Kaieteur News

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Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL GUYANA’S SUCCESS DEPENDS ON ALL It can be argued in some quarters that the government has been working hard to move the country forward and provide a better life for all. To an extent, it has been able to calm the fears of some people. We can surmise that hard work was needed to produce three budgets in less than two years, recover stolen government assets, and unite the people. While hard work is important, it will only get the government so far. It alone will not lead to any type of economic and human development. The economic success of this country depends on all and sundry. The colours of the national flag symbolize that the country’s economic success depends on the combination of five important assets: agriculture, forests, rivers, minerals and the endurance of its people. Before delving into the essential elements of economic success, we use the properties of water to illustrate the composition of success. Every human being and living creature on earth needs water to survive or as they say, to “quench their thirst” but only a few know its source or how water is produced. Water is a chemical substance that is represented by the formula “H2O” of which “H2” is the hydrogen and “O” is the oxygen. These two organic substances are needed in order to make water. The letter “O” is a water molecule that contains one oxygen and “H2” consists of two hydrogen atoms that must be bonded to make water. Clearly, the formula shows that there would be no water without the combination of hydrogen and oxygen. The example reveals that it takes separate components to make water Guyana is a great country, and like water, its economic success depends on several elements, including different talents, expertise, visionary and transformative leadership, agriculture and its minerals. In addition to hard work, the success of business hinges on the prudent conversion and utilization of what economists call the factors of production. These include labour, machinery and resources. The government alone cannot produce all these elements to make economic growth possible, but it can certainly facilitate it by providing a nurturing environment and basic facilities such as infrastructure, education and security, to name a few. The private sector, which is the engine of economic growth, should drive the activities that may lead to development and move the country forward. Hard work is not a bad thing, but people should work smarter instead of working harder. The success of Guyana’s economy relies heavily on the collaboration with private sector investors, modern infrastructure, opportunities, entrepreneurship, money and common objectives between the owners of capital and the workers, and between the government and civil society. In essence, economic development in this sense is synonymous with good results and measurable successes. The results should not be based on just mere talk, but achievements that come with a particular quality and which are measurable and sustainable. Undoubtedly, the economic success of this country requires more than platitudinous statements from those in authority. It requires the deliberate effort and competent leadership from the government and all the elements to stimulate enterprise, invention, innovation, growth, and most important, the people. Foreign and local investors must be facilitated by all stakeholders and not be purely regulatory in nature. To this end, the government’s tax and fiscal priorities; debt management strategy; industrial, energy, research and development, innovation in training and education; developmental and legal policies must work in sync with the private sector for the advancement of the nation. This requires much more than hard work. It requires an empowered governance structure, unity, a safe environment, social cohesion, a disciplined labour force, a fearless and innovative private sector, and a socio-cultural reawakening that encourages creative entrepreneurship and bolsters trust and confidence in the system. In short, Guyana’s success depends on all.

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 21, 2017

Is GTT forcing customers to pay double? DEAR EDITOR; We wish to bring to the attention of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Guyana Telephone & Telegraph’s (GTT) inefficient and sometimes excessively frustrating DSL service, and ask that urgent action be taken in relation to it. It is known that at different times of the day and night, households and businesses experi-

ence an inability to access GTT’s DSL broadband service which is paid for by their customers. It is also interesting to note that there is no reimbursement offered by GTT for the loss of hours of use when these interruptions occur. It is to be noted that the frequency of such occurrences has significantly increased over the recent past, forcing customers to resort to

additional charges to stay in active communication by paying for the 4G services offered by GTT. This begs the question asked by members of the public seeking representation on this matter, whether GTT is forcing customers to pay double? During the break in the January 5, 2016, sitting of Parliament, I informally spoke to Minister of Public Telecom-

munications Catherine Hughes about the matter, and she promised to engage GTT. It is clear nothing has changed since then. The PUC must act to protect the consumers and ensure that this provider fulfils its contractual obligations. Bishop Juan Edghill -PPP/ C MP Sectoral Spokesperson on Infrastructure

The double standard of Anil Nandlall DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Anil Nandlall is failing miserably at his intention of landing a major role in a comedy. His most recent attack on the battery of lawyers hired as Special Prosecutors for the cases involving the Sparendaam Housing Project, is lawless. This legal brain that has assumed the position of scholar for the Opposition

purports to be the sole authority on these matters. Nandlall mentions that the exercise is one of ‘witch hunting’ and ‘money for the boys’. These are no boys; they are all respectable Attorneys. How was it lawful then to hire Attorney Sanjeev Datadin and the same Anil Nandlall to prosecute the Mark Benschop treason case?

Where was the DPP then? This is the same case in which Philip Bynoe was carefully hidden away, then pardoned and set free. Is it that Mr. Nandlall just suffered an attack of convenient amnesia? A few more cases: Who were the attorneys chosen to represent the state in the Linden Enquiry? What about Manoj

Narayan and Sase Gunraj who work in Mr. Nandlall’s Chambers and who were contracted for many of the civil cases for the State? Question, if the DPP is one of the recipient of the Pradoville Two house lot project, how could this official be responsible for setting the Prosecution team? Carl Witherspoon

Guyana Football Federation under the spotlight DEAR EDITOR; The GFF administration appears clueless about implementing additional programmes and policies for meaningful development of the sport. Rather they resort to utilizing constitutional arguments to enhance their decision-making, aided by CONCACAF. Editor, this precedent is bound to have serious repercussions, ie a potential lawsuit from Slingerz FC. Can the GFF afford to be suspended from FIFA? How come the services of the Guyana Olympic Association weren’t sought to mediate in the impasse involving the 4 Elite Clubs and the GFF? By the way, how did the GFF vote in relation to the election of office bearers at the GOA’s AGM? Was the General Council apprised of its choice for the presidency and others? In 2014 FIFA appointed a Normalization Committee, under the chairmanship of Mr Clinton Urling. Under this committee, within a specified time-frame, the nation’s football had to return to a state of normalcy, following the abnormal state

it was left in by the former GFF President, Christopher Matthias. By the way, is there an understanding between Matthias and Stabroek News Sports Department or a particular journalist? Whenever a controversial issue in national football arises, a comment from Matthias is sought. What of the former NC Chairman, former President (ag) Franklin Wilson and his predecessor, Colin Klass? It was an injunction filed in the High Court by Matthias and others which enabled CONCACAF and FIFA to intervene in the affairs of the sport. Is it prudent by journalistic standards to solicit the views of an individual, who within the history of local football, as the former President of the GFA and GFF never completed his term of office? Meanwhile I must commend Clinton Urling for his meaningful insight exposing the inefficiency of CONCACAF in its ruling of not having Slingerz and Alpha United play in this year’s regional Club Championship. The claim that both clubs

were not in good standing with the GFF is nothing short of nonsense. In fact it’s the GFF that isn’t in good standing with the 4 Elite Clubs, which withdrew from the competition. It must be noted that from the outset, I was against the conceptualization of the Elite League. Holistically speaking 10 teams would have made it more top heavy, and would have continued the underdevelopment, in the absence of a properly structured foundation. After one year, at least the two knockout aspects should have been removed, and a minimum of 12 teams a tier below drawn from all the associations playing 2 rounds for the 2 places ahead of promotion and relegation. Apart from automatically qualifying as the nation’s representatives from the Regional Club Championship, both Slingerz and Alpha United despite the impasse didn’t pull their players from national representation. This is despite the fact the GFF wasn’t in good standing with the sport, after failing to have

any football being played to keep the respective players active. Finally, denying both clubs, who have expended millions over the years, to build their respective clubs, smacks of indecency and social indecorum. Should a legal challenge be mounted in the Supreme Court, then another sad chapter will unfold. In the same vein the GFF President should revisit the archives of Fruta Conquerors almost 20 years ago, and research the club’s policy on international transfers issued to Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams and Dexter ‘Dribbler’ Bentick; and the late Neil Hernandez to Leo Victor. Additionally, the club won the Federal Management sponsored National League ahead of national representation in the following year’s CFU Club Championship. Maybe, the useful insight would demonstrate the clubs’ documented requirements from Leo Victor ahead of the issuance of the required transfer by Conquerors prior to the GFF granting an international transfer. Lester Sealey

Planning for the anticipated oil windfall DEAR EDITOR; It has been reported in the news media that a partnership of oil companies, Exxon Mobil, Hess and CNOOC have discovered oil and gas estimated by experts at over four billion barrels off Guyana’s northern coast in a field called LIZA. Another field PAYARA was also found and exploration is on-going to better assess its resource potential. The Minister of Natural

Resources (MoNR) has stated that oil/gas is anticipated to flow to on-shore terminal facilities by Yr. 2020 but this is unlikely to happen before about Yr. 2023, for several reasons. The world is presently awash with oil being marketed at depressed global prices per barrel. Therefore, the financial rewards are presently slim for the oil companies to quickly recoup their investment and hence they will be cautious to make large

capital outlays to start production and build expensive export facilities such as pipelines, storage tanks, berthing terminals and other infrastructures at this juncture of their find, unless the MoNR has in his possession an approved timetable for development of the resource from the oil companies. In the absence of such assurance, the oil consortium will no doubt continue their exploration and assessment

while preparing detail plans, mobilizing materiel, equipment and personnel to get the infrastructures in place for the first shipment of oil to global markets. This will initially be a slow process but could be speeded up when the consortium decides that the price for oil is favourable for them to do so. In the interval, Minister Trotman should start getting the Petroleum Directorate (Continued on page 5)

Saturday January 21, 2017

EU Ambassador to Guyana says the death penalty is wrong DEAR EDITOR; I refer to the letter of Mr Anthony Pantlitz (Letters to the Editor, 19 January 2017) who claims that “donor governments say there will be no capital punishment or you will lose your aid”. I can only assume that he includes the European Union among the “donor governments” he mentions, given that the EU is the leading advocate for the abolition of the death penalty in Guyana and throughout the world. I can assure Mr Pantlitz that there is not a scintilla of truth in his implication that aid is tied to Guyana doing what the European Union demands, whether on abolition of the death penalty or any other policy issue (thinking this through logically, if this

were the case then the EU would not continue to be the biggest aid donor to Guyana given that Guyana has still not abolished the death penalty!). The assistance we have provided to Guyana and other countries has always been in a spirit of partnership and solidarity and good will. The European Union has been a true and constant friend of Guyana for many decades and will continue to be far into the future. However, the European Union has the right – indeed the obligation – to speak up on human rights issues wherever necessary. We encourage the remaining countries in the world which continue the outdated and inhumane practice of killing their own citizens to abolish the death

penalty. As well as being inhumane it is also unnecessary. No compelling evidence exists to show that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to crime. Experience in Europe and other parts of the world has taught us that the death penalty does not prevent violent crime, nor does it bring justice to the victims of such crimes. Imposition of the death penalty contravenes the right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment. Any miscarriage of justice – which is inevitable in any legal system – could lead to innocent persons being killed and is irreversible. Jernej Videtiè Ambassador of the European Union

The home and family have a great impact on children DEAR EDITOR, It is a widely recognized and accepted principle that if pupils are to maximise their potential from schooling they will need the complete support of their parents, whether biological, adopted or guardians. The home and the family are regarded as the child’s first teacher, and as such their attitudes, values and customs will have a direct impact on the child’s behaviour. Parents know their children intimately, and are expected to perform some form of training that will make them successful adults with desirable behaviours. As parents, we have expectations of our children; similarly each child has basic expectations of his/her parents. One of the most important responsibilities of parents is to provide an education for his/her child. In moulding a child certain basic needs must be met which will foster positive behaviour. What parents do and don’t do, say and don’t say, provide children with the experiences that they interpret as beliefs. Those beliefs, in turn, then

determine their behaviour and emotions and, ultimately, their lives, for better or for worse. We cannot deny that proud feeling and sense of satisfaction we enjoy when our children are commended for their good behaviour and academic achievements. This can be directly associated with Abraham Maslow’s theory on the hierarchy of needs, which contends that as humans meet basic needs, they seek to satisfy successively higher needs that occupy a set hierarchy. The essential point for parents and educators is that, from Maslow’s perspective, no learning will take place unless the students’ basic needs are met. Children must feel safe, have a sense of belonging and most of all they must be loved. It is imperative for us to understand that the only way a child will reach the stage of self-actualization is if all the other basic needs are met. It is therefore prudent for parents to provide the basic needs and foundation for their children, so that they can (Continued on page 6)

Planning for the anticipated oil... From page 4 established and functioning with policies and legislation in place to govern the new sector. In doing so he should make every effort to build consensus with the opposition to prevent contentious situations developing as was the case with Amaila Falls Hydropower Development. This will also prevent any new administration from raising problematic issues for the oil companies should the APNU+AFC Govt. fail to get the man-

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date of Guyanese at the next general elections. Oil has brought wealth, corruption, impoverishment and armed conflict in many countries such as Nigeria, Angola and Brazil. It has led oligarchies and their lackeys to loot their way to untold riches with very little of the new found wealth benefitting the

people. Therefore the APNU+AFC Govt. should lay the framework and implement policies to prevent improper diversion and squandering of the riches expected from the oil/gas resources of Guyana and develop ways and means for its people to benefit from the intended oil windfall. Charles Sohan

