Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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Saturday January 28, 2017

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

EDITORIAL

The parking meters are here As of Tuesday January 24, drivers began paying for parking in certain sections of the city amid massive protests by members of the public. The new administration at City Hall and the national government have been in office for less than two years. However, both administrations have much in common. Neither one is listening to the public. For them, public opinion does not matter. Both are consumed with scandals. The City has ignored the protests and criticisms from the public and the business community and went ahead with the installation of the parking meters. It is a contentious issue at City Hall and a sour point to the citizens of Georgetown. The fact that senior city officials including the Mayor and Town Clerk went on a trip to Mexico and Panama that was paid for by the company to examine the installation of parking meters without a technical person is both suspicious and troubling. The installation of the parking meters flies in the face of the recommendations made by both the Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Ministry of Finance to rescind the contract after a thorough examination of it. As reported, only minor changes were made to the contract despite the fact that both Ministries found it to be heavily in favour of the company. It is for a period of 49 years with the City getting 20 percent of the revenue collected. Many, including the Private Sector Commission (PSC), claimed that the installation of the parking meters would not be helpful to the struggling businesses in the city. The PSC is very concerned as to the impact the meters will have on businesses within the city, in particular on their employees and customers. It appears that neither the central government nor the City administration is cognizant of the problems faced by the business community. The AFC, which is a minority party, in the coalition government has also criticized the installation of the parking meters; a signal of its disagreement with the majority PNC councillors at the City Hall. The AFC leader has pleaded with the government, in particular the Minister of Communities, to rescind the contract. He made it clear that he has supported the position of the Deputy Mayor and AFC member, Sherod Duncan. Duncan was suspicious of the project from the beginning and has not taken kindly to it. He questioned the capacity of the two companies, Smart City Solutions (SCS) and National Parking Solutions (NPS) to undertake and execute such a huge project, given the fact that there is no concrete evidence that they have done so before. Despite the criticism and a recent public opinion poll which found that an overwhelming number of city residents have strongly opposed to the installation of parking meters, yet the installation continues. It seems that the Granger administration has taken a hands-off approach on the issue. However, many have questioned the motive of the city’s drive to install the parking meters at a time when the economy is struggling, businesses are failing and jobs are scarce. The impropriety and secrecy surrounding the parking meter contract shows that something is awry with the project. The fact that national procurement procedures have been by-passed and that the City will only collect $200 out of every $100 shows that the contract is flawed. It would have been more acceptable to the people had the City received $80 and the parking meter company gets $20, or at least a 50/50 split. The parking meters are not a value added service to the public. They are an indirect method of taxation and an added burden to the public. In an age when many countries are moving away from expensive parking systems and are using more affordable options, the City’s decision to install the meters suggests that the matter was not well thought out.

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

Stand off in Tapakuma Village over a bus Dear Editor, There is an ongoing standoff between the administration and the residents of an Indigenous community, namely, Tapakuma Village, Region 2, Essequibo. Mr. Editor, a stalemate stemmed from a general meeting on Thursday 12th Jan., 2017, where the villagers voted overwhelmingly for a committee to continue to manage the affairs of a bus obtained through a Presidential grant. The vote count was 39 to 13 in favour of the committee as villagers were fed up with questionable use of funds and there were conflicting reports of financial opaqueness during the past administration. Business was always reported as ‘slow’ by the previous

Village leader, hence the setting up of a ‘bus management committee’ by this new Council to thoroughly overhaul an unserviceable vehicle no. BB1921, to get it back on the road. Sir, this was after 5 years of alleged misuse and abuse of the community’s asset by the previous council. A meager amount of $ 117 000, after five long years was unacceptable. Very well aware of this state of affairs and quite correctly, a ‘bus committee’ was established under the watch of this same gentleman who was voted in last year as toshao. Mr. Editor, everything went well at first; money being generated, accounting system intact, but suddenly things fell apart The current administration is

denying travel to residents who wish to get to Anna Regina as he has forcibly taken away the keys to the bus, while the community loses an average amount of $6000/day. What is troubling, sir is that although a decision has been made by a majority vote, consistent with the Amerindian Act 2006, the administration continues to deny the residents their wish by refusing to hand the community’s asset over to the bus committee to manage its affairs. This matter, as well as other indiscretions committed by this administration, has reportedly reached the regional authorities, as well as the ministerial level but no one is listening. Rev. Joseph Atkinson. Lake Tapakuma Village, Region 2

The DPP replies to the issue of pending cases Dear Editor, I herein make reference to Mr. Sase Singh’s letter titled, “there is no justice for the poor and powerless,” published in the Kaieteur Newspaper on Wednesday January 25, 2017. I specifically am writing in relation to the DPP; Mr. Singh is absolutely right when he said that “it is time for the DPP to bite the bullet and surrender those cases she has inadequate evidence on.” Little does he know, it is precisely what the DPP does before a new criminal session commences in Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo.

Importantly, Mr. Singh’s letter underscores the continuous need for the DPP dissemination of her quarterly and end-of-year press releases, even though some sections of the print media think they are monotonous. If carefully read these press releases would explain why several criminal matters are nolle prosequi or for short, nolle pros, meaning, to abandon or to have the State dismissedthe charges against the accused. Indeed, reporters from independent media houses have asked the tough question, why does the DPP nolle

prosequi so many cases, but it is for the exact reason that Mr. Singh has pointed to, that of insufficient evidence or indeed, that the accused has spent a number of years on remand. Additionally, when police files are forwarded to these Chambers for legal advice, and when read through, if the statements therein do not support the charges instituted, the police are advised to withdraw the charges. This process is being followed all the time. Liz Rahaman For DPP

The GECOM Charman must have the attributes of a judge Dear Editor, I have read a letter by learned Counsel Mohabir A. Nandlall (“GECOM Chairmanship: complicating a very simple matter” S.N, Saturday January 21, 2017). Pedantry at its worst! There is nothing simple about constitutional interpretation; but some matters of interpretation would be less complicated than others (recent President – third – term, and Budget-cut matters of constitutional interpretation refutes such myths). Mr. Nandlall, takes the position that article 161(2) does not allow the President to say (as I understand the President) that he will only appoint someone who, (in his deliberate judgment), is possessed of the judge-like attributes of integrity, impartiality and intelligence (I call these the 3-I’s). He accuses those of us on the other side (including notably the learned Attorney General, Professor Duke Pollard and myself) who holds the opposite view of article 161(2), of being

“hopelessly erroneous” and “moderate to bizarre” in our interpretation. For myself, the matter of constitutional law of the appointment of a GECOM Chairman, condenses, distills and filters down to this: article 161(2) is so drafted and worded because the constitutionmakers, contemplates, expects and intends that the appointee as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission must be a sitting Judge, former Judge, Magistrate (sitting or former), Lawyer, (I call this, category “J”) or, a person from any other profession – (nuclear scientist to farmer) who possesses, (as the dominant eligibility factor) demonstrated attributes of the 3- I’s (I call this, category “O”). Both common sense and constitutional logic alike, demands that. I unhesitatingly and without equivocation submit that President Granger is constitutionally sound in his position that a Judge/Magistrate/Lawyer is par excellence a “fit and

proper person.” The Lawyer’s question of what amounts to or constitutes “fit and proper”, I answer this way: the constitutional test is: the attributes of a Judge – the 3-I’s. So, it is all about judicial attributes. A very different issue from judicial status. Aubrey Bishop, CJ (now deceased) may have materially anticipated the present imbroglio when in Barnwell (1993) he gave the following limpid and erudite characterization of a Judge viz: “Society attributes honour if not veneration, learning, if not wisdom, together with detachment, probity, prestige, and power to the office of judge… so great are the social expectations and obligation that bear on that responsible position together with the role and functions related to it” I submit, that transposed to article 161 (as a whole) Bishop, CJ (later Chancellor) might well, with equal facility of erudition and reason, have been characterizing a GECOM Chairman. I submit further,

that the context and subject (given the high constitutional role and functions related to that office) vis – a – vis GECOM Chairman, assumes considerable relevance in the interpretation of article 161(2). To make the point, I say that, the appointment is no appointment of a school head-teacher affair, so much is involved; so much is expected. Editor, most of Mr. Nandlall’s arguments I have dealt with in a previous letter and no useful purpose is served by repeating those contentions here, except that I desire to expound morefully on the ejusdem generis rule as to its nonapplicability or applicability in Guyana as the matter appears to be the l i n c h p i n o f C o u n s e l ’s arguments (see “You cannot ask the CCJ for an opinion in such circumstances” – KN, January 17, continued as “The AG is right about the President’s constitutional power” (as edited) KN, Friday, January 20, 2017, and an unedited, belated (Continued on page 5)

Saturday January 28, 2017

The explanation of the REO of Region 2 was not published DEAR EDITOR, In the Kaieteur News of Friday, January 13, a story under the caption ‘REO blamed for flooding in Region Two’ detailed the reason why he was blamed and from whom the comments emanated. In the Stabroek News of January 12, statements were made by the senior national drainage agricultural official indicating that he was to a great extent satisfied with the efforts made to reduce flooding in Region 2. So who are we to believe? It is public knowledge that in the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), which is the highest decision-making forum in the region, the Regional Executive Officer (REO) is the Clerk of the RDC, and can be described as the Regional Fi-

nance Officer also. He was at the meeting where I suppose his issue was discussed, after which a press release was issued. In the story carried by a reporter who was at the meeting nothing is mentioned of the REO’s side of the story or what may have caused the flooding, and I am certain that if given a chance he may have rebutted strongly the negative things that were said about him. There was never a coin with one side, and no matter how thinly you try to slice anything there are bound to be two sides. Whatever the circumstances or situation it is the right of the person or persons to be heard and this must at all times be respected. I served as a member of the Region 2 RDC for seven con-

secutive years until I resigned in 2013, and during that time I was always a member of the Works and Agricultural Committee, a statutory committee of the RDC. It was always chaired by no less a person than the Regional Vice Chairman, a senior member of the PPP, and it included senior officials from the Drainage and Irrigation Department, (D&I), the Rice Producers Association (RPA), and the Water Users Association. At all of our monthly meetings discussions pertaining to the maintenance of dams, the clearing of trenches, the desilting of trenches, and the clearing of outfalls, so as to stop or reduce the flooding, would account for more than two (Continued on page 6)

Petition for the demolition of illegal structures on Govt. reserves DEAR EDITOR, We the undersigned who are all residents of Georgetown, living within the Sandy Babb/Middleton Streets area, Kitty, wish to take this opportunity to commend The Government and its team on the magnificent work that they have done in our effort to beautify and restore Georgetown to its former glory. It is our most sincere wish to once more claim Georgetown as the Garden City. However, we must draw to your attention the fact that there are some residents in our community who are working assiduously to de-

stroy or oppose the good work that you have managed to accomplish over the past sixteen months. We say this because we have seen evidence of this in our own Sandy Babb Street, where one resident is in the process of constructing a mechanic workshop on the Government reserve. He also has a number of old vehicles on Sandy Babb Street and Railway line. This, to our minds, is an utterly reprehensible sight, especially in light of the fact that this government is trying to clean and beautify the environment. Not only are these old ve-

hicles unattractive within the environment, but they also pose a risk to the health and wellbeing of persons living or travelling the area. Additionally, this cluttered area can become a safe haven for criminals and drug addicts waiting to pounce on unsuspecting passersby, especially at nights. We are aware that erecting structures on government reserves is against the laws of the land, hence we are asking for your intervention to have this structure demolished and removed and the area cleared of all these old vehicles and parts. Twenty signatures

The GECOM Charman must have the... From page 4 publication, “Jagdeo should submit a fresh list for publication” GC, Monday January 23, 2017). I begin, with this unequivocal statement: neither case law or statute says that the ejusdem generis rule of interpretation does not apply in Guyana. Had I anticipated such confusion and misunderstanding, about it, I would have dealt more fully with it in my previous letter, supra. I do so now. I submit that Mr. Nandlall has miscomprehended and misunderstood the case law and misinterpreted the Interpretation and General clauses Act, Cap 2:01 when he writes “… It is for the reasons adumbrated above that our court of Appeal has ruled that the ejusden generis rule does not apply in Guyana”. The Court made no such general ruling as a matter of either principle or interpretation. On the particular facts

of the case it was dealing with (ie Badri Prasad), it held that the rule did not apply, in that case. But how does that rule impact on the exercise of the President’s and Mr. Jagdeo’s power under article 161(2)? The contrasting view appears to be the reason for the differing position as to the (non)acceptability of Mr. Jagdeo’s List of nominees. My answer is twofold. First, I begin by stressing the cognate words “fit and proper” in the formula “any other fit and proper person”.

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I digress here to state for the layman, that the ejusdem generis rule simply put, means that when general words (such as “any other...”) follows specific words (such as “judge…”) the general words refers to things similar to the specific words. And this is the crux of this matter. Does that cognate expression takes its identity and definition from category “J”? If no, then who (the President or Mr. Jagdeo) decides. Maxwell E. Edwards Attorney-at-Law

Court cases are dealt with expeditiously in the UK DEAR EDITOR, I am very disappointed that the Guyana media did not see it fit to write on the very important Brexit case which can affect the lives of 30 thousand Guyanese living in Britain and the tens of millions in the UK and Europe. The UK is our motherland; it is only 50 years since we severed ties with Britain by way of political independence, but we still maintain their laws, and systems. Moreover, the case which went to the Supreme Court was initiated by a Guyanese woman, Gina Miller, who proceeded with it despite threats to her life, and in the end was successful. But there are other reasons why this case should be widely publicized. It shows that unlike what obtains in Guyana and the Caribbean, cases are dealt with expeditiously. In

two months this matter was determined by the entire panel of 11 judges. Maybe the most important reason of all is that the law lords, at least eight of them, were not afraid to rule against the Crown the government. Miller’s move to the court has raised criticism in certain quarters, and even death threats, and she had to secure the services of roundthe-clock security. The case raised fundamental constitutional questions about the UK’s uncodified constitution, and the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty. The court found that the Royal Prerogative cannot take away the rights of the two claimants, Miller and Dos Santos, a Spanish-born hairdresser, who hold UK and EU citizenship respectively. These were created by the European Community Act 1972 which

brings into force all rights from time to time created by the EU Parliament. The action by Miller and Dos Santos was prompted by a referendum some eight months ago when the electorate voted to exit the European Community. The loss of that referendum prompted the then Prime Minister David Cameron to resign. He was replaced by Theresa May who is scheduled to meet with the new President of the US Donald Trump on Friday. The Brexit issue will now have to go to Parliament in order to obtain approval to trigger Article 50 which would begin the process of the UK leaving the EU. Commentators feel that the lawmakers will agree to do so, but if they do not there will be controversy and mass demonstrations. Oscar Ramjeet

