Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 24, 2018

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

EDITORIAL China’s spreading influence: look in the gift horse’s mouth (Republished from The Guardian) The arrest of a former CIA agent last week is the stuff of a classic murky spy tale. Though he is charged with unlawfully retaining national defence information, the US reportedly suspects that he leaked the names of informants. An earlier report alleged that China imprisoned or killed multiple US sources between 2010 and 2012. Both countries have plans for tackling espionage. But analysts, intelligence agencies and politicians are now debating how to handle the subtler challenge of Chinese influence activities: a “magic weapon” neither cloak-anddagger nor transparent. China says it does not interfere in other countries’ domestic affairs. Yet all nations seek to sway foreign governments and citizens towards their own priorities, interests and perspectives. The question is how they do so, and how far they go. (No one should pretend that western nations always act above board.) China’s influence work is strategic and multifaceted. Some of it is distinctive mainly for lavish resourcing. The National Endowment for Democracy recently described other aspects as “sharp power”: the effort by authoritarian states not just to attract support but to determine and control attitudes abroad. It seeks to “guide” the diaspora and enlist it for political activity. It embraces foreigners, appointing those with political influence to high-profile roles in Chinese companies. Chinese-language media overseas have been bought by entrepreneurs with ties to Beijing. Partnerships with universities shape research and limit debate. Last month, Australia’s Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, introduced a bill banning foreign donations as he warned of “unprecedented and increasingly sophisticated” attempts to influence politics. It follows a senator’s resignation after allegations that he tipped off a Chinese donor that his phone was probably tapped by security agencies; the case has reportedly prompted the Trump administration to open an investigation into Beijing’s covert influence operations in the US. In New Zealand, a Chinese-born MP denied being a spy after it emerged that he had spent years at top Chinese military colleges. A leading scholar on China has alleged that its “covert, corrupting and coercive political influence activities in New Zealand are now at a critical level”.Chinese state media has complained of “hysterical paranoia” with racist undertones in Australia. In an era of populism, there is good reason to worry that members of the diaspora, in particular, could face unfair suspicion.Citizens have the right to listen to the views of a foreign government, be persuaded and share them. But to speak for them, on their order, is different. Is someone acting spontaneously, or have they been prodded, coerced or bought? What links or leverage does Beijing enjoy? Establishing the answers is hard – and proving selfcensorship even tougher. But it is essential to at least attempt to distinguish between legitimate, improper and illegal activities.Casting light on the issue is by far the most important step. Democracies must delve into areas that may prove embarrassing. They need the capability to do so – starting with language skills. Working together would help. In places, laws may need to be tightened, though with care: banning foreign political donations is a basic step. For this issue says as much about the west as China. Beijing’s keenness to control speech is manifest, while influential figures and institutions in democracies proclaim lofty ideals – then fall prey to gullibility or greed. China’s influence would not go very far without the western hunger for its cash.

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

Scrutinise the appointment of educators Dear Editor, It is my concern of the extremely poor response in dealing with employment and appointment procedures of educators by the Guyana Te a c h e r s U n i o n , t h e Ministry of Education, the Te a c h i n g S e r v i c e Commission and the School Board Secretariat (in the case of Board schools). The practice for the appointment of educators within the Ministry of Education is under great scrutiny, even after the legal battle for employment practices by the Guyana Teachers Union against the teaching service Commission.

Operating procedures as prescribed by the Public Service laws of Guyana and Education Act for the employment, upgrade, appointment and in a number of case retention of teachers are still not conducted within the legal parameters. The new practice of Education officers seems to be one of toeing the line of their predecessors and refusing to strive for quality. Instead, officers function on having favoured persons being kept into positions merely because of their affiliation to these education officers. Even after a long battle

for fair and transparent upgrading and appointment of educators, it is still evident that appointment of educators is still not fair and transparent. Instances include persons being appointed without the requisite qualifications, interviewing and background checks by the employing body, especially in administrative positions. There are also the cases where retired rehired individuals are given positions that they are not fully qualified to assume. These positions could have been duly filled if such positions were placed in the Official Gazette and

applicants interviewed by a neutral body. It came as no surprise that Guyana is deemed as a n a t i o n s u ff e r i n g f r o m illiteracy when compared to other developing countries. It is gross amusement to also learn that experienced qualified persons were replaced by poorly qualified and inexperienced individuals. It is my fervent hope and plea that the permanent secretary and minister of education along with the Guyana teachers union, treat this issue with some dignity and respect. Yours truly, Shani Archer.

GAWU got nothing for its labour college Dear Editor, We refer to Mr. Eon Andrews’s letter titled “GTUC executive never had any discussion on closure of sugar estates” which appeared in the January 20, 2018 Stabroek News. We of the GAWU should not fail to use the opportunity to express our sincere appreciation for the GTUC’s timely statement on the

severance pay fiasco and its expressions of solidarity. We also welcome, if our interpretation is correct, the seeming possibility that the GTUC and the FITUG to engage with a view to discuss the travails and trials that confront thousands of Guyanese in the sugar belt in an effort to arrive at a consensual position. Our Union is supportive of such

an engagement and looks forward to its realization. The GAWU also notes that Mr Andrews in his letter, among other things, charged that “[t]he former government stopped the Critchlow Labour College subvention but ensured that GAWU got a subvention for their Labour College…” We wish to advise Mr Andrews that contrary to his

assertion, our Union did not receive any sums from the former Government for the operation of its Labour College. We hope that this will serve to clear up any misconception and serve to set the record straight. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

GAWU, the PPP/C and the Goose that laid the golden egg Dear Editor, None of us can find comfort in the plight of the close to five thousand sugar workers who recently found themselves on the breadline. When the dust finally settles, we must, as a nation, ask ourselves why were we so ill-prepared for this eventuality which was long in coming but which we steadfastly chose to ignore. At the core of this mess has been the poor and disruptive leadership of GAWU which positioned itself as a fierce adversary of the industry rather than as a partner committed to ensuring that the industry proves to be the best that it can be. Equally guilty is the PPP/Civic which weaponized sugar (and also rice) in pursuit of its political agenda by giving unflinching support to GAWU with its slash and burn approach to industrial relations. What should have been an environment reflecting good economic

and social relations with common goals became a battle zone that grew progressively worse over time. Strikes, the burning of canes and the willful destruction of plant and equipment became the core focus of GAWU rather than them seeking to improve production and productivity. And, of course, these are the teachings as promulgated to those who would have attended the Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow to be used as part of their political tool kit. Those of us old enough will recall the “heady” days when sugar was “king”, with prices reaching their peak in late 1974. But more than a decade before that, sugar workers were reaping a bountiful harvest, enjoying benefits such as house lots for$100; mortgage loans from the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund repayable at $2 per week and $1 per week upon retirement; free

medical facilities and community /entertainment centres with cricket and football fields that were on par with the GCC and GFC grounds at Bourda and which are currently good enough to host regional cricket matches. Not to mention were the various bonuses that were paid in the in-crop and out of crop seasons that enabled a life style that lower-ranked public servants and bauxite workers did not enjoy and which took their children out of the cane fields and placed them in class-rooms in primary and secondary schools across Guyana and with many going further afield. Logies with their thatched roofs and mud floors were removed from the landscape and replaced by brightly painted housing schemes. Paradoxically, those in the industry such as pan boilers, carpenters, mechanics and masons, many with forty or more

years of service, and who lived in adjacent villages, did not enjoy the land and housing benefits that were enjoyed by their field colleagues who lived in the sugar belt. This dichotomy partially explains up to today the contrast in housing conditions between villages along coastal Guyana. Despite enjoying such envious benefits, the industry was plagued with a level of indiscipline that has not been seen elsewhere in Guyana or perhaps elsewhere in the region. Week after week there continued to be wild cat strikes with estates seemingly taking turns in determining which one was going to strike in a particular week. But above all, the strikes were carried out with a venom against the PNC-led administration during its twenty-eight years in office. There appeared to be a single-mindedness in wanting to destroy the (Continued on page 5)

wednesday January 24, 2018

A presumptuous police sergeant‘ DEAR EDITOR, A Sergeant of police attached to Anna Regina Station presumptuously refused to charge a young man against whom a report was made for using threatening language to me twice on the same day. He used these words, “I am going to shoot you”. He then returned shortly afterwards to say “I am going to kill you”. At the time I was plying my trade as a ground provision vendor at the Cotton Field market while tending to a female customer and after becoming ever so much scared did not hesitate to make the report. The offender who

apparently was born in New York and has an American accent was at the market place recently in company of his grandmother who lives just aback of my home at Hibernia Village in Region Two when he committed the offence. Some time ago, I had a problem with the grandmother. It caused me to sense that he was out to harm me and feared for my life. The police promptly arrested the young man from whom a statement was taken. I gave one as well but much to my surprise the officer made it known to me that he could not institute a charge because he did not have evidence to do so. No dissatisfaction would

have been expressed by me had a Magistrate adjudicated in the matter and found that the evidence was insufficient. The grandmother had spent almost an hour in the Sergeant’s Office and since money can do wonders, it could well have been used to defeat the course of justice. In my presence, The Deputy Commander for the division had instructed the sergeant to charge the man for using threatening language to me but this was not done from insubordination in a disciplined service. With thanks, Yours faithfully, BODH NARINE

A lure for the criminals DEAR EDITOR, Serious action needs to be taken against the vendors who are vending in front of the Enterprise Primary School on immovable concrete and wooden structures which are encouraging a series of traumatizing activities in the particular area. I am a single parent mother of two who lives directly opposite the school. The activities which are taking place on these stalls at nights have left me and my children really traumatized and fearful. I am asking that these vendors utilize movable structures/stalls in order to ensure safety in the particular area since these stalls/structures have become a liming spot for idlers and a hiding spot for bandits during the nights. Sadly, they are situated directly opposite my home. In the f i r s t w e e k o f November 2017, when the stalls were on the right side in front of the school, four bandits hid their cycles between these stalls and began to climb into my yard from the empty lot nearby. As I began to shout for help and turn on my lights, they jumped over the fence, pulled out their cycles from the stalls and rode away. The following week,

three bandits beat and robbed a resident of that area. No assistance was rendered to the poor guy all because persons were fearful that there were more bandits hiding in the stalls. Now, it has become worse for my kids and me since the stalls have moved from the right side in front of the school to the left side. Idlers are going there in the afternoons to smoke illegal substances and are troubling my family and me. Not forgetting to mention that one of the vendor’s sons also comes there to sit on the stalls and smoke with his friends. He keeps saying that they will murder my family bec a u s e w e are asking for these structures to be removed. Multiple calls and report to the Vigilance Police station have been very futile. I don’t want these vendors to stop selling but for them to have movable stalls so that the area will be clear at nights. Many reports have been made to the NDC but yet no solution has been given to this issue. Last July, I wrote a letter to the chairman but when I attended the meeting, my letter was said to haven’t been submitted. However, I was given a

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chance to state my problem. The chairman assured me that he would look into the matter. Until today, nothing has been done. All I am asking is for these stalls to be removed and for movable stalls to be used. Doing so would reduce these activities at nights. However, I must mention that one of these vendors has connections with certain officials. Hence, a blind eye is being turned to this matter. Also, on the weekends, when these vendor ’s are cleaning up for the new week, they tend to burn their garbage right by the roadside. My son, who is an asthmatic, is being affected. I would really be glad if further authorities could look into this matter as soon as possible. I would once again like to say that if these stalls are removed and movable stalls are used, these limers and bandits would h a v e nowhere to lime or hide and these activities would be reduced. Yours Respectfully, Haiwattee Ameer Residence of Enterprise

