Monday July 31, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Misplaced panegyric of the Granger knows he cannot Minister of Public Security remove Ramjattan DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to Gobin Harbhajan’s (APNU/ AFC RDC Councillor - Region 6) letter titled “In support of the Minister of Public Security” that was carried in your July 29 edition. Harbhajan’s opinion that “anyone at the ministerial helm in Guyana, especially in the Public Security Ministry must be as the Rock of Gibraltar and be prepared to weather the storm of criticisms unleashed by the oppositioninstigated harsh public outbursts” is nothing unique about the expected competencies of a government minister. It is what anyone should expect when he/she embarks on a career as a politician. Anything outside of this expectation is myopic sensing. It is a given, anywhere in the world, that anyone who chooses politics as a career must be prepared to “weather the storm of criticisms”, for as the local parlance goes ‘when you play in crab dance you skin must get mud”. Simply, if you cannot stand
the heat, get out of the kitchen. Not only must those “at the ministerial helm” expect criticisms from the opposition or “oppositioninstigated harsh public outbursts”, but from the ordinary, non-partisan citizens, like me, who have elected them to serve their country in the first place. Most importantly, those who hold ministerial positions are not expected to be anything less than the proverbial “Rock of Gibraltar”, if not it is the wrong person in the job; plainly a square peg in a round hole. With respect to Harbhajan making reference to Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, acknowledging that the “buck stops” at his office, is not chivalrous. It’s what should be expected by anyone who asserts leadership positions; more so as a Vice President of a country. It’s quite a remarkable comparison for Harbhajan to compare Minister Ramjattan with former US President Harry Truman on the concept of the
“buck stops here”, but is Ramjattan an equal comparison with Truman where the security and peace-of-mind of the citizens are concerned? Apart from the several recent unfortunate and terrifying incidents associated with the conflagration and destruction of the Camp Street prison and the escape of highly notorious convicts, several of whom are still on the loose, and the associated fear and tension experienced by most of the country, is Harbhajan oblivious of the wanton daily looting, maiming and torture by bandits that innocent citizens across the length and breadth of this country are faced with? Undoubtedly, the acts of charisma, chivalry and rectitude that Harbhajan refers to on behalf of Minister Ramjattan are indeed fine qualities, but are they comfort to the people of this country who desire security and peace in and out of their home? I guess not, unless Harbhajan feels otherwise. Selwyn Narinedatt
This government has failed in the health care sector DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese sadly kick the bucket way too soon. Data from the CIA World Fact Book for 2017 revealed that roughly only 14 % of the Guyanese population is over 55 years. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed in 2015 that life expectancy at birth for Guyanese stands at 66.2 years for both sexes, and this is low compared to the global average of 71.4 years. Such statistics indicate that there is a health care problem which can be explained largely by the fact that Guyana is sadly battling a massive health care crisis. Health care is a fundamental right of every citizen, and Guyana has both government-run hospitals as well private ones, but they provide ghastly medical care. For instance, Mr. Dale Anthony Andrews was refused a prescription from his doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) because the pharmacy was closed. This is downright insanity. Mr. Andrews died at the tender age of 49. His life could have been saved if he had been given his medication when he needed it. In another incident, a pregnant woman, Bibi Gildharry pleaded with health
care workers for assistance during labor, but she was insulted and refused help – her unborn baby suffocated in her womb and died. Such stories surface because Guyana is facing a massive health care crisis. Government desperately needs to bring this crisis under control. And as such, factors driving it need to be identified and be eliminated so as to raise Guyana’s health care standard to match that of Western countries to save lives. It is no secret that our health care is rattled by – lack of funds, lack of skills, lack of medical facilities, unmotivated health care workers, corruption, and politics, among a slew of others. Make no mistake; the APNU/PNC/AFC government knows what needs to be done to bring this crisis under control, Although, government is
h e a r t l e s s , M r. J o s e p h Harmon, the Minister of State attempted to defend government’s position by basically contending that his ministers need quality medical care. Such inconsiderate and noninclusive posture by Mr. Harmon prods the obvious question: aren’t all Guyanese deserving of quality medical care? Absolutely! But not so a c c o r d i n g to Mr. Harmon. Mr. Harmon clearly treats Guyanese as if they are undeserving. Government has a notorious track record in this regard. For instance, government allowed the working poor a wage increase of only 5%, but it sharked a whopping 50% increase for itself. Government also fuels this crisis through political patronage. This is crystal clear when considering that Continued on page 6
DEAR EDITOR, When Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine was relieved and removed from his post as Senior Minister and Minister of Education he was essentially being sacked. He was sacked on the death anniversary of his WPA Party Leader, Dr. Walter Rodney, which was quite a humiliating task for a senior member of the coalition to endure. The honourable doctor was later reassigned to a miniscule ministry in the office of the presidency. At this point everyone was dumbfounded at this horrific move by the President and what could be his real intentions. Was he ill-advised or was he just a plain bully? Everyone awaited the WPA’s next move as this action of the President constituted nothing more than a crass dose of high-handedness if not bullyism of a junior coalition partner. Roopnaraine and his WPA party were embarrassed. Now, when the real motive behind the demotion sunk in, that is a deliberate move to belittle him, Dr. Roopnaraine reacted in kind by resigning from his post. In turn this placed the Coalition in serious
