Kaieteur News
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Friday January 19, 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 GUYANA STOOD UP TO TRUMP’S JERUSALEM DECISION Last month the United Nations (UN) voted to condemn the Trump administration’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel despite threats from the US to pull funding from the world body and aid from countries that voted against the Resolution. The vote has irritated both the United States and Israel as Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the UN General Assembly as a “theatre of the absurd.” President Trump has reacted angrily at those countries which voted against the Resolution and has threatened to withdraw economic assistance from them. His remarks were echoed by US Ambassador at the UN, Nikki Haley, whose promise to take the names of those countries, was typical of the aggression that has characterised the Trump administration’s infantile approach to a world that it understands little about and over which its influence is waning. While several countries in the Caribbean cower under the US bullying tactics, Guyana did not cower as country after country blasted the US Jerusalem decision as illegal, destabilising, and a violation of international law. Guyana’s position should surprise no one. It speaks to the character of the Granger Administration and is evidenced by its actions to date. The message therein is that it might not always be right. It is one of those times when all Guyanese at home and abroad should be proud of the government for standing up against the tyrannical Trump Administration; after all our independence should mean something. One of the goals of the UN is to develop friendly relations among nations and respect the equal rights and self-determination of peoples;therefore,it should not be bullied by the US. Mr. Trump’s threats could undermine the UN as the world’s preeminent organisations to bolster democracy around the world. And even though he is not the first or the last US president to attempt to blackmail the UN when the US cannot get its way, it is unacceptable. It could be that Mr. Trump is not aware of the damage done to the international image of the US by ignoring the two-state solution to the Israel/Palestine conflict. It could provoke Saudi Arabia, America’s best ally in the Middle East, and further deepens the US self-imposed exile from its closest allies. This is a ticking time bomb. Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the world, has been a battleground since biblical times but President Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is against the wishes of most countries in the world. HisadministrationshouldknowthatJerusalemistheholycapitalof Christians, Jews, and Muslims and must remain neutral as previous US administrations have advocated. The singular nature of Jerusalem remains an abiding sentiment for Christians, Jews and Muslims. It has been central to the endless negotiations that have taken place since the 1967 six-day war waged against Israel by Jordan, Egypt and Syria that ended with Jordan losing the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Syria’s loss of the Golan Heights, and Egypt’s loss of the Sinai Peninsula and control of the Gaza Strip. Egypt regained the Sinai Peninsula in the 1973 Yom Kippur war. Since then, Israel has unrelentingly used its military advantage and undying US support to pursue unpopular and UN-deemed illegal policies to establish Jewish settlements in Palestinian territories. Although Jerusalem was intended to be the Jewish capital and its Parliament is strategically located there, it was never enforced by past Israeli governments. They have been mindful of international opinion on Jerusalem and havecreatedTelAvivasthecapitalofIsraelinstead. Understanding the intricacies of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a challenge for President Trump whose threats may be his diplomatic weapon of choice, but they could fatally undermine US standing abroad. He has pushed the issue along its slow path of steady attrition and Palestine nearer to its demise. However, the UN vote has shown, yet again, that the current leader of the free world is dangerously out of touch with the world that he seeks tolead.
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
Troubled governance at the University of Guyana DEAR EDITOR, I write with particular concern about the governance of the University of Guyana (UG), with the deliberate nonappointment of the University of Guyana Council, contrary to the University of Guyana Act. As of 17 January 2018, the University of Guyana Council has not been appointed. The life of the previous Council ended in July 2017, and there can be no excuse for the appointing authorities NOT to discharge their statutory duty and appoint the Council promptly at the end of the last Council’s tenure of office. Consequently, there was no annual
general meeting of the Council to receive and discuss the University’s reports of its work and its finances. This is gross negligence on the part of the responsible authorities who must be held publicly accountable, and explain to the taxpaying nation this negligence. The President of Guyana must take appropriate action against those responsible. The non-appointment of the Council resulted in no Finance and General Purpose Committee, Audit Committee, and Council representative presence in standing and statutory University Committees. It would be wrong and illegal for the Vice-Chancellor and/or
his Cabinet and Chief of Staff of handpicked deputies and senior officials from Guyana and abroad to usurp the functions of Statutory Council. Any such action would be null and void and must be reversed. Immediately upon the end of the last Council’s term, there was for the first time in the history of the University, an Investiture Ceremony for the 10th ViceChancellor and Principal of the University, albeit, lavishly expensive. There has been other costly expensive spending beyond the resources of the University. The nation’s tax payers need answers. Joshua Singh
The jury is still out regarding Bitcoin currency DEAR EDITOR, After learning about mining, one may probably be wondering what the overall advantages and disadvantages of Bitcoin are. There are quite a few advantages that make Bitcoin, a one of a kind digital currency that has no likeness. Of course, because nothing is perfect, Bitcoin does have its flaws. With Bitcoin, it is very possible to be able to send and get money anywhere in the world at any given time. You don’t have to worry about crossing borders, rescheduling for bank holidays, or any other limitations one might think will occur when transferring money. You are in control of your money with Bitcoin. There is no central authority figure in the Bitcoin network. Allowing users to be in control of their transactions, helps keep Bitcoin safe for the network. Merchants cannot charge extra fees on anything without being noticed. They must talk with the consumer before adding any charges. Payments in Bitcoin can be made and finalised without one’s personal information being tied to the transactions. Due to the fact that personal information is kept hidden from prying eyes, Bitcoin protects against identity theft. Bitcoin can be backed up and encrypted to ensure the safety of your money.
With the block chain, all finalised transactions are available for everyone to see, however personal information is hidden. One public address is what is visible; however, your personal information is not tied to this. Anyone at anytime can verify transactions in the Bitcoin block chain. Bitcoin protocol cannot be manipulated by any person, organisation, or government. This is due to B i t c o i n b e i n g cryptographically secure. Currently there are either no fees, or very low fees within Bitcoin payments. Wi t h t r a n s a c t i o n s, users might include fees in order to process the transactions faster. The higher the fee, the more priority it gets within the network and the quicker it gets processed. Digital Currency exchanges help merchants to process transactions by converting Bitcoins into fiat currency. These services generally have lower fees than credit cards and PayPal. Due to the fact that Bitcoin transactions cannot be reversed, do not carry with them personal information, and are secure, merchants are protected from potential losses that might occur from fraud. W i t h B i t c o i n , merchants are able to do business where crime rates and fraud rates may be high. This is because it is very hard
to cheat or con anyone in bitcoin due to the public ledger, otherwise known as the block chain. There are three main disadvantages of Bitcoin that need to be pointed out. This is so you can get an overall idea of what to expect with Bitcoin. We don’t want anything to be hidden from our viewers. Fact is many people are still unaware of digital currenci e s a n d Bitcoin. People need to be educated about Bitcoin to be able to apply it to their lives. Networking is a must to spread the word on Bitcoin. Businesses are accepting bitcoins because of the advantages, but the list is relatively small compared to physical currencies. A very few companies in the USA and Europe are currently accepting Bitcoin as payment already. However, if they do not have knowledgeable staff who understand digital currencies, how will they help customers understand and use Bitcoin for transactions? Some staff need to be educated on Bitcoin so that they can help the customers. This will definitely take some time and effort. Otherwise, what is the benefit of such large companies accepting Bitcoin if its staff don’t even know what digital currencies are? Bitcoin has volatility, mainly due to the fact that there is a limited amount of
coins and the demand for them increases by each passing day. However, it is expected that the volatility will decrease as more time goes on. As more businesses, media, and trading centres begin to accept Bitcoin, it’s price will eventually settle down. Currently, Bitcoin’s price bounces every day mainly due to current events that are related to digital currencies. Bitcoin is still at its infancy stage with incomplete features that are in development. To make the digital currency more secure and accessible, new features, tools, and services are currently being developed. Bitcoin has some growth to do before it comes to its full and final potential. This is because Bitcoin is just starting out, and it needs to work out its problems just like how any currency in its beginning stage would need to. With this, you now have both sides of the coin. There are always pros and cons to any situation in life. To be able to make a good decision, you need to weigh the good and bad thoroughly before finalizing your choice. Do the same for Bitcoin. Understand what it is, and decide what you want to do with it. The jury is still out regarding Bitcoin currency! Rooplall Dudhnath
Friday January 19, 2018
Imran Khan asked a question that is vital to our strategic national interest DEAR EDITOR, Director of Public Information, Mr. Imran Khan, last week used his personal Facebook page to question why the Government of India invited 20 opposition PPP Indo-Guyanese Members of Parliament (MPs) and only 3 ruling coalition Indo-Guyanese MPs, to an all-Indian parliamentarians’ conference in New Delhi, India. Mr. Khan called on Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, His Excellency V. Mahalingam, to explain the disparities. I participated in that Facebook discussion in which Mr. Khan expressly said they were his personal views. His question was vital. His position as a government official does not preclude his legitimate right as a citizen to freedom of expression, which I affirm. High Commissioner Mahalingam responded with a vicious, political attack on Mr. Khan’s character; charging that he was reckless, misleading, irresponsible, unprofessional and mischievous. I am appalled at His Excellency’s effrontery and detestable attack. It is unacceptable for a foreign diplomat to launch such a crass, political attack on a Guyanese citizen. The High Commissioner also claimed that Ministers were not invited because the conference was for ordinary MPs without ministerial portfolios. When Mr. Khan refuted this claim by pointing out the attendance of the Attorney General of Jamaica, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, QC, a government minister, the High Commissioner retorted that she was Attorney General, but not a Minister – a blatant falsehood. The Stabroek News then jumped on the High C o m m i s s i o n e r ’s b a n d wagon; asserting that Mr. Khan was wrong. I am putting it to both the High Commissioner and Stabroek News, that Mr. Khan was right. I spe-
cifically conferred with “a most senior” member of the Jamaican government, who confirmed that the Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte is in fact a cabinet Minister of the Jamaican government. This unequivocal fact is stated on the Jamaican government’s cabinet website: http://jis.gov.jm/ government/ministers/. Considering His Excell e n c y V. M a h a l i n g a m ’s penchant for public pronouncements, I urge him to reconcile his misleading claim with the aforementioned fact. The Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in accordance with diplomatic norms, could have deescalated and resolved this matter in an engagement with the High Commissioner to convey the government’s official position and a subsequent statement. Instead, the Guyana government escalated the matter, with the Ministers of Health, State and Foreign Affairs publicly shaming Mr. Khan - against the c o u n t r y ’s s t r a t e g i c n a tional interests! This is not how a government treats senior officials, even though the need for this unprecedented public crucifixion is a dynamic of the pathological factionalism extant within the coalition government. Furthermore, His Excell e n c y, V. Mahalingam claimed the rationale for not inviting ministers, as well as for the political disparity was provided to the “upper echelons” of the Guyana government and Guyana’s High Commission in India. Suffice to say that neither the “upper echelons” of the government nor the Head of Guyana’s High Commission in India, constitute “the Guyanese people” – who have a right to know; especially in an environment where the very PPP MPs who went to India have been demanding transparency in government. Guyana, at this juncture, is struggling to heal decades of racial tensions,
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and forge reconciliation and national cohesion. I am an advocate for this new social construct. In spite of this, the Opposition Leader and other PPP MPs have for political expediency been engendering racial i n s e c u r i t i e s . M o r e o v e r, GOIP, an all-Indian organization that is seen as an arm of the PPP and which the High Commissioner engages, has been fostering Indian supremacy and using race as a means of political mobilisation. These PPP and GOIP tactics are undermining political stability and national cohesion, and will endanger our democracy. In light of this precarious national circumstance, it is unfortunate that our MPs would participate in a conference that promotes race rather than racial and political tolerance. How did this all-Indian conference benefit the Guyanese nation? The Guyana government should not bury its head like the proverbial ostrich - as if to say “see no evil, hear no evil” - and suck up to the Indian government for fear of criticism from IndoGuyanese. Our Guyanese Indian brothers and sisters will respect the government more, if it stands for principle rather than appeasement. This is a new era of open societies. People are cognizant that their government belongs to them and demand accountability and transparency. Therefore, the government or High Commissioner must tell the Guyanese public why Guyana’s participation in this conference was necessary, how it benefited our nation, and the reason for the political disparity with respect to the invitations. Rickford Burke President, Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)
Local Governance can be advanced by engaging communities and establishing strategic alliances with businesses DEAR EDITOR, The present state of Guyana’s economy is a cause for concern of most Guyanese. As the economy bleeds, NDCs and Municipalities must work to fill as much as possible the huge void in local economic development created by the poor 2016 and 2017 National Budgets presented by the APNU+AFC Government to the Guyanese people and their equally poor implementation. Local Authorities must respond imaginatively to the challenges which confront us daily under the APNU+AFC Government. The Government is obviously out of touch with the political and socio-economic realities in our Country and cares not about the wishes of the Guyanese people to improve their living standards. Indeed, many of the measures in the Government’s 2016 and 2017 Budgets have brought more hardships on the Guyanese people who must continue to pay a high price for the obvious critical mistakes. The promise of a good life remains an elusive dream for most Guyanese. Local Government has an important role to play in providing some employment and services to citizens and, in the process, improving the wellbeing of the people. Local leaders are presumed to be closer to the people and to be better positioned to understand their needs and local circumstances, and to ensure these needs are realistic, feasible and are realized. Unfor-
tunately, consultation by the Government with the local communities has been very limited. The participatory democracy which local government is intended to engender goes beyond merely electing representatives. It allows for active participation as an individual and as a community in the decision and implementation processes through appropriate participatory mechanisms. Though I concede that public participation can be time-consuming and costly, a socially acceptable compromise must be found. Our Municipal and NDC leaders and Councillors must reach out to the citizens including the business sector with greater frequency; planning with them and not merely for them. The Government continues to display indifference and insensitivity to the needs and expectations of the Guyanese working class; more so those it perceives as being non supportive of it. The retrenchment of several thousands of sugar workers without any planned arrangement to contemporaneously pay them redundancy benefits stands out as a wicked manifestation of the administration’s obvious unconcern re the social costs to the affected unemployed workers and the affected rural communities of the closure of some sugar estates and the downsizing of others. Indeed, there was obvi-
ously never an interest in saving sugar and, by extension, the livelihood of the workers, the shopkeepers, the taxi drivers and other service providers to the estate workers. Challenging though it is, the Town Councils and the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils must work to establish strategic alliances with existing and potential businesses to enable them to grow and to expand, and ultimately to create opportunities for employment and income generation. Our NDCs and Municipalities must by now have developed a vision for the development of their neighbourhoods and towns. They must be proactive and work assiduously to improve the way they do things and the results derived therefrom; to facilitate improvements in terms of the range and quality of services provided to residents and so develop viable communities that would sustain its own development programme and, by extension, itself. Let me posit a number of measures which you ought to take or strengthen if they are already in place in order to bring about the desired livelihood improvements about which I speak: Reduce dependency on Central Government for (Continued on page 6)
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AFC’s concern about the plight of the sugar workers is insincere DEAR EDITOR, Our Union has noted reports appearing in several sections of the media concerning the press conference by the Alliance for Change (AFC) held on January 15, 2018 and more so the comments made by leaders of that Party with regard to the severance payments to the some 4,000 sugar workers of Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara Estates. The GAWU found the statements attributed to leaders of that party, which has boasted about its links with the sugar workers, as incredulous, to say the least and they say a lot about the sincerity of the AFC’s concern about the plight of the sugar workers. Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder, is quoted in the press, as saying “[f]inding the $4.5 billion in severance is a difficult thing to do” but, seemingly, it was not difficult for the Minister and his colleagues to send home 4,000 workers which has directly impacted the well-being of approximately 20,000 Guyanese men, women and children. From the Minister’s perspective, using 1.8 percent of the 2018 Budget in the interest of a large group of our citizens is a difficult thing to do. This is adding insult to injury now, Mr Minister. The Agriculture Minister didn’t stop there. He is also reported to have said “paying the entire severance amount was impos-
sible” which seems to indicate that the Administration hadn’t any intention to fully settle its indebtedness to the workers. We c a n n o t h e l p b u t wonder what the Government had intended to do to the already beleaguered, now jobless, workers. M o r e o v e r, M i n i s t e r Holder’s recent statements are also in complete contrast to what he said in the December 22, 2017 Guyana Chronicle. At that time, the Minister was quoted to have said “…the Ministry has an allocation for GuySuCo of $6.3B, but other funds are supposed to be available through other avenues involving subsidies from the Ministry of Finance”. Was the Minister being less than honest when he spoke to the Chronicle back in December 2017? Then Minister Holder’s colleague, Minister of Natural Resources and AFC Leader Raphael Trotman, in the January 16, 2018 Stabroek News, is quoted to say “[w]e knew we had to pay severance, we just weren’t sure where it would come from”. The statement by the AFC leader leaves us in disbelief and causes us to wonder if this how the affairs of the State and the business of the people are managed. Clearly, the Administration needs to do a better job at dotting it’s I’s and crossing its T’s. Also, Minister Trotman, in the Stabroek
News report, in an effort to justify the unjustifiable said that Government “…had to divert billions to readying both Lusignan and Camp Street [prisons]”. We r e c a l l o n t h e evening of the catastrophic July 9, 2017 Camp Street Prison fire, Vice President and Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan, in seeking to explain away the incident, pointed to sums the Administration directed to the sugar industry as a rationale for the prison blaze. Now the tables have turned and the prison is the cause for the workers being denied their legal entitlement. Then Minister Trotman, in a report appearing on the News Room newscast of January 16, 2018, also said that it is “Guyana Sugar Corporation that should be paying the severance but the Government has taken
up the responsibility to make the payments”. But the Minister while wanting to have the Administration appearing to be benevolent seems to forget that the Government approved the plans to shutter the estates and put the workers on the breadline. Further to that, GuySuCo is a state-owned enterprise and, therefore, the Government has an obligation to the workers. That newscast also reported Minister Holder as saying that “…the sugar workers may prefer to receive their severance in instalments so that they will not be tempted to spend it all out at once”. It seems Minister Holder, perched atop his ivory tower, is unaware of the realities and difficulties the workers face. Certainly, had they desired their payments in increments they would have so expressed that desire. Moreover, how
does the Minister explain the workers very vocal demands to r e c e i v e t h e i r payments in one instalment? What is more worrying though, is that the Minister seems to say that the workers need to contend with their severance monies for some period as they have no other income to look forward to. That, if it is so, seems to indicate that no accommodation, w h a t s o e v e r, has been made by the Coalition Government to address gai nful employment of the displaced workers. At this time, the GAWU recalls that the AFC in a statement issued, on Dece m b e r 0 7 , 2 0 1 7 s a i d among other things, that “[t]he Party insists that as per the requirements in law, severance must be in place”. Based on the now admissions by the AFC
leaders who are also Cabinet members, they were well aware that the call issued in their statement was utterly wrong and, therefore, participated actively to mislead and hoodwink the Guyanese people and more so the thousands in the sugar belt who are affected by the callous and cruel plans to minimize the sugar industry. For the GAWU, it is disheartening also to recognise that the AFC’s press conference took place on the same day that the world took time to pause and reflect on the life and work of Dr Martin Luther King Jr., whose advocacy on behalf of the downtrodden is wellknown and which serves as an inspiration for the working and oppressed people of the world. Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU
Local Governance can be advanced by engaging... From page 5 financial resources by inter alia, enhancing and widening revenue base and reducing expenses. Optimise collection of what is due to the Council in the form of rates and taxes, market fees, building application fees etc utilizing revenue collected efficiently and accounting for same. Remember that under the Fiscal Transfers Act 2015, the Local Authority can receive grants from Donor Agencies to finance Projects or meet employment costs. It can also borrow money from the Commercial Banks and other Financial Institutions, provided it has the required collateral/ ability to repay.
