Kaieteur News

PAGE 4

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 25, 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

BOOSTING THE EDUCATION DRIVE

The responsibility of educating the citizens of our nation has been placed squarely on the shoulders of the government of the day. Successive governments have gladly accepted this responsibility and have even used education initiatives they have implemented as evidence of the effectiveness of their leadership. Yet it is evident that the business of educating our nation’s citizens effectively cannot be adequately addressed by the services provided solely by the government. The enabling environment must be created to facilitate widespread involvement on various levels in the different dimensions of the education system, from the fashioning of relevant policies to the support of day-to-day operation elements. The needs are simply too great and the scope too expansive to be fulfilled with the limited available material and human resources provided by the government. In some quarters, convincing arguments have even been proffered that government should not be expected to shoulder the full responsibility of educating the nation; instead, it should be a shared undertaking which includes and ultimately benefits everyone. Although we have had varying levels of engagement with non-governmental entities, the role of civil society in education has not been clearly defined in Guyana. Various NGOs, corporations, private organisations, groups and citizens have stepped up to provide a range of educational services at various times in our relatively short history. They have supported a wide range of education initiatives which are obviously too numerous to chronicle here. Of late, attention has been given to the contributions to transportation, school supplies and the STEM education agenda, while in the past teacher awards, special needs education, school feeding and education delivery are merely a few areas that benefitted from the involvement of civil society. Countless local and international entities have contributed in ways that have not been publicly recognized. If one were able to quantify these over time however, it would be noted that these initiatives have collectively had a significant impact in supporting the initiatives of the Ministry of Education.Much of this has occurred for the most part on an ad hoc basis with entities and individuals, mostly of their own volition, opting to step up to fill recognized gaps within the system. This indicates a willingness on the part of civicminded individuals to actively participate in this critical developmental endeavor. It would therefore behoove us to establish a formal mechanism through which the ethos of collective responsibility for education could be fostered. A culture which encourages corporate entities and other individuals of means to internalize and appreciate their civic responsibility, benefits the entire society. The education system provides a “ready and fitting environment” to inculcate such a culture. Some countries have pursued well-structured public-private partnerships, some have mechanisms for levies and taxbreaks, while others hold periodic engagements with civil society to encourage and outline specific avenues for participation. In Guyana, a number of areas lend themselves easily to such structured involvement; on a macro level, Technical and Vocational Education and Training, the STEM education agenda and Education for Sustainable Development readily come to mind. There can be a multiplicity of options however that would even accommodate individuals with relevant skill-sets contributing their time to structured educational pursuits. NGOs have been known to make inroads in areas where governments have been hard-pressed to find success and should also be strongly encouraged to support education initiatives. Such engagements lead to a greater appreciation of the policy directives and provide the basis for improved communication and linkages between civil society and governmental agencies. More importantly, it facilitates the collaboration and social cohesion that are critical elements in effective and sustainable development. If the statement “education is everybody’s business” is to be more than simply a cliché, strategic steps must be taken to transform this from concept to reality for the benefit of the nation.

A proposal to advance Inclusion and Transparency (Oil and Gas) DEAR EDITOR, Every Guyanese hopes to partake in the promised boon from our natural resources and simultaneously fears it all going terribly wrong with Guyana becoming a failed state from the “resource curse”. The resource curse refers to the paradox that countries with an abundance of natural resources, specifically nonrenewable resources like minerals and fuels, tend to have less economic growth, less democracy, and worse development outcomes than countries with fewer natural resources. I take this opportunity to provide suggestions to strengthen our national governance framework – starting with getting the Oil & Gas model correct. The discovery of oil has resulted in mixed outcomes for low-income resource rich countries which have led to the characterisation of these countries as having been “cursed” by the natural resources. Too often, only the political and wellconnected elite become very wealthy and in the process, allow foreign exploitation, which results in little to no benefits for the general population. We should accept that Guyana remains vulnerable to the “resource curse” and immediately address the Principal (the citizens) vs. Agent (government)

problem. The Principal vs. Agent problem occurs when one person, government department or entity (the Agent) is able to make decisions on behalf of, or that impact the citizens (the Principal). The Agent is hired (or elected) by the Principal to represent its interests in a negotiation for a financial transaction. For example, when you are selling your home, you hire a real estate broker (Agent) who represents the seller ’s (Principal’s) interests to the buyers. If the real estate broker works on behalf of the buyer’s interest because the buyer is paying them to do so, then the seller gets a bad deal. Therefore, the seller of property pays the real estate agent a commission based on the sale price in order for the real estate agent to be focused on achieving the highest price for the property and reduce the probability of the real estate agent being tempted to enrich themselves personally by making a side deal with the buyer for additional compensation. In these commercial transactions, the seller is happy to pay the real estate agent in order to ensure that the broker’s personal interests are aligned with the economic interests of the seller. While this type of compensation is politically

controversial and uncommon in government, the private sector has already figured out how to mitigate against these dangers and become comfortable with paying commissions and high compensation to ensure that the experts that we hire to represent us have their personal interests aligned with the economic interests of the people they represent. There are some basic rules that seem to accompany good outcomes Transparency and Inclusion are among them. The incentives for corruption are powerful particularly for poor countries with less developed institutional governance infrastructure. The dilemma faced by our decision makers must be acknowledged and the perverse incentives confronted by countering the enticements that can derail our national interests. This is a national challenge with very real consequences if we get it wrong. My previous public letter (January 2017) advocated for Guyana to adopt a policy similar to the Alaska Permanent Fund model in which every resident of Alaska receives an annual cash dividend from the Sovereign Wealth Fund of the state oil revenues. The Minister of Natural Resources commendably responded indicating that the proposal would be given

serious reconsideration to benefit the citizens of Guyana in a similar way. And in another encouraging step by the government, the recent publication of the ExxonMobil contract by the Government of Guyana is laudable. Encouraged that we continue to make progress towards good governance, my suggestions in this letter are aimed at building on the Alaska model proposal to achieve maximum financial benefits for Guyanese, reduce inequality, support the protection of our environment, and ensure that the economic benefits from the Oil & Gas sector strengthen our productivity, innovation and competitiveness. THE PROPOSAL Let us adequately compensate our Public Servants by paying them a commission on the enactment of good policies and effectively negotiated deals. We should work to align the interests of our Public Servants with the interest of all Guyanese. This proposal will align the financial interest of Public Servants, Citizens, and the Business Class. This plan is focused on incentivising the Public Sector to design the appropriate policies to enhance competitiveness, increase revenue collection and increase flow of Investments. Public Servants will be paid only upon receiving revenues (Continued on page 6)

NBS behaved more like a multinational corporation than an indigenous entity DEAR EDITOR, The imbroglio involving the New Building Society and its erstwhile managers is indeed a landmark case which will be remembered for years to come. Corporate social responsibility (CSR, also called corporate conscience, corporate citizenship or responsible business) is a form of corporate self– regulation integrated into a business model. CSR policy functions as self-regulatory mechanism, whereby a business monitors and ensures its active compliance with the spirit of the law, ethical standards and national or international norms. With some models, a firm’s implementation of CSR goes beyond compliance and statutory requirements, which engages in “actions that appear to further some social good, beyond the interests of the firm and that which is required by law”. The

aim is to increase long-term profits and shareholder trust through positive public relations and high ethical standards, to reduce business and legal risk by taking responsibility for corporate actions. Banks are among the organisations worldwide that take special care to manage and mitigate financial and other forms of risks. As to why the NBS has taken such a deleterious path remains known only to its directorate. What, is for certain, are the catastrophic cascading consequences which (will) ensue. These include damage to the morale of employees; blight on the careers of several senior functionaries, and the creation of social disaffection, which could over time affect the future financial health of the company. At worst, these risks could lead to what is known as contagion within the banking industry- that’s

when problems facing one bank adversely affect others in the financial web. According to Harper (1954), risk expresses itself in a company in financial terms: in the potential variability in its assets, earnings, cash flow or in the services it exists to supply. According to Flixbrough (1975), it is possible to divide losses into four types, with differing characteristics of frequency severity and predictability. But I will state five broad categories – Strategic risk, Compliance risk, Operational risk, financial risk, and Reputational risk.The change in government and consequential change in national policy which itself creates a special kind of risk is also represented herein, so too are the risks associated with non-compliance of laws - and its associated consequences. But exactly how did all this happen in the first place?

Persons familiar with the financial sector opined that the NBS has in this particular instance behaved more like a multinational corporation rather than an indigenous entity, flexing its corporate muscles with impunity with no regards for the sanctity of local laws. One wonders whether the security officers on duty were not trained to engage officers of the law while seeking to enforce court orders - most all security companies in Guyana use a variation of the” watchman model” so this is hardly part of their induction training. Again, the action of the guards at the NBS could be in itself a form of risk management, since when all is said and done it’s the company who pays the guarding company and by extension the security guards. ”Hint at Quashiba, mek Beneba tek notice!” Clairmont Featherstone

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 25, 2018

There is no basis or MORE REGULATIONS ARE NEEDED FOR HOUSING justification for Ravi Dev’s roar!

DEAR EDITOR, The great efforts by Guyana’s Housing Authorities to provide information and sensitisation to the public must be commended. However, with the absence of qualified and experienced housing planners and builders, this process is on slippery mud, and is tantamount to fetching 10 pounds of groceries in a five-pound bag. There must be some amount of rectitude and legal ramifications, instead of the platitudes to the media and the piecemeal approach to the establishing of housing structures and regulations. There must be laws to ensure that these houses and commercial buildings comply with safety regulations, which are rather sketchy in Guyana. Additionally, a Housing Code of Occupancy coupled with Zoning will prevent overbuilding and improve Quality of Life. Here are some conditions that need to be instituted: 1)Houses must have a floor plan and any addition or alteration must be applied for from the CHPA. T h i s i s t he correct

direction as opposed to the legalisation of haphazard, unsafe structures which have proliferated. 2) Each property must have a meets and bounds survey so the public knows the layout, dimensions and outer perimeter of the land. 3)Easements – the right for someone to pass through another person’s property must be determined. 4)Homeowners must sign a compliance that the home is for primary residence and is not for rental, as hefty fines or repossession could result. 5)Occupancy by 1 family is a required factor as well, because many homeowners hastily nail up a few boards (precipitating unsafe multi-family occupancy) in an effort to gather income from rent. 6 ) R e s i d e n t i a l neighbourhoods cannot have any form of commercial activities say, for instance, oil change/tire shops, TV/phone repair etc... 7)A Variance must be applied for, and granted by, the Housing Authority for any change from the (original) residential usage of homes. 8)Trained housing planners and inspectors to ensure and enforce safety

standards. 9)A system to impose fines for violations pertaining to garbage, water wasting, maintenance, alteration etc. 10)Allocation and demarcation of parking spaces to avoid conflicts. There are a multitude of factors governing the building of new communities: Schools, recreational facilities, access to medical treatment, garbage disposal, police, access to transport are just a few that can be pinpointed. Ratio factors vary; nonetheless, there ought to be a playground, for example, 1 acre per 1000 persons. Ratios can be extra p o l a t e d t o schools, policing, medical centres, and so on; and of course, fire stations. For Guyana to ascend to any high level of housing construction and design, many qualified and experienced planners, builders and engineers would be needed, as the country is still in the doldrums of housing. If this is not done, then there will be another set of poor quality housing waiting for yet another disaster. Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine Real Estate Builder (New York)

We need to call for a national conglomeration DEAR EDITOR, Practices are in evidence to show that Guyana is a place of many paradoxes, where we have a rich country with poor people self-effacing and coy at marketing themselves and country. The present oil & gas imbroglio is now in focus. Whether or not the Government promotes a carte blanche approach by foreigners to our resources, visitors should not abuse our meekness for weakness or the other way around. I expected by now to see a response to my Open Letter directed to the Exxon Country Manager published one week ago. I can assure him that his company’s celebrated late founder, the highly esteemed John D.