jeopardy because here you have a situation of 32 votes even with the main Opposition PPP - something Granger would never countenance. President Granger was in a serious political bind, could he risk the ignominy of being in a powerless position in government? Well, the answer is a resounding no! Hence the quick damage control move of refusing to accept Dr. Roopnaraine’s resignation letter, as well as cajoling him back into the Coalition fold. Roopnaraine did accept the offer and is now still a member howbeit in a capacity we know not how. Some are of the opinion that he should be reinstated into his substantive position as education minister (that was the real grounds for his resignation) while the diehards of the PNC/APNU believe that would be sending the wrong message to the populace that the PNC Party is weak. Be that as it may, the real factual case scenario is, Granger has no choice but to accede to Roopnaraine’s demands because it would mean a sudden crash of the
Coalition should he act otherwise. Granger made a very unwise decision to interfere with the fragile coalition structure, failing to realize that such a move had serious repercussions. He acted unwise in flexing his bullying muscle and Roopnaraine reacted flexing his, in essence showing Granger who is really in charge. Roopnaraine was telling Granger in clear cut language, you cannot strong arm your way around even when it comes to a single junior member of the Coalition. The situation is further compounded with the massive fire and the subsequent prison breakout at Camp Street. The Granger led Coalition is in that worrisome position of what to do next. He has to cope with a failing economy and an equally embarrassing failure of a National Security Minister he cannot touch. Granger would not risk removing Ramjattan for fear of a similar outcome that befell him with the Roopnaraine case. Therefore, Granger is in dire straits as the situation of a Coalition stronghold looks very bleak. Guyana is in an untenable political situation. Everton Adams
Investment is only possible if there is political stability DEAR EDITOR, I have been following with interest the exchange of ideas on Diaspora engagement. The University of Guyana must be commended for initiating a discourse on Diaspora involvement in our development process. There is however, one dimension that seems to be ignored and that is the political environment. Guyanese, or for that matter any overseas investor, would be disinclined to invest in the country if there is a lack of political stability and an uncertain future. Few can deny that the country is currently experiencing deep political stress. The failure to arrive at broad national consensus on important
aspects of governance such as the appointment of a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission and delays on putting in place the mechanisms for constitutional reforms are inhibiting factors in terms of creating a favourable investment climate. This is further compounded by a less than satisfactory security environment and weak supporting infrastructure in critical areas such as cheap energy and telecommunications. There is need for a bipartisan Commission on Investment
which ideally should be comprised of representatives from all the major political parties, the Guyanese Diaspora, the University of Guyana and Civil Society. Such a Commission is likely to engender a much higher level of trust and confidence among those who may have an interest in contributing to Guyana’s development. The key factor remains a stable and predictable political environment buttressed by a strong and independent judiciary and a favourable investment climate. Hydar Ally
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Monday July 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
Govt. must provide cash Extend Amerindian Heritage relief to flood victims of 2017 Village activities to ten days DEAR EDITOR, In 2014, flooding caused much damage to some 6,000 homes in the UK. David Cameron donned his Wellies (long boots) on a walkabout into the areas affected by the floods and instantaneously promised to pay each householder STG 5,000 (pounds) as a “repair and renewal” grant. As the head of government, he delivered on that promise. When Bharat Jagdeo was in office, he also visited the flood victims during his tenure and instantaneously offered each householder at that time G$10,000 as a “flood relief” grant. He also delivered on that promise. Today we have Minister Ronald Bulkan and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo visiting the people of Rupununi in dress shoes and all they can offer the people affected by the flood is a delaying concept of “contemplation” and after one month they have not delivered on it as they keep themselves distant from the misery of the ordinary people.
In the National Assembly when asked the question what compensation is on the table for the flood victims in the Hinterlands especially Region 8, this is what Bulkan said, “The question of compensation is not normally one that is provided by the state in situations such as this. What will be contemplated is assistance”. Well, that is a plain untruth because I have already pointed two examples in two countries where compensation was offered without all that bureaucratic bunkum from Minister Bulkan. For his edification, the meaning of compensation according to the Cambridge dictionary is “the action of awarding money or resources for losses”. Similarly, the meaning of assistance is “the provision of money and resources to help someone.” So whom really is Bulkan trying to fool? And why can’t he just ensure with haste that those who are suffering do have the resources to stabilize their lives?
