Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

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Friday July 21, 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 VAN EVIL THAT WILL SINK THE COUNTRY Most Guyanese by now have been convinced, by some revelation or other, that they are living in a corrupt society where most of the major institutions are woefully corrupt. There are some institutions that fare better than others in terms of corruption, but in the view of the manin-the-street, the overwhelming consensus is that many individuals responsible for large financial undertakings are choking with the gains of corruption, which has become a norm in society. Corruption is all around us; it is endemic and it is a major concern. Many of us have concluded that it near impossible to totally eradicate it. Corruption seems to be the fuel of the nation. A corrupt mindset is embedded in almost every level of society, from those who offer bribes for favors that they would not have obtained under normal circumstances to those public officials who will accept the bribes to fast-track or give consent to a decision on behalf of those who pay the bribes. The familiar mantra from vote-seeking politicians is that if elected to office, they would stamp out corruption which they stress, continues to stifle the nation’s economic growth and prosperity. As purportedly the major beneficiary of corruption in the country, the last political directorate did not put in place the necessary measures to curb this scourge. Two years ago, the APNU+AFC coalition came to office with the promise to put in place laws to stamp out corruption, and although such laws have been passed, corruption continues unabated because some still find ways to beat the system and there is not much the government can do. While many have accused the last administration of corruption, they also believe that the beneficiaries of the largesse that flows from corruption are still at the senior levels. The people have had enough platitudes from various administrations in the past regarding their attempts to reduce corruption; now they want to see results. The government cannot end or fully reduce corruption by itself. It needs help from the public and all stakeholders to substantially reduce corruption and severely punish those found culpable of corrupt practices. While it is in the interest of the government to robustly fight corruption, it is the opinion of many that the administration is just giving lip service to it. We are living in a country that is perennially compromised by rampant dishonesty. For over a decade, corruption became entrenched in our culture and society, it was actually instituted in the country as a way of governance during the tenure prior to the last election. The current government seems to be setting its own time table and is moving slowly to get there. However, there are few complaints about corruption in this administration, because it seems that no one is listening or are turning a blind eye to it. When in opposition, the APNU+AFC coalition’s parties complained bitterly about corruption and were very passionate about wiping it out. But now in office, they seem to have lost their fearless zeal to even speak out against corruption because they have realized that it is even more widespread than they could have imagined. Further, there appears to be a weakening of the safeguards to prevent the political interference and manipulation of prosecutorial authority which is vested with the power to act against offenders of corruption. The government will stand tall if it ensures that these officials are following the laws and duly prosecute those who are found culpable. Allowing them to do their jobs independently and without political interference is not enough. The last administration did nothing about corruption. It maybe was too rewarding. Corruption is an evil that will sink the country.

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.

FITUG says police permission reversal a worrying sign Dear Editor, A vigil organized by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) outside of the State House, Main Street, Georgetown for July 19, 2017 had to be abandoned after the Guyana Police Force withdrew its approval. The decision by the Police Force is very upsetting and seems to indicate that there is a concerted attempt to silence the voices of dissent and disagreement. The FITUG-organised vigil had sought to express solidarity with the nation’s beleaguered sugar workers. It was also intended to call to attention that thousands of o r d i n a r y, h a r d w o r k i n g Guyanese are threatened with impoverishment and misery as a result of the Administration’s plans to close and sellout a number of sugar estates. The Federation had hoped that the vigil in front of the President’s residence would highlight the difficulties that would confront the communities of Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon as we see ‘now-a-

days’ playing out at Wales. The Federation by letter dated July 13, 2017 to the Commissioner of Police sought permission to conduct the activity. We next heard from the Police Force by letter of July 17, 2017 which advised “…that approval is given for you [FITUG] to hold a “VIGIL” on Wednesday 19th, July 2017". The FITUG was then unpleasantly surprised when we received another letter from the Police Force dated July 18, 2017 saying inter alia that “…due to the present situation in the country approval cannot be given as this time for the VIGIL.” The sudden and short reversal in positions by the Police Force for us is both perplexing and of great concern. It would not be unusual to hold, that the Police when examining our request must have taken into a cc o u n t t h e p r e v al e n t situation in the country. The Police’s explanation, in our v i e w, s e e m s t o h a v e provoked more questions than answers. The

revocation cannot be disconnected from a somewhat similar incident which confronted the GAWU a few months back when the Police, for inexplicable reasons, denied that Union permission to conduct a march on the East Coast of Demerara. Certainly, this latest action serves to heighten our anxieties and reminds of a time in our nation when democratic expression was curtailed The FITUG cannot help but wonder, this time around, whether the “present situation in the country” will be used as a guise to undermine and deny Guyanese their inalienable rights and to deprive our people of their constitutional freedoms of expression and assembly. Is it that the July 09 Camp Street Prison incident be used as the pretext to heighten surveillance and to promote invasion of privacy on the ground of so-called searches. The 180 degree turn in this matter is of grave

concern and is very worrying to us in the FITUG. While we uphold and promote respect for the laws of the lands but must place on record our strongest condemnation at this revocation which, in effect, is not in keeping with established Trade Union rights and serves to deny citizens their rights as enshrined in the Constitution. The FITUG believes that this development does not augur well for our democratic future or for the touted ‘Good Life’ which is so elusive to the workers. We call on all right-thinking Guyanese to condemn this denial. FITUG as the country’s majority workers’ representative does not wish to be regarded as some antiGovernment pressure group given to frequent criticism of t h e A P N U / A F C Administration. But as the country’s premier workingclass labour advocate, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) finds it difficult to (Continued on page 5)

The decline of standards in education in Region 10 Dear Editor, Kindly permit me some space in your column to publish this letter in which I concur with my fellow teachers in Region No. 10. This region is on a continuous decline over the past four (4) years as it relates to professionalism, deportment, moral values, equity, academic performance, and the list goes on. Whatever our results at National Assessment are, all the praise and all the glory must be given to our hardworking teachers. Since, the Department of Education has absolutely nothing to do with it. We received no guidance from the Department of Education but lots of criticisms and threats. Gone are the days when our schools received supplies in a timely manner. The books are submitted for signature which takes more than two (2) months to be signed. My school and several others have not received any stocks since last year. Some “special” schools are allowed to: Host as much fund raising activities per term, while others have limited

concession. Have teachers attending classes at UG daily but are always absent from school even when classes are suspended and UG is closed. When it comes to deportment and moral values, much is left to be desired. There is no such thing as leadership by demonstration emanating from the Department of Education in Region No. 10. Some head teachers must think twice if they must dish out disciplinary measures to any teacher who is, as it is termed in our region “a crony” of these officers. As I browsed the Minister of Education Facebook page, I noticed that recently, two additional Education Officers were appointed to Region No. 10. I became very worried to see that the Regional Education Office has more Education Officers. An individual who has spent less than three (3) months at the school to which she was appointed Head teacher, and has left it in total chaos, is currently in a very important position. What is even more upsetting is that this

individual is of questionable character. She was even placed before the courts for larceny. Here in Linden we are fully aware that she is in such a position because she is a favourite of the Education Officials in the region. Mr. Editor, what is most astonishing is that several complaints are being made and everyone in authority turns a blind eye. I remembered vividly of the support that was sought from the administrators of the Regional Democratic Council. Assurances were given for investigations and actions to be taken. Low and behold, for some reasons unknown to us, all efforts were thwarted. These “Men of God” who were appointed to lead our community in the right direction have become very passive. It was observed that certain education officials made use of social media in an instance to threaten to expose a distasteful recording of one politician, and the Regional Administration withdrew its position on the issues at hand. Last but not least, important papers such as the

two (2) latest National Assessment were being delivered to us at schools by any “Tom or Mary”. Those destined for the river schools, particularly Sub — Region No. 2 arrived on a public bus minus an Education Officer. We have suffered enough in the Education Sector in Region No. 10 for four long years. This situation is untenable. Our sufferings are synonymous with that which the teachers and pupils of Region No. 8 endured when the current Regional Education Officer of Region No. 10 was in charge of Education in that region. Do we need to see pictures of children fetching firewood on their heads or teachers living in uninhabitable conditions to investigate an entire Department of Education? We are desperately crying out for help. All those that have a vested interest in education and the development of Region No. 10, more importantly our newly appointed Chief Education Officer please take immediate action. Jade Richmond

Friday July 21, 2017

The difference between two police stations on the East Coast DEAR EDITOR, This letter is all about some minibuses that operate in Enterprise, ECD. There have been too much report and complaints to the Vigilance Police Station about the most unbearable noise nuisance and overloading of the buses but we are not getting the help we need. We who live in Enterprise and travel can give the most accurate information to the police to solve this “mega nuisance.” we beg, we cry , we plead , to help the elderly citizen and the sick and suffering , the Infant and kids who travel on the buses to the Vigilance Traffic Department but it seems the police are afraid of the bus drivers or they aren’t afraid of the police officers. Yesterday, there was a bus (number given) that

was playing very loud music in Enterprise by a shop in Park Street. There was drinking and wild frolic, while my sick grandmother and little children who live around in a residential neighbourhood was being affected very badly , A call was made to the closest Police Station Vigilance, and nothing was done A call was made to the Cove N John Police Station which is about five miles away. The Officer in Charge (if I have the name correct Ramphal) promised action will be taken. Two police vehicles arrived promptly and caught the bus in the act of disturbing the peace of this quiet village. He was arrested and taken to the Cove N John police station. We hope action will be taken swiftly . To the Traffic Depart-

ment at Vigilance shame on you; you let down the people and government of this beautiful country. I say that the highest authority should transfer all of you to the remotest part in Guyana or you all should be disciplined to do some community work. To the honest and caring police officers at Cove N John we pray for God’s richest blessing and may you all live long life to help us out. To the Government please see that these officers are rewarded with promotion, and please send some honest officers to root out the corrupt policemen at Vigilance. To those who are suffering and being affected by these rogue buses please call Cove N John to get the help you may need . A Concern Citizen of Enterprise

FITUG says police permission reversal... From page 4 remain silent when the Government’s consistent blunders result in social upheavals, wide spread societal fear and transparent incompetency with regard to national security. Last Sunday’s repeat prison riot, arson and get-a-way are cases in point. Camouflaging its delays and neglect with numerous forensic audits and Commissions of Inquiry, the Granger government seeks to be seen as logistically scientific when in fact the findings of the inquiries are used to implement studied delays, or virtually shelved as seen with the experience of the COI in the sugar industry. The recommendations of the post-March, 2016 Camp Street Prison Fire and Fatalities were quietly ignored even though those vital proposals required little or zero financing. Similarly, it took the July 9th carnage to prod the authorities to implement hasty, if temporary, “judicial reform” regarding sentencing and bail. Again, the latter cost nothing. So the excuse about

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contending priorities within the recent budgets cannot hold water. That is why FITUG promotes the view that responsibility – if not blame – lies squarely at the feet of the APNU/AFC Cabinet. The President and his Finance Minister – not to mention his poor AFC Vice-President, Mr Ramjattan – all erred in not hastening prison reform recommendations that could have been implemented after the COI of 2016. Look back at the priorities now – beginning prison upgrades or a new Durban Park; training better prison officers or costly 2016 Jubilee celebrations?; expanding Mazaruni and upgrading Timehri and Lusignan or holding numerous Commissions of Inquiry? Now on the July 09 arson and breakout we have yet another Inquiry. FITUG advises that Cabinet members abandon all planned non-productive overseas trips if they are serious about cost cutting to service priority areas. In the face of current anxieties and outright fear amongst the populace especially in rural communities where escapees like to target,

President Granger would do well to absolve his Public Security Vice President under whose watch two massive prison tragedies occurred. Two (2) years in Government, with much-vaunted security and military servants on the payroll was enough time to establish more reliable protocols at Camp Street. Must there be more recommendations on top of the 2016 recommendations? FITUG urges the Coalition Cabinet to look again at national security priorities. In the capital, Georgetown, agencies such as GWI, Public Infrastructure, Public Security, Army, Police and Civil Defence must sit down with the Legal Affairs people and the Judiciary to hammer out lasting solutions for the prisons and ultimately the populace at large. It may also want to involve the Parliamentary Opposition in this thrust. Communication Officer FITUG

RICH PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES SHOULD SPONSOR SCHOLARSHIPS DEAR EDITOR, Now that the results of the National Grade Six Assessment are out, students with the guidance of their parents are busy trying to gain admission to the secondary school of their choice. Placement is usually made centrally in Georgetown by ministry officials based on marks and location. However, many officials in the city are not au fait with the geography of the various regions. Thus, they misplace students based on their knowledge or lack thereof. How would they know then of the catchment areas for the various secondary schools? Placement of prospective students should be decentralized and placed in the hands of regional education officials. Also, schools should have their own application forms and admit students according to the marks secured and their acceptable range of marks with its cut-off point. Then

prospective students can apply to several schools and attend the one that admit them. Editor, more importantly, affluent persons—business persons like supermarkets owners, rice millers, miners, other business owners and rich individuals, — companies such as GWI, GPL, Courts , banks, insurance companies etc. should offer scholarships to meritorious and needy students. High–achieving and poor students deserve to be given a chance to pursue their ambitions and follow their dreams. These rich persons and companies have succeeded because they have been patronized over the years by the less fortunate masses without whom they cannot stay afloat much less succeed. Many of them send their profits overseas to foreign bank accounts and put back little or nothing to the communities which they have piggy-backed on the

reach their heights. They do not support sports teams and recreational activities, assist in installing street lights, fund school feeding programs or offer free Wi-Fi or make a donation to a hospital or school. The mindset of the rich getting richer at the expense of the have-nots, that governments should provide all services should be changed. It is high time that our wealthy citizens give back to their regions. Are benevolent and philanthropic persons only found abroad? In Belize there is a national holiday called National Heroes and Benefactors Day in honor of people who built hospitals, institutes and other structures and made large donations to the country. Also, companies sponsor scholarships. Where are our Guyanese benefactors? Karan Chand Region 2 Member of the Regional Education Committee

FINANCIAL INJECTION INTO SUDDIE PUBLIC HOSPITAL IS COMMENDABLE DEAR EDITOR, Recently it was announced that the Government signed a l i n e o f credit agreement with Export-Import Bank of India totaling US $17.5 Million which will provide much needed upgrading of three Public Hospitals including the Suddie Hospital situated on the Essequibo Coast. The funds will serve to modernize the country’s primary health care systems, according to the subject Minister. Indeed this is quite commendable and will strategically enable patients to be better served especially in Region 2. The Public Hospital at Suddie has gained considerable attention in recent times. Constant and previous blackouts would

have severely affected the efficient functioning of key operational services given that the Institution’s main generator was non- operational. In fact a new generator is required and there was much criticism as to the delay in acquiring same. I am aware however, that every effort is being made by the Regional Administration to remedy the situation and restore normalcy. Notwithstanding, much more has to be done to enhance the entity’s reliability, reputation and delivery of services. One such key area should be the modernization of the Registry department which collects data, store and maintain patient’s records as well as their ailment history. Too many paper works

continues to be done at the Hospital and in many instances patients have to endure long hours before same is processed and in some cases papers are either being misplaced, stored in the wrong section or even lost. Such has led to recurring frustration and anger of patients, some of whom would travel from far lying areas including Wakenaam, Pomeroon River and even from Region 1.In other instances too, the Hospital has been without sufficient medical supplies which I am assuming is either as a result of limited storage facilities or poor record keeping of medicinal stock. The Institution therefore can become efficient once more and (Continued on page 6)

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Sugar union asks; where is the good life promised to Guyanese? DEAR EDITOR; The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) refers to Mr Abel Seetaram’s letter entitled “The sugar union has misrepresented workers’ rights since 1992" which appeared in the July 19, 2017 Kaieteur News. It seems that our response to Mr Seetaram’s last letter has, seemingly, upset him to the point that he rambles on making pointless and hollow statements which are not borne out by reality. It’s unfortunate that Mr Seetaram is degenerating to gutter-style writing. Mr Seetaram must have known that last Sunday’s (July 16, 2017) rally at Rose Hall was not organized by GAWU in any way, shape or form. Moreover, from the information we have at hand, the rally was well attended by Guyanese from all walks of life and from several villages near and far. Seetaram spoke of vehicles being present at the rally. Quite logically those who are from areas that are some distance from the rally venue would have driven. Or is it Mr Seetaram saying that only a certain ‘class’ of people should own and drive ve-

hicles. If this is indeed so, then it speaks to the contempt and disdain held by Mr Seetaram and, no doubt, his colleagues who are perched atop the pyramid of power. Mr Seetaram accuses us of financially supporting our “political allies”. This is a worn out and tired accusation which has failed to gain traction. We recognize this is a tune also being sung by several of Mr Seetaram’s political colleagues in an attempt to besmirch and denigrate our Union. The GAWU wishes to make it crystal clear to Mr Seetaram and his colleagues that it does not financially support any political organization and this can be verified by the year Auditor General’s Financial Statements of our Union. As a mass-based organization we are fully aware that our members are supportive of the various political parties in our country and we are respectful of their views. Mr Seetaram asks us to list the cases we won, the NIS contribution matters we have represented, the improvements in working conditions, among other things. The response that he is seeking

FINANCIAL INJECTION INTO SUDDIE PUBLIC HOSPITAL... From page 5 even enhance its credibility through perseverance, commitment from the staff and Doctors and the Government’s 2020 vision which is to modernize the health care sector in order to achieve desirable and

positive impacts on the growing and ageing population. I am impressed therefore with the intended plans by the Government for the Suddie Hospital which is indeed welcome by the people of Region 2. Elroy Stephney

would fill up probably a voluminous text book, and which certainly will not be carried by any local newspaper. But to answer you in a nutshell, our work in defending, safeguarding and advancing workers’ rights and concerns has seen a sustained improvement in working conditions and benefits, and we will never flinch from this responsibility. The sugar workers are very much aware of our Union’s role and have staunchly supported GAWU, and have resiliently stood with the Union even before its formal recognition with GuySuCo. It would do Mr Seetaram well if he could solicit from GuySuCo, with whom no doubt he has easy access, information on the myriad of benefits that GAWU has won over the years for the sugar workers. The erstwhile gentleman then accuses our Union of lying to workers. But we ask Mr Seetaram what lies is he referring to? Are we lying, on the government’s plan for the sugar industry when we

say 9,000 workers would be sent onto the breadline; or that 50,000 Guyanese stand threatened by impoverishment; or several village economies face the real prospect of ruination; or the likely probability of increased crime and other anti-social behaviour in sugar communities? These are not lies but real, cold, hard facts. Mr Seetaram it seems you have not been reading our responses carefully or you are just being plainly wicked. There were always plans to safeguard the industry recognizing the consequences of the EU price cuts. Those plans involved moving the industry away from a raw, bulk sugar producer to a vertically-integrated, diversified industry producing several products. Maybe you can have your colleagues share with you several of the studies and plans which were done in moving in this direction. It is foolhardy to say that nothing was done when the reality paints a different picture altogether.

