury, four formal verdicts of not guilty, three guilty pleas and two guilty jury verdicts. During the session Justice Barlow completed six matters. Of these six cases, four were for the offence of Murder, one for the offence of Rape and one other for the offence of Sexual Activity with A
Child By Abusing A Position of Trust. In three of the four murder cases, the accused were all acquitted by jury verdicts of not guilty. In the other murder case, the State offered no evidence after the witnesses did not testify in accordance with their depositions. Justice Barlow therefore directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty. In one matter for the offence of Rape, the VC testified in Court that she did not wish to proceed with the matter and the Trial Judge directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty. The accused in the one case for the offence of Sexual Activity with A Child by abusing a Position of Trust was acquitted by a majority jury verdict of eleven not guilty to one guilty. Justice George completed three murder cases. In one matter, the jury failed to reach a verdict and the accused was ordered to await a new trial. In another matter, the trial Judge upheld a no case submission and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty. In the one other matter in which the accused was indicted on eight counts of Murder, he pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of Manslaughter on all the counts. He was sentenced to 45 years imprisonment on each count. The sentences will run concurrently and the prisoner must serve 40 calendar years before being considered for parole.
This was in relation to the trial in the Bartica Massacre. There were five accused, two of whom pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of Manslaughter. The second was sentenced to 35 years imprisonment on each of the 12 counts. The trial is continuing in relation to the other three accused and still continues. Of the 13 matters nolle prosequi by the DPP, four were for the offence of Attempt to Commit Murder, five for Rape, two were for Incest, one for Setting Fire To a Dwelling House and one for the offence of Carnal Knowledge of A Girl Under 15 Years. In four of these matters, the virtual complainants did not appear in Court even though their names were published in the media for them to appear. In one other matter the VC has migrated. And in four other cases the virtual complainants indicated in writing that they did not wish to proceed with their matters. Four others could not be located. Six cases were presented before Justice Bovell-Drakes. Of these six, one was for the offence of Carnal Knowledge of A Girl under 12 Years, four matters were for the offence of Murder and one other for Attempt to Commit Murder. In the one matter for the offence of Carnal Knowledge of A Girl under 12 Years a formal verdict of not guilty was delivered by the jury upon the direction of the trial judge after the virtual complainant went into the witness box and testified that she did not wish to (Continued on page 11)
Tuesday January 10, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Guyana faces a constitutional crisis There are misguided souls who believe that it is right to correct a wrong by trampling on the law. They believe that it is just and right to remedy an unlawful act by stampeding the law. The rule of law is what protects us all. The law is what keeps us safe. Resort to extra-judicial activities results in public terror, not public protection. Resort to extraconstitutional measures leads to anarchy and abuse, not order and justice. Extra constitutional means were used to try to bring about regime change. Extra-judicial killings were resorted to try to combat criminality. Those measures have brought no peace to Guyana. They have endangered democracy and freedoms of citizens. The effects of the trampling of laws and constitutional rights are not confined to political issues. They have resulted in pain loss and the deprivation of property of citi-
zens. They have led, also, to state-sponsored brutality and, at one stage, the reign of phantom squads. Every citizen loses when the rule of law and constitutionality are violated. Yet there are those who fan the flames of the right of governments to run amok of the law, in pursuit of what they see as the correction of wrongdoing. Citizens are just as culpable as politicians in egging on those who feel that it is okay to violate the law to restore the law. A wise man warned England centuries ago that the law must not be trampled upon, even to go after the Devil, because when the Devil comes after us there will be no law to protect us. The rule of law must always be upheld, because if the rule of law goes, there is no protection for either the bad or the good in society. It is therefore in the interest of all, to urge that even when it comes to the pursuit and prosecution
of one’s enemies, lawful means must be used, even at the risk of failure. Guyana is a constitutional democracy. Citizens have the right to elect a government of their choice. They also have a right to protection from laws and actions which violate the Constitution. The Constitution is the supreme protector against the unjust actions of government, corporations and man. The Constitution of Guyana provides for two ways of naming the Chairperson of GECOM. One way is for the President to appoint either a judge or a former judge to head the Commission. Twenty-five years ago, another constitutional route was formulated. It allowed for the President to choose the Chairperson of GECOM from a list of six persons submitted by the Leader of the Opposition. This latter method has been used to choose five successive Chairpersons of the Guyana Elections Com-
Dem boys seh
Jagdeo, ee self, ain’t trust ee own GECOM list De word trust is de most important single word after de Creatah. De world runs on trust and people life, marriages, and de whole idea of community depend on trust. Uncle Sam got de word trust pun its green notes—”In God we Trust.” With trust comes love, care, kindness and a united family life. Without that word there is chaos, confusion, destruction, separation, and hate. Dem boys hear Soulja Bai didn’t trust that GECOM list wha Jagdeo send to him because dem boys hear Jagdeo himself didn’t trust de list he send. Now he got to send another list and dem boys ain’t certain if he gun trust de people pun de next list or if Soulja Bai gun trust
dem. De last couple days Guyana witness nuff sad things because there was no trust. A man tell he woman don’t go out Friday night. She insist and tell him “Shut up. I going out.” Dem boys hear when she was walking out de yard he holler, “Go. You gun find out.” She barely meet in de dance when she phone sing de first song in de dance. “Dahlin, you house on fire.” She run home and see wha de man mean when he seh, “You gun find out.” De house bun down flat. Another family didn’t trust dem son. Whenever he drink he rum he does behave bad and dem does quarrel wid him. He does get vex and threaten de how he gun bun down de house.
Same Friday gone, de parents still go out and lef de boy outside de house and that wake up de burning spirit in him. Dem boys hear he go out and tek a different kind of spirit and when he realize he couldn’t get in de house he light de car under de house and watch everything, including de house, burn to ashes. A man name Frenchie didn’t trust he woman. He tell people she had another man pun he head. That trigger de killing spirit in him so he kill she and he been on de run fuh eight years. Yesterday he buddy friend tell de police wheh he was hiding. That word trust, think about it. Keep it deep inside yuh chest. Talk half and don’t become distrusted.
mission. It has become a constitutional convention. The President of Guyana invoked this convention when he invited the Leader of the Opposition to submit names for consideration as Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission. The Leader of the Opposition, upon learning of the resignation/retirement of Dr. Steve Surujbally, did not decide on his own to submit a list of six persons. Upon receipt of that list, the President asked for the CVs of the persons nominated. The Carter Formula was therefore invoked and put into operation. It cannot be arbitrarily abandoned because none of the nominees were judges. The qualification of judges applies to the first route for appointing a Chair. The qualification for the second route is that the person must be fit and proper and not objectionable to the President. Guyana is facing a constitutional impasse. The candi-
dates are not the object of this present impasse. The crisis is about the possible circumvention of a constitutional convention which has for twenty-five years had the force of law. The protection of the Court must be sought to uphold the rule of law. And constitutional conventions are an integral part of the rule of law. If the argument is that all Chairpersons of GECOM must be judges, then it means that all elections since 1992 must be vitiated, since the person who is required to formally declare the winner of
those elections, and who would have been appointed, did not meet the constitutional qualifications to become Chairman of GECOM. This is the quagmire that is being created because of the abandonment of a settled practice.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 10, 2017
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Power in 2016; the deceptive mind From the opening of the doors of 2016 to its closing hours, I have been repeatedly asked a particular question – why has the APNU+AFC Government performed so raggedly, incompetently, insensitively but most importantly, so self-destructively. On the last day of 2016, I left Kaieteur News at 2 p.m. and dropped in at Berta and Mackie restaurant, opposite the old licence revenue office on Smyth Street, to have a take-home. A man introduced me to his wife and mother-in-law,
and as usual, it was that question again. To say I have been pleased with the exercise of power in 2016 would be a hypocritical answer. I am not. I have been disappointed since the following; the ministerial portfolios gazetted in May 2015; the sudden transfer of Rupert Roopnaraine from Natural Resources to Education when there was a large photograph of him as Minister of Natural Resources visiting the collapsed pit that claimed the lives of a number of miners; the ministerial salary increase
in July 2015 retroactive to June 2015; the increases of the barricades outside Parliament when it is in session; the transfer of Simona Broomes from the Ministry of Social Protection where she was a human rights champion; the shameless refusal of central government to have a forensic audit of the City Council going back the past fifteen years; the particular shape of Hamilton Green’s pension, the retention of NICIL, the wastage at D’Urban Park. I could go on. What I find dangerous about the dishonesty of the mind in 2016 is how cataclysmically close the power establishment came to becoming entangled in the Draculean maze of ethnic suspicion. Unless the APNU+AFC Coalition is so narcissistically pompous to accept that only its collective leadership has commonsense, then the commonsense of Guyanese will inform it that a deceptive and disastrous
game is being played out, where the State investigates the other side for corruption but leaves untouched its own Norman Bates. Forensic audits were ubiquitous in 2016 but they were only found in one spot, the site where the PPP once had power. Forgotten by the news boys and girls at OP on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive is their own Norman Bates – the Georgetown City Council. The last time I checked m y c a l e n d a r, I w a s i n Guyana continuously the past 20 years without leaving the territory even for a second. So I would know who and who were corrupt from my media experience. I could cite two edifices where there were corrupt stables; in each structure billions of dollars in public funds were questionably used – central government and the Georgetown municipal council. If the Coalition finds it convenient to unleash foren-