Rockefeller, would not condone any contemptuous behaviour from any representative of his company. One of his famous quotes states: “Next to doing the right thing, the most important thing is to let people know you are doing the right thing.” It is clearly obvious to me that our country has not established industrial parameters which should determine locations and participatory ratios for heavy upstream activities so as to avoid ad hoc measures trumped-up on individual fancy. To get a better view of this we need to call for a national conglomeration to set the template for all industrial development. John De Barros

DEAR EDITOR, On the eve of 2018, Ravi Dev attempted another roar. His features are referred to as “The Roar of Ravi Dev”. This time, he roared at Henry Jeffrey’s reiterated proposal of “grand coalition”. This roar saw Dev denouncing “the studied refusal of African theorists to follow Lewis’ suggestion and include ‘Federalism’ in their proposal for ending the ethnic security dilemmas’. Over the years, I have expressed agreement with Ravi Dev’s contention that majoritarian rule will not work for Guyana. In fact, Jeffrey also expresses that view. Indeed, our point of departure is Dev’s insistence that the solution must include Federalism. His articulation of the theoretical benefits of Federalism is flawless, but fails to address the reality of Guyana. In the past, he has offered specific suggestions about the geographical construct of Federalism, in Guyana. On this occasion, he omits that articulation but contends that “In a society where the majority ethnic groups each constitute majorities in different areas of the country, political devolution offers the largest number of incentives toward addressing ethnic insecurities”. Thus, by inference, he returns to his old idea of creating four states: Berbice, Demerara, South Essequibo and North Essequibo, or some such configuration based on ethnic dominance. While I am an advocate of devolution, I maintain that his proposition of Federalism is highly flawed, Indo-centric

and non-recognition of the contribution of other Guyanese to the development of Guyana; and their collective right to its patrimony. On another occasion, I will deal with the racist nature of his proposal. Wherever Federalism has been adopted, its implementation has been associated with the inhabitants of a particular state sharing some homogeneity and collective sovereign right. In Guyana, our occupation and development of any and every part of the country has been shared with ethnic sequential presence and probable dominance, at particular junctures. No one part of “Guyana” can historically be attributed to any one ethnic group, except for the Amerindians, who are condemned to dominion in South Essequibo, in his construct. Having laid the foundation for the development of the entire coast of Guyana, Ravi Dev’s construct seems to provide African Guyanese dominion over Demerara, by far, the smallest county with the least diversified resource base, the largest population and the largest number of IndoGuyanese, in any part of the country. On the other hand, he seeks to hand dominion to the Indo-Guyanese in Berbice and North Essequibo, including Regions 7 and probably part of 8, amounting

to approximately half of the country being under the control of about 20 percent of its population, not to mention the percentage of its wealth.No ethnic group in Guyana, except the Amerindians can lay claim to any region or county of this country. Land rights and nationhood are the quintessential bases upon which Federal States have been established in every part of this world, albeit some evolved and others used devolution to correct the historical distortion and erosion of their sovereign rights. There is therefore no basis or justification for Ravi Dev’s roar. The sound is occasioned, but its direction reeks of serious sensitivity disorder, like a doctor with the right diagnosis but the wrong treatment. He may well bring about unwarranted fatality. Let’s find the right way to make Guyana Rise. Ravi Dev’s chronic penchant for misadventure on this matter, essays the need for close and critical examination of his other editorial ventures. Yours truly, Vincent Alexander

PAGE 6

Kaieteur News

The PM’s Rep only confirmed what I have said DEAR EDITOR, I am most elated that Mr. Gobin Harbhajan has tacitly agreed that Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has indeed forsaken his principles of frugality and a lean and clean Government, and that he is now definitely enjoying ‘the good life’ with his few other comrades, since his letter to the press did not deny that fact. In my letter, I wrote that, ‘as soon as the Coalition won the 2015 General Elections and he took office as the Prime Minister of this country, his principles took a landslide into the abyss of egocentricity. He has focused all his efforts in selfaggrandizement and selfpromotion. Nowadays, his speeches are just centered about himself anyone who listens to him can confirm this’. I have noticed that Mr. Harbhajan did not refute this.Furthermore, the Prime Minister’s Representative only confirmed what I have said. From the letter written by Mr. Harbhajan, it is clear that the PM never visited any sugar estate nor did he ever ’engage sugar workers and their families’ as claimed by the leader of the AFC, Mr. Trotman, and all he did was travel with great pomp and style, ‘cutting ribbons and giving speeches’ most of which are about himself and enjoying the ‘good life’. He never visited the farmers at Black Bush Polder, but met with some of them at State House in New Amsterdam during the flood last year. As for being ‘an outstanding son of the soil’, I beg to differ. This man, as was pointed out by another letter writer, last year at the 104th Anniversary of the Rose Hall Martyrs claimed that

sugar workers was his ‘obsession,’ yet he did not have the time to visit any of them in their hour of need. In fact he had described GuySuCo as a ‘black hole’ and that sugar workers were ‘raiders of the Treasury’. Is this the hallmark of ‘an outstanding son of the soil? This ‘good man’ has surely put himself down. Moreover, Mr. Harbhajan, maybe because of your tight schedule looking after the interests of the people, you forgot to mention the expensive entourage which the PM travels with and the expensive first class trips abroad which never brought any benefits to this Nation. I wrote that he had aggressively fought against the PNC for most of his life and now he has joined them. May I add that he is now so silent about the many corrupt practices of this Coalition that it makes one wonder, whether this gentleman ever stood for anything at all! I must give the PM credit for appointing Mr. Harbhajan, a very competent person, but I do feel that he should be focusing more on doing the good job he is doing in Region 6 and do not try to defend a man who has betrayed the trust and confidence of the people who once supported him and has played a major role in destroying the founding principles of the Alliance for Change. Do not be contaminated or afflicted by the ‘Moses Syndrome’ or you may lose your way, Mr. Harbhajan. Lastly, I am curious to know whether the things which he gifted are from the Budget of his Office (taxpayers’ dollars) or came from his own pocket. Rohit Persaud

Thursday January 25, 2018

A proposal to advance Inclusion and... From page 04 into our national treasury. This solution is similar to how we sell real estate today – the real estate broker (Agent) receives a commission from the seller (Principal) to get the best deal and is only compensated once the seller receives its money from the sale. PAYMENT OF COMMISSION TO PUBLIC SERVANTS The Government – as the representative of the people – is responsible for negotiating the best deal for the people. It is prudent to align the interest of our Public Servants, including negotiators, by compensating them based on performance (commission) in addition to a fixed element of their take home pay. The pool of beneficiaries of the PublicSector commission payment should include the lead negotiator (in the case of Oil & Gas – the Minister of Natural Resources and the Negotiating Team at GGMC), their agency, and the Cabinet. Once the splits are determined, the Shadow Cabinet (Opposition Members of Parliament) should share in the Cabinet’s split with a lesser but fixed portion. By aligning the Public Sector (including the Opposition), with the interest of all Guyanese, we should give ourselves a chance to see constructive collaboration on issues of critical national interest. Example 1 – Payment of Commission to Public Servants A basic example of the commission payout assumes that the commission portion paid to the Public Servants might be a tenth of one percent (0.1%). If we assume that we will realise US$5 billion over time from the ExxonMobil Liza deal, and the negotiators are entitled to a tenth of one percent, then that would be US$5 million for those in the commission pool. In this scenario, imagine if the government was able to negotiate an even higher deal (i.e. US$10 billion), while it would result in an increase for the Public Servants commission pool to US$10 million, the true beneficiaries would be the citizens because the Sovereign Wealth Fund would make $10 billion instead of $5 billion. STOCK OPTION POOL FOR PUBLIC SERVANTS The policy should also consider the long-term development of our national economic interests and the strategies to ensure that the new oil businesses that emerge from the Guyana oil projects reflect a broad-

based, diverse group of Guyanese. Therefore, there is a need for Guyanese businesses to be granted exploration concessions as an essential part of local content. Consequently, the interest of the Business Class must be aligned with the interest of Public Servants and Citizens. To encourage strategic visionary decision making, the Public Sector should be allocated a stock option pool (i.e. ownership) in Guyanese businesses that are granted exploration concessions or performance warrants for facilitating local content opportunities. Broad-based citizens’ economic empowerment should also be factored into the granting of the concession by allocating shares to our Sovereign Wealth Fund. The stock option pool proportion should be non-negotiable so that it must not become a bribe – and there should be careful rules for selection of concessionaires that weigh their capability and qualifications with other realities of our societal divisions – in other words, there must be fair participation policies to ensure inclusion that advances social cohesion. Example 2 – Stock Option Pool for Public Servants Some believe it is in the nation’s best interest to auction off future oil blocks. Assume that exploration licenses are auctioned off at US$50 million per block paid into our Sovereign Wealth Fund, and under the proposal, would result in US$50,000 for the Public Servant commission pool. However, with the proposed Public Servants stock option pool, granting the concession to a capable Guyanese group would result in a win-win scenario. If the stock options for the Sovereign Wealth Fund (ownership in the Guyanese Company for granting the concession) is 10% and the Guyanese group successfully builds a company with US$1 billion valuation – the Public Servants commission pool would be worth [at 5%, US$5 million (100x the benefit of auctioning commissions)]. More important, there would be broad-based citizen economic empowerment with the Sovereign Wealth Fund receiving US$100 million – money that can go towards supporting primary and secondary education or scholarships for tertiary education. During his visit to Guyana, international Oil and Gas business executive Kola Karim pointed out that if we mandated 30% local content