We now have a chance to settle the GECOM controversy DEAR EDITOR, The input by the esteemed Professor Justice Duke Pollard into the disquiet regarding the interpretation of Article 161 (2) on who should be among the list of nominees to be appointed Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (Gecom) is timely and most welcome. The input of this gentleman, who served at the region’s highest court (Caribbean Court of Justice), should be heeded in arriving at a list that President David Granger can find consistent with the extant article to be “not unacceptable” to him. I extract specifically the articulation made by Prof Pollard, in which he expressly states: “In this context the applicable criteria of choice are clear, to wit, a judge with specified experience, a person qualified to be such a judge, or ‘other’ fit and proper person. 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 the two-named preceding persons. In effect, such person must possess

the generally accepted distinctive characteristics of a judge, namely, autonomy of decision-making, considerable jurisdictional reach, impartiality, integrity and the disposition to act judicially.” What we are being advised, in addition to the three categories to be identified, is also what should constitute a “fit and proper person.” It must be noted the distinction made for that person as possessing the “characteristics” of a judge or eligible to be a judge, which is markedly different from possessing certification to be. Thereafter Prof Pollard proceeded to identify what these “distinctive characteristics” are as noted in the excerpt. When then President Desmond Hoyte and Minority Leader Cheddi Jagan entered into an agreement defining the procedure for the appointment of a Chairman to Gecom the names submitted by Jagan to Hoyte reflected an array of persons falling within the three categories. When Hoyte, as Leader of the Opposition, was tasked with the responsibility to submit nominees during the Cheddi

Jagan and Bharrat Jagdeo presidencies, he did likewise. Having had smooth transitions of Gecom chairman in the past, the nation can return to this experience given that the formula was tested and proven. Let me reiterate my position that it was a welcome sign when the President requested Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo to resubmit a list, which apparently is his effort to make the consultative process work. Both constitutional leaders hold a responsibility to this society to make the process work. The Leader of the Opposition is urged to re-submit a list that includes the three categories, as was done by his predecessors, which would allow the President the latitude to identify a candidate. Prof Pollard is the most credible legal voice on this matter, given his track record, and his wisdom must be seriously considered. He offers to those who are constitutionally required to find a candidate a pathway for doing so. The moment must be seized. Lincoln Lewis

Earnest plea to repair this road in Chateau Margot DEAR EDITOR, The main throughway leading into the small hamlet of Chateau Margot on the East Coast of Demerara is in a deplorable state. This main road from the East Coast highway is daily becoming an impassable one. When it rains, we have ditches almost as deep as one foot wide at several points along this only entrance road to the hamlet of Chateau Margot . Of utmost concern is the canal that straddles its eastern side. Because it was again dug deeper recently and the earth

sold, the road name Chimney Road could be renamed “canal road.” This is because the canal is almost about to swallow it, as it is slowly and inexorably moving into the canal. It seems that the powers that be at the Regional Democratic Council whose office is at Triumph village and the N.D.C office which is at Better Hope East Coast Demerara

are turning their heads the other way while blocking their ears. They are pretending that they do not hear or see that Chateau Margot road with its large pot holes and broken back is inexorably moving into the deep canal. Please, could the powers that be attend to this serious matter urgently! Rooplall Dudhnath

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Saturday January 21, 2017

Numerous questions to be answered about the coming oil boom DEAR EDITOR, If the estimates reported in the Washington Post of January 16 are correct, Guyana may gain somewhere between US$24 and 28 billion at current crude oil prices, representing its share of the estimated 1.4 billion barrels of oil from the Liza 1- Well, which Exxon Mobil and its partners have drilled off Guyana’s coast. Opportunities arising from such a financial inflow are significant; however, the questions to be answered are numerous. The first might be how to invest, rather than consume the majority of these resources, so that the multiplier effect contributes to substantial economic transformation. The APNU+AFC administration intends to establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). We are yet to learn what type it will be; whether stabilization, pension reserve, savings, reserve investment or a strategic development fund. The legal grounding and features of a SWF are crucial. Unless established by the Constitution virtually nothing stops an administration from undoing and emptying the

fund. The second is an extension of the first because it invokes the question of whether Guyana’s long awaited economic diversification ambitions can finally take flight. Further, there are questions of whether the strategy should be fully activated well before the first barrel of crude oil is produced, and whether a disciplined diversification strategy is the valid vehicle to drive transformation. The type and legal architecture of the SWF could determine whether it will effectively contribute to entrepreneurs founding new enterprises and the creation of new production capacity; improved and new public infrastructure; skilled, high paying jobs; redevelopment of the export sector; and high quality health and education as concrete expressions of the lived daily experience of the average Guyanese. Third, Guyana probably needs an integrated plan to develop the full repertoire of energy based industries and such a plan should also be in place before crude oil production begins. Oil and gas are components of the energy

sector. Exploration and extraction are two primary stage sub-components of oil and gas. The APNU+AFC administration has talked about other aspects of the energy sector. Therefore, what happens beyond crude oil production, and shouldn’t one be framing the ambition in terms of a sector comprised of energy based industries? The world crude oil price is unpredictable therefore – shouldn’t a significant crude oil reserve be built, to guarantee stability of domestic energy prices as a key variable in national economic stability? Should some refining capacity be established? Should liquefied natural gas be included in the plans? The plans for hydropower and renewable energy industries should also proceed. The world’s demand for energy will continue to grow and some energy industries will have to be export oriented, given Guyana’s population size and its domestic demand and underdeveloped economy especially. Fourth, energy is pivotal to economic transformation

The media has a role to play in the ending of rape culture DEAR EDITOR, There have been reports in the media of crimes committed in Berbice on the weekend of 14 and 15 January, 2017. One media outlet has provided details of an alleged sexual assault and of the victim and another media outlet offered speculation as to whether sexual assault had occurred. There seems to be no collective effort on the part of the media to respect the rights of survivors of sexual assault. Section 62 of the Sexual Offences Act 2010 is explicit about anonymity of complainants. It states that: (1) The publication in any document, or the broadcasting, or transmission in any way, of any information that could identify the complainant or witness to an offence under this Act is prohibited. (2) This section does not apply in respect of the disclo-

sure of information - (a) in the course of the administration of justice; or (b) in the provision of medical services or psychological treatment to the complainant, when it is not the purpose of the disclosure to make the information known in the community. (3) Every person who publishes in any document, or broadcasts, or transmits in any way, any information that could identify the complainant or a witness contrary to subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of two million dollars. (4) Where a person is charged with an offence under subsection (3) in respect of the publication in any document, or the broadcasting, or transmission in any way, of any information that could identify the complainant or a witness, it shall be a defence, subject to subsec-

tion (5), to prove that the publication, broadcast, or transmission in which the matter appeared was one in respect of which the complainant had given written consent. (5) Written consent is not a defence if it is proved that any person interfered unreasonably with the complainant¹s peace or comfort with intent to obtain the consent. The media has a role to play in ending rape culture and to report on the injustices which are perpetrated against survivors of sexual assault, and has a duty of care to ensure that they do not become complicit in adding to the injustice. Vidyaratha Kissoon Danuta Radzik Josephine Whitehead Vanda Radzik Andaiye Patricia SheerattanBisnauth Gaitrie Shivsankar

and with this repertoire of energy sources a competitive manufacturing sector becomes possible. For example, extensive studies were done on the mining, transportation, beneficiation and final products ceramics industry. The plans failed. Energy was a primary, even though not the only cause. Energy-intensive industrial materials might be a focus, because new sources of natural materials around the world are becoming scarce. Abundant energy makes production of high value energy-intensive industrial materials more possible including petro-chemicals; materials from Guyana’s abundant silica sand deposits (fiberglass); surface-finishing materials from granite; aluminum and smelting of specialised heavy metals; carbon-fibre and certain wood based materials. Automation makes it possible to link Guyana into

the components and intermediate materials supply chains of certain global industries. Given a small population and a shallow/narrow skills base but abundant and reliable energy we have always believed that automated production should constitute a significant part of Guyana’s manufacturing. Fifth, Guyana’s lack of depth in its managerial, engineering, supervisory and technical skills will restrict progress. Therefore, an immigration policy that focuses on the recruitment of needed skills, plus an electronic labour market information system will be necessary, in order to effectively manage the supply of skills. Further, a steep increase will be needed in the share of mathematics, natural sciences, computing and engineering in the content of education and training. A faculty of energy sciences, expanded

faculties of engineering and a School of Business which includes an MBA programme may be necessary to match anticipated expansion, sustained growth of companies and general business development in the economy. Finally, there is the small matter of commonsense politics and effective government. All of the foregoing will come to naught without consensus politics, effective governance and vigorous promotion of a new culture of entrepreneurship and private enterprise. Guyana should conceive of a diversified economy and a future beyond crude oil and gas. The components of its plans should be fully active before the first barrel of crude oil is produced. Revenues from oil and gas will then be the perfect lubricant to facilitate substantial economic transformation. Ivor Carryl

I see a misuse of conscience in the AFC DEAR EDITOR, I find it very disheartening that Mr Khemraj Ramjattan, Leader of the Alliance for Change, who has condemned the third term for Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo sees it fit to justify a third term for himself. This must be a non-issue for the AFC.I was part of the National Executive Committee from the year 2006 to 2011 when the AFC Constitution had the rotation principle for the leadership. However that was

amended, paving the way for other leaders to contest for the leadership, making the AFC more democratic. The current AFC Constitution provides for anyone to contest the leadership once they are financial members for one year, but nothing is stated about third terms which is understood to mean that two terms are allowed.Mr Ramjattan refused to do the honourable thing by not running for a third term. I find that to be very unprincipled, because in the past before the constitution was amended from the

rotation principle, it provided for two terms. Now I see a misuse of conscience. At our national conference, therefore, Region 5 delegates will not support Mr Ramjattan for any third term.This very leader always stated that what makes the AFC different is that we don’t have a ‘crab in the barrel’ mentality, but now we see a third term will only bring disunity and confusion to the AFC, because anyone elected for a third term is in danger of becoming a dictator. Pradeep Bachan Region 5

The home and family have a great... From page 5 achieve and enjoy success in life. From my interaction and experience with learners and parents, it is absolutely clear that parents who exhibit positive attitudes towards education, encourage their children to attend school regularly and provide the basic needs, will lead their children to have an optimistic attitude towards learning. Children whose parents are involved in their formal education have many advantages. They have better grades, test scores, long-term

academic achievement, attitudes and behaviour than those with uninterested parents. I encourage parents to view the education of their children as a partnership among the child, parents, teachers and the community. Let us endeavour to establish the home and school as institutions which have comparable goals and expectations in terms of achievement and expected behaviour. This will allow for consistency in the child’s behavioural pattern, both at home and school. Parents should be involved in school activities such as PTA meetings, sports, cultural events,

graduation, tours and other such functions which will make their children feel wanted and loved. If precedence is not given to a child’s education it will be difficult for him/ her as individuals to attain his/her full potential and at the same time have a positive attitude towards learning.I urge parents to invest in this precious gift that will last a lifetime education. Be inspired by this famous quote from Nelson Mandela and let us start this process of change within our respective homes: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Chandroutie Persaud

Saturday January 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

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SOCU probe holding up transactional audit into NICIL – Officer in Charge It is over 10 months since the Government authorized the launch of a transactional audit into the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). The audit is being conducted by the Auditor General’s Office. However, the process continues to be hampered by a number of constraints. According to NICIL’s Officer in Charge, Horace James, one of the constraints affecting the smooth flow of the audit is that original documents from the company are tied up in investigations being conducted by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU). James said he was made aware of this state of affairs after the company wrote to Auditor General Deodat Sharma, requesting an update on the audit. James said that both SOCU and the AG’s office would require the use of original documents given the seriousness of the investigations. He noted that while the

audit at Sharma’s office is being “held back,” he anticipates that it would be finished by mid-year. The investigations by SOCU and the transactional audit by the AG’s office were as a result of the damning findings that stemmed from a forensic audit into NICIL by Chartered Accountant, Anand Goolsarran. Goolsarran discovered that in relation to the expenditure on the 2007 Cricket World Cup, NICIL had transferred amounts totalling $650 million to the Local Organizing Committee, but failed in its responsibility of ensuring that there was proper accountability for the amounts transferred. With regards to the construction of a controversial property at 44 High Street in Georgetown, the forensic auditor found that the contract was awarded in 2007 but at the time of reporting, the building remained (Continued on page 24)

Saturday January 21, 2017

Anti-money laundering specialist hired as adviser to AG A lawyer who has specialist training in anti-money laundering has been hired as Special Adviser to Attorney General, Basil Williams. According to the AG’s Chambers, Tessa Oudkerk, pursued studies in law at the University of Trent and the Bar Professional Training Course at College of Law in the United Kingdom and was called to the Bar of England and Wales in November 2012 by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple of which she is a member. She was admitted to the Bar of Anguilla on April 29th, 2015. “Oudkerk approached the legal profession as a mature professional after obtaining a Master of Science Degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the Ukraine in 1993. She worked as a manager at the National Data Management Authority for a period of three years and thereafter joined the University of Guyana where she lectured in Computer Science for a period

of four years.” According to the AG’s Chambers, while working at the university, she pursued a graduate diploma in education and served as an executive member to her alma mater, Queen’s College, providing voluntary teaching service. Thereafter, Oudkerk founded a learning centre which offered subjects including CXC Computer Science, and Information Technology at CSEC and CAPE levels. Oudkerk migrated to the United Kingdom where she worked as a teacher and pursued a post graduate diploma in marketing in Scotland. More recently, Oudkerk worked in Anguilla for two years as a Money Laundering Compliance and Reporting Officer. “She is now certified by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (ACAMS) as a specialist in anti-money laundering and financial crimes investi-

Special Adviser to the Attorney General, Tessa Oudkerk gations. Oudkerk is a member of ACAMS and the United Kingdom chapter of ACAMS.” The Chambers said her duties will include assisting the AG in the execution of his functions in respect of the

Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Regime and his work relating to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Saturday January 21, 2017