The Blairmont packaging plant was the first such plant established by GuySuCo and was intended to be a model for other plants that would be established. While it is indeed true that the plant produced Demerara Gold sugar it also exposes Seetaram’s lack of knowledge. The name ‘Demerara’ in terms of sugar refers to “branding” and not solely a location. That brand is being used by several other sugar producing countries. In fact at this time GuySuCo is seeking to safeguard the name ‘Demerara’. Mr Seetaram, you then go on saying that the “East Coast Demerara Estates had to be closed”. This is news for us and we wonder why this wasn’t shared in the 2015 Election Campaign. Contrary to your assertion, there was a plan to safeguard Enmore/LBI and all estates for a matter of fact. At Enmore/LBI, extensive work was done in converting fields to facilitate mechanization in an effort to reduce cost of production. In terms of enhancing revenues,

the packaging plant was established since GuySuCo receives its highest price from the sale of such direct-consumption sugar. Studies also found that a co-generation plant would have been viable at the estate. There was no ‘doomsday clock’ for Enmore/LBI as the author asserted. Mr Seetaram your contemptuous letters filled with baseless and fallacious assertions are nothing but a weak and futile defense of plans for the sugar industry which will haunt our nation for generations to come. We ask the Councillor what happened to “Sugar is too big to fail” and where is the euphoric ‘Good Life’ that were promised to all Guyanese including the sugar workers. Or is it the sugar workers are deemed to be another class of people not deserving of the niceties of life. The GAWU will continue to stand in defense of the sugar workers and their families as they face the wrath of an uncaring Administration. Seepaul Narine GAWU

I am not a lawyer but know more law than this attorney DEAR EDITOR, I see Mr. Maxwell Edwards continuing his ramblings in the letter columns as he persists in magnifying a clerical error and transforming it into a major legal issue. This supposedly learned gentleman continues to use the letter columns of the newspapers to egotistically showcase what he obviously considers to be his legal erudition to the lay public whom he insults with an expectation that they will unsuspectingly swallow his deeply flawed and lack of understanding of the law. Even as he continues to flog this dead horse of a major “le-

gal significance” between Commonwealth Law Reports and Reports of the Commonwealth in the factual context of the controversy involving Anil Nandlall, I read in the newspapers that the Special Prosecutor applied to amend the charge filed against Nandlall as the charge itself contained a clerical misdescription of the books, describing them as CLR and not LRC: the identical error contained in Nandlall’s High Court Conservatory Order. And guess what? The magistrate granted the amendment, obviously on the ground that the error does not affect the substance of the charge and it is of little or no legal conseq u e n c e . So, Mr. Edwards again has been proven wrong. If the difference was so legally fundamental as he claims, then the charge would have had to be dismissed immediately. Thankfully, we don’t have too many Edwards in the legal profession or on the bench. I took Mr Edwards’ letter to two of his erstwhile and close colleagues while he was on the

Bench, who are still practicing at the Bar and I pointed them to his contention that a judge has no jurisdiction to grant a Conservatory Order which has the impact of an injunction against the State which is prohibited by the State Liabilities and Proceeding Act. They first advised me to ignore Edwards, pointing to his state of mind. They said he is obviously not thinking straight. Conservatory Orders are granted under Article 153 of the Constitution, the supreme law, which no ordinary legislation can limit. They pointed me to dozens of death penalty cases, including the famous Pratt and Morgan from Jamaica and Yassin and Thomas from Guyana, where Conservatory Orders were granted over 30 years ago. They informed me that since then, Conservatory Orders are regularly granted to protect other fundamental rights and freedoms of the citizen. So Edwards is wrong a g a i n . Mr. Edwards acknowledges his regular nocturnal outings

at the Chinese restaurant I referred to on Sheriff Street. However, where he claims that he use to “recreate and womanize” (sections of his letter were carried in other newspaper but edited out by Kaieteur News) almost nightly while he was a magistrate! Well that speaks volumes for the type and quality of judicial officer you were! But I was not even referring to those activities. I was referring to the meetings which took place between you and certain litigants. It is those meetings which made you admitted “recreating” and “womanizing” possible as they could clearly not be sustained on a magistrate’s remuneration. Finally, Mr. Edwards disputes my existence. Let me assure you, Mr. Edwards that I do exist. My full name is Nandkumar Puran. And contrary to your arrogant insinuation that only lawyers know the law, I am not a lawyer but I am satisfied that I do know the law more than you. Nandkumar Puran

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Judges will require training to handle oil and gas cases - Harmon By Kiana Wilburg Minister of State, Joseph Harmon acknowledged yesterday that local judges will require capacity-building exercises so that they can be able to effectively handle the legal issues that may arise from a complex oil and gas industry which Guyana is currently preparing to be a part of. Harmon made this statement at his post-Cabinet press briefing which was held at the Ministry of the Presidency. There, he was asked by Kaieteur News to comment on the preparedness of the judiciary for the looming oil sector. The Cabinet Secretary said he believes that the judiciary is on an upward trajectory. The Minister of State reminded that the Government recently appointed a new Chancellor, Chief Justice, and on Wednesday, another Appellate Judge and four Puisne Judges. “But insofar as the capacity of the judges to deal with these issues, it is something that requires training. And no country, as far as I am aware, really becomes proficient in dealing with these matters, unless there is some period of training in specific areas of the law,” expressed Harmon. He continued, “Our judges are trained in the law, but there are some specific issues which would arise from this area of development and clearly our judges, I am sure, would adjust to it.” Harmon added, “The judicial officers are also benefitting from training locally and abroad…And more of this is taking place.” The Minister insisted that preparation is taking place. A similar train of thought was expressed when Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo was faced with the same question at his press conference on Wednesday. The former President asserted that somehow, Guyana has to build capacity when it comes to the judiciary. He expressed hope that sooner rather than later, specialized courts would be established to deal with such issues. He said that a commercial court

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo

Attorney-at-Law, Sanjeev Datadin

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon

for example could be put in place to deal specifically with oil and gas cases in a swift matter. He too shared the opinion that training would be needed for some of Guyana’s judges. Several legal experts have also opined that Guyana’s judicial system is currently not prepared for the complex legal issues that may arise from the looming multibillion-dollar oil and gas sector. Attorney-at-Law, Sanjeev Datadin, who has worked with several international oil and gas companies, holds the view that Guyana’s judicial system is simply too slow, understaffed, and lacks individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills. In the case of legal issues to arise from the oil and gas sector, Datadin predicts that most companies will opt for arbitration. He opined that there will be arbitration centres just as there are in Trinidad. The attorney believes that major companies which come into Guyana are going to be distrustful of the judicial system, given the perception of how long cases take to be heard, how easily records get lost, personalities involved, among other discouraging observations. Datadin said that the arbitration process would have to go up parallel to the court system, since this is how it is usually done. “It usually would come through the business sector; the chamber of commerce and similar things would establish arbitration tribunals and panels, and then you would need a list of arbitrators.”

Datadin continued, “The difficulty that we might have immediately is that we might not have judges who would be able to deal with specialized engineering or other (oil and gas) issues. And in those cases, they are rather unsuitable for a court. They are better suited for arbitration.” “But we are going to have enormous pressure regarding delays; we are going to have major investors who are spending money daily on rigs and similar things who will have to wait for so long for hearings and judgments and then for written reasons from judges. “As a result of that, people are going to opt out of the strict legal system and go for arbitration. It will be a one and done…” The attorney asserted that Guyana’s judiciary is simply not equipped to deal with real commercial activity. He said that what Guyanese have on their hands is a court system

that has at its foundation, delays and unenforceability. “But as it is, Guyana’s judiciary is just unprepared…We are unprepared because we just don’t understand how to get cases out quickly. In other territories, like in the Eastern Caribbean, commercial cases prob-

ably take six months to finish. In Guyana, it takes way too long,” Datadin asserted. The question of the preparedness of the judiciary has been raised in recent times, especially when some critics take into consideration, the track record of US oil giant, ExxonMobil, and the wave of litigation it has faced over the years. In the case of Chad, ExxonMobil was fined US$74 billion as it was ruled in the courts that the nation was underpaid the royalties to which it was entitled from the oil giant. Research indicates that the fine itself is about five times more than Chad’s Gross Domestic Product, which the World Bank estimates at US$13 billion. Furthermore, in 2003, ExxonMobil was found to be defrauding the state of Ala-

bama out of royalty payments and was ordered by the courts to pay up more than US$100 million in back-pay royalties. According to www.classaction.org., in August 2012, a Kansas judge approved a US$54 million settlement with landowners who claimed they were underpaid royalties when ExxonMobil made deductions for expenses that occurred downstream of their wells. The settlement also ended a lawsuit filed in Kansas state court against ExxonMobil over royalties dating back to 2000. Given ExxonMobil’s history in the aforementioned cases, critics believe that it would not be impractical for Guyanese to question whether the state is preparing the legal framework to deal with the worst to come with the oil and gas giant.

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GRA ranks mistaken for escaped prisoners at Skeldon Hospital Enforcement officers attached to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) were yesterday caught in a mix-up after rumours spread across the country that the Camp Street escapees turned up at the Skeldon Public Hospital seeking medical treatment for an injury. A police source confirmed with this publication that the rumours circulating are completely false. The source explained that the enforcement officers were at the time executing a “stake out” operation and a round was “accidentally” discharged, injuring one of the officers in the process. He sustained a minor injury to the wrist. He was treated and further

transferred to the Port Mourant Hospital. He is said to be doing well. According to the reports circulating, three men showed up at the Skeldon Public Hospital with “mud” on their clothing. One of the men was reportedly injured and was seeking medical attention. It was also stated that the men refused to reveal their identity, leaving medical staff suspicious and afraid. The medical staff reportedly assumed they were prison escapees. It was later confirmed that the men were GRA officers after they were identified by police officers attached to Springlands Police Station. The incident of the discharged round was reported.

Kitty man gets three years for trafficking cocaine Senior Magistrate Leron Daly yesterday sentenced a drug trafficker to three years imprisonment after she found him guilty of trafficking cocaine. Forty-five-year-old Joseph Ramsay of Lot 14 Railway Line, Kitty, was on trial for a charge which read that on March 24, 2016 at Kitty, Georgetown, he had in his possession 25 1/2 grams of

Friday July 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. The matter was prosecuted by Prosecutor Sanj Singh who called three witnesses. According to information, on the day in question around 22:20 hrs, police ranks, acting on information, went to Ramsay’s home where they made contact with him. The court heard that a search was conducted in the man’s bedroom where several

parcels of a whitish substance, suspected to be cocaine, were found in a black plastic bag in his chest of drawers. The accused was told of the offence, arrested and taken to the Brickdam Police Station where he admitted in a caution statement to ownership of the cocaine. The court heard that when the accused was questioned in relation to the narcotics he said “De thing is me own.” Ramsay was also charged in March 2014, for having in his possession 19 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Granger talks Roopnaraine out of resigning After he submitted a letter to President David Granger, wishing to no longer be a Minister within the twoyear coalition government, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine has changed his mind. His decision to remain would come after he met with the President on Wednesday last. Minister of State Joseph Harmon, during the weekly post-Cabinet Press Briefing yesterday in Georgetown, said that Dr. Roopnaraine – the former Education Minister now head of the Public Service Department within the Ministry of the Presidency – met the Head of State where a ‘fruitful discussion’ took place. Harmon who was present during the discussion said, “Dr. Roopnaraine will continue to serve as a Minister in the government as a Member of Parliament (MP) and as a valued member of our Cabinet,” He went on to say that Dr. Roopnaraine’s contribution to this country, his ability and capacity to continue to contribute is one which the President spoke about and was very happy when Dr. Roopnaraine pledged to continue serving in the interest of all of Guyana. “So he has withdrawn his

Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine letter of resignation then?” Harmon was asked, to which he responded, “Well, yes”. Asked what would have prompted Dr. Roopnaraine to submit his resignation in the first place, Harmon made reference to recent articles which spoke about Dr. Roopnaraine’s health. “It is something that is already in the public domain: he felt that his health situation was making it challenging for him to be able to contribute at the levels to which he is expected to contribute,” Harmon said. He noted also, that the President has given Dr. Roopnaraine assurances that support which he needs to ensure that he continues to function in the Ministry effectively, will be given to him.

Last month Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, a co-leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) was reassigned. Roopnaraine, 74, has been in ill-health for a while now. The administration would have been worried about his workload at the bigbudget Ministry of Education. Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, has since been performing the duties of Minister of Education. WPA is a component of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), one of the partners of the coalition government with the Alliance For Change (AFC). As part of an agreement, WPA ended up with the Ministry of Education portfolio.

Friday July 21, 2017

Causing death matter dismissed against taxi driver Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan yesterday dismissed a matter of causing death by dangerous driving against a taxi driver after she found that the evidence lead by the prosecution witnesses was insufficient. It had been alleged that on January 24, last, at Nelson Mandela Avenue, Noel DeFreita s , 5 4 , o f 1 7 Newtown, Georgetown, drove his vehicle HC 4295 in a matter dangerous to the public, causing the death of Morris Nurse. The magistrate went on to tell the court that a prima facie case was not made out against the defendant. The magistrate added that there was no evidence that the defendant was speeding on the day in question and

the prosecution witnesses had failed to provide the court with any evidence as to how the accident occurred and how the victim was taken to the hospital. DeFreitas’ attorney on his first appearance had told the court that his client, after the incident, had rendered assistance to Nurse - he took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital. The attorney went on to tell the court that his client fully cooperated with the police while they were conducting their investigation. The prosecutor stated that on the day in question the now deceased Nurse was a pedestrian when he was struck down by the defendant’s vehicle, which was proceeding in a fast man-

Noel DeFreitas ner while approaching Nelson Mandela Avenue. The father of two was placed on $800,000 bail by the Chief Magistrate on his first appearance and his driver’s licence was suspended.

Cabinet receives update on China’s quest to have currency used in C’bean Minister of Finance Winston Jordan represented Guyana at a conference which discussed the use of the Chinese Renminbi currency in Caricom countries. The conference was held at the Hilton Resort Barbados on July 10. It was facilitated by the Caribbean Develop-

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Kaieteur News

ment Bank (CDB). The conference was centred on discussing the deepening investment cooperation between China and the Caribbean, and how the use of the Renminbi could enhance trade facilitation, finance, banking relationships, and tourism.

During his weekly postCabinet press briefing Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said that Cabinet was briefed by the Finance Minister, on the outcomes of the conference. Cabinet was informed that the focus of the conference (Continued on page 12)

What is there to fear but fear itself? ExxonMobil is getting jumpy. Like it see ‘jumbie’. Like Kaieteur News is that ‘jumbie’ that is scaring the daylights out of Exxon! The oil giant is collaborating with the Ministry of Communities in the hosting of a two- day workshop on solid waste management. This is purely a harmless event, at which Exxon is demonstrating corporate social responsibility. Why then would Exxon get jumpy at the realization that the media was invited to cover the event? What is it that Exxon is running from? The company surely ought to know that if it is to do successful business in any country it has to ensure transparency about what it is doing. It cannot be running and dodging. Its operations have to be open to public scrutiny and the best way for the company to demonstrate that it has nothing to hide is for it to be receptive towards the media. If you have nothing to hide, you should not be averse to the media covering an event at which you are participating, much less one in which the content places the company in a good light. But oil politics makes for

strange behaviour and bedfellows. The government usually invites the media to cover events such as workshops. These invitations serve four main purposes. They are a form of free advertising for the organizers. The media covers the event for them and the event is publicized. The media should start charging companies and organizations for the free coverage they provide to the activities which are aimed at enhancing the image of the companies and organizations. Secondly, the media coverage can place the organizers in a positive light. The companies gain goodwill from the coverage provided. Thirdly, information is disseminated to the wider public. Media coverage of a workshop on solid waste management would allow persons outside of the attendees to benefit from what was said or done during the sessions of the workshop. This again is free. Finally, media coverage of events involving the government represents a form of political accountability. The Ministry by inviting the media is able to demonstrate,

openly what it is doing in various areas. The work of government is made public. Citizens are made aware of the activities of the government. This is free accountability. Given all this freeness that the media is doing for the government, companies and organizations, it is baffling why the presence of the media at a workshop on a noncontroversial issue such as solid waste management should create such apprehension on the part of a company as powerful as ExxonMobil. ExxonMobil should have no fear of the media, unless it has something to hide. And why would such a powerful company have anything to hide? Companies must view the media as their friend. They must not get jump at the sight of the media. The company has its job to do and the media has its work to do. Once the company has nothing to conceal, it should not fear the media.

