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Kaieteur News
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
LET US PRAY It appears that the government was dealt a bad hand because since taking office, Guyana has been experiencing one crisis after another. Everyone must pray to help the nation overcome them. Everyone must pray that the economy improves; that commodities prices rise; that remittances increase; and that there be a reduction in imports, joblessness, poverty, the national debt and crime. People also want to see an end to the drought, which is destroying the country. These are all very serious problems; prayers are needed to help the nation cope with them. The government is also faced with a number of other challenges in the agriculture, health and education sectors as well as fixing the dilapidated infrastructure inherited from the last government. The nation must pray for an end to murders and violent crime which have invaded the homes of many people across the country. Illegal drugs and alcohol abuse which rage against the innocence of youth in and out of schools. Gun violence and gangs are almost in every community. These forces of darkness and evil are threatening the nation’s morality, dignity and its survival. The people must unite to defeat them and not succumb to the fear and threat they present to society.The biggest challenge facing the government right now is the fear of disappointing the people, but prayers will help the government conquer its fears. Guyana is a deeply religious society with 57 percent of the population being Christians and 28 percent are Hindus. However, Christians are a God-fearing group of people who like Hindus and Muslims believe in prayers which are needed to help the government solve the nation’s problems. Gun violence and murders have shed enough blood on the nation’s soil and enough people have been traumatized by the criminals who preyed on them day and night. The nation must pray for this to end. All must stand strong in unity and remain bold in faith, courage and prayer. Prayer is a freedom guaranteed to all by the Constitution and is the divine right given to all humanity. The opportunity to pray is a privilege, honor and sacred duty to those who believe in it. Prayers could become the nation’s primary defense against evil and wicked deeds. Some say that a society that prays will strive and flourish; one that does not is destined to fail. Guyana needs prayers; its leaders need prayers, therefore everyone should pray for the country and its leaders so that in times of crisis, they would have the wisdom, courage and strength to respond quickly and effectively to each situation. The nation must pray for the empowerment of its citizens to do their part financially, physically, emotionally and spiritually to support all who have been affected by poverty, tragedy, crime and discrimination. Prayers encourage people to turn over a new leaf, comfort the poor and down-trodden and those who are experiencing tough times due to no fault of their own. It is true that the wealth of a nation is not measured only in terms of its high economic output, or the quantum of expensive houses or luxury vehicles, but rather by the strength of its spirituality. Therefore, all of Guyana’s religious, social, cultural and political groups must join in prayer to bring sanity to the nation and end the murders, suicides, rapes, domestic violence and child abuse that have been plaguing the country. This will not be an easy task, but it must be done. It may not be completed by this generation, but it must continue undeterred. The government has to revive the communities to join in this exercise, remembering that time is not on its side. As a nation, everyone must make a commitment to pray daily for the development of the country, for the well-being of all its people and for a blessed and prosperous Guyana.
Saturday January 30, 2016
Letters... Where your views make the news
This tender of pharmaceuticals needs a probe DEAR EDITOR I believe there is a need for some investigative research that a responsible newspaper like yours needs to do as it pertains to the current tender. It is my opinion that this tender is needs an investigation 1. Why is it a requirement for bidders to bid for 100% of items per lot? I will explain what is meant by a lot. Bear in mind no single manufacturer makes all the products that may be required. Thus in the example below a manufacturer of Diazepam may not make Phenobarbital. How does this help in ensuring the best quality? Will the award be made to only one bidder per lot? Can you please Google this product below and determine if it is not banned - popular names are Baralgin tabs and Analgin injection. Why is this out to be tendered? Please continue to expose all the problems that beset this country. Vishnu Dyal
Guyana sends its apan jaat thing to Hollywood DEAR EDITOR, I believe this topic and how it plays out here in Los Angeles has relevance to Guyana and indeed any multi-ethnic society. For the second year in a row the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has nominated an all-white cast (20 performers) for the annual O s c a r a w a r d s . T h e c e r e m o n y, considered the greatest razzle dazzle in television broadcast, will take place on February 28. As is usual, millions around the world will watch the spectacle in high definition. The controversy over the all-white nominees is raging in Social Media (#OscarsSoWhite). On the ground the most notable voices are those of director Spike Lee, actor Will Smith, and his actress wife Jada Pinkett Smith. Comedian Chris Rock (for the second time) will host the proceedings. He was asked to give it up but is staying and will revise his script to reflect the issue.Noteworthy too is that Whoopie Goldberg did not lend her voice to the protest.
The Academy has over 6,200 m e m b e r s . T h o u g h n o o ff i c i a l demographics are kept, an unofficial report just a few years ago found that whites were 93%, males 76%, and the average age 63 years. Clearly these numbers do not reflect the diversity of the movie consuming public. One saving grace is that the selections were made by the actors branch of the Academy, which has 1,333 members and that branch is much more diverse than the overall institution is. Yet one wonders, was any core principle breached in the all-white selection? Were the selectors totally colorblind? Were their choices based exclusively on excellence and merit? If there were deficiencies in the aforementioned departments, then certainly there would be cause for concern. And if so, the next question would be, which of the 20 white performers are undeserving. And it doesn’t end there. The follow-up question would be, which non-white actors should take the white
actors’ places. Do you see where this is going? And let us not forget, cinema is a high art form. Just like painting, music, literature, etc., you don’t want to set strictures, limits, and other forms of encumbrances. The Academy is not like a government department. It is not sustained and supported by public funds. I don’t think it is beholden to reflect the diversity of the general populace, even voluntarily. More importantly, it must first and foremost promote the art of filmmaking. In so doing, it will become diverse because the soaring talent of ethnic peoples will not be held back. It happens to be too a for-profit business. What is sellable will hit the market regardless of the shade of its makers. In response to the outcry the 51member Board of Governors of the Academy held an emergency meeting to address the matter. At that meeting it was resolved to double the membership of women and (Continued on page 23)
Pirates of the commercial parapets DEAR EDITOR, I refer to the article titled “City underlines by-laws for building operations” (SN January 24). After an eternity of excesses and misdeeds, this is encouraging news. I ascribe it to a forced, first-time interest in clean business practices, probable spiritual renaissance of some there, and tentative evolutions in the ethical. Like I said –it is a welcomed development. But some questions linger and must be tabled: What about
what went before? What about that which has shrunk the busiest thoroughfares of an already squeezed capital? What about that which endangers everyone and none more so than hapless pedestrians? And here is the clinching question: What is planned to be done to reclaim parapets and pavements, and roadways, too? Editor, I do hope that the thinking and decisions are not (repeat not) to grandfather those abominations, those perils to life and limb, those galling examples of lawlessness, those
numerous instances of visible palpable corruptions in the midst. They need to be corrected, particularly where they took away the streets. Those must be taken back from the reckless precipitance of commercial buccaneers. Further, it would be even more encouraging to read of City Hall remedying the situation through purging itself of compromised personnel (might be the whole place), and reversing the illegalities that flourished and still prevail. GHK Lall
Saturday January 30, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Sam Hinds asserts that Smelly air and moldy carpets at the CJIA Lincoln Lewis was/is wrong DEAR EDITOR Mr Lincoln Lewis in a letter to the editor carried in KN and SN of Sunday 24th, January 2016, in referring to the announced intended closure of Wales sugar estate presented again his views that our PPP/C administration of 1992 to 2015, in our reworking of our bauxite sector, was inhumane and violated workers’ rights enshrined in various laws including the Guyana Constitution. The facts tell a different story. I have challenged Lincoln’s views before: please allow me some space to do so again, to refresh the memories of some and to inform others for the first time. We were humane; we respected the rights of workers and were concerned about the future prospects for the workers and the communities, Guyanese all. President Jagdeo and members of the Government met with the officers of the unions and workers from time to time, in Georgetown, in Linden and in Everton and Kwakwani. I attended and spoke at a number of annual seminars held by Messrs Lewis and Kim Kissoon (Chairman of Linmine Board) with the theme, “Where to, Bauxite?”. Everyone was aware that there were changes coming. Lincoln writes in paragraph 7 of 8, “The arbitrary decision of the Government to shut down Linmine and Bermine …” The decision was not arbitrary and there was no break in bauxite operations. Specifically, in the case of Linmine the PPP/C met an agreement between the outgoing PNC administration and the group of supporting countries and institutions which required that the international manager, MINPROC, funded by the supporting group, be allowed two years to manage Linmine in their best judgment, then they would pronounce whether LINMINE could be made profitable or not. If so Linmine was to be sold and if not it was to be shut down forthwith. In 1994 MINPROC proclaimed the latter, it could not see profitability for LINMINE - but we(PPP/C) did not proceed to shut down Linmine. We could not be and were not inhumane to fellow Guyanese working in bauxite. We had to reconfigure the
operations whilst arranging to satisfy all the benefits of the workers. The companies had to be reorganized to match the new (reduced) prospects for sales, taking all opportunities for improving productivity and hence for lowering costs. Over the many preceding years of insufficient money in LINMINE, the payments to the workers saving scheme, GRA personal income tax, NIS, company pension scheme were in arrears and needed to be reconciled with the various agencies. It required more than Guyana 2. 5 billion dollars and two years to satisfy all of these. In the case of BERMINE, it was completely run down. As things turned out, ALCOA bought out Reynolds inheriting the joint GOG/Reynolds operation at Aroaima. ALCOA informed the Government that it had no need for the Aroaima operation, but they were willing to hand ABC/AMC to the Government for US $1, along with conditions which essentially implied that GOG would keep the operations going for another two years. Again we reorganized to minimize costs and losses/ subsidies and meeting all that was required for workers. BERMINE was merged into ABC/AMC which was in better condition with better prospects. In time, as we hoped, the two reorganized operations attracted credible interests and were privatized. In such circumstances the better approach is to end the existing company and start a new company in a new book. Termination benefits had to be and were paid to everyone and a good number of the 3000 so terminated were rehired the following day. Our PPP/C administration was as humane and as generous as it could be. Mr. Lewis criticizes again a number of our decisions/ judgments at the time: (i) Breaking up the savings scheme and pension plan. We decided to end the savings scheme and the pension scheme - many workers wanted their monies for various reasons. Also, the cost of maintaining the pension scheme to the
passing of the last member would eat up a great part of the scheme particularly when account is taken that there was an average inflation of about 100 between when money was put into the scheme and when administration costs had to be paid. G-O-G had no rights to hand over the workers’ monies to others. We said, “Go to the workers. We will hand the money to the workers, and then they would invest themselves directly in any way/fund as they may be persuaded”. (ii) Concerning the eventual privatization of the bauxite operations, we maintained/ subsidised them through a number of invitations to privatize, until there was in our judgment, credible offers. Thus, recall the cooperation in the Linden area were privatized firstly to OGML/CAMBIOR and when they collapsed we accepted the only offer OGML / CAMBIOR were willing to accept, that of BOSAI (the operations would have been abruptly closed otherwise). In the Berbice River we accepted the offer of RUSAL. Today in a very difficult world trade situation, BOSAI and RUSAL are continuing core operations. (iii)With respect to the alternative offer for BERMINE we could have been wrong, but taking account of the condition of the plant, the bauxite/alumina/ aluminium as well as the nonmetallurgical businesses, we did not think that, that proposal was credible. As I recall Mr Lewis’ proposals were not well received by a number of workers at a meeting he held in Everton. It is certainly not true that we (PPP/C) did not look to develop alternatives for bauxite communities. We worked with EU/ SYSMINS for a third multilateral intervention, LEAP, proposing and progressing initially a programme of some EURO25 million which included much needed physical infrastructure (upgraded Linden-Ituni-Kwakwani road and Millie’s Hideout to Wiruni on the Berbice river). In later reviews within the EU, (Continued on page 23)
DEAR EDITOR, Please permit me a space to write this letter in your newspaper to put forth my personal observation about the cleanliness of the Cheddie Jagan International Airport. I am a regular traveler to North America and every now and then to a few Caribbean countries so I spend a lot of time passing through the CJIA. However, I’m disappointed at the way the airport is being kept since, the floors as well as the washrooms are from my opinion not of international standard and it should be since this is the first place persons touch down when visiting for the first time or like me travel regularly. Further, I had a few times to visit persons that are employed by the airport and the conditions aren’t much better in the office area.
