Kaieteur News
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Friday January 20, 2017
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL LEADERSHIP CANNOT BE DORMANT Guyana has for a number of years been awash with all sorts of problems and adequate strategies have not been pursued to solve them. How did these problems come about? In essence, when performance is not driven by output, evaluation becomes subjective and at times redundant. If the political hierarchy believes that it has the right to govern, irrespective of performance, it will be difficult to see the dissatisfaction among the people and the slippages in credibility over time. Reverence should not be confused with legitimacy. Since taking office twenty months ago, there were signs of poor leadership in the new administration as misconduct was not dealt with condignly. A government that does not sanction wrongdoing is bound to lose credibility. If a government does not discipline its employees when they mess-up, there will be more scandals. Leadership cannot be dormant. The government is accountable to the people, and it is solely responsible for its actions, good or bad. Those in authority should not appoint people who will kowtow to them. They will only get what they want to hear, and that creates a false sense of security. In the same manner, they should not appoint someone who has major weaknesses or is not the most qualified or capable to occupy positions of significant responsibility and sensitivity. It will create rifts between those who consider themselves to be experienced and capable, and those who believe that qualification based on IQ and the support of a leader is all that is required for success. A government should recruit people who would put the country’s interest ahead of theirs and who are supremely qualified and want to serve for the right reasons, not persons with their own agendas. And if a government is going to fast-track someone for a job, it should make sure that the person has control over their impulses. Otherwise, the government will be undermining itself. Accountability assumes that the government has a performance management system in place that is anchored in hard goals. If the government does not, it will never be able to get rid of the square pegs in round holes. It will do irreparable harm to itself if it tries to sidestep or avoid the media, however small the media house might be. It must also recognize that social media is a powerful tool that can be used against it, if it does not know how to leverage it. During the last election, change was one of the major campaign promises of the government; therefore, it should be the architect and sponsor of change and should lead in that direction. But scandals, incompetence, arrogance, abrasiveness, mismanagement and silly politics seem to have derailed the government’s ability to make the changes it promised. Its departure from its agenda of change is likely to damage its credibility and reduce its trustworthiness among the people. And since the government had not demonstrated any real transparency and accountability, how does it change its modus operandi when it has not even embarked on any major change. It seems that the government does not intend to do anything differently, despite clear evidence that it is haemorrhaging from the fallout of the drug bond debacle, the D’Urban Park fiasco and other scandals. This is its dilemma. Its attitude is like a failed administration believing it has an inherent right to govern. Perhaps the clearest sign of a government short on ideas was the appointment of a number of retired individuals instead of youths, ostensibly for succession, and to provide a breathing space for them to consolidate power. None of this has been happening. Great leadership involves taking risks and making strategic choices by focusing on the areas of greatest opportunity and on the performance and the organizational health of the administration.
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.
The AG is right about the President’s constitutional power Dear Editor; I note with both commendation and condemnation a letter by learned Counsel Mohabir A. Nandlall (“The Power of the President under Article 161” K.N Saturday, January 14, 2017) I commend Counsel for his industry of research as to the words “fit and proper”; but I condemn him for misutilizing and misapplying those case law to our article 161(2) powers of the President, in arriving at his conclusion in criticism of the learned AG, that under article 161(2) the President has no power to make a unilateral appointment in the event as has happened, that Mr. Jagdeo did submit a list; and that it is not the President’s function to decide who is a “fit and proper person”. I entertain not the slightest doubt that the learned Attorney General (Basil Williams) is right that the President has a constitutional power to unilaterally appoint if Mr. Jagdeo omits or refuses to submit a fresh list as
requested; and also the shared but ultimate function to decide who is a fit and proper person is conferred on the President. Briefly, this power and function respectively exists not expressly, but ex necessitate legis (ie by necessary implication of law, or by legal necessity). They both derive from the crucial words “not unacceptable to the President” the purport and impact of which I have endeavoured to articulate above. Whatever the Carter formula might have engendered as regards politician’s expectation, the question is not what Carter formula envisaged, but what the existing law, sensibly interpreted, means. I argue that the right, and power of the President of rejecting the nominees in the list submitted, necessarily implies a correlative duty to submit a new list; inevitably a constitutional hiatus, or, an interregnum would result, as no Chairman (in the event of an existing vacancy) was appointable if such
correlative duty does not exist, or, a unilateral power to appoint, in the event of refusal to submit a fresh list. And, yet that would be the result, if Mr. Nandlall’s argument be right. So, it cannot be. An argument which embraces a constitutional interregnum cannot be right. This is constitutional reality; not abstract theory. Article 161 (1) must be interpreted with common sense and logic to promote, not impede or frustrate its workability. Finally, I plead for space to revisit briefly a matter on which I had written an open letter to both President Granger ad Mr. Jagdeo (published in both KN and GC) in which, inter alia, I had cautioned about a Judge whose compulsory retirement is impending commencing hearing a fresh or new case. I could then with equal facility of reasoning, have cautioned against a rush to completion of part – heard, so that justice would not thereby miscarry, I notice that the appeal in the
President – term – limit case is now set for ruling on February 15th, 2017 (see “AG queries haste to complete presidential third term appeal”. – KN, Saturday January 14th, 2017; “February is set for ruling on third – term appeal” – SN, 2017 – 01 – 15). I, myself as an officious bystander, see this haste to ruling, with some alarm and disquiet. With General Election not due (or anticipated) until 2020, some three (3) years hence, and accordingly it cannot be rationally contended that time is of the essence, or that some serious compelling reason exists, it must be a matter of some considerable curiosity, and intrigue, that this matter is set for ruling without the fullness of oral arguments, but on the basis of written submission not submitted at the instance of the parties, but ordered by the Court. This is a departure from o r t h o d o x y. A n d t h e departure is even more (Continued on page 5)
TIME LONG PAST TO PASS THE TOBACCO CONTROL BILL Dear Editor, Russia where almost half of the population smokes is considering banning tobacco. Between 2001 and now, I have been urging a global ban of tobacco by 2040. We need to introduce a Tobacco Control law in Guyana. We need to also increase tobacco taxation. The government has unreasonably increase more than 200 taxes in 2016 and 2017 but inexplicably ignored tobacco. In May 2001, as Guyana's Minister of Health, I committed to bringing a Tobacco Control Bill to Parliament. After much consultation and technical support to draft the Tobacco Bill, I was ready to introduce the Bill in 2009. The then Cabinet and President, Bharat Jagdeo, took into consideration the urgings of the Private Sector Commission which thought that excluding the Tobacco Companies from consultations was unfair. It is true that the tobacco companies were excluded from the intense and c o m p r e h e n s i v e consultations. But that was because the Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) which Guyana was a signatory to prohibits consultations with tobacco companies. The FCTC was the first and still only global health treaty ever. Guyana was an early signatory and 2016 marked our 10th anniversary since becoming a party to the FCTC. To satisfy the Cabinet and the Private Sector, we started another round of consultations. I explained to the Private Sector that I could not invite the Tobacco Companies. The Private Sector invited the General Manager of DEMTOCO to lead the private sector team to the consultations. In 2011, I prepared again to introduce the Bill. But Parliament was dissolved for elections. By 2012, I was shifted to the Ministry of Agriculture and the new Health Minister decided to resume consultations. By the time he was ready to bring the Bill to Parliament, the Parliament was prorogued and subsequently dissolved for the 2015 elections. I am republishing the Bill which I had first published for public consultation in 2009 and
which was ready for the second time to be introduced in 2012. I heard more than a dozen times that Ministers Norton and Cummings would be introducing the Bill at the "next meeting of Parliament". But each time the sitting comes and goes and nothing happens. This is a bipartisan issue. It affects all Guyanese, those who smoke and those who do not. I am again appealing to the Minister of Health to bring the Bill to Parliament and send it to a Special Select Committee. Let Parliament invite the public to make presentations. In the end, let Guyana have a Tobacco Control Bill. We have been dithering for too long. While we dither, more people are exposed and get sick. I urge the Parliament to raise the tobacco tax. It is unconscionable that the government has introduced or increased more than 200 new taxes, but did not touch tobacco. This is reprehensible. Since 2001, I am on record in calling for higher tobacco taxes in Guyana and around the world. In fact, I am on record calling for a global minimum
tax on tobacco, a minimum tax that applied to all countries. When I called for a minimum tax, it does not mean a low tax; it means a high tax that represents the lowest ceiling that any country can have. Tobacco is the world’s greatest extra-judicial killer. Last year over 6M people died because of tobacco, more than 600,000 from second-hand smoke. It is expected that by 2025, the annual death rate related to tobacco would increase to more than 10M. We agree as the world to do something about stopping tobacco when we brought into force the first global health treaty the FCTC. But we are far from doing enough to stop BIG TOBACCO. The time is now for a high global tobacco tax. This is a step towards banning tobacco by 2040, as I had called for in 2001 when I was a Minister of Health. The United Nations have agreed on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for a better world by 2030. With the SDGs, there is specific recognition of the importance of the (Continued on page 5)
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SOCU has 300 cases but only four investigators DEAR EDITOR, I read a Sunday Stabroek, January15, article under the caption ‘Police Complaints Chairman welcomes more sleuths.’ The article stated that the Chairman in his end of the year report said that the Police Complaints Authority may get an additional seven investigators through an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) – funded programme. According to the Chairman the additional investigators will increase the current complement to 11 which will be welcome, given the PCA’s workload. I may sound monotonous as I had previously mentioned that the four current PCA investigators did not have the legal authority to investigate breaches of discipline under the Police (Discipline) Act Chapter 17:01.
Now, the projected employment of seven additional investigators if appointed will mean more investigators, more unlawful investigations and breaches of the Act with impunity. Section 4 (1) states, “Every alleged commission of a breach of discipline under this Act shall be investigated as soon as practicable by a member of the Force not below the rank of Sergeant and of a higher rank than the member of the Force who is alleged to have committed the offence.” The act is clear. Persons conducting investigations in relation to breaches of discipline under this Act must be sergeants and of a higher rank than the member of the Force who is alleged to have committed the breach of discipline. The word ‘shall’ used in this Act is a command. It is a sine qua non. It does
not mean if, perhaps or maybe. There has been no amendment of this Act since it became law in 1977. It has remained pristine. The Police Complaints Authority Act, Chapter 17:02 which was assented to by President Desmond Hoyte in 1989 does not change a single word in the Police (Discipline) Act. In fact, section 7 (1) of the Complaints Authority Act states, “The provisions of this Part shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the provision of the Police (Discipline) Act.” The Part refers to ‘Inquiry into Complaints of Misconduct by Members of The Force.’ The current investigators are not sergeants or above the rank of sergeants, neither are they members of the GPF. They are breaching the law when they conduct investigations into al-
The AG is right about the President’s... From page 4 alarming, even as it has happened over the objection of one of the parties (the AG by prior written request on reasons proffered, and by Counsel representing). What if the written submissions (which are normally only complimentary to oral arguments) are not terribly useful and the court needs further assistance or clarification? Besides, it is settled practice that when there is a change of Counsel (in this case the retirement of the SG, Sita Ramlall) the Court exdebito justitiae (ie arising as a matter of right, a debt of justice) would allow the affected party sufficient time (in all the cir-
cumstances) to retain and brief new Counsel – it is a “fair hearing” fundamental right. Be that as it may, I desire to restate my position on this matter, stated in July 2015, viz “ Constitutional interpretation on a question of the type raised by Cedric Richardson V. Attorney General And Raphael Trotman, inevitably raises, inter alia, nice questions as to locus standi and jurisdiction. Article 177 (4) raises an interesting question as to jurisdiction, given the marginal note to article 90 viz “Qualification for Election”. Should not the Chief Justice (ag) have declined jurisdiction to entertain the action in Cedric Richardson? (“The
CJ’s decision on term limits” – S.N. Monday July 20th, 2015). Now, I would only add that a “ marginal note” has interpretative constitutional force (see section 57 (3) of the I.G.C.A. Cap. 2:01 read with article 232 (9) of the Constitution). And, that it is elementary that a jurisdictional point can be taken at any stage in any court ( Butler V. Theking (1939) AC 484) and if not taken by a party, ought to be taken by the court ex mero motu (i.e. of its own motion). If Chang, CJ (ag) had no jurisdiction, his decision is void and of no legal effect. Maxwell E. Edwards Attorney – at – Law
leged breaches of discipline under the Police (Discipline) Act. The others if approved will do likewise, in keeping with the established modus of the Authority but, why the need for 11 investigators? Perhaps the Authority conducted a study on the behaviour pattern of the police and came up with a futuristic position that the ranks will commit so many disciplinary offences they will require the employment of at least 11 investigators to effectively deal with the situation. The Commissioner should look out for a massive number of cases of deviant behaviour and recidivism. Why take the illegality to another level ? an international level, involving the IDB to fund the programme. I agree that the complaints are far too many. They must not be treated lightly, but several can be classified as frivolous, vexatious or unfounded.