More money available to Council necessarily means that more resources are available to pay better salaries, attract a better quality of staff and to train and upgrade them. It means also that the Council and its staff can reach out with greater frequency and over a much wider population; listening to their concerns and working with them to address these concerns. More and better services can be provided to citizens. There is a role and contribution to development for Private Enterprise in Local Government Areas; small though their impact
maybe. To the extent that these interventions make a small impact on unemployment figures and provide goods and/or services e.g. clothing and textile, Supermarkets, Wash bay, Restaurants etc., it is nevertheless a case of action speaking louder than words. The Local Authorities must provide incentives to encourage Private Enterprise. The Government is not doing so; but certainly our Local Authorities can. Expanding and improving the quality of the infrastructure and other services provided by the Council including servicing of kokers and pumps, cleaning of canals and drains, collection and disposal of garbage; daycare for elderly, street lighting, market/tarmac facilities, cemeteries etc thereby providing employment and extending the range and quality of services provided by the Local Authority working in conjunction with Private Enterprise. Enhance service delivery and widen citizens’ involvement. Demand proper financial accounting and reporting.
Council’s financial affairs must not be shrouded in secrecy. Increase public awareness and education. Hold community meetings with greater regularity and have activities such as Flag Raising, Day of Sports and religious events such as Diwali, Christmas day, Eid ul Ahza which bring people o f a l l a g e s , g e n d e r, ethnicity and class together and provide also income earning opportunities on such occasions. Audits of Financial records of Municipal and Neighbourhood Councils as per requirements of the Local Government and Municipal Legislation must be done and reports, including financial reports, must be presented to the Statutory Meetings of the Council for discussion. So that while efforts to intensify revenue collection must be encouraged; so also accountability to the Council and the residents for these resources. We cannot be complacent if we are to build effective local governance with its benefits to the people. Norman Whittaker
Friday January 19, 2018
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GNBS readies coconut water processors for Int’l markets
The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is urging local processors of bottled coconut water to conform to the guidelines standards outlined in its GYS 508:2013, and GCP 30:2013 standard which will enable for better marketing of their merchandise on international markets. In their most recent appeal to local coconut water processors, the GNBS reiterated the benefits of implementing the guidelines. According to the GNBS, the two standards which aid with the specification for packaged natural coconut water and the code of practice for packaged natural coconut water are identical to the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) Standards. The use of such guidelines in the local coconut water industry, the GNBS stated will facilitate trade among CARICOM member states and other jurisdictions. “It is therefore necessary for our local (processors) to provide objective evidence that they are conforming to these minimum requirements.” The Standards Bureau also highlighted the GCP 30 which was developed with the aim of streamlining the coconut water industry by defining requirements for the hygienic preparation of packaged natural coconut water. “This Code of Practice gives recommendations for the hygienic preparation of packaged natural coconut water; detailing the harvesting, packaging, storing, transporting and distributing of the product. For example, under ‘Har-
ter is conforming to the recognised requirements. Additionally, the standard gives guidance for the labelling of natural coconut water; that is, ‘the name of the product.’ The GNBS is a key agency that supports trade and enhances business competitiveness through the implementation of standards. Standards are primarily voluntary, but they play an important role in Guyana’s
Pomeroon Fresh: Some locally processed bottled coconut water vesting’, the standard states that the ‘Free fall of coconuts should not be allowed; coconuts should be lowered to the ground.’ Proper harvesting techniques ensure minimal or no damage to the coconuts; thus contributing to an untainted end product, “the standard body added. The GNBS also provides guidance as to the location, internal structure and fittings, floor design, drains, windows and doors of buildings and facilities for processing coconut water. Under the GYS 508, differentiation is made in the production of undiluted natural
coconut water; that is, coconut water which has been packaged in its natural state without the use of additives. According to this standard, additives can be considered as, ‘…artificial substance or ingredient...added to the coconut water to enhance quality or preservation.’ This standard also includes analytical parameters/ limits for composition of the coconut water, physiochemical limits for coconut water, and microbiological limits for coconut water, which provides objective evidence and the necessary assurance that the coconut wa-
economy by facilitating easy business interactions and confidence in the products and services emanating from the various sectors. Over the years, the GNBS has been zealously advocating for local food manufacturers, food operators and agroprocessors to purchase and implement the national food standards which it has available. The majority of these food standards were developed from regional and/or in-
ternational food standards. Hence, their contents are in harmony with regional and international requirements. The Standard is therefore encouraging coconut water processors who desire to guarantee their customers that they are producing coconut water which is safe for human consumption to make contact with the Marketing and Communication Department to obtain copies of these standards.
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Strong sales, new equipment push Banks profits to 3.8B
The year 2017 has not been a bad year for rum according to the Banks DIH Limited Group. The group raked in $30B in revenues, more than $1.2B than the previous financial year that had ended in September 2016. The group in its Chairman’s Report of the 2017 Annual Report is crediting the good showing from better sales of its beers and other products and heavy investments in its plants and machinery at the Thirst Park site. According to Chairman, Clifford Reis, third party revenue was $30B compared to $28.76B in 2016, an increase of $1.243 billion or 4%. The trading profit from operations for the group was $6.19B compared to the $5.066B recorded in the previous year, an increase of $1.130B or 22.3%. Banks DIH is set to hold its 62nd Annual General Meeting next week Saturday at its Thirst Park facilities. According to Reis, in the previous financial year ended September 2016, the group benefitted from the one-off gain of $1.409B after it disposed of its investment securities held in Banks Holdings Ltd and Desnoes and Geddes (Jamaica) Ltd and the dissolution of BCL (Barbados) Ltd. “Excluding the impact of that one-off gain in 2016, the Company's Profit after Tax increased from $2.948 billion to $3.584 billion, this being $636.0 million or 21.6%,” the Chairman reported.
…Guyana fourth in Guinness production
Banks DIH sales were strong last year, it is being reported. It was disclosed that the improved results were made possible through the increases in sales of Banks’ malt products, aerated and liquor beverages and food products. “Additionally, further benefits accrued from improved production efficiencies resulting from our capital investments in plant and machinery.” Reis noted that Banks also benefitted from the reduction in prices paid for several key raw and packaging materials
which included sugar and preforms. “Prudent management of our asset base and financial resources also contributed to the overall results. My fellow shareholders, while the global economy experienced some shocks as a result of the recent general elections in the United States of America, there were marginal improvements resulting from the increases in commodity and oil prices.” Banks managed to
weather the effects of an artificial increase in foreign exchange rates which affected the acquisition costs for raw and packaging materials, plant and machinery spares and capital equipment, and the availability of foreign exchange for the payment of goods and services. However, there were challenges. “The introduction of an Environmental Levy of $10 per container on all non-returnable glass and PET contain-
ers, drew an immediate response as consumers reacted to a new pricing reality. As a consequence, the predictable reduced consumer spending along with the overarching effects of reduced export earnings in the agricultural sector affected overall retail sales.” Last year, Banks was busy with its re-capitalisation of the production, distribution, power generation facilities and central services. Reis credited the improvements of the distribution warehouse, which was extended by 15,900 square feet of new storage space, as positively impacting. The company also acquired a 1.7 MW generating set to boost its capacity. Last year, also, Banks outfitted its Sales and Marketing Team with handheld devices for the Pre-selling Department. “This innovation has resulted in cost-savings, better management of products and services and a more satisfied customer base in terms of the time saved between the placement and the filling of orders.” The group is now targeting further investments in solar energy, an initiative which was tested and introduced in 2017 at our Main Street Qik Serv Restaurant. At Citizens Bank Guyana Inc, a 51 percent owned sub-
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Banks Group Chairman, Clifford Reis sidiary of the company, revenues were $3.553B compared to $3.266B, an increase of $287M or 8.8 %. “Profit before Tax was $1.222B compared to $759M in 2016 while Profit after Tax was $727M compared to $479M in 2016, an increase of $248M or 51.8%.” From the net profit of $3.888B, there is a dividend payment of $802M. Last year, in addition to international recertification, Reis disclosed that Banks was successful at the Finance, Environment and Safety audits that were conducted by the Coca Cola administration. “The company performed exceptionally in the Guinness League of Excellence which resulted in the company earning the Second position in the Americas and fourth worldwide for the manufacture of Guinness Stout as at 30 September, 2017.”
Friday January 19, 2018
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IDB wants independent review of US$63.5M housing project before full disbursement The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has requested a review of the implementation of an adequate housing and urban accessibility programme before the full disbursement of loan funding which total U.S. $63.5 million. The bank on December 7, last, approved a request from Guyana to reassign an undisbursed loan balance of U.S. $63.5 million which was originally approved by the bank in 2012 and earmarked for a road network and expansion programme. As part of the December agreement, some U.S.$3 million in local counterpart funds were included. Under Section 4.07, the Government is required, through the executing agencies; hire independent consultants to prepare a mid-term and final evaluation of the reformulated project, which will include two separate sections and relevant information, fo-
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan cused on Components 1 and 2. According to the amended agreement, the midterm evaluation will be carried out at the end of the 30 months from the date of the amendment or when 50 percent of the resources of the financing have been disbursed, what-
ever occurs first. The agreement stipulates that the evaluation must include the results produced by the Project execution with regards to attaining the project's objectives stated in the results framework; the progress of implementation activities, and procurement procedures and results for goods, services, consultancies, and civil works; and the progress in the implementation and effectiveness of the environmental and social measures being instituted to mitigate the impacts of the project. According to the agreement, the Ministry of Communities through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, through the Work Services Group are responsible for the execution of the works under the loan agreement. Both executing agencies are responsible to collect,
Efforts afoot to prevent siphoning off of oil - Trotman Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has sought to assure the nation that the government will make efforts to protect its oil and ensure that the resource is not siphoned off by any of the oil companies operating in Guyana. Trotman said that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) already has a 24-hour presence onboard the Floating Production Storage and
Offloading that ExxonMobil is using offshore Guyana. He said, “The intention is that by production time, we will have both GRA (the Guyana Revenue Authority) and petroleum engineers on board. So we have anticipated that.” Trotman continued, “Guyana is not unique, there are methods of having real time assessment of production, calibrating production. It is like a gas pump so you
know how much is produced and shipped off. That is, one of the processes that is being put in place. Trotman said that it is only natural for Guyanese to worry over the possibility of their resources being siphoned off. “Yes, it is a natural and genuine fear to have and it is something we are assessing. I can assure you of this,’ said Trotman.
ICT reaches Sisters Village with... From page 3 Commissioner Lyndon Alves readily decided to assist and immediately provided a safe space within the Sisters Police Station to facilitate the ICT hub. The Sisters Police Station has a group of over 70 youths between the ages of seven and eighteen, who are involved in skills building activities such as arts and craft which they proudly displayed at the launching ceremony. This is the 17th hub in Region Six, so far. Eighteen more are to be established by December. Hubs have so far been established in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine, and Ten. The interior regions are expected to be on board shortly. Hubs are expected to be placed strategically across the country to allow persons to access the internet and online government services. The National Data Management Authority (NDMA)
which falls under MoPT is tasked with rolling out the public internet service. Director of Community Development and Social Management, of the NDMA, Phillip Walcott, stated that the government is working to introduce more governmental services online. Soon persons will be able to apply for Birth Certificates, Passports, make Land Registry queries and access other services online. He urged villagers to share their knowledge with others who are willing to learn, so no one gets left behind as the country moves into the digi-
tal age. Commander, Linden Alves expressed his satisfaction that the community will now be able to benefit from the internet service. He also expressed his thanks and appreciation to the MoPT on behalf of the Guyana Police Force, and committed that the GPF is prepared to collaborate with the MoPT to established hubs in other communities. Officer in charge of Sub Division No. 3 Assistant Superintendent, M. Vigilance expressed gratitude and encouraged the youths to make best use of the hub.
record, and maintain all information and parameters, including semi-annual reports, annual operating plans, performance plans and procurement plans necessary to support the Bank in preparing a final evaluation. Each Ministry has committed to present a final evalua-
tion within 90 days after the justification of the last disbursement of the project. In addition, the final project report must include a summary of the auditing exercises carried out during the execution of the project; results of the ex-post economic evaluation for each compo-
nent, based on the methodologies included in the monitoring and evaluation plan for the Project; and the lessons learned. The amendatory agreement was signed by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan and Sophie Makonnen, IDB’s Resident Representative.