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Friday July 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Inauguration, prison uniforms and all that jazz The vice chancellor of UG had this to say to the Chronicle when asked to respond to my condemnation (yes, my position was condemnatory) of money to be spent on his inauguration ceremony, which the university never had before for the previous nine predecessors; ‘it is a normal practice in all universities.” When I read that statement, immediately I thought about prison uniforms. The vice chancellor says it is a normal practice in all universities for vice chancellors to be officially inaugurated. Since the university was founded in 1963, it has gone through nine vice chancellors (the first being a Briton named Lancelot Hogben and the second a Canadian, Alan Earp, 1965-68) - with a vice chancellor or two being appointed during the presidency of Burnham (Professors Dennis Irvine and Dr. George Walcott), Hoyte (Professor Dennis Craig), Cheddi Jagan (Professor Harold Lutchman), Janet Jagan (Dr.

James Rose), Jagdeo (Professor Lawrence Carrington), Ramotar (Professor Jacob Opadeyi). Now under Granger, what we never had since 1963 we will now have in 2017. But there are a lot of things that are normal practice elsewhere that we don’t have. Isn’t it normal practice in all prisons in all countries for inmates to have uniforms? I knew when I was growing up, that prisoners wore a type of navy blue uniform. As a little boy in Wortmanvi l l e , I would see them weeding by what is now Homestretch Avenue. A place in Wortmanville (when I was growing up there) that I often saw uniformed prisoners weeding, was the playfield next to the Ministry of Health - directly at the corner of Hadfield Street and Vlissengen Road. That playfield still stands today in Wortmanville. I can recall my brother, “Lightweight” Kissoon had a contract with the Camp Street prison to make caps for the

inmates. So if the UG Vice Chancellor can say the inauguration ceremony for the vice chancellor is normal, routine stuff, the same can be said for prison uniforms. The recent burning down of the central prison revealed that the population in that institution donned their own civilian clothes; they were not fitted out in prison garb. Letter-writers have commented on this crass anomaly. Some even stated that because they wore civilian clothes, many escapees mingled with the onlookers during the mayhem. As we are on the topic of what is normal in other countries, let me quote from my column of Sunday, May 8, 2016, captioned; “Granger misses some essential points about copying.” As readers would know, this was about the time that the president was about to celebrate one year in office. I wrote; “President Granger asserted that there is no priority on the Government’s agenda for

changing the laws relating to marijuana. In justifying his position he is quoted as saying that we should be careful what we copy from the developed world. I would like to know what the things are that we should be careful not to copy and wh a t a r e t h e things we should copy.” Unfortunately, no journalist since May 2016, when the president uttered that opinion, has chosen to ask Mr. Granger at his weekly thing called “The Public Interest,” what we should avoid copying and what makes for positive emulation from the developed world? So far we only know about one – changing the laws relating to marijuana. Since we never had an inauguration ceremony for the incoming vice chancellor in the 54 years existence of the university, should we copy that practice? What about prison uniforms? I haven’t done the re-

search, but I would like to think that prisoners, nurses, soldiers, policemen, prison wardens, forestry rangers, worldwide don identifiable uniforms. Why is Guyana the exception? What else should Guyana not copy from other countries? I haven’t done the research, but I think in other lands it would not be acceptable to kill animals that come from one part of the country to another part within the same nation. We do that here in Guyana. Would they order a puppy put to death if its owner from California brought it into New York and cannot prove it came from California? Would the Italian authorities put a puppy to death if its owner brought it from Venice to Milan? The Chronicle, the government’s paper, carried actual photographs of puppies that were put to death at the Ogle airport because the owners couldn’t prove the

Frederick Kissoon puppies were born here. This paper featured a story of a gold miner and his three employees who came into Kaieteur News to explain the near miss his puppies had at Ogle airport, because the authorities told him they weren’t born in Guyana. The puppies missed death by minutes after he supplied the proof of place of birth. Shouldn’t we copy the formula of saving puppies from other countries, Mr. President?

Dem boys seh ...

Nuff kak pass and more still passing Kak been deh from Day One. Some people always getting kak. Some love it, some don’t while others shame to talk about it. Govt officials is de leading people fuh give kak. Dem is de people who does give out all contracts and it ain’t got one contract that people don’t get kak wid. Dem contractors does enjoy giving dem politicians de kak. And Jagdeo, that scamp, had to love it because he never prosecute one contractor. Instead, he encourage de kak till it become part of ee nature. Soulja Bai did promise that when he get in office to get rid of all de kak. But dem boys know that a promise is a comfort to a fool. De kak still continue. De only differ-

ence is Jagdeo did know he getting it and was loving it. Soulja Bai don’t know he getting it till he feel it. He got to go and see de size of a school that is being built wid gamma cherry wood and costing de taxpayers $90 million. Walls that should mek out of greenheart, mek out of plywood. Was under Jagdeo leadership and de Sityra Gyal de Kato school cost $1 billion. Dem boys seh that wasn’t kak; that was shafting and dem boys don’t know which one of de two tek dat shaft. Soulja Bai cry when he see it. He couldn’t believe dem had people who coulda give much less tek shaft like that. He manage to correct de situation. De school gun open

in September and de same contractor who give Jagdeo and Sityra Gyal that shaft tek it back when Soulja Bai corner him. He fix de school fuh free. Jagdeo had to be de best. He still believe he shaft de country when he seh he walk out of Cabinet and lef he kavakamites behind to mek de decison to give Babbie de whole Sanata Complex fuh next to nutten. Not even a school child buy that. Yet dem boys know that dem got people who trying every day to shaft Soulja Bai. Some claim that dem vote fuh him suh he got to give dem contracts. But he smarter than that. Talk half and always avoid kak.

Friday July 21, 2017

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Kaieteur News

No reason for hiding info on ExxonMobil…we are trying - Harmon Many questions about the deal being negotiated between Government and ExxonMobil on Guyana’s natural wealth remain unanswered. The media continues to dole out a plethora of articles reflecting serious issues surrounding Guyana’s oil, but the government has to date remained mum. The question was asked of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon yesterday as to whether there is a specific reason Government has been so silent on issues of such importance; he said no. Harmon told the media, “There is no reason for hiding information.” He admitted that the media has been putting out tremendous information about oil and gas. “Every single day in the newspapers there is statement or a report about oil and gas.” Harmon also admitted the importance of keeping the media, and by extension the public, informed on the nation’s resources. He even referenced IMF’s take on the issue. “Yes! The IMF (Inter-

national Monetary Fund) team did speak about that. What they said is that the way to build confidence in your governmental processes is to ensure that there is transparency; we believe in that and agree with it.” Harmon continued, “If you check today’s and yesterday’s paper you will find a department under the Ministry of Natural Resources, GEITI (Guyana Extractive Industry Transparency Institute) having public hearings and consultations across the country.” Harmon said that information is being given out via that means. “We are putting out information and getting advice on these issues, so I would say yes, I agree with IMF’s position; it is correct and we are doing our best to ensure that the Guyanese people are kept informed at every stage.” In its most recent report on Guyana, IMF shared its view about the critical nature of information-sharing between Government and the

public about oil-related issues. The view shared by the IMF is similar to that expressed by many in Guyana. They all are saying that the free flow of information from Government to the general public as well as the media is crucial. IMF said, “Communication with the general public is a critical part of maintaining legitimacy domestically, as well credibility internationally.” The body continued, “Informing the general public about the characteristics of the investment strategy and the risks that are taken should contribute to making the implementation of the strategy more robust in times of high market volatility.” IMF also linked the importance of public information to the setting-up of a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF). The body said that it is “common for many SWFs to organize educational seminars, engage with the media, and maintain an active website with up-to-

Reputed wife fingers spouse as Sophia killer “I stab a man in Sophia and I think he is dead...” That’s what a woman claims her reputed husband told her recently. Detectives hope that this chilling disclosure has finally led them to the individual who killed former serviceman Trevor Dublin in ‘E’ Field, Sophia, last month. The woman’s reputed husband is being questioned by ranks from the police Major Crimes Unit. Kaieteur News understands that his reputed wife alleged that her spouse had come home with a bloodstained shirt. On be-

ing questioned, he allegedly confided that he had stabbed a man in Sophia, and feared that the victim had succumbed. But another woman, who is reportedly the suspect’s girlfriend, alleged that he had claimed that his shirt got bloodstained during a fight with his reputed wife. Kaieteur News understands that the suspect has refuted both allegations. On June 24, last, ranks of a mobile patrol found Trevor Dublin, 49, of 385 ‘C’ Field

Sophia, lying in a pool of blood on a roadway in ‘E’ Field, Sophia. The victim bore a single stab wound to the left side chest, and a knife and a toque were found nearby. He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he died shortly after. Police had received information that Dublin was stabbed during an altercation with two men. Dublin was a serviceman employed with BK International.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon date information on the SWF’s activities.” There has been a deficit of information in the public domain about many oil-related issues. Guyana is seeking to become a member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Institute (EITI). However, engagement with the public, particularly civil society is also critical for membership to that body. Nevertheless, efforts by civil society so far to get information out of the government about matters related to the oil deal have been futile. The Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc. (TIGI)

tried to get information out of the government in this regard. It had written to the Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, seeking information. However, the body had to turn to the media after Minister Trotman refused to even acknowledge receipt of the letter. To this day, the body cannot get the information it is seeking. The Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA), also another non-governmental organization wants information from the government that it is not getting. One of the Association’s Directors, prominent lawyer Nigel Hughes, delivered a presentation in Trinidad and Tobago. He noted that the government has failed to give information about key concerns of the Guyanese people, including whether there is a ceiling for cost recovery in any given year. Hughes also pointed out that there has been no indication whether cost recovery is a percentage of revenue. Hughes noted, too, that Guyanese are yet to be told how the government intends to validate the costs ExxonMobil has incurred. This is important, as the possibility of inflated cost cannot be ruled out. Hughes said, “There is

also an absence of any information on key variables, including life of the project in years, the total investment, the annual fixed cost per year, estimated cost of a barrel of oil for the project, and whether any duties, tax concessions were granted.” During his presentation, Hughes spoke about the call made by the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) for more information to be put in the public domain. He said, “One of the parties in the Coalition called on the government to publish the contract.” He said that the Chairman of the WPA, in a letter to President David Granger said, “There is no justifiable reason for not publishing this contract. Seeking public comment on it is our democratic obligation. And engaging the widest possible sharing of views can only help the coalition government to make wiser decisions.” The media, which also forms part of civil soc i e t y, h a s b e e n a s k i n g questions but still cannot get information. For instance, the Minister of State was asked to disclose the names of the lead negotiators that have represented Guyana’s interest so far. His r e s p o n s e w a s , “Those names are still under wraps.”

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Guyana Watch conducts another successful medical mission Continuing its annual tradition of taking medical care to various areas of Guyana, Guyana Watch Inc. on Saturday July 15 commenced its 24th medical outreach mission. The outreach entailed both medical and dental clinics which saw hundreds of persons being able to receive a variety of health care. Founder and President of Guyana Watch, businessman Tony Yassin said all were well attended. The medical outreach is usually conducted by medical professionals out of New York. This year was no different. The visiting team consisted of 30 medical and dental professionals qualified to offer a wide range of services. While those who were tasked with offering the dental services have previously been a part of past Guyana

Friday July 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

Founder and President of Guyana Watch, Tony Yassin Watch outreaches, some of the medical experts on this occasion are fresh faces to the annual outreach, according

to Yassin. He noted though, that unlike previous years, the visiting team on this mission gained immense support from local medical professionals too. This development, Yassin said, will work well to help facilitate follow-up care and referrals for patients. At the end of an outreach at the Timehri Primary School last evening, Yassin disclosed that about 390 patients from areas including Timehri, Santa Mission, the Upper Demerara River, Kuru Kuru and the Linden Highway were attended to. Over 100 of the patients attended to required dental services; some 200 were adults and the others were children in need of health care. Aside from the varying dental conditions, patients also sought care for diabetes, high blood pressure, fungal and skin infection, among a number of others. Outreaches were held at the Patentia Secondary School, West Bank Demerara catering to areas such as Wales, Patentia and others on the West Bank of Demerara; Rose Hall Primary, Canje Village catering to Canje, Mara, Stanleytown and other villages in Berbice;

St Mary’s Primary, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara catering to Soesdyke, Kuru Kuru and other nearby villages; Leonora Primary, West Coast Demerara catering to Vreeden-hoop to Parika, and the Timehri Primary School, Timehri, East Bank Demerara. Clinics on each occasion commenced during the morning hours and continued into the night. This mode of dedication was characterised at all clinics held in the various sections of the country. “It was challenging at times to complete the clinics because they were all so well attended,” said Yassin. In expressing satisfaction with the mission this year, Yassin said, “We have achieved what we came to do and persons really took advantage of the services we had to offer.” More than US$400,000 worth of medications were earmarked for distribution during the entire mission this year which is scheduled for completion today at the Bath Settlement Primary School. This final clinic will cater to the residents of Bath Settlement, Hope Town, Lovely Lass and other areas within proximity.

NBS CEO wrongful dismissal suit…

Court awards termination severance, pension Justice Brassington Reynolds yesterday made a determination on the sums to be awarded to former Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) of the New Building Society, (NBS), Maurice Arjoon. Arjoon was on the verge of retiring when fraud charges against him were instituted. He was dismissed from NBS, thus losing his pension and other benefits. He was eventually exonerated of the charges. The man therefore sued NBS for wrongful dismissal and for withholding his pension. The case dragged on for in excess of six years in the Court and after months of delay in providing a judgment, the Court finally ruled on Monday. In his judgment yesterday, Justice Reynolds stipulated the amounts awarded are in accordance with the Termination and Severance Pay Act (TESPA). Yesterday, the judge’s order detailed a calculated pension due and payable for the past 10 years; monthly pension; pay in lieu of notice - Clause 10 of the Contract; and severance benefits. Arjoon had initially sued the Society for damages for wrongful dismissal and a breach of contract. Asked whether they were satisfied with the judgment and a computation of the amount by the Court, the Arjoons briefly said that they are no longer able to fight this evil Injustice and will accept the payment stipulated by the judge. The Court ruling handed down by Justice Reynolds stipulated that Arjoon was wrongfully dismissed, but did not stipulate an amount for which Arjoon should be compensated. The former Executive Director had sued for some $550 million worth in damages but could not be present for Monday’s hearing, reportedly due to his ill health. Arjoon’s lawyer Edward Luckhoo SC, had

Maurice Arjoon therefore requested that the Court make a calculation of the award. He noted that it should not be left to opposing parties to determine such figures. On Monday the Court had essentially ruled that Arjoon suffered as a result of wrongful dismissal from NBS and should be compensated financially. The Judge also determined that the former executive is entitled to his pension, and severance benefits stipulated by law. Back in 2007, Arjoon was accused of conspiracy to defraud the NBS of $69M along with Kissoon Baldeo, 38, of 86 Zeeburg, West Coast Demerara (Assistant Mortgage Manager of NBS) and Kent Vincent of 1247 Canje Pheasant Lane, South Ruimveldt (Operations Manager). They had faced a trial in the Magistrates’ Court. That matter was later dismissed for lack of evidence. The former CEO claimed that he was framed after he refused to illegally endorse the lending of $2B, in 2006; moved to sue NBS for wrongful termination of his contract. A report by the Ombudsman had outlined that Arjoon’s decision to only lend an amount in keeping with Guyana’s financial laws, apparently angered former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, who allegedly threatened to deal with the CEO.

Cabinet receives update... From page 9 was that where there is a large Chinese presence in any of the CARICOM States, the bilateral arrangements between that state and China will be easier facilitated by the Renminbi, the Minister of State noted. Harmon said that while this move was not approved, it is the direction in which Caribbean countries will go in the near future. “This is just the preliminary stage. This is a conference to look at the

issue and at an appropriate time once a decision is made, then the details will be fleshed out.” Renminbi is now an International Monetary Fund (IMF) reserve currency. As an IMF reserve currency, the Renminbi is now in the I M F ’s s p e c i a l d r a w i n g rights (SDR) basket, which determines currencies that countries can receive as part of IMF loans. The other currencies in the basket are the U.S. dollar, the Euro, the Yen and British pound.

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GRA painting an unrealistic picture about its ability to handle ExxonMobil Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia confidently expressed to Kaieteur News recently that a number of mechanisms are being put in place to ensure that GRA will be more than capable to deal with US oil giant ExxonMobil. But Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo believes that this is nothing but an unrealistic picture. The former President said that GRA does not even possess the capacity to conduct proper audits on many local businesses. That said, Jagdeo insisted that a “special” unit has to be established. “We have to have a unit that is properly staffed with people who are experienced in the petroleum industry, with people who can say this service we are buying , we are aware that it could be competitively sourced at the same quality, but at a lower price,” Jagdeo asserted. He added, “You think that unit at GRA can do that? No. They’re struggling to go after people to collect VAT and even complex local invoices they can’t handle. So again, it

GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia sounds good, government looks good (saying) GRA is getting ready. But I think it is pure… I don’t like saying the word nonsense, but let me say, they are not defending our best interest as a country.” Statia had acknowledged that while GRA has encountered issues with hauling in some local tax evaders, he insists that “ExxonMobil is a different kettle of fish.” In this regard, he emphasized that ExxonMobil’s operations will see the oil and gas sector eventually running 50 percent of the economy. Given the significant role

the oil and gas sector is expected to play in the country’s economic development and wellbeing, Statia said that rigid systems are being put in place from GRA’s end. This, he said, is all to ensure that the nation is not cheated in any way of the taxes that it is entitled to. “If you look at oil it will be 50 percent of the economy. So what we are doing is gearing up ourselves to deal with this… There are a lot of things which are being prepared and trust me; we would be able to monitor ExxonMobil.” Statia noted that GRA is already arming itself with the requisite skills and systems that it would need for the job ahead. He declined to divulge details on the systems being put in place at this time. Nonetheless, the Commissioner-General went on to state that GRA would be more than able to handle the influx of invoices to come from ExxonMobil. He said that those invoices would be in the electronic form and will be a direct feed into GRA’s system. “Additionally, we have established a separate Oil and

- Jagdeo Gas department that is now being trained to oversee Exxon…So we have actually set that up. So without a doubt, GRA will be ready and it is preparing itself. We are not sitting and waiting.” Furthermore, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its 2017 review of Guyana’s economy issued cautionary words when it comes to oil and its murky nature. IMF Directors said, “As a new oil producer starting from scratch, Guyana is in a good position to put in place a framework that limits pro-cyclical spending and attenuates the impact of oil price volatility on the budget and the economy. Other fiscal structural reforms related to public financial management, procurement, and investment are important, to ensure that

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo the oil wealth is used efficiently.” While the rest of the citizenry wait to hear of the details of the Government’s “comprehensive framework” for the oil sector, one can assume for the time being that the plan is one which entails the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), the strengthening of fiscal frame-

works and systems at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and amendments to the relevant legislation. Additionally, the local authorities have informed the IMF that they are working on other key elements of the fiscal regime, including drafting the Petroleum Law and establishing a Petroleum Commission. They intend to use future oil revenue to help meet key development objectives, based on a transparent and rules-based framework. The authorities also reiterated their plans to anchor future oil wealth management in a comprehensive legal framework. Furthermore, the International Monetary Fund was careful to stress on the importance of the Government putting in place, mechanisms to e n s u r e t h e transparent spending of the oil revenue to come.