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Guyanese housewives deserve the Nobel Prize for economization Things are getting tight in the economy. Prices are increasing. Part of that increase is seasonal, but the major part is being caused because of the imposition of VAT on electricity and water. It seems to have bypassed the government’s attention that any increase on VAT which has to be paid by the business community is going to be passed on to the consumers. Electricity costs now attract VAT for those consuming over $10,000 per month. This means that most businesses are going to increase prices. In fact, the prices have already begun to increase, especially for services that use electricity and water. The cost of getting fitter has increased. The fees, at certain gyms, have increased already, even though the VAT does not kick in until February. Prices for beverages have seen an increase. The cost of food at Chinese restaurants has also seen a slight increase – always a sign of problems

in the economy. Prices of greens have skyrocketed, but this has to do with the weather and crop losses due to the weather rather than with the Budget. Gasoline which spiked by $12 per litre recently has seen an additional increase of $8 per litre, making the overall increase $20 per litre or about 1% increase on a tank of gasoline. Kerosene prices, the small man’s fuel, have also increased. There are indications that there will be a second wave of increases in the prices of imported items. The persistent foreign currency shortage will inevitably push the foreign exchange even higher than it increased this past week. Importers will have to pay more for foreign currency to import goods and they will pass this on. Increases in the foreign exchange rates were always likely. When you pass a Budget measure which allows GRA to garnish funds from your accounts, people will get

sacred. They will draw their monies out of the bank and send it overseas. They have to buy up foreign exchange for that purpose. When persons with property read about compulsory acquisitions for public purposes, when they see how the government operated with Red House, they are not going to take chances with their property. They will put it on the market and bail out of Guyana. Rice farmers in MMA are not going to go back to crop if they have to pay draconian increases in rates and fees. They will not plant to make a loss. And if they do not plant, there is less rice to export and less foreign exchange on the market, which will further increase the exchange rate. There are concerns within the business community that people are holding back on spending. That may be the rich people, but for the vast majority of Guyanese, household budgeting is an exact science. Guyanese housewives in the lower income and

Dem boys seh... Carlee plan to mash up before Mash Day There is an old saying: When bull going to slaughter house he don’t care wheh he mess. Dem boys seeing de same thing. There is an old bull in de courts who more vex, and simply because he ain’t get an extension. He telling people he sorry Jagdeo is not de president, because he woulda get five more years at de top. All de time he was there he was hoping that he would remain just like how Jagdeo decide that he had a right to remain as president. When he agree that no president must serve more than two terms, de next day he was sorry. He try all sort of things. Then he go to court to challenge de constitution. Changlee was going to slaughter house and he didn’t care, suh he hand

down a ruling that open de door fuh Jagdeo. Carlee wait till he meet de slaughter house door to do de same thing. He scrap de race-baiting charge against Jagdeo. Then he decide that he gun rule pun de third term without even hearing one argument. But that don’t mean that de new kids on de block ain’t from de same school. One of dem been in de boss man office and when de conversation switch to corruption, Basil de Willie tell de boss man that he learn people must never say no. De message dem boys get is that if a man go to him wid a big envelope and a favour he wouldn’t say no to de envelope. Poor Soulja Bai don’t know these things. Is de same Basil de Willie

now got to face Carlee. Dem boys waiting to see de outcome. De showdown set fuh Mash Day when Carlee got to lef de chair. De Chronicle write something that mek Carlee get vex. He tell dem judge that de Chronicle wouldn’t determine when he got to lef. Things meet de stage wheh de government got to carry every decision to de Caribbean Court of Justice. Jagdeo sorry bout that too. If was like long time Carlee would have had de final decision. He would bring back Jagdeo and get he extension. Then he woulda sing, Guyana nice. Talk half and think how one angry man can mash up everything because he got to go on Mash Day.

middle income classes, budget to the dollar. Each month when they get their money, either from work or their husbands, or both, they have a list. A certain sum is allocated for food, a fixed sum for rent, a certain amount for transportation; they budget for the allowances for their children. Electricity is a must, and so a fixed sum is set aside to pay that each month. There is little or nothing left for entertainment, but the lower income families may treat themselves to a fast food meal once every few months. This is life for the low income earners in Guyana. If you are poor, you live on a day-to-day basis. You spend on the basis of how you get money each day. Every day is a hustle. You make a few dollars and you spend it. If you do not get any work on a day, you do with what you have or beg a neighbour or friend.

Poor people do not starve in Guyana; they bear their chafe. They help one another. If your neighbour wants a pint of rice and onion, you will help out, because one day it may be your turn too to beg. Things were already tight with household budgets prior to the National Budget. But now things are tighter. Housewives in Guyana de-

serve the Nobel Prize for economization. They will stretch a dollar so far that you would believe it is made of elastic. But how far will the dollar go when there are fewer dollars to stretch?

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Saturday January 21, 2017

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Ramotar, Jagdeo, Nandlall: Triumvirate of Hades Let’s start with Donald Ramotar. In an interview with this newspaper he lambasts the President of Guyana for not confronting corruption within his government. Obviously, he is accusing a leader that has been in office a mere 19 months. The obvious question is what has he done against corruptibility in his

four years of presidency. Well let’s examine the facts. One of his ministers is before the court for alleged fraud involving over half a billion dollars. Then a high level officer in Ramotar’s office when he was President, Omar Shariff, looks likely to be charged. Then there is the General Manager of the Guyana Mar-

keting Corporation when Ramotar was President who is before the courts. Ramotar became President in November 2011 and returned without even one change, the Cabinet of Jagdeo that had certain members who are known for their kleptocracy. One of them built a mansion with a swimming pool whose change room can rival any middle class house in any of the housing schemes in Guyana. Under Ramotar’s presidency, one of his Ministers bought a house lot in Pradoville 2 and sold it reportedly for a million American dollars. During his presidency, Cabinet Ministers who already had more than one house, bought land in Pradoville 2. What did Ramotar do about it? What did Ramotar do about corruption in his four-year tenure? You do not want to use condescending words to a former president, but his behaviour forces you to do so. I would now say that it is

comical and bordering on asininity for the former president to accuse Mr. Granger of not confronting corruption in the APNU+AFC administration, when one can go so far as to say that not only did President Ramotar do absolutely nothing, but on the contrary, corruption expanded under his rule particularly in the area of mining. One political gentleman connected to mining took his cut from investors and has since departed from the Guyanese world of politics and has migrated. If SARU does not haul him in, then I say leave Omar Shariff alone. So what would Ramotar say if you ask him about his hypocrisy? You can bet every cent you have that he would use the adverb, “absolutely” to describe the nonexistence of graft and financial venality during his tenure. He will say, “There was absolutely no corruption in my government”. Then we move to Anil Nandlall. I don’t know why

Nandlall wants to emulate Clement Rohee, but surely he is a million times smarter than Rohee to know when he is being silly. Nandlall is carping about special prosecutors for impending charges against alleged corrupt Jagdeoite Ministers. The very Nandlall was a special prosecutor in the trumped up charge against a radical antiPPP activist – Mark Benschop. Nandlall’s best friend, Vic Puran, to whom he offered the funeral eulogy, was a special prosecutor in the treason case against Bruce Munroe and his wife Carol Ann, and their friend Len Wharton. The trio was acquitted. So what would Nandlall say if you point out his contradiction to him? The answer is obvious. He would say that the Jagdeo Government was justified in what it did then; the Granger Government has no such justification. We come now to the man who sued me and this newspaper for referring to him as an ideological racist, a description I think I have proved, but I will not go further since the matter is still in front of the courts. Jagdeo got up in front of an audience at the Convention Centre and uttered the most morally scur-

Frederick Kissoon rilous derogations about a senior Minister. If anything constituted libel, Jagdeo’s emanations did. This is the same Jagdeo, when as President, tolerated and promoted a Minister who was involved in a huge outburst in which his spouse committed suicide and he had to be hospitalized. This same fellow, completely intoxicated, publicly assaulted an 18-yearold youth in a rum shop. This same Minister again in a drunken state got involved in an accident in which the legs of a former policeman were crushed. In this concatenation of debauchery, the Minister was never disciplined or demoted. This was and is the nature of the monsters, beasts and gorgons that dwell inside the PPP. This is the nature of these people who want to rule Guyana again.

Saturday January 21, 2017

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Fate of Permanent Secretary hangs in balance …as President studies Health Ministry inquiry report President David Granger is currently studying a damning report that has recommended the removal of Trevor Thomas, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, for failing to effectively carrying out his job. The Board of Inquiry report, conducted by Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retd), Winston Cosbert, made its way into the public domain earlier this month without the administration having a chance to pronounce on the recommendations. Thomas has been very much on the job, and has been seen making official visits and in photos released by the state media. Questioned on Thursday about the Permanent Secretary’s future, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman disclosed that the inquiry report is currently being considered by the President and based on the recommendations and findings, the Head of State will “act accordingly, in due course” on the matter. Trotman was at the time hosting the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency. The report, probing the leaking of information and the procurement of drugs at the Ministry of Public Health, found worrying instances of collusion with suppliers last year. Based on the three weeks of investigation, it was recommended that Thomas be removed for failing to effectively carry out his duty. He was also accused of being

President, David Granger

Health Ministry PS, Trevor Thomas

willfully evasive and deceptive during his testimony to the Board of Inquiry. It is not the first time that the Health Ministry has been under scrutiny for contracts. With billions of dollars annually allocated to the ministry to buy pharmaceuticals for its health centres and hospitals countrywide, state audits under the administrations of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) had found serious procurement flaws. The Coalition administration, which came to power in May 2015, had vowed to level the playing field for pharmaceutical suppliers and implement systems to ensure transparency. But it appeared that wrongdoing at the Health Ministry was continuing. Procurement and management processes by which the ministry awards contracts for the procurement of pharma-

ceuticals, services and supplies were not adhered to in many cases, the report indicated. In some cases, companies were awarded contracts for products which they were not authorized to distribute in the first place. It appeared the ministry paid little attention to this. There were incidents of unauthorized disclosure of information in a specific case. According to the report, leaking of internal information to suppliers appeared to be normal practice in the Ministry. This had led to the dismissal of former Permanent Secretary, Leslie Cadogan and Prakash Sookdeo, former Head of the Procurement De-

partment. The report by Cosbert noted that while procurement laws have mechanisms, the ministry has nothing in place to identify authorized disclosure of price-sensitive information (leaking info to suppliers). It was found that staffers of the Materials Management Unit (MMU) were untrained and unqualified to fill the job requirements. The PS and his deputy were not effectively supervising the Procurement Department. While under regulations, Collette Adams, the Deputy PS was in charge of procurement for the ministry, this duty was usurped by Thomas. Thomas testified that on

October 4th, he signed a contract with New GPC, for the supply of pharmaceutical and medical items totaling $554M. New GPC was supposed to be paid an advance of 30 percent. However, the ministry instead of paying $166M, paid 50 percent of the amount ($277M). This was a difference of $111M. The report stated that to cover up the matter, Thomas signed adjustment documents without informing other officials, like the then Minister, Dr. George Norton. Among other things, it was recommended that the Deputy PS should also be censored for authorizing the 50 percent advance to New GPC without properly checking the contract. Her excuse was unsatisfactory,

the report said, and disciplinary action should be taken. The report recommended that the contract for Finance Manager Sandra Singh not be renewed, and that the present staffers of the Materials Management Unit (MMU) be transferred or alternatively be trained in the area of procurement. During the three weeks of hearings at the Department of Public Service, Waterloo Street, some 34 witnesses including the former Minister of Public Health, Dr. Norton; staffers of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, the Director of Food and Drugs Department, Marlan Cole; Auditor General, Deodat Sharma and other suppliers were called to testify.

Germany must prepare for ‘rough ride’ under Trump: Vice Chancellor BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany will need a new economic strategy geared toward Asia should th e n e w U . S . a d m i n i s t r a t i o n s t a r t a t r a d e w a r w i t h C h i n a , Vi c e Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said yesterd a y, w a r n i n g a g a i n s t p r o t e c t i o n i s m hours after President Donald Trump was sworn in. “I think we have to prepare for a rough ride,” Gabriel said in an interview with the public broadcaster ZDF, in the first official German reaction to Trump’s inauguration. He added that Trump’s election was the result of “a bad radicalization”. The leader of the left-leaning Social Democrats (SPD), coalition partners of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling conserva-

tives, dismissed suggestions that Trump may not pursue some controversial promises, such as imposing high tariffs on cars imported from Mexico. “He means it extremely seriously,” said Gabriel. “What we heard today were high nationalistic tones.” He added that all that was missing from Trump’s speech was comparing parliament to a “Quasselbude” or “talking shop,” a term used by Hitler before he took power to discredit the parliamentary democracy of the Weimar Republic in the 1920s. Gabriel said the European Union and Germany must stand together “to defend our interests” and to prevent such nationalistic fervor from gripping the continent.

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Saturday January 21, 2017

Embattled GPHC Matron...