The carpets are not kept properly and it smells of insecticide and moldy despite you may see a cleaner brushing the carpet. Now with the previous administration, the same thing was happening but I’m surprised that this current administration hasn’t observed that there needs to be improvement in the cleaning and maintenance of this important place. We want to expand on tourism but this matter doesn’t speak well of what tourists will think about our country when they encounter this. So I’m calling on the Chief Executive Officer of the Cheddie Jagan “International” Airport to look into this matter since it’s not a good reflection on the people in charge and certainly not a good reflection on our country. Business woman (name supplied)
Wife appeals to the police force for her husband
DEAR EDITOR, Kindly permit me space in your column to express my hurt so our country and beyond can know the truth. I am the pregnant wife of a police officer and what my husband faces in the Guyana Police Force is unbearable injustice. As a police constable in the Police Force in our country once you are not highly favoured none of the authorities listen to your pleas, not the Office of Professional Responsibilities (OPR) or the police welfare. In February 2015 my husband and his colleague were under investigation for an alleged offence. They were both escorted to the Tactical Service Unit at Police Headquarters under heavy police siren as if they were some notorious bandits and placed in the lock up for five days breaching their rights even as civilians. I met with several authorities after which I settled for a fair investigation to be carried out by OPR. My husband’s arrest was later made open and he remained at TSU for duties from that time to date. It took OPR months for that minor investigation to conclude and don’t let me mention the amount of push around and man handling that we both faced trying to get answers. About ten months later we were made to understand that the investigation has been completed and the files with advice from the Director of Public Prosecution has recommend that my husband and his colleague be charged departmentally for neglect of duties since according to the
investigation conducted, the station sergeant who made the allegation was actually covering her own self since her retirement was close. That was never done. Instead the sergeant retired happily and these two police constables remained at TSU, troubled with the financial situation of travelling from far location to get to work. Despite their numerous pleas to be placed to their division since they are both family men, no one would listen to them. Recently my husband went to the officer in charge for transfers and humbly explained to her that his wife is pregnant and was diagnosed with severe high blood pressure. He is there-
fore seeking her permission to be returned to his division or closer to home so he can take care of his wife in any emergency situation. We produce a medical certificate of his wife’s condition requiring bed rest with only an eight year old child in the home. The officer advised my husband what steps he should take to secure that transfer at the same time informing him that she doubt whether the force will ever send him back to his division. So far we have not been replied to. Editor my concern is where else can these police constables go for someone to listen to them? Wife of police constable (name submitted)
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Saturday January 30, 2016
Finance Minister unveils $230B Budget By Kiana Wilburg A $230 billion budget for 2016 was presented to the National Assembly yesterday by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan. The budget which is 20 percent larger than last year’s expenditure, provides the building blocks for transforming Guyana’s economy to one that is strong and adaptable, said the Finance Minister. Jordan noted that for last year, Guyana achieved a three percent growth rate as opposed to its target of 3.4 percent. He said that while the economy suffered last year, with Government’s cautious management, it is on the rebound. “In 2015, perhaps for the first time in recent history, all of the country’s key industries - sugar, rice, bauxite, gold and forestry - found themselves in various states of distress. Even remittances upon which so many of our people depend, was a victim of the slowdown in the world economy.” “However, this young Government’s prudent management of the economy, including timely policy interventions, saw the economy’s growth trajectory continued; that there were no reported job losses; and, as was evident in the last two months of 2015, the business community’s confidence had been restored. “This must come as a bitter disappointment to those in the Opposition and elsewhere whose forecast of gloom and the ‘tanking’ of the economy did not eventuate.” Minister Jordan is nevertheless hopeful that the economy will grow by some 3.4 percent for 2016. The Finance Minister also noted that the total revenue collected was $161.7 billion, 11 percent more than in 2014. Notwithstanding the increased revenue, in 2015, Jordan said that the Guyana Revenue Authority remitted an estimated $47.1 billion. While this figure is substantially lower than the $55.6
billion remitted in 2014, he said that strenuous effort will be exerted in 2016 to monitor concessions that are granted. In keeping with the direction in which Government is seeking to steer the economy, Jordan said that he chose the theme for the 2016 budget to be, “Stimulating Growth, Restoring Confidence: The Good Life Beckons.” Jordan said that this theme highlights the imperative of growing and ‘greening’ the economy in an atmosphere of renewed hope and expectation for an improved quality of life of the citizenry. As has been the practice, Jordan said that the 2016 budget benefitted from widespread consultations with private sector organizations, trade union bodies and women groups, among others. He said that for the first time, youth representatives from all 10 administrative regions were invited to participate in shaping a national budget. He said that he was particularly encouraged by the discussions with the nation’s youth as they gave a firsthand understanding of many of the issues that are of immediate concern to them. “They brought with them, refreshing perspectives and inspiring thoughts that resonated with the ‘fresh approach’ which the Coalition Government has been advocating. It is an approach we commend to the Opposition who, though invited to budget consultations, found it inconvenient to attend,” Jordan said. PERFORMANCE OF THE ECONOMY IN 2015 The Finance Minister noted that the manufacturing sector achieved a growth rate of 5.3 percent. He said that this was driven by growth in the sugar and rice industries, as well as other manufacturing. He said, too, that growth was returned in most subsectors, including Transport and Storage, Electricity and Water, Information and Communication, Financial and In-
surance and Social Services. He said that negative growth was recorded in Construction and Wholesale and Retail sub sectors. With regards to inflation, the Finance Minister said that at the time of the mid-year review, last year, the economy had already recorded deflation, which is a reduction in the general level of prices, of 0.2 per cent. He said that prices were expected to remain fairly stable to the end of the year. This he said, is premised on
nation’s 50th Independence celebration. Notwithstanding the allocation for the specific events surrounding the imminent celebrations for Guyana’s 50th Anniversary, Budget 2016 caters a sum of $300 million in support activities in this regard. Last year, Government invested $2.5 billion in the ICT sector. This year, Jordon said that Government proposes to invest through the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), about $3.1 billion for the ICT Access and E-Ser-
House that inadequate transport linkages across Guyana have increased production costs, making many of our products uncompetitive in world markets. He said that limited road, water and air access across Guyana has obstructed Guyana’s ability to fully exploit the abundant opportunities in our tourism and natural resources sectors. The Finance Minister noted that skewed transport road network development systems have thwarted the
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan the continued low level of prices for fuel and a range of consumer items, as a result of the removal of the Value Added Tax (VAT). He said that deflation persisted throughout the year and by end December, it had been recorded at 1.8 percent. INVESTMENTS / NEW PROJECTS/ SECTOR ALLOCATIONS The Finance Minister told the House yesterday that among the many projects planned for the development of the Hinterland region, the Government will be investing over $4 billion, in support of the Plan of Action for Hinterland Development. He said that in excess of $280 million has been allocated to promote economic prosperity, tourism development and preserving cultural identity. This sum, he said, is inclusive of grants for 211 Indigenous communities that will build village economies and fund eco-tourism projects specifically for the
vices for Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities Project. He said that the project will provide infrastructure, equipment, hardware and software, so as to enable access to quality ICT, training and e-services, including distance learning, with particular focus on our vulnerable groups. In the 2016 budget, Jordan said that Government is also putting forward $20.3 billion for the agricultural sector to create an economic environment in which farming and agro-processing operations can grow the economy and create employment. Jordan said that in excess of $598 million is allocated to enhance diversified agriculture in the hinterland, riverain communities and the intermediate and Rupununi savannahs. With regard to the infrastructure sector, Jordan said that the absence of well-developed infrastructure has impeded the country’s development in several ways. The Parliamentarian told the
creation of employment opportunities in areas outside of the coastland. He said that sub-optimal infrastructure in housing settlements has prevented the development of sustainable communities. As such, Jordan said that Government has allocated a total of $14.4 billion to continue the upgrade, expansion and rehabilitation of Guyana’s network of roads and bridges. He said, too, that among other projects allocated for this sector, the government is finalizing negotiations with the Government of China for the construction of the East Coast Demerara Highway, from Better Hope to Belfield. Jordan said that in collaboration with the InterAmerican Development Bank, the government will, this year, conduct studies and designs for an improved East Coast Demerara Railway Embankment Road, entailing the construction of bridges between Sheriff Street and Mahaica;
the upgrade of the current embankment road, from Sheriff Street to Enmore; and the extension of the embankment road, from Enmore to Mahaica. “Additionally, we will be investing over $5 billion to reconstruct Sheriff Street to facilitate improved traffic safety features, including pedestrian overhead crossings at strategic locations,” he added. With regard to the energy sector, Jordan said that Government will invest $2.5 billion in initiatives to improve the Guyana Power and Light (GPL)’s operational management capabilities. He said that Government is currently examining a number of un-served areas with a view of providing electricity to residents in those excluded communities, so as to improve living conditions. Last year, Government spent $1.6 billion to expand and rehabilitate the water supply and distribution systems across the country. For the first time it saw over 1,200 residents receiving potable water in Ann’s Grove, Angoy’s Avenue and Friendship. Jordan revealed that another $4 billion has been allocated this year to improve and expand access to water across Guyana. In Housing, Jordan noted that in 2015, Government expended $1.9 billion on infrastructural improvements in housing schemes. Additionally, 74 turn-key homes were built and over 4,000 land titles distributed. The high rate of possession of these turn-key homes and lots, he said, indicates that new home owners are eager to realize their dream of home ownership. Government will continue with infrastructure works in existing housing schemes, including the installation of electricity and provision for potable water, he said. The Finance Minister said that new housing developments will commence in areas such as Perseverance, Stewartville, Cummings Lodge, Prospect, Williamsburg and Amelia’s Ward. “In the hinterland regions, we will spend over $644 million, to expand the Hinterland Housing Project, which will provide housing subsidy and the replacement of roofs in Regions One and Nine,” expressed the Finance Minister.
Saturday January 30, 2016
Kaieteur News
Syrian opposition to go to Geneva as peace talks open Syria’s main opposition group agreed to travel to Geneva, where the United Nations on Friday opened peace talks to end the country’s five-year-old war, but said it wanted to discuss humanitarian issues before engaging in political negotiations. On the ground, opponents of President Bashar alAssad said they were facing a Russian-backed military onslaught, with hundreds of civilians reported to be fleeing as the Syrian army and allied militia tried to capture a suburb of Damascus and finish off rebels defending it. U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura had invited the Syrian government and an opposition umbrella group to Geneva for “proximity talks”, in which they would meet in separate rooms. Until the last minute, the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) had refused to go. The group, which includes both armed and political opponents of Assad, had insisted it wanted an end to air strikes and sieges of towns and the release of detainees before talks could start. Late yesterday, the HNC said it was going to Geneva, having received guarantees that its demands, outlined in a U.N. Security Council resolution last month, would be met, but it made clear its engagement in the process would initially be limited. “The HNC will go to Geneva tomorrow to discuss these humanitarian issues which will pave the way into the political process of negotiations,” spokesman Salim alMuslat told the Arabic news channel al-Arabiya alHadath. The HNC said it had drawn up a list of 3,000 Syrian women and children in government prisons who should be released. SUNDAY MEETING De Mistura opened the talks yesterday by meeting the Syrian government delegation. He said that while he had not yet received formal notice that the HNC would attend, he expected to meet its delegation tomorrow “They’ve raised an important point of their concern, they would like to see a gesture from the government authorities regarding some kind of improvement for the people of Syria during the talks, for instance release of prisoners, or some lifting of sieges,” de Mistura said. But he added this was a human rights point and “not even an issue to negotiate”,
and had strongly suggested the best way to get such measures implemented would be to start negotiating in Geneva, by proxy or directly. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry had made a major push to get the HNC delegation to Geneva, and the group said he had contacted it by phone to urge it to attend. “Secretary Kerry has been in touch with all of his counterparts, including this morning with (Russian Foreign Minister) Sergei Lavrov ... and with others, trying to find a way, a formula, in which we can urge the delegation or some version of the delegation to show up here,” a senior U.S. official said. The Syrian government delegation, headed by United Nations ambassador Bashar al Jaafari, arrived at the talks on Friday afternoon but made no statement. Another major force, the Kurds who control much of northeast Syria and have proven one of the few groups capable of winning territory from Islamic State, were excluded from the talks after Turkey demanded they be kept away. The Kurds say their absence means the talks are doomed to fail. GOVERNMENT MOMENTUM International diplomacy has so far seen only failures in a 5-year-old multi-sided ethno-sectarian civil war that has killed more than 250,000 people and driven more than 10 million from their homes while drawing in regional states and global powers. De Mistura’s two predecessors both quit in apparent frustration after staging failed peace conferences. Since the last talks collapsed in 2014, Islamic State fighters surged across Syria and Iraq declaring a “caliphate”, the United States and its
European and Arab allies launched air strikes against them, and Russia joined in last year with a separate air campaign to support Assad. Moscow’s intervention in particular has altered the balance of power on the ground, giving strong momentum to government forces and reversing months of rebel gains. The Syrian military and allied militia are seeking to build on gains in western Syria, and have turned their focus to opposition-held suburbs southwest of Damascus. The aim is to crush rebels in the district of Daraya to secure the nearby military airport at Mezzeh, said Rami Abdulrahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the conflict with sources on the ground. Rebels had rejected a government deadline for them to withdraw from the suburb of Mouadamiya - home to 45,000 people - by Friday, said Abu Ghiath al-Shami, spokesman for rebel group Alwiyat Seif al-Sham. More than 500 families had fled, he said. “They are suffering a shortage of food, medicine, milk - there is no power, nothing,” he said, adding that 16 barrel bombs had been dropped on Friday. A Syrian military source denied the use of barrel bombs, which have been widely documented in the war, and accused the opposition of exaggerating the conditions. “There has been progress by the army in the last days, some successes particularly in the Daraya area,” the source said. Rebels say the fighting is of more concern to them than the fate of the negotiations. Asked about the future of the talks, Shami told Reuters he was “a bit busy” dealing with the fighting.
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Saturday January 30, 2016
Clamp down on drones, laser lights
Trinidad Express - The Ministry of National Security is clamping down on the use of aerial drones being operated by people to record personal and public events. The Ministry has also advised against the use of laser lights, which can interfere with a pilot’s ability to land an aircraft safely. Owners are being told to register the drones with the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA). The United States last month issues a series of regulations regarding the use of drones, including that users had to register, with criminal penalties of up to three years in jail, or up to $250,000 in fines. The following is the statement issued by the Ministry of National Security It has come to the attention of the Ministry of National Security that Unmanned Aerial Systems, commonly called drones, are be-
ing used in a manner that can cause danger to persons and property and may invade the privacy of persons. The Ministry of National Security is calling upon all members of the public, including all visitors, to exercise caution and avoid operating such devices over public buildings and spaces. The public is advised that in keeping with the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Act, there are certain areas which are designated as No Fly Zones. The public is strongly encouraged to avoid operating drones in those areas as they may cause harm and injury to authorised users within the Zones. These No Fly Zones will be published in the media for the information of the public. As we seek to promote the safety and security of the public, the Ministry of National Security in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority (TTCAA) is calling on
all persons owning or operating a drone to visit the TTCAA to have the drones registered, in keeping with current arrangements to address this issue. The public is asked to observe the following: • Drones should not be operated in any open air function or mass public gathering. • Drones should not be flown at a height greater than 121 metres or 400 feet above the ground. • Drones should not be operated in a manner that may endanger persons or property. • Drones should not be operated within 5 kilometres from any manned aircraft operations including the boundary of the Piarco International and ANR Robinson International Airports. The shining of laser lights during aircraft landing or taking off is strictly prohibited by law. Persons caught so doing will be arrested and may be prosecuted in the Courts.
Haiti faces growing crisis as election chief resigns
Port-au-Prince (AFP) The chairman of Haiti’s electoral council has submitted his resignation to President Michel Martelly, a week after presidential and legislative elections were indefinitely delayed. Pierre-Louis Opont said in a letter dated Thursday that events beyond his control had “prevented me from carrying out my mission, which was to conduct elections meant to permit Parliament to return on January 11, 2016 and an elected president to be installed on February 7, 2016.” Opont’s resignation, following that of four of nine other members of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), renders the panel impotent. More than a dozen elec-
Pierre-Louis Opont toral offices in the Haitian provinces were torched or attacked late Thursday or early yesterday. On January 22, less than 48 hours before polling places were set to open for a second round of presidential and partial legislative elections, the head of the CEP had an-
nounced their indefinite postponement, citing “obvious security concerns.” That delay prevented the CEP from pursuing an electoral process already deeply decried by the opposition and civil society groups. In the first round of presidential voting on October 25, the ruling party’s candidate, Jovenel Moise, officially won 32.76 percent of the vote, to 25.29 percent for Jude Celestin, who denounced those results as “a ridiculous farce.” In the two months since, the opposition has staged repeated demonstrations to protest the results. The new cancellation plunges Haiti into uncertainty and risks leaving a power vacuum on February 7.
Saturday January 30, 2016
Kaieteur News
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‘Disappointing, anti-development and anti-poor’ Budget 2016 - Jagdeo By Abena Rockcliffe The budgetary measures outlined yesterday by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, are not in the best interest of Guyana. They are not going to result in restored confidence in the government; they will not stimulate growth and will certainly not generate any real benefits for the poor, said Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. Jagdeo said that there is disconnection the budget objective and the policies and measures in place that are suppose to realize those objectives. Jagdeo said that he and colleagues arrived at a consensus that the Budget is “antidevelopment and antipoor.” The former President said that there was not a single measure outlined that will result in the enhancement of productivity. Jagdeo said that Minister Jordan basically ignored the rice industry while falling back on a promise the government made to the sugar industry. Jagdeo recalled, “The Prime Minister, in New York, told the people that his government will be giving $12B to the sugar industry.” Pointing out that the GuySuCo COI report had also recommended that GuySuCo will need at least $12B to cope, Jagdeo
said that it is a real disappointment that only $9B dollars was allocated. The former President said that there was little budgetary measure to assist the mining industry. “He (Jordan) spoke about increased production and about the two new gold mines that came into being. But both of them were projects developed under the PPP.” Further, Jagdeo said that there was nothing highlighted for construction or manufacturing and very little was said about plan for tourism. Almost jokingly, Jagdeo said, “This government’s big idea, its primary tool to attract more visitors is the cleanup campaign; that is supposed to be a big attraction.” The opposition leader said that the only thing the government pointed out to promote its much touted “green economy” was a $40M allocation for a building to house Environmental Protection Agency. Nothing for the poor Jagdeo told the media that the measures outlined in the budget reflect nothing for the poor. He said that the pension was improved by “just $1,200, a tiny sum.” Jagdeo looked passed the fact that this “tiny sum” came just five months after the last increase was given. However, he noted that
Dem boys seh...