across the board, we would already be seeing significant benefits. For example, the first ExxonMobil Production Facility (FPSO) came at a cost of US$1.2 billion – very little of which was felt in our economy. If 30% local content was required, Exxon’s partners would have had to find Guyanese partners and invest locally. Investing in our human resources and infrastructure are already drastically altering our economy. We would have seen at least an additional US$360 million pumped into our economy since 2015. Local Companies that are able to participate in these opportunities can be required to pay the facilitators (Ministry of Business and GO-Invest) stock options or performance warrants (shares/percentages of the deals). POTENTIALTHREATS IN THE PROPOSAL Most readers’ reaction to any proposal that suggests higher pay for the Government Officials including Cabinet members is understandably going to be one of outrage. The APNU/ AFC Administration is still recovering from its ill-timed Cabinet pay increase. That instinctive reaction will only be further angered with the previously unheard-of proposal to pay a commission to Public Servants for doing their job.The idea that these already handsomely compensated (arguably overpaid) public servants should be made wealthy; with the consent of the people, may cause anxiety inducing torture for many citizens. This proposal is counter-intuitive and provided for us to look at alternative models of governing.The proposal should only be considered if it is clearly the best path to achieving the outcomes desired by the critics and supporters of the plan. The ultimate measure of the merit of this plan must be based on its impact on the least welloff members of our society. The goals of such a proposal must be clearly articulated and it must be scrutinized for weaknesses and loopholes, and can only be considered if the goals and the desired outcomes are aligned. Finally, criticism of these initiatives should be presented with options that are likely to better produce the desired outcomes as opposed to simply criticizing without making constructive suggestions. There are challenges in this proposal that must also be mitigated. There is the danger of focusing singularly on financial returns at the

expense of other important considerations – including preserving and protecting our environment. Therefore, we will need to be just as careful to implement the checks and balances. Our regulatory bodies – such as the EPA – must be substantially funded, their employees enviably compensated, and their autonomy to perform their duties sacredly protected. Monitoring and Enforcement bodies – and our law enforcement must also be similarly shielded. Additionally, as Kola Karim advanced during his recent visit, serious consideration should be given to government investment in related or supporting sectors – including bolstering our Judiciary (Judges and Prosecutors) to be equipped to deal with legal matters related to Oil & Gas – ensuring that we invest in developing the local Legal, Financial and Enforcement (public and private) infrastructure to address Environmental, Joint Venture, Fund management and other matters and disputes that are bound to arise. The penalties and power of a corruption body is also critical, because it would create a “stick” (penalties & bankruptcy) against the “carrot” of commissions. I expect strong opinions against these suggestions. There are many valid considerations against these bold unconventional measures. However, I hope the naysayers will think deeply about the reasons why poor, resource- rich countries almost always end up with a few billionaires while the masses suffer. Outside of fanciful thinking, I believe we can find a way to avoid the “resource curse” by being realistic and pragmatic about the Principal vs. Agent dilemma. These proposals are designed to create broadbased economic empowerment and remake our economy to work better for all Guyanese by mitigating against the danger of self-enrichment at the expense of the nation, stimulating local business participation, and paying every Guyanese a dividend from our newly created Sovereign Wealth Fund so they can directly benefit from the resources which are rightfully their birthright. It must be affirmed in our law that the natural resources of Guyana are the birthright of its citizens. Sincerely, Selwin Asafa George

Thursday January 25, 2018

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 22

Thursday January 25, 2018

Kaieteur News

Cops check records of cars stolen as far back as 2015 - for possible match to vehicles seized from suspected carjacking ring

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Real estate solutions, we can help you sell your home. Call: 608-6655/facebook us. We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; 683-8734. Omar

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY- $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-2274754. Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 12ft & 14ft Aluminum boat for sale 222-5671, 641-6162 A 140 Toyota Corona manual black wheel drive, carburetor 3A engine. Good working condition. Price negotiable. #677-9077 or 651-6425 Combines 7300 John Deere (2000hrs), Fiatagri L413 (2500hrs), Laverda 132 & Tractors: Massey 399, Fiat 110/90, Ford 6610, 290 Massey-Call: 338-4354 Sign and copy shop business. Cell: (592)695-2199

FOR RENT

WANTED

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620

Salesman, good verbal/ excellent attitude, knowledge in stocktaking, computer literate & team player. Keyfood McDoom.

Vreed-en-hoop junction. Lessons place, storage bond, office, other. Call 6036400.

Experienced Handyman, porter all below 40 years. Apply with written application. Keyfood McDoom Village.

Space for rent at Ashmin’s Building- suitable for salon or office- Call today! 683-7954

One property to purchase in Georgetown below 30 million. Call: 615-0317

Fully furnished apartment two & one bedrooms in Providence, East Bank, Tel: 672-1906/216-2299/682-6238

Forty foot (40ft) containers, in good condition. #687-6072

Tower space to rent in Georgetown ideal for Telecommunication and Broadcasting Contact 2235273-4 Apartment- Vreed-en-hoop, two bedroom (Kitchen, bath, grill, security camera, A/C, Granite countertop) family preferable. $25,000 monthly. Tel: 682-5230, 615-4414

Labourers to work on farm in Demerara river. Accomodation provided. Tel: 684-1098/646-9821

Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer-Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158

VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota premio PSS7517 1.8M 2005 model C light recorder Axio 2.5 Bluebird 2.6 Tida 2.2 #655-3400 R3 Minibus $800k 212 Toyota $750k 192 Toyota $500k. Call: 697-2550, 613-1810 One RZ minibus BRR series, mag rim, cat eyes $1.5 Tel#6689672, 645-2525 Tractor (foreign used) Massey Ferguson-165 excellent condition Vreed-enhoop $1.6M, MF-135 $1.1M, MF-265-$2.2M, 165- loader tractor- $2.4M. Call: 682-5230/ 615-4414 Pick up truck from Canada, All double cab 2005 Tacoma $2.3 M, Ford F150 sport $1.5M, Ford ranger sport $1.4M. Call: 682-5230, 615-4414.

1 honest, reliable domestic & 1 Babysitter to work 7am-3pm & 8am-4pm workplace will be near Sheriff St. Call: 641-1062 (7:30am-5:00pm) CAR RENTAL

EDUCATION

Graphic Artist. Call: 222-7603

PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6435122/656-0087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

First Aid/CPR and Home Nursing. New classes starting shortly at St John. Tel: 225-9082

Heavy duty mechanic to work in interior . Driving & Welding will be an asset. #680-2702

Lessons: Phonics, Reading & Writing for Kindergarten, grades 1-5 Mathematics & English. Lessons for form 1-5. Call: 690-9378

Waitress/ Food servers, Food Handlers certificate required. Contact: 629-2044

DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494

Ultraviolet Driving School is offering a 6 days driving lesson for $7,500. Come and enjoy it! Call 602-2583

The Jo-sel Educational Institute needs a full time maths teacher. For more information, call: 226-7794/ 226-7868

TOLET One Bedroom, furnished (air conditioning, bed, refrigerator, microwave, television, stove, utensils) North Riumveldt $75,000. #688-0306,694-7817

SALON Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses: $90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/688-0009

Police will be checking as far back as 2015 in a bid to trace some of the vehicles that they seized from a suspected carjacking ring last Monday. The chassis numbers had been removed from two of the vehicles, which were found at an East Bank Demerara taxi service and mechanic shop. “We are sending out messages to all stations; we will be checking reports on vehicles that were stolen from around 2015 to this time, to see if they are linked (to the ones found),” a police source said. Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine, while performing the duties of Commissioner, had disclosed at a recent press conference that there were 41 carjackings

Experienced Jet+Marack men to work on land dredge. Call 672-3359 between 8:30-5:00pm One female cleaner for office in Eccles. Call: 233-2745 Skilled carpenters wanted to work Linden. #602-9469

PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 15 Public Road, #2 Village, W.C.B. 49ft x 10,314ft $25M Negotiable Contact 648-7109/686-4818

Ground floor of four storey buliding located on Robb Street next to Bourda Market. Tel: 623-7731, 688-7625

Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501 LEARN TO DRIVE

1 welder to work in the interior. Meals & accomodation provided. Must have driver’s license. Contact: 680-2702 1 office clerk, must have 5 years’ experience, advanced tying skills/letter formatting. Proficient in English Language. Age 25-35. Tel:6481821/219-0468 Seeking property to rent for restaurant in Georgetown, Call: 615-0317

Ganesh James, charged for carjacking

VACANCY Experienced Security Professionals. Must have 3 yrs. experience, past military/ security. Send resume & picture by email:. bvisecurityandinvestigators @ g m a i l . c o m Experienced TUTOR for CAPE Pure math and applied. Math level 1. Contact: 5002145

VACANCY 1 cook, 1 cleaner, 1 waitress. Call Sabrina/Lisa on 231-5857/ 231-5866 One general domestic. Apply in person to Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street, Bourda.

HEALTH

Auto body repairman, part time. 266-4427

Get genuine herbal supplements from Hazel’s Herbal Store. Call: Tel# 2269136. Iridology Services offered on Monday 29-01-18

General maintenance Guy, room attendant ages 25-45 years old. Tel: 225-0198 233 South rd, Lacytown.

Vacancy exists for 1 experienced pharmacy technician to work part time @ a reputable pharmacy Georgetown- Call: 227-0630 Shipping Assistant, Accounts clerk- must have knowledge of QuickBooks. Tel: 616-5591/ 665-3676/226-0395. Waitress for bar. Age 18-27 #612-2522 Harish Variety Store: Porter boys. #227-6692, 226-0372

in 2015; 36 in 2016, and 47 in 2017. Of 47 cases in 2017, at least 16 of the stolen vehicles were Toyota Premio, and eight were Toyota Allion. On Monday, police arrested a taxi base operator and four of his employees. They also seized four cars on Monday at an East Bank Demerara taxi service. The taxi service and a mechanic shop are owned and operated by Ganesh James. Police ranks had visited the taxi service on Sunday night to look for a crashed vehicle which was taken to the mechanic shop by Ganesh James, who is currently on $100,000 bail for stealing a car. 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. 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 reportedly led ranks to Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, where they discovered two other crashed cars. The chassis numbers had been removed. At the base also, ranks found the two vehicles believed to be stolen cars.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 25, 2018

Venezuela’s presidential battle begins, Maduro favourite CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuela’s presidential election race has begun with favourite and incumbent Nicolas Maduro signaling a nationalist, “anti-Trump” campaign while his demoralized foes scramble to find a viable candidate for a vote they predict will be unfair. Critics of the 55-year-old Maduro, who succeeded Hugo Chavez in 2013, say he has ruined a once prosperous oil economy, turned Venezuela into a dictatorship and skewed the election system to perpetuate power for his Socialist Party. Government officials say they are fighting a U.S.-led right-wing conspiracy determined to end socialism in Latin America, hobble Venezuela’s economy, and steal its oil wealth. “Donald Trump is not the boss of Venezuela!” thundered Maduro at a rally late on Tuesday. He spoke hours after the progovernment Constituent Assembly, a legislative superbody, announced the vote would be held by April

30. Maduro confirmed yesterday that he would stand for re-election. The president’s approval ratings have plunged during a crushing four-year recession caused by failed economic policies such as decade-old currency controls and the fall in global oil prices since 2014.U.S. Vice President Mike Pence called Maduro a “dictator” on Twitter yesterday, adding that snap elections were “ u n d e m o c r a t i c , unconstitutional, and globally opposed.” Foreign sanctions against Maduro’s government, including a U.S. prohibition on investors’ dealing with any new Venezuelan debt, have exacerbated the grim panorama as millions suffer food and medicine shortages and the world’s highest inflation. But with Maduro having survived massive protests last year and consolidated his grip, the international pressure has now given him a powerful rallying cry to seek re-election.

