Monday January 15, 2018
Mentally ill escaped prisoner shot dead outside Constabulary Outpost - City Constable, Lance Corporal detained Just a day after he was taken into custody, mentally ill Tiger Bay resident Marlon Fredericks was shot dead in front of his mother and several bystanders, after he ran out of the Bourda City Constabulary Outpost, where he was being detained. Fredericks, 34, died at around 13.00 hrs yesterday, after he was shot in the back, allegedly by a Lance Corporal from the City Hall Constabulary. The Lance Corporal and a City Hall constable have been detained. Fredericks had been in custody since Saturday in connection with several assault and simple larceny charges, and for assaulting a peace officer. It is alleged that Fredericks and two others were in custody at City Constabulary Outpost at Regent Street and Bourda, Georgetown, when he forced his way out of the lockup when ranks opened a door to allow another prisoner to use the toilet. A rank at the City Constabulary office tried to restrain Fredericks, who wrestled free from the rank and others. The Lance Corporal then shot Fredericks in his lower back with a service pistol. The matter has been turned over to the Guyana Police Force for investigation and the rank is in custody assisting with investigations. However, statements were taken from the other prisoners and ranks on the scene at the time of the incident. The dead man’s mother, Claudette Fredericks told Kaieteur News that she was on her way to see her son at the Constabulary Outpost since she received a called from the Lance Corporal, who said her son requested to speak with her. Mrs. Fredericks confirmed that her son had suffered from mental illness for over 10 years. She revealed that he was also a frequent cocaine user. “When I near reach at the outpost, I saw my son
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Marlon Frederick when he was arrested on Saturday running coming towards me, he was eight to ten feet away from me. I shouted and told him stop because the constable was behind him. The next thing I heard was a loud noise and my son dropped to the ground.” The woman said that after she saw her son on the ground she started to scream and asked for assistance to take her son to the hospital, but she was told that ranks had to wait until police arrived. The ambulance arrived one hour later. An emotional Fredericks added “I just want to know why he had to aim so high to shoot him. My son was already in a weak state because of the severe beating (during Saturday’s arrest). He could have aimed for his feet or just grab him because he was close to him.” Another eyewitness who saw the entire ordeal stated that Fredericks whose head was wrapped in a bandage, saw his mother approaching and ran outside to meet her. The man added that after Fredericks’ mother saw him running towards her she shouted and told him to stop after she realised that a city constable was chasing him. The man added that he saw Fredericks stretch out his hands to hug his mother but before the prisoner could make
physical contact with her the city constable discharged a round in the running man’s direction. A market vendor who was also nearby when the incident occurred stated that it took over an hour for the dead man’s body to be removed from where he was shot. He added that he is of the opinion that the now dead man should not have been shot since he was unarmed and in a lot of pain from the injuries he received the previous day. “Everybody in this market could tell you that the same constable that killed the man is very arrogant. He always walking around with his gun in his hand and pointing at people.” Other persons who were gathered at the scene lamented that the constable acted irresponsibly. Fredericks was arrested on Saturday by ranks at the City Constabulary who wanted him for questioning. Several videos posted on social media showed Frederick being kicked before being taken into custody. The body is presently at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem. The weapon along with eight live rounds and a spent shell have been lodged as investigation continues.
The mortally wounded, Marlon Frederick
State employees to undergo financial crimes training in 2018 The Ministry of Legal Affairs is set to host a number of anti-corruption and sensitisation seminars this year. According to Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, the anticipated CFATF programme is among the list of training projects. The AG noted that the State is slated to host anti corruption workshops in all the regions as part of efforts to sensitise all employees of the Government. “We need to keep the financial economy clean from dirty drug money and money laundering and also to educate employees about the importance of not purloining or stealing state assets,” Williams said. As such, he noted that an assessors training programme will be held in Guyana from January 22-26, 2018. The programme is expected to attract some 50 participants from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) from around the region. Additionally, the AG announced that there will be a prosecutors and judges’ conference, which will be cosponsored by the Commonwealth Secretariat and CFATF. Meanwhile, the Legal Affairs Minister announced that his Ministry will continue to provide support as the Special Organised Crime Unit,
- Legal Affairs Minister
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams (SOCU) continues to investigate and prosecute financial crimes. As it relates to the operation of the Deeds and Commercial and Land Registries, the Legal Affairs Minister noted that the goal is to have the system fully digitalised. This will enable persons to access the electronic registries without having to leave their homes or place of businesses. Also on the agenda for 2018, are efforts to tackle overcrowding in the prisons. This, Williams explained, will include a collaborative
programme between the InterAmerican Development Bank and the Government, towards reducing the high concentration prison population in Guyana. On the legislative agenda, the AG said is the highly anticipated Whistleblower Protection Bill and the State Asset Recovery Act of 2017. In response to queries about the decriminalisation of marijuana, Minister Williams noted that the Law Reform Commission has the responsibility of recommending alternative sentencing. “In other words, instead of fixing jail sentences, upon conviction, you have some other alternative sentence,” he noted. But he said the matter of decriminalising yet to be discussed at the cabinet level. Pointing to a study on the effects of the use of marijuana, Williams emphasised however that it is something that should be considered and attract much consultations. He stressed on the need for public education on the effects of marijuana as well. Added to that Williams said legislation dealing with Corporal Punishment, the decriminalising of same-sex relationships and the Death Penalty, the AG disclosed, are set for discussion at the cabinet level but at a later date.
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Monday January 15, 2018
KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
A MILESTONE IN GUYANA
Someone once said that politics is the way that people in groups make decisions. It is about politicians making agreements between people so that they can live together in groups in cities or countries. Another suggested that without politics, society, even when perfect, will be a jungle. And not to be overly philosophical, politics is the art or science to guide or influence governmental policy and how people, especially politicians deal with issues, disappointment and any range of expression. It is within this context that we in 2018 should remember our political icons, especially the late Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan for their sterling contributions to Guyana’s political tapestry and for being acclaimed our founding fathers. Collectively, they have given almost a century of political leadership to Guyanese at home and abroad and have enriched the lives of thousands in Guyana and across the globe. Too often, we do not appreciate their brilliance, effort, commitment and sacrifice to end colonialism in Guyana. The mileage they have given Guyana cannot be over-emphasised. But it was Forbes Burnham who charted a new course for Guyana, following its independence on May 26, 1966. February this year, which coincidentally will be Guyana’s 48 Republic Anniversary is also the 95th birth anniversary of Guyana’s first executive president, Forbes Burnham and the 100th for Cheddi Jagan. Elected to office in December 1964, Forbes Burnham was designated Executive President and Head of State following a change in the Constitution in 1980. It was a milestone achievement for Guyana. Burnham believed in a cooperative socialist model for development, which he referred to as Cooperative Socialism. During his tenure as Head of State, he gradually adopted a non-capitalist path to nation-building. His own philosophical convictions impelled him to take control of the commanding heights of the economy to establish national institutions to buttress his socialist agenda of making the small man a real man. At the international level, he established diplomatic and trade relationships with the world’s socialist community as Guyana became an activist State within the Non-Aligned Movement, and championed ardently and unapologetically the cause of the African Liberation Movement, and indeed, the liberation of the oppressed peoples the world over. Regionally, Burnham mobilised the leadership of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in the direction of regional cooperation and trade. Born during the era of colonial oppression, Forbes Burnham understood and experienced the concepts of exploitation, inequity and indignity. He was a brilliant son of the soil and proceeded to study law in the United Kingdom. While in London, a natural affinity emerged for African leaders and their struggle for independence. It was the birth of his spirit of internationalism. That was crystallized on his return to British Guiana in 1949 and became an essential component of the political leadership that had embarked on the arduous struggle for independence. As Leader of the Opposition in Parliament in 1960, Burnham was arrested while attending the Constitutional Talks in Great Britain for protesting against apartheid policies of South Africa. That was the beginning of his long and consistent fight against racist South Africa. For him, apartheid was abhorrent. Burnham more than any regional and many international leaders heightened global interest in the African cause, which was a major thrust of Guyana’s diplomatic outreach. His grand strategy was to support, unconditionally, the African liberation struggle in moral, material and other forms. In every regional and international forum, Burnham vigorously championed the cause of the African people. He subscribed to the imperishable truth that Guyana cannot be free if Africa remained under colonial domination. The inhuman incarceration of Nelson Mandela and other African leaders and the slaughter of Africans, who yearned for freedom, agonised him but strengthened his resolve to support Africa’s freedom. He operationalised that strategy with parliamentary approval to commit an annual disbursement to aid African freedom fighters. On the occasion of the 33rd observance of the passing of President Burnham, and the 21st for President Jagan, we must honour their contributions to make Guyana a better place, which neither cynics nor foes could deny.
There is no need for Exxon to be incorporated in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me to refer to an article in the Sunday edition of your newspaper headlined “Major oil Companies operating in Guyana did not even bother to incorporate domestic branch.” The contents of the article appear to disclose some confusion or perhaps miscomprehension about the difference between the registration of a branch of an external company and the incorporation of a subsidiary referred to in your article as “domestic company”. Further difficulty appears to have been encountered in relation to the requirements of the law for incorporation of an entity you describe as “domestic branch.”
A branch office is not a separate legal entity from the parent company or corporation. It is the presence of the parent within the jurisdiction, the process of registration ensures the legal presence of the parent in Guyana. It is the most direct and proximate legal presence of the external company in Guyana. Incorporation of a company, on the other hand, is effected by the incorporation of a separate and distinct legal entity known as a limited liability company in Guyana. This applies where a subsidiary is incorporated. Subsidiaries are not necessarily wholly owned by their parent and the laws make no such requirement. The concept of
“incorporation of a domestic branch” referred to in your article appears to have confused the direct presence of the parent by registration of the parent as an external company with that of the incorporation of a subsidiary of the parent. The law does not contemplate or consider the incorporation of a branch domestic or otherwise. There is nothing amphibian about this. It’s either a mammal or a reptile. It cannot be both. Your article asserts, “It is worth noting that none of these three entities have incorporated a domestic company and each has a registered office at the address 62 Hadfield and Cross Streets, the same address as Hughes Fields and Stoby”.
This statement you attribute to a qualified lawyer and accountant as an expert in this field. Perhaps it has escaped the attention of your expert that all branches of external companies are required by law to have registered agents and offices in country. Most external companies nominate their Attorneys as the registered agents for myriad reasons including but not limited to the ease of effecting service of court process on the principal. Nothing here that is not fit and proper. I am not unaware the offices of your expert serve this purpose for several overseas companies. Yours sincerely, C.A. Nigel Hughes
Yarrowkabra housing group wants this process speeded up DEAR EDITOR, In a news broadcast aired on December 18, 2017, I heard the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys Department speaking about the situation of defaulting land owners, and the Department’s plan to reclaim lands from defaulters, especially since many of them are in possession of lands for over ten years, and they have done nothing with it. It was heartening to hear that things will be put in place to correct this deficiency; especially since as President of a housing development group in Yarrowkabra, which was formed in 1998, I have been enquiring for several months now, from the Lands and Surveys Department, about reclaiming land from defaulters within my group, so that other interested persons can purchase those lots; but nothing has come out of my efforts in this regard. I had spoken to one Ms. Carol Khan — an employee of Lands & Surveys Department, who had taken the time to explain the process in place for reclaiming land from defaulters. She explained that only part of the process is completed at the Lands & Surveys Department, then they send the requisite documentation over to the Ministry of the Presidency, where it is approved, signed off, and then returned to the Lands & Surveys Department. Even though the process sounded fairly uncomplicated
to my layman’s ear, Ms. Khan cautioned that there is a considerable lapse of time before the approved documents are returned to Lands & Surveys. I am disheartened by the fact that this slothful approach continues to persist. There are persons who are ready to take up defaulters’ land and build homes to continue the development of our housing project, but can do nothing but wait for the Ministry of the Presidency to return the documents to the Lands & Surveys Department, with the requisite approvals. The members of our Housing Group are very concerned at the seemingly nonchalant manner in which this issue is being addressed.
I must commend, however, our first Vice President, the Honourable Moses Nagamootoo, and the Honourable Minister of Public Infrastructure — Mr. David Patterson, for all the help our Housing Group has received with their intervention. For many years prior to APNU-AFC taking office, we appealed to the PPP/C government for basic utilities, to no avail, but today, we are in a much better place than we were two years ago. Vice President Nagamootoo has helped our Group in so many ways that words cannot express our gratitude to him. Also, a special ‘thank you’ to the Honourable Minister David Patterson for
the electricity that was installed in Yarrowkabra. We now have electricity in our homes and are extremely grateful for that. We are now seeking to have some street lights to improve the security of our area, and would be happy if this aspect of work could be included in the programme, if it is not already part of the project. I also take this opportunity to request the Honourable Minister’s intervention to have some more roads in the area, and potable water, which is already in Yarrowkabra, but not yet in our scheme or section of the housing group. Arthur Taylor President of Yarrowkabra Housing Group
A wealthy businessman is harvesting my plantains DEAR EDITOR, While being in possession of a valid Agreement of Lease to do farming on a specific portion of land in the Essequibo Island area, there was never a problem until it reached the stage to reap plantains cultivated by me at the location. To the best of my knowledge, there is no dispute to the lease, but all of a sudden, a wealthy businessman from Wakenaam verbally stopped me from occupying the land
and he is now harvesting my plantains. The businessman never showed me any document pertaining to his claim of right or interest to the land occupied by me. As a peaceful and law abiding person not wanting to get in any trouble, I had no other choice but to stay away in a situation ever so hard on me to lose all my money and labour on the preparation and cultivation of the land. In my humble opinion, the businessman is violating the law and he
should be prosecuted for probably stealing my plantains or any other offence as provided by statute having regard to the fact that he was not given permission by me to do so. A report was made at the Wakenaam Police Station but what course of action would be taken is yet to be determined with an appeal to the higher authorities to intervene with a response on a way forward that will be in my favour. Seenanan Ramprasad
Monday January 15, 2018
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The Symbolic Lynching of the Sugar Workers DEAR EDITOR, The urge to write again, on the manifest racial onslaught of the sugar workers is visceral. I had first written to the primary media publication houses on the destruction taking place in the sugar industry in February 2017. The letter was carried by: Stabroek News – ‘Descendants must benefit from the toil and sacrifice of ancestors on the sugar estates – February 26, 2017; Kaieteur News - Walter Rodney’s description of the cosmic forces – February 27, 2017; and Guyana Times Placing the tiger outside the room – February 26, 2017. By the first quarter of 2017, I had stopped submitting letters to our stateowned “”Nations Newspapers””, the Guyana Chronicle; as my letters to them were not published; however, space was given to the administration’s obedient supporters to respond to my letters. The letter herein, takes precedence over the appointment of Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections
Commission (GECOM); in my view the President had the full authority under our poorly drafted constitution to execute the appointment (no pun intended), in the manner it was done. Why the president tortured the Opposition Leader by asking for unnecessary subsequent lists - is a question for the president’s royal viziers. As the President, once he found the first list unacceptable, he had the power and authority, vested in him by the constitution to unilaterally appoint the Chairman of GECOM. Of course, one could write on the tragicomedy of our mostly discombobulated Ministers, from the mismanagement of the Durban Park Jubilee event to the mixing up of two of our National Holidays: Diwali the festival of lights, and Phagwah - the festival of colours and love. The mix-up or clustered pronouncements, were further compounded by the inference in December 2017 in the National Assembly that only Guyanese of Kshatriya
Indian descent, would know the difference between Diwali and Phagwah; thus, making Guyana 99.9% a nation of Kshatriyas and also members of a noble and military class. Also, writing on the cruel and unusual punishment of the sugar workers; must take priority over the bungling of the Production Sharing Agreement between Exxon and the Government of Guyana, where the mouse has claimed to have had his way with the elephant. Of course, malicious efforts by government to take possession of Red House, inflated rental fees for the conversion of a house to a pharmaceutical bond, unjustifiable pharmaceutical supply contracts and the exponential increase in the number of contract workers along with the bourgeoning contract monies for contract workers or the findings or biased findings of the quote unquote - neutral Speaker of the National Assembly, are subordinate, though related to the termination of sugar workers. The current flaccidly (sic) of our unlearning political
columnists/commentators, such as David Hinds, Freddie Kissoon and GHK Lall, to name some of our prominent scribes and their post 2015 elections inability to call a spade a spade or identify racism as racism, when it happens under the current administration to the terminated sugar workers, who are largely of one racial group. These learned gentlemen commentators, have suddenly become tongue tied or restrict themselves to platitudes. Their pronouncements become twisted and biased by confusing persecution and racism with economic policy or by failing to say President Granger is ultimately responsible for the tragic treatment of our sugar workers and the oversight of the sugar industry. These same named writers are unhesitant to invariably blame former President Jagdeo for debacles that happened in Guyana from 1999 to the current date. What manner of people are we, to see the suffocation of our Guyanese brothers and sisters in the sugar industry, as some of our writers and politicians exhale hot air in the