People can’t believe Jagdeo This nation really need a proppa opposition, one that can mek de people believe de words that coming out dem mouth. De present opposition was in govt fuh 23 years. It do everything under de sun and on earth. Dem was so good that today dem deh in de opposition and is Jagdeo, that scamp got dem deh. He was de one that bring VAT and mek everything went sky high in this country. Dem poor people holler, cry and bawl just fuh Jagdeo and dem other scamps reduce de VAT. Jagdeo lef office and Donald Dumb tek over. De Dumb, in his campaign, tell de nation that if dem give him a chance he gun reduce de VAT. That is how he barely get in de govt. He get kick out and de VAT still remain de same way. Months into de new govt and de way Jagdeo, that scamp, and he Pee Pee Pee followers behaving fuh chop de VAT you would believe anybody who don’t know de truth would believe that de new Coalition Govt are a set of heartless SOBs. Dem boys want to know how can any Guyanese, more so de Pee Pee Pee supporters believe anything that come out from Jagdeo and de Pee Pee Pee mouths. Is only after de elections people get fuh know who was de real owners of de Berbice Bridge and who was calling de shots and setting de price fuh dem poor people fuh cross de bridge. Is only de other day dem boys learn how much dem use to pay fuh drugs wha does give away fuh next to nutten. Jagdeo friend who use to bring in de drugs, when questioned seh that he job is fuh call price and who want it can tek it. Well dem boys got a slang fuh he. Dem seh he can come and reverse in front of dem and if he want it he can tek it. He can bring Ravi de Devil. Talk half and find a new opposition.
the Finance Minister added last year’s pension increase to this year’s pension increase in order to reflect an increase of 29 per cent. Jagdeo said that the increase cannot compensate for the loss of subsidies that pensioners suffered when the new administration cut all the subsidies for utilities. The opposition said that there was no increase in wages and salary and “a slight rise in threshold that will make no difference. There is really nothing for the poor.” Jagdeo claims that there is great deal of “special interest” that was paid to certain areas, to benefit “certain people.” He pointed to the policy to promote new car imports and said, “That will benefit a
few dealers, not the ordinary man.” Jagdeo then said, “The good life cannot start with this budget.” The politician stressed, “It will not help poor people. It will bring greater hardship. When you ban used tires you are affecting those people that sell used tires as well as those who cannot afford used tires.” The former president said that he anticipates that the Private Sector will further lose confidence in the government, “I also anticipate a greater degree of capital flight. We will lose investments. This budget cannot stimulate investment.” Better off if… Despite the fact that he said that there has been an
excessive amount of “repackaging,” meaning that the government copied many projects that were the brainchild of the PPP government, Jagdeo said that the government would have been better off if it had had meaningful consultation with the PPP. “They would have been better off if they had a serious discussion with us and followed our plans to policy... they could have run a larger fiscal deficit.” Jagdeo laughed at the fact that many of the projects that the government had opposed while in opposition are now being implemented. He pointed to the Specialty Hospital, the airport expansion project, the hinterland road project and the hinterland air-
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo strip project. He said that the only good things in the budget are those that reflect what PPP had already started. He said that the government is now looking to “reassess Amaila.” Jagdeo also said that the government erred in not focusing enough on the sectors that generate wealth.
Cops detain businessman in footballer, associate abduction probe -investigation at ‘crucial stage’ says Crime Chief A Parika, East Bank of Essequibo businessman, was in custody last night, as the search intensified for abducted Alpha United goalkeeper, Ronson Williams, and carpenter Carlos Anderson. Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum made this disclosure last night, while stressing that the police were now “at a critical stage” of the investigation. He also declined to comment on the possible fate of the missing men, or the motive for their abduction. He did reveal that a Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara man, who investigators had detained has been released. Meanwhile, police are reportedly still trying to locate Gary Mervin Primo, called ‘Gary Talkout’, in relation to the abduction of Williams and Anderson. There are reports that Primo is overseas. Williams, 28, and Anderson, 20, are said to have disappeared on September 10, 2015, after entering a silver-
Ronson Williams Carlos Anderson
WANTED: Gary Mervin Primo called ‘Gary Talkout’ grey car in Bent Street, Georgetown. They had informed relatives that they were heading to a football match. One suggestion is that their disappearance may be connected to a sum of money that one of the men had bor-
rowed. Williams’s mother, Desiree Carter, said that her son came to her Bent Street home that evening and collected two pairs of pants and a jersey. He also indicated that he was going to a girlfriend in Sophia before heading to the football match. She has not seen him since. Carter said that she re-
ported the matter to the police since September 15, last, while Carmelita Pestano Anderson, the mother of Carlos Anderson, reported the matter on September 13 at the Alberttown Police Station The family is offering a reward for any credible information pertaining to the disappearance of these two youths. Contact numbers are 592-678-1907 or 592-697-7738.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday January 30, 2016
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
A creeping caricature Mr. Aeshwar Deonarine was the Deputy CEO (Administration) of GPL when an audit revealed that he was awarded $27.4 million in retroactive increase in salary that on the surface appeared to be an illegal transaction. The alleged criminal act by Deonarine had sufficient validity in the eyes of the relevant authorities to remove him from active duty. It was widely reported that Deonarine agreed to repay the money. This discovery was made in July and days
after Deonarine accepted repayment had to be done. Then Mr. Deonarine left Guyana. This week, Mr. Deonarine was charged for the alleged financial crime. Little enthusiastic boys and girls are stopped at the airport after a perusal of the database shows that they were on student loans and cannot leave unless given permission. But Deonarine was allowed to leave. My sources told me he left with a one-way ticket. If this crass incompetence occurred when the PPP was
ruling, the opposition criticism would have reverberated all over Guyana. And the PPP Government would have resented press reports of it being referred to as an incompetent regime. Let’s move to a painful tragedy. The death of intelligence officer Pyle and his wife and an innocent driver is an unbearable burden for this poor country. Mr. Pyle leaves to mourn two small children which one would hope the State looks after until they have graduated from Univer-
sity. It has been revealed that Mr. Pyle was sent to approach members of Winston Brassington’s family out of the belief that an illegal act was being committed. Mr. Pyle was sent to the wrong address and approached persons that did not belong to the family of Brassington. It turned out that high state intelligence personnel did not know the house that Mr. Brassington lived at in Kingston. But social activist Mark Benschop did years ago. We were outside the construction site of Marriott picketing the Chinese company for not hiring locals. Mark Benschop decided that the NICIL boss, Brassington, was the one responsible for bringing the Chinese company so he staged a one-man picket outside Brassington’s home. That was about three years ago yet state intelligence did not know where one of the most controversial public officials in Guyana lived. Can this be deemed macabre incompetence? If it is then it gets more bizarre and the tragedy of the Pyle family gets more painful when the Guyanese people are informed about where Brassington was the past seven months. Winston Brassington was drowning in tempestuous waves of alleged scandals
since 2008. By the time Jagdeo had demitted office, the opposition APNU-AFC described Brassington as one of the architects of Jagdeo’s financial edifice. TheAPNU-AFC opposition in and out of Parliament pursued Brassington for financial activities that according to them violated the laws of the country. This same hunted man was accepted by his hunters for seven months. He stayed in his office and worked for his hunters for seven months. After these seven months, the police raided his office to stop the removal of incriminating evidence. Evidence that Brassington had in his control seven months after the Coalition came to power. If on coming to power, Brassington was immediately interdicted and investigated Mr. Pyle and his wife and that innocent driver in the threeway smash up would have been alive today. There is another dimension to the creeping caricature that is coming out of the new government. Carvil Duncan was charged with Deonarine and they were only charged because they refused to pay back the money they allegedly ripped off from GPL. So while little boys and girls who work as clerks in the civil service are hauled before the courts for stealing petty cash
Frederick Kissoon from the state, two senior state officials would not have been placed before the courts to make restitution but would have been allowed the niceness of depositing their payback cheques at GPL’s front desk. Now here is the thing that interests me. If the police had issued a notice to be handdelivered to Brassington’s home instructing him to visit CID at Eve Leary, what address would have been on the envelope? If the police had charged Brassington, to which address would the summons have gone to? In relation to Mr. Duncan, he is on a number of Service Commissions and therefore will have to step down until his court matter is completed; but will he? And if he does not will the creeping caricature extend its tentacles and we will see a man on the Judicial Service Commission making highly important decisions for the Judiciary at the same time he is on trial for stealing public funds?
Saturday January 30, 2016
Kaieteur News
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GTUC denies agreeing on unified Police issue wanted bulletin May Day rally with Minister Scott for bank robbers The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has denied it agreed to participate on a single May Day rally. In a Government-issued report issued on Thursday, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, is reported as saying that the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) – have agreed to work towards have a unified May Day rally. For the past decade, both union bodies have been holding separate rallies- FITUG at the National Park and GTUC at the Critchlow Labour College. But GTUC yesterday said that it never had discussions with Scott on a unified May Day rally, normally celebrated on May 1, every year. GTUC said it was informed via letter dated January 26, 2016 and signed by Francis Carryl, Labour Consultant, that Minster Scott has concluded his consultation with the trade unions, and through his interaction on one of the main issues, was his initiative for a unified May Day Rally in 2016. “Consultation does not constitute entertaining and running with any idea that requires the support of another and arbitrarily making and issuing decision on behalf of the other. This pattern of behaviour must be brought to be an end in public engagement or this nation will continue to lurch from one problem to another, with none being solved, and resulting in increased tension and polarisation. Time-honoured principles and laws guiding engagement are public and accessible. GTUC calls on the Minister to abide by these,” GTUC said yesterday. The body insisted that it had no consultation with the Minister on the issue of May Day. GTUC insisted that it never had any consultation with the Minister, on any issue, since the latter assumed
GTUC’s General Secretary, Lincoln Lewis
Minister Keith Scott
the portfolio. “GTUC dispatched a letter to the Minister on January 8, 2016 requesting engagement with him to discuss matters of import to workers and that of mutual interest of the government and the trade union.” At the Minister’s invitation for a meeting with the GTUC on January 12, 2016, a delegation attended. “At this one and only meeting the Minister made it known that the meeting was called to introduce and acquaint himself. The GTUC took the opportunity to raise issues pertinent to the labour movement and workers and was advised by the Minister that the meeting was not for such purpose.” GTUC said it remains committed to meeting with the Minister to pursue serious conversations in furtherance of the workers’ agenda and the role and responsibilities of his Ministry in this regard. “There are burning issues affecting workers (organised and unorganised). Teachers, government, bauxite, forestry and sugar workers in the private and sectors have pressing grievances Minister Scott is aware of and it is still to be seen what effort, if any, is being made to resolve them.
Government is urged to take its cue from workers’ agitation and rumblings.” The government’s notion of a unified May Day Rally in the absence of ensuring the workers’ rights are upheld and laws respected would make a mockery of such pursuit, GTUC said. “Guyanese (workers and citizens) are required to unite around the Laws of Guyana and this is what GTUC seeks. May Day events, from the inception, have never been organised by any government (colonial or independent) or the Minister of Labour. These workers’ events have always been planned and executed by the trade union movement. The movement shall not cede its duty and obligation.” GTUC said that both government and the trade union movement are bound to ILO Convention No. 87 that speaks of the trade union’s right to self-determination and the non-interference of government. “Government has to be ever mindful in the discharge of its duties that it does not engage in actions and seek support for actions that are in violation of laws, conventions, tenets and international protocols.”
The police are hunting for two men who they believed were part of a gang that staged a brazen robbery at the Bank of Baroda branch, located in the Mon Repos Mall, East Coast Demerara (ECD) two Fridays ago. Yesterday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) issued a wanted bulletin for Shawn Harris called ‘Shawny’ or ‘Bruk up’, and 27-year-old Tomothy Asher Morrison, whose last address was listed as Lot 40 Bougainvillea Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD). At around 12:50 hrs on January 22, last, four men-one armed with a firearm entered the bank and held up the lone female security guard and relieved her of her .32 service revolver before turning their attention to the teller on duty. The men escaped in a waiting motor vehicle with more than $2M. Three persons, including the person who allegedly made a fake number plate for the getaway car, were subsequently arrested and charged for the robbery. They are Sean Anthony Aaron called “Ninja” or “Ratty” of Lot 317 North East La Penitence, Georgetown; Kennard Jabar, 28, of Lot 88 Freeman Street, East La Penitence and Ian Campbell, 39, of Campbellville. They were charged with the offence of robbery under arms and remanded to prison until February 9 by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. One of the three men cracked under intense interrogation and detailed their plan to detectives. According to a police source, the men planned the
WANTED: Shawn Harris WANTED: Timothy Asher Morrison robbery at a house in North East La Penitence, the day before it was executed. That very day, they went up to Mon Repos and carried out surveillance of the bank along with the possible getaway routes. ”They had someone feeding them with information from up there,” the source said. Satisfied with their plans up to that point, the bandits went to a tint shop two Fridays ago where they obtained false licence plates, which they fitted on to the silver grey car they were using to commit the robbery. They eventually mobilized in the city while awaiting a telephone call from a person who was staking out the bank. On their way they covered their faces with cloth before storming the bank. After disarming the security guard, the bandits grabbed the cash from a canister and placed it into a pillow case
before fleeing in the waiting car. The two captured bandits told investigators that they drove west to Beterverwagting, two villages away, and dropped off one accomplice. They then went to the North East La Penitence home of one of the gang, where they counted the stolen cash before proceeding to split up the loot. ”They said that the money for the man they drop off at BV was left with his relative,” the source told Kaieteur News. Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Shawn Harris and Timothy Asher Morrison are asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 229-2289, 229-2557, 229-2700 to 3, 2269941, 225-6411, 911 or the nearest police station.
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Kaieteur News
Saturday January 30, 2016
Business Minister calls for more local interest in oil discovery
Govt. sacks GGMC head
Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, is encouraging all local private sector operatives to ensure that they become fully aware of the many opportunities presented with the recent oil discovery in Guyana. He made this appeal through an invited comment on Thursday while noting that an oil industry brings with it opportunities galore for the private sector. Himself along with other ministers toured the Kingston shipyard that is housing the hardware that are to be used in ExxonMobil’s second drilling exercise slated for start before March this year. Minister Gaskin said as far as he is aware the formal private sector organizations are up to speed with what is unfolding and are showing an interest however, the same cannot be said of other local businesses. “I think a lot more businesses should be trying to get as much information as possible about what may be some of the economic created by having a large multinational company exploring or producing offshore.” Noting the importance for more businesses to get involved the Minister said, “I’m encouraging all Guyanese to be prepared and to keep our fingers crossed” While the days are counting down to the drilling of another Oil well in close proximity to the one which Exxon Mobil had drilled and which led to the discovery in
Minister Dominic Gaskin after a preliminary tour of the onshore materials holding area at the Wieting Richter Ltd wharf, leased by John Fernandes on Water Street. Guyana the Minister of Business also expressed excitement at the possibilities for Guyana’s business sector. “I’m excited and very enthusiastic about the opportunities that an oil discovery such as this could offer to a country like ours. It has transformative potential for our economy and much more if things work out the way we hope.” Last May, Exxon
Mobil announced that that there is oil to be had from Guyana. Being satisfied with this discovery some 110 miles offshore Exxon Mobil is once again preparing to drill yet another well. This one is to be drilled close by the location where the first reserve was found and should help to ascertain how wide and how deep the reservoir is within the Stabroek block.