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro speaks during a rally in Caracas. REUTERS/Marco Bello “The people rule in Venezuela, not empires,” he said at Tuesday’s rally, going straight into campaign mode with jingles from past elections. “I‘m ready...We’re going to win big.” “MADURO’S FARCE” Venezuela’s opposition, which brought hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets last year in an attempt to oust Maduro, is in a quandary. Its most popular figures including Leopoldo Lopez and Henrique Capriles - are prevented from standing.

Some are in jail, others are in exile or barred from politics. “The election will be held on Maduro’s terms, allowing him to ensure his victory,” the Eurasia consultancy said. “All of this will come at a cost of increased international isolation, something that the government seems willing to stomach if the tradeoff is to lose power.” The most militant of government opponents believe it is useless to fight the socialists at the polls, given the election board whose head is on U.S. and

European Union sanctions lists - favors the government and turns a blind eye to use of state resources for campaign purposes. Electoral council documents seen by Reuters appeared to show progovernment numbers were inflated in last year’s vote for the Constituent Assembly, and the opposition produced strong evidence of fraud in Bolivar state during governor elections. The government denied any voting fraud, saying its election system is the cleanest in the world. “The dictatorship does not want free elections. No one in Venezuela or abroad should support another of Maduro’s farces,” said Antonio Ledezma, a hardline opposition leader who recently escaped house arrest to flee to Spain. If militants campaign for a boycott of the election, that would complicate plans by the already disparate Democratic Unity (MUD) coalition to hold a primary election to choose its best candidate. Leaders of the

major MUD parties were meeting later on Wednesday to discuss strategy and possible primaries. “To participate or not, vote or not, protest or not? If we’re not united, no strategy will work. If we go forward together, nobody can beat us,” said young opposition leader Hasler Iglesias. Two opposition leaders, Henry Ramos and Henri Falcon, have already announced presidential aspirations. But both are divisive figures within the opposition: Ramos is seen as too old-school by many, while Falcon is viewed with suspicion due to his origins within the ruling “Chavismo” movement. Announcing his would-be candidacy yesterday, Falcon said the government was incapable of resolving the country’s crisis, adding, “We need to get rid of this rubbish government, democratically.” Given the dismal state of the economy and years of bitter political standoff, many Venezuelans are fed up with all parties and yearning for a fresh face.

North Korea sends rare announcement Ex-USA Gymnastics doctor gets up to to all Koreans, calls for unification 175 years as abuse victims applaud

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea sent a rare announcement addressed to “all Koreans at home and abroad” today, saying they should make a “breakthrough” for unification without the help of other countries, its state media said. It said all Koreans should “promote contact, travel, cooperation between North and South Korea” while adding Pyongyang will “smash” all challenges against reunification of the Korean peninsula. The announcement, issued after a joint meeting of government and political parties, added Koreans should wage an energetic drive to defuse the acute military tension and create a peaceful climate on the Korean peninsula. Military tension on the Korean peninsula was a “fundamental obstacle” for

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (KCNA/via REUTERS) the improvement of interKorean relations and unification, the North’s official news agency said. It added joint military drills with “outside forces” has shown to be unhelpful for the development of relations between North and South Korea. North Korea did not provide details why the meeting had been held but

the statement said it was aimed to support leader Kim Jong Un’s remarks regarding unification from his New Year’s address. It said this year is meaningful for both North and South Korea as it is the 70th anniversary of the founding of North Korea while South Korea will be hosting the Winter Olympics next month.

LANSING, Mich. (Reuters) - As his victims wept in a Michigan courtroom yesterday, disgraced longtime USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison for abusing young female gymnasts who were entrusted to his care. “I’ve signed your death warrant,” Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina told Nassar, following days of accounts from about 160 of his victims.Spectators and victims cried, applauded and embraced as Nassar, 54, wearing a dark blue jailhouse jumpsuit, was led out of the courtroom. Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to publicly accuse him in 2016, shared a hug with Angela Povilaitis, the lead prosecutor. Nassar, who served as the

Larry Nassar program’s physician through four Olympic Games, apologized to his victims during the hearing, telling them, “I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days.” Aquilina dismissed his statement as insincere and courtroom spectators gasped as the judge read aloud from a letter he wrote to her claiming he was a good doctor who was manipulated into pleading guilty. Nassar, who already is serving a 60-year sentence in federal prison for child pornography convictions, also said his accusers fabricated claims to gain money and fame, writing, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” “Would you like to withdraw your plea?”

Aquilina asked Nassar after tossing aside his letter. “No, your honor,” Nassar said. “Because you are guilty, aren’t you? Are you guilty, sir?” the judge demanded. After a long pause, Nassar said quietly, “I have said my plea, exactly.” CHANGING VIEW The prosecution and Aquilina emphasized the broader significance of the sentencing, coming amid a national debate over sexual misconduct prompted by accusations against powerful men from Hollywood to Washington. “At this particular moment in history, this sentence and hearing will be viewed as a turning point in how our community, our state, our nation, our culture looks at sexual abuse,” Povilaitis said. Aquilina rattled off a series of statistics about the prevalence of sexual abuse before saying, “It stops now.” The sentencing followed an extraordinary week long hearing that saw Nassar’s victims unflinchingly, defiantly, tell their stories in raw terms. Despite Nassar ’s objections, Aquilina allowed victims who were not part of his guilty plea to speak at his sentencing.

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 25, 2018

Conviction against Brazil’s da Silva upheld PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil (AP) — Two appellate court judges voted yesterday to uphold a graft conviction against ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, raising the specter that the former leader won’t be able to run for Brazil’s top job despite holding a lead in the polls. The decision is the latest legal setback for da Silva, who was wildly popular as president between 2003 and 2010 but has since been dogged by several corruption allegations amid a mushrooming graft scandal that has taken down top politicians and businessmen in Latin America’s largest nation. While da Silva has several avenues to still get on the ballot for October’s election — and his lawyers have indicated they will appeal any setback — the decision further complicates a political comeback. Many argue that sidelining him could anger millions of his supporters and impact the country’s political stability. While a third judge’s vote could impact the avenues da Silva’s team takes in its appeals, a simple majority was enough to uphold the conviction. After hearing arguments in the morning from the prosecution and defense, Judge Joao Pedro Gebran Neto was the first to vote. He went be-

Former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva greets supporters during a visit to the metallurgic syndicate headquarters i n Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, yesterday. (AP Photo/Marcelo Chello) yond the original conviction, saying that jail time should be 12 years and one month, an increase of more than two years from the sentence leveled in July. “I consider the culpability in the case extremely high,” said Gebran Neto. “This is about a former president and a corruption scheme that prevailed for years.” Judge Leandro Paulen also upheld the conviction and agreed on adding to the sentence.“Nobody can be absolved just because he’s powerful,” said Paulen, referring to da Silva. Despite myriad legal

troubles — da Silva has been convicted in this case and is facing charges in six others — the 72-year-old leads preference polls for October’s race. Authorities closed streets around the court in the southern city of Porto Alegre yesterday as the case opened. Helicopters hovered above, police patrolled on horses and sharpshooters were positioned on rooftops. The case was so closely watched that in the afternoon Brazil took over much of Twitter: Three of the top 10 topics trending worldwide were about the case.

Etienne re-elected WHO Regional Director for the Americas GENEVA - CMC – Dominican-born Dr. Carissa Etienne has been re-elected as the World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for the Americas, including the Caribbean. Dr, Etienne was first elected director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) on September 19, 2012 and re-elected for a second term in September last year. PAHO serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of WHO (WHO/AMRO). Dr. Etienne will begin her second five-year term as PAHO director and WHO regional director on February 1, this year. “My vision for the Americas is of a society free from inequality w h e r e e v e r y one, particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people, can lead healthy, meaningful and productive lives,” said Dr Etienne. “One of my top priorities

Dr. Carissa Etienne is ensuring that everyone has access to quality health services without fear of being impoverished.” Under her leadership, PAHO said Dr. Etienne led preparedness and response efforts to the regional Zika and chikungunya epidemics, as well as to yellow fever outbreaks in Brazil. The Americas became the first WHO Region to elimi-

nate the endemic transmission of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome, PAHO said, noting that four of the six endemic countries in the region eliminated onchocerciasis, and trachoma in one country, while a number of countries are much closer to malaria elimination certification. Prior to her appointment as WHO’s Regional Director for the Americas, Dr. Etienne was Assistant Director General, Health Systems and Services of the Geneva-based WHO.From 2003 to 2008, she served as Assistant Director of PAHO, WHO’s Regional Office for the Americas. Etienne holds degrees in medicine and surgery from the University of the West Indies, as well as a Master ’s in community health and an honorary diploma in public health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 25, 2018

Barbados ratifies the Inter-American Convention against Corruption WASHINGTON - CMC – Barbados has ratified the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (IACC), making the IACC the most ratified convention in the Inter-American system together with the charter of the Organization of American States (OAS). “This ratification demonstrates the importance of the Convention as a guide in the fight against corruption in the hemisphere, given its status as a binding legal instrument

on its States Parties,” the OAS said in a statement. It said the 34 memberstates that have ratified the Convention “have undertaken a commitment to fight corruption, addressing it in a comprehensive manner.” For this reason, the OAS said “the Convention contains measures for the prevention, detection and investigation of acts of corruption, for sanctioning those who commit acts of corruption, and for the recovery by the

State, the proceeds of those acts.“Moreover, the ratification by Barbados is of particular importance, given that the central topic of the upcoming 8th Summit of the Americas is the ‘Democratic Governance against Corruption,’ as it reaffirms the commitment by the hemisphere in addressing the issue, recognizing its transnational character, and the importance of international cooperation to effectively combat it,” the OAS said.