I do not have any problem with the investigation of defaulting members of the Force for disciplinary offences, as long as it is conducted within the ambit of the law. Does the PCA need that unusually large number of investigators as compared to other departments that are required to conduct investigations into numerous serious crimes and other major matters? Dr Sam Sittlington a British High Commission-contracted money laundering consultant with responsibility to oversee money laundering activities in Guyana was recently quoted in the press as saying that the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has 300 criminal cases to deal with, yet it only has four investigators. Among the matters SOCU has to investigate are the criminal aspects of recent forensic audits including NICIL; Cricket
World Cup; Guyana Marketing Corporation; Pradoville 2; Massive gold and currency smuggling; hundreds of files to be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Police Legal Advisor. The list is endless, yet Head of SOCU Sydney James (a retired army colonel) has only four investigators under his command, while the Police Complaints Authority is planning to employ at least eleven during this year. The Authority may even have more investigators than the Major Crimes Unit at the Criminal Investigation Department, Eve Leary which is doing some fantastic work in solving major crimes including cold cases. Is it that the inquiry into disciplinary matters against police ranks takes priority over criminal and other major investigations? Clinton Conway
TIME LONG PAST TO PASS THE ... From page 4 NCDs. This is encouraging. There is also recognition that tobacco is a killer and globally we need collective action to reduce and eliminate the negative impacts of tobacco. As a Minister of Health between 2001 and 2012, I had emphasized the significance of global action against tobacco. I was an ardent supporter of the FCTC. But I had gone further in calling for a banning of tobacco by 2040. Now that the SDG has embraced the goals of the FCTC, it is time we are more
robust in our action to stop BIG TOBACCO. In this regards, we must strictly enforce our agreements in the FCTC to increase taxes on tobacco. Research has shown clearly that increased taxes do reduce tobacco use. We must join in a global collective action to increase tobacco taxes. We need a global minimum tax on tobacco. This way we can guarantee
that there are high tobacco taxes everywhere. While leaving individual countries to make a decision on how high to go, we must set a high minimum tax to ensure that for those countries that are hesitant to increase tobacco taxes, they have no choice. I am hopeful that my earlier call to ban tobacco by 2040 will become a global initiative. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy
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The CCJ cannot entertain Mr. Jagdeo’s request DEAR EDITOR, There is a debate involving several persons, most of them distinguished and legally trained about the appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission. The President rejected the list submitted by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and requested him to submit another, because he was not satisfied with any one of the six. Mr Jagdeo has not complied with President G r a n g e r ’s r e q u e s t a n d among other things, has suggested that recourse might be had to the Caribbean Court of Justice for an opinion in interpreting the constitution. I do not think that the CCJ can entertain such a request if it is made because of Guyana’s current CCJ Act that allows for a litigant in the appellate jurisdiction (which inter alia interprets the domestic Constitution of those countries who sign on to the Appellate jurisdiction) either to seek an advisory opinion of the CCJ or to leapfrog the Court of Appeal. Moreover such request will not fall under the Origi-
Friday January 20, 2017
Kaieteur News
nal Jurisdiction which interprets and applies the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (which established the Caribbean Community) and is an international court with compulsory and exclusive jurisdiction in respect of the interpretation of the Treaty. The issue of the interpretation of Article 161 of the Guyana Constitution clearly is outside the ambit of the treaty. I read a letter penned by Professor Duke Pollard on the issue which appeared in the Press, and I am surprised that Justice Pollard who served as a judge of the CCJ did not raise the point. In fact the distinguished professor was one of the drafters of the rules and regulations of the CCJ while he served as Legal Consultant to Caricom. It seems to me that someone other than a judge could be appointed to head Gecom, and I am sure that there are many more qualified persons than the six submitted by the Opposition Leader that are worthy of consideration, and in the circumstances he should submit another list as requested. Oscar Ramjeet
Guyanese must ask if their country can move long knew (that will provide some purposeful counter balance to the PPP/C forward Guyanese the PPP players were fleecing brokerage to the governance. and PNC-C. The URP will DEAR EDITOR, Any honest, logical, patriotic Guyanese – be they PPP or PNC – must ask him/herself one question. Can Guyana move forward significantly with the current twoparty structure of governance? A secondary question derived from that first question is; do the members of either party have the nationalistic breadth to do the right thing by the Guyanese people? After all the atrocities that Jagdeo and the PPP did to Guyana, the PNC/Coalition came into power by a slim margin, pledging that they will (borrowing from Trump), ‘drain the swamp’. After two years, the PNC lead administration has added more gook and stench to the swamp. The country has become more corrupt. The corrupt ones of the former regime are still at large, while the PNC/Coalition has added some of their own. The swamp is now more crowded. The Minister of Public Security said he will not prosecute those his administration spent billions of dollars to investigate. Just imagine, after the PNC-lead coalition spent hundreds of millions of dollars to prove what all of us
the treasury of billions), we are again being told that the investigations and audits were all for naught. This is the scenario, 1. The PPP were stealing billions from the Guyanese tax payers 2. The Guyanese people voted them out so that they could be investigated, jailed and made to refund the money 3. The PNC-C instituted forensic audits which confirmed that billions of dollars were indeed stolen by the PPP 4. The PNC-C now say they cannot prosecute the PPP thieves 5. The PNC-C have since begun its own conspiracies, knowing that they too will not be prosecuted The fact is that over the last 50 years, the two-party system has not worked to catapult Guyana into the kind of economic and infrastructural growth the country needs and it is obvious that the leaders of the two parties do not have the discipline nor magnanimity to engender this kind of progression. The leaders of the PPP/C and PNC-C will continue to take the people of Guyana for a ride until some objective third-party is placed in the parliament that
There needs to be a thirdparty (akin to the AFC, before it was contaminated), that will serve to mitigate the winnertake-all mentality of the PPP/ Civic and the PNC/Coalition. The AFC can no longer provide that objective voice. The AFC’s Members of Parliament have been contaminated as they have morphed themselves into the PNC cabal and betrayed the trust of their supporters. A fleeting opportunity awaits the ever dwindling AFC supporters and that is the removal of the current AFC leadership. If there is a new infusion of untainted-blood into the leadership, then the AFC might (might) be able to turn this madness around. The United Republican Party (URP) joins with the thousands of Guyanese locally and those resident in the Diaspora, to call on the voters in Guyana to elect a third party. There needs to be another voice in the parliament. A party needs to be placed in the parliament to create a
serve as a “No-Confidence trigger”. Should we fail to win the government, we will let any governing party who wins know that if they do not serve in the interest of the people, we will move a no-Confidence motion against them. And we will do this every time a new government is in place, until Guyana gets a government that functions to the benefit of all the people. A new day has dawned. The Guyanese people have had enough of the political thievery, cronyism and nepotism of the PPP/C and the PNC-C. We are frustrated with the infrastructural and financial backwardness of our country. We are completely dissatisfied with our progress over the last 50 years and by God’s grace, we are determined to not spend the next half century suffering from the same depravity of the last half. We will fight to save Guyana from selfish, unpatriotic, politicians. Dr. Vishnu Bandhu Leader, URP
Terrible Roads in Eccles new housing scheme DEAR EDITOR; I'm writing in regards to the deplorable state of the roads in Eccles new housing scheme. The contractor was given a contract to complete the roads in the new housing scheme from August 2013 to August, 2014, however only 80% of the roads were completed by February 2015. When the government changed in May 2015 so did the con-
tractor who packed up their equipment and left. The area where I reside was left undone and is the high income section of lands. I have built my house in 2012 and started living here since August of 2013 way before the other roads was done only to suffer the very bad state of the road causing me to change stabilizer bars on my car twice in two years. Kenneth Hendricks
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US Treasury downgrades Guyana’s anti-money laundering risk
As local financial institutions continue to tighten their systems to ensure dirty monies are not allowed through, there is some more good news for Guyana. Yesterday, the US Department of the Treasury in its latest advisory on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)identified jurisdictions with Anti-Money Laundering/ Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) deficiencies, said that the status of Guyana being on a watchlist has changed- for the better. “Guyana has been removed from the FATF listing and monitoring process due to its significant progress in establishing the legal and regulatory framework to address all or nearly all of its strategic AML/CFT deficiencies on a technical level. This jurisdiction will work with its FATF-style regional bodies as it continues to address the full range of AML/CFT issues identified as part of the mutual evaluation process.” The advisory yesterday explained that on October 21, 2016, FATF updated its list of jurisdictions with strategic AML/CFT deficiencies. “These changes may affect U.S. financial institutions’ obligations and risk-based approaches with respect to
relevant jurisdictions,” the US Treasury advisory said. As part of the FATF’s listing and monitoring process to ensure compliance with its international Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) standards, the FATF identifies certain jurisdictions as having strategic deficiencies in their AML/CFT regimes. These jurisdictions appear in two documents- the “FATF Public Statement,” which includes jurisdictions that are subject to the FATF’s call for countermeasures or are subject to Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) due to their AML/CFT deficiencies, and “Improving Global AML/CFT Compliance: ongoing process,” which includes jurisdictions identified by the FATF to have AML/CFT deficiencies. “On October 21, 2016, the FATF updated both of these documents with the concurrence of the United States. Financial institutions should consider these changes when reviewing their enhanced due diligence obligations and risk-based policies, procedures, and practices with respect to the jurisdictions noted below,” the advisory said.
US Department of the Treasury, Washington DC. Late last year, the Coalition Government, following a Paris meeting attended by Minister of Legal Affairs, Attorney General, Basil Williams, said that FATF has agreed that Guyana
had made significant progress in addressing its deficiencies. “Guyana will no longer be subject to the FATF’s monitoring under its ongoing global AML/CFT compliance process. The country will work with the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), of which it is a member, to further strengthen its AML/ CFT regime,” the website said. Guyana’s removal from the FATF global watch list is a major accomplishment in the nation’s fight against financial crimes and terrorism.
Guyana was at risk of being blacklisted by the intergovernmental body which is tasked with developing and promoting policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. The blacklisting would have resulted in grave implications for the country’s private sector, trade and financial systems. In 2015, despite fierce objection by the opposition, the coalition Government passed the AML/CFT Amendment Bill 2015, paving the way for all financial transactions in the country to be monitored. In September a team from the international body con-
ducted an onsite inspection as part of the process to review Guyana’s compliance to the standards outlined by the FATF. Under the regulations, countries have to tighten regulations and even pass legislations to strengthen its systems. The transfers of large sums have become harder with more questions asked and more paperwork. A number of US banks have already, rather than face increased costs from monitoring, have decided to cut relations with the local ones in the region.
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Ban smoking in public places! A great many Guyanese, men and women are smokers. Who aren’t smoking cigarettes, are smoking weed or both. The government, apparently, had contemplated increasing the taxes on cigarettes so as to discourage smoking. Taxing cigarettes would be a case of a sin tax. It is a tax on an item which the government considers is either against public morals or health. The Surgeon General has deemed the smoking of cigarettes as injurious to your health. Taxing cigarettes will not necessarily discourage smoking. There was a time when cigarettes were not imported into Guyana. This was because of a shortage of foreign exchange. This restriction lasted for years and the price of a puff skyrocketed. This is the practice of Guyanese buying less than a packet of cigarettes developed. Persons could not afford to buy a whole packet of cigarettes. That was something which only doctors, lawyers, and business people could have afforded. The smuggling of cigarettes into Guyana became rampant. Things were hard and a lot of smuggled ciga-
rettes were peddled by roadside vendors. The prices of course were high. The high prices caused widespread smuggling. The government lost because, obviously, no taxes were paid on the smuggled cigarettes. Corruption increased. Policemen used to harass persons whom they caught selling by the roadside. Others who sold openly were suspected to be receiving protection from the police, for a fee. Even the police officers in the stations were forced to buy the smuggled cigarettes just so that they could enjoy a smoke. The persons who profited during that era were the smugglers. A number of persons made big money in those days from smuggling cigarettes. The vendors made something and the police force began to be corrupted even more, because of the bribes that had to be paid to allow the smugglers and vendors to ply their trade. Any increase in the taxes
on cigarettes toady is not going to reduce cigarette smoking. All it will do is to push the importation and sale of cigarettes underground. The government will lose billions in taxes which are presently collected if the tax were to increase. Increasing taxes, in Guyana, does not always lead to reduced consumption or conservation. The reason is because Guyana has porous land and water borders, which makes smuggling relatively easy. Many brands of smuggled cigarettes are on the market. If you go by any market you will find persons selling brands that are not imported by the authorized importers in Guyana. You will also find a few counterfeit brands on the market. Increasing the taxes will only make the illegal importation more profitable. What the government needs to do is to ban smoking in public places. If people want to smoke, let them smoke in their personal
spaces. Smokers are endangering the health of non-smokers by smoking in public. A total ban cannot be placed on smoking. We have alcoholics in Guyana who if they do not get a drink will get very sick or go crazy. We also have cigarette addicts who if they do not get a smoke will probably die. There are public events such as concerts and sporting events at which persons are allowed to smoke. You can be sitting in your seat at the National Stadium in Providence enjoying a game of cricket and savouring the fresh air, when someone is going to come and sit ether next to you or in front of you and light up a cigarette. You can complain all you want. You can explain to them that their smoking is affecting you and endangering the health of everyone around. It will make no difference. You will not get that person to extinguish their cigarette. The person will continue to puff away to fury while you imag-
ine years from now, yourself having to take chemotherapy for cancer because this fool in front of you or next to you will not stop smoking. The government should ban smoking in public places. I know you will say ‘but this is already the case’. You will say that Ramsammy already did this. Well, it is just another example of the laws either not being enforced or being unenforceable.
Instead of taxing cigarettes, ban smoking in all public places.
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=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Epistemology, deconstruction and “any other fit and proper person” I always wonder if society would ever allow for a person other than a trained lawyer to enter a courtroom and argue on behalf of a litigant or an accused. The anarchist trait in me tells me that society should allow that freedom. I have been questioned on the witness stand only twice in my life – in the libel case brought by Bharrat Jagdeo and the assault case against Kwame McCoy and company. In both cases, I made epistemological objections to the questions put to me by lawyers for Jagdeo and McCoy. Research through Google, in both cases, would show that such disagreements were reported in the press. The reason for my action was because the use of words by these lawyers was contextually non-existent. One example should suffice. Within the space of seconds, a man threw a miasmic substance on me and left. I didn’t see when he was coming to my car window. In the McCoy trial, his lawyer asked me if I noticed anything about his behaviour as he came to the car. I objected to the word, ‘behaviour,” because contextually or to put it in simpler terms, in such circumstances, behaviour has no meaning.
The relevant word should have been, “action.” In the circumstances of the assailant’s movement and within the time frame of his movement, the word, “action,” or “antics” would be the decisive term to use not “behaviour.” Such misuse of words dominated their questions in both cases when I was on the stand. I could not answer questions whose derivatives existed in an epistemological void. When you deconstruct words, the story becomes another story, and contexts other than the existing ones come into play. Against this background, let’s examine the argument by law professor, Duke Pollard, to support the contention that the article of the Constitution that defines the eligibility of the GECOM chairman, stipulates that the person must be a judge or had been a judge. Let’s quote the professor; “Concerning the matter at hand, reference may be made to the authoritative perception of Professor HLA Hart that definitions are not solely concerned with the employment of words but, even more importantly, with the realities words are intended to portray. The same applies to legal language! For present purposes
Article 161(2) of our Constitution is not only concerned with the employment of words but, more importantly, with the enhanced awareness of words to sharpen the perception of relevant phenomena.” (End of quote). Unfortunately, in introducing Professor Hart to support his polemic, Professor Pollard has walked straight into the minefield of deconstruction and epistemology, thereby removing any prospect of an agreement of what Article 161 (2) could mean. Two nuances are important in the outline of Professor Pollard and both are enemies of Dr. Pollard. If definitions of words are intricately tied to the realities in which they exist, then there cannot be a conclusive definition of words, because reality is always subject to endless interpretations. A simply example should suffice; Trump is an indication that the US is becoming a racist country. Is that the reality of the US? But a Black man, who was President for eight years in the US, Barack Obama said that if he had run again, he would have won. Surely, there is a huge gulf here in interpretation of the reality of the US. The second enemy of Pro-
fessor Pollard is his position that it is not only the employment of words that matter but “the enhanced awareness of words to sharpen the perception of relevant phenomena.” Obviously two questions poke you in the eye – who is doing the enhancement and who is doing the sharpening? The answer is Dr. Pollard himself. It means another person can do like the professor – do their own enhancement and sharpening. The Constitution says a judge “or any other fit and proper person.” Dr. Duke enhances and sharpens the word “other.” Let’s
quote him; “The employment of the pronoun “other” speaks volumes and must be interpreted to mean that such “other fit and proper person” must possess the characteristics of (a judge).” If “other” speaks volumes, who is it speaking for? In this case it is the professor. But “other” by the professor’s own polemical reasoning should be situated into two circumstances - the realities that words exist in, and the enhanced awareness that we must subject them to. Space has run out, but I would say using the professor’s own polemical methodology,
Frederick Kissoon “other” speaks volumes of what it means – that if you cannot find a past or present judge, then, find “other” persons. For me, “other” does not mean a judge.
Dem boys seh...
Everything safe, crime going down Since year before de last, ever since de government change de police begin to talk how crime going down. People always seh that is only a fool gun show off. People does only sit down and wait fuh see who gun jump up, then people gun burst ee bubble. Every month de police talk about how crime on de decline, suh de bandits decide to show dem that it ain’t so. Imagine a gunman go outside a motorbike store to rob a lady. The lady barely put she foot outside she taxi and de
bandit strike. He grab over a million. He didn’t even concern that dey had security guard at de place. De guard run inside when he see de move. He seh he didn’t have a gun and when he see gun he nearly wee wee he skin. Dem boys expect that Jagdeo gun rush to call another press conference and tell people that crime was never so bad. When he was de president he Ministers use to frighten to sleep in dem own house because of de gunmen, but he still gun seh now that he never see so
much crime as today. People robbing dem own family and mekking de police believe is strangers. Husband killing wife and Jagdeo insist that is de government causing dem ting. Poor Soulja Bai, he can’t seh nutten because Rum Jattan ain’t saying nutten bout he crime plan. In fact, dem boys want to know if he running outta ideas. De message is that people shouldn’t talk about crime going down. Talk half and listen fuh somebody saying again how everything safe.
