Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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Friday July 01, 2017

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

EDITORIAL ANARCHY ON OUR ROADS Traffic fatalities are among the leading causes of death in Guyana. They account for untold number of disabilities in the country. The indiscriminate use of the roads by all categories of road users, has led to anarchy on the roadways. It is reported that one traffic accident occurs every 45 minutes and one person is killed every 48 hours on the roads. The most recent traffic accident occurred at Liliendaal over the weekend. It claimed the life of Debra Pompey in a car driven by a woman who the police claimed was allegedly drunk. With road fatalities and accidents on the rise, it seems that society cannot afford to ignore the fact that anarchy exists on the roads. The country’s population is too small to lose 130 or more people killed annually on the roads. Driving in Guyana can be potentially hazardous especially at nights. The roads run through heavilypopulated villages, which are often unlit at nights. Most of the roads have no sidewalks and many are encumbered by vendors’ stalls, stray dogs, farm animals, parked or brokendown vehicles and sometimes piles of sand thus forcing bicyclists and pedestrians onto the roadways to compete for space with cars, mini-buses, trucks, horse-drawn carts and motorcycles. According to the World Health Organization, traffic fatalities in Guyana account for 27.5 percent of total deaths and Guyana ranks fourth in the world in terms of traffic deaths per capita. Half of the victims who perish on the roads every year are pedestrians. When the loss of employment and productivity and partial or permanent disability are considered, road accidents have cost the country millions of dollars per year. When expenses for vehicle repairs and replacements are computed, the costs easily add up. Not to mention health care cost which is estimated to cost an additional half billion dollars. There are several reasons for the high rate of traffic accidents and deaths on the roads. The major contributory factors to traffic fatalities have been speeding and drunk and d a n g e r o u s d r i v i n g h a b i t s . The problem has been aggravated by the fact that new vehicles are being added to the roads at an increasingly alarming rate, estimated at about 12,000 annually. Some drivers of commercial vehicles and minibuses simply do not have the skill, experience or temperament to be entrusted with the responsibility for human lives on public roads. Many others operate their vehicles without a valid driver’s license. Most accidents occur at night, on weekends or on holidays; they happen on open stretches of the highways, which suggests that more caution should be exercised while driving at nights. Many believe that minibus drivers are responsible for the most of traffic accidents and fatalities. A good number of them overload their buses, drive at unsafe speeds and display aggressive behaviour and poor road discipline. The large number of traffic accidents can also be blamed on far too few traffic policemen deployed on the roadways to enforce the laws. Guyana is a civilized society with laws which must be obeyed, however, enforcement of the traffic laws is critical to curbing drunk and dangerous drivers. But it seems that there are not enough resources and manpower to enforce the traffic ordinance codes. Police data have shown that in 2016 and in previous years, pedestrians continued to be the largest category of road users killed, yet much has not been done to solve this problem. The recent road safety campaign mounted in an attempt to reduce the number of traffic accidents and fatalities has failed so far. Pedestrians, drivers and all road users have been urged to use the five Cs – Care, Consideration, Caution, Common- sense, and Courtesy. However, the police have a lot more work to do to end anarchy on our roads.

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

Flooding in Guyana is also caused by human negligence Dear Editor, The existing flooding in Guyana is not only caused by heavy rain fall but by human negligence from the NDC’S and those responsible for drainage and irrigation. Last week Thursday it rained very heavily all day. I was in my room reading. I had a wedding to perform at 5 PM. My wife called and told me our downstairs was flooded. I left my studies and ran downstairs. The water was under my entire house. My neighbour’s kitchen was flooded. My front bridge was covered. I was worried about crossing over my front bridge. I needed a boat urgently, but to no avail. My concerns are many regarding where I live on Agriculture Road. I note with interest the water from the trench runs back into my yard. This trench is full of bushes and huge trees and snakes. The B V Tr i u m p h N D C i s responsible for digging this trench but it was never dug. If this trench was just six foot deep my yard and residents’ yard would have never come under water. This is the trench on the right hand side

of the road. I always pay my rates and taxes on time early in January; I never owed a cent yet I cannot get the services from the BV and Triumph NDC. The other trench over by NAREI has over-flowed into the NAREI compound and is now a threat to their stock farm. If these trenches were dug deep and properly maintained then we would have had no flooding. To avoid flooding we need deep trenches for land movement and the smaller trenches leading to the big trenches must be maintained properly. I also noticed that residents on Agriculture Road have constructed a number of structures on the government reserves in order to conduct business and there are also play grounds thus making it impossible for the NDC to clean these trenches. I wonder if it was not the NDC that gave these residents permission to build business structures on the government reserves, then who was it that gave them permission. I have travelled this entire nation and everywhere I see nasty trenches full of trees

and bushes. My sister called me from Port Mourant last week. She told me her yard is over three feet in water and there is no machine to pump out the water. In my travels, I noticed most pumps and kokers are not working. Why are we paying rates and taxes to NDC’S that do not have the citizens’ interest at the fore? In the news I see Ministers Patterson, Holder and Mr Flatts trying to help the situation that’s not far different from the 2005 floods, but my questions are the same. Why try to learn to start a pump only after you are flooded? Why try to bring a drag-line on a slippery muddy dam to work when these jobs should have been done earlier in the dry season? What are we paying taxes for? We should be asked not to pay taxes again until 2020 to recover our loses or residents should sue these NDC’S for compensation. I really want Mr. Patterson and Mr. Holder to come to Agriculture Road to see these business structures that hinder efforts to have these trenches properly cleaned. I really

want them to see this pot holed road that’s a human disgrace to the Guyana School of Agriculture. All these floods can be avoided if we have deep clean trenches with proper palls. In some areas it will take money but lots has been wasted on things like Mash, Carifesta, and Independence but we need to maintain this nation from constant flooding. Right now millions of dollars are lost in the rice and agriculture sector. Those areas needed to be protected. Millions are lost in live stock and residents have lost millions in house hold assets. We need to study this country during the rainy season and act early before it’s too late. In my observation this flooding could have been prevented if trenches, drains, kokers, sluices and pumps are properly managed and maintained. We need more competent people at the NDCs and NDIA. Only prayers can help us now. This flooding hinders our now Green Economy. Maybe our current administration will blame God now for the rains. Rev.Gideon Cecil

A game of incompetence is being played out Dear Editor, My attention was drawn to letters from Mr. Tony Vieira that was published in your June 28 and 29th editions captioned “My pronouncements on the sugar industry are always right” and “GAWU and the PPP contributed to the crises in the sugar industry”, respectively. The two letters were conjoined and previously published in another section of the media. In the letter published on June 28, Mr. Vieira, among other inputs, described the current CEO of GuySuCo as being “unfit to lead the diversification of GuySuCo” and stated that “indeed I believe that he is the wrong person to see it through this dangerous period for sugar”, and he listed 8 reasons to support his claim that the gentleman is the wrong person to lead the sugar company. In the letter published on June 29, Mr. Vieira posited that Paul Bhim, the current Finance Director, “would make a better CEO for GuySuCo today”. He further stated that “long ago I wrote about him, that he was removed as CE by the PPP because he had the guts to say that there was “no cane in the fields”, which he inherited, in

order words the man is not a hypocrite”. Well, Mr. Vieira, not so fast. The “long ago” that you referred to was June 9, 2013. It was when your letter captioned “The sugar industry is in free fall” was published in another newspaper. In the said letter this was what you stated with reference to Paul Bhim “To confirm that an enquiry is essential and that the corporation is in confused and incapable hands we have to look more closely at an article of June 3rd; we are doing this not to see what Mr Chand is saying, but to see the responses of CEO Bhim to Mr Chand’s accusations. Mr Bhim’s first response to Mr Chand’s challenge is unbelievable when he was reported as saying that currently the corporation was conducting cane estimates for all seven estates. The report went on to say, “He noted that going into the second crop of the year, GuySuCo had to ensure that enough cane was planted to produce the yield necessary to make the original second crop target of 170,000 tonnes.” Editor this is the CEO of our biggest industry telling us in

June 2013 that he has yet to see if enough cane was planted to produce the yield necessary to make the original second crop target of 170,000 tonnes! He should have known this before he made his corporation estimates at the beginning of this year when the Finance Minister gave the projections in Parliament, not now, a few weeks before the start of the second crop when he is saying that he still doesn’t know how much cane was planted in the 2012 second crop, and how much cane he will have available for reaping in 2013. Any private company would have fired this man immediately. But the nonsense does not end there: he goes on to say, “We are not looking at importing sugar as yet because the second crop needs to be finished… but we have had to import sugar in the past.” This report as said above appeared on June 3rd. Do you mean to tell me, Editor, that the CEO of the corporation in June does not know how his 2nd crop will do? But he projects that it will start earlier than usual in the third week of June, in the rain, and that he has to wait for the

crop to finish before he decides if it will be necessary to import sugar for the local market or not? So, Mr. Vieira where did you state that Bhim “was removed as CE by the PPP because he had the guts to say that there was “no cane in the fields”? You did not. As a matter of fact it was you who felt that “any private company would have fired this man immediately”. Let’s visit the letter of June 29th, where you described the current CEO, Errol Hanoman, as being “unfit’ to lead the sugar company. In your June 9, 2013 letter this was what you said of Hanoman “I am still asking myself why Mr Errol Hanoman, a very competent former Finance Director of the corporation resigned from this job as CEO after only about year in office.” It’s obvious Mr. Vieira, there has been a complete inversion process in your appraisal of both gentlemen, and by the way your statement that Bhim “inherited no cane in the fields”; it was inherited from Hanoman. It’s a game of incompetence played out on musical chairs. Selwyn Narinedatt

Saturday July 01, 2017

THIS CONFLICT IN GUYANA’S LAWS SHOULD BE CORRECTED FORTHWITH DEAR EDITOR, I am a recent re-migrant from Canada to Guyana and as such I would like to take advantage of the reduced duties charged on an imported vehicle. However, it seems I am to be denied this privilege because of two laws in Guyana which conflict with each other, although not at first glance. I refer to the law which requires one to drive on the left side of the road in Guyana (Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Cap. 51:02, Sec. 47) and the law which stipulates that re-migrants must own the vehicle they are importing for at least six months prior to resuming residence in Guyana, Customs Act, Cap. 82:01, Sec. 1 (a) (b). Obviously, if one is to operate a vehicle with maximum safety on the left side of the road one must use a vehicle outfitted with the steering wheel on the right. One cannot do other than infer from Section 7 (2) of the Traffic Act that the reason the architects of Guyana’s traffic laws severely curtailed the use of left hand drive vehicles in Guyana was to optimize safety on Guyana’s roads. Section 7 (2) of the Traffic Act states: “Unless the Minister otherwise directs a licensing officer shall not register a motor vehicle, other than a tractor, having the steering pillar on the left or near side, which has been imported or brought

into Guyana after the 31st of December 1932.” However, with apparent disregard for the current traffic laws and road safety in Guyana, the law relating to the importation of vehicles by remigrants compels most re-migrants to import left hand drive vehicles. I say “compels most re-migrants” because currently most of Guyana’s remigrants are from North America where left hand drive vehicles are employed to drive on the right side of the road, and since the law requires them to own the vehicle that is to be imported for at least six months prior to returning to Guyana in order to qualify for the special duty concessions, the vehicle must be purchased in North America – a left hand drive vehicle obviously. Thus the two laws contradict each other – one requiring persons to drive on the left side of the road and promoting almost exclusive use of right hand drive vehicles to apparently maximize safety on the roads, and the other causing persons (albeit indirectly) to import left hand drive vehicles which are creating safety hazards on the roads. Does Guyana not have sufficient carnage on its roads? Do we need to add another dangerous factor to the already deadly equation of lawlessness and recklessness on Guyana’s roads? Additionally, this law penal-

izes those re-migrants from North America who, out of a sincere concern for their own safety and the safety of others on Guyana’s roads, refuse to import a left hand drive vehicle. Such is the case with me. I was recently informed by GRA that I will be denied the benefit of reduced duties on an imported vehicle because I refuse to bring a left hand drive one from Canada. This ought not to be. I submit that the consequences of the law regarding re-migrant importation of vehicles were not well thought out by the architects of this law. The lawmakers of Guyana need to decide forthwith – do they want the citizens to drive on the left or right side of the roads in Guyana? Whichever side they choose, they must contemporaneously enact laws which facilitate driving safely on that side. As it stands now, the law which requires re-migrants to preown the vehicle they are importing is in most cases definitely not achieving that end and a law that does not contribute to the welfare of those in the sphere of its governance is not good law and should be amended or repealed. I hope this letter will be read in particular by President Granger, the Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs, and the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority. Valerie Leung. LLB; LLM; LLD.