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Journalism workshop gets underway…

Media operatives enlightened about importance of digital multimedia

Being able to ascertain the best possible multimedia to target your audience is an important aspect of journalism. This was amplified yesterday during the start of a three-day Digital Multi-media workshop at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown. The workshop, which materialized through collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health and the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation [PAHO/WHO], is aimed at helping local media outlets to more efficiently disseminate their messages. Among the facilitators who enlightened media representatives yesterday was Freelance Journalist, Ms. Ljiljana Hoffman. Hoffman, who resides in the United States, is a key player behind a Start-up Company and she also functions as an Adjunct Faculty at the University of Maryland’s School of Journalism. The Serbian-born Hoffman has over the years worked with many international journalists from many countries. Speaking to Kaieteur News during a break at yesterday’s workshop, Hoffman said that her main role is usually not to judge the path that media houses take

The workshop in session yesterday

Ms. Ljiljana Hoffman in their quest to reach their audience, but rather to enlighten them about ways to maximize the various available means. When asked to share her view as to whether newspapers will eventually be phased out, Hoffman confidently said, “newspapers will be less, but they are not going to go away.” It was at this juncture she noted that it is important for the print media to be able to recognize that there is a vast difference between print and online publications. This difference, she noted, includes the fact that the version of an article printed in a newspaper

could be confined because of the space limitation, but additional information and even other interactive multimedia facets could be added online. In fact, she stressed that an online article could be fashioned in a format to capture the attention of a wide audience. “The headline online should be different because of how people search by Search Engine Optimisation such as the Google search engine. In print I have a photo; by visualizing I can make a judgment what that story is about, online that headline can only appear on Facebook or it can only appear on

Google search, and I might not make a judgment of what that story is about when I click on it…So you have to think how to maximize your audiences because your print audiences and your online audiences are different,” Hoffman explained. But according to the career journalist, the print media should not gravitate to online presentations to merely join the bandwagon. “I don’t want to say ‘oh because everybody else is going online you should too’. You have to know your audience and if your audience wants print keep it. If your

audience is still buying the newspaper and cares about it and will take it in the morning, you keep doing that,” Hoffman asserted. But there are many advantages to sustaining an online audience. According to Hoffman, a newspaper outlet can easily attract the Diaspora by disseminating news online. “If you want to attract Guyanese people who live in the States or Latin America or just inform the world...in the US we don’t hear an awful lot about Guyana, maybe you can be our source of news of what’s happening in the country,” added Hoffman. She continued, “All I am saying print works, you use whatever your audience use, but if you notice that the younger generation is on Facebook or you are using online and you want to attract more of your younger audience then you should change your strategy.” Hoffman yesterday described being able to share and learn with other journalists an inspiration, even as she

asserted that trying new things sometimes is all about trial and error. “There is nothing wrong or bad about trying. You can fail and try something else. The beauty about online and digital media is that you can try different things to see what sticks with your audience…all I’m saying is that if you hit that status quo and you are satisfied, you should always challenge yourself to try something new and get more audience,” asserted Hoffman. In addition to interaction sessions which shed light on the importance of multi-media storytelling, yesterday’s segment of the workshop also included a segment on photojournalism facilitated by PAHO/WHO recommended journalism experts Messrs Ary Silva and Davis Spitz. The workshop will continue today with topics such as: Data Visualization, Video and How to tell a story with Video. The final day will entail participants being engaged in a multi-media project.

Friday July 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

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IMF helping Guyana build capacity to manage oil proceeds With Guyana shifting into position to start oil production in 2020, its ability to properly manage the proceeds is expected to see a significant boost, now that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is here to provide a helping hand. Minister of State Joseph Harmon, during the weekly postCabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency in Georgetown, told media operatives yesterday that the team is here providing technical assistance and advice to government with regards to building capacity to manage the monies that will come from the sector. The delegation, he said, came here following a request made to the organisation by the Finance Minister, Winston Jordan. Harmon said that Cabinet met the team recently and was informed of the delegation’s mission here. The Minister said that the Mission Leader informed gov-

ernment that Guyana had become eligible for assistance from the IMF under a donor-funded trust fund. The team is also expected to carry out a scoping assessment of government’s policy direction. That assessment, Harmon explained, will enable the IMF to determine the areas in which assistance could be provided. The Minister noted also that the team will meet with persons and agencies involved in managing revenues from the sector. Further, a note providing the details of the IMF assessment and forms of assistance will be presented to the government at the end of the mission. The team’s presence here would come three months after the Executive Board of the IMF concluded its Article IV consultation with Guyana. Under this article, the organisation holds bilateral discussions with members usually every year,

where a staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with state officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the IMF’s Executive Board. The IMF Directors upon reviewing that compiled report, lauded the government’s plans to establish a comprehensive framework for managing its upcoming oil wealth, and stressed the importance of having a transparent and rules-based framework in place before production begins. The IMF is an international organization comprised of 189 countries working together to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world.

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Friday July 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

Kato Secondary School remedial works completed, approved The certificate of Practical Completion has taken effect as of Wednesday and shall be issued today to the contractor for the Kato Secondary School complex. This was announced by Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Annette Ferguson at the site in Region Eight, following a tour of the facility by a Ministerial task force comprising officials from the Ministries of Public Infrastructure, Education and Indigenous Affairs on Wednesday. The inter-Ministries task force was charged with looking at the remedial works that were to be done to make the Complex usable for the coming September School term. This site visit was a follow-up to one done a month ago, June 13. The contractor is Kares Engineering; Vikab was the consulting firm tasked with ensuring that the remedial works were completed in a satisfactory manner. Kares Engineering was contracted to construct the

...Ministerial task force, experts give thumbs up to contractor

Remedial works at Kato Secondary School have been completed and approved building and works began in 2012. However, the building was found to have defects during auditing of the project, resulting in construction being put on hold because of

what was identified, followed up by remedial works. The school construction is valued at $728M while the consultancy is tapped at about $29M. Ian Samaroo,

speaking for the consultant Vikab, said the verification is to ensure that the project is substantially completed. “We had to focus on the progression of works we inspected about three weeks ago. On that occasion, we had identified some defects, so this visit is to make sure that those identified were corrected. Originally when we visited the project we observed some superficial and structural defects which required correction before it can be occupied. “Those included incomplete electrical and plumbing works, in addition to water damage to concrete roof slabs. The timber flooring was also defective and was termite-infested and the concrete first-floor corridor needed further investigation. Phillip Smith, the Ministry of Education consultant for the buildings unit, said it was fantastic to have the remedial works completed in such record time based on the damning reports originally received.” Seremei Cayetano, the onthe-ground representative of the Vikab consultancy said the contractors went in and did what they had to do professionally. “I believe that they were grossly misrepresented for this project and were very compliant and cooperative given the nature and challenges of the project, he said. PS Vibert Welch, Technical officer Tamika Barkoye and Mr Phillips Smith of the buildings division, were also among the team

Radesh Rameshwar, engineer of Kares Engineers Inc. expressed gratitude to the Government for the opportunity given to remedy the defects identified. “We are grateful that we were given the process and a chance to correct what was perceived as major faults. Those are corrected and in record time. We were given the defects list by the consultant and we worked to correct those identified as well as other eventualities we found. We had a large work force that worked for 18 hours daily to complete. The construction which was pegged at $728m is practically completed and ready to be occupied.” “During a visit by previous Education Minister, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine had promised the residents from Kato and other satellite communities that the school would be ready for a September opening, and after being given the directive, we seized the opportunity to solidify our relationship as responsible partners to make the promise a reality,” Rameshwar said. Anil Roberts, Principal Regional development officer of the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, said he is satisfied with the works and is happy that the remedial works have vastly improved the conditions for the benefit of the residents and other villages. The specifications include 56 class rooms with a capacity to accommodate at least 35 students per room, an auditorium, four communal dorms for students, four self-

contained matron quarters, eight teachers’ quarters with two bedrooms each, an admin building, 34 toilet and urinal facilities, and an Information Technology laboratory to accommodate 15 work stations. A transformer was also installed. Clifton Pereira, Toshao of Kato, with a broad smile of approval said, “I have seen a lot of improvement. The defects from the last time have been remedied and for the village, this is a much-needed move in the right direction where the children will benefit greatly. From what I have seen I believe that the complex is ready to be used for its intended purpose and on behalf of residents of the region, especially Kato, we are grateful. We are now anxiously awaiting the September term. It will now end the hardship of the children having to go to region nine for schooling. We welcome it.” Headley Pio, the Regional Vice Chairman of Region Eight, said too that “from the last inspection we had and based on our last report, the conditions are vastly improved, and I know it would benefit the other outlying villages, easing the hardship of having to go to Paramakatoi which is a three hours walk. It is ready to be opened right after the furniture and all other amenities are provided and installed. Hopefully before the new school term.” The contractor had a contractual obligation of one year to fix any other defective issues that popped up and had promised that it would be done at no additional cost to Government. Also taking a tour of the facility were some residents and inbound students, all of whom expressed elation that the works have “finally been completed at a more than satisfactory level.” (Mondale Smith)

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No bail for farmers accused of trafficking 95 kilos of cocaine Four days after Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard intercepted a large quantity of cocaine in Pomeroon River, Essequibo, two farmers yesterday appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and were remanded to prison for allegedly trafficking over 209 pounds of cocaine. Appearing before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan were 45-year-old John DeSilva called Martin of Grant Strong Hope, Pomeroon River, Essequibo Coast and 34-year-old Kevin Fitzroy Gordon of Lot 18 Jib Housing Scheme, Essequibo. The defendants both denied the charge which read that on July 17 at Pomeroon River, Essequibo, they both trafficked 94.945 kilograms of cocaine. Both defendants were

Friday July 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

Remanded to prison John De Silva and Kevin Fitzroy Gordon represented by Attorney-atLaw Mark Waldron, who asked that his clients be given a speedy trial. The matter was prosecuted by Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor, Konyo Sandiford, who

asked that bail be denied citing the prevalence of the offence and the penalty the charge attracts. The defendants will make their next court appearance on August 28 at the Charity Magistrates’ Court.

Region 9 villagers benefit from Sensitization Workshop Sexual Abuse and the Sexual Offences Act, Domestic Violence Act, Human Trafficking and the Counter Trafficking in Persons Act and other Labour Related Issues were all addressed when a team from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and Social Protection’s Labour Department recently conducted a two-day Sensitization Workshop with eighteen Village Councils in Region 9. The villages participated were drawn from Central and South/Central Rupununi and held in St. Ignatius. The Ministry’s team was led by Senior Social Worker Pauline Welch and Welfare Officer Onika Bishop. This collaboration seeks to inform Village Councils of their rights and responsibilities under the Sexual Offences Act, the Domestic Violence Act, the Labour Act and the Combating Trafficking in Persons Act. It has been noted that when social issues arise, persons in the communities are sometimes unaware of the procedures that should be

followed; therefore leaving them vulnerable in the process, thus the need for sensitization. The villages were asked to select two persons who are community oriented to receive training so they can return with a reservoir of knowledge to be shared with residents of the respective villages. Welch said “coming out from this important exercise, persons were able to have a better understanding of critical aspects of the labour, sexual offences, domestic violence and trafficking in persons act. Misconceptions were clarified as it relates to the roles of law enforcement officers and the various agencies involved in addressing these issues”. She also noted that “participants pointed out the need for additional human resources to assist in addressing these issues, while there must be a more concerted effort by those in authority to prosecute perpetrators.” Participants welcomed this initiative and requested

future training in parenting skills, while a request was also made to the Ministry of Social Protection to establish a labour office in the region. Statistics on trafficking in persons indicate that more indigenous persons are susceptible to trafficking, sexual and labour exploitation. To bring awareness, similar initiatives are being held countrywide by the Ministerial task Force in trafficking in Persons (includes several Government and Non-Governmental Agencies) to bring awareness to this scourge. As part of its commitment in the fight to enable our indigenous peoples’, the Ministry has recognized the need for villages to become more aware of society’s social ills and the approach needed to adequately address them. The Ministry is in the process of planning a similar session for Aishalton Village, Deep South Rupununi in early August, while similar interventions will be made in Annai and Karasabai are set for later in the year.

Consultations to be held on review of CARICOM’s main instruments A comprehensive review of the main instruments of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) will be undertaken next week during consultation with regional stakeholders. The main trade instruments are the Common External Tariff (CET) and the Rules of Origin. The consultations to be held at the CARICOM Secretariat here, will target regional organisations that are interested in or likely to be affected by changes to the CET and the Rules of Origin, including Academia, Sector Organisations, Industry Associations, Regional Policy Advocacy Organisations, and Institutions of the Community. The Consultation is in keeping with the Community’s Policy to encourage the inclusion of key stakeholders in policy-making processes and is supported by funding under the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). The CET and the Rules of Origin were approved by the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) and the Conference of Heads of Government in 1990. Since then, the

global and regional trading environments have changed significantly. Among those changes were the establishment of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the revision of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the negotiation of several free trade agreements including the Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union (EU). In the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, Article 82 provides for the Community to establish and maintain a Common External Tariff for goods which do not qualify for Community treatment in accordance with the plans and schedules of COTED. Article 83 (5) provides for COTED’s continuous review of the CET in whole or in part, to assess its impact on production and trade, as well as to secure its uniform implementation throughout the Community. It is against this background that the COTED mandated the Comprehensive Review. (CMC)

Friday July 21, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Guyana named among countries gaining laudable HIV suppression Guyana has been named among five Caribbean territories that have been achieving some notable progress in the continued fight against HIV. Based on the latest HIV data contained in a UNAIDS report, three out of four people on treatment achieved viral suppression in Barbados, Dominica, Guyana , Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. ‘Viral suppression’ means that people living with HIV have been treated to lower the level of HIV in their blood to undetectable levels. This protects their health while preventing transmission of the virus. Notably, several countries are getting closer to reaching the target. However, only about half of people accessing antiretroviral therapy in the Caribbean had access to routine viral load testing. Added to this, in 2016, one-third (33 percent) of those on treatment were not virally suppressed. Regional Support Team Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Dr. César Núñez emphasized that “community health workers and civil society are critical to securing early HIV diagnosis and successful treatment.”

Moreover, the report calls for greater community involvement in Caribbean health-care provision in order to reach the 90- 90-90 targets. The 90- 90-90 targets call for 90 percent of all people living with HIV knowing their HIV status; 90 percent of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will be receiving sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90 percent of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy having viral suppression by 2020. The new report with the latest data on HIV was launched yesterday by UNAIDS. The report comes ahead of the International Conference on HIV Science that will take place in Paris next week. Entitled ‘Ending AIDS: progress towards the 90-90-90 targets’, the report contains the most recent data on the AIDS epidemic, including the new estimated numbers of people on antiretroviral treatment, people living with HIV, new HIV infections and AIDSrelated deaths. It also gives detailed analysis of progress towards achieving the 90-9090 targets and ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Develop-

ment Goals. According to information disseminated by UNAIDS yesterday, the Caribbean chapter of the report explains that the Caribbean can meet the treatment targets to set in on the path to ending AIDS by increasing HIV testing and viral suppression. According to UNAIDS, the annual flagship report, shows that the Caribbean could reach the testing and treatment targets that will put it on course to end its AIDS epidemic if it accelerates its response. According to Ending AIDS: progress towards the 90-90-90 targets, in order to speed up progress, the region must improve strategies to ensure more people living with HIV are diagnosed and that there are higher levels of viral suppression among those on treatment. “The region has achieved remarkable progress in expanding HIV services,” said Núñez. “We need to continue work to ensure that we leave no one behind.” The report gives detailed analysis of progress and challenges toward achieving the benchmarks set to help the

world achieve the Sustainable Development Goal target of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Currently four out of five or 81 percent of people in the Region living with HIV who know their status are accessing antiretroviral therapy. This means the Region as a whole is doing a fairly good job at starting people on treatment following diagnosis. Haiti is the only country in the region to have achieved the second target--at least 90 percent of diagnosed people on treatment. HIV treatment coverage has contributed to a 52 percent decline in AIDS-related deaths in the Caribbean over the last decade. Another positive note is that the scale has tipped and more than half of all people or 52 percent living with HIV in the region are on antiretroviral therapy. But although the Caribbean has achieved strong progress related to getting people living with HIV on treatment and reducing deaths due to AIDS, the report underscores that there yet remains some gaps. There is still a significant proportion of people (48 per-

UNAIDS’ Dr. César Núñez

cent) not yet accessing treatment, according to UNAIDS. Of concern is the fact that the Region is lagging behind on HIV testing and viral suppression. UNAIDS said that progress must be accelerated for the Caribbean to achieve the 90-90- 90 targets that will set it on course to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. It has been outlined that at least onethird of people (36 percent)

living with HIV in the Caribbean are not aware of their HIV status. As such communitycentred strategies are urgently needed to reach those who have not yet been diagnosed, UNAIDS has noted. Added to this, the Caribbean must also improve efforts to keep people in care once they’ve started treatment and to ensure that treatment is successful.