sic audits on the PPP conspirators and not its own subordinates in the City Council then the blame game will pull us further down, because the other side is going to go and tell their supporters; “They are only picking on your leaders while their subordinates did the same.” Now why would any rational mind want to walk in that direction, knowing the implication which this county had enough of? As 2016 drew to a close there was an intriguing yet disturbing letter in the KN and SN by a very long standing friend of mine – Tacuma Ogunseye. He chastised critics of APNU+AFC for saying that it will only be a one-tern regime. He appeals to such people not to keep saying that, because the monster is at the gate - the PPP. He ended his letter with a warning – if you keep criticizing the government those very bad people from the PPP will come back. Ogunseye can be likened to a preacher who is sermonizing to the people who are walking on the street outside the church, but not the parishioners inside the building. Shouldn’t Ogunseye tell the card players to behave themselves because the po-
Frederick Kissoon lice will hear the fighting going on during the illegal gambling and rush into the building and arrest the illegal gamers? Instead, Ogunseye calls out to the neighbours to stop talking about illegal gambling in the building, because the police will hear them gossiping about it. One would like to think that the message should be to the gamblers, not the peaceful gossipers. We have entered a brand new year. What can we expect in the first weeks? When a mind is deceiving and deceptive it is capable of any indiscretion. So we have to wait and see if there will be any more action and policies that will cause people to ask the that question that I had to face for the entire 2016 – “Freddie wuh wraang with dese people bhaai.” Maybe my friend Tacuma Ogunseye knows the answer
Tuesday January 10, 2017
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Kaieteur News
“Crabman” remanded for Magistrate to rule in ‘Six chopping off ex-lover’s hand Head’ causing death trial
Remanded: Shamar Ali Mohamed aka “Crabman” The suspect accused of brutally chopping his ex-lover and her mother at Number 70 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, yesterday appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh. Shamar Ali Mohamed aka “Crabman”, 44, a father of two, of High Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, stood before the court, shackled as the charges were read to him. He was charged with two counts of intent to commit murder on Bhartie Udho and Amika Udho on December 24, last. He was not required to plead to the indictable charges. He was also charged with assault, committed on Alisa Ali, on the said date. He pleaded not guilty to that charge. Mohamed was represented by Attorney-atlaw Chandra Sohan who requested bail. In his presentation to the court, Sohan stated that his client related that he was not at the scene of the incident and was not aware that he was wanted by the Police, and as such was seeking for bail to be granted. Sohan also told the court that his client has been living with the VC for the past four years. However, Prosecutor Ber-
CHARGED: Manx Powers
Victim: Bhartie Udho nard Brown asked that bail be denied, based on the nature and prevalence of the crime, and that after he committed the act he escaped and went into hiding, then subsequently after being located he fled from the police. Brown also pointed out that there are other charges against Mohamed that are currently before the court. Bail was refused by Magistrate Singh and Mohamed was remanded to prison. The matter was set for report on January 26. According to the facts of the case, Shamar Ali Mohamed, on December 24 chopped Bhartie Udho and her mother Amika Udho about their bodies and assaulted Alisa Ali after jumping out of a clump of bushes at number 70 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. Mohamed reportedly chopped the younger Udho so badly that her left arm was severed during the ordeal. Her mother sustained chop wounds about her body and head. They were both hospi-
talized at the Springlands Public Hospital and subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for emergency treatment. Bhartie Udho and Shamar Mohamed reportedly shared a relationship, but the young woman had severed ties with the man due to his “jealous” behaviour. Mohamed who is said to be married with two children was allegedly having an affair with the young woman but after she ended the relationship this fuelled his intention to hurt her. After he committed the act he escaped and police launched a search for him. He was eventually found at a location up the Canje Creek but upon seeing the police, he fled in a boat, with the police giving chase. He managed to elude the ranks, but not for long. He was captured the following day and taken into custody. A restraining order was said to have been in effect after Mohamed on several instances had attempted to kidnap the young woman.
26 cases disposed of at October... From page 08 offer any evidence.In one of the four Murder cases, the accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of Manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. In one other matter, the accused was acquitted by the jury. In another Murder case the accused was indicted on two counts of Murder with alternative counts of Attempt to Commit Murder. He pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of Manslaughter and was sentenced to 28 years imprisonment. He also pleaded guilty to the second count of Attempt to Commit Murder and was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. The prisoner will serve the sentences concurrently. The accused in the fourth Murder trial was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict. In the one case for the offence of
Attempt to Commit Murder, the accused was sentenced to 22 years imprisonment after the jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty. The January 2017 Criminal Assizes for Demerara will open today. There are 140 cases listed to be heard during the session. Justice Navindra Singh and Justice Jo-ann Barlow have been roistered to sit during this assizes.
Come February 2, Manx Powers, the porkknocker on trial for causing the death of popular boxer Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis by dangerous driving will know his fate. This announcement was made yesterday by trial Magistrate Fabayo Azore, who told the court that she will pass her ruling in the matter after Powers leads a defence, also on that date. On October 20, 2016, Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Telford closed the case of the prosecution by calling an emergency medical technician/ambulance driver to the stand. That witness testified to picking up Lewis from the
DEAD: Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis road and transporting him to the East Bank Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Powers, 33, of Campbellville, Georgetown is currently out on $250,000 bail. As a condition attached to bail the defendant was instructed to lodge his passport and report to the Subordinate Officer in charge of the
Golden Grove Police Station Traffic Department. According to reports, Lewis, a former Welterweight boxing champion was riding his bicycle on May 4, 2015 at New Hope, East Bank Demerara on his way to visit a friend, when he was struck down by a car driven by the defendant after attempting to cross the road.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 10, 2017
Abandoned vehicles on road shoulders becoming a hazard on Berbice roads Vehicles parked on the roadside at East Berbice
PM’s representative, Gobin Harbhajan
Over the years the issue of having abandoned vehicles parked and left on the road shoulders have become a topic of discussion for motorists and other persons traversing the Corentyne Public Road. Vehicles that include combine harvesters, bulldozers, tractors & trailers and derelict motor cars are left on the roadside for years by mostly farmers who no longer find them useful. The vehicles, many complain, pose a major threat to road users, particularly motorists, who sometime,s in
cases of emergency, find it difficult to avoid in a busy traffic situation. Prime Minister’s Representative in East Berbice, Gobin Harbhajan recently met with various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils in Region 6 where the issue was discussed. According to Harbhajan, “many lives have been lost due to vehicles colliding with abandoned vehicles… these accidents occur when motorists are forced off the road”. Several concerned citizens are calling on the owners of
these vehicles to remove and place the vehicles at locations where they do not pose any danger to road users. Harbhajan explained to the NDC representatives that, apart from being a road hazard, the abandoned vehicles give the public road and villages an unsightly appearance. He said “the office of the prime minister is concerned about the apparent lack of will in dealing with the problem, we want to promote a clean and green Guyana; we want to promote tourism, this issue has to be addressed”. He called on the NDCs and offenders for a concerted effort to ensure that the road shoulders of the Corentyne highway are entirely rid of such eyesores and hazards.
UN Women support CARICOM to address gender inequality A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed yesterday between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United Nations Women to strengthen initiatives aimed at reducing gender inequality. The MOU was signed during the 39th Community Council of Ministers meeting held at the CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen. Secretary General of CARICOM, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, said that the support from UN Women is significant given the challenges faced by the Community, particularly on issues relating to gender. “It is particularly significant for us given that challenges with financial resources have hampered us in our quest to fill a number of crucial positions including in the area of gender,” Ambassador LaRocque noted. The two-year MOU will
CARICOM’s Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and UN Women representative Tonni Ann Brodber following the signing of the MOU see the UN Women providing assistance in: enhancing Caribbean wide data, statistics and
analysis on the implementation of the gender dimensions of the Sustainable (Continued on page 23)
Tuesday January 10, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Jamaica says no to Mexican cement giant increases price offer for TCL takeover foreigner being top cop National Security Minister Robert Montague
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Jamaica has brushed aside any idea of a foreigner being appointed as the next police commissioner to replace Dr. Carl Williams who stepped down last week. “I am yet to be swayed by the argument that we should ensure that the next Commissioner is from overseas,” said National Security Minister Robert Montague. “What kind of message would we be sending, if that was a mandatory requirement, to the over 700 JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) officers, both men and women, who have a first de-
gree. What would we be saying to the over 300 men and women who have their Masters and also to the five police officers writing their dissertations for their PhDs?” he added. Montague told JCF and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) members that while he understands the arguments in favour of giving the job to a foreigner, it does not necessarily follow that this would be in the best interest of the country. Deputy Commissioner, Novelette Grant, is acting in the top post for the next three months.
Montague, who also noted that over 20 attorneys are currently working in the JCF, said Jamaica has never been lacking in finding qualified persons to fill critical positions, but the problem sometimes is the level of moral support given to those “placed in these positions.” He said that regardless of who is in charge or at the helm of the JCF, all decent law abiding Jamaicans will have to take a stance and show the criminals and those hell bent on creating mayhem that enough is enough and that there will be no safe haven for them to operate.