In early July when Nagamootoo and Bulkan visited Rupununi to be with the flood victims, they most comically went with dress shoes – talk about out of touch with reality. When Jagdeo was in power, he went fully equipped and fully inserted himself in the local conditions, unlike these aloft and arrogant people like Bulkan who want to have the authority to be Ministers but chooses instead to hide from their responsibilities. They can never earn emotive intelligence and passion for serving the people’s from behind a desk and with dress shoes from a distance. I call on Bulkan to deliver a cash grant for the flood victims of Guyana, but then I remembered, his name is not Harmon and he is powerless and can only parrot a message given to him. So I am calling on Minister Joseph Harmon to facilitate a cash grant for the recovering householders who suffered from the 2017 floods. Sase Singh
GTT versus E-networks on a private housing estate DEAR EDITOR, I am a home owner living in a gated community located on the East Bank of Demerara. On July 6, 2017 I received an email from the owners of the housing estate company stating that GTT would be in the area to start the process of connectivity of both internet and landlines. However, on Saturday July 8th, I received an email from the estate owners indicating that GTT would not be allowed in to connect homes because the estate owners had signed an exclusive agreement with Enetworks to provide the service of internet in the compound. Please note that this contractual agreement was not made known to the home owners. Many of us (home owners) have expressed our dissatisfaction and feel powerless as the monthly bill
we have to pay for internet with E-networks is $20,000 GY a month for only 20mbps and GTT is offering 50Mbps plus a landline. Plus you have to take E-networks cable subscription. As such, I know that this is an infringement on my rights as a consumer. When I made contact with GTT I was informed that they will not return to the compound after the contractual agreement is completed. (November 1). The estate owners have claimed that they will only allow GTT to enter the estate after November 1, h o w e v e r, in my conversations with GTT they indicated that if allowed in the compound they would just install the infrastructure and wait until November. However, the owners still refused to allow GTT
in. I believe the owners are being unfair and not revealing the truth of the agreement with Enetworks. In addition, GTT had shown-up recently but was denied entrance. I am aware of all the legality that applies to the sector. I am also aware of the fact that E-networks operations is one that is problematic with the government and as such any contractual agreement between E- networks and yourself has no legal standing. This was verified when I checked the Public Utilities Commission website. I believe as a consumer my rights are being violated and would like to be given the choice of what service I require for my home. As such, I am seeking your assistance in getting some justice. Stacy Smith
We must ensure the oil wealth... From page 4 patterns in the past three decades), there will be enough room for everyone. However, the oil wealth must not distract us from the fact that we need to invest heavily in agriculture. We should avoid the mistake of depending on oil alone, a mistake made by other
nations. Agriculture should be mechanized and done on a larger scale. However, like the Europeans and Japanese, we should shun the genetically modified crops and concentrate on organic products only. There will be considerable pressure from the U.S. to go GMO but it is to our benefit
to resist it. The bottom line is, we as a people, have to ensure we are not manipulated by the politicians and to make sure this new wealth is used to improve the living conditions of every single Guyanese, regardless of race, social standing or location. Nathaniel Hinckson
DEAR EDITOR, The Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG) is reliably informed that the one week of Amerindian Heritage celebrations at Heritage village, Sophia will now only be held for three days (1-3rd Sept 2017). This is totally inconsiderate and unacceptable since Indigenous Peoples from Guyana’s ten administrative regions will converge at heritage village to display their products, cuisine, beverages and handicrafts and within three days many of these items will not be sold out leaving Indigenous vendors and exhibitors at a total loss and disappointed with Amerindian Heritage Month September 2017. TAAMOG is therefore appealing to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MOIPA) to abandon its reckless decision made without consulting Indigenous vendors and instead reschedule Amerindian Heritage
Month September 2017 celebrations at Heritage village, Sophia from the 110thSeptember 2017. In this regard, TAAMOG propose two simple solutions. (1), the MOIPA manages the Heritage Celebrations at heritage village from 1-3rd September 2017 and (2), the Indigenous Peoples caucus (NTC& Amerindian Organizations) takes over from 4-10th September 2017. If this is not possible with the MOIPA, then another venue will have to be sought. Amerindian Peoples Heritage Celebrations in September of every year are not about sadness, but joy and happiness in the displaying of their cultural heritage passed down to them by their ancestors. But it seems apparent that the MOIPA is slowly moving away from the culture of Indigenous Peoples. Wake up MOIPA! Peter Persaud
Appeal from the people of North Mon Repos for road repairs DEAR EDITOR, I am sending images to highlight the state of the roads located in North Mon Repos. I saw many press releases in the media by the current administration on work that is “planned” to be done for the residents of Mon Repos and that they were not “forgotten”; but it seems likely that we, the residents of Mon Repos have been forgotten over the months. During elections time, the current administration held many meetings on street corners, in various villages including Mon Repos where they made blind promises to install street lights, clean the neighbourhood and rid it of garbage, and of course, fix the bad state of the roads. It would seem as if this current administration has indeed forgotten how to keep promises made. I write this