Complaints against REO of Region 5 DEAR EDITOR, Ovid Morrison, REO for Region 5 was impertinent to insinuate that between 1992 to 2015, “many of the people who were appointed and promoted to high positions were appointed and promoted even though they didn’t have the minimum qualifications for those positions” In fact, he accused the PPP Administration of employing “square pegs in round holes” and wrote, “But I am proud to add that this stigma is not applicable to my staffers, all of whom possess the pre-requisites for giving me the support I need.” Well, I challenge Morrison to prove that those persons

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hired from 1992 to 2015 do not have the necessary qualifications, and to provide the evidence that those hired under his watch do possess the appropriate qualifications. I have examined Morrison’s tenure as REO of Region 5, and it is obvious that his actions are in direct conflict with the government’s policies on social cohesion. Recently, Morrison hired 17 new employees, all from one group. How does he justify this? With all the propaganda aimed at labelling the PPP as a racist party, at no time during its 23 years in government had there ever been a single event where 17 persons of Indian descent were hired by

the PPP Administration at the exclusion of another ethnicity. Who’s the racist now? There also needs to be an investigation into Morrison’s hiring of a former Field Auditor that was previously fired. She is presently employed at a lower position at the RDC and drives a dutyfree car, registration number PTT 9827. With reference to the promotion of heavy-duty driver, Frank Wilson to that of Transport Officer, I never questioned Wilson’s qualifications to hold that position. I merely said the position of Transport Officer does not exist under the RDC staffing (Continued on page 6)

Are we failing the children once again? DEAR EDITOR, On May 25, 2010 the then President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo assented to the Sexual Offences Bill; a significant bill that included input from concerned citizens and schoolchildren. Within the said Bill are also provisions and penalties outlined for dealing with the media. It is clearly stipulated that if the media is irresponsible and if they put victims of sexual abuse through a second set of trauma after they’ve suffered these serious abuses, then they will pay the penalty too. Fast forwarding to the question raised in Kaieteur News June 29, by HasaniTinnie, Communication Officer of Child Link, as to the absence of a counsel-

lor during the rescue effort, the answer does augur for a somewhat bumpy landing. Basically, it is a superfluous question, as not only is Guyana a signatory on the Rights of the Child Convention, has its own laws on Sexual Abuse, but also clearly defined rules as to the expectation and conduct of the media. When will Guyana get anything right? How long will it take the country to see the light? What then are laws for, if they are not being followed? What was the reporter’s underlying motive for questioning the victims during such a traumatic period? Was he assuring the public that he was in the loop by gaining first-hand scoop? Without a shadow of a doubt, he should

be held accountable for violating the Bill and dealt with according to the law. The situation cries out for a revisiting of the existing Sexual Offences Bill by all concerned with rescuing our young from the new Guyanese pandemic—sexual abuse. At the selfsame time it could serve as an opportunity for the government to initiate a —CHILD ABUSE RESCUE TEAM (C A R T ) comprising of all appropriate personnel involved in effecting humane rescue missions as outlined by the Geneva Convention of which Guyana remains a signatory. The media must know its responsibilities and place in the grand scheme of things, especially in the fight for children’s’ rights. Yvonne Sam.

As 2020, approaches, the PPP is getting desperate DEAREDITOR, The PPP rumor mill is beginning to grease itself and retool for the upcoming elections. No doubt the United Republican Party (URP) is clearly in their sights. I have received several calls from prominent PPP executives, who think that what my party is doing will “split” the PPP votes. What they really mean – whenever they talk about “splitting” – is that because I am Indian, fellow Indians will vote for my party and that will weaken the PPP’s chances of winning. I have always seen this race-baiting and ethnic-appealing, as a vile, racist, bigoted approach to local politics. Guyana has never been a country whose electorate has ever voted based purely on issues. We have been dogged by the scourge of racial and ethnic tensions for as many years. And even though we see that it has damaged us and our children and that it continues to hamstring us and our future, it seems that our politicians will never let up. So I was not the least surprised when the PPP sent out that fake email, purporting to have come from the current Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Basil Williams. In that email the PPP claimed that the URP is working for the Government to win Indian votes to the Coalition. The PPP is known for their rumor mongering and their

subtle and blatant racist rants and attacks. These are old strategies that have worked for them for many years. However, with the changing demographics of Guyana, these approaches are becoming worn out. The URP was around since 1985. We were approached by many folks to join the now tattering APNU. We refused because we knew that the PNC would stifle the smaller parties and continue in their old PNC-ways. So we opted to not join the APNU and to go it by ourselves. We were the only party other than the larger two, to contest the National and Regional Elections, in every Region, in the 2015 elections. None of the current parties that now make up the APNU was able to do that. So we know that the PPP and the Coalition have long had their eyes on us. They suspect that folks are looking at us and they are agreeing with what we stand for. For many years the country has

been in the wicked grip of racial tension and backward political ideologies, and we challenged the old status quo. They are beginning to be concerned that if sufficient Guyanese awake to the political realities in Guyana, the URP can carve out some of their support and win some seats in the Parliament. This of course would mess up the balance of power between the two parties that have long strangled the Guyanese people. So they are beginning their mudslinging. Well, we welcome it. This letter is not designed to complain. We are just amused and thankful to God, that after these many years in the political arena, we are making the kind of progress to attract the ire of the larger parties. It was Mahatma Gandhi who said: First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. The URP is bracing for the fight. Bring it on! Dr. Vishnu Bandhu

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DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) wishes to respond to a letter from the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) titled “Sugar workers have rights and the right to be responsible” that was published on June 29, 2017 by Kaieteur News and authored by the Corporation’s Senior Communications Officer, Ms Audreyanna Thomas. Through this letter, GuySuCo continues its relentless campaign of peddling falsehoods which have so far failed to gain any traction with the sugar workers and many Guyanese. We again wish to advise Ms. Thomas and GuySuCo that we are very much aware of our responsibility to our members and under no circumstance will we shirk from our legal responsibility. It is the pursuance of our legal and moral obligations that has caused, no doubt, the Corporation to become irked and resort to lashing out like a spoilt child. We also recognize that a successful, viable sugar industry is in the interest of the workers and the nation. It is against that backdrop that we have been strong and consistent in our view that the decisions that are being taken for the industry will not lend to the success and viability that all Guyanese desire and want for the sugar industry. The GAWU will continue to ex-

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Kaieteur News

GuySuCo continues to peddle its falsehoods press its views with respect to the decisions on sugar. The Corporation’s Officer then goes on to say that GAWU’s behaviour would be different had GuySuCo been a private entity. For Ms. Thomas’ information, GAWU also represents workers in the private sector and unlike GuySuCo, those employers treat their workers and the Union with respect. Our relations with the private sector employers have generally been amicable and we hardly, if at all, encounter anti-worker or anti-Union expressions in our negotiations with them. We seek similar relations with GuySuCo but in the Corporation’s eyes, for reasons best known to itself, we are seemingly deemed persona non grata for the last two (2) years. The Union is being accused of not educating workers of their responsibilities. This, Ms. Thomas, is furthest from the truth as one could be. GAWU through its education programme has been informing workers of both their rights and responsibilities. In fact, GuySuCo has always been invited by GAWU to send its personnel to a number of previous 5-day training courses sessions that have been organized for sugar workers. It was fertile ground for the Corporation’s representativesto lecture the

workers about matters in the company’s interests. But now, unfortunately, that worthwhile endeavour has been undermined by the Corporation’s actions in denying workers paid-release to attend those courses, which are provided for in the extant collective labour agreement. We hasten to point out that the Corporation’s decision runs counter to that legallybinding agreement and it is another attack on the workers and Union. The Corporation, once again, speaks to the refusal of cane planters of Enmore/ LBI Estate to undertake cane cutting tasks in the first crop 2017. On several occasions, we have painfully pointed out that the Corporation’s request of the planters was contrary to the established agreement and long-standing practices. That is why the workers in the first place refused to undertake cane cutting tasks. We felt by now the Corporation would have stopped flogging that dead horse. We also wish to advise Ms Thomas, if she isn’t aware, it is as a result of our Union’s proactive involvement that the cane cutters of Enmore/LBI returned to work on May 26, 2017 following a meeting between the central officers of the Union and GuySuCo the day before. The Corporation should also advise the nation why is it that despite Enmore/LBI Estate cultivation being conducive to mechanized cane harvesting that the operation wasn’t pursued at the Estate during the first crop especially in view of its enhanced productivity and cost-effectiveness and more so given that Skeldon’s entire fleet of harvesters were not utilized in the absence of a crop at that estate. We are once again criticized for advising the Wales cane cutters and cane transport operators of their rights. Our Union, Ms Thomas, is

duty-bound in this regard. The workers obviously having heard from the Union would have rationally considered their options. This is borne out in a June 19, 2017 letter in which former worker –Eion Fernandes –in reference to the workers demand for severance is quoted to have said:-”We put our matter to GAWU that we don’t want to go and they are just supporting us”. GuySuCo also calls attention to the workers protest at Rose Hall on May 12, 2017. May we remind GuySuCo, that the workers, like all Guyanese, have a constitutional right to protest? While the Corporation advised that the some number of workers should have been cooperative, the GuySuCo fails to recognize that its un-cooperative approach with the workers and the Union certainly would not yield the kind of attitude it desires.

The Corporation then talks about its Management being ‘good stewards’. Their stewardship has seen production moving from 231,000 tonnes sugar in 2015 to a miserable 183,000 tonnes in 2016 and below 50,000 tonnes in the first crop 2017. Their stewardship has seen the displacement of hundreds of workers at Wales furthering poverty, criminality, depravity and other social issues in the communities linked to the Estate. Their stewardship is seeing plans furthered to close estates and push onto the breadline thousands and in that process destroy the social fabric of many communities. Their stewardship has seen the laws of the country, agreements, international conventions, long-standing principles, time-honoured traditions and practices being openly disrespected and flouted. The GAWU is at a

loss to see the ‘good stewards’ Ms Thomas speaks so highly about. We are also told by Ms Thomas that she wishes to see GAWU advising workers on the opportunities which are available and would emerge from GuySuCo’s reorganisation. But we ask what the opportunities are? At Wales, besides rice which has limited involvement of the Wales workers, there is no other opportunity unless Ms Thomas meant to say there is an increased opportunity for the people of Wales to slide into poverty, depravity and suffering. Our Union which has been singled out for consistent attack by the sugar corporation and its apologists will not be daunted by the ever-expanding web of halftruths and untruths. GAWU has a proud record of standing in the workers corner and will remain so. Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

Complaints against REO of Region 5 From page 5 inventory, and there is no indication that this appointment was ever approved by the Public Service Commission and/or the Department of Public Service. Morrison did not dispute this in his letter. But what I do question is the REO’s authority to offer his friend Frank Wilson a government house to live in and a government car PTT 4262 to use. Morrison is yet to explain this. And the two motorcycles he offered, APNU+AFC Councillor Delon Crawford and his wife were motorcycles that were bought for the use of the Environmental Health Assistants. In any event, it is not Morrison’s prerogative to allocate government property and vehicles to his political colleagues who do not qualify for government housing and transportation. And he is yet to explain who is paying for

the gas, lubricant and maintenance of these vehicles. I addition, Morrison is yet to explain under who’s authority or law was he able to put in place a number of acting appointments without the authority of the Public Service Commission or Department of Public Service. The NDCs already have an accounting system in place. The chief accountant does not have the authority to implement any accounting systems at the NDCs. Chapter 28:02, Section 132 reads, “The accounts of the receipt and expenditure of every village or country district shall be in the form for the time being prescribed by the Minister.” As Head of the Budget Agency, Morrison is required by law to affix his signature to the NDCs Bank Accounts which he has failed to do because he makes no effort to correct a conflict with his name. But instead of admitting that, he continues to use the excuse that, “I am not willing to put my signature all

over the place when some Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of certain NDCs, are misusing funds without the authority of the overseer.” If this is so, why aren’t these “Chairmen and Vice Chairmen” being investigated? Until Morrison fixes the conflict with his name, the bank will not accept his signature and this will force the NDCs to find creative ways to pay contractors to avoid impeding progression the region. If the PPP did not establish a Finance Committee when they were in power, why is it that he does not want to support the establishment of a Finance Committee now if he feels it necessary. After all, the APNU+AFC campaigned on a platform of accountability and transparency. Morrison needs to explain his lack of support now for the establishment of the same Finance Committee he criticized the PPP for not setting up. What is there to hide? HARRY GILL PPP/C Member of Parliament

Saturday July 01, 2017

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Security guard shot dead during botched robbery

Guyana to sign financing agreement with the OPEC Fund

- Gunmen escape with victim’s firearm

Guyana is set to sign an Organisations of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund for International Development. This comes as Government takes additional steps to promote trade and investment operations in the country. The announcement was made yesterday by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, at the post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency. He explained that Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, will sign the agreement on behalf of the Government Guyana in Vienna, Austria on July 14, 2017. The agreement which caters for encouragement and protection of invest-

A security guard was shot dead last night during a scuffle with two gunmen at the Good Luck Supermarket on Dennis Street, Sophia around 18:30 hrs yesterday. The victim has been identified Gerald Henry of ‘C’ Field Sophia, Georgetown. He was shot once to the chest and died. According to reports, the victim was standing inside the supermarket when two gunmen entered and went straight up to him and a scuffle began. “(The victim) was standing inside the supermarket and like these guys see he had a gun. So one of them went straight up to him—to try to grab the gun but Henry start to fight with he and that’s when he (victim) get shoot to the chest,” a police source said. Kaieteur News was informed that after shooting Henry, the gunmen collected his weapon and ran out of the supermarket— without taking any valuables. It is unclear whether they had a vehicle waiting on them or whether they

Dead: Gerald Henry escaped on foot. Immediately after, the security guard was rushed to the GPHC where he was pronounced dead on arrival. When this newspaper visited the hospital last night, the victim’s wife, Abeola Harris was heard crying from inside the Accident and Emergency Unit where she was taken to identity her spouse’s remains. She was not in a position to speak to the media. The victim’s sister-n-law, June Peters, said that she was at home last night when her

sister called her in tears and asked that she take her to the hospital. “She called crying and telling me that the work place called and say that Gerald get shoot and he gone to the hospital,” Peters said. Fighting to hold back tears, the woman said that when they reached the hospital, the security guard was already dead. At the scene, detectives were reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing staff and owner of the supermarket. Kaieteur News understands that the two gunmen wore hats to conceal their identity but their faces can be recognized. One onlooker said that he had just left the supermarket when he heard the gunshot and ran for shelter, thinking someone was behind him shooting. “I run and jumped in the bush because in this place. You can’t take chance. Imagine I just see that guard and now he dead.” Up to press time, ranks were conducting patrol duties in the area trying to locate the suspects.

ments, would provide opportunities for Guyana to benefit from OPEC’s resources to advance private sector, trade finance and public-sector operations. OPEC is a permanent, inter-governmental organization, created at the Baghdad Conference on September 10 to 14, 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. OPEC’s objective is to co-ordinate and unify petroleum policies among member countries, in order to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers; an efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to consuming nations; and a fair return on capital to those investing

in the industry. The OPEC Fund for International Development is a financing window, endowed with its own resources, through which the fund channels support directly to the private sector in developing countries. The objectives of the fund are to promote economic development by encouraging the growth of productive private enterprise and supporting the growth of local capital markets. Under the OPEC Fund for International Development, loans are made to financial institutions for on-lending to small, medium and micro-enterprises, as well as directly to specific projects.