The Business Minister has to do more for “buy local” campaign DEAR EDITOR, In regard to an article in the independent media captioned “Guyanese need to practice more ‘conscious’ consumption – Business Minister”, I must say leadership is much more than making statements. Leadership is about coping with change and after almost 2 years in the driver seat at the Business Ministry, one would expect Minister Gaskin at this point in time, not only talking about the consumption patterns in Guyana but would have been rolling out some concrete plans to level the trade field for the local private sector. But clearly, his team at the Business Ministry has not effectively unpacked the issue and is clueless on the critical changes needed to deliver on his wish for more conscious consumption in Guyana. There is nothing proud about a tin of pigeon peas imported from Trinidad, on

the shelves of the Guyanese supermarket at a cheaper price that the real, fresh Guyanese stuff on the Bourda mall. This is one of the many national shames that will continue to destroy the state of the economy. But my gravest disappointment remains some of, if not most of the Ministers in the Granger government that continue to hold themselves distant from the responsibility for charting the course to

influence the change needed to advance Guyana’s development. If you listen to Minister Gaskin speech, you would believe that he is working for a lobbyist who is trying to influence his government to make changes. But the sad truth he is the policy maker and it is his job to make the changes but he is unclear as to his role. If one read his statements (Continued on page 6)

Trotman should not be made eligible for leadership DEAR EDITOR, I refer to Freddie Kissoon’s article in the Kaietuer News of Friday, 27th of January and wish to say that I am not surprised that Mr Raphael Trotman has not been attending meetings of the AFC Committee on a regular and consistent basis as any senior person ought to do and to show example. Mr

Trotman is all about power and if he is not in charge or he does not get his way, he comes up with the most brilliant of semantics. He is a typical of the category of players that goes like this; “if I don’t get to bat, I’m taking my bat and ball home.” The AFC should appoint anyone other than Trotman as leader. Kenrick Beaton

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Guyana awaits its Local Content legislation DEAR EDITOR, I often share with my students the idiom “once bitten, twice shy” in Guyanese parlance is “once bitten, twice biteup”. Language is important and often determines context. Language also creates boundaries. Language also drives and defines both beliefs and actions. Guyana is eagerly awaiting the draft of its first Local Content Bill which will define how it approaches the inclusion of Guyanese in the developing oil and gas industry. I believe Guyana should not use the terminology “local” content but instead use the terminology “national” content. Why? Because whereas the word “local” content is relevant to developing countries, that same term

restricts resource rich developing countries such as Guyana from truly benefitting from their national patrimony. Local content has an international meaning and when one reads many trade agreements, the terminology is purposefully absent. Guyana needs a “national” content Bill not a “local” content Bill. A “National” content Bill that is both a policy and a development philosophy”. Whereas a “local” content Bill is about an economic paradigm, a “national” content bill is about economic and foreign policy. Today, President Trump is speaking about local content (local jobs, revitalization of old industries) but in reality he is making American “foreign” policy and he does not use the terminology “local”

content. Guyana’s “National” content Bill should have at least 5 key mandatory dimensions. The first necessary dimension is ownership by Guyanese. This implies the onshore Oil & Gas facility must be at least partially owned by Guyanese through investment or carried interests. So also should any refinery. Land should be correctly defined as national equity and should not be leased without “national” ownership. The second essential “National” content element should be Management. Much more oil will be found in Guyana within the next decade. As such Guyana needs to have the human resources strategy that will enable it to manage its own State Owned National Oil Company as

In Region 5, we will not plan to fail doubt of the importance objectives. The region had its or fail to plan noof planning in order to maxi- first procurement workshop DEAR EDITOR, The Regional Administration of Region 5 (Mahaica/ Berbice) management team has developed its procurement plan for 2017budget implementation. The procurement plan will ensure that the Regional Administration deliver services to the residents of Region 5 in a timely, efficient; effective and transparent process. Procurement plays a key role within your region’s operations; there is

mize outcomes. To put it simply, procurement planning defines a process whereby Region 5’s management team has established what needs to be procured (goods, services or works), when they need to be procured (contract timeframes). Procurement planning has provided benefit for Region5, such as the opportunity for all stakeholders to meet and discuss procurement requirements and

with contractors on 20th of January, 2017. When it comes to procurement processes within Region 5, failing to plan is planning to fail. Mahaica/ Berbice region which set aside time to methodically plan our procurement approach will enjoy a more organized, effective, efficient and transparent service delivery to the people of Mahaica/Berbice Region. Govind Singh Deputy Regional Executive Officer

The Business Minister has to do more... From page 5 on this issue, he says “the business community has to become more productive and that productivity has to be supported by citizens’ habits of consumption” But what has he as the Minister of Business done to date to have influenced the changes needed? This is like a parent telling the children that sweets are bad for their health but continue to buy sweets every week. Minister Gaskin sits in a position of power to charter a course on what we import and at what price. He has an armory of tools to do

the job such as import regulation, trade tariffs, licensing regulations, health and safety standards, domestic subsidies and so on. All of these can be used in different doses to alter the terms of trade with the world. But instead, he is still stuck on lecturing the business sector and the Guyanese nation rather than getting the job done. Mind you, I think Dominic is an honest, straight up bloke and I wish him well, but the situation demands more than another speech; it demands timely decisions to remedy this trade imbalance that the

Granger government fosters and its predecessors in the Ramotar Government fostered. Free trade has never helped small and weak economies like Guyana and continues to be a major deterrent to the local private sector being incentivized to expand production and enhance productivity. With free trade, the local private sector is already at a disadvantage to countries like Trinidad that already had a 20 years head start on the journey to greater production and productivity. It is time Minister Gaskin IMPLEMENT (not talk) some concrete actions to make FREE TRADE into FAIRTRADE when it comes to the Guyanese business community and the population in general. When will he announce plans for a packaging plant that will be canning all of the fresh foods that are so easily grown in Guyana? When will I see on the supermarket shelves of Guyana a tin of pigeon peas, MADE in Guyana? Sase Singh

does China and Saudi Arabia among other countries, which control the Management of their national patrimony. The third essential third element of “national” content is skills development. Guyana should ask all the foreign firms, namely: Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Ltd. (EEPGL) which is comprised of ExxonMobil Corp. as operator (45%); Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. (30%) and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Ltd.(25%) as well as all of their global subcontractors (SBM Offshore; Fugro; Halliburton) to have Management and Skills Development programs which will involve sending young Guyanese overseas to obtain such skills and experience in a prescribed ratio that for every expat on the project, there is a corresponding Guyanese under training overseas. This will result in sustainable knowledge t r a n s f e r. Guyana will ultimately become a very larger producer of oil. Mandatory skills de-

velopment should therefore be a necessary prerequisite for all foreign entities operating in Guyana’s sovereign space as part of “national” content Bill. Mandatory local Procurement is the fourth critical element of a “national” content Bill. Currently hundreds of jobs, products and services are being obtained out of Trinidad and Tobago at the expense of Guyanese. True, Guyana may not have these skills now. However, this has to change over time but must be mandated now. There is absolutely no reason for food to be bought in Trinidad and elsewhere when Guyana has more food than any other country in the Caribbean. And there is absolutely no reason why workers from other countries are heading to any oil rig in Guyana’s sovereign waters without passing through Guyana’s Customs and Immigration processes. Finally, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an essential part of a “national” content Bill. In this

area, the Government of Guyana must be congratulated as recently in December, 9 priority areas for consideration by foreign entities were presented and are available in a booklet. CSR should be prescribed as a “National” imperative and not a corporate one. Guyana has also signed on to the 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals which promote inclusive growth. As such, the Government of Guyana has to work with all stakeholder communities to ensure equitable participation in Guyana’s Oil & Gas patrimony. Guyana has an opportunity to redefine its commitment to national inclusive growth by re-defining “local” content as “National” content. Otherwise, the “once bitten twice bite-up idiom” will be used in the future to describe the decisions Guyana made because too many of us still desire to be governed by a “once bitten, twice shy” linguistic political and imperialistic prism. Eric Phillips

Loud music may have caused the death of an elderly man DEAR EDITOR, It is with utter disgust and frustration that I pen this letter to highlight a rather unfortunate situation unfolding in Middle Street, Pouderoyen, WBD community. Overtime, residents have become resigned to their fate and have thrown their hands up in despair at the loud, lewd and vulgar disturbances emanating from a sports bar operated by a police o ff i c e r. R e s i d e n t s a r e forced to endure this callous and unconscionable injustice every Friday evening as calls to the police station have yielded no results. In fact, at least two

uniformed policemen have been photographed on the premises joining in the melee of dance, revelry and the consumption of drugs and alcohol on the premises. The putrid smell of narcotics envelops homes and is harmful to residents who are aged, sick or suffering various maladies. Persons with hypertension, migraines, newborn babies and the elderly have not been spared the invasive noises; rattling glass windows, vibrating chinaware and shattering nerves. Consequently, at least one elderly resident died as a result of the pal-

pitation from the loud music and despite repeated requests to lower the volume of music during the man’s final hours, there was no favourable response. We can no longer endure this disgraceful criminality and trampling of our civil rights that has been foisted upon us and continues way into the wee hours of the morning. We plead with the relevant authorities, especially those with responsibility for regulating commercial operations in residential zones, to heed our cries for help. Angry and Frustrated residents

The explanation of the REO of Region... From page 5 thirds of the discussion, but unfortunately we never got the kind of result we all would have wanted. It is relevant to mention that during those seven years, there were two chairmen and four REOs, all elected or appointed by the PPP. The RDC of Region Two is a council where for decades the PPP have had a two thirds majority. The current REO it is no secret is appointed by the APNU+AFC, but that does not mean that a close and harmonious relationship

cannot exist. While there are persons who will always be looking for place and space, it should not be done at the expense of other persons, including people of the region. I am not an apologist for the REO. I have openly criticized him a couple of times using strong language, but to lay the blame squarely at his feet for the recent flooding as the story suggests, is wrong. My father was a rice farmer, and I was with him in those days when we used to plant it, cut it, drag or slide it,

mash it, wind or sift it, bag it, before you sold it, so I know what it means to the farmers. Rice in Region Two and by extension the whole country is and will always be equivalent to what oil is to Arabia and the rest of the Arab world. It is time that all the stakeholders, the officials, the administration at both regional and national levels worked in tandem for the good of the industry. Archie W Cordis Former AFC Councillor Region No 2

Saturday January 28, 2017

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Nagamootoo drops out of race for AFC leadership …says it is time to make space for a new generation of leaders Even though he was nominated for the post, the current Vice Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Moses Nagamootoo has declined to run for the leadership of the party. He made this announcement, yesterday. The Prime Minister also declined to run for the positions of Chairman or ViceChairman. He noted, though, that he would accept nomination for the National Executive Committee (NEC), and will serve on this body if elected. Nagamootoo said, “I informed the party leaders two weeks ago of my intention not to contest these positions. It is unfortunate that what I had said was misinterpreted as my complete withdrawal from the AFC’s leadership. I am not quitting the AFC. I am just shedding party leadership titles and status.” He continued, “I am fully involved in the AFC. I want to see the party grow and become stronger. I want the party to reform and broaden its structure to bring on board the young generation of fighters, the so-called ‘Second Eleven’, as we gear for 2020. “I have spent 52 years in active party-based politics. I have served in senior leadership positions in the PPP since 1976 and, after I resigned, I became Vice-Chairman of the AFC since 2012.” The current AFC Vice Chairman said that he believes it is time to make political space in the party leadership for a new generation of leaders. Nagamootoo also thanked the party members who have nominated him but assured that he will continue to serve the AFC. The Prime Minister said that the AFC holds a strategic place in the governance of Guyana. He said that it ought to be credited with making history when it sought a strategic parliamentary alliance with the APNU, tabled a motion of no-confidence against the then corrupt government, and

brokered the APNU+AFC Coalition that won the 2015 elections. “Our leaders deserve commendation for those heroic and strategic moves and for working every day to keep the Coalition Government stable and strong, and changing Guyana for the better,” Nagamootoo expressed. RAMJATTAN VS TROTMAN As a result of Nagamootoo’s decision, he leaves behind two of Guyana’s most seasoned attorneys-at-law to battle it out for the leadership position of the party tomorrow at its National Conference. The event is set to take place at the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School, West Bank Demerara, Region Three. While the current leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, has been nominated again for the post, he will have to go a g a i n s t t h e p a r t y ’s c o founder Raphael Trotman for the position. There will also be the election for a new Chairman. The nominations for this post include Catherine Hughes, Ramjattan and Trotman. The position was previously held by Nigel Hughes. For the Vice Chairman position, AFC delegates have nominated Valerie GarridoLowe, Catherine Hughes, Audwin Rutherford and Trotman. Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, was nominated again for the office of the General Secretary. He will have to run against Michael Carrington, Alison Mohamed and Marlon Williams. Kaieteur News understands that there is keen interest in and competition for the 12 National Executive Committee (NEC) positions

AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan

AFC co-leader, Raphael Trotman

which saw a total of 73 nominees. In addition to the 12 elected members of the NEC, the AFC explained that each Regional Management Committee and overseas chapter, along with the Women For Change and Youth For Change, are entitled to send a representative to the NEC meetings. Also, the NEC can co-opt up to five members if the need arises for additional representation in particular areas. The National Conference will also consider over a dozen Motions and Resolutions on a wide array of matters. The submitted Motions and Resolutions are currently being reviewed by a Special Committee set up by the party’s Management Committee. Since the announcement by Ramjattan that he has intentions of running for the leadership position for a third time, there have been concerns as to whether the AFC’s Constitution permits this. While some within the

party believe that Ramjattan, who also serves as the Minister of Public Security, is allowed to do so, there are others who feel otherwise. One such person is Raphael Trotman. He is of the belief that the leadership of the party should be rotated. Trotman reminded that the AFC’s Constitution says, “The various senior positions of the AFC, including those in the National Executive, Regions and Groups ought to be rotated as far as is possible, so that no member is allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms in the same office, so as to ensure a broader activism in leadership

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo positions by the membership.” With this in mind, the AFC Executive Member commented, “The Constitution says ought to rotate and I believe that we should, unless there is some extraordinary situation. The delegates will of course, have a right to choose. But I believe that we should try to adhere to the constitution unless the delegates feel otherwise…I believe that it is something the delegates would have to make a decision on.” Trotman continued, “So definitely, it does not say ‘shall’ like the Constitution, but I believe the intention of

the framers of the AFC constitution— and I was certainly one of them— was to ensure that there was movement. And we should do our best to ensure that we honour the spirit of the (AFC) Constitution…I believe that this is something the delegates would have to ponder and make a decision on.” The Minister of Natural Resources reiterated that while the AFC’s Constitution does not make it “absolute” that the position of leadership be rotated, he firmly believes that “the spirit and intent” of the phrase ‘ought to rotate’ was to ensure there was “a constant flow.”

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Saturday January 28, 2017

Kaieteur News

Following candlelight vigil...