GPSU calls probe into allegations “insensitive” and “reckless” - expresses concerns in writing to new Public Health Minister “Insensitive” and “reckless” were the adjectives used by President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Mr. Patrick Yarde, to describe the process of inquiry into complaints made against Director of Nursing Services (Matron) of the Georgetown Public Hospital C o r p oration (GPHC), Sister Collene Hicks. Hicks was sent on administrative leave early last year to facilitate the inquiry which commenced in October. The inquiry was triggered by a petition signed by some 150 staffers of the hospital who were demanding that Hicks’ service be terminated because of her reported inability to be a team player among other allegations of unprofessionalism. A Committee of Inquiry (COI), this publication was told, was tasked with assessing the truthfulness of the allegations or complaints made against the Matron, and to make a determination as to whether these were injurious or destructive to the effective and efficient delivery of the

health care delivered at the GPHC. The Committee, this publication was informed, was guided by a Terms of Reference (TOR), which required that it compile - through interviews with staff of the hospital, including doctors and nurses or through investigations - a list of allegations or complaints of displeasure or misconduct against the Matron. Added to this, the COI was expected to specifically examine the promotion of nurses under the Matron to determine whether these were based on merit. Further the Committee was tasked with examining the relationship between the Matron and the doctors of the institution to ascertain if this affected the delivery of health care at the hospital. A report of the inquiry was handed over to former Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, and outlined, among other things, that Hicks’ continued service at the GPHC would not be in the best interest of the public

health institution. Dr. Norton had told this publication that the recommendations will more than likely be implemented. He had, however, noted that Cabinet will be tasked with deciding on the way forward. Yarde, when asked if the Union is receptive of the findings, said, “I have not seen it, we have not seen it, neither will we dignify it by examining it.” He further disclosed that even ahead of the inquiry there was a body of protest. “We feel where there is that level of displeasure it needs to be looked into and we agreed that they do an inquiry into the matter and we nominated someone to be on that panel, and we also gave advice as to the regularity of having such an inquiry,” Yarde recalled. But according to the GPSU President, the advice offered was totally ignored. “Our position was that the panel was biased, and we wrote to them (the Board) about it, even before they proceeded after we were told what was going on. We told them (even then) that we would not recognise it unless they correct it,” Yarde noted. In fact, he related, the Chairman of the Board for some reason was adamant in pro-

Sister Collene Hicks ceeding in a manner that the union had objected to. According to Yarde, the Union, from the inception, had recommended that the inquiry be conducted by a three-man panel. This, he said, is consistent with the Armstrong Tribunal, which embraces standard industrial relation guidelines, and warranted that the management of the hospital and the union each recommend a member to the panel and a third member be agreed upon.

The members of the Committee included Mr. Reginald Brotherson, Permanent Secretary of the Department of Public Service within the Ministry of the Presidency who was recommended by the union; former GPSU General Secretary turned Attorney-at-law, Chandrawattie Persaud, the Chairperson; Ms. Laurelle Daw, Director of Nursing Service at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital for the past seven years; Dr. Anwar Hussain who has racked-up decades of service at the GPHC and former Auditor General, Mr. Anand Goolsarran. Yarde, in his continued outcry of how the process unfolded, added “if you are inquiring into something with respect to someone, at the highest level it happens, they (the subject of the inquiry) should be able to sit there and listen to every presentation from everyone who has a complaint against them, but that did not occur in this instance.” This state of affairs, Yarde said, was compounded by the fact that the Matron was not permitted to be accompanied by a union representative when she was summoned by the investigating panel. “They invited the Matron and we sent an officer to accompany her but they refused to allow him (the union officer) in the room....never

heard of. We said no, no that is totally out of place and we would not have anything to do with that,” Yarde added. He however noted that the Union is not opposed to an inquiry being conducted in a professional and proper manner. “We want to be very clear, we would like to get to the truth of what is the issue, we have no objection to that, but it must be done professionally...not the way it was done,” Yarde asserted. In sharing his conviction, Yarde stressed, “this is not about the Matron, this is about the national health care system which is far more important than her. Health care institutions must work efficiently in this country and the people in such institutions must be conscious of their role to provide quality health care, and they ought not to be putting anything in the way to obstruct that”. Moreover, the GPSU President said, “we are very concerned about the insensitive and reckless way in which this whole thing was dealt with.” To further amplify its concerns, he said that the union had inked its concerns to the former Minister of Public Health and has communicated similar sentiments to new Minister of Public Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence, for her intervention.

Saturday January 21, 2017

Caricom optimistic of Trump’s vision

Donald Trump Trinidad Guardian - Caribbean states are hoping America’s new Donald Trump administration - taking over from Thursday - will continue trade and security arrangements as well as other structures which have traditionally been in force between Caricom and the US. That’s part of the regional perspective - as well as local hopes - shaping up as Trump, 70, sworn into office yesterday in Washington. Caricom communications director Leonard Robertson, confirming the regional position Thursday, said US- Caricom relations will be a front-burner discussion issue at the upcoming Caricom intersessional meeting in Guyana. Regional leaders, including Prime Minister Keith

Rowley will attend the meeting over February 17-18. “You can never second guess what any new administration will do, though we expect relations will continue as they have been,” Robertson added, speaking from Guyana. “As Caricom’s Council of regional ministers said at last week’s meeting, the US continues to be one of the region’s biggest trading partners. We also have security arrangements with them - so we await.” Robertson said Caricom states are making individual arrangements for attendance at today’s inauguration of 45th US President, Trump. Trump toook oath of office at noon witnessed by his third wife Melania, family and supporters. Outgoing President Barack Obama will escort

Keith Rowley Trump to the podium to be sworn in, following which Obama and his family will leave Washington. Trump’s defeated opponent Hillary Clinton is among invitees yesterday. But the function is being boycotted by almost 60 US Democratic representatives who disagree with Trump’s views. Thursday Attorney General Faris Al Rawi said, “T&T has always had a very strong relationship with the US and I’m confident we’ll have an excellent, supportive relationship. “ “My office has very strong link with the US’ Justice and Treasury Departments and National Security also has deep links with the US’s military Southern Command, the Drug Enforcement Agency and Homeland Security almost on a daily basis.”

Jamaica To Benefit From UN MultimillionDollar Fund For Sustainable Development The Gleaner - Jamaica has been listed among 18 governments from the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean which will benefit from US$197.9 million to assist in achieving their sustainable development goals. The money was provided through various United Nations agencies in the Carib-

bean. Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith signed the United Nations Multi-country Sustainable Development Framework for the Caribbean on behalf of Jamaica. Government Ministries in Jamaica and the regional countries are set to benefit from the programme over the

next five years. The programme is aimed improving health, security, justice and sustainability within the region. Johnson Smith said the Planning Institute of Jamaica and the UN resident coordinators office will monitor and evaluate projects done in Jamaica from this fund.

Three months after Hurricane Matthew, 1.5 million Haitians face hunger PORTAU PRINCE, Haiti — While the number of Haitians facing hunger in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Matthew has declined steadily in the three months since the deadly storm ripped through the tiny island nation, more than 1.5 million people nevertheless remain food insecure, the United Nations said early this week. The UN World Food Programme released findings from a joint assessment conducted in December with the UN Food and Agricultural

Organisation (FAO) and Haiti’s National Coordination for Food Security (CNSA). “The results of the assessment show the very positive impact of our collective efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, but also the pressing need to continue and redirect assistance to new areas with higher levels of food insecurity, as well as initiate recovery interventions,” said Ronald Tran Ba Huy, WFP’s representative in Haiti. Findings showed that people in the southern areas

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of Grande-Anse and Sud, the hardest hit areas of the country, are better off. An estimated 400,000 face hunger and food insecurity, as compared with one million shortly after Matthew hit. The government and UN partners have been providing food to these areas, along with seeds, tools and financial resources. Given the ongoing needs, the humanitarian community in Haiti has requested $113 million to support food security and agriculture for this year. (Caribbean News)

“I’m Not Going Anywhere,” T&T Top Cop Tells Those Who Want Him To Resign PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Trinidad and Tobago has unveiled tough new strategies to arrest spiraling crime, but they will not involve the resignation of Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams. The crime chief served notice he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon, despite concern about his track record at a time when the country has recorded more than 30 murders already for the year. Williams slighted a strong statement from outgoing United States Ambassador John Estrada that if he was in charge of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) he would “fire himself” in the face of spiralling crime. Williams hit back, saying: “I will be the first person to walk if I am dissatisfied with the effort that I am putting in and the results that I’m getting. If murder was the only crime which occurs in T&T, I would have resigned,” he told reporters at a news conference on Wednesday. Armed with evidence, Williams maintained that the data showed that the level of serious crime was at its low-

Stephen Williams est in the last 33 years, and accused the media of ignoring that fact. “Shootings and woundings in 2016 went down and I have presented that information and the data to the media…You have to judge on the whole violence listing.” Flanked by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon, Williams said the safety and security of citizens were priority and the TTPS would be enlisting the Special Reserve Police to protect all communities across the twin-island republic. He outlined that special attention will be paid to crime hotspots, including an in-

crease in police patrols. Dillion assured all agencies will be mobilized ahead of Carnival and members of the Special Reserve Police will also provide additional support. Meanwhile, Al-Rawi announced that measures will be taken to overhaul the justice system. A major initiative is the establishment of a criminal DNA register to aid in solving crime. “Having a proper functional DNA register gives a better chance at detection prosecution and conviction because the evidence will be available,” the Attorney General explained. (Caribbean360)

First Zika-related Microcephaly Case Recorded In Grenada ST GEORGE’S, Grenada – One Caribbean country has confirmed its first case of Zika-related microcephaly, while another is investigating a possible case. Grenada has confirmed that a baby was born with the birth defect, while Jamaican authorities have dispatched samples from a baby suspected of having the condition to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for testing. Microcephaly is a birth defect in which a baby’s head and brain are smaller than expected when compared to babies of the same sex and age. Grenada’s Health Minister Nickolas Steele revealed that the baby was born in the last quarter of 2016, but it was now only being disclosed to the public. “We did not want to raise an alarm because we saw that as private,” Steele said, refusing to disclose the location of the child. Steele assured the family

Nickolas Steele was being monitored and insisted t h e r e w a s n o need for undue concern about the virus transmitted by the Aedes Egypti mosquito. He reported that no new cases of the disease have been recorded in recent time. At the height of the Zika outbreak, Steele said 11 people were diagnosed with the Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS), a disorder in which the body’s immune

system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. Two of the people who contracted GBS have since died. Meanwhile, Jamaican health authorities are hoping to confirm within another week whether the island has recorded its first Zika-related microcephaly case. Chief Medical Officer Dr Winston De La Haye told journalists a baby was born in late December at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital in Kingston with microcephaly, but the ministry was only notified about the probable case on January 10. He noted that the young mother had Zika-related symptoms including a rash and feve r d u r i n g p r e g nancy. Dr De La Haye said the CARPHA test results would determine the exact cause of the condition in the infant, while ruling out other conditions that could cause microcephaly, apart from the Zika virus. (Caribbean360)

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Land @ La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.2M, $1.4M, $1.6M, Uitvlugt- $2M, Tuschen School Street -$3M, Providence -$5M, Eccles $5M. Call: 604-6724

LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages)

PALMS: Any variety, all sizes, we deliver and plant anywhere. Call: 643-7193 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 Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740/686-3500 1 Stembow boat & engine (Yamaha 200HP) with Power Steering kit $1.6M Call 6585299/638-7748 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 Elevator, very good condition, price negotiable. Call: 231-1284 Combines 7300 John Deere (2000 hours), Fiatagri L413 (2500 hours), Laverda 132 & Tractors: Massey 399, Fiat 110/90, Ford 6610-Call: 6859878; 338-4354 1 Big music set, owner migrating. Call: 690-5225 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

Lot 20 Philippi Courantyne Coast, situated on both of the Highway Farmland is included. Call: 333-3717 Schoon’Ord first street 50X100 -$1.7M, Diamond $3.5M, Moblissa -30A, Loo Creek-35A, Saxacalli -26A. GME: 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.

TOURS Need a weekend getaway? Pay just $36000 for a return trip to Suriname. February 2326, 2017. Contact: 600-5509/ 268-2507

WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Toyota Allion PVV series: TV Camera, HID, lights, alarm & remote start $2.2M negotiable Call: 649-0956 Leyland DAF 65 (sand truck). Call: 623-3895 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, 2011 NOAH & VOXY $2.6M. CALL:617-2891 3 TON OPEN BACK CANTER, NEVER REGISTERED -$3.5M. CALL: 617-2891

One 6inch dredge, owner is ill. Call:673-7883/619-5784/ 610-6738

VACANCY Popular East Coast Gas Station (Non-Pareil) Day/ Night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 695-9880/684-4197 1 - Secretary & office clerk, must have maths,english and accounts. Contact # 650-0402 \ 260-4124. Experienced bartenders and cleaners. Call: 225-8572, between 7am-9pm Driver/Salesman, lorry licence, residing on East Bank Demerara. 266 4427 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

MitsubishiCanter–Call:265-0134

Exist for an experienced driver/salesman to work with baker. Call: 681-3983

Toyota Coaster bus, excellent condition, price $1.95M. Call: 266-3173-6

One carpenter – Call:225-3234

Wholesale: Foxtail Palm Plant -$300.00, Foxtail Palm Seed $200.00. Call: 638-8858

1- Leyland 45 DAF flat bed with tail lift GRR series, price $2M. Call: 647-8621

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122, EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM

Saturday January 21, 2017

One fabricator & welder must have experience contact # 223-5273/74

FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578

Parts for sale: 45 DAF engine, gear box, cab and lots more. Call: 647-8621

CAR RENTAL

Popular taxi service for sale located on Sheriff Street Georgetown, includes 16 radio sets. Call: 695-0704

DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/WWW. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL. COM

One (1) 14ft Trampoline, no reasonable offer refuse- Call: 618-8878

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

Cat 928F Loader $ 7.3 M3406, Caterpillar Engine $1.3M 3306, Caterpillar Engine $1.3 M 3116- Contact: 650-0402\260-4115

Caterpillar Engine $1.1 M3208, Caterpillar Engine $700,000, Diesel Welder, BMW 318I $2.5M, IST $2M. Contact: 6500402\260-4115

AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 Continue on page 23

Saturday January 21, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Gov’t to meet with potential investors about ailing GuySuCo - GAWU awaiting additional info from Harmon The Government of Guyana is now preparing to meet foreign companies for possible investments in the ailing Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). This revelation comes days after the Natural Resources Minister declared that the inking of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Guyana Government and a Trinidadian firm was nothing but a means to conduct a feasibility study – and not an undercover deal to “sign away assets”. Two Indian companies: one an alloy steel casting manufacturer for sugar factories and the other specialised in sugar production. According to media reports, the Government on Thursday said that it is growing impatient as it awaits proposals from the opposition and the two sugar worker unions on how to revive the industry. Government had met with National Stakeholders over the future of the industry last year where documents containing the administration’s plans were shared with the Opposition, and respective Trade Unions that represent Sugar workers. They were to return on another date to continue the consultations. When contacted yesterday, a spokesperson from the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) said that at the meeting, Government committed to supply all documentation and other relevant information that may be requested by the Unions and the opposition. “Such requests we were informed should be addressed to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon. To that end, the GAWU, through letters dated January 4, 12 and 16, 2017, wrote to

the Minister requesting 31 items, which included reports and certain information to aid in our urgent analyses, and thus allowing us to arrive at positions for presentation to the Government at the next meeting. To date, no information has been received.” Meanwhile, a statement from the Government, said that “it is important that the process of consultations be condensed, particularly since there are significant financial, economic and social implications attached to an extended delayed process for consultations”. “The cash strapped entity has for a number of years been requiring bailouts from the state’s coffers and Government, since taking office in May 2015, has been looking to attract not only new markets, but possible investments,” government said. “It is evident, in view of the amount of its financial commitments, unless a decision is made on the future of GuySuCo, the cash strapped corporation will only continue to be a liability to the Government.” In a statement, government said Srinath Ispat Limited, a firm based in Indian with extensive knowledge of the sugar industry, would be in Guyana from Monday, January 23, 2017 to hold talks with the Guyana Government on possible investments in GuySuCo. The administration said the delegation, which will be led by President of Integrated Casetech Consultants PV T. LTD, Mr. Rajesh Kumar Agarwal and Managing Director of Sunrise Holdings, Tony Joseph, will visit major sugar estates, prior to having meetings with the Government.