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Kaieteur News
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In spite of promises to do better…
Govt. has already made some fundamental oil and gas mistakes By: Kiana Wilburg Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin recently posited that the Government has paid attention to the mistakes made by other nations in the oil and gas sector. He assured that Guyana would walk a different road. But many commentators believe that by virtue of the
2016 Agreement signed by the Government, there is already and inherently, a fair share of significant mistakes even before oil production kicks in. Making this comment recently was Chartered Accountant and Attorney-atlaw, Chris Ram. Ram noted that the new Agreement includes ringfencing and cost problems
which appear to leave Guyana wide open and vulnerable. Ram s opinion in this regard was also supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in their most recent report on Guyanas oil wealth. One issue the IMF in a report points out is in relation to ring-fencing. This provision ensures that ExxonMobil
- Ram cannot transfer the expenses incurred at one well to another. The IMF said that in principle, the ring-fencing arrangement ensures that the governments revenue from the Stabroek Block is calculated based on each field or well separately. The Fund stated, “However, this is undone by the Production Sharing Agreement framework, allowing the contractor to allocate cost oil to any field within the contract area.” Tanzania is just one of the many countries which paid dearly for failing to close such a loophole in the Production Sharing Agreements it had with oil operators. Kaieteur News had carried an article on the Tanzanian experience with ExxonMobil in which it was stated that the country had serious difficulty in verifying how the figure of “cost oil” was arrived at. Upon examination of the leaked contract with ExxonMobil, the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee disclosed that there was no “ring fencing” of blocks and that the Production Sharing Agreement contained no provision to guard against the incurrence of costs in one block and recovering them from another profitable block. The Chairman referred to the writings of Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz who asserted, “The fact that the typical contract allows the oil companies to walk away with the windfall profits suggests that something is wrong with the way these contracts are designed.” This newspaper also reported Indonesias switch from the profit-sharing model to a revenue-sharing one. This was because each passing year has seen a dwindling of the countrys share of profits in the belief that oil companies were inflating their
costs. This was despite the fact that the government-owned entity that manages the oil sector has a staff of 750 professionals and approximately 80% of that staff is involved in the verification of cost recovery claims by oil companies to ensure that they are fair and accurate. Ram said that the Government missed several opportunities to correct a number of flaws in the 1999 contract including the insertion of strong anticorruption measures, as Kenya recently did. Ram said, “But we did not seize the opportunities. The multiple changes made to the 1999 Agreement by the 2016 Agreement are almost without exception, in favour of the three companies making up the Contractor. It would be nice if Mr. Gaskin was right but there is no basis for such assurance or optimism, and we can start with the absence of local content requirements, or with taxation.” He added, “It would have helped, too, if the Business Minister (Dominic Gaskin) had identified maybe the three significant mistakes made by other countries and be more specific as to how they are avoided under the governing Agreement. Even if Guyana seeks to correct the flaws identified by the IMF, based on the Contract the Government signed, we are already past that stage. The Agreement has a very tight stabilisation clause which means that the status quo has to be maintained in relation to the Contractor.” CLOSING LOOPHOLES Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, is also one who firmly believes that adequate ring-provisions are indeed necessary when it comes to the oil and gas sector. In this regard, Statia opined that Guyana must safeguard itself. While in Guyanas contract with ExxonMobil, the
Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram mechanisms to safeguard against ring fencing are absent, GRAs Commissioner General notes that the effects can be minimised with the right regulation, separation provisions and controls and continual audits and reviews. He said that there must be identification and isolation of activities, assets, costs and revenues for each well. Statia expressed, “Sure, Guyana must be on its guard. The principle (of ring fencing) exists in certain industries in Guyana already and GRA is taking steps to deal with this as it relates to companies which are in the habit of transferring costs as it relates to sister and related companies…” While there are growing concerns regarding the lack of ring fencing provisions among other issues, Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, has assured that steps are being taken to address such loopholes. Trotman had said that he and the Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, sat with IMF representatives and those issues were ironed out. Trotman had said, “We went through them with the Guyana Revenue Authority and others. The answer is that we are working. IMF, World Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Inter-American Development Bank are giving us tremendous support. And we are building capacity on a daily basis and hiring capacity and ensuring that we cover all that we are supposed to…” The Minister said that with the help of those international agencies, Guyana will be in a position to tighten all loopholes. He added, “We invited the IMF to tell us what we are lacking in this regard, so Guyana is not alone in this.”
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After failed attempts…
Foundation laid for security sector reform The long-awaited final report of the security sector reform project was yesterday handed over by British security expert, Lt. Col (Ret’d) Russell Combe to President David Granger at State House. President Granger in accepting the report, outlined nearly two decades of failed attempts at security sector reform by the previous administration, including engagements with a Peruvian advisor and Bernard Kerik, the former New York Commissioner of Police who was jailed for four years. The President committed the Coalition Government’s determination to address the root causes of crime and correcting the errors of over two decades of mismanagement of the security sector. He reminded that the US$4.7B programme was initially scrapped in 2009 by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Administration after the British Government had requested to have oversight of the programme, to ensure that there was ‘value for money’. He noted that a number of Bills were passed in the National Assembly, various reports were submitted, but they were generally ignored. “We have passed through nearly 20 years of would have, could have and should have without any attempt to seriously deal with the security problems in this country and like a disease, you cannot pretend to treat it; you cannot threaten to treat it; you cannot say you’re going to treat it without actually getting down to the root causes. “We are now trying to correct the errors of over two decades of mismanagement of the security sector,” Presi-
President David Granger (right) receives the final report of the security sector reform project from British security expert, Lt. Col (Ret’d) Russell Combe at State House. dent Granger stated. In the case of the Peruvian advisor, President Granger stated that he was employed on July 24, 2006 and he was unemployed the following year. “Nobody knew about this man. Nobody knows what he did. Nobody knows when he left. He was just like a shadow passing across the security landscape without leaving a trace,” President Granger noted. It was former President Bharrat Jagdeo who brought in Kerik who was supposed to be engaged as a security advisor from the February 1, 2007. Kerik met Jagdeo at State House.
“Had it not been for the criminal justice system and the fact that Mr. Kerik was soon confined to correction facilities in his homeland we would have been exposed to the tender mercies of Mr. Bernard Kerik, compliments of Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo. “Luckily, the efficacy of the United States penal system prevented such an eventuality,” President Granger noted. NARCO GROWTH The President said that in 2016, he met former UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, and made a request for security sector reform. The Prime Minister agreed by facilitating
Combe, an expert from the Olive Group, which was contracted by Engineering, Design, Construction, Management (AECOM), on behalf of the United Kingdom Government. The Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces said that the previous plans focused on the symptoms of crime rather than the root cause which, at that time, was narcotics trafficking. President Granger said that crime escalated because of the growing narcotics trafficking, which brought with it a horrific spate of violence that Guyana had never seen before. “The linkages were there with the rise of narcotics trafficking. There was a surge in violence; a surge in the corruption of the security forces and in execution killings. The failure to deal with the narco-trafficking threat 20 years ago meant that the administration at the time was attempting to deal with the symptoms rather than the disease and so many of the attempts at security reform were insincere,” President Granger stated. He added, “[The previous government] wanted to deal with the murders, but they didn’t want to deal with the cause of the murders. Nothing was being done to deal with the root causes of crime and that is narcotics trafficking, which started to corrupt the security forces. All of these measures were not dealing with the cause of crime, only the manifestations of crime,” President Granger said.
COMBE WILL RETURN Mr. Combe, whose office was housed at the Ministry of the Presidency during his one-year tenure in Guyana, has received a commitment from the President that he will get a further contract extension through to 2019 to help implement the recommendations contained in the report. “It is a dynamic document; one that was built upon throughout my period of return and also a reference document for the various security sector players and actors,” Combe stated. He noted that the report places emphasis on the Police Force, it includes recommendations for improvement of the criminal justice system, the Guyana Coast Guard and the Guyana Prison Service. The UK, Combe outlined, doesn’t want to see the report sitting on the shelf gathering dust. “It is not the start of some new process. It is not the end because we have already started,” Combe stated. The President previously promised to set up an office for the programme this year. The State House ceremony was attended by Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick We s t , A c t i n g C o m m i s sioner of Police, Paul Williams and other senior members of the Discipline Services.
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Guyana has capacity to compete for big developmental projects Guyana could be a major beneficiary of finances to aid many developmental projects but may be lacking some of the crucial requirements to take advantage of such offers. This is according to Dr. Brian O’Toole, Director of School of the Nations, who claims to have a keen understanding of how a number of donor agencies operate. At a media conference, recently, Dr. O’Toole disclosed that currently there is a great deal of developmental monies being offered to Guyana. He said that although Nations, through its own Research Institute, has dealt with a number of donor sponsored projects over the years, efforts are currently being made to revamp the Institute. In so doing, he said that Nations is looking for full-time staff to help take the Institute to even higher heights. Currently, Dr. O’Toole is serving as the Programme Manager for a community development grant from USAID. The grant valued at more than $11 million is aimed at helping to improve the lives of youths within the communities of Sophia and East La Penitence. So skilful was Dr. O’Toole in his interaction with the representatives of the donor agency [USAID] that he was able to persuade them to add a segment to the project that was not even originally intended. This aspect, according to the Nations Director, is one that includes offering the youths a programme in entrepreneurship. “We told them that unless
Dr. Brian O’Toole we can get money into the pockets of these kids, life is not going to change. So now we are going to train them on a programme from the Association of Business Executives [ABE] in England...” At present, there are about 1,000 individuals undertaking the ABE programme at Nations. This has been recognised as the fourth largest ABE centre of the 230 centres in 40 countries. “We are going to train the 15 and 16year-old participants of the developmental project to start very simple businesses themselves and then we will invite people like the Institute of Private Enterprise Development [IPED] and some other donors to put a little bit money in... “It could be a juice stand outside a school; it could be making cassava balls, it could be keeping pigs, it could be hair dressing...it could be a whole range of different things,” said Dr. O’Toole. But according to the Nations Director, without proper measures in place to manage
such funding, Guyana could miss out on a great deal of available support. “We have met some of the donors and the mantra that they have is that Guyana does not have the absorptive capacity to take the money they want to give,” said Dr. O’Toole. He continued, “So many times the money they [donors] earmark for Guyana end up going to another country because in their opinion, Guyana doesn’t have the infrastructure, the Non Governmental Organisations [NGOs], the capacity today to spend the money that they want to give and we would like to show them we believe that is not correct,” said Dr. O’Toole. Through its Research Institute, School of the Nations has been able to work on many projects including: an International Labour Organisation [ILO] project at Parika to look at child labour; a special education programme in the whole of the Caribbean and even a disability project in Kosovo. “We have been involved in a lot of different programmes...the UNAIDS programme even asked us to undertake a one year evaluation of 17 HIV/AIDS programmes in Guyana to see if the money was well spent...So Nations Research Institute has quite a long history of working with big international donors.,” said Dr. O’Toole. The Institute has reportedly been able to handle more than US$3 million in development grants over the past 25 years.
AFC 'claws its way through'... From page 2 “Come and speak to me if you are in the pit and fighting. But there are people who like to write. They sit at their computers all day and write epistles; they condemn you and write you off but they are not bloodied.” Trotman admitted that the AFC encounters its challenges and “we may stumble but look at what we have been able to achieve.” “In 10 years, we have moved from zero to government. But that does not mean we have become complacent; we will rest on our laurels and believe that we have arrived. It is sometimes harder to stay where you are than to get there,” said Trotman. He also noted that the AFC finds it very challeng-
ing to meet all the expectation of its supporters. “We are expected to deliver jobs, to save sugar, to address crime and security and to deliver on the economy.” Trotman said that the AFC has to try to deliver even as Guyana contends with a global economic downturn. He referenced the economic state of Barbados and Trinidad, two countries that use to be considered leading Caribbean jurisdictions economically. “They are all coming here to Guyana. While we are decrying the good fortunes of Guyana, the rest of the Caribbean are coming here in droves.” Trotman said that the AFC is trying its best not to disappoint Guyana, “Yes we will stumble but it is the picking
up that matter the most.” “So we will go to our supporters and ask them to stand with us. There is nothing like a perfect government and coalition governments have their own complexities.” Trotman said that all the AFC Ministers in Government have been performing well. He said that despite such performance, critics will continue to criticise. “But I prefer to deal with those who are in the trenches and fighting and understand my cuts and bruises. Those are the ones I will respect and answer to. “Some people never campaign but they can tell you how to run a good campaign or government but they run anything more than their own offices.”
Friday January 19, 2018
Kaieteur News
GRA announces amnesty for delinquent taxpayers The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will be providing a period of amnesty for delinquent taxpayers. This move by the authority would be in keeping with the measures announced by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, in his Budget 2018 speech last year. Jordan had said that the period of amnesty for taxpayers—corporate and individual— would ensure they are able to get in order, the filing of true and correct tax returns and payment of their true and correct taxes. The amnesty will be applicable to Taxpayers who have principal taxes outstanding; Non-filers such as persons
who are delinquent in the filing and payment; Taxpayers that filed individual and corporate tax returns, but in the process would have mistakenly underreported or understated their income or overstated deductions or credits; Taxpayers who filed but would have deliberately not declared or under declared their true income; and Taxpayers who are already subjected to completed audits and a determination was made that additional taxes are owed to the GRA and the additional tax is still outstanding. He said that this amnesty will be in effect from January 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018. The Finance Minister
said that taxpayers who file and pay all principal taxes on or before June 30, 2018 will have all interest and penalties waived, while those who file and pay all principal taxes between July 1, 2018 and September 30, 2018 will have 50 percent of interest and penalties waived. The economist noted that taxpayers who expect to benefit from this amnesty must file true and correct returns. Those found to be in violation will be subject to an audit and the attendant penalties and interest will be applied. He said that GRA will be devoting increased resources to enforcement of the income tax laws.
“Coalition politics not just a political expedient” - President Granger President David Granger has indicated that the Coalition Government will contest the Local Government as well as Regional Elections. The Head of State was responding to a report in the media on the government’s stance on upcoming elections and concerns whether the Coalition partners would contest the election together. Speaking on behalf of the larger partner of the coalition, A Partnership of National Unity (APNU), the president explained that the party went into the coalition as a matter of principle because it believed it was good for Guyana. “It is something we believe in; that Guyanese need to come together in order to resolve the problems of political division and economic development. This is the best way and we will stick together,” the President said. The concern was raised following the recent publication of an article in the press
which suggested that the parties (APNU, AFC) were contesting Local Government Elections (LGE) independently. President Granger said he has not been informed of this decision from anyone within the party. He, however, acknowledged having read the article. The Head of State noted the Coalition has brought a new and better dimension of politics to Guyana. He opined that the Coalition introduced “a new form of political cooperation based on inclusionary democracy and we cannot walk away from that at this point in time. “So as far as the five-party ship, the APNU, is concerned we shall go into the local government election and general regional elections as a partnership.” According to President Granger, in the APNU there were two meetings held at the leadership level, “We have
taken a principled position and I do not anticipate anything, happening within the country or partnership, that will change us from that position.” On February 14, 2015, the APNU+AFC signed the Cummingsburg Accord, forming a coalition. The Accord allocated APNU - A Partnership of National Unity 60 percent of Cabinet posts, and 40 percent to the AFC – Alliance for Change. On May 11, 2015, the Coalition – APNU/AFC contested the General Elections and won a parliamentary majority and the presidency. The Coalition comprises of the Guyana Action Party (GAP), Justice For All Party (JFA), National Front Alliance (NFA), Working People’s Alliance (WPA), People’s National Congress (PNC) and the Alliance For Change (AFC). The next General Elections is slated for 2020, while LGE is set for this year.