DOMINICA-TOURISMDominica welcomes Marriott branded hotel ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Dominica Monday launched the 200 room Silver Beach Hotel and Spa to be funded under the controversial Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) one week after Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit accused Opposition Leader Lennox Linton of lying to an American broadcaster about the programme. The hotel located at Picard, will be part of the Marriott brand and Skerrit said ‘this is indeed a proud and glorious moment for Dominica. Skerrit said that “very often we ask the private sector to step forward and step
up to the plate. “Today we are seeing a classic manifestation of this and I salute all concern with bringing this project to the point of official launch,” he said. “Let this be a source of inspiration to you, to step forward and take the leap into entrepreneurship”. In welcoming Marriott Resorts to Dominica, Prime Minister Skerrit said that his government would seek to “facilitate your needs and to embrace ideas for enhancing your overall Dominica experience. Skerrit said that the project could not have come at a better time for Dominica
given that global events are creating an environment in which small island states like Dominica have to look within to craft and develop a formula for progress and success. “Great Britain, Canada, the United States and several countries in Europe and Eastern Asia are in transitional and transformational mode. It will be a while before their focus moves beyond the bounds of grappling with and managing their own social, geo-political and economic challenges.” But he said he is satisfied that Dominica “is up to the challenge of rowing its boat ashore.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Mexico-based cement giant, CEMEX, Monday increased its offer to shareholders as it moves to take over control of the Trinidad-based Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL). In a statement posted on its website, CEMEX said that its indirect subsidiary, Sierra Trading would ‘present a change and variation notice making an amended offer to the offer and take-over bid that was presented on December 5, 2016 to all shareholders of TCL, a company publicly listed in Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and Barbados. It said the new offer is being made as it seeks to acquire up to 132,616,942 ordinary shares in TCL, which together with Sierra’s existing share ownership in TCL of approximately 39.5 per cent would, if successful, result in Sierra holding up to 74.9 per cent of the equity share capital in TCL. “Pursuant to the Amended Offer, Sierra will offer TT$5.07 (One TT dollar =US$0.16 cents) in cash per
TCL share and, except for shareholders of TCL in Barbados, shareholders of TCL will have the option to be paid for their TCL shares in TT$ or in U.S.$. “Full acceptance of the Offer, as amended by the Amended Offer, in TT$ would result in a cash payment by Sierra of approximately TT$672 million. The Revised Offer Price represents a premium of 50 per cent over the December 1, 2016 closing price of TCL’s shares in the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange,” CEMEX added. CEMEX had in early December last year, said it was seeking to acquire the shares at a price of TT$4.50) in cash per TCL share. In 2015, TCL shareholders voted overwhelming to lift the 20 per cent cap on shareholding in a move critics said then opened the way for CEMEX to take control of the financially struggling company. CEMEX, which has operations extending throughout the world, with produc-
tion facilities spanning 50 countries in North America, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, is at present the single largest shareholder at 20 per cent, and would be able to acquire shares worth up to US$45 million in the rights issue. Last month, TCL shareholders were urged by the company’s directors to reject the offer by CEMEX, noting that the offer price does not reflect the “full commercial value of TCL.” The board argued that the shares o f t h e c o m pany have a greater value than the offer price of TT$4.50, which i t s a i d w a s “ n o t f a i r, from a financial point o f v i e w, t o t h e s h a r e holders”. While the board did not say what a fair price would be, it however, advised shareholders that TCL is poised to benefit from the significant operat i o n a l i m p r o vements instituted in August 2014.
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VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Toyota Allion PVV series: TV Camera, HID, lights, alarm & remote start $2.2M negotiable Call: 649-0956 Leyland DAF 65 (sand truck). Call: 623-3895 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves – Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206
2 Storey house 35X45 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained @ 5th Avenue Diamond, H/ Scheme.Call:677-0583/664-5052
LANDSCAPING: We design, supply and implement residential and commercial indoor & outdoor landscaping. Call: 648-1821
Riverside property, Roed-enRust, East Bank Essequibo, 3 Miles from Parika. Call: 2662217/694-5109
Hello the doctor is back! Have your gas stove service and repair. Call: 601-0595 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Repairs to refrigerator, gas stove, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578
Oswin J’s Auto Imports: New Arrivals: Premio, Allion, Fielder, Axio, Rush, X-Trail. Free full coverage insurance. Call: 609-2815 1 RZ Mini Bus, BTT Series $2.4M negotiable. Call: 6632600/ 226-4419 1-AT 192 Carina, 1- Bluebird Nissan Sylphy, 1-Toyota Raum & 1- Spacio. Call: 6469161/ 687-2648
INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.
Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045
Tuesday January 10, 2017
Kaieteur News
One concrete building (incomplete) in residential area. Price negotiable. Call: 699-4114 Transported property $4M per acre, shopping centre/house @ Soesdyke. Call: 615-3054
Working suits and more, professionally made within 3 days. Call Sharmie: 626-2629/ 676-6312 (Canadian Trained)
1 Black Toyota Tacoma GKK Series & 1 Mitsubishi Lancer PHH series for tender. Call Troy: 672-4153
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807
CAR RENTAL
2 Bedrooms apartment at Tuschen – Call: 669-1448
PALMS: Any variety, all sizes, we deliver and plant anywhere. Call: 643-7193 One complete sawmill situated at Yarrowkabra Industrial Site Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. Call: 6441190/ 609-8041 German Shepherd pups for sale. Call: 699-6006
Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999
One Floor Manager, must have at least five (5) years, experience in Hardware Store. Contact # 650-0402 Lorry drivers and porters to work on water truck. Experienced Required. Call: 682-1048/602-0001 Security Guards. Call: 2181156
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
Cleaners. Apply in person @ Shikhan Hotel, Princess Street, Wortmanville. Call: 227-7749
Office Assistant/Customer Representative. Contact Pacific Development Inc, Lot 3 Church Street, G/Town. Skill experienced carpenter, apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek.
TO LET
Experienced Diesel machine to work in the Interior must have knowledge of Perkins Engine & Doosan Excavator. Call: 661-5307/ 625-1413
Three bedrooms apartment, recently renovated, free WiFi @ Nandy Park. Call: 6413318
One live in couple or a general domestic to work in Mahaicony River. Call: 6559419/644-6905
1-Bedroom apartment at Queenstown -$35,000 monthly, serious enquiries. Call: 619-1307
1 Female Shop attendant to work in the Interior. Calll: 6780565
Top Flat 3 bedrooms apartment in Eccles. Call: 6544988
Bedrooms to let for students or single person $20,000 & $25,000. Call: 223-9677 Gold mining land for rent. Call: 695-1713/338-2765
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
EDUCATIONAL Lessons. Grades 1-6, Queenstown. Call: 695-9625 Now Registering! 9 Courses Diploma in computers $40,000, Computerize Accounting, Graphics Programs @ MicroGraphics, Vreed-en-Hoop. Call: 2643057 Visa Processing Centre: all visitors and students visa for USA & Canada. MicroGraphics, Vreed-enHoop. Call: 264-3057 Visa Processing Centre: All visitors and students Visas @ Cybertron, Parika. Call: 260-4850
Experienced cleaners, waiters and counter servers. Apply with written application, Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St. (Day Shift only).
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: 225-0198 One fast food supervisor, one chef, dhal puri maker, one cashier. Call: 225-0723 for more information.
American Variety Store: 140 Regent & Light Street: experienced & mature cashier; apply in person with application.
Salesgirl; security guards. Call: 225-7417
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 One live in cook to work at Port Kaituma. Call: 670-4584/ 658-2019
One able body female shop assistant must know how to cook. Call: 218-3108/ 671-1168 LAND FOR SALE Uitvlugt -$2.3M, Zeelugt $1.7M, Tuschen -$1.6M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.4M – Call: 642-1252
Office clerk age 18-25, security guards, care taker to work in Atlantic Garden, E.C.D- Call: 638-5303/2277380
Wanted land to buy: Uitvlugt, Tuschen, Zeelugt & La Parfaite Harmonie. Call: 6579594
Live in waitress. Call: 643-9007
1 Big music set, owner migrating. Call: 690-5225 Nintendo DS Lite -$8,000, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 $45,000, Dell Mini Desktop$40,000, Apple Ipad1 $15,000. Call: 694-1748/ 6219604
WANTED
Primary School teachers. Apply to teacher @ OBSC, 8 Oronoque & Lamaha Street, Queenstown. Call: 695-9625
Cargo trawler- Call: 682-8724, 616-5954
01 Leyland DAF55 Truck, excellent condition, no dump. Call Reaz: 675-4287/ 661-7186
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM
Fully furnished apartment in South & 2 Bedrooms unfurnsihed apartment in Holmes Street Charlestown. Call: 689-5877
Saturn Jeep Left hand drive, stick gear. Call: 223-9677
Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231 DRESSMAKING Turn your flair for fashion in an exciting career or hobby, classes starts in January. Call: 626-2629/ 676-6312
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
1 Live in nanny/domestic to take care of children & home, must know to cook various dishes, 38-48yrs. Call: 6001898
WANTED Boardroom/Giftland Mall: 1 experienced chef, 1 male/ female cleaner to work shift system. Call Karishma: 6809091/ Sasha: 652-6533 Experienced taxi driver, mini bus driver and dispatcher. Call: 616-5419 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
Tuesday January 10, 2017
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GRA revamps to speed up container... GWI commences biological wastewater training The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) in collaboration with UNESCO-IHE (Delft) yesterday commenced its training programme at the Millennium Manor Hotel in Georgetown. The forum is on Biological Wastewater. Biological wastewater involves a treatment in which the decomposition results are easily collected for proper disposal. GWI is looking to implement this system to treat the sewage systems in Guyana, especially in Georgetown. These types of treatment are used worldwide because they are effective and economical compared to many mechanical or chemical processes. Five other agencies were invited to participate in the training programme - the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the University of Guyana, the Ministry of Communities and the Central Housing and Planning Agency (CH&PA). The training is scheduled to last for four days. At the official opening, Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn
Hastings said that, “indeed I’m delighted to be a part of the launching of the first of its kind in Guyana, the Biological Wastewater Training. As a country we have to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and in order for us to meet and to achieve that goal then we have to start thinking differently”. “Too long Guyana has been struggling with its water resource trying to see how best we continue to utilise it, how best we can treat it in order for Guyanese to have good quality water supply,” she emphasised. According to the Minister, Guyana has to start looking at water security, and that water infrastructure consists of durable assets, but the citizens have to ensure methods are put in place so that it can last many decades and meet the needs of future generations. Facilitator of the training programme, Dr. Carlos Vasquez said that he was very excited to hear about persons’ interest in the resource and sanitation of biological wastewater. Also Chief Executive Of-
ficer and Managing Director for GWI, Dr. Richard Van West Charles said while addressing the attendees for the training programme that, “we are here at an important point in terms of not GWI but Guyana, and this is very critical for us “. He pointed out that, “we have septic tanks of which the designs are not the utmost, so therefore we have to look at proper designs that can afford the proper treatment of waste”. “I do hope that by the end of this year we can stop the disposal of untreated waste into the oceans”, Dr Van-West Charles asserted. “We are seeing a lot of medical waste turning up in the sewage which is dangerous for our workers... this should not happen. These are some of the issues that GWI plans to address as well as work with the population.” According to Dr VanWest Charles, GWI is trying to employ a more integrated approach and encourage changes in behaviour of communities, so that residents can understand their responsibilities.