TO LET

From page 22

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: 234-0510/6740278 3 Bedrooms bottom flat @ Prashad Nagar, Parking available. Call: 626-9007/ 6538924/629-1322/225-7868

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 1 House in South Ruimveldt Park. Call: 629-2912 Two bedrooms apartment located @ little Diamond Public Road for more info and rental cost call: 679-3213 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 Lodge apartments (Vlisssengen/Durban): unfurnished $40,000-$80,000 monthly, furnished (for visitors) USD$600USD$1,000 monthlyCall:668-7687/ 677-9638/6976421 Lodge (Vlissengen/ Durban):650Sq.Ft Professional/Office/ Business (no food retailing) space. Call: 668-7687/ 6779638/697-6421 One bedroom self contained apartment, preferably working couple @ Grove $25,000 per month. Call: 6188878 2 Bedrooms apartment for working individuals, recently renovated, free wifi. Call:641-3318

WANTED One experienced domestic babysitter to worm in Tuschen, preferably from W.C.D, attractive salary. Call:667-1777 between 8am12pm Immediate vacancy exists for workers to work at Crystal Ice Factory in Berbice. Please call: 231-1408/6429191 between 8am-1pm

WANTED Male & female factory workers from age 18 and older with working experience. Call: 223-0090 One experienced sand truck driver preferably from E.B.D. Must be honest- Call: 2653024/609-0766 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 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic. Call: 223-7500 Monday-Saturday 8:15-4:15 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 Cook & Cashier for snackette, attractive salary. Call: 697-5387/ 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 1 Live in domestic. Call: 6749999/661-5992 Experienced salesgirls @ Christine’s Variety on Lombard Street. Call: 227-8529 Waitress to work in a bar. Call: 692-4649

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Kaieteur News

Trump, sworn in as U.S. president, promises to put ‘America First’

U.S. President Donald Trump (L) takes the oath of office from U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts (R) with his wife Melania, and children Barron, Donald, Ivanka and Tiffany at his side during inauguration ceremonies at the Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 20, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria Reuters - Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States on Friday, succeeding Barack Obama and telling a bitterly divided country he will pursue “America First” policies at home and abroad. As scattered protests erupted elsewhere in Washington, Trump raised his right hand and put his left on a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln and repeated a 35-word oath of office from the U.S. Constitution, with U.S. Chief

Justice John Roberts presiding. Afterward, he stretched his arms wide and hugged his wife, Melania, and other members of his family. Then he turned around to a podium and delivered his inaugural address. “This moment is your moment, it belongs to you,” Trump told a large crowd that had earlier booed Chuck Schumer, the Democratic minority leader in the U.S. Senate.

Revisiting themes from his improbable campaign victory, Trump said his presidency would aim to help struggling middle-class families, build up the U.S. military and strengthen U.S. borders. “We are transferring power from Washington D.C. and giving it back to you,” he said. “From this day forward a new vision will govern our land,” Trump said. “From this day forward it’s going to be only America First.”

Omar Shariff sacked... From page 14 properties across Guyana. Some of these are registered in his name while others are registered in the name of his reputed wife, Sabeita. Shariff has six motor vehicles in his name including a tractor and a trailer. All properties and vehicles were acquired before 2015. In addition to being questioned, Shariff also had his home searched by Law Enforcement officers. From all indications, in-

vestigators were not buying Shariff's contention that he owned a business that raked in almost $100M annually for the last seven years. There seemed to be little evidence that taxes were paid. In addition, there were questions about his role after a major investigation revealed that the Office of the President, under Shariff's watch, transferred hundreds of millions of dollars to the Ministry of Public Service, headed by

then Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford. Westford, a sitting PPP Member of Parliament and her assistant Margaret Cummings, are currently before the courts facing simple larceny charges. The charges allege that between August 2011 and April 2015, while being employed in the Public Service of the Government of Guyana, they stole the sum of $639.4M belonging to the state.

Guyana's access to credit... From page 13 incidents where persons have approached companies under the pretence of another name in order to access credit and or donations. Considering the bureau's list of partner companies, it is highly likely that this can be prevented, provided too, that the customer is connected to the credit company. Semple-Joseph said that one of the features of the bureau is that it prevents situations such as those. Falconer added that it is important that companies and citizens get on board the modern way to protect their identities.

Guyana is the 60th country to host CreditInfo Inc which has its headquarters in Iceland. It has been one of the fastest growing organizations in credit risk management since 1997 and is known to be one of the top suppliers in the industry. The local company which was officially introduced into the local market on September 28, 2013 after receiving its licence to operate on July 15, 2013, established a fixed location at Lot 267B New Market Street, Georgetown. Its presence was sought in Guyana after it was realized that there was a deficiency in credit history information in the local

market. Over the past year the Credit Bureau has established collaborative relationships with all the banks, most of the major utility companies in Guyana and is currently engaging the insurance and retail sectors. The list includes Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry, (GBTI) Republic Bank Limited, Bank of Baroda, Scotiabank, Demerara Bank Limited, Citizen's Bank as well as Hand in Hand Trust and Institute of Private Enterprise Development, (IPED) and major utility companies, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Co. and Guyana Water Incorporated.

Saturday January 21, 2017

Violence flares on streets of Washington during Trump inauguration WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - America’s political divisions turned violent on the streets of Washington during U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration riday, as black clad anti-establishment activists smashed store windows and clashed with police while Trump supporters cheered the new man in the White House. Hundreds of people, some wearing masks, marched through downtown streets, using hammers to claw up chunks of pavement to smash the windows of a Bank of America branch and a McDonald’s outlet, all symbols of American capitalism. A knot of people dragged garbage cans into a street a few blocks from the White House and set them ablaze, later throwing a red cap with Republican Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan into the flames. The various protest groups scattered around the city chanted anti-Trump slogans and carried signs with slogans including “Trump is not president” and “Make Racists Afraid Again.” Not all the demonstrators were anti-Trump. Members of Bikers for Trump assembled near the start of the route the new president took to the White House, shrugging off Trump opponents who briefly engaged them in a shouting match. “They’re just trying to argue,” said a member of the bikers’ group, Donald Gre-

gory, 53, of North Carolina. “We finally have someone we can root for.” Washington’s interim police chief, Peter Newsham, told NBC’s local affiliate that the violent protests were “mostly under control.” He said about 95 people had been arrested. Police said in a statement they had charged an unspecified number of people with rioting and that two police officers sustained minor injuries from people who were trying to avoid arrest. The U.S. Secret Service, Washington police and other law enforcement agencies had about 28,000 officers in place to secure a roughly three-squaremile (7.8 square km) of the city. “Trump is not going to be stopped at the top, he’s going to be stopped from the bottom, from people rising up,” said Ben Allen, a 69-yearold retired teacher from San Francisco. “We support the right of everybody in this country, no matter what nationality, what religion, the colour of their skin, to be respected as a human being, and this guy doesn’t respect anybody.” During the election campaign and New York businessman Trump’s surprising rise to power, some of his rhetoric was interpreted as racist and anti-immigration. His inauguration speech was a populist and nationalist rallying cry. Protesters and police said the black-clad violent activists were acting indepen-

dently of organised opposition to Trump. The Disrupt J20 group on Twitter said its anger was not directed only at Trump, that it would also have demonstrated had Democrat Hillary Clinton won the election last November. Not far from the White House, Bob Hrifko, a member of the Bikers for Trump group, was struck in the face with an aluminium chair when he tried to intervene in a scuffle involving police and protesters. “I know, law and order and all that. We need more order. This ain’t right,” said Hrifko, who was bleeding from a cut under his eye. The number of people who turned out for the midday swearing-in ceremony in the rain appeared to be significantly smaller than the estimated 2 million who attended Democrat Barack Obama’s first inauguration in 2009. Overhead video of the National Mall showed sections of the white matting laid down to protect the grass were largely empty. Trump supporters Chris and Karen Korthaus, who carried a life-size cardboard cutout of the former reality TV star, crossed paths with an anti-Trump crowd. “A protester came over and ripped off the Don’s head,” Karen Korthaus said as she showed a reporter a video of the incident. “We ran to a pizza shop and taped his head back on.”

SOCU probe holding up transactional... From page 8 substantially incomplete. Goolsarran stated in his report that the building was abandoned, and the structure was expected to be torn down because the floors were not constructed to the required specifications. He said that as the “Project Executing Unit”, NICIL’s role was to ensure that the works were executed according to the agreed specifications and had again failed to discharge its responsibility for this project, resulting in some $350 million of taxpayers’ funds being wasted. Goolsarran in his report also stated that despite the size and complexity of its operations, NICIL does not have its own procurement rules, which is a key requirement of the Procurement Act. In the circumstances, he said that it would have been more appropriate for NICIL to involve the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) in the assessment of tenders received for the award

NICIL’s Officer in Charge, Horace James of contracts. Instead, the assessment of bids was done internally, and would have lacked the level of independence, especially for large projects such as the Marriott Hotel. Given the aforementioned findings among others, Goolsarran recommended that Government commission a

further independent audit to examine in detail, transactions over the last six years under NICIL. He also recommended that the relevant authorities institute criminal/disciplinary actions against all those responsible for other violations, including the failure to properly account for State resources under their control.

Saturday January 21, 2017

Jamaica receives funds European Union KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Jamaica has received Euro 6.5 million (One Euro=US$1.29 cents) from the European Union. Finance Minister Audley Shaw said that the disbursement “aims to assist the Government in reducing poverty and improving the living standards of the rural population in sugar dependent areas affected by the EU sugar reform”. He told the ceremony that EU Hand-Over instrument “is yet another channel of external development assistance through strengthened bilateral relations between Jamaica and the EU”. He said that the European Union Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol Countries, AMS 2013, was signed on March 25, 2014 and that the fixed tranche was disbursed in the sum of approximately Euro7.07 million on October 23, 2014. He said the first variable tranche, which was officially handed over on Thursday, was disbursed in November 2016 in the sum of Euro6.5 million.

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Kaieteur News

Audley Shaw “The second tranche is expected to be disbursed in March 2018 in the sum of Euro15 million,” Shaw said, noting that the disbursement of this first variable trance of Euro6.5 million “further aids the government’s mission to reduce the economic and social disparities of our rural areas by creating sustainable productivity increases to hundreds of people moving out of poverty”. He said the specific objectives include a creation of a

commercially viable sugar cane Industry by strengthened sector management, improved field and factory productivity; the development of the Sugar Dependent Areas to strengthen and support the improvement of living conditions in the Sugar Dependent Areas (SDAs) based on sustainable economic and social development. He said it is also aimed at supporting the National Policy Environment by improving the environmental

and energy performances of the industry to promote the sustainable management of environmental resources and to contribute to an inclusive, economy, social and environmentally sustainable growth. Shaw said it is important to note that the EU remains Jamaica’s largest provider of grant assistance, providing over Euro1.2 billion in Official Development Assistance (ODA) since 1975. “The government of Jamaica appreciates the continued contribution of the EU to Jamaica’s agriculture sector and other key sectors, particularly to the Sugar Cane Industry, given the existing challenges which the Government is seeking to address over the long term. “Jamaica is committed to continuing the work being done under the AMS 2013, to the benefit of sugar-dependent areas in Jamaica and their residents and looks forward to the sustained partnership arrangement with the EU towards the achievement of critical environmental, agricultural and economic growth objectives,” Shaw added.