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Friday July 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

OJ Simpson to be freed Police: 2 Burundian teens reported missing crossed into Canada from Nevada prison

Simpson (C) appears to dab a tear during the testimony of Bruce Fromong (BBC) Former US football star and actor OJ Simpson has been granted parole after nine years in a Nevada prison. “Thank you!” said the 70year-old, bowing his head as the board approved him for release in October. Simpson is serving time for armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and 10 other charges over a 2007 confrontation at a Las Vegas hotel. He was acquitted in 1995 of the murders a year earlier of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. The former Hall of Fame running back was found guilty in 2008 of the botched Las Vegas robbery - exactly 13 years to the day after he was sensationally cleared in the socalled trial of the century. He and a group of five others stormed into a hotel room to confront two sportsmemorabilia collectors and seize items that he claimed

belonged to him from his career. The hour-long hearing for Prisoner 1027820 took place at the Lovelock Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison in the Nevada desert. Simpson told parole officials on Thursday the objects he took from the Las Vegas hotel room were later ruled by officials to legally belong to him. “I’ve spent a conflict-free life,” the prisoner said during the hour-long hearing. However, in 1989 Simpson admitted spousal abuse after police responded to a domestic violence call at his home. According to police records, his wife had run from the house screaming to officers: “He’s going to kill me!” More than two decades after the murders, the slowspeed car chase through the streets of Los Angeles and his sensational acquittal, OJ Simpson still commands an

audience. Television networks across the US interrupted their regular broadcasting to cut to the drab setting of the Lovelock Correctional Center in the high desert of Nevada. And there he was, now 70 years old and dressed in simple blue prison garb but still instantly recognisable the man who was a sensation from the moment he burst on to the American football field. When he was asked by the parole board commissioners about how he would cope with media attention if he were to be released, the man they used to call The Juice laughed. It must have felt like they were asking him how he would cope with breathing the air. The families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman are not laughing and there is evidence that OJ Simpson’s supporters are a shrinking band. The country was once divided, not least on racial lines, about the verdict in the “trial of the century” but a recent poll suggested that only 7% of Americans now believe the fallen star was not a killer. The “Juice” was convicted on charges including kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. The former college and pro football star said at his sentencing that he was trying to reclaim family heirlooms and other personal items that had been stolen from him, and claimed he was unaware his associates were carrying guns. At his parole hearing Thursday, Simpson said that he is a Baptist, and that a few other inmates asked him to help create Lovelock’s first Baptist service.

Washington (CNN) Two of the six teenagers who were reported missing while visiting Washington for an international robotics competition have crossed into Canada, police said yesterday. The six teens represented Burundi, a small country in East Africa, in the inaugural FIRST Global robotics competition, competing alongside teams from more than 150 other countries. Metropolitan Police Department spokeswoman Aquita Brown said two of the teens were seen leaving the US for Canada. Police could not confirm they are still in Canada and did not provide updates on the other four teens. There are no indications of foul play, police said.

The State Department directed questions to DC law enforcement. The six teens were last reported seen at the location of the event — DAR Constitution Hall on 18th St between C Street and D Street in Northwest DC — the Metropolitan Police Department said. “On the night of July 18, FIRST Global learned the adult mentor of Team Burundi was unable to find the group of six students of the team who participated in the 2017 FIRST Global Challenge,” the competition’s organizers said in a statement. The mentor is identified in police reports as Canesius Bindaba. Bindaba stated that “he does not know where (they) could have (gone),” the police reports said.

The DC police department tweeted names, ages, descriptions and photos of the six missing individuals. There are four missing boys and two missing girls, ranging in age from 16 to 18, according to the tweets. The teens were reportedly last seen at 5:00 p.m. ET, police said. An itinerary of the event says that the robotics competition was scheduled to end at 5:30 p.m., and closing ceremonies were to run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. FIRST Global President Joe Sestak called the police to report the students as missing, according to the organization’s statement, and “proper follow on reports have been submitted to the police who are investigating the case.

ExxonMobil fined by US for Ukraine sanctions violations

(BBC) US authorities have fined Exxon Mobil $2m (£1.5m) for violating sanctions against Russia while Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was its chief executive. Exxon dealt with Igor Sechin, the president of Russian oil giant Rosneft, who was blacklisted, the US Treasury Department said. Exxon has challenged the finding, calling it “fundamentally unfair”. The US imposed sanctions against Russia in March 2014 as Russia annexed Crimea and tension rose in Ukraine. In April 2014, the US

added Mr Sechin to the list of people blocked under the rules. Exxon signed eight legal documents with Mr Sechin in May 2014 and did not disclose the activities, the Treasury Department said. It described it as an “egregious case”. Exxon, citing administration statements, on Thursday said it believed the sanctions targeted Mr Sechin as an individual and not in his professional role at Rosneft. It said the Treasury Department had been reviewing the issue for several years. As head of Exxon, Mr Tillerson signed deals with

Rosneft, leading Russia to award him the Order of Friendship in 2013. At Exxon, he spoke against sanctions. But Texas-based Exxon was forced to wind down drilling after sanctions were imposed. Mr Tillerson’s ties to Russia prompted controversy when US President Donald Trump named him as his choice to lead the State Department. The US in April said it would not waive sanctions to allow Exxon to resume drilling in Russia. US sanctions exposed Exxon to up to $1bn in losses by the end of 2014, Exxon said.

Friday July 21, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Speaker of the House and former Government loses CLICO case Cayman Premier arrested in US

McKeeva Bush MIAMI, CMC – Speaker of the House in the Cayman Islands and former Premier, McKeeva Bush was arrested earlier this week in the United States following an incident at a casino. According to Broward County court records in the state of Florida, McKeeva Bush, 62, was arrested by the Seminole police late Monday. The public records state that he was arrested on a mis-

demeanor office. William McKeeva Bush was arrested by Seminole Police on Monday at 11:02 p.m. (local time) at the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and charged with simple battery or misdemeanor battery,” said Gary Bitner, a spokesman for Seminole Police department in statement to the Cayman Compass. The police records indicate that Bush was offered

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, CMC – Two local human rights organisations have accused security officials of violating the rights of Haitian nationals during an ongoing deportation process. The groups – the Human Rights Observatory for Vulnerable Groups (ODHGV) and We are Haitian Students in the Dominican Republic (SEHRD), singled out the joint workforce in charge of the operations during a news conference. According to ODHGV legal adviser Juan Alberto Francisco, security forces arrest Haitians and violently pack them into “mobile prisons,”

where they wait for hours before they are driven to detention centers. “Many Haitians are arrested despite the fact that they have legal documentation, sometimes even Dominican residency rights, but they are still arrested under the allegations that the papers may be fake,” Francisco said. Francisco also told reporters that SEHRD President Avenel Archelus was violently assaulted, injured and arrested while he was trying to find his passport. The groups also condemned what they said is the failure of the government to renew the docu-

bail with a cash bond of US$1,000. The arrest followed an interview with and sworn statement by the female employee victim and a review of surveillance video. According to the arresting officer, the surveillance video showed Bush allegedly wrapped his arm around the victim’s lower back and forcefully pulled the victim towards his direction. “According to the arresting officer, the victim alleged ( Bush) grabbed her buttocks while pulling her with his right arm.” However, Bush’s Florida attorney, Keith Seltzer, a court date has not been set as the House Speaker has not been formally charged. Bush, was overwhelmingly re-elected in the May general election in the Cayman Islands. According to the Cayman Compass, when contacted he declined to comment but said he would be making a statement later.

Rights of Haitians in Dominican Republic being violated – human rights groups mentation of Haitians who applied for the National Plan of Legalization for the period 2014-2015. Thousands of Haitians face being deported as the deadline for them to legalize their immigration status expired on July 17. Tens of thousands of Haitians, and others, who have been living undocumented in the country, are registered under the National Plan to Regularize Foreigners (PNRE). The PNRE is a special provision to grant identity documents and residence permits to foreign nationals who have not been living legally in the country.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – An attempt by the Government to appoint two liquidators for conglomerate CL Financial to satisfy a TT$15 billion (One TT dollar =US$0.16 cents) debt has been dealt a major blow after Justice Kevin Ramcharan, in a decision delivered late Wednesday, ruled against the application. The court was being asked to appoint the liquidators in conjunction with action taken by Government which has also petitioned the High Court to have CL Financial wound up because it is unable to pay the $15 billion debt. In delivering his decision on the issue late Wednesday, Ramcharan ruled that the move by the State was premature, as it was unable to adduce evidence over the propensity of the shareholders to dispose of the company’s assets in the event they regain control of the conglomerate’s

board during a special general meeting carded for next Tuesday. He also said that it was in the public’s interest to have the conglomerate wound up to repay its debt to the Government and other creditors. It also noted that shareholders have sought to undermine the conditions under which the Government agreed to provide financial support to CLF and its subsidiaries by seeking to remove the government’s directors on CLF’s board. The government’s decision to file the application and the winding up petition were based on a move by the shareholders to regain control of the board. As a condition of the bailout, CLF’s shareholder’s agreement with the government had agreed to honour its subsidiary’s debt and allow Government to select four members, including the

chairman, to CLF’s sevenmember board. Meanwhile, the representative for CLF shareholders, Carlton Reis, reiterated his promise to make repayments. Reis, who represents CLF majority shareholder, Lawrence Duprey, said it was a major legal victory. “We will form a team to negotiate with the Government to repay the taxpayers, which is what we always wanted to do. I don’t know why the Government went through all this stress about, but we always insisted we wanted to pay back the Government and we are going to do it,” Reis said. Last week, during a press conference, chairman of the Clico Policyholders Group (CPG) Peter Permell, described the government’s attempt to liquidate CL Financial as an “unfortunate and unnecessary act of desperation.”

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Hundreds of commuters were stranded yesterday morning as bus drivers with the state owned bus company did not re-

port for work. The protest stems from an order issued by the island’s four major trade unions earlier this week. The unions have been pressing the Freundel Stuart administration to roll back the increase of the National Social Responsibility Levy. The levy was increased from two to ten percent. According to the union representatives, if the levy is not decreased, the government should then grant workers a coping subsidy. So far, the Transport Board has been hardest hit by the protest action. General manager of the

Transport Board, Sandra Forde, told Barbados Today that yesterday morning less than 20 of the more than 100 buses were on the road. She said the north of the island was particularly hard hit. The unions – the Barbados Workers’ Union, the National Union of Public Workers, the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union and the Barbados Union of Teachers had given the government a two-week ult i m a t u m t o a c c e d e t o their request , stating that if this was not done, workers would resort to industrial action.

Hundreds stranded as bus drivers strike

Grenada and Canada sign tax information exchange agreement ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Grenada and Canada have signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement which according to Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell is not based purely on revenue, but also on securing the country. The agreement was signed with Canada’s High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Marie Legault on Friday. According to Mitchell who is also the Finance Minister, there is need for even greater transparency and ac-

countability in governance, with the world becoming a global village, hence Grenada’s decision to pass the Fiscal Responsibility Act. “In this period where we are dealing with terrorism, all sorts of madness taking place in the international community, we are to share information on taxes because they might be ,in some cases, links that we might be able to detect so this is not a simple decision of just revenue,” the Prime Minister said. “It is also about securing our borders and the world

environment in which we live. So I am particularly heartened by the step we have taken. We have done it with other countries around the globe”. The Tax Information Exchange Agreement is designed to promote international co-operation in tax matters through exchange of information. It will also help both countries to look further at their vision for security and stability in the region. Legault says the signing shows that Grenada and Canada are committed to transparency.

“The signature is something that I am very proud that we are doing because it will be something that will increase our relationship on the economic side,” said Legault. “This is an important step for Grenada and Canada and I am very happy that we are able to do this, to see how we can demonstrate that Canada and Grenada are committed to transparency. According to Canadian MP, Celina Ceasar Chavannes, who was born in Grenada – the signing will ensure greater accountability.

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EDUCATIONAL I.A.E – Registered now for full-time secondary school, lessons, CXC/CSEC classes, adults, students, repeaters. Call: 683-5742/621-7365 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045 Cotton Club 231-1908: for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, etc. 41 Public Road Kitty.

WANTED 1 Accounts Clerk, preferably from E.B.D – 5 subjects CXC minimum @ gtcareers592@gmail.com Experience taxi and bus drivers at Princess taxi service. Call: 616-5419 Experienced taxi drivers and dispatcher. Call: 622-6413/ 667-9013 One male experienced merchandiser apply in person @ James Trading, 136 Regent Street. Call: 226-0114 Cook apply at Shanta’s, 225 Camp Street. Live in waitress to work in bar. Call: 604-6606/ 692-4649 One nail technician who knows to do everything. Contact Urban Salon: 6644445/630-8152 Help Wanted! Plumber tiler, mason, painter and carpenter for wooden steps with router, etc. Call: 625-3705 Need experienced garbage trucks driver & labourers. Call: 670-7920 Driver and porter to drive sell water. Apply Nimbus water system, 79 Albert Laluni Street, Queenstown. Tel 6220445/231-7002

Summer Classes for slow learners in Maths, Phonics, Reading, Spelling and much more. Call: 675-4379 INSTITUTE OFACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: Registration commenced for I.A.E Secondary school, forms 15, termly fee -$30,000. Call: 683-5742/621-7365 Summer School ages 4-14, Rising Star Academy, Phonics, Reading, Mathematics, Science. 5 Weeks: July 17-Aug18. Call: 677-0296 Rising Star Academy: Register now for kindergarten & Grades 1-4, build a strong foundation for common entrance. Call: 6770296 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-enHoop. Call: 264-3057 Computerized Accounting, PC Repairs, graphics courses. Register Now @ MicroGraphics, Vreed-enHoop. Call: 264-3057/Study in Canada or USA Call Now!

One husband & wife to work on farm in the Interior. One night security. Call: 667-5717. Live in and live out waitress. Call: 643-9007/666-4647 Live in or part time maid. Call 695-5505 or 611-6364 between 8am-4pm

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM

Friday July 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

VEHICLE FOR SALE Al l i o n , P r i m o , F i e l d e r Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pitbull – Call: 650-7501 2006 Audi – A4 PRR series$3.1M. Call: 623-3839

PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257

WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494

Register Now! Summer Courses in cosmetology & nails 7th -18th August; Cost: $20,000. Limited space available. Call: 618-2417

AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807

ACCOMMODATION Journey Inn apartment rental, short term with AC & Kitchen, as low as -$15US. Call: 642-1783/ 646-3011634/ 718-2301695

1 Extra cab Hilux pickup, 5L Diesel GVV series, test drive offering. Call: 673-3335/6043275/233-6218 1 Minibus- price -$1.850M. Call: 673-7934 1 RZ minibus, excellent condition. Call: 616-3288/2330269/690-8247 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).

FOR RENT

FOR SALE

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Property for rent - 2 storey house at Republic Park, E.B.D $1200USD. Call 647-1773

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

Fully furnished luxury apartment to rent 2 & 3 bedrooms, long and short term stay. Call: 665-3505 One big two bedrooms top flat house at Phoenix Park, lot 20 West Bank Demerara. Call: 643-9286 1 Bedroom/2 bedrooms/3 bedrooms apartment for rent in Eccles. Call: 603-9726 Office & Classroom space available for rental between 9am & 4pm. Call: 231-1284/ 227-1028 1 – Semi furnished 3 bedrooms bottom flat, Upper Charlotte Street, residential area. Call: 696-1112 1 Bedroom apartment situated @ Lot 319 East Street. Call: 226-3387/6441070

Paint Sale! Until supplies last! Coloured latex paint, 50% discount. Call: 265-3541/ 6954785/616-3411 German shepherd puppies. Call: 220-2277/220-8904/6291471/639-5466 1 Set of used magrims, 4 holes 17". Call: 685-6874/653-2477 House & land for sale, latest Toyota Tundra and Tacoma parts. Call: 646-8594 Elevator good condition $700,000, sauna, ceiling fans - $3,000, AC- $10,000, metal gate- $25,000, glass doors $40,000. Call 231-1284 One Market stall, one crashed Altezza for sale. Call: 672-3378 1 New Yamaha electronic musical keyboard, 76 keys, ideal & prestigious for church, asking -$275,000. Call: 267-1565/678-8193

VACANCY Farm worker, interested person only. Call: 265-3586

One three bedroom concrete house for sale Contact Mala: 917-254-2909, location: Vryheid’s Lust, North. Call: 699-4111/626-2208 1 Transported property. Call: 265-3586 Property at lot 4 James Street Albouystown, suitable for business, price $50M, negotiable. Call: 666-2645/ 266-5655 Aubrey Barker -$27M, William Street -$11M, Diamond -$14M, Grove -$7.8M, David Street$30M, Norton -$10M. Call: 2312199/618-7483 1 Two story 3 bedrooms concrete house, Block 8 Mon Repos -$17M negotiable. Call: 645-8543 House on double lot for sale at 49 Clay Brick Road, Den Amstel W.C.D. Call: 6306755/347-425-5343 (no agent) TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)