Education Ministry resumes negotiations with GTU ...TSC commences review of senior teachers’ promotions ...Opposition accuses Govt. of unacceptable delinquency After a few nights of candlelight vigils, the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) is finally likely to see some very protracted concerns addressed. Among these are the stalled remuneration negotiations and the long overdue 2015 senior promotions for teachers. In an interview with this publication, yesterday, GTU President, Mr. Mark Lyte disclosed that earlier this week officials of the Ministry of Education reached out to the Union to inform of plans for the continuance of the remuneration negotiations. A multi-year remuneration

agreement between the union and the Ministry of Education had expired at the end of 2015. Since then the union had furnished the Ministry with a proposed agreement which, among other things, suggested a 40 percent across the board increase for teachers for last year. Also detailed in its proposal was a 45 percent increase for this year (2017) and 50 percent for the following three years (2018-2020) for all categories of teachers. In its proposal too, the Union had taken into consideration inflation and had made it clear that “should there be inflation

higher than the percentage agreed upon, then the teachers/teacher-educators must get the benefit of the difference.” However, Lyte, last year, disclosed that the Union was prepared to settle for a satisfactory pay hike. This was not forthcoming last year. In fact, the Ministry had reportedly altogether stalled the negotiations with no word about the way forward. But according to Lyte, following the recent vigil, the union was summoned to a meeting with officials of both the Ministry of Education and the Labour Department

of the Social Protection Ministry. “We met and it was agreed that the Education Ministry will sign off on the non-financial matters of the negotiations and we will continue with the financial aspect within a few months,” Lyte revealed. The union, according to Lyte, is appreciative of the progressive move. The union body is equally approving of the start of a review of the preliminary list of 2015 senior teachers promotion by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC). The process, according to Lyte, commenced on Thursday and teachers are likely to be in their new positions by early March. Also, Lyte noted that the union is expecting that once promoted teachers will be compensated from the designated start of the promotion period in 2015. “After the 2015 promotions are done GTU is expecting that another set of promotions will be done during this year (for 2017). We understand that last year will have to be skipped since there were no vacancies advertised...” Lyte noted. Last month the Union was convinced that deliberate moves were being made by TSC to continue to stall senior teachers’ promotion despite the issuance of a court order to do so. The TSC had however noted it would proceed with such a task on “humanitarian grounds.” But Lyte had noted that “GTU rubbishes the ‘humanitarian grounds’ position taken by TSC as the reason for agreeing to review the applications for senior promotions of 2015.” Chief Justice, Yonette Cummings-Edwards, on November 10, last, ruled that the 2015 senior promotions lists of the TSC and the Schools Board Secretariat (SBS) be reviewed. But TSC Chairperson, Mrs. Leila Ramson, had dis-

GTU President, Mr. Mark Lyte closed that the TSC, which is a Constitutional and Autonomous body, was strongly advised by three Senior Counsel to appeal the Court Order handed down by the Chief Justice. She, however, noted that it was recognized that “since the pursuance of said appeal would result in a long and time-consuming process, TSC had decided not to do so, on humanitarian grounds.” She’d added that the TSC decided not to appeal so as to avoid any further suffering of the affected teachers which would ultimately also affect the nation’s children.” But Lyte was not convinced that the TSC was genuine in its approach to the review process. This he premised on the fact that a court had to rule that the review process was warranted. The court proceeding was in fact initiated by an injunction filed by the GTU which had reason to believe that the promotion processes of both the TSC and the Schools Board Secretariat (SBS) were flawed. The court matter had resulted in no senior teachers’ promotions for the past two years.

But the TSC Chairperson had informed that while the oral decision of the Chief Justice took approximately two years to be arrived at, a written decision, as at the end of last year, has not yet been forthcoming. “A modus operandi has to be worked out, but to date TSC has not received a written decision from the Chief Justice. Hopefully, we will receive the written decision from the Court by early January,” Ramson said in December. It is not clear whether the TSC has since been in receipt of the written order as attempts by this publication to contact the Chairperson yesterday were futile. Yesterday, too, Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, belatedly indicated that the political opposition was throwing its support behind the GTU and public school teachers. In a statement issued yesterday, it was noted that the Opposition Leader is calling on Government to respect previous commitments made by the former PPP/C government with the GTU under the Five-Year Multi-Year Agreement. The Parliamentary Opposition, according to the statement, supports the leadership of GTU in its demand for a confirmation of an urgent meeting between the Union and the government. “Furthermore, it calls for an urgent resolution to the teachers’ demands, including respect for the specific agreements concluded under the now expired multi-year agreement, including the duty-free concessions and treatment of the Whitley Council leave,” added the statement. It was further pointed out in the statement that “the urgency of these issues cannot be over-emphasized. The delinquency of the government with regards to these important issues affecting the teachers of this country is unacceptable.”

Guyanese found naked, strangled in Trini apartment Trinidad (Trinidad Express) - POLICE are investigating the death of a 44-yearold Guyanese national whose body was found in his Curepe apartment on Wednesday night. The man was identified as Kwesi Mona of Alice Street, Curepe. Police reports said at about 9.30 p.m. on Wednesday, residents of Alice Street were alerted to a commotion coming from Mona’s apart-

ment and upon investigating, they observed two injured men lying on the ground. The room was ransacked and both men were nude. The police were notified and a team of officers from the Bureau and the Northern Division, under the supervision of Snr Supt McDonald Jacob, visited the scene. Mona died of his injuries. The other individual whose identity is being withheld for his safety - was taken

to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, where he was treated. Up to last night he was still in a serious condition at hospital. Speaking to reporters at the Forensic Science Centre in St James yesterday, Mona’s relatives remembered him as a loving and caring person who loved to make those around him laugh. They said he was a (Continued on page 23)

Saturday January 28, 2017

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

The struggle against parking meters requires staying power The parking meter will spell disaster for the investor, the City Council and the small man. It is an oppressive and imbalanced arrangement which is already being resisted by the Guyanese people. Guyanese have always had many ways in which to resist oppressive measures other than through political action. The people have power and do not need political action to exercise that power. The problem with the people is two-fold. First, they are easily divided. It is easy to sow dissent within any local movement. All it takes is to politicize the issue. It is not going to be easy, however, to sow division amongst those

opposed to parking meters in the system. Secondly, Guyanese do not have staying power. Those concerned with the parking meter project may have made a concession to the teachers because of the protest action which was being taken. But if they had waited that out, the protest would have eventually fizzled. Guyanese cannot sustain protest action for very long. They either cannot afford the financial implications of doing so or simply lose interest after a while. The teachers have won a major concession from the parking meter company. No meters will be placed outside of schools. This makes sense because it is not just an issue

of the cost for teachers. Parents also have to park to wait for their children after school is dismissed. The parents would also be saddled with the cost of parking. The parking meters removal therefore benefits the teachers as well as the parents. This is a major victory for those who are struggling against the parking meters. There is, of course, no organized campaign. The teachers had a problem and they solved their own problem. Motorists have stayed away generally from parking in areas where there are parking meters. On Main Street, for example, the parking is moving further North to avoid the meters. People are protesting by not using the parking meters. It will take a

Dem boys seh...

People got eyes but dem not seeing Jagdeo was always a wicked man but is now dem boys know how wicked he really is. From de time de dog doctor announce that he calling it a day, Jagdeo call quick time fuh Soulja Bai to get ready to accept de names. Jimmy Carter did come a long time ago and he wuk out a system because de old system allow whoever in power to win de elections. It mek people vote till dem finger sore but dem never see de vote. That is how Jimmy Carter come and lef this system. Dem boys mek a constitution that seh that de best person should be a judge. But it also allow fuh a person who de president could like. Jagdeo know this and he put up a list wid people

who he know gun get Soulja Bai vex. He also know that if Soulja Bai get vex he can’t throw out one name; he got to throw out de whole list. That is why Jagdeo was smiling when he send de first list. He mek Soulja Bai so vex that de man tek it pun himself to look for a retired judge. Now Jagdeo vex because Soulja Bai outsmart him. But de same plan can backfire because Jagdeo can recommend de Chancellor when de man retire. In fact, dem boys seh that Carlee would be de best bet. Moses done seh that Soulja Bai right and that Jagdeo can go to de CCJ except that de CCJ wouldn’t see him. In fact, nuff people don’t see nuff things. De parking

meter people didn’t see problems wid dem teacher. All dem see was money. A parent go to pick up a child got to park and pay; a minibus stop to pick up school children got to stop and pay. Teachers go to school fuh de day and dem got to park and pay. Since de teachers win, de police got plans. Dem promise to knock all dem parking meter that deh close to de four-corner. Just like how Jagdeo didn’t see de kind of objection to he list, is de same way de parking meter people didn’t see de problems coming. A lady get rob yesterday because she didn’t see de bandits trailing she. Talk half and keep you eyes open.

long time however and great discomfort for that struggle to be successful. The company running the parking meter can wait out what seems to be a case of many motorists boycotting the parking meters. The company can wait it out. The company running the parking meters has one of the best deals that any investor can wish to have. It is walking away with more than 75 per cent of the parking fees and all for merely installing a few meters and sticking a few pieces of galvanized pipes in to the road surface. It is a far more favorable deal that the one that the Lotto company got many moons ago. The company has the resources to wait out any boycott. Those who are earning their livelihoods on our roadways, such as the taxi drivers, cannot afford to do so. They will buckle under the pressure of not being able to

afford to not park near parking meters. The people who sell food in vehicles will have to pay for parking if they hope to earn a living. Those who agreed to this parking meter contract do not understand the city which they manage. This city was developed in a haphazard manner. It is not suited for parking meters. In many areas, there are yards which have three to four houses. There are persons who live in those backhouses and who have cars which they can only park on the roadway. What are they to do during the day? Where are they going to park? Are they not entitled to parking given that they are city residents paying rates and taxes? The Guyanese people do not have what it takes to struggle against this parking meter imposition. But it will cause a great deal of disruption in the lives of citizens

and all for a 25% take by City Hall. This is bad economics for the city which could have made the investment themselves since what we are seeing is one parking meter for multiple parking slots and not a parking meter per every parking slot. There is hope, however. Guyana is a very litigious society. You can bet that some smart Alex is going to file some legal action questioning the legality of this whole parking meter arrangement. The struggle will continue but without staying power, it will fizzle.

PAGE 10

Saturday January 28, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Can the Alliance for Change survive as a political party? One of the strangest things to ever happen to a victorious party in any part of the world occurred after the AFC became part of the government in May 2015. Normally when a party enters office, a deluge of people surrounds it day and night. Its offices are buzzing with activists and the crowds expand exponentially because the successful campaigners are anxious to be part of policy-making or working in the state to influence policies. After it came to power the head office of the AFC became a ghost town. For any analyst who studies politics this was shockingly weird. I saw this deluge in Barbados and Grenada after elections and

in Guyana with victories by the PPP and PNC. But with the AFC this was incredibly absent. I live four minutes drive from the AFC head office; I have to pass there on my way to any part of Georgetown, west of Sheriff Street. I would stop there each day and the single security rank would cut a lonely figure. With each passing day, I would ask where were the hundreds of AFC people I campaigned with. I would run into them in different places at random – the refrain was the same from all of them. They were driven out by the attitude of every leader in the AFC. Power was achieved and the AFC leaders had no time for them and would show disdain and contempt when approached.

Each Monday night the AFC holds its weekly management meetings. I would pass by and see a crowd of ordinary folks waiting for hours to press their grievances and to seek opportunities; most left with pessimism and angst. I was so angry at the things I heard from these people whenever and wherever I met them that one night I lost my calm and yelled undiplomatically at Minister David Patterson. The event was the wake of his driver. I got to know the gentleman very well during the 2015 campaign. I raised my voice so loudly at David that he turned away but not before I shouted a question at him. When the AFC leaders were begging these people to campaign a n d

these people did making tremendous sacrifice, did AFC leaders ask about their education qualifications and did they tell them that when power was achieved that they must not come around looking for opportunities. After the 2015 election, the attitude of the PNC to its campaigners was the opposite of the AFC. The PPP and PNC have never let down their campaigners throughout their long histories. One factor explains this – the PPP and PNC have serious working class credentials, the AFC has few. This columnist knows that about both parties through studies of both parties and personal interactions The AFC is essentially a middle class party that like the PNC and PPP lacks visionary and transformational leadership and is inherently authoritarian in thinking. Few persons in this country know that after the 2015 election, the PNC courted

many AFC campaigners and offered them work. Aubrey Norton offered employment to two West Coast campaigners of the AFC. The Ministry of the Presidency did the same. Even the PNC as a political party took one of the AFC strongest female campaigners and employed her as worker with the PNC at Pouderoyen. One leading AFC campaigner accepted the PNC invitation to run for a seat on the City Council as a PNC member and not AFC. He won his local government seat. I attended his victory party at his home where only AFC members Carlyle Goring and Michael Carrington were present. Where the AFC goes from here is a matter of speculation. The party blows hot and cold almost every day. It held a retreat at the Convention Centre and came out swinging asking that the portfolios of Joe Harmon be reduced. It complained that it was only allotted two City Council seats – Caryle Goring and

Frederick Kissoon Sherod Duncan. Nothing came out of its complaints. The AFC is in power and Guyana’s political culture remains as rotten, debased and tragic as it always was. The AFC and its partner, the APNU, have become indistinguishable from the PPP when that party was in power. The only people in Guyana that are totally oblivious to the Guyanese people’s growing disillusion with their government are the leadership of the partnership of APNUAFC. The PNC is a huge historical party. It will survive to contest the 2020 elections. The AFC is not in the same boat. Even if it wants to cling to life, can it survive? Let’s end with Shakespeare; “Oh judgement Thou art fled to brutish beast And men have lost their reason.”

Saturday January 28, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Way paved for manganese mining to restart at Matthews Ridge - at least 300 jobs to be created Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, on Wednesday gave his consent to an agreement reached between Bosai Minerals Group and Reunion Gold Corporation paving the way for manganese mining to recommence in Matthews Ridge, Region One (Barima-Waini), after several decades. Mining operations are slated to begin in about two years, preparatory works in Matthews Ridge will commence during the second half of 2017. According to the ministry, Trotman signed documents approving the acquisition agreement between the two entities at the Ministry’s Secretariat, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission Compound, Brickdam. This approval comes two months after Bosai Minerals Group - the Chinese company involved in bauxite operations in Linden – penned an agreement with Reunion Gold Corporation to acquire the rights in the Matthews Ridge Manganese Project.