Jamaica Govt. buoyed by 5 to 4 initiative despite minor setback KINGSTON, Jamaica – CMC - Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday defended his administration’s five per cent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in four years (5 in 4’) initiative even as he acknowledged that the island had not achieved the growth target it had been expecting last year. “I still maintain that we can hit that five in four and we are working towards it because the moment I stop saying well, we change the projections that’s like sending a signal to all the agents in the system to reduce the effort,” Holness said, adding “the signal is keep your effort going that is what the five in four is about …” The plan has been developed in collaboration with the Economic Growth Council (EGC) that was launched in April last year and Holness, speaking at a news conference here, expressed confidence in the initiative. “One thing we will have to get used to in this environment is that there some things that are beyond our control…and the best laid plans are not always within the full remit and control of those who are planning it,” he told reporters. “The truth is there is a bigger picture of global action which has caused our climate to change and that change has an economic impact,” Holness said, indicating however “we have to plan as to how awe are going to respond to that…”He said this would result in making the agriculture sector, for example, more productive and resilient, adding that it is imperative that “we move into modern agriculture and we regulate the agricultural markets… “Yes of course if we don’t meet the five in four it would give concern for concern. Not just cause for concern for the aspiration that we have put to the people, but the people

Prime Minister Andrew Holness themselves should be concerned,” Holness said, adding “it is not a political I got you. “Failure to meet the growth target is everyone’s loss but it does not stop us from aspiring from setting targets that we know we may not reach but they are targets that stretch us.“So those who are lining up to say, ‘see him not going to reach it,’ I find that to be churlish. We must as a people aspire and it is the lack of that ambition that has been part of the reason. We have just been afraid to dream”. He said the naysayers were hoping for the failure of the initiative, adding “it is like wishing Jamaica fail, that is ridiculous ….we are trying very hard to meet the targets”. Agriculture Minister Karl Samuda told reporters that while agriculture is a “crucial element of the growth strategy…we cannot continue to one year grow by over 13 per cent and the next year decline by five per cent because of conditions over which we have no control, the weather”. Samuda said Jamaica is constantly at risk through natural weather patterns including drought and flooding. “So we must take the opportunity, seize the moment and do more creative things

to utilise some of the negatives and turn them into positives and that is why we are going to launch an aggressive strategy to deal with water harvesting which is an international strategy as enunciated by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) in the last conference,” he said. He said in addition to that, Jamaica must also deal with “secure agriculture” and therefore “must expand the notion of having green houses and agriculture that will be more secure, more controlled and more productive”. Meanwhile, the Director General Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), Dr. Wayne Henry, told the news conference that while the 5 in 4 initiative from the start was deemed to be ‘aspirational” his organisation had laid out conditions under which it could be attained. “Our programmes in terms of the medium targets haven’t change,” he said, noting the external shocks to the local economy over the past few months “We have outlined plans being pursed in terms of our growth strategy and they are sound plans, we tend to revise…we just want to stay focus in terms of implementing as we can…,” he said. “Five in four continues to be an aspiration that we strive towards. We all want more robust growth and the outcomes they promise and provide,” he said, adding “we have seen tremendous progress …we have seen some progress in business reform, we have seen the confidence of the business sector…international investors have given strong ratings to Jamaica in recognition of the progress we have made,” Henry added. Earlier, Holness told reporters he was hopeful and “ I am working towards making sure 2018 is a better year than 2017.

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 25, 2018

Jamaica on offensive overseas to deal with fallout from SOE KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett is to travel to North America and Europe this weekend as Jamaica moves to quell any fallout from its decision to impose a state of emergency in St. James, where the island’s tourist resort of Montego Bay is situated. Bartlett told a news conference that the authorities have already developed “a comprehensive programme with our partners” from the three major markets, including the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.He said from this weekend he would be moving to ‘cover those markets to meet with all our partners and to ensure that the future bookings, because I think that the winter (booking) is holding and that’s the message we want to have”. He said the concerns for the authorities here would be future bookings adding “we want to look to make sure that we shore up the summer and the fall because we are pushing to inch into the five million arrivals this year”. The government introduced the state of emergency last week Thursday in a bid to deal with the rising criminal activities including murder in that parish. Last year, more than 300 people were killed in St. James and the authorities have said more than 200 people including those

Edmund Bartlett wanted for murder have been detained under the state of emergency. Bartlett said that Jamaica would continue its aggressive public relations campaign noting “we are out there and we are making the point that Jamaica is being made safer” Earlier Prime Minister Andrew Holness told reporters that he is “prepared to do what it takes to address this crime problem” and warned ‘all of what we are doing is threatened by the security situation in Jamaica”. He said crime is but one aspect of the island’s security and his administration was also concerned about its ability to protect and control its borders, telecommunication and financial services among other sectors. He dismissed the notion that the state of emergency is all about dealing with the crime “in our faces, the murders, and the public disorder”

adding “it is also to deal with what I like to call an eco-system of criminality at an enterprise level. “We should never take it for granted that there are not masterminds, criminal kingpins who are organising and facilitating the street level crime that you are seeing,” he said. “So the state of emergency is just not targeting the person pulling the trigger, it is targeting to every single player who form a node in this network of criminal enterprise that is now a growing and thriving eco-system and we must destroy it” Holness said he was pleased with the public interaction with the security forces and that the government is ensuring that the human rights of those detainees are respected.But he said the authorities are also aware of attempts by some elements to drive a wedge between the security forces, noting “some of these elements are within the forces and some of them are criminals.“It would not be a surprise that some of the criminals are connected to some of elements and they are using a master mind strategy to undermine the unity of the forces,” Holness said, expressing his confidence in the security forces ‘to see through those offences and whatever strategies that are used to impact on emotions that good reasons will prevail.

Ammonia plant closes operations …loss of an estimated 400 jobs PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Caribbean Nitrogen Company (CNC) yesterday announced the immediate closure of its ammonia plant on the Point Lisas Industrial Estate in central Trinidad resulting in the loss of an estimated 400 jobs.The company said that the closure was due to the action taken by the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC) to cut off gas supply to the plant. “We had no choice but to shut down the plant to ensure the well-being of our people and protect our investment. Unfortunately, this action by NGC will negatively affect the future of our 110 loyal workers,” said CNC chief executive officer, Jerome Dookie.”The situation is highly regrettable given that CNC has been in a dialogue with The National Gas Company for almost a year. CNC had even accepted multiple interim extensions of our gas

Ammonia Plant

supply, until yesterday, at a detrimental cost to itself. “These extensions were implemented to facilitate further discussions between CNC and NGC to agree on the terms of a long-term gas supply contract. The NGC has, however, been unresponsive to the many concessions CNC has made, and unrealistic as to the global forces affecting not only CNC’s ex-

ports, but Trinidad’s exports of ammonia, which must compete in the international marketplace,” Dookie said.He said that the NGC is “unfortunately making Trinidad the world’s marginal producer of ammonia with its uneconomical pricing policies” noting that the government had also intervened and attempted to assist in resolving the matter.

PAGE 27

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Foreign minister prioritises climate change at China-CELAC forum KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith has urged countries of the Latin America and the Caribbean region and China to make disaster mitigation and building resilience to the risks of climate change vital elements of the China-CELAC cooperation strategy. Johnson Smith made the call while attending the Second Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, held in Santiago, Chile on Monday. The meeting was held under the theme “CELAC-China: Working for more development, innovation and cooperation for our peoples” and was designed to fine-tune the cooperation agenda for the period 2019 to 2021 between the People’s Republic of China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). Johnson Smith was among the representatives of the twenty-two CELAC Member States, which delivered statements in support of the China-CELAC cooperation mechanism. The minister’s statement focused on furthering discussions on grant funding for regional projects and financing for climate change, made available through the ChinaCELAC cooperation mechanism.

Kamina Johnson Smith (Jamaica Observer) The minister also expressed support for China’s vision of the Belt and Road Initiative, which, it is anticipated, “will connect markets across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas and lead to development right across the region through a cooperative and inclusive strategy”.

Colombia evicts over 200 homeless Venezuelans from sports field squat CUCUTA, Colombia (Reuters) - Colombia yesterday evicted over 200 homeless Venezuelans who had been sleeping in a sports field in its border town of Cucuta, highlighting growing unease over an influx of migrants from the crisis-hit neighbouring country. The Venezuelans were removed at the crack of dawn from the field in a middle-class neighbourhood, where they had been sleep-

ing in makeshift tents or on cardboard boxes. A few insulted Venezuela’s leftist President Nicolas Maduro as they boarded Colombian migration agency trucks, a Reuters reporter witnessed. Most were deported to Venezuela because they did not have valid passports, although some vowed to cross back over when they got the chance.

Thursday January 25, 2018

Trump says willing to be interviewed by Special Counsel under oath WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday he would be willing to be interviewed under oath by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. “I‘m looking forward to it, actually,” Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, said of an interview with Mueller. “I would do it under oath.

U.S. President Donald Trump

Barbados ratifies the Inter-American Convention against Corruption WASHINGTON - CMC – Barbados has ratified the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (IACC), making the IACC the most ratified convention in the InterAmerican system together with the charter of the Organization of American States (OAS). “This ratification demonstrates the importance of the Convention as a guide in the fight against corruption in the hemisphere, given its status as a binding legal instrument on its States Parties,” the OAS said in a statement. It said the 34 member-states that have ratified the Convention “have undertaken a commitment to fight corruption, addressing it in a comprehensive manner.”

For this reason, the OAS said “the Convention contains measures for the prevention, detection and investigation of acts of corruption, for sanctioning those who commit acts of corruption, and for the recovery by the State, the proceeds of those acts. “Moreover, the ratification by Barbados is of particular importance, given that the central topic of the upcoming 8th Summit of the Americas is the ‘Democratic Governance against Corruption,’ as it reaffirms the commitment by the hemisphere in addressing the issue, recognizing its transnational character, and the importance of international cooperation to effectively combat it,” the OAS said.

Thursday January 25, 2018

Former players outfit and equip Pouderoyen FC for 2018 season To e n s u r e t h a t t h e i r former team is equipped and prepared for the new football season, a group of former players and well wishers came together and pooled resources and presented a number of needed items to the club on Sunday last. The v e n u e w a s t h e West Demerara Secondary School located i n t h e village of Pouderoyen where two sets of uniforms, 10 balls, cones and four pairs of boots w e r e p r e s e n t e d to Club President, Delon Josiah, who was also one of the donors. The other players which contributed are Ron Austin, Zevon Atkinson, Addassffi Skeete, Kellon

Pouderoyen FC President Delon Josiah (4th right) seen with some of the club’s players and the donated items. Belgrave, Carlotta Retemyer and Anton Peterson. The club expressed gratitude to the donors for

their benevolence. Poudeoyen FC is one of the leading clubs affiliated to the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA).

Thursday January 25 , 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your life continues to grow stranger and stranger and you’re still not sure this is the end of it. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) A relationship with someone special is opening your heart and mind in entirely new directions. However, change is not easy, especially when it pulls you off the paved highway and into the unexplored jungle. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A relationship with someone special is opening your heart and mind in entirely new directions. However, change is not easy, especially when it pulls you off the paved highway CANCER (June 21–July 22) Opportunities at work can clear a path to your success, but only if you’re willing to set aside what you’ve learned on the job so far LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Throwing away your map frees your mind to perceive reality as it is, rather than how its drawn. At this point in time, its more important to make your own connections rather than relying on anyone elses VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Don’t make any dramatic changes yet; start asking questions and do your share of research. Rely on your intuition to find the answers you seek.