Friday January 20, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Norton’s comments during ‘delinking’ process not worrying – Govt. Government is not too worried that former Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, may be ‘mouthing’ off too much about his stay there and his recent “shifting” to another ministry. Yesterday, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, who hosted the post-Cabinet press briefing, dismissed Norton’s statements as just being someone who loves his profession. Norton, who was implicated in the drug bond scandal last year, was earlier this month moved to the Ministry of Social Cohesion, a post that President David Granger said that he had experience in. However, Norton came across as not too happy with his Cabinet colleagues, during
interviews with two news outlets. He denied he was to be blamed for a decision to rent a Sussex Street, Albouystown, property for use as a drug bond. The company, linked to prominent city businessman, Larry Singh, was reportedly paid an advance of $25M with a prom-
ised monthly rent of $12.5M. Norton, who has been with public health system for over 25 years, was named Health Minister under the Coalition Government after they came to power in May 2015. Yesterday, Trotman was confident that it is only a matter of time before Norton
settles and get down to his work. “I think it is natural for the Minister of Social Cohesion to want to comment on matters pertaining to health. It is who he is, he is a doctor, he has been in the sector all of his working life and so what may appear to be expressions,
as we believe, will eventually give way and will settle down,” Trotman said. Trotman noted that it is not ‘unnatural’ for a person to have sentimental attachments to a familiar place or thing. He considers this to be the early stages of Minister Norton’s ‘delinking’ process.
Social Cohesion Minister George Norton
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Friday January 20, 2017
Kaieteur News
Govt. denies ExxonMobil funded 2015 Elections campaign - Says “no truth” to EGCI writing Guyana’s oil and gas regulations A few days ago, an article emanated from a considered ‘reputable’ media outfit, accusing international oil giant, ExxonMobil, of funding the coalition A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC)’s 2015 successful General Elections campaign. The company has since denied the allegation amid the resulting upsurge of discourse amongst the Guyanese populace and members of the Diaspora. Kaieteur News yesterday asked Minister of
Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman – who is deputising for the State Minister, Joseph Harmon – if the APNU+AFC would have received any funding from the international company, which is currently conducting oil exploration exercises in Guyana’s waters. The Minister replied that he believes that the media outlet was “just repeating some propaganda that emanated elsewhere,” “So it is absolutely not so,” the Minister said before stating: “As you
should recall, the discovery was made during the tenure of the former Government, not during the tenure of the APNU+AFC coalition...So it is absolutely not true. There wasn’t any financing. In fact, I hazard a guess that if it was so endowed, the margin of victory would have been larger,” Meanwhile, the Ministry of Natural Resources in a statement, zeroed in on an article, purportedly done by the online version of the ‘Huffington Post’, and published on January
17, 2017, which was captioned, “Conflict: Tillerson would Write the Rules for Exxon’s Major Oil Find in Guyana.” Rex Tillerson is an American businessman. He was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ExxonMobil from 2006 to 2016 before being revealed as President-elect of the United States of America, Donald Trump’s Secretary of State nominee. The Ministry stated that it would like to ‘clarify’ for the benefit of the public, that there is no truth to this assertion that the United States’ Energy Governance and Capacity Initiative (EGCI) is “involved in writing oil and gas regulations for the country of Guyana, where Exxon has just announced another major oil find.” “The Commonwealth Secretariat is the lead
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman agency supporting Guyana in preparing a suite of legislation for the oil and gas industry.” The Ministry indicated that while the EGCI has been lending support to Guyana for the past six
Former CEO of ExxonMobil, Rex Tillerson (Reuters Photo) years in the area of capacity building to manage eventual oil and gas revenues, it is in no way writing oil and gas laws or regulations for this country. “It is important to note that this relationship between Guyana and the EGCI programme in Guyana predates the Ministry of Natural Resources and the current Coalition Administration as it commenced in 2010. Indeed, the Government of Guyana has had many engagements with the officials of the United States’ Department of State as part of the capacity building initiative. However, the EGCI programme has only been partially implemented through a series of scoping studies that were conducted in 2016.” The entity said that the EGCI can be a useful programme once implemented and is but one in a raft of assistance measures that Guyana is receiving to bolster and in some cases, build capacity in oil and gas governance.
Friday January 20, 2017
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Kaieteur News
‘It’s not Amaila or death!’ - Pres. Granger President David Granger posits that Guyana’s hope at becoming a ‘Green State’ does not solely depend on the Amaila Hydropower project. According to the President “it is not Amaila or death.” Granger made his position known during the recent televised programme The Public Interest. The Head of State was asked to comment on a recommendation made in the final report of the future of the Amaila project done by Norconsult AS of Norway. The report had recommended that government should take a second look at the Hydropower project which was intended to produce 165 megawatts of power. The President said that his government has examined the project from every point of view and has realised that there are other forms of generating sustainable energy instead of depending on one single project. “All we’re asking is that Norway should look at a menu of measures for generating green energy, and I think we can reach an agreement. So it is not Amaila or death, it is green energy, and we feel that we have been able to put a satisfactory mix
…Govt. looking to pursue green energy; aiming at ‘satisfactory mix’
President David Granger to the government of the Kingdom of Norway.” According to Granger, Guyana can have several projects because there are about 100 hydropower sites on which hydroelectricity can be generated. “Rather than depend on Amaila we can focus on half a dozen sites. Amaila is very expensive and I don’t think that the expectation that we bring down the cost of electricity would be fulfilled.” In addition to hydroelectricity, the Head of State said that there are other forms of renewable energy in a number of places which can be exploited. “You know, places like the
Rupununi and the Berbice Savannahs, these are huge grasslands with very high levels of sunlight, we are looking at wind along the coast, and we feel that these other forms of energy should be put into the mix, and this is the advice which we have given to Norway.” He added that the carbon credits which were generated under the agreement with Norway and Guyana should not be pinned down for a single project. Granger was then asked if he believes that having a reliable source of sustainable energy would help to boost investment. He said that this is a definite outcome. “Our green strategy is not only to have a reduced carbon footprint, but to provide employment, to boost the economy, and it is also to boost manufacturing and production...so yes, we would like to see more investments.” To advance the government’s efforts at creating a green state, Granger said that his
government has invited colleagues from sister Caribbean states, some of whom are advanced in manufacturing particularly in power generation. Further, he said that Guyanese are now beginning to understand the message his government has been propagating since getting into office. His evidence of this is the fact that at many of the opening ceremonies he has been invited to, the Chief Executive Officer of the entity always boasts about having incorporated a ‘green’ initiative into the business. “People are proud of using energy savers, or using solar power, and this is the dynamic people are going towards. The future of Guyana is green.” After the report on the project had been published, the Ministry of the
Presidency had said that the review of the project was of utmost importance, as it provides undisputable evidence that under the current configuration, the project does not meet minimum requirements to ensure viability and longevity. Resulting from these observations, provisions have been made to expand the
scope of clean, alternative energy in the country. These considerations relate to the establishment of programmes to promote energy efficiency at a household level for financial savings to householders; budgetary allocations of almost $1B dollars for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects; the installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on the rooftops of 64 Government buildings and the installation of a large scale solar farm in Mabaruma, with smaller solar farms in Lethem, Mahdia and Bartica.
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Friday January 20, 2017
Kaieteur News
Guyana explores viability of oil refinery The US had initially ruled out building an oil refinery in Guyana, but this country’s administration is not taking chances, and feels that it may still be a good idea. As a result, it has retained a top oil and gas consultant to provide a high-level feasibility assessment as to whether investing in an oil refinery is a viable economic option for the country. The approval was granted Tuesday by the Cabinet, Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman disclosed yesterday. Trotman made the announcement during the administration’s postCabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the President The consultant is Pedro Haas, Director of Advisory Services, Hartree Partners LP, a US company that provides energy-related advisory services for the oil industry (upstream and downstream) to the chemical, gas and power industries. The services of Haas were secured through the New Petroleum Production Discussion Group established by Chatham House. The consultant is expected to provide an
Curacao’s Isla oil refinery.
Consultant, Pedro Haas assessment report in four weeks, Trotman disclosed. Facing questions, the official said that his ministry and the Ministry of Business have received multiple applications for the establishment of oil refineries in Guyana. Trotman made it clear that it is the feeling of Government that it should not rely on its own judgment or knowledge, and therefore it went ahead to ensure that in the first instance a desktop review is done. Among other things, Haas will be examining demand, the economics, prices, availability and forecasts. Once the report is in, some decisions will have to be made, the minister said. There is high interest in
the oil discoveries offshore Guyana within the last two years. Confirmed is between 800,000 to 1.4B barrels of oil in the basin located more than 100 miles from Georgetown. Some estimates, at today’s prices, put the value of the oil between US$70BUS$200B. ExxonMobil, the US exploration company is drilling more wells to determine exactly how big of
a find it is. From the perspective of Guyana, it is one of the major developments in the history of the country, with moves to tweak legislation and prepare the technical personnel for production which could start by 2020. The US embassy here last year had indicated that there were no immediate plans to build an oil refinery here. US Ambassador, Perry Holloway, had disclosed that it will be largely up to Government here to create jobs. “In terms of job creation, I want to take this opportunity to remind
everyone that while this significant oil find will create jobs in Guyana, it is offshore and there are no initial plans for refining the oil in Guyana.” The ambassador made it clear that the real significant job creations will come about from the revenue generated from the oil find. “The government, in consultation with other key stakeholders will be able to decide in what sectors and projects the revenues are to be invested.” According to the US Ambassador, some of the areas that Guyana can spend those oil revenues will
include investing in hydro power and other forms of renewable energy; modernising of health care facilities to improve health care and keep doctors in the country; better schools and universities and infrastructure projects like a deep water port and the road to Lethem to increase trade to Brazil. Trinidad, Venezuela and Curacao all have refineries, but they are by no means a cheap venture. Uganda, a few years ago, was thinking of building one, but the costs were in excess of US$2.5B. It could cost Guyana upwards of US$1B.
Friday January 20, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Code of Conduct still a work in progress Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman confirmed yesterday that work regarding the Code of Conduct is still ongoing. He noted that the draft Bill was brought before Cabinet on Monday where it was considered. In this regard, he disclosed that it will be incorporated into the Integrity Commission Act. Trotman also revealed that the decision was taken by Cabinet to have the Bill sent back to the Attorney General’s Chambers for further works to be done. “But I know that the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, has been working really hard on this and he has been pushing for it to become a reality,” Trotman added. The draft document speaks to disciplinary actions or terminations for those named in the draft Code. It also addresses the acceptance of gifts of more than $10,000, conflicts of interest, accountability and even gambling. The code would be crucial for the David Granger-led administration which campaigned for the May 11, 2015 General Elections, on promises that it will be making
- Trotman
Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman sweeping changes to improve the behaviour of public officials. In the past, there was little or no action against public officials, despite reported evidence. These infringements included discharging a firearm, drunk driving and trading on insider information. The purpose of the code is to assist Ministers, Members of Parliament and public office holders in the discharge of their obligations to their constituents and the public at large. It provides guidance on the values – the moral
qualities – that should govern the conduct of Ministers and Members of Parliament in discharging their Parliamentary and public duties. It is also meant to reinforce public confidence in the way Ministers and public office holders perform those duties. It was made clear that public office holders are duty bound by the code in all aspects of their public life. The code, however, does not seek to regulate the conduct of public office holders in their private and personal lives. According to the draft, “Public office holders have a duty to uphold the law, including the general law against discrimination and sexual harassment, and to act with propriety on all occasions in accordance with the public trust and confidence placed in them. Public office holders have a general duty to act in the interest of the nation as a whole, and owe a special duty of care to their constituents, and citizens.” The draft code lists the 10 principles of public life –
accountability, dignity, diligence, duty, honour, integrity, loyalty, objectivity, responsibility and transparency. Regarding accountability, the draft code proposes that public office holders are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions, and must submit themselves to scrutiny and criticism. The officials, it says, must also conduct themselves in a manner that is worthy of the respect of their peers and the public and be effective, efficient, courteous and reliable in the performance of their duties. With regard to duty, the draft code stated that public officials owe a duty to the country “and must consider themselves servants of the people”. Of course, the issue of
integrity is dealt with. “Public office holders have a duty to declare any private interest relating to the discharge of their duties and responsibilities, and to ensure that their personal decisions and actions are not in conflict with the national interest. “Public office holders should display allegiance to the state and should show concern for the well-being of the persons that they were elected to represent.” In the area of responsibility, the draft code states that Ministers collectively have a basic responsibility to make decisions only in the national
interest void of any forms of personal gain, or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends. Regarding the actions, the code said that Ministers should be open about all their public decisions and actions and be prepared to provide explanations when so demanded by the public. When it comes to accepting gifts, it is being proposed that public officials consider declining such gratuities if the acceptance of same could have an effect on their objectivity and lead to complaints of bias or impropriety.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
PAGE 16
Friday January 20, 2017
Kaieteur News
Union issues two-week ultimatum to Govt. to regularise sweeper/cleaners’ pay The rich are likely to get richer and the poor even poorer if the plight of the sweeper/cleaners attached to the Ministry of Education is taken into consideration. The Education sector is usually injected with the largest chunk of the national budget on an annual basis, with this year being no exception. This year the National Assembly approved a whopping $43 billion for the education sector alone. However, those tasked with ensuring the cleanliness of the facilities intended to facilitate the teaching/ learning experience are reportedly among those who are paid the least in the country. While there was no physical evidence to support this, there were claims vocalised by some sweeper/ cleaners yesterday that some of them are paid as little as $15,000 per month although their work day exceeds eight
hours. In fact some sweeper/ cleaners who travelled from Regions Three, Four, Five, Six and 10 yesterday to congregate at the GPSU’s Regent and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive headquarters, to highlight their plight, disclosed that they were all contracted for six-hour work days but their duties usually exceed this agreed timeframe. The workers stated that although some of them have been in the profession for many years, the salary that the position attracts is not regularised. This translates to some workers being paid varying sums with some receiving as much as $55,000 for the same work done by those receiving less. It was revealed that the workers (all women, are not even eligible for maternity leave and other benefits afforded to other public servants. The sweeper/cleaners dilemma was amplified extensively yesterday by
GPSU President Mr Patrick Yarde (second from right in front row) is flanked by other GPSU officials. A few sweeper/cleaners are seated in the background. GPSU officials during a press conference. The GPSU is representing the interest of the sweeper/cleaners. GPSU President, Mr. Patrick Yarde, said that the union has long been advocating for at least the minimum wage offered by the public service. “We have been asking for the regularisation and improvement...it varies, some people get thirty something
thousand dollars, some get forty something thousand dollars per month, and I gather there are a few of them who get $55,000 a month, but even these don’t get any vacation leave or any vacation allowance. So we would like this thing to be regularised so they will all be paid similar allowances and remunerations generally and get entitlements such as leave, etc,” Yarde disclosed yesterday. As part of the regularisation process, Yarde said that the union is advocating for a 40-hour week for the workers, and if they are required to work beyond that, they should be paid overtime. Yarde said that the Union is giving Government a two-week ultimatum within which to regularise the payment of sweeper/cleaners. When asked how far the union is prepared to go to have the matter addressed, Yarde said yesterday, “the sky is the limit...” “I get very emotional when I speak about this,” said
Yarde, as he told media operatives, “if you do not have records, we can share clippings with you of statements persons made while they were in the opposition and now they are in Government.” Yarde said too that “I never thought that we would have encountered this type of resistance, it is so clear-cut, and if I share some additional information with you, you would understand how people can see, within their own circumstances, the need for such payments, and when it comes to others they are reluctant...there seems to be a policy for the ‘haves and have nots’. There seem to be double standards in dealing with remuneration and we will not put up with that; it is unfortunate, but we are not giving up this one.” As such, Yarde disclosed yesterday that the union has placed this issue at the top of its agenda, despite there being several other issues of importance gaining its attention.
“We need to get this out of the way,” said Yarde as he added, “the reasons I have been told that this is held up ought not to be reasons.” Although Yarde stopped short of sharing reasons for the delayed regularisation, he did reveal that within two weeks the union will make known its next retaliatory move if no response is forthcoming. He however noted that there have been some members of Cabinet who have been sympathetic to the matter. “I have been told personally by the President (David Granger) that Minister (Winston) Jordan is mandated to deal with this matter...I wrote him recently and I’m going to give him an opportunity to take action, if action is not forthcoming that is reasonable, then we will move further.” “We are not going to be irrational with hastiness, but we have already consulted a variety of levels that are relevant to taking further action,” Yarde asserted.