On November 4, 2016, Reunion Gold Corporation announced that it had entered a Definitive Agreement to sell its Matthews Ridge Manganese Project to Bosai Minerals Group. The agreement stipulates that Reunion will transfer to Bosai the four prospecting licences (which make up the Matthews Ridge project), the March 2011 Mineral Agreement between Reunion, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, and capital assets, pursuant to the agreement. Reunion’s exploration programme, on acquiring the licenses in 2010, was designed to identify and measure the manganese resources in the four Prospecting Licenses. The exploration programme confirmed the occurrence of manganese mineralization. Since then, Reunion Manganese Inc., a subsidiary of Reunion Gold Corporation, has spent over US$50 million to define what it described as a world-class manganese de-

posit in Matthews Ridge. There is an initial 10 million tonnes of concentrate with the potential to double with the addition of the satellite site of Pipiani. Further, Reunion has conducted environmental and social baseline studies in anticipation of a complete project Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) in conformity with international and local standards. Significantly, no issues have been identified that would hinder project development. Bosai will mine using conventional open pit methods with minimum blasting. The mine will have a life of 15 to 35 years; depending on the rate of extraction. A construction period of approximately two years is envisaged, with work including construction of a wharf facility at Port Kaituma to receive supplies for the mine and mill; construction and upgrading of roads from Port Kaituma wharf to Matthews Ridge and Pipiani Mine, development work including stripping and pit work for ore extraction; construction of tailings management and wa-

Guyanese among two charged as BVI makes breakthrough in human smuggling racket British Virgin Islands (BVInews) - Police in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) have made what appears to be a major breakthrough in a case of immigrant smuggling as they took two men into custody, yesterday. The two – a Jamaican native and a Guyanese who resides in St Martin – have been charged with illegal entry into the BVI. Both men were held aboard a vessel at the ferry terminal in the BVI capital yesterday. They were then transported to the Road Town Police Station. Their names are being withheld at this time. Highly placed sources have told BVI News

Online that the duo is also being investigated in relation to a major case of immigrant smuggling. The case started last year when local law enforcers rescued some 20 illegal immigrants at sea. Several remain missing. The vessel transporting them was found in distress at sea, and was making a trip from St Martin to the US Virgin Islands (USVI). Persons rescued by BVI law enforcers said the captain left the vessel at sea in the company of another person, and did not return. The illegal immigrants (17 Cubans and three Haitians) said they also paid $5,000 each for the trip to the USVI.

ter supply facilities and milling plant for treatment of manganese ores to concentrate and the building of additional infrastructure at the mine to support the operation. Bosai expects that employment numbers can reach as high as 1,200 during the peak of construction and then stabilise at 300 to 400 during normal operations. Once in production, the company intends to ship 350,000 tonnes of manganese per year. “The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission commits to supporting the new Bosai-controlled manganese in the execution of its exploration and extraction activities and likewise expects it to conduct its operations in a manner that is respectful to the rights of workers, to the country’s laws and to the environment.”

Minister Trotman signs documents approving the acquisition agreement between Bosai Minerals Group and Reunion Gold Corp.

PAGE 12

Saturday January 28, 2017

Kaieteur News

Businessman shoots bandit dead

Motorbike used by the suspected bandits. A businessman with a licensed gun turned the tables on two would-be bandits yesterday, shooting one dead and causing the other to flee empty handed during a confrontation at McDoom Public Road yesterday. Police identified the slain man as Gary Koster, 38, of Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara. Eyewitnesses said that Koster and an-

other man, who were riding a motorcycle attempted to rob the businessman, who is a licensed firearm holder, but the attempt was foiled when the man opened fire. There are reports that there was an exchange of gunfire between the businessman, who was a passenger in a truck, and the men, when the suspected bandit was killed. The other man escaped on foot into a nearby (Continued on page 21)

Kitty man jailed for wounding cop in shooting Twenty-one-year-old Kerry Dick of Kitty, Georgetown was yesterday sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment on a wounding charge. He shot at an off duty police rank. Dick was found guilty of unlawfully and maliciously wounding Donald McKenzie on April 25, 2015 at William Street, Kitty, Georgetown, with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm. The prison term was

handed down by Magistrate Faith McGusty in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. According to court facts, Dick and McKenzie had a misunderstanding the night before the incident. On the day in question, Dick went to McKenzie’s home and began discharging a loaded firearm. McKenzie was hit by one of the bullets on his hand. He survived he attack. Police in a release said

that the attack occurred while McKenzie was walking along William Street, Kitty. According to the statement, two men on a motorcycle rode up alongside McKenzie. It was then the pillion rider discharged several rounds hitting McKenzie to the right hand, before escaping. Police further said that the convict and McKenzie had reportedly been involved in an argument at a beer garden.

Former Rice Board officials deny wrongdoings Former Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Deputy General Manager, Madanlall Ramraj, has denied that any skullduggery took place at the GRDB when he was second in charge. He, along with the former General Manager of GRDB, Jagnarine Singh, has been accused of bypassing the Procurement and Tender Board Sub-Committee and taking decisions on their own. There were other damming revelations and accusations made. These revelations were found when Nigel Hinds Financial Services did a forensic audit of the GRDB. When Kaieteur News spoke with Ramraj at the Peoples Progressive Party’s (PPP/C) Freedom House he said that there were no truth in what was mentioned in the recently released audit report. He said that in due course he will be addressing the issue. When asked if there was anything true that was mentioned so far, Ramraj responded in the negative. Former GRDB board member, Dharamkumar Seeraj, who

Former Deputy Chairman of GRDB Board Dharamkumar Seeraj

Former General Manager Jagnarine Singh

was also named in the report, denied any wrongdoings. He said that he will be holding a press conference, soon, to address the issue. He says it will all be made clear when he addresses the media on the report. When Kaieteur News visited the GRDB office in

Kingston yesterday the staff there was mum on the issue. Many said that they did not want to say anything for fear of getting into trouble. According to a source close to the GRDB, there were suspicions about the operations of the GRDB for a (Continued on page 23)

Saturday January 28, 2017

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

GECOM Chairmanship...

May and Trump hold talks (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump said yesterday he is only in the early stages of considering whether to lift U.S. sanctions on Russia, as British Prime Minister Theresa May, other foreign officials and U.S. lawmakers cautioned that such a move would be premature. With Trump expected to speak by phone today with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time since taking power a week ago, speculation has been rife that he is close to lifting sanctions imposed by then-President Barack Obama over Moscow’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula in 2014. Such a move would likely cause consternation among European allies as well as many in the U.S. Congress who are also troubled by Russia’s intervention in the Syrian civil war and by U.S. intelligence agencies’ finding that Moscow meddled in the U.S. election campaign. “As far as the sanctions, (it is) very early to be talking about that,” Trump said, while insisting that he wanted to follow through on his campaign pledge to pursue better relations with Russia. His caution on the Russian sanctions, came in response to a question at a joint news conference at the White House with May, the first foreign leader to visit the president since his inauguration. May made clear Britain wants to continue sanctions until Putin carries out the requirements in a ceasefire agreement arranged in Minsk, Belarus, in 2014. This view is shared by European allies who fear Putin could become more expansionist if he feels Trump will not intervene. “We believe the sanctions should continue until we see the Minsk agreement fully implemented. And we’ve been continuing to ar-

gue that inside the European Union,” May said. The boisterous Trump and reserved May took pains to demonstrate a readiness to maintain the “special relationship” between the United States and Britain, something that is particularly important for May as she steers Britain out of the European Union. They posed for photos before a bust of Winston Churchill in the Oval Office and Trump accepted an invitation from Queen Elizabeth to visit Britain later this year. The two leaders held hands briefly as they walked down the White House colonnade to their news conference in the East Room. Later, they lunched on beef shortribs in the State Dining Room. At the news conference, Trump showed flashes of the pugnacious willingness to dispense with formality that helped him win the Nov. 8 election, registering his displeasure when a British reporter asked him what he had to say to those who are “worried about you becoming the leader of the free world.” “This was your choice of a question?” Trump said with a half smile. Then, nodding toward May as laughter erupted, he added: “There goes that relationship.” On ties with Moscow, Trump has long bucked establishment Washington thinking by voicing a belief that, as he said on Friday, it would be a “tremendous asset” to have a positive relationship with Russia. ‘RECKLESS COURSE’ A long-time Putin critic, U.S. Senator John McCain, who like Trump is a Republican, urged Trump not to lift the sanctions, saying that he should “reject such a reckless course.” “If he does not, I will work with my colleagues to codify sanctions against Russia into law,” said

McCain, a long-time Putin critic. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, the top U.S. elected Republican, told Politico of the sanctions that “I think they should stay.” Former NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen, now an adviser to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, urged caution against reversing sanctions without winning concessions from Moscow, saying that, “easing sanctions will only embolden Russia’s aggression in the region, putting the security interests of Ukraine and the United States in jeopardy.” The White House encounter between Trump and May was heavily scrutinized for signs on how the relationship would develop between the leaders of two key members of the NATO alliance, who are markedly different in style but who both owe their rise to power to a tide of anti-establishment feeling in their countries. “I’m not as brash as you might think,” Trump said at the news conference. “I’m a people person and I think you are too, Theresa. I think we’re going to have a fantastic relationship.” Trump, a wealthy real estate developer and former reality TV star, had never held public office when he was elected in November. May stepped in to lead Britain after the June referendum Brexit vote to leave the EU that prompted her Conservative predecessor, David Cameron, to resign. It was notable that Trump did not give much in the way of vocal support for NATO, which he has previously declared obsolete. It was left up to May to issue support for NATO in her opening remarks at their news conference, and to encourage Trump’s backing.”On defence and security cooperation, we are united in our recognition of NATO as the bulwark of our collective defence,” she said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May and U.S. President Donald Trump gesture towards each other during their joint news conference at the White House in Washington, U.S., yesterday. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

PPP has moral responsibility to submit list that is “not unacceptable” – PM

PPP/C General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo.

President David Granger

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo

The Main Parliamentary Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), has both a moral responsibility and an obligation under the law to present a list that is “not unacceptable.” These were the sentiments expressed by Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, yesterday as he weighed in on the apparent contentious issue of finding a Chairperson for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Nagamootoo, in an invited comment, related that as a participant in the Constitutional Reform process, and having looked at the intention of the Carter Formula, which requires that six names be submitted to the President that are not unacceptable, would fly in the face of the

Formula, logics and reason. “If you try to put names that would be a provocation, that would invite the President to say the list is unacceptable. Remember the President cannot just say ‘I don’t agree with this person or I don’t agree with this person’. “You have to deem the entire list unacceptable so I believe that the approach taken by the Leader of the Opposition to exclude from the list rather than include in the list was in fact, a recipe for a rejection of the entire list.” The PM also touched on what he described as the “President’s interpretation of the Constitution” with regards to the criterion for selecting a new GECOM Chairman. “The President has given

an interpretation to the Constitution and it’s clear to me that the Constitution never intended that you should lock out someone who is a judge or who is qualified to become a judge or who might have been a retired judge. “So the issue of whether you should have a judge is a Constitutional requirement and I agree with the interpretation of the President on that issue.” GECOM Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, who served for over a decade and a half, signalled his intention to step down on November 30, 2016 with the process to find a replacement commencing almost immediately. However, the choice is turning out to be anything but “normal”.

Businessman shoots bandit dead From page 12 village. When Kaieteur News arrived at the scene the motorbike was still parked on the road and a pair of slippers lay nearby. Police are still looking for the other suspect. A release from the Police Public Relations Department stated that ranks are investigating an assault with intent to rob which occurred at 14,45 hrs on Dharmendra Deen, 48, a businessman, of Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, who is a licenced holder of a .32 Taurus revolver and owner of D&D Supermarket and Bar at Annai, Region Nine. Enquiries disclosed that Deen was a passenger of motor truck GTT 5907, which was driven by Safraz Ali, who stopped at the junction of Houston, East Bank Demerara, to allow vehicles to come out of Rome Access Road, when two identifiable males drove up on a black and grey motor cycle and the pillion rider dismounted the cycle, drew a handgun, and struck Dharmendra Deen to

his face and discharged a round in his direction. Deen then pulled out his licenced firearm and discharged several rounds in the suspects’ direction, hitting one of them, who fell on the roadway. The other suspect ran south along Mc Doom Public Road, and escaped. One 9mm and three .32 spent shells were found at the scene. The wounded suspect, who has since been identified

as 38-year-old, Gary Koster, of Norton Street, Bagotstown, EBD, was picked up and taken to Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The body was examined and two gunshot wounds were found in his left side temple and behind his neck. The motor truck was examined and a bullet hole was seen on the left side windscreen.

PAGE 22

PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461

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

SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257

Visa Application: U.S.A, C a n a da & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535.

Register Now! Cosmetology, Nails & Wig designs courses, classes commence February 20th 2017. Call: 6182417

INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

New Creation of Hair is offering courses in Cosmetology & Nail arts design. Call: 616-6221/ 2705074

B U D H R A M ’ S LANDSCAPING SERVICES: FREE ADVICE, FREE DESIGN. CALL: 656-1326 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966

DRESSMAKING Learn to cut & sew at Enid’s Dressmaking, course range from elementary to advance @ 66 6th St. Alberttown, G/town. Call:223-9106/ 643-7966 EDUCATIONAL Classes for slow learners in Reading, Spelling, Mathematics, and much more for children all ages. Call: 6754379

TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS) FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578

1-2 Story building: top flat4 bedrooms, 1 self contained, air-conditioned, 2 apartment bottom flat, 2 bedrooms each apartment. Call: 645-9157 Aubrey Barker Road, triple lot -$27M, campbellville, DaSilva Street, Diamond Bungalow 12.5M, East$11.5M. Call GME Realty: 231-2199/ 618-7483 1 Front building & a 2 storey building on 1 (lot) 180 Charlotte Street Bourda W30XL120 $55M negotiable. Call: 6247341/227-6817/226-5183 7 Bedrooms house on double lot @ Ruimveldt Public Road. Call: 609-7766 1-2 Storey building 3 bedrooms upstairs, 2 apartments downstairs, all self contained, Avenue ‘B’, Diamond, E.B.D- Call: 6585452

Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigrant Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496; 662-6045 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158

Saturday January 28, 2017

Kaieteur News

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

1-2 Storey building 3 bedrooms – 1 self contained, Water Street, Agricola, E.B.D- Call: 658-5452 Planning on Buying a Property from Eccles to Timehri? Give us Call:6585897/651-1969

Bottom flat house @ 25 North Road & Oronoque Street, fully furnished/ air condition/residence / business. Call: 226-7012

Are you selling your property From Eccles to Timehri? We Do It Without A Commission. Call: 6585897 651-1969

1 Salon Station & 1 Barber station to rent, also wanted nail technician with clientele. Call: 270-5074/616-6221

2 Storey house 35X45 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained @ 5th Avenue Diamond, H/ Scheme. Call:677-0583/6645052

Newly renovated, grilled, self-contained apartments for rent (light & water included) in Sussex St. Charlestown. Price-$35,000. Call: 689-8757/659-3597

Newly built @ Craig E.B.D land size 91X50feet; house 40X28, 3 rooms, 1 selfcontained. Call: 718-2136496/617-7691

One two bedroom apartment for rental, price -$45,000, location- Diamond, New Scheme. Call: 604-2431/ 2162339

Property @ 28 Johana Cecilia Essequibo Coast, suitable for supermarket, bar etc $12M. Call: 630-4744