form of words like praxis, uneconomical, impractical, and wax philosophical theorems, while entire villages, communities, and regions are economically choking - symbolically, metaphorically, and literally; with the unjust termination of sugar workers? Two terminated sugar workers have suffocated themselves so far, evidently collapsing under the weight of poverty, enabled by ‘kith and kin’, be it a Smith or a Singh, in Guyanese parlance. How many more lives must be lost? How much more suffering must be endured by those whose livelihood depends on the operations of the sugar industry; before our Government acts in a righteous manner? While the suffering continues, our government has set aside US$18 million in a “funds account” for some logically inexplicable and indefensible reason; while two terminated sugar workers commit suicide due to absence of funds. Guyana with billions of barrels of oil reserves, and recording the largest oil find in the last decade, has leadership that has seemingly opted for the destruction of
villages and communities in the sugar industry, under the rubric of the sugar industry not being economically viable, instead of leveraging our assets and considering the plight of the sugar workers. It is unfortunate that the administration does not think it fit and proper to be our brother’s keeper and to create solidarity from our economic good fortune. A good parent does not neglect one child and favour another because each child has a different father, or because one child seems to be a better economic investment at a particular moment in time. Maybe, Guyana’s new parent company, ExxonMobil Corporation, will show the heart needed to save the sugar industry by allowing for a fair Production Sharing Agreement. Guyana is on the verge of quadrupling its economic value twice over, and then some. Yet, this politically racist, callous and calculating policy to terminate sugar workers, destroy the sugar industry and the kith and kin in the communities, seems to have the full support of those in power. Nigel Hinds
In support of our Commander - ‘E’ Division The GPSU is a tiger that has
DEAR EDITOR, I am a police constable stationed at Mackenzie Police Station ‘E’ Division Upper Demerara Linden. I read a recent letter in your column of incidents that a rank mentioned affecting other ranks at the Mackenzie Police Station. My surprise is why would any rank want to condemn the Commander who they are faced with on a daily basis? I would not be wasting this newspaper time to publish my letter if it meant nothing. The commander of ‘E’ Division has created a difference in that region since he took effect of that office and shared a very good relation with his ranks. The redundant letter I read about is inclusive of utter lies. And it was not a concerned rank that wrote it
but an ex-police corporal who got dismissed for his rogue actions. We have a commander who doesn’t tolerate malpractice from ranks; as such, one would use that opportunity to say ill things about anyone who is a no nonsense person. Our Commander is a person who would sit and listen to complaints and even visit communities around Linden to ensure law and order is maintained. I wish if the concerned rank as stated had mentioned that he got dismissed for obtaining monies from persons for issuance of drivers’ licences among other corruptions. Why batter the Commander for practices that matters not in Linden but in the past life of the Commander as a serving
member of the police force? My point is if all this is true, then please come forward with the evidence of our Commander, whom none of us ranks have a problem with, and deal with this as adults in the professional way. My grandfather always taught me that when we can condemn our leader it is because we cannot compete or meet the standard of that individual. On behalf of the ranks of ‘E’ Division, we do not know about any malpractice of our Commander and are in no way associated with the recent letter published in this newspaper. We are proud of our Commander and respect given is respect earned, with all due respect. Thank you for this space. Sincerely Ranks of ‘E’ Division
lost both teeth and stripes
DEAR EDITOR, I pen this letter with grave concern and hope that the relevant authorities will pay attention and take the necessary actions. Over the last seventeen years, the Executive of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has been operating like tigers that have lost both teeth and stripes. My current frustration is with the state of affairs of the wages and salaries negotiations with the Government of Guyana. It is important to note that the last significant increase in wages and salaries happened in 2000 after a fifty-seven-days strike by Public Servants. This action had resulted in Public Servants receiving increases between 26% and 31%. The GPSU can boast of no such significant achievement since. Under the previous Administration, wages and salaries were imposed upon Public Servants which effectively made the negotiation and collective bargaining processes irrelevant. This practice seems to be continuing under the new Administration. The Union’s Executive has not been able
to broker an agreement with the Government and seems uninterested in taking the matter to conciliation. In fact, the Union’s very predictable response to the imposition is either a press conference or a press statement. It is my belief that the President of the Union and his Executive have conflicting interests. The general perception among Union Members is that the President, Mr. Patrick Yarde has outlived his usefulness. The irony of the matter is that although the Union has been failing to adequately and effectively represent the interests of its members, it continually increases union dues. What is also infuriating is that the GPSU has among the highest, if not the highest, dues even though its representation deserves a failing grade. The Union needs to be clear on its stance as it relates to the imposed wages and salaries or its members will conclude that by increasing dues, the Union has accepted the Government’s offer. Duane Marshall Concerned member
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Monday January 15, 2018
GUYSUCO, A FALLEN SOLDIER DEAR EDITOR, The Guysuco Board of Directors, if one can call that outfit a Board in the classic meaning of a Corporation Management entity, ordered the closure of sugar estates, then left the Government of Guyana to explain or spin a tale of hopelessness. The Guysuco Board does not now have a Chief Executive Officer, who is decent enough to leave the sunken ship. We the owners of the sugar plantations are in doubt as to who is in charge, whether at Guysuco, or Ministry of the Presidency. We know for sure that the person who is named as the Minister of Agriculture is operating on low battery charge. In a manner likened to Pontius Pilate, the President washed his hands of the matter of retrenchment of 4000 sugar workers, not to leave out the chaps at Wales, had his Prime Minister read out the edict in Parliament. Poor Moses, he must have felt like the Biblical Moses
when he returned with the tablets containing the Commandments. Now we know why Moses threw down the tablets and they shattered. Can there be a replay? With the half severance pay, sugar workers will invest the money in internet cafe, wash bay, hire car, minibus, traffic in drugs, and enrich the rum shop owners. What else is there in terms of jobs in a country with high un-employment and under employment? The answer is agriculture, to fashion the green economy this Government proclaims, except green economy means painting buildings green and wearing green clothing. Editor, do they wear green underwears? The President said they will be trained as carpenters and other skills - to find employment where - maybe we would witness another wave of illegal migration, to where? We all know that sugar workers are not employed
year round in the industry. With what is saved, their wives carry on the family economy for the remainder of the year. It is no secret that sugar workers spend large portions of their wages at the rum shops. There is a precedent in the job-loss scenario. Not quite similar, but can be touted. When the present Government came to office, a bit of rainfall caused the housing area east of the National Cultural Centre to retain water. A resident of the area promptly moved residence to Main Street, and in like fashion the bearer of bad news to sugar workers followed the Leader. Now that sugar workers are out of jobs they should find alternatives to housing, as many sugar workers live in rented quarters. There are openings at West Bank Demerara where the President for life of their Union resides; he owns a large tract of land.
And what about Pradoville, and by extension all the other persons in the political party that has over the decades extended sovereignty over sugar workers’ lives. These former renters of other people’s bottom houses now own mansions, after only twenty years in power. Here is where the sugar workers patrimony lay along with their fore-parents hard work, not to diminish the creation of lands for agriculture by our African ancestors. As farmers, we of the National Farmers Organisation wish to express the view that love and compassion have not been extended to the dilemma of the now retrenched sugar workers. All those who busied themselves in the sugar industry, whether as managers, unionists, others, are now withdrawn. The workers are now on their own. To add fuel to fire, there has not been a national
Fly Jamaica and its inefficiency a nightmare DEAR EDITOR, Fly Jamaica’s inefficient operations and customer service were nightmares for passengers. After reading an article in Sunday Stabroek (14 Jan 2018) and seeing what is the height of arrogance coming from Fly Jamaica’s CEO, I simply had to pen this letter to let the public know of the nightmares of travelling with this airline. And to alert the public the reason for many passengers who vowed never to travel with Fly Jamaica again. I had two relatives booked with this airline. One relative was scheduled to return to Canada on 9th January whilst another was scheduled to return to Guyana from Canada on 12th January. Both of these relatives were affected by the cancelled flights lasting for about a week and both went through hell on their respective flights. Relative No 1 scheduled to return to Canada on 9th January was stranded for several days without word as to when her flight will take place. I, along with relatives in Canada, tried calling Fly Jamaica offices in Guyana and Toronto. For several days, we made countless calls to Fly Jamaica and most of the time the phones rang out. On the few times, we managed to get through the
person answering could not provide the information and went to get an airline representative. After ages of waiting, we were disconnected. When we tried ringing the numbers again we were met with unanswered calls. Despite this “24-hour call centre,” we never got through in the nights and most calls during the day went unanswered. We called travel agents as well to get info and they told us that they too were not getting through to Fly Jamaica to get answers for their stranded passengers. Other times persons from Fly Jamaica took our numbers and offered to call us back. To date they never called us. We were getting more and more frustrated. On three occasions when I managed to get hold of an airline representative at Ogle, I was shocked at their rudeness and attitude. They refused to provide any info and on those 3 occasions I had the phone cut off in the middle of me talking to them. This was no inadvertent disconnection. The representative was rude and then proceeded to cut off the phone. We still couldn’t get any information about the two flights. After countless attempts over several tiring days, relative No 1 finally got on to the flight bound for Canada on the 12th January. This is
after she was told that the flight was full and she would have to wait until Tuesday 16th January to get home. My folks in Canada were told many different stories from what the Fly Jamaica employees were telling us in Guyana. Lies upon lies were fed to us that confused us and frightened us many a times. Relative No 1 was scheduled to depart at 5:45am on Friday 12th January to Canada. We departed home at 11:30pm on Thursday 11th Jan for the airport for a 1am check in. At 1am no check in started. We reached CJIA only to find hundreds of passengers locked outside the terminal with no instruction given to them. Suitcases, passengers, and children were all over the place. Many arguments ensued among passengers who were stranded for nearly a week. It was after 1:30am when check in commenced. When relative No 1 reached the check in counter, she spent about half an hour there because her name could not be found on the list. Finally that was cleared up and she checked in successfully. We were told that the flight would depart at 6:30am instead of 5:45am. That flight actually departed after 9am from Guyana to Canada. After some time, I called Fly Jamaica at Ogle for a time that the flight would arrive in Canada so pick-up arrangements can be made. They couldn’t give
me a time except to say it would arrive 6 hours later. I deduced that some time after 3pm the flight would arrive. Then after 1pm, I received a call from Canada from a relative who was tracking the flight, that the online flightboard at Pearson showed the flight arriving at 7:20pm. Where was this flight and why was a direct flight from Guyana to Toronto taking nearly 10 hours? No one was told of any stops along the way. I called Fly Jamaica again. After numerous unanswered calls, I finally reached a representative who said the flight will indeed arrive in Canada after 7pm. It stopped in Jamaica. I inquired why. The representative rudely asked me if I was the passenger and if I had a booking reference and why I wanted to know. I couldn’t believe I was hearing this ignorance. I told her my relative was on that flight and I need to know about her. The phone was slammed down! I continued to dig for some explanation as to what was happening with this flight and was subsequently told that there was a valve on the plane that needed to be fixed so they stopped in Jamaica to do so. And for about 3 hours or so, the passengers were there. That flight that departed Guyana after 9am on 12th January and arrived in Continued on page 7
dialogue on sensitive issues. Diversification has now moved to divestment. The machinery of the State is now empowered to advertise the sale of sugar lands, factories, machinery etc. Speculators with money, most of which is illegal are sharpening their jaws to gobble up sugar. Just like when rice silos were sold to drug interests, causing serious dislocation to the livelihood of another sector of the rural population. Where has love for people been displayed? Are you aware that there is no representative of rural people in the Cabinet? Do not look at chaps from
the countryside; they were never part of that patrimony. They left rural areas to escape poverty, which itself is the problem, not individuals who are poor, who represent immense human capital. The cause of poverty is not lack of money capital but under-utilisation of material and especially human resources. The key to development clearly must be in the expansion of participation in productive activity, an objective that depends primarily on the ability of Government to accelerate the commercialisation of agriculture and, to expand Continued on page 7
The GWMO needs fresh blood DEAR EDITOR, It has been three years since the Guyana Women Miners Organisation has kept its annual General Meeting. This is in contravention of their Charter and Constitution. I believe it also violates the Friendly Societies Act that governs all NGO’s. It seems the organisation has joined the list of defunct institutions that sit on boards and collect money which they give no account for. It is my understanding that the GWMO has not been audited in this time frame either. So there is no longer any accountability of the funds the organisation receives. It saddens me as a paying member of this organisation to see it dying this painful death. The GWMO needs fresh blood; it needs to return to its mandate which is to uplift women in the mining sector, it needs to again bring the mantle against human trafficking and champion the cause of the oppressed. It is no longer the entity that inspired many Guyanese, including myself, to stand up against modern day slavery. I write these few words, to draw attention to an entity which was a force for good that has now lost its way. I hope someone in authority can force the GWMO to have a general meeting where we are again allowed to choose the leaders in an attempt to put this once stellar organisation back on the right track. GWMO Member
Questionable qualities of a commander DEAR EDITOR, There is a Certain Police Commander in a Certain Division who is very close to the Acting Commissioner of Police who feels that he can do ranks whatever pleases him. I am a member of the Guyana Police Force for the past 16 years and never came across a police commander who is very dangerous and cannot be trusted. If these are the qualities of a police commander then the force is heading in the wrong direction. This man is always involved in inappropriate relationships with junior ranks but nothing is being done all because of his connections and we are feeling the blunt. During the Christmas season, we would normally divide the time off in two. Some go home for Christmas then some go for New Year. I went for the New Year after approval was given by the commander, but then he called his friend who is acting Commissioner and reported how I abandoned the station knowing I was on days off. This Commander always lies on ranks who don’t suck up to his plea for inappropriate relationships. A certain female rank was transferred out of the division leaving her schoolaged children behind all because of his lies and because she didn’t agree to be with him. I would like to know, if these are the qualities of a Police Commander? Serving Member of the Force
Monday January 15, 2018
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Kaieteur News
GuySuCo, a fallen soldier Fly Jamaica and its inefficiency... From page 6 employment through small scale industries in rural areas. A green economy is an ideal solution for Guyana at this stage of historical and social development. Sugar has fallen. The dimensions are sad. Vultures are hovering overhead. The same people who presided on sugar’s demise now would make violent demonstration of their negligence, which is a mild way to suggest that they corrupted every aspect of sugar’s diversification from the World Bank’s advice in 1992 to shut down the Demerara estates and concentrate on Berbice. Concentrate on Berbice they did with Skeldon, to misuse of European Union billions for sugar diversification and other sins. Witness who is leading the sugar workers’ protests in Berbice. Persons who are mercenaries to certain political party never cut a stick of cane, even to suck its
juice. They are suckers anyway, down the human anatomy. Our agricultural communities, who are not operating in ideal farming conditions, have been displaying tremendous acumen in providing food for local consumption and export. We can do better in many areas, especially in postharvest handling of produce and internal marketing, and other areas of good management in the 21st century. We have no heritage industrial system, no major pollution, large areas of arable land, now with the closure of sugar plantations significant acreages that are cleared of bush and jungle, well drained and access to irrigation, skilled managerial resource from sugar industry, School of Agriculture, National Research Institute, the outfits at University of Guyana, boundless resources in sun, wind and water. Lest it be forgotten: all the persons who became farmers
except those Guyanese whose ancestors had to endure centuries of enslavement and have nothing to show, are persons who were sugar workers, and they became our grand core of food crop farmers, rice, livestock, fruit crops and others. The inference here is that the sugar workers will be a great boon to our agriculture. This matter of providing the former cane lands to former sugar workers has been elaborated in other NFO publications. We now say this the time for decisive action. What we lack is love, compassion, empathy and a feeling of nationhood. Are we wrong to feel let down by persons who came to our communities asking us to give them the chance to make changes? Did they mean change their economic outlook? Truly, Hafiz Rahman National Farmers Organisation
Peru ex-President Fujimori hospitalised with heart problems – media LIMA (Reuters) - Alberto Fujimori, Peru’s former authoritarian president who was freed from a 25-year prison sentence with a humanitarian pardon last Christmas Eve, was hospitalized with heart problems yesterday, his doctor told local newspaper El Comercio. Images broadcast by television station Canal N showed Fujimori, 79, waving his hand from the inside of a truck upon arriving at the Centenario clinic in Lima together with his son Kenji. Fujimori had previously been hospitalized from late December through Jan. 5 for heart problems, including high blood pressure and arrhythmia.
l e a d d o c t o r, A l e j a n d r o Aguinaga, told El Comercio. President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski cited Fujimori’s health in pardoning him for convictions on human rights violations and graft charges less than halfway through a 25-year prison sentence. Kuczynski’s decision, which was widely seen as a political manoeuvre to avoid being ousted by Congress, triggered cabinet resignations and large protests.
Alberto Fujimori “He is going to have some checks done because although he has progressed favourably these seven days, he is not totally stable. He has short periods of arrhythmia,” his
Someone once said that division is caused more by impatience than by a conflict in creed.