Almost two months after sending the Head of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) on leave, Government yesterday announced it had terminated Vieira’s service. The fate of Commissioner Rickford Vieira was hanging in limbo after the previous GGMC Board of Directors, headed by Clinton Williams, declared that it had lost confidence in him. He was sent on leave by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, in early December, pending a review of his performance. Trotman earlier this month, said that it was likely that a decision on the Commissioner would have been made by this month end. According to a statement of the Ministry yesterday, “After careful consideration and advice, the Ministry of Natural Resources has decided to act on the recommendation of the Board of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and terminate the services of Rickford Vieira as Commissioner of the Commission.” The Ministry said that it believes that the decision is the best approach at this time with a new Board of Directors of the Commission soon to be inducted. The new Board was announced earlier this month and is to be headed by prominent city businessman, Stanley Ming. “The new Board members have the confidence of the Ministry to charter a new course for the Commission which for years has been dogged by corruption allegations and a beleaguered pub-
Minister Raphael Trotman
Sacked: Commissioner Rickford Vieira
lic image,” the Ministry said yesterday. “Mr. Vieira would have served the Commission for some years and the Ministry takes this opportunity to wish him well in his future endeavours. In the interim Mr. Newell Dennison will continue to act as Commissioner of the Commission.” GGMC, the regulator of the country’s mining sector, has been under more scrutiny in recent years as gold rose to become one of the biggest foreign currency earners for the country. It steadied to regain top spot last year. GGMC, however, has been under pressure after it came to light that there were allocations of mining lands under questionable circumstances. Several foreign companies as well as non-miners have reportedly been benefitting. Members of GGMC’s
Board as well as several prominent persons benefited in the last few years from prime lands with small miners insisting that the process was flawed and that GGMC has been heavily corrupt. Vieira himself has been clashing with the previous Board of Directors. GGMC had attempted during the last administration to transfer $3B to the Central Housing and Planning Authority for housing projects. However, the transaction was blocked after it came to light. GGMC’s responsibilities have taken new significance, with oversight also of the emerging oil and gas industry. Guyana last year learnt that ExxonMobil has discovered a significant deposit of oil in waters offshore Georgetown. The country is now preparing to deal with the discovery.
Saturday January 30, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Man accused of ‘Vendetta’ Murder accused remanded to jail killing walks free Shawn Barrow, who was accused of murdering Kellon Hinds over a ‘vendetta’ last year, yesterday walked out of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts a free man after he appeared before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore. On August 31, last, in East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, it was alleged that Barrow, 23, of Lot 8 East La Penitence, murdered Hinds aka ‘Baige’. The Magistrate dismissed the matter and granted the accused his freedom on the grounds that seven witnesses testified that he (Barrow) was at Royal Castle at
the time of the crime. According to reports, the vendetta started in June 2004 when Hinds, an East Ruimveldt resident, was robbed of gold jewellery and shot. Sherwyn Barrow, another East Ruimveldt resident, was charged in connection with the attack on Hinds. The matter was dismissed after the alleged victim declined to give evidence in court. However in May 2015, Sherwyn was reportedly gunned down in broad daylight while sitting outside a shop in ‘Warlock’, East
Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Last August, police detained Hinds in connection with Sherwyn’s death. Hours after police released him, gunmen walked into an East Ruimveldt yard where he was hanging out and riddled his body with bullets. Shawn, a relative of the slain Sherwyn, was charged with the murder. Last year, the prosecution file was transferred to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice. Yesterday, however, the court heard that seven witnesses had testified on behalf of the accused that he was at the fast food res-
MURDERED: Kellon Hinds taurant Royal Castle at the time of the murder. The Magistrate granted Barrow his freedom.
IDB sponsors youth training as part of crime fight
The Ministry of Public Security, with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), hosted a workshop on Thursday, at the Guyana Marriott Hotel. It was aimed at improving the provision of relevant employment and self-employment skills training for youths. This workshop formed part of a Technical Cooperation Agreement support for the implementation of Guyana’s Citizen Security
Strategy. This grant-funded project is closely related to the US$15 million Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) that was launched on Monday. This workshop represented IDB’s commitment and support to reducing crime and violence in Guyana and the region through community-based activities focused on youths. The Citizen Security Programme (CSP), which pre-
Spare the jaguars, GSPCA tells Lima Sands folk A decision not to kill the jaguars was taken after members of the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals met with residents on Wednesday. The animals continue to put the lives of Lima Sands residents at risk. They kill their livestock and other animals. Residents said the jaguars were spotted again Wednesday night. They are forced to secure their homes by 6:30PM every
evening. The jaguars, they claim, have ventured from the savannahs in search of food and due to the prolonged dry spell. Imprints of the jaguars’ feet were visible in Lima Sands and Mainstay. The endangered animals have since devoured ten goats, three dogs and other domesticated animals including ducks and parrots from residents of Lima Sands and Mainstay. (Yannason Duncan)
dates the CSSP, resulted in 1,377 youths trained in technical, vocational and entrepreneurial skills in Regions Four and Six. The end of project evaluation report indicated that 75 per cent of youths trained by the programme gained employment. Under this grant agreement, a total of 800 youths will receive training. The workshop brought together local providers of technical, vocational and entrepreneurial skills training in one room to share knowledge and map current training efforts taking place in Guyana so that country resources, both financial and human, can be utilized effectively. Other objectives of the workshop were to address key challenges faced in providing effective skills training to youth; identify ways in which stakeholders can collaborate; and a look at best practices that relate to Guyana’s local environment. The workshop provided an opportunity to discuss psychosocial support, counselling and personal development skills training to youths among relevant organizations and allow for effective and practical coordination so that
vulnerable communities are better served. Specifically, the output of this workshop will serve to inform activities of the CSSP, including: initiatives in various Guyanese communities that specifically address risks associated with interpersonal violence, social and gender norms, and parenting; specific activities to improve behaviours for non-violent conflict resolution in target communities; the community needs assessment that will be conducted to further guide interventions tailored to community needs; and the labour market needs assessment that will guide actions on vocational and remedial education, job-readiness, job seeking and job placement, entrepreneurship, mentoring and literacy programmes.
Murder accused Phileman Boodhoo, called Kevin, 19, of No 63 village Corentyne Berbice was on Friday remanded to jail on a charge of murder. Budhoo is accused of murdering money changer Mohamed Fizal Mahmood Baksh, called ‘Sugar Cake’, 56, of No 63 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. He appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh and was not required to plead to the indictable charge. The incident is alleged to have occurred between December 21 and December 24, 2015 at the Number 63 Beach, Corentyne, Berbice. The man was remanded to jail until February 15, next, when he will reappear in the No. 51 Magistrate’s Court to which the matter has been transferred. Inspector Godfrey Playter presented the State case. The accused has retained prominent Attorney at Law Mursalene Bacchus. However, Mr. Bacchus was not present in court due to other matters in the High Court. The accused had turned himself over to Mr. Bacchus who subsequently turned him over to the police in New Amsterdam. Boodhoo who looked unconcerned in court was arrested on Thursday last, one month after he managed to flee to Trinidad. This was following the discovery of Baksh’s body in a bushy section of the No. 63 Village, Corentyne foreshore. Baksh was reported missing three days earlier. After he was arrested, the suspect confessed to the crime. He reportedly told investigators a tale of how he
lured the money changer to the beach with the sole intention of robbing him to take care of personal debts. The suspect claimed that he was pushed into the act after he defaulted on a loan he had taken from a commercial bank last October. He was desperate for cash, since the guarantor for the loan was constantly pestering him. He had contacted the money changer and told him that he knew two people who wanted to change large amounts of foreign currency and he was willing to take Baksh to them at Number 64 Village on the Corentyne. The suspect subsequently returned with a car and picked up the money changer to take him to the ‘clients’. However, when he picked up Baksh, he told him about a slight change in the arrangement; instead of meeting the clients at Number 64 Village, they were to meet them at the Number 63 Beach. At the beach, both Boodhoo and Baksh exited the car and began walking towards where they were supposed to meet the persons who wanted to change foreign currency. Boodhoo reportedly dealt Baksh several blows to his head, causing him to collapse to the ground. Boodhoo allegedly then rummaged through the mortally wounded man’s pockets and removed all the cash he had before returning to the rented car. He allegedly counted the money and found it to be $600,000.
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Kaieteur News
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SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana Passport application. Graphics design, Advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Building Construction, house plans & estimates, floor sanding, lacquering & painting, boat for Santa Mission –Call: 650-4362 Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezersCall:629-4946 or 225-4822 Mahadeo Construction for all construction, carpentry, masonry, pluming, painting etc. Free estimates and plan Contact # 669-7376 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Building Contractor: drawing of house plan, general home maintenance, free estimatesCall: 216-0671; 692-0267; 6928464
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DRESSMAKING Turn your flair for fashion into an exciting career or hobby. Enroll Now –Call: 626-2629; 676-6312
1 Mechanic welder to work in the interior, interested persons can call 625-5136 on Mon-Fri between 8am-4pm. Live in home aid needed in Peters Hall: 1 week on, 1week off, must be 45plus- $13,000Call: 667-2535 5 Years and older, experienced truck driver (sand pit). Contact: 626-8003 Salesgirls, porters and security guard. Apply with written application at Lot 1E Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellville. 1 bond clerk to work in factory from age 25 & older; must have working experience & a valid police clearance. Call: 223-0090 Live in waitress must have secondary education, courteousness & honesty is a must. Call: 610-5043 Experienced washbay attendants, living in Georgetown. Call: 646-8748 1 Able body male- porter/ clerk- Call: 225-2313; 226-1497
1 Driver- apply at Technical Services; 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles. Office Clerk; apply Avinash Complex, Water Street Georgetown. Call: 226-3361; 227-7828, Grove E.B.D & Annandale E.C.D Male security, male desk staff, room attendants, between ages 25-45yrs @233 South Road, Lacytown- Call: 2250198 Hicks Ville Hotel: Receptionist, Hotel Attendant, Washer/Presser, Bell Boy. Email: info@hicksvillehotelguyana. com/call:231-0951 Vegetarian Gardens: driver/ salesman. E-mail: info @ vgiworld. com/ call:223-3448; 227-7714 Senior accounts clerk; apply in person at Alabama Trading Geogetown, Ferry Stelling. One experienced room maid. Call or text Sheik on 621-9759 or Donald: 673-4628 Security Officers, apply in person. Massey Security (Guyana) Inc, Lot 0 Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Call: 225-5773-6 Internal Security: Must Be Literate, 3 Years’ Experience, A Valid Police Clearance -Tel# :227-5195 Hairdressers, nail technician, barbers, also hair & nail stations available for rental location: New Market StreetCall: 638-1106 Popular East Coast Gas Station Day/Night: pump attendants, sales clerk & office assistant. Contact: 6694755; 695-9880, Non-Pareil Drivers/Salesman to sell bakery products- Call: 2541399; 627-2515 Cook to prepare cutters $16,000 weekly and waitress. Free accommodation, preferably from country area- Call or whatsapp: 661-8802 One Admin assistant to work @ reputable auto shop, must have background in accountancy & be over age 25. Call: 618-9260 MASSAGE Happy Touch Day Spa: Come & Experienced heavens touch, visit us today! –Call: 690-6079 The Gent’s Spa: Deep tissue & 4 (four) hands massage: Angel, Tiffany and Alicia. Call: 689-5056
Saturday January 30, 2016
SALON
VEHICLE FOR SALE
- Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals and Black Opal - Cosmetology Courses - Nail Technician Course Call: 647-1773/660-5257
1- Toyota Belta; lady driven $1.8M. Call: 647-1773
Earn a Certificate in cosmetology, nails, wig designs & hair cutting etc. Classes commencing February! Register Now! Call: 666-5241; 619-7603
STAR CARS AUTO SALE: 30-06 PREMIO, 03-07 FIELDER, NEW RAUM, IST, BLUEBIRD, AXELA, PITBULL. CALL: 679-3140; 268-3509 Noah & Voxy: unregistered & fully loaded -$1.7M (black, white & silver). Call: 603-9700 Honda Accord, 2003, leather, TV, DVD, radio, 35,000km, like new, price negotiableCall: 689-1194
LAND FOR SALE ONE 50FTX80FT HOUSELOT WITH FENCE @ MON REPOS (MARTYRSVILLE) E.C.D, PRICE -$3.9M NEGOTIABLE. CALL: 2200538/645-2395 (JOEL)/ 629-5300 Double lot 9950 Sq. Ft @ Republic Gardens, Price $25M (negotiable). Call: 6247686 Westminster Major Road$1.8M, Onderneeming $1.5M, Dairy (100ftX50ft) $2.8M & Pafaite Harmonie with foundation & structure -$2.6M. Call: 604-2207; 6117223 Land in Diamond -$5M, Parfaite-$1.5M, $2M, Schoonord -$3M, Herstelling -$4M. Call: 6416635 or 678-1575 Land for sale in gated community, Providence E.B.D -$9.5M negotiable. Phone: 621-6888 Providence E.B.D- land in commercial area, 80X200. Beautiful location. Call: (592) 601-1867, email: nepglobe2014@yahoo.com Eccles (already land filled)$5M, Herstelling (110ftX90ft) -$4.5M, Parfaite Harmonie Main Road- $1.6M, Zeelugt$1.6M. Call: 611-7223; 6042207 Parfaite Harmonie -$ 1.6M, 1.8M, $1.5M, 1.3M, Tuschen 11 street -$3M with foundation, Phase 2 – $1.4M, Providence -$3.5M, Terms available – Call: 604-6724
BMW 318i- $2.9M, BMW 320i- $4M, Audi A4- $4M, Suzuki Escudo- $4M, new model Premio- $3MContact# 650-0402/260-4988 Mercedes Benz, CLK200 Kompressor, PRR, Mileage 72000, 2005 excellent condition. Call: 623-5492 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Honda CRV 1995, price $1M negotiable, in excellent condition. Call: 216-1973; 667-3359 1-Volvo Crane & dump truck -$3M- Call: 619-0898 Noah & Voxy in ‘G’ series, fully loaded, never registered -$1.7M –Call: 617-2891 Isuzu Truck 2.5 ton GNN 6385, New Model 1-212 Toyota Motor Car, PLL 739. Call: 639-6839 Sliver Nissan Murano, Late PNN series- $6M –Call: 6815548 or 695-5701 One Toyota Mark 2 Grande for sale PKK series, owner l e a v i n g c o u n t r y, p r i c e $1.5M negotiable. Call: 601-4163 Black Toyota Celica 2002; 2 door sports car, immaculate condition- Call: 614-8870; 222-2431 Greene 4 door LHD 96-97 model, 3 litre, 3VZ 4X4, asking -$1.6M or $8000USD. Good condition- call: 657-6063