2 Bedrooms apartment to rent @ Providence -$45,000. Call: 265-7180

One two storey building and business for sale @ Anna Catherina W.C.D. Call: 6619880 TO LET One bedroom fully furnished air-condition apartments, price $65,000 & $85,000 monthly (negotiable). Call: 668-0306/ 694-7617

TOURS Need a weekend getaway? Pay just $36000 for a return trip to Suriname. February 23-26, 2017. Contact: 600-5509/2682507/600-0312

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Toyota Allion PVV series: TV Camera, HID, lights, alarm & remote start $2.1M negotiable Call: 649-0956

Driver/Salesman, lorry licence, residing on East Bank Demerara. 266 4427

Nissan Bluebird 2011 model -$2.7M, Toyota Rush 2006 model -$2.8M. (unregistered vehicles) Call:655-3400

1 Salesgirl, 1 daytime security, 2 labourers, 1 mason/ carpenter. Call: 2653586 8am-4pm

1 Big music set, owner migrating. Call: 690-5225

2009 RAUM -$2.2M, 2009 SIENTA -$2.3M, 2011 MAZDA AXELA -$2.7M, 2011 NOAH & VOXY $2.6M. CALL:617-2891

The #1 Plant Shop, sale staff and general maintenance and sales persons 20-30yrs. Call: 643-7193

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

3 TON OPEN BACK CANTER, NEVER REGISTERED -$3.5M. CALL: 617-2891

Cat 928F Loader $7.3M, 3406 Caterpillar Engine $1.3M, 3306 Caterpillar Engine $1.3 M - Contact: 6500402\260-4115

1 Toyota Verossa, PTT series. Call: 657-8843

Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740/686-3500

One 4 Cylinder Diesel welding generator on trailer miller 55D, 2 miller welding generator, all in excellent condition. Call: 699-4300/ 2282734 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 3116 Caterpillar Engine$1.1M, 3208 Caterpillar Engine $700,000, Diesel Welder, BMW 318I $2.5M, IST $2M. Contact: 650-0402\260-4115 Leyland DAF 75 Hauler in good condition GNN series $2.2M. Call: 655-5117 or 6233839 Imported German Shepherd & Huskies dogs, fully vaccinated and processed through G.L.D.A, make bookings early. Whatsapp: 615-5343

Toyota Sprinter Vintage AE110, A/C, all wheel drive, fully automatic, privately owned by pensioner. Call: 234-0510/ 674-0278 One Towa ace small bus, in working condition. Call:6751787/ 614-4275 1- Toyota Fielder Wagon, automatic, 15 inches magrim & automatic remote start, price $1.650M negotiable. Call: 668-8431 Land Rover, Suzuki Sport X90, Chevy Cargo Van, Grand Jeep Cherokee. Owner Leaving! Call: 227-8519/ 6534287

One complete sawmill situated at Yarrowkabra Industrial Site Soesdyke/ Linden Highway. Call: 6441190/ 609-8041 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231 Houses at Blankenburg$12.9 M and Up. Contact # 650-0402/260-4124 LAND FOR SALE

One bedroom apartment for local & two bedrooms furnished apartment for overseas guest or short rentals. Call: 2273626/ 627-8900

Concrete structure (upper flat) 24X40, Diamond New Scheme $7.5M. Call: 653-3381

Rooms in Alberttown. Call: 225-3234

High income houselot in Uitvlugt, price negotiable. Call: 676-4051

Live in/live out waitresses. Call: 643-9007/ 666-4647 Pump attendants @ Low’s Service Station, Shell Bel-Air park @ Vlissengen Road, Georgetown. Call: 226-3734 Driver/General assistant for city location and cook/baker for interior location. Call: 6182020 Male supervisors (housekeeping Dept) 3255yrs @ 233 South Road, Lacytown. Call: 225-0198 All rounder person to work in salon at Lot 6 North Road . Call: 6666917/ 223-1821 Jet + Marack Men to work on land dredge. Call: 6942310 between 8:30am4:30pm

Silent diesel generator 10KVA (1 with welding set), Jackhammer, used Indian Costumes and accessories. Owner Leaving! Call: 2278519/ 653-4287 LAND FOR SALE Land @ Soesdyke, 6 lots measuring 135’X175’ -$24M negotiable. Call: 627-3334/ 696-8935, email:fcranmore@ guyanavoice.com

1 Brand new pool table 8ft (slate). Call: 691-1161 One 6 inches dredge owner is ill. Call: 673-7883/ 619-5784/ 610-6738

VACANCY

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122, EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP REATES,SPECIAL OFFER FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494 DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MIN BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPOTR & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPESTRATE . Call: 698-7807

Land @ La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.2M, $1.4M, $1.6M, Uitvlugt- $2M, Tuschen School Street -$3M, Providence -$5M, Eccles $5M. Call: 604-6724 Land @ Diamond and Eccles (cheap). Call: 609-7766 37 Acres of transported land at Big Biaboo Mahaica Rivers. Call: 699-4300/ 2282734 Parfaite Harmonie $1M, $1.3M, $1.6M, Uitvlugt (100FT X 5OFT) $2M & $2.5M, Eccles $5.5M Cuyuni Mining Block $2.5M. Call: 658-5897/ 651-1969 Eccles New Scheme (100FT X 50FT) $5.5M, Semi Concrete Fenced, Safe and Secure Area (Upfront).Call:658-5897/ 651-1969 Continue on page 23

Saturday January 28, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Govt hires Nigerian-born law revision expert Government has hired a Nigerian-born expert of law revision. According to the Attorney General Chambers, Justice Abdullahi Zuru, will be working as a consultant in the Parliamentary Drafting Division of the Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs Zuru is a national of Nigeria where he received both his Secondary and University education then graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law. LL.B (Hons). In 1978, he was called to the Nigerian Bar and enrolled as a Barrister and Advocate of Nigeria. In 1983, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Legislation (LL.M) from the same University and was admitted to the Canadian Bar. On his return to Nigeria in 1984, Justice Zuru was appointed Secretary to the Law Reform Commission, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Then In 1988, he was elevated to the post of Director of Legislative Drafting, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Among some of the major assignments he undertook, in addition to his regular schedule of duties in these positions, was to participate in the six months National Law Reform Exercise to remove all pre1900 English Statutes from the Nigerian Statute Books. In 1990, he was promoted to the post of Solicitor Gen-

eral and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Sokoto State, Nigeria. In addition to his regular scheduled duties, he participated as a member of the Governship Election Tribunal in Benue State, Nigeria. Justice Zuru also served in the Nigerian and Niger Boundary Dispute Commission, as the Chairperson of the State’s Housing Loans Committee and as a Director of the Arewa Hotels Board of Directors (Government’s own Hotels outfit). In 1992, Justice Abdullahi Zuru was appointed a Judge of the High Court, Kebbi State, Nigeria. In 1998, the Government of Zanzibar, Tanzania recruited him as its pioneer Chairman of the Law Reform Commission. During his tenure, the entire laws of Zanzibar were revised. Also during the same period, he initiated the establishment of the Association of Eastern and Southern African Law Reform/Revision Commissions and acted as its Chairperson until he left Zanzibar. Justice Zuru, in the year 2002, moved to UNDP Uganda to assist the Government of Uganda to fight corruption and to participate in the activities of the Uganda Law Reform Commission. Among the laws reformed

Justice Abdullahi Zuru during his stay in Uganda, were the Uganda Family Laws. In 2005, he moved to Fiji under the CFTC Program as Consultant and Law Revision Commissioner in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Suva. Then he was also called to the Fiji Bar in 2006. Under the same program, Justice Zuru moved to the CARICOM Secretariat as consultant Legislative Drafting and Law Revision Consultant to the Member States of the Organization. So far, in the Caribbean, he has supervised the revi-

sion of the laws of Grenada done by LexisNexis. He undertook the revision of the Laws of Belize which are being published by the Regional Law Revision Centre, Anguilla. Justice Zuru has also prepared a preliminary law revision format for the Commonwealth of Dominica, pending the permission from the Commonwealth Secretariat to commence the revision exercise in that State. He has revised the Laws of Antigua and Barbuda up to 2015. He has also corrected errors and omissions made in the 2010 revised Laws of Guyana. In addition to his regular scheduled Law Revision duties, he participates in facilitating and providing the Legislative Drafting needs of the CARICOM Member States, as well as providing manpower training to the personnel of the Member States in Legislative Drafting and Law Revision. Justice Zuru was recommended by the Commonwealth Secretariat to act as an external tutor for students from CARICOM States who have received Commonwealth scholarships to study for the online Diploma in Legislative Drafting at Athabasca University, Canada. He has a number of unpublished works.

100 % birth registration of children still a work in... From page 3 between 1896 and 1986. This documentation will commence shortly. This project, he said, is about to commence as the procurement process is being pursued. “When both projects are completed, we would be prepared to print our birth certificates, achieve faster searches for birth records, reduce the time it now takes to produce a birth certificate, and the system would become a reliable database to cre-

ate a national identity system which is supported by biometric features,” the Minister of Citizenship expressed. He continued, “We should recall President David Granger's recent pronouncement while addressing the Parliament on October 13, 2016. Then, he promised to table the National Registration (Amendment) Bill to allow for the inclusion of biometrics of citizens to be recorded on their national registration cards.”

Felix said that work is being done to identify international best practices to aid the development of the system. This is a work-in-progress Felix said. He added, “This process envisages that, once a person's birth is registered, he or she should carry one registration number to death. In other words, there is no need for 15 or more identification cards. The same identification one would have at birth would be the one at the time

of registration.” The Minister of Citizenship said that the same number proceeds to one's driver's licence, taxpayer identification number (TIN) and bank account. Felix emphasized that this is useful to prevent fraud. Felix noted that there was a case of cricketers using falsified identification cards for their own personal benefit. The Minister said that with an upgraded system, such cases can be prevented.

Former Rice Board officials deny wrongdoings From page 12 while now. The source said that no one wanted to say anything and that the findings of the report did not come as a surprise. The individual explained that a junior official and an accountant who has now resigned from the GRDB totally controlled the finances of that board. The official was sent there by the Ministry of Agriculture and he was responsible for the

management of the organization, and according to the individual the official performed the duties of the General Manager (GM) while the legitimate GM was still there. Some employees said they were shocked when they read the newspapers yesterday. They did not know all “this thiefing did going on” The Audit report found, among other things, that former

GM, Jagnarine Singh, lied to his employers and the Venezuelan government to receive monies from the Petro Caribe Fund. Additionally the GRDB paid air fares and “per diem” for Saj Rice Mill Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Carlos Colombia, contrary to the board’s policy. There were also instances when loans were disbursed and promissory notes were used as offi-

cial documents for the transaction. Further the report found that GRDB employees cashed cheques to the value of $9.8M there “on behalf of suppliers” but there is no way to know if those monies found their way to these “suppliers”. The damming nature of the report resulted in the Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma asking the police to investigate.

Guyanese found naked, strangled in Trini... From page 8 security officer who had a 16year-old son. “Right now we are all trying to come to terms with this. We don’t know what would have caused this at all,” relatives said. Asked about photos being circulated on social media platforms which showed the two men naked, rela-

tives said while they did not know the circumstances of the killing, a person’s sexuality should not have been the reason for anyone attacking them or taking Mona’s life. “He was a wonderful person, who was very helpful. If there was anything you wanted him to do, you could have just

called him and as long as he had time, he would do it. All people mattered to him. It didn’t matter if they were gay or straight. And I think that’s how people should view life too. It shouldn’t matter if you are gay or straight, you didn’t give life so you shouldn’t take it. That should not be a reason

that you kill a man,” a relative said. An autopsy showed that Mona was strangled, most likely with a belt. It was performed by Dr Valery Alexandrov. The murder toll now stands at 47 compared to 43 at the same time last year.

From page 22

WANTED 1 live in waitress with secondary education, starts at $70,000 monthly, boarding and lodging free. Call: 6103974 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic. Call: 223-7500 Monday-Saturday 8:15-4:15 Experienced drivers, waiters, roti/puri cooks, day shift only. Apply at Hack’s Halaal with written application, 5 Commerce Street. Cook & Cashier for snackette, attractive salary. Call: 697-5387/ 677-9279 1- Honest Driver salesman, must have lorry license, CXC subjects. Mail application to 10 La Grange, W.B.D. New Management: GT Express wanted contract cars (1 week free base fee), Dispatcher & Drivers. Tel: 231-0316/ 231-0002 Need immediately dry cow mold 400 bags, preferably from Berbice Area. Call: 6437193 We buy land in Eccles, Providence, Hersteling, Farm, La Parfaite Harmonie, Zeelugt & Bartica.Call:6585897; 651-1969 Experienced cook & pastry maker, salesgirl. Call: 6266835 Experienced sandpit truck driver. Call: 227-8529 Parts for Sunny B310. Call: 614-3452 Urgently wanted a professional cosmetology at Natural Beauty salon and spa, Grove, Market Street, E.B.D – Call: 652-5800 Driver, porters experienced in water sales. Call:682-1048 Bartender, cook & waitress. Call: 227-4897 1 Waitress, 1 bartender & 1 bar supervisor. Call: 6965768/ 218-0013/601-1949 Arc/Acetylene welder with fabrication, driving and mechanical experienced. Call: 227-1813/ 227-1830 Carpenter/painter. Call: 2253234

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Saturday January 28, 2017

Guyana, UN ink agreement aimed at addressing developmental chalenges From page 17 member states with the requisite tools, partnerships and resources needed to achieve national and sub-regional priorities in an inclusive and equitable manner. In the case of Guyana, the

Minister said that Government has indentified the sustainable development goals which it deems to be most critical in creating the enabling environment for achieving social and economic development. Prime Minister, Moses

Nagamootoo, lauded the work of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He acknowledged the vital role the entity plays as Guyana moves in the direction of achieving its national goals and objectives.

“It also exemplifies the commonly-shared belief that the similar development challenges of the Caribbean countries require a coherent and coordinated response by the UN. Moreover, the UN MSDF acts as a mechanism that

would decrease the administrative burden on national governments and prompt a more coherent response to regional and national challenges, needs, and priorities. The new UN MSDF “will focus on four priorities: an in-

clusive, equitable and prosperous Caribbean; a healthy Caribbean; a safe, cohesive and just Caribbean; and a sustainable and resilient Caribbean.” Nagamootoo gave his assurance that that the Government is committed to delivering results together with the UN for all the people of Guyana and stressed the collaborative effort needed as Guyana pursues the Green Economy and the Sustainable Development Goals to secure a better life for all Guyanese.