out of frustration and I know I speak for many who live in the section of Mon Repos that I reside in. Please take note; not Agriculture Road where the Government believes all citizens of Mon Repos reside, but rather “North Mon Repos” which is opposite the Market Area and towards the seawalls. Daily, many vehicles going into this community are damaged by the state of the roads that can be seen in the images. You can only image how much worse it gets when it rains. Some members of the community have taken it upon themselves out of frustration to fill the holes with old bricks which can be evidenced in some of the images attached, but this does not last. It is my understanding that the older residents of the community cannot remember the last time
the roads were repaired. I am hoping that your entity would highlight the state of disrepair that our roads are in and make our plight known in order to have this issue resolved. For decades persons have lived in the community without proper roads. We the residents of this area have had to endure this and have had to repair our vehicles at our own expense, especially in this tough economy. We cannot afford to keep repairing our property because the government decides to turn a blind eye and not assist us. I have already emailed Minister Patterson on this issue, since March 10th 2017, and there has been no response from his Ministry with regards to this. Please assist the members of this community John Da Silva
This government has failed in... From page 5 government appoints its political supporters. Such short-sighted appointments saturate our government-run health care and they induce the heart-wrenching health care crisis. Guyanese die daily because politics, votes, and power are worth more to government than human lives. Every Guyanese need to reject such abuse from government. Further, government fuels this crisis by fast tracking millions of dollars in drug purchase without tender. And by storing our drug supplies in a residential bottom house it rented from an alleged political donor on flood prone Sussex Street. Additionally, government squanders scarce dollars in spite of the fact that lack of funds is a potent factor fueling the health care crisis. Editor, government rents sprawling mansions to the tune of half million dollars per month. Government even poured millions of dollars into a green fence at the Ministry of Presidency. Government also bilked millions of scarce dollars to fund shady scholarships. Government also wastes exorbitant sums of dollars on frequent first class foreign travels. Further, government
pockets a massive salary of 144 million – 204 million per year. Plus government pours at least $144 million per year down the drain on the shady Sussex Street drug bond. In sum, government squanders billions of dollars which are desperately needed to curtail this crisis. All in all, government and its people have lost faith in Guyana’s health care system. But unlike government, its people cannot afford to fly to Ireland for medical treatment, and they cannot afford foreign medical insurance like government. They solely rely on health care in this country. To this end, government needs to respect the lives of Guyanese and refrain from abusing Guyana’s health care system for personal and political gains. Also, government needs to be reminded that economic progress which is desperately needed to lift Guyanese out of abject poverty is directly dependent on the health of its people. Government needs to do the right thing. Last but not least, government needs to know that Guyanese deserve the same quality health care like the one it enjoys from Ireland. After all, we are all human beings. Annie Baliram
Monday July 31, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Fugitive surrenders at 570 matters completed under new CPRs Brickdam Police Station Mere hours after fellow escapee Clive Forde was slain in a shootout with the police, murder accused Kerry Cromwell, among 13 who escaped from the Lusignan Prison, surrendered to police at the Brickdam Police Station. Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine disclosed that Cromwell’s mother had been in contact with a senior government official and advised of her son’s whereabouts, and the family’s willingness to turn him in. Cromwell’s relatives escorted him to the Brickdam Police Station where he was placed under arrest. Cromwell, 24, and 12 others, had crawled to freedom from the Lusignan Prison holding area through a tunnel they had dug near a latrine. They were being kept there following the July 9 Camp Street jailbreak, in which inmates killed a prison warden and torched the facility.
MURDER ACCUSED: Kerry Cromwell Cromwell is charged with the March 21, 2016 murder of Linden bus driver Alvin Lorrimer, who was shot dead while standing near his bus at the Linden bus park. During Cromwell’s first court appearance the court was told that he was positively identified as the shooter. But Cromwell claimed that he was arrested while reporting to the Brickdam Police Station
in relation to another charge. The murder accused was previously charged for possession of narcotics and was sentenced to community service. He has also been charged in connection with several robbery under-arms. In December 2015, Cromwell was placed before the court for allegedly robbing Deon Hilkin of a quantity of articles while he was armed with a broken bottle. He was also charged for stabbing Hilkin, assaulting a police officer and escaping from lawful custody. In September 2014, Cromwell and another manNicholas Brazil were accused of robbing Ashanti Lawrence at gunpoint of articles valuing $105,500 on September 9, at Enachu Street, Section ‘K’ Campbellville, Georgetown. Two years prior, he was shot by police while being arrested for allegedly robbing two persons at knife-point.