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 1-3 Bedrooms upper flat @ Section ‘A’ Diamond, H/ Scheme E.B.D, fully grilled & concrete fence with parking space- Call: 6629335; 612-3244 One- two bedrooms apartment @ Alexander Village -$45,000 monthlyCall Kemo: 691-3097 Two bedrooms house “A” Field Sophia, fully grilled off Road Parking, CCTV, $40,000 monthly with 2 months security-Call:693-2237; 2190211 Apartments for rent @ Nandy Park -$90,000$80,000 negotiable, recently renovated, free wifi, 2 bedrooms. Call: 227-5194 1-3 Bedrooms bottom flat: toilet, bath, large sitting room & Kitchen, lately renovated in C/Ville area-$75,000 monthly. Call: 668-4062 Vreed-en-Hoop Junction: lessons places, storage bond or church -$25,000 per month. Call: 603-6400/2642123 Enmore Public Road: office space/2 bedrooms apartment, ideal for Doctors with AC & fully grilled. Call: 270-6260 Building for rent on Croal Street near to Stabroek Market. Call: 647-6075
TO LET One- two bedroom upper back apartment @ C/Ville $55,000 –Call: 223-1051; 6195357; 650-0716
2 Bedrooms bottom flat at Lot 1-TM 4-wheel drive truck with 60 Back Street, Mc Doom, crane -$3M, 1-TL 500 truck preferably working couple. crane -$2M- Call: 619-0898 Call: 233-0044; 602-5484 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Rooms in Alberttown- Call: Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 225-3234 seater super custom. Cash / terms - Call:680-3154 To y o t a R a u m , S p a c i o , AT192, Allion, L-Touring Wagon, EP71-starlet, IST, Nissan March & Pickup 4X4 (4door). Call: 6445096; 697-1453 FOR SALE/RENT 1- Toyota Surf with 3RZ engine -$2.9, 1-double cab Apartment for rent/sale @ pick-up -$1M. Call: 619-0898 Friendship E.B.D. Call: 6618700/ 671-2689 AT192, PKK series, price Continued on page 23 $550,000- Call: 676-4262
Saturday January 30, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Letters... Where your views make the news
With more qualifications, you’re still back to square one DEAR EDITOR, Guyana is a place where you can easily become over-qualified; ask those who have gone back to university how much of a difference obtaining a post-graduate or second degree has made in their lives. I am going to bet that more than half of them will tell you that they returned to the same job they had before, only less enthusiastic, and not a penny richer. But why look at the post-graduate level when you have so many who have graduated with their bachelors or equivalent and could only obtain work in the clerical fields? I know of many graduates who work at the front desks of many financial institutions, the very job they would have started out with two or three years before entering university. What prevented them from advancing beyond just the bare ‘bread and butter’ stage of life? Many would have heard the term ‘Mercedes-Benz dreams in a donkey-cart economy’. This adequately describes the life of the brightest among our your youths; they tend to envision a fulfilling life in a country where we struggle to grapple with the most basic of problems, not least of which is a tense and overbearing political climate that stifles development, and which somehow suckles greed and corruption. In Guyana, career-development opportunities are far and few between. There is a very low ceiling that many young people can never hope of getting past; for them, there is no way but out. It is even tougher for those who are both experienced and qualified. In fact, the local environment can best be described as quasi-competitive, where copious elbowgrease, credibility and proven track records are of less value than the ‘strings’ and ‘lines’ that seem to be everywhere, and which cut across the path of the young, the experienced and the obviously talented, preventing them from reaching their ambitious goals. However, none of what I have said in the forgoing is new; we have known about the issues surrounding ‘brain-drain’ since the post-war years. Many had then left for the ABC countries to be part of the economic boom that accompanied rebuilding after the end of hostilities, and which continued well into the 1960’s. For independent Guyana, the situation seemed to have only worsened over time, especially after ‘helping-out’ and nepotism became rampant. Our eminent economist Dr. Clive Thomas, in quoting from an IDB report, noted that emigration of persons with tertiary qualifications had reached 89% in 2012 (Stabroek News, August 10, 2014). Maybe it has crept up a little more since then! Dr. Thomas listed quite a few ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors that contributed toward this runaway ‘brain-drain’. I stumbled upon one of the ‘push’ factors that Dr. Thomas did not include in his list, but which border the ridiculous. During the past few years I have been a
participant in several training programmes and lectures, at which the facilitators on a number of occasions would humorously state that despite the many qualifications that they had acquired, they still found it necessary to also obtain a certified driver’s license for a taxi cab and / or a mini-bus. And some even proudly passed their licenses around so that participants could know they were dead serious about what they were saying. I took the time to ask one very seasoned and respected lecturer why he found it necessary to get a mini-bus licence. He explained that Guyana being what it is, qualified and experienced people often tend to ‘go against the grain’ when asked to give advice on things such as public issues. He further pointed out that Guyana has so many ‘sacred cows’ and minions that you are bound to ‘mash the corns’ of many persons in high offices, when asked to give an academic’s position on an issue. He even went so far as to explain the particular episode that prompted him to get his license; he had been asked to make the obviously infeasible, doable on paper, and when he could not oblige the powers that be, he was given his marching orders. And so when you have incurred the wrath of the many demi-gods we have, it becomes necessary to quietly pack-up and go home. That is when the mini-bus or taxi cab license becomes useful. It can at least help put food on the table until you happen to land something with those whose ‘corns’ you have not mashed as yet. Or until such time that you can ‘pluck’ enough courage to call it a day here in Guyana. So if you are someone like me, who gets irritated by mini-bus and taxi drivers behaving crazy on the roads, let me encourage you to exercise a little patience. The errant driver might just be a former lecturer or a government advisor, out on hard luck! Khemraj Tulsie
From page 5 LEAP was downsized to keep focus on a people changing programme. Separate funding would have to be sought later for infrastructure and other projects as they became evident. Mr. Winston Brassington and Mr. Horace James worked assiduously to put and make non-core assets available and attractive for new profitable ventures. The PPP/C administration completed the Government take-up and provisioning for all non-core social services which the bauxite operations were no longer carrying. We of the PPP/C maintain in all clear conscience that we have been taking equitable and appropriate(not identical) positions on bauxite and sugar, and we have endured
criticisms from both sides. For example, there is the criticism that when OGML/CAMBIOR had suspended the operations in Linden for two months, we provided basic pay to every employee requiring only that they, from Sweeper to Manager, spend a certain number of hours each week at computer classes aimed at their level, we were pointing African bauxite workers to the digital future but in our plans for sugar were seeking to consign Indian Guyanese to cutting cane. We of the PPP/C expect no less care and concern of the present Government as they address the difficulties of sugar. Samuel A A Hinds Former Prime Minister and President
Guyana sends... From page 4 minorities so that by 2020 women would make up 48% and minorities 14%. Evidently the Academy did the politically correct thing, even though it is not a political animal. So what, you might say, even the U.S. Supreme Court at times adopts a market-place agenda and does the politically correct thing. Now when blacks, Latinos, and Asians and others who become voting members as a result of this “quota/affirmative” opening, will they, as mandated by their admission route, vote more on the grounds of race, gender, and ethnic origin, in other words, apan jaat? People of Guyana, you are not alone. We have been doing the apan jaat shuffle since, let us say, time immemorial. Now we have company. Please welcome to the club Hollywood’s the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. P. D. Sharma
Sam Hinds asserts that...
From page 22
PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale, Grove $20M / Rent: $50,000 per month. Tel: 625-5461. Lot 1884, 20 Ave, First corner, Diamond H/Scheme, 3 bedrooms, flat house- Call: 662-4676, 602-9403 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244 Church and 2 storey building Lot 180 Charlotte Street Bourda-Call: 227-6817; 6247341 70 Acres Transported river side land f o r $ 4 0 M negotiable. Call: 678-1575 or 641-6635 Two house & land for sale, excellent condition, one located at Tuschen & one at Goed-Fortuin. Call: 668-3985; 660-3235 Plaisance, Betterhope, B.V, Diamond, Parfaite Harmonie, Land of Canaan Public Road$60M negotiable. Call: 6416635 or 678-1575 Hutson Ville E.B.D Bungalow- 3 bedrooms (1 self contained) A/C, hot & cold water, secured-$16M negotiable .Call:625-5431; 622-3736; 697-4131 Diamond 4 Bedrooms house, marble tiles, granite countertop, telephone, electricity & water - $15M negotiable –Call: 601-0889/ 680-0920 Transported Property at Parika/Hydronie, Public Road, prime spot for business, size 0.47 acres. Call: 647-7878; 669-2800 One 2 family back house in Lamaha Street drive with own way parking for vehicles, price:$30,000,000 negotiable. Call: 226-1935
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 6560087 , EMAIL: PRO_ AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO. COM Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807 Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494 Vehicles for rental: cars, SUV, pickups etc, long term only @ Ray’s Motor Spares and Auto Sales. Call: 231-7839
FOR SALE Stalls 64-72 (47feet long x 7 feet wide) @ La Penitence Market Albouystown. Call: 663-1597; 218-4837 1-620-240 DAF Engine, foreign used, 1 Canter GNN 722, 1 Twin Steer CF DAF, GSS 5964. Call: 228-5655; 628-1756 Cheap! Cheap! CCTV Security Surveillance Kit, 8 Channels DVR with built in Hard Drive, 8 bullet cameras – Tel: 621-4740; 686-3500 1-40ft Keel Boat, 700lbs 5" seine, 3000lb ice box, 15 Yamaha Engine – ($1.6M)Call:660-1825 One wedding dress, size 6, off-white, brand: Maggie Sottero. Call: 647-6075 Computer games for sale, wholesale and retail, largest selection-Call: 675-2239 LEGAL NOTICE 2016-HC-DEM-CIV-D-36 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE DIVORCE AND M AT R I M O N I A L JURISDICTION DIVORCE BETWEEN:CAVE (DAWN AFRI) nee HOUSTON Petitioner -and CAVE (THEOPHILUS ANTHONY)Respondent NOTICE OF PETITION To: THEOPHILUS ANTHONY CAVE Lot 135 Diamond New Scheme, EAST BANK DEMERARA. TAKE NOTICE that a Petition for dissolution of Marriage has been filed in the Supreme Court of Judicature of Guyana by DAWN AFRI CAVE Nee HOUSTON, against you. UPON APPLICATION in person or by letter to MS. KESHIA A. CHASE, Attorney-at-law, of Lot 228 South Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, sealed and certified copy of the Citation and a sealed copy of the Petition will be sent or delivered to you. IF WITHIN 28 (TwentyEight) days after the second and final publication of this Notice no application has been made nor appearance entered the Court may proceed to hear the said Petition and pronounce Judgment in your absence notwithstanding. Dated the 27th day of January, 2016
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Wholesale & Retail quantity of all types of belts Call: 670-2343 ADORABLE PUPPIES FOR SALE. CALL: 6004212 AMERICAN BULLYDOGS, REMYLINE&GOTTILINECONTACT HARRY: 6100068/220-7933, WHATSAPP: 667-4845 TM 6X6 parts for sale: engines, gearbox, power box, def, drive shaft, etc. Call: 601-7001 Lots @ Blankenburg behind the gas station- $3.9M- Call Us Today: 650-0402 Over 12,000 stamps from 1840 to 1940 from all over the world, old coins etc. Call: 624-7341; 227-6817 Minibus, SUV, Pickup 39.8 rear deferential & 14.5ft fiberglass boat with trailer and 35HP motor- Call: 6789536 290 MF Tractor- $1.4M, 330TK Bedford dump truck$1.2M; in working orderCall: 614-9262; 604-2540 One slate pool table, price $300,000- Call: 228-2098; 628-5796 Household items: carpet, blender, dinette set, wall divider, blinds & many more items. Owner migrating- Call Allison: 688-5446 Dachshund pups mix with Pekingese for sale – 7weeks old -$20,000, males only. Call: 677-2476 Gang Nail Plates, in stock: 3X4, 4X6, 5X7- Call 2664166; 666-2361 Mon-Sat between 8-6pm Vaccinated pit-bull pups, price $30,000-Call: 625-0343; 688-6090 1-6" Dredge complete with Lavador -$6M- Call: 6190898 A quantity of ¼” Steel cord wire rope, in lengths of 18ft only - $1,000 per length. Call: 672-8844 1-20Ft. Brand new boat, 125lbs, 4"X5", nylon seine complete. Call: 670-3912 German shepherd pups- Call: 220-8904; 220-2277; 6291471; 629-1419
Page 24
Kaieteur News
Saturday January 30, 2016
Duo remanded for the $300M budgeted for murder of ‘Hamson’ GM Jubilee celebrations
Two men charged with the murder of prominent businessman Abdool Farouk Ghanie Persaud, proprietor of Hamson’s General Store were remanded to prison yesterday by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Floyd Anthony Rammit, 27, who was the slain businessman’s handyman and who resides at Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara and Kemo Tyler Evans, 17, of Lot 192 B Field Sophia were not required to plead to the indictable charge. Particulars of the charge stated that between April 15 and 16 2015, at Lot 97 Collingswood Avenue, Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara, they murdered Persaud aka ‘Brother’, during the course of a robbery. The Magistrate remanded both
Murder accused: Kemo Evans men until February 8, when they will make another court appearance for fixtures and statements. According to reports, on April 15, 2015, the 56-year-old businessman left his home
10.9 per cent of National... From page 3 construction, upgrade, expansion and maintenance of health care facilities nationwide. This year's allocation, according to Minister Jordan, is a massive $1.9 billion, which includes mobilization for the construction of the state-ofthe-art specialty surgical hospital at Liliendaal; a 10-bed cardiac theatre and intensive care unit at the GPHC; various works at hospitals at Port Kaituma, Kwakwani and Lin-
den; and diagnostic centres at Diamond and Leonora. Additionally, over $1 billion will be spent on the purchase and maintenance of medical equipment, double the allocation of last year. Preparatory works will begin on the modernization of primary health care facilities at Bartica, Suddie and West Demerara Regional Hospitals, funding for which will be sourced from India, according to the Finance Minister.
Murdered: Abdool Farouk Ghanie Persaud and went to his place of business on Regent Street. Persaud returned home around 18:00hrs that day. Approximately 20:00hrs, three men were seen at his home. The next day, around 07:20hrs, his reputed wife realized that something was amiss as Persaud did not arrive at her Eccles home to pick up their daughter. She sent an employee to his home and found his lifeless body lying at the back of his yard in a pool of blood. There were wounds to his left chest and cheek. The police were summoned and found that his licensed firearm, cell phone and other items belonging to the man were missing. The businessman was taken to the East Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Investigations were carried out and Rammit was arrested and charged with Persaud’s murder. Rammit, who worked as Persaud’s handyman, was charged with the man’s murder. Rammit had reportedly provided the police with a detailed statement on how he and his accomplices killed and robbed the businessman. A few months later, the police issued a wanted bulletin for Evans in connection with the killing. Persaud’s relatives had posted a $3M reward for the arrest of the wanted man.