'Mr President, it is time... From page 15 operate. “Before you tax it, you should understand it!” One miner who has spent years in the industry said that the government needs to understand also that gold is legal currency in the 'bush' since it is a form of barter with traders for goods. He said that this would make it difficult for miners to document expenses. Another miner said that when he operated under the name of a company the tax requirements proved too much for him to handle and he decided to scale down to be a sole trader. “In doing the tax returns, it was too much; it was too hard and difficult because you have to justify most of the income. “Let's say you submit to the gold board; the gold board submits your declarations to GRA, you have to justify by receipts. It was very, very difficult because in mining there are a lot of loopholes whereby you might not be able to account for some of these expenses and in doing that I had to scale down from the corporation back to sole trader which worked out very well for us. “Now without even going back to a corporation there are added taxes and I don't know if all miners are aware of; it is very difficult to work. We as miners need to stick together and hold one head because we understand. “We not only control the industry but understand how this industry works.” Some of the miners even suggested slowing down production as a form of protest. However, the miners agreed that their first step would be to have a meeting with the President and if that effort fails, all miners countrywide would be mobilized to conduct a peaceful protest. Under the new proposed tax regime certain goods and services will attract Value Added Tax; the tributors' tax would be increased from 10 to 20 per cent and there will be a two per cent tax on gross. Added to this, miners will be required to file their income taxes at the end of the year.

Saturday January 28, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Muslim leader wants TT govt. to name known local “terrorists” PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad ( C M C ) – T h e leader of the Islamic Front Umar Abdullah is calling on the Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi to name the people whom the Trinidad and Tobago government has labelled as terrorists. Al-Rawi, speaking on television here on Thursday night, said that within the last five months the number of “entities” listed as terrorist bodies in Trinidad and Tobago under local antiterrorism laws had increased from 80 to 333. “If you want to prosecute in Trinidad and Tobago you have to cover all of those bases already. So you have to list…Boko Haram…all of these entities as entities under our anti-terrorism laws. “The 333 entities listed include locals and we have about nine more on the table to come to court right now which would be very specific listings. We’re working with our international partners on some very pinpointed local involvement and that will be coming before the courts quite shortly as well,” Al-

Rawi said on the CCN TV6 News. He said part of the matters to go before the courts are based on the report of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) that from 2015-2017, at least 182 local were suspected of involvement in financing terrorist activities. “I will be bringing significant amendments to the anti-terrorism legislation very shortly to the Parliament as we continue to focus not only on legislative introduction but also operationalisation of laws,” he told television viewers. Last August, Al-Rawi said applications were filed in the High Court for terrorist entities being listed in Trinidad and Tobago based on the UN’s ISIL (Da’esh) and Al Qaeda Sanctions List dated July 15, 2016. But Abdullah, speaking on a radio programme here yesterday, said Al-Rawi must make known the names of persons and entities linked to terrorism activities overseas and that he must also indicate what definition is used to

classify someone as a terrorist. He is urging Al-Rawi to meet with the various sects of Muslims here before making statements, adding that he would not stand idly by and allow Muslims to be victimised. “I want the Attorney General to sit with the Muslim community of Trinidad and Tobago and have a discussion with them,” he said, adding that the discussions should not just be with selected Muslim organisations. “He needs to sit with the groups who have a knowledge, w h o h a v e information about what he is talking about, about what he is attempting to talk about,” said Abdullah, adding “with (President Donald) Trump in power now in America I am certain stuff will be coming out of America and they will be trying to influence this country and this g o vernment in targeting Muslims in this country. “And no way I am going to stand up and allow that to

happen. I am not going to allow it,” said Abdullah, who in 2015, said Trinidad and Tobago nationals who have joined the terrorist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), should be welcomed back into the country. Meanwhile, Al-Rawi said Trinidad and Tobago is still awaiting word from Turkey as to whether or not eight nationals detained in that country on their way to join the ISIS terrorist group had been charged. “The requested information is really in a number of source destination. They include INTERPOL, SO15, which is the anti-terrorism unit of the United Kingdom and very importantly the authorities in Turkey” Foreign Affairs Minister Denis Moses said that the country’s honorary consul has been in touch with those detained. “Our honorary consul in that country is in contact with them. We do not have representation beyond that level,” he added. Last August, a Turkish

Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi newspaper had reported two years ago that the Trinidad and Tobago nationals had been detained after the police nabbed a Syrian man suspected of attempting to smuggle them into southern Turkey to join the ISIS terrorist organisation. This is not the first time that Trinidad and Tobago nationals associated with ISIS have been held by Turkish

forces. In January last year, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported that four Trinidad and Tobago nationals were among 961 foreign members of ISIS captured by Turkish forces. An opposition legislator had claimed last year that 400 nationals had been indoctrinated, radicalised and trained by ISIS.

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Saturday January 28, 2017

Saturday January 28, 2017

Kaieteur News

Peru and Colombia vow to stand with Mexico after row with Trump

Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (R) and his Colombian counterpart Juan Manuel Santos attend the 3rd Binational Cabinet in Arequipa, Peru yesterday. (Courtesy of Peruvian Presidency/Luis Guillen/Handout via REUTERS) (Reuters) Peru and Colombia vowed to stand with Mexico as the country faces an uncertain economic future and grapples with a crisis with the United States just days into U.S. President Donald Trump’s ad-

ministration. Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski said members of the Latin American trade bloc the Pacific Alliance must double down on efforts to open markets and strengthen ties as they navigate the “turbulent waters” of protectionist rhetoric. Peru, Colombia, Chile and Mexico formed the Pacific Alliance in 2011 to remove obstacles to trade and orient their markets to the fastgrowing Asia-Pacific region. “Right now one of us is facing serious difficulties that are not of its own making,” Kuczynski said in reference to Mexico as he sat beside

his Colombian counterpart on an official visit. “We have to stand together on our ideals, on global trade which has done us so much good.” Though Kuczynski did not mention Trump by name, his comments were some of the first rumblings of displeasure with the Trump administration from traditional U.S. allies in Latin America. Trump has insisted he will force Mexico to pay for a wall between the two countries to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. He has also threatened to slap taxes on Mexican imports and tear up the regional trade deal NAFTA if he cannot renegotiate it to ensure more benefits for the United States. The Mexican peso has been rocked by tensions between the two countries, firming on Friday after Trump said he had a friendly phone call

with Mexican President Pena Nieto. “There are clouds of uncertainty around the world,” Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said. “We want to join the call of countries that adhere to the principles that have been so good for the world: free trade, respect for treaties... multilat-

eral solutions.” Santos said he spoke with Pena Nieto by phone on Thursday, when the Mexican leader announced he cancelled a meeting with Trump as a diplomatic crisis over the proposed wall deepened. Kuczynski, a former investment banker who spent years living in the United States, said the four countries in the Pacific Alliance represent a market of some 200 million people and that each has emerged from economic crisis in the past by opening markets to global trade.

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Saturday January 28, 2017

EU pushes to break deadlock on migration (Reuters) The European Union is looking at new proposals to handle asylum seekers arriving on its soil, hoping to end more than a year of wrangling that has undermined its unity, officials and diplomats said. EU leaders have given themselves until mid-year to come to an agreement on the stalled reform of asylum rules. They are at loggerheads over how to handle an influx of refugees that has triggered rows, notably between Germany and Mediterranean states on the one hand, and easterners Poland and Hungary on the other. German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said after talks with EU counterparts this week they were looking at a three-tier system for low, high and very high volumes of arrivals. In the first instance, the current rules would mostly apply, including a key proviso that the first EU country through which a person ar-

rives in the bloc must handle their case. This is precisely what led to the build-up of an excessive strain on the Mediterranean EU states during a 2015 influx. Hence, diplomats said of the latest proposals on the table, for times of high arrivals that rule would no longer apply. The EU would have a mix of tools from relocation of asylum seekers to other countries in the bloc, to assistance in cash and equipment, or offering expert help. “There should be a level of acceptance in every area. It’s not a question that one member state might opt out from a particular, important area,” said Carmelo Abela, interior minister of Malta, the current chair of EU meetings. GERMANY VS POLAND Around 1.5 million refugees and migrants reached Europe in 2015 and 2016, overrunning frontline states Greece and Italy, and mostly heading to the wealthy Ger-

many, Austria and Sweden. These countries called on other EU states to help by taking some of the asylum seekers in. But Poland and Hungary refuse, instead offering other assistance. Poland’s nationalistminded, eurosceptic government strongly rejects any compulsory sharing of asylum seekers. Berlin has threatened to go for majority rather than unanimous voting on the asylum reform, which would override Polish and Hungarian objections. Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit Warsaw next month to press for a deal. But the Polish government has also used pressure from Brussels and Berlin to beef up its own support among anti-migration and eurosceptic constituencies. “Germany should know that the more they push, the more consolidation they get in Poland,” one Polish diplomatic source said.

North Korea appears to have restarted plutonium reactor: think tank (Reuters) New commercial satellite imagery indicates North Korea has resumed operation of a reactor at its main nuclear site used to produce plutonium for its nuclear weapons program, a U.S. think tank said yesterday. Washington’s 38 North North Korea monitoring project said previous analysis from Jan. 18 showed signs that North Korea was preparing to restart the reactor at Yong b y o n , h a v i n g u n loaded spent fuel rods for reprocessing to produce additional plutonium for its nuclear weapons stockpile.

“Imagery from January 22 shows a water plume (most probably warm) originating from the cooling water outlet of the reactor, an indication that the reactor is very likely operating,” it said in a report. It said it was impossible to estimate at what power level the reactor was running, “although it may be considerable.” A 38 North Korea report last week said operations at the reactor had been suspended since late 2015. North Korea has maintained its nuclear and missile programs in violation of repeated rounds of international sanctions. News of the apparent reactor restart comes at a

time of rising concern about North Korea’s weapons programs, which could present the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump with its first major crisis. A report by leading U.S.-based nuclear expert Siegfried Hecker published by 38 North last September estimated North Korea had stockpiles of 32 to 54 kg (70 to 119 pounds) of plutonium, enough for 6 to 8 bombs, and had the capacity to produce 6 kg, or approximately one bomb’s worth, per year. North Korea also produces highly enriched uranium for atomic bombs and would have sufficient fissile material for approximately 20 bombs by the end of last year, and the capacity to produce seven more a year, that report said. In a New Year speech, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country was close to test launching an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) and state media has said a launch could come at any time. Trump’s defense secretary plans to visit Japan and South Korea next week and shared concerns about North Korea are expected to top his agenda.

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Kaieteur News

Super Bowl glare fixes attention on Texas ‘bathroom bill’ AUSTIN, TEXAS (Reuters) As Houston readies to host the Super Bowl, a push by lawmakers in Texas to restrict bathroom access for transgender people is raising fears the state may be unable to score future major sporting events and could lose championships on its books. The proposed measure is similar to one enacted last year in North Carolina that prompted the National Basketball Association to pull its showcase 2017 All Star game from Charlotte, while the National Collegiate Athletic Association moved seven championship events amid economic boycotts estimated to have cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The financial hit in Texas, whose economy is bigger than Russia’s and boasts one of the nation’s largest travel and tourism industries, is forecast to be much bigger. Influential business offi-

Texas state Republican Senator Dan Patrick (REUTERS/Mike Stone/File Photo) cials and activists say the legislation could also hurt the state’s ability to attract investment and is at odds with the progressive tradition of its biggest cities.

The cost of the so-called “bathroom bill,” which bars transgender people from using restrooms that match their gender identity, could run as high as $8.5 billion and result

Saturday January 28 , 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your ideas may be a little ahead of their time; don't push them, instead just continue working on development. Your partner will blow situations out of proportion. Lovers may no be truthful. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You can't do everything on your own. Get together with friends and catch up on reading and letter writing. You may win favors if you present your ideas and include your family. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your high energy and discipline will enable you to complete any seemingly insurmountable tasks. Relationships will be erratic today. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Social events will lead to a strong and stable relationship. Ask those in key positions to help you overcome the delays and to support your concerns in order to move on. You're in the mood to spend time with your lover. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Your creative input will be appreciated by your boss. Emotional matters may not be easy for you to handle. You will enjoy events that lean toward theater, art, or music today. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Join groups of a humanitarian nature. Mingle with those who can help you get ahead. Involvement in groups will be

favorable. Business partnerships will prove lucrative. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You will easily blow situations out of proportion. Your mate may be distressed if you refuse to make a commitment. You may want to clear the air where older relatives are concerned. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Don't be too eager to buy things for those who really don't deserve it. This will not be the best day for communication or travel. You may find your self in a romantic situation. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Don't let any money slip through your fingers today. Realize that you don't have to do everything yourself. Your colorful conversation may attract new mates. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may interest some of them in a service you have to offer. You can discuss your findings behind closed doors with your boss. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Be careful what you consume today. You'll be pleased with the results if you take the time to decorate your home. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Don't let opposition from those envious of your talents daunt your progress. Your tendency to take on too much will end in fatigue.

in a loss of 185,000 jobs in the first year alone, according to the Texas Association of Business, a conservative group that is the state’s leading employer organization. “It would be a blot on the reputation of the state of Texas, which many of us have been working to change,” said Annise Parker, who as Houston’s mayor from 2010 to 2016 was the first openly lesbian candidate elected to lead a major U.S. city. Parker, who served as mayor when Houston won hosting duties for Super Bowl LI to be played on Feb. 5, said by just filing the measure, which opponents decry as discriminatory, there has been damage to the image of the state that serves as headquarters for more than 50 Fortune 500 companies ranging from Exxon Mobil to grocer Whole Foods. Texas has several upcoming marquee sporting events that could be at risk if the bathroom bill, known as the “Privacy Protection Act” or Senate Bill 6, is approved. The legislation’s outcome is unlikely to be decided before the NCAA women’s Final Four basketball championship is held in Dallas this spring. But it could affect the NCAA men’s Final Four basketball championship in San Antonio next year. The NCAA declined to comment. That event’s economic impact in the San Antonio area is estimated to be $135 million, according to economist Steve Nivin at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. Other estimates run as high as $234 million. The Super Bowl is expected to bring the Houston area a net economic benefit of around $350 million, according to the Host Committee. ECONOMIC DOOM Visit San Antonio, the city’s independent convention and visitors organization, said the bill is bad for business. “Visit San Antonio is actively working with our state and regional travel and industry partners to oppose SB 6 and any other legislation that could cause San Antonio and Texas to be less competitive and welcoming,” Casandra Matej, the group’s executive director, told Reuters. The Big 12 Conference, which in December plans to hold its football championship game in Arlington at the stadium used by the Dallas Cowboys, said in a statement it was tracking the legislation and would, “at an appropriate time, discuss its impact with our member institutions.” Under the measure, local governments would not be

able to adopt ordinances dictating bathroom and locker room policies for businesses. Local governments also would be forbidden from considering those policies when awarding contracts. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, a Tea Party Republican, has said the bathroom bill is a common-sense measure that protects against sexual predators and is a top legislative priority. He dismisses concern over any economic fallout. “You have heard predictions of economic doom if we pass this bill,” he told a news conference in January. “It is just more talk from the opponents who have nothing else

to say.” The bill is likely to pass the Republican-controlled Texas Senate, but its fate in the House of Representatives is uncertain. Speaker Joe Straus, a Republican who drives the agenda in that body, has shown tepid support, saying there are worries in his San Antonio district about what would happen to the 2018 Final Four if the bill becomes law. “We should be very careful about doing something that could make Texas less competitive for investments, jobs and the highly skilled workforce needed to compete,” Straus said in a speech this month.