G-G says leaders must heal and transform the nation KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen, is reminding the country’s leaders of the significant role they must play in the healing and transformation of the nation. Addressing the 37th staging of the National Leadership Prayer Breakfast (NLPB) at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston Thursday, he said leaders must help the people of the country take stock of themselves and find the means and the will to advance cohesiveness and sense of purpose “in this our 55th year as a nation”. He noted that leaders must be mindful of the many groups, organizations, communities, and family units that look to and depend on them for guidance, help and examples to emulate. “Behaviours, principles, (and) attitudes are consciously and unconsciously assimilated from those we see occupying leadership positions across our nation and those who provide direction

in our daily lives,” the governor-general said. “I ask each and every person gathered here and others listening to the messages of the morning, to remember that at whatever level we lead, or in whatever sphere, as followers, as members of organisations, we need to be the best examples of all the good that we wish for our beloved nation,” he added. Indicating that he, like other citizens, has been deeply disturbed by recent events involving members of the leadership within the church, the governor-general called on Jamaicans to be agents of change for the better. “Righteous indignation is of little value without the accompanying commitment to d o j u s t l y, t o l o v e mercy, and to walk humb l y w i t h o u r G o d . We must live out what we profess. This is a time to seek for and obtain healing for ourselves and our nation,” he said.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday January 21, 2017

Saturday January 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

Germany must prepare for ‘rough ride’ under Trump: Vice Chancellor BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany will need a new economic strategy geared toward Asia should the new U.S. administration start a trade war with China, Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said yesterday, warning against protectionism hours after President Donald Trump was sworn in. “I think we have to prepare for a rough ride,” Gabriel said in an interview with the public broadcaster ZDF, in the first official German reaction to Trump’s inauguration. He added that Trump’s election was the result of “a bad radicalization”. The leader of the left-leaning Social Democrats (SPD), coalition partners of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling conservatives, dismissed suggestions that Trump may not pursue some controversial promises, such as imposing high tariffs on cars imported from Mexico. “He means it extremely seriously,” said Gabriel. “What we heard today were high nationalistic tones.” He added that all that was missing from Trump’s speech was comparing parliament to a “Quasselbude” or “talking shop,” a term used by Hitler before he took power to discredit the parliamentary democracy of the Weimar Republic in the 1920s. Gabriel said the European Union and Germany must stand together “to defend our interests” and to prevent such nationalistic fervor from gripping the continent. Germany will hold a general election in September in which the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany

Sigmar Gabriel (AfD) party is expected to enter the national parliament for the first time. Trump has criticized Merkel’s decision in 2015 to throw open Germany’s borders to asylum seekers fleeing wars and conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere and has said he believes other countries will leave the EU after Britain. Merkel, who had a close relationship with former U.S. president Barack Obama, responded to his comments in a newspaper interview earlier this month by saying that Europe’s destiny was in its own hands. German government sources told Reuters this week that Merkel was working to set a date this spring for a meeting with Trump. The United States is Germany’s biggest trading partner and Trump has

warned that his administration will impose a border tax of 35 percent on cars that German carmaker BMW plans to build at a new plant in Mexico and export to the U.S. There are fears that a protectionist trade policy by Trump could harm the global economy. A trade war with China would be particularly harmful for Germany, a leading exporting nation that gets nearly half its gross domestic product from exports. “Should the United States start a trade war with China and all of Asia then we as Europeans and Germans are fair partners,” Gabriel said. “Europe and Germany need a strategy g e a r e d t o ward Asia and China and we have new opportunities.” He added: “We should neither be submissive nor have fear.”

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Saturday January 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

Four children and woman rescued, two days after Italy avalanche

Firefighters rescue a survivor from Hotel Rigopiano in Farindola, central Italy, which was hit by an avalanche, in this handout picture released yesterday by Italy’s Fire Fighters. Vigili del Fuoco/Handout via REUTERS Reuters - Four children and a woman were saved yesterday from the wreckage of a mountain hotel in central Italy that was flattened by an avalanche, surviving almost two days in sub-zero temperatures in the buried ruins of the luxury spa. A further five people have been located, trapped under tonnes of snow and debris, and rescuers said they would work through the night to try to free them, while the hunt continued for other possible survivors. More than 30 people were

in the Hotel Rigopiano on Wednesday afternoon when a wall of snow and toppled trees tore apart the isolated building. So far two bodies have been recovered, officials said. After a fruitless night scouring the disaster site, sniffer dogs helped locate a first group of people who were buried in a small room, its roof of reinforced concrete protecting them from the heavy weight of snow that had entombed the hotel. “They were incredulous when they heard our voices. They couldn’t believe it,” said Marco Bini, a rescue worker

from Italy’s finance police. “They survived thanks to this bubble of air that formed inside the hotel.” Rescuers clapped and shouted “bravo” as first a boy of eight was pulled to the surface and then his mother. Both appeared to be in good health and were helicoptered to safety. Officials said they were the son a n d w i f e o f Giampiero Parete, who had left the hotel to get medicine from his car seconds before the avalanche hit and had subsequently raised the alarm.

Syrian rebels bitterly divided before new peace talks Reuters - Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s opponents appear more divided than ever as they prepare for peace talks next week, demoralised by their defeat in Aleppo and unable to unite

into a single force to defend their remaining territory. The new diplomacy led by Assad’s Russian allies has exposed yet more splits in a rebellion that has never had a clear chief, with rebel fac-

tions long fractured by regional rivalries, their ties to foreign states, and an ideological battle over whether to pursue Syrian national or Sunni jihadist goals. Several leaders have became prominent only to be killed in the nearly six-yearold conflict and numerous military and political coalitions have come and gone. After the rebels’ defeat in Aleppo last month, the latest effort to unify the jihadist and moderate wings of the insurgency collapsed. By contrast Assad is as strong as at any time since the fighting began, his Russian and Iranian backers committed to his survival while the differing agendas of foreign states backing the rebels have added to their divisions.

Saturday January 21, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Lewandowski’s last-gasp goal earns Bayern 2-1 win at Freiburg (Reuters) Robert Lewandowski scored twice, including a stoppage-time winner as Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich came from a goal down to beat Freiburg 21 yesterday and open up a six point lead as the league resumed after the winter break. With his back to the goal, Lewandowski controlled a cross with his chest and fired past the Freiburg keeper in stoppage time to rescue the three points for lacklustre Bayern. It was his 14th goal of the campaign. “For us it was a very hard game from start to finish because Freiburg were good,” Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “We did not play well but we did show a lot of char-

acter.” “We didn’t play a good first half but then we came back and won the game with a lot of will and character. We cannot be happy with the way we played but we can be with the result.” Hosts Freiburg had stunned the champions with a fourth minute goal through Janik Haberer after a perfectly executed counter-attack and a defensive error from Mats Hummels. Bayern gradually took control of the game after an erratic opening 15 minutes and Arturo Vidal came close with a low drive on an icy pitch. Poland striker Lewandowski, who minutes

earlier had come close, drew them level in the 35th minute, volleying in a corner from Douglas Costa. Bayern worked harder and upped the tempo in the second half, controlling possession and creating several more chances but Ancelotti’s team lacked the final touch to score again until Lewandowski’s late goal. Freiburg came close to grabbing a late winner against the run of play with Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer tested repeatedly in the final minutes before the Pole rescued the champions with his last-gasp strike. Bayern are on 42 points, six ahead of second-placed RB Leipzig, who host Eintracht Frankfurt today.

Saturday January 21 , 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your outgoing charm and obvious talent will be admired. You could be emotional if you didn't take care of problems with loved ones. Put some energy into getting back into shape. Listen to reason. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Do things you enjoy instead of being a chameleon. Try to iron out any friction over money with your mate or conflicts could prevail. You may find yourself changing crowds. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Females may put demands or added responsibilities on you. You need to look into new philosophies. You will be able to pick up on future trends if you keep your eyes peeled for unique ideas. CANCER (June 21–July 22) They will not be in the right frame of mind to put up with tactless comments. Uncertainties regarding relatives will make situations uncomfortable if you attend a family function. Resist secret affairs that could be detrimental to your reputation. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Get ready to discover love, passion, and the desire to enjoy all that life has to offer. False information is likely if you listen to idle chatter or gossip. Socializing will be more than just entertaining. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Avoid boredom by being creative in your endeavors. New relationships will surface

through work related events. Things will be hectic and family members will be erratic. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Sudden changes regarding your circle of friends could prove interesting and stimulating. Having your own business is a good idea. Avoid boredom by being creative in your endeavors. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Minor health problems may lower your vitality. Let your boss know your goals. Use your high energy and dynamic approach to win favors from superiors. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Trips will be more than adventurous. You will not be able to trust someone you work with. Get on with business. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Accept the inevitable and continue to do your job. Opportunities to travel will be favorable in terms of moneymaking connections. Chances are you could get stuck with a colleague's job unexpectedly. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You will get upset over trivial matters. You may want to stay in the background today. Your contributions will be valued and helpful. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might find it difficult to control your emotions. You can make money through real estate or by using your head when it comes to personal investments.

Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski scores in extra time. (REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach)

Structure key to return of... (From page 26) excelled in the game’s shortest version, they have slumped badly in the Test and one-day formats with performances which have left them in the nether regions of the international rankings. The current state is a far cry from the halcyon era of the late 1970s and 1980s when the regional unit dominated world cricket in both formats. Adams, who led West Indies in 15 Tests and 26 ODIs, said he believed his vision was one shared by the West Indies Cricket Board and fans across the region. “I think I share a common vision with, not just the people I am employed to, but the people of the Caribbean,” the 49-year-old Jamaican noted. “[They] would like to see West Indies cricket strong again. I know we’ve been

Dottin makes... (From page 29) as Thunder, chasing 150 for victory were held to 145 for six. Indian star Harmanpreet Kaur was outstanding in an unbeaten 64 off 37 balls which included a four and six sixes but the innings was in vain as Thunder failed to muster the 14 runs required from the last over. Elyse Villani had earlier hit 74 off 55 deliveries in a 97run opening stand with Nicole Burton (32), to spur Scorchers to 149 for five off 20 overs. Dottin suffered the ignominy of a first-ball ‘duck’ in her last game on Monday. At Bellerive Oval in Hobart, teenaged West Indies star Hayley Matthews went wicket-less from two overs which cost 23 runs and did not bat, as her Hobart Hurricanes went down to Melbourne Stars by four wickets under Duckworth/ Lewis.

through some lean years and to share the vision – which is good competitive cricket coming out of West Indies – is something we all want to see and hopefully I can play some role in helping the region achieve that.” Adams will bring to the post the experience of a successful playing career which saw him average 41 from 54 Tests, and also feature in 127 ODIs. He also spent four seasons as head coach at English County Kent, and said the tenure there also equipped him for his current role. “Kent being one of the

smaller counties, there were some challenges that came with the size of the county and I think there are some certain similarities with cricket in the Caribbean,” said the 49-yearold. “We have challenges with resources here which tend to affect almost every decision that we make, and it’s trying to find the best way to hurdle those challenges but at the same time to have the mindset that whatever you have, you almost have to make it enough. “It has to be enough to create a quality cricketer and a quality cricket team.”

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Saturday January 21, 2017

More to life than Vintage Federer driving around in makes statement with Berdych demolition circles, says Rosberg M E L B O U R N E (Reuters) A rampaging Roger Federer delivered a stunning reminder of his class with a crushing 6-2 6-4 6-4 win over Tomas Berdych to storm into the fourth round of the Australian Open yesterday. Seeded 17th and playing only his third tour match since a long layoff with a knee injury, Federer was expected to be tested by the hard-hitting Czech but he sent the 10th seed packing in 90 minutes. The 35-year-old Swiss had shown rust in his earlier matches but was in spellbinding touch with 40 winners and completed the masterclass at a floodlit Rod Laver Arena with an imperious crosscourt backhand. “It was a great mental test for me to see if I could stay in the match point for point, keep rolling,” said a glowing Federer, who cracked jokes in his post-match news conference and will next face fifth seed Kei Nishikori brimful of confidence. “I was able to do that. That’s where I’m just really happy that I was able to deliver that.

“From the baseline, honestly I felt worlds better than in the first couple of r o u n d s . Ye a h , i t ’ s wonderful.” Switched on from the first point, Federer bullied Berdych at the net and denied him a single break point as 11-times grand slam champion Laver soaked up the performance. For the Berdych camp, it was a horror show and the Czech was reduced to scrapping for speculative p o i n t s w i t h c l u m s y, desperate rushes to the net. Home fans in the crowd had been deflated by the defeat of Australian Ashleigh Barty in the evening session’s opener but they roared back into life when Federer took Berdych’s serve in the fifth game. The Swiss broke again to race to 5-2 and showed his sharpness by raising two set points with a brilliantly anticipated volley from a deflection off the net cord. A thumping serve wrapped up the set in 26 minutes and a harried Berdych dropped serve again in the opening game of the second when he shanked

an attempted winner into the tramlines. The set was over less than 30 minutes later but the Federer juggernaut rolled on. A sumptuous return down the line brought break point in the opener of the third set and another regal backhand gave Federer a fourth break. That was all the Swiss needed and though he feared a hiccough at some stage during the match, it never came. Berdych remarked drily after the match that he wished he was watching the demonstration from the crowd and Federer admitted he was surprised by his own level. “I didn’t expect it as such, to be honest, especially not this kind of a scoreline, especially not having to save any breakpoints, just always rolling on the serve,” the 17times grand slam champion said. “I expected, was ready for a battle, five hours, something big. Had it all written over it. I was able to come through it in one hour 20, one hour 30, however long the match was. “It’s a great feeling.”

Structure key to return of winning culture, says Adams BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Newly appointed Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, says one of the major items on his agenda is creating a structure that can lead to the establishing of a new winning culture in West Indies cricket. The former Windies Test captain, who took up the post this month, said while the success of the international teams was important, a proper developmental structure would ensure the sustainability of that success. “I think ultimately, we all want success, we want first team success,” Adams told Line and Length Network. “I would back that up and say we want a structure that guarantees a certain standard of cricket even if you’re not winning every day, but you know that with what we have from grassroots through youth cricket through the

Former Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of Germany attends the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland January 20, 2017. (REUTERS/Ruben Sprich) (Reuters) Formula One world champion Nico Rosberg said yesterday he was enjoying the freedom of retirement and could turn his focus to renewable energy now that he has left the racetrack. Interviewed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the former Mercedes grand prix driver told his audience that “life has more to offer than driving around in circles. “I want to go for new challenges... now all of a sudden it’s freedom,” he added, saying he had not been able to go skiing for 11 years due to contract clauses. “I am exploring,” the German said when asked what the future held. “Renewable energy is something that could be quite interesting. There’s so many possibilities, electrical cars as well.” Rosberg, who has a one-

year-old daughter, hoped also to use his fame to give something back. “I’m going to go visit children who are quite ill, and especially children of an age who will be really happy to see me,” he said. The champion, who beat British team mate Lewis Hamilton to the title last year, gave more insight into that battle and how he had prepared for the biggest season of his career. Rosberg, who spent much of the year telling media he was taking it one race at a time, said he had simplified his private life to shut out any distractions over the race weekend. He turned to a mental trainer, and used meditation to increase concentration and be more aware of his emotions, while the team employed a “jet-lag doctor” to manage sleep patterns in a

season of 21 races. “It (meditation) is a big word and often misinterpreted,” said Rosberg. “The way I did it was more a concentration practice and learning to control your mind a little bit, which you really do with spending a bit of time on it. “And also learning to be more aware of your emotions and thoughts. Because if you are aware of them, you can slow them down and move your mind into other things and more positive thoughts. “That really was one of the ingredients to me being even stronger... it really was beneficial,” he said. Rosberg said he did not know how Hamilton, a triple world champion who lives life to the full with frequent trips to the Americas in-between races and is this year’s title favorite, did it.