From page 6 Toronto after 8pm that day. It didn’t end there. The passengers upon exiting the aircraft were stranded again at Pearson. There were no handlers to offload the suitcases and because the weather was bad and due to the time it took to find handlers, the plane doors were frozen shut. The airline’s manager at Pearson was running helter-skelter to find handlers to offload the suitcases and load the outbound passenger’s suitcases. The passengers that came off that flight didn’t get their suitcases until 3 hours after landing at Pearson. This is no exaggeration. Passengers misbehaved quite understandably, and security was called in. I can’t blame the passengers. This was too much. These passengers had been through a lot at the hands of Fly Jamaica and we can’t blame them for their frustration, which Fly Jamaica officials are making out to look as if the passengers are unreasonably unruly. The passengers were not, but have been put through hell by Fly Jamaica. Relative No 2 who was scheduled to depart To r o n t o o n t h e s a m e aircraft that brought in the Canada-bound passengers was checked in since 10am on 12th Jan for a 1:45pm departure to Guyana. Given what had transpired on the Canada bound flight with all the delays, the Guyana bound passengers were also delayed. This set of passengers were told that they would depart subsequently some time after 5pm and then at 9:20pm. And that time changed to 11:30pm. The
Guyana bound passengers who were checked in since 10am on Friday 12 January had to spend all day and all night at Pearson Airport because their flight actually departed Canada around 3am on Saturday 13 Jan. That flight arrived at 10:04am on 13th Jan. There were babies, children and elderly on these flights and I hate to think of the ordeal they endured. These were flights from hell. From the inception of the problem with Fly Jamaica passengers have been fed lies upon lies. From a charter airline coming to take out stranded passengers (which never happened) to new flight dates being set (which wasn’t the case), to contradicting info and then no information at all, to passengers not getting on the flights, this airline was grossly uncaring, insensitive, mean and deceptive to passengers. From gross i n e ff i c i e n c y, gross unprofessionalism and downright rude customer service with the airline’s customer representative slamming down phones on callers and displaying arrogance, to not answering phones and telling lies and being unhelpful, passengers endured a lot of suffering and frustrations at the hands of this airline. All of my relatives - and we are a lot - have decided to never again use this airline and we have ever since been telling all we know in the Diaspora and home here about Fly Jamaica’s atrocious service and warning them against
flying with this airline. My major regret is airlines like these are not penalised for all that they do to customers. It is one thing to have maintenance issues which we understand and can be patient with and even delays due to force majeure. But when your customer service is atrocious and downright mean and hostile as well, that’s another thing. Fly Jamaica’s customer service representatives are the worst lot I have ever encountered and they don’t know to empathise and deal with passengers who are frustrated and affected because of the poor operations. Passengers’ vacation was cut short. Jobs too were at stake. Others missed important events and functions and the young and old had to endure the nightmares of an incompetent airline which doesn’t seem remorseful for any of this but rather wants to boast about taking out stranded passengers – only after much damage was done to passengers and after hostility was endured. There is nothing to boast about Mr. CEO and Fly Jamaica. If no penalty is placed upon you by authorities rest assure passengers will react. You have lost many passengers. And we have been encouraging others to book with other airlines, telling them all that happened. For me, the straw that broke the camel’s back was the atrocious customer service of Fly Jamaica. Yours sincerely, Daren Jaipaul
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Monday January 15, 2018
Kaieteur News
Pomeroon horror…
Oil companies not incorporated in Guyana…
Two farmers shot in their Nothing here that is not heads, killers flee in boat fit and proper - Hughes Murders in the new year climbed to four in dramatic fashion yesterday, following what appeared to be the execution-style killing of two farmers in the Pomeroon. Police said 28-year-old Ambrose Baharally, called ‘Jadge,’ of Grant Stelling Hope, Lower Pomeroon River, and Martin Godette, 23 of Friendship Canal, Lower Pomeroon River, were both shot in their heads at around 15:30 hrs at Grant Road, Pomeroon. The killing was reportedly
carried out by two individuals who were both armed with handguns. According to a police report, the farmers were seen conversing with the two men. Shortly after, two explosions were heard and the killers were seen fleeing the scene by boat. The victims were discovered lying motionless and were pronounced dead on arrival at the Charity Hospital. Investigators retrieved a 9mm shell and a live round at the scene. Police said that stringent
efforts are being made to apprehend the suspects. Kaieteur news understands that Ambrose Baharally is a relative of Lennox Baharally, who was charged in July 2016, for allegedly murdering his uncle Mohamed Abdool Shameer, and burying him in a shallow grave at Jacklow, Pomeroon. In March 2009, the bulletriddled bodies of a father and son, Romeo and Clint De Agrella, both Pomeroon residents, were found in the Waini River.
Ramjattan again shuts down calls for his resignation Public security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan has maintained that his resignation over the July 2017 Camp Street Prison fire will not be forthcoming. During Wednesday’s debate in the National Assembly on a motion that addressed the fire, which destroyed about 80 percent of the prison, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) opposition drummed up calls for the Minister’s resignation given the circumstances that led to the fire. “I want to make it quite clear that the very first press conference I had, the question was directly put and about three other times and I said yes I am the one responsible. I have always said that. In the political realm, the Minister is the one responsible and I hold myself responsible. It has always been the case,’ Ramjattan stated. He added, “That does not mean that if you are responsible it necessary means resignation.” The Minister stated that Government intends to fulfill the promise to set up a Commission of Inquiry into the incident following the recapture of all the eight escapees. Two inmates remain at large.
Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan “When the two more are captured, we will have an inquiry. Until such time, it will not be done,” Ramjattan noted. The Coalition Government used its majority in the National Assembly to defeat a motion brought by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), 17 of whose numbers were on a free trip to India. The motion called for full disclosure of the events that led to the fire and the escape of eight inmates. One prison officer died during the ordeal. Twelve members of the opposition were in the House. The motion was submitted by Opposition Member, Juan
Edghill, who was suspended for the sitting for disobeying the instructions of Speaker Dr. Barton Scotland on December 11. In Edghill’s absence, Gail Teixeira, Opposition Chief Whip, tabled the motion at the Sitting which was mandated for ‘Opposition Business’. Teixeira stated that the Motion was submitted to the Parliament office two weeks after the fire occurred on July 7, 2017 and five months after the fire, the Motion was finally debated. The motion wanted the National Assembly to call on the Government in accordance with Article 106(2) of the Guyana Constitution to accept collective responsibility to the House for the repeated events at the prisons of Guyana. Accordingly, the Motion also sought to have the Government declare what actions have been and are being taken to reduce the opportunities for such situations from recurring and for the National Assembly to support the Disciplined Service in its efforts to ensure public safety, the protection of citizens and the recapture of all the escapees.
Attorney at Law, Nigel Hughes says that there is nothing “that is not fit and proper,” about his office being the registered address for all three of the oil companies that are operating in the Stabroek Block. He was responding to Sunday’s Kaieteur News article with the headline “Major oil Companies operating in Guyana did not even bother to incorporate domestic branch.” That article highlighted the fact that while three major international companies are getting ready to reap tremendous benefits from Guyana, they have not even bothered to incorporate a local company. The article quoted Accountant and Attorney at law, Christopher Ram saying, “It is worth noting that none of these three entities have incorporated a domestic company and each has a registered office at the address 62 Hadfield and Cross Streets, the same address as Hughes, Fields and Stoby”. Ram noted that while this is so, these companies, and their affiliates, stand to absorb vast benefits from the concessions granted under the contract signed with the APNU+AFC government. However, though quite straight forward in its true context, the article has been interpreted in some quarters to be an attack on Hughes, Fields and Stoby. Yesterday, Hughes wrote on his Facebook page that the newspaper seems confused. “The contents of the article appear to disclose some confusion or perhaps miscomprehension about the difference between the registration of a branch of an external company and the incorporation of a subsidiary re-
Attorney at Law, Nigel Hughes
Attorney at Law, Christopher Ram
ferred to in your article as ‘domestic company,” said Hughes. He then went into explaining that a branch office is not a separate legal entity from the parent company or corporation. It is the presence of the parent within the jurisdiction, the process of registration ensures the legal presence of the parent in Guyana. “It is the most direct and proximate legal presence of the external company in Guyana,” said Hughes. “Incorporation of a company, on the other hand, is effected by the incorporation of a separate and distinct legal entity known as a limited liability company in Guyana. This applies where a subsidiary is incorporated. Subsidiaries are not necessarily wholly owned by their parent and the laws make no such requirement. The concept of ‘incorporation of a domestic branch’ referred to in your article appears to have confused the direct presence of the parent by registration of the parent as an external company with that of the incorporation of a subsidiary of the parent.” Hughes noted that the law does not contemplate or con-
sider the incorporation of a branch domestic or otherwise. “There is nothing amphibian about this. It’s either a mammal or a reptile. It cannot be both.” Hughes also pointed out, “Your article asserts ‘It is worth noting that none of these three entities have incorporated a domestic company and each has a registered office at the address 62 Hadfield and Cross Streets, the same address as Hughes, Fields and Stoby’. This statement you attribute to a qualified lawyer and accountant as an expert in this field. Perhaps it has escaped the attention of your expert that all branches of external companies are required by law to have registered agents and offices in country. Most external companies nominate their Attorneys as the registered agents for a myriad of reasons, including but not limited to, the ease of effecting service of court process on the principal.” The lawyer then stated, “Nothing here that is not fit and proper. I am not unaware the offices of your expert serve this purpose for several overseas companies.”
M&CC to host consultation over proposed garbage fees Following the announcement of a proposed $200 fee for garbage disposal, the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) will be hosting c o n s u l t a t i o n s with the public to garner their input on the matter. Town Clerk of Georgetown, Royston King, during a press conference at the M&CC boardroom on Friday, said that the consultations on the proposed fee are necessary. “We have been receiving feedback on this proposal from individuals and groups.
As a result, the council will hold a public consultation on this proposal, at City Hall on Thursday, January 18, 2018, at 5 pm at City Hall compound. All are invited. The idea is to give citizens an opportunity to share their views, and other ideas about this proposed fee”, the Town Clerk stated. Discussions on the proposed fee will be hosted throughout the city of Georgetown for the next three weeks. He recalled that at the last conference, “… the proposal
was discussed and accepted at the council and that we are still at the stage of working out the modalities on the best possible way to collect this small fee from property- owners.” King reiterated that solid waste management is an extremely expensive exercise. He added that it is critical that the council considers providing the citizens of Georgetown with all the vital municipal services to the local communities.
Monday January 15, 2018
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Kaieteur News
India considers abolishing Cost Recovery by oil companies By Kiana Wilburg When oil operators have to recover their expenses, controversy often arises between those entities and the Governments of host countries. Many oil producing countries like Indonesia and India have experienced such difficulties. Due to oil operators inflating their costs, Indonesia was forced to implement new laws to protect its profits, while India is considering abandoning the entire process. In short, the abuse by the oil operators when it comes to cost recovery is simply too devastating. This has been documented at length by the Centre for Public Integrity, an American nonprofit investigative journalism organization. Its stated mission is “to reveal abuses of power, corruption and dereliction of duty by powerful public and private institutions in order to cause them to operate with honesty, integrity, accountability and to put the public interest first.” In the case of India, CPI said that through the end of
…Govt. audit reveals alarming instances of abuse
Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman 2012, India had allowed more than two dozen oil companies to recover more than $24.5 billion in expenses. Concerns over the scale of these expenses led to the nation’s Auditor General (CAG) conducting a detailed audit of the claims of three companies: Reliance, Cairn and BG, in order to assess whether the “revenue interests of the Government (including royalty and share of profit) were properly protected.” The audit demonstrated how difficult it can be to
DEM BOYS SEH
conduct effective oversight on extractive sector companies. The request for company documents by State auditors were at first refused on the grounds that they were not relevant for the review of “accounting procedures” and would be needed only for a review of “performance” which was not provided for in the contract. Documents for most, but not all, of the companies were finally provided more than a year after the initial request only after a direct order from the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Finally, on completion of the audit, one company claimed that confidentiality provisions in the contracts prohibited the government from sharing the audit even with the Parliamentary Committee responsible for overseeing the petroleum sector. CPI said that the audit concluded that the existing fiscal regime contained incentives for companies to
De city constab in de news again De odda day, had to be Saturday, dem boys see how de city constab chase a man and ketch him. Then de man cuff de constable and run. He couldn’t run far because wid all de people pun de road and wid de constable chasing him dem ketch him. Dem beat him. When dem boys hear de news and dem see de man who look physically fit, dem believe dat he was some bad man. Even de council claim how de man was a wanted man. Anyhow, dem carry him and de constable who he cuff to hospital. Dem boys go home and sleep. Next morning, Sunday morning, dem hear how a man get shoot in he back. People start to call how de man was mentally ill. Somebody had a video how dem constable kick up de man. Then de news come dat he dead. Dem claim how he run out de constab. Same way how dem chase him and ketch him Saturday dem boys want to know why dem didn’t chase him and ketch him. Suh dem kill a mad man. Dem boys know dat it had to be one mad man who shoot de odda man because all of dem who join de city constab is people who ain’t too bright. And he had de nerve to ask de police who arrest him and why dem lock him up. Is de same city constab who got an officer dat mek a li’l boy trouble him and he got
de nerve to tell de Mayor how he didn’t trouble de boy suh he didn’t do nutten wrang. Dis thing happen since last year August and de man ain’t get charge yet. It tek a long time fuh de council decide to admit dat de man do something wrang. De Town Clown and de Clown Clerk was protecting him fuh dem own reason. Dem even
knock off de corporal who report de incident because somebody seh he talk too much. De li’l boy getting big and if de constable do get charge when de matter reach court it gun look like if is two big people do dem own thing in de constab office. Talk half and don’t get tie up wid de constab.
front-load and inflate the expenses included in their cost recovery claims. Specifically, the audit stated that “it is inconceivable that the private contractor would fail to protect his financial interests, and assess every investment / operational proposal to see whether it would result in incremental revenues for him both in terms of cost recovery and contractor’s share of profit petroleum.” CPI noted that the auditors also criticised the Oil Ministry for not enforcing the terms of the contracts effectively and for not catching abuses that hurt the state’s share of profit. In the wake of the controversy, the Indian government struck a high-level panel to review existing contracts and explore “various contract models with a view to minimise the monitoring of expenditure of the contractor without compromising, firstly, on the hydrocarbons output across time and, secondly, on the Government’s take.” The panel concluded that the system of cost recovery
Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran “encourages the Contractor to inflate costs, to the detriment of Government’s share in profit petroleum.” Its main recommendation, therefore, was that India should adopt a “new contractual system and fiscal regime based on a postroyalty-payment revenuesharing to overcome the difficulties in managing the existing model based […] the cost-recovery mechanism.” (SEE LINK FOR MORE DETAILS: https:// cipmoz.org/images/ D o c u m e n t o s / Industria_Extrativa/ 309_Spinformacao_2014_05_en.pdf COST RECOVERY Oil production is expected
to get into to full swing by March 2020. That is less than two years away. But even at this point, the Government is yet to point out what ‘specific’ measures are in place to ensure that it can authenticate cost recovery claims by USA oil giant, ExxonMobil. Kaieteur News had asked President David Granger to provide some details in this regard and he was unable to. The said question was also put to the nation’s point man on oil and gas, Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman. He too is yet to list just two things that are in place to ensure Guyana is not robbed through such claims. At a recent press conference, Trotman said that the authenticity of cost recovery claims was one of the main discussions he and others had with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and its experts. Trotman acknowledged that indeed, several countries around the world; Kenya, Ghana, the USA and Great Britain, have had struggles with ensuring cost recovery is precise and transparent. The Natural Resources Minister said, “We have turned to some of the best financial experts in the world Continued on page 21
Monday January 15, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Monday January 15, 2018
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Govt. to fast-track public sector investment programme The poor implementation rate of projects planned by ministries last year, has led to the Ministry of Finance, and the Government as a whole, taking stricter measures this year to ensure that there are no recurrences. According to Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, the national performance on the public sector investment programme (PSIP) last year is still far below Government’s expectations and economic needs. He reminded that last year, significant concern was expressed about the lack of progress of the PSIP, and the Mid-Year Report for 2017 echoed those same sentiments. Since then, Jordan said that the Government has worked to accelerate implementation. He noted that the Government even approached the preparation of Budget 2018 with a significantly sterner disposition, since continuing with the status quo was untenable and unthinkable. The Finance Minister articulated that during the preparation process, Budget Agencies were mandated to ensure that procurement plans were prepared in support of their 2018 work programmes; bills of quanti-
ties and terms of references were prepared in 2017 for 2018; and procurement processes commenced prior to the New Year. Jordan said that Budget Agencies should be in a state of readiness to implement the PSIP for 2018. Jordan said that the makeup of the PSIP, in Budget 2018, is one that should allow for a more structured and timely execution within the parameters of scope, time and cost. He said that the Government has conducted a Public Investment Management Assessment (PIMA) and, based on the findings, will be taking further actions to improve the quality of expenditure outlays. In support of improved capacity of the Central Government, the economist noted that the Government will be piloting a procurement planning training programme in 2018. It is anticipated that key sectors, such as health, education, public infrastructure, public security and agriculture, will be targeted for this capacity building exercise. The Finance Minister said that officers will be trained on the development of procurement plans, and SPEND analysis, and will benefit from clinical sessions where a special-
- Major Ministries already targeted for capacity building ist will facilitate the development of actual procurement plans. He said that these procurement plans are intended to serve as a benchmark against which performance will be measured and, also, as an early warning mechanism to signal the need for remedial interventions. The Finance Minister asserted, “In 2018, we will continue to strengthen our procurement systems through several new initiatives. We will be establishing a process for debarment, where the past performance of bidders will be appraised as part of the selection process. We will establish a contractor‘s register to support this particular initiative. Also, a register of all procurement evaluators will be established to ensure that turnaround times and procedures are monitored and enforced.” Additionally, the economist expressed that the Government will be updating the procurement legislation, and will begin the groundwork leading to the eventual implementation of an eProcurement
platform. This platform will allow for a more efficient and effective procurement system that has a greater capacity. IMPLEMENTATION RATES The rate of implementation of projects scheduled for 2017 was highlighted in the half year report of the Ministry of Finance. According to the Ministry, the Public Sector Investment Programme, which is financed by both local and foreign funded sources, expended $15.8 billion, reflecting a 19.8 percent increase over the first half of 2016. Finance Ministry officials said however, this represents only 27.9 percent of the PSIP’s budgeted allocation of $56.8 billion. It was noted that the locally-funded projects were primarily constrained by delays in the project implementation as a result of a dearth of procurement planning, apparent lack of capacity, and delays in the tender process. The Ministry noted that this resulted in only 26.8 percent of the budgetary allocation of $34.6 billion expended at half year. The implementa-
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan tion of the foreign-funded projects was also plagued by delays emanating from the late finalisation of a number of financing agreements with both multilateral and bilateral development partners and the subsequent setting up of the project implementation unit. As such, the Finance Ministry noted that a mere 29.6 percent of the budgeted sum of $22.1 billion of the foreignfunded portfolio was expended. In the first half of 2017, the amounts expended for major projects including the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion Project, the Power Utility Upgrading
Programme, and the West Coast Demerara highway Project, were $2.8 billion, $1.2 billion, $0.6 billion, respectively. In spite of these constraints, Government said that it remains committed to delivering the budgeted PSIP and has taken steps towards the improvement of the pace of implementation. These include increased monitoring, the introduction of a Cabinet level reporting mechanism in June 2017, and training Ministry officials from key sectors in procurement planning. Further, in an effort to attract more persons to the national pool of evaluators, a stipend of $3,000 per session was approved by Cabinet, for each evaluator. In addition, monthly stipends were introduced for members of the Ministerial, Regional, Departmental, and Agency Tender Boards. At the end of June 30, 2017, there were a number of ministries which were below the 30 percent margin regarding their rate of implementation. The Ministry of Social Protection for example had a budgetary allocation of $477M but up to June, last, it had only used up $81M. This represents an execution rate of 17 percent.