Security searches at CJIA Dear Editor, We refer to the letter by Candice Rowena Ramessar dated January 20, 2018 published in the Stabroek News captioned “The CJIA should not be profiling Rastafari and those with locks.” The management of Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC) apologizes for any discomfort Ms. Ramessar experienced during the screening process. We continuously train

and remind our staff to conduct passenger security screening in the most professional, polite, respectful and caring manner. All departing passengers are required to be screened via a walk thru metal detector or a full body scanner. If in the process of screening an anomaly is detected, then the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) requires that our security personnel investigate the cause of the alarm

and clear same thus ensuring that there is no threat posed to other passengers, flight crew or aircraft. CJIAC remains committed to ensuring that all passengers are processed in an efficient and hassle free manner whilst maintaining our mandate to protect all passengers, crew and aircraft against any acts of unlawful interference against civil aviation. Aneka Edwards Head, CEO Secretariat

GAWU, the PPP/C and the Goose... From page 4 industry by committing such acts as those described earlier. Little did they realize that in seeking to remove the PNC from office by their destructive acts, they were killing the goose that laid the golden egg. Somehow, nobody seemed to realize or cared thatthe burning of canes meant lower yields; that work days lost through strikes meant lower production and productivity and these, when combined, meant lower earnings, leaving the industry short of badly needed resources to recapitalize and refurbish its operations. And, when the Europeans gave early warnings of their intention to reduce the level of their price support to the industry over time, no serious attempt was made to determine how to reposition the industry to keep it alive. The approach taken was that sugar was too big to fail and that the taxpayers of Guyana had deep pockets to fill the financing gap. Indeed, no other industry has enjoyed the level of subsidies like the sugar industry. But alas, for an economy the size of Guyana’s, it would be reckless to continue to prop up an industry that is badly haemorrhaging, (subsidies of $3bn annually and more) without some attempt at restructuring. Added taxes to a tax base that is supported by those least able, or massive borrowings or “the

printing of money” are no longer viable options for continuing to finance the industry, leaving Government with no option but to take corrective action. Good leaders must be able to assess the implications of their actions and to anticipate changes in the environment in which they function; they must closely follow emerging trends and position their organizations to fluidly embrace those on-coming changes. Any objective analysis would show that GAWU and the PPP/C have served their followers very poorly by not preparing them for this eventuality and worse yet, by giving them the assurance that it is business as usual. The PPP/C had twenty-three years in office and had ample notice from the Europeans of their intention to reduce the level of their price support. Yet they failed to act. An important lesson from this whole episode is that recklessness in the approach to industrial relations has consequences at the level of the firm as well as the country. Count the costs to date of those weekly strikes, the tens of thousands or perhaps millions of acres of cane burnt and other damage carried out and try to determine how much more sustainable our sugar industry might have been. Trade Union members

must also keep questioning whether actions taken by their unions are in their best socioeconomicinterests and if not, move with their feet. GAWU, supported by the PPP/C, has been a toxic union and must be severely damaged in the eyes of potential investors who may wish to acquire any of the current or closed estates and who may wish to rehire some of the retrenched workers. With respect to those remaining in the industry, it is perhaps time for them to critically decide whether a continuing relationship with GAWU is in their best interest. For its part, Government must quickly organize a consultation involving a group of local, regional and international experts on the way forward to determine how best to respond to the upcoming social and economic challenges that will no doubt arise from this retrenchment exercise. The time is of now. Steve Fraser

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wednesday January 24, 2018

GAWU, the PPP/C and the Goose that laid the golden egg DEAR EDITOR, None of us can find comfort in the plight of the close to five thousand sugar workers who recently found themselves on the breadline. When the dust finally settles, we must, as a nation, ask ourselves why were we so ill-prepared for this eventuality which was long in coming but which we steadfastly chose to ignore. At the core of this mess has been the poor and disruptive leadership of GAWU which positioned itself as a fierce adversary of the industry rather than as a partner committed to ensuring that the industry proves to be the best that it can be. Equally guilty is the PPP/ Civic which weaponized sugar (and also rice) in pursuit of its political agenda by giving unflinching support to GAWU with its slash and burn approach to industrial relations. What should have been an environment reflecting good economic and social relations with common goals became a battle zone that grew progressively worse over time. Strikes, the burning of canes and the willful destruction of plant and equipment became the core focus of GAWU rather than them seeking to improve produc-

tion and productivity. And, of course, these are the teachings as promulgated to those who would have attended the Patrice Lumumba University in Moscow to be used as part of their political tool kit. Those of us old enough will recall the “heady” days when sugar was “king”, with prices reaching their peak in late 1974. But more than a decade before that, sugar workers were reaping a bountiful harvest, enjoying benefits such as house lots for$100; mortgage loans from the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund repayable at $2 per week and $1 per week upon retirement; free medical facilities and community /entertainment centres with cricket and football fields that were on par with the GCC and GFC grounds at Bourda and which are currently good enough to host regional cricket matches. Not to mention were the various bonuses that were paid in the in-crop and out of crop seasons that enabled a life style that lower-ranked public servants and bauxite workers did not enjoy and which took their children out of the cane fields and placed them in class-rooms in primary and secondary schools across Guyana and with many

going further afield. Logies with their thatched roofs and mud floors were removed from the landscape and replaced by brightly painted housing schemes. Paradoxically, those in the industry such as pan boilers, carpenters, mechanics and masons, many with forty or more years of service, and who lived in adjacent villages, did not enjoy the land and housing benefits that were enjoyed by their field colleagues who lived in the sugar belt. This dichotomy partially explains up to today the contrast in housing conditions between villages along coastal Guyana. Despite enjoying such envious benefits, the industry was plagued with a level of indiscipline that has not been seen elsewhere in Guyana or perhaps elsewhere in the region. Week after week there continued to be wild cat strikes with estates seemingly taking turns in determining which one was going to strike in a particular week. But above all, the strikes were carried out with a venom against the PNC-led administration during its twenty-eight years in office. There appeared to be a singlemindedness in wanting to

Trotman’s Ministry thanks Melinda Janki Dear Editor, The Ministry of Natural Resources welcomes all feedback from the public on any of the subjects under its remit. We would like to especially thank Melinda Jankie (What is being gained from ExxonMobil’s investment? – Stabroek News January 21, 2018) and Akola Thompson (We need other industries when extractive ones fail us- Stabroek News January 22, 2018) for their recent letters in the press expressing a number of concerns with regards to Guyana’s preparation for oil and gas production in

2020. The concerns raised in both letters are valid and we will further examine them with a view to making needed improvements going forward. We ask that both letter writers as well as all stakeholders look out for our planned round of outreaches and stakeholder engagements in 2018 during which we will have more chances to interact and receive valuable feedback from Guyanese. There have been criticisms, not all justifiable, but acknowledged, of as-

pects of Government’s oil and gas preparations – from the legislation proposed for the Petrol e u m C ommission of Guyana and our Draft Local Content Policy to the PSA with ExxonMobil and the signature bonus. These issues are engaging the attention of not only this Ministry b u t t h e e n t i r e Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana Cabinet. Again, we welcome your feedback and comments as together we work to bring Guyana from ‘zero to 100’ in the shortest possible time to manage this resource with which we are blessed. Yours faithfully, Johann Earle Public Affairs and Communications Officer,

destroy the industry by committing such acts as those described earlier. Little did they realize that in seeking to remove the PNC from office by their destructive acts, they were killing the goose that laid the golden egg. Somehow, nobody seemed to realize or cared that the burning of canes meant lower yields; that work days lost through strikes meant lower production and productivity and these, when combined, meant lower earnings, leaving the industry short of badly needed resources to recapitalize and refurbish its operations. And, when the Europeans gave early warnings of their intention to reduce the level of their price support to the industry over time, no serious attempt was made to determine how to reposition the industry to keep it alive. The approach taken was that sugar was too big to fail and that the taxpayers of Guyana had deep pockets to fill the financing gap. Indeed, no other industry has enjoyed the level of subsidies like the sugar industry. But alas, for an economy the size of Guyana’s, it would be reckless to continue to prop up an industry that is badly haemorrhaging, (sub-

sidies of $3bn annually and more) without some attempt at restructuring. Added taxes to a tax base that is supported by those least able, or massive borrowings or “the printing of money” are no longer viable options for continuing to finance the industry, leaving Government with no option but to take corrective action.Good leaders must be able to assess the implications of their actions and to anticipate changes in the environment in which they function; they must closely follow emerging trends and position their organizations to fluidly embrace those oncoming changes. Any objective analysis would show that GAWU and the PPP/C have served their followers very poorly by not preparing them for this eventuality and worse yet, by giving them the assurance that it is business as usual. The PPP/C had twenty-three years in office and had ample notice from the Europeans of their intention to reduce the level of their price support. Yet they failed to act. An important lesson from this whole episode is that recklessness in the approach to industrial relations has consequences at the level of the firm as well as the coun-

try. Count the costs to date of those weekly strikes, the tens of thousands or perhaps millions of acres of cane burnt and other damage carried out and try to determine how much more sustainable our sugar industry might have been. Trade Union members must also keep questioning whether actions taken by their unions are in their best socioeconomic interests and if not, move with their feet. GAWU, supported by the PPP/C, has been a toxic union and must be severely damaged in the eyes of potential investors who may wish to acquire any of the current or closed estates and who may wish to rehire some of the retrenched workers. With respect to those remaining in the industry, it is perhaps time for them to critically decide whether a continuing relationship with GAWU is in their best interest.For its part, Government must quickly organize a consultation involving a group of local, regional and international experts on the way forward to determine how best to respond to the upcoming social and economic challenges that will no doubt arise from this retrenchment exercise. The time is of now. Steve Fraser

Jagdeo knows about politically influenced supersession Dear Editor: To listen to Bharrat Jagdeo speak is to test ones stomach. Jagdeo is spouting about supersession when all the world know what he did to senior Colonels of the GDF including Gordon Benn, “BJ” Ross, Frank Bishpam, and Lawrence Paul. The unmitigated gall of the man is beyond belief. Now he is attempting to castigate this government for moving in the right direction with regard to a former GIMPEX employee who displayed an appalling lack of professionalism required for the constitutional office he holds. Let Jagdeo tell citizens what was the thinking of the PPP government when it decided to supersede Nigel Hoppie, Lindon Alves, and

Dale Alves by Clifton Hicken when promotion to Assistant Commissioner was being considered. Was it as a reward for the Linden debacle where three Guyanese were murdered? Jagdeo by his posturing is showing us daily why he was always unfit and improper to become president of this Cooperative Republic and so he remains to this day. For the benefit of the uninformed, it was always a PPP strategy to populate the upper echelons of the police force with persons of a certain ilk. Is it any wonder that we are inundated with news of this or that nefarious activity that is shielded from the light of day? Why is it taking almost a month for the DPP to come up with a decision on Dookie?