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Can Exxon be trusted? Exxon Mobil holds all the cards in relation to its operations in Guyana. ExxonMobil controls the information flow out of the Stabroek block. Guyana is just like a sponge absorbing all that ExxonMobil is saying and hoping that it is true. But Guyana has no way of knowing for sure because the Guyana government believes that ExxonMobil is honest, oh so honest with them. It is good to have such faith. It is called blind faith and it has billions of adherents the world over. Exxon knows that it has all the cards. And it will deal with those cards according to its own rules. Guyana is hoping that Exxon, as one of the largest multinationals in the world, will deal a fair hand. But even if they don’t, Guyana still does not lose because you cannot claim to have any entitlement to what

you do not have. Guyana is getting excited about oil but all it knows is what ExxonMobil tells it. ExxonMobil is the only one that knows whether there is oil or whether there is water in the wells that it has drilled. ExxonMobil is the only one who knows the quality of that oil or the amount which exists below the sea bed. Guyana is simply accepting what Exxon Mobil is saying. It has no way of verifying anything that is said because it is that company which is drilling for the oil and which says that it has found oil. The timing of ExxonMobil’s oil find in Guyana was most amazing. It was just a mere days before the general and regional elections of May 11. The PPPC thought it would have swung the elections in its favor. We do not know whether Exxon Mobil felt the same way. We

have no way of knowing because Exxon Mobil holds all the cards. Only they knew, for sure, that they had struck oil. The announcement had a striking resemblance to what Bosai did when it announced that it was going to build a smelter in Guyana and invest close to one billion dollars. It did work for the PPPC. But we do not know whether political calculations were involved in the decision of Exxon Mobil to announce that it has struck oil days before the 2015 elections even though it is hard pressed to explain why Exxon Mobil could not wait until after the elections to make that announcement. It is strange that ExxonMobil has found oil and other companies have not. Perhaps they were not looking in the right place. But now that it is known that Exxon Mobil has struck oil in a par-

Dem boys seh ...

De Chat-3 begging fuh sympathy Wha go round does come round. De Brazil President, Lula, wha Jagdeo give de highest national award in Guyana, is before de courts fuh thiefing. De lady who he install get kick out de wuk and dem trying to jail she. De man who tek over from she and is de sitting president going to jail fuh big time corruption. In Guyana, De Chat-3 when he was Attorney General, do all de wicked things in de world. And dem boys ain’t talking bout wealth, yet. He, Jagdeo and Donald Dumb do all kind of things fuh get nuff people in trouble. Dem use to sit down and plan how to imprison people who talk against dem and who stand up to dem. Dem know de people was

innocent of any crime but dem three didn’t care. They were almighty. Now things change and de shoe deh pun de other foot. Dem getting drag before de court one by one fuh de wicked and corrupt things dem do. Up to dis week a magistrate do a wicked thing. She send a clear message in open court to de Chat-3 that SOCU seeking a search warrant and that he must go home and hide heself. Dem boys never hear or see any action like that in any court in de world. All over de world dem does do warrant in chambers but this mag-

istrate do de warrant on open court. Then she hold on pun it and tell dem come back hours later. Dem boys seh de only way this coulda happen if somebody was husband and wife or you paymaster. Everybady know de Chat-3 and de woman been to law school together and he woulda influence Jagdeo to appoint her. After all, everybody knows he who pays de piper calls de tune. Talk half and watch how de Chat-3 tun a spinner.

ticular location, how is it that other companies with concessions nearby are not in hot pursuit of drilling rights. Guyana does not know because Exxon Mobil has all the cards. Exxon Mobil has quickly decided that it will make an investment in the Liza well. That decision came very quick so that assumption is that ExxonMobil feels confident about the amount of oil in that well. But that is not how oil companies make investment decisions. They usually look at the long-term picture to see the reserves of the area in which they are operating. They should have been drilling more wells before committing the billions which they say they will be investing in the Liza well. Guyana will try to comfort

itself by saying that if the company was bluffing it would not be spending all that money. We do not know because Exxon Mobil holds all the cards. What is sure is that ExxonMobil is so awash in money that tomorrow it can walk from any investment in Guyana and not in a cent poorer. ExxonMobil holds all the cards. Guyana trusts ExxonMobil. Where there is trust there can be happiness.

For the sake of all those Guyanese who feel that oil riches are on the horizon, let us hope that ExxonMobil can be trusted.

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Saturday July 01, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

More conversations with “De Donald” My Saturday, June 17 column featured part of an interview with Donald Ramotar. The caption stated; “Interview with “De Donald at Sleep-In.” I have had requests to publish more answers from the interview with this man who was president for three years and is generally regarded in intellectual circles as the least effective PPP leader. What follows are more answers from De Donald. I will give it a rest after this column; surely there are more pressing things to write on than the vagaries and fictions in the mind of the Guyanese Medvedev. As stated in the previous interview, DD refers to De Donald.

FK – It certainly looked terrible as President, when the video of you back-balling at this very hotel went viral. DD – Back-balling is a dance. I like dancing. It is just like gyrating to soca music FK – But at the time, you were the president of a known Caribbean country. DD- Like the Rastafari brethren would say; “I maan is just another human being.” When I blackballed with that woman I wasn’t wearing my presidential hat. FKRupert Roopnaraine coined a phrase during the 2011 election campaign that really galvanized people - “No

place for Donald” meaning after 1992, all your solid contemporaries in the PPP were given top Cabinet and state sector jobs but not you. The position of Foreign Affairs Minister is always assigned in any country to someone with university qualifications and even Rohee got that job from President Cheddi Jagan. Why was there no place for you? DD- I must laugh at that. Who did you say invented that phrase? FKRupert Roopnaraine. DD- Well as you can see; there’s no place for Rupert too. FK – You are a husband a n d a f a t h e r. Yo u w e r e birthed by a woman. Don’t you think men ought to respect women? How could you have defended Bheri Ramsarran after what he did to social activist, Sherlina Najeer. DD- That was a long

time ago. I cannot even vaguely recall what you’re talking about. FK - Sir that was just one month before the historic 2015 election after which you lost your presidency. DD – Who said, I lost the elections. They were rigged. FK – Can you please not change the topic? The question relates to the incident between Ramsarran and Najeer. DD- I want to talk about rigged elections not Bheri. FK- You also claimed the 2011 elections were rigged. DD – They were. FK- And the 2015 one too? DD- Yes. You see the PPP never lost an election and will never lose an election. FK- How is that? DD- Because we are the PPP. We can never lose. It is as simple as that. FK- Why do you think the PNC and AFC waited until 2011 to rig the election and even so, you still won the presidency in 2011? Does someone rig an election to lose it?

DD- Well that happened to the PNC and AFC in 2011. They are stupid people FK – So again in 2015 they rig, and only won by fewer than 5000 votes and lead by just one seat in parliament. How do you explain such kind of rigging? DD- Well I just answered your question. They are stupid people. FK – I don’t suppose you see the PPP as stupid people too? DD- No! No! No! We are the best of the lot. We are better than any other group that was ever born in Guyana. FK- The list would include people like Bharrat Jagdeo, Kwame McCoy, Kellawan Lall etc? DD – I don’t think you understand what I am saying. I am saying that once you are in the PPP, you are a superior political animal. You are better than your corresponding number in other political organizations. FK- That is graphic chauvinism, sir. DD- Use simpler descriptions. I have no time for big words FK- What do you have time for? DD- Reclaiming the presi-

Frederick Kissoon dency FK- You mean you still have such ambition? Explain. DD- You see Jagdeo will not win the two-term restriction in the CCJ. So the PPP has to choose someone other than Jagdeo. That someone will be me. FK- How come? DD- Because Jagdeo is the Almighty in the PPP. He is the supreme leader. He knows he cannot trust another person in the presidency because he might not be able to control him. But he knows in me, he has a willing servant.FK- So you are admitting you are Jagdeo’s servant. DD- In life you have to kiss arse to be somebody. This interview is over. I want to return to my back-balling; the lady is waiting Writer’s note: this was satirical fiction.

Saturday July 01, 2017

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Kaieteur News

$120M more to be spent on Supenaam Stelling The Supenaam Stelling in Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam) is once again, slated to undergo a multimillion-dollar make over. Minister of State Joseph Harmon, during the postCabinet Press briefings in Georgetown yesterday, noted the award of the contract. He said that the contract in the sum of $120,245,000 was awarded to S. Maraj Contracting Service. The Supenaam Stelling, has in the past, faced intense scrutiny after the $600M facility began suffering structural defects days after it was commissioned in 2010. This particular project, because of its cost, problems and importance, had sparked an inquiry involving the contractor, BK International. At the time, neither the government of the day – the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) nor the consultants took the blame. Millions were dished out to rectify the myriad problems that were experienced throughout the years. It is still unclear if anyone was penalised for the shoddy work. In May 2010, the stelling ramp buckled under the weight of a heavy vehicle, days after it was open to ferry traffic. Ferries were forced to revert to the Adventure

Stelling which government had hoped to abandon. In September 2013, a section of the deck slab leading to the ramp that allows vehicles to load into the ferries collapsed, forcing transportation officials to restrict heavy vehicles and leaving rice farmers angry over the delays. The incident had triggered more questions of the quality of work on government projects. On July 6, 2016, the M.V. Sabanto collided with a flotation unit and cluster piles causing extensive damage. Rehabilitation was executed by the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation to the tune of $17M where corrective works entailed the removal of damaged cluster piles; driving of new clusters; changing of damaged components and re-aligning the span to its correct position. Additional works were executed to the Supenaam stelling. There were rehabilitation to the side-loading system where three piles were replaced; defective galvanized safety rails and lamp poles were re-installed; defective curb walls were re-cast; and sections of the driveway were covered with asphalt. These works were carried out by M. Sukhai Contracting Service. Minister Harmon told me-

Millions of dollars more to be spent on repairs to the Supenaam Stelling. dia operatives yesterday that the facility will have to be fixed. He stressed the importance of the stelling. “It is the principal point of entry into the region particularly for goods and services that is, huge trucks and other forms of transportation going in to that region. It is

Stats show three cases of Tip for the year The Ministry of Social Protection continues to work towards preventing the Trafficking In Persons (TIP) in Guyana. Tanisha Williams-Corbin, Coordinator (ag), Countering Trafficking in Persons Unit (CTIP), told the Department of Public Information (DPI)/Government Information Agency (GINA) that for the period January to March 2017, three cases of Trafficking in Persons were referred to the Guyana Police Force for investigations. Williams-Corbin noted that during the period the CTIP unit rescued five victims, three of whom were below the age of 18. She said that some of these victims were referred and some were picked up from raids. All three of the cases were sent for legal advice, three individuals were charged. Two of the cases are ongoing in the M a g i s t r a t e ’s C o u r t a n d one has been dismissed.

Just recently Guyana was moved up to a Tier 1 rating by the US State Department Report for its efforts to combat human trafficking. The Ministry of Public Security is also involved in the fight a g a i n s t T I P. Oliver Profitt, Coordinator for the Trafficking in Persons Task Force, said his unit has already begun working on the recommendations in the US St a t e D e p a r t m e n t ’s r e port. Profitt said, “We were able to look at the document and review the recommendations. We have already identified some ways of going forward, that we can go forward and that we can put those things into practice.” He also thanked the

people and organisations who have come onboard and assisted towards c h a n g i n g G u y a n a ’s r e cent placement at Tier 1 by the US State Department. Williams-Corbin vows that this year, the CTIP unit will continue its vigilance as Trafficking in Persons is still a major issue in Guyana and across the world. Additionally, as part of efforts to raise awareness of TIP the Unit is also preparing the Victims’ Rights Handbook, the first of its kind, to be launched soon.

important that we always keep it at a high state of maintenance. “And it is part of our responsibility to ensure that the citizens of every region of this country, that we are able to provide a reliable form of transportation for their goods

and services, and this is why we will have to spend the money on these facilities.” Harmon said. Works will also be carried out on Morawhanna Stelling in Region One (Barima/ Waini). A contract in the sum of $27,993,000 was awarded to

M. Sukhai Contracting Services. Also, a contact in the sum of $291,445,000 was awarded to Brenco Shipping Company Limited for the acquisition and installation of a propulsion system for the MB Sandaka.