$36M Operation Theatre among major works for Suddie Hospital The Suddie Public Hospital would finally be in receipt of a new Operation Theatre, at the value of $36 Million. This information was revealed by Regional Chairman,
Devenand Ramdatt, at a recent press conference. Information indicates that while the project is yet to be tendered, work is expected to commence this year.
The Suddie Public Hospital, which is the largest and main Hospital on the Essequibo Coast, has been plagued with a nonfunctional operating theatre for the past two years. Patients are often transferred to Georgetown via ambulance for surgery. Aside from the construction of a new operation theatre, a $4.3M filtration system has also been slated for the Suddie Public Hospital. The hospital’s drug bond is also to be extended at the cost of $8.2 million. Regional Chairman, Mr. Ramdatt revealed that a water filtration system is also to be installed at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital. The Oscar Joseph Hospital which is located at Charity on the Essequibo Coast, benefits a majority of persons living in the Pomeroon. The hospital has been unable to use the poor quality of water supplied by GWI.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Monday January 15, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Father digging to find the real Shelter given to 32 during cause for his son’s death trafficking in persons probes
Did Akeem Bagot really commit suicide or was he murdered? This is the question that has been playing in the mind of his father since his passing, a mere five months after he married. The lifeless body of 27year old Bagot was found hanging from his rented home in Zeelught, West Coast Demerara, which he had recently moved into after his wedding. His father, Brian Bagot is currently leaving no stone unturned to find out what really transpired after his son moved in with his wife. Mr. Bagot said that just three weeks after his son’s marriage, he called him saying that he was having problems. “Whenever he had troubles, me son used to call me. And I would encourage him. But then, the son’s wife discovered his body on December 3, last hanging from their bedroom ceiling. According to Brian’s dad, “She tell we how she father went to visit him on de same day, but when he (the father) went, he said that how me son didn’t went home. Is when she come home, she seh she see he body”. He said he was informed of his son’s death via telephone from a friend days after his son’s death. The man added that he did not even know where to find his son’s home.
…$12M in direct Govt. funding provided
Dead: Brian Bagot
The dead man’s father
While still in disbelief that his son killed himself, Brian Bagot said he visited the Leonora Police Station once more where he requested to see the photographs of his son when he was discovered. To his dismay, he said ranks told him that they were not permitted to show him the pictures. The very day, the man said his son’s wife requested to go into their home and was permitted by Police to do so. After a few days of his son’s passing, Bagot said he received the Post Mortem results, which said that his son died from “hanging”. On December 12 last, the young father of one was laid to rest. A (senior police officer) was very nice to me. He and all even said that he finds that he is getting conflicting statements. Two Tuesdays ago, the
man said he visited Crime Chief Paul Williams. He said he met the ranks, who are handling his son’s case, at the Eve Leary Police Station, in the presence of the Crime Chief. He said Williams told the ranks what the situation was and said “he doesn’t like it”. Bagot said the ranks then told the Crime Chief that the case was already closed. “How they could close off de case without even telling me, the father anything?” The ranks were then told to “get evidence” according to him. He said, “Is only now they start taking statements from my daughter, my two step sons and some other people. Last Friday when I call the Police, they said that the file come over to Georgetown”. The man is hoping, with each passing day, that the real reason for his son’s death can be brought to the light.
The joyful Brian Bagot (Second from left) on his wedding day
Trafficking in persons victims The Guyana Government through the Ministry of Social Protection provided approximately $12 million in direct financial assistance to victims and survivors of trafficking in persons. This is according to the Annual Report of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (TIP) 2016 which found that the profiles of suspected perpetrators of TIP were predominantly middle-aged persons who provided entertainment for the public. Some 32 survivors and alleged victims of trafficking in persons received shelter during 2016. According to the report, shelter was provided from five homes – two are state-supervised homes facilitated by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and three are state-operated children’s homes. The report noted that $2 million was provided in direct assistance to victims while one of the NGO- managed shelters received $10 million through the Ministry of Social Protection. Data show that in 2016 most alleged victims of the crime were females, which accounted for 86.7 percent of the 98 victims. Females dominated TIP reports from 2014 to 2016 with 89.3 percent, while alleged male victims accounted for 10.7 percent. For the period 2014-2016, each year saw an increase in the number of alleged victims of TIP in Guyana. It is the Task Force’s contention that this increase can be attributed to increased awareness among
the general populace. Statistics for 2014-2016 shows that the 12-18 age group was the most vulnerable in Guyana with 36 percent, closely followed by the 19-25 age group with 34 percent. It was also stated that family members of the alleged victims were often involved in the perpetration of the crime. The majority of victims were of Mixed-Race with 52.3 percent falling into this ethnic group. This group, as recorded by the Police statistics, comprised largely of individuals from Latin American countries such as the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Venezuela. The report was laid in the National Assembly on Wednesday by Minister of Public Security and Chairman of the Task Force, Khemraj Ramjattan. It also revealed that there were 98 alleged victims of TIP stemming from 38 re-
ported cases in 2016. Of the 38 reported cases for 2016, 30 were sent for legal advice and 19 TIP charges laid. In contrast, there were 18 reported cases in 2015 and 18 in 2014. These cases involved 55 alleged perpetrators, up from 32 in 2015 and 26 in 2014. According to the report, there was one conviction for a case initiated in 2016 and one from 2015. In the first matter, the perpetrator was not sentenced but was ordered to pay $884,000 in restitution to the survivor and fined $50,000. This verdict was appealed by both the state and the perpetrator, Joyce Lawrence. In the second case, Sharlene Oxley was sentenced to three years in jail and ordered to pay $2M in restitution to the survivor. The verdict was appealed by the perpetrator. In both matters, the perpetrators were related to the survivor.
Monday January 15, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Transitioning to Green...
Linden Mayor proposes solar street lighting, other initiatives By Enid Joaquin Mayor Carwyn Holland has highlighted several areas for consideration in the quest towards the Town’s imminent transition to a “Green Economy”. Among the proposed initiatives are Solar Street Lighting, Green Office Operations, a Solar Factory and Roof top Solar Photo Voltaic Systems. STREET LIGHTING With regard to street lighting, it was suggested that Linden immediately moves from incandescent lights to 100 percent Solar Street Lamps. The advantages in this, Holland pointed out are that there would be tremendous savings of revenue for the municipality as there would be
reduced fossil fuel consumption, improved security and the creation of employment through the servicing and maintenance of these solar systems. HYDRO-POWER Holland proposed the development of Hydro Power utilising the Linden/Tiger Hill Falls for the production of 25 or more megawatts of power which could provide electricity for Linden with the excess possibly being sold off to the Eco Norte Transmission Grid in Brazil if feasible. GREENOFFICE It was further suggested in the proposal, that all Government offices in Linden implement a strategy to utilise more networking via the
internet and thus minimise the need for printing. It goes without saying that reliable internet services would be required, Holland stressed. The use of CCTV cameras and alarms for security purposes instead of lights being left on was another strategy cited to promote the greening of Offices. MEETING Head of the Office of Climate Change, Janelle Christian subsequently held a meeting on Tuesday last, with Mayor Holland, Mayor elect Waneka Arrendel and Councillors, whom she engaged in talks on the proposed greening of Linden. A press conference was later held where Christian ex-
Four charged with separate robberies around Georgetown With a series of robberies happening around Georgetown, four youths on Friday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and were all remanded to prison on separate robbery charges around Georgetown. Twenty-three-year-old Sherwin Hinds of Lot 72 Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and denied the charge which alleged that on April 17 at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Akeem Waterman of a six pennyweight gold chain, a cellular phone and other items valuing $145,000. It was further alleged that on January 10 at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he had in his possession one .32 pistol when he was not the holder of a firearm licence. It was further alleged that on the same day in question, he had four live .32 rounds when he was not a licensed firearm holder. The Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail being granted to the defendant, citing the serious nature and prevalence of the offence and the fact that a gun was used to carried out the offence. The prosecutor added that the firearm was found under a mattress and the defendant was positively identified by the victim. He will make his next court appearance on February 1. Also before the same Magistrate were three other youths who were remanded to prisons on robbery
Remanded to prison, Sherwin Hinds
Remanded to prison, Havmick Small
Remanded to prison, Michael Ragbar
Remanded to prison, Leon Wilson
charges. Havmick Small, 21 of Campbellville, Housing Scheme Georgetown, was charged for robbing Alfred Johnson of cellular phone valued $95,000 and $7,000 cash. It was also alleged that on January 8 at Avenue of the Republic, Leon Wilson, 17 of Campbellville while being in the company of others, robbed Kacy Duncan of $12,000 cash and at the time of or immediately after he used personal violence towards her. Twenty-year-old Michael
Trotman Ragbar, of Parfaite Harmonie, East Bank Demerara, was also charged and remanded for robbing a man of his phone while using a pair of scissors. It is alleged that on January 11 at Broad Street, Georgetown, while being in the company of others and armed with a pair of scissors, he robbed Neon Hernandez of a cellular phone valued $41,000. They will all be making their next court appearance later this month.
plained to the media, "Greening is about changing the way we pursue our development to ensure that it’s done more sustainably with no harm to environment, so as to ensure that we use our resources efficiently, protecting it for future generations and also ensuring equity". According to Christian, the meeting with the outgoing Mayor and Town Council was to gain a better understanding of the projections and plans for the town. The whole objective, she said, is to better shape and consolidate the pilot "greening" project, with the hope that it would be financed under the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The proposal for the three-year project is expected to be approved by the end of March. Christian said that the "greening" Concept had started off with Bartica which had been dubbed the first model "Green Town". The main objective of her visit was to pilot a similar project in Linden, where the Mayor had already signalled his enthusiasm for such a venture. According to Christian, her office had started off working with Bartica, but that President David Granger had said that the expectation is that what was done in Bartica,
would be replicated in other parts of the country. “So it was that in 2018, the office of Climate Change identified the Town of Linden and another Municipality to forge a closer working relationship with the respective Municipalities to collaborate with them to get an idea of their priorities, with respect to both their short and long term plans to transition to green." The climate office is working to ensure that there are low emissions and more efficiency, within the various sectors, such as transport, energy, solid waste management, waste water and water management Christian said. She added that it was the intention of her office to work closely with the Municipality. FINANCING Since 2015 her office has been working with the United Nations Development Programme (NDP) to consolidate a national project or proposal for Financing under the GEF, Christian pointed out. RESPONSIBILITY The Office of Climate Change is the national agency responsible for shaping climate change policy with respect to Adaptation, Mitigation and Resilience Building. It has a responsibility to ensure that national plans are also implemented at regional and local levels. Building in-
stitutional capacity, addressing legislative policy gaps and implementing community pilots with respect to energy efficiency and renewable energy are also areas that would be looked at according to Christian. Mayor Holland said that the Town is ready to go Green. "Linden needs to go green on the fact that for years we’ve been doing bauxite mining, but we need to go look in the areas of energy efficiency." He expressed satisfaction that his proposal for the “greening” of the Town had found favour with the Climate Change Agency. Meanwhile, works are currently in progress on the proposed Green Space Project on Casaurina Drive. The area was recently cleared of vegetation in proximity to the Centennial Arch on Casaurina Drive. The project, which commenced a few months ago, is estimated at some $20M. The first phase of the project includes the construction of a base around the Centennial arch, clearing of the thick vegetation around the area and also back- filling of the land. Holland in an earlier interview had revealed that the $20M for this first phase of the project was approved by the Ministry of Communities, but that the final estimate of the entire project is yet to be determined.
Monday January 15, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Govt. fails to publish ExxonMobil Bridging Deed While the Government has released the ExxonMobil petroleum contract, there are still some key documents which it has failed to make public. This was recently pointed out by Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram. Ram noted that the Government is still to release the Bridging Deed between Government and ExxonMobil. Ram outlined that the Petroleum contract makes mention of the “Bridging Deed.” The purpose of this Deed is to replace the 1999 Agreement and the 1999 Petroleum Prospecting Licence. In his recent writings, the lawyer noted, “Readers will recall that then President Janet Jagan signed the 1999 Agreement in violation of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act (the Act) to the extent that the company (Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited) was granted approximately six hundred blocks instead of the sixty blocks permitted by law. “The 1999 Agreement and Prospecting Licence appears to have been contained in a single package and included a full description of the blocks and a map of t h e a r e a allotted to the oil company. The 2016 Agreement merely states that on that date, Minister Trotman granted a Petroleum
India considers abolishing Cost... From page 9 and they have come, they have done their assessments and they will be guiding us. It is a work in progress and we are doing better by the day.” When Kaieteur News still insisted on him outlining a few provisions in this regard, he pointed out that the Guyana Revenue Authority was able to garner $900M in taxes due to its attentiveness in this regard. In the eyes of Chartered Accountant and former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran, Guyana’s limited resources will certainly put it at a disadvantage when it comes to verifying the accuracy and reasonableness of cost recovery claims which will be made by ExxonMobil. The anticorruption advocate insists that the Coalition Government should consider renegotiating the contract it has with ExxonMobil to allow for a revenue-sharing model to be in place, similar to that which currently exists in Indonesia.
Prospecting Licence for an initial period of four years.” Ram added, “In other words, the whole idea of Mr. Trotman was to pretend that the 1999 Agreement never existed. Trotman has to be given credit – this takes legal gymnastics to a completely new level.Trotman obviously decided to complete the concealment of the 2016 Agreement by failing to comply with section 16 (2) of the Act.” Section 16(2) of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act states: “The Minister, shall, as soon as may be practicable after a licence has been granted, cause notice of that fact to be published in the Gazette stating the name of the licensee and the situation of the land in respect of which the licence has been granted.” The Attorney-at-law told Kaieteur News that Trotman failed to observe this aspect of the law, while commenting that it is a worrying precedence. The auditor added, “Did Trotman decide that he could bypass the provisions of the legislation and do as he chose? Clearly he does not consider himself bound by any laws and free to violate
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram
Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman
them as he chooses.” Ram also stated that a prospecting licence can only
be granted on the basis of an application made in accordance with the Act. He
said that the application must contain a whole range of information as prescribed by the Act and Regulations, including proposals for local content in terms of employment and the procurement of goods and services. STAKE IN THE ENTITY Ram also pointed out that Minister Trotman missed a glorious opportunity to apply the provision of Section 22 (2) of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act to ensure that Guyana had a stake in the entity. That subsection says, “There may be included in a petroleum prospecting licence provision with respect to the exercise by the State,
or any agency thereof identified in the licence, of an option to acquire on stipulated terms, or on terms to be agreed, an interest in any venture for the production of petroleum which may be carried on in any block or blocks to which the licence relates.” Ram said, “Imagine the leader of one of this country’s leading political parties deciding not to take up equity in companies exploiting a valuable, non-renewable resource. Trotman must surely know that the Government would not have had to pay upfront for its share of equity and could have elected to exercise a carrying interest.”
ExxonMobil looks to increase its oil drilling in Guyana GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — ExxonMobil is pushing ahead with efforts to develop oil fields off the South American nation of Guyana. Company spokeswoman Kimberly Brasington says it’s asked Guyanese environmental authorities for permission to drill to up to 40 new wells as it develops the Liza Phase 2 offshore oil field. It already has 17 planned for the first phase. Brasington said yesterday that the new
project should kick in 2022 — two years after production is expected to start at the Liza 1 field. ExxonMobil along with partners Hess Oil and Nexen of China announced their first commercial find in 2015, setting the stage for the country to move from being a net importer of oil to a producer. Brasington said the company will hold town hall meetings on the environmental permit.