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Friday January 20, 2017
Kaieteur News
Chancellor among topics for discussion at next Cabinet meeting
Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh will be a subject for discourse at the meeting of Cabinet Ministers next Tuesday. This is according to Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman. The Minister at yesterday’s post cabinet press conference was asked whether his administration had taken note of the fact that the Chancellor is about to proceed on pre-retirement leave and has handed down a decision in a controversial matter in favour of former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Trotman responded, “It is not the position of government to comment on matters of the judiciary, but I dare say that this matter will entertain cabinet’s attention on the next occasion, but the executive does not comment adversely or positively on happenings within the judiciary, but we take note of
Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Carl Singh course. We have taken note and I believe that it will be discussed at the next cabinet meeting which will be next Tuesday.” This pending discussion by the executive involving the acting Chancellor, comes at a time when he would have thrown out the “Race Baiting” case which was brought against Jagdeo.
This particular case was brought against the former President by attorney-at-law Christopher Ram in April 2015. Jagdeo faced a private criminal charge after he was accused of racial incitement during a speech at Babu Jaan, Corentyne. The charge was that Jagdeo had spoken words causing racial or ethnic hatred contrary to Section 139 D(1) (a) of the Representation of the People’s Act, Chapter 1:03. The case was heard by Magistrate Charlyn Artiga at the Whim Magistrates’ Court. One of Jagdeo’s lawyer Murseline Bacchus had argued that the charge was frivolous, vexatious and without any basis in law, and requested that it be dismissed. His lawyers also went to the Berbice High Court questioning Magistrate Artiga’s jurisdiction to hear
the matter. The challenge was made to Justice William Ramlal. He had an Order/Rule Nisi of Certiorari directing Magistrate Artiga to show cause why a Writ/Order of Certiorari should not be issued against her, and to quash her decision or ruling in the private criminal proceedings. Magistrate Artiga was represented by the Attorney General (Ag) Basil Williams, Prithima Kissoon and Judy Stuart. At the final hearing of the appeal, Justice Navindra Singh said that upon examination, the particulars of the offence sworn to by Ram, do not disclose sufficient facts for the offence. He therefore ruled that the Magistrate’s Court did not have jurisdiction to continue hearing the case. Attorney-General Basil Williams then filed an appeal on January 18, 2016. This appeal was dismissed on Wednesday by the Chancellor citing it as an abuse of the process of the court. Of even more concern, is that Singh would be presiding over another important case which will decide if Jagdeo can run for a third time as President. Last Friday, the Attorney-General questioned the Chancellor’s haste in
Attorney- General, Basil Williams wanting to decide on the matter which is set for February 15, 2017. This is so although there have not been any arguments or submissions by the parties involved. The parties have been given one week to present written submissions. Williams believes that Justice Singh wants to hand down the ruling before he demits office come February 23 having reached the age of retirement. The matter involves a constitutional challenge filed in February 2015. It was argued by the applicant that Act 17 of 2001, which was passed by a two-thirds majority of the National A s s e m b l y , unconstitutionally curtails and restricts his sovereign
and democratic rights and freedom as a qualified elector to elect former President Jagdeo as the Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The petitioner had contended that the limit was unconstitutional. Former Chief Justice Ian Chang had ruled in favour of this argument allowing Jagdeo to have a third term. It was argued however that Chang had erred in law. The decision was appealed by Williams who said that Chang “erred and misdirected himself in the law” in ruling that the National Assembly which passed Act 17 of 2001 is unconstitutional and of no effect as it failed to comply with Article 164(2)(a) of the Constitution. On many occasions Jagdeo has dodged the question whether he would run for a third term. However, being the leader of the opposition and recently elected General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, some persons believe that he is setting the stage to return to office as President. It is with this in mind, that the acting Chan c e l l o r ’s decision is of great im portance and has the potential of changing the political system in Guyana.
Language barrier continues to impact health care delivery Although the Ministry of Public Health has long been gaining international support to help improve its delivery of health care, there are times when it comes with some glaring challenges. This state of affairs has been amplified by former Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, who recently spoke of the Ministry being faced with a language barrier in some aspects of its delivery of health care. Norton disclosed, for instance, that there are “language barriers exhibited by some Cuban doctors in their interaction with patients and even other health care providers. Nurses or other health care providers who have knowledge of Spanish are usually requested when the difficulty arises”. But there aren’t always nurses on duty who have the language capacity to help when such situations arise. Moreover, there have been numerous complaints that have been forthcoming over the years from patients who have been affected by
the language barrier dilemma. In fact, some patients have even shared concerns of the possibility of being misdiagnosed if the nonEnglish speaking medical professionals are incapable of understanding when they explain their ailment. As part of its efforts to address the evident language barrier between Cuban doctors and local patients, the Ministry had some years ago developed a plan to address this challenge. This was in light of several concerns that were raised, suggesting that the Cuban doctors who have been supporting the operation of the health care system were not always able to relate efficiently with patients. Although health officials had back then admitted that there are some Cuban doctors who are not efficient in their communication, attempts were made to attribute the state of affairs to the fact that the foreigners are usually more versed in Standard English, and therefore could not relate to the rural dialect.
Another former Minister under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, who had worked closely with the Cuban medical programme, said “because they (Cubans) were taught proper English, sometimes communicating with our people could be a challenge. When they hear some of our creolese they sometimes question if we really speak English…So this is a mutual difficulty,” Dr. Ramsaran had explained. In working to address the concerns though, Dr. Ramsaran had asserted that “what we do know is that the doctors who are selected to come here must have certain language competency before they get here. A significant portion of them have worked in other countries like South Africa as well as some small islands in the Caribbean, and we are aware that some have good language skills,” he had pointed out. He had, however, (Continued on page 27)
Friday January 20, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Drug convict Barry Dataram gets Language barrier continues to... 3 more years for illegal ammo - wife freed of charge
Having been found guilty of possession of illegal ammunition resulted in an additional three years being added to the sentence of drug convict, Barry Dataram, yesterday, when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Dataram was also fined $60,000. Dataram’s reputed wife, 21-year-old Anjanie Boodnarine of 79 Patentia Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara, was freed of the charge. Dataram’s sentence yesterday will run concurrently with his 60month sentence for possession of narcotics. The couple was charged earlier this year for having 180 rounds of .223 ammunition in their possession on April 16, at Lot 661 Fourth Avenue, Block ‘X’ Diamond, East Bank Demerara, when they were not holders of firearm licences. They had both pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to them on the last occasion. Yesterday Dataram’s lawyer Glenn Hanoman asked Magistrate Judy Latchman to re-read the charge, to which Dataram then pleaded guilty. Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford then announced that the Prosecution was withdrawing the charge against Anjanie Boodnarine.
Three more years in jail: Barry Dataram
Anjanie Boodnarine was freed of the illegal ammunition charge
In September last year, Dataram, of 13 Vriesland, West Bank Demerara, was found guilty, jailed and fined for trafficking cocaine. He had in his possession 129.23kg of cocaine on April 26, 2015 for the purpose of trafficking. On the day in question, ranks from the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) swooped down on the aforementioned Diamond, East Bank Demerara residence and conducted a search in the presence of the defendants. During the search they unearthed the illicit drug stuffed in frozen fish, while the remainder was found to be bricks of coke. In October, Dataram and his reputed wife were charged with attempting to defeat the administration of justice; forging Republic of
Guyana Passport and departing Guyana without presenting themselves to immigration officers. They both were nabbed in Suriname by law enforcement in that country. Investigation was launched and it was discovered that there were no records of Dataram and Boodnarine leaving Guyana at the Passport Office. Dataram forged the passports by inserting a photograph of himself on the bio-data page with the name David Persaud; while Boodnarine is alleged to have forged the passport by inserting a photograph of herself on the bio-data page with the name Anjanie Persaud. Investigation later revealed that both passports were stolen during a robbery.
(From page 26) disclosed that there have been isolated cases where patients mistake Cuban technicians, who are not very fluent in English, for doctors. But according to Minister Norton, who functioned as Minister of Public Health for the past two years, the public health sector is forced to continue to depend on foreign expertise, because “there is a limited availability of the number of specialists to fill the gaps”. Added to this, he said that the “expansion of services within the regions and nursing staff are not catered for to provide those services”. At the end of 2015, there were a total of 651 Government Medical Officers (GMOs) in the public health system. Last year an additional 93 GMOs were added, bringing the total as at the end of last year to 774, Minister Norton disclosed. A total of 838 nurses were in the public health system in 2015, while in 2016 an additional 130 nurses were added, bringing the current total to 968. There are approximately 2,587 public health care workers providing services throughout Guyana. But these are evidently not enough to cater to the delivery of universal health care. However, the language barrier has not been the only challenge that the Public Health Ministry is plagued
with in its quest to improve primary health care. Among these, according to Dr. Norton, is the accommodation for GMOs and basic living conditions in the hinterland regions. However, the Ministry of Public Health through the department of Regional Health Services has been collaborating with the Ministry of Communities so
that these challenges can be alleviated. Minister Norton, who at the start of this year was reassigned to deal with Social Cohesion, continues to have a very avid interest in the delivery of health care and has already been plotting ways in which he can help to improve its delivery through his new Social Cohesion portfolio.
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Defence force reserves called CIA considered implications out as govt. steps up crime fight of possible drug indictment
of former Bahamas PM
Faris Al-Rawi
Edmund Dillon
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Security officials on Wednesday announced strategies in the fight against crime as the country has recorded 27 murders since the start of the year. At a joint press conference on Wednesday, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon and acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams, outlined the plans that included the call out of the reserves of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. “The T&T Defence Force has called out its reserves to treat with not only the immediate issues but to assure visitors during the Carnival period that they are safe and
secure. The T&T Police Service also called out additional members of the special reserved police officers to also boost in terms of numbers,” said Dillion. Concerning a DNA database, Al-Raqwi said discussions are being held with the view to establishing a DNA Register and this will start with taking the DNA samples and putting it on the data base of the entire prison population . “Having a proper functional DNA register gives a better chance at detection prosecution and conviction because the evidence will be available.” He also revealed that they are nearly finished mapping the entire backlog of criminal cases in the High
Court, which will be available at the end of this month, and also the backlog exercise in the magistracy. Al-Rawi said it was important to manage cases in the prisons, “to make sure the at the prison talking to judiciary, the judiciary talking to police, the police talking to prosecutorial arms of T&T and that talking to the defence counsel.” “Our system has been broken because there has been silos of operation where the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing and intelligence has not been shared and we are very pleased to say we have made big steps in the right direction,” Al-Rawi said.
Daily Nation - Prime Minister Freundel Stuart believes the time has come to have “full and frank discussions” on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Stuart, who is the Lead CARICOM Head with Responsibility for CSME, expressed this view recently during a meeting with several CARICOM officials, led by Secretary-General, Irwin
LaRocque, at Ilaro Court. The Prime Minister said: “We have to look at what we have achieved; what remains to be achieved; what are the existing enabling features that can assist us in achieving; and what are the disabling features that can stand in the way. We have to see where our strengths, weaknesses and opportunities are, and be prepared to deal with any threats to the achievement of
our objectives.” Those attending the meeting included Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Maxine McClean; Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Darcy Boyce; Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM, Robert Morris; Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Sonja Welch; and CARICOM’s Assistant Secretary-General, Trade and Economic Development, Joseph Cox.
PM: Full and frank discussions needed on CSME
Haiti president-elect dismisses money laundering allegations ORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s president-elect says money laundering accusations that have swirled around him for months are a smear campaign by political enemies. Jovenel Moise is a businessman from northern Haiti who was ex-President Michel Martelly’s preferred successor. He won the November
election and is due to be sworn in next month. This week, opposition senators called for an internal report by a Haitian financial intelligence agency to be investigated before his Feb. 7 oath-of-office ceremony. The report leaked last year suggested that Moise possibly laundered money.
Moise denies any wrongdoing. He asserts that institutional weakness and “jealousy” by political enemies are behind the accusations. Financial intelligence agency chief Sonel JeanFrancois confirms the probe into Moise’s businesses was opened in 2013. But he says it’s up to justice authorities to investigate any further.
NASSAU, Bahamas — In declassified documents from nearly 30 years ago, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) thoroughly reviewed the potential fallout on the United States if then prime minister of The Bahamas, the late Sir Lynden Pindling, were to be indicted on drug charges. In a May 1988 declassified document, titled “The Bahamas: Likely Reaction to a US Drug Indictment”, the CIA wrote, “A US indictment of Bahamian Prime Minister Lynden Pindling on drugs charges would probably not bring significant domestic or international pressure on him, at least in the short term. “We believe the prime minister would retain his widespread popularity at home, unless incontrovertible evidence were presented against him. “Pindling probably would revert initially to the anti-US rhetoric that helped him to win re-election last June (1987) and publicly would refute all charges, while selectively cracking down on drug offenders as a smokescreen. “Most Caribbean area governments, tarred by their own narcotics-related corruption, would be reluctant to condemn the prime minister.” The document was contained among approximately 930 CIA declassified documents, which were released on the agency’s website as part of a regular release of historical declassified records since 1999. The documents were previously only available to the public at the National Archives in Maryland. In its pragmatic review of the potential fallout of indicting Pindling, the CIA said, if indicted, it believed the former prime minister had a “narrow, but potentially significant range of options that he could use to lash out at Washington”, including the threat or serious consideration of curtailing cooperation with the US on the interdiction of narcotics and illegal migrants. It concluded that this would be the “most damaging measures for US interests”. Several years after The Bahamas’ independence in 1973, a rampant culture of drug use and drug smuggling exploded in the country. In 1983, Pindling estab-
Sir Lynden Pindling lished a commission of inquiry to probe the drug trade. The commission found that Pindling had $3 million more than his official income in his bank account. However, most of the members of the commission found the then prime minister’s wealth could not be directly or indirectly traced to drug use, but instead to loans, mortgages and contributions from international businesses. The CIA also considered the potential eventuality of Sir Lynden seeking to restrict US military access in Bahamian territory, saying narcotics traffickers and Haitian migrants, in particular, “almost certainly would move quickly to exploit any perceived restrictions on US Coast Guard operations in Bahamian waters”. “Until now, Nassau’s permission for the US Coast Guard to board, search and seize ships in Bahamian territorial waters has enhanced US ability to deal with these problems,” read the document. “Last year, expanded joint
interdiction operations seized 11.3 metric tons of cocaine and 160 metric tons of marijuana, both record amounts, according to the US Embassy. “Still, US law enforcement agencies estimate that 50 to 60 percent of all cocaine and marijuana entering the US transits the 700 islands and territorial waters of The Bahamas. “As a result, Pindling might calculate that a mere threat to reduce anti-narcotics cooperation would prompt the United States to back off. “If Washington continued to press charges, we believe the prime minister might drastically curtail cooperation with the United States on interdiction efforts. “Pindling also might retaliate by expelling into international waters, the thousands of Haitians residing illegally in The Bahamas as Nassau did in 1985.” (Nassau Guardian)
Trinidad to test samples of baby with probable Zikarelated microcephaly KINGSTON, Jamaica — Chief Medical Officer Winston De La Haye has disclosed that samples from the baby with ‘probable’ Zikarelated microcephaly have been sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency in Trinidad for testing. The CMO said that the test results will determine the exact cause of the condition in the infant, while ruling out
other conditions that could cause microcephaly apart from the Zika virus. “There are two tests that we can do. One is testing for the actual organism and bacteria related with the actual organism and the other is testing for the antibodies, as the organism doesn’t stay long in the body,” De La Haye explained.