Why was Dookie permitted to proceed on vacation leave when everyone knows that it is customary practice that ranks do not go on leave once there is an investigation ongoing? What is the Guyana Revenue Authority’s role in this entire whiskygate? Why were complaints of sexual harassment against a certain small-division commander never investigated? Why is a certain large division commander not taking his substantial accrued vacation leave while others are ordered to take theirs? The government needs to do a rethink of its accord with the elements within the coalition if obstacles to genuine reform are to be removed. Faithfully Gervy Grandison

Wednesday January 24, 2018

Brazilian bandits captured after robbing Lethem jeweller, crashing victim’s car Prompt response by police and horrible driving by a bandit, led to the capture yesterday of three Brazilians who had robbed the wife of a Lethem businessman after tying her up at gunpoint. The robbery occurred at around 15.00 hrs at Michael’s Jewellery and Cell Phone Shop at Barrack Retreat and Kanuku Drive, Lethem. The business is owned by Dwaine Grant, a businessman from

Bon Fim, Brazil. Police said that Grant’s 24year-old reputed wife, Maxine Buckley was in the store when three men, who were speaking Portuguese, entered. After holding the woman at gunpoint and tying her up, the men packed several watches, cell phones and pieces of jewellery into a haversack. They then took the keys to Grant’s husband’s car, with

the intention of escaping in the vehicle. However, instead of reversing, the robber at the wheel drove forward and crashed into the shop. “An alarm was raised, and the police responded promptly and in the process three male Brazilians were arrested,” a release stated. “Police are still searching the area for the bag containing the articles allegedly stolen.”

Accused in Kaneville robbery/murder refused bail A 22-year-old year old man has been charged for the murder of Kaneville machine operator, Ishwar Ramanah. Rayon Carter of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara was unrepresented by legal counsel when he made his initial appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts yesterday. According to the allegation, Carter murdered Ramanah at Kaneville, East Bank Demerara during the course of a robbery. The accused was not required to plea to the charge and was remanded to prison until February 22. Reports are that Ramanah, 30, called ‘Jack,’ of 624 Macaw Drive, Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, was shot on December 13, 2017, by a gun-

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Charged: Rayon Carter

Dead: Ishwar Ramanah

man, who, with an accomplice, invaded his home and relieved him of a $40,000 gold chain. The injured man was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital in a critical condition and later succumbed.

Police recovered a spent shell from a weapon of small calibre at the scene. The suspect was later identified as Carter who was previously placed on $100,000 bail for allegedly stealing a BlackBerry Torch smartphone from a woman.

Suspected carjacking owner of taxi service ring busted -held, four cars seized Investigators believe that they might have cracked a carjacking ring with the arrest of a taxi base operator, four of his employees and the seizure of four cars on Monday at an East Bank Demerara taxi service. The taxi service and a mechanic shop are owned and operated by the individual. Up to press time, the base owner, his brother (a taxi driver) and three of his mechanics were in police custody. According to information received, police ranks stumbled upon the taxi base on Sunday night when they went to the location to look for a crashed vehicle which was taken to the mechanic shop by Ganesh James, who is currently on $100,000 bail for hijacking a car. Kaieteur News was informed that it was there that they found four vehicles, including two crashed cars in which the chassis numbers had been tampered with. The two crashed cars along with a Toyota Fielder Wagon and a Toyota Allion were seized. There was a spate of carjacking last year with Toyota Allion and Toyota

Ganesh James, charged for carjacking Premio vehicles being the most targeted. Late last year, James was arrested after he reportedly conspired with others to hijack a car valued $2.1M from Ramesh Ramoutar on December 14, last, at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara. He was charged on Monday. Reports are that James tampered with the stolen vehicle’s chassis number. He reportedly put the chassis number that was on his crashed car on the stolen car.

The crashed vehicle that James left at the mechanic shop was allegedly being used as parts for other stolen cars. During interrogation on Sunday, James led ranks to Herstelling where they discovered two other crashed cars, and on both vehicles the chassis numbers had been tampered with. At the base also, ranks found the two vehicles believed to be stolen cars. Investigations are ongoing.

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Nothing can compensate my parents for their suffering - Former NBS CEO’s daughter She is the baby of the family and one of the country’s scholars, but yesterday, she and her lawyer husband took the battle to the offices of Guyana’s largest mortgage finance entity. And they won. But for Gina Arjoon-Hira, the victory is bittersweet. “I really can’t say that it is a victory because so much time has elapsed. I don’t think that anyone can imagine the pain that my parents were enduring for the past 10 years. This is just a step, but we still

have a long way to go.” Arjoon-Hira was standing next to her husband, attorneyat-law, Ganesh Hira, who is part of the legal team, with prominent lawyer Sanjeev Datadin, taking on the New Building Society (NBS). They had both been fighting to have NBS pay over a $59M judgment announced last month as part of the benefits for Maurice Arjoon, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Arjoon and his two man-

agers were charged and dismissed from NBS after being accused of stealing $69M. However, the court cleared the men and independent investigations recommended that they seek private actions for damages. Yesterday, Hira and his legal team managed to descend on NBS with Court Marshals, with a five-plus hour standoff that ensued (See story on centre page). Customers, the lawyers and a Court Marshal were all locked inside the

Former CEO Maurice Arjoon’s daughter, Gina, at right, with attorney-at-law Sanjeev Datadin (left) at NBS yesterday. building. Police later arrested security officials and a number of managers for possible contempt. Yesterday, following the handing over of a cheque by NBS for $59M, Arjoon’s daughter insisted the battle is far from over. “We are seeking other damages too. My parents would be best to answer this. At this time, I am really happy

to see them and give them this cheque. Insisting that the suffering and wait for the benefits were beyond anything that can easily be described, the daughter said the decade-long experience has been bitter and hard. “Nothing can compensate for what these people have done to my parents. Nothing can compensate for their suf-

fering.” NBS’s board, headed by former Chairmen Moen McDoom, and Dr. Nanda Gopaul, is being accused by the family of placing hurdles every step of the way to deny Arjoon of his benefits. The case had been closely watched, with pressure mounting on NBS to do the right thing and pay the money owed to Mr. Arjoon.

Wednesday January 24, 2018

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A sweetheart deal The PNC knows how to make a sweetheart deal. It made such a deal with Omai Gold Mines Limited, handing that company a clause which protected it against any future laws. In other words, not even parliament could reduce the benefits which were due to Omai under that agreement. Given the PNC’s record of controversial deals with foreign investors, it is not surprising to learn that ExxonMobil enjoys a stability clause within its agreement which protects the benefits which the company now enjoys under its agreement with the government of Guyana. This newspaper reported yesterday on the generous concessions which are being enjoyed by Exxon. The oil giant enjoys uncapped concessions on items imported, including all-terrain vehicles, trailers, computers, other vehicles, bulldozers, cement, gravel, hammer wrenches,

lights, drums, water tanks and waste bins. Since some of the items on the list approved can be sourced in Guyana, questions have logically arisen about local content provisions within the contract. Article 21 states that ExxonMobil and all its affiliates engaged in Petroleum Operations shall be permitted to import, free of duty, VAT on all or any other duties, taxes, levies or imposts, all equipment and supplies required for Petroleum Operations, including but not limited to drillships, platforms, vessels, geophysical tools, communications equipment, explosives, radioactive sources, vehicles, oilfield supplies, lubricants, consumable items (other than foodstuffs or alcoholic beverages or fuel). Right now the Peeper and the publisher of this newspaper are sending out applications to Exxon Mobil. We

would like to be employed by the company given the benefits which are to be paid and the concessions which are to be enjoyed. The contract states that each expatriate employee of ExxonMobil or its affiliates who have been assigned to work in Guyana will be given duty free as well. The contract states, “…Subject to the limitations and conditions set out in the Customs Act, to import into Guyana free of import duty and taxes within six (6) months on first arrival, his personal and household effects including one (1) motor vehicle, provided, however, that no property so imported by the employee shall be sold by him in Guyana except in accordance with Government regulations and upon the payment of the prescribed customs duties.” It goes on to state that “any importation or replace-

DEM BOYS SEH

People going to jail fuh Jagdeo wickedness

Jagdeo is de only man who give heself a solid pension and he don’t have a chick or a child. He ain’t got a goat in ee yard. But he put two people in de New Building Society fuh punish Uncle Arjoon. Dem boys seh he and ee people put Uncle Arjoon through hell fuh 11 years. Dem want to know which hell God gun put he in. De New Building Society show every single wicked trait in Jagdeo yesterday. And all this happen because Maurice Arjoon, de man who use to head de NBS in PPP time, refuse to tek de bank money and give Jagdeo to build de Berbice Bridge. Knowing that spiteful, evil wicked brute, Jagdeo, set up de man and two of ee manager. Then he knock dem off,

charge dem and lock dem up. De next day he put dem before de court on trump up charges. De SOB had some judges pun he side. Dem stall de case fuh years and in de end de man still win. De court rule that de man get knock off wrongfully through spitefulness. Uncle Arjoon then sue fuh get he gratuity and pension. Again that wicked scamp, Jagdeo, get de judges to stall up de case. Uncle Arjoon complain to everybody under de sun. He complain to de Ombudsman who rule that de knock off was wrong and that de judge must hear de man case fuh he get ee money. Eventually de judge rule that de man must be paid, but Jagdeo people refuse to pay.

Dem believe that Jagdeo still in power and dem bigger than de judge. De Ombudsman dead and gone and Uncle Arjoon still didn’t get a cent. That is how he go back to court and sue fuh contempt. De judge enforce de order yesterday and de Marshals end up in de bank. Some get lock out because de bank was still insisting that Uncle Arjoon don’t get ee pension money, because dem seh Jagdeo gun save dem. De police tun up wid de prison van and before night set in, dem hand Uncle Arjoon he pension cheque, but dem still end up in de lock up. This story now start. Talk half and always remember de Man above don’t sleep.

ment of motor vehicles by Expatriate Employees of the Contractor (including any Affiliated Company) and of SubContractors shall be a matter for consultation with the Minister”. The contract also states that each expatriate employee of the Contractor (including any Affiliated Company) and of Sub-Contractors shall have the right to export from Guyana, free of all duties and taxes, and at any time, all of the items imported. As for the company of itself, the contract states that, “Any of the items imported into Guyana may, if no longer required for Petroleum Operations hereunder, be freely exported at any time by the importing party, without the payment of any export duty or impost; provided, however, that on the sale or transfer by the importer of any such item to any person in Guyana (other than the Government) import duty shall be payable by the importer on the value

thereof at the date of such sale or transfer as determined by the Customs and Excise Department in accordance with their applicable rules.” What is most attractive, though, is that the contract allows Exxon to determine how much it will pay its workers. The Peeper and the publisher are applying for a job because it matters not what Exxon pays us, the money is going to be recoverable by the company when oil production begins. In other words, Exxon can pay its workers whatever it wants and simply deduct it as expenses which have to be repaid by Guyanese. This is the sort of sweetheart deal which was signed by the government with the oil giant. It is a shameful agreement. Given all the con-

cessions which are enjoyed by Exxon, it needs to be asked just what benefits Guyana will enjoy under this most generous contract that the coalition government has signed with the oil company. The President is trying too hard to keep his coalition government together. It is not worth keeping it together. The agreement signed with ExxonMobil is as rotten as one can get. It is time for a Commission of Inquiry to be launched into this deal which will see Guyana’s oil wealth being squirreled away by the oil multinational.