Kimberly Brasington
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FOR RENT
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.- CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, washing machine repairs, gas stove, plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, FREEZERS,SALE OFAC’S TEL:6294946,225-4822. For efficient repairs, installations, assembly of imported furniture and gym equipment, mounting TV etc. Call:673-2692/233-3006 Are you moving out, need transportation, have stuff to fix up/disassemble? Call: 6585897/233-3006
VEHICLE FOR SALE F150 late model GSS series no problem lifted suspension for $2.4 million on best offer, excellent condition. Contact:695-7676/676-3612 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY- $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-2274754. Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 1 used Jialing JH125-35B Motorcycle. Call: 613-7771/ 688-8887 3 storey wooden building for sale and removal in Queenstown,Georgetown. 610-7558/223-4125/225-0018 12ft & 14ft Aluminum boat for sale 222-5671, 641-6162 1 longboom hitach Ex200LC 1 315BL Excavator, 2 John Deere tractor 5403 & 5705. Tel# 661-4255/686-1962 Freezers. Call: 671-3004 Combines 7300 John Deere (2000hrs), Fiatagri L413 (2500hrs), Laverda 132 & Tractors: Massey 399, Fiat 110/90, Ford 6610-Call: 6859878; 338-4354, 654-5662
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Vreed-en-hoop junction. Lessons place, storage bond, office, other. Call 603-6400. 1 Flat concrete house (Tiled, grilled,PVC ceiling) 3 bedroom, 1 self-contained room @ Parafaite Harmonie & Onderneerming, $50,000 monthly #662-6818. 3 bedroom Apt in Diamond 3rd Avenue. Tel: 666-6503, 592684-7599, 695-7427 2 bedroom semi-furnished apartment, tiled, grilled, secured at 13 Lyng & Sussex St Charlestown. No children, contact 601-1585/674-6394, 225-1418. Three (3) Bedroom bottom flat at 116 Caneview Avenue South Riumveldt Gardens. Price $75,000. Tel: 625-0392, 609-7826, 218-1688 1 two bedroom apartment to rent @ Better Hope, E.C.D – Call: 617-3001 Tower space to rent in Georgetown ideal for Telecommunication and Broadcasting Contact 2235273-4 PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 15 Public Road, #2 Village, W.C.B. 49ft x 10,314ft $25M Negotiable Contact 648-7109/686-4818
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6435122/656-0087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494
Republic Park- three bedroom house, master bedroom, heater, A/C etc. Price $35 million. Ph: 617-4261
SALON Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses: $90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/688-0009
One three bedroom house at West Riumveldt $50,000 per month. Tel: 672-7194/692-7377
EDUCATION Now Registering 9 course diploma in computers office 2016. $40,000. Computerized accounting, Micrographics, Vreed-en-hoop. 264-3057 Study in Canada/USA 100% acceptance. Micrographics Vreed-en-hoop. 264-3057
Furnished 1 & 2 bedroom apartment in Nandy Park. 2 acres of land at Farm, Public Parking available. Call 233road EBD. For further info call: 5560 evening only (for further 617-1809 information)
Lessons: Phonics, Reading & Writing for Kindergarten, grades 1-5 Mathematics & English. Lessons for form 1-5. Call: 690-9378
LAND FOR SALE Parafaite Harmonie 1.4M 3.5M 1.6M 2.5M Herstelling 3.5M Tuschen 5M 5.5M, all prices negotiable. Call: 6662326.
Monday January 15, 2018
Kaieteur News
TOLET
WANTED
VACANCY
Live in waitress to work in bar. Call: 604-6606/ 692-4649 Male to work night shift at hotel. Tel: 225-9211. Apply in person. Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm One cashier, one secretary, attractive salary. Call: 2237165. Security guards, 1 heavy duty mechanic, 1 cashier, 1 filing clerk, 1 accounting clerk, 1 company secretary. Call: 6044149 Experienced drivers, Waiters, Roti & puri cook, apply with written application, Hacks Restaurant, 5 Commerce St. Experienced hire car drivers and dispatchers for princess hotel Contact 616-5419, 2657076 Salesman, good verbal/ excellent attitude, knowledge in stocktaking, computer literate & team player. Keyfood McDoom. Experienced Handyman, porter all below 40 years. Apply with written application. Keyfood McDoom Village. Private tutor for ACAA, Any two papers among F5-F9. Email interest to odalexa@yahoo.com Experience hair cutters/ stylists, nail technicians and Estheticians required at upscale salon. Please contact: 688-6945 Drivers for Private cars & minibus route 44 all previous applicants can re-apply. Call: 225-3234 American Variety Store 140 Regent & Light Georgetownwanted experience cashier, supervisor & salegirls apply in person.
Male factory worker, age 18 and above, must have working experience. For more info call: 223-0090 Chef and assistant cook. Call: 225-7933 or visit us 172 Sheriff Street. General maintenance man, Ages 24-55. Address 233 South road, Tele# 225-0198 One customer service representative. Age 18 and over. Must have working experience, send application via email: humredes@gmail.com
Sales persons apply to Shanta’s. 225 Camp St 1 Female Typist, Must have excellent command of English Language, Proficient in Microsoft Office Suites, Age 25-35, 648-1821/219-0468 Teacher needed for grades 1 & 2. To schedule appointment, call: 677-0296
EDUCATION Learn Mandarin now! New year, new skills, new you! Call now for more information! #603-0018 First Aid/CPR and Home Nursing. New classes starting shortly at St John. Tel: 2259082
One receptionist, age 18 and over, must have working experience. Please send application via email: humresdes@gmail.com One Mechanic with sewing machine experience, age 25 and over, please send application via email: humresdes@gmail.com Cook/Baker & Kitchen Assistant for interior location. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 Experienced Security Professionals. Must have 3 yrs. experience, past military/ security. Send resume & picture by email:. bvisecurityandinvestigators @ g m a i l . c o m One female cleaner and driver for office in Eccles. Call: 2332745 Cleaner – submit written application to Barton-Sukhraj Accounting Lot 78 Breda & Hadfield Street, Werk-en-rust or e-mail to bs.taxes@yahoo.com Temporary Tax Consultant – Minimum qualification – CXC inclusive of Mathematics, Accounting & English, e-mail application to bs.taxes@yahoo.com One experienced legal computer clerk. Call: 645-6149/ 226-4283/258-0213/ email:husainsaphier@yahoo.com Vacancy exists for 1 experienced pharmacy technician to work part time @ a reputable pharmacy Georgetown- Call: 227-0630 Shipping Assistant, Accounts clerk- must have knowledge of QuickBooks. Tel: 616-5591/ 665-3676/226-0395. Receptionist/Washer & Presser/Hotel attendant/Bell boy info@vgiworld.com Porter/Clerk/Driver info@vgiworld.com 227-7714/ 223-3448. Live in maid, must know to cook and clean. More info 6645503 or 676-1748 One maid. #639-9449
Strong earthquake in southern Peru leaves one dead, scores injured LIMA (Reuters) - A strong magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck the coast of southern Peru yesterday morning, killing one person, injuring scores and causing homes and roads to collapse. The quake hit offshore at 4:18 a.m. local time (0918 GMT) at a depth of around 36 km (22.4 miles), the U.S. Geological Survey said. The epicenter was in the Pacific Ocean 40 km from the town of Acari. Arequipa Governor Ya m i l a O s o r i o s a i d o n Twitter that a 55-year-old man died in the town of Yauca after being crushed by rocks. Jorge Chavez, c h i e f o f P e r u ’s C i v i l Defense Institute, told local radio station RPP that 65 people were injured. Several municipalities lost electricity, and many roads and adobe houses collapsed, Osorio said. Many residents of Lomas, a coastal town, were evacuated after feeling an aftershock. President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski traveled to the towns of Chala and Acari, two of the areas most affected by the quake, to assess the damages and coordinate the response. He said some 100 houses had collapsed. Earthquakes are common in Peru, but many homes are built with precarious materials that cannot withstand the tremors.
VACANCY Live-in or part time maid, call 695-5505 or 611-6364 between 9am to 4pm Welder/fabricator, machinist, mechanic, must have technical background and three years’ experience. Call: 233-2745 Office clerk Senior/Junior CXC English/Mathematics, Computer knowledge an asset, Call: 223-7500 One maid for East Bank area, must know to cook and clean. Call: 614-4358
Monday January 15, 2018
Kaieteur News
Peace efforts can only resume under international mediation – Abbas
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas speaks during the meeting of the Palestinian Central Council in the West Bank city of Ramallah Thomson Reuters RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said yesterday he would only accept a broad, internationally-backed panel to broker any peace talks with Israel, but did not rule out a U.S. role in such a panel. The Palestinians are seething at U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition last month of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and Abbas told a meeting of senior Palestinian officials in a speech that the move had disqualified the United States as a peacemaker. Israel says it would welcome the United States as a mediator but a U.S. bid to revive negotiations, led by Trump’s adviser and sonin-law, Jared Kushner, has so far shown no progress. Talks have been frozen since 2014. Trump has said that achieving an agreement would be the “deal of the century” but Abbas was scathing yesterday, saying: “The deal of the century is actually the slap of the century, and we will return it.” “We do not accept the United States as a mediator between us and Israel,” Abbas said. “Let it be an international committee formed at an international conference comprising four or five (countries or parties). But the United
States alone? No.” Abbas’s comments were made at the start of a two-day meeting in Ramallah of the Palestinian Central Council, the Palestinians’ highest decision-making body, where 95 delegates will debate future strategy. “We will not accept anything the United States may try to impose on us and we will not accept its mediation following that crime,” said Abbas, referring to Trump’s Jerusalem decision. Palestinian officials have said they will not meet U.S. Vice President Mike Pence when he visits Egypt, Jordan and Israel this month. Since 2002, a ‘Quartet’ of Middle East peace negotiators comprising the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations has been assigned to promote peace efforts, but failed to show any result. Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital reversed decades of U.S. policy and has enraged Palestinians and triggered violent protests in Jerusalem, the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Israel considers Jerusalem to be its eternal, indivisible capital. The Palestinians want East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.
Brexit vote may be reversed, says British campaigner Farage
LONDON (Reuters) Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage said yesterday he was increasingly concerned that a vote for Britain to leave the European Union could be overturned by a powerful group of the bloc’s supporters. In an interview with Britain’s Observer newspaper, Farage, former head of the eurosceptic UK Independence Party, said a well-organised and funded group of campaigners that wants to remain in the EU was drowning out those who want to leave. “The Remain side are making all the running,” said Farage. “They have a majority in parliament, and unless we get ourselves organised we could lose the historic victory that was Brexit.” Last week, Farage said he was warming to the idea of holding a second vote on Britain’s membership of the EU to settle the argument - an idea written off by other Brexit
Nigel Farage campaigners who urged the government to press on with exit talks with the bloc. In 2016, Britons voted 52 to 48 percent in favour of ending its membership of the EU. Prime Minister Theresa May has ruled out a second referendum, saying her government was seeking an amicable divorce with the EU which will safeguard the economy
and enable Britain to secure trade deals with other countries. But some Brexit campaigners fear her approach has led to the watering down of several of their demands, including the ability to reduce immigration and to reclaim sovereignty by leaving the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. Several pro-EU campaigners say the need for a second referendum has become more pressing because public opinion is showing some signs of turning against Brexit as the difficulty of negotiations to leave the bloc becomes increasingly clear. On Thursday, a ComRes poll for the Daily Mirror newspaper of 1,049 adults showed that although more people think there should not be a second referendum (51 to 43 percent), if there were to be a re-run, voters say they would opt to stay in the EU by 55 to 45 percent.
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Monday January 15, 2018
Kaieteur News
Former top judges join criticism of India’s Chief Justice
From left, Justices Kurian Joseph, Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi and Madan Lokur address the media at a news conference in New Delhi, India Friday. REUTERS/Stringer NEW DELHI (Reuters) Four former senior Indian judges yesterday released a letter in support of a group of
Supreme Court judges who on Friday openly criticized the way the top court was functioning.
The retired judges — including a former Supreme Court judge and a chief justice of the Delhi High Court —
confirmed they had issued an open letter to the Chief Justice of India after four Supreme Court judges held a press
conference on Friday in which one of them warned that the nation’s democracy was under threat because of the way the top court was being run. The four sitting judges of the Supreme Court had criticized distribution of cases to judges and raised concerns about judicial appointments in the nation’s highest court under Chief Justice Dipak Misra. Misra has not responded to their allegations. “We agree with the four judges that though the chief justice of India is the master of roster and can designate benches for allocation of work, this does not mean that it can be done in an arbitrary manner such that sensitive and important cases are sent to hand-picked benches of junior judges by the chief justice,” the former judges said in the open letter yesterday. Reuters was able to
confirm that the letter was drafted and signed by four former judges P. B. Sawant, A. P. Shah, K. Chandru and H. Suresh. Two of the retired judges said it was important to support the group of Supreme Court judges because they had taken the bold step of speaking out publicly to protect the sanctity of the most important institution of India. Friday’s public outburst by judges prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold an emergency meeting with his law minister on Friday but the government has refused to comment. The four former judges said in the statement that all rules and norms must be laid down clearly for allocation of cases. “This must be done immediately to restore public confidence in the judiciary and in the Supreme Court,” the former judges said.
Monday January 15, 2018
Kaieteur News
China absence looms over Canada meeting on how to pressure North Korea
Head of North Korean delegation Ri Son Gwon, Chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country (CPRC) of DPRK, reaches out to shake hands with a South Korean official. January 9, 2018. REUTERS/Korea Pool VANCOUVER (Reuters) - Foreign ministers from around 20 nations gather tomorrow to discuss how to curb North Korea’s nuclear ambitions through diplomatic and financial pressure, but China, seen as a key player in any long-term solution, will be absent. The Vancouver meeting, co-hosted by Canada and the United States, comes amid signs that tensions on the peninsula have eased, at least temporarily. North and South Korea held talks for the first time in two years last week and Pyongyang says it will send athletes across the border to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. But the United States and others say the international community must look at ways of expanding a broad range of sanctions aimed at North Korea’s nuclear programme. “There is growing evidence that our maximum pressure campaign is being felt in North Korea. They are feeling the strain,” said Brian Hook, the State Department’s director of policy planning. Hook told a briefing in Washington that participants, including U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, would examine how to boost maritime security around North Korea to intercept ships trying to defy sanctions as well as “disrupting funding and disrupting resources.” The 17-nation Proliferation Security Initiative, which aims to prevent the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction, on Friday said “it is imperative for us to redouble our efforts to put maximum pressure on North Korea”. But North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has shown no sign of willingness to give in
to U.S. demands and negotiate away a weapons program he sees as vital to his survival. Another challenge in Vancouver will be the absence of China, which has significant influence in North Korea. Beijing is Pyongyang’s only ally and its chief trading partner. The meeting primarily groups those nations that sent troops to the Korean war of 1950-53, when China fought alongside the North. Beijing condemned the gathering. “Holding this kind of meeting that doesn’t include important parties to the Korean peninsula nuclear issue actually cannot help in advancing an appropriate resolution to the issue,” foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular briefing. Other invitees include Japan and South Korea, front-line U.S. allies in the Washington-led effort
against North Korea. Hook said China and Russia - which is also not attending - would be fully briefed on the conclusions. That said, Beijing’s absence will be felt, say diplomats. “Without China there is a real limit as to what can be achieved,” said one senior diplomatic source. Zhao Tong, a North Korea expert at the CarnegieTsinghua Center in Beijing, said the United States did not want Russia and China potentially distracting the discussion by raising their proposal to halt joint U.S.South Korean military drills that the North says are a prelude to an invasion. Fears of war have eased somewhat after the first round of intra-Korean talks in more than two years, and Trump, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Thursday, appeared to signal more of an openness toward diplomacy after a period of exchanging insults and threats with Kim.
Venezuela Govt., opposition conclude talks without agreement SANTO DOMINGO (Reuters) - Members of Venezuela’s leftist government and opposition leaders concluded a round of talks in the Dominican Republic on Saturday, failing to reach a deal to address the country’s political and economic crisis. Saying they had made strides but needed more time, the parties announced another round of talks to begin in the Dominican Republic on Thursday. The result prolongs the standoff between the government and the opposition, who have tried and failed for years to strike a pact. The two sides last met for talks in December. Nevertheless, Dominican President Danilo Medina, who led the negotiations, expressed optimism about the progress made during the round. “Although we have made extremely important advances, we still have pending matters that must be discussed,” he said at a press conference following the end of the talks. Representatives from Bolivia, Chile, Mexico and Nicaragua also participated in the discussions. The parties did not detail where they had made progress.
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Monday January 15, 2018
France expects UK to pay up, take more refugees to keep border – official
President Emmanuel Macron (right) and British Prime Minister Theresa May PARIS (Reuters) - France expects Britain to agree to take more asylum seekers and pay more for border security in order to maintain a frontier on the French side of the Channel, a French government official said. Britain’s border was extended into France under a 2003 bilateral treaty known as the Le Touquet accord. But a migration crisis and the Brexit vote to leave the European Union have made the arrangement an increasing source of friction. The deal will be on the table on Thursday when President Emmanuel Macron holds talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May at a Anglo-French summit in southern England. Asked if concrete
announcements are expected at the talks, the source said: “Yes. But is it all finalised? Absolutely not.” France’s Interior Minister Gerard Collomb, who has taken the lead on talks, was quoted by the Le Parisen newspaper yesterday saying he hoped an “additional protocol” to supplement the Le Touquet accord could be agreed upon. His comments indicated Macron has dropped a campaign promise to renegotiate the Le Touquet accord in full. “We’re still negotiating. There is back and forth. Nothing is locked in yet. The British have shaken on nothing but there’s a lot of pressure on them,” said the official familiar with Collomb’s
thinking. If no deal can be struck, France could tear up the Le Touquet accord and the two countries would have to reinstate borders on each side of the English Channel, the source said, adding that this was not in the interest of either side. Macron will travel to Britain two days after visiting the northern port city of Calais, the final stopping point for migrants striving to cross the English Channel. Calais has borne the brunt of the migration crisis in France and at its peak up to 10,000 migrants squatted in a sprawling camp dubbed “The Jungle”, before former president Francois Hollande sent in bulldozers.