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PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Eccles New Housing Scheme property for sale by owner. Call: 618-2603 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257 Register Now! Cosmetology, Nails & Wig designs courses, classes commence February 20th 2017. Call: 6182417 The new creation of hair salon (Duncan St) is offering cosmetology & nail arts courses. Call: 270-5074/616-6221
LANDSCAPING: We design, supply and implement residential and commercial indoor & outdoor landscaping. Call: 648-1821
2 Storey house & land at UG area, East Coast Demerara. Call: 657-4349 2 Storey house 35X45 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained @ 5th Avenue Diamond, H/ Scheme.Call:677-0583/664-5052 1-2 Story building: top flat4 bedrooms, 1 self contained, air-conditioned, 2 apartment bottom flat, 2 bedrooms each apartment. Call: 645-9157 Aubrey Barker Road, triple lot -$27M, campbellville, DaSilva Street, Diamond Bungalow 12.5M, East$11.5M. Call GME Realty: 231-2199/ 618-7483
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231 PALMS: Any variety, all sizes, we deliver and plant anywhere. Call: 643-7193 01 Leyland DAF55 Truck, excellent condition, no dump. Call Reaz: 675-4287/ 661-7186 Honda S2000 Convertible$3.2M, Audi A4-$3.6M, 318i BMW-$2.6M, Toyota IST-$2M. Contact#650-0402/260-4988 1 Two storey building @ Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, New Scheme. Call: 628-4436
Land 50X120, building 70X22, Friendship Public Road, E.B.D. Call/ Whatsapp: 661-8802
Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740/686-3500
Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045
Uitvlugt -$2.3M, Zeelugt $1.7M, Tuschen -$1.6M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.4M – Call: 642-1252
1 Front building & a 2 storey building on 1 (lot) 180 Charlotte Street Bourda W30XL120 $55M negotiable. Call: 6247341/227-6817/226-5183
1 Stembow boat & engine (Yamaha 200HP) with Power Steering kit $1.6M Call 6585299/638-7748
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
Land @ Soesdyke, 6 lots measuring 135’X175’ -$24M negotiable. Call: 627-3334/ 696-8935, email:fcranmore@ guyanavoice.com
3068 Amelia’s Ward: house for sale, double lot will be showing on Sunday January 22, 2017 @ 1pm. Call: 6404731/ 641-6450
B U D H R A M ’ S LANDSCAPING SERVICES: FREE ADVICE, FREE DESIGN. CALL: 656-1326
Eccles New Scheme (semiconcrete fenced) -$5M, Herstelling-$2.5M, Uitvlugt $2.5M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.6M. Call: 658-5897/ 6511969
Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999
A&T TRAVEL AGENCY INC: TICKETS GOING VERY CHEAP!! OFFICE IN USA. CALL: 223-1332/ 6137542/+1-347-617-7582/ EMAIL:OMKARLILIAH@ GMAIL.COM Guytec Repairs Services & Spares to washing machines, pressure washer, dryer, st o v e s , r e f r i g e r a t o r, treadmill, vacuum, etc – Call: 680-2377
LAND FOR SALE
26 Acres located in New Hope, E.B.D, transported $2.5M per acre. Call: 645-6498 50X198 located in Friendship E.B.D –price $4.5M (negotiable). Call: 645-6498\ Land for sale @ Land of Canaan, Riverside 9.9 acres. Call: 621-1139
Elevator, very good condition, price negotiable. Call: 231-1284 TOURS Need a weekend getaway? Pay just $36000 for a return trip to Suriname. February 2326, 2017. Contact: 600-5509/ 268-2507 EDUCATIONAL Classes for slow learners in Reading, Spelling, Mathematics, and much more for children all ages. Call: 675-4379
Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezersCall:629-4946 or 225-4822 Repairs and services all types of domestic, commercial and industrial A/ C, washers, dryers etc. Call: 675-4959 JADESCO: offering architectural designs, 3D modeling and building estimates and quotations. Call: 612-0468/ 649-3059 TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)
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Kaieteur News
Combines 7300 John Deere (2000 hours), Fiatagri L413 (2500 hours), Laverda 132 & Tractors: Massey 399, Fiat 110/90, Ford 6610-Call: 6859878; 338-4354
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122, EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
Leyland DAF 65 (sand truck). Call: 623-3895 One Nissan Duke, lady driven, immaculate condition, PTT series, low mileage. Call: 653-0018/ 6667748, price negotiable serious enquires. Nissan Bluebird 2011 model -$2.7M, Toyota Rush 2006 model -$2.8M. (unregistered vehicles) Call:655-3400 Tractor (foreign used) Massey Ferguson -165 $1.7M, MF-135 - $1.2M, MF265 -$2.2M, 165 Loader tractor -$2.4M. Call: 6825230/ 628-9596 2005 Tacoma from Canada bull bar -$2.4M, Ford F150 sport -$1.5M, Ranger sport $1.4M. Call: 682-5230/ 6289596 1 Titan, reasonable cash offer will not be turned down. Call: 623-8737 Toyota Camry 2004 model, excellent condition. Call: 2270609 (Monday –Friday 8:00am-4:00pm) 2009 RAUM -$2.2M, 2009 SIENTA -$2.3M, 2011 MAZDA AXELA -$2.7M, 2001 NOAH & VOXY $2.6M. CALL:617-2891 3 TON OPEN BACK CANTER, NEVER REGISTERED -$3.5M. CALL: 617-2891 Mitsubishi Canter – Call: 2650134 Toyota Coaster bus, excellent condition, price $1.95M. Call: 266-3173-6
Cool Tech Solution: for sale 2-45 tons chill water system, use to supply chill water work as a A/C – Call: 675-4959/ 2332008
VACANCY Popular East Coast Gas Station (Non-Pareil) Day/ Night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 695-9880/684-4197 Sales Representative to sell juices, applicants must have experienced. Apply to Mc Doom C.I.D.I, E.B.D- Call: 233-0910 1 - Secretary & office clerk, must have maths,english and accounts. Contact # 650-0402 \ 260-4124. The #1 Plant Shop, sale staff and general maintenance and sales persons 20-30yrs. Call: 643-7193 Experienced bartenders and cleaners. Call: 225-8572, between 7am-9pm Driver/Salesman, lorry licence, residing on East Bank Demerara. 266 4427 One driver for office in Eccles, four times per week. Call: 233-2745 Exist for female to sort/pick goods. Apply in person to Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. American Variety Store, 140 Regent & Light Street: experienced & mature cashier apply with written application. Secretary, operations manager, civil engineer, waitress, cook. Interested persons send e-mail: chungsoffice@gmail.com Sales Representative: CXC subjects including Mathematics & English grade 1& 2; 2yr experience & Computer literate. Email: sales@fibretechguyana.com Tel:220-6907 Graphic Designer/It Technician: &Office Assistance Computer literate. Apply in person / Email: sales@fibretech guyana.com. Tel:220-6907
1 Big music set, owner migrating. Call: 690-5225
Wholesale: Foxtail Palm Plant -$300.00, Foxtail Palm Seed $200.00. Call: 638-8858
CAR RENTAL
VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Toyota Allion PVV series: TV Camera, HID, lights, alarm & remote start $2.2M negotiable Call: 649-0956
FOR SALE AE 100 Ventura Toyota- A/C fully powered, 4 wheel drive, excellent condition, low mileage, pensioner own it. Call: 234-0510/ 674-0278
Exist for an experienced driver/salesman to work with baker. Call: 681-3983 One carpenter – Call:2253234
One 6inch dredge, owner is ill. Call:673-7883/619-5784/ 610-6738 1- Leyland 45 DAF flat bed with tail lift GRR series, price $2M. Call: 647-8621 Parts for sale: 45 DAF engine, gear box, cab and lots more. Call: 647-8621 Popular taxi service for sale located on Sheriff Street Georgetown, includes 16 radio sets. Call: 695-0704
TO LET Top flat: 2 bedrooms apartment, Phoenix Park, W.B.D. Call Jennifer: 6782570/ Thandeka: 603-0067 3 Bedroom house to rent @ Good Hope East Coast Demerara. Call: 234-0510/ 674-0278
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages) Continue on page 31
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Hinterland residents to be awarded airstrip rehab contracts under $2.5M Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman said yesterday that during the recent Cabinet meeting, it has been agreed that the contracts for the weeding, clearing and rehabilitation of hinterland airstrips with a monetary value of less than $2.5M, will be awarded to residents within proximity of the village council districts where the airstrips are located. Minister Trotman explained that the process of hinterland residents being awarded these contracts in-
volves the respected village councils having supervisory responsibility in awarding and overseeing these contracts, as well as the safety and protection of the airstrips. This new partnership between the government, village councils and residents will be facilitated by the Procurement Act under Section 29 and “is in partial fulfilment of the APNU+AFC manifesto promise to eliminate social and economic disparity in Guyana.” According to Minister Trotman, this initiative will
also lead to the development of the hinterland and to better oversight of airstrips in the hinterland. During the Ministry of Public Infrastructure’s Endof-year report, Aerodromes Inspector Alphonso Mangah, revealed that in 2016 $56.6 million was budgeted to carry out works to 47 airstrips which comes under the purview of the MPI’s Aerodromes Department’s control. The airstrips which saw repairs and maintenance works were: Port Kaituma ($1.45M); Mabaruma
($1.43M); Imbaimadai ($1.95M); Kaieteur ($1.73M); Aishalton ($4.72M); Anna Regina ($1.19M; Lethem ($1.65M); Paramakatoi ($1.13M); Kamarang ($1.91M); Ekereku Bottom ($1.7M); Bartica ($1.17M); Mahdia ($1.86M) and Annai ($3.9M). In the 2017 National budget some $170 million was allocated for rehabilitation works on airstrips including Baramita, Region One -$80M, Ekereku Bottom, Region Seven - $40M, and Chi Chi (West) Region Seven – $50M.
From page 30
WANTED Cook & Cashier for snackette, attractive salary. Call: 6975387/ 677-9279 Urgently – house lot in Diamond New Scheme, front half between 7th & 10th Avenue, price $2M-$2.5M. Call: 610-5957 1- Honest Driver salesman, must have lorry license, CXC subjects. Mail application to 10 La Grange, W.B.D. Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 One bedroom apartment suitable for couple or single person -$35,000 monthly. Light, water and garbage included. Call: 638-8858 1 House in South Ruimveldt Park. Call: 629-2912
WANTED Wanted land to buy: Uitvlugt, Tuschen, Zeelugt & La Parfaite Harmonie. Call: 657- 9594 Male & female factory workers from age 18 and older with working experience. Call: 223-0090 To work weekends: female bartenders, attractive waitresses, cooks needed at Eden’s Bar (East Bank). Call: 678-3616 Sales girl to work on a stand in the New Amsterdam area. Call 604 -9596 or 646- 9087 One experienced sand truck driver preferably from E.B.D. Must be honest- Call: 2653024/609-0766 1 Female cleaner for office in Eccles. Call: 233-2745 1 live in waitress with secondary education, starts at $70,000 monthly, boarding and lodging free. Call: 6103974 One live in domestic to work in Mahaicony River. Call: 655-9419/ 644-6905 Senior Mechanic & Driver. Call: 227-1717
Two bedrooms apartment to rent @ Better Hope, E.C.D – Call: 617-3001
Need immediately dry cow mold 400 bags, preferably from Berbice Area. Call: 6437193
Two bedrooms apartment located @ little Diamond Public Road for more info and rental cost call: 679-3213
Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic. Call: 223-7500 Monday-Saturday 8:15-4:15
Self-contained rooms in Prashad Nagar. Tel: 227-2993
One welder with knowledge of gas welding @ 21 Broad Street, Charlestown. Call: 643-9125/ 223-5595
Bottom flat house @ 25 North Road & Oronoque Street, fully furnished/ air condition/residence / business. Call: 226-7012 2 Bedrooms apartment in Eccles from 1st February. Call: 225-3234 Bedroom- for single or couple working @ Aubrey Barker Rd. South Ruimveldt Gardens, G/Town, $30,000 monthly + $30,000 security. Call:623-0076 FOR HIRE Chauffeur Driven Wedding cars for hire, personal service in Berbice. Call: 604 9596 Or 646 9087 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578
The Boardroom: one experienced cashier to work evening shift. Call Kareshma: 680-9091/ Sasha: 652-6533 Diesel mechanic to work in the interior. Must have knowledge of Perkins engine & Doosan excavators. Call: 226-9768 or 615-6172 Ladies to work in Suriname. Call: +597-875-4660 Experienced drivers, waiters, roti/puri cooks, day shift only. Apply at Hack’s Halaal with written application, 5 Commerce Street. Couple to live in: husbandhandyman, wife-domestic. Call: 227-1830
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Skeldon Estate…
“Govt. not signing away assets, it’s Executive actions ready to go as just a MoU for a study!” – Trotman Trump prepares to take office
Weeks after officials of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) confirmed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Guyana Government and a prospective investor who is interested in purchasing the Skeldon Estate, the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman yesterday sought to ‘set the record straight’ Trotman was at the time deputising for the State Minister, Joseph Harmon at the Government’s weekly PostCabinet Press Conference at the Ministry of the Presidency, Georgetown. A few days ago, a section of the media had reported that the Government had entered into a “secret deal” with an overseas company for an alleged takeover of the Skeldon Estate, Berbice. Trotman dismissed this saying that there is “no such thing as a secret deal.” He expounded that documents were shared with the main Parliamentary Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C); GuySuCo; and respective Trade Unions. “Copies were made avail-
able, so it’s not true to say that it was something hidden. It is just what it says, a Memorandum of Understanding. I have no doubt that the Ministry of Business will not object to the document being released. There is no confidentiality clause to it.” Trotman said. The Minister as if to solidify his claim, quoted a section of the agreement which he read: “This MoU constitutes a strategic liaison between the company and GoInvest, intended to formulate and facilitate development of a feasibility study for an integrated sugar cane processing facility for GuySuCo’s assets.” The Minister’s aim to ‘set the record straight’, would have come days after the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), called on the David Granger-led administration to be ‘forthright’ claiming that they have been left in the dark. GAWU, through its General Secretary (GS), Seepaul Narine, told media operatives that they were reliably informed by ‘credible’ sources about the MoU.
“We were informed that an examination of the Estate was done by the would-be owner and great interest is shown in the two lucrative cogeneration units,” the GS had s t a t e d . He added that the potential buyer is also interested in the Enmore Estate, eyeing the packaging plant as well. GAWU President, Komal Chand, when quizzed on the identity of the potential buyer, said that based on the information he has received thus far, all fingers are pointing to a company operating out of the United States. He did not commit to naming the entity. Trotman said yesterday that the MoU is not to “sign the assets of GuySuCo away, but to conduct a feasibility study”. With regards to the article, Trotman dismissed it as “mischief “. “So the mischief about take-over and all that is just what it is – mischief, false, and should not be repeated or peddled. So it is just a MoU to conduct a feasibility study. There is nothing here that signs the assets away, it is just meant to conduct a study,” Trotman reiterated.
In Davos, PM May unveils vision for global Britain post-Brexit Reuters - Prime Minister Theresa May unveiled her vision for Britain after Brexit yesterday, describing its future role as a defender of free trade and globalisation in a speech intended to ease concerns among the global business elite. In her first appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where the world’s business elite congregates in the Swiss Alps, May pressed her mantra that Britain would become more global after voting to leave the European Union. Just two days after she warned the EU that no deal was better than a bad deal, May sought to soothe ties with the bloc and played to her audience, a mixture of business and political leaders, by promoting Britain’s investment advantages. “I want to explain how ... the United Kingdom - a country that has so often been at the forefront of economic and social change - will step up to a new leadership role as the strongest and most forceful advocate for business, free markets and free trade anywhere in the world,” she told a packed congress hall. “Our decision to leave the
European Union was no rejection of our friends in Europe, with whom we share common interests and values and so much else. It was no attempt to become more distant from them, or to cease the cooperation that has helped to keep our continent secure and strong.” May said there would be times of uncertainty after Britain triggers Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty to start some of the most complicated talks the country has waged since World War Two, but spoke of her confidence for the future. It was a more conciliatory tone than the one heard in her speech on Tuesday, when she warned that Britain could change its economic model if shut out of access to the single market, echoing comments by her Chancellor that the government could cut taxes to maintain competitiveness. May’s comments drew applause in Davos, but most of the discussion focussed on Tuesday’s speech. “I thought she had a very hard act to follow, which was her own, and that she was great on Tuesday,” Barbara Judge, chairman of Britain’s
Institute of Directors, told Reuters. She credited May with calming business fears of falling off a cliff edge into uncertain trading conditions when she explained that she wanted the phased implementation of any deal. “I believe the most significant part of the speech was the wording that it’s not going to be transitional but a phased process of implementation because that shows it’s not a cliff edge - it’s learning how to feel comfortable in the new world.” Even some of May’s critics praised Tuesday’s speech. Mark MallochBrown, a former Labour government minister and an independent member of Britain’s upper house of parliament, described it as “well-managed”. “I think it certainly quieted the critics who said she had no plan,” he told Reuters, adding that only time would tell whether May could pull off the complicated negotiations. One Davos attendee added: “She says all the right words, the question is whether anyone believes them?”