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ANCAP to train youths for Berbice police arrest female teen, attracts criticisms high-level HIV/AIDS advocacy Over the weekend a 16year-old was arrested and placed in the lock-ups over accusations by a relative that she stole jewellery worth $500,000. The mother of the teen, yesterday, detailed that on January 9, last, the relative in question requested that her daughter accompany her to the market. "She come and ask my daughter to go with her to the market, so she went because the woman old," the teen’s mother said. After the 16-year-old returned, she reportedly had lunch with the relative and chatted with her for bit then subsequently left for her home, located a street away. The following day, just around 21:00 hrs, the relative visited the home of the teen. "She come and seh how her green card missing. She spend like a ten minutes by me and then she go home. A little bit after I decide to go by her and help her search for the green card and was then she tell me how jewellery missing from she purse." According to the woman, she spent approximately fifteen minutes helping the relative, said to be in her 70's, search. She eventually left.
The relative reportedly made contact with the police that very day and reported her jewellery missing. The report was made at the Number 51 Police Station. A detective and a female rank eventually ventured to the teen’s residence but no-one was at home. The teen's mother said, "I received a call from a friend saying that police went to my house so when I go home I went to the police station to find out why they went there. They told me to go home and bring my daughter." She stated that she returned with her 16-year-old. "When I go, they tell my daughter that the woman is saying that she thief her jewellery and they arrest her. After they arrest she, dem carry me and she back home and dem search my whole house and dem ain’t find nothing. “Dem carry she back to the station and put she in the lock-ups and tell me that we must pay $100,000 bail." According to her, she asked that the bail be reduced, citing that she is single mother of two but the police refused. The teen was kept over the weekend at the 51 Police Station.
Last Monday, the mother of the teen accused of the stealing the articles, visited the office of the Prime Minister Representative Gobin Harbhajan and relayed her story. Contact was reportedly made by Harbhajan to 51 Police, seeking a reduction of bail. It was eventually reduced to $50,000 and bail was posted. The teen was released. There are questions being raised about whether the police abused their authority over the arrest of the female teen. Divisional Commander Lindon Alves, in an invited comment said that what was done was not illegal. "If there is a report of some illegal activity and if that person was identified as being the prime suspect, then yes, the police have a right to detain them pending the investigation," Alves affirmed. He, however, opined that, he would have used his discretion as it relates to the holding time for the teen and the amount of bail. "For me, based on the gravity, I would have given her a shorter holding time, based on where the investigation was going," the division head said.
The Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, will host the PANCAP Training to Strengthen Advocacy Skills of Youth Leaders. The forum opens today in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The intervention builds on the PANCAP Meeting of Youth Leaders held on April 21 - 22, 2017 in which youth leaders from 19 countries discussed and agreed on a Regional Youth Advocacy Framework for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. The training intends to mobilise Caribbean youth leaders to advocate for substantive policy changes across the region in support of reducing their vulnerability to HIV infection by improving access to HIV combination prevention, care, treatment and support services, in recognition of their sexual and reproductive health and rights. The activities will encompass the development of the capacity of Caribbean youth leaders to act as agents of social change and to support youth participation in highlevel advocacy and policy dialogues. The overarching aim of the training is to strengthen
Caribbean youth leaders’ advocacy skills. A 14-member PANCAP Youth Steering Committee comprised of CARICOM Youth Ambassadors and Key Population Youth was established in July 2017 to coordinate the implementation of the Youth Advocacy Framework. The Committee will also provide oversight for youth advocacy at the national and regional level. CARICOM Youth Ambassadors and Key population youth will be drawn from the following countries, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, The Commonwealth of Dominica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago. According to PANCAP Youth Advisor, Dr Astell Collins, the intervention fulfills a promise made by PANCAP to the participants of the Youth Meeting held in April 2017. “We committed to building their capacity to advocate for access to HIV prevention, care and treatment services,” stated Dr Collins, “PANCAP also committed to enhance their ability to raise awareness of their rights regarding sexual and reproductive health”. He explained that the ac-
tivity forms part of PANCAP’s overall strategy for facilitating the empowerment and involvement of youth in the HIV response, particularly youth within key populations. Youth leaders from each of the key populations will be represented at the meeting. These include sex workers, the transgender community and men who have sex with men (MSM). The initiative will be facilitated by an expert in human rights law and will include interactive activities designed to increase participants’ knowledge of human rights and vulnerability. PANCAP’s overarching objective is to equip participants with skills to develop an advocacy strategy. PANCAP is a Caribbean regional partnership of Governments, regional civil society organisations, regional institutions and organisations, bilateral and multilateral agencies and contributing donor partners. It was established on 14 February 2001. PANCAP provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, coordinates the response through the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS to maximise efficient use of resources and increase impact, mobilises resources and build capacity of partners.
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Falling tree branch kills Bethany logger A logger was killed on Tuesday after the branch of a tree reportedly fell on him. The man has since been identified as 51-year-old Brinsley Jeffrey of Bethany, Supenaam, Essequibo Coast. The incident is believed to have occurred some time around 14:30hrs on Tuesday. According to a police report, Jeffery at the time of the incident was cutting logs with his two sons, in the Supenaam Creek, when a branch reportedly fell on his head. He was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital with severe head injuries and pronounced dead. His body is presently awaiting a post mortem examination.
Friday January 19, 2018
Kaieteur News
Custodians at CJIA reminded of mandate to maintain standard Facilitator, Susan Isaacs during one of her presentations
In light of the recent downfalls that an International Airport recently experienced, including being flooded, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), and the Guyana Tourism Authority have been digging their heels in to ensure that in the event of such an occurrence the staff can handle the situation. The two entities collaborated and hosted a workshop
for 25 of its Airport Custodians. The workshop concluded on Wednesday. The two-day workshop was held in the Airport’s Boardroom and was facilitated by Susan Isaacs whose focus was on the international cleaning procedures and practices as well as customer service, which is in keeping with the Airport management’s mandate to maintain a high quality of standard and service it provides to airport users. The workshop was successful in briefing its attendees on how to use cleaning equipment correctly, recognising the fact that no job can be done at its best, unless the user can make use of its tools correctly. They were also urged to handle cleaning agents prop-
erly and were briefed on how to handle conflicts with airport users. Chief Executive Officer of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir who also addressed the workers at the forum reminded them of their critical role in the Airport’s functionality. He said, "First impression counts and you must see yourself as ambassadors not only of the airport but the country at large; give of your best at all times and take pride in what you do.” Michelle Clarke, a Custodian Supervisor, shared her sentiments about the sessions. She noted, “I thought it was just going to be about cleaning, but it was more than that. It reinforced my commitment to the job.” Marika Dawson, a Custodian for over a year said, “It
was an excellent workshop and I can’t wait to learn more in the future.” The workshop which recently concluded is said to be the first of several which are planned for the Custodians. Such activities are expected to continue over the next month with not only the custodians at CJIA, but with the taxi drivers and red cap operators. These sessions will again be a collaborative effort between the GTA and the CJIA. Just last week, scores of Guyanese passengers were among hundreds of Caribbean nationals who were affected by flight delays after a major water leak shut down international flights into Terminal 4 of the John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, New York.
Venezuelans fined for entering Guyana illegally Two Venezuelans who were nabbed at a road block was yesterday charged and fined for crossing a land frontier and failing to present themselves to an immigration officer. Julianne Perez and Barbara Amundharan, both 20, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. They pleaded guilty to the charge which alleged that on December 28 at Lethem in the Rupununi Magisterial District, they entered Guyana by crossing a land frontier and failed to present themselves to an immigration officer. The women who spoke through a Spanish interpreter stated that due to the financial situation in Venezuela, they came to Guyana to get a better life and to work and provide for their family back home in Venezuela.
Charged: Barbara Amundharan
Charged: Julianne Perez
The court heard that the defendants came to Guyana and were staying at a hotel in Georgetown. On the day in question, they were heading to Mabura to work. The magistrate after listening to defendants fined them $30,000 each. Failure to pay the fines will result in four
weeks imprisonment. Upon paying the fine or spending the time, they will be deported. Police Prosecutor Suemile Evans, told the court that on the day in question; ranks stopped a minibus which was travelling to Mabura. The Venezuelans were asked to present their passport to the officers and they told the officers that they had no passports. As a result, they were arrested and taken to Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
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Kaieteur News
Land Development and Management Project...
Pres. Granger says initiative will help Guyana strengthen land governance Guyana’s land-based natural capital must be managed sustainably if present and future generations are to enjoy the ‘good life, President David Granger said yesterday morning. Addressed several guests at the signing ceremony of the Sustainable Land Development and Management Project which was held at State House, Granger noted that sustainable land development is essential to protecting Guyana’s natural patrimony and ensuring economic development. The President said that the government is already crafting a Framework Document of the Green State Development Strategy in order to ensure sustainable development. Granger said that land use planning and natural resource management are among the core strategic areas. He said that the ‘strategy’ will place emphasis on the effective management and protection of Guyana’s land and marine resources, ecosystems and the rich biodiversity of these systems, inter alia. The Head of State asserted that land resources could be degraded, depleted and devalued by both natural and man-made actions. He said that rising sea levels, caused by global warming, have eroded the nation’s natural sea defence structures. He said that the state of some of Guyana’s drainage systems has allowed for intru-
President, David Granger sion of salt water into farmlands. He said, too, that excessive rainfall could lead to the swelling of rivers; affect soil productivity and exact crop losses. The President said, “The increased demand for lands for farming, logging and mining has increased the threats to our natural capital. Logging and mining are the main causes of deforestation. Small-scale mining alone accounted for 89 percent of deforestation over the past three years. “River mining is polluting our waterways on which many hinterland residents still depend for bathing, drinking, fishing and washing.” He continued, “Reckless use and management of land can impact adversely on the environment and citizens’ quality of life. Land degradation has the potential to affect
food security, sustainable livelihoods, poverty reduction and social stability. Guyana therefore recognises the importance of protecting its land assets. It knows that the land degradation will result in natural resource depletion which, if not controlled, will lead to underdevelopment.” Granger added, “Guyana has committed itself to preserving its land assets. It has agreed to place an additional two million hectares of our territory under conservation and convert the Iwokrama International Center for Rainforest Conservation and Development into a worldclass biodiversity research facility.” The President said that the Government will continue to promote more efficient mining and logging practices, including post-extractive land reclamation; push sustainable forestry practices including reduced-impact logging and improved forest monitoring and pursue mineral mapping so to identify areas of marginal, or less than viable, mineral deposits. He said that these are the steps at the international level, to which Guyana has agreed in order to protect its patrimony and provide environmental services for the rest of the world. Granger said that Guyana’s green development agenda demands the fulfillment of these environmental obligations. He said that it demands the adoption of prac-
tices to better manage the nation’s land resources and the augmentation of institutional capacity to improve monitoring and verification of land use. He said, too, that it demands the modernisation of archaic land development and management systems along with integrated land development and management practices to resolve the problems of land degradation. The President insisted that land governance is cen-
tral to the green development agenda. The Head of State said that the Sustainable Land Development and Management Project aims at improving land governance by: promoting good environmental stewardship, sustainable land use and management practices; planning, monitoring and evaluating capacities of state institutions concerned with land management; and, preventing land conflicts; increasing land reclamation of degraded pub-
lic lands and reducing degraded areas. The Sustainable Land Development and Management Project will allow Guyana to protect its natural capital by reducing land degradation. It promotes responsible farming, logging, mining and other land uses. The President said he is confident that it will allow Guyana to build capacity, strengthen its land governance and move more quickly to the goal of becoming a ‘green state.’
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PM declares State of Public Emergency for western parish KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – The Government of Jamaica has declared a state of Public Emergency for the western parish of St. James – home to the tourist capital of Montego Bay. At a press conference yesterday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said he made the recommendation for a state of public emergency to Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, who has since signed a proclamation yesterday. “The proclamation has been gazetted and a state of public emergency is now in effect for the parish of St. James” said Holness. The Prime Minister stated that under the state of emergency, the security forces will have extraordinary powers. “This does not mean that the uses of these extraordinary powers are arbitrary or beyond review. This does not mean the suspension of the rule of law. The security forces are expected and have been directed to treat citizens with respect and protect the dignity and safety of all. He added that the operations although directed at
criminals and their facilitators, will create some level of general discomfort. “We ask the public to cooperate with the security forces. Now is the time, if you know where the guns are, please tell us. If you know where the criminals are, please tell us,” said Holness who added that the “rewards for guns programme” is still in effect. Meanwhile, National Security Minister Robert Montague warned residents that several activities may be curtailed. “We will be relentless as we pursue to criminals. We therefore seek the patience and understanding of all the citizens. As you travel, you will encounter roadblocks. Although there will be instances where some activities will be curtailed, as much as possible we do not intend to stop the good citizens from doing what they would normally do in the scope of things for his part, Police Commissioner George Quallo said the parish has presented a major challenge to police operations. “There are numerous
gangs operating in St. James. They are involved in murders, shootings, scammings, extortions and other illicit activities. They use murder as a tool to further their criminal inter-
est they create an atmosphere of insecurity throughout St. James and surrounding areas.” The Commissioner said the key operational objective
of the security forces is to disrupt the activities of these gangs. “One of primary activities is also the protection of the rights of citizens. We will be
going after wanted men, seizing weapons and taking place our communities. We want to ensure the public that the security forces are there for your protection.
Friday January 19, 2018
Kaieteur News
As Trump heads to Davos, survey points to rising risk of war BERLIN (Reuters) - The risk of political and economic confrontations between major powers, including outright military conflicts, has risen sharply, according to a survey released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) days before its annual gathering in Davos. The Global Risks Report highlighted several top risks for 2018, including environmental threats from extreme weather and temperatures, economic inequalities and cyber attacks. But most remarkable was the surge in geopolitical concerns after a year of escalating rhetoric between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un that has arguably brought the world closer to a nuclear conflict than it has been in decades. Trump is due to give a speech on the closing day of the WEF, an annual event in the Swiss Alps which runs from Jan. 23-26 and will attract 70 heads of state and government, as well as celebrities, CEOs and top bankers. The survey of nearly 1,000 experts from government, business, academia and non-govern-
mental organizations showed 93 percent expect a worsening of political or economic confrontations between major powers in 2018, including 40 percent who believe those risks have increased significantly. Some 79 percent see a heightened risk of state-on-state military conflict. In addition to the threat of a conflict on the Korean peninsula, the report pointed to the risk of new military confrontations in the Middle East. It cited a rise in “charismatic strongman politics” across the world and said political, economic and environmental risks were being exacerbated by a decline in support for rules-based multilateralism. WRONG DIRECTION The report pointed to Trump’s decisions to withdraw from the Paris climate accord and the TPP trade agreement and his threat to pull out of a deal between Western powers and Iran designed to curb its nuclear program. “The risks we are trying to grapple with here require multilateral solutions but we are moving in the other direction,” said John Drzik, president of global
risk and digital at the consultancy Marsh, which helped compile the report.While geopolitical worries rose sharply, the environment topped the list of concerns, with extreme weather events seen as the single most prominent risk in 2018 after a year of unusually frequent Atlantic storms, including Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico. With global growth recovering, concerns about the economy were down sharply. Still, the report described income inequality as a “corrosive problem” in many countries and warned against complacency over the economic environment given high debt levels, low savings rates and inadequate pension provisions. “A widening economic recovery presents us with an opportunity that we cannot afford to squander, to tackle the fractures that we have allowed to weaken the world’s institutions, societies and environment,” said Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the WEF.“We must take seriously the risk of a global systems breakdown.”