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Wednesday January 24, 2018

Significant reduction in pit wall collapse-related fatalities There has been a significant reduction in pit wall collapse-related fatalities in the mining industry and more attention will be placed on reducing tree-felling accidents and fatalities in 2018. Director of Compliance at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Derrick Lawrence, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) yesterday, that in 2017, only two mining deaths were as a result of pit wall collapse when compared to five in 2016 and 14 in 2015. In 2016 the Ministry, through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), had increased training, monitoring and enforcement activities to curb the high level of fatalities in the industry. “The GGMC officers have increased their engineering expertise so that as soon as miners begin to climb up into the medium scale operations they are able to be advised in terms of how to design and construct stable pits,” Lawrence said. The Director said the Guyana School of Mining has also been training miners in several comprehensive courses on safe mining practices, especially in areas where there were high incidences of fatalities. Additionally, the GGMC has been enforcing occupational health and safety practices in mining opera-

- More training to reduce death by falling trees

Director of Compliance at the Natural Resources Ministry, Derrick Lawrence tions. “We have a number of mines offices as well as miners and some members of the Corps of Wardens all trained in Occupational Health and Safety in the field,” Lawrence pointed out. The Ministry also had a special inspectors’ manual developed, through the ILO, to guide inspections of mining camps. “We also work in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection and so there is an ongoing policy that focuses on occupational safety and health within the mining districts,” Lawrence

noted. TREE-FALLING INCIDENTS However, the success achieved is being marred by the increase in tree-felling accidents and fatalities. Lawrence noted that the sector has recorded an increase in such incidences. “Sometimes that is a result of Mother Nature at play, some kind of natural disaster, but there are other times when that has to do with the lack of scientific ways of clearing the ground before one starts to mine,” he explained. As recent as Monday, a mining-related death occurred in Mahdia. Lawrence said preliminary reports reaching the Ministry suggest it was as a result of a tree falling. “I am aware that the GGMC has dispatched a team to investigate the matter properly. From the initial reports that we have it is not a pit wall failure,” he said. The GGMC has begun engaging miners to reverse this growing trend. “Handling and felling trees the right way is something that, as people go out prospecting, they really need the guidance of the experts in this matter,” Lawrence said.

CARICOM, China look to deepen trade, other cooperation SANTIAGO, Chile (CMC) – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have indicated a willingness to work with China regarding the socio-economic development of the 15-member grouping. Foreign Ministers of the nine CARICOM countries which recognise Beijing met with their Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC) that ended here on Monday.

Chair of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) Maxine McClean, underscored the importance CARICOM attached to the existing Caribbean-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, and the Caribbean-China Consultations. McClean, who is also the Barbados Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister describing those consultations as “valuable mechanisms for continued dialogue and cooperation”.

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She said CARICOM also regards the “One Belt, One Road” initiative China announced in Santiago, as a “very important cooperation and development mechanism. “We look forward to working closely with China in ascertaining the best means of linking the opportunities arising from the initiative to the Community’s own development goals and priorities. These include, for example, regional transportation, renewable energy, and (Continued on page 23)

Cubans caught with fake travel documents jailed for nine months A Cuban couple is set to serve nine months in prison for fraud. The two persons appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts yesterday. The charge which was read to them with the aid of an interpreter stated that on January 20 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Tahimi Batista, 25, and Jose Rodriguez, 29, both Cuban nationals, uttered forged Canadian Resident Cards - purporting to show that they were issued by the Government of Canada - to Customer Representative of Caribbean Airlines Stacy Moriah. According to the facts of the matter presented to the court, the couple arrived in Guyana legally on January 17 via CJIA but that on January

Tahimi Batista

Jose Rodriguez

20, they tried to travel to Canada with the fake resident cards. Both parties pleaded guilty to the charge, but Batista explained to the Court that her boyfriend had paid US$2,000 for the cards after he

applied for documents online. The Chief Magistrate imposed a nine-month prison sentence on the couple and ordered they be deported immediately after serving their sentence.

Man remanded on illegal ammo charge Shawn Appru, 43, of Second Street, La Penitence, Georgetown, was yesterday remanded to prison on an illegal ammunition charge. According to the facts presented to Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, Appru was detained by police ranks after 3 live rounds of .38 am-

munition was allegedly found at his home during a police raid. Appru denied the allegations. His attorney, Mark Conway applied for bail and disputed that the ammunition was found in his client’s home.

However, while opposing the bail application Police Prosecutor Stephen Telford told the court that Appru took the ranks to where the gun was found in his apartment. The Magistrate remanded Appru until February 7.

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Child care director chides wanting reportage on children’s issue The media, like the rest of the society, has a crucial role to help protect the rights of children. In so doing, it is always imperative that deliberate efforts are made to ensure that the vulnerability of children is not amplified. This is the opinion of Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency [CPA], Ms. Ann Greene, as she condemned a recent article published by this newspaper that has the potential of increasing a child’s vulnerability. The article in question ‘Cell phone addiction sparks teen’s runaway,’ is one of a missing child. In the said article, family members shared extensively of the circumstances they believed led to the child’s disappearance. The child was yesterday located and reunited with her family.

But according to Greene, the role of a responsible media entity, in such a case, should in fact be to merely report of the missing status of the child and refer the family to the CPA to share any further details. Such a case, according to Greene, is suitable for a family conferencing approach, which is a tactic designed to address issues that affect children. CPA is aiming to host a total of 65 such conferences this year, Greene informed. As she continued her deliberation on the way issues involving vulnerable children are reported on, Greene said, “if it is not done in a responsible way, this can expose a child to further vulnerability...when information about what is perceived to cause the child to be missing is publicised it can cause

further harm.” “Even if the family comes in desperation, the media has a responsibility to deal with these issues in a manner in keeping with the rights of a child ...children must always be portrayed in a positive light,” cautioned Greene. As such, the CPA Director emphasised the importance of media practitioners having a clear understanding of the dos and don’ts when reporting on issues pertaining to children. “I am totally disgusted with the media and how they handle issues with children in the media sometimes…in spite of all the training that is done with media practitioners. A child should not even be portrayed without clothes in the media,” warned Greene. According to Greene, it is her hope that the media could

be part of the solution rather than the problem, when it comes to the protection of children. “The media has a role to help stop abuse of children,” said Greene, as she underscored that irresponsible reporting could “damage a child for life; sharing all the details about what occurred is not helping at all when it comes to protecting our children”. Even as Greene recounted reports carried by multiple media entities which failed to adhere to responsible reporting, she asserted, “I have to make tough decisions sometimes to protect children and the decisions I make, at times, do not always find favour with the adults in the children’s lives...” As such, she noted that “we [CPA] are the ones to deal with the drama, not the media. When a child runs away from home and is found we have to find out why he or she ran away in the first place and we work with the family; we

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

have to hear both sides of the story.” Greene also weighed in on the wandering charge which has been meted out to some children over the years. The charge is one that is slated to be eliminated once the Juvenile Justice Bill becomes a reality. A number of child rights organisations and activists have called for the swift abolition of the charge, since it is believed to cause some youths, who act out because of abuse, to be further punished. But according to Greene, while it is true that a number of youths who have been charged with wandering are victims of abuse, there are yet some who are predisposed to a delinquent lifestyle. “They might reject the order of the home, they might reject certain things...some may even be habitual street walkers….they are predisposed to this and they want to be on the streets, and there is no way we can leave a child on the streets, so we have got to get some place that we can put that child as we try to find out what is really happening,” said Greene. In light of this, she said that the charge of wandering has been helping CPA to save

CPA Director, Ms. Ann Greene some children until an alternative measure is put in place. “When they are held for wandering it means that the Probation Officers and Social Workers have an opportunity to find out why the child is running away...we may have to get the child to a confined place to do this,” Greene reiterated. She pointed out that until other measures are in place, “Wandering in some cases is the only charge to help us deal with children on the streets who are predisposed to the lifestyle...if we leave them out there, the situation would only get worse.”

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Ministry introduces free ‘Maths Camp’ for Grade Six pupils

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As part of its continued effort to improve the Mathematics performance of pupils at the National Grade Six Assessment [NGSA], the Ministry of Education has introduced a ‘Maths Camp’ initiative. This publication has learnt that a Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] to this effect has been set out to primary schools across the country by Chief Education Officer, Mr. Marcel Hutson. Speaking of the MOU initiative yesterday, Senior Public Relations Officer within the Ministry, Mr. Brushell Blackman, said that by way of the memo, schools have been instructed to conduct mathematics camps within the respective regions. As stated in the memo, Blackman said that “all grade six pupils must be informed and given the opportunity to attend the Maths camps.” The sessions, he related, are being offered at no cost and therefore cannot be misconstrued for extra lessons. “Parents will not have to pay for their children to be a part of the camps, and according to the CEO, too, parents can even accompany their children if they so desire,” Blackman added. He revealed that starting from January 27, 2018, the activity is expected to be conducted on Saturdays, between 09:00 and 12:00 hours, until March 24, 2018. Blackman explained that schools in close proximity can

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Senior Public Relations Officer, Mr. Brushell Blackman meet in clusters at a common venue. This, he said, will translate to students from schools in North Georgetown, South Georgetown and East Georgetown meeting at the North Georgetown Primary School, West Ruimveldt Primary and F. E. Pollard Primary schools, respectively. The main purpose of the activity, Blackman said, is to discuss difficult mathematical topics and concepts, and to share effective methods to address same with emphasise on problem-solving techniques. The initiative is expected to see Maths coordinators and Monitors organising and being actively involved in this exercise, along with teachers from the various schools. In order to ensure the efficacy of the programme, Blackman said that moves are apace to develop a structured programme to ensure its effective delivery. “Based on what the CEO is saying, this is not going to be a one-off thing, it will be done up until the sitting of NGSA, and teachers and monitors who were employed during the maths intervention [last year] and other officials will play an integral part in Maths Camp every Saturday,” Blackman related. The 2018 sitting of the NGSA will be conducted on March 28 and 29. In the quest to ensure that pupils are on the right track, the Ministry recently conducted ‘Mock’ NGSA examinations. This tactic is one that was geared at highlighting the weaknesses of pupils with a view of having them addressed. Last year, a Mathematics intervention saw the Ministry recording a 46 percent (Continued on page 28)

Wednesday January 24, 2018

Kaieteur News

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GWI receives multi-million $$ bids for security services‌ (From page 11) Securing bids for the construction of one pontoon complete with mud-bin for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) was the Ministry of Agriculture. Seven bids were received for this project.

The Ministry of Agriculture, NDIA, received bids for the procurement of one new singledrum vibratory soil compactor for the department.

Lastly, the Agriculture Ministry received bids for the supply of three new open back 4Ă—4 Pickups for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority.

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wednesday January 24, 2018

Opposition Wants Special Task Forces To Investigate Crime The Gleaner - The Leader of the Opposition Dr Peter Phillips has called for the Government to establish special major task forces dedicated to probing cases in high crime areas. Phillips says the task forces should be staffed with the most sophisticated personnel in the police force. He further says the units should be given legal support to help investigators preparing their cases so as to ensure that cases result in successful convictions. Phillips argues that the lack of convictions is a major problem driving crime across the country, which he says is at a crisis level.