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump arrive aboard a U.S. Air Force jet at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S. yesterday. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst Reuters - Donald Trump is preparing to sign executive actions on his first day in the White House today to take the opening steps to crack down on immigration, build a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border and roll back outgoing President Barack Obama’s policies. Trump, a Republican elected on Nov. 8 to succeed Democrat Obama, arrived in
Washington on a military plane with his family a day before he will be sworn in during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. Aides said Trump would not wait to wield one of the most powerful tools of his office, the presidential pen, to sign several executive actions that can be implemented without the input of Congress. “He is committed to not
just Day 1, but Day 2, Day 3 of enacting an agenda of real change, and I think that you’re going to see that in the days and weeks to come,” Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said yesterday, telling reporters to expect activity today, during the weekend and early next week. Trump plans tomorrow to visit the headquarters of the CIA in Langley, Virginia. He has harshly criticized the agency and its outgoing chief, first questioning the CIA’s conclusion that Russia was involved in cyber hacking during the U.S. election campaign, before later accepting the verdict. Trump also likened U.S. intelligence agencies to Nazi Germany. Trump’s advisers vetted more than 200 potential executive orders for him to consider signing on healthcare, climate policy, immigration, energy and numerous other issues, but it was not clear how many orders he would initially approve, according to a member of the Trump transition team who was not authorized to talk to the press.
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Friday January 20, 2017
Kaieteur News
Carlos Tevez’s Chinese Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni seal... adventure begins Carlos Tevez’s first taste of the Chinese Super League revolution was to be met by thousands of fans after the world’s best-paid player arrived in Shanghai yesterday morning. The man on more money than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo landed at Shanghai Pudong International Airport and police struggled to get the star through the terminal. The former West Ham, Manchester United and Manchester City striker signed for Shanghai Shenhua in a mega-money move believed to be worth an astonishing £615,000 per week. It saw the 32-year-old leave boyhood club Boca Juniors and become the latest capture by a Chinese club following Oscar’s move from Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG for £52million. Chants of ‘Carlos, Carlos’
could be heard as he arrived, though Tevez did not stop to speak to media as fans chased him, hoping for a glimpse of their new signing. Tevez’s transfer comes after he turned down a deal from West Ham in the summer that would have made him the highestpaid player in their history, believed to be £150,000 per week plus bonuses. That would have seen him paid more than Dimitri Payet, who is on £125,000 per week, and Tevez was also told in talks that he would be their first-choice striker for the upcoming season. Instead he stayed at Boca Juniors, with Sportsmail told by senior West Ham sources that he demanded £250,000 per week during talks. Now, in China, Tevez is to make more than twice that amount. Messi and Ronaldo, by comparison, are paid
£365,000 per week by Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively. Tevez won Boca Juniors the title after joining from Juventus in 2015 and supporters begged him to stay. Despite his departure, they wished him well in a statement. He will work under Shenhua manager Gus Poyet, the former Sunderland boss. Former Newcastle strikers Demba Ba and Obafemi Martins are also at Shanghai, who finished fourth in the Chinese Super League in 2016. Tevez spent seven years in the Premier League and won the title with both Manchester clubs. He also lifted the Champions League trophy with United in 2008 before joining Juventus in 2013. He won two Serie A titles in Italy. (MailOnline)
Djokovic’s record title... (From page 33) slam title deciders. Yesterday, though, the moment never came - even if Istomin was still expecting it
right up until the point that Djokovic sent a service return long to conclude the four hour, 48 minute contest. Djokovic paid credit to the
brilliant match 30-year-old Istomin undoubtedly played, but was at a loss to explain why he had been unable to move up a gear. Yesterday’s defeat came as even more of a surprise because Djokovic had started the season so well when he ended Murray’s 28match, five-tournament winning streak in an epic final at the Qatar Open. It is Briton Murray, who took the number one ranking off the Serbian at the back end of last year, who looks to be the most likely beneficiary of Djokovic’s early departure. The Scot, who earlier took to the practice courts without obvious discomfort just a few hours after turning his ankle during a second round victory, has lost all five of his finals at Melbourne Park, four of them to Djokovic. Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, both former champions returning at this tournament after injury-forced spells on the sidelines might also fancy their chances of filling the void left by the Serb, as might Wawrinka. Djokovic was reluctant to pitch immediately into too much analysis of where he went wrong after his earliest grand slam exit since 2008. (Reuters)
(From page 34) them. Usually at his best at the end of the innings, Dhoni dealt with the inconvenience of having to arrive in the fifth over by batting until the 48th, initially as a foil for Yuvraj. He was dropped on 43, a tough chance to a retreating Ball off a leading edge, and only really accelerated as he neared a century, announcing his intention with a huge six over long-on off Woakes. From there it was carnage, as Dhoni took 41 runs off the last 20 balls he faced. Overall, India hit 214 from their final 20 overs and 120 off the last 10. Liam Plunkett, ineffective on his return for figures of 291, was hammered for three sixes in an over, eventually
getting a crumb of comfort when Dhoni hit a full toss to David Willey at deep midwicket. England were not fazed by what would have been their highest successful run chase in ODIs, with Root and Roy sharing a stand of 100 that kept the tourists ahead of the curve. However, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, England’s tormentor during their 4-0 Test series defeat, had Root sky a sweep, bowled Ben Stokes and had Buttler stumped down the leg side, while spin partner Ravindra Jadeja found turn to bowl Roy. Still England pressed on, captain Morgan returning to form with sixes over long-on and long-off, and Moeen’s
leg-side scoring bringing him a 40-ball half-century. When Moeen dragged on to his stumps off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, it looked to be a fatal blow to England’s chances, but Morgan kept them alive in a fifty partnership with Plunkett that came in only 24 balls. The Irishman reached his ninth ODI ton only to be run out by bowler Jasprit Bumrah when backing up too far, taking England’s hopes with him as he departed. Falling short by 15 in a game of 747 runs, England will reflect on a bowling effort that was too expensive and toporder batting that failed to capitalise on a strong position. (BBCsport)
Friday January, 20 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Travel will be to your advantage; however, it might be expensive. Arguments could prevail. You may be emotional and quick to judge others. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Don't reveal information that is personal or confidential. Don't be taken advantage of by any fast talking salesperson trying to part you from your cash. Put your efforts into making constructive improvements to your environment and to your state of mind. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Keep your eyes and ears alert for any evasive or deceptive statements. You can stabilize your personal relationship if you're willing to communicate honestly. You will be emotional about money matters. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Try not to be overly generous. Use discrimination and play hard to get. Financial limitations are likely if you take risks. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't hold yourself back because you think you're too old. Your mind is on moneymaking ventures. You should be putting in some overtime. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Those who have been too demanding should be put in their place or out to pasture. You can make changes that will enhance your appearance. Involvement in groups of interest will bring you in
touch with important individuals. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Watch for empty promises that may give you false hope. You will have to make changes in order to eliminate the tension. Romantic opportunities are evident. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You might find added popularity with those around you today. You may be frazzled today. Don't settle for less than the best. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Get involved in volunteer work that will bring you satisfaction, not an empty wallet. This will not be the best day to make changes or renovations to your residence. Property deals will pay big dividends. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Travel will be enjoyable but could be expensive. Do your own research and be prepared. Financial investments that deal with joint money can be extremely prosperous. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You can do well on stage or behind the scenes, the choice is yours. Property investments will payoff. Someone you work with may be withholding valuable information. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If they don't want to get involved, work by yourself. You could easily lose your temper at work. Don't push your opinions or ideas on others. You must deal with an emotional problem with your loved one that you have been avoiding for some time now.
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 20, 2017
Australian Serena Williams and Rafael Open 2017 Nadal reach round three Six-time champion Serena Williams and former winner Rafael Nadal both reached the Australian Open third round with straight-sets victories yesterday. Williams, 35, who is attempting to win an Open era record 23rd Grand Slam singles title, beat world number 61 Lucie Safarova 63 6-4 in Melbourne. ”I’m really happy to have got through that,” said the American second seed. Nadal, who won the tournament in 2009, eased through 6-3 6-1 6-3 against 2006 finalist Marcos Baghdatis. Williams beat 29year-old Czech Safarova in the French Open final in 2015, and needed one hour and 25 minutes to see off the former top-10 player yesterday. ”It’s never easy having to play in a second round against someone you have seen in a final,” she added. “I’ve played two former top10 opponents, but it’s a great
Williams’ last Australian Open title came in 2015, while Nadal won for the only time in 2009. way to start the tournament.” Wi l l i a m s l o s t t h e Australian Open final last year to Angelique Kerber, but went on to win at Wimbledon and equal Steffi Graf’s Open era record of 22 Grand Slam singles titles. She will continue her bid for the record against 23year-old Nicole Gibbs, who beat fellow American Irina
Falconi 6-4 6-1. Fourteentime Grand Slam winner Nadal will face promising teenager Alexander Zverev in the next round after the German beat 18-year-old American Frances Tiafoe 62 6-3 6-4. Nadal, 30, says the 19year-old world number 24 “can be a future world number one”. “It will be a
Rampant Durant helps Warriors silence Thunder The Sports Xchange Kevin Durant terrorized his former team for the second straight time on Wednesday, pouring in a season-high 40 points in the Golden State Warriors’ 121-100 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant, who left the Thunder as a free agent in the off-season and dropped 39 points on them in November, contributed 13 points to a third-quarter flurry as the Warriors (36-6) exploded into a 93-78 lead after having been tied at 5656 at halftime. Durant’s big scoring night, the 47th 40-point game of his career, helped the Warriors overcome Thunder guard Russell
Kevin Durant
Westbrook’s 21st tripledouble of the season. Westbrook totaled 27 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists, but he also was harassed into 8-for-23 shooting and 10 turnovers. The double-figure turnover total was the sixth of Westbrook’s career and the third during a tripledouble performance. Klay Thompson provided most of the Warriors’ defensive attention on Westbrook after he had earlier in the day left the team for a family matter in Portland. Thompson returned in time to contribute offensively as well, chipping in 14 points as Golden State beat Oklahoma City for the
seventh consecutive time in Oakland. Stephen Curry had 24 points, including nine in the decisive third quarter, for the Warriors, who shot 54.1 percent from the field and 10-for-21 on three-pointers. Durant played a large part in both impressive percentages, hitting 13-of16 from the field and five of his seven three-pointers. The first-year Warrior also had a team-high 12 rebounds, helping Golden State gain a 46-36 advantage in that area. Draymond Green had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Warriors. Westbrook had 16 of his points in the first half, during which the Thunder led by as many as seven. He also drew a flagrant foul on Golden State center Zaza Pachulia in the final minute of the half, producing the two free throws that created the halftime tie. Westbrook clinched his triple-double with his 10th assist in the seventh minute of the third quarter. He went on to log 36 minutes. Enes Kanter totaled 22 points and Victor Oladipo had 20 for Oklahoma City (25-19), which lost three of four to start a six-game trip. (Reuters)
big challenge for me,” said Nadal. “He is a potential Grand Slam winner. He is a big, talented player. He is young and improving in every moment he is on the tour.” Nadal lost in the first round in Melbourne for the first time in his career last year and, having pulled out of Wimbledon with a wrist injury, his best major result in 2016 proved to be a last-16 exit at the US Open. The Spaniard has only played one tournament since October, reaching the quarter-finals at the Brisbane
International earlier this month, but says he has “no injuries” after coming through against Baghdatis in two hours and 12 minutes. ”I can’t ask for more,” he said. “I have suffered injuries in my career, but I have had a lot of success and amazing memories from all the places I have played. “I cannot complain. I am a lucky person and I am trying to enjoy every moment on court.” Poland’s world number three Agnieszka Radwanska suffered a surprise secondround exit to Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. The 2 7 - y e a r- o l d , w h o h a s reached two semi-finals in Melbourne in the past three tournaments, lost 6-3 6-2 to the 34-year-old world number 79. Fifth-seed Karolina Pliskova beat 18-year-old Russian qualifier Anna Blinkova 6-0 6-2 in 59 minutes, meaning the Czech has dropped just four games en route to the third round. “I don’t want to say my opponent wasn’t that good, but I was better,” said the 24year-old, who faces Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko next.