France to launch international group targeting toxic gas attacks UNITED NATIONS/ PARIS (Reuters) - France has asked some 30 countries to work together to preserve evidence of chemical weapons attacks and impose sanctions on those responsible after Russia ended an international inquiry into who is to blame for using toxic gas in Syria. France will host a meeting on Tuesday in Paris to launch the initiative, French U.N. Ambassador Francois Delattre told a United Nations Security Council meeting on nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction on Thursday. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is due to attend, the State Department said. The group will work together “collecting, conserving, exchanging and using ... all the mechanisms at our disposal to name the guilty parties and impose the necessary sanctions on them,” according to the invitation sent to states and seen by Reuters. “It is important that, when the time comes and the political timing is right, all the information on the perpetrators of chemical weapons attacks and those who participated in their programs is immediately available so as to ensure they are brought to justice for their
French Ambassador to the UN, Francois Delattre actions,” the invitation said. The move comes after an international investigation into who is to blame for chemical weapons attacks in Syria ended in November after Syrian ally Russia blocked for the third time in a month attempts at the United Nations to renew the inquiry, which Moscow has slammed as flawed. In the past two years, the joint inquiry of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) had found the Syrian government used the nerve agent sarin in an April 4, 2017 attack and has also several times used chlorine as a weapon.
It blamed Islamic State militants for using mustard gas. “The current paralysis of multilateral forums is preventing us from taking legal action against the perpetrators of these crimes and dissuading them from continuing down this path. This must change,” the French invitation said. Syria agreed to destroy its chemical weapons in 2013 under a deal brokered by Russia and the United States. The Syrian government has denied using chemical weapons. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said accusations against the Syrian government were “baseless” and accused Western states of ignoring a chemical weapons threat posed by extremist groups. “We are gravely concerned by the growing threat of chemical weapon terrorism in the Middle East. Specifically on the territory of Iraq and Syria,” Lavrov told the U.N. Security Council on Thursday. “We must bear in mind the real risks of chemical terrorism spilling over beyond the Middle East, taking into account the significant amounts of foreign fighters among extremists,” he said.
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NAC exposes unregistered Medical School
WANTED 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
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 Toyota premio PSS7517 1.8M 2005 model C light recorder Axio 2.5 Bluebird 2.6 Tida 2.2 #655-3400
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY-$19,000PERPOUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 Rohan & Rohan Timber products 164-165 Friendship EBD Rough sawn crabwood & Locust 300 BM each @ US $1.80 per BM. Contact: 2662686/663-8685 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, 695-2220 1 Toyota Corolla NZE, 1 Toyota IST, very good price + condition. Contact R.Sookraj & Son 226-4173 or 615-1831 (cell) Three pure breed German Shepherd. Seven weeks old. Tel: 626-0953/650-9998 1 Mack truck, 1 Mercedes Bendz, 1 Pathfinder. Contact: 665-1154
For sale-1- White Toyota Fielder 2010 unregistered Tel: 624-5650
First Aid/CPR and Home Nursing. New classes starting shortly at St John. Tel: 225-9082 PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 15 Public Road, #2 Village, W.C.B. 49ft x 10,314ft $25M Negotiable Contact 648-7109/686-4818 MASSAGE/HEALTH Get genuine herbal supplements from Hazel’s Herbal Store. Call: Tel# 2269136. Iridology Services offered on Monday 29-01-18
Vreed-en-hoop junction. Lessons place, storage bond, office, other. Call 603-6400. Business place/Store for rent. Located at Grove EBD. Contact: 684-6331 Fully furnished apartment two & one bedrooms in Providence, East Bank, Tel: 672-1906/216-2299/682-6238 Plaisance ECD 3 Bedroom house, furnished, semi furnished or unfurnished, long term or short term. #2181107/673-4745/603-4466 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
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
SALON Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/688-0009
C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages). Ultraviolet Driving School is offering a 6 days driving lesson for $7,500. Come and enjoy it! Call 602-2583 LAND FOR SALE
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
Parafaite Harmonie (Onderneeming) $1M Uivlugt (100ftx50ft) $3.6M with reserve. Tel#656-0701 Parafaite Harmonie (100ftx50ft) High income $2.8M Farm (East Bank) $3.5M Eccles $6M Tel#6511969 Parafaite Harmonie 2.5M 1.6M Ten year up 3.5M Herstelling 3M Tuschen 5.5M 5M. Call: 666-2326
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494
Parafaite 2M main road 1.6M 3M Herstelling 3M Farm 3.5M Tuschen 5M 1.8M Uitvlugt 3M. Call: 604-6724/ 686-9608
DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
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 American Variety Store 140 Regent & Light Georgetownwanted experience cashier, supervisor & salegirls apply in person. 1 Female Typist, Must have excellent command of English Language, Proficient in Microsoft Office Suites, Age 25-35, 648-1821/219-0468 Urgently need one land to buy in Eccles. Artist to paint portraits & scenes. Tel#6117223/656-0701
LEARN TO DRIVE
CAR RENTAL EDUCATION Lessons: Phonics, Reading & Writing for Kindergarten, grades 1-5 Mathematics & English. Lessons for form 15. Call: 690-9378
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm
VACANCY 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 Vacancy exists for 1 experienced pharmacy technician to work part time @ a reputable pharmacy Georgetown- Call: 227-0630 Sh i p p i n g Assistant, Accounts clerk- must have knowledge of QuickBooks. Tel: 616-5591/665-3676/2260395. Receptionist/Washer & Presser/Hotel attendant/Bell boy info@vgiworld.com
Land to buy- Parafaite Harmonie, Tuschen, Farm, Uitvlugt, Eccles, Herstelling, Zeelugt. We pay cash. Call:666-2326
Porter/Clerk/Driver info@vgiworld.com 227-7714/ 223-3448.
Seeking property to rent for restaurant in Georgetown, Call: 615-0317
Live in maid, must know to cook and clean. More info 6645503 or 676-1748
One property to purchase in Georgetown below 30 million. Call: 615-0317
Cashiers @ Nirva Superstore. please apply in person with written application at 49 Sheriff & Craig St. Tel#2275771
Labourers to work on farm in Demerara river. Accomodation provided. Tel: 684-1098/646-9821 1 honest, reliable domestic & 1 Babysitter to work 7am-3pm & 8am-4pm workplace will be near Sheriff St. Call: 641-1062 (7:30am-5:00pm) Graphic Artist. Call: 222-7603 TOLET Furnished 1 & 2 bedroom apartment in Nandy Park. Parking available. Call 2335560 evening only (for further information) Furnished 2 bedrooms apartment in Eccles New Scheme. #698-7807 Room for working couple/ single person. Light, water, bed included. $28,000 monthly, $28,000 security @ South Riumveldt. Tel:6230076
One maid for East Bank area, must know to cook and clean. Call: 614-4358 Live-in or part time maid, call 695-5505 or 611-6364 between 9am to 4pm Office clerk Senior/Junior CXC English/Mathematics, Computer knowledge an asset, Call: 223-7500 General maintenance Guy, room attendant ages 25-45 years old. Tel: 225-0198 233 South rd, Lacytown. One Live in domestic. Five days per week. Age 18-55. Call: 669-4436 1 cook, 1 cleaner, 1 waitress. Call Sabrina/Lisa on 231-5857/ 231-5866 Teacher for small classDaycare/Nursery. Call:6770296
An institution purporting to be a well recognised medical school has been exposed by the National Accreditation Council [NAC]. In a statement issued yesterday, the NAC sought to advise the public that the American Medical Institution is not registered with the NAC as is legally required for postsecondary and tertiary educational institutions operating in Guyana. “It has come to NAC’s attention that the said institution which has been operating out of the Critchlow Labour College on Woolford Avenue has informed its students and members of the public that it has been granted approval to operate by Mr. Vincent Alexander, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NAC. “Please be advised that the Chairman has not, on any occasion or for any reason, granted approval. This institution is not known to the NAC,” the statement outlined. Even as it highlighted the unregistered status of the institution, the NAC made it clear that the onus remains on members of the public, especially prospective students, to check with the NAC’s office to ensure that their institution and programme of choice are registered with and approved by the NAC. NAC currently has an office at 109 Barima Avenue, BelAir Park, Georgetown. Inquiries can also be made by email at info@nac.gov.gy ; facebook at NationalAccreditationCouncilGuyana; or via any of the following telephone numbers: 225-8360, 225-9526, 223-7901, 223-7935. A list of registered institutions can also be found on the NAC’s website at www.nac.gov.gy.
Friday January 19, 2018
Pomeroon fatal shooting…
Dead man’s wife disposes of murder weapon - Police As the investigation into the Pomeroon fatal shooting continues to take surprising twists, the wife of one of the deceased led detectives to an area where she allegedly tossed the murder weapon after discovering the victims’ bloodied bodies. The woman and a man called “Wood”, whom she claimed shot and killed her husband, 28-year-old Ambrose Baharally and his friend, Martin Godette, 23, on Sunday afternoon while they were imbibing, remain in police custody up to late yesterday. According to information received, the female suspect claimed that she was at home when she heard the gunshots and ran to the area where her husband, Godette and another friend were imbibing and found the two bloodied bodies. She told the cops that she got scared and picked up the murder weapon and tossed it in some bushes nearby. Initially, she claimed that it was “Wood” who killed her husband since she saw him leaving with another individual in a boat after the shooting. “Wood”, however, told detectives that he did stop to chat with the now deceased men and another person but left before they were killed. The police have since swabbed the hands of both suspects and the deceased for gun powder residue.
Kaieteur News has been informed that the hands of the deceased were swabbed because the cops are looking at a number of theories including infidelity and murder/suicide. Ranks received information from an eyewitness that Baharally had killed the 23year-old coconut farmer. However, the eyewitness did not see how Baharally met his demise since the eyewitness claimed that he ran for his life. Meanwhile, a Post Mortem examination performed on the bodies yesterday showed that the victims died from gunshot injuries to the head. It further revealed that while Godette was shot from a distance, Baharally was shot at close range. A police source said that while the 28-year-old coconut farmer’s wound is consistent with a self inflicted injury, but it could also mean that he was shot by someone. Additionally, during interrogation, Baharally’s wife led detectives to a location where they discovered one 9mm Beretta pistol with a magazine, one .38 revolver, 16 live cartridges, 21 live .38 rounds, 19 live 9mm rounds, six .32 rounds, two 9mm spent shells and 51.5 grams of cannabis hidden. They reportedly belong to Baharally. The woman could not say why her husband had the weapons or from where he got them.
Kaieteur News
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‘Be my guest’ - France’s Macron spells out reasons for Britain to stay in EU SANDHURST, England (Reuters) - “Be my guest,” French President Emmanuel Macron told Britain yesterday, saying he would welcome any move by Prime Minister Theresa May to stay in the European Union’s single market. But he added a warning London’s prized financial centre could not enjoy the same level of access to the EU under May’s current Brexit plan. At a summit where both leaders hailed the two neighbours’ friendship and historic ties and tried to focus on deepening security and defence cooperation, differences over Brexit once again threatened to sour the meeting - underlining the struggle May faces to negotiate a deal that will protect the economy. “The choice is on the British side, not on my side,” Macron told a news conference after being asked why he was opposed to Britain’s financial sector being included in any agreement on future trade between the two sides. “They can have no differentiated access to the financial services. If you want ac-
Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May and France’s President Emmanuel Macron hold a news conference at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, Britain. REUTERS/Stefan Rousseau/Pool cess to the single market, including the financial services, be my guest. But it means that you need to contribute to the budget and acknowledge European jurisdiction.” Britain has ruled out pursuing a deal with the EU that would mean it would have to pay into its budget or respect its four freedoms, including free movement of people. Instead May says she
wants a bespoke free trade deal covering both goods and services. But by pressing for the inclusion of the financial services sector - which accounts for abou t 1 2 p e r c e n t o f Britain’s economic output and pays more tax than any other industry, May has lit the fuse on what could become the argument that dominates the so-called second
phase of the talks to dismantle more than 40 years of membership of the EU. Last year, Macron launched a charm offensive on banks working in London’s City, calling on them to rebase in Paris. “We recognise that as we’re leaving the European Union we will no longer be full members of the single market,” May told the joint news conference.
“I believe that is not just in the interests of the United Kingdom but also of the European Union as it goes forward to continue to have a good economic relationship’” BORDERAND BAYEUX The two leaders fought hard to underline that Brexit had not dominated the talks. They played up a new agreement to bolster security at French border controls and for Britain to speed the process of bringing unaccompanied migrant children across the frontier from France. They lauded a raft of agreements on everything from a British commitment to send three Chinook helicopters to Mali, where France has forces to help fight Islamist militants, to support for French counter-terrorism operat i o n s a n d m e a s u r e s to boost school exchanges as a sign they could work together. May also offered France 44.5 million pounds ($62 million) to help with border security, part of May’s strategy to use defence as one of her strongest arguments for gain-
ing leverage in negotiations on Britain’s planned departure from the EU. But Macron, visiting Britain’s army officer training academy for a guard of honour, was clear that, in his mind, there was no trade-off on the border in favour of Brexit. “I am not here to either punish or reward,” he said. There were choreographed displays of cordiality, including a loan to Britain of the 11th-century Bayeux Tapestry and a lunch visit to a Michelin-starred pub in May’s own constituency in the southern English town of Maidenhead. But even the decision by France to loan the more than 900-year-old tapestry fell flat in Britain’s eurosceptic media. “What a stitch-up! Did borrowing the Bayeux Tapestry cost Britain 45 million pounds more to stop migrants at Calais?” the Daily Mail asked, while the Sun mocked up the depiction of how William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066 as a tale of the EU trying to stop Britain leaving the bloc.