A nightmare ride! It appears the recent rains have halted works on Quamina Street. This section, between Camp and Waterloo, had drivers frustrated yesterday not only from the holes, but the fact that vehicles were badly parked, slowing the flow of traffic.
GRA is moving to implement a new data system that will reduce paperwork and release container processing time by days. From page 15 proposal to move forward with its implementation. This latest initiative will follow a number of other measures to clamp down on corruption and improve collection. Estimations are that up to 60 percent of
taxes due are not paid. Last week, Cabinet approved a $30M contract for Massy Technologies for the purchase of a scanner. This is a major requirement for the shipping of goods via containers from Guyana to especially North America and Europe.
UN Women support CARICOM... From page 12 Development Goals and the SAMOA Pathway ensuring that there is a Caricom wide voice in the normative process shaping national levels of sustainable development as it relates to gender equality deepening capacities of the Caricom member states to implement the international, regional and national commitment such as the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and the Beijing Platform for Action to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women. The support will be key in
addressing inequalities such as gender-based violence in CARICOM states. In the Caribbean, it is estimated that 30 to 50 percent of all murders are a result of intimate partner violence. Representative of UN Women, Tonni Ann Brodber pointed out that Caribbean states cannot afford the cost of gender inequality. “What we are seeing is something that we cannot afford anymore. Not just the gender-based violence, but the fact that we are not tapping into the potential of our young boys or our young women,” Brodber said. The UN Women representative congratulated CARICOM for taking the lead
in the Region to address gender inequality. “We will support in every way that we can, to ensure that this is not just something that is theoretical but it is a lived reality that the women and men of the CARICOM feel,” Brodber pledged on behalf of UN Women. The MOU will also go towards strengthening the work of the CARICOM Regional Gender programme and the CARICOM Regional Statistics programme. The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has provided a grant of US$500,000 towards the development and implementation of a gendersensitive CARICOM resultsbased management system.
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Tuesday January 10, 2017
Iraq Special Forces advance in east Mosul, close to linking with army By Stephen Kalin and Isabel Coles (Reuters) Iraqi Special Forces made further advance s a g a i n s t I s l a m i c State in Mosul on Monday, pushing militants from another eastern district and edging closer to army units nearby, officers in the city said. The Counter Terrorism Service (CTS) said it was working to seize areas overlooking Mosul University in the city’s northeast, after taking over a nearby district. The ground troops and a U.S.-led coalition backing them launched rockets and air strikes against the militants, who responded with mortars and sniper fire. Residents trickled out of the conflict zone but many also returned to their homes in areas retaken from Islamic State in
recent days. The latest advances brought more of eastern Mosul under Iraqi forces’ control a day after elite units reached the Tigris river, as the U.S.-backed offensive to drive Islamic State from its last major stronghold in the country pressed ahead with renewed vigour. Reachi n g t h e r i v e r, which runs through the centre of the northern city where up to 1.5 million people are still thought to be living, will allow Iraqi forces to begin assaults on western districts still under Islamic State’s full control. The jihadists have fought back fiercely with suicide car bombs and snipers. Using a network of tunnels and operating close to Mosul’s civilian population, they slowed Iraqi advances in November and December.
They have also killed dozens of Iraqis in attacks in Baghdad and other cities as
it comes under increased pressure. “The Baladiyat
neighbourhood is done (recaptured) and Sukkar should be done before nightfall,”
Major-General Sami al-Aradi of the CTS told a Reuters reporter in Mosul.
U.S. Navy ship fired warning shots at Iranian vessels By Idrees Ali (Reuters) A U.S. Navy destroyer fired three warning shots at four Iranian fast-attack vessels near the Strait of Hormuz after they closed in at high speed and disregarded repeated requests to slow down, U.S. officials said on Monday. The incident, which occurred on Sunday and was first reported by Reuters, comes as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump prepares to
take office on Jan. 20. In September,Trump vowed that any Iranian vessels that harassed the U.S.NavyintheGulfwouldbe“shot out of the water.” “This was an unsafe and unprofessional interaction, and that is due to the fact that they were approaching at a high level of speed with weapons manned and disregarding repeated warnings,” Captain Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman, said in a briefing. The warning shots were
fired at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps boats by the USS Mahan after it established radio contact but failed to get them to slow down, Davis said, confirming earlier accounts of U.S. defence officials. Those officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the Iranian vessels came within 900 yards (800 meters) of the Navy destroyer, which was escorting two other U.S. military ships.
Northeast Nigeria bombers kill three in weekend violence upsurge Two separate attacks by suspected Boko Haram suicide bombers - one by a female duo, the other by three men - have killed three people in northeast Nigeria, police said on Monday. All the attackers died. The bombings late on Sunday in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state where the Boko Haram insurgency began, followed a bloody clash on Saturday in which five soldiers and more than 15 jihadist fighters died in neighbouring Yobe state. The violence marks a resurgence in attacks weeks after President Muhammadu Buhari said Boko Haram fighters had been pushed out of their last stronghold in the northeast where they have
been trying to set up an Islamic state. Maiduguri police said the women bombers claimed two victims there late on Sunday evening shortly after the male group had killed one person in the city. Nobody has claimed responsibility for the attacks but they bear the hallmarks of the group. The deaths in Yobe state came in Boko Haram attack on an army base in the remote town of Buni Yadi. The frequency of attacks had slowed down in the last few months, but security analysts say the spate of bombings in the last few weeks has coincided with the end of the rainy season, when movements in the bush are limited.
A man claiming to be Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau has appeared in a video denying Buhari’s statement that the group had been pushed out of the region. Boko Haram’s seven-yearold insurgency, which is aimed at creating an Islamic state in the northeast of Africa’s most populous nation, has killed about 15,000 people and displaced more than 2 million people. In early 2015, Boko Haram controlled an area about the size of Belgium. It has been pushed out of most of that territory over the past year by Nigeria’s army and troops from neighbouring countries, moving to a base in the Sambisa forest, a vast former game reserve in Borno state.
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Steelers rout Dolphins 30-12, advance to meet Kansas City (The Sports Xchange) The Pittsburgh Steelers’ dynamic B-team offensive trio of Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, a bitterly cold winter day and non-stop pressure by the blitzing defence created a 3012 AFC playoff game home rout of the Miami Dolphins on Sunday that wasn’t even that close. “The defence played great, and we went out to control the ball and score some touchdowns,” Bell said after the Steelers coasted into next Sunday’s AFC divisional game at Kansas City. The third-seeded
Steelers did all that and more in winning an NFL-best eighth in a row, one more than the top-seeded New England Patriots, who appear to be Pittsburgh’s biggest roadblock to playing in a ninth Super Bowl. “We had a lot of significant contributions. We had the big three running on offense and the defense stopped the run,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. Bell ran for two touchdowns and a team playoff record 167 yards, Brown caught two first-quarter touchdown passes of at least 50 yards and the Steelers’
pressure defense forced three turnovers. And Roethlisberger was nearly flawless in running the offense, which ran up 219 yards in the first quarter alone. The Steelers quickly built a 20-3 lead less than 18 minutes into the game and went on to only their second playoff win since last appearing in the Super Bowl during the 2010 season. Roethlisberger apparently injured an ankle on the next to last play of the game. Big Ben doesn’t know the severity, but he was spotted in a walking boot on his right
Tuesday January 10, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your personal life will be disrupted if you have been too busy with business. Chances are they are jealous. Your partner's a little jumpy. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You can expect insincere gestures of friendliness today. You can make new friends if you get involved in group activities. Take positive action. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Older family members may take advantage of you by making you feel guilty. Catch up on overdue paperwork. Be sure to think twice before you say something that might hurt your partner's feelings. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Someone may be trying to damage your reputation. Take time to do some writing, whether it's correspondence, poetry, or keeping a journal. Do something together and you'll be surprised how sweet a deal you can make. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Take advantage of your attributes and lure the mate of your choice. Do not be surprised if your partner doesn't understand your needs. You may have the energy to clear up that mound of paperwork facing you. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Expressing yourself in novel ways should lead you down new avenues. Try not to lose your cool, and make your point known.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Be careful; your ideas are good but make sure that you're realistic and start off on solid ground. Raise your self esteem and your confidence if you want to get back into the mainstream again. You can take advantage of opportunities if you are quick to make a move. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can develop your creative talents if you take the time to practice your art. Romantic opportunities may not be as they appear. Exhaustion combined with overindulgence could result in minor health problems. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Make sure all of your travel and driver's documents are in proper order. Finish projects that have been hanging over your head. Balance is required if you want stability. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You have been stagnating for some time now and you need a change of pace. You could come into extra cash. Problems with female members of your family may play on your emotions. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You can enjoy entertainment if you join in and follow the crowd for a change. You will be able to get to the bottom of things today. Talk to your emotional partner about your intentions. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Be careful while traveling. You'll have great insight. Family talks may get a little combative.
foot after the game. “We will find out soon, hopefully,” Roethlisberger said. “You’re always worried about being hurt, but I’ll be out there next week.” With backup quarterback Matt Moore pressured constantly while losing two fumbles and throwing an interception during a m i d - g a m e s p a n o f o n ly
three series, the mistake-ridden Dolphins didn’t come close to replicating their 3015 win over the Steelers on Oct. 16, which started Pittsburgh on a four-game losing streak. Jay Ajayi, who ran for 204 yards and two touchdowns in that game, was held to 33 yards on 16 carries and wasn’t a factor.