Third seed Milos Raonic reached the third round of the Australian Open for the seventh time with a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win over L u x e m b o u r g ’s G i l l e s Muller. The Canadian 26, hit 21 aces as he set up a meeting with France’s Gilles Simon, who reached the quarterfinals in Melbourne in 2009. ”I started feeling a little bit of a cough but I didn’t think much of it, then this morning I felt pretty bad waking up,” he said. “I came out with the sort of idea of put everything into the match, try to solve it, understand the importance of the mental side of things in that situation.” World number 15 Grigor Dimitrov also moved into the next round with a 1-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory over Korea’s Chung Hye-on. He will face France’s Richard Gasquet after his 6-1 6-1 6-1 win over Argentine Carlos Berlocq. Former world number three David Ferrer beat American qualifier Ernesto Escobedo 2-6 6-4 6-4 6-2 to set up a tie w i t h S p a i n ’s R o b e r t o Bautista Agut. (BBCsport)
Djokovic’s record title bid ends in second round Novak Djokovic’s bid for a record seventh Australian Open title came to a stunning end on yesterday when the Serbian packed his bags and headed home in the wake of a second-round upset at the hands of world number 117 Denis Istomin. The 29-year-old has bestrode the blue hardcourts of Melbourne Park like a colossus over the last decade, winning his first grand slam title here in 2008 and adding five more in six years from 2011. Yesterday’s 7-6(8) 5-7 26 7-6(5) 6-4 defeat was only his second in his last 42 matches at the year’s first grand slam, the other coming on the same Rod Laver Arena against eventual champion Stan Wawrinka in the 2014 quarter-finals. Last year, he beat Andy Murray in the final for the second straight season to match Roy Emerson’s record of six titles and, while seeded second behind the Scot, was favorite to retain it
Uzbekistan’s Denis Istomin celebrates after defeating Novak Djokovic. REUTERS/Jason Reed
next week. The shock yesterday was not simply that the 12-times grand slam champion had lost to a journeyman Uzbek albeit a journeyman playing the match of his life - but that he went out with so little fight. Everybody waited and waited for the explosion of emotions that would indicate that Djokovic had tapped into the iron-plated
resilience that had carried him through so many potential defeats at Melbourne Park and elsewhere. This was, of course, the same court where he slugged it out with Rafa Nadal for five hours and 53 minutes to win the 2012 final in an exhibition of never-say-die tennis that would be hard to better in the annals of grand (Continued on page 32)
Kaieteur News
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Friday January 20, 2017
Australia cruise to victory on Smith ton ”We’ve traditionally chased pretty well here at the WACA,” Steven Smith said after sending Pakistan in to bat. Perhaps what he meant was that he chases pretty well at the WACA. Last summer, Smith plundered 149 as Australia hunted down a target of 310 against India, winning in the last over. This time it was easier - Australia passed Pakistan’s 263 with five overs left - but again a Smith hundred got them there. Smith finished unbeaten on 108, his eighth ODI century, as Australia took a 2-1 lead in the series. There were important contributions from a range of sources - Peter Handscomb struck 82 on debut, Josh Hazlewood took 3 for 32 from his 10 overs, and Travis Head took two wickets and then hit the winning runs but Smith was the architect of the victory. Pakistani sloppiness was another major factor in the result. Twice before he had passed 10 runs, Handscomb was the recipient of good fortune. First he was caught at slip, and reprieved by a late call of a Junaid Khan noball, and then he was dropped at point - Junaid had overstepped again, in any case. But for the first of the noballs, Australia could have been 3 for 46 in the 11th over; the third wicket did not truly fall until Australia had 228 on the board, and the job was almost done. Early wickets gave Pakistan
hope. Australia’s openers both fell within the first 10 overs, Usman Khawaja caught behind for 9 off Mohammad Amir, who found some swing with the new ball, and David Warner caught behind off Junaid for 35. But after Handscomb’s let-offs, the wind went out of Pakistan’s sails, and a 183run partnership between Smith and Handscomb set the tone for the chase. Handscomb milked singles and struck six fours, though three of those were genuine edges past or over the wicketkeeper, and finished with the thirdhighest score by an Australian on ODI debut. Only Phillip Hughes (112 against Sri Lanka in 2013) and Phil Jaques (94 against South Africa in 2006) had scored more in their first one-day international for Australia. Eventually his luck ran out and he was caught behind trying to hook Hasan Ali. Head struck an unbeaten 23, including the winning boundary, and Australia wrapping up the win with seven wickets in hand meant Glenn Maxwell neither batted nor bowled in the match. As has been the case throughout this series, Head was the only spinner Australia used, while also batting ahead of Maxwell. It is a strange scenario that Maxwell finds himself in, but for Australia a win is a win, regardless of who contributes. Here, the major
contributor was Smith, who looked far more fluent than Handscomb, and reached his century from 97 balls, finishing with 11 fours and a six. Along the way, Smith became the fastest Australian to the milestone of 3000 runs in ODIs, getting there in his 79th innings - one quicker than both Michael Bevan and George Bailey. But it was the final ten overs of Pakistan’s innings that really turned this match. Sharjeel Khan had given them a platform with 50 at better than a run a ball, and Babar Azam built it up further with a half-century of his own, yet Pakistan were unable to make the 300-plus total that would really have challenged Australia. From 4 for 213 after 40 overs, they should at least have got close. Instead, Azam and Umar Akmal both fell to Josh Hazlewood, who in the absence of the resting Mitchell Starc was outstanding and finished with 3 for 32 from his 10 o v e r s , a n d P a k i s t a n ’s momentum evaporated. The final five overs brought Pakistan only 21 runs, and just a single boundary. Pakistan had struggled to 7 for 263, a total that looked only just competitive. The innings started briskly for Pakistan when Sharjeel plundered 20 runs off the fourth over, bowled by the raw fast bowler Billy Stanlake. A six was pulled imperiously over midwicket and was followed by three consecutive fours, which left
Steven Smith’s eighth ODI century ensured an Australia victory © Getty Images Stanlake with 2-0-27-0 in his second ODI. But Hazlewood struck with the very next delivery when he trapped Mohammad Hafeez lbw for 4. Sharjeel again picked off three consecutive boundaries later in his innings, this time off Head, but next ball chopped on for 50 from 47 deliveries to give Head the first of his two wickets. Asad Shafiq also fell to Head on 5 when he advanced and sent a thick edge to short third man, but Azam then found a willing ally and put on 63 with Shoaib Malik for the fourth wicket. But on 39, Malik became the first international wicket for Stanlake when he edged behind, and Azam was joined by his cousin, Akmal. They combined for a 60-run stand that should have been
terminated earlier, when Akmal danced down the pitch to Head and missed an agricultural heave, but Wade failed to glove the ball and missed a straightforward stumping. Azam was the key for Pakistan. Although he struck only four fours and one six in his 84, he gave Pakistan something to work with, and in fact scored more in this innings along than he did in the entire Test series against Australia. Along the way, Azam also joined Viv Richards, Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Quinton de Kock in reaching 1000 ODI runs in 21 innings, the all-time record. But Pakistan needed him to turn it into a century. Instead, Azam pulled Hazlewood and was brilliantly caught at deep midwicket by a diving
Handscomb, and in Hazlewood’s next over Akmal gloved a bouncer through to Matthew Wade for 39. Another stunning catch in the next over, this time Head running with the flight of the ball at mid-off, robbed Pakistan of Imad W a s i m f o r 9 . With the late wickets went Pakistan’s hopes of a total anywhere near 300 - and that was what they needed. Australia cruised to their target with 30 balls to spare, and took a 2-1 lead in the five-match campaign. It will take some sort of effort for Pakistan to win the series from here. Australia 3 for 265 (Smith 108*, Handscomb 82) beat Pakistan 7 for 263 (Azam 84, Sharjeel 50, Hazlewood 3-32) by 7 wickets. (ESPNcricinfo)
Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni seal series in Cuttack Brilliant centuries from Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni gave India a series-clinching 15-run win over England in a
thrilling second one-day international. India were reduced to 25-3 in Cuttack before
Yuvraj, who struck 150, and Dhoni (134) shared a stand of 256. They helped India to
Yuvraj (left) and Dhoni shared the second-highest partnership ever made against England in an ODI
381-6, the third-highest total made against England. Eoin Morgan blasted an 80-ball hundred, Jason Roy, Joe Root and Moeen Ali all made half-centuries, but England ended 366-8 to go 2-0 down with one to play. That in itself was England’s fifth-highest total and their second of 350 or more in as many games, but they still have not won a series in this country since 1984-85 and have lost 21 of their past 25 ODIs against India in India. The tourists looked well set to alter that record when Chris Woakes took three wickets in his first three overs, including the prolific Virat Kohli, but Yuvraj and Dhoni destroyed an England attack that had no control of length.
An unlikely chase was not out of the question on an ideal batting surface, only for India’s spinners to run through the England top order, with the late hitting of Morgan not enough in the face of the home attack’s greater nous. Before returning for the first match, Yuvraj was out of the India ODI side for more than three years, dropped at the end of a 2013 when he averaged only 19.71 with the bat. Recalled after some excellent domestic form, he made his first ODI century for six years and his highest score, dismantling the England bowling with stylish drives and brutal pulls. England were right to initially probe the lefthander’s historical weakness
against the short ball, but too slow to change a plan that did not work. Time and again short deliveries were dismissed to the leg-side fence, even after Yuvraj had registered his 14th ODI ton with Jake Ball the most persistent offender. Yuvraj successfully overturned a caught-behind decision on 145 and a double century seemed possible until he edged the e x c e l l e n t Wo a k e s , comfortably the pick of England’s bowlers, to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler. Dhoni relinquished the white-ball captaincy to Kohli before this series but once again proved his worth alongside the equally experienced Yuvraj - both 35 and with 580 caps between (Continued on page 32)
Kaieteur News
Friday January 24, 2017
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2017 Caribbean Club Championship Darters get going tonight at MSC Groups and Schedule Announced Miami - The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) announced today the participating clubs, groups and schedule for the 2017 Caribbean Club Championship. A record 20 sides from 11 countries – headed by Trinidad & Tobago’s Central FC, the two-time defending champion – qualified for the 19th edition of the competition, which will determine the region’s representatives for the upcoming edition of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League. Participating clubs are divided into five groups of four teams, which will play a round-robin format starting in late February through March. Greenbay Hoppers FC (Antigua & Barbuda), Don Bosco FC (Haiti), Montego Bay United FC (Jamaica), Central FC (Trinidad & Tobago) and System 3 Sport Academy (St. Vincent & the Grenadines) will host the group stage. Group Stage Venues and Groups: Group A (Antigua Recreation Ground – St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda) February 20 - 27 Greenbay Hoppers FC (ATG) Bequia United FC (VIN) Inter Moengo Tapoe (SUR) Racing FC (HAI) Group B (Stade Sylvio Cator – PortAu-Prince, Haiti) February 27 March 6 Don Bosco FC (HAI) Cibao FC (DOM) Police FC (MSR) USR SainteRose (GLP) Group C ( Montego Bay Sports Complex - Montego Bay, Jamaica)
February 27 - March 6 Montego Bay United FC (JAM) Elite Sport Club (CAY) Grenades FC (ATG) Club Barcelona Atletico (DOM) Group D (Ato Boldon Stadium – Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago) March 6 - 13 Central FC (TRI) Portmore United FC (JAM) Scholars International (CAY) SV Transvaal (SUR) Group E (Victoria Park Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) March 6 - 13 System 3 Sport Academy (VIN) Club Sportif Moulien (GLP) Flames United SC (SXM) San Juan Jabloteh FC (TRI) The five group winners will advance to the final round, scheduled to be played from May 13-21. The Caribbean Club Championship has been contested annually since 1997 (with the exception of 1999 and 2008), when United Petrotrin of Trinidad & Tobago captured the inaugural title. A champion has been
crowned 16 times, with DirecTV W Connection, also of Trinidad & Tobago, lifting the trophy a record three times. Besides Central FC, the 2017 field includes two former Caribbean champions: San Juan Jabloteh (Trinidad & Tobago) and Portmore United (Jamaica). Additionally, Transvaal, a past CONCACAF club champion (1973, 1981) qualified for the event as runner-up in the 2015/16 Surinamese league. 2017 Caribbean Club Championship Participating teams (Alphabetical order) Bequia United FC (St. Vincent & the Grenadines) Central FC (Trinidad & Tobago) Cibao FC (Dominican Republic) Club Barcelona Atlético (Dominican Republic) Club Sportif Moulien (Guadeloupe) Don Bosco FC (Haiti) Elite Sport Club (Cayman Islands) Flames United SC (Sint Maarten) Greenbay Hoppers FC (Antigua & Barbuda) Grenades FC (Antigua & Barbuda) Inter Moengo Tapoe (Suriname) Montego Bay United FC (Jamaica) Police FC (Montserrat) Portmore United FC (Jamaica) Racing FC des Gonaives (Haiti) San Juan Jabloteh FC (Trinidad & Tobago) Scholars International (Cayman Islands) SV Transvaal (Suriname) System 3 Sport Academy (St. Vincent & the Grenadines) USR SainteRose (Guadeloupe) (CONCACAF)
Dottin set for Heat return following face surgery Adelaide, Australia, CMC – Barbados and West Indies all-rounder, Deandra Dottin, is set to make a dramatic return for Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League this weekend, three weeks
Deandra Dottin
after undergoing face surgery. The 25-year-old suffered multiple fractures to her cheekbones following an on-field collision with teammate Laura Harris, while
attempting to field a delivery during a game against Melbourne Stars at Allan Border Field on December 27. Dottin had titanium plates inserted during surgery to rectify the injury. The live-wire Dottin has resumed training with the Heat and has been cleared to suit up for the weekend doubleheader against Adelaide Strikers – on Friday and Saturday – at the Gabba in Brisbane. ”Thank you to all my fans, the Heat medical teams, players and support staff,” she said on her Facebook page yesterday. “I am back from serious injury and looking forward to bringing the HEAT this Friday and Saturday as we
aim to win both games! Thanks to all!” Dottin will rreplace England’s Lauren Winfield who will in turn replace Indian Smriti Mandhana, who has been struck down by injury. Prior to her injury, Dottin had managed just six games for Heat, producing a couple of useful contributions including an unbeaten half-century in t h e s e a s o n ’s o p e n i n g game against Sydney Thunder. In her absence, Heat endured mixed results, winning three and losing three of their six outings. They lie fifth in the eight-team standings on 12 points, needing to win in order to secure their spot in the playoffs.
Following a year that was described as one with constant activities, the Guyana Darts Association is bent on continuing in the same vein and will resume its monthly action with a tournament today, at the Malteenoes Sports C l u b ( M S C ) . According to a release from the Association, the tournament is open to all interested darters and registration commences at 18:30 hrs. Among the players expected to participate are former Trinidad & Tobago national player Vivikanand “ R a b b i t “ D y a l . The games to be played are “Luck of the draw”, Mens and Ladies Singles and monetary prizes will be up for grabs.
European giants weigh up bids for young Reggae Boy – reports
Leon Bailey London, CMC – English Premiership giants, Chelsea and Liverpool, are said to be among several European clubs eyeing big-money moves for Jamaica Under-23 winger, Leon Bailey. Media reports here say both clubs are ready to bid up to 20 million pounds sterling for the 19-year-old who currently plays for Genk in the Belgian top flight. Bailey, who arrived in Belgium two years ago, was always expected to leave at the end of the season for another European club but could now make a move during the current winter transfer window if one of the major clubs target Genk with
a b i d . Reports have also indicated that German side Bayer Leverkusen and Italian giants Roma, are also interested in Bailey, as are French outfits Nice and Lyon. Genk, who are currently mid-table in the league, are expected to fight to hold on to Bailey for at least another season before allowing him to move on. A winner of the Belgian Pro League’s Young Playerof-the-Year award, Bailey has played a single game for Jamaica Under-23s, scoring in that contest against Cayman Islands two years ago.
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Skipper Holder fully focussed on team unity Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC – Test captain Jason Holder says one of his main goals is to transform the Caribbean side into a tightlyknit unit, and believes this is will be the catalyst for any turnaround in the team’s fortunes. The Caribbean side has endured a torrid time in Test and One-Day International cricket over the last decade and currently ranked eighth and ninth respectively in either format. Holder said with West Indies bringing together players from several nations, the challenge was always to get them playing as a collective. ”Cricket is played on the park so I always stress for guys to share as much information as possible, communicate with one another and make sure that whenever we step on the park, we step as 11 unified players,” Holder told CBC Radio’s cricket show, MidWicket, here.
Jason Holder ”I think the more we do that, the more positive results we will have. In the history of West Indies cricket of late, you’ve been seeing individuals stand out but we haven’t been able to get that collective reward, and that is something I am really, really trying to change in terms of the
mindset of our players – trying to come together collectively.” The 25-year-old Holder has led West Indies in 12 of his 20 Tests and 28 of his 49 ODIs, but has overseen a tough period for the Caribbean side where they have struggled to find extensive success.
He has also presided over a young, inexperienced team and has been charged with moulding a winning unit. Holder, who is preparing to lead Barbados Pride in the Regional Super50 starting next week, said his hope was to create the same level of unity in the West Indies side that existed in regional sides. ”You would get such camaraderie for instance in a Trinidad team or in a Barbados team where they are all Barbadians or all Trinidadians but when you are mixing the countries up in terms of players coming out of the Leewards, the Windwards, Barbados, Guyana, it’s always a challenge,” Holder explained. ”You haven’t spent that much time around certain players. You’re just basically getting to know them.” Holder was one of the youngest-ever Test captains of West Indies at age 23, and the 15th youngest captain of any Test team.