LABA AGM and Biennial Elections set for tomorrow at MSC Lounge WICB Director of cricket, Jimmy Adams. first class structure, you know that the standard will be within a certain range. “I think in terms of sustainability that becomes critical. We want to see the first team – men’s and women – winning. I think

that goes without saying but I would also like to underpin that with a structure that would guarantee a certain standard of cricket going forward.” While West Indies have

The Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) has set its Annual General Meeting and Biennial Elections for tomorrow at 17:00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club Lounge. Clubs have been invited to send four representatives for the important meeting

which will see registration of players for the 2017 season and club affiliation done from 16:00hrs. The clubs invited to attend at Retrieve Raiders, Half Mile Bulls, Victory Valley Royals, Amelia’s Ward Jets, Block 22 Flames, Bankers Trust Falcons, Wi s m a r P i s t o n s a n d

Kwakwani. These clubs must ensure their registration of $100 per player and club’s $1,000 affiliation fees are paid before they can participate in the proceedings from 17:00hrs where the reports f r o m t h e S e c r e t a r y, Treasurer and Presidents will be presented.

Saturday January 21, 2017

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Fung puts AAG Presidency in perspective By Edison Jefford Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Major and former national athlete, Shen Fung challenges Aubrey Hutson for the Presidency of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) tomorrow at the AGM and Elections of the association at the Racquet Centre. Fung was nominated to contest the Presidency after several names have been floating around the weeks leading up to the Elections. Business magnate Colin M i n g a n d G u y a n a ’s international star athlete, Aliann Pompey’s name were also among those touted to contest the Presidency of AAG, before Hutson disclosed last week that Fung was the only nominee. Kaieteur Sport interviewed Fung briefly yesterday, following the disclosure of his nomination for the post of President this

week. Fung is the holder of the Under-20 Boys’ National Schools’ Championships Javelin record, which he set in 1996; he made a special presentation last year at the Schools’ Championships to the winner to mark the 20year anniversary of the record. Below is the full text of the interview. Kaieteur Sport: What has led to your interest in the AAG Presidency? Fung: As a sports enthusiast with a special interest in Athletics, I believe I can make some enormous changes to the Athletic f r a t e r n i t y. I have represented Guyana at the international level for many years, which I believe makes me aware of some of the advancements that we urgently need. Apart from some of the clubs, I was also approached by Corporate Guyana, which additionally served to pique my interest. I would relish

the opportunity to be at the helm of the association to administer my savvy athletic knowledge coupled with my military discipline. Kaieteur Sport: How can you raise the standards of athletics? Fung: It is going to take a multidimensional approach to raise the standards of Athletics in Guyana. Besides having broad-based plans, I intend to be detail-oriented and have an immense focus on specifications. The first move would be to have significant technological adjustments and step away from many archaic systems that still exist. I would implement scientific methods, which would aid in what I would call the specialisation of the various events. There is a conspicuous void in the recruitment process of young talent. More emphasis needs to be placed on recognising talent from a Primary School level

England opener Hales to return home after breaking hand (Reuters) Opener Alex Hales has been ruled out of the remainder of England’s tour of India after breaking his right hand during the second one-day international in Cuttack on Thursday. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said

scans had revealed the injury, sustained as Hales attempted a catch in the outfield and jarred his hand on the ground. The 28-year-old will return home on Saturday to see a hand surgeon. The ECB said a replacement in the T20

and nurturing them to senior levels, as is the case in many of our successful regional counterparts, for example, Jamaica. Kaieteur Sport: What are some key programmes you will embark on in your first year? Fung: I would inject nutrition and regimentation as mandatory concepts into Athletics. We cannot stress enough the importance of habitual nourishment, yet it is evident that our athletes are not on specific performance diets and programmes. I will seek to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to introduce dietitians and nutritionists into Athletics training programmes. This is apart from the scientific transformation of how things are done and attempt to restructure and/or develop

the transition programme as I said earlier. All these will be included in a four-year development programme aimed at giving Guyana a good chance at Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, in 2020, being realistic with the athletic resources that are available. Kaieteur Sport: As a former national athlete, what are some issues you see in the sport and how can you fix them? Fung: One of the issues is equipping every participant with the necessary physical resources to perform on a competitive level. When I say every participant, I mean every participant across Guyana, including the Hinterland regions, Linden, Berbice, Essequibo, etc. The decision making process would be a

democratic one, including all the existing clubs in Guyana and not one based on a selected few. This should enable the best options for the country going forward. Kaieteur Sport: What is your vision for the sport? Fung: I share stellar dreams for Athletics in Guyana. If elected, I hope to marshal Guyana to excellence at the Primary, Secondary, Tertiary Schools levels and beyond. Once all of these ideas are fused competently, I believe we can have participants in Japan for the Olympic Games in a semifinal or final. Therefore, my main vision is for Guyana to be performing competitively at all levels of the sport l o c a l l y a n d internationally.

Life is beautiful, Venus says, brushing off commentator row

squad for a three- match series starting on Jan. 26 would be announced in due course. India secured a seriesclinching 15-run victory in the second one-dayer, with Hales dismissed for 14. The final game of the series is in Kolkata tomorrow.

Venus Williams of the U.S leaves the court after winning her Women’s singles third round match against China’s Duan Ying-Ying. (REUTERS/Issei Kato)

England XI’s Alex Hales plays a shot. (REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui)

M E L B O U R N E (Reuters) Seven-times grand slam winner Venus Williams yesterday brushed off a remark made about her at the Australian Open which led to a TV commentator being stood down by broadcaster ESPN. D o u g A d l e r , commentating on the African-American 13th seed’s second-round match a g a i n s t S w i t z e r l a n d ’s S t e f a n i e Vo e g e l e o n We d n e s d a y, p r o v o k e d outrage on social media when he was taken to have

described Williams charging “like a gorilla”. Adler, a former tennis professional, said he had said “guerrilla”. Williams was questioned about the comment after thrashing China’s Duan Ying-Ying 6-1 6-0 to reach the fourth round. “All I can say is it’s been a wonderful, wonderful career for me full of positives. That’s what I focus on. I mean, what else can I do? It’s a beautiful life. That’s how I feel about every single thing,” the 36-yearold told reporters.

“I pay attention and address situations that are noteworthy. That’s been my past record, clearly.” ESPN said Adler “should have been more careful in his word selection”. “He apologised and we have removed him from his remaining assignments,” the broadcaster said in a statement. Williams despatched Duan in 59 minutes and will play world number 181 Mona Barthel of Germany in the fourth round.

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Southee takes five as Bangladesh dismissed for 289 (Reuters) Tim Southee captured his sixth fivewicket haul in test cricket as New Zealand bowled Bangladesh out for 289 in the final five minutes of the first day of the second match at Hagley Oval in Christchurch yesterday. Southee had Kamrul Islam trapped in front for two in the 85th over, shortly after the game had been delayed for about 10 minutes when Rubel Hossain received medical treatment after being hit on the elbow by Trent Boult. Southee finished with figures of 5-94, while Boult backed up his new ball partner with 4-87. Souyma Sarkar, promoted to open in a patchwork Bangladesh side who were missing batsmen Imrul Kayes and Mominul Haque and captain Mushfiqur Rahim due to injury, top scored with 86 after the visitors had been asked to bat by Kane Williamson. Bangladesh were put under immense pressure by Southee and Boult who

finally got some swing and reduced the visitors to 38 for two in the 11th over with Tamim Iqbal (five) and Mahmudullah (19) both caught by wicketkeeper BJ Watling. Soumya and first test double centurion Shakib Al Hasan began to counter attack. The pair were not afraid to play their shots and raced through to 128 for two with numerous boundaries of the 15 the duo struck before lunch flying just wide of the hands of fielders down to the third man or fine leg fence. Boult finally broke the 127-run partnership after lunch when Soumya was caught by Colin de Grandhomme in the slips. As has been typical for Bangladesh on their tour of New Zealand, they lost wickets in clumps, with Sabbir Rahman (seven) and Shakib (59) falling shortly after to reduce their side to 179 for five. Nurul Hasan, deputising for Mushfiqur, and debutant Nazmul Hossain steadied the innings and took their

side through to 232 before Nazmul was caught by Jeet Raval off Southee for a patient 18. Mehedi Hasan (10), Taskin Ahmed (eight) stayed with Nurul for as long as they could as he crept towards his first test half century, but he was the ninth wicket to fall for 47 when Watling took his fourth catch of the innings. New Zealand won the first test by seven wickets. Scores: Bangladesh 289 (Sarkar 86, Shakib 59, Nurul 47, Southee 5-94, Boult 487) v New Zealand.

British worker dies in Qatar World Cup stadium (Reuters) A British man has died while working on the construction of a stadium for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, authorities said. An investigation was under way to determine the cause of death, the Supreme Council for Delivery and L e g a c y, w h i c h i s responsible for World Cup infrastructure, said in a statement.

The 40-year-old man died on Thursday at the Khalifa International Stadium, it said, without giving other details. The Midmac-Six Construct joint venture said in a statement the accident occurred while the worker was on a suspended catwalk platform designed to manage technical functions relating to sound and light installations.

“One of the lever hoists supporting the platform failed, causing the fall of the worker, who was wearing all his safety equipment, including the safety harness. Sadly, the harness was cut during the fall with a fatal outcome,” the company said, adding that it was investigating why the harness broke up. Q a t a r ’s e f f o r t s t o become the World Cup’s first Arab host have been marred by accusations from human rights groups about abuse of workers, including allegations that they have been forced to live in squalor and to work without proper access to water and shelter in the blazing sun. The Gulf Arab kingdom denies exploiting workers and says it is implementing labor reforms.

Saturday January 21, 2017

Tim Southee makes a polite enquiry, New Zealand v Bangladesh, 1st Test, Christchurch, 1st day, January 20, 2017 ©AFP

Historic Oval ready to host premier regional one-day tournament BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – The Barbados Cricket Association has promised that the historic Kensington Oval will be in tip-top shape for the hosting of the matches in the upcoming West Indies Cricket Board’s Regional Super50 bowling off next week. In a media briefing yesterday, the BCA’s chief executive, Noel Lynch, said the governing body worked hard to get the facility ready for the event, which will be played in Barbados from next Tuesday. Along with the Oval, Zone B matches will be staged here at the 3Ws Oval at the UWI Cave Hill Campus just outside the city, and the Windward Cricket Club in the rural eastern parish of St Philip. “Kensington Oval is 99 percent ready for the matches in the tournament,” Lynch told a group of local and international reporters. “Last year there was a lot of discussion on the readiness of the outfield for cricket but we are pleased to demonstrate today that the field is in good shape and we are fit to host matches at the regional level.” The former government minister added: “Also, we have the One-Day International between West Indies and England coming up in March, the continuation of the WICB’s four-day tournament and the Test match between West

Indies and Pakistan in April, so we are pleased with the way things are looking here at the Oval.” The Oval, which hosted its first Test match in 1930, is the most storied cricket venue in the Caribbean. It hosted the 2007 ICC World Cup final as well as the 2010 ICC World T20 final. Late last year there was unease in the country as the outfield appeared patchy after the venue hosted several events to mark the country’s 50th anniversary of independence. However, Lynch gave the assurance the field had returned to international standard. “We thought it prudent to let the media come here to Kensington Oval to see the state of the cricket field, which has been a huge topic for public discussion, back in November, as to whether or not we would be ready to host any kind of cricketing activity at this beautiful and historic venue,” Lynch noted. “The field is in a state of readiness to host cricket of this calibre and competition of this calibre.” L a s t y e a r ’s l o s i n g finalists Barbados Pride, under the captaincy of Jason Holder from the start this y e a r, w i l l o p e n t h e i r campaign against Guyana Jaguars on Tuesday afternoon in a day/night affair at the Oval. The other teams in the group are Jamaica

Scorpions, Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners and the International Cricket Council’s Americas. Lynch contended that cricket was much more than just a sport and as such, the BCA planned to ensure fans had a complete experience for the games at the Oval. “A lot of planning has gone into this tournament and we have some magnificent activities planned for patrons when they come out to see their favorite team, the Barbados Pride play, against the other teams from across the region and the Americas,” Lynch said. “We want to get people to come out to a stadium experience. It’s not just the cricket that on the field. Professional sport must have an entertainment component to it, and we want to encourage families to come out together and become interested again in the great game of cricket. “The game has defined us and refined us as a people, therefore cricket is very important to us as a people and as a nation.” Zone A of the Super50 will be played in Antigua and will see title-holders Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, West Indies Under-19, Kent Spitfires and Windward Islands Hurricanes pitted against each other.