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You know what you should do today, especially if you want to maintain stability in a long-term relationship. But you have a sneaking suspicion that there is more going on than your five senses can tell you SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You will not impress others by being foolishly generous. You will upset your partner if you have spent money on things that aren't necessary. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Although self-exploration can be exhausting at times, you love to discuss the meaning of life in ways that are too intense for most people. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) ou are transforming in ways that are not obvious to others, yet your heightened awareness is part of a trajectory that will ultimately lead you to fulfill your destiny AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Its tempting to put all your eggs in one basket today, but that strategy invites swift failure. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Instead of being preoccupied with the logistics, stay focused on the big picture. Choosing your destination allows you to color in all the details in your imagination first.

Gayle, Russell, Narine... From page 31 after being named in the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force. The 29-year-old last played in the regional tournament when he snatched an amazing six wickets for nine runs as Red Force beat Guyana Jaguars in the final of the 2015 edition at Queen’s Park Oval. Tw o f o r m e r We s t Indies players will be turning out for overseas teams. Speedster Fidel Edwards, who played 55 Tests and 50 ODIs, will suit for English County Hampshire while Xavier Marshall, who appeared in seven Tests and 24 onedayers, will be part of the United States set-up. West Indies one-day captain Jason Holder, along with current ODI players Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Kesrick Williams and Marlon Samuels, are all set to campaign in the tournament, as they gear up for the ICC World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe next March. A n d C r i c k e t We s t Indies chief executive, Johnny Grave, said the Regional Super50 would also serve to enhance the oneday squad’s preparation for the all-important qualifiers. “The Super50 Cup is a great competition and we are delighted that Kent a n d U W I ’s C o m b i n e d Campuses & Colleges are coming back, as well as welcoming Hampshire and the USA to join our territorial board franchises,” said Grave. “This year ’s tournament will also provide the ideal match preparation for our Windies men’s team ahead of the vital ICC World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.” Group A, comprising reigning champions Barbados Pride, Red Force, CCC Marooners, Windward Isl a n d s Vo l c a n o e s a n d Hampshire, will be staged in Barbados with matches played at historic Kensington Oval and the 3W’s Oval. Group B, meanwhile, will bring together Scorpi-

Pollard... From page 31 but Pollard (2-19) struck twice with his medium pace and conceded only four runs, as their hopes of a playoff spot fizzled out. On Monday, Pollard became the first cricketer to play 400 Twenty20s in Renegades’ 26-run defeat to Adelaide Strikers.

ons, Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Jaguars, United States and Kent, doing

battle at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium and the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

PAGE 30

Kaieteur News

Wary Federer through to semis after Hawkeye hiccup MELBOURNE (Reuters) A momentary loss of Roger Federer’s trademark cool enlivened an otherwise routine victory by the defending champion over Tomas Berdych as the Swiss player moved into the semi-finals of the Australian Open yesterday. Federer’s ninth successive defeat of the burly Czech, this time 7-6(1) 6-3 6-4, was not all smooth sailing for the 36-year-old who snapped at umpire Fergus Murphy in the first set. His mini-rant about malfunctioning Hawkeye technology when Berdych served for the opening set said much about the struggle Federer was having to contain the 19th seeded powerhouse. But in the end all was well for Federer, who reached his record-extending 43rd grand slam semi-final where he will face 21-year-old South Korean sensation Chung Hyeon. It is the 11th time Federer has reached the final four of a

slam without dropping a set and, with Rafa Nadal out of action, he is clear favorite to win a 20th grand slam title and sixth Australian Open. Federer had dropped only two sets in his previous eight matches against Berdych but came desperately close to losing the opener on Rod Laver Arena when the 32-year-old served at 5-3, having secured an early break. Berdych had one set point but Federer blazed a backhand past him to snuff out the danger, before breaking with an equally sublime swish of his matt black racket to break. The main talking point of the match had arrived a few points earlier though with Berdych 15-40 down. Federer thought a serve was out despite no call and immediately challenged. Unfortunately, however, the usual video playback failed and Federer was told by Murphy that the serve was in. When announcing that Federer had lost his chal-

Federer has not dropped a set this tournament last year, he played many lengthy matches. (AFP/ Getty Images)

Roger Federer is in the Australian Open semi-finals for the 10th time in his career. lenge, the Swiss saw red and marched to the chair. “Are you comfortable with this?” he said, as the crowd booed. “You can’t steal my challenge. You’re okay with this?” Federer then dumped a forehand in the net before refocusing and taking the set into a tiebreak in which he allowed Berdych one point — taking the set with an impudent drop shot. Later, with his 92nd Australian Open victory in the bag, Federer played down the incident. “I hung around, got a bit lucky, a bit angry, a bit frustrated at the umpire,” Federer said in the now obligatory comedy duo on-court interview with Jim Courier. After the first-set dramas it was routine with Federer breaking decisively for 5-3 with an easy backhand winner after Berdych’s half volley sat up begging. Berdych could have thrown in the towel when he

fell behind in the third set, but kept Federer on his toes by breaking back. It only delayed the inevitable, though, as Federer broke again and completed the job with a love service game. “Coming back from 5-2 in the first set, it was clearly big tonight,” Federer, the oldest man to reach the semis here since Ken Rosewall in 1977, told reporters. Federer’s said Nadal’s retirement in the fifth set against Marin Cilic the previous evening, scuppering a repeat of last year’s epic final, had played on his mind. “I feel that’s exactly the moment when you stumble. That’s why I think I was actually very nervous going into this match tonight, and that’s why I struggled early on,” he said. “I knew the danger of Berdych. Seeing what happened to so many other top seeds here in the draw, I was a bit wary.”

Thursday January 25, 2018

Seeram’s Bar, Wiltshire Dominoes set for Sunday Seeram’s Bar of First Street, Alexander Village in collaboration with Mark Wiltshire will be hosting a dominoes competition on Sunday at the above address starting at 14:00hrs. Entrance fee is $12,000 and the winning team will take home a trophy and $150,000, runner up a trophy $75,000 and third place a trophy and $35,000. According to senior organising secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association (GDA) Mark

‘Jumbie’ Wiltshire the prizes are subject to change and all GNDA rules will be in effect. He is asking that teams turn up at the venues at least one hour prior to the start of play. Mix Up who recently won the Wiltshire Birth Anniversary Dominoes competition are expected to come up against Gold For Money, All Season Racing Service, Providence, Assassins, C7, Thunder, Spartons, Beacons, Turning Point, Masters Six and Lion’s Heart among others.

LeBron James: Cleveland Cavaliers star surpasses Kobe Bryant in NBA records

Halep roars back to dismantle Pliskova MELBOURNE (Reuters) Top seed Simona Halep recovered from a slow start before racing away to a 6-3 6-2 victory over big-serving Czech sixth seed Karolina Pliskova in their Australian Open quarter-final yesterday. The 26-year-old Romanian world number one, still seeking a first grand slam title, trailed 3-0 but battened down the hatches to reel off the next nine games on her way to a first Melbourne semi-final. An increasingly deflated Pliskova eventually stopped the rot but with Halep offering precious little in the way of cheap points, the result soon became a formality.Halep made only 10 unforced errors in the one hour, 11 minute contest on Rod Laver Arena and sealed victory with a deep return which Pliskova could only slap into the net.

Simona Halep has her arms in the air after securing her place in today’s semi-final. (Reuters) She described the performance as her best of the tournament so far but she might need to go up another level in the semi-final, where she faces the in-form 2016 Melbourne champion Angelique Kerber. “I think this was a great

match. The best this tournament. I started slow but then I got used to the rhythm. I got used to everything. I played very well,” she said.“You never know with her because she has crazy good shots sometimes and also the serve. But I read her serve many

times today. I just was very strong on the return.”There was early encouragement for Pliskova as she held an extended opening service game then cracked a forehand winner to earn a break point, which she converted when Halep missed a forehand over the baseline.When she held for 3-0 there was no hint of what was to come.Halep, saved a break point in the next game as Pliskova netted a routine forehand, then settled into her usual groove and the errors began to flow from across the net. Pliskova surrendered the opening set with a doublefault and dropped serve again to trail 2-0 in the second.Halep, who said she was untroubled by the ankle problem that has bothered her at times here, was never going to lose her grip from there, even if Pliskova did offer some late resistance.

LeBron James became the youngest ever to join the NBA’s 30,000-point club with this shot. (AP) BBC Sport - LeBron James has surpassed Kobe Bryant to become the youngest NBA player to reach 30,000 regular-season points. The Cleveland Cavaliers player needed eight points but managed 28 as his side lost 114-102 to the San Antonio Spurs. James reached 30,000 aged 33 years and 24 days, beating ex-Los Angeles Lakers star Bryant at 34 years and 104 days. Only five other men have reached the tally Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Dirk Nowitzki. “Congrats #KingJames.

Welcome to the club!” said Dallas Mavericks’ Nowitzki, who has 30,808 regular season points. Reacting to his feat, James said: “The moment was unbelievable. “The journey is something that I’ve been on for quite a while now and I will never take it for granted. It’s unbelievable to be able to share something like that with my crazy teammates. Let’s keep this thing going and strive for greatness.” The former Miami Heat player now has more landmarks in his sights, including Kareem’s career points total of 38,387.

Thursday January 25, 2018

Zaryab 74* sees Pakistan through to semi-finals ESPNcricinfo - Ali Zaryab’s second straight halfcentury steered Pakistan into the semi-finals of the Under19 World Cup, with a slightly tense three-wicket win against South Africa in Christchurch. Chasing 190, Pakistan were wobbling at 111 for 5 before Zaryab scored an unbeaten and patient 74 off 111 balls to see his side through. Pakistan started slow in the chase, losing their top order for 63 runs in 15.1 overs. Zaryab, batting at No. 4, tried to stitch partnerships but could not put together more than 32 runs with captain Hasan Khan as offspinner Jason Niemand struck twice and Pakistan were five down after 26 overs. Zaryab was on 31 then and Pakistan needed 79 more, but at a required rate of just over three runs per over. After Zaryab and Saad Khan played out two maidens, they kept the score ticking with singles and doubles. Zaryab soon brought up his half-century and Saad struck three fours in their sixth-wicket stand of 65 but holed out to deep midwicket for 26. South Africa gave them another scare by dismissing Pakistan’s seventh wicket for a first-ball duck but Zaryab’s knock took them home. Earlier, Pakistan made good use of their decision to bowl as left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi removed the

Pakistan emerged victorious in the Under-19 World Cup quarter-final in Christchurch after pulling through a tense chase against South Africa. openers in the first 10 overs and right-arm quick Muhammad Musa struck in consecutive overs to leave South Africa reeling on 43 for 4 in 15 overs. Wi c k e t k e e p e r- b a t s m a n Wandile Makwetu revived the innings with a counter-attacking half-cen tury with some support from the lower order. He took them past 100 with Jean du Plessis(21) but was accounted for byMusa with a short ball whichMakwetu pulled to deep square leg for

60. Niemand scored a crucial 36 runs at No. 7 to take them close to 200 but a couple of run-outs restricted them to 189 for 9.Musa finished with 3 for 29 after bowling 44 dot balls in his 10 overs and Afridi ended with 2 for 30 to lead the wicket-takers’ chart in the tournament with a tally of 11 wickets from four matches. Scores: Pakistan 190 for 7 (Zaryab 74*, Niemand 2-31) beat South Africa 189 for 9 (Makwetu 60, Musa 3-29, Afridi 2-30) by three wickets.