West Side softball quarterfinals on tomorrow The quarterfinals of the West Side 10/10 softball tournament will be contested tomorrow at Leonora Primary school ground starting at 09:30hrs. Super Power will play Super Street, Omesh XI will face Tuschen, Amazon Warriors will challenge Crossbreed

and Pream XI will tackle the winner between Marix and Fire Crew in the fourth quarterfinal. Meanwhile, Hakim Khan, Omesh Parbhu, Singh’s Block Making Est. and Nadish Welding Est. have pledged their support for the tournament.

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Ecclestone dismisses rival series rumours LONDON (Reuters) Former Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has dismissed speculation that he might set up a rival series and said he would never want to undermine the existing championship. In a statement to Reuters yesterday, breaking a long silence, the 86-yearold Briton said he wished to clear up rumours that spread after he was replaced at the helm by American Chase Carey on Monday. “I have built the championship over the last near 50 years, which is something I am proud of, and the last thing I want is to see it damaged,” he said. Ecclestone said he hoped fans appreciated that Formula One’s new owne r s L i b e r t y M e d i a , w h o completed their takeover on Monday, intended to put money back into the sport. “The new owner of the company will be able to carry out the administration of the company in a different way to the way I had, which was to produce financial results for the shareholders, the normal actions of a chief executive,” he said. “This I have done for the different shareholders over the last years and also when I owned 100 percent of the company. “I would have loved the luxury of what Chase Carey, the CEO, is able to

Bernie Ecclestone speaks to the media following the qualifying session. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif) do. I hope the F1 supporters appreciate this as Chase intends to put money back into the sport.” Ecclestone’s business model, as chief executive for outgoing controlling shareholders CVC Capital Partners, was to maximise the revenues from race hosting fees and television contracts. Liberty, owned by U.S. cable television magnate John Malone, have a longer-term vision and have said they want to grow the sport in the Americas, bring in a new and younger audience and secure the traditional European venues. Carey also wants to cut the costs of competing, and introduce a fairer

distribution of prize money so teams can compete on a more level playing field. Ecclestone has kept out of the lime l i g h t s i n c e M o n d a y, avoiding public comments about his replacement or the end of his 40year-reign as Formula One supremo. He said, however, that he was touch e d b y t h e s u p p o r t a n d thanks he had received from the people he had dealt with over the years. Speaking separately to Reuters, Ecclestone indicated he would be attending races in his new, if u n d efined, capacity of ‘Emeritus Chairman’ and advisor to the board and had plenty of other business to attend to. Talk of the Briton turning his attentions to any rival series had appeared highly unlikely from t h e outset given his age and undertakings given to the new owners. Ecclestone said Formula One would be moving to a new London base to accommodate an expanded staff and key executives, such as legal head Sacha Woodward-Hill, would be working for the new management. Although surprised to be moved asid e , a f t e r b e i n g a s k e d l a s t September to stay on for another three years, he made clear he was not ready to retire. “I’m not the retiring person,” he said.

Saturday January 28, 2017

Female players invited for trials to select Demerara team The following players are called for trials on Monday, January 30 and Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at the Everest Cricket Club ground, starting at 8:00 hours. These trials are to select a Demerara team for the GCB Women’s InterCounty 2017. Those players called to trails are: 1. Angalie Mohabir 2. Ashley Singh 3. Cassie Charles 4. Chitra Mohabir 5. Grace Ishrilall 6. Gai Singh 7. Shamika Edwards 8. Tishawn Ward 9. Sapria Sahadeo 10. Solendid Hodge 11. Mantana Cambridge

12. Nafeza Persaud 13. Gayanamattie Sawh 14. Chandraoutie Ramkissoon 15. Jessica Orford 16. Sabita Persaud 17. Yogeeta Balkishun 18. Mandy Mangru 19. Latoya Smith 20. Leana Harris 21. Hema Singh 22. Keisha Fraser 23. Loushana Toussaint 24. Hasena Mohamed 25. Sherry-Ann-Fraser 26. Abigail Scott 27. Amanda Persaud 28. Shelly Balkishun 29. Akaze Thompson 30. Odessa Oneil 31. Keysia Schultz 32. Letisha Jordon 33. Cynthia Rampersaud

Berbice Volleyball Association presentation and awards ceremony on today The Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) will be holding their awards and presentation ceremony today at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground beginning at 14:00 hrs A number of players and clubs that performed outstanding throughout the year will be recognized. Awards are expected to be presented to outstanding performers in the U15, 17, 19, 21, 23, second division and senior categories. Junior

and open females will also be awarded. Director of Sport, Christopher Jones and President of the Guyana Vo l l e y b a l l F e d e r a t i o n (GVF) President John Flores, among other senior officials from the Sports Department and GVF are also expected to be in attendance. A special award will be given to businessman, Mr. Deonarine Balram (Shane) of Rose Hall Town.

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 28, 2017

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2nd Annual Limacol Football Competition

Extra time own goal salvage draw for Ann’s Grove -Tigers beat NA United -Double-header at Leonora tonight An own goal one minute into stoppage time salvaged a draw for Ann’s Grove in their feature clash against Santos as play in the 2nd Annual Limacol Football Competition continued on Thursday night, at the GFC ground. Played before another fair-sized crowd, the East Coast Demerara-based side surprised many by their level of play and could have easily won the game if the created chances were put away. Santos, the top seed in their group, had to withstand a tough first half with Ann’s Grove dominating the possession and creating a few opportunities to get on the scoresheet. However, Santos must give credit to their goalkeeper, whose

attentiveness managed to avert several one on one situations with the Ann’s Grove strikers. Santos’ Captain Job Caesar, except for two occasions in the opening period, was kept relatively quiet due to the defensive strategy employed by the opposition’s coaching staff, and was never allowed to be of any threat. On the other hand, Ann’s Grove had a volley hit over the bar, while a fierce rightfooter on goal was pushed over the bar. The half came with the scoresheet untroubled and the fans bracing for a terrific final half. The teams did not disappoint as they both attacked with menace, before Santos took the lead

in the 66th minute through Keith caines, who was left unmarked in a goalmouth melee and he fired into the far corner with the goalkeeper stranded on the near post. Ann’s Grove, however, appeared undaunted by the setback and searched relentlessly for the equaliser, but again the Santos custodian displayed fine form and thwarted a couple of opportunities that Ann’s Grove manufactured. Nevertheless, they were not going to be denied and the goal to tie the game came in fortuitous fashion from a free kick which was hit low and the ball ricocheted off a defender and wrong-footed the keeper one minute into extra time to earn a deserved share of the points for both

Joshua Britton teams. Earlier, Western Tigers scraped a 2-1 win over New Amsterdam (NA) United with an own goal in the 3rd minute and a 9th minute strike from Joshua Britton

accounting for their tally, while Quinn Hazel’s 36th minute effort had made it an interesting fight down to the wire. However, no team was able to score after then and

the Tigers hung on to earn maximum points. Game-1 Western Tigers-2 vs NA United-1 Western Scorers Joshua Britton-9th Own Goal-3th NA Scorer Quinn Hazel-36th Game-2 A n n ’s G r o v e - 1 v s Santos-1 Santos Scorer Keith Caines-66th Ann’s Grove Scorer Own Goal-Trevor Lewis-90th+1 Meanwhile, play in the competition resumes today with a double- header at the Leonora Track facility. In the main attraction, Georgetown-based Northern Rangers tackles Linden’s Milerock and this should be a humdinger of a clash, while another Linden team Winners Connection go up against Grove Hi Tec from 18:30hrs.

Australian Law Doping-Russia withdraws named new head coach appeal against weightlifting

ST JOHN’s, Antigua, CMC – The West Indies Cricket Board yesterday confirmed the appointment of former Australia batsman Stuart Law as head coach of the men’s team on a two-year contract. The 48-year-old Law, a former Sri Lanka and Bangladesh head coach, will formally take up the post on February 15, just weeks before West Indies face England in a three-match one-day series in the Caribbean. Media reports last month had indicated Law had agreed a deal with the WICB. He fills the post made vacant by Phil Simmons who was axed five months after leading West Indies to the capture of the Twenty20 World Cup in India last April. “We are delighted to welcome Stuart to West Indies Cricket. He comes at an exciting and critical time in the development of the West Indies men’s team, with the emergence of some outstanding young talent, as seen in the most recent test series against Pakistan,” outgoing Director of Cricket, Richard

Stuart Law Pybus said. “He has great experience and breadth of knowledge as a player and coach and his cross-cultural experience and winning attitude will be key assets in the development of the team.” Law played a single Test and 54 One-Day Internationals and also campaigned extensively for English counties Essex and Lancashire. Following his playing career he served in a number of coaching roles. He coached the Australia Under-19s, was head coach of state side Queensland Bulls and of Big Bash franchise, Brisbane Heat.

Last year, he served as batting coach with the national side for the tour to Sri Lanka. Law said he was anxiously looking forward to his tenure with the Caribbean side. “I am excited at the opportunity to contribute to what I think is an interesting time for West Indies. I think this assignment has come at an important time of my career.” He is the third Australian to coach West Indies following on from Bennett King and John Dyson who both experienced troubled tenures. A WICB release said Law would be charged with gaining “improved team results while providing leadership to players and team management.” West Indies currently languish at number eight in the Test rankings and ninth in ODIs. Law is one of three top level WICB appointments announced this month, with former West Indies captain, Jimmy Adams named Director of Cricket and Englishman Johnny Grave replacing Michael Muirhead CEO.

ban - report

General view shows the building of the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, July 21, 2016. (REUTERS/Pierre Albouy) ( R e u t e r s ) R u s s i a ’s weightlifting federation (RWF) has withdrawn its appeal against a one-year ban from the sport, the Russian news agency TASS said. Russia was banned last July for breaching an International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) ruling that any country with three or more positive tests in reanalysis of samples from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics would be banned. The RWF had taken its

case against the IWL to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) which had been due to hold a hearing on Thursday. The RWF and CAS could not immediately be reached for comment. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is keeping samples from past Games for up to a decade to conduct re-tests with newer methods. Re-tests of samples from the Beijing and London Games have so far caught

more than 100 doping offenders, affecting weightlifting, athletics, cycling, swimming and wrestling. The specialist website Inside The Games said the withdrawal of the appeal followed a meeting between Russian weightlifting chief Maxim Agapitov and IWF head Tamas Ajan. CAS was due to hear appeals from Belarus and Kazakhstan against similar bans from the sport on Friday.

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Saturday January 28, 2017

Hayward, Jazz shoot past Lakers

Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles (2) celebrate with the rest of his team after taking the lead in the third quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. (Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports)

(The Sports Xchange) Gordon Hayward scored 24 points in his first game after being selected as an NBA All-Star, leading the Utah Jazz to a 96-88 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. George Hill added 12 points and Rudy Gobert chipped in nine points, 13 rebounds and a season-high six blocked shots for the Jazz. Utah (30-18) snapped a two-game losing streak and swept the four-game season

series with Los Angeles for the first time. Lou Williams scored 20 points while Jordan Clarkson and Ivica Zubac added 16 apiece to lead the Lakers. Los Angeles (16-34) lost for the eighth time in nine games. The Jazz wasted no time surging in front early. Utah scored 10 unanswered points, culminating in a thunderous dunk from Gobert, to take a 10-2 lead. Los Angeles cut the

deficit to 14-12 on a pair of 3-pointers from Young. Utah answered with a 9-2 run — fueled by back-to-back baskets from Alec Burks — to extend its lead to 23-14 in the final minute of the opening quarter. Los Angeles uncorked another rally. The Lakers took a 29-27 lead on back-toback baskets from Larry Nance Jr. and Zubac. However, Utah surged back ahead on a corner 3-pointer from Burks and a put-back

layup from Gobert. The Jazz built back to an eight-point lead, going up 41-33 on a driving layup from Boris Diaw with 3:13 left before halftime. Utah could not dig a bigger hole for Los Angeles, though, because of poor shooting. The Jazz shot just 7 of 22 (31.8 percent) from the field in the second quarter. It opened the door for another Lakers rally. Los Angeles surged ahead behind a trio of baskets from

Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) goes for a dunk against the Los Angeles Lakers at Vivint Smart Home Arena. (Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports) Timofey Mozgov. His final one, a dunk, put the Lakers up 56-52. Utah did not trail for long. The Jazz raced back in front behind an 16-0 run. Hayward fueled the run with a 3-pointer and back-to-back dunks — the second one set up by Joe Ingles’ steal. Ingles capped it all off with a 3pointer, giving Utah a 68-56 lead with 1:04 remaining in the third quarter.

Los Angeles twice cut it to four in the fourth quarter, the second time on a steal and layup from Clarkson that trimmed Utah’s lead to 8581 with 2:27 left. Hill buried his only 3-pointer of the night on the other end to stop the Lakers from closing the gap further. Hayward and Diaw each added a pair of free throws to put Utah up 93-82 with 1:04 remaining.

Williams sisters add another chapter to great sibling rivalry M E L B O U R N E (Reuters) An Australian Open electrified by the revivals of seasoned champions will bathe in the warm glow of nostalgia today when the Williams sisters contest the women’s final at Rod Laver Arena. Melbourne Park was where Venus and Serena Williams first clashed in a tour match in 1998 and nearly 20 years on, the Americans will add another chapter to tennis’s greatest sibling rivalry. In 1998, they were teenagers with cornrows and colored beads in their hair sharing in an awkward second round encounter that 17-year-old Venus won in two sets. Venus hugged her sister,

younger by a year, at the net and apologized for having to “take (her) out”. To d a y, 3 5 - y e a r- o l d Serena will bid for a record 23rd grand slam title in the professional era while Venus will strive for her eighth, and first in almost nine years. Serena drew level with Germany’s Steffi Graff on 22 when she claimed her seventh Wimbledon title last year but her crowning moment was delayed when, as top seed, she was upset in the U.S. Open semi-finals by Czech Karolina Pliskova. Serena no longer cares to talk about the record and stiffened when asked about it after her semi-final victory over Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, as if the weight of such an

achievement might prove too heavy. But a seventh title at Melbourne Park would add further credit to Serena’s claim as the greatest of all time, despite being one short of Australia’s Margaret Court, whose 24 major titles were split between the amateur and professional eras. For 13th seed Venus, her first grand slam final in eight years is already a stunning victory of perseverance in the face of her struggles to manage Sjogren’s syndrome, an auto-immune disease that causes fatigue and joint pain. Both players stormed into the semi-finals without a set dropped. However, where Serena

romped into the final with a 50-minute demolition of Lucic-Baroni, Venus needed to summon her peerless experience to fend off feisty fellow American Coco Vandeweghe in three sets. Today’s final will be the Williams sisters ninth at a grand slam and their first since Wimbledon in 2009, where Serena won in two sets. RIVALRY SHAPED GAME As tempting as it may be, to see the Melbourne Park decider as a last flickering of a rivalry that shaped the women’s game for a decade may be premature. Eras have come and gone but Serena has never left the stage, winning nine grand slam titles since turning 30.