Lusignan escapee ‘EL Sinkie’... (From page 2) cops as he fled. His body was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Divisional Commander, Marlon Chapman stated that no one has been arrested for harbouring Forde, while adding that the investigation is still ongoing. Forde was the son of 54year-old Gladstone Taylor who was executed in Adelaide and Sussex Streets on April 01, 2016. Taylor’s death is reportedly linked to the murder of army Lance Corporal, Kevon Payne, who was killed three days prior in front his mother’s Sussex Street, Charlestown home. The soldier’s brother and another relative were subsequently charged for Taylor’s murder, but the charges were subsequently dismissed. Forde, himself was charged for murder. He was
the second person charged for the September 04, 2015 killing of Senasie Lewis, who was gunned down outside the Ghetto Flex night spot in Albouystown, Georgetown. He was among 13 prisoners who dug their way out of the Lusignan Prison Holding area last Sunday and had been on the run since. Those who escaped from the facility were identified as Winston Long, Jamal Forde, Jamal Joseph, Teshawn McKenzie, Odel Roberts, Jason Howard, Ryan Jones, Kendall Skeete, Paul Goriah, Shawn Harris, Pascal Smith and Kerry Cromwell. Last Wednesday, Kendall Skeete was caught hiding in the abandoned house of one of his relatives at Wisrock, Linden. Pascal Smith was dragged from a latrine on Friday at Bar Street, Kitty after the mother
of his children informed the police. Seven other inmates have since been caught and charged. These include Winston Long, Jamal Forde, Jamal Joseph, Teshawn McKenzie, Odel Roberts, Jason Howard and Ryan Jones. The police are still hunting for the remaining Lusignan Prison escapees Paul Goriah and Shawn Harris. Kerry Cromwell, who was among the escapees, has since turned himself in (see other story). Additionally, Mark Royden Durant, Uree Varswyck and Cobena Stephens are wanted for escaping from the Camp Street Prison on July 9, last. Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force is reminding the public that harbouring a fugitive is an offence and charges will follow.
At least 570 court matters have been disposed of by way of mechanism under the new Civil Procedure Rules of 2017. According to information recently obtained by this newspaper through the implementation of mechanisms such as the Fixed Date Applications, (FDAs), and Statement of Claim (SoC) matters filed under the new system have been expedited. During a recent address, Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards, noted that the new Civil Procedures Rules 2017 and Family Proceeding and Procedure Rules 2016 have brought Guyana into the era of case management. Justice CummingsEdwards noted that direction hearings which at their core are designed to eliminate the steps that are associated with delays and to make judges, the drivers of pace of litigation. “The new civil procedure rules entails faster disposal of cases. The time line for first hearing of a case is now set between 2 and 28 days. This is the context in which we must view the new structures which have been added to the juridical landscape of the High Court. This demonstrates our commitment to the overall improvement of the administration in the High Court,” she said Since the new Rules have
been implemented, within the last five months, 1,258 cases were filed. Of matters filed, over 1000 cases were filed by way of FDAs and 200 cases via SoCs. The matters include constitutional, commercial and other civil disputes. Under FDA method, in accordance with the rules, the court is guided by a timeline to lay out a schedule to have matters heard within days after it is sought. When a proceeding is to be commenced by way of an FDA, the applicant (person applying to the court) must attach an affidavit of all of the evidence upon which he/she relies, and attach a draft of the order that the Applicant seeks to have the Court make. According to the rules, where the FDA is made without notice, it need not be served and the Registry must schedule it to be heard within four days of being issued. In the cases of urgent FDAs made on notice, the Registry must schedule it to be heard within seven days of being issued and the application must be served at least four days before the date scheduled for the hearing.” In any other case, the Registry must schedule it to be
heard within 28 days of being issued and the application must be served at least seven days before the date scheduled for the hearing, unless these Rules, a Practice Direction or the Court, otherwise permit. Additionally at the hearing of a FDA, the Court must proceed to determine the application based on the evidence before it; or if there is insufficient evidence to determine the application on its merits, dismiss the application; or otherwise proceed as if the FDA was commenced by way of Statement of Claim and conduct the hearing as a first Case Management Conference. According to the CPR 2016, at the hearing of the FDA, in addition to any other powers that the Court may have, the Court may award costs. The new Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) was brought on stream earlier this year. Laid in the National Assembly in November last, they replaced Guyana’s existing rules, which date back to 1955. The changes have brought the new rules in line with similar systems utilised in the Caribbean.
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
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Monday July 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
Several questions unanswered about nation’s oil find The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) still has many unanswered questions about the future of Guyana with oil as one of the main resources contributing to the country’s economy. GCCI recently launched the eight edition of its yearly magazine—Business Journal. This year’s edition focused on “the promise of oil.” Because of the theme of
the Magazine, GCCI invited an executive of ExxonMobil to speak at the event as well as Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. While ExxonMobil’s Operations Manager, Doug Mc Gehee attended the event; Minister Trotman was a no show. However, GCCI was hoping to have the Minister shed light on many issues at the event.