Dr Peter Phillips He was speaking yesterday morning at a press conference where he outlined suggestions from the opposition to the government on addressing crime as well as

the country’s economic challenges.In addition to the task forces, Phillips called for the government to increase the human and physical resources of the police force and to urgently conclude wage negotiations with rank and file members of the constabulary force. He argued that the protracted negotiations have affected the morale of cops, which in turn is bad for fighting crime.Among other things, the opposition also called for more social intervention programme in violence-prone communities, justice reform, reducing misspending, and tackling corruption.

Ministry introduces free ‘Maths... From page 26 pass rate in the area of Mathematics. This came on the heels of a daunting pass rate of 14 percent Over the years, the Ministry has been faced with a problem of considerable weakness in the subject area. The intervention entailed a number of aspects such as training for teachers in content and methodology, and over 1000 teachers were trained in this regard. The strategic movement also entailed fortnightly cluster meetings in all regions which were conducted with both public and private schools. There was also recruitment of Mathematics coordinators and monitors,

training of officers and School Administrators to supervise the teaching of Mathematics, and the administering of a diagnostic assessment of pupils in the hinterland regions prior to training of teachers. Added to this, the intervening measures included enhancement of public relations, parental involvement in the education of children and acquisition of support materials for students. This, moreover, allowed for Mathematics to be the most improved subject area, characterised by an increase of over 30 percent in the number of candidates gaining 50 percent and more last year.

Wednesday January 24, 2018

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GWI receives multi-million $$ bids for security services… During yesterday’s session at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, the Guyana Water Incorporated received multimillion-dollar bids from five entities for the provision of security services and Cash-in-Transit.

For the design and supervision of rehabilitation to the Matthew’s Ridge Police Station, the Ministry of Public Security received four bids.

Two bids were received by the Public Security Ministry for design and supervision services for the construction of K-9 divisions in Regions Four and Seven.

The last bid read for the Ministry of Public Security was for design and supervision services for the rehabilitation of Police Stations in Regions Four and Six.

That session also saw the bids for design and supervision services for the construction of prisons by the Ministry of Public Security. Bids were first read for these services for the construction of New Amsterdam Prisons.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Agriculture Sector Development Unit (ASDU) received expressions of interest and the requests of financial proposals for the construction of a public bridge over rehabilitated Cunha, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara. They also received expressions of interests and proposals for the rehabilitation of a sluice at the outlet of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) and rehabilitation of a sluice at the outlet of the Cunha Canal, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara.

Bids were then called for the design and supervision services for the construction of prisons in Region Four.

Receiving bids for two projects was the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Bids were first read for the provision of security services to GECOM in 2018. Bidding for this project were 10 entities.

The Ministry of Public Security, which received bids for seven different construction and rehabilitation projects, also secured tenders for the construction of Parfait Harmonie Police Station. Bidding for this project were seven companies.

The Ministry of Public Security also secured bids for the design and supervision for the rehabilitation of the Lethem Police Station.

GECOM also received bids for the provision of services in two lots. Lot one for sanitary disposal services and lot two for termite treatment or pest control.

(Continued on page 27)

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Wednesday January 24, 2018

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GWI receives multi-million $$ bids for security services‌ (From page 11) Securing bids for the construction of one pontoon complete with mud-bin for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) was the Ministry of Agriculture. Seven bids were received for this project.

The Ministry of Agriculture, NDIA, received bids for the procurement of one new singledrum vibratory soil compactor for the department.

Lastly, the Agriculture Ministry received bids for the supply of three new open back 4Ă—4 Pickups for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority.

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wednesday January 24, 2018

Multiple casualties in Kentucky high school shooting Two people have been killed and 17 injured in a high school shooting in the US state of Kentucky. A 15-year-old girl died at the scene at Marshall County High School in the town of Benton and a 15year-old boy died in hospital, said Kentucky’s governor. The unidentified attacker was a 15-year-old male student, who was arrested and is in custody. State police said he was detained about 15 minutes after opening fire at 08:00 local time on Tuesday. The lone attacker was a student at the school who opened fire in a common area before classes started, according to local media. He will be charged with murder and attempted murder, said officials. “To walk in, the backpacks laying around, the phones laying around, going off, it’s indescribable,” said Marshall County Attorney Jeffery Edwards, reports the Louisville Courier-Journal. “I’ve been doing this for 25 years. It’s not like anything I’ve experienced in my life.”

Emergency crews respond to Marshall County High School after a fatal school shooting on Jan. 23, 2018, in Benton, Ky. Mr Edwards told the newspaper that the shooter had appeared to open fire at random.Governor Matt Bevin called the attack a “tremendous tragedy” in a statement posted on Twitter. “It is unbelievable that this would happen in a small, close-knit community like Marshall County,” he said. “As there is still much unknown, I encourage people to love on each other at this time. “Do not speculate, but come alongside each other in

support and allow the facts to come out.” The school has 1,146 students. Benton is about 130 miles (210 km) north-west of Nashville, Tennessee. It is the second gun attack in an American school in as many days.Hundreds of students ran for their lives out of Marshall County High School, jumping into cars and running down a highway, some not stopping until they reached a McDonald’s restaurant more than a mile away.

Wednesday January 24, 2018

Mix Up capture Wiltshire Birth Anniversary Dominoes title Mix Up emerged champions of the Mark Wiltshire Birth Anniversary Dominoes competition which concluded recently at Seeram’s Bar Alexander Village. Mix Up chalked up 81 games to beat All Season’s Racing Service with 77 and Turning Point 76. Mix Up who drew the bye to the final were led by Mark Wiltshire who made the maximum 18 games, Ewie Gordon 17 and Gilbert Mendonca 16. Barnie Singh and Raymond Ali made 15 each while Shawn Morgan got 14 for All Season’s Racing Service. Turning Point leading players were Loraine Reid and Monty Tyrell with 15 games apiece and Colin Mc Ewan 14. All Season’s Racing

The victorious Mix Up team Service, led by 15 from Shawn Morgan and 14 from John Chance, won the semi

final encounter with 80 games ahead of Turning Point 77 and R and R 66.

Wednesday January 24 , 2018 Aries: Mar 21 - Apr 19 The opportunity to increase your income could spur you on to channel more energy and inspiration into career matters, Aries. The drive to succeed in material and spiritual matters is likely to play a powerful role in everything you do.

Libra: Sep 23 - Oct 22 A close friend or member of your household could be having money problems, Libra, and might want to draw upon your business sense in order to make sense of the situation and find ways to put it right.

Taurus: Apr 20 - May 20 You might have the desire for travel, perhaps to visit a friend who lives far away, Taurus. You may actually set the wheels in motion to make it happen.

Scorpio: Oct 23 - Nov 21 Heightened intuition could lead to some interesting conversations, Scorpio. Others could be blown away by your insights into their thoughts, feelings, and desires.

Gemini: May 21 - Jun 20 Today you might hear about opportunities to increase your income, Gemini, either in your current employment, a new job, or perhaps by a project of your own.

Sagit: Nov 22 - Dec 21 A powerful drive to express the stories, pictures, or music in your mind could result in your spending as much of the day as you can jotting down your thoughts and ideas.

Cancer: Jun 21 - Jul 22 All your relationships may be enhanced by an increased sensitivity to the needs and feelings of others, Cancer.

Capri: Dec 22 - Jan 19 Moving ahead is the key for today, Capricorn. You should feel very optimistic and excited about your goals. You're probably confident that you will reach them and all will go well.

Leo: Jul 23 - Aug 22 Expect to minister to the needs of colleagues and family members today, Leo. People may need to draw on your insight into human nature in order to understand themselves and others. Virgo: Aug 23 - Sep 22 Today you might feel especially creative and intellectually inspired, Virgo. You could discuss your ideas with others.

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Aquar.: Jan 20 - Feb 18 Inspiration is the key for today, Aquarius. You may feel highly motivated to move on with what others consider impossible. Pisces: Feb 19 - Mar 20 An increased understanding of different cultures as well as curiosity about the people who live there might spur you to learn more about those places.

Colin Mc Ewan marked 15 and Loraine Reid 14 for Turning Point, while Orin Favourite scored 16 for R and R. Wiltshire was named MVP in the final, while Karen Norville was voted the best female player in the tournament. Mix Up pocketed a trophy and $175,000, All Season’s Racing Service a trophy and $75,000, Turning Point a trophy and $40,000 and fourth place B e a c o n a t r o p hy and $20,000. The competition was sponsored by Seeram’s Bar Alexander Village, Ansa Mc Al, Big Boss Trucking Service, Bar Be Cue Grill, R and R Taxi Service, Colin Boyce and Faye Joseph. (Zaheer Mohamed)

Ramdhani returned... From page 36 Carpenay (Treasurer), Marlon Chung (Assistant Treasurer). The Committee Members are Dr. Shivannie Persaud, Erneso Choo-A-Fat and Ryan Chang. Reports from the President, Secretary and Treasurer were presented to the members, Yonex and Marian Academy Badminton Clubs being the two affiliates of the a s s o c i a t i o n . In a press release, the GBA informed that their 2018 season will shuttle off next month, while the Audited Financial Statement which is currently with the auditors would be presented at the body’s first executive meeting in the new month. Following is the associations calendar of activities for 2018:

North Korea participation to highlight opening ceremony PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (Reuters) - North Korea’s participation at the next month’s Winter Olympics will form an integral part of an opening ceremony that will highlight a key message of peace, Games organizers said yesterday. The 2018 Winter Olympics is being held in the mountainous resort town of Pyeongchang, 80 km (49.71 miles) from the heavily-fortified inter-Korean border, and kicks off with the opening ceremony on Feb. 9. Song Seung-whan, who is serving as the executive creative director for the Pyeongchang ceremonies, said peace had been set as the

main motif of the opening gala even before North Korea decided to join the Games. “We have worked on all of our scenarios under the theme of peace,” Song, a renowned actor and producer, told a news conference in Pyeongchang. “Although North Korea’s participation was decided belatedly, we think this will serve as a good opportunity for us to convey our message more clearly.” North Korea’s presence at the Games had been speculated over for months amid heightened tensions surrounding Pyongyang’s contentious nuclear and ballistic missile program.

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Wednesday January 24, 2018

Kaieteur News

Quarter-final curse fells Nadal again as Cilic advances MELBOURNE (Reuters) Rafa Nadal’s Australian Open quarter-final curse struck again yesterday, an injury forcing the top seed to retire in the fifth set against Croatia’s Marin Cilic. A wincing Nadal struggled with a muscle strain in his upper right thigh from late in the fourth set before abandoning the match at 3-6 6-3 6-7(5) 6-2 2-0, leaving a packed Rod Laver Arena crushed with disappointment. It was only the second time the world number one has retired in over 250 grand slam matches, his last, coincidentally, during the 2010 quarter-finals against Andy Murray. “It’s not the first time here,” an ashen-faced Nadal told reporters. “I am a positive person ... but today is an opportunity lost to be in a semi-finals of a grand slam.” Of the seven grand slam

quarter-final defeats of his career, five have now come on the blue hardcourts at Melbourne Park. The 16-times grand slam champion said he felt the strain in the third set but was not affected until the fourth when it twinged during a scramble for a drop-shot. He signed off his news conference on a sour note, complaining that too many players were getting injuries. “Somebody who is running the tour should think a little bit about what’s going on,” said the Spaniard. “I don’t know if they have to think a little bit about the health of the players. “Not for now that we are playing, but there is life after tennis. I don’t know if we keep playing in these very, very hard surfaces what’s going to happen in

the future with our lives.” MAJESTIC PERFORMANCE It overshadowed a majestic performance from sixth seed Cilic who reached his second Australian Open semi-final eight years after losing to Murray at the 2010 tournament. Bashing forehands as if felling trees with an axe, the 2014 U.S. Open champion struck a mindboggling 83 winners to set up a clash with 49thranked Briton Kyle Edmund, one of the more unlikely semi-finals imaginable. “It was an unbelievable performance from both of us and it’s really unfortunate for Rafa,” the mildmannered Cilic told Jim Courier during his postmatch interview. “He always gives his best and it’s unfortunate

for him to end this way.” Cilic will be favored to reach his first final in Australia after showing courage to battle back twice against Nadal. After dropping the first set, things looked grim when he double-faulted to go down a break in the second but he roared through four consecutive games in a stunning turnaround. Although reading Nadal’s serve with ease, the Croatian missed out on a number of break points, and he gave the Spaniard a free set point in the tiebreak when he hammered a forehand long. Nadal bellowed in celebration after closing it out with an overhead smash but Cilic ripped the momentum straight back from the Spaniard. A barrage of winners pushed him to a 4-1 lead and he devoured a banana with similar gusto during the change of ends.