The government has voted $300M for Guyana’s 50th independence celebrations. This was stated by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, in the 2016 National Budget themed, “Stimulating Growth, Restoring Confidence: The Good Life Beckons.” Minister Jordan noted that President David Granger has asked that all members of the National Assembly “open avenues of cooperation and agreement so that we can join hearts and hands for the common good.” Guyanese were urged to reminisce on all that Guyana has achieved over the past 50 years as an independent country. “We call on all Guyanese to reflect on the journey of the past 50 years, taking into account the people
and experiences that have shaped our history and the lessons learnt, while mindful of the opportunities we have missed,” the Minister said. In addition, Minister Jordan noted that during the reflections, the tools must be in place for young people to continue growing. “This is a time of reflection and celebration, even as we provide inspiration and tools for our young people to dream bigger and reach higher over the next 50 years,” Minister Jordan explained. During the month of May, a number of activities are slated to take place in observance of the 50th Independence Anniversary. Guyana gained Independence from Great Britain on May 26, 1966.
Fiscal Goodies of the $230B 2016... From page 17 Miscellaneous Licences Act, Regulations made under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Regulations made under the Rice Factories Act and the Regulations made under the Tax Act. He also proposed to amend Section 19 of the Firearms Act Cap 16:05 to increase the annual fee for firearm licences as follows:
The Finance Minister also proposed to amend the Income Tax Act to increase the income tax threshold to $660,000, from $600,000. With this measure, he said that over 68,000 workers will be removed from the income tax roll, in addition to the fact that workers have an additional disposable income annually.
Budget 2016 measures
From page 18 Company (GUYOIL) will be reduced as follows:
Government proposed to amend the Income Tax Act to increase the Income Tax Threshold to $660,000, from $600,000 yearly. With this measure, over 68,000 workers will be removed from the income tax roll, in addition to the fact that workers have an additional disposable income annually.
Saturday January 30, 2016
Kaieteur News
Page 25
Race for Zika vaccine gathers Cameron plays hard to get momentum as virus spreads as EU pushes reform offer
Hilda Venancio bathes her son Matheus, who has microcephaly, in Recife, Brazil. (REUTERS/ UESLEI MARCELINO) (Reuters) - Companies and scientists are racing to create a Zika vaccine as concern grows over the mosquito-borne virus that has been linked to severe birth defects and is spreading quickly through the Americas. Zika is now present in 23 countries and territories in the Americas. Brazil, the hardesthit country, has reported around 3,700 cases of the devastating birth defect called microcephaly that are strongly suspected to be related to Zika. The Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO), stung by criticism that it reacted too slowly to West Africa’s Ebola epidemic, is convening an emergency meeting on Monday to help determine its response to the spread of the virus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has activated an emergency operations center staffed around the clock to address Zika, agency officials told Reuters. On Thursday, the WHO forecast that as many as 4 million people in the Americas may become infected by Zika, lending new urgency to research efforts already under way. Vaccine developers made clear that a vaccine for widespread public use is at least months, if not years, away. The closest prospect may be from a consortium including drugmaker Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc. that could have a vaccine ready for emergency use before year-end, according to one of its lead developers. Inovio’s share price gained more than 15 percent in Friday trading. Canadian scientist Gary
Kobinger told Reuters on Thursday the first stage of testing on humans could begin as early as August. If successful, the vaccine might be used during a public health emergency by October or November, said Kobinger, who helped develop a trial vaccine for the Ebola virus. Privately owned vaccine developer Hawaii Biotech Inc said it began a formal program to test a Zika vaccine last fall as the virus started to gain traction in Brazil, although it has no timetable yet for clinical trials. “Right now, we are in the pre-clinical stage, as I suspect everyone is,” Chief Executive Officer Dr. Elliot Parks told Reuters. Another private vaccine developer, Boston-based Replikins Ltd, said it was preparing to start animal studies on a Zika vaccine in the next 10 days. Data from the trials on mice and rabbits would likely be out in the next couple of months, Replikins Chairman Samuel Bogoch told Reuters. “No one has the $500 million on hand to take it (a vaccine) all the way to human trials. Somewhere along the course we hope to have big pockets join us,” Bogoch said. ‘FIGHT THE MOSQUITO’ Zika had been viewed as a relatively mild illness until Brazilian health officials identified it as a matter of concern for pregnant women. While a direct causal relationship has not been established, scientists strongly suspect a link between Zika and thousands of children born in Brazil with abnormally small heads, brain defects and impaired vision. There is no treatment for
Zika infection. About 80 percent of those infected experience no symptoms, making it difficult for pregnant women to know whether they have been infected. Efforts to combat Zika are focused on protecting people from being bitten and on eradicating mosquitoes, a tough task in many parts of Latin America, where people live in poverty and there are plentiful breeding grounds for the insect. “We do not have a vaccine for Zika yet. The only thing we can do is fight the mosquito,” Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said on Friday, reiterating her call for a national eradication effort. Rousseff said tests for the development of a vaccine would begin next week at the Butantan Institute, one of Brazil’s leading biomedical research centers in Sao Paulo. Zika has hit Brazil just as it prepares to host the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 5-21, an event that draws hundreds of thousands of athletes, team officials and spectators. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) assured teams on Friday the Olympics would be safe from Zika, but urged visitors to carefully protect themselves. U.S. lawmakers have begun to press the Obama administration for details of its response to Zika. At least 31 people in the country have been infected, all of them after travel to affected countries. The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is planning a hearing on Zika “very soon,” said Republican Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, who called the threat posed by the virus to the United States a “big concern.” “We need to ensure that federal agencies are working closely together and with the international community to stop its rapid spread,” added Republican Ron Johnson, chairman of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, said he did not expect the United States to be hit hard like other some countries in South America and the Caribbean. “We prepare for the possibility of a major outbreak but we believe it is unlikely to happen,” Fauci said.
Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron walks with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (R) ahead of a meeting at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, yesterday. (Reuters) - David Cameron told Brussels yesterday that a proposed “emergency brake” to curb European immigration to Britain was “not good enough” but he saw progress on a deal to persuade British voters to back continued EU membership. After lunch with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, whose staff described the meeting as “difficult but constructive”, Cameron was at pains to play down talk that a draft package EU officials say could be ready this weekend will herald a deal at a mid-February summit and a summer referendum. Referring to an EU proposal to help him meet an election pledge to curb benefits for EU workers for four years, Cameron told the BBC: “There is now a proposal on the table. It is not good enough. It needs more work. But we are making progress.” His proposal to simply deny British benefits to EU workers for four years was dismissed by many leaders as illegal discrimination against fellow Europeans. The suggestion described to Reuters by sources close to the talks would oblige London to first prove its welfare system was in danger and then give all other EU leaders a potential veto on the brake being applied. Cameron’s next key meeting will be over dinner on Sunday in Downing Street with Donald Tusk, the European Council president who will chair the EU summit in Brussels on Feb. 18-19. Sources close to the negotiations say Tusk hopes some of the thorniest issues, notably around migration, can be smoothed out this weekend so he can send out a draft package to the other 27 leaders early next week, paving the way for a summit agreement. But Cameron, who needs
to display a resolve that can deflect Eurosceptic critics at home and perhaps squeeze more concessions from other governments, said he was in no rush. The referendum need be held only by the end of next year, though many believe Cameron, like EU chiefs, would like the issue settled very soon. “If there is a good enough deal on the table that meets all of the concerns that British people have ... I’ll take it,” the Conservative party leader said. “If it’s not, I won’t.” Negotiations on four areas where Cameron wants reform — on issues of national sovereignty and the power of euro zone states over Britain as well as on migration — have moved up several gears this month, however. With attention turning to how reforms might be implemented, he also met European Parliament President Martin Schulz, whose chamber may have to pass new laws quickly. DECISION TIME Facing tight opinion polls on a referendum he must hold by the end of next year, and with deep Euroscepticism within his own party and cabinet, Cameron must decide
when to compromise and launch a campaign to keep Britain in the EU. Signs that a summer flare-up in Europe’s refugee crisis could swing Britons against staying in the bloc could also affect his calculation. Without a deal, Cameron has threatened to campaign the other way, but fellow EU leaders insist they will offer him the best they can to avoid losing the second-biggest economy from a Union that is already beset with profound crisis. Cameron will meet Chancellor Angela Merkel in Germany a week before the summit. Several states in the euro zone are also resistant to giving Britain all it wants in the package to be able to protect its sterling-based economy from decisions by the EU currency union. Some east European leaders, anxious not to see their people discriminated against, have said they could accept the emergency brake idea on migration. Although the new, Eurosceptic foreign minister of Poland, the leading power in the east, said on Friday he was against such a measure, on which detail is scant.
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Antigua-Barbuda ambassador to lead OAS mission to Haiti
(L-R): Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the OAS; Haiti Ambassador Bocchit Edmond; and Sir Ronald Sanders WASHINGTON, USA — Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to the Organisation of American States (OAS), Sir Ronald Sanders, will lead a mission to Haiti at the request of the Haitian ambassador to the OAS, Bocchit Edmond, and the organisation’s secretary-general, Luis Almagro. The mission to assess the situation is in response to a request by Haitian President Michel Martelly, which was agreed by the Permanent Council of the OAS on January 27 after lengthy discussion of the looming constitutional crisis in Haiti and its possible undesirable consequences. The request was made
against the backdrop of the postponement of the second round of presidential elections that were scheduled for December 27 and then January 24, and the looming constitutional void that will exist after February 7, 2016, when the current president of Haiti’s term will expire without a duly elected successor. Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, said, “My government is pleased to make Sir Ronald available to lead this mission for the OAS at a vital moment in Haiti’s history. He is a senior diplomat with wide experience and skills as well as compassion for Haiti.”
The mission will include Ambassador Leonidas Bautista Rosa, permanent representative of Honduras to the OAS and former foreign minister and attorney general of his country; Gabriel Bidegain, senior political advisor to the secretary general; and Steven Griner, acting director of the OAS Department of Sustainable Democracy and Special Missions. The mission is scheduled to arrive in Port-au-Prince early next week. Its broad mandate will be to “assess the situation in Haiti, including through dialogue with all appropriate parties”. (Caribbean News)
Venezuela opposition leader urges fast action to oust president CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuela’s opposition must define within weeks its strategy for ending Nicolas Maduro’s presidency given the OPEC nation’s “monstrous” economic crisis, opposition leader Henrique Capriles believes. Having won control of the National Assembly last month due to voter ire at Venezuela’s punishing recession, the opposition coalition has vowed to find a constitutional mechanism to oust Hugo Chavez’ successor in the first half of 2016. Options for the multi-faction coalition include demanding his resignation, forcing a recall referendum as allowed half-way through his term, or reforming the constitution to trigger a new presidential election. “We have to find a com-
mon position. The clock is ticking ... We can’t wait longer than the first quarter,” Capriles, a state governor who narrowly lost a 2013 presidential vote to Maduro, told Reuters in an interview late on Thursday. “We still haven’t seen the full monstrousness of the crisis ... Venezuela is heading toward a denouement this year,” added Capriles, likely to be a contender in any scenario of a new presidential election. OPEC member Venezuela is suffering the world’s steepest inflation, a third year of economic contraction, and shortages of basic foods and medicines causing long lines nationwide. Maduro blames an “economic war” by foes, plus the global oil price plunge, but critics say the mess is mainly
the result of dysfunctional state controls over 17 years of socialist rule. Capriles, 43, said it was impossible Maduro would step down voluntarily given his conviction he was the standard-bearer of “Chavismo” who must never surrender. Seeking a recall referendum may be messy, he added, given Maduro-leaning judicial and electoral institutions could delay it into 2017, meaning his vice-president would take over rather than there being a new election if he lost the plebiscite. So a constitutional reform might be the best way forward, Capriles said, explaining that would also enable the opposition to make changes like reducing the current six-year presidential term and prohibiting indefinite reelection.
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Government delivers on promise of insurance coverage for athletes Jamaica Observer - Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and other principal stakeholders Thursday signed off on the inauguration of the Jamaican Athletes’ Insurance Plan (JAIP), thereby fulfilling the promise of a new dawn for sportsmen and women who relentlessly carry the hopes of a nation on their shoulders. The formal agreement was completed inside the Executive Building Lobby at the Office of the Prime Minister. The JAIP forms a part of recommendations outlined in the National Sports Policy of 2013. The plan, set to take effect February 1, 2016, aims to provide sustainable health and life insurance, pension
and retirement coverage for all eligible national athletes. Athletes who are members of a national association or federation are eligible. The cost of premiums will be shared between the Government of Jamaica and the national sport associations and federations. The Government is to contribute 95 per cent, while collectively, the sporting bodies are to provide the remaining five per cent. Referring to the effect that JAIP is intended to have in matters relating to the welfare of athletes, Simpson Miller, who has direct oversight of the sport portfolio, said yesterday’s signing represented “another memorable day in the history of sport in Jamaica”.
“The Jamaica Athletes’ Insurance Plan, which we are launching today (yesterday), represents real progress,” the prime minister added. Simpson Miller praised Minister with responsibility for sport Natalie Neita Headley for her role in reconstituting the National Council on Sport, which created a committee tasked with recommending a sustainable welfare plan for athletes. Neita Headley, who saw the National Sport Policy tabled in Parliament in March 2013, beamed with pride as she spoke on the importance of providing welfare for athletes. “The National Sport Policy of 2013 outlines the Government’s intention to
Saturday January 30, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Self-deception is likely. Any financial limitations will probably have to be dealt with on your own. Do not force your opinions on others the connections will be short lived.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Resistance leading to conflict will only make it twice as hard to turn the situation around. You will drive your emotional partner crazy today.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You are in a high cycle where travel, education, and creative endeavors are concerned. Be careful how you handle friends and relatives, they may take things the wrong way.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can make favorable changes in your home environment. This will not be the best day to make changes or renovations to your residence. Plans to make physical improvements may lead to psychological changes, too.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Consider selling your homemade crafts at the flea market. You must be careful not to reveal secrets or get involved in gossip. You need to start planning that vacation.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You need an outlet. Weigh the pros and cons and make a decision that will change the conditions you've been living under. Taking on too much won't help the situation.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Inharmonious situations at home may be extremely upsetting for you today. New interests are preoccupying your time.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Friends and relatives may be hard to take today. Don't get involved in other people's problems. Passion is about the best way for you to relieve tension.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You are ahead of your time, and trying to stay in one spot could be asking too much. Changes in your domestic scene are evident. Partnerships will be favorable and contracts can be signed.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You like to stay busy and now is your chance to do just that. Fitness or weight loss programs will help your self esteem.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) . Difficulties with older females in your family may turn out to be quite trivial after all. You can enjoy doing things that include children.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You need a job with more responsibility and a higher wage. Your ideas may be a little ahead of their time; don't push them, instead just continue working on development.
create an environment which facilitates the health, wellness, security, and social protection, safety and prosperity of all athletes. The policy further recognises and acknowledges the outstanding contributions which national athletes make to the positive image of Jamaica and the enhancement of Brand Jamaica,” she said. Neita Headley said that Cabinet gave approval for the award of contracts to the Guardian Group and Allied Insurance Brokers, with the insurers being Sagicor. She explained that the fund to support the insurance
plan is secured for the next three years, courtesy of commitments from State-run agencies Sports Development Foundation (SDF), the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), and the National Health Fund (NHF). Eric Hosin, the president of Guardian Group, said national athletes “enhance Brand Jamaica” and should be rewarded accordingly. “What they do for us as a country is often done at great personal sacrifice, and so we should seize every opportunity to show that we appreciate them and we should celebrate when we are able to do
so in a tangible way,” Hosin added. Amanda Beepat, the general manager of Allied Insurance, also lauded athletes for their contribution to the nation. “Our athletes have brought us much glory… which is why it is so important that we protect them and provide them with the support that they need,” she said. Reggae Girl and 2016 Rhodes Scholar Sherona Forrester said the implementation of the JAIP is “a step in the right direction towards protecting athletes”.