- Georgetown Chamber of Commerce During his speech, GCCI President, Deodat Indar said that the Chamber is committed to working with the Minister and the Ministry of Natural Resources. He said, however, that like any good partner, the chamber will constructively criticize when necessary for the good of the pri-
vate sector and by extension the Guyanese workers. Indar commended Minister Trotman in his absence for his outreach with respect to consultation on the oil refinery prospects for Guyana, local content policy and the Petroleum Commission Bill. He then expressed hope that Trotman can make a few things clear to the members of the Chamber who were present at that forum. “Minister, in your delivery, I would like to first charge you to give this gathering of great minds here your thinking and intention on the local content policy that is currently in its draft stage, in terms of: the date we should expect an approved policy? And, what model was used as a framework to develop the current draft policy?” With respect to the Petroleum Commission Bill that is before a parliamentary select Committee; Indar said that the GCCI is very interested in knowing, “What external model was considered in the drafting of the bill? And, was it Newfoundland, Norwegian, Australian, Alaskan?” Also, Indar expressed hope that the Minister would explain the proposed Petroleum Commission Board and its makeup, independence, appointment, remuneration and removal of Board members. Further, the GCCI president wanted to know how the bill meshes with good governance, transparency and being Bi-partisan. “We see from many parts of the daily media and on social media that we have the potential to be a wealthy nation with flow of oil money. Guyana can witness an economic explosion with the Gross Domestic Product (GBP) growing between 400 to 2000% in the next two decades.” He continued, “We also
know as seasoned business people that basic management principles dictate a company with a diversified base of products and services are likely to be healthy and sustainable, these same principles apply to running a country.” The businessman said that it is imperative that Guyana learns from the mistakes of others and recognizes that any country that has its economy dependent on one or two sectors will be doomed by it in the long term. He pointed to what is going on in Venezuela where 95.6 percent of its economy is dependent on oil which among other things has fractured its society. Indar said that a diversified economy will lead to a sustainable economy. With that being said, Indar expressed hope that Trotman can shed light on government’s plan to ensure a diversified economy. Indar said too that the GCCI hopes that the government is already working on strategies for the most effective use of oil revenues. He said, “We would like to see expenditure in the area of; education, healthcare, infrastructure such as bridges, roads, ports, ICT, quality infrastructure and programs for the alleviation of the poor.” Finally, Indar turned his attention to the outstanding Sovereign Wealth Fund policy. He noted that the Sovereign Wealth Fund is supposed to be a rainy day fund. He said however that the GCCI found that some countries use monies from their Sovereign Wealth Fund for current year running expenditure that are supposed to be funded from normal revenue cycles of government. Indar expressed his opinion that, “this is not what a SWF should be; I have just describe what would be tantamount to putting your money in a bag with holes if government is to take this ap-
President of GCCI Deodat Indar proach. I warn against it.” The President of the Chamber said that it would be welcomed if Trotman can give explanations on “What model was used to develop the framework for the SWF and when would we expect a first draft to be release so we can provide commentary?” While all those answered requested by Indar remain outstanding, a few questions were answered by ExxonMobil’s Operations Manager, Dough Mc Gehee. He gave those who gathered a detailed run down on the operations. Mc Gehee noted that the overall estimation of oil already discovered in Guyana is now between 2.25 billion and 2.75 billion oil equivalent barrels. This, according to Mc Gehee, represents oil bearing rocks found in Liza one, two, three and four wells, Liza deep, Payara and Snoek. He reminded that oil was not found in commercial quantities at the Skipjack well. Mc Gehee even joked that when Skipjack was found empty, they decided that the luck was with Liza so they named the others Liza three, Liza four and Liza deep. The Operations Manager said that ExxonMobil is committed to exploiting the full potential of the Stabroek Block and “so we will keep drilling.” He said that about 120 barrels of oil will be produced a day for the first 20 years in Guyana.
Marriott, Berbice Bridge, Skeldon... (From page 3) ruthless and unconscionable.” New GPC, a company owned by Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop has close relations to former President Bharrat Jagdeo and, according to an article on chrisram.net some time ago, that company has two Directors on the Board. The structure of the company allows equity shareholders whose investment is less than five percent ($400 million) of the total funds of the company to exercise controlling interest over the company.
Of the $400 million, the Ramroop Group owns 40 percent and the Hand-in-Hand Group owns 10 percent. The contract also provides for the equity shareholders to receive 23 percent on their investments. In light of this, Dr. Thomas said, “This contract agreement is clearly designed to make just a handful of people filthy rich for the rest of their lives at the expense of the poor. It is a despicable contract, which must be changed. The contract agreement and the implications for our taxpayers can only be described as crimi-
nal and I will insist that the Shareholder Agreement to be made public.” The Presidential Advisor added, “It is clear also that under the past regime there was a disease of greed which infected every project, every plan and almost every entity. We are seeing this behaviour on display from the company. Government has a right to reduce the tolls. It is unconscionable to think that this entity wants to increase the tolls and suggest in any way that they want the government to consider extending their concession agreement.”