Wiese joins... (From page 27) gives anyone with a work permit from a country which has an associate trading agreement with the European Union the same rights as an EU worker. The exodus of cricketers and rugby players from South Africa to Europe for better paying careers is a rapidly growing problem for both sports, who struggle to hang on to their players because of the weakness of the South African rand. Abbott, Rossouw and Wiese have all fallen out of selection for South Africa’s T20 side, which was named by Cricket South Africa on Monday. PLAYERS RESTED Farhaan Berhardien was appointed stand-in captain and six uncapped players were named in the squad to play Sri Lanka later this month as South Africa rest senior players. Berhardien takes over from Faf du Plessis as skipper for the first two games in the three-match series which takes place on Jan. 20 (Pretoria), Jan. 22 (Johannesburg) and Jan. 25 (Cape Town). A captain for the third game will be named later. Du Plessis, Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock and Kagiso Rabada are among those being rested as South Africa have a heavy programme of tests and limited overs matches this year. “This is the last chance we have to (rest players) as the ODI series that follows (the three T20 internationals) is an important part of our build-up to the ICC Champions Trophy
tournament in England in the middle of the year,” said selection convener Linda Zondi. The six new caps in the T20 format are Jon-Jon Smuts, Theunis de Bruyn, Mangaliso Mosehle, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dane Paterson and Lungi Ngidi. Squad: Farhaan Behardien (capt), Theunis de Bruyn, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heino Kuhn, David Miller, Mangaliso Mosehle, Lungi Ngidi, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo and JonJon Smuts.
“We had a difficult time running the ball ... it took us time to get going,” Moore said. “We took time to get going, but it was difficult most of the day.” Especially for Moore, who was knocked out of the game for one play after taking a hard hit from linebacker Bud Dupree along the sideline while throwing a pass, then returned to turn the ball over on three consecutive possessions. The weather — the gametime temperature was 17 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 8 Celsius) — no doubt was a factor, as attested by line judge Carl Johnson’s frozen whistle. The Dolphins, who practiced all week in the warmth of south Florida for their first playoff game since 2008, huddled around sideline heaters all afternoon in a failed attempt to warm up an offense that never got going as chilly winds blew off the adjacent three rivers and into a frigid Heinz Field.
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Tuesday January 10, 2017
Behardien to lead in T20 as SA ring changes ESPNcricinfo - Farhaan Behardien will captain a new-look South African T20 outfit in their series against Sri Lanka later this month, which includes six new caps. The 13-man squad for the first two matches has only four members - Behardien, David Miller, Imran Tahir, Aaron Phangiso - who were part of South Africa’s last T20 matches at the World T20 in March 2016. Kyle Abbott, Rilee Rossouw and David Wiese were not considered because both have recently signed Kolpak deals to play in county cricket, thereby ending their international careers. The radical changes to the South Africa squad including resting regular skipper Faf du Plessis and several senior players such as Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Quinton de Kock and Kagiso Rabada - come as a result of a packed fixture list which has seen scant breaks since last November. South Africa had three weeks between their Tests in Australia to the home series against Sri Lanka and will only have four days between the end of that and their trip to New Zealand. They have identified the shortest format, which does not have
Farhaan Behardien will captain South Africa for the first time © AFP
a major tournament coming up until at least 2018, as the area they can afford to experiment in. “We have decided to rest some of our key senior players for this series,” Linda Zondi, convener of selector said. “This is the last chance we have to do this as the ODI series that follows is an important part of our build-up to the Champions Trophy tournament in England in the middle of the year. “Those senior players who are involved in the
Indian Premier League will be playing non-stop from now until the end of August with the tours coming up to New Zealand and England in addition to the ICC event.” There are two veterans who may return for the final fixture, though. AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel, neither of whom have played since the CPL in June because of elbow and back injuries respectively, are both due to play a List A game for Northerns on January 22, three days
before the final T20 in Cape Town. Should they come through that match unscathed, they will be considered for the last match and South Africa’s tour to New Zealand. Some of the new inclusions will also be eyeing that trip. Although South Africa play just one T20 in Auckland, they will know there are places up for grabs in the ODI squad, especially with the new ball. Andile Phehlukwayo, who was South Africa’s highest wicket-taker in the recent
ODI series against Australia and is likely to make his T20 debut against Sri Lanka, could be in contention for that role. Dane Paterson, the Cobras quick, will also fancy his chances. Paterson took just six wickets from nine matches at 39.00 in this season’s T20 competition but was in the top ten in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 editions. Titans bowler Lungi Ngidi, 20, who played a pivotal role in their victory in the domestic T20 final with 2 for 27 in four overs, is the other new face in the bowling department. Among the batsmen, some established players have been rewarded for seasons of consistency. JonJon Smuts from the Warriors, who topped the T20 competition run charts with 371 runs at 41.22, is among them. Heino Kuhn was seventh on the list and has the chance to add to his five T20 caps while Reeza Hendricks, who has played the same number of T20 internationals but did n o t p e r f o r m particularly well for the Lions, was also included. Theunis de Bruyn, who is the res erve batsmen in the Test squad and only played half
this season’s T20 matches but scored 195 runs at 48.75, has also been included. In the absence of de Kock and de Villiers, Mangaliso Mosehle is set to take the wicketkeeping gloves. Mosehle is also a handy middle-order batsman and finished eighth on the run list in the T20 tournament. A m o n g t h o s e overlooked were Rassie van der Dussen, who was fourth on the batting charts, Andrew Birch, who finished as the second highest wicket-taker, and Sisanda Magala, who was third. Chris Morris could not be considered because he has yet to make a comeback from a knee injury that has sidelined him for the last three months. Morris was due to play for the Titans in a first-class match last week but the fixture was rained out. South Africa T20 squad: Farhaan Behardien (capt), Theunis de Bruyn, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heino Kuhn, David Miller, Mangaliso Mosehle, Lungi Ngidi, Wayne Parnell, Dane Paterson, Aaron Phangiso, Andile Phehlukwayo, Jon-Jon Smuts
Harden triple-double lifts Rockets to 8th in row (The Sports Xchange) After producing his 10th triple-double of the season, it was a single-digit number that brought the biggest smile from James Harden. He had 40 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots, but when asked which of those numbers brought him the most satisfaction, the chose the blocks. “Key plays at the end of the game,” Harden said after the Houston Rockets’ 129122 comeback victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night. “It was a charge. Just try to do the intangible things to help out. Obviously, we know I can hit shots and whatnot, but just trying to do the small things that win games.” Both blocks were on To r o n t o s t a r D e M a r DeRozan, the second with 2:01 to play. The plays helped the Rockets, who trailed by 13 points in the third quarter, rally to extend
their winning streak to eight games. “They put their heads down, attacked our feet,” Raptors coach Dwane Casey said. “There was a stretch where we played good basketball for 39 minutes, but it is a 48-minute game, and we have to extend that.” Harden said the key to the Rockets’ success is unselfishness. “Helping each other out, having each other’s backs,” he said. “Offensively, we’re knocking down shots, we’re playing off the catch, we’re doing the small things to help each other out.” Harden registered at least a double-double in a 17th consecutive game. He also had two steals Sunday, and he committed 10 turnovers. “We had 15 turnovers as a team and I had 10 of them, and I’ve got the ball in my hands 90 percent of the time,” he said. “It’s going to happen. I can have 15 turnovers, as long as we
Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after sinking a basket during a 129-122 win over Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. (Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports) have 15 turnovers as a team, it doesn’t matter, who cares.” The Rockets were 2 of 11 in three-point attempts in the
first half and finished at 11 of 38 from beyond the arc. “Our defence got a lot tougher and we were able to get into the open floor and
made some good shots,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “Obviously, Trevor (Ariza) got off there and kept us in the
game. But we mostly got out in transition, either got fouled or got layups. That came from our defense.”
Tuesday January 10, 2017
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Maradona backs Infantino’s 48-team World Cup plan ZURICH (Reuters) Diego Maradona is delighted by plans to expand the World Cup to 48 teams and Argentina’s former captain said on Monday that it would rekindle interest in the tournament. The FIFA Council is expected to approve a proposal to expand the finals from 32 to 48 teams, starting in 2026, when it meets today. Maradona, one of the greatest players to grace the game, has been a long-time critic of FIFA but the two sides buried the hatchet last year after Gianni Infantino was elected president of the global soccer body to replace the disgraced Sepp Blatter. “I’m delighted by Gianni’s initiative because it gives chances to teams that otherwise would start the qualifiers knowing they had no chance of getting to the World Cup,” Maradona told reporters after a veterans’ match at FIFA headquarters. “It gives each country the dream and it renews the passion for football, it appears to me to be a fantastic idea,” added
Maradona, who captained Argentina to World Cup success in 1986. He said it was important for the sport that FIFA’s image improved after it was battered by a corruption scandal that has seen 40 individuals and two sports marketing companies indicted in the United States. “We want a FIFA that is clean so people come back to the stadiums, with so much corruption people have got tired of always seeing the same thing,” said the 56year-old. Maradona was a frequent critic of Infantino’s predecessor Sepp Blatter and claimed there was “a mafia” inside FIFA. He had also previously criticised Infantino, saying it was “very wrong to go from drawing the lots to running for FIFA president.” The remark was a reference to Infantino’s previous role as general secretary of European soccer governing body UEFA, where his duties included supervising draws for European competitions.