British No 2 Kyle Edmund will face Marin Cilic in his first Australian Open semi-final. (AFP/Getty Images) Nadal, meanwhile, was in trouble and a trainer worked on his thigh during a medical time-out.He returned to the court to hold a dicey service game but winced in pain after scrambling to retrieve an exquis-

ite lob. The set was gone when Cilic pounded his 21st winner of the match and after another crisis talk with the trainer, Nadal threw in the towel after being broken in his next service game.

Wozniacki sees off Suarez Navarro to reach semi-finals MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki marched into her second Australian Open semi-final by beating Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro 6-0 6-7(3) 62 in the early hours of this morning. After a one-sided start in a midnight match at Rod Laver Arena, Wozniacki met stiff resistance from the 39th-ranked Spaniard who dug deep to save a match point in the second set before outclassing the Dane in the tiebreak. Second seed Wozniacki steadied herself, however, raising her game to bully Suarez Navarro from the baseline and grab another

three match points on serve. Wozniacki secured victory when Suarez Navarro hit long and she will meet Belgian Elise Mertens for a place in the final. “I knew it wasn’t going to be that easy ... In the second set I had the chance to close it out so I was disappointed I didn’t do that,” Wozniacki, who made the semi-finals in 2011, said on-court. “I‘m just proud that I managed to stay cool and finish it off in the third set,” she added. “(Mertens) has had an amazing start to the year. It’s going to be a tough one but I‘m excited for it.”

ECB names squad for Inter County U-15 tourney The Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) selectors have shortlisted a squad of 14 for the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board Inter County U-15 tournament. The squad reads; Ronaldo Scouten, Mahendra Basdeo, Ryan Atkinson,

Davindra Ramdahin, Ramesh Ramnarine, Jarrad Allicock, Rickey Persaud, Adarsh Ramdial, Ken George, Gladewin Henry jr, Dwayne Fredericks, Reynard Ramroop, Steven Corbin and Jonathon Lynch. Standbys: Tomesh

Kellawan, Avick Ramdial, Shaheim Hanif and Terrence Softle. The squad was encamped at the board’s hostel in Anna Regina for two weekends before the final selection was named. The manager is Vickram Ramnarine and Coach is Forbes Daniels.

Wednesday January 24, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Timehri Panthers FC on the rebound again; receive donation from EBFA Following a few years of inactivity due to administrative challenges, the Timehri Panthers Football Club (TPFC) is back up and running and set to participate in the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) leg of the GFF/ Pele Alumini Frank Watson U-15 Intra Association League which kicked off on Saturday last at the Grove Playfield. Ta k i n g t h e l e a d t o organise the club whilst ensuring that the youths in the area are gainfully occupied as regards football and to have the opportunity to showcase their skills with the ultimate aim of donning national colours, is former goalkeeper of the club, Adrian Gonsalves. The club’s Under-15 team was present at the March Past on Saturday last and is eager

to get cracking. EBFA President Franklin Wilson complimented Gonsalves for stepping up at a crucial time to bring some direction to the club which has been one of the main pillars on the East Bank. Wilson expressed joy for the youths in the area which he said are talented and just need someone to mobalise and give them direction. President of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde was also on hand on Saturday last and also praised Gonsalves for taking the lead.The EBFA in association with Dion Inniss, GFF Executive Member with responsibility for the EBFA took the opportunity to present a number of bibs, jerseys and a football to

Photos saved as EBFA President Franklin Wilson hands over one of the bibs to Adrian Gonsalves in the presence of GFF President Wayne Forde and happy club players and Coach Colin David at left. Gonsalves as a means of encouragement.

The association would also be working with the club

on finalising a new constitution as well as overseeing

elections of a new body in the near future.

Upper Corentyne Cricket Association/Roy Baijnauth T20

# 72 All Star, # 68 qualify for quarterfinals Action in the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association/ Roy Baijnauth sponsored T20 competition continu e d over last weekend as the second round of the competition gets underway. Matches were played at 5 venues across the Upper Corentyne area and fans were treated to a fine display of cricketing action. At the # 72 All Star Ground, a close encounter was witnessed when hosts #

72 All Star defeated the # 70 Spartans by 4 runs in a match which was interrupted by rain. Batting first, the Spartans scored 119 for 8 in their 20 overs with batsmen Rayon Yacoob top scoring with 36 runs. Akash Persaud and Chris Bollers scored 24 and 15 respectively to add some much needed runs to the total. Bowling for # 72 all Star, Demetri Cameron took 212, Wayne Garnett 2-26, Amardeo Hemchand 2-19 and

Parmeshwar Chatterpaul 2-24. Replying to the score set by the Spartans, the # 72 All Star’s batsmen did not get off to a good start as they lost early wickets without any significant scoring. Some aggressive batting from pacer Demetri Cameron 25, and skipper Mahendra Bhoj 23 helped them recover from the slump. Khameshwar Chatterpaul was left not out on 21. Bowling for the # 70 Spartans, Omesh Khemraj 2-12,

Khameshwar Ramjit 2-20 and Chris Bollers 1-19 were the wicket takers. # 72 All star won by 4 runs. At # 68 Ground, a keen contest between # 68 Turn Team and the Yakasari Caribs ended with the # 68 lads winning the game by 30 runs. Batting first, # 68 scored 138 for 5 in their 20 overs. Totaram Persaud showed much aggression as he struck 69 decorated with 7 x 4’s. Joshua G. Francis and Daneshwar Ghanie added valuable runs

to the total with 28 and 26 respectively. In their bowling innings, the Yakasari Carib bowlers did not live up to expected standards and allowed the # 68 batsmen to make light work of their bowling. Caribs’ R. Bounauth, C. Ayana and C. Jason ended with figures of 1-20, 1-16 and 2-26 respectively. In their innings, the Ya k a s a r i C a r i b s o n l y managed to score 53 in 12 overs. Nipaul Ayana and R.

Bounauth were the only batsmen with significant scores of 22 and 16 r e s p e c t i v e l y. I n t h e i r bowling innings the # 68 bowlers proved that they were on top of their game as Totaram Persaud 3-3, Ravindra Ramnauth 1-23 and Avinash Seecharran 116 all restricted the Caribs run chase. The # 68 Turn team moves on to the next round. The competition continues.

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BIG NAMES LINE UP FOR SUPER50 CUP St John’s, ANTIGUA – With just a week to go before the start of the Super50 Cup, the regional franchises have announced their squads featuring WINDIES international and future stars. Fans will be able to see Nikita Miller (Jamaica Scorpions), Evin Lewis (Trinidad and Tobago Red Force), Kesrick Williams (Windward Islands Volcanoes), Marlon Samuels (Leeward Islands Hurricanes), Shimron Hetmyer (Guyana Jaguars), and WINDIES captain, Jason Holder and Carlos Brathwaite (Barbados Pride). In addition to seeing if the Barbados Pride can retain their title as 50 over white-ball champions, this year’s Super50 Cup is vital to preparing WINDIES players for the ICC World Cup 2019 Qualifiers in Zimbabwe in March. It’s also a great opportu-

Focus is on winning the ‘Double’ says Griffith nity for players to push their claims for selection for the International Home Series against Bangladesh in June/July. “The Super50 Cup is a great competition and

we are delighted that K e n t a n d U W I ’s C o m bined Campuse s & C o l l e g e s a r e c o m i n g b ack, as well as welcoming Hampshire and the USA t o j o i n o u r Te r r i t o r i a l

Board Franchises. This y e a r ’s t o u r n a m e n t w i l l also provide the ideal match preparation for our W I N D I E S M e n ’s Te a m ahead of the vital ICC World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.” says Cricket We s t I n d i e s ’ C E O , Johnny Grave. The Super50 will parade top performers featuring established International stars with a great mix of youthful talent from across the region in four (4) weeks of intense, explosive and colourful cricket across 43 matches in Barbados and Antigua.

Wednesday January 24, 2018

Editor’s Note It was drawn to my attention that a letter appearing in Kaieteur Sports pages on Monday January 22, 2018 on page 28 and signed by the ‘Upper Corentyne Cricket Stakeholders’ was in fact previously written by Rishee Thakur. The final two paragraphs of Monday’s missive were changed from its original form. We would like to note that the two examples of the final paragraphs below are firstly Mr. Thakur’s original letter and the second by the stakeholders. Kaieteur Sport would hope that in future persons sending letters and referring to other writings would factually (quote directly) do so and not change a person’s intellectual property to purport as their own. We would like to make it clear that the second example was not Mr. Thakur’s writing. 1. Finally, while the Stakeholders claim that a formal meeting of BGM was held on the 27th September, 2017, where a “new” executive was duly elected no one in the local cricket fraternity seems to be aware of any such meeting: How was it arranged? Who sent out invitations and to whom were they sent? What medium was used to convey the invi-

tation? Which and how many clubs attended? What was/ were the conditions of membership of the clubs that were invited/attended? With 21 clubs, from Black Bush Polder to Crabwood Creek actively involved in a T20 competition and several others on the way (Under 15, Under 19, Limited Overs) there does not seem to be much of a case or room, for that matter, for our Stakeholders in active cricket in the community. Thank you, Rishee Thakur 2. All of this was transpiring and the UCCA interim committee or the so called ‘Berbice Cricket Stakeholders” disappeared. It came as no surprise that, after Justice S i n g h ’s o r d e r f o r n e w elections of the BCB on 18th December 2018, the interim authority installed in 2012 for control of UCCA suddenly reappeared, BCB voting t i m e . S o r r y ! A l l t he cricket clubs in Upper Corentyne have spoken. A lot of club cricket is now playing in UCCA and it must continue. The group of pretenders must be put to pasture. Thank you, Upper Corentyne Cricket Stakeholder