Monday July 31, 2017
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Kaieteur News
THE MAGNIFICENT DOZEN Guyana’s business environment is dominated by a small group of about twelve companies. If any of those companies goes bust or belly-up, the consequences for Guyana’s economy will be disastrous. It may not affect growth, but when it comes to employment, financial stability and foreign exchange earnings, any instability within the ownership and operational structures of those companies can sink the economy of Guyana. The fall of any of these big companies will create severe aftershocks.
We have predators out there who want to get a foothold within these big companies. Those predators want to make minimal shareholding investments but want control so that they can acquire these companies as part of their private kingdoms. There is rivalry among some of the twelve companies for market share and domination. There are backdoor deals being employed and gossip campaigns being launched, all with the intention of trying to undercut each other. Predatory corporate positioning and vicious
DEM BOYS SEH
competition are alive and kicking in Guyana’s corporate world. The only reason why none of these twelve corporate giants have imploded or have been snatched by predatory companies is because of the brave actions of existing shareholders and corporate executives who know a threat when they see one. Those shareholders and executives do what any responsible owners and executives would do. They protect their companies from hostile takeovers. Every corporation has its rules. Those who wish to
PRISONERS GETTING KETCH HAND OVER FIST In three days de police ketch three people who get away from de prisons. Of course dem was ketching steady and turning dem in but this one ain’t going back to jail. Of course when he escape he didn’t plan to go back. Dem boys was checking how de last set get ketch. One get ketch in a toilet in Kitty. Another one been in de back dam in an old house. When dem ketch him dem had to carry him to hospital because he had a gunshot wound that had to be in a bad way. De man look wuss that when he was in jail. It had to be that he wasn’t eating properly because although he change clothes de clothes hanging pun him. It was a case of jumping from de frying pan into de fire because he wasn’t comfortable at all. The third one was another kettle of fish. He get shoot, too, but he had more bullets than he body could hold. De police seh dem find a gun near to him and right away dem boys seh if you live by de sword you gun die by de sword. This man was something else. He decide
to rob a drinking place right near de police outpost in Ruimveldt. Now if you get away from jail you should be hiding, not robbing. If you brave enough to rob a place near de police station then de consequences gun be deadly. Dem boys believe that he wanted to die. But wha mek dem open dem eyes wide was when de family tun up at de hospital and bawling. Dem had to know wheh he been all de time but dem was protecting him. Dem couldn’t protect him today. Then one of dem seh that de police wrong. Last week, Rum Jattan beg dem prisoners to surrender but dem ain’t listening. Is like if dem deh pun a mission. But dem is not de only ones who doing stupidness. While some people wish dem can keep out of jail, some doing everything to go in. One man slit he girl throat then cover she in a blanket. Perhaps he believe that he gun go inside and escape. Talk half and try to walk de straight and narrow.
make a grab for companies have to understand those rules and the attempts which can be made, lawfully, to frustrate a takeover. Once you understand those rules, then you have to play by those rules. You cannot expect corporations to bend their rules. You have to understand the shareholding structure and how those structures operate before you make a predatory bid for influence or even control. You have to plan and carefully plot your strategy when you are trying to secure a takeover or gain influence within the corporate structure. You cannot complain that the system is stacked against you. You have to understand the rules of the game and the means by which the existing shareholders exert domination. Those rules are contained in the companies’ articles of association and do not always favor major shareholding concerns. Two examples will illustrate this point. The government of Guyana had 20% shares in a company but found that they had little influence on the Board of Directors even though they were represented. The agreement constituting the company did not allow a 20% shareholder to have a decisive say. The government knew that when they took that share and they were obligated to accept that the only value of those shares to the government were its worth and dividend potential. It did not grant them controlling influence.
A decision was taken to sell those shares to a foreign company. The new buyers knew what they were buying. They were not interested in control. They wanted to position themselves, perhaps, to eventually make a bid for the ownership. They did not go around like a cry-a baby complaining about the unfairness of them being a major shareholder yet being unable to exert influence over what the company did. They are bidding their time, until they achieve their objective. A second all-purpose company was established by the former government but its financing structure was such that government, which loaned the bulk of the funds for the company, did not have a controlling interest and still may not have such control. The arguments can be made about the fairness of situations in which significant shareholders are shut out from the corporate Boardrooms. It is not a situation that is unique to Guyana. You have to understand the shareholding and representative structures of the companies you are investing. Those structures
are the foundation of corporate stability. The ‘magnificent dozen’ has provided stability to Guyana’s corporate environment. There are predators that want a ‘piece of the action’ and are prepared to upend the stability of this environment in the name of corporate greed. Guyanese have to be careful about lending support to such predators who do not always have the interest of the companies at heart. Some of these predators just want to acquire other companies in order to remove the competition and close the company down. A foreign company made a bid once to take over a local company. The suspicion was that it was interested in market share rather than the interests of the employees. Guyana’s corporate sector is controlled by a handful of companies. It is a tenuous situation. Instability within these companies can have disastrous economic impacts. Beware of the predators!