Western Tigers FC installs... (From page 29) former national striker, Anthony Stanton and admitted that the club is talent laden but lacks the type of managerial structures for the transition among the other top teams. It is for this reason that the membership has nominated Cadagon for the post. Among some of the immediate plans in train is the construction of the clubhouse, the grading and rehabilitation of the ground and the erection of the fence. Outgoing Treasurer of the
Club, Allan Walker, will not be seeking re-election but states that he will be available to render services to the club as the need arises. Meanwhile, the new Presi-
dent is expected to roll out his plans and projections for the club upon the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting. Activities get underway at 10:00hrs.
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Tortured Murray outlasts Raonic to reach Melbourne final MELBOURNE (Reuters) Andy Murray went through paroxysms of frustration but seized another opportunity to break his Australian Open jinx with a four-hour, five-set semifinal victory over Milos Raonic on Friday. Four times the British world number two has advanced to the final at Melbourne Park and four times he has been vanquished, three times at the
hands of Novak Djokovic. The Serbian will again stand in his path on Sunday as the Scot seeks to add another grand slam title to his 2012 U.S. Open and 2013 Wimbledon crowns. “Five finals is a great achievement,” said Murray. “You can’t take that away from me. “I should be happy about that. There’s very few players that will have made five
Australian Open finals, so I have to be proud of that achievement.” Raonic, meanwhile, was left heartbroken after suffering a thigh injury that hampered him from the middle of the third set of the 4-6 7-5 67(4) 6-4 6-2 defeat. Winning tennis matches never looks like a walk in the park for Murray but for much of the contest against the Canadian, he at least had
Raffik & Sons Second Division 20-Over Cricket Competition
Leroy Bristol (69), Eon Gibson (42) see Courtland All Stars to final Defending champions Courtland All Stars are through to the final of the Raffik & Sons Construction Second Division 20-Over Cricket Competition which was specifically organised for teams in the Lower/Central Corentyne Area, defeating Rose Hall Town Bakewell by 30 runs in their semi-final played recently. In the match which was played at Fyrish, Courtland All Stars sent in to take first strike, lost two early wickets to be 15 for 2 in the 3rd over. Former Guyana Under-19 allrounder Leroy Bristol then took charge, firstly putting on 70 for the 3rd wicket with Keon Sinclair (27) and then 60 for the 4th wicket with former Berbice cricketer Eon Gibson, before he (Bristol) fell for 69 (10 fours and 2 sixes). Gibson continued, hitting 42 (3 fours and 4 sixes) and along with Troy Matheson 22, Courtland All Stars made 214 for 7 in their 20-Overs. Bowling for Rose Hall Town, former Berbice Under-19 off spinner Khemraj Mahadeo took 3 for 25 from 3-Overs,
Leroy Bristol
Eon Gibson
Collis Butts 3 for 35 from 4Overs and Berbice Under-17 pacer Cylus Tyndall 2 for 43 from 4-Overs. When Rose Hall Town Bakewell started their response, they lost their first wicket in the second Over at 12 for 1. Khemraj Mahadeo came in and he successfully attacked the bowling taking the score to 55 for 1 after 6-Overs. However, he fell at that point to offspinner John Percival for 39 (4 fours and 3 sixes). Percival soon struck again along with off spinner Troy
Matheson to have them 63 for 3. All along, former Berbice batsman James Fraser moved the score along nicely allowing Rose Hall to start threatening Courtland’s peace of mind. But with Fraser eventually falling for 56 (4 fours and 4 sixes) and Brandon Prashad 21, Rose Hall Town could only muster 174 for 7 in their 20-Overs. Bowling for Courtland All Stars, Percival ended with 2 for 21 from 4-Overs and Matheson 2 for 31 from 4Overs.
Reuters (The Sports Xchange) - Guard Jimmy Butler scored 26 points and dished out 10 assists, and center Pau Gasol had 21 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 114-91 rout of the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on Thursday. Butler, who also recorded four steals and collected five rebounds, connected on 11-of17 shots for the Bulls, winners of two of their last three. Former Laker Gasol hit 9-of-17 shots. Chicago point guard Derrick Rose contributed 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists, while forward Doug McDermott added 15 points.
Guard Jordan Clarkson scored 16 points and forward Julius Randle and guard Nick Young finished with 14 points apiece for Los Angeles. Randle also grabbed eight rebounds for the Lakers, who lost their eighth in a row and 12th in the past 13 games. The Bulls, who never trailed and led by as many as 28, seized control from the start. They posted a doubledigit lead with less than three minutes remaining in the first quarter and never allowed the margin to dip below 12 the rest of the way. Chicago (26-19) jumped out to a 32-15 lead after one quarter and enjoyed a 58-40 advantage at the half. By the
Butler helps rampaging Bulls trample over hapless Lakers end of the third quarter, the Bulls were 90-71 ahead. Almost half of the Bulls’ output in the first half came via points in the paint, where they held a 28-10 cushion. For the game, the Bulls dictated with a 56-26 edge inside. Butler scored 17 points in the first half to lead all scorers. The Bulls dominated in practically every area. They out-shot the Lakers 50 percent to 37.6 percent, out-rebounded them 51-40 and forced 15 turnovers while committing 11. The Lakers (9-39) played without guard Lou Williams, who was out with an upper respiratory infection.
some justification for the tortured grimaces and explosions of anger that followed every setback. The 13th seed has been on fire this year and his big serve and huge forehands had one of the best returners in the game on the ropes, while his new-found net game helped him to a healthy 72 winners. Murray said earlier this week that he would waste no more energy on the histrionics but the match was just minutes old when he returned to his chair muttering curses having been broken to love in his first service game. That was to be Raonic’s only break of the match but it was enough to win the first set and, after Murray had pounced to even up the contest, he ramped up his 230 kilometer-per-hour serve to clinch the third on tiebreak. MOST HEARTBROKEN “It was tough,” said Murray. “It was frustrating ... he didn’t miss a first serve in the breaker and I had played some good tennis in that set.” The 25-year-old Raonic, hoping to become the first Canadian man to reach a grand slam final, was feeling the injury in the fourth set but Murray had also crucially got a better fix on his serve and broke for 4-3.
Raonic almost claimed it back in the next game but Murray saved two break points, falling to one knee and roaring “Yes! Yes!” as he pumped his fist at the ground. Murray served out the set to even up the contest again and grabbed two breaks early in the decider as the wincing Raonic’s level dropped, the Canadian’s racket feeling the brunt of his frustration after the first. “It’s unfortunate, it’s probably the most heartbroken I’ve been on court,” Raonic said of his injury. “I think maybe that’s why I sort of lashed out at the start of the fifth set. I don’t think that’s like myself to do, but sometimes it’s a little bit too much to keep in.” Murray finished off his ailing opponent with a sublime crosscourt backhand volley to bring up a match point, which he converted with a handsome forehand winner. The 28-year-old pointed both index fingers at the roof of Rod Laver Arena before slumping into his courtside chair with a look of relief on his face. The relief will not be longlived, however, as he will be back on the same court on Sunday attempting to de-
throne five-times champion Djokovic. “I have a very good shot on Sunday if I play my best tennis,” he said. “There’s no reason it’s not possible for me to win.” Murray’s older brother Jamie will be bidding for silverware on Saturday when he teams up with Bruno Soares to take on Daniel Nestor and Radek Stepanek in the men’s doubles final. It is the first time two brothers have reached separate finals at the same grand slam. “You’re not going to see it very often,” Murray junior said. “We should enjoy it and be proud of it because it’s a tough thing to do.” That final will follow Angelique Kerber’s attempt to knock six-times Australian Open champion Serena Williams off her perch in the women’s final. Martina Hingis has been out of the singles game for nearly nine years but on Friday the Swiss won the women’s doubles title with India’s Sania Mirza. The pair combined to beat Czechs Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka 7-6(1) 63 to add the Melbourne Park crown to the Wimbledon and U.S Open titles they won last year.
Sammy shares some time with U-13 cricketers at Bourda Moments after he arrives for Unity Cricket By Sean Devers West Indies t20 Skipper St Lucian Darren Sammy took time off from his busy schedule to spend some time with the Under-13 players from GCC and DCC at Bourda yesterday during their U-13 fixture under lights. The 32-year-old Sammy, who has played 60 t20 Internationals, will be the Captain the West Indies when they play England March 17 in their opening game in the t20 World Cup in India. Sammy arrived at the Ogle International Airport yesterday afternoon to participate in tonight’s Unity Cricket at Providence from 19:30hrs. Sammy went straight from the Airport to attend the Unity Cricket press conference and then to a Radio programme to promote today’s Event which includes a children’s fun day on the Tarmac and five softball matches. But the all-rounder still took the time to take photos
with the exited youngsters who will cherish that moment with the caring cricket star who did not have to go there since it was not a part of his Unity Cricket schedule. At the press conference Sammy stated that the concept of the Event to unite Guyanese of every race, religion, culture and political persuasion, was a wonderful one, adding he was very happy to be a part of it. The former Test Captain, who played the first of his 38 Test against England in 2007, said it a great opportunity for the less established players to display their talent and rub shoulders with Gayles, Bravos, Holders and Sammys. He also promised to entertain what is expected to be a capacity crowd with competitive cricket. When asked if he thought he would escape the flaying bat of Gayle whose last innings produced the fastest t20 fifty from just 12 balls in the Big Bash, Sammy joked that if he was the captain he would not give himself the ball.
“It’s all about fun and entertainment and while most of us would want to enjoy our time here and not get injured since the next few months is filled with plenty of cricket, the fans can expect a very competitive game.” Tickets cost $3,000 and are going fast but fans who want to purchase last minute tickets can do so at the Stadium today. The open 10/10 softball final will commence at 16:30 hrs and an entertaining day for the entire family is promised by Legacy and 007 promotions. Ramnaresh Sarwan will lead the Legacy All Stars who will be decked out in yellow, while Christopher Barnwell will Captain the 007 Warriors who will wear blue. The dancing Cheerleaders, pulsating music from several DJs in the Party Stand and a kolidiscope of colour in the stands should create a fantastic atmosphere at Providence. Gayle, Dwayne Smith and West Indies Test Skipper Jason Holder were among the big names to arrive last night.
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2015 A. Ally & Sons Inter-Secondary School Under-17 Cricket Competition in Berbice
Centuries for Anderson, Sinclair, Mickle, Karim, six wickets for Ramsammy Lower Corentyne, Berbice High, Rosignol and Skeldon High reach semi-finals. Lower Corentyne Secondary, Berbice High, Rosignol Secondary and Skeldon High School all got the better of their rivals in their respective quarter-finals to advance to the semi-finals of the A. Ally & Sons Inter-Secondary School Under-17 Cricket Competition. There were four centuries scored in the quarter-final. The biggest came from Guyana Under-15 all-rounder Junior Sinclair, who blasted 144 (16 fours and 1 six), and being involved in a 246 run2nd wicket partnership with his Guyana team mate Kevlon Anderson, who hit 110 (8 fours) to help Lower Corentyne amass 300 for 3 declared in their 1st innings against Skeldon Line Path Secondary, who could only respond with 150 in the drawn match. Berbice High School’s opening batsman Malcolm Mickle batted through his team’s innings to score 109 N.O. (8 fours and 1 six) which together with 93 (14 fours and 2 sixes) from Berbice Under15 batsman Alex Algoo saw their school to 270 for 7 declared in their 1st innings against Bush Lot Secondary School. The two of them had put on 142 for the opening stand. When Bush Lot Second-
Abdul Ramsammy ary replied, they reached 66 for 4 after which 12 years old Abdul Ramsammy took the last 6 wickets to bowl them out for 91. He ended with 6 for 8 from 7-Overs. New Amsterdam Secondary School did well to bowl out Rosignol Secondary for just 100 in their 1st innings b u t t h e n R o s i g n o l ’s Berbice Under-15 pacer Javed Karim took 5 for 22 to reduce them to 52 all out in their reply. Rosignol batting a second time were 178 for 7 at the close with Karim
Malcolm Mickle scoring 109 N.O. (13 fours and 3 sixes). In the other quarter-finals Skeldon High School managed to beat No. 8 Secondary outright by 4 wickets. In summarised scores: At Albion, Lower Corentyne Secondary took first innings points from Skeldon Line Path Secondary in their drawn match. Lower Corentyne Secondary 1st innings 300 for 3 innings closed with Junior Sinclair 144, Kevlon Anderson 110. Mahendra
Javid Karim
Chaitnarine 2 for 80. Skeldon Line Path Secondary 1st innings 155 all out with Alex Burnett 42, Mahendra Chaitnarine 23, Gavin Chatterpaul 21, Kevlon Anderson 2 for 15, Junior Sinclair 2 for 22, Keith Simpson 2 for 31 and Daniel Samaroo 2 for 36. At Cumberland, Berbice High School took 1st innings points from Bush Lot Secondary School in their drawn match. Berbice High School 1st innings 270 for 7 innings
closed with Malcolm Mickle 109, Alex Algoo 93 and Michael McCurdy 2 for 28. At Blairmont, Rosignol Secondary School took first innings points from New Amsterdam Secondary in their drawn match. Rosignol Secondary 1st innings 100 with Chandradat Veersammy 20, Stephen Peters 4 for 21, Joel La Fleur 2 for 15, Brandon Corlette 2 for 36 and 2nd innings 178 for 7 with Javed Karim 109 N.O. At Scotsburg, Skeldon High School beat No. 8 Sec-
Kevlon Anderson ondary School by 4 wickets. No. 8 Secondary 1st innings 84 all out, Deinauth Persaud 20, Rishi Baichan 4 for 26, Satesh Chitnarine 2 for 7 and 2nd innings 92 all out with Taje Sukhraj 21, Tamesh Chatterpaul 4 for 15. Sunil Nara took 4 for 20. Skeldon High School 1st innings 109 with Seeram Deochand 24, Dishan Phillips 4 for 43, Kevin O’Brian 3 for 12 and 2nd innings 71 for 6 with Steve Jordon 31 and Nigel Deodat 4 for 19.
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Milo U-20 Schools Football resumes today, tomorrow Play in this year’s Annual Mi l o U n d r - 2 0 S c h o o l s Football Competition resumes today and tomorrow at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue. In today’s fixtures which will see four matched being played, Carmel Secondary take on Richard Ishmael from 11:00 hrs and this encounter will be followed by the clash between Christ Church and Sir Leon Lessons from 12:30hrs. The third matchup pit
Central High against School of the Nations from 14:00hrs, while in the final e n c o u n t e r o f t h e d a y, Bishop’s High square-off against South Ruimveldt Secondary. Another four games are scheduled for tomorrow with St. John’s College tackling inaugural champions St. G e o rg e ’s H i g h f r o m 11:00hrs and this will precede the encounter between Freeburg Secondary and Mae’s Secondary from 12:30hrs.