Venus spent four years in the wilderness from 201114, a period in which she was unable to surpass a fourth round at any of the majors. But since a droughtbreaking quarter-final at the 2015 Australian Open, Venus has risen again. It took her sister to end her run at Wimbledon in the fourth round that year and again at the U.S. Open in the quarter-finals a few months later. Her semi-final run at Wimbledon last year was further evidence that Venus still has the hunger and the game to trouble the best. “I think people realize this is an amazing job, so it’s best to keep it,” she said of her longevity. Whether she can still beat

the best will be decided on Saturday, where she will bid for her first Australian Open title, 14 years after her only other final at Melbourne Park ended in a three-set loss to her sister. Serena, who holds a 1611 winning record over Venus over their careers and leads 6-2 in the grand slam finals, is favorite to win but knows better than to underestimate her sister’s competitive spirit. “She’s my toughest opponent — nobody has ever beaten me as much as Venus has,” she said. “This is a story. This is something that I couldn’t write a better ending. This is a great opportunity for us to start our new beginning.”

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Kaieteur News

Nadal wipes tears away to reach final at Melbourne Park M E L B O U R N E (Reuters) It took nearly five hours of grueling tennis for Rafa Nadal to fend off Grigor Dimitrov and book a dream Australian Open final against Roger Federer but before Melbourne Park the Spaniard endured a season of heartache and doubt. So having edged Dimitrov 6-3 5-7 7-6(5) 67(4) 6-4 i n a n e r v e shredding marathon to reach his first grand slam final since the 2014 French Open, an exhausted Nadal allowed himself to reflect on a “tough” year. Shut out of the grand slam semi-finals for two years, Nadal felt at rockbottom at Roland Garros last year where the nine-time champion was a shock withdrawal after the third round, his injured wrist finally giving way after

being propped up by painkilling injections. “I a l w a y s h a d t h e confidence that if I am able to win some matches, then anything can happen,” Nadal told reporters. “But last year was tough. When you feel that you are playing very well and you have to go from Roland Garros without going on court, I remember myself crying in the car coming back to hotel. “That was a tough moment.” Although sidelined from the game, Nadal spent time off the court productively, opening his tennis academy in his home island Mallorca in October with the help of Federer, who he will meet in a ninth grand slam final on Sunday. The pair were supposed to play an exhibition match

but Federer was also hobbled by a knee injury. “No, in that moment, for sure we never thought that we had the chance to be, again, in a final, and especially in the first of the y e a r, ” h e s a i d . “ I t ’s happened. “Both of us I think worked very hard to be where we are. It’s great. It’s great that, again, we are in a moment like this and we going to have a chance again to enjoy a moment like this.” Ninth seed Nadal will face 17th seed Federer in a Melbourne Park final for the first time since 2009, when he defeated the Swiss master in five sets, bringing tears to his great rival’s eyes. The 30-year-old will bid for a 15th grand slam title, with 35-year-old Federer going for his 18th. Dimitrov, who earned the

Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning his Men’s singles semi-final match against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov. (REUTERS/Issei Kato) nickna m e ‘ B a b y F e d ’ early in his career for the similarity of his game to the Swiss master, p r o v i d e d n e a r- p e r f e c t preparation for the heavyweight clash. Nadal has a 6-2 winning record against Federer in

grand slam finals but the Spaniard dismissed it as irrelevant. “(That) was a long time ago,” he said. “I really don’t think about what happened in the past. I think the player who play better

is going to be the winner. “ I t ’s g r e a t . I t ’ s exciting for me and for both of us that we still there and we still fighting for important events. So that’s important for us, I think.”

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Saturday January 28, 2017

Wounded Jaguars need to show fight Face unbeaten Marooners today

Leon Johnson

By Sean Devers in Barbados In Association with Bounty Supermarket, Vnet Communications, Life Time Reality & Ming’s Products & Services Today at the Kensington Oval unbeaten Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) Marooners face-off with the wounded Guyana Jaguars who have lost both of their matches played and will be looking to desperately claw their out of

Shivnarine Chanderpaul a hole to finally register their first points in the tournament. The contest commences at 13:30 hrs and will the third day/night game for the South American Franchise in a row and should have the advantage of playing under lights tonight. The track at Kensington is one of the better ones in recent times, with pace and bounce but full of runs especially for teams that bat

first in the natural light. The outfield is immaculately manicured and lightening fast but so far only Skipper Leon Johnson who made 55 in the opening game but a duck against Jamaica and the walking run machine and consummate professional Shiv Chanderpaul with 101 in his only game, have reached 50 for the Guyanese. Chanderpaul will be motivated by the fact that he

Police Youth Clubs to play integral part in Annual Desmond Dorsett Memorial event The multitude of police youth clubs across Berbice are expected to play in a major role in the seventh Annual Desmond Dorsett Memorial Road race classic and Family Fun Day. The event which will be held tomorrow is being organised by the Dorsett family of Leeds, Corentyne Berbice. The event which will be held at various venues on the Corentyne is expected to attract the cream of young athletes in the Ancient County, since a number of them are members of the various Police youth clubs in the Police B Division Berbice. Speaking to the media, C o o r d i n a t o r Wa v e n e y Dorsett stated that she had a successful meeting with Divisional Commander Assistant Commissioner Ian Amsterdam and his top brass including Deputy Commander Errol Watts and sub divisional Officers of the three police

subdivisions. The police have given their full commitment to be a part of the day’s activities. The Guysuco Training Centre under the leadership of Levi Nedd has also given a commitment to be a part of the day’s activity. The day’s event is expected to begin with a road race starting at 08:00 hrs. It will be held in three categories- male and female Open, U 19 and U15. The Senior and U19 athletes will cover a distance of five KM, beginning at the No43 village. While the U15 and the females will begin their segment at No 47 village. They will all finish at the popular No53 Sports Complex Corentyne. Attracti v e p r i z e s , which will be presented to the top finisher in each category, include cash incentives, trophies, T shirts, ribbons and other memorabilia. Certificates

of appreciation and participation will be presented to all participants. Once again the top finishers from the Leeds, No51, Union, No53 catchment areas are expected to be presented with special prizes. Following the road race a fun day will be held at the No53 Sports Complex beginning at 10:00hrs and will include athletics, softball cricket, volleyball, football, Circle Tennis and dominoes. A number of novelty events and ring games are also expected to be a part of the day’s programme. Proceeds from the day’s activities will go towards charity. Interested persons can make contact by telephone numbers 3394475, 339 4133 and 339 4436 for further information. Individuals and teams are asked to register by today. (Samuel Whyte)

Steven Jacobs needs only 32 runs to pass Floyd Reifer’s 2,878 runs to become the leading run scorer in regional 50-overs cricket. The 42-year-old feels conditions at the ‘Oval’ are good for batting if you understand how the build an innings. “I felt good batting but we kept losing wickets and if we had more partnerships at the top we would have won,” said Chanderpaul after his second ton at this level to go with his 11 in ODIs. Chasing 250 in 50 overs the Jaguars started in horror fashion and were hanging on for dear life before Chanderpaul and Raymond Reifer added 77 for the fifth wicket to start the repair but Reifer, all-rounder Steven Jacobs and wicket-Keeper Anthony Bramble all failed to build on good starts. Shemron Hetymer is arguable the most exciting young batsman in the region and is still learning about the importance of good shot selection and the value of patience as an opening batsman, while Assad Fudadin seems be to caught in two minds; to buckle down bat through the innings or to try to score quickly. Johnson, Fudadin and Heytmer were beaten for pace and bowled in the last match and need to adjust to the faster track here if they hope to give their team a good start. That’s the difference with Chanderpaul. He quickly assesses conditions and plays to suit them as his 101 from 96 balls with 12 fours and a six showed. He needs one more century to Join Sarwan, Floyd Reifer, Gayle and Keith Atherton with three centuries and two

more to match Brian Lara who has the most regional 50-over tons and he is again expected to be the glue that holds the Jaguars batting together. Chris Barnwell, back in the team after missing the first match due to a hand injury, again failed at the Regional level despite his obvious talent and dominance in local cricket. He came to the crease with 42.4 overs to bat and the patience of even his diehard fans must be growing thin. Jacobs, who was batting confidently before he hit his wicket, was the best bowler in both matches and his 20 overs of off-spin have only conceded 56 runs. Test legspinner Devendra Bishoo has been the most disappointing with his 19 overs going for 132. Permaul and Reifer have bowled well in spurts but have both been expensive, while Beaton has bowled with genuine pace but has served up too many lose balls. The CCC have been beaten by Guyana six times but after an upset win against Jamaica, followed by another victory against the ICC Americas, the Marooners sit at top of the points table. The students should be brimming with confidence and hunt only their second win in eight matches against Guyana to remain on top and further dent Guyana’s hopes of qualifying for the semis in Antigua and lifting their 10th title and first in 12 years. In the two matches so far

Ryan Hinds

the Jaguars lacked grit, determination and fight, things that Chanderpaul, the oldest player in the tournament possesses. The Guyanese have scored 250 plus totals three times against CCC. But all three were made at Providence and today they will know anything less than 260 will give CCC a great opportunity to win. For that to happen Skipper Jamal Smith, Amir Jangoo who made 52 against ICC Americas, Kyle Corbin who scored an unbeaten 47, Vikash Mohan, and Cassius Burtonas made 38 not out as CCC reached 184-3 to win by seven wickets, will have to fire with the bat for CCC, while veteran Ryan Hinds, the only player with 1000 runs and 60 wickets in regional one day cricket can also contribute with the bat. Christopher Powell, Keon Harding, Jermaine Levy, Nino Henry, Hinds, Mark Deyal and Vikash Mohan will need to be good with the ball and once again there will be live Radio commentary on NCN Radio.

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 28, 2017

GOA backs GSA for Commonwealth Games 2018

Vice President of the GOA Charles Corbin (right) presents the cheque to President of the GSA David Fernandes in the presence of GOA head K. Juman Yassin and General Secretary Hector Edwards. The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has supported the Guyana Squas h A s s o c i a t i o n (GSA) in their quest to medal at the C o m m o n w e a l t h Games set for Gold C o a s t , A u s t r a l i a in 2018. Vice President of the

GOA Charles Corbin on Thursday a f t e r n o o n handed over a cheque for the sum of $1.5m which will aid in the preparation of the team, to President of the GSA David Fernandes at a simple ceremony held at the GOA office in High Street. Head of the GOA K.

Juman Yassin said that another such presentation will be made shortly and he hoped that it will boost their chances. President of the GSA Fernandes thanked the GOA for their input. “We have some overseas as well as some local players and we intend to help them

with their preparation. Some of the best players in the world compete at the Commonwealth Games so it is difficult to say how well we will do, but with our assistance which is important we hope that they can make us proud,” he said.

PAGE 35

One more team added to Anamayah Memorial Basketball competition As competition continues tomorrow with one more game, the Hopetown Stealers of West Coast Berbice have been added to the list of teams participating in the annual Anamayah Memorial Basketball Competition in Berbice. After first indicating their unavailability to be a part of the competition the team from the West Coast Berbice have now indicated that they are ready to participate. Six teams are now in the competition with the teams now divided into two groups. Defending Champions Fyrish Bl a c k S h a r k s , Rose Hall Town Jammers Basketball Club and Hope Town will now make up one group. While the two New Amsterdam teams -Smythfield Rockers, New Amsterdam Wa r r i o r a n d I t h a c a Hardliners of West Bank Berbice makes up the other group.

The competition continues tomorrow with rivals New Amsterdam Warriors and Smythfield Rockers matching skill from 16:00hrs on the Vryman’s Erven Basketball Court. The competition began last Sunday with the improving Rose Hall Town Jammers sinking defending Fyrish Black Sharks 43-35 in a keenly contested encounter. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals, where the winner will play the runner up of the other group. The two winners will then contest the final and the losers play for third place. At stake in the competition will be cash and other incentives for the winning and runner-up teams and other outstanding players. The tournament has been organised by sport enthusiast Vibert Garnett. (Samuel Whyte)

Warner becomes No. 1 ODI batsman, Azam breaks into top 10 ESPNCRICINFO Australia batsman David Warner has leapt to the top spot in the ICC ODI rankings, a result of a sensational run in the format since the start of 2016. Warner has scored 1755 runs in 28 ODIs since early last year at an average of 65 and a strike-rate of 106.94, including nine hundreds and four fifties. Warner became the No. 1 ODI batsman for the first time in his career, overtaking AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli. He capped the home ODI summer with a career-best 179 off just 128 balls in the fifth match in Adelaide, leading Australia to a 4-1 series win against Pakistan. Warner also won the Allan Border Medal for the second consecutive year and bagged the ODI Player of the Year title at the function, too. “It is a huge year for one-day cricket with the ICC Champions Trophy later this

year and I am hoping I can take my good form into that tournament and help Australia lift the trophy for the third time,” Warner said.Pakistan batsman Babar Azam broke into the top 10 for the first time, gaining five spots to finish tenth. Azam also had a stellar year in ODIs: he has struck 938 runs in 16 games since the start of 2016, including three consecutive hundreds against West Indies in October. Azam became the jointfastest batsman to 1000 ODI runs, reaching the landmark in 21 innings, equaling Sir Viv Richards’ record. He also became only the second Pakistan batsman to hit an ODI century against Australia in Australia, when he struck 100 in the fifth game in Adelaide. In the ODI bowlers rankings, Australia quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood

The top five in the ICC rankings for ODI batsmen © ESPNcricinfo Ltd made significant jumps after the Pakistan series. Starc moved up to second spot, from fourth, after picking up 15 wickets in the home ODI summer. In seven matches, he returned an

average of 19.06 and an economy rate of just 4.67. Hazlewood jumped five places to fifth spot. He took 13 wickets in seven ODIs at an average of 23.46 and an economy rate of 4.70.

After their 4-1 series loss against Australia, Pakistan continued to remain in danger of failing to directly qualify for the 2019 World Cup. They are currently in eighth place, two ranking

points behind Bangladesh. Hosts England and the other top-seven sides as on September 30, 2017 will receive direct qualification for the event.

t r o Sp

Williams sisters add another chapter to great sibling rivalry Serena Williams of the U.S. serves during her Women’s singles semi-final match against Croatia’s Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. (REUTERS/Edgar Su)

Venus Williams of the U.S. hits a shot during a practice session before her final against sister Serena. (REUTERS/Jason Reed)

2nd Annual Limacol Football Competition

Extra time own goal salvage draw for Ann’s Grove d e t i n U A N t a e b -Tigers t h g i n o t a r o n o e tL a r e d a e h e l b u -Do Part of the action in the clash between Santos and Ann’s Grove at the GFC ground on Thursday evening.

Wounded Jaguars need to show fight Face unbeaten Marooners today Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210