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Saturday July 01, 2017

Kaieteur News

Guyana inches closer to EU deal on timber certification Guyana has made significant progress towards concluding a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union (EU), after completing a key milestone in the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) VPA negotiation process. Known as Field Testing, this phase enabled stakeholders to evaluate progress and make recommendations for the successful completion of the VPA negotiations. The Field Testing Working Group (FTWG) included a broad range of stakeholders groups: representatives from the private sector, indigenous organizations, civil society, community organizations and Government, providing an open and transparent framework for the entire process, the Guyana Forestry Commission has disclosed. The EU’s FLEGT Action Plan was established in 2003. It aims to reduce illegal logging by strengthening sustainable and legal forest management, improving governance and promoting trade in legally produced timber. Guyana is dependent on the agreement to make it easier to trade with especially Europe, which has strict laws to tackle illegal logging. The FLEGT programme

and its implementation have been engaging authorities in recent years. According to GFC, during the period June 12 to June 26,, the FTWG visited regions across the country, gathering views from approximately 150 stakeholders on their opinions and assessments of the main sections of the VPA Annexes. “The field testing allowed for a frank assessment of the practicality and credibility of the VPA’s legality definition and legality verification procedures, as well as the readiness of Government agencies to implement the Guyana Timber Legality Assurance System. Initial findings from the Field Testing are positive,” GFC disclosed. Guyana will use the feedback gathered to strengthen the VPA Annexes, addressing gaps and opportunities which the field testing identified. “The VPA aims to address the illegal trade of timber. Once ratified, the VPA will commit both parties to trade in only legal timber and timber products and cover Guyana’s domestic market as well as its exports to the EU.” Substantial progress has been made on the VPA since negotiations began in December 2012 and it is hoped that initialing of the VPA will be done in the last quarter of

Field testing team at work recently.

2017. The issue of illegal logging has over the years been a key one for forested countries like Guyana. Consecutive governments have been working to tighten on systems that allowed for tracking of timber from the stumps to market place.

Nandlall digs deeper into $500,000 housing rental The Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, has officially responded to the concerns of former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. This is as it relates to the rental of two houses at $500,000 each for two junior Ministers, Simona Broomes and Valerie Patterson. However, Nandlall is not satisfied. To this extent he has

written another letter to Isaacs for even more information than was initially sought. Nandlall said, “I note that you have confirmed that the rental of a house for Minister Broomes was done without any statutory/constitutional provision or Order authorizing the same. You contend that the rental of

living accommodation for a Minister is done by way of an “administrative decision”.” Nandlall highlighted, again, only the case of Minister Broomes’s rental accommodation, ignoring Patterson completely. He then asked Isaacs, “Please indicate who made (Continued on page 23)

Saturday July 01, 2017

EU recommits providing support for city drainage rehabilitation The European Union has reiterated its commitment technical support for the city drainage rehabilitation project. During a recently held press conference, officials attached to the EU’s local Headquarters have said that the Union will be providing Guyana with continued support in this regard. According to EU programme Officer, Odran Hayes, in addition to providing technical support, the EU will aid in terms of increasing the pumping and drainage capacity for Georgetown. Hayes revealed a plan to provide two additional pumping systems with outfalls to the city. Part of the project, set to be addressed is a component for the Sea Defence project. Additionally, the programme officer said that the EU will be working with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Civil Defence Commission (CDC), to address matters of legislative reform under the purview of sea defence mecha-

nisms. According to Hayes, the plan is to update the Sea Defence Act. The Union is also expected to provide assistance in terms of a new Disaster Risk Management Bill. The Union is therefore slated to correlate with the CDC, various municipalities and several communities on mechanism on matters of disaster risk management. An important component of the project, the EU rep disclosed will be towards encouraging young women to follow careers in Engineering and Science.” Hayes said that the Ministry of Public infrastructure had shown commitment in this regard. Based on discussions, the EU Representative said the Ministry of Public Infrastructure has now committed to having 33% female representation on board. Drainage has been a critical issue for the country, especially for the thousands of farmers along the coastland. With

those areas below sea level, consecutive Governments have been battling to not only keep the ocean out, but to keep farmlands adequately irrigated. It is by no means cheap; it included a European-funded project to plant mangroves as part of the sea defence fight. In 2015 the David Granger-led administration had turned to the Dutch, for help to rebuild the country’s drainage system. In the past, the Dutch had helped build most of the country’s drainage system. The administration therefore looked to them for answers. A subsequent visit was made by a team from the Netherlands. The team made recommendations to upgrade modelling capability; increase flood resilience of people and businesses; upgrade dredging capabilities and improve flow efficiency; develop long-term plans; develop and test a pilot project; develop and apply a life cycle approach for the drainage assets; and data management through digitisation.

'School of the Nations' girl is 2017... (From page 16) Graham's Hall pupil when asked why she hopes to become a paediatrician said, “My paediatrician inspires me a lot.” Amelia Sugrim - 523 Twelve-year-old Amelia Sugrim of the Academy of Excellence in Region Three said that she is excited with her performance which she said was aided by her ever supportive parents and teachers, among others. Although her next move is to attend Queen's College for now, she hopes to also become a paediatrician some day. Antonia Dey – 523 marks Antonia Dey said that her parents and teachers were helpful even as she aspired to do well at the 2017 NGSA. The Academy of Excellence lass who has gained a place at Queen's College said that her desire is to one day become a successful writer. “I love reading books and I love literature,” said Dey who anticipates that she will continue to do well at the secondary level. Brandon Gouveia – 522 marks Brandon Gouveia another pupil of the Region Three Academy of Excellence said that he was anticipating good results from the 'get-go'. “This is a big break for me,” he exclaimed as a wide smile formed on his face. He said that studying a great deal was the key to his success in addition to the support of his mother and teachers. He hopes to attend Queen's College and one day become a

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Kaieteur News

Chemist. Emily Lalchand – 522 marks According to 12-year-old Emily Lalchand, she could not have been as successful as she is without the support of her parents and teachers. The young lass will attend Queen's College. Following her secondary education and further studies, Lalchand said that she anticipates that she will pursue studies to become a lawyer. Jerod Roberts – 522 marks An outspoken Jerod Roberts of Marian Academy was able to gain a place at Queen's College. The 11-year-old expressed appreciation to his teachers and was anxious to share that he one day hopes to become a pilot. Tristan Richards – 522 marks The family members of Tristan Richards, especially his parents, were instrumental in his performance. The Dharmic Rama Krishna pupil said too that his teachers gave him the requisite support that helped him to focus and ultimately succeed. Although the 11 year-old said he is prepared for secondary studies he has not yet decided on his future career. Muhammad Bacchus – 522 marks Eleven year-old Bacchus is not sure which school he will attend to pursue his secondary studies although he has been granted placement at Queen's College. The pupil of ISA Islamic Academy how-

ever said that he is eyeing a career as an auditor since according to him, “it pays a lot of money Tia Chung – 522 marks Tia Chung of the Success Elementary Primary credits her success to parents and other family members, all of her teachers, especially Ms Africo Selma and Sir Wilfred Success. Chung will more than likely attend Queen's College but hopes to eventually become a Neurologist and also a Member of Parliament. Kripa Thani – 522 marks Eleven-year-old Mae's Under 12 pupil, Kripa Thani, like her counterparts was high in praise for the support she received from her parents and teachers. She however noted that her mother was especially supportive along the way. Thani hopes to embrace a business-oriented profession. Tristan Persaud – 522 marks Tristan Persaud of the Academy of Excellence has also been able to secure a place at Queen's College. Raj Seeram – 522 marks Also claiming a place at Queen's College is Raj Seeram of the Swami Purnananda Primary School. According to information made available by the Ministry the cut-off scores for the country's sixth form schools are Queen's College – 512; The Bishops High – 508; St. Stanislaus College – 504; St. Rose's High – 501; St. Joseph High – 497 and President's College – 485.

2017 NGSA Maths record dramatic improvement

Minister Nicolette Henry and Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson with some of the top performers. While in 2016 the Ministry of Education recorded a 14 percent pass rate in Mathematics, this year the result is an astounding 46 percent. This was reported by Minister of Education, Ms Nicolette Henry, who presented the National Grade Six Assessment [NGSA] results yesterday in the Ministry’s Brickdam Georgetown boardroom. Both Minister Henry and Chief Education Officer, Mr. Marcel Hutson, have credited the admirable improvement to a deliberate intervention by Government. Over the years the Ministry has been faced with a problem of considerable weakness in the subject area. But according Minister Henry, “The Ministry of Education noted the poor performance in this subject area and implemented the Emergency Mathematical Intervention Plan. This plan entailed a number of aspects such as training for teachers in content and methodology.” Over 1000 teachers were trained in this regard. This strategic movement also entailed fortnightly cluster meetings in all regions . These were with both public and private schools, according to Hutson. “These meetings in the past were held once per month but taking into consideration the urgency with which we wanted to move we decided to create a community of learners where teachers benefited from the experiences of each other,” Hutson said. There were also recruitment of Mathematics coordinators and monitors, training of officers and School Administrators to supervise the teaching of Mathematics and the administering of a diagnostic assessment of pupils in the hinterland regions prior to training of teachers. The intervening measures included enhancement of public relations, parental

involvement in the education of children and acquisition of support materials for students. This, moreover, allowed for Mathematics to be the most improved subject area characterised by an increase of over 30 percent in the number of candidates gaining 50 percent and more. According to CEO Hutson, “This is proof that mathematics can be fun and can only get better.” But there were also improvement in the other subject areas too. The NGSA allows pupils to be assessed in the subject areas of Mathematics, English Language, Science and Social Studies. English has also shown some notable improvement this year when compared to 2016. According to Minister Henry in 2016 the pass rate was 42 percent but this year it has mounted to 54 percent. “This is the first time in many years that we were able to get over 50 percent passes in a subject area and that is absolutely phenomenal,” Minister Henry boasted. In the area of Science in 2016 there was a 28 per cent pass rate and again the 2017 performance has reflected an improved pass rate of 46 per-

cent. And then in the area of Social Studies, this year the pass rate, though slightly improved, is 48 percent, up from 46 percent in 2016. According to Minister Henry, she has had an interest in looking at the trend of performances over the years since “when we looked at the performances in 2015, 2016 and 2017 it gives you a good idea of where you are going and where you need to make the adjustments.” Meanwhile, it is the view of the CEO that “the overall the performance of the students has greatly improved and in my estimation, I believe that this was as a direct result of the President’s [David Granger] and by extension, his Cabinet’s Emergency Mathematics Intervention done nationwide,” the CEO indicated. Hutson is convinced that “there is a turning around in the system for the better. I sense a fresh breathe of air.” According to the CEO, the Ministry of Education has taken a series of steps that are responsible for the results. He stressed that the turning around in Mathematics for instance was a process and therefore “it just didn’t happened.”

PAGE 22

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Saturday July 01, 2017

Kaieteur News

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1 Three bedrooms upper flat @ Lusignan, E.C.D. Call: 6298240

Aubrey Barker - $28M, Greenheart -$25M, Norton Street -$11M, ½ Mile - $16M, Atlanticville - $28M, Kitty $10M, $30M. Call: 231-7805/ 618-7483

One two bedroom apartment located in Diamond, Housing Scheme, rent -$45,000 monthly. Call: 216-2339/6766313 Furnished three bedrooms top flat, next to Georgetown Hospital. Call: 225-3756/6032257 Hair/Nail Station rental & barber station rental, New Market Street. Call: 638-1106 One bedroom self-contained apartment in Grove, E.B.D preferably working couple. Call:687-7376/693-3738

Newly constructed apartments in a safe & healthy environment. Call: 698-6496/622-6512 2 Bedrooms apartment Middle Road La Penitence $25,000 working person only. Call: 601-4661 Alberttown - $50,000, $80,000, $40,000; Mandela -$80,000, ($250,000 – business), South - $100,000, Eccles, Durban Backland & many more. Call: 231-2199/ 660-7710

Cook/ Baker for interior. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 Immediate vacancy exists for labourers t work at Ice Factory, Meadowbank. Call: 231-1408/642-9191 between 8am-1pm 1 live in couple & 2 male assistant with driver’s license to work @ outdoor grill, weekend included. Call: 6569313/675-2550 1 General domestic, must know to cook. Call: 638-6891

LAND FOR SALE Land at 42 Coglan Dam, size: 37X270 price -$5.5M negotiable. Call Mr. Howes: 677-9938 or Mrs Clarke: +13473870537 2 ½ Acres riverside land, 5 Acres land with 5,000 sq.ft building. Call: 653-2477/685-6874 Herstelling (100ftX50ft) $3.2M, Farm (East Bank) $2.8M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1M, $1.4M, $1.6M, Uitvlugt -$2.6M. Call: 629-2881/6511969 Land at Well Street Ogle, E.C.D, back lot, 65feetX105feet - $12M. Call: 625-1514 TO LET

One driver that lives on Essequibo Coast to drive distribution vehicle.Call:623-1615

House for sale, 2 flat, no flooding, 6ft fence, price $18M negotiable. Call: 2335400, 218-0595

House for sale -1 2 flat 3 bedrooms house located @ Belle West #2 W.B.D, asking $9.5M. Call: 604-1299

2 Bedrooms apartment including water and internet, price - $40,000, location: Diamond Scheme, E.B.D. Call: 602-7135

Immediate vacancy for 2 females to work @ Ice Factory in Blairmont, must have Maths, English. Call: 2311408/642-9191

Admin officer, business associate/customer services, computer operator, brilliant & detailed oriented. Apply @ Executive office Services. Call: 623-3574

1 & 2 Bedroom apartment available @ Charlestown. Call: 681-4275/ 231-4432/6015857

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

One furnished liquor restaurant and bar for sale -$20M or rent, location: E.C.D- Call: 600-7228 Semi-furnished 5 bedrooms, 4 bathroom, camera, alarm, grill, garage. Call John: 652-1504

1 House – upper flat 3 bedrooms, Pike Street Kitty. Call: 234-0733

2004 Honda Fit for sale, price negotiable. Call Akimo: 6226453 or Michael: 685-0088

2 Isuzu Troopers -$1.9M each. Call: 657-3893 FOR SALE/FOR RENT Large 3 bedrooms house for rent or sale in La Parfaite W.B.D -$40,000 per monthly. Call: 690-5061/667-0022

Two bedroom apartment to rent @ Herstelling New Scheme. Call: 627-3882/ 6412311 Hair & nails stations available for rental to experienced hairdressers & nail technicians. Call: 6283092/ 683-7033

One three bedroom concrete house for sale Contact Mala: 917-254-2909, location: Vryheid’s Lust, North. Call: 699-4111/626-2208

VACANCY One experienced pharmacy assistant to work in a reputable pharmacy in G/ Town (flexible hours). Call: 227-0630

Land in Friendship E.B.D, land size 50ftX198ft, price -$3.9M negotiable. Call: 645-6498 La Parfaite Harmonie -$1M, Zeelugt -$2M, Tuschen house & land - $3.5M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.7M. Call: 642-1252 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).