Saturday January 21, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Dottin makes winning return for GSCL Inc Republic Heat but Taylor woes continue Cup to commence BRISBANE, Australia, CMC – An astonishing second successive ‘duck’ for S t a f a n i e Ta y l o r w a s overshadowed only by her West Indies teammate Deandra Dottin’s dramatic return from injury, as their franchises suffered contrasting fortunes in the Women’s Big Bash here yesterday. Sidelined for nearly three weeks after undergoing surgery to repair multiple fractures of her cheekbone following an on-field collision with teammate Laura Harris, Dottin was back in action at the Gabba to help Heat trounce bottom-ofthe-table Adelaide Strikers by nine wickets. The effervescent Barbadian all-rounder sent down three overs which cost 22 runs and yielded no wickets as Strikers, sent in, rallied to 139 for five off their 20 overs. They were floundering at

on February 3

Brisbane Heat all-rounder Deandra Dottin. 63 for five in the 13th over before Tammy Beaumont struck an unbeaten 50 off 42 balls to revive the innings in an unbroken 76-run, sixth wicket stand with AmandaWade Wellington who slammed 46 off 25 deliveries. I n r e p l y, D o t t i n ’s

services were not required as opener Beth Mooney stroked an unbeaten 75 from 47 balls in a 101-run opening stand with captain Kirby Short (42), which erased any doubt about the result. At Lilac Hill Park in P e r t h , Ta y l o r ’s w o e s matched those of Thunder in

a damaging four-run loss to Perth Scorchers, a result which eliminated the reigning champions from playoff contention. The West Indies captain faced just one delivery before she was run out in the second over without scoring (Continued on page 25)

The Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc annual Republic Cup is set to bowl off on February 3 at several venues in Georgetown. The tournament will be played in the Open and Masters’ (Over 40) categories with an entrance fee of $50,000 in each division. The winning teams will take home a trophy and $250,000 and the runners up a trophy and $50,000. There will also be prizes for the man-of-the-match in the finals as well as the MVPS. The Open category will be played with the supreme balls and only round handed b o w l i n g w ill be allow ed w hile the M as ters ’ s egment w ill be played w ith the white ball and both

r o u n d h a n d and wrist bowling will be accepted. Each team will be required to submit a list of 15 players at the time of registration, while pas s p o r t s w i l l b e used to verify their age of players competing in the M a s t e r s c a t e g ory. Everest CC, Eve Leary, DCC, GNIC and GCC are the venues indentified for the preliminary games which will continue on February 4, while the finals will be contested on February 5 at the Everest CC. The launching and draw will be held on January 30 at GNIC SC at 17:00hrs. Teams can contact Russell Jadbeer on 225 4802 or Samuel Kingston on 619 5103 or 692 8815 for information on registration.

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Saturday January 21, 2017

Murray avoids Djokovic fate to reach fourth round

Britain’s Andy Murray hits a shot during his Men’s singles third round match against Sam Querrey of the U.S. (REUTERS/Thomas Peter) M E L B O U R N E (Reuters) With Novak Djokovic’s reign broken, Andy Murray boosted his claim to the Melbourne Park throne with a comprehensive 6-4 6-2 6-4 win over American Sam Querrey to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open yesterday. Top seed Murray, beaten in four of his five finals in

Melbourne by Djokovic, has become raging favorite after the Serb’s stunning second round exit on Thursday and the Briton lived up to the billing by trouncing Querrey in a tick under two hours at the Hisense Arena. Murray was among the many surprised by Djokovic’s elimination but was neither dancing on the

Serb’s grave nor talking up his own hopes of a maiden title in Melbourne. “ I t d o e s n ’t c h a n g e anything unless I was to potentially reach the final, because I can’t play Novak in the fourth round or in the third round,” Murray told reporters after setting up a clash with unseeded German Mischa Zverev.

Letter to the Sports Editor

Many of us beg to disagree Dear Sports Editor, Mr. Roger Pilgrim’s statement in his letter to the Editor of Stabroek News stated that ‘it was only these two gentlemen who had a beef with Juman-Yassin’. No Sir, many other people were not satisfied with the manner in which Mr. JumanYassin handled the affairs of the Olympics Association. But remember, we could not vote at the (s)election. Yes,

he won the election because some people are sheep. Juman-Yassin has never been interested in the promotion of our athletes for preparation for stiff competition and ultimately gold at the Olympics. Usually, there are more officials than athletes at the Opening of the Olympics. At one time I thought that a country would get gold, silver and bronze for taking the most officials. Does that

make him acceptable and successful as head of the Association? None can come up with a list of the positives of Yassin’s tenure. Manipulation is rife. Mr. Pilgrim speak for yourself. I guess you are way past the age to be selected as an Olympic hopeful so it is okay for you to be in JumanYassin’s corner. Peace out! Monty David

“Bring Masters back into the system” Dear Sports Editor, Former national football captain MORE EXNATIONAL and masters players are needed in the football fold, former national captain Ken Gibbs believes. During an interview with Chronicle Sport, the former mid-fielder, who is hosting a master’s game on Sunday at the GFC Ground, Bourda, contends that these players need to be kept in the fold to

pass on their knowledge. “I feel they can be placed in the position where they can be given the opportunity to try to enhance the performances of the present players and foster relationships with coaches,” he said. Gibbs, who was the national captain for eight years from 1970, also represented the Caribbean twice, once against English side Hull City and another against an English amateur team side. He has benefited

from a scholarship in Mexico and was a coached with the National Sports Development Council. The former Thomas United player is hosting a breakfast and football match on Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club.(GFC). Set for 09:30 a.m. the Ex Nationals will play a Master’s XI following breakfast.. Gibbs is a frequent visitor to his homeland. Ken Gibb

“I don’t worry about that, really. Obviously, if you’re to get to the final, then it has an effect. A lot of the times when I’ve been in the final here, I’ve played against him. Had some tough ones.” Djokovic’s departure aside, Murray appeared free of another bugbear, showing no discomfort on the right ankle he twisted in his previous win against Russian teenager Andrey Rublev. Although he cruised through the first two sets, the ankle was given a good work-out in the third by the desperate Querrey who dumped Djokovic out of Wimbledon at the same stage last year. Querrey relied on his huge serve to get him out of myriad jams against Djokovic in that upset but his main weapon misfired for much of the Murray match on a cool, breezy afternoon.

More renowned for his outstanding returning game, Murray finished with eight aces to Querrey’s five and broke him five times. The Scot had a pre-game chat with 11-times grand slam champion Rod Laver and placed a number of sumptuous lobs over the rangy American that would have impressed the Australian great. One of them captured the break at 4-4 in the opening stanza, a marathon game of 14 points, and Murray rode the momentum to a two-set lead in just over an hour. The last of 14 Americans in the men’s draw, Querrey slipped on a fresh shirt for the third set and the wardrobe change seemed to help. He rallied from 2-0 down, winning three straight games and breaking Murray for the first time to leave the

Scot barking his frustration. But Murray captured the decisive break in the ninth game with two points that showcased his speed and appetite for gut-busting running. Flung back and forth across the court by Querrey, Murray chased down ball after ball and the flustered American netted the simplest of volleys to give up break point. Murray then smacked a passing shot to take his serve and after blowing a first match point with a doublefault, he made no mistake with a huge serve on the second. “I thought I moved much better today than I did in the first two matches, which is really positive for me,” said Murray. “Each match I think I’ve improved a little bit. That’s a good sign. Hopefully I keep getting better.”

Yorke, John-Williams named to FIFA committees P O RT O F S PA I N , Trinidad, CMC – Former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke and FA head David John-Williams have been appointed to committees inside football’s world governing body, FIFA. The 45-year-old Yorke, who played over 70 times for Trinidad and Tobago, will s e r v e o n F I FA’s Development Committee and will be the only member from the Caribbean. Asian Football Confederation president, Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, will chair the committee which is tasked with analysing the basic aspects of football training and technical development. “I am humbled by this appointment,” said Yorke, perhaps the most successful footballer to emerge from the region. “It presents me with a chance to have an input and be part of the work being done by FIFA to develop the game worldwide and I feel privileged to be part of it. I am definitely looking forward to making a contribution.”

Former Trinidad and Manchester United star, Dwight Yorke. John-Williams, meanwhile, has been appointed to FIFA Players’ Status Committee, and is expected to serve until 2021. The controversial administrator, who has come under fire of recent because of the FA’s handling of the men’s senior team head coach position, joins the 21man committee chaired by Raymond Hack, a former chief executive of the South Africa FA.

“I am pleased, honoured and humbled by this appointment and the opportunity given to me,” John-Williams said. “I remain devoted to serving the game and I will continue to do this to the best of my ability.” Former Grenada international and Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers star, Jason Roberts, is the other Caribbean member of the committee.

Saturday January 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 35

Brilliant Narine keeps Renegades in hunt with narrow win

Aaron Finch gave the Renegades a blazing start with 71 off 35 balls © Cricket Australia/Getty Images

Sunil Narine picked up two wickets in the 19th over and set up a dramatic finish © Getty Images BRISBANE, Australia, CMC – West Indies offspinner Sunil Narine grabbed two wickets in a brilliant penultimate over as his Melbourne Renegades snatched an exciting one-run victory over Brisbane Heat, to remain in playoff contention in the Big Bash League here yesterday. With Heat requiring 26

runs from the last two overs in pursuit of 200 for victory at the Gabba, Narine struck off the first ball of the 19th over when he removed Marnus Labuschagne (1) to a catch in the deep off a topedged slog-sweep. Three balls later with as many runs added, Narine accounted for Jack Wildermuth for a first-ball ‘duck’, caught by

wicketkeeper Andrew Harriott running around to silly point as the batsman miscued an attempted big hit. P i v o t a l l y, N a r i n e conceded just eight runs from the over, leaving Heat under pressure to get a challenging 18 runs off the last. Hope flickered briefly when Joe Burns (35) lashed

two consecutive sixes off seamer Nathan Rimmington (2-37) but with three needed from the last ball, Mitchell Swepson was dramatically run out off a wide as Heat were dismissed for 198 with one delivery remaining. Narine finished with two for 38 to take his tally for the tournament in eight matches to 13 wickets.

Opener New Zealander Brendon McCullum stroked 64 from 40 deliveries to get Heat off to a flyer while Ben Cutting chipped in with 35. Earlier, captain and opener Aaron Finch slammed 71 off 35 deliveries, posting a swift 106 for the first wicket with Marcus Harris who struck 48, as Renegades got off a

great start. Renegades are one of four sides on eight points but lie fourth in the tables while Heat remain top on 10 points. Scores: Melbourne Renegades 5 for 199 (Finch 71, Harris 48, Steketee 2-37) beat Brisbane Heat 198 (McCullum 64, Cutting 35, Burns 35 Perera 2-27) by one run.

EBC congratulates Paul on KPL continues tomorrow West Indies U19 selection The Essequibo Cricket Board has congratulated allrounder Keemo Paul on his selection to the West Indies U19 team for the upcoming Regional Super 50 tournament set to start next week in Barbados and Antigua. The U19 team participation in the tournament will be part of their preparation for the defence of their World Cup title next year in New Zealand. And while Paul will be ineligible for the World Cup, he has been included to add strength to the team. “Paul continues to show vast improvement and is already a role model for the youths. He has the ability to play the game at the highest level and we would like to wish him well in the competition,” a release from the board stated. The West Indies U19 will play in Zone A slated for Antigua along side Trinidad and Tobago Red Force,

Keemo Paul

The KPL fundraising softball tournament is set to continue tomorrow with several matches. At Everest CC, Mike’s Wellman will play Ariel on pitch one, Success Masters will take on P a r i k a Amazon on pitch two and Regal Masters will face Savage on pitch three at

10:00hrs. At 13:00hrs, Success Masters will challenge Ariel on pitch one, Mike’s Wellman will take on Savage on pitch two and Regal Masters will tackle Amazon on pitch three. In the open category, at GNIC, Farm will battle Regal All stars at 09:00hrs,

Regal All stars will face Superstars at 11:00hrs and Superstars will play Success at 14:00hrs. At the Carifesta Sports Complex, Mike’s All stars will play three matches, facin g P i g e o n X I a t 09:00hrs, Success at 11:00hrs and Farm at 13:00hrs.

GTTA Doubles, Novices and Fundamental Table Tennis Challenge on this weekend

Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Windward Islands Volcanoes and English County side Kent Spitfires. Meanwhile, females players interested in

attending trial matches in order to gain selection on the county’s team for the Guyana Cricket Board tournament can contact Atto Christiani on 6018148.

T h e G u y a n a Ta b l e Tennis Association will kick start its 2017 Calendar of activities with a Doubles, Novices and Fundamental Table Tennis Challenge competition scheduled for the today and tomorrow at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall Homestretch Avenue. The Doubles, Novices and Fundamental Table Tennis Challenge will comprise the following events: The categories to be contested includes · Novices Open Challenge Boys and Girls

· Senior Doubles Open · Junior Doubles Open · Pre Cadet Doubles Open · Mixed Doubles · Junior Fundamental Challenge Open · Junior Fundamental Challenge Open · Pre Cadet Fundamental Challenge Open The Fundamental challenge will follow a format where players can select a partner whom they will team with to c o m p e t e i n knockout competition against other pairs drawn, engaging in

One (1) minute forehand rally, one (1) Minute backhand rally one (1) minute pushes with the pair with the highest collective total/ aggregate of completed rallies advancing to the next round through the finals to determine the winner. Trophies and Medals and other prizes will be awarded to the top two finishers in the doubles and fundamental challenge and to the top three players in the novice’s category.

t r o Sp Vintage Federer Fung puts AAG makes statement with Presidency Berdych demolition in perspective

Switzerland’s Roger Federer hits a shot during his Men’s singles third round match against Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych. (REUTERS/Jason Reed)

Shen Fung

Historic Oval ready to host premier regional one-day tournament

Historic Kensington Oval … fully prepared to host Zone B of the Regional Super50. 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