Diego Armando Maradona (L) in action during the FIFA Legends tournament ahead of the FIFA awards ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland. (REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann)
Haiti earns Gold Cup qualifying playoff spot Couva, Trinidad & Tobago – Haiti (2W-0D-0L, 6 points) remained alive for a p l a c e i n t h i s y e a r ’s CONCACAF Gold Cup thanks to earning a 4-3 win after extra time over host Trinidad & Tobago (0-0-2, 0) on Sunday at Ato Boldon Stadium. The victory gave the Haitians the top spot in the 2016/17 Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup fifthplace playoff, setting up a two-game series against the fifth-place side in the Copa Centroamericana, which opens Friday in Panama City. Under Caribbean Cup rules, every match must have a winner, even if a penalty shootout is required. As a result, following a 2-2 draw at the end of 90 minutes, Haiti ended up with all points on the strength of a pair of goals from Andrew Jean-Baptiste, who made it 3-2 and 4-3. Shahdon Winchester leveled at 3-3 for T&T in the 113th minute with his third
goal of a thrilling encounter. The Trinidadians needed a two-goal win in order to progress and Winchester played his part to halve that number in the first minute, when he netted from the top of the six-yard box off a Nathan Lewis feed. Haiti capitalised on an injury to T&T’s Carlos Edwards to equalise in the 20th minute. With the Soca Warriors trying to get a replacement on for their captain, Derrick Etienne received in the left side of the penalty area Kervens Belfort’s quickly taken free kick and curled a rightfooted effort brilliantly into the far-side netting. Five minutes later, Trinidad was back on top. Referee Ricangel De Leca whistled Haiti goalkeeper Guerry Romondt for time wasting in the right side of the box. Without hesitation, Aikim Andrews put the ball down and slid a pass for Winchester to slot into a gaping net with his right foot from 12-yards out.
The sides were back on level terms in the 39th minute as Belfort headed home from three yards off Charles Herold’s left-sided corner kick. A scoreless second half led to an extra 30 minutes of play with the three points still up for grabs, giving T&T another opportunity to gain a two-goal margin of victory. In the 111th minute, though, another left-sided corner by Herold connected with a head. On this occasion, Baptiste was the recipient and, despite the best efforts of Hughtun Hector to prevent a goal, the ball crossed the line. Trinidad knotted the score at 3-3 in the 113th minute through Winchester, who coolly swept Radanfah Abu Bakr’s flicked header off a long ball into the back of the net to complete his hat-trick. Jean-Baptiste’s header at the right post – courtesy of Herold’s left-sided free kick – settled matters in 117th minute. (CONCACAF)
Wiese joins South Africa exit on Kolpak contract CAPE TOWN (Reuters) David Wiese became the latest South African cricketer to forego future national team selection after signing a so-called Kolpak contract to compete in county cricket and bringing to an abrupt end to his international limited overs career. The 31-year-old fast
bowler has played 20 T20 matches for South Africa and six one-day internationals but is no longer eligible to play for his country after penning a three year deal with Sussex. A player becomes eligible for a Kolpak deal when he gives up the right to play for his country and is not classed as an overseas
player in country cricket. Last week, South Africa’s Kyle Abbott and Rilee Rossouw caused a storm when they quit the international arena to sign for Hampshire on Kolpak contracts. The contracts are named after a Slovak handball player who won a ruling that (Continued on page 25)
After a year of hectic... (From page 29) qualifying rounds for the National Senior Chess Championship. After seven rounds of intense action, characterized by cunning plays and maneuvers, former National Senior Champion, Taffin Khan, distinguished himself, finishing on top of the heap with 7 points. The other qualifiers were Anthony Drayton (5 ½), Davion Mars (5 ½), Roberto Neto (5), David Khan (4 ½), Joshua Ferdinand (4 ½) and Akile Theophil (4). The Annual General Meeting was scheduled for May 15 last year and the incumbent President, Irshad
Mohamed, had indicated a disinterest in seeking reelection. However, the AGM could not have been conducted devoid of several variables including the allimportant financial report. As such, his team of executives sought the intervention of an auditor out of the Hughes and Stoby law firm in Hadfield Street. With the audit now completed, the executive will hold the AGM on Sunday January 29. Details pertaining to this function will be forthcoming. The defending champion is Wendell Meusa. Meanwhile, a
representative team of chess players paid a courtesy call on President David Granger early in December and used the opportunity to solicit his support for the sport. The Head of State had subsequently committed to such support and to play a more active role in its development. This is now a new dispensation and one of the key objectives of GCF administrators is the continuation of the National Chess training programme for over 1000 children under the expert tutelage of Mr. Meusa.
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Tuesday January 10, 2017
Who is Duanne Olivier?
ESPNcricinfo - South Africa’s cricketing conveyor belt has produced another quick bowler, Duanne Olivier, who could make his international debut in the third Test against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg this week. Olivier is a 24-year-old seamer based in Bloemfontein, who led the first-class bowling charts halfway through the season and was picked as a replacement for Kolpak signee Kyle Abbott. Although relatively unknown to most outside the c o u n t r y, h e h a s b e e n knocking on the door for the last few months and was S o u t h A f r i c a ’s m o s t successful seam bowler on the A team’s tour of Australia last winter with six wickets from two matches at 29.50. Olivier is known for his versatility which includes the ability to strike upfront, contain through the middle period and make use of reverse swing at the back end. With a Test cap on the horizon, Olivier spoke to ESPNcricinfo about his background, his bowling and his plans for the future.
Duanne Olivier, in action for South Africa Under-19s on their tour of England in 2011 © Getty Images
Schooled at Centurion High, Olivier played rugby, as a fullback, and participated in athletics before an injury in the 10th grade made him shift his focus to cricket. He was coached by the umpire Johan Cloete but it was not all smooth sailing. A stress fracture of the back in his final school year almost derailed his career. “My action was a bit
rotated so it was causing some back issues. I did some work to make my action smoother and easier to get through. Now I am more front-on.” At the under-19 week in December 2010, he played just two matches for Northerns, taking eight wickets at 25.25, but caught the eye of the Knights franchise and was offered a deal to study and
Beaton to play for Guyana in Super50 Practice games set for tomorrow & Friday at Providence Essequibian fast bowler Ronsford Beaton has confirmed to Chairman of the Guyana Selectors Rayon Griffith that he will play for Guyana in the Regional Super50 slated for January 24 to February 18. Griffith said while he is not aware of what transpired between Beaton and Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB) he had confirmation from the pacer that he would play for Guyana and has been training with the local Franchise squad all the time. There was some confusion over the selection of the Montserrat-born pacer after Chief Operations Officer (COO) of the LICB, Ve r n o n S p r i n g e r t o l d Antigua’s Daily Observer that Beaton was one of the ‘overseas’ players expected to join the Leewards franchise ahead of a preparatory camp at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground which was scheduled to start yesterday. “We have 20 guys who will be here over the next couple of days or over the
next two weeks and we are going to have some trial games. We promised you we are going to have the best franchise and whatever it takes, we are going to make sure it works,” he had said. “The other big name for you is Ronsford Beaton — the Guyanese fast bowler — who is also going to be part of our 20-man squad, and from last year we would have had Daron Cruickshank who is also coming back into the One Day squad,” Springer continued. Beaton made his FirstClass debut in 2011 against England Lions at Providence and has since played 33 games at this level taking 64 wickets. His List ‘A’ came two years later in Antigua against the Leeward Islands. He has 25 wickets for 18 matches in this format. Beaton tour Sri Lanka with the West Indies ‘A’ team in October last and played three 50-over games. He missed the last two First-Class fixtures for Guyana Jaguars and played two t20 games for
Dynamites in the BPL in Dhaka. Beaton has played for, Essequibo (Youth & Senior) Guyana Under-19s, West Indies Under-19s, Guyana, Central Essequibo, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Trinbago Knight Riders, GCC, West Indies ‘A’ and Dynamites. Griffith informed that the Jaguars, who depart for Barbados on January 21, will have two practice games at Providence tomorrow and Friday. Both games are scheduled to commence at 09:00hrs. The Jaguars play in Zone B along with last year’s runners-up Barbados Pride, Jamaica Scorpions, Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners and the ICC Americas. The Jaguars face off with host Pride at the Kensington Oval in one of two first round games while the Jamaica Scorpions battles the CCC Marooners at 3Ws Oval Barbados on January 24. The zone ‘A’ matches commences the next day in Antigua. (Sean Devers)
play there. He started a degree in accounting but s w i t c h e d t o a correspondence course in business management when his cricketing career became more serious in recent seasons. “It was quite difficult to
get a regular spot in the team because for a long time we had a lot of senior players like Quinton Friend and Johan van der Wath so I had to wait my turn. But I knew I just had to work hard and I would get my chance. I worked a lot with Nicky Boje and Allan Donald. Nicky has really helped us all with goal-setting and Allan has been good with me about developing certain game plans. I like to bowl when the ball is a bit older, I enjoy the challenge. If the wicket and condition allow, reverseswing can be part of my game. I am really enjoying my cricket at the Knights they have been really good to me.” Last Thursday morning, before there was official confirmation that the Newlands Test was Abbott’s last, Olivier received a call from convener of selectors Linda Zondi, informing him of his inclusion in the squad for the third Test. “I was quite shocked. I
always wanted to play for my country but I didn’t expect it so soon. I have played with some of the guys on A tours but this is going to be a new experience for me.” He is represented by Weber van Wyk, the same agent who secured Kolpak deals for Abbott, Rilee Rossouw and David Wiese but indicated he is not looking to go the same way. “I want to play as long as possible for my country. When I am playing, I don’t think about stuff off the field. I haven’t considered a Kolpak deal.” Olivier made his franchise debut at the Wanderers in 2014, where he took 1 for 30 in the first innings. He has only played one other first-class match at the venue, in March last year and took seven wickets as the Knights stormed to a 10wicket win. “Every bowler likes to play at the Wanderers so if I get the opportunity I’m sure I will make the most of it.”