Gayle, Russell, Narine return to add star quality ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Superstar opener Chris Gayle will return to domestic limited overs action for time in seven years when he headlines the Regional Super50 starting next Tuesday. The 38-year-old has been included in the Jamaica Scorpions squad for the January 30 to February 24 tournament, bringing added flavour to a campaign which has lacked star quality in recent years. Gayle is the Caribbean’s premier one-day batsman, with over 9 000 runs in 275 One-Day Internationals and nearly 12,000 in List A cricket. However, his last appearance in a domestic 50-overs tournament was back in 2011, when Jamaica beat Trinidad and Tobago in the final at the Guyana National Stadium. The left-hander will be joined by explosive allrounder Andre Russell who returns to action after serv-

West Indies batting star Chris Gayle … returning to regional one-day action following a long break. ing a one-year anti-doping whereabouts ban, which also kept him out of international cricket. Russell has missed the last three years of the tournament and like Gayle, will bring

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

an added quality to the Scorpions who were last year’s losing finalists. Champion off-spinner Sunil Narine will also suit up for this year’s competition (Continued on page 25)

Rabada gets three as South Africa restrict India in third test JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took three wickets as South Africa bowled India out for 187 to take the opening day honours on a seaming wicket in the third and final test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg yesterday. South Africa were six for one in reply at the close, with opener Dean Elgar (4) and nightwatchman Rabada (0) to resume on Thursday as the hosts look to build a sizeable first innings lead on a difficult pitch. Aiden Markram (2) was the only South African wicket to fall as he edged a delivery from Bhuvneshwar Kumar to wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, with the pitch giving plenty of encouragement to both sides’ all-seam attacks. The hosts will be pleased with their day’s work after India had won the toss and elected to bat, despite having dropped catches, eschewed what would have been a successful review and at times bowled too short and wide. The key wicket was that of Virat Kohli (54), though he was twice dropped off relatively simple chances when on 11 and 34. He was finally removed when Lungi Ngidi (127) induced an edge to AB de Villiers at third slip. De Villiers bruised the middle finger of his right hand in taking the catch and had to leave the field for treatment. Cheteshwar Pujara (50) was the only other Indian

Virat Kohli was cautious early, but struck some delectable shots, like this ©BCCI batsman to post a half-century, with his patient innings taking 179 deliveries as he tried to stifle the home attack. He had a slice of early luck when given not out after Ngidi struck him on the pads. South Africa did not review umpire Ian Gould’s decision and replays showed the ball would have hit leg stump. Pujara’s vigil came to an end when he edged allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo (2-25) to wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, one of five dismissals for the gloveman. Rabada (3-39) was perhaps the pick of the home bowlers, both fast and accu-

rate. He removed opener Murali Vijay (8), caught by De Kock, before grabbing the wickets of Ishant Sharma (0) and the stubborn Kumar (30). Morne Morkel (2-47) and Vernon Philander (2-31) also chipped in with wickets but were guilty at times of bowling with too much width, failing to make the batsmen play. The home side had already claimed the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead but are chasing a first cleansweep against India. Scores: South Africa 6 for 1 (Bhuvneshwar 1-3) trail India 187 (Kohli 54, Pujara 50, Rabada 3-39) by 181 runs.

Pollard brace puts Renegades in playoff contention CANBERRA, Australia, CMC – Neither Dwayne Bravo nor Kieron Pollard had a major impact but the latter’s brace of wickets helped Melbourne Renegades beat Sydney Thunder by nine runs and enhance their playoff chances in the Australian Big Bash here yesterday. Sent in at Manuka Oval, Renegades rattled up 189 for six off their 20 overs, with opener Marcus Harris topscoring with 64 from 41 deliveries and Matthew Short getting 28 from 24 balls. The pair gave Renegades a rollicking start, posting 77 from 66 balls for the first wicket. Bravo, serving as the Renegades skipper, made only 16 from 18 deliveries while Pollard belted a pair of fours and a six in a 19-ball 23. In reply, Thunder slumped to 13 for two in the third over

Kieron Pollard celebrates his first wicket of the final over in yesterday’s match against Sydney Thunder. and never really recovered, ending on 180 all out off their 20 overs. Ben Rohrer slammed a cavalier 48 from 21 deliveries in an attempt to revive the innings while Arjun Nair supported with 45 from 25.

The pair added a crucial 84 for the fifth wicket but once Nair departed, Thunder lost their last six wickets for 45 runs. They started the final over requiring 14 for victory (continued on page 25)

PAGE 32

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” East Bank/West Demerara zone launched Kick off set tomorrow night at Pouderoyen Following the completion of the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Georgetown zone December last, the competition returns with heavily anticipated action with the launch of the West Demerara/ East Bank Demerara zone, yesterday at the Banks DIH’s Thirst Park head office. The West/East Bank Demerara leg will feature a total of 32 teams battling from tomorrow night at the Pouderoyen Tarmac from 19:00hrs for the top spot which will guarantee them the grand prize of $400,000 and a place in the national playoffs. There will be a total of nine playing nights with tomorrow being the first, with the following schedule Wednesday, Friday, February 7th and 9th. Up to the seventh of February, the teams will battle in round-robin action with each

Thursday January 25, 2018

Kaieteur News

side allowed a maximum of seven players; knockouts will be contested on the remaining nights. Guinness Brand Manager, Lee Baptiste, called for a disciplined tournament and expressed hope that the teams will be well behaved as the tournament is aimed to have a positive impact on the communities involved. Also present at the launch was Creanna Damon, representative of the street football event co-sponsor, Colours Boutique. Damon briefly noted that, “Colours Boutique is happy to support this leg once again, through apparel, footwear and balls.” The organisers noted that seven new teams will outfit for action in this year’s East Bank/ West Demerara zone with some coming as far as Kuru Kururu.

When Troy Peters, the Communications Manager of Banks DIH, the brewers of Guinness locally, was quizzed on his thoughts of the recently modified Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) levy tax on all domestic tournaments, he noted that, “We (Banks DIH) see this out of the structure of the GFF. Street football has its own composition and when we began this tournament, we saw it as a community upliftment initiative and we still do.” Twelve matches will be played tomorrow evening from 19:00hrs to 00:00hrs consisting of two halves of 10 minutes each. Meanwhile, the Guinness Goal rules still applies which stipulates that any goal scored in the last three minutes of the game will be counted as two.

Sanchez could debut in FA Cup as Mourinho reaches 100 mark (Reuters) - New Manchester United signing Alexis Sanchez could make his debut against Yeovil Town in the FA Cup fourth round tomorrow, before Tottenham Hotspur will be out to avoid an upset against another fourth-tier side in Newport County a day later. Having missed Arsenal’s third-round defeat at Nottingham Forest, United’s new No. 7 avoided being cup-tied for the remainder of this season’s competition, and could feature at Huish Park in Jose Mourinho’s 100th match in charge. The trip to Somerset will be familiar to some United fans, after the 12-time FA Cup winners, under former manager Louis van Gaal, laboured to a 2-0 success over Yeovil in the third round in January 2015. Having been pushed all the way by Bristol City in their League Cup semi-final second leg victory earlier this week, Premier League leaders Manchester City face another Championship side in Cardiff City on Sunday. The Welsh side are unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions, and have previous against a top-flight City side, having knocked them out in the fourth round of the FA Cup in 1994, while in England’s thirdtier. Another upset could take place at Rodney Parade on Saturday as League Two outfit Newport County welcome Tottenham to south Wales. This is the first time these two teams have faced each other since consecutive FA Cup meetings in 1959 and 1960, with Spurs winning both games, scoring four in each. It is Yeovil, however, who could really claim the biggest scalp. United have progressed in each of their last 16 FA Cup ties against teams

Alexis Sanchez has become the Premier League’s highest-earning player at Man United. (Man United via Getty Images) from the fourth-tier or lower, keeping clean sheets in each of their last 11. Trailing City in the league by 12 points, another Premier League title appears to be out of reach for United. Therefore, Mourinho is unlikely to take too many risks with his starting XI as he chases arguably his best chance of silverware this season. Elsewhere, West Ham United take on inform League One side Wigan Athletic. Among sides in the top four tiers of England, only City (29) and United (24) have won more competitive games this season than Wigan (23). Other Premier League sides in action against underdog opposition are Leicester City at Peterborough United and Swansea City at Notts County

returned as RHTRamdhani Pepsi Under-19 Team President of Badminton defeat Paradise by 141 runs - Make donation to Club The Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 Team led by Kevin Sinclair on Sunday last defeated the Paradise Cricket Club Under-19 Team by 141 runs in a specially arranged cricket match at the Paradise Cricket Ground located in West Coast Berbice. The Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under19 Team was invited by the home team as part of their efforts to promote cricket in the Village which was known for its football prowess. The match was reduced to 30-Overs per side due to excess preparation moisture and the visitors elected to bat first after winning the toss after play finally got underway at 12:30 hours. National Players Kevin Sinclair and Junior Sinclair tore into the Paradise bowling attack from the start and put on 50 for the first wicket in just four overs before Kevin Sinclair was bowled for 38 by Windell Fordyce (2x6, 4x4). Junior Sinclair batted superbly for a well played 77 from 48 balls (10x4, 3x6) and received support from Under-15 players Jonathan Rampersaud 26 and Mahendra Gopilall 15 as Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under19 amassed 199 all out in their allotted 30-Overs. Bowling for Paradise, Windell Fordyce 2 for 31, Sudesh David 2 for 27, Quincy Butler 2 for 27, Ernest Mc Lean 2 for 24 and Lakeram Ramkissoon 2 for 17 were the wicket takers. Needing to score 200 off 30-Overs to register an upset victory, Paradise were immediately set back when Lakeram Ramkissoon was bowled for 00 and Fordyce was trapped LBW by medium pacer Kevlon Anderson for 02 to leave the home team at 06 for 2 in the 3rd Over. Only Sudesh David with 12 reached double figures as Paradise was skittled out for 58 off 16-Overs. Extras contributed a healthy 22, while off spinner Kevin Sinclair claimed

-

Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 Captain Kelvin Sinclair hands over the donation to Mr. Fordyce of the Paradise Cricket Club. 6 wickets for 08 runs from 4Overs and received support from Anderson 2 for 14 and Keith Simpson 2 for 13. At the end of the match, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to the Paradise Cricket Club for the invitation and stated that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would be willing to assist as much as possible once the young cricketers are committed, disciplined and prepared to work hard. The Pepsi Under-19 Team handed a collection of items including a complete set of cricket stumps, trophy, cricket

medals, Say Not to Drugs Posters, Youth Information Booklets, while each member of the Paradise Team received educational materials. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club also committed to assist the West Coast Berbice Team with more trophies, medals and prizes on request to host a Cricket Development Tournament for teams in the area. Foster, stated that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS was passionate about Cricket Development in Berbice as it was a safe avenue for youths from a life on the road and the evil world of Satan.