Chef and assistant cook. Call: 225-7933 or visit us at 173 Sheriff St. Sewing machine operator & 1 trainee draftsman/cutter, consideration given to persons with intermediate level training. Call: 225-5948/ 644-4398/333-4170 Experienced bartender. Call: 225-8572 between 7am-9am Cook, female with housekeeping experienced, age 25-45years old. Call: 6299450 from June 30th , 2017 to July 5th , 2017 Vacancies exist for private male security guards between ages 25-50yrs. Call: 679-7807 for more information. Accounts clerk: English A (Grade 1) , Mathematics, P.O.A (Grade 2), knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT & QuickBooks @ Technical Services, Eccles. Call 614-4358 General Marketing Enterprise Real estate has position. Text Shawn: 618-7483 ACCOMMODATION Journey Inn apartment rental, short term with AC & Kitchen, as low as -$15US. Call: 642-1783/ 646-3011634/718-2301695 Continued on Page 23

Saturday July 01, 2017

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Amna Ally appointed PNC General Secretary; Oscar Clarke retires

Retired: Oscar Clarke

New GS for PNCR: Amna Ally

Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), David Granger, has appointed Amna Ally, MP, to serve as General Secretary of the Party with effect from July 1, 2017. She would replace Oscar Clarke, CCH, who served as the party’s General Secretary through the tenures of three party leaders and who has retired with effect from yesterday, PNC/R said in a statement. Clarke, CCH, was

Contractor charged for fraudulently converting money A contractor was yesterday order to post $100,000 bail after he made an appearance before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Hardeo Suraj, 40, of Lot 317 Block 8 Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, denied the charge which read that between March 21 and April 19, last, at South

Ruimveldt, Georgetown, he was entrusted by Michelle King with four Guyana Bank of Trading cheques worth $900,000. The money was for him to build a floor. Instead, he encashed the said cheques and fraudulently converted the money to his own use and benefit. Suraj was represented by

attorney Patrice Henry who asked that his client be released on reasonable bail. Police Prosecutor Gittens had no objection to bail being granted but asked that it be substantial. The magistrate then granted bail in the sum of $100,000. The father of one will make his next court appearance on July 21.

Nandlall digs deeper into 500,000... From page 12 the “adm i n i s t r a t i v e decision” to rent at a rate of $500,000 per month? What factors were taken into account in determining such a rate of rental of living accommodation for a junior Minister, having regard to the fact that the law provides only $25,000, as a housing allowance for the Prime Minister, the Attorney General and senior Ministers of the Government? What p r o c e s s o f competitive procurement was embarked upon, if any, in respect of this transaction? Finally, was the approval of the Nat i o n a l Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) obtained?” Nandlall noted that Isaacs, in his response, indicated that depending upon the cost of the rent, the approval of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) is obtained. Nandlall told Isaacs that he would be most grateful if provided with a copy of the rental contracts, if any, which the NPTAB approved. He added, “You must be aware that the decision of an Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of

Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs

Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall

Guyana to grant certain concessions to a most senior functionary of his Cabinet and senior Minister of Government and Attorney General, as part of the latter’s contract of service, resulted in the institution of a criminal charge which is still pending. Hence my queries. I await copies of the other rental contracts requested.” The Parliament Office is renting facilities for Ministers Patterson and Broomes. Broomes’s property is being rented from businessman/ politician, Peter Ramsaroop. Isaacs has previously told Kaieteur News that the

houses are being rented for the two because they hail from out of Georgetown. Patterson is from Linden and Broomes from Bartica. Isaacs told this publication that he does not need the permission of the National Assembly to rent the houses, because the law does not speak to rental it speaks to housing allowances. Initially, Nandlall had asked for the rental contracts. Isaacs said that Nandlall’s request has been conveyed to the accounting officer of the Parliament Office. Isaacs promised to rewrite Nandlall when the contracts are ready.

appointed General Secretary of the PNC/R on the 1st December, 1968. He started his service to the PNC in its youth arm and at age 26 was selected to represent the party in the National Assembly. In 1965, he was made a Parliamentary Secretary and served as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly from January 1, 1969 to December 31, 1969. For over five decades, Clarke served as Minister of State, Minister of Regional Development, Minister of Home Affairs and Guyana’s High Commissioner to Zambia and the Front-Line States and Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba. He served as a Member of Parliament for 21 years and in 2015 he was awarded the Cacique’s Crown of Honour for exemplary public service to Guyana. PNC/R explained that Amna Ally, MP, is a long

standing member of the People’s National Congress Reform. “Like her predecessor Oscar Clarke, she came through the ranks of the party’s youth arm and served as National Secretary and on the National Executive.” As an elected member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the PNC/ R and before being appointed as General Secretary, she served as the Assistant General Secretary of the Party. The PNC/R said Ally possesses a Teacher’s Certificate from the Cyril Potter College of Education and a Degree in Management from the University of Guyana. “Ms. Ally also served as a member of the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Parliament, 20012015 and is currently serving as Chief Whip and Minister of Social Protection in the Eleventh Parliament.”

Trio to stand trial for... From page 17 anything to say in answer to the charge, Arthur replied, “No”. Prescott and Varswyk said that they were innocent of the offence and will reserve their defence for the High Court. The trio will go before a judge and jury at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes. Earlier this year, Arthur and Varswyk were committed to stand trial at the High Court in Georgetown for the murder of Sterling Products Limited guard, Wilfred Stewart, on December 24, 2014, at Providence, East Bank Demerara. Stewart of Graham's Hall, East Coast Demerara, was shot dead by gunmen who forced their way into the Sterling Products Limited Compound. Rayon Paddy who perished during the March 3, 2016 fire at the Georgetown Prison was also charged jointly with the men for the murder of Abrams. Paddy was also charged with Arthur and Varswyk for the murder of Stewart.

However, both murder charges were withdrawn against him by the prosecution. Arthur, Paddy and Varswyk were arrested by police in 2015 after they allegedly posed as cops and carried out a spate of robberies at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara on March 18, 2015. The men were also charged for possession of illegal firearm and ammunition, possession of narcotics and abduction.

From Page 21

EDUCATIONAL Canadian School of Arts & Science: Summer Classes 2017- Pre-K, Nursery, Primary, Secondary (July 10th –August 11th). Call: 216-6921/22 for registration I.A.E – Registered now for full-time secondary school, lessons, CXC/CSEC classes, adults, students, repeaters. Call: 683-5742/621-7365 Summer School ages 4-14, Rising Star Academy, Phonics, Reading, Mathematics, Science; Register Early. Call: 677-0296 9 Course, Diploma in computer- office 2016, windows 10 -$20,000 off for CXC students 2017 @ MicroGraphics, Vreed-enHoop. Call: 264-3057 Summer Computer classes for age 5-14 early registration starting @ $8,500 @ MicroGraphics, Vreed-en-Hoop. Call: 2643057 Computerized Accounting, PC Repairs and graphics courses. Register Now @ MicroGraphics, Vreed-enHoop. Call: 264-3057/Study in Canada or USA Call Now!

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

PAGE 24

India launches new economic era with sales tax reform NEW DELHI (Reuters) India early today introduced its biggest tax reform in the 70 years since independence from British colonial rule. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) replaces more than a dozen federal and state levies and unifying a $2 trillion economy and 1.3 billion people into one of the world’s biggest common markets. The measure is expected to make it easier to do business by simplifying the tax structure and ensuring greater compliance, boosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic credentials before a planned re-election bid in 2019. At a midnight ceremony in parliament’s central hall Modi and President Pranab Mukherjee together launched the new tax by pressing a button. “With GST, the dream of ‘One India, Great India’ will come true,” Modi said. For the first midnight ceremony in the central hall in two decades, Modi was joined by his cabinet colleagues, India’s central bank chief, a former prime minister and major company executives including Ratan Tata. The launch, however, was boycotted by several opposition parties including the Congress Party, which first

proposed the tax reform before it fell from power three years ago. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh - the architect of India’s economic reforms - also gave it a miss. COMPLEX STRUCTURE It has taken 14 years for the new sales tax to come into being. But horse trading to get recalcitrant Indian states on board has left Asia’s thirdlargest economy with a complex tax structure. In contrast to simpler sales taxes in other countries, India’s GST has four rates and numerous exemptions. The official schedule of rates runs to 213 pages and has undergone repeated changes, some taking place as late as yesterday evening. Many businesses are nervous about how the changes will unfold, with smaller ones saying they will get hit by higher tax rates. Adding to the complexity, businesses with pan-India operations face filing over 1,000 digital returns a year. While higher tax rates for services and non-food items are expected to fuel price pressures, compliance is feared to be a major challenge in a country where many entrepreneurs are not computer literate and rely on handwritten

ledgers. “We have jumped into a river but don’t know its depth,” said A. Subba Rao, an executive director at power firm CLP India. ‘ONE TAX, ONE MARKET, ONE NATION’ Poor implementation would deal a blow to an economy that is still recovering from Modi’s decision late last year to outlaw 86 percent of the currency in circulation. In a bid to mitigate the impact on the farm sector, the GST rates for tractors and fertiliser were slashed yesterday to 18 percent and 5 percent, respectively. HSBC estimates the reform, despite its flaws, could add 0.4 percentage points to economic growth. An end of tax arbitrage under the GST is estimated to save companies $14 billion in reduced logistics costs and efficiency gains. As the GST is a value added tax, firms will have an incentive to comply in order to avail credit for taxes already paid. This should widen the tax net, shoring up public finances. “The old India was economically fragmented,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. “The new India will create one tax, one market for one nation.”

Islamic State under pressure in Iraqi and Syrian strongholds (Reuters) U.S.-backed Iraqi forces pressed Islamic State fighters holding out in Mosul’s Old City on Friday, while in Syria the militant group launched a counterattack against an alliance of militias trying to oust it from its de facto capital of Raqqa. In Iraq, dozens of civilians poured out of Mosul, long held by IS, and fled in the direction of the Iraqi forces, many of them women and

children, thirsty, tired and some wounded. Iraqi authorities say they are only days away from a victory over militants in their remaining redoubt in Mosul, though commanders of counter-terrorism units fighting their way through the narrow streets of the Old City say die-hard IS fighters are dug in among civilians and the battle ahead remains challenging. Across the border in Syria,

parts of which the IS says fall under its self-proclaimed caliphate, the picture was more complex. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britainbased war monitor, said the group had retaken most of the industrial district of Raqqa after mounting a fierce counter-attack against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias.

Nandlall cannot replace Ashni in... From page 3 operations. NICIL is the state agency that overlooks investments and privatizations for the Government and under the previous administration. The former Finance Minister was an integral part of the Board of Directors. The forensic audit report in NICIL had highlighted several transactions, including the Pradoville Two sale of lands to former government officials and their relatives; the construction of a High

Saturday June 24, 2017

Kaieteur News

Street building at a cost of several hundred million dollars and the sale of two Duke Street properties to businessman, Gerry Gouveia, among others. Investigators would also want to talk to Brassington and Singh about billions of dollars in dividends from state companies that NICIL collected and proceeds from the sale of scores of state properties. The administration, while in Opposition, had insisted that billions of dollars were

siphoned off and not accounted for, because of the deals, with the country's best interests not taken care of. Several former government ministers and officials and even ex-President Bharrat Jagdeo and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, have been hauled in for questioning by SOCU. The Opposition has denied wrongdoing and has accused the administration of being on a campaign of witchhunting.