Ronaldo wins FIFA’s player of the year award ZURICH (Reuters) Cristiano Ronaldo won FIFA’s player of the year award for the fourth time yesterday, beating his old rival Lionel Messi who was pulled out of the ceremony only a few hours earlier by his club Barcelona. Italian Claudio Ranieri won the coach of the year award for leading rank outsiders Leicester City to the English Premier League title. Ronaldo was rewarded for his performance in 2016 when he won the Champions League with his club Real Madrid and then Euro 2016 with Portugal. Five-times winner and four-times runner-up Messi was second and Frenchman Antoine Griezmann third. Barcelona said that tomorrow’s game against Athletic Bilbao would take priority over the ceremony and that none of their invited players would travel, which disappointed Ronaldo. “I would like Messi to have been here today but they have an important game on Wednesday (tomorrow) and we can understand that,” he said after accepting the award from FIFA president
Gianni Infantino. “I don’t have much more to say, I think the awards speak for themselves,” he added. “I’m very happy and I can say that 2016 was the best year of my career, the trophy shows that people aren’t blind and watch the games.” FIFA, which organised the award jointly with France Football magazine from 2010 to 2015 when it was named the Ballon d’Or, rebranded it as “The Best” this year after splitting with the French publication. France Football continued with its own award which was also won by Ronaldo last month. The ceremony, previously held at the Kongresshaus theatre in central Zurich, this year took place in the much more modest setting of a television studio on an industrial estate near the airport. Ronaldo previously won in 2008, 2013, 2014 with Messi second on each occasion. Messi won from 2009-12 and then again in 2015 with Ronaldo second on every occasion except in 2010 when Andres Iniesta was runner-up.
Ranieri said he was “crazy” after winning the coach’s award ahead of Fernando Santos, who led Portugal to the Euro 2016 title. “I am crazy now,” he said. “What happened last season in England was something strange. The football gods said Leicester must win.” Colombian side Atletico Nacional were given the Fair Play Award for conceding to Copa Sudamericana title to Brazilian side Chapecoense, whose team was decimated when a plane taking to the final crashed, killing 71 people. “We did nothing more than what we had to do....handing them this trophy as a gesture of hope,” said club president Juan Carlos de La Cuesta. American Carli Lloyd won the women’s player of the year award for the second year in a row. Mohd Faiz Subri, of Malaysian Super League side Penang, won the goal of the year award for a 35-metre free kick in which the ball dipped and swung in a bewildering fashion to leave the goalkeeper stranded.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 10, 2017
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After a year of hectic activity the GCF proudly thumps its ‘Chess’
Maria Varona Thomas By Michael Benjamin 2017 is merely 10 days old and even as the executives and affiliates of t h e m a n y Associations/Federations revel in last year’s struggles and challenges, they are also reflecting on the determination and grit of their charges that staunchly stood their ground despite severe financial and other difficulties. Boxing, cricket, basketball and the myriad of other disciplines have all experienced debilitating fortunes yet have managed to battle through those vicissitudes and end the year in good stead. Unlike these disciplines, chess cannot claim a top spot as a
Akili Theophil
spectator sport but last year’s achievement by top players has placed the sport among the prolific disciplines of note and the administrators are now thumping their ‘chess’ in delight. Chess players were kept busy, engaged in several locally organized tournaments punctuated by a few overseas outings. Maybe their most crowning moment was their trip to 42nd chess Olympiad in B ak u , A zer b aijan an d despite not procuring top accolades, GCF administrators felt that the experience garnered from competing among the best players in the world would stand the local players in
Taffin Khan
Wendel Meusa
good stead in future engagements. The Guyana delegation consisted of 6 males, Candidate Masters (CM) Wendell Muesa, Anthony Drayton, Taffin Khan and Ronuel Greenidge. The other two male players were Haifeng Su and Roberto Neto. T h e d i s t a f f representation consisted of Woman Candidate Masters (WCM), Maria Varona Thomas and Sherrifa Ali, Julia Clementson, Yolanda Persaud and Jessica Clementson. Muesa also doubled as the coach. The players also engaged in several international tournaments including the Sub Zonal 4-5-1 in Barbados
as well as the Suriname 4thIndependence championship in that country. Muesa was to have attended the South American Chess Championship staged at the Princess Ramada Hotel, Paramaribo, from November 20-28 but he retracted at the last moment paving the way for Davion Mars who turned in a commendable performance, finishing at #14 of the 31 contestants. Indeed, chess players have stuck up their fingers as serious contenders among the other disciplines through the exploits of players the likes of former National Junior and Senior champions Taffin Khan, former junior
champion, Anthony Drayton, current (senior) National Champion, Wendell Meusa, Maria Verona Thomas and Sheriffa Ali. Additionally, there were a plethora of young players who, despite not placing among the top guns, have demonstrated talent for the future. One of those that stood out was 14 years old Akile Theophil, who stood his ground among his more experienced counterparts to qualify for the imminent Senior Chess Tournament. Several local tournaments also complimented the international engagements including the Trophy Stall Open, St Stanislaus Chess
Club tournament, the Mashramani Cup, Sasha Cells tournament, Andrew Arts Memorial, Deaf Chess tournament, the ECI Open, Linden Rapid Challenge chess tournament, Mike’s Pharmacy Jubilee and Marian Academy Inter school championship. The GCF also successfully staged the qualifying rounds for the Junior Championships and subsequently the actual tournament. Saeed Ali had defied the odds to snatch the title from tournament favourite, WCM Shariffa Ali. Shortly afterwards, the senior players went head to head for honours in the (Continued on page 27)
Bekele to run London with eye on world record LONDON (Reuters) Tr i p l e O l y m p i c t r a c k champion Kenenisa Bekele, the second-fastest marathon runner in history, will make another attempt at claiming the world record over the classic 26.2 mile distance when he leads a stellar field for the London marathon in April. Ethiopian Bekele, widely regarded as the greatest distance runner of all time and world record holder over 10,000 and 5,000 meters, ran two hours, three minutes and three seconds when winning Berlin last September, six seconds outside Dennis Kimetto’s world record of 2:02:57 set on the same course in 2014. Having been left out of the Ethiopian team for the Rio Olympics a month earlier it was a clear message from Bekele that he had mastered the marathon after initially producing very good, but not world bestthreatening times in his first forays over the distance.
The 34-year-old, with five track world titles to his name over 10,000m and 5,000, finished third in London last year behind Kenyan duo Eliud Kipchoge and Stanley Biwott and Kipchoge’s course record of 2:03:05 and Kimetto’s world mark will both be in his sights. “London is the greatest marathon in the world and I would love to win there,” Bekele said in a statement issued by race organizers revealing the lineup on Monday. “The field is always the best and victory means so much. After finishing third last year, I know what I need to do to win.” Biwott, who won the 2 0 1 5 N e w Yo r k C i t y Marathon, is likely to be Bekele’s main rival as he leads the Kenyan challenge in the absence of two-time champion Kipchoge. Biwott finished runner-up in 2014, fourth in 2015 and second again last year in a personal best of 2:03:51.
Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia crosses the finish line to win the men’s 5000m race at the IAAF Golden League Memorial Van Damme athletics meeting in Brussels September 4, 2009. (REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File Photo) The leading pair are two of seven in the field who have run under 2:06, while the race will also feature two marathon world champions, three of the top five finishers
f r o m l a s t s u m m e r ’s Olympics, and the winners o f t h e A b b o t t Wo r l d Marathon Majors races in Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago and New York in 2016. Abel Kirui, who won the
world marathon title in 2011 and 2013, returns to London for the first time since 2012 when he was fifth, four months before winning Olympic silver in the same city.
Eritrean Ghirmay Ghebreslassie, who became th e y o u n g e s t w o r l d marathon champion when he took the 2015 world title in Beijing at 19, also runs.
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Tuesday January 10, 2017
GTTA commits to monthly competitions to improve domestic programme -Season serves off next week with Novices’ Challenge T h e G u y a n a Ta b l e Tennis Association (GTTA) will serve off its 2017 calendar of activities with a Doubles, Novices and Fundamental Table Tennis Challenge competition scheduled for January 20-22 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue. According to a GTTA Press Release, the tournament will be held “with an emphasis on ensuring that much more domestic competitions across the length and breadth of Guyana are played”. Additionally, the aim is to keep the players training to improve their technical and tactical skills and to
market the sport. “The association has mapped out an active domestic calendar which will see competitions occurring every month,” the association said. The Doubles, Novices and Fundamental Table Tennis Challenge will comprise the following events: Novices Open Challenge Boys and Girls; Senior Doubles Open; Junior Doubles Open; Pre-Cadet Doubles Open; Mixed Doubles; Junior Fundamental Challenge Open; Junior Fundamental Challenge Open; Pre Cadet Fundamental Challenge Open “The Fundamental
Challenge will follow a format where players can select a partner whom they will team with to compete in a knockout competition against other pairs drawn, engaging in one-minute forehand rally, one-minute backhand rally and oneminute pushes. The pair with the highest collective total/aggregate of completed rallies will advance to the next round through the finals to determine the winner. These tournaments are geared at serving off the year of activities with grassroots competition as a lead to more intense and bigger
competitions. There will be an emphasis on orienting players to the critical importance of the fundamental aspects of the game in a competitive and fun way. The GTTA said that trophies, medals and other prizes will be awarded to the top two finishers in the doubles and fundamental challenge and to the top three players in the novice’s category. The interested participants can register with table tennis coach and general Secretary, Linden Johnson on telephone number 621-7630 or email lindenj20032003@yahoo.co m.