MINING BLOCKS FOR SALE @ OMAI & CUYUNI NEAR BUCKHALL GY$2,500,000 EACH. CALL: 622-7563 2 ½ Acres riverside land, 5 Acres land with 5,000 sq.ft building, Brickery, East Bank Demerara. Call: 653-2477/685-6874 Prime land to build that dream home. Not far from Princess, New Thriving, Massy, HJ water world $13M neg- Call: 669-8397 Land at Well Street Ogle, E.C.D, back lot, 65feetX105feet - $12M. Call: 625-1514 26 Happy Acres, East Coast, 5,830sq (53X110), 25 Million, negotiable. Call: 614-4358 W.B.D: Schoonord -$3M, Uitvlugt 50X100 -$2.8M, La Parfaite 50X100 & foundation -$3.5M, $1.5M, $1.6M, Coglan Dam, Nimes -$2.5M. Call: 231-2199/618-7483 E.B.D: Diamond, Farm -$4.5M, Providence 50X185, land of Canaan cleared land -$6.5M acre, Republic Park -$15M. Call: 231-7805/ 618-7483

Office & business space to rent @ 78 Hadfield Street. Call: 225-9211/693-3946

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

LAND FOR SALE House lots in Blankenburg $3.5M. Contact-6500402\603-1402

Cook/ Baker for interior. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 1 Salesclerk, 1 Part-time domestic, preferably from West Bank/West Coast Demerara. Call: 600-1559

Farm New Scheme (East Bank) 100ftX50ft- $2.5M (deal) all legal fees paid. Call: 667-1960/656-0701 La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.3M, way up front, already clean, all legal fees paid. Call: 6511969/ 611-7223 Land @ No.7 Village W.C.B – 86’X317’, roadside -$34M negotiable. Call:622-6473 (Raj), 648-6873 (Bernard), 661-4604 (Veronica)

1 Maid for East Bank area. Call: 614-4358 One data entry clerk, must be computer literate & have passes @ CXC Maths & English. Apply PO BOX12118 1 Counter clerk, must have a decent handwriting & passes in Maths & English. Send handwritten application to PO BOX 12118 1 Canter driver. Call: 629-2912 1 Experienced person for super bet, sport betting outlet. Apply @ August Beverage with written application in person, 27 Norton Street. Call: 225-5501 Accounts clerk: English A (Grade 1) , Mathematics, P.O.A (Grade 2), knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT & QuickBooks @ Technical Services, Eccles. Call 6144358

TO LET 1 Two bedrooms bottom flat at P a t e n t i a H o u s i n g Scheme, W.B.D- Call: 6462120 or 603-3119 1 Bedroom house to rent @ Grove Public Road. Call between Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm: 223-0204 Furnished apartment for local & overseas guest. Call Ms. Dee: 661-7354 or 2231061

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CARICOM and UN aim Ex- cop faces High Court trial for seaman’s murder Police Detective of the establishment, who Lallbachan Dyal told the court pointed to a silver grey motor to strengthen relations yesterday that he took phothat had work being done to (CMC) Cooperation between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United Nations (UN) System will be further strengthened around several issues including climate change, security, human development, health and education at the Ninth CARICOM-United Nations General Meeting this week. The two-day meeting that begun yesterday at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, is happening against the backdrop of a changing international environment, replete with uncertainty and complexity, and requiring greater collaboration. CARICOM SecretaryGeneral, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque is leading a delegation from the CARICOM Secretariat which also includes representatives from the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The Secretaries-General of CARICOM and the United Nations addressed a High-Level Session yesterday. CARICOM and the UN work closely in pursuit of the General Assembly Resolution 69/265 that articulates a goal for the organisations’ Secretaries General to “continue to promote and expand cooperation with their respective mandates, so as to increase the capacity of the two organisations to attain their objectives and to seek answers to global challenges.” The two organisations have been strengthening cooperation on a broad range of areas such as sustainable development including climate change, non-communicable diseases, electoral management, crime and security, statistics, and agriculture and food security. The first, second and third CARICOM UN General Meetings were held in New York in 1997, 2000 and 2004 respectively. The fourth meeting was held in Guyana in 2007 and the fifth meeting in 2009, back

CARICOM Secretary-General, Amb. Irwin LaRocque in New York. The sixth General Meeting, held at the CARICOM Secretariat in July 2011, was pivotal in reviewing the strategic focus of cooperation under a Regional Strategic Framework (RSF). The RSF was helpful in identifying the areas where cooperation with the UN System was aligned with CARICOM’s priorities. At the seventh General Meeting, hosted by the United Nations in New York in July 2013, four major areas were discussed: Integration and Development of the Caribbean Community, Sustainable Development and Climate Change, the Post-2015 Agenda, and Human Development and Security Challenges in the Caribbean. The eighth General Meeting, which was hosted by the CARICOM Secretariat dedicated specific sessions to dialogue on Financing for Development; the Post 2015 Development Agenda; and Climate Change, as critical international meetings were imminent on the adoption of the post-2015 development agen d a and climate change. The Community has u s e d t h e s e Meetings to emphasise the need for access to concessionary development financing on the basis of vulnerabilities and lack of resilience. CARICOM has consistently expressed its support for a report commissioned by UNDP which proposed that graduation criterion be replaced or at least supplemented by a criterion based on economic vulnerability and not merely GDP.

tographic exposures and collected samples from a car allegedly used in connection with the murder of Davonan Sookram, a seaman of Bushy Park, Parika, East Bank Essequibo. According to reports, Sookram’s body was found in a trench at Ruby Backdam, Parika. The murder is said to have occurred between July 27 and July 31, 2013. It was reported that Sookram was murdered execution-style in retaliation for a deal gone sour. His partially decomposed body was found with two bullet wounds to the head. Reports further indicated that Sookram who was nicknamed ‘tall man,’ had left his home on July 27, 2013, in the company of a friend, but he never returned. His body was discovered, days later in the murky waters at Parika Backdam. Investigations mounted by the Serious Crime Investigations Unit (SCIU) of the Guyana Police Force led to the arrest of Ruel Brandon, an ex- cop. He was later charged for the executionstyle killing. Brandon is currently on trial for murder before Justice Nareshwar Harnanan and a mixed 12member jury at the Georgetown High Court. Yesterday, a team of State Prosecutors, Siand Dhurjon, Lisa Cave and Shawnette Austin called their first witness to the stand - Detective Dyal. Dyal testified to participating in the Crime Scene Investigations, (CSI), in relation to a murder committed at Ruby Backdam, Parika. The policeman recalled that he had visited a scene at Ruby Backdam

Accused: Ruel Brandon after he had received certain information about an alleged murder which occurred there. Upon reaching the crime scene, the witness said he met other ranks including Corporal Harry and another man (a civilian) who pointed to an area just off the public road. There, he observed a human body in a trench. He said the body was in a slightly slanted, lying position and the head was faced downward. The policeman recollected that the body was clad in a bluish grey T- Shirt and multicoloured three quarter pants and did not have any footwear. According to Detective Dyal, the body was fished out of the trench and placed on a parapet near the roadway. He said that he took a closer look at the deceased person and determined that he was bald. The policeman said that he therefore could not tell the ethnicity of the individual. He however noticed two wounds on the deceased, one on the forehead and the other on the back of the head. He said that he later learnt the

Murdered Seaman: Davonan Sookram name of the man to be Davonan Sookram. The witness testified that several photographs were taken of the scene of the crime — the photographs were tendered and marked as exhibits in the trial yesterday. Dyal further told the Court that on August 3, 2015, he was among a company of policemen that went to an auto body workshop on the East Bank of Essequibo. While there, the witness said he spoke with the owner

it. The officer said he checked the car and did not find anything of evidential value. The detective told the court that a short while later he was instructed to return to the auto body workshop. He recalled that he removed the upholstery work from the truck of the vehicle and placed in a plastic bag and collected samples of mud and loam which were found on the tyre of the motor vehicle. Some of the samples collected, the officer said, were for presumptive tests to be carried at the crime lab. Under questioning by Prosecutor Lisa Cave, the detective explained that a presumptive test is done to determine whether traces of blood can be found on a material. The detective also faced questions from Defence Attorney, Nigel Hughes. Under cross examination, he said that no test for gunpowder residue was conducted on the car, because that kind of evidence would have already been contaminated by then.

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Brexit: UK and EU at odds over ‘exit bill’

(BBC) The UK and EU are still at odds over citizens’ rights and the amount the UK will pay to leave the bloc, at the end of the second week

of Brexit talks. EU negotiator Michel Barnier said the UK had not been clear enough about where it stands on these issues and that was

hampering progress. UK Brexit Secretary David Davis said the negotiations on the so-called divorce bill had been “robust”.

He said progress had been made but both sides needed to show “flexibility”. Mr Barnier said: “We require this clarification on

the financial settlement, on citizens’ rights, on Ireland - with the two key points of the common travel area and the Good Friday Agreement - and the other separation issues where this week’s experience has quite simply shown we make better progress where our respective positions are clear.” M r D a v i s s a i d : “ We have had robust but constructive talks this week. Clearly there’s a lot left to talk about and further work before we can res o l v e t h i s . U l t i m a t e l y, getting to a solution will require flexibility from both sides.” Michel Barnier said there had been some areas of agreement about how Britons living abroad and EU nationals living in the UK should be treated after Brexit. A jointly agreed “technical note” outlining t h e U K a n d E U ’s p o s i t i o n s o n c i t i z ens’ rights has been published. But t h e r e w a s d i s agreement over “the rights of future family members” - meaning children born in the future to EU citizens in the UK - and “the exports of certain social benefits”. The EU wants rights

currently enjoyed by EU citizens in the UK - access to healthcare, welfare, education - to apply to children and family members, whether they currently live in the UK or not, and to continue in perpetuity, after the death or divorce of the rights-holder. The UK wants to give all EU nationals living in the UK the same rights as British citizens once they have been resident in the country for five years, as long as they arrived b e f o r e a s p e cified “cut-off” date, probably 29 March 2017, when Article 50 was triggered. After this date, they could continue to build up their five years’ entitlement if necessary. T h e E U ’s p o s i t i o n also requires that citizens live in a host country for five years before acquiring permanent residency rights. In addition, EU nationals who get married after March 2019 would lose the right to bring family members to the UK, unless they pass an income test, like non-EU mig r a n t s. They could also risk losing their right to return to Britain if they leave for more than two years.

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Spanish soccer federation boss to be held in custody over graft case MADRID (Reuters) - The head of Spain’s soccer federation and FIFA vice-president Angel Maria Villar will be held in custody without bail pending an investigation into corruption allegations, a Spanish High Court judge ruled yesterday. Villar, along with his son Gorka and two other soccer executives, was arrested on Tuesday after a police raid on several offices. The four were detained on allegations of collusion, embezzlement and falsifying documents. Investigating magistrate Santiago Pedraz said in a written ruling on Thursday that

he considered Villar to be a flight risk. Pedraz ordered that Villar, his son, who is a sports lawyer, and Juan Padron, who looks after financial affairs at the RFEF, be held in custody during the probe. The judge set bail for Ramon Angel Hernandez, a member of the soccer federation in the Spanish island of Tenerife and who was also among those arrested on Tuesday, at 100,000 euros ($116,290). The RFEF Spanish federation and the Tenerife soccer federation could not immediately be reached for comment on behalf of those arrested

and they have made no public comment on the case since Tuesday. Villar, a one-time midfi elder for Athletic

Bilbao, has headed up the RFEF for nearly 30 years and is also a vice-president of UEFA. He was fined 25,000 Swiss francs ($26,000) last year by FIFA’s Ethics Committee for failing to co-operate with an investigation into the contest to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, which triggered the worst crisis in the soccer world governing body’s history. ($1 = 0.8599 euros)

India reach World Cup final as Australia... (From page 35) bowled out for 1 by Shikha Pandey, which became 9-2 when captain Meg Lanning was also bowled out for a duck by Jhulan Goswami. Villani and Perry’s fourth wicket stand of 105 gave Aus-

Friday July 21, 2017

Kaieteur News

tralia hope, and at the tail, Blackwell battled bravely, but victory proved beyond them. The only blight on a thrilling day for India fans was Kaur limping towards the end of her mammoth batting effort, raising questions over her fit-

ness for Sunday’s final at Lord’s. Scores: India women 281 for 4 (Kaur 171*, Raj 36) beat Australia women(Blackwell 90, Villani 75, Deepti 3-59) by 36 runs.

Herath leapfrogs Ashwin to... (From page 33) moved up 20 places to 40th while Raza vaulted 28 places to 48th. Vernon Philander continued his steady rise towards the top in the allrounders’ rankings. Philander’s Man-ofthe-Match performance at Trent Bridge - he scored 96 runs and took five wickets saw him rise two places to break into the top five. He also moved to ninth in the bowlers’ rankings. Other significant movers were Zimbabwe captain Graeme Cremer, whose nine wickets against Sri Lanka helped him gain 20 places to a career-best 53rd while South Africa left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj rose 12 spots to 26th after claiming six wickets against England at Trent Bridge.

Bermuda women put five past Curaçao HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – After firing blanks in the first 45 minutes, Bermuda moved into top gear to crush Curaçao 5-1 in a CONCACAF Caribbean Women’s Under-20 Group B qualifier at the National Stadium here on Wednesday night. Substitutes Adia Gibbons, Nia Christopher and Jahzyiah Samuels played a major role in Bermuda’s victory, all scoring after coming off the bench. Deshae Darrell broke the deadlock in the 56th minute but Kiara Snel levelled for the visitors nine minutes later with a superb angled shot. Teyah Lindo put Bermuda back in front in the 69th minute before Curaçao lost striker Staygin Stephens, who was stretchered off and taken

to hospital with a knee injury. Christopher put Bermuda 3-1 up in the 81st minute, Samuels added a fourth on 85 minutes and Gibbons completed the rout with a fifth in injury time. St Lucia’s late withdrawal has reduced the group to three teams. Jamaica face Curaçao tonight and then take on the hosts on Sunday. “It’s our first time playing at home and as soon as we settled down with our first goal we knew we had it,” Bermuda captain Eva Frazzoni said afterwards. “No matter the result between Jamaica and Curaçao we are still going to play our game on Sunday.” Bermuda coach Aaron Denkins said he was pleased with the way the team stuck

to their game plan. “It was just a matter of us settling down and scoring those chances,” Denkins said. “We always knew the goals would come. The girls have put in a lot of endurance work and had the legs to continue.” Denkins expects a tough battle against Jamaica on Sunday, a game that could potentially decide who advances to the four-team regional finals to be held in St Kitts and Nevis from November 22-26. “Jamaica are a familiar opponent and we know what they bring,” Denkins said. “They don’t know what we’re going to bring. I think they are more worried about us than we are about them.”

Friday July 21, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Try to be reasonable. Make changes regarding your friendships. Make career changes that may increase your income. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Don't be too quick to spend money. You will have a productive day if you organize yourself well at work. You should put a little extra effort in at work. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) In return, the satisfaction you get is enough for you. Work diligently and you will get ahead today. A residential move may be necessary to get a better job. CANCER (June 21–July 22) If you're in the mood, go out and socialize, or get involved in sports activities. Expect to pay more than anticipated for entertainment or other purchases. Don't let any money slip through your fingers today. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Fitness or weight loss programs will help your self esteem. There may be opportunities to attend social functions that are linked to work. Ease the anguish by offering assistance. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Arguments with children or friends may leave you steaming. You're best not to get involved in joint financial ventures. Take work home but be sure to spend some time with your mate.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your involvement in sports or entertainment will lead to new romances. If you can, make phone calls instead of going out. Travel for business purposes may bring the highest returns. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Risks will not be profitable. Some of your new friends may not be that trustworthy. Unpleasant situations concerning family members will be unnerving. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) You can make moves, but they won't be settling. Make plans to do something special with the one you love. Visit friends or relatives you rarely see. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You will get along well in social situations. Don't be too eager to cut those who have disappointed you from your life. You may be frustrated by the way situations are being handled in your personal life. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) You may want to make drastic changes concerning your personal partner. Don't exhaust yourself or minor health problems will set in. Residential moves should be considered carefully. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Don't expect anything for nothing and you won't be disappointed. Later in the week your boss will pat you on the back for a job well done.

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GTTA Selects National Pre Cadet and As Bolt nears end, Van Niekerk considered track’s great hope Mini Cadet Team for Jamaica event

The Guyana Table Tennis Association met and named G u y a n a ’s p r o s p e c t i v e representative team members to the 2017 Caribbean Pre and Mini C a d e t Ta b l e Te n n i s Championships scheduled for the 21st -28th August at the National Arena, Kingston, Jamaica. The players selected represent some of Guyana’s next generation of the most talented, disciplined and brightest prospects for the future The Caribbean Pre and Mini Cadet championships engages players between the ages of 11 years and 13 years under and is a signature tournament on the regional calendar of events, since it forms the basis for regional table tennis supremacy and the commencement of the journey of many of our young talent into the international arena. Additionally it serves to provide the platform for the technical and tactical development of players in addition to the opportunity for players to win medals, match and assess their skills with other Caribbean counterparts and allow the

association to lobby for international support among other benefits. Guyana’s Table Tennis has had a rich tradition of winning regional honours. In the 2016 edition of the championships, Guyana secured 8 medals with Kaysan Ninvalle winning the Boys 11 years and under singles title. The team also secured medals in the girls 13 years and under singles Neveah Clarkston, Silver medal girls doubles - Neveah Clarkston and Abigaile Martin, Isaiah Layne Secured Silver medal in the Boys 13 years and under and silver in the Boys and Girls 13 years and under. The team began training together as a unit from yester at the national Gymnasium daily from 1 to 5pm and on Saturdays under the tutelage of Mr. Linden Johnson, Mr. Dwain Dick, Mr. Xenophon Goliath and Mr.idi Lewis under a structured and rigid training programme aimed at having them perform optimally at this tournament. Competition will be amongst countries such as Puerto Rico, Barbados, Aruba, Jamaica, St Lucia Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o , Dominican Republic and French Guiana among other participating countries. The competition takes on an added dimension with the hosting of a training camp being conducted under the auspices of the Latin American table Tennis

Union for the 11 years and under participants from August 14th to 19th. As our next prospects transition as possible representatives of Guyana at regional and international tournaments, Junior Olympics and Junior Olympic cycle games in the future, it is therefore critical they are provided with the requisite exposure in view, realizing their true potential. Further tournaments such as these represent a pathway they have to take in order to ascend up the ranking in the next 4- 6 years. Squad: 11 Years Boys Dhanesh Persaud Krystian Sahadeo Colin Wong Alexander De Abreu 11 Years Girls Tatyana Mohamed Rozeanna Saunders 13 Years Boys Kaysan Ninvalle Isaiah Layne Jonathan Van Lange 13 Years Girls Thuraia Thomas Shorana Roberts Coach and Management Personnel Linden Johnson Dwain Dick Maurice Cummings Kennard Sahadeo Munniram Persaud Candacy McKenzie Manger Delegate Michael Layne Kamala Vanlange Manager Chaperone Mrs. Dawn Chung Layne Mr. Daniel Thomas

Herath leapfrogs Ashwin to second place ESPNcricinfo - Rangana Herath has leapfrogged R Ashwin to be ranked as the No. 2 bowler in Tests, following his match haul of 11 wickets against Zimbabwe in the one-off Test at Khettarama. Herath claimed his eighth ten-wicket haul and also passed the tallies of Wa q a r Yo u n i s ( 3 7 3 ) , Malcolm Marshall (376) and Ian Botham (383) in Colombo. All of that contributed to Sri Lanka achieving the highest successful chase in Asia, beating Zimbabwe by four wickets. Ashwin, as a result, moved down to third place while James Anderson, who took seven wickets in the Trent Bridge Test, climbed one place to be tied with Josh Hazlewood on fourth.