Wednesday January 24, 2018

Britain’s Edmund subdues Dimitrov to reach semis MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Unseeded Briton Kyle Edmund bludgeoned his way to a shock 6-4, 3-6, 63, 6-4 victory over third seed Grigor Dimitrov to reach the Australian Open semi-finals yesterday. The South Africa-born 23-year-old, playing in his first grand slam quarter-final, showed no nerves as he blazed away with his fearsome forehand to subdue a jaded-looking Dimitrov. Edmund crunched 46 winners to Dimitrov’s 32 on a packed Rod Laver Arena sprinkled with vocal fans of both players. There were nerves as Edmund served for victory but he held f i r m t o become only the sixth B r i t i s h p l a y e r t o make a grand slam semi-final in the professional era. Not only that but he began the tournament as the only British man in the draw after five-times Australian Open runner-up Andy Murray withdrew to have surgery on his injured hip. M u r r a y, r e c o v e r i n g back at home, reacted to Edmund’s achievement on Twitter. “Wow!” the Scot said.Coached by Swede Fredrik Rosengren, who once worked with Magnus Norman and big-hitting

Robin Soderling, Edmund produced nearly three hours of raw aggression on his first appearance on the Rod Laver showcourt. His moment of victory was slightly delayed after a Hawkeye challenge confirmed Dimitrov’s backhand was out. “It’s an amazing feeling, very happy,” 49th-ranked Edmund, who will face sixth seed Marin Cilic in the last four, said on court. He could even overtake Murray, Britain’s number one since 2006, in the rankings if he gets to the final. “I know what it feels like to be Andy Murray for the last eight years or however long,” Edmund said of the spotlight now on him after his incredible run in Melbourne. Dimitrov was heavy favorite after his superb fourth-round defeat of home favorite Nick Kyrgios but the portents were not good when he dropped serve in the opening game. “Today was just one of those days, I just c o u l d n ’ t f i n d a w a y, ” D i m i t r o v, s t i l l awaiting his first major final, said. BLISTERING FOREHAND The 26-year-old squared the match when Edmund misfired in the

sixth game but the Briton thumped a blistering forehand winner off a weak second serve to grab a 5-4 lead. Dimitrov had two break points and saved a set point in the next game but Edmund earned another chance with a volley and moved ahead with a heavy first serve. Edmund dipped a little in the second set and Dimitrov took full advantage to level. But the silky Bulgarian never looked comfortable against an ultra aggressive opponent and a doublefault at 3-4 in the third set proved costly.The players swapped breaks in the fourth but Dimitrov was winning only half his firstserve points and the pressure finally told as a backhand error gave Edmund a break at 4-4. In a tense final game, Edmund double-faulted but an ace brought up match point before Dimitrov sliced long. “I am loving it right now, just the way I‘m playing,” Edmund told reporters. “I‘m 23 years old, my first grand slam semi-final. First time I played on one of the biggest courts in the world. To beat a quality of player like Grigor. They’re great feelings.”

Pope’s 8 for 35 lifts... From page 37 kept letting him down at theother end. No. 9 Zack Evans gave him excellent support, batting out 26 deliveries to make 12. His tactful farming of strike and dead-bat defence gave Sangha the confidence to try and play his shots even as England

brought the fields in to attack. In an attempt to hit out, Sangha chipped one back to Will Jacks to become the ninth wicket to fall. Ultimately, in hindsight, those runs proved to be the difference, perhaps more valuable than any century he would have made in Un-

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Kaieteur News

der-19 cricket so far, and set the stage for Pope to deliver a miracle spell to put them into the semi-finals. Scores: Australia Under-19 127 (Sangha 58, Jacks 3-21, Pennington 3-27, Bamber 3-31) beat England U19 96 (Banton 58, Pope 8-35) by 31 runs.

Five new comers in Super50 squad Focus is on winning the ‘Double’ says Griffith By Sean Devers The Guyana Jaguars on Sunday last captured their fourth consecutive Regional four-day title to pocket US $36,000 (US $15,000 for winning the Championship and US $21,000 for winning seven matches). Veerasammy Permaul collected the Courtney Walsh Award US$1,500 for finishing with the most wicket (50) while Anthony Bramble who scored 623 runs collected the Deryck Murray Award and US $1,500 having the most dismissals (45) for the second year in row.The Regional Super50 starts with the Jaguars playing English County Kent on January 31 in the Antigua zone as the focus now shifts to the 50-over format.Guyana last won the 50-over championships in 2005 when they beat Barbados in fading light at Bourda in the final. They reached the last reached finals in 2015 in Trinidad when Sunil Narine captured 6-9 as the Jaguars

fell for 65, their lowest ever 50-overs total and have not reached the semi-finals since. This year Leon Johnson will want join Clive Lloyd (1983) and Roger Harper (1993) as the Guyanese Captains to win the double. The squad, which includes five new faces in Chanderpaul Hemraj, Ricardo Adams, Ramaal Lewis, Sherfane Rutherford and Clinton Pestano had its first net season yesterday at the outdoor nets at Providence. Manager and Assistant Coach Rayon Griffith, who played in the last 50-over winning Guyana team, said that 2005 has been a long time without a one-day title and this year the focus will be on playing positive cricket. “We have picked a squad that can win this year if they perform to their best and we are looking for positivity. We have attacking batsmen that can bat around Shiv (Chanderpaul) and Leon (Johnson) so there is bal-

ance,” said Griffith who is also the Chairman of the Jaguars selectors. Devendra Bishoo makes a return after missing the three four-day games due to injury and along withPermaul and 21-old Jamaican Lewis who led West Indies in 2014 under-19 World Cup, will take care of the spin department. The pacers will have fast bowling all-rounders Romario Shepherd, Kemo Paul, Rutherford and Pestano. “Keon Joseph is just coming back from injury and we did not want to risk playing him since he has been selected for the Windies ‘A’ team,” concluded Griffith. The Jaguars squad read: Shimron Hetymer, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Shiv Chanderpaul, Leon Johnson (Capt), Ricardo Adams, Sherfane Rutherford, Anthony Bramble, Raymond Reifer, Kemo Paul, Davindra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Ramaal Lewis, Romario Shepherd and Clinton Pestano.

8th Prabudial “Speedy” Ramdial Memorial Golf Open on this weekend The 8th annual Prabudial “Speedy” Ramdial Memorial Open golf tournament tees off this Saturday from 12:30hrs at the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) course. The one day tourney will feature prizes from first to third place, best gross and nearest to the pin. In a release to the media, the LGC has noted that all are welcome to participate in this event which celebrates the life achievements and memory of Prabudial “Speedy” Ramdial. In fact, the tournament holds a special place in the club’s history because of the strong bond and friendship that existed between recent LGC Vice President Brian Hackett and Prabudial, ac-

cording to Vish Ramdial (Vish Trading Inc.), who vowed to continued support of the Club in the coming years. The Prabudial Ramdial Memorial Golf Open that is sponsored by Vish Trading Inc. proves that everyone can make a difference in the lives of others. Since 2010, the family of Prabudial Ramdial under the direction of “Vish” has been a generous sponsor of the Lusignan Golf Course. Vish, after visiting the course said he sees the attraction his father had for golf and has elected to become a member himself after hitting a few shots, and now wishes to call the tournament the “Speedy Memorial Open”. Vish has

generously agreed to donate four (4) brand new electric golf carts after becoming enthused about the plans for expansion which include a women’s social club, school and university programmes, fine dining and weddings etc. For more information on Saturday’s tournament or directions to the club, patrons are asked to call the club’s office on 220-5660.

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Wednesday January 24, 2018

Kaieteur News

Letter to the Sports Editor

GOA’s gesture could not have been timelier DEAR EDITOR, First let me offer my sincere congratulations to President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) K.A Juman Yassin for his appointment of being a Senior Counsel. Mr. Yassin like the other three appointees were fittingly deserving of the prestigious honour for their outstanding work in the legal profession. However, this missive is focused on the recent gesture by the GOA to give a selective set of athletes and coaches monthly stipends. It could not have been timelier and the entity must be congratulated for finally accepting that an act of that nature was long overdue. This is not to say that athletes in the past did not benefit from such assistance, but my guess is that it was not so widespread and definitely did not cater for so many athletes and coaches. Guyanese athletes have long begged for such support, but were never afforded it on a sustained basis, making it almost impossible for them to reach elite levels. This journalist in particular was extremely critical of the lack of support for our athletes whether in the form of financial or even technical assistance and the GOA in particular suffered the wrath of my condemnation.There was the usual back and forth exchanges about fairness and unfairness, but the recent de-

velopment has vindicated my earlier judgment and the GOA seems to be on the path to resolving the situation. This is not to say that the GOA is the only entity culpable in this regard, there are others as well, but we all know that through the International Olympic Solidarity much more could have been achieved and who knows Guyana might have already been on the map of sporting success and world recognition. I think much of the praise must go to the athletes themselves who left the important stakeholders of sport with no other choice, but to give unmitigated support to them through their excellent performances last year. The parents, coaches and all those who contributed to their success must not be forgotten as well, while the few operatives in the media that never shirked from their responsibility to highlight the difficulties that our athletes face and apportioned blame where it should cannot be overlooked also.Guyana’s sporting landscape is unique to many other countries in the region and perhaps in the world and because of this situation many of our athletes were never presented with the opportunity to realise their full potential.We are struggling to understand the requirements needed to develop an athlete that could bring us glory on the world stage. Developing an elite athlete

takes a long time with full concentration on honing the particular skill many hours per day, while being afforded adequate funding and the best technical assistance. Very few of our athletes are exposed to the rigidity that an elite athlete is required to submit to, but last year’s performances were so exceptional that it could not be overlooked by the caretakers of sport hence this encouraging new development. We may have missed the chance to support many in the past, but the GOA’s New Year’s resolution must be applauded and appreciated. It will take more that those stipends to achieve the desired goal, but as the President said it is just the start and more stakeholders, including the Government and corporate community must understand the need to get on board and help the GOA. Much could be derived by all hands being on deck and with the increase in deviant behaviour by our youths, the three parties singing from the same page is even more urgent. Through sports we can rescue the youths from despair and by this I mean giving them another chance to be somebody in life and not feel neglected and unable. From all reports Guyana is on the cusp of real economic development which means there is the possibility of sports enjoying an even bigger chunk of the nation’s budget so let’s get started with giving our athletes all the support they deserve to attain their sporting goals. We just have to use Jamaica as a shining example of what sports can do for a country. Prime Minister Andrew Holness, during his presentation at the unveiling of a statue in recognition of the legendary sprint king Usain Bolt reminded the athlete that Jamaica owed him a lot for the branding capital he had given to the country. “We are proud of the achievement of our national treasure, Usain Bolt, other countries erect statues of great generals and great conquerors to remind generations of these great feats… today we erect a statue to remind generations that we too have conquered the world, through sports with the achievements of people like Usain Bolt,” the Prime Minister stated. Let us commence the journey to erect a statue of one of our sporting heroes. Yours faithfully, Rawle Welch

Ramdhani returned as President of Badminton

The new GBA executive from left, Marlon Chung, Dr. Shivannie Persaud, Gokarn Ramdhani, Ayanna Wickham-Watson, Erneso Choo-A Fat and Darrell Carpenay. Absent are Dr. Nicholas Waldron and Ryan Chang. Following its Biennial General Meeting held on Monday last at the National Gymnasium, Gokarn Ramdhani was returned unopposed as President of the

Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) for the 2018-2020, term having being at the helm from 2007. Dr. Nicholas Waldron was elected Vice President, while

Mrs. Emelia Ramdhani was returned as Secretary. The other members are, Ayanna Wickham-Watson (Assistant Secretary), Darrell (Continued on page 31)