U.N. urges Venezuela’s Maduro to uphold rule of law (Reuters) The United Nations yesterday criticized President Nicolas Maduro’s government for curtailing the powers of the chief state prosecutor and called on it to uphold the rule of law and freedom of assembly in Venezuela amid a clampdown on protesters. Critics of Maduro have taken to the streets almost daily for three months to protest against what they call the creation of a dictatorship. The protests, which have left nearly 80 dead, frequently culminate in violent clashes with security forces. Ruling Socialist Party officials have launched a series of attacks against chief state prosecutor Luisa Ortega, from accusations of insanity to promoting violence, after her high-profile break with the government. “The decision by the Venezuelan Supreme Court on 28 June to begin removal proceedings against the Attorney General, freeze her assets and ban her from leaving the country is deeply worrying, as is the ongoing violence in the country,” U.N. human rights spokesman Rupert Colville told a Geneva briefing. The Supreme Court’s Constitutional Chamber has nullified Ortega’s appointment of a deputy attorney general, naming someone else in violation of the law, he

Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro (Miraflores Palace/Handout via REUTERS) said. It also transferred some of her functions to the ombudsperson. “Since March, the Attorney General has taken important steps to defend human rights, documenting deaths during the wave of demonstrations, insisting on the need for due process and the importance of the separation of powers, and calling for people who have been arbitrarily detained to be immediately released,” Colville said. The U.N. human rights office was concerned the Supreme Court’s decision “appears to seek to strip her office of its mandate and responsibilities as enshrined in the Venezuelan Constitution, and undermine the office’s independence”. “We urge all powers of

the Venezuelan state to respect the constitution and the rule of law, and call on the government to ensure the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of opinion and expression are guaranteed,” Colville said. Maduro says the demonstrations are an attempt to overthrow him with the support of Washington. The United Nations has received increasing reports that security forces have “raided residential buildings, conducted searches without warrants and detained people, allegedly with the intention of deterring people from participating in the demonstrations and searching for opposition supporters,” Colville said.

Brazil unions protest Temer’s reforms amid political crisis (Reuters) Labour unions staged a nationwide strike yesterday to protest against legislative changes to Brazil’s labour and pension laws that are central to the economic reform agenda of embattled center-right President Michel Temer. Subway and bus services shut down in Brasilia, the nation’s capital, while demonstrations blocked roads and snarled traffic in the megacities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro as union activists took to the streets. However, the protest appeared to have limited impact and triggered none of the violent clashes between police and protesters that marked a much larger strike in April. It came after Brazil was riveted this week by a corruption charge filed against Temer by the country’s top prosecutor. The charge, the first ever leveled against a sitting presi-

dent in Brazil, marked a milestone in a three-year probe by investigators, that has revealed stunning levels of corruption in Latin America’s largest country. Temer, one-third of his cabinet, four past presidents and dozens of lawmakers are either o n t r i a l , f a c i n g charges or under investigation for corruption. Over 90 p e o p le have been found guilty so far. Brazil’s largest oil workers federation said in an emailed statement that yesterday’s work stoppage would continue for an indefinite period, and that all 10 refineries where it represents workers were affected. Executives at state-controlled oil company Petróleo Brasileiro SA acknowledged that the job action had a limited impact at oil refineries. But they said exploration and production activity, along with logistics, carried on as normal. Temer, who replaced impeached leftist President

Dilma Rousseff last year, was charged with graft on Monday by Prosecutor General Rodrigo Janot after executives of the world’s biggest meatpacker, JBS SA, accused him of taking millions in bribes. He has denied any wrongdoing and resisted repeated calls to resign. But the lower house of congress is preparing to vote on whether he should face a trial in the Supreme Court, which would prompt his removal from office for at least 180 days. Other criminal charges against Temer are widely expected to be filed by Janot, and a ruling yesterday by Supreme Court Judge Edson Fachin appeared to come in anticipation of that. Fachin said each and every charge against the president would have to be investigated separately, meaning that Temer could potentially face more than one trial before the court.

Saturday July 01, 2017

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday July 01, 2017

Trump calls for firm response to North Korea, targets Seoul on trade (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump called for a determined response to North Korea after talks with South Korea’s President Moon Jaein yesterday where he stressed the importance of their alliance but took aim at Seoul over trade and sharing the cost of defense. Trump said the United States was renegotiating what he characterized as a “rough” trade deal with South Korea agreed to five years ago by his predecessor, Barack Obama, and reiterated that an era of “strategic patience” over North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs U.S. President Donald Trump (L) welcomes had ended. South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the White “Together we are facing House yesterday. (REUTERS/Jim Bourg) the threat of the reckless and brutal regime in North Korea,” Trump said as he stood along- side Moon in the White said of South Korea and the House Rose Garden. “The United States. nuclear and ballistic missile Trump and Moon have programs of that regime re- said they are open to renewed quire a determined response.” dialogue with North Korea Despite the tough rhetoric, but only under circumit remains unclear how Trump stances that would lead to will find a way forward on Pyongyang giving up its North Korea, which is work- weapons programs. ing to develop a nuclearMoon told an event at the tipped missile capable of hit- Center for Strategic and Inting the United States. ternational Studies think tank U.S. Defence Secretary Jim that moves by North Korea Mattis has warned the conse- that could create conditions quences of any military solu- for dialogue could include a tion would be “tragic on an freeze on its nuclear and misunbelievable scale.” Trump sile tests, or the release of had pinned his hopes on per- three Americans it is holding suading China, North Korea’s in the country. neighbor and main trading To be successful, talks partner, to do more to rein in would have to involve North Pyongyang, although he has Korean leader Kim Jong Un lately grown frustrated that and have as their ultimate aim Beijing has not taken stronger the complete dismantling of action. North Korea’s nuclear proTrump called on regional gram, he added. powers to implement sancTrump sought to woo tions and demand North Ko- China since a summit with rea “choose a better path and Chinese President Xi Jinping do it quickly.” in April but the honeymoon Moon, who warned of a period appears to be over. On “stern response” to any Thursday, the United States provocations, urged targeted a Chinese bank and Pyongyang to return promptly sanctioned Chinese individuto talks. als and a firm for dealing with “Our two leaders will em- North Korea and approved a ploy both sanctions and dia- $1.42 billion arms deal with logue in a phased and com- Taiwan - decisions that anprehensive approach,” Moon gered Beijing.

Saturday July 01, 2017

Kaieteur News

President Bouterse hints at not recognising military court ruling PARAMARIBO, Suriname (CMC) – President Desi Bouterse has hinted at the possibility of not recognising the ruling of a Military Court hearing evidence in a trial in which he is accused of playing a “significant role” in the death of 15 people in the so-called “December Murders” in 1982. When the trial resumed on Wednesday after several delays, prosecutor Roy Elgin, urged the court to impose a 20-year jail term on the former military leader of this Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) state, saying that that the murders had been premeditated. He told the court that Bouterse, who at the time headed a military government here, was responsible for the murder of the 15 men on December 8, 1982, and that the former army leader had been in Fort Zeelandia at the time they were committed. “The murders were planned properly and there was a script. It was premeditated,” said Elgin.

But speaking at a public meeting of his ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) on Thursday night, Bouterse said “if God put me here as President, who is a judge to send me away”. Bouterse called the prison demand an act of desperation by “forces” that want him removed from office. “You know they want us out of Government before the 2020 elections come around. So much so that they will continue to keep this case alive. But it is going to take a lot to push our mammoth party from its seats,” he said. President Bouterse said that the prosecutor’s demand had surprised many, and criticized the judiciary, telling supporters that his administration would soon be taking the “necessary measures….within the confines of constitutional law”. He did not elaborate on the statement, but stressed that “we will not be doing things that will make them say that we are hurting the democracy. Do not be worried.”

He called on his party supporters to keep a cool head, adding “they expect us to ignite chaos, but there’s no need for that.” During the political meeting in the capital, several party members expressed for Bouterse, who has been head of state since 2010. From 1980 to 1987 he was Suriname’s de facto leader after conducting a military coup and establishing military rule. The NDP officials echoed sentiments that were expressed earlier on Thursday when one of the NDP leaders, André Misiekaba, told the National Assembly that the military court had no legal right to sentence Bouterse. “Outside the courthouse the judiciary is not the highest institute in the country, but the law is,” he said, adding that he regretted that the Appeal Court had overruled the Amnesty Law, passed in May 2012 and seen by critics, including Amnesty International, as an attempt to derail the trial and release Bouterse and his co-accused.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday July 01, 2017

Saturday July 01, 2017

Stars turn out for Messi’s wedding in Rosario (Reuters) Some of the biggest names in world football gathered in Argentina yesterday to see Barcelona striker Lionel Messi wed his longtime girlfriend Antonela Roccuzzo. Past and present Barcelona team mates Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano, Neymar and Luis Suarez were all there, as was Gerard Pique and his pop star wife Shakira. Several Premier League players were also among the 260 guests, including Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero. An extra 350 police were drafted in to provide security for the event, which took place in Rosario, the city where Messi grew up before heading to Barcelona, where he has spent a playing career that has inc l u d e d w i n n i n g F I FA’s World Player of the Year trophy five times. The city is in the heart of Argentina’s bread basket but

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Kaieteur News

CARICOM Day ‘Cuff Out’ Boxing Tournament put off to July 31 Organisers of the inaugural ‘Cuff Out’ Amateur Boxing Tournament, which was originally billed for tomorrow at the Vergenoegen Rice Mill Tarmac, has been cancelled and a new date of Monday July 31st, has

been set, the same venue remains. According to a release from the promoters, Slingerz Entertainment and the Vergenoegen Boxing Gym, the change of date is as a result of lack of sponsorship

and bad weather, among other reasons. The sponsors on board to date are Courts Guyana Ltd., Ansa McAl, Two Brothers Gulf Motor Oil and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Quintana says needs to be more daring to...

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring. (Reuters/Stringer Livepic) drug trafficking in the region has grown in recent years and the homicide rate has soared. Messi met Roccuzzo, who

is also from Rosario, when they were growing up. The couple have two children, Thiago, 4, and Mateo, 21 months.

Saturday July 01, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You must not lead someone on or show interest in them for the wrong reasons. Be prepared to deal with groups and organizations of greater magnitude. Social activities that involve the whole family will be enjoyable. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Make plans to attend group discussions or get together with friends who like to talk as much as you do. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You can help other people with their financial problems by setting up a budget for them. Look into some form of physical recreation. You can make excellent purchases today.

with peers is apparent. Take the time to do your job correctly or you may find yourself looking for a new one. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Put your energy into moneymaking ventures. Your communication skills are at an all-time high. Don't even bother trying to get their approval on the things you want to do. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You can make extra money. Rewards will be yours if you put in the overtime required. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Put your efforts into making constructive improvements to your environment and to your state of mind. Question your mate if you must.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Extravagance and overindulgence are not a cure if you're feeling sorry for yourself. Take care of any pressing medical problems that you or one of your parents may be suffering from.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Opportunities to make advancements through good business sense are apparent. Promotions will be yours if you have acted professionally in times of crisis. Throw yourself into your work.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Sooner or later your partner will have had enough. You should regain some of your self esteem if you get involved in organizational functions.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Work quietly at your own goals and forget about situations that you can do little about.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your obviously unique way of doing things has caught the eye of someone in a higher position. Problems

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Creative pursuits should payoff. Romance will be on your mind, and chances for ideal connections are in the works. Problems with your boss could lead to unemployment.

(From page 30) individual TTs. The down side for Quintana is there are only three of the summit finishes that he revels in. “Maybe it’s a bit less favourable than other years,” he said. “For me the more climbs the better,” he said. “But the sensations are positive, I’m looking forward to coming to this race because it’s the main objective for me and for our team.” Quintana said he had no worries about his energy lev-

els after the Giro — saying the build-up was always focused on peaking at the Tour de France. “Last year at the Vuelta (which he won) I was better than at the Tour de France,” he said. “This is a course that, because of my characteristics, is good for me.” Team manager Eusebio Unzue said he was confident his leader would deliver — explaining why only Quintana addressed the media and not the likes of Spanish team mate Alejandro Valverde.

“The team has only one leader, Nairo,” he said, before underling Valverde’s importance to the cause. “Having Valverde around gives Nairo tranquility. If everything develops normally he will have a great companion. “The big favourite again is Froome but ‘Bird’ (Quintana’s nickname) is in good shape,” he said. “It’s not a typical Tour, it’s weird, we’ll have to improvise. I see it like a Tour without any script.”

Top seeds open Wimbledon bids against... (From page 28) opponent in the quarter-finals, before a likely semi-final against Djokovic. French Open champion Nadal, who has not gone past the fourth round at Wimbledon since 2011, plays Australia’s John Millman in round one and is seeded to face former U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic in the fourth round. Djokovic plays Martin Klizan of Slovakia in his firstround match and could face Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro, the former U.S. Open winner and 29th seed, in the third round. With the defending women’s champion Serena Williams taking time out to give birth to her first child, last

Self-belief, runs key... (From page 26) reduced to 33 for two at one stage but recovered to easily reached their target thanks to Mandhana’s unbeaten 106. Mohammed said the Windies batters were good enough that once they got in, they could post big totals. “We still believed we could still score over 250 plus. As you can see from today, we have batters all the way down so it’s just a matter of players getting in and staying in and valuing their wickets,” she stressed. “It was important for us to get early wickets but defending 186 on a pitch like this we needed a lot more wickets. Unfortunately, the bowlers couldn’t pull it off today.”

year’s runner-up Kerber will open her campaign on Tuesday. The German is slated to face big-serving Czech Pliskova, the runner-up at the U.S. Open last year, in the last four. The other semi-final could be a repeat of the French Open final between surprise winner

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia and Romania’s Simona Halep. Two-time champion Petra Kvitova, who won the warmup event in Birmingham just six months after the Czech was attacked by a knife-wielding intruder in her home, is also in the bottom half and plays Johanna Larsson of Sweden in the first round.