South Africa’s ANC leader: Zuma to be dealt with over time JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The new leader of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) p a r t y, Cyril Ramaphosa, has said the question of whether President Jacob Zuma should step down would be addressed “as time goes on”. There has been widespread speculation that Ramaphosa and his allies are lobbying ANC members to oust Zuma as head of state in the coming weeks, but he made no mention of Zuma’s future in a closely watched speech on Saturday. Ramaphosa won the race to succeed Zuma as ANC leader last month, narrowly defeating former cabinet minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Zuma’s ex-wife, in a bitter leadership contest that had threatened to split the 106year-old ANC. In the interview to
S o u t h A f r i c a ’s e N C A television station, Ramaphosa said the issue of whether the ANC would push for Zuma to step down as president “will be dealt with, you know, as time goes on”. In a statement issued in response to the interview, South Africa’s presidency said Zuma and Ramaphosa had agreed to hold regular meetings “to ensure synergy between the governing party and government.” Ramaphosa said Zuma was a “deployee of the ANC” and that the ANC “dictates to all of us”. He added that he knew South African people were impatient for change but that “we should not humiliate President Zuma.” Zuma, who orchestrated the removal of former president Thabo Mbeki in 2008 after succeeding Mbeki as ANC leader, no longer
holds a top ANC post. Zuma’s presidency, tainted by corruption accusations which he denies, has tarnished the image of Africa’s oldest liberation movement and seen the economy slow to a nearstandstill. Markets have rallied since Ramaphosa’s election as ANC leader in December, as investors have warmed to his promises to root out corruption and kick-start economic growth. Any sign that Zuma could step down before his second presidential term ends in 2019 has tended to lift South African assets, including the rand currency. Ramaphosa faces a difficult balancing act as he struggles to unite a party which has been beset by bitter infighting for the past year. A faction within the ANC opposed his bid for party leader and is more closely aligned with Zuma.
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Kaieteur News
US says Caribbean nationals UWI Vice Chancellor says the can again apply for DACA Caribbean, Haiti must be respected WASHINGTON - CMC – The Trump administration says it will resume accepting renewal requests for a programme that shields from deportation young Caribbean and other immigrants who were brought illegally to the US as children. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Saturday said that “until further notice,” the Obamaera programme, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), “will be operated on the terms in place before it was rescinded” in September, when President Trump moved to end it. “Due to a federal court order, USCIS has resumed accepting requests to renew a grant of deferred action under DACA,” the statement said. “Until further notice, and unless otherwise provided in this guidance, the DACA policy will be operated on the terms in place before it was rescinded on September 5, 2017. “Individuals who were previously granted deferred action under DACA may request renewal by filing Form I-821D (PDF), Form I-765 (PDF), and Form I-765 Worksheet (PDF), with the appropriate fee or approved fee exemption request, at the USCIS designated filing location, and in accordance with the instructions to the
Form I-821D (PDF) and Form I-765 (PDF),” the statement added.” But USCIS said it is not accepting requests from individuals who have never before been granted deferred action under DACA. USCIS also said it will not accept or approve advance parole requests from DACA recipients. “If you previously received DACA and your DACA expired on or after Sept. 5, 2016, you may still file your DACA request as a renewal request. Please list the date your prior DACA ended in the appropriate box on Part 1 of the Form I-821D.” But USCIS warned: “If you previously received DACA and your DACA expired before Sept. 5, 2016, or your DACA was previously terminated at any time, you cannot request DACA as a renewal (because renewal requests typically must be submitted within one year of the expiration date of your last period of deferred action approved under DACA).” USCIS said applicants can, nonetheless, file a new initial DACA request in accordance with the Form I821D and Form I-765 instructions. “To assist USCIS with reviewing your DACA request for acceptance, if you are filing a new initial DACA
request because your DACA expired before September 5, 2016, or because it was terminated at any time, please list the date your prior DACA expired or was terminated on Part 1 of the Form I-821D, if available,” the statement said. “Deferred action is a discretionary determination to defer a removal action of an individual as an act of prosecutorial discretion,” it added. “Further, deferred action under DACA does not confer legal status upon an individual and may be terminated at any time, with or without a Notice of Intent to Terminate, at DHS’s discretion.” On Tuesday, Judge William Alsup of Federal District Court in San Francisco ruled that the Trump administration must “maintain the DACA programme on a nationwide basis” as the legal challenge to the president’s decision goes forward. In his ruling, the judge laid out a road map for the government that officials appeared to follow. Judge Alsup said previous beneficiaries of DACA, known as Dreamers, must be allowed to renew their status in the programme, although the government would not be required to accept new applications from immigrants who had not previously submitted one.
FOOD RIOTS IN VENEZUELA CLAIM 4 LIVES
KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), Progressor Hilary Beckles says the United States needs to respect the Caribbean and Haiti in particular. Beckles made the statement as the fallout continues over United States President Donald Trump’s reported remarks about Haiti, El Salvador and African nations. “The democratic, nationbuilding debt the American nation owes the Caribbean, and the Haitian nation in particular, that resides at its core, is not expected to be repaid but must be respected,” said Sir Hilary in a statement on the weekend. “Any nation without a nominal notion of its own making can never comprehend the forces that fashion it origins,” adding that Haiti’s Caribbean vision “illuminated America’s way out of its colonial darkness. “This is the debt President Trump’s America owes Toussaint L’Ouverture’s Haiti,” he said. “It’s a debt of philosophical clarity and political maturity. It’s a debt of how to rise to its best human potential. It’s a debt of exposure to higher standards. Haiti is really America’s Statue of Liberty. “The President’s truth making troops might not know, and probably care little for the fact that Haitian people were first in this modern world to build a nation completely free of the human scourge of slavery and native genocide,” the UWI Vice Chancellor
Sir Hilary Beckles stated. “It might be worthless in their world view that Haiti’s leadership made the Caribbean the first civilization in modernity to criminalize and constitutionally uproot such crimes against humanity and to proceed with sustainability to build a nation upon the basis of universal freedom,” he continued. “The tale of their two constitutions tells this truth,” he said. “The American Independence Declaration of 2nd July, 1776, reinforced slavery as the national development model for the future. The Haitian Independence Declaration, 1st January, 1804, defined slavery a crime and banished it from its borders.” The UWI Vice Chancellor said Haiti, then, became the first nation in the world to enforce a provision of personal democratic freedom for all, “and did so at a time when America was deepening its slavery roots. “The USA, therefore,
should daily bow before Haiti and thank it for the lessons it taught in how to conceptualize and create a democratic political and social order,” he said. “Having built their nation on the pillars of property rights in humans, and realizing a century later that slavery and freedom could not coexist in the same nation, Americans returned to the battlefield to litigate the century’s bloodiest defining and deciding civil war. Sir Hilary said Haiti was and will remain “this hemisphere’s mother of modern democracy; and the Caribbean, the cradle of the first ethical civilization. “For President Trump, therefore, to define the Caribbean’s noble heroes of human freedom, whose sacrifice empowered and enlightened his nation in its darkest days, as a site of human degradation, is beyond comprehension,” he said. “It is a brutal bashing of basic truths that are in need, not of violation, but celebration. “Haiti, then, is mankind’s monument to its triumphant rise from the demonic descent into despair to the forging of its first democratic dispensation,” he added. “It is home to humanity’s most resilient people, who are the persistent proof of the unrelenting intent of the species to let freedom rain and reign.” “Thankfully, many fine souls dedicated to social justice have risen to ‘write this wrong’ into the public record.”
ST. LUCIA OPPOSITION LEADER…
Defends decision to boycott GG’s swearing-in ceremony
Bogota, Colombia – ANI - At least four people have died and 16 others got injured after riots broke out in Venezuela’s Merida state over food shortages. Venezuela is dealing with a major economic crisis caused due to the decline oil prices and sanctions levied by the United States. “An armed group in moving vehicles shot people queuing to buy rice in front of a store,” the Anadolu Agency quoted the Mayor Silvio Luis Torres, as saying.
According to the eyewitnesses, among the dead were a 17-year-old minor and a 23year-old Manuel Alberto Oria Marquez, who was shot, while looting a food truck. The injured were rushed to a hospital in Valera city for medical assistance. When asked about the reason behind the riots, deputy to the National Assembly for Merida state Addy Coromoto Valero said, “In this town, lots of people go hungry.”
CASTRIES, St Lucia - (CMC) — Leader of the main opposition St Lucia Labour Party (SLP), Phillip Pierre has defended the decision of Opposition legislators to boycott Friday’s swearing in ceremony for new governorgeneral, Sir Neville Cenac saying he does not have the full confidence of the population. Sir Neville, 82, was sworn in Friday at the House of Assembly replacing Dame Pearlette Louisy, who had been in the position for 20 years. The SLP has been at odds with the manner in which the Allen Chastenent government went about replacing her. According to Pierre, the prime minister disregarded a principle or convention which urged consultation between the prime minister and the leader of the Opposition on the appointment of a governor-general. “Had the Prime Minister followed the convention and good governance practices, he should have consulted the Leader of the Opposition on the appointment of the
Governor General. Had he done so, he would have been cautioned against the risk of potentially bringing the office into disrepute and derision given the unprecedented election events of 1987.” “As it turned out, he did not, and failed to follow the precedent set by the St Lucia Labour Party government in 1997 in consulting the then Leader of the Opposition before the appointment of Dame Pearlette Louisy. The result of his high-handed approach to governing the country is now bearing fruit. The country is divided and polarized on an issue that should be acceptable to the majority,” Pierre said. Former Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy demitted office, under a cloud of controversy on whether she was forced out. Dame Pearlette served in the position for just over 20 years, becoming one of the longest to hold that position in the Commonwealth.
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Kaieteur News
Saudi women score right to Venus to battle Bencic as Australian Open gets underway watch men’s soccer in stadiums
Venus Williams (facebook) MELBOURNE (Reuters) The Australian Open gets underway with a bang today, with last year’s finalist Venus Williams taking on resurgent Swiss talent Belinda Bencic in a much-anticipated clash of generations on Rod Laver Arena’s center court. In a sign of Williams’s astonishing longevity, 20year-old Bencic was just a toddler when the American won the first of her seven grand slam titles at Wimbledon in 2000. Williams continued her late-career flourish at Melbourne Park last year, reaching her first grand slam final in eight years before being stopped by her
champion sister Serena. With new mum Serena absent this year and the women’s tournament wide open, Venus may be as good a chance as any of her rivals to win her first grand slam since Wimbledon in 2008. But she will first need to get past the highly rated Bencic, who stormed into the top 10 as an 18-year-old before being sidelined for much of 2017 after wrist surgery. The injury saw Bencic tumble out of the top 300 but she has quietly marched back up to 78 since returning to action in September. Like her 37-year-old
Rafa Nadal (facebook)
opponent, Bencic packed a lot into her teenage years, reaching the 2014 U.S. Open quarter-finals when just 17 before claiming her first WTA title at Eastbourne the following year. She has also been in sound form in the leadup, teaming up with Roger Federer to win the Hopman Cup for Switzerland in Perth. Williams has played only one match since being beaten in the WTA Finals decider by Caroline Wozniacki in October, a loss to 2016 Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber at the leadup Sydney International. But the veteran has never lost a set to Bencic in their four matches, their last clash in the third round of the 2015 U.S. Open. Williams will look to blow Bencic away quickly with her aggressive game, while her opponent will be keen to drag the veteran American into long rallies and find moments to unleash her fierce backhand down the line. The 2009 men’s champion Rafa Nadal, who was beaten in a classic five-set final by long-time rival Roger Federer last year, headlines the evening session at Rod Laver Arena with a first round match against Dominican journeyman Victor Estrella Burgos. Nadal, bidding for a 17th grand slam title, has had very limited preparation since a knee injury forced him to pull out of the season-ending ATP Tour finals but declared himself “more or less” happy with his game on Saturday. Danger lurks for a couple of last year’s grand slam champions in the women’s draw, with French Open winner and seventh seed Jelena Ostapenko taking on the seasoned Francesca Schiavone, also a winner at Roland Garros, in the opening match at Rod Laver Arena. U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens, seeded 13th, faces a test against China’s Zhang Shuai in the early match on Margaret Court Arena, the second showcourt. Fans hoping for a shakeup of the men’s game will keenly watch the progress of third seed Grigor Dimitrov, who plays Austrian qualifier Dennis Novak, on Rod Laver Arena. Local hope Nick Kyrgios, seeded 17th, is certain to generate a raucous atmosphere at his favorite Hisense Arena when he takes on Brazil’s Rogerio Dutra Silva in the late match.
JEDDAH (Reuters) - Women in black abayas and fluorescent orange vests stood at the gates at King Abdullah Stadium, welcoming people into the family section that, for the first time in Saudi Arabia, allowed women to attend a men’s soccer match. As the two teams al-Ahli and al-Batin faced each other in the city of Jeddah, women showed up to their first public sporting event in the Kingdom to support the sides with their spouses, children and friends. The General Sports Authority announced in October that stadiums in Jeddah, Dammam and Riyadh will be set up to accommodate families starting in 2018. “Honestly this decision should have happened a long time ago,” said Muneera alGhamdi, an attendee. “But thank god that it came in the right time, and hopefully what’s to come will be even more beautiful for women.” The decision to allow women to attend a mixed public sporting event is one of many changes the country has undergone in recent
months, hailed as proof of a new progressive trend in the deeply conservative Muslim Kingdom. On Thursday, Jeddah held Saudi Arabia’s first car exhibition aimed at women, a few months after Saudi Arabia announced it would grant them the right to drive.. A soccer match on Saturday in the capital Riyadh will also be welcoming women fans. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 32, has been hailed as the face of these changes. Many young Saudis regard his recent ascent to power as proof their generation is taking a central place in running a country whose patriarchal traditions have for decades made power the province of the old and blocked women’s progress. “Today the percentage of those who participate in exercise and sports is only 13 percent,” said Hayfaa al-Sabban, who heads a sport organisation. “We aim god willing to raise it to 40 percent by 2030, through several events, and today’s is one of these events.”
CYCLING: This year’s Vuelta to be decided in the mountains MADRID (Reuters) - Tour of Spain organizers are hoping the 2018 race will be decided in the mountains as they unveiled the course for the next edition yesterday. The three-week Vuelta, which will start from Malaga on Aug. 25, will feature nine summit finishes and less than 40km of time trialing. The riders will start with an eight km prologue in Malaga and the other solo effort against the clock will be over 30.7 km in Torrelavega at the beginning of the third week. “We want the mountains to be key again to decide the Vuelta,” said race director Javier Guillen. Briton Chris Froome, last year’s winner, will not defend his title. He was the first British rider to win the Vuelta and the first man to claim a Tour de France/Vuelta double in the same season since the Spanish race was moved to after the Tour. However, Froome had previously announced that he
would attempt the Giro d‘Italia/Tour double this year, meaning it would be too demanding to race the Vuelta after two grand tours. The Briton could be stripped of his Vuelta title if he cannot provide a satisfactory explanation of why a urine test he gave after Stage 18 on Sept. 7 showed excessive levels of an asthma medication called Salbutamol.
The 32-year-old Froome, who rides for Team Sky, said he had done nothing wrong and would provide “whatever information” world cycling’s governing UCI requires. Salbutamol is permitted as a legal asthma drug by the World Anti-Doping Agency, and the UCI said Froome’s failed urine test did not necessitate a mandatory provisional suspension.
WBC heavyweight champ Wilder to face unbeaten Ortiz NEW YORK (AP) — WBC heavyweight championship Deontay Wilder is set to meet unbeaten Luis Ortiz on March 3 at Barclays Center. Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) is coming off a first-round knockout of Bermane Stiverne in November. He and Ortiz were initially supposed to fight on that card, but the Cuban was scratched because of a positive drug test. This will be Wilder’s seventh title defence. Ortiz (28-0, 24 KOs) is being billed as his toughest opponent. Wilder has had impressive wins at Barlays, including the knockout of Stiverne and a 2016 knockout of Artur Szpilka. Before the first scheduled bout, Ortiz was found to have taken two banned diuretics that are often used as masking agents for steroids. The event is part of Premier Boxing Champions.