Friday January 20, 2017
China’s Alibaba becomes major sponsor of Olympics
Alibaba executive chairman Jack Ma. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba has become a major sponsor of the Olympics after signing a deal with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that runs until 2028, the two parties said yesterday. Alibaba, which becomes the official e-commerce and cloud services partner, joins 12 other companies including Coca-Cola and M c D o n a l d ’s - a s t o p Olympic sponsors. No financial details were disclosed. IOC sources have previously told Reuters that major sponsors pay about $100 million per four-year
cycle, which includes one summer and one winter games. The Alibaba deal comes as Asia prepares to host three consecutive Games with South Korea’s Pyeongchang staging the 2018 winter Games, Tokyo the 2020 summer Olympics and Beijing the 2022 winter Games. ”This is a groundbreaking, innovative alliance, and will help drive efficiencies in the organisation of the Olympic Games through 2028,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. (Reuters)
GT Beer inks name to Limacol Football Competition kicks off Monday By Rawle Welch Beverage giants Banks DIH through its popular GT Beer brand gave approval to a sponsorship request made by Organisers of the 2nd Annual Limacol Round Robin / Knockout Football Competition, during a simple ceremony that was conducted yesterday in the Company’s Boardroom, at Thirst Park. Among those present at the occasion were GT Beer Brand Manager Geoff Clement, Communications Manager Troy Peters, Petra Organisation officials Troy Mendonca and Mark Alleyne and Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart. The sponsorship means that GT Beer will be the official drink of the competition and football fans are being urged to support the brand, but drink responsibly. Mendonca speaking at the ceremony expressed gratitude on behalf of Petra Organisation for the
consideration and subsequent support of Banks DIH, before acknowledging the long relationship that exists between the two entities. He added that the Company’s presence in the competition is a good signal for the sport and hoped that the strong friendship between them continues to grow way into the future. He closed by thanking the Management and Staff of Banks DIH for its support of the Limacol Football Tournament. Meanwhile, Peters in his remarks also echoed the sentiments expressed by Mendonca in relation to the strong friendship that exists between the two entities, adding that the Company’s support for football is well documented and unrivalled. He informed that they’ve supported the sport throughout the length and breadth of this country and their presence in the tournament is just another example of the Company’s
strong commitment towards the development of sport. He said the Company was heartened by the fact that a lot of players will benefit from the staging of the competition, while various communities will also profit. Peters added that they were looking forward to sixteen days of exciting action and wished the Organisers and teams the best of luck. Meanwhile, the winner of each group will receive $100,000, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed finishers will be given $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000 each. The winner of the competition will take home $500,000 and a trophy, while the 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed teams will collect $250,000, $125,000 and $75,000 respectively and trophies. The competition kicks off next Monday with a double header at the GFC ground. Below are the dates, fixtures and venues for the round robin phase of the competition.
Kaieteur News
Friday January 20, 2017
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STAG Nations Cup KO Football
Grove Hi Tech and Den Amstel storm into quarter finals
Perfect Five! Den Amstel’s successful enalty shooters from right, Gavin Graham, Kevaughn Ward, Ryan Hunte, Travis Hilliman and Andre Hector. Grove Hi Tech led by Captain Sherman Doris’ brace stormed into the quarter finals of the STAG Nations Cup knock-out championship involving teams from five-associations affiliated to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF). The championship which was stalled from last December due to consistent rainfall made a welcome restart notwithstanding more rainfall which rendered conditions at the Grove Playfield heavy but that did not deter the zest of the players from the respective teams from going at each other. The opening match which necessitated kicks from the penalty mark to decide the winner following a 0-0 score line at the end of regulation and extra time, saw West Demerara’s Den Amstel outlasting Berbice’ New Amsterdam United 5-3 sending the last of four teams from the Ancient County, packing. Witnessed by a fair sized and very supportive home crowd, Grove Hi Tech quelled the early intentions of the fleet footed duo of New Amsterdam United’s Captain Leonard Adams and Jamal Butts who both carried the attack to the home team and looked threatening. But the two-time champions of the competition which attracted teams from threeassociations in the previous editions (2014/15, 2015/16) gradually took away the fight from the boys from the East. First it was a Mervin Squires goal that punctuated the 0-0 score line and handed
Grove the lead in the 8th minute of play, it was the first regulation time goal of the goal night which sent the supports into wild celebrations. As Grove continued to assert themselves they won a free kick from about 25 yards out, directly in front of NA United’s goal. In slippery conditions a solid blast can see the ball zooming past the wall and goalkeeper into the back of the nets and that was exactly the outcome. Captain Sherman Doris took on the responsibility of taking the shot and his low, powerful strike sailed past the wall and custodian Jovano Dos Santos to settle in the nets as Grove ran away 2-0 leaders on 25 minutes. While the home team was riding high, the boys from the East never lost focus and kept matching the home team play for play. They soon earned their first goal in the 30th minute when Jermaine Samuels tucked his shot past Gove’s man between the uprights, Seon Sampson. Like Grove, NA United got their second goal and equaliser from a free kick which was also orchestrated by their Captain, Leonard Adams whose powerful strike could not be saved cleanly by Sampson as it rebounded off his chest into the onrushing Butts who gleefully tapped into the back of the nets on the stroke of half time. It was a deserving goal as the momentum had swung back in favour the visitors to set up what was anticipated to be an enthralling final 45 minutes. There was no
Goal scorers for Grove Hi Tech from right, Sherman Doris, Joel Dick and Mervin Squires. relenting from either side in the opening minutes of the second half as they both sought to establish dominance and more so, score goals. But it was the home team that not only dominated but also scored goals to knock the wind out of the sails of NA United. Captain Doris again featured when he handed his team the team with another well executed shot in the 52nd minute. As the changes were rung by both teams by introducing fresh legs, Grove’s insertions brought the reward of their fourth goal off the boot of Joel Dick in the 84th minute, a goal which sealed the win and their quarter final place against Police next Wednesday night at the GDF ground in the feature match at 21:00hrs. Den Amstel and Ann’s Grove, loser in both previous finals to Grove Hi Tech, battled for 105 minutes with being able to score against each other. Both sides created chances with the East Coast based Ann’s Grove guilty of flooring what had appeared to be clear cut opportunities, at least two from close range. The were also denied by excellent goalkeeping from Den Amstel’s, Ryan Hunte who would have won the MVP of the match if there was such an award. They eventually paid for their mistakes as Den Amstel posted their second win of the championship following their 4-2 win over Kuru Kururu Warriors. The West Demerara based boys prevailed 5-3 via kicks from the penalty mark and will
now face Riddim Squad in n e x t We d n e s d a y ’s penultimate quarter final at the GDF ground. Scoring for the winners were Gavin Graham, Kevaughn Ward, Ryan Hunte, Travis Hilliman and Andre Hector. On target for
the losers were Jermaine Clarke, Levon Adams and Kevon Barry; Marlon Adams missed their second shout which eventually brought their downfall. Meanwhile, quarter final action will get cracking on Sunday at the Tucville
ground in a Georgetown vs West Demerara showdown. Santos will open against Pouderoyen from 18:00hrs with Western Tigers and Uitvlugt clashing in the main attraction. At stake will be two spots in the semi finals.
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Friday January 20, 2017
Springer headlines 14-man squad for Super50 Guyanese Paul and Yadram included
Bhaskar Yadram St John’s, Antigua, CMC – Exciting all-rounder Shamar Springer is among five members of the ICC Youth World Cup-winning side included in the West Indies Under-19 14-man squad for the Regional Super50 starting next week. He will be joined by fellow Guyanese all-rounder Keemo Paul, middle-order batsman Kirstan Kallicharan, wicketkeeper/batsman Emmanuel Stewart and left-arm fast bowler Obed McCoy, for the January 24 to February 18
Keemo Paul one-day tournament set to be staged here and in Barbados. The other Guyanese included is Bhaskar Yadram who has represented Guyana at the Under-15, 17 and 19 levels. The side’s campaign in the Super50 will be part of their preparation for next year’s Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand and while neither Paul, Springer nor McCoy will be eligible for the showpiece, they have been included in the Super50 squad to add strength.
Head coach Graeme West said the tournament would be ideal preparation for the lads and pointed out he had high expectations of the squad. “We have a really fantastic group of players selected for this tournament and we believe they will do very well,” West said. ”We had a camp in Grenada before Christmas, which went really well. We will have another camp here in Antigua in the build-up to this event, which should get us in the right frame of mind
Shamar Springer as we play against older and more experienced opposition.” He added: “On the team, we have included three ‘ o v e r- a g e d ’ p l a y e r s – Springer, Paul and McCoy – to add a bit of strength especially to the seam bowling department. They are three quality bowlers, and they can bat as well, and we believe will serve West Indies cricket very well in the future.” Springer shot to prominence when he lashed a 74-ball hundred against
Fiji in last January’s Youth World Cup in Bangladesh, and followed up with an unbeaten half-century and a brace of wickets in the semifinal, as they beat the hosts to reach the final. His exuberant ‘chest roll’ dancing celebrations with every wicket came to typify t h e Yo u n g W i n d i e s performances during the tournament. West Indies Under-19s will play in Zone A carded for Antigua and will be alongside defending champions Trinidad &
Tobago Red Force, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Windward Islands Volcanoes and English County side Kent Spitfires. A captain will be named prior to the tournament. SQUAD – Te-Shawn Alleyne, Alick Athanaze, Joshua Bishop, Shian Brathwaite, Kirstan Kallicharan, Mikyle Louis, Obed McCoy, Matthew Patrick, Keemo Paul, Jeavor Royal, Javier Spencer, Shamar Springer, Emmanuel Stewart, Bhaskar Yadram.
GT capture Wiltshire birth anniversary dominoes title In one of the most keenly contested finals of recent times GT of Georgetown emerged champions after chalking 76 games to win the Mark Wiltshire 62nd birth anniversary dominoes competition which concluded on Wednesday night at Faye Joseph residence Gaulding Place, South Ruimveldt. GT were never allowed to settle down with Spartans and Beacon following closely, but when the final sitting concluded, they prevailed by one game to take the first prize of $175,000 and trophy. Spartans finished on 75 games While Beacon placed third on 70. Steve Hick who was named the MVP made the maximum 18 games for the winners while David Hunte supported with 16. Navin Singh scored 17 and Steve Barker 14 for Spartans while Dereck Seymour and Lloyd Rollins made 16 apiece for Beacon who drew the bye to the final. Spartans marked 74 games to win the semi final encounter ahead of GT which managed 73 and All Seasons on 62. Leroy Edwards made 16 and Navin Singh 15 for Spartans while GT were led by Hunte and Delroy Williams with 15 and 14 games respectively. Amanda Singh got 12 for All Seasons. Spartans collected a trophy and $75,000 while Beacon took home a trophy and $35,000. The competition was sponsored by Faye Joseph, Big Boss Trucking Service, Estwick North, Emily Dodson, Strikers Sports Bar, Spartans Dominoes Club and Lloyd Rollins.
The victorious GT side with Georgetown Dominoes Association President Faye Joseph (left) and Organiser Mark Wiltshire (right).
Kaieteur News
Friday January 20, 2017
PAGE 41
Hutson admits AAG has no development plan By Edison Jefford Incumbent President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson admitted on the nationally televised programme, Sports Magazine, on the National Communications Network (NCN), that the association does not have a development plan. Host of the live television programme, Edwin Seeraj, grilled Hutson Wednesday night on several issues, including whether he has a manifesto that includes a four-year programme. Hutson stated that such a document does not exist because he did not campaign for the post. The response prompted Seeraj to inquire that if the association has plans over the next four years, then those must be documented. Hutson’s response was “for the next
four years we want to move athletics forward”. The AAG will hold its AGM and Elections on Sunday. Still not satisfied with that response, and obviously using his experience as a seasoned journalist, Seeraj again asked the question, this time he requested some “objectives of where you want to be at the end of 2020,” which is an Olympic year in Tokyo, Japan. Hutson’s response was that athletics is an individual sport, and as such planning must include the athlete. Seeraj said there must be “some sort of manifesto on what you will do”. But based on the responses given, it was clear that Hutson never operated with any development plan, which gives further insight into why the association was unable to access funding from a $41.3 million grant
that the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) received last year for Olympic and Pan Am training. As Kaieteur Sport reported last week, only $3,968,000 of that grant was expended. When asked how the association allowed that to happen on national television, Hutson said that they will now examine the GOA financial statement to see if the AAG is getting their “fair share”. Remaining on that subject of a plan to develop the sport, the evidently well-researched Seeraj then asked Hutson about the Master Plan the AAG said it was producing in 2013, which was the year Hutson became President of the association. Hutson said that the Committee that produced the plan was overambitious after it laid out a High Performance Centre for every
Kanden takes over from Bacchus as Albion CC president Lloyd Kanden edged Imtiaz Bacchus to be elected President of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, when the entity held its Annual General Meeting last Tuesday at the Albion Community Centre’s Main Hall. Kanden, a Pastor by profession, is no stranger to the position as he had served for fourteen consecutive years from 2002 to 2015. In 2016, Kanden opted not to seek re-election and was replaced by Baccus who had also served for a number of years as his Vice President. Bacchus, a former Senior
Factory Laboratory Technician at Guysuco Albion Estate and Grievance Officer attached to NAACIE was elected unopposed as Vice President replacing Romeo Singh while School Teacher Mathews Hardyal, replaced the experienced Vemen Walter as the Club’s Secretary. Walter, a former Berbice and Guyana Under-15 Manager and current Human Resources Manager of Guysuco’s Albion Estate, did not seek re-election as Secretary but was elected as the Club’s new Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, taking over from Josiah Dhanai. Singh is the Club’s new Treasurer replacing David Latchaya while Former West Indies opening batsman S e w n a r i n e Chattergoon, Totaram Harricharran and
Lloyd Kanden Pooran Mangal will serve as Committee Members. The new Executive will be meeting shortly to name the Club Captains, Vice Captains and Managers of the respective teams, together with the Sub-Committees for the 2017.
region. Since 2013 nothing was heard of the plan, which questions whether the association had any vision for the sport in the first place. Seeraj then asked if The Kids Athletics Programme that is another development plan, “is up and running” since an announcement in January 2015. Hutson informed that the programme has not been up and running, but the kits for the programme are in Guyana. He said that there are two instructors. “The issue is the amount of hands on deck. We need more people on board. The amount of people who are willing to serve the sport are not many,” Huston said. Still he believes the sport is “advancing”. He listed Guyana’s Inter-Guiana Games performance against Suriname after French Guiana pulled out and the South American Youth Championships team showing last year as successes. Hutson informed that the GOA has asked for their development plan following their elections in December. Hutson had nominated K. A Juman Yassin for a sixth consecutive four-year term, as President of the Olympics body. Seeraj asked Hutson if there were any promises for the association’s vote. Hutson said there were no promises, but he nominated Yassin based on what he believes that he is the “only person to do the job”. The AAG is the most important affiliate of the GOA, since it is the only association that trumps up qualified athletes for the Olympic Games. Based on that request, Hutson told Seeraj that the association has until this month end to submit a development plan. Among the other issues raised, included what is the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) grant to the AAG, which Hutson revealed is US$15,000 annually and a new subsistence. Hutson also disclosed on the programme broadcasted live that beginning last year the association
Aubrey Hutson began to receive a US$25,000 grant as an Olympic Dividend. “The IAAF felt that GOA was not doing enough for athletics,” Hutson informed. Hutson went on to quip that if Yassin hears about the US$25,000 grant, he “won’t get any money now”. He told Seeraj that the GOA is “not as helpful as you think,” which seem to contradict his earlier worry of disclosing the grants the association receives. Seeraj then asked Hutson why he moved the AAG Office to Alberttown, which is where he has his personal office. Hutson said that was done after long-serving Secretary Shanomae Blackmore died and a suitable replacement could not be found. The AAG Office was located at the GOA Headquarters in Kingston, which usually houses all the other Olympic sport disciplines. Hutson stated that the convenience of doing his work and that of the AAG was another reason he moved the sport’s office. “They (AAG) pay no rent, no telephone; it is costing me my money,” Hutson said adding that the association’s council asked that the office for the sport remain at his personal office because “they have their own boardroom”.
t r o Sp STAG Nations Cup KO Football
Grove Hi Tech and Den Amstel storm into quarter finals
Den Amstel’s Travis Hilliman (#17) and Ann’s Grove’ Marlon Adams engaged in battle on Wednesday night at the Grove ground, East Bank Demerara.
Battle for possession between this duo from NA United (left) and Grove Hi Tech.
GT Beer inks name to Limacol Football Competition kicks off Monday
GT Beer Brand Manager Geoff Clement (2nd right) hands over the sponsorship cheque to Petra Oprganisation official Mark Alleyne in the presence of Banks DIH officials Troy Peters (left) and Mortimer Stewart (right) and Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca (centre) yesterday.
Springer headlines 14-man squad for Super50 Guyanese Paul and Yadram included Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210