Friday January 19, 2018
Kaieteur News
Civil Defence Commission boosts Disaster Risk Management capacity in Potaro-Siparuni
The members of the Region Eight Civil Defence Commission Stakeholders in PotaroSiparuni, Region Eight, are now better equipped to prepare for and respond to emergencies within the Region as the Civil Defence Commission, last week, concluded the Orientation Session and Tabletop Exercise in partnership with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). The Orientation Session and Tabletop Exercise, which was conducted at Mahdia, was aimed at familiarising regional stakeholders with the draft Regional Risk Assessment Report and draft Regional Multi-Hazard Preparedness and Response Plan for Region Eight. The report and plan were developed over a four-month period, which saw several rounds of consultations with regional stakeholders as well as focused group meetings
with communities, all conducted by the CDC. In reviewing the draft report, the participants were able to examine preliminary information regarding risks and hazard exposure within the Region. The draft report demonstrated that the North Pakaraimas communities were most exposed to various hazard impacts. Further, key drivers of risk within the Region were found to be water pollution, dust pollution, floods, drought, crop pest and diseases, among others. The activity saw the successful completion of a Tabletop Exercise, which tested the operability of the Regional Multi-Hazard Preparedness and Response Plan. During the exercise, participants examined various hazard impact scenarios and simulated emergency re-
Venezuelan vessel intercepted with over 100 barrels of gasoline A vessel carrying a significant amount of illegal fuel, was intercepted by authorities on Tuesday at the mouth of the Pomeroon River. It is alleged that the intercepted vessel is Venezuelan. Around 12:30 hrs Tuesday, a joint operation consisting of members of Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), and the Guyana Police Force intercepted the unnamed and unregistered, wooden vessel. According to police, the vessel had in excess of one hundred barrels of gasoline. Two Guyanese and five Venezuelans have since been taken into police custody, pending further investigations. The Pomeroon River, which is located just off Charity on the Essequibo Coast, is a gateway between Guyana and Venezuela. Fuel is often smuggled through this port, and usually sold cheaper than the regular fuel.
sponse actions, which would be carried out by responsible agencies. Acting Director General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, said that the Commission remains committed to building Guyana’s disaster risk management capabilities through stakeholder engagements. This is in an effort to build resilience at the regional level so as to reduce disaster risk through enhanced preparedness and response capabilities. He also said that the completion of the plan will give the Region the independence to manage its own disaster planning and resilience. To date, the Barima-Waini (Region One), PomeroonSupenaam (Region Two), Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three), Mahaica-Berbice (Region Five), East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) and CuyuniMazaruni (Region Seven) have completed their plans. The Commission is hoping to complete the Plans for Demerara-Mahaica (Region Four), Potaro-Siparuni (Region Eight), Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo (Region Nine) and Upper DemeraraBerbice (Region Ten) by the end of the year. The CDC remains committed to building Guyana’s disaster risk management capabilities through stakeholder engagement.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
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USA gymnastics cuts ties with training centre following abuse scandal USA gymnastics has announced it will no longer use the national team training centre where former team doctor Larry Nassar carried out abuse of athletes, including Olympian Simone Biles. The Karolyi Ranch in Texas was named by several of 130 plus women as a place they were abused by the 54year-old. “Our priority is our athletes and their training must reflect this,” said USA gymnastics President Kerry Perry. Nassar was jailed for 60
Simone Biles (right) is the most high-profile USA gymnast to state she was abused by Larry Nassar
Friday January 19 , 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Be cautious while traveling to foreign countries. Get involved in groups and organizations that are of a distinguished nature. Your intuition will be right on. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You will be entertained and intrigued by the logic foreigners possess. Get ready to do some fancy footwork when it comes to taking care of your financial situation. You must look into your options. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Family outings that aren't expensive will be enjoyable and help strengthen ties. Restrictions may be difficult for you to live with. Focus on your own domestic problems. CANCER(June21–July22) Do not sign contracts or get involved in any uncertain financial deals. Do not ruffle feathers if possible. Don't think the worst if you hear something negative about your partner. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't make any drastic changes or begin new projects today. Find a way to consolidate. Put your time and energy into travel, philosophy, and soul-searching. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You will be full of good ideas, and your choice of activities may bring you enrichment far beyond your expectations. Discuss your objectives with partners or peers. Focus your efforts on details, and keep to yourself in order to finish your work.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Try to curb overindulgence today. Your romantic inclination should lead to a committed relationship. Get busy trying to make more money. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Drastic financial losses may be likely if you lend money. Take some time to change your house around. If you can't get away, make plans to do something special with friends or relatives. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You are best not to discuss your personal life with others. Be careful signing important contracts today. Invite friends over. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You can make gains if you look at long-term investments. You will be encouraged to get involved in a moneymaking venture. Resist the temptation to gamble. Risks will not be profitable. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your ability to put a deal together will surprise others. It's time to get yourself back on track. Don't let others bully you into agreeing with them. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You are best to avoid joint ventures, and whatever you do, don't lend to friends or relatives. Abrupt changes in your home may send you for a loop. Don't bother getting even; they'll make themselves look bad.
Players ready to fight... From page 34 go from here to right there in a day. We know that. We just hope they realise and they do appreciate us maybe more all the time and not just in waves. ”We have good contacts with the slams. It’s all good. But it’s going to be a never-ending story.” It has been reported that Djokovic raised the prospect of forming a players’ union separate from the ATP. (BBCsport)
How Sachin’s... From page 33 Donald Bradman. Having taken four wickets in four overs at the Bradman Oval in New South Wales, the young Tendulkar then proved that there were batting genes too as he opened the innings and made 48 from 27 balls. ”I used to play many sports as a kid, football, swimming, running, taekwondo,” he reveals. “And then cricket just developed, while everything else took a back seat.” Asked whether his father had been a decisive influence he adds: “He helped me a lot. But he didn’t force me into it.” As for the key question, whether he could foresee a career in cricket, the answer is again understated, but with a steeliness shown by his father during his 100 international centuries: “Yes, I’m working very hard to. That’s my ultimate dream.” (BBCsport)
years for possessing child sex abuse images. He has also admitted assaulting gymnasts. Perry continued: “USA gymnastics has terminated its agreement with the Karolyi Ranch in Huntsville, Texas. It will no longer serve as our national team training centre. ”We are committed to a culture that empowers and supports our athletes.” The governing body has also cancelled the women’s national team training camp which was due to take place next week as they “explore alternative sites”. On Tuesday, four-time Rio Olympic champion Biles became the latest USA gymnast
to state she was sexually abused by Nassar. The 20year-old is one of more than 140 women to have accused Nassar of abuse, and the latest gymnast after Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney and Gabby Douglas in what is the biggest scandal of its kind to happen in sport. In an emotional statement, Biles said: “It is impossibly difficult to relive these experiences and it breaks my heart even more to think that as I work towards my dream of competing at Tokyo 2020, I will have to continually return to the same training facility where I was abused.” (BBCsport)
Friday January 19, 2018
Alexis Sanchez: Arsenal forward likely to join Man Utd - Arsene Wenger
City were wary of unsettling their current top players by paying Sanchez a huge amount. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says it is “likely” forward Alexis Sanchez will join Premier League rivals Manchester United. Sanchez, 29, is out of contract in June and is thought to have agreed personal terms with the Old Trafford club. ”I worked on transfers for 30 years so it is likely to happen, but at any moment it can break down,” said Wenger. Wenger also said it was a “possibility” United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be a part of the deal. ” I l i k e t h e p l a y e r, ” added Wenger. “We played many times against him when he was at Dortmund. He appreciated the quality of our games. The wages would not be a problem.” Armenia international Mkhitaryan, 28, has not agreed terms on a move but was left out of the league win over Stoke on M o n d a y, w i t h m a n a g e r Jose Mourinho confirming the decision was not tac-
tical. At a news conference y e s t e r d a y, We n g e r s a i d Chile international Sanchez will feature against Crystal Palace tomorrow if he does not complete a transfer. “ A s l o n g a s i t ’s n o t over the line you have to accept it may not happen,” added the Frenchman. “These kind of things are not guaranteed. ”I have no problem with Sanchez’s attitude. He was in training yesterday fully committed. He is 29 years old and the next contract will of course be very important to him.” Arsenal sold forward Theo Walcott to Everton on We d n e s d a y and Wenger has been linked with moves for Borussia Dortmund striker PierreEmerick Aubameyang and Bordeaux forward Malcom to bolster his squad. He said the club were not close to completing a deal for 20-year-old Brazilian Malcom but added that
Aubameyang, 28, would “fit in”. Asked about any deal for the Gabon international, Wenger said: “This kind of thing is better when it’s secret and when you don’t comment before announcing it when it’s over the line. ”Would he fit in? Yes, because character can be a very positive note and negative - but overall you look at the achievement of a player over his career. “When it’s been positive the character has been used in a positive way.” D o r t m u n d , h o w e v e r, reacted angrily to those comments, with a club statement describing We n g e r a s “ d i s r e s p e c t ful”. ”There is no contact on our part to Arsenal,” sporting director Michael Zorc is quoted as saying. “Arsene Wenger certainly has enough currently to do so to deal with the performance of its own players.” (BBCsport)
Reifer’s 5-40 and Hemraj’ 72 put... From page 37 consecutive balls and for the second time in the game was on a hat-trick as Red Force seemed a spent force on 1349. Paul then trapped Anderson Phillips LBW for a duck to end the innings Chanderpaul tucked Phillips past mid-wicket and flicked him to long-leg for boundaries as he began in positive fashion while Hemraj was his usual pugnacious self with a couple of brutal cuts off St. Clair for boundaries before lofting the last ball be-
fore Tea off Brian Charles for four. At Tea the score was 29 without loss with both openers looking set for big scores. After Tea, Chanderpaul and Hemraj batted without any bother and played an array of shots with a boundary from Hemraj to bring up the 50. Hemraj pulled Khan magnificently for four to post his 5th fifty for the season and celebrated with a scorching cover driven boundary before pulling the leg-spinner high over mid-wicket for six to move into the 60s.
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A four by Hemraj back over the head of Khan brought up the 100 before Chanderpaul was dropped on 31 by Ramdin at slip off the spin of Charles. After clobbering Charles for six Hemraj threw his wicket away in the same over with a loose drive to St. Clair at mid-off when well set for his first hundred at this level, the score was 109-1. Guyana’s latest Test player Shimron Hetymer (4) joined Chanderpaul and the pair saw their team to the close.
IOC tests over 14,000 athletes ahead of Winter Olympics
Reuters - Over 14,000 doping tests have been conducted ahead of next month’s Pyeongchang Winter Olympics in an effort to protect clean athletes and safeguard the Games, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said yesterday. The Pre-Games Anti-Doping Taskforce along with National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) and International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (IFs) tested over 6,000 athletes from 61 countries. The IOC said there was a 70 percent increase in the number of tests conducted between April and December 2017 as compared to the same
period in 2016. ”Protecting clean athletes by fighting doping is a top priority for the IOC... we are committed to working with our partners to ensure that Pyeongchang 2018 provides a level playing field for all clean athletes,” IOC medical and scientific director Richard Budgett said. The taskforce, which was set up to monitor and optimize the testing, has placed extra scrutiny on Russian athletes. Twice the number of Russian athletes were tested in November and December, as compared to those from any other country. The IOC last month banned Russia from the
Pyeongchang Games as a result of its “unprecedented systematic manipulation” of the anti-doping system, though individual athletes will be able to compete effectively as neutrals if they can prove their anti-doping credentials. Widespread doping by Russian athletes at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games was exposed by an independent report for the World Anti-Doping Agency. Apart from increased testing, the IOC is also aiming to improve testing methods by focusing on factors such as high-risk disciplines and nationalities, suspicious changes in performance and adverse testing history.
How Sachin’s son is making a name for himself in cricket What’s the best way for the son of India’s most famous batsman to carve a career for himself? Becoming a bowler is probably a sensible start. Sachin Tendulkar remains the most revered sportsman in India. The highest runscorer in both Test matches and oneday internationals, he amassed 34,357 international runs and his every move was scrutinised in adoration by a country where cricket for generations has been regarded as a religion. For “Son of Sachin” any attempt to follow in his father’s footsteps was certain to cause hysteria. And yet 18year-old Arjun Tendulkar is taking everything in his elegant, languid stride. Taller and thinner than his legendary father, when asked about the stresses of continuing the name associated globally with an icon, he says: “I don’t take
Arjun Tendulkar that pressure. ”When I bowl I just think hit the deck hard with every ball and when I bat I just play my shots, and choose which bowlers to take on and which not to.” Tendulkar Jr also tells the BBC’s Stumped that the decision to become a bowler was not a carefully considered one in recognition of his father’s brilliance as a bats-
man. ”I just grew taller and got stronger,” he explains. “And I just loved bowling fast in my childhood. So I thought I might as well be a fast bowler because there’s not many in India.” A left-arm fast bowler as well. And a left-handed batsman. So instead of making comparisons with his father’s exalted textbook cover drive, cricket fans may be detecting shades of Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc, as they are among the players Arjun has modelled himself on. Tendulkar Jr has been playing in the homeland of those two fearsome Australian left-arm fast bowlers as part of a global Twenty20 series for a Cricket Club of India XI. And to further perpetuate the stuff of legends scenario, he played at the ground named after Australia’s most famous cricketing son, Sir (Continued on page 32)
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Friday January 19, 2018
Kaieteur News
Brathwaite among wickets as Sixers win third straight
Carlos Brathwaite Sydney, Australia, CMC – Sydney Sixers were winless in six outings before the arrival of West Indies Twenty20 star, Carlos Brathwaite. With the all-rounder in their ranks, they have now gone unbeaten in three games and he was among the wickets again yesterday as they trounced Brisbane Heat by nine wickets. Playing at the Sydney Cricket Ground in their penultimate fixture of the Big Bash League, Sixers routed the Heat for 73 off 16.4 overs with seamer Brathwaite grabbing two for 20 from 2.4 overs. Fast bowling Sean Abbott led the attack with four for 11 while left-arm spinner Nathan Lyon supported with two for 17. For Heat, four batsmen reached double figures but none passed 15. In reply, lefthanded opener Daniel Hughes struck 37 from 28 deliveries as Sixers motored to their target off exactly 10 overs. On Wednesday, inform Barbadian seamer Jofra
Archer starred yet again but his Hobart Hurricanes had their five-game winning streak snapped, with a 11-run defeat to Adelaide Strikers at the Adelaide Oval. Left-handed opener Alex Carey smashed 100 off 56 deliveries to lift the hosts to 187 for four off their 20 overs, adding 171 for the first wicket with Jake Weatherald who made 65. Archer snared three for 27 from his four overs and accounted for the other wicket to fall when he produced a brilliant direct hit at the non-strikers end off his own bowling in the 18th over, to send back Weatherald. Off the very next delivery, he bowled Carey with a fast straight yorker and then served up a superb last over which cost just six runs and yielded two wickets, as Hobart reined in the Strikers scoring. In reply, Hurricanes got 70 from opener Alex Doolan and 45 from Ben McDermott but came up short of their target at 176 for four.
Players ready to fight for more prize money Roger Federer has called for the Grand Slams to up their levels of prize money and said players are “bored’ of having to push the issue. The subject has been raised at the Australian Open after Novak Djokovic reportedly initiated a players-only meeting on the eve of the tournament. Federer, 36, is a former president of the ATP player council, the same position Djokovic now holds. “They could definitely pay more, no doubt about it,” Federer said. In 2012 there was talk of a player boycott if the major tournaments did not take action to increase prize money. That was followed by pay increases, particularly for players losing in the early rounds. “We’re not partners. We’re just players. It’s always
hard to rally,” said Federer, a 19-time Grand Slam winner. ”We had a good agreement, in my opinion, that made the Grand Slams happy, the players pretty happy. It seems like that has run its course. ”The moment that happens, there’s not the same increases any more, so players have to rally, get back together again, put in the effort. The Grand Slams know that. They will only react when we do so. We’re ready to do it. It’s going to be the same process over and over again. ”It’s a bit boring, to be honest, always having to ask for stuff. If you look at the revenue, the sharing process, it’s not quite where it’s supposed to be. “But you can’t (Continued on page 32)
Neymar hangs out with former PSG midfielder Beckham at Paris Fashion Week Neymar reflected on Paris Saint-Germain’s 8-0 hammering of Dijon in the company of David Beckham at Paris Fashion Week yesterday. The 25-year-old forward met Beckham, who played 10 times for PSG in 2013, on the front row at a Louis Vuitton event. Sporting a hair-band, a Louis Vuitton beige jumper and a striking chrome jacket, the world’s most expensive player looked the part as he mixed with Europe’s biggest fashion influencers. Neymar has regularly hit the headlines since his £198m world-record move from Barcelona to PSG in the summer. And despite scoring four and assisting two, the forward was booed by supporters in the closing stages of Wednesday’s thumping win for failing to allow team-mate Edinson Cavani to take the penalty. But Neymar has failed to allow talk off the pitch to affect his performances on it and his four-goal haul means he has now netted 24 times in only 23 appearances since joining. Alongside Beckham, though, Neymar was pictured in good spirits with the pair
Neymar met with David Beckham at Paris Fashion Week. both known for their keen interest in fashion. The PSG star had even more reason to enjoy his time off at the event as his performance against Dijon saw him become only the second
player in Ligue 1 history to earn a perfect 10 rating from L’Equipe. Brazil’s captain is joined in the history books by fellow Brazilian Carlos Eduardo who was awarded top marks for his part in Nice’s
7-2 win over Guingamp back in 2014. PSG and Neymar will begin preparations today for their top-of-the-table clash with Lyon on Sunday at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais. (MailOnline)
Ronaldinho calls time on mesmerising career Two-time FIFA World Player of the Year and FIFA World Cup™ winner Ronaldinho has retired from professional football, bringing to an end a two-decade career on the pitch adorned with medals, trophies and a legacy of outrageous talent. The Brazilian maestro, 37, last featured for a professional club in 2015 with Fluminense, with his brother and agent Roberto Assis announcing the decision to end his time on the field with a series of farewell events later in the year. ”I did what I most loved professionally for 20 years,” Ronaldinho said on Instagram. “I lived intensely this dream of children, every moment, trips, victories, defeats, the review, national anthem, the walk in the tunnel, dressing room, field entrance, the soccer shoes I used, the good and bad balls, tributes I won, the stars that I played, those that admired and played and those that only played in the play, but I admire until today!” Having been instrumental in guiding Brazil back to the pinnacle of world football at Korea/Japan 2002,
Ronaldinho holds the Confederation Cup Trophy © Getty Images the forward caught the imaginations of the globe with his overwhelminglymesmerising invention on the ball. A catalyst for millions of young fans to try to emulate his quick feet and outrageous skill, he won backto-back FIFA World Player of the Year Awards in 2004 and 2005.