Wednesday January 24, 2018

Kaieteur News

Page 39

Pope’s 8 for 35 lifts Australia into semi-finals ESPNcricinfo - In what was the match of the t o u r n a m e n t t h u s f a r, Australia defended 128 in style in Queenstown to progress to the semi-finals of the Under-19 World Cup, leaving England shellshocked in the process. England had bowled out Australia cheaply and were cruising at 47 for 0 before Lloyd Pope’s legbreaks dismantled England to 96 all out. On an afternoon when both sides ensured the fall of wickets outpaced the quota of morning and afternoon arrivals at the neighboring airstrip to Jon Davies Oval, Pope’s top-quality bowling ripped open the game for Australia. His 8 for 35 nailed England’s batsmen in an unbroken spell that drew batsmen out and had them driving and defending from the rough. Even better was captain Jason Sangha’s swift reflexes and catching at slip that accounted for the big wicket of opener Tom Banton after he had raced to a 53-ball 58, eating away more than a third of the target before the lunch break. Banton’s attempt at a cheeky reverse sweep resulted in him gloving the ball to Sangha, who initially flinched to his left, only to quickly change tack and dive right to complete an outstanding one-handed catch. This left England wobbly, but still in control at 71 for 4. In his next over, Pope once again beautifully induced Finlay Trenouth into the drive, only to have him nicking to Sangha again. Standing a touch wide, the Australia captain rose with the bounce and leapt high to complete another stunning catch as Australia went into the lunch interval a boisterous lot. At 79 for 5, England were under pressure to suddenly make a match of this. The break couldn’t have come at a better time for England. For a number of fans and parents of players from both sides who flew in to watch their boys play, the 40 minutes that followed were nerve-wracking. For England coach Jonathan Trott, boisterous and chirpy as he walked around the ground while his boys dismantled Australia in the field, this was an even bigger challenge: to calm his boys and reassure them the remaining 49 runs they had left to knock off after lunch was going to be possible, even if it meant a struggle.

Instead, England came out after the interval committing harakiri. When a tight defence and calm heads were the need of the hour, they panicked. No. 5 Euan Woods shaped to cut a full delivery, only to chop on. Tom Scriven was stranded halfway down the pitch searching for a non-existent single as Jonathan Merlo swooped in to effect a direct hit at the bowler’s end. Luke Hollman was caught behind looking to play an expansive drive. Ethan Bamber was out lbw playing back to a skiddy delivery. When Dillon Penningtonchopped on, Pope was ecstatic, roared in delight and then wiped tears of joy. He had just picked up the best figures in the tournament’s history. This stunning turn of events was possible despite Australia being far from their best with the bat. After electing to bat, they came out with an ultra-aggressive approach, but the ploy backfired against two skillful fast bowlers: Pennington and Bamber, who got the ball to move both ways at a lively pace. Pennington had Jack Edwards, touted as one of Australia’s best batsman in this age group, falling over with an inducker that trapped him lbw in the second over. In his next over, Pennington had Max Bryant, backed to continue as opener despite Nathan McSweeney’s 156 against Papua New Guinea, caught behind when he slashed at a delivery that didn’t have much width. Bamber got into the act seven balls later when he got one to nip back in from length to beat Merlo’s inside edge and crash into middle and leg. Australia were in trouble at 27 for 3, in dire need of stability. But it wasn’t coming. Param Uppal was caught driving on the up off Pennington to second slip. Trenouth moved instinctively to his left and nearly saw the ball fly past him but plucked a onehanded stunner to make that 27 for 4. Sangha took it upon himself to ride the wobble and steer his team out of a hole. Cautious against the faster bowlers to begin with, he opened up against spin, showing excellent feet movement both forward and back. He showed the virtues of his back-foot game in playing the cut effectively to construct a superb halfcentury even as his partners (Continued on page 35)

England were denied a semi-final spot after failing to chase 128, as Australia spinner Lloyd Pope ran through their line-up to bowl them out for 96.

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Kaieteur News

Regal All stars overcome Speedboat in consecutive matches Regal All stars defeated Speedboat in consecutive softball matches played Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club. Regal All stars took the first match by four runs. Regal All stars batted first and scored 116-9 off their allocation of 15 overs. Richard Latif was the only batsman to make it into double figures with 32 including three fours and two sixes. Speedboat’s bowling was led by I. Ivan who snared 3-7, Shazim Hussein 3-12 and Mark Harold 2-19. Speedboat threatened before they fell for 112 in 14 overs in reply. Kawson Joseph made 16 not out and Harold 12; Fazal Rafiek captured 2-20 and Latif 2-23. Regal All stars won the second encounter by eight runs. Led by 35 from Richard Latif and 24 from Fazal Rafiek, Regal All stars managed 103-7, batting first off their allotted 10 overs. Latif struck one four and four sixes in his innings, while Rafiek hit three sixes as

Rudolph Baker Mark Harold and K. Bell claimed three wickets each. Speedboat were restricted for 95-8 in reply. Lennox Marks 14 and Wazir Hussain 13 were the only batsmen to reach double figures as Amir Nizamudeen took two wickets. In the Masters segment, Regal beat HS Masters by 58 runs. Regal Masters rattled up 145-5 in 15 overs, taking first strike. Rudolph Baker

Richard Latif slammed 51 with seven sixes, while Mahase Chunilall got 31. HS Masters responded with 87 all out; Troy Kippins picked up 2-8 and David Harper 2-20. Latif and Baker were named MVP in their respective categories.The competition was sponsored by Regal Sports, Elegant Jewellery and Pawn Shop, Ink Plus and Crown Mining. (Zaheer Mohamed)

Wednesday January 24, 2018

Hamilton Green birth anniversary 9-a-side football Fiesta on this Sunday Former Prime Minister, Hamilton Green’s, 83rd birth anniversary interward/village 9-a-side football tournament is scheduled for a two-day action at the Den Amstel community centre ground on this Sunday with matches kicking off at 14:00hrs sharp and concluding at 18:00hrs. Sixteen teams will go head to head in the straight knockout contest and the first round matches are scheduled to be contested with the following match ups, Wales vs. Plaisance 12:00hrs, Bagotsville vs. Kuru Kururu 12:30hrs, Pouderoyen vs. Soesdyke 13:00hrs, Crane vs. Zeelugt 13:30hrs, Uitvlugt vs. Butxon Youth 14:00hrs and Den Amstel vs. Sara Lodge 14:30hrs. The respective winners will clash on Sunday February 4 at Den Amstel for the respective quarter, semis and final matches of the competition.

Hamilton Green The winner of the twoday competition will pocket $70,000 and the championship trophy, while the runners up will receive $30,000 and a trophy. The winners of tournament will receive nine hampers from Ricks and Sari along with nine blankets from Food for the Poor. The highest goal

scorer will receive a dinette table from China Trading and the runner up will receive a lazy boy chair from AH&L Kissoon. Other major sponsors of the event are Banks DIH limited, BK International and Bakewell. Admission to the venue will me $500 come match day.

Wednesday January 24, 2018

Kaieteur News

Page 41

GCB 50-over Franchise

Barnwell’s outstanding showing sets up today’s final with GT and E’bo at Providence

Ramaal Lewis By Sean Devers An outstanding allround performance from 31-year-old Chris Barnwell powered Georgetown into today’s final of the GCB’s 50-over Franchise League against defending three-day Champions Essequibo with an emphatic 123-run win over Lower Corentyne at Providence yesterday. Barnwell was a one man army as he smashed eight sixes and four fours in an explosive 98-ball 101 but only Robin Bacchus (23), Andrew Lyght Jnr (21) and Paul Wintz (16) reached 15 on a flat track in sunny conditions at the City Franchise reached 116 all out in 44.1 overs. Royton Crandon bagged 4-47 with his off-spin while Ve e r a s a m m y P e r m a u l , Kassim Khan and Nail Smith took two wickets each for Lower Corentyne who were bundled out for 93 in 26 overs. Jonathon Foo, left out of the Jaguars 50-over team, offered brief hope for the Berbicians with an attractive 34-ball 32 with three fours but only Sharaz Ramcharran (21) and Devon Clements (16) got into double figures. Wintz (4-20), Barnwell (2-19), Kellon Carmichael (2-24) and Jamaican offspinner Ramaal Lewis who celebrated his call up to the Jaguars limited over squad with 2-4, conspired to destroy the much vaunted Lower Corentyne line-up. The game, originally scheduled for Albion in Berbice, was reduced to a 46 over affair due to late arrival

of the Berbicians and Bacchus and Lyght added 33 for the first wicket before Bacchus was bowled by Smith. Lyght and Johnson took the score 51 before Skipper Permaul trapped Lyght LBW and seven runs later Georgetown were 58-3 when Johnson, the 30-year-old Guyana Captain, seemed unlucky be adjudged LBW to his unrelated name-sake Raun Johnson for seven. Shemroy Barrington (10) was removed by Permaul at 83-4, while Dexter Solomon (9) was caught and bowled by Khan as G/town slipped to 105-5. But Barnwell, known for his dominance at the local level was already looking ominous after being dropped before he had scored by Permaul off his own bowling. Barnwell launched into Ramcharran and clobbered him for three sixes in one over before thumping Khan in the Green Stand and back over his head for sixes to bring –up his fifty. With the Chairman of the National Selectors watching, Barnwell effortlessly deposited pacer Johnson on top of the players’ Pavilion to send a strong message to Griffith that he could be considered to resume his 36-match National 50-over career once Raymond Reifer leaves the Regional Super50 for ‘A’ team duties. But even as Barnwell was blasting the ball to all parts of the ground, wickets were tumbling around him.

Jonathon Foo drives Robin Bacchus for four at Providence yesterday. (Sean Devers photo

Georgetown’s Chris Barnwell was in full cry yesterday with an explosive 97-ball 101. (Sean Devers photo) Smith bowled Lewis (14) at 169-6 and when Barnwell was well taken inches from the ropes at long-on by Gajanand Singh off Crandon, his demise triggered a collapse as four wickets fell for 12 runs. Lower Corentyne started in horrendous

fashion losing Singh for duck; caught behind by Solomon off Wintz to give the Keeper the first of his five catches to leave the score on 10-1. Ramcharran was caught Solomon bowled Wintz at 30-2 before Seon Hetymer, the elder brother of Windies

batsman Shimron, lost his off-stump to Carmichael for seven and Crandon was LBW in the same without addition to the score to leave Lower Corentyne struggling on 39-4. Clements and Foo added 43 for the fifth wicket before Foo was removed by

Barnwell who also had Jason Sinclair (1) to leave the score on 85-6 and when Lewis trapped Lewis in front at 857 it was all over bar the shouting as Wintz and Lewis wrapped up the tail. To d a y ’s a c t i o n i s scheduled to commence at 09:30hrs.

rt o p S

Five new comers in Super50 squad Focus is on winning the ‘Double’ says Griffith

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The Jaguars Super50 squad had their first net session at Providence yesterday. (Sean Devers photo)

Britain’s Edmund subdues Quarter-final curse fells Dimitrov to reach semis Nadal again as Cilic advances P.33

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Kyle Edmund has beaten Grigor Dimitrov to reach the Australian Open semi-finals. (Reuters)

The world No 1, Rafa Nadal, complained of a back issue during his quarter-final clash with the Croatian. (AFP/Getty Images)

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