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Kaieteur News
Liverpool end Man City’s unbeaten Roy smashes 180 as England win by five wickets in Melbourne run in seven-goal thriller
Sadio Mane’s explosive rising strike handed Liverpool a 3-1 lead. (Getty Images) (Reuters) - Liverpool scored three times in nine minutes on the way to a dramatic 4-3 win over Manchester City yesterday which ended the Premier League leaders’ unbeaten start to the season. Liverpool struck after less than 10 minutes when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain surged forward from midfield to collect a neat layoff from Roberto Firmino and send a low shot past City keeper Ederson. Leroy Sane equalised shortly before the interval, but Liverpool blew City away after halftime with Firmino chipping Ederson to restore the home side’s lead and Sadio Mane striking from the edge of the box. Egypt international Mohamed Salah looked to have completed the rout when he collected Ederson’s clearance and sent the ball sailing back over the stranded keeper’s head, but City substitute Bernardo Silva grabbed one back and midfielder Ilkay Gundogan prodded home in stoppage-time. City’s first league defeat in 23 games this season left them 15 points clear at the top, ahead of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. “Congratulations to Liverpool for the victory,” City manager Pep Guardiola told Sky Sports. “The game was in our hands at 1-1 but our finishing was not good and then it went suddenly to 4-1. You have to live this kind of situation in the season. “The reality is we lose the game, we have a week to recover and prepare for the Newcastle game. All credit to the opponent, we know how difficult it is against a Juergen Klopp team, so aggressive, at Anfield too. We did a good performance apart from a few minutes.” Against the runaway leaders and without Brazilian Philippe Coutinho following his big-
money move to Barcelona, Liverpool started strongly and their high pressing game was vindicated when Oxlade-Chamberlain surged forward and finished brilliantly. DESERVED EQUALISER In an entertaining match which produced chances at both ends, City began to assert themselves before a deserved equaliser. Kyle Walker’s brilliant pass beat Joe Gomez and Sane, having controlled the ball superbly with his chest, fizzed a shot past Loris Karius’s weak attempted save at his near post. The game continued at the same frantic pace after the break with chances for both sides before Liverpool, in one of the most irresistible attacking displays of the season, scored three times in nine blistering minutes. Firmino lifted a deft finish over Ederson to restore their lead before Mane - just seconds after curling a shot against the post unleashed an unstoppable drive into the top corner with his left foot. With Anfield in raptures and the visitors looking shell-shocked, Ederson’s attempted clearance only found Salah who controlled the ball before clipping it over the Brazilian from long range. Late goals from substitute Silva and Gundogan exposed Liverpool’s defensive fraility without the injured Virgil van Dijk and set up a tense final few minutes, but City’s revival came too late. Klopp was delighted with his team’s reaction to the departure of Coutinho. “He’s probably jumping in his new living room in Barcelona and will be happy about the win tonight,” the German said. “Of course, for us, it’s important to show we can play without him and we did it, so that’s a very important statement, absolutely.”
MELBOURNE (Reuters) Opener Jason Roy smashed England’s highest individual score in one-day internationals to guide his side to a comfortable fivewicket victory against Australia in the opening match of the series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground yesterday. The 27-year old hit 180 and combined in a thirdwicket stand of 221 with test skipper Joe Root, who made an unbeaten 91, to make the seemingly steep 305-run chase look easy and help England to their first win on the tour. Roy surpassed team mate Alex Hales’s previous ODI best of 171 during his 151-ball knock as England cruised home with seven balls to spare in a morale-boosting victory, after a demoralising 4-0 loss in the Ashes tests. After being put in to bat in the opening ODI of the fivematch series, Australia opener Aaron Finch compiled his ninth hundred in the 50over format to help the hosts to a total of 304 for eight. Yet the target proved insufficient as Roy hit 16 fours and five sixes in a belligerent knock, his fourth ODI hundred. Roy, who celebrated his century with a leap in the air, reached fifty in 32 balls and gave England a rollicking start in their chase with an opening stand of 53 with Jonny Bairstow in under five overs. England stuttered a bit after fast bowler Mitchell Starc dismissed Roy, with the touring side also losing captain Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler soon after. Root,
Jason Roy raced on to his fourth ODI hundred as England began to cruise in their chase ©Associated Press however, remained unbeaten to take them home. Australia had earlier lost David Warner for two to a fast and sharply-rising delivery from paceman Mark Wood while in-form skipper Steve Smith (23) and Travis Head also fell cheaply as the hosts were reduced to 78-3 in the 14th over. Finch, who hit 10 fours and three sixes in his 107, and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh then gave Australia a platform to build on with a stand of 118. Finch and Marsh, who made 50, fell in quick succession and it was left to
Marcus Stoinis and Tim Paine to provide Australia’s late assault and give them a defendable total. Stoinis smashed 60 in 40 balls while Paine contributed a useful 27 as the pair added 80 for the sixth wicket to help the hosts get past the 300-run mark. Brisbane will host the second match of the series on Friday. Scores: England 5 for 308 (Roy 180, Root 91*) beat Australia 8 for 304 (Finch 107, Stoinis 60, Marsh 50, Plunkett 3-71) by 5 wickets.
Suarez inspires stunning Barcelona comeback at Real Sociedad
Luis Suarez scored twice before Lionel Messi completed Barcelona’s 4-2 comeback win at Real Sociedad.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain set Liverpool on their way after just nine minutes. (Getty Images)
MADRID (Reuters) - Luis Suarez inspired a spectacular Barcelona comeback which saw them return from two goals down to beat Real Sociedad 4-2 at Anoeta yesterday. Willian Jose sent the hosts ahead in the 11th minute and Juanmi added a second goal in the 34th at a ground where Barcelona had not won in La Liga since 2007. However, Suarez set up Paulinho to pull
one back before half-time before scoring twice himself, to ensure Barcelona would remain unbeaten and nine points clear of second-place Atletico Madrid at the top of the table at the halfway stage of the season. Lionel Messi added some gloss with a perfectly placed free kick for Barcelona’s fourth goal in the 85th minute, to end a thrilling game in spectacular fashion.
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Monday January 15, 2018
AAG opens season with developmental meet Daniel Williams, Davin Fraser, Leslain Baird, Devaun Barrington among top performers The Athletics Association of Guyana held their first Track and Field meet of the year yesterday at the National Track and Field Centre (NTAFC) at Leonora. The event was a developmental meet which the body usually hosts coming out of the off-season period that features nontraditional races such as the 80m, 150m, 300m, 600m, 1000m and 2400m which are competed in tandem with traditional field events. The categories competed yesterday ranged from under-10 to open. Up to press time, Guyana’s rising star, World Junior 400m silver medalist Daniel Williams had completed a sprint double in the 150m and 300m boys’ under 18 events. In the 300m, Williams of the Upper Demerara Club clocked a comfortable 35.72 seconds, while his time in 150m was recorded as 15.35 seconds. Meanwhile, former national 200m champion Davin Fraser of Police Progressive Sports Club continues to make good strides in his return to athletics following an injury layoff, after sprinting to
Davin Fraser finishes strong ahead of 2nd placed Ackeem Stuart and 3rd Micheal James both of Police with Anfernee Headecker fourth of Running Braves in the open 300m. victory in the open 300m race which featured the likes of National 1500m and 800m champion, Anfernee Headecker. Fraser clocked a time of 35.66 seconds in that race. Favourites Deshanna Skeete of Christianburg Wismar Secondary School
(CWSS) club and Cassie Small of Super Upcoming track club won the girls’ 300m under-16 and under- 18 races respectively. Skeete clocked 41.87 seconds while Small won in 41.71 seconds. Lone open 300m female competitor, Shaquana Daniels of Running Brave track club,
finished the race that was mixed with under-18 athletes in 45.09 seconds In the longer 600m race, Devaun Barrington was among the top performers. The Running Braves athlete won the open category in a time of 1minute 23seconds. Winston Missigher won
ahead of Cleveland Thomas in the Men open 1200m. Missigher’s time of 3minutes 13 seconds bettered Thomas’ by a minute. In the field event arm, national senior male record holder of the Javelin throw Leslain Baird of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) club,
was in fine form and despite nursing an ankle injury, he managed to come out the best thrower in the open category after throwing the spear a length of 70.74m. Baird’s throw was way ahead of second placed Clarence Green who only managed 55.49m. (Calvin Chapman)
Daniel Williams finished comfortably way ahead of 2nd placed Lonell Marks in the under-18 300m.
Shaw, Kalra set up India’s dominating... From page 31 yorkers nicely to stem run flow. India managed just two fours between overs 31 and 40, with the batting Powerplay fetching just 23. The brakes were on, even though India were still in a commanding 223 for 2 with 10 overs to play. Sutherland bowled out by the 42nd over, with his last ball - a rank full toss - dispatched over deep midwicket for six by Gill. He finished with a respectable 1 for 55 off his full quota even as the other bowlers largely struggled. Austin Waugh brought out a number of slower variations, including the back-of-the-hand delivery which his father Steve, who was in attendance, bowled so effectively, but it
kept getting put away. He bore the brunt of Gill’s onslaught as he raced to a half-century off 48 deliveries. All of this meant India enjoyed a terrific last five overs, courtesy some industrious batting from Abhishek Sharma and Nagarkoti. Moving around the crease, they threw bowlers off their line to flick, whip and scoop 63 runs that got them close to 330. The luxury of those extra runs allowed them to attack and eventually close out the game. Scores: India Under-19 328 for 7 (Shaw 94, Kalra 86, Gill 63, Edwards 4-65) beat Australia Under-19 228 all out (Edwards 73, Nagarkoti 3-29, Mavi 3-45) by 100 runs.
GDF’s Leslain Baird in a strong stride during the open Javelin throw event yesterday.
Monday January 15, 2018
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Shaw, Kalra set up India’s dominating win ESPNcricinfo - Against an Australia line-up filled with right-handers, India stocked their XI with three left-arm spinners. As it turned out, it was their fast bowlers Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti, who rattled Australia with 146kph thunderbolts under lights. This was one of the big takeaways for India, who opened their campaign with a 100-run win at the Bay Oval in Mount Manganui. The other takeaway was the performance of their batsmen, Prithvi Shaw and Manjot Kalra in particular. In an approach straight out of the senior team’s ODI
blueprint, the openers first consolidated before going into overdrive to add 180 in India’s 328 for 7 after electing to bat. Along the way, they broke India’s previous best opening stand of 179 held by Shikhar Dhawan and Robin Uthappa in the 2004 edition. Australia were opposite, allowing the fast bowlers to dictate terms. Opener Max Bryant, reprieved early by wicketkeeper Aryan Juyal off Mavi, Could only manage 29 in his 48-ball stay, slapping a length ball to cover. Jason Sangha, the captain, was also kept quiet as Shaw cut out the singles. After batting for close
to 30 minutes, he was out charging at Sharma, only to be deceived in flight and spoon a catch to Shaw short third man. At the halfway mark, Australia’s asking rate had already spiraled to close to 10 an over. Against a side that had planned specifically for a situation that was ripe to choke runs and build pressure with their spinners, this approach was going to be seriously tested. But India had to make up nearly seven overs after fast bowler Ishan Porel hobbled off with a knee niggle. Jack Edwards, the other
Ngidi takes first test wicket but Kohli holds firm for India
Manjot Kalra loses his balance while sweeping. (Getty Images)
opener who held the innings together, picked away Himanshu Rana’s part-time medium pace easily, but Shaw brought back his strike bowler Mavi to break the flourishing 59-run thirdwicket stand when Jonathan Merlo’s off stump went cartwheeling. On a batting day, Mavi and Nagarkoti, who finished with 3 for 29, made the big difference. Australia’s cautious approach was in sharp contrast to India’s. Shaw took some risks but aggressive right through, while Kalra, prone to the occasional false drive to away-going
deliveries, was largely composed and aesthetically pleasing. Both fell short of what should have been deserving hundreds, but India overcame a slight blip in momentum courtesy a sprightly 54-ball 63 from No. 3 Shubman Gill on a flat batting deck where batsmen had no inhibition in hitting through the line. Shaw, tentative outside the off stump early in his innings, should’ve been out for 25, but Will Sutherland’s joy of having him caught behind while poking with an angled bat in the eighth over was shortlived as replays
confirmed he had overstepped. Then on 28, he was reprieved again as Austin Waugh missed a direct hit at the bowler’s end from backward point. It would cost Australia 69 more before Shaw, frustrated at not finding his placement after crossing 80, slashed to the wicketkeeper on 94. Australia had a second wicket when Kalra chipped one to a leaping Sangha at midwicket. Sutherland was brought back and he didn’t let the captain down, varying his pace and use of the wide Continued on page 30
Jacobs career-best turns back Hurricanes Virat Kohli stayed unbeaten on 85 and with him was the combative Hardik Pandya with India 152 runs behind ©BCCI PRETORIA (Reuters) - Young South African seamer Lungi Ngidi took his first test wicket but India captain Virat Kohli led the resistance for the tourists as they reached 183 for five at the close of day two of the second test in Pretoria yesterday. India trail South Africa by 152 runs having bowled their hosts out for 335 just before lunch on a slow wicket that has bounce, but little lateral movement. Kohli will resume his innings on 85 not out along with all-rounder Hardik Pandya (11 not out) as the pair seek to eke out a first innings lead in the knowledge that batting last on a wicket already showing variable bounce will be a challenge. India have tried to be positive with the bat, but have lost wickets at regular intervals, with the top seven so far failing to provide support for Kohli. The openers took the score to 28 before losing their first wicket when Lokesh Rahul (10) was caught and bowled by Morne Morkel, misjudging a delivery that held up on the surface. They lost another wicket on the next ball when new batsman Cheteshwar Pujara took on the arm of Ngidi at mid-on and lost, run out by a direct hit. Murali Vijay (46) added 79 for the third wicket with his captain before he edged
spinner Keshav Maharaj (1-53) to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. Rohit Sharma (10) was trapped leg before wicket by the world’s leading test bowler Kagiso Rabada (1-33), before Ngidi (1-26) delighted the home crowd with his first test wicket – Parthiv Patel (19) edging to De Kock. Kohli has played a superb innings in trying to hold the India effort together, scoring at a brisk pace as well with his 85 coming off 130 deliveries. India had earlier taken the final four South African wickets in their innings for 66 runs in the morning session. Home captain Faf du Plessis struck a wellcompiled 63 before he was bowled by Ishant Sharma (3-46), but the pick of the tourists’ attack was spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who claimed 4-113 and also had three catches dropped off his bowling. Mohammed Shami became the seventh Indian fast bowler to 100 test wickets when he had Maharaj caught by Patel, the third quickest to reach that mark in his 29th test after Kapil Dev (25 tests) and Irfan Pathan (28). South Africa lead the three-test series 10 after a 72-run victory in Cape Town in the opening fixture. Scores: India 183 for 5 (Kohli 85*, Vijay 46) trail South Africa 335 (Markram 94, Amla 82, du Plessis 63) by 152 runs.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Leg-spinner Damion Jacobs snatched a career-best 12-wicket haul as Jamaica Scorpions needed just an hour to dispose of Leeward Islands Hurricanes by 57 runs in their ninth round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship here yesterday. Chasing 262 for victory, Leewards resumed the final day at Sabina Park on 159 for six needing a further 103 runs but were dismissed for 204 on the stroke of the first hour of play. Jacobs, the West Indies A spinner, grabbed three of the four remaining Hurricanes wickets to end with five for 83 and post match figures of 12 for 157. Part-time off-spinner, John Campbell, whose three quick wickets late on Saturday’s penultimate day turned the game in Scorpions’ favour, added another scalp to his column to finish with four for 40. Only Jeremiah Louis, with an unbeaten 34, offered any resistance as the last four Hurricanes wickets tumbled for 45 runs. Louis, better known for his pace bowling, faced 67 balls and counted three fours and a six.
Leg-spinner Damion Jacobs … claimed a career-best match haul. Hurricanes’ retained slim chances of winning the match at the start but once their last remaining hope, West Indies A one-day skipper Jahmar Hamilton, was dismissed seven balls into the morning without adding to his overnight five, all hope vanished. Louis found an ally in Mervin Mathew (11) to add 25 for the eighth wicket but the partnership only served to delay the inevitable. The victory broke a twomatch losing streak for Scorpions while Hurricanes slumped to their fourth defeat of the season.
Scores: SCORPIONS 197 (Jermaine Blackwood 81, John Campbell 28, Assad Fudadin 24; Sheno Berridge 4-46, Chaim Holder 3-50, Jeremiah Louis 3-62) and 235 (Jermaine Blackwood 70, John Campbell 55, Fabian Allen 24; Sheno Berridge 5-59, Chaim Holder 2-57). H U R R I C A N E S 171 (Keacy Carty 78, Jahmar Hamilton 40 Damion Jacobs 7-74, Nikita Miller 2-32) and 204 (Devon Thomas 52, Montcin Hodge 45, Sheno Berridge 34 not out, Akeem Saunders 22; Damion Jacobs 5-83, John Campbell 4-40).