However, he had already been a sparkling presence in the game for the best part of a decade by then, scoring twice – while still known as ‘Ronaldo’ – as Brazil triumphed at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 1997. He then clinched the Copa America and swept the individual awards at the FIFA Confederations Cup two years later,
by then sporting ‘Ronaldinho’ across his back. He rose to global prominence while at Paris SaintGermain, before his 2003 move to Barcelona – for a reported €30m club-record fee – saw him become a footballing megastar. While he was unable to capture the FIFA Club World Cup with them in 2006, or repeat World Cup glory that same year, he did add the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup to his trophy cabinet while picking up two La Liga titles at the Camp Nou. ”He was the change of Barcelona for what Barcelona is right now,” exBlaugrana team-mate Luis Garcia explained. “He was something special, he was the best player by far in the world. He could do anything. Every single session, training session or game he was special and I enjoyed just watching him play so much.” With spells at AC Milan and Flamengo following, he added his second continental title by triumphing in the 2013 Copa Libertadores with Atletico Mineiro, before adding a bronze Club World Cup medal to accompany the silver he claimed eight years earlier. (FIFA)
Friday January 19, 2018
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Australian Open 2018
Garbine Muguruza loses to Hsieh Su-wei, Simona Halep wins Garbine Muguruza was beaten in straight sets by world number 88 Hsieh Suwei in the Australian Open second round. The Wimbledon champion, seeded third, struggled physically as temperatures soared in Melbourne and had treatment to her left foot in the first set. Taiwanese player Hsieh, 32 - who won 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 - will play 26th seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the third round. Meanwhile, top seed Simona Halep beat Eugenie Bouchard 6-2 6-2 in an hour and seven minutes despite playing in pain. The 26-year-old Romanian world number one, seeking her first Grand Slam title, turned her ankle in her firstround win over Destanee Aiava. “I feel pain but I didn’t think about it. I just wanted to play the match,” said the twotime Melbourne quarter-finalist, who faces unseeded American Lauren Davis in the third round tomorrow. Canadian Bouchard, the 2014 Wimbledon runner-up who beat Halep in the semi-finals at the All England Club that year, is now ranked 112 and only held her serve once. Johanna Konta knocked out by Bernarda Pera British number one Johanna Konta suffered a shock defeat by world number 123 Bernarda Pera in the second round of the Australian Open. The American won 6-4 7-5 to claim only her sec-
Bernarda Pera ond win at Grand Slam level. Ninth seed Konta had reached the quarter-finals and semi-finals on her past two visits to Melbourne Park. Konta, 26, has now won just three of 11 matches since reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals in July. She saved four match points on a hot and blustery afternoon but framed a smash on the fifth to give Pera the biggest win of her career. The 23-year-old lost in qualifying and only made it into the main draw of a Slam for the first time as a lucky loser, after another player withdrew through injury. The Croatia-born American goes on to face Barbora Strycova in the third round after the Czech 20th seed beat Spain’s Lara Arruabarrena 6-
3 6-4. Marta Kostyuk became the youngest player to reach the third round of a Grand Slam since 1997 as the 15-yearold qualifier beat Olivia Rogowska at the Australian Open. The world number 521 won 6-3 7-5 and plays fourth seed and fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina in the last 32. Kostyuk is the youngest player to reach that stage at a Slam since Mirjana LucicBaroni in the 1997 US Open. She is the youngest in the last 32 at Melbourne since Martina Hingis in 1996. Maria Sharapova beats Anastasija Sevastova in second round Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova beat 14th
Marta Kostyuk 15, serves at the Australian Open seed Anastasija Sevastova in straight sets to reach the third round of the Australian Open. The Russian, beaten in three sets by the Latvian at the US Open last year, won 6-1 7-6 (7-4) in one hour and 20 minutes. Sharapova, 30, was broken when serving for the match at 54, but recovered to win the tiebreak on Rod Laver Arena. Sharapova will next face Germany’s 2016 Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber, who celebrated her 30th birthday by overcoming Croatia’s Donna Vekic 6-4 6-1. Sixth seed Karolina Pliskova stormed past Brazil’s Beatriz
Haddad Maia, winning 6-1 6-1 in 44 minutes, and next will play fellow Czech Lucie Safarova, who beat Romanian Sorana Cirstea 62 6-4. Madison Keys sailed through against Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova even faster, with the American 17th seed winning 6-0 6-1 in 41 minutes. Croatia’s Mirjana LucicBaroni, the 28th seed and 2017 semi-finalist, was defeated 6-3 6-1 by Aliaksandra Sasnovich. The Belarusian will play Caroline Garcia in the third round after the French eighth seed prevailed 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 8-
6 over Czech Marketa Vondrousova. Elena Vesnina became the 10th of the top 16 women’s seeds to go out by the second round, losing 7-6 (74) 6-2 to Japanese 20-year-old Naomi Osaka. Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska, a semi-finalist twice in the past four tournaments at Melbourne, needed three sets to see off Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko as she won 2-6 7-5 6-3. Radwanska, the 26th seed, will play Taiwanese Hsieh SuWei next after the world number 88 shocked Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza 7-6 (7-1) 6-4. (BBCsport)
Roger Federer through but Stan Wawrinka beaten Roger Federer enjoyed the kinder conditions of the night session as he beat Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff at the Australian Open. After the temperature earlier neared 40C, second seed Federer saw off Struff 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-4) in closer to 30C. The five-time champion goes on to face French 29th seed Richard Gasquet in the third round. Federer’s fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka was beaten in his second match since returning from knee surgery. The 2014 champion, seeded ninth, only decided to play in Melbourne on the eve of the tournament and was well below his best as he lost 6-2 6-1 6-4 to Tennys Sandgren of the USA. ”I think the last 12 days was more than what I could have dreamed coming here,” Wawrinka said. “I really came without thinking I will be able to play the first match. That’s a big step for me.” There were no such problems on Rod Laver Arena
Julien Benneteau has reached the Australian Open third round on three previous occasions. for Federer despite an impressive performance from Struff, the world number 55. Federer, 36, broke serve once in each of the first two sets but had to recover from a break down in the third before sealing victory in the tiebreak. Asked if he had requested an evening match, Federer said: “It’s not my call, it’s [the tournament officials’] call.
”I wouldn’t have minded playing during the day because if you want to get to the top, you’ve got to thrive in all conditions.” Belgian seventh seed David Goffin was knocked out in the second round, going down 1-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 7-6 (7-4) to 36-yearold Julien Benneteau, the world number 59. Six-time champion
Federer is seeking his sixth Australian Open title. Novak Djokovic made it through in “brutal” mid-afternoon conditions with a 4-6 6-3 6-1 6-3 win over France’s Gael Monfils. Alexander Zverev, the fourth seed, booked a third-round meeting with Hyeon Chung of South Korea after beating fellow German Peter Gojowczyk 6-1 6-3 4-6 6-3. Fifth seed Dominic Thiem, 24, recovered from two sets
down to beat American Denis Kudla and reach the last 32. The Austrian lost a tie-break in the opener but fought back to win 6-7 (6-8) 3-6 6-2 6-2 6-3. In round three Thiem will face France’s 26th seed Adrian Mannarino, who beat Czech Jiri Vesely 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 5-7 6-3. Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro, the 12th seed, took four
sets to see off Russian Karen Khachanov 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (0-7) 6-4. American Sam Querrey, the 13th seed, had a surprise exit to world number 80 Marton Fucsovics, going down 6-4 7-6 (8-6) 4-6 6-2 to the Hungarian. Czech Tomas Berdych, twice a semi-finalist in Melbourne, beat Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-3 2-6 6-2 6-3. (BBCsport)
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Kaieteur News
Kohli and Smith win big at ICC awards
Sixth MILO/PETRA Schools’ U-18 Football Championship launched 24 schools to contest, 18 from the City
Virat Kohli and Steven Smith walk back at stumps Getty Images India’s Virat Kohli hit a windfall at the ICC awards after being named both Cricketer and Captain of the year. He also regained a trophy he had won for the first time in 2012 as he was named ODI player of the year as well. The corresponding prize for Test cricket went to Australia’s Steven Smith.In the qualification period from September 21, 2016 to the end of 2017, Kohli scored 2,203 Test runs at an average of 77.80 including six doublecenturies, 1,818 ODI runs at 82.63 including seven hundreds, and 299 T20I runs at a strike-rate of 153. With him at the helm, India are ranked among the top three teams in the world as well. All of that came culminated in his becoming the ICC cricketer of the year and winning the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy. ”It’s probably the biggest award that we have in world cricket,” Kohli said. “Two Indians getting it back to back makes it more special. Last time it was [R] Ashwin, this time I’m getting it so I’m really really honoured and I’d like to thank the ICC for recognising all the hard work that we all put in for our respective sides and I want to congratulate all the other winners also.” Smith’s numbers were equally mind-boggling. Though the coup de grace was his performance in the Ashes, scoring runs with such frequency that comparisons with Don Bradman was made with every passing innings, he has been in sublime form for at least four years, scoring over 1000 Test runs in each of them. In the ICC’s qualification period, he made
1,875 runs in 16 matches at an average of 78.12, with eight hundreds and five half-centuries. ”It’s a great honour to receive this award for the second time, having won it in 2015 as well,” Smith said. “It’s called Test cricket for a reason, and I’ve enjoyed that test of my ability over the past 12 months. ”I got six Test hundreds for the year in 2017, which I was pleased about. I was pleased with the way I played but what pleased me most of all was that I helped us win Tests and, m o s t i m p o r t a n t l y, T h e Ashes. To make a contribution in big matches and in big series and assist the team is what it is all about for me, and if I’m doing that then there’s a good chance that awards like this will follow.” Four of the last five ICC Test players of the year are Australian, starting with Michael Clarke in 2013, Mitchell Johnson in 2014 and Smith in 2015 and 2017. Moving to ODIs, Kohli was among the prime candidates to win the award. Only 29 years old, he hit his 32nd century recently, going past Ricky Ponting’s tally and moving ever closer to Sachin Tendulkar’s. ”Twenty-sixteen for me I think was a breakthrough year and I was able to continue in 2017 also,” he said. “I think I worked even harder in 2017 and understand this has been a good phase for me but I will have to work even harder in future to play the same level of cricket I have been able to play in the past two years. But yeah, 2017 was indeed a very special year
for me.” Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali was named emerging player of 2017. This follows his becoming the quickest from his country to 50 ODI wickets (in 24 matches) and a player-ofthe-series winning performance in the Champions Trophy. The 23-year old also topped the ICC rankings in one-day cricket when his career was only 426 days old. Only two others have risen to the top at a better rate. ”It has been memorable past 16 months for me as a young player and Pakistan as a team,” Hasan said. “This acknowledgement will not only inspire me to do even better in the coming seasons but will also convince the next generation of cricketers that hard work and good performances can never go unnoticed. ”This award is for all those who believed and backed us in the journey, and look forward to their continued patronage as the next 18 months will be more challenging with the World Cup in 2019.” Rashid Khan, the Afghanistan legspinner, was named the Associate player of the year and claimed a place in the ODI team of 2017 as well. India’s wristspinner Yuzvendra Chahal taking 6 for 25 to send England crashing from 113 for 2 to 127 all out was adjudged the T20I performance of the year. The ICC distributed their awards for women’s cricket in December 2017, with Australia’s Ellyse Perry winning player of the year. (ESPNcricinfo)
Beepats and Sons Company through their Nestle Milo Brand, in collaboration with the PETRA Organisation yesterday unveiled the highly anticipated Sixth Edition of the Milo Under-18 Schools Football Tournament at the sponsor’s Head Office, Dennis Street, Sophia. Present at the launch were Troy Mendonca - Director of Petra, Ian Greenwood Guyana Football Federation Technical Director, Nicholas Fraser - Ministry of Education (MOE) Physical Education Department Head, Jonathan Beepat - Executive Director of Beepats and Sons and Christel Van Sluytman Nestle Brand Manager. The tournament which begins on January 27th (next Saturday) and is schedule to conclude on March 28th will see participation from a total of 24 teams. Eighteen of those teams will be from Georgetown while the remaining six will be from the Berbice, West Demerara and Linden areas. The tournament will be played using the usual round-robin/knockout format which Chase Academic Foundation was able to win in the previous three years. There will be six groups of four teams with the first and second seeded teams from
each group going through to the knockout, round-of-16 along with the four best third placed teams. The teams will be matching skills for a total of $1.1 million which will go towards a project of the school’s choice. The top school will receive $500,000, second place $300,000, third $200,000 and fourth $100,000. PETRA’s Troy Mendonca thanked main sponsor Beepats and Sons for their continued support of the tournament while not forgetting the MOE, the GFF, the schools and all other stakeholders that collectively have made the tournament a success. MOE representative, Nicholas Fraser noted that his Ministry is pleased to approve this tournament but stressed discipline: “With the aim of having this competition continue to grow from strength to strength, we are encouraging all stakeholders to enjoy the tournament within the confines of the rules. We are heartened to see participation from six out of town schools which is a positive step in the tournament’s growth.” GFF’s Ian Greenwood praised the success of the Milo School tournament which has seen some of their participants go as far to rep-
resenting Guyana’s national teams in various age groups, including the senior national team. Kelsey Benjamin and Jeremy Garrett that were part of Chase’s winning team in the previous years have represented Guyana in the historic Indonesia friendly (senior) international last November. ”The GFF is very excited to support Petra and we appreciate the hard work that you do in seeing that our young players have the opportunity to be active,” Greenwood posited. Christel Van Sluytman, Nestle Brand Manager noted that the company’s main goal is to help advance the talent of athletes while encouraging academic betterment since school and sports should go hand-in-hand. Executive Officer of the Sponsors, Jonathan Beepat, noted that for the 65 odd years that the company has been in Guyana, they have also had an eye for not only giving back but ways in which they could help Guyanese. ”They aren’t many current extracurricular activities for youths in Guyana and this is one of the pivotal reasons for sponsoring this tournament in order to have the youth positively engaged,” Beepat expounded.