Wayde van Niekerk, from South Africa celebrates after winning the men’s 400m race at the Athletissima IAAF Diamond League, July 6, 2017. (Photo: AP) MONACO (AP) — As Usain Bolt races toward the end of a great career, Wayde van Niekerk is considered to be track and field’s next big star. ” T h a t ’s a m a s s i v e , massive responsibility,” Van Niekerk said yesterday. He set a stunning 400-meter world record in 43.03 seconds while winning the Olympic title last year. He spoke in Monaco ahead of Herculis meeting on Friday in the Diamond League series where he will be a main attraction with Bolt, who will run one of his last competitive 100m races. ”I find it extremely difficult to even come close to what Usain has represented in his charismatic way,” Van Niekerk said.

The softly spoken South African has talked with Bolt “quite a few times” about revealing more of his character. ”Usain has set the bar quite high both with his personality and his performances,” Van Niekerk said, adding that he is “slowly but surely” coming out of his shell. “It’s tough for us to catch up when it comes to personality because he (Bolt) naturally has it. ”At the end of the day you really just need to be you. It is the performances that make me a great athlete.” There was greatness on the Rio de Janeiro track last August when Van Niekerk eclipsed Michael Johnson’s world mark of 43.18s some thought was unbeatable.

Now a regular question is where and when the first sub43s time will be run — possibly at the world championships in London in two weeks. ”I can definitely think of a 4 2 , ” Va n N i e k e r k acknowledged. “It’s bound to happen. I just need to have the right race and the right conditions and the right perfect moment.” Van Niekerk seems in top shape. He ran a worldleading 43.62s this month at Lausanne, Switzerland, and eased up near the end of his only 400m so far in the European summer season. He also took another Johnson mark when setting a world-best of 30.81s in the seldom-raced 300m last month in the Czech Republic. His best 200m time of 19.84s, in Jamaica last month, is second in the world this year. For good measure, Van Niekerk also has a 9.94s in the 100m that is faster than any Bolt competitive time this season. ”I doubt it is the end of where I can be,” Van Niekerk said of his times in the shorter sprints. Still, he has only respect for eight-time Olympic champion Bolt, whose farewell season will leave a big gap the sport will struggle to fill. ”We all thought, ‘Is this really possible?’” Van Niekerk said of growing up watching the Jamaican great set world records and winning Olympic and world titles. “He has also inspired us so much.”

Entries close today for Kennard Memorial Pre-Emancipation Meet

Rangana Herath finished with match figures of 13 for 152, Zimbabwe v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, Harare, 5th day, November 10, 2016 ©AFP Hashim Amla, who made fifties in each innings in Trent Bridge, returned to the top ten rankings for Test batsmen. He moved six spots up to seventh. Craig Ervine

and Sikandar Raza, who struck centuries in the Khettarama Test, were also major gainers, achieving career-best rankings. Ervine (Continued on page 32)

Entries for the Kennard Memorial Turf Club PreEmancipation Horserace Meeting on July 30th at their Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne racetrack will close today. Contact can be made with Fazal on telephone 6577010, Nikita on 662-4668, Dennis on 640-6396 and 609-9143, T. Jagdeo on 6187278, Justice Cecil Kennard on 623-7609 and Daloo on 689-0629 for entry and any details pertaining to the meet. Seven top class races have been fixed for the programme and the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority will be used to govern the action. The programme

promises its usual excitement with the main event being for horses classified B2 and lower with special weights over 8 furlongs, with the winner collecting $1M, second $500,000, third $250,000 and fourth $125,000. Other races will feature E class non-winners and F and lower Open covering 5 furlongs for a winner’s purse of $400,000, L class nonwinners also over 5 furlongs for a winners take of $110,000, the Guyana Bred 3 years and older 7 furlong race will pay a $240,000 purse, the K class nonwinners and L Open race runs for 6 furlongs and a $120,000 purse is on offer.

The H1 and lower racehorses will gallop for 7 furlongs and the winner gets $250,000 and the J2 and lower category first place claims a $140,000 prize after covering a distance of 6 furlongs. Several sponsors have come on board to assist in the successful hosting of the meet. Among them are: Patsan Trading Enterprise, Mike’s Pharmacy, Silvie’s General Store, R. Singh and Sons, Courts Guyana Inc, Demerara Distillers Limited, Hand in Hand, N&S Mattai & C o . , I PA G r o u p o f Companies, P&P Investment, Kanhai’s Guyana Electrical, Guyoil, GTT and Nand Persaud & Co.

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Friday July 21, 2017

Guyana to defend 50-over title as Regional U19 set to bowl off on August 15 in St. Kitts Guyana will be looking to defend their 50-over title when the Regional U19 Cricket tournament commence on August 12 in St. Kitts. Guyana beat Windward Islands to win the 50-over title last year, but surrendered the three-day

crown to Trinidad and To b a g o . T h e 5 0 - o v e r tournament will commence on August 15. According to a release from Cricket West Indies, the three-day competition will have the teams from the six territories, while in the 50-over format; the ICC

Americas will field a team for a group of seven. The release further stated that four venues will be used over the next six weeks by host country St Kitts, to effectively stage both formats, with competition schedule to end on August 28. The three-day format

RHTY&SC Cricket Teams continue to make a positive difference

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster makes presentation to members of the Tain Cricket Club. A number of Churches, Cricket Clubs and a Play School have benefitted from the outstanding work of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation and its eight cricket teams. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, recently made donations to the Cathedral of God Church, St. Agnes Anglican Church of Skeldon, Tain Block Four Cricket Club, Child Friendly Play School, Ta i n P r i m a r y S c h o o l , Bohemia Primary School, cyclist Sybone Fernandes, St. Joseph Anglican Church Summer School and several less fortunate families. The donations were made under the clubs “Make a Dream and Making a Positive Difference Programmes”. Club Secretary Hilbert Foster stated that they are always willing to assist others once they prove to be honest, hardworking, since it’s their mandate to assist youths, the elderly and less fortunate. As one of Guyana’s leading cricket clubs, and a five-time Cricket Club of the Year Awardee, the Rose Hall

Town Youth & Sports Club seeks to assist others to meet its high standards on the field of play and at the same time promote the value of sports, education and culture. The Tain Cricket Club received a cricket bat, a box of cricket balls, three trophies and three cricket medals towards the hosting of a fundraising tournament, while the Cathedral of God Church based in No. 2 Village received a cricket bat, a pair of batting pads, complete set of stumps, cricket medals and two trophies towards the promotion of the game in Canje. The St. Agnes Anglican Church received a donation of two trophies and a collection of special gifts for an upcoming Day of Sports, while the Port Mourant based St. Joseph Anglican Church Summer Classes received a financial donation towards providing snacks for students. A Financial donation was also made to veteran Berbice Cyclist Sybone Fernandes to assist him to obtain new tyres for his cycle. The Tain Primary School and the

Bohemia Primary School both received three trophies each for their graduation ceremonies, while the Child Friendly School of Belvedere received a donation of items worth $150,000 to assist them to provide care for children from less fortunate families. The donation included an over head fan, children footwear, toys, cleaning detergent, certificate frames, trophies and special gifts. Club Secretary/CEO, Foster urged the different organisations to use the donations for its intended purposes and stated that despite great odds, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club continues to make a positive difference. Meanwhile, the eight teams and the Over-35 Group on Monday July, 3, provided breakfast and snacks to over 300 senior citizens under their monthly pensioners programme. The Club on the first working day of each month provides breakfast to the senior citizens as they await to uplift their old age pension at the Rose Hall Town Post Office.

of this tournament will see the addition of two rounds for a total of five, as opposed to the threeround format used in previous years. Following the West Indies success in the Under 19 Wo r l d C u p i n Bangladesh last year, the team is gearing up for the World Cup in New Zealand next year. Rawl Lewis, the officer in charge of youth development at Cricket West Indies notes this tournament as an important part of the calendar of events. “The Under 19 tournament is an integral part of the development of cricket in the West Indies. It is the final stage before first class cricket and many of our top players hone their skills here.” Fast-bowler Alzarri Joseph, one of the young and upcoming players on the West Indies senior team is a prime example of this. S h i m r o n H e t m y e r, former captain of the Under 19 team who secured the championship trophy last year, has also featured at the top of the order for the West Indies test team as of late. Dennis Phillip, president of the St Kitts Cricket Association says that preparations are well underway and venues will be ready for final inspection on Saturday July 22.

Final rounds of meetings with event staff will be completed by this afternoon. “As with everything, there are one or two kinks to be worked out, but we will be fully prepared on Monday,” the release went on. Three Day Round 1 July 24th-26th Trinidad & Tobago v Windward Islands-Conaree Leeward Islands v Guyana-Verchilds Barbados v Jamaica -St. Pauls Round 2 July 28th-30th Guyana v Trinidad & Tobago -St. Pauls Jamaica v Windward Islands-Verchilds Leeward Islands v Barbados -Molineux Round 3 Aug 01st-03rd Trinidad & Tobago v Jamaica -Molineux Guyana v Barbados Verchilds Leeward Islands v Windward Islands -St. Pauls Round 4 Aug 06th-08th Barbados v Trinidad & Tobago-Molineux Leeward Islands v Jamaica -Warner Park Windward Islands v Guyana -St. Pauls Round 5 Aug 10th-12th Leeward Islands v Tr i n i d a d & To b a g o Verchilds Barbados v Windward Islands -St. Pauls Jamaica v Guyana Conaree One Day Round 1 Aug 15th ICC Americas v Guyana -Verchilds

Leeward Islands v Tr i n i d a d & To b a g o Molineux Windward Islands v Jamaica -Conaree Round 2 Aug 17th Barbados v Trinidad & Tobago -Conaree Jamaica v ICC Americas -St. Pauls Leeward Islands v Wi n d w a r d I s l a n d s Molineux Round 3 Aug 19th Guyana v Jamaica Molineux Windward Islands v Barbados -Verchilds Leeward Islands v ICC Americas -Conaree Round 4 Aug 22nd Windward Islands v Tr i n i d a d & To b a g o Molineux Leeward Islands v Guyana -St. Pauls ICC Americas v Barbados -Conaree Round 5 Aug 24th Leeward Islands v Jamaica -Verchilds Trinidad & Tobago v ICC Americas -Molineux Barbados v Guyana Conaree Round 6 Aug 26th ICC Americas v Wi n d w a r d I s l a n d s Molineux Jamaica v Barbados Warner Park Guyana v Trinidad & Tobago-Conaree Round 7 Aug 28th Leeward Islands v Barbados -Conaree Windward Islands v Guyana -Warner Park Trinidad & Tobago v Jamaica -Molineux

CPL tickets go on sale from today GEORGETOWN, Guyana – CPL Guyana wishes to announce that the eagerly awaited sale of tickets for the 2017 Hero Caribbean Premier League Guyana games commences today at the CPL Guyana Office located at 238 Camp and Quamina Streets, Georgetown. Patrons can purchase their tickets from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. C o r p o r a t e companies/organizations wishing to purchase tickets can contact the ticketing office for further details on how to do so. The costs of tickets for this year’s CPL games are as follows: ·RED AND GREEN STANDS - $5,000 GY

·ORANGE STAND $3,000 GY · GRASS MOUND - $2,500 GY This year the organisers have put in place many security features to prevent counterfeiting and unlike some other venues, tickets for the Guyana National Stadium are numbered to match the seat numbers which will eliminate the p o s s i b i l i t y o f overcrowding. Patrons are asked to make early purchases so as to avoid the rush as we get close to match Days. Four (4) exciting and high quality games are to be played in Guyana as follows: ·Thursday 17th August – Guyana Amazon Wa r r i o r s v s J a m a i c a

Ta l l a w a h s a t 6:00pm ·Saturday 19th August – Guyana Amazon Wa r r i o r s v s Trinbago Knight Riders at 12 noon ·Sunday 20th August – Guyana Amazon Wa r r i o r s v s B a r b a d o s Tr i d e n t s a t 6:00pm ·Tuesday 22nd August – Guyana Amazon Warriors vs St Lucia Stars at 6:00pm For further information on ticketing please feel free to contact the CPL Guyana office on telephone numbers231-5344, 2312035 or 225-5840 and on em a i l – cplguyana@gmail.com.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 21, 2017

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Powerade/Rainforest Water/Malta Supreme/GABA Tournaments…

Eagles and Colts continue unbeaten run on night 7 in the U-23 division Guardians Delroy Critchlow (10) tries to recover possession against Colts.

COLTS Jonathan Pooran searches for a teammate to pass. Night 7 of the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association’s, Banks DIH sponsored 1st, 2nd, and U-23 divisions, tournament, resumed on Wednesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with two matches in the U-23 division. It was a good day for the favourites as both undefeated Eagles and Colts enjoyed relatively easy wins. In the first match,

Shemar Huntley (17 points) rallied Eagles past Pacesetters. The win allowed the 2015 GABA U-23 champs, Eagles, to remain unbeaten in their two U-23 games. In all, the club has played four games overall in the tournament and are unbeaten. In Wednesday’s match, Huntley (17 points) stepped up to the challenge after the team’s captain and star player, Travis Belgrave (4

points), played with a minor ankle injury and wasn’t at full throttle. “All I needed was to get warm and then my game started to flow,” – related Shemar Huntley, postgame. The youngster resonated the urge to reclaim the team’s U-23 title which they lost last year to colts. “Both the U23 and 2nd division title are important to us and we need to win silverware this season

to prove that Eagles are the best”- added Huntley. Kwesi Thompson (13 points) made valuable contributions to the Eagles win. Out of his 13 points, he netted two threepointers. Nikosi Allicok (12 points) played well for Eagles with some neatly finished layups from fast breaks. Top performers for losers Pacesetters included Tofawa Daly with 15 points

inclusive of two (2) threepointers, along with Jude Stephney 13 points and Quincy Dos Santos 12. Game 2: Colts breezed past Pl a i s a n c e G uardians from J ump ball w ith an eas y 13point, 66-53 w in to go unbeaten in their three Under-23 games played. Colts led the game from the first quarter and never looked back. The scores throughout

the quarters were as follows. 1st quarter, 11-6, 2nd quarter 37-21, 3rd quarter 49-39 until the full time 66-53. Colts top performers were Timothy Thompson 13 points, Daniel Ramlagan 13 points and Jonathan Pooran 10 points. Plaisance Guardians Jared Sears scored a game high 17 points with three 3pointers but didn’t have enough support as his team lost by over 10 points.

India reach World Cup final as Australia fall just short in semi

Mithali Raj didn’t take long to find her rhythm ©Getty Images

Shikha Pandey struck early in Australia’s mammoth chase ©Getty Images D E R B Y, E n g l a n d (Reuters) - India are through to take on England in the Women’s World Cup final after defending champions Australia fell 36 runs short of their victory target in a

dramatic semi-final at Derby yesterday. Harmanpreet Kaur ’s remarkable knock of 171 not out off 115 balls helped India to a huge total of 281-4, and Australia were always

struggling after slumping to 21-3 in their reply. Alex Blackwell’s valiant knock of 90 kept alive hopes of an unlikely comeback, building on good work from Elyse Villani (75) and Ellyse

Perry (38), but six players being dismissed for single figures in their total of 245 all out proved Australia’s undoing. India won the toss and chose to bat, and with early

Alex Blackwell tried to take Australia past the line with her 56-ball 90 ©Getty Images rain having reduced the game to 42 overs each, made a faltering start. Kaur and captain Mithali Raj (36) took control with a stand of 66 for the third wicket, and then Kaur teamed up with Deepti

Sharma (25) for the ultimately decisive partnership of 137 for the fourth wicket. In reply, Australia were 4-1 when Beth Mooney was (Continued on page 32)

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Friday July 21, 2017

Digicel 2017 Senior Nat Squash C/Ships

Nicolette Fernandes opts to play in Men’s Division, beat Nicholas Narain Shomari Wilshire make auspicious senior debut Joe Mekdeci (left) puts pressure on Robin Low on Wednesday night at the GT Club. (Sean Devers photo)

Nyron Joseph (left) recovered to beat Peter Michael DeGroot on Wednesday night. (Sean Devers photo) The 2017 Digicel Senior National Squash Championships entered its second day on Wednesday

night at the Georgetown Club with competitive matches in all four categories.