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Monday January 15, 2018
Chanderpaul hundred lights up RHTY&SC, MS and Scotia Bank renew long standing relationship pedestrian final day – 4th day, 9th round - Bank pumps $875,000 into 2018 programmes SCOREBOARD
RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster receives the sponsorship from Scotia Bank, Marketing Executive Jennifer Cipriani. The highly successful and long standing relationship between the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS and Scotia Bank was renewed for another year last Tuesday. The Bank handed over a cheque valued $875,000 and a large amount of kiddies cricket practice equipment to Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster at a simple presentation ceremony at its Corporate Head Office in Robb Street, Georgetown, Demerara. Scotia Bank and the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club established a relationship in 2009 and this year’s sponsorship represents the 10th year the two organisations would be working together to make a positive difference in the lives of youths and those in the Education Sector. Foster, who received the sponsorship from Marketing Executive of the Bank, Jennifer Cipriani disclosed that it covers sponsorships for the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club 4th Annual Children Mash Parade, InterSchool Essay Competition, Tribute to Teachers Programme, purchasing of cricket balls for cricket development programme and co-sponsorship of the Club’s Annual Youth Review Magazine and Annual Awards Ceremony. Outstanding Teachers drawn from ten schools in the Lower Corentyne area would be honoured under the Scotia Bank’s Tribute to Outstanding Teachers Programme, while the same schools would be involved in the Mash Parade scheduled for the 23rd February, 2018. The main objectives of the
Parade would be to celebrate Guyana’s 48th Republic Anniversary, to promote the importance of Education, Culture, Sports and to promote social cohesion among residents. $100,000 worth of cricket balls would be purchased towards a planned comprehensive Cricket Development Programme, while the Practice Equipment would be used on a weekly basis by the Club’s King Solomon Logistics Under-12 Team which is based at the Rose Hall Town Primary School. $100,000 worth of trophies and Medals are earmarked for the 28th Annual Awards Ceremony which would be held on the 16th April, 2018. A total of 40 Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Members would receive $2.5 M worth of trophies, Medals and prizes, while assistance would be provided to over 20 NGOs, Schools and Sports Clubs based in Berbice. The long serving Secretary/CEO noted that the Scotia Bank Mash Parade would be organised by the ten cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and a total of 700 students are expected to participate. Foster hailed the relationship between the Club and Scotia Bank as extra special and stated that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club was considered the best in Guyana because of the support of institutions like Scotia Bank. He assured that all of the programmes under the sponsorship would be properly organised and most importantly would achieve all
of their objectives. Special mention was made of Marketing Executive Jennifer Cipriani who was hailed as an outstanding friend of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and for the role she has played in making positive difference in the lives of youths in Region 6. Cipriani in brief response stated that the almost one million investments of finance and Kiddies Cricket Equipment was an indication of the Bank’s confidence in the administration of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club. She stated that the Bank was delighted to be on board for the last ten years and was very proud of the Club’s records of achievements and hard work. All Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club activities, she stated were not only well organised but that the Bank was satisfied that its funds were well spent. She expressed confidence that the relationship would continue well into the future.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Tagenarine Chanderpaul completed his maiden first-class hundred, but newly-crowned champions Guyana Jaguars had to settle for a draw against Barbados Pride in the Regional 4-Day Championship yesterday here. Chanderpaul hit an undefeated 101 and wicketkeeper/batsman Anthony Bramble slammed a pugnacious 74 to lead Jaguars to 263 for five in their second innings before they declared about 50 minutes before lunch on the final day of their ninth-round match at Kensington Oval. The left-handed opener, son of legendary West Indies left-hander Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who is also a member of the Jaguars lineup for this match, reached his landmark from 275 balls, when he swung Jonathan Carter to deep mid-wicket for the last of his nine boundaries to prompt the declaration. He shared 115 for the fifth wicket with Bramble, whose 78-ball innings in close to 2 ½ hours included four fours and five sixes. Set a highly improbable victory target of 362 in a minimum of 73 overs, Pride reached 208 for four in their second innings before the two sides it was pointless to continue. West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite hit the top score of 54 for Pride, their captain Shamarh Brooks supported with 40, Shayne Moseley made 28, Roston Chase was not out on 23 and Carter added 20. Brathwaite shared 60 with club-mate Moseley for the first wicket and put on 76 for the second wicket with Brooks, but Keemo Paul grabbed 2-76 from 16 overs to send a few shivers down their spines. All two of Paul’s wickets
JAGUARS 1st Innings 297 PRIDE 1st Innings 199 JAGUARS 2nd Innings (overnight 154 for four) T Chanderpaul not out C Hemraj c (sub) Walsh b Holder *L Johnson c Greaves b Holder V Singh st Dowrich b Warrican S Chanderpaul c wkpr Dowrich b Holder +A Bramble c Warrican b Carter R Reifer not out Extras (b5, lb2, w4, nb6) TOTAL (5 wkts dec, 89.2 overs)
101 21 6 43 0 74 1 17 263
Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-64, 3-137, 4-138, 5-253 Bowling: Cummins 15-3-43-0 (nb2); Holder 23-3-72-3 (nb3); Greaves 11-1-25-0 (nb1, w3); Chase 18-9-49-0; Carter 10.2-3-29-1 (w1); Warrican 11-3-36-1; Brathwaite 10-2-0 PRIDE 2nd Innings (target: 362) K Brathwaite c wkpr Singh b Paul S Moseley b Reifer *S Brooks c wkpr Singh b Permaul J Carter c wkpr Singh b Paul R Chase not out +S Dowrich not out Extras (b4, lb7, w4, nb11) TOTAL (4 wkts, 58 overs) Fall of wickets: 1-60, 2-136, 3-143, 4-172
54 28 40 20 23 17 26 208
Bowling: Paul 16-1-76-2 (nb10); Reifer 12-3-23-1; Permaul 20-5-62-1; Shepherd 1-0-2-0; Rutherford 7-1-30-0 (nb1, w3); T Chanderpaul 1-0-3-0 (w1); Johnson 1-0-1-0 Result: Match drawn Points: Jaguars 10.4, Pride 8.8 Player-of-the-Match: Chemar Holder (Pride) Umpires: J Blades, P Gustard (Jamaica) Match referee: S Proverbs Reserve umpire: R Willoughby were catches to stand-in keeper Vishaul Singh, who was deputising for the injured Bramble, and also held a topedged catch down the legside to dismiss West Indies batsman Roston Chase off left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul. Later on, there was such a shortage of personnel for the Jaguars that head coach Esuan Crandon, a former national fast bowler, was required to take the field. The result meant that
Jaguars gained 10.4 points from the match, taking them to 145.4, and Pride collected 5.8 points, moving them to 91.6. Pride fast bowler Chemar Holder was named Player-ofthe-Match following figures of 5-57 and 3-72 on his firstclass debut. Next round, Jaguars conclude the season against Trinidad & Tobago Red Force at the Guyana National Stadium, at the same time Pride face Jamaica Scorpions at this venue.
Van Tonder matches de Villiers in SA Under-19 victory ESPNcricinfo - Raynard van Tonder struck the thirdhighest score by a South African in Under-19 ODIs matching AB de Villiers’ 143 from nearly 15 years ago - to decimate Kenya in Lincoln yesterday. Coming in at the end of the third over, van Tonder nearly batted all the way through to finish with 14 fours and five sixes to lay the groundwork for a whopping 169-run victory. Aside from the captain’s
effort, the opener Jiveshan Pillay (62 off 67) was the highest contributor to South Africa’s total of 341. Jasraj Kundi, who was Kenya’s best bowler with 2 for 49 from his 10 overs of medium pace, also ended up scoring the most runs. With his team 98 for 6 in the 34th over, he made 41 off only 53 balls, with five fours to help ensure the full quota of 50 overs was used. Akhona Mnyaka, South Africa’s left-arm quick,
produced 19 dots in 24 balls and dismissed Kenya’s openers along the way. Thando Ntini, son of Makhaya, opened the bowling to pick up a wicket and string in 28 dots in 36 balls. Offspinner Kenan Smith also chipped in with 2 for 36. Scores: South Africa Under-19s 341 for 7 (van Tonder 143, Pillay 62) beat Kenya Under-19s 172 for 7 (Kundi 41, Mnyaka 29, Smith 2-36) by 169 runs.
Raynard van Tonder smashed 14 fours and five sixes in his 143. (Getty Images)
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‘Ashes’ Angel donates groin protectors, mouth guards to Carryll Boxing Gym of Linden
Sport boosted in Aranaputa with gear, lights from NSC
Caryll Boxing Gym coach Floyd Grant at left collects mouth guards forma Ashmar Angel. United-States based former Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) official and Coach Ashton ‘Ashes’ Angel (Sr.) has made a donation of groin protectors and mouth guards to the Carryll Boxing Gym of Linden. The donations were made by Ashton Angel (Jr.) who said his father wanted to give back to the fistic sport in the Mining Town since he remembers the days when Linden produced boxers like former world rater Terrence Alli, and national champions like Walter Smith, Conrad Wilson, Terrence Bristol, Mortimer Cornell and Donsford Browne among others to name a few.
Ashton Angel (Jr.) said that his father has been following the difficulties associated with the sport in Linden where there are two gyms, Carryll and Pocket Rocket, and wants to see boxing become one of the strong points from the town of Linden. Junior Angel’s son, Ashmar, handed over the mouth guards and protective cups to coach of the Carryall Gym of Greenheart Street, Mackenzie, Floyd Grant. Grant after receiving the donation at the Mackenzie Sports Club said he was grateful for the assistance which would encourage many boxers to don gloves and
enter the ring knowing that those critical pieces which are necessities to boxing are in supply. Junior Angel said that his family was willing to do what it can to push boxing as his brother Lynden ‘Birdy’ Angel was also once involved in the sport and they will continue to give back whenever possible. Witnessing the handing over was professional boxer Seon Corbin as boxing official Kilroy Mckinnon was also thankful for the effort given by the Angel family and said it should assist the sport of boxing to once again become popular through this gesture.
Director of Sport Christopher Jones (right) handing over flood lights to Chairman of Aranaputa CDC, Adon Jacobus. DPI, GUYANA, - Youths of Aranaputa, Region Nine will now have the opportunity to participate in sporting activities at night as several floodlights and sports gear were handed over to Chairman of their Community Development Council (CDC) Adon Jacobus. The lights were presented to Jacobus by Director of Sport, Christopher Jones in the compound of the National Sports Commission Friday. The distribution of the lights to the community forms part of the Sports Commission’s
‘Light It up Campaign’ which seeks to ensure that all sport grounds countrywide are equipped with adequate lighting. Sport Director Jones said that the donation also forms part of the Sports Commission’s mandate to ensure that they decentralise sports. Jones added that despite the hinterland possessing an abundance of raw talent, in the past, much of the equipment has been donated to coastland communities. “Recognising that
Clinical Volcanoes send Red Force to third straight defeat
Red Force skipper Denesh Ramdin … dismissed cheaply for seven. ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago Red Force suffered their third
straight defeat in the Regional Four-Day Championship, when they collapsed to a
heavy innings and 38-run defeat to Windward Islands Volcanoes here yesterday. Resuming the final day of the ninth round contest at the National Stadium on 93 for two in their second innings and requiring a further 101 runs to avoid an innings defeat, Red Force surrendered without so much as a whimper – bowled out for a paltry 156, about 15 minutes after lunch. They were ripped apart by seamer Sherman Lewis (3-20) and former Test off-spinner Shane Shillingford (3-52) who both snared three-wicket hauls while left-arm spinner Larry Edward ended with two for 26. Opener Amir Jangoo, unbeaten on 58 overnight, added just 11 and no other batsman showed any enterprise as Yannic Cariah failed to add to his overnight 11, and all-rounder Imran Khan (11) and wicketkeeper Steven Katwaroo (10) barely
managed to make double figures. Already following on by 194 after an equally poor showing in the first innings, Red Force needed a huge effort to avoid defeat but it never came. With just one run added in the second over of the day, Cariah fell lbw to Shillingford and five overs later, the mainstay of their batting – skipper Denesh Ramdin – departed lbw for seven to leftarm speedster Delorn Johnson. Eleven balls later, Tion Webster was bowled by Shillingford for six and the breaking point came when the left-handed Jangoo was sixth out with the score on 122, caught at the wicket off Lewis. He faced 199 deliveries in just under four hours at the crease and counted two fours and a six. Lewis then took two of the last four wickets to fall as Volcanoes wrapped up an emphatic win.
The result for Red Force came on the heels of their onewicket loss to Leeward Islands Hurricanes last week and their 207-run defeat to Barbados Pride in the seventh round. In contrast, the win for Volcanoes was their second of the season, coming after their maiden win in the seventh round against Jamaica Scorpions. They are now unbeaten in four outings. S c o r e s : VOLCANOES 366 (Kavem Hodge 128, Kyle Mayers 74, Devon Smith 45, Roland Cato 26, Shane Shillingford 24; Daniel St Clair 6-62, Khary Pierre 2-44). RED FORCE 172 (Denesh Ramdin 75, Amir Jangoo 24, Imran Khan 23, Steven Katwaroo 23; Shane Shillingford 3-36, Delorn Johnson 2-32, Sherman Lewis 2-39) and 156 (Amir Jangoo 69; Sherman Lewis 320, Shane Shillingford 3-52, Larry Edward 2-26).
Aranaputa valley in the North Rupununi is some distance away from Lethem, we wanted to ensure that the young people in that part of the region have the opportunity as those in Lethem. This is part of the start because essentially the community has been doing some development on their ground … we wanted those athletes to have the opportunity to practice under floodlights hence we make this donation,” Jones stated. The youths within the community will be appreciative of the equipment donated according to Chairman Jacobus, who expressed that the distribution was a dream come through since the community has been attempting to acquire lights and other sporting gear for several years. ”Within Region Nine, we have talented players; we have persons who can do well in the line of athletics and sports in general and one of our major downfalls of these athletes in the Rupununi is that they were never exposed to running and playing under lights,” Jacobus explained. He added that, “When you bring these athletes to Georgetown and they have to run under lights it poses a problem for them… now that we are developing such move in the Rupununi, I believe that it will boost sports.” Over the past two years, the government has been heavily investing in sports in the hinterland regions countrywide in an effort to find and nurture the hidden talents that lie in those farflung areas. (Isaiah Braithwaite)
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Kaieteur News
Sports Commission supports all-local horse race meet
Director of Sport, Christopher Jones and Steven Cheefoon with officials from the Caribbean Nations Group (right) and Corona representatives (left).
Director of Sport Christopher Jones presenting the National Sports Commission’s contribution to Steven Cheefoon, co-founder Caribbean Nations Group.
DPI, Guyana, - Local jockeys will be competing for a $5M purse when the Caribbean Nations Group hosts its first all –local horseracing event on January 28, at the Rising Sun Turf Club, West Coast Berbice. Director of Sports Christopher Jones said the event, which boasts seven categories, will be one with a difference since it is specifically designed for locally bred horses. During a press conference
on Thursday, Jones observed that in past years horseracing has largely been a loosely organised arrangement. The Director congratulated the Caribbean Nations Group for attempting to elevate the standard of horseracing in Guyana, hence the Commission’s decision to be a part of the event. “The Sports Commission is proud to be a part-sponsor of the event. We hope that 2018 will not only see three or four events being hosted or
organised by the Caribbean Nations but that it becomes an annual feature of the calendar of activities in term of sport in Guyana,” Jones said. Caribbean Nations Group was established in the latter part of 2017 by a group of sporting enthusiasts. Cofounder Steven Cheefoon disclosed that all the races will be run under the rules and regulations of the Guyana Horse Racing
Authority. He shared that the feature race on the card is the Corona classic, which will see the winner walking away with $1M in cash and a trophy. The Marketing representative of Top Brands, Marvin Wray, also said the company is pleased to be associated with Caribbean Nations Group and is looking forward to supporting other ventures in the future. (Tanuja Raikha)
Lakshan, Mendis steer Sri Rutherford returned unopposed as DCUSA President Lanka to seven-wicket win Arleigh Rutherford has returned unopposed as President of the Demerara Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (DCUSA) when the body held its Annual General Meeting and Elections on Sunday at Union Hall Building, Woolford Avenue. Nolan Hawke was re-elected as the Secretary, while the committee members are Ava Baker, Flemroy Lambert and Trevor Ritney. The constitution of the DCUSA does not provide for on the floor nomination and as such the positions of Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary Treasurer and Public Relations Officer were left vacant since those nominated by the motion submitted did not turn up. Those positions as well
as that of another committee member will be filled at the first executive meeting of the Association which will be held shortly. Rutherford thanked the members for their confidence and said that he would like to see a better turn out of members at meetings which can only benefit the umpiring fraternity. He said that his executive will work feverishly for the development of the youths as well as female umpires. Kaieteur News Sports Journalist Zaheer Mohamed, who is also an umpire, performed the duties of the Returning Officer. Mohamed, who is the current Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council, congratulated those members elected and urged them to work collectively for the growth of umpiring.
Dhananjaya Lakshan celebrates his century. (Getty Images)
From left Secretary Nolan Hawke, President Arleigh Rutherford, Ava Baker and Flemroy Lambert following the elections.
ESPNcricinfo - Dhananjaya Lakshan’s 120-ball 101 and captain Kamindu Mendis’ all-round show took Sri Lanka to a seven-wicket win over Ireland in the rain-reduced 48-over Under-19 World Cup match in Whangarei. Electing to bat, Ireland were off to a strong start, with openers Jamie Grassi (75 off 117 balls) and Mark Donegan (36 off 53 balls) adding 73 runs, before Mendis (3 for 35) broke their partnership in the 20th over. A collapse followed, with no one from No. 3 onward making more than 25. In reply, Sri Lanka were reduced to 9 for 2 within four overs, but a subsequent 42-run stand between opener Lakshan and Krishan Arachchige resurrected their chase. Mendis (74 off 73 balls) then joined Lakshan at the crease, to add 157 runs off 154 balls to take Sri Lanka home. Not only was their partnership match-winning, it was the highest fourth-wicket stand for the team in Under-19 ODIs. Scores: Sri Lanka Under-19s 208 for 3 (Lakshan 101*, Mendis 74*, Cawley 2-26) beat Ireland Under-19s 207 for 8 (Grassi 75, Mendis 3-35) by seven wickets.