Brooks hits hundred to give Pride... From page 38 for two in their first innings after they decided to bat on the first day of their 10th and final round match at Kensington Oval. The incumbent West Indies “A” Team “Test” Captain shared two successive significant stands with left-handers Shanye Moseley, who made 72, and Jonathan Carter, not out on 36. Strangely, left-arm spinner Christopher Lamont shared the new ball with Derval Green, and this set the tone for the visitors for the rest of the day, as the Pride batsmen indulged themselves on a surface that played very true. Brooks, a hometown favourite, due to his languid batting style, reached his landmark from 194 balls, when he turned Lamont into square leg for a single, bringing a roar of approval from the small crowd that turned up. It was his first hundred in 24 first-class matches, since he collected 111 against Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in November 2015 at this venue. He has so far batted 264 minutes, faced 194 balls and struck 14 fours, sharing 108 for the second wicket with Moseley and 96 – unbroken – for the third wicket with Carter. Pride had a solid launching pad from Moseley and West Indies opener Kraigg Brathwaite when they put on 57 for the first wicket in just over an hour of batting. Brathwaite made 32 before he was well caught by Fabian Allen, running to his right at mid-on, when he advanced to try and hit John Campbell’s
uncomplicated off-spin over the top. Brooks came to the crease and with Moseley scored relatively freely to carry Pride to lunch on 115 for one. Moseley was unbeaten on 50, reaching his landmark from 82 balls, when he drove Rovman Powell through the off-side for a sweetly-timed ninth four. He carried on smartly after the interval and with Brooks playing as easily as he typically does, he had the Scorpions attack at his mercy. This prompted Scorpions captain Nikita Miller to turn to the tame off-spin of Andre McCarthy and he struck with his first delivery, when Moseley’s avarice got the better of him and Paul Palmer pouched a catch at mid-off from an ill-advised drive. Pride were 165 for two, and Carter and Brooks carried them to 207 for two at tea before batting through the final session to fortify their side’s position. Pride made two changes to their line-up from the previous match, bringing young fast bowling pair of Keon Harding and Dominic Drakes, son of former Barbados and West Indies all-rounder Vasbert Drakes, in to replace Kemar Roach and Miguel Cummins. Scorpions have brought in McCarthy, Powell and Lamont, ahead of Assad Fudadin, Brandon King and Damion Jacobs. Pride entered the match second in the table on 94.6 points and have so far earned two batting points, while Scorpions, starting third on 91 points, have so far gained no points.
Friday January 19, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Regional 4-day
Reifer’s 5-40 and Hemraj’ 72 put Guyana Jaguars in command at Providence
Tagenarine Chanderpaul cut during his century stand with Chanderpaul Hemraj yesterday. Story and photos by Sean Devers Raymond Reifer and Kemo Paul shared eight wickets between them and a century partnership between Chanderpaul Hemraj and Tagenarine Chanderpaul put Guyana Jaguars in firm control against T&T’s Red Force on day-one of the final round game of the CWI 4-day Championships at Providence yesterday. Left-arm Test pacer Reifer took 5-40 to register his fourth five-wicket haul while Kemo Paul carried his wicket-tally to 39 as they orchestrated the demolition of the Red Force; six batsmen failed to score. Only Skipper Denesh Ramdin, who took his runs tally to 750 with his 31st First-Class fifty presented any real resistance as Red Force were bundled out for 135. Ramdin, who has three tons this season, hit four fours and two sixes from 114 balls in his even 50 but only Yannic Cariah (26) and Jeremy Solozano (21) reached 15. The 24-year-old Hemraj scored a pugnacious 72 from 111 balls decorated with 11 fours and two sixes and shared in 109 opening stand with 21-year-old Chanderpaul who has reached the boundary four times off 129 balls in a patient unbeaten 34 to leave the Jaguars on 116-1 by the close. This was their second century stand following their 115 partnership against Barbados in the fifth round at the same venue. Red Force elected to bat in bright sunshine on a track with a tinge of grass and Amir Jangoo was struck in his groin off the first ball of the match from Kemo Paul before he was removed for seven at 14-1 off
Chanderpaul Hemraj hit off-spinner Brian Charles for six during his pugnacious 72 yesterday. the first ball of Raymond Reifer’s third over and the sixth of the match. Tion Webster had his middle stump broken in half off Reifer’s next ball while Jason Mohammed was sent packing for a duck off the last ball of an eventful over; the Red Force enduring an inauspicious start, slumping to 15-3. Ramdin joined Solozan and whipped Sherfane Rutherford for four to post the 50 in the 15th over. The left-handed Jeremy Solozano found the boundary three times and was just beginning to look good when flicked one firmly off his legs in the first over from left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul for Akshaya Persaud to take a good reflex catch at short leg with the score on 52-4. Ramdin, who was caught off a no-ball from Rutherford on 23, dumped Permaul for two sixes in an expensive over which also included an on driven boundary by Cariah. And by Lunch Ramdin, only behind Devon Smith on runs aggregate, was still there on 33 and with him was Cariah on seven with the Red Force stuttering on 82-4. After the interval, Cariah backed away and punched Permaul through cover for four before gloriously smashing Paul past cover another boundary to bring-up the 100 as the partnership gradually began to grow. Cariah and Ramdin carried the score to 109 before Cariah was run out by direct hit from Chanderpaul after sharing in a 57-run stand with his Skipper for the fifth wicket. Reifer then removed Imran Khan (13) and Daniel St. Clair for a first-ball duck off (Continued on page 33)
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Friday January 19, 2018
ECB Head Bacchus wants to see Huitema powers Canada past more competitive cricket in E’bo Costa Rica in 2018 CU20W opener - Pleas for corporate backing By Zaheer Mohamed President of the Essequibo Cricket Board Fizul Bacchus said he wants for see more competitive cricket being played in Essequibo for the 2018 season. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday, Bacchus disclosed that one of the challenges faced by the board is the lack of sponsorship, but wants to see more corporate backing for the sport in the county. Bacchus, who also is the President (ag) of the Guyana Cricket Board, explained that due to the geography of Essequibo it is difficult to obtain sponsorship on a regular basis. ”To transport a team from Bartica to the Essequibo Coast usually costs around $250,000 and this makes it difficult to stage tournaments on round-robin basis, so the players are not being given a fair chance to showcase their talent. That’s the reason we have to play tournaments on a knock-out basis in two zones,” he added. ”For us to host a roundrobin competition will cost the board over G$3M so sponsorship is important, and this year we hope to see more backing from the business community.” Bacchus disclosed that the ECB will work closely with the Regional Democratic Council of Region Two and other entities so that cricket can be played competitively on a regular basis. He would like to see the completion of the Indoor Practice Facility at the Board’s Hostel at Anna Regina.
Fizul Bacchus ”One of the major issues affecting cricket here is the lack of grounds but we will approach the Ministry of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sports to upgrade a number of venues including the Anna Regina Community Centre ground.” When quizzed about 2017, Bacchus expressed pleasure at the County’s team winning the GCB Jaguars Three-Day League and having secured their place in the final of the 50over format. This he said that has showed the players commitment and discipline which is now reaping rewards. ” We s a w G u y a n a Beverage Co. Inc returning as one of our major sponsors so that was a plus for us while we also had a number of players wearing national colours, but with corporate support we hope to play competitive cricket at the age group level,” he posited. ”We have a number of players in the GCB Academy and this has helped in their development, but I would
like to see the Area Committees playing more competitive cricket and this will help to unearth young talent.” The ECB is made up of the eight Area Committees Pomeroon, North Essequibo, Wa k e n a a m , S o u t h Essequibo, Leguan, Central Essequibo, East Bank Essequibo and Bartica and their Annual General Meeting and Elections has been set for Sunday at their Anna Regina Hostel. Once re-elected, Bacchus said that he and his new executive will be looking at hosting clinics for coaches and players as well as umpires’ seminars which will aid in the development of the sport. The ECB President expressed gratitude to Imam Bacchus and Sons for allowing them the uses of their facility and the RDC of Region Two for the support. Certainly Essequibo is not short of talent as over the years a number of players have made enormous strides in the sport. Victorious former West Indies Under19 Vice Captain Keemo Paul, left arm orthodox spinner Anthony Adams, Kevon Boodie, Kemol Savory, Ricardo Adams and R o n s f o r d B eato n w h o recently represented the West Indies in the 50-over series in New Zealand are some of the names that readily come to mind. Paul, Savory, Ricardo and Anthony Adams have been included in the Guyana training squad for the upcoming Regional Super 50 to be held in Barbados and Antigua.
Jordyn Huitema (#12) was outstanding in Canada’s win over Costa Rica. (Photo: CA-Images)
C o u v a , Tr i n i d a d & Tobago - Jordyn Huitema scored a pair of second-half goals to help rally Canada to a 3-1 win over Costa Rica in the opening match of the 2018 CONCACAF W o m e n ’ s U - 2 0 Championship at Ato Boldon Stadium yesterday. The result places Canada atop the Group A table on goal difference since host Trinidad and Tobago lost to Haiti 3-2 in the evening’s main attraction. The Haitians got all their goals from Captain Nerilia Mondesir while T&T responded through efforts from Kedie Johnson and Dennecia Prince. Costa Rica took a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute, when
Catalina Estrada pounced on a Canadian defender ’s miskicked back pass. The 19-year-old forward then slotted past charging goalkeeper Rylee Foster with her right foot from 10-yards out. Canada, which improved to 4W-0D-1L all-time against Costa Rica in CU20W play, leveled five minutes after halftime as Huitema latched onto a lobbed ball over the top by Sarah Stratigakis and tapped in off onrushing Costa Rica goalkeeper Fabiana Solano. Three minutes later, Canada had a golden opportunity to take a lead, but Stratigakis saw her penalty kick saved by Solano after Emma Regan was taken
down in the box by Stephannie Blanco. Stratigakis put the rebound into the net, only for the goal to be ruled offside. Canada’s go-ahead goal would come in the 57th minute, with Gabrielle Carle – from the edge of the sixyard box — knocking in Huitema’s inch-perfect cross from the left. Huitema had her second goal nine minutes later, sliding bravely to connect with Shana Flynn’s cross and right-footing home from 10 yards out before colliding with Solano. Both teams resume Group A play tomorrow: Haiti-Costa Rica and Canada-Trinidad & Tobago. (CONCACAF)
Brooks hits hundred to give Pride early edge
Mix Up through to semis as Wiltshire Dominoes continues Mix Up secured their place in the semi finals of the Mark Wiltshire Birth Anniversary Dominoes competition which continued recently at Turning Point. Led by 16 games from Ewie Gordon and 15 from Gilbert Mendonca, Mix Up chalked up 80
games to finish ahead of Beacons on 76 and Gold for Money bringing up the rear on 67. Troy Collins got 17 and Wesleyan Wilson 16 for the runners-up while Tony Seeraj and Clearance Whitehead made 15 and 14 respectively for Gold for Money.
Barbados Pride Captain Shamarh Brooks swings into the leg-side yesterday at the Kensington Oval. (Kerrie Eversley Photo) Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC – Barbados Pride Captain Shamarh Brooks hit his fourth first-class hundred
to lead his side’s batting against Jamaica Scorpions in the Regional 4-Day Championship yesterday
here. Brooks was undefeated on 104, as Pride reached 261 (Continued on page 36)
Friday January 19, 2018
Kaieteur News
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RHT Basketball Club benefit from benevolence of RHT Gizmos & Gadgets Teams The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) in 2018 has decided to assist only organisations and clubs who are fully committed to making positive differences in the lives of youths. The club’s Gizmos & Gadgets First Division and Under-21 cricket teams on Monday last made a financial donation to the Rose Hall Town Basketball Club (RHTBC) to assist them in purchasing new basketballs for the 2018 season. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster noted that the Rose Hall Town Basketball Club requested the assistance and it was approved immediately as the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club is fully aware of the outstanding work the Basketball Club has been doing to not only promote the game but also keeping youths off the road and away from a life of drugs, crime and alcohol. RHTY&SC Foster further noted decided at the Executive level to scale back on donations to cricket clubs and to assist other sports organisations based on the availability of funds. This decision, Foster disclosed was because the club has already assisted over 100 cricket clubs in Berbice with millions worth in gear, scorebooks and equipment and it is the club’s view that
Kevlon Anderson hands over donation to Perry Cort of the RHT Basketball Team. these clubs should start to assist themselves. The RHTY&SC would continue to assist only cricket clubs which have structured youth divisions and are committed to using sports as an alternative to a life on the road. Special emphasis would be placed on games such as basketball, volleyball, football, scrabble, chess and table tennis. The RHTY&SC would contribute trophies, medals,
prizes and where possible, finances. The Rose Hall Town Basketball Team has no relationship with the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club but shares the Area ‘H’ Ground as its home venue. The Team plays on the all weather Court which was built with funds obtained in 1998 by the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club from the President of Guyana, Janet Jagan. The Team recently has dominated basketball in the Ancient
County and has produced one National Player in Kevlon Wiggins. Representing RHTBC Perry Cort expressed gratitude to the members of the RHT Gizmos & Gadgets First Division and Under-21 teams for the much needed financial donations. The official team, Cort stated is urgently in need of basketballs to practice and play matches and the donation would enable them to purchase same.
RHTY&SC has committed to more financial assistance for the team in 2018 while the club would also engage the Basketball team in discussions latter in the year in relation to upgrading the all weather Court. Floodlights would shortly be installed with funding obtained from the Region 6, Regional Democratic Council. The Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 and First
Division Teams are led by Kevlin Sinclair and Shown Pereira respectively and includes Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, E o n H o o p e r, C l i n t o n Pestano, Jason Sinclair, Junior Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Keith Simpson, Sylus Tyndall, Chanderpaul Govindan and Collis Butts. Both teams plan to host at least 50 personal development projects this year.
Former GFF VP Winston Brazil legend Pele chooses Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo Callender to be buried today The remains of former Guyana Football Federation ( G F F ) Vi c e P r e s i d e n t Winston Alwyn Callender will be laid to rest today following a Service at the St. James The Less Church, David Street, Kitty from 14:00hrs. Burial will take place at the St. James the Less Cemetery. Callender, also a former National player had passed away on C h r i s t m a s E v e D a y, December24, 2017 in his adopted homeland, USA. Familiarly known as ‘Cally’ the former Kitty resident also served in the employ of beverage giants Banks DIH for 36 years before retiring in 1995. After ending an illustrious career as a club and national player,
Winston Callender
the easy going Callender served the sport he loved in various administrative capacities ending as the First Vice President of the Guyana Football Federation under the presidency of Colin Klass, his long time buddy and friend. He also served as
Manager of numerous National Teams passing on his vast knowledge to hundreds of players during his years as an administrator and player. A Service was held in New York at the Denis S. O’Connor Funeral Home on December 27, 2017.
Brazil legend Pele has given his view on the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate. He revealed he would choose Messi over Ronaldo but admits it is disappointing to pick from just the two players in an interview with SporTV. Throughout their careers Barcelona’s Messi has been compared to Real Madrid’s Ronaldo. Pele, who won the World Cup three times, told SporTV: ‘It’s sad that you have only two players in the world to choose from. ’Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Pele, Zico, Junior ... All over the world now there are only two players. And Neymar, right? Our Brazilian is getting there. ‘I would still stay with Messi.
Brazil legend Pele
Scoring is important, no doubt, but if you do not have anyone to prepare, then the ball is not enough. For my team I prefer Messi. ’As for Cristiano Ronaldo, he’s a great goal scorer. ‘Ronaldo’s been able
to score goals, while you see Messi creating goals and directing the play, as well as scoring. ‘Ronaldo’s a great goal scorer but in terms of the complete player, there’s no doubt that Messi is the best.’ (MailOnline)
rt o p S
Reifer’s 5-40 and Hemraj’ 72 put Guyana Jaguars in command at Providence P.37
Raymond Reifer (5-40) had top scorer Denesh Ramdin in early trouble yesterday.
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24 schools to contest, 18 from the City
At the Launch! PETRA’s Troy Mendonca and NESTLE’s Christel Van Sluytman hold the winning trophy in the presence of from left, Nicolas Fraser, Ian Greenwood, Jonathan Beepat and Petra’s Jackie Boolie.
Sixth MILO/PETRA Schools’ U-18 Football Championship launched
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