Queenstown Secondary then battle Tutorial Secondary at 1400hrs, before Charlestown Secondary oppose St. Rose’s High from 15:30hrs. The winning team will cart off $500,000 and the championship trophy and that will go towards a school project, while the second, third and fourth place finishers take home $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively, also towards a project selected by the school.
Guyanese Persaud, Ramnarine successful at WICUA Oral and Practical exam Guyanese Javed Persaud and Totaram Ramnarine were successful at the 2015 West Indies Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (WICUA) Oral and Practical Examination. Forty three candidates took the examination and 98% of the candidates were successful. The highest mark of 97% was attained by Rajesh Babujalli of the United States of America, closely followed by Maurice Green from Jamaica with 95.6%. Persaud, a member of the Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association, gained 93% while Ramnarine of Wakenaam chalked 90%. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport, both candidates stated that they are delighted to be successful and expressed gratitude to the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council. Persaud said he owed much of his success to his late father Daynu Persaud (passed away recently), his mother Zareena Dinally, Safraz Persaud, Nareena
Saturday January 30, 2016
Albion and Rose Hall Town clash in Tenelec 50-Over Final tomorrow at Albion The Long awaited final of the 2015 Tenelec Inc First Division 50-Over cricket tournament has now been fixed for tomorrow at Albion. Vying for the championship once again will be arch rivals, defending champion Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets and Albion Community Centre. The Final can certainly be called a “Clash of the Giants” with both boasting national cricketers. Albion have named a formidable line-up with the all spin bowling attack spearheaded by West Indies spinners Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul. Also included are all-rounder Narsingh Deonarine, Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai, Balchand Baldeo and Sharaz Ramcharran. Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets will be led by Assad Fudadin and Royston Crandon while Delbert Hicks,
Devendra Bishoo
Assad Fudadin
Rajiv Ivan, Khemraj Mahadeo and Jason Sinclair are also included. Trophies and cash incentives with the value of over $200,000 will be up for grabs. Ansa McAl bar, ball by ball update and musical entertain-
ment will be provided. The umpires officiating are Imran Moakan and Moses Ramphal with Omadat Samaroo doing the stand-by duties. The match is scheduled to start at 09.30 hours and admission is $300.
Sammy to lead Number One-ranked Windies at ICC World T20
Javed Persaud
Totaram Ramnarine
(only name given) and Qualfon Guyana Inc, while Ramnarine, headmaster of the Essequibo Islands Secondary School, expressed appreciation to the Wakenaam Cricket Committee and Essequibo, Georgetown and Wakenaam Cricket Umpires’ Associations for their assistance. Meanwhile, thirty seven candidates wrote WICUA 2015 Final Written examination
and thirty six candidates were successful. The person achieving the highest score is Giangiopadhay Aveek of USA, with 93%, and the second highest mark – Alvin Randolph of St. Maarten attained 89%. Guyanese Jogeshwar Goberdhan scored 82 %. WICUA has extended congratulations to all candidates.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Darren Sammy will lead a strong West Indies team to this year’s International Cricket Council’s World T20 Tournament in India. The 32-year-old allrounder was named to captain as the West Indies Cricket Board announced the 15 players on Friday. The squad includes 11 members of the championship-winning team from 2012. On that occasion West Indies beat Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium to win the title, with Sammy at the helm. The Windies are ranked Number One on the ICC Twenty20 table. The squad will assemble in the United Arab Emirates for a camp from February 22 to March
6. They will then travel to Kolkata on March 7 ahead of the tournament. The official warm-up matches will be on Thursday, March 10, and Sunday, March 13. West Indies have been drawn in Group 1 of the Super 10 stage where they will play alongside England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and one of the qualifiers from the first round. FULL SQUAD; Darren Sammy (Captain), Samuel Badree, Sulieman Benn, Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons and Jerome Taylor
FULLMATCH SCHEDULE Warm-up matches Thursday, March 10: vs India – Eden Garden, Kolkata Sunday, March 13: vs Australia – Eden Garden, Kolkata Super 10 Group 1 matches Wednesday, March 16: vs England – Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Sunday, March 20: vs Sri Lanka – M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore Friday, March 25: vs South Africa – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur Sunday, March 27: vs Qualifier 1B – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
LABA AGM TODAY AT 5:30PM AT MSC LOUNGE The Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) is inviting its affiliate clubs to send four representatives, preferably the President, Secretary, Treasurer and Captain to attend its Annual General Meeting set for the Mackenzie Sports Club Lounge this evening at 5.30pm. Clubs MUST Affiliate and Register their players on the
prescribed Forms attached for the 2016 season before the AGM starts. The current executive headed by Lawrence Simon has served one year of their two year term and as such elections are due until next year. However, some vacancies exists and those are likely to be filled at this evening’s AGM.
The Agenda is:-Call to Order. Prayers, Confirmation of Clubs affiliated and Players registered. Minutes of Previous AGM, President’s Report, Secretary’s Report and Treasurer ’s Report, Amendment(s), Replacement /Election of Officers not functioning e.g a Second Vice President and an Assistant Secretary among others.
Saturday January 30, 2016
Kaieteur News
Boxing added to Desmond Dorsett annual Memorial road race and family fun day Overseas based Guyanese boxer among highlights With the closing date for entries already past, all is set for the sixth Desmond Dorsett Memorial Road race classic and Family Fun day. The activity is organised and sponsored by the Dorsett family of Leeds, Corentyne Berbice. This year’s activity, which will be the sixth year for the event, will be held tomorrow at various venues. Boxing has been added to the day’s attracting with Barbados based Cleveland Fraser expected to highlight the day’s activity. However, before that, the day’s event will kick off with the much anticipated road race which is expected to begin at 08:00 hrs. The race which will be held in three categories is open to athletes from throughout Berbice. The categories to be contested are males and females Open, U19 and U15. The Senior and U19 athletes will run a distance of five KM, beginning at the No43 village and finishing at the popular No53 Sports Complex, Corentyne. While the U15 and females will run from No 47 village and finish at the No53 Complex. Attractive Prizes, which will include cash incentives, trophies, T-shirts, ribbons and other memorabilia will be presented to the top finishers in each categories. Certificates of appreciation and participation will be presented to all participants by the Dorsett family. Also
this year the top finishers from the Leeds, No51, Union, No53 catchment area will be presented with special prizes. Following the road race a fun day will be held at the No53 Sports Complex beginning at 10:00hrs. Apart from the boxing, the day’s activity will include athletics, softball cricket, volleyball, football, Circle Tennis and dominoes. A number of novelty events will also be played including egg and spoon, three legged race, sack race, needle and thread and Sal pass among others, while a number of ring games are also expected to be a part of the day’s programme. Proceeds from the day’s activities will go towards the Police Youth Club, the Union Renaissance Sports Club and the Women in Action group in the area. The late Superintendent Desmond Dorsett who hails from East Canje, migrated after retiring and would return with his family from time to time to do charity and community work. H i s w i f e Wa v e n e y Dorsett, a retired headmistress, and community activist is the spearhead of the activity. Interested persons can still make contact with telephone numbers 3394475, 339-4133 and 3394436 for further information. (Samuel Whyte)
Under-19 World Cup 2016
England, Zimbabwe and Namibia score wins, WI lose
Callum Taylor scored 59 off 67 balls, England v West Indies, Under-19 World Cup, Group C, January 29, 2016 ©International Cricket Council ESPNcricinfo - England Under-19 fast bowlers Sam Curran and Saqib Mahmood took two and four wickets respectively to help dismiss West Indies Under-19 for 221 and complete a 61-run victory in Chittagong. Curran began the defence of 282 in splendid fashion, dismissing Tevin Imlach and no. 3 Shimron Hetmyer for ducks in the first over of the West Indies chase. The other opener Gidron
Pope made 60 out of the team’s first 84 runs at a run a ball before he was dismissed in the 18th over. The only other innings of substance came from the no. 7 Keemo Paul, who made 65 off 58 deliveries. Mahmood ran through the lower order and West Indies were all out in 43.4 overs. England had relied on a collective performance to post 282 for 7 after winning
Western Tigers FC installs new executive tomorrow afternoon They had won the 2009/10 version of the prestigious Kashif and Shanghai Football title, their biggest achievement to date. The club sports quite a formidable squad of players, the likes of Randolph Wagner, Phillip Rowley and Dwayne Ali among others yet Western Tigers FC have not been able to ride the wave after that win and the pundits believe that, instead of propelling the club to greater achievement, the K&S victory had been divisive and spelled the beginning of the end of the team out of West Ruimveldt. Two years after that
Troy Cadogan momentous victory, the then President of the club, Gordon Gilhuys, the man who had led the club to that accolade, resigned paving
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the way for fresh faces to assume the lead. Naturally, the club underwent dire straits until another election where Roger Moe assumed the helm. It seems though, that the club’s administration needed a boost if only to improve the fortunes of the entity since the players have failed to win a major tournament of recent much less replicate the K&S victory. It is with this reality in mind that the membership convenes tomorrow morning to elect an executive body in the hope of putting together a winning team to conduct the
affairs of the club while reversing its fortunes. Sources close to the club intimated that Ansa McAl executive, Troy Cadogan, has accepted a nomination for the presidential post, while several other ‘hopefuls’ will vie for other prestigious positions including Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Assistant Secretary Treasurer among others. Kaieteur Sport spoke with Rolex Scott, a former g o a l k e e p e r, w h o a l s o comprises an integral part of the coaching staff. He receives support from (Continued on page 25)
Gidron Pope made a run-a-ball 60 at the top of the order, England v West Indies, Under-19 World Cup, Group C, January 29, 2016 ©International Cricket Council the toss, their second successive imposing total of the tournament. Opener Dan Lawrence was impressive again, making 55, while Callum Taylor top scored with 59. Jack Burnham made 44 and George Bartlett 48, and Curran also contributed 39 off 36 balls at no. 6 before wrecking the start of the chase. Fiji Under-19 suffered another massive defeat in their second match of the World Cup, losing by seven wickets to Zimbabwe Under-19 in Chittagong, two days after a 299-run thrashing against England. This time Fiji batted first and were shot out for 81 in 27.4 overs, with only three batsmen making doublefigure scores and no one getting past 20. O f f s p i n n e r We s l e y Madhevere began his tournament with figures of 5 for 24, while legspinner Blessing Mavuta claimed 3 for 13 in Zimbabwe’s victory. Zimbabwe made short work of the chase, getting to 84 in 18.5 overs but lost three wickets in doing so. They were 27 for 2 at one stage. However, opener Brendan Sly made an unbeaten 29, while Jeremy
Ives scored 23 off 26 balls, to seal victory. Medium-pacer Josaia Baleicikoibia took 2 for 19 for Fiji. The Namibia Under-19 bowlers dismissed Scotland Under-19 for 159 in Cox’s Bazar after which their toporder batsmen polished off the chase in 26 overs with nine wickets in hand. After winning the toss, Scotland lost their opener Jack Waller to Fritz Coetzee off the first legal ball of the game and never really recovered. They slumped from 59 for 2 to 97 for 8, before their last two wickets propped them up to 159 before they were all out in 36.3 overs. Owais Shah’s 39 at No.3 was Scotland’s top score, while Michael van Lingen took 3 for Namibia. Unlike Scotland, Namibia had a strong start to their chase, with their openers adding 95 in 15.3 overs. Niko Davin fell for 52 off 37 balls, while SJ LoftieEaton was unbeaten on 67 when the winning runs were hit with 144 balls to spare. He had added 67 for the second wicket with his captain Zane Green, who was unbeaten on 39 off 42 balls.
Saturday January 30, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Mega Mecca III courting corporate community
Flashback! Ravens Basketball Club on the bench, and patrons in the stands, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall two years ago during the first Road to Mecca National Basketball Club Championship. By Edison Jefford The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has extended an invitation to the corporate community to financially support what is being touted as the biggest National Club Championship to-date as Guyana gears to celebrate its 50th Independence Anniversary. The flagship tournament for the federation has seen a steady growth since its inception in 2014 and that is expected to continue this year. As a result, the GABF is inviting sponsors to take advantage of the many opportunities available to have their names and brands attached to the most prestigious basketball competition on the national
calendar. Over the years, the federation has struggled with sponsorship for the event, but that did not stop the quality of competition and hundreds of patrons from flocking the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall to get in on the basketball action; these coupled with the national intent of the competition, open the door for positive brand association. The organisers will be putting a lot of emphasis on making the occasion as entertaining as possible with nightly cheerleaders and local entertainers expected to throng the venue. \This will be done in line with a robust marketing plan to ensure that communities, friends and families of teams playing in the competition
Under-13 Cricket under Lights as Everest face Bel Air Rubis in Final tomorrow The finals of the under13 cricket (hardball) sponsored by the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association and Trophy Stall in collaboration with the Demerara Cricket Club is set for tomorrow from 6:00pm at the DCC Ground in Lance Gibbs Street, Queenstown. Everest kids defeated GYO last Wednesday night in the first semi-finals. GYO batting first made 103 for 6 wickets off their allotted 20 overs. Everest replied with 104 for 5 wickets off 19.1 overs with Yugister Persaud leading the way with an undefeated 32. On Thursday
night in the other semi-finals, Bel Air Rubis made light work of GCC. GCC were restricted to 56 for 7 off 20 overs. Shivanand Gosain took 4 for 13 off 4 overs. Bel Air Rubis made 58 with 2 wickets down in 9 overs. Shivanand Gosain again leading the way with 21 not out. Cricket fan are urged to come out and support the young kids, who are some future stars are in the making. Admission is free. Trophies for the finals have been provided by the Trophy Stall.
offer their unflinching support. The federation is currently fine-tuning plans to launch The Road to Mecca III, which will run from late February to March. The concept that started The Road to Mecca is a journey of teams from all across Guyana to the Sports Hall to compete for the honour of National Club Champion. This year will have historic
significance since the winner will go down in the annals as the club that won the title in Guyana’s Jubilee year. Ravens won the first edition in 2014 and Pacesetters won last year. The top eight clubs, comprising four clubs from Georgetown and four from Linden, which reached the quarterfinal last year, will be automatic qualifiers. Another eight clubs,
including two from Berbice and six wildcard entrants will make up the 16 clubs to travel the Road to Mecca this year. The mammoth undertaking will have a nightly entertainment feature that includes a national three-point shooting contest. The plan is to galvanise basketball at the grassroots levels and to encourage the
families and communities to support players and teams. The GABF believes that with all hands on deck, including the corporate community, The Road to M e c c a I I I : G u y a n a ’s National Basketball Club Championships – The Jubilee Edition, can become a momentous event on Guyana’s sports calendar in a historic year.
t r o Sp Milo U-20 Schools Football resumes today, tomorrow
Tortured Murray outlasts Raonic to reach Melbourne final
Britain’s Andy Murray (Reuters/Issei Kato)
Part of the action in this year’s Competition.
Switzerland’s Martina Hingis (L) and India’s Sania Mirza (Reuters/Issei Kato)
Sammy shares some time with U-13 cricketers at Bourda Moments after he arrives for Unity Cricket
West Indies T20 Captain Darren Sammy took time for his busy afternoon yesterday to meet the U-13 cricketers at Bourda. 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