As expected, several of the top seeds easily advanced to the quarter finals in the Men’s and

Kipchoge returns to the road at Berlin Marathon (Reuters) - Olympic champion Eliud Kipchoge will make return to the road race circuit at the 2017 Berlin Marathon in September having come agonizingly close to breaking the two-hour barrier at Monza in May. The 32-year-old opted out of defending his title at the London Marathon in April and will also miss the A u g u s t w o r l d championships in London after focusing on the Nike Breaking2 project. Kipchoge ran the quickest recorded marathon time at Monza, crossing the line in two hours and 24 seconds, though his time is not an official world record due to aspects of the event not satisfying IAAF criteria. He will be joined on the start line in Berlin by compatriot Wilson Kipsang, who broke the official world record there in 2013. The last six men’s world records have been set at the pancake-flat course in the German capital, including the current mark of 2:02:57 by Dennis Kimetto in 2014. Kipchoge is a former

Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge (AFP Getty images)

5,000 meters world champion and his official best marathon time of 2:03:05 set in London last year is the fourth-fastest in history. In the women’s field, defending champion Aberu

Kebede of Ethiopia will be joined by compatriots Amane Beriso, Gulume To l l e s a a n d M e s e r e t Mengistu. Gladys Cherono, the 2015 winner, will feature alongside fellow Kenyan Valary Aiyabei.

Women’s Open with 34year-old Nicolette Fernandes, ranked 19 on the professional Circuit, opting to play in the Men’s Open. The flamboyant and stylish Fernandes was pushed hard in the first game by Nicholas Narain in a game punctuated by long rallies before the Caribbean Squash Queen prevailed 12-10 in a close game. However, the gifted Fernandes changed gear and easily won the next two games 11 - 2, 11 – 1. Caribbean U-15 Champion Shomari Wilshire made an auspicious start to his senior National career when the slimly build righthander beat 5/8 seed Regan Pollard in five competitive games 10 - 12, 11 - 5, 9 - 11, 11 - 2, 11 - 4. Nyron Joseph lost concentration and dropped the second game 4 - 11 after winning the first game 11 - 0 in his match against Peter Michael De Groot. He then restored order winning the next two games 11 - 4, 11 - 4. D e f e n d i n g M e n ’s champion Alex Arjoon easily disposed of Jonathan Antczak 11- 1, 11 - 2, 11 – 2, while No2 seed Richard Chin proved too good for Adam Alves winning 11 - 6, 11 - 4, 11 - 2. Three/four seeds Kristian Jeffrey and

Allan Downes (left) beat Medhi Ramdhani at the GT Club on Wednesday night. (Sean Devers photo) Jason Ray Khalil both also had easy wins. Kristian Jeffrey defeated Javid Rahaman 11 - 2, 11 - 1, 11 – 3, while Jason Ray Khalil took care of Alex Cheeks 11 4, 11 - 4, 11 - 4. Two five/eight seeds however lost to lower seeded players. Jean Claude Jeffrey beat 5/8 Ben Mekdeci in three close games 12 - 10, 11 - 8, 11 – 7. In the Women’s Open, Makeda Harding had to call on all her experience to defeat Abosaide Cadogan 11 - 4, 13 - 11, 7 - 11, 11 – 3, while Victoria Arjoon defeated Kirsten Gomes 11 5, 11 - 2, 11 - 5. In the other Women’s match played,

Sarah Lewis beat Madison Fernandes 13 - 11, 11 - 9, 11 9. In the Men’s Veterans 35 – 49, Allan Downes beat Medhi Ramdhani in four games. Scores were 8 - 11, 11 - 6, 11 - 9, 11 – 5. Joe Mekdeci then defeated Robin Low 11 - 3, 11 - 1, 11 – 5, while in the Men’s Veterans Over-50, Joe Mekdeci overcame Steven Persaud 11 - 3, 11 - 6, 11 - 4. Play was scheduled to continue last night with the quarter finals matches in both the Men’s and Women’s Open. Round robin matches were also fixed in the Veterans categories.

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Friday July 21, 2017

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Wright presents balls to Al Sport and Tour Promotions

Students attending the on going programme along with officials following the presentation. Former Queen’s College teacher, overseas based Kwabenna Wright recently presented a quantity of balls t o A L S p o r t & To u r Promotions (ASTP) which will be used to promote

Windball cricket & Circle Tennis within schools. In his brief remarks, Wright reminded them that sports and education must work hand in hand and he’s always happy to return home

to see the good work of having student being involved in these programs. He recalled that over the year when the ASTP would have taken student to camps in region three, places like

Three Wimbledon matches raise concerns about fixing

Sand Hill, Sata Mission, Leguan and Wakenaam, region #7 Bartica, region #6 Corriverton students were given the opportunity to interact with fellow students from these areas which will

help to build camaraderie. He also extended gratitude to the parents for their continued support of these programmes, and was happy to see Katie Ann Punch, a former student

being involved. He urged organiser Alistair Munroe to keep up the good works by God’s Grace. Participant Donna Lowe thanked Sir Wright for his input.

Warriors’ Durant heads to India to grow interest in league

Kevin Durant (Foto: Reuters) The Wimbledon logo. (Photo Ryan Pierse, Getty Images) USA TODAY Sports The Tennis Integrity Unit, an independent body that investigates corruption based in London, has suspicions about three matches at Wi m b l e d o n b a s e d o n unusual betting patterns, it says in a briefing report released Wednesday. While not giving specifics, the report says that two of the suspicious matches took place during qualifying rounds and the other was in the main

competition. The report cautions that an alert on its own is not evidence of match-fixing. Other factors could have caused the strange betting, such as “incorrect oddssetting; well-informed betting; player fitness, fatigue and form; playing conditions and personal circumstances.” But, the TIU says every alert is assessed as an indicator that something inappropriate may have

happened and that it could lead to a full investigation. Getting alerts in big tournaments doesn’t occur that often. According to BuzzFeed, this is only the second time one has been announced about Wimbledon.Overall this year, the report notes, alerts are down. In thousands of professional matches played, there have been 83 alerts, compared to 121 for the same period in 2016.

(Reuters) - The NBA is extending a push into India with a visit by Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors to support the growth of basketball in the country. Durant, named Most Valuable Player in this year’s NBA Finals, will be in New Delhi next Thursday to open two new basketball courts, funded by his charity foundation, and coach the country’s top prospects at the NBA Academy India. After decades of growing the sport in China, the NBA’s second biggest market after

the United States, the league has turned its attention to India in the expanding search for talent and fans. “Having one of the very best players in our league interact with the basketballplaying youth of India will serve as great inspiration to the next generation of players here,” said NBA India managing director Ya n n i c k C o l a c o i n a statement yesterday. Durant won his first NBA championship with the Warriors in June, averaging 35.2 points a game to help his

side to a 4-1 series win over the Cleveland Cavaliers and cement his status as one of the league’s leading players. The NBA has established a major international presence with games and programming in 215 countries and territories, in 49 languages. Merchandise for the league is sold on six continents. NBA rosters at the start of the 2016-17 season featured a record 113 international players from 41 countries and territories.

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Friday July 21, 2017

RHTY&SC Cricket Teams, Barguil triumphs on Stage 18, NAMILCO to distribute 13 000 Froome retains overall lead Say No/Say Yes exercise books

The continuing efforts of the eight cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, to promote it’s highly successfully Say No/Say Yes Message to youths in Berbice has received a major boost. The National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO) has joined hands with the teams to distribute 13,000 exercise books to 30 Secondary and Primary Schools across Region 6; the ceremony takes place today. The books were printed locally by Kaieteur News Printery and features advice to youths on Say No to Drugs, Suicide, Alcohol and Crime and Yes to Education, Life, Sports and Religion. The Company would also be promoting a healthy lifestyle using its products. Club/Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster hailed the NAMILCO initiative as a massive investment in the educational sector and noted that the Say No/Say Yes Message would be communicated to thousands of Grade 6 Students in

Bert Sukhai Primary Schools and Form One Secondary Schools Students across the Ancient County. Among the Schools that would benefit are Lower Corentyne Secondary, Port Mourant Secondary, Tagore Memorial, Black Bush S e c o n d a r y, C a n j e Secondary, New Amsterdam S e c o n d a r y, R o s e H a l l Primary, Port Mourant Primary, Cropper Primary and Belvedere Primary. Ms. Guyana World 2017 Ms Vena Mookram would represent NAMILCO at the event and share out the exercise books, while she would also meet with residents of Rose Hall Town at the Arch Square from 10:00 to 12:00hrs. Distribution of exercise

books would also be made to the General Public. NAMILCO would be one of Ms. Mookram’s major sponsors at the upcoming Ms. World contest. Foster expressed gratitude to CEO of NAMILCO Mr. Bert Sukhai, Finance Director Mr. Fitzroy McLeod and Mr. Afeeze Khan for their support of the project which the club hopes to make an annual initiative. The eight teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club are Farfan & Mendes Under-15, Bakewell U n d e r- 1 7 a n d S e c o n d Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females, Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 and First Division Teams.

Bermuda crash to heavy defeat KING CITY, Canada, CMC – Outplayed Bermuda collapsed to a heavy defeat against hosts Canada in the third match of the triangular ICC Americas Under-19s World Cup qualifier at the Maple Leaf Cricket Club here on Wednesday. Set 230 to win, Bermuda crumbled to 88 all out in the 36th over to lose by 141 runs as Man-of-the-Match Arslan Khan followed up his halfcentury with three cheap wickets. Khan, batting at number four, struck six fours in his 93-ball 74 to help guide Canada to 229 for eight in their 50 overs. Leg-break bowler Khan helped scythe through the Bermuda batting line-up – in which vice-captain Nazari Paynter top-scored with 15 – to claim three for nine in 6.3 overs. Opening bowler Faisal Jamkhandi also picked up

Canada all-rounder Arslan Khan.

three wickets as Bermuda tumbled to their second defeat of the week. Bermuda next face the United States in the fourth match of the double roundrobin tournament on Friday after Thursday’s rest day. The US are top of the table after beating Bermuda by six wickets in the tournament opener, in a game reduced to 20 overs a

side because of a wet outfield, and following it up with a four-wicket win over Canada in a low-scoring match on Tuesday. The prize for the winners will be a place in the 16-team Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand in January next year and an appearance in the West Indies Super50 OneDay tournament in St Kitts next month.

COL D’IZOARD, France (AP) — French rider Warren Barguil triumphed on the barren slopes of the fearsome Col d’Izoard climb in the Alps, winning his second stage of the 104th Tour de France while Chris Froome successfully defended his overall race lead yesterday, putting him within touching distance of a fourth Tour crown. On the last day of climbing in the Alps, Froome lost a handful of seconds to French rider Romain Bardet, who moved up to second in the overall standings, relegating Rigoberto Uran of Colombia to third. But Froome still leads Bardet by 23 seconds, a margin that the French rider looks unlikely to close before the finish Sunday in Paris. The last opportunity is in a time trial tomorrow, but Froome excels at that discipline. “I gave it all, I thought I was going to suffocate as I crossed the line,” Bardet said. “I have no regrets, I did everything I could.” Froome was relieved to put the Alps behind him. The mountains can crack even the best riders, and with them over with, there remain no real obstacles to stop Froome clinching a third straight title. His first was in 2013. While not huge, his lead is sufficient to mean that he d o e s n ’t h a v e t o t a k e unnecessary risks on the twisting and technical timetrial course in Marseille. Today’s stage out of the Alps through Provence isn’t tough enough to provoke a big shake-up in the standings, and Sunday’s ride into Paris is largely processional. “I’m happy that I went through the Alps without any major problem,” Froome said. “I normally find the Alps more difficult.” Barguil set off in search of the Stage 18 victory when there were still six kilometers (four miles) left to climb to the top of the Izoard pass, a moonscape of scree and rockslides in thinning air at an altitude of 2,360 meters (7,743 feet). He sped away from F r o o m e ’s g r o u p a n d gradually reeled in riders ahead of him on the hairpin bends and steep road — the last being John Darwin Atapuma of Colombia, with

Frenchman Warren Barguil triumphed on the fearsome Col d’Izoard climb in the Alps, winning his second stage of the 104th Tour de France (Photo: The Associated Press) about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) left to ascend. From there, Barguil labored on alone to win the first stage to finish at the summit of Izoard in the 114-year history of the Tour. Barguil also won in the Pyrenees on Bastille Day. Only the hardiest pines survive at such high altitudes. And only the hardiest riders, too. The climb showed again what was already becoming apparent on the first day of big Alpine mountains on Wednesday: that Froome is super-strong and only Uran and Bardet are capable of staying with him. They are now the only riders within a minute of Froome overall, after Italian Fabio Aru faded again and continued his slide down the overall rankings. Going into the Alps, Aru was second overall, breathing down Froome’s neck. He is now fifth overall, nearly two minutes behind Froome. Bardet outsprinted Froome in the final ramp of the climb, and got four bonus seconds for finishing the stage in third place — behind Barguil and Atapuma. As a consequence, Bardet moved a tiny bit closer to Froome overall, having been 27 seconds behind him at the start of the stage in Briancon.

Uran lost a couple of seconds at the top, and is now 29 seconds back from Froome in third place. Barguil has recovered remarkably quickly from a pelvis fracture in a crash in April. He was also struck by a car on a training ride last year, fracturing his wrist. “I had a lot hard luck. Luck is now on my side,” he said. “I had big problems, but I never gave up.” General classification after stage 18: 1. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) 78hrs 08mins 19secs 2. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R La Mondiale) +23secs 3. Rigoberto Uran (Col/Cannondale-Drapac) +29secs 4. Mikel Landa (Spa/Team Sky) +1min 36secs 5. Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana) +1min 55secs 6. Dan Martin (Ire/Quick-Step Floors) 2mins 56secs 7 . S i m o n Ya t e s (GB/Orica-Scott) 4mins 46secs 8. Louis Meintjes (SA/Team UAE Emirates) +6mins 52secs 9 . Wa r r e n B a r g u i l (Fra/Team Sunweb) +8mins 22secs 10. Alberto Contador ( S p a / Tr e k - S e g a f r e d o ) +8mins 34secs

Kaieteur News

Friday July 21, 2017

PAGE 43

Sponsors coming on board for Guyana Cup Meet at Rising Sun Turf Club

A Representative (left) of Hand-in-Hand Insurance hands over their contribution, while Mr. Muneahwar of Muneahwar Hardware Store presents their sponsorship to a Rep of the Organiser. Sponsors have been coming forward to support the Jumbo Jet Business Enterprise and Stables 11th running of the Mega Guyana Cup Horserace Meeting fixed for August 13th at the

Rising Sun Turf Club on the West Coast of Berbice starting at 11:30am . Following other support to date, Muneahwar Hardware Store and Handin-Hand Insurance Company

are the latest to come on board for the mega horserace event. Representative of the two businesses this week handed over their contributions to the organisers.

Super Bet and ISG Industrial Supplies of Guyana Inc. had earlier presented their support. The racing programme has the B Class event the main attraction. This race is

Archer career-best effort puts Sussex on top SOUTHAMPTON, England, CMC – Exciting Barbadian seamer, Jofra Archer, snatched career-best Twenty20 figures as he helped fire Surrey to a comfortable victory over Hampshire, in the English T20 Blast here yesterday. Playing at the Ageas Bowl in the South Group, the 22-year-old right-armer claimed four for 18 in a brilliant four-over spell, to restrict the hosts to 126 for nine off their 20 overs. In reply, Surrey eased to their target with 16 balls remaining, earning their first victory in four games while e n d i n g H a m p s h i r e ’s unbeaten streak.

Barbadian seamer Jofra Archer. Batting first, Hampshire were powered by Tom Alsop who top-scored with 64 from 50 deliveries with five fours and two sixes but he was the

only one to pass 15 and one of only three players in double figures. Archer struck early, prising out captain and

opener James Vince (3) and Sean Ervine (2) cheaply as Hampshire slumped to 30 for two in the fifth over. Alsop then joined with Lewis McManus (12) to add 48 for the fifth wicket and rebuild the innings before Man-of-the-Match Archer returned to help engineer yet another decline. In reply, Sussex were guided by Ben Brown who struck 42 while Chris Nash got 32 and Laurie Evans, an unbeaten 24. Former Barbados and West Indies speedster, Fidel Edwards, went wicket-less in three overs which leaked 29 runs.

open to all imported and Guyana Bred B class horses and covers a distance of 2000m for a whopping $2M for the winner with second collecting $1M, third $500,000, fourth $250,000 and fifth $125,000. There is the E & lower 1500m race for all imported and Guyana Bred 3 years and up and those rated E class and lower for a sumptuous $1.2M winner’s purse. The G & Lower Guyana and West Indies Bred racehorses cover 1500m with the winner carting off $700,000, the H3 & lower race for Guyana and West

Indies bred horses has a $400,000 pay day over a distance of 1100m, the 2 years old Guyana Bred horses will run over a similar 11 0 0 m d i s t a n c e w i t h $350,000 the purse on offer for the winner, while 3 year old Guyana bred and I1 & Lower class racehorses will look to cash in on the $300,000 first prize over 1100m. The J2 & K & Lower class will be battling for a $250,000 purse, while the L& Lower non-winners will collide for a $200,000 winners take, both events also over 1100m.

t r o Sp Digicel 2017 Senior Nat Squash C/Ships

Nicolette Fernandes opts to play in Men’s Division, beat Nicholas Narain Shomari Wilshire make auspicious senior debut

Caribbean U-15 champion Shomari Wilshire plays off the glass to register a hard fought win over Regan Pollard on his National Senior debut on Wednesday night. (Sean Devers photo) Nicolette Fernandes plays off the glass to beat Nicholas Narain playing in the Men’s Open on Wednesday night. (Sean Devers photo)

Powerade/Rainforest Water/Malta Supreme/GABA Tournaments…

Eagles and Colts continue unbeaten run on night 7 in the U-23 division

Eagles’ Patrice Agrippa (2) attempts a lay up against Pacesetters on Wednesday night.

India reach World Cup final as Australia fall just short in semi 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