GTTA President, Godfrey Munroe
Revenge of the Hail Mary propels Packers over Giants Green Bay Packers tight end Jared Cook (89) runs past New York Giants outside linebacker Jonathan Casillas (52) in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. (Dan Powers/The Post-Crescent via USA TODAY Sports)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) celebrates as he leaves the field after defeating the New York Giants in the NFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lambeau Field. (Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports)
(The Sports Xchange) The Green Bay Packers beat the New York Giants 38-13 on Sunday thanks in no small measure to a Hail Mary touchdown that provided sweet revenge. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who shocked the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals with end-ofgame Hail Mary touchdowns last season, stunned the Giants with a 42-yard Hail Mary touchdown to Randall Cobb on the final play of the first half of Sunday’s NFC wild card playoff game at frigid Lambeau Field in
Green Bay. That play gave the Packers a 14-6 half-time lead en route to a date at topseeded Dallas in the divisional round next Sunday. In 2011, the Packers went 15-1 in the regular season but were routed 3720 by the Giants in a divisional game at Lambeau. On the final play of the first half of that game, Eli Manning connected with Hakeem Nicks for a 37-yard Hail Mary touchdown to give the Giants a 20-10 lead. This time, Rodgers rolled out to his right and
uncorked a high pass into the end zone. Cobb was behind four Giants defenders and the ball dropped over their hands and into the waiting mitts of Cobb. Cobb, who had missed the past two games with an injured ankle, added two touchdowns in the second half — tying an NFL playoff record with three touchdown receptions — and Rodgers destroyed a Giants defence with three All-Pros in the secondary for 362 yards and four touchdowns. Rodgers led the Packers to their seventh consecutive
win. During that span, he has thrown 19 touchdown passes and zero interceptions. The Giants were down, but they weren’t out after the Hail Mary, thanks in part to a controversial decision by Packers coach Mike McCarthy early in the third quarter. Facing a fourth-and-1 from its 42, McCarthy kept the offense on the field and the Giants stuffed running back Ty Montgomery. One play later, the Giants were in the end zone when Manning found Tavarres King for a 41-yard touchdown.
The Packers, however, answered. Having moved the ball to midfield, Rodgers went after slot cornerback Trevin Wade, who was in the game for injured veteran standout Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. First, it was a 20-yard gain over the middle to Davante Adams. Then it was a 30-yard catch-and-run touchdown by Cobb to put Green Bay in front 21-13. On the ensuing kickoff, New York’s Bobby Rainey fielded the ball at the sideline but couldn’t keep his balance, stepping out of bounds at the 3.
The Packers forced a punt and took advantage of great field position to tack on a 32-yard field goal by Mason Crosby. The Giants needed an answer but couldn’t get it, with Odell Beckham unable to hold onto a third-down pass in which he was wide open for a big gain. Manning threw for 299 yards, but Beckham, just like the Week 5 loss to the Packers at Lambeau, was a nonfactor. In a playoff debut, Beckham caught four passes for 28 yards while being targeted 11 times.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday January 10, 2017
UWI T20 in T&T
Belligerent Singh powers DCC into tomorrow’s Q/finals
By Sean Devers A couple of belligerent unbeaten half-centuries by Gajanand Singh powered an exhausted DCC line-up of Guyana to tomorrow’s Quarter-Final of the University of the West Indies (UWI) T20 tournament against Police with back-toback victories on Sunday at the UWI ground in St Augustine Trinidad. The 29-year-old Berbician has two FirstClass half-centuries in 10 matches but has not played for Guyana since 2011 when he made nine against the England Lions at Providence. After a self imposed exile from the game, he has resurrected his career by returning to form and more importantly to fitness, an area which has affected his career in the past. The former West Indies U-19 left-hander smashed 64 not out decorated with
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Gajanand Singh seven fours and a six from 44 balls in the 14:00hrs game and followed it up with a pugnacious undefeated 56 from 38 balls with 10 boundaries in the 19:00hrs encounter under lights when he was backed up by
Kemol Savory wicketkeeper Kemol Savory, who made 58. It was a tiring trip for the Guyanese team who only arrived in Carnival Country at noon on Sunday morning to play their first game at 14:00hrs the same day
Windies Women to train in England for World Cup
before their second match commenced at 19:00hrs under lights. In their opening match, DCC restricted DSH United to 158-8 from 20 overs with Trinidad & Tobago’s opener William Perkins stroking an entertaining 56 before he was removed by Guyana U19 pacer Sherfane Rutherford. After Red Force batsman Yannick Ottley (31) fell to Steven Sankar, nobody else
got into double figures as Cohen Ismond (2-26) who opened the bowling with Ashmead Nedd (1-19), Kemo Paul 2-31, Rutherford 2-19 and Singh 1-22 with his right-arm off-spin, all bowled well. DCC galloped to 162-4 from 16 overs with Singh leading the way with his delightful half-century after fellow opener Andrew Lyght Jnr (4) fell in the second over to First-Class off-spinner Jason Mohamed, who also got rid of Ismond (3) and when Rutherford fell for five DCC were in trouble. But Savory clobbered six fours and two sixes from just 24 balls before he was bowled by former T&T and West Indies ‘A’ team pacer Richard Kelly for a pugnacious 58. Derwin Christian (15*) joined Singh to see DCC home. Mohammed had 2-9 from 3 overs. In the second game, Moosai Sports were bowled out in 18 overs for 98 despite 41 from Yohan Primo as Paul (3-18), Carmichael (2-20) and Rutherford (2-26) did the damage for the lads from Queenstown, Guyana. DCC reached 103-3 in 12
overs with Singh again showing excellent form and although Lyght (4) again failed to get going at the top of the order, Sachin Singh (16), Paul (12) and guest player Kelon Carmichael with an undefeated 12 with two fours from eight balls, saw DCC to victory. The Queenstown club produced Guyana’s first Test player Maurius Fernandes, who in 1930 at Bourda led the West Indies to their first ever Test victory at the venue. Test players Lance Gibbs, Clive Lloyd, Roy Fredericks, Roger Harper and Travis Dowlin have also played for DCC, who has been invited to a t20 tournament in Trinidad for the second time. However, the last time, in 2008, would have been a forgettable experience when DCC were controversially dumped out of the WIPA t20 festival at the second round stage. Coach Gavin Nedd, the forme r G u y a n a O ff Spinner, says despite the initial travel woes and hectic playing schedule, he is confident that his team will go all the way this time.
Ariel, Superior Woods victorious
West Indies Women’s players celebrate victory in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Tournament last year. (WICB Media photo) ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, C M C – We s t I n d i e s Women’s bid to win the ICC Women’s World Cup will begin with a two-week training camp in England. The West Indies Cricket Board announced yesterday details of the training which will lead into the global tournament that starts on June 26. Windies Women secured one of the four automatic qualification spots for the eight-team tournament on the strength of their performance in the ICC Women’s Championship over the last two years.
“We made arrangements for the team to assemble in England in early June for their camp ahead of the World Cup,” said WICB Project Officer for Women’s cricket Josina Luke. “We want to offer them all the support we can as we look to add the 50-overs World title to the Twenty20 World title.” Luke said: “This should provide them with ideal preparation, as they get acclimatised to the conditions and look to win another major international title. “The team has improved
a lot since the last World Cup in India, when they reached their first international final. We are good contenders to win this time around.” The Windies Women were runners-up at the last ICC Women’s World Cup, when they lost the final against Australia Women four years ago in Mumbai, India. Last April however, they claimed their first global title, when they prevailed over the Aussie Women to capture the ICC Women’s World T20 title at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India.
Ariel and Superior Woods recorded victories in two softball matches played on Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club. Ariel defeated Rebel XI by four wickets in the first encounter. Batting first, Rebel XI managed 138-8 of their allotted 15 overs with Davendra Narine scoring 36
including five sixes while Fidel Singh made 24, Oslyn Batson 23 and Danny Mohnaram 15. Rudy Rodrigues and Peter Persaud took two wickets each. Ariel responded with 140-6 in 14.1 overs. Rodrigues led with 40 while Persaud got 27. Singh and Narine took two wickets each. Superior Woods overcame
HS Masters by three runs in their encounter. Superior Woods batted first and scored 143-6 in 15 overs. Clyde Hoyte struck 29 while Ron Ramnauth made 18. Ariel were restricted to 1405 in 15 overs in reply. Devendra Narine stroked 40, while Chien Gittens made 27 and Yunnis Yusuf 19.
t r o Sp Beaton to play for Ronaldo wins FIFA’s Guyana in Super50 player of the year award Practice games set for tomorrow & Friday at Providence
Ronsford Beaton will turn out for the Guyana Jaguars. ©LatinContent/Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates as he receives the Men’s Player of the Year trophy from the FIFA President. (REUTERS/Ruben Sprich)
Haiti earns Gold Cup qualifying playoff spot
Haiti players and staff celebrate after beating host Trinidad & Tobago on January 8, 2017, in Couva, to finish first in the Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup fifth-place playoff. (Photo: CA-Images)
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