GC A set to re-start GCA season this week end weekend The Georgetown Cricket Association 2018 season is set to re-start this weekend with matches in the first and second division competitions. On Saturday in the GISE/Star Party Rentals/Trophy Stall first division two-day tournament, Georgetown CC will host Demerara CC starting at 09:30hrs. In the Noble House Sea Foods second division two-day, Ace Warriors will play GNIC at MYO from 10:30 hrs.

Berbice Volleyball Association Annual General Meeting set for Sunday The Berbice Volleyball Association will be holding its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday commencing at 10:00hrs at the Guysuco Training Center Port Mourant Corentyne Berbice. Main topics on the agenda are the election of officer bearers. The following positions will be contested - President, Vice President, Secretary, Asst. Secretary / Treasurer and five committee members. Also members will discuss the BVA

activities for the past year whilst looking at a number of reports, including President, Secretary and treasurer. All affiliated clubs are asked to make a special effort to attend. A meeting will be convened immediately after the elections to formulate the 2018 yearly planner. Former national captain and present national head coach Levi Nedd is the incumbent president. (Samuel Whyte)

Thursday January 25, 2018

PAGE 33

Kaieteur News

GCB 50 overs Franchise League

MOM Barnwell powers Georgetown to Championship honours Essequibo lose by 3 wickets By Sean Devers Georgetown took the GCB 50overs Franchise League trophy and the $200,000 winners’ cheque after completing a three wicket win against three-day defending Champs Essequibo at Providence yesterday. Essequibo had played unbeaten in the preliminary rounds and earned a direct passage to yesterday’s final, while Georgetown defeated Lower Corentyne in Tuesday’s semifinal. Chris Barnwell, a 31-year-old allrounder from DCC followed up his 101 and 2-19 in the semi-finals with another Man-of-the-Match performance to claim the MVP of the Tournament and stake a strong claim for selection in the Jaguars Super50 side when Raymon Reifer leaves for Windies duties in the middle of the tournament in Antigua. The pugnacious Barnwell first had 2-32 to help dismiss Essequibo for 192 in 38.3 overs before returning with the bat with an aggressive 69 from 68 balls with seven fours and a six to see G/Town to 193-8 in a contest they made harder than it should have been. Barnwell and Skipper Leon Johnson, who reached the boundary on four occasions and cleared it once in his 86-ball 47 featured in a 135-run third wicket stand after joining forces at 22-2. Shemroy

Kemo Paul punches one through cover during his blistering 39. (Sean Devers photo ) Barrington (22) was the only other G/Town batsman to reach 20 as the City side lost their last five wickets for 36 runs once Johnson departed. Ricardo Adams, who opened the bowling with his off-spin, had 2-45, while pacer Kemo Paul had 2-41 in a losing effort. G/town started badly; losing Andrew Lyght (2) bowled by Ricardo Adams and Robin Bacchus LBW to Paul before the Johnson/ Barnwell show began. The pair, with contrasting styles, produced the perfect foil for each as

MVP Chris Barnwell followed up his semi-finals century with a brutal 69 yesterday. (Sean Devers photo)

Barnwell was the Butcher and Johnson the Surgeon. When on 39 with the score on 91-2, Barnwell hit Leoryan Ramlakhan to long-off where Joshua Jones took catch on the second attempt but the alert Barnwell promptly pointed out to the Umpires that an extra fielder was positioned outside of the 30-yard circle making the delivery a no-ball. Barnwell went to work on the bowlers; hitting them to all parts of the ground while Johnson found the gaps with exquisite timing and placement as the partnership flourished under sunny skies. Johnson departed at 157-3 and Shemroy Barrington arrived at the crease and was looking set for a big score, stroking Anthony Adams for a couple of delightful boundaries after Barnwell had deposited him into the Green Stand. Barnwell hammered Ricardo Peters for consecutive fours before being caught in the deep off the next ball, while Barrington was bowled by Paul nine runs later and when Lewis (17) and Dexter Solomon (4) were removed in the space of a run to leave the score 184-7, 10 runs were still needed. Paul Wintz (1) and Steven Sankar (7) saw their team home Earlier, a 55-run fourth wicket stand between Paul, who reached the ropes four times and cleared it twice in his 29-ball 39 and Kemol Savory, who struck six fours from 29 balls in his 32 was the catalyst that Essequibo needed but once they were separated only Ricardo Peters with 22 and last man Ramlakhan (21) offered fight. Lewis (3-34), Barnwell (2-32), Johnson (2-24) and Devon Lord (225) combined to orchestrate Essequibo’s demise. On a flat track and patchy outfield and playing before virtually empty stands, Essequibo were in early trouble at 24-3. Kevin Boodie, the only batsman in Guyana with an

inter-county double century, was removed by Wintz at 4-1. Barnwell then bowled Eaknaut Persaud (0) and Ricardo Adams (7). Savory and Paul joined forces in ‘operation rebuild’ with an array of scintillating shots. Savory smashed Wintz for three boundaries, while Paul pulled him for six. Savory then executed an imperious on drive off Barnwell before Paul deposited him over long-off for six. Savory swivelled and disdainfully pulled Wintz for six before hooking him for four to post the 50 stand. But with the score on 87, Savory

was bowled by Lewis and when Paul was caught at backward point playing an ill-advised reverse sweep off Lewis the score was 100-5 and Essequibo in danger of falling below 150. However, Mark Williams (12) lofted Lord for six and a four off consecutive balls before Lewis trapped him LBW at 121-6. Peters threw his bat around and along Anthony Adams took the score to 148 before Adams (16) was LBW to Lord and Peters fell to Johnson’s leg-spin at 162-8. Lord removed Jones (2) before Ramlakhan hit Johnson for consecutive sixes before falling to him.

Kemol Savory is bowled by Ramaal Lewis yesterday for 32. (Sean Devers photo)

PAGE 34

Kaieteur News

Swan Football Club to make EBFA debut in U-15 League

EBFA Franklin Wilson (right) hands over the ball to Adrian Gonsalves of Swan FC as players display the jersey’s presented. The number of teams set to contest the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) leg of the inaugural GFF/Pele Alumini Frank Watson U-15 Intra Association League has increased to 12 with the addition of Swan Football Club based at Swan Village on the Linden Soesdyke Highway. EBFA President Franklin Wilson along with Technical Advisor to the association Winston Benons and GFF/ EBFA Academy Coaches, Devnon Winter, Orein Angoy and Walter Scott visited the

village on Sunday last where the delegation met with Mr. Andre Gonsalves who is spearheading plans to formalise the club. Gonsalves whose brother Adrian, is making similar moves with Timehri Panthers FC said that he was elated to welcome the officials to the village and to see the support of the EBFA as they work towards affiliation to the association. Wilson, on behalf of the EBFA said the executive and members were happy to welcome the Swan FC on

board and was pleased to invite them to compete in the GFF/Pele Alumini Frank Watson U-15 Intra Association League which kicked off on Saturday last and will continue this Saturday and Sunday at the Grove Playfield; Swan will showcase their skills on Sunday. Two sets of jersey’s and a ball were presented to the club. Meanwhile, Academy Head Coach Winter and his assistants took the opportunity to run a session for the eager youngsters

ranging from ages 5 to 17.The session was designed to give the players a taste of what transpires at the Academy which is run every Saturday. The players and others gathered were a l s o t o l d o f t he many possibilities that can be tapped into in terms of association competitions and opportunities that can be had at the national level for age group players. The club is eager to show the other EBFA clubs what they are capable of doing.

Thursday January 25, 2018

Ex-USA Gymnastics doctor sentenced to 175 years for sexual abuse

Larry Nassar has been sentenced to 40 to 175 years. (Reuters) LANSING, Mich. (Reuters) - The disgraced long-time USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced yesterday to up to 175 years in prison for molesting young female gymnasts, following days of wrenching testimony in a Michigan courtroom from about 160 of his victims, including Olympic gold medalists. “I just signed your death warrant,” Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina told Nassar in imposing the penalty, after delivering a searing rebuke of his years of abuse. “It is my honor and privilege to sentence you because you do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever again.” Some victims dabbed their eyes after Aquilina spoke, although the audience obeyed

the judge’s instruction to remain quiet following her pronouncement.Nassar, 54, pleaded guilty in November to seven counts of first-degree sex assault in Ingham County, as well as three additional charges in Eaton County, where he will be sentenced next week. He is already serving a 60year sentence in federal prison for child pornography convictions.Before the sentence was announced, Nassar apologized to his victims, telling them, “I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days.”B ut Aquilina angrily dismissed his statement as insincere, reading aloud from a letter Nassar wrote to her in which he claimed he was a “good doctor” who was “manipulated” into pleading guilty, drawing gasps from the courtroom.

GFF/EBFA Academy Coaches and the association’s technical Advisor take time out for a photo op with the players following the training session on Sunday afternoon last. Following are the fixtures for this weekend: GFF/Pele Alumini Frank Watson U-15 Intra Association League FIXTURE – EBFA Match Day 2 Saturday Team Team Date Venue Agricola vs Mocha 27.01.18 Grove Playfield Herstelling vs Diamond United “ “ “ Grove vs Diamond Upsetters “ “ “ Friendship vs Samatta Point/KV “ “ “ Match Day 3 Sunday Soesdyke vs Timehri 28.01.18 “ “ Swan FC vs Kuru Kururu “ “ “ Agricola vs Herstelling “ “ “ Mocha vs Diamond Upsetters “ “ “

Time 09:30hrs 11:00hrs 12:30hrs 14:00hrs 09:30hrs 11:00hrs 12:30hrs 14:00hrs

Larry Nassar looks at the gallery in the court during the sixth day of his sentencing hearing Tuesday. (Dale G.Young/Detroit News via AP)