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Saturday July 01, 2017

Venus Williams faces lawsuit for car death BBC Sport - Venus Williams faces a wrongful death lawsuit from the family of a man who died in a Florida car crash involving the tennis star, says a lawyer. The 78-year-old man suffered “massive” fatal injuries from the 9 June collision in Palm Beach Gardens city, an attorney for his widow says. According to police, Ms Williams was at fault for the traffic accident, which caused the death of Jerome Barson. The 37-year-old is due to make her 20th appearance at Wimbledon on Monday. According to the police report, Linda Barson told police she was driving with her husband, Jerome, in the passenger seat of their 2016 Hyundai Accent at the time of the collision. Mrs Barson told police that as they passed through an intersection on a green light, Ms Williams’ 2010 Toyota Sequoia cut across in front of their car. Ms Williams told police she became stuck in the middle of the intersection because of other traffic, according to the report.

Venus Williams had recently been eliminated from the French Open when the crash occurred. (Getty Images) “Mrs Barson is suffering intense grief and doesn’t know how she will go on,” h e r l a w y e r, M i c h a e l Steinger, told ABC television’s Good Morning America. “Her husband of 35 years w a s s t r u c k b y Ve n u s Williams, who was at fault in a car accident, which ultimately resulted in Mr Barson being hospitalised 14 days with multiple surgeries which resulted in his death.” The lawsuit, filed by the couple’s daughter, Audrey Gassner-Dunayer, asserts

that her father’s injuries included “severed main arteries, massive internal bleeding, a fractured spine, and massive internal organ damage”. The Barsons’ car was “crushed, the front windshield shattered, the airbags deployed, there was crush damage to the rear on the driver’s side, and the back window was shattered”, the lawsuit states. The lawyer added: “At this point, we are attempting to both preserve the evidence and gain access to evidence.”

Mr Barson died in hospital on 22 June, his wife Linda’s 68th birthday. Mrs Barson was also admitted to hospital after the crash. Ms Williams was not hurt. According to a police report obtained by US media, Ms Williams “is at fault for violating the right of way of” the Barsons’ vehicle. M s Wi l l i a m s ’ c a r suddenly darted into their path and was unable to clear the junction in time due to

The Barsons had been married for over 30 years. (Family Handout) traffic jams, witnesses told police. The police incident report says that the estimated speed of Ms Williams’ vehicle at the time was 5mph (8km/h). In a statement to US media, the tennis star’s lawyer, Malcolm Cunningham, said: “Ms Wi l l i a m s e n t e r e d t h e intersection on a green light. “Authorities did not issue Ms Williams with any citations or traffic violations. “This is an unfortunate a c c i d e n t a n d Ve n u s

expresses her deepest condolences to the family who lost a loved one.” The accident occurred just days after the seven-time Grand Slam champion was eliminated from the French Open. She has not been criminally charged. Ms Williams is currently in London to train for the Wimbledon tournament, which she has won five times - most recently in 2008. The All England Club tournament begins on Monday.

Self-belief, runs key to Windies revival: Mohammed TAUNTON, England, CMC – Veteran off-spinner Anisa Mohammed on Thursday urged her teammates to relax, rekindle their self-belief and simply express themselves, as the Caribbean side continued to desperately search for solutions to end their demoralising losing streak. Speaking in the wake of their latest defeat at the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup – a seven-wicket

loss to India Women at County Ground here – Mohammed said while the side comprised of world class players, selfconfidence was currently lacking. “We just need to relax and keep believing in ourselves. We need to find a way somehow to relax and recuperate, and keep believing that we are great players,” said the 28-yearold who has played in 103

ODIs. “I keep saying to the team: people say we are a great T20 team but this is the same team that helped us qualify automatically for this World Cup so we can win 50over games as well. “We just need to keep believing in ourselves and go back to what worked for us in the past three, four years and come out in this World Cup. It’s time we pull everything together.”

Port Kaituma Primary overcome Canal Bank Primary in U-13 softball Port Kaituma Primary defeated Canal Bank Primary by nine wickets when they collided in the first round of the Ministry of Education U-13 10/10 softball competition which commenced recently in region one. Watched by a fair sized crowd under overcast conditions at the Canal Bank Recreation ground, Canal Bank primary were bowled out for 34 in 5.5 overs after they were inserted. Shamar Bailey bagged 5-6 for Port

Kaituma Primary who responded with 37 for 2 in 4.4 overs. Dennilson Morris scored an unbeaten 21 and Ronaldo Frazer 13 not out. In Game two, Canal Bank Primary defeated Sebai Primary by one wicket. Sebai Primary batted first and made 37 all out in 5.5 overs. Ronald Hutson made 10 not out, Sean Daniels eight. Daniel Poon had 3 for 5 runs, while Kemwel Wilson and Keon Williams took two

wickets apiece. Canal Bank Primary replied with 38-9. Daniel Poon made 12, Lendi Henry got 10, while Elon Poon, who smashed Ronald Hutson for a massive six over the midwicket boundary to seal victory, remained not out on six. Oral Campbell captured 4 for 3, Keon Beharry snared 4- 6 and Ronald Hutson 1-12. The competition continues today with Port Kaituma Primary facing host Sebai Primary.

West Indies are winless since arriving in England a month ago with losses to England Women, Southern Vipers and India Women in unofficial warm-up matches, and further defeats to Pakistan Women and South Africa Women in official warm-ups last week. Last Monday, they were steamrolled by reigning champions Australia in their opening match of the tournament before going under to India Women on Thursday. Arguing that the side was a quality One-Day International unit, the Trinidadian Mohammed said the batsmen needed to up their game if the Windies were to improve their form. “I think we need to rotate the strike a bit more in the middle,” she contended. “I think we fell short by about 80, 90 runs but I thought that the opener (Smriti Mandhana) played really well. But we need to score some more runs if we want to win games in this tournament. “We have some of the greatest players in the world.

I think players just need to believe in themselves and believe they can do out and do the job, and just go out and express themselves. As West Indians, we love to express ourselves and we just need to go out there and

express ourselves.” Sent in, the West Indies batting collapsed yet again as they struggled to gather a modest 183 for eight off their 50 overs. In reply, India were (Continued on page 25)

Shanel Daley gathers runs through the off-side during her breezy 33 down the order against India Women on Thursday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 01, 2017

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GBA’s Andrew Lewis Nat Novices C/Ships

GDF retain crown after ‘Blackout’ stops fights

Republican Jamal Leitch about to land a powerful right to the body of GDF’s Toney Gillis to win on points on Thursday night. (Sean Devers photo) By Sean Devers The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) came with heavy artillery and quick marched to back-to-back titles as they dominated the five other gyms when the extended Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Lewis National Novices Championship concluded yesterday at the ‘Sixhead’ Gym in Albouystown. Originally scheduled for three nights at National Gymnasium, a power outage just before 22:00hrs on Thursday night halted the

card with three bouts remaining, forcing the GBA to move the action to the ‘Sixheads’ Gym yesterday afternoon where the curtains came down with the remaining fights and the presentation of the Championship Trophy to the soldiers. GDF’s 22-man team won eight of the 10 titles to take the title for their third consecutive year, while Vergenoegen Boxing Gym (VBG) had one with Republican, who had 20 boxers participating, taking the other. Watched by the largest

Republican Darmandra Shoepersaud (right) took a pounding from GDF’s Akiemo Watts before the fight was stopped in the first round. (Sean Devers photo)

GDF’s Delroy Fordyce (right) goes through the defence of his stable mate Delroy Leacock to win on points on Thursday night. (Sean Devers photo) turn-out of the tournament which included Guyana’s only Olympic medalist, Boxer Mike Parris, his wife and daughter, Thursday night’s proceeding got off to the third late start in three nights and Forgotten Youth F o u n d a t i o n ’s K e e v i n Allicock made light work of Republican’s Elton Castro, who was given three standing eight counts before the 56kg Youth final was stopped in 2:29 seconds of the opening round. In an all VBG affair for the 60kg title Christopher Moore won by split decision over Deshon Elcock in a lacklustre encounter before G D F ’s A k i e m o Wa t t s launched a murderous onslaught on Republican’s Darmandar Shoepersaud in the Elite 49kg Final as the referee stopped the contest in 1:26 seconds of the first round. When solider Delroy Murphy came out with all guns blazing in the 52kg final and walloped Republican’s Ewart Corbis from all angles, the GDF drummers and fans were dancing with delight in the stands. Corbis barely threw a punch and after surviving three standing eight counts, the bout was stopped in 58 seconds in the first round in the shortest fight of the Championships. The next contest was even shorter since Republican’s Trevor Williams gifted the 56kg title to Kelvin Moore of VBG by way of a walkover.

Delroy Fordyce never allowed his GDF club mate Delroy Leacock to find his rhythm by landing some clinical shots, causing standing eight counts to be administered on Leacock in every round as Fordyce easily took the 60kg Elite title on points. In another all GDF battle, Kevin McKenzie dominated Delon Garraway to win the 64kg title on points. For the first time in the night’s action, the two base drums and the fewer Republican supporters had the opportunity to outdo their GDF counterparts with raucous encouragement which built to a crescendo by the time the final bell sounded in the Elite 69kg final between Republican’s Jamal Leitch and GDF’s Toney Gillis. What started as slugfeast evolved into an all out brawl with neither fighter finding the will or skill to finish the job with a knockout in what was easily the most entertaining fight of the night. The first round was fast paced with the boxers showing little interest in sizing up their man. They went at each other from the word go and traded combinations to the head and upper cuts to the body with Leitch looking the more orthodox of the two. Leitch began to find his flow and confidence and a wicked right cross rocked Gillis’ head and the soldier was in trouble as a standing

eight count was administered early in the second round. But Gillis up the tempo and counter punched, with at times, wild combinations and the Gymnasium was on its feet. A hard right to the body sent Gillis reeling against the ropes but he refused to go down and another flurry of wild swings got him out of the corner. Leitch was landing the cleaner punches and was ahead going into the final round but Gillis was not going down without a fight and a few big right hooks were just short of the mark as a pumped up Leitch kept moving forward, looking for the kill. With little thoughts on defence, Leitch was staggered by brutal left, right combination and was given a standing eight count as Gillis looked desperately for a knock-out in the dying stages with Leitch way ahead on points. The last few seconds saw both fighters going toe-totoe slugging it out, but the bell rang without either of them going to the canvas with Leitch prevailing in the

end by a ‘points decision’ to salvage some pride for the RBG. GDF’s Akimey Barker then knocked out fellow Gym mate Torin Adams in 2:01 second of the first round before ‘Blackout’ ended the n i g h t ’s a c t i o n w h i c h resumed yesterday afternoon with GDF’s Joel Peters beating fellow soldier Jamal Williams and Emerson Farley defeating Antonio Williams in another all GDF contest, while the Army notched up their third win yesterday when Aubrey Headley got a walkover from Republican Germaine Williams. Captain Keith Watts, Officer Commanding the Sports Department told Kaieteur Sports that he was proud of the professionalism displayed by the coaching s t a ff a n d B o x e r s a n d congratulated them on behalf of the Chief-of-Staff and ranks of the GDF. “I wish to thank the Boxing Association for successfully hosting the tournament and assure them that GDF will continue to support the promotion of the sport,” Watts said.

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Saturday July 01, 2017

Crushing defeat put Windies on verge of series loss ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Another abject batting performance sent West Indies tumbling to a 93run defeat to India in the third One-Day International here yesterday, leaving the embattled Caribbean side with their ninth loss in 12 outings and on the verge of another depressing series result. Opting to bowl first at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, they managed to restrict India to 251 for four off their 50 overs, with former skipper MS Dhoni top-scoring with a Man-ofthe-Match 78 not out. Opener Ajinkya Rahane carved out 72, while Kedar Jadhav struck an attacking unbeaten 40 and Yuvraj Singh, 39. Fast bowler Miguel Cummins was the best bowler with two for 56. In reply, West Indies never looked the part and slumped to a dreadful 158 all out off 38.1 overs – their second lowest total against India in the Caribbean. Jason Mohammed led with 40 and Rovman Powell chipped in with a breezy 30 but no other batsman displayed the type of enterprise required to put the Windies over the line. Off-spinner Ravi Ashwin (3-28) and left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav (3-41) claimed three wickets apiece to lead India’s attack. The defeat was also the

hosts 10th in 12 ODIs at the venue, leaving them without form or confidence heading into tomorrow’s fourth match here. With the victory, India took a 2-0 lead and will now target their seventh series win over the Windies in 10 years. Needing a solid start to their run chase, West Indies got anything but as lefthanded Evin Lewis was bowled for two in just the second over of the innings with nine runs on the board, playing back to a quick one from seamer Umesh Yadav which kept a touch low. The Hope brothers, Kyle and Shai, then came together to add 45 for the second wicket and stabilise the innings. Kyle, on debut, looked at ease in his 19 which included three fours while Shai made 24 off 50 balls with two fours, to be one of only three batsmen to pass 20. However, Kyle topedged a hook at pacer Hardik Pandya and was caught at deep backward square in the 13th over, triggering a collapse that saw four wickets tumble for 33 runs in the space of 41 deliveries. Roston Chase was completely flummoxed by the third ball he received and bowled by Kuldeep for two

MS Dhoni rocks back to cut, West Indies v India, 3rd ODI, Antigua, ©AFP in the 14th over while Shai Hope got himself in a tangle against a short ball from Pandya and topedged a return catch in the 17th over. When captain Jason Holder was smartly stumped down the leg-side off Ashwin for six, the Windies were reeling at 87 for five in the 20th but Mohammed and Powell came together in a 54-run sixth wicket partnership to resist India. Without being entirely fluent, Mohammed struck four fours in his 61-ball knock while Powell freed his

arms to strike five boundaries off 43 deliveries. With the partnership threatening, India resorted once again to spin and the move paid dividends. The runs had dried up and pressure was mounting when Powell holed out to backward square off Kuldeep in the 33rd over at 141 for six and in the following over Ashley Nurse (6) squirted Ashwin to a diving Umesh Yadav at square leg with seven runs added. All hopes then rested on Mohammed but he missed a

sweep at Kuldeep and was lbw in the 37th over and the end came swiftly with Miguel Cummins (1) and debutant Kesrick Williams (1) offering no resistance. Dhoni had earlier rescued India after they stumbled to 100 for three in the 27th over in difficult conditions, following a 45minute delayed start because of rain. With Shikhar Dhawan (2) and captain Virat Kohli (11) having fallen cheaply to leave India 34 for two in the 10th over, Rahane put on 66 for the

third wicket with Yuvraj before adding a further 70 for the fourth with Dhoni. Rahane faced 112 balls and counted four fours and a six before falling to a brilliant diving catch in the deep by Devendra Bishoo off fast bowler Cummins in the 43rd over. But Dhoni belted four fours and two sixes off 79 balls and Jadhav struck four fours and a six in his 26-ball cameo, as they put on 81 in an unbroken fifth wicket stand that saw exactly 100 runs gush from the last 10 overs.

Top seeds open Wimbledon bids against qualifiers LONDON (Reuters) Andy Murray will begin the defense of his Wimbledon title against a qualifier after the draw was made for the third grand slam of the year at the All England Club yesterday. The Scot, who is bidding to win Wimbledon for a third time, was drawn in the same half as two-time champion Rafael Nadal, with threetime winner Novak Djokovic and seven-time champion Roger Federer placed in the bottom half. Women’s world number one Angelique Kerber also opens up against a qualifier and is seeded to face Karolina Pliskova in the semi-finals. Murray, whose preparations have been hampered by a sore hip, will open the men’s event on Monday.

Andy Murray (Action Images via Reuters / Tony O’Brien Livepic) The world number one could play flamboyant German Dustin Brown in the second round, with Australian Nick Kyrgios a potential fourth-round opponent.

Germany’s Angelique Kerber celebrates after winning her first round match against Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova. (Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs) Should the seedings go to plan, the top seed will play Stan Wawrinka in the quarter-finals before taking on Nadal, the champion in 2008 and 2010.

Federer will begin his quest for an open-era men’s record eighth title with a match against world number 84 Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer in action against Canada’s Milos Raonic. (REUTERS/Clive Brunskill/Pool) The Swiss, who won the warm-up event in Halle, is seeded to face 27th seed Mischa Zverev of Germany in the third round, with Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov

(13) likely to be waiting in the last 16. Milos Raonic, who beat him in the semi-finals last year, is Federer’s scheduled (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 01, 2017

PAGE 33

Graham’s Hall, Mae’s, Sophia, Winfer Gardens triumph Graham’s Hall, Mae’s, Sophia and Winfer Gardens registered victories when The National Sports Commission Ministry of Education and AL Sport and Tour Promotions 20th Annual Primary Schools Day/Night Overhand Windball Cricket Champions Trophy continued recently with action in the Georgetown zone at the National Gymnasium. The day started with a visit from West Indies player Shimron Hetmyer who also give a pep talk to the players and interacted with the more than 200 students. When the action got underway, one of the tournament favourites, North Georgetown, failed to meet the semis losing to Graham’s Hall. North Georgetown batted first and scored 139-1, Kellon King scored 82 (13x6s) and Yonnick Norton 50. Graham’s Hall replied with 143-2, Azanah Matthews got 60, Joshua Alves 37 and Shamar Rambolam 22. Mae’s defeated St. Pius

Rashidi Taylor

West Indies player Shimron Hetmyer interacts with the students prior to the start of play. by 64 runs. Mae’s took first strike and posted 151-1. Tushar Small stroked 86 (12x6s), while Jonathan Van-Lange slammed 50. St. Pius were limited to 87-4 in reply. Damion Ifill 24, Akeem Pereira 19 and Deshan Duimmett 14 were the main

batters; Antuan Pinto had 20. Sophia beat St. Ambrose by 27 runs. Sophia made 156-2, batting first. Sherwin Evans led with 79 (7x6s & 9x4s), while Kenroy Davis scored 54. St. Ambrose responded with 129-0, Shawn Gomes

struck 74 and Kemson Spencer 30. Winfer Gardens overcame Stella Maris by seven wickets. Batting first, Stella Maris made 79-6. Fedel Norville got 24 and Stanford Porter 22. Bowling for Winfer Gardens skipper Rashidi

Taylor claimed four wickets. Winfer Gardens replied with 81-3 winning off the final delivery. Orlando Dickie made 49; Shaquan Branche took 2-11. The Semi-finals, 3rd place and final will be played today commencing at 16:00hrs at the National

Gymnasium. Director of Sport Christopher Jones along with West Indies player Shimron Hetmyer and Guyana Amazon Warriors all-rounder Steven Jacobs will be present to witness the games and assist with the presentation of prizes.

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Saturday July 01, 2017

Djokovic sails into Eastbourne final Quintana says needs to be more daring to win Tour de France

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in action during his semi-final match against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. (Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs) (Reuters) Novak Djokovic sharpened his grasscourt game ahead of next week’s Wimbledon by beating Russian Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-4 yesterday to reach the Aegon International final on another rain-disrupted day at Eastbourne. The Serbian world

number four saved three break points at 4-4 before breaking his opponent’s serve in the next game to claim the opening set. Medvedev conceded another break in the ninth game of the second set as Djokovic sealed the victory in 82 minutes. Top seed Djokovic,

playing in his first Wimbledon warm-up event since 2010, will be seeking his first title since claiming the Qatar Open in January. He will meet the winner of the all-French semi-final between second seed Gael Monfils and seventh seed Richard Gasquet.

Farah admits more work needed to defend world titles

Mo Farah (Ricky Simms)

(Reuters) British longdistance runner Mo Farah acknowledges he needs to be in a better shape to defend his 5,000 metres and 10,000m titles at London’s world

championships in August. Running his first 10,000m race since claiming a gold at 2016 Rio Olympics, Farah triumphed in Ostrava on Wednesday but fell short

of breaking his own British record. The double Olympic champion hopes he has enough time to improve before the world championships starting on Aug. 4. “I still need to do a lot more work,” Farah told reporters. “I’m not quite there yet and it showed. I was a bit rusty. “But it is my first 10,000m (this season). I’ve got more work to do so now I’ll get on my flight to London, be there for a few days and then back to my training camp in Font Romeu. Hopefully I’ve got enough time.” Farah’s back-to-back Olympic 5,000m and 10,000m gold medals and five world titles make him one of the greatest distance runners of all time. The 34-year-old, who is scheduled to appear at Diamond League meetings in London and Monaco next month, will be turning his attention on running marathon events after the championships.

D U E S S E L D O R F, GERMANY (Reuters) Colombian Nairo Quintana says he will be have to be adopt a more “daring” approach if he is to win the Tour de France for the first time this year. Movistar ’s Quintana came in for some criticism during the Giro d’Italia for not attacking hard enough and with a Tour route that does not necessarily suit his strengths he will have his work cut out to unseat Britain’s Chris Froome. But the 27-year-old was upbeat about his chances when he held a news conference in Duesseldorf yesterday ahead of this weekend’s Grand Depart in the German city. “We will play with our strategy,” Quintana, who has been on the podium in Paris three times, told reporters. “It wouldn’t be the first time we have done it. But we need to be daring.” Quintana, third last year, having finished second in 2013 and 2015, began the

Movistar rider Nairo Quintana of Colombia leaves the stage following the official team presentation. (REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay) year targeting a Giro-Tour de France double but was beaten at the death by Tom Dumoulin in Italy when he was overhauled on the final-day time trial. After that setback former Tour great Greg LeMond said Quintana needed to be more explosive when he

attacked in the mountains to have any chance of taking time out the likes of Team Sky’s reigning champion Froome and BMC’s Richie Porte. Quintana’s time trialing also came under scrutiny, although this year’s Tour route has only two short (Continued on page 25)

Germany shock favourites Spain to win Euro Under-21 title

Germany’s players celebrate after winning the UEFA Euro U21 Cup. (REUTERS/Kacper Pempel) (Reuters) Germany stunned title favourites Spain 1-0 with a looping first-half header from Mitchell Weiser to win the European Under-21 championship yesterday and earn their second title. Germany blunted the sharpest attack at the finals, centred around the tournament top scorer Saul Niquez whose Spain side were bidding for a recordequalling fifth Euro crown. Germany’s Max Meyer headed against the post after

seven minutes with the first of several chances in a dominant first half as Spain were taken by surprise. Serge Gnabry also twice came close for the Germans before Weiser ’s clever header from Jeremy Toljan’s cross in the 40th minute sailed over keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and into the net. Spain threatened only once in the first half, with a Hector Bellerin header, but increased the pressure after the break. Saul forced an

outstanding save from Germany’s Julian Pollersbeck on the hour and Dani Ceballos fired narrowly wide as they went in search of an equaliser. But Germany, with several players confirming their status as potential contenders for next year’s World Cup squad, held on to add another Euro Under-21 trophy to their 2009 triumph. Germany’s senior team, the world champions, face Chile in the Confederations Cup final in Russia tomorrow.

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 01, 2017

PAGE 35

NAPF/Caribbean and NAPF/FESUPO Powerlifting

Confident 15-member team leaves Guyana tomorrow for battle; six to make debuts By Franklin Wilson A confident 15-member national team of strongwomen and men will leave Guyana tomorrow for the USA where they will battle for top honours at the 1 6 t h A n n u a l NAPF/FESUPO PanAmerican Powerlifting Championships; 15th Annual NAPF North American Regional Powerlifting Championships and 32nd Annual FESUPO South American Powerlifting Championships in Orlando, Florida, USA. Set for the Hyatt Regency Hotel: Intercontinental Ballroom from Monday, Team Guyana featuring four women inclusive of the exciting Tineisha Toney and Britny Mack and eight males including the experienced duo of ‘Big’ John Edwards and Winston ‘Little Master’ Stoby will be aiming to power to individual and team glory during the course of the week. Making their respective first appearances on the international stage will be Nadina Taharally, Toney, Demetri Chan, Carlos Peterson, Romario Gonsalves and Arif Immamdeen. These debutants will not be short of top of the line guidance as a number of seasoned campaigners are also making the trip. Leading the females as well as doubling as Team Manager will be Guyana

Arif Immamdeen

Britney Mack Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) Secretary, Andrea Smith (63kg) who will compete in the 63kg category women Open raw classic; women Open equipped, Taharally is set to make her name in the 72kg Masters 1 (40+) and Open divisions, Britny Mack will contest the 47kg class – women Sub-Junior raw classic; women Open raw/classic; women Open equipped; women Sub Junior equipped; women Open equipped, while Toney is set to take the 57kg class

Romario Gonsalves being rewarded at the 2017 Novice and Junior championships.

by storm in the women Open raw classic; women Sub Junior raw/classic; women Open equipped and women Sub Junior equipped. In the male division Demetri Chan will contest the 74kg – men Junior raw/classic, Arif Immamdeen (66kg) men Open equipped; men Junior equipped, Carlos Peterson (93kg) men Open raw classic, Romario Gonsalves (59kg) men Open raw/classic; men Junior raw/classic; men Open equipped; men Junior equipped; men Sub Junior

equipped, Erwyn Smith (93kg) men Open equipped, Winston ‘Little Master’ Stoby Masters 11 50+ (74kg) men Open equipped; Masters 11 50+ equipped; Nairjanjan Singh (83kg) men Open equipped; men Masters 1V/70+ equipped; ‘Big’ John Edwards (120kg) men Open raw/classic; men Masters 11/50+ raw/classic; men Open equipped; men Masters 11/50+ equipped. Team Management: Osmand Mack – Coach, John Edwards – Coach/Referee IPF Cat. 2, Edwin Spencer –

Referee IPF Cat.2, Colin Austin – Referee IPF Cat. 2. Speaking with Kaieteur S p o r t , Te a m M a n a g e r Andrea Smith expressed confidence that despite the team being reduced as a result of varying circumstances including some opting out due to personal reasons, Team Guyana is confident of doing well. She disclosed that apart from some assistance that was received from the Government of Guyana, the athletes embarked on a sustained sponsorship blitz

Carlos Petterson sets New 93kg Junior Un-Equipped deadlift record of 310kg in April 2017. Franklin Wilson photo.

that bore encouraging results resulting in 12-members making the trip. The federation GS also noted that the size of the contingent is a huge leap from last year when only three lifters were able to attend when it took place in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Then, Smith along with Erwyn Smith and Karel Mars also attended. The federation met with the athletes on Saturday last to go over of number of issues relating to next week’s championships.

t r o Sp

Crushing defeat put Windies on verge of series loss

Kuldeep Yadav celebrates a wicket with Virat Kohli, West Indies v India, 3rd ODI, Antigua, ©AFP

Jason Mohammed lets a bouncer go, West Indies v India, 3rd ODI, Antigua, ©AFP

GBA’s Andrew Lewis Nat Novices C/Ships

GDF retain crown after ‘Blackout’ stops fights

Three-times champions GDF with Captain Watts and Coach Terrence Pool (left) at the Andrew Lewis Gym yesterday. (Sean Devers photo) 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