Monday July 31, 2017
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Kaieteur News
GPL satisfied with company Foreign Affairs Minister lauds improvement in relations with Canada that replaced Wartsila Following the end of Wartsila’s tenure at the Kingston Generation plant in December 2016, government sought not to renew the contract and handed over the plant to a newly formed state company, Power Producer and Distribution Incorporated (PPDI). This was done last year. However, the Board of Directors for PPDI were installed earlier this year and the company became fully active. Following that move, the Guyana Power Light (GPL) is satisfied with the transition process that has taken place. This is according to Chairman of GPL’s Board of Directors, Robert Badal. In an interview, Badal said that so far there have been no problems with PPDI. “I think the transition has been properly planned and executed. The guys there are capable of running the plant because we haven’t had many blackouts because of downtime there.” He said that GPL met with the PPDI team recently to ensure that issues are taken care of as they arise and that there is much information flow between the two entities. The
GPL Board Chairman, Robert Badal Kingston plant supplies power to the GPL grid. Further, he said that GPL does not have a seat on the Board of Directors for PPDI. To fix this, Badal said that he spoke to Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson on the matter and that position will soon be appointed. He said that GPL has the work-plan for PPDI so as to ensure that units are retired and others are serviced. “So it’s going smoothly so far. When you look at the reports, we have been getting about 95 percent availability
with PPDI there, with the units there. With some units like the older units it’s much less, but PPDI has been very reliable thus far. I don’t think we have executed any penalties so far with PPDI.” However, Badal noted that there was one minor issue with the transition process. He said that there was some amount of servicing that was not done by WARTSILA that was supposed to be carried out and this placed some strain on the new company and GPL. He said this is because GPL would have had to give PPDI the go ahead to do servicing or to change turbo motors when they are due and all this has to be scheduled. In 2016, the Public Infrastructure Minister had said that PPDI will take over the operations and maintenance of the generation units that were once managed by Guyanese previously employed by Wartsila. Patterson had said that having the state company in place, it would save GPL a lot of money that it paid to Wartsila in the past.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge is pleased with the efforts of Canada’s outgoing High Commissioner, His Excellency Pierre Giroux, in forwarding relations with his country and the people of Guyana. Noting the significant improvement in efforts to advance the relationship with Ottawa especially during High Commissioner Giroux’s tenure, Greenidge welcomed the proposal of the Canadian Government to extend its relationship with Guyana beyond trade and development through the establishment of a mechanism that would encourage regular political exchanges. During a courtesy call on the Foreign Minister on Wednesday last, Giroux, who is also his country’s representative to Suriname, emphasized that his departure signalled an end of a cycle, but not the end of a friendship. “I have enjoyed exceptionally open relations with the Guyana Government,” he stated. For his part, Minister Greenidge said as a consequence of the High Commissioner ’s work in
Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge Guyana, “Canada is well positioned here, not only in terms of lines of communication, but also of activities, contribution and
commercial dealings.” After two years of serving in both Guyana and Suriname, High Commissioner Giroux has been reassigned to the position of Vice Inspector-in-Chief of Missions. Cabinet recently approved the appointment of his successor, Her Excellency Ms. Lilian Chatterjee, High Commissioner-designate to Guyana. The establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and Canada coincided with Guyana’s independence on May 26, 1966. The current Guyanese and Canadian administrations, while both relatively new, remain committed to developing bilateral relations.
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Monday July 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
Take away financial incentive of Minister notes development at Haag Bosch Landfill site corruption to deter future activities Even as she expressed concern for the health of the garbage pickers attached to the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill site, Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings -Williams has noted the developments at the garbage disposal facility. During a recent tour of the land fill site, a team of media operatives was given an update on the improvements of the site. “I observed for myself a wood and tyre shredder, which is a very good idea that will help reduce the volume of the waste that comes in through tire and pieces of wood.” Minister Hastings -Williams also noted that systems need to be put in place to ensure that garbage is disposed in a proper manner, in keeping with the government’s vision of a ‘green and clean’ Guyana. “We need to teach our young generation to separate their garbage at home. ‘Think, separate and store.’ We have to think about what happens after we store our garbage,” the Minister said. The Minister added that her Ministry will explore systems where the garbage is collected separately. “We can’t ask you to separate your garbage and we have one truck coming to your homes and they are dumping everything together. We will have to look at two separate trucks com-
Minister within Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings ing to collect the organic waste, and then another system where we collect the other waste.” During her visit, Minister Hastings –Williams also pointed to need to improve the access road into Haags Bosch. “And think we should start working on cell number two. We don’t need to wait until Cell One is filled to start working .” The US$20 Million InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB)-funded Haags Bosch landfill programme catered for the closing of the outdated and inefficient Le Repentir solid waste disposal site, in the centre of Georgetown. This has been replaced by the privately-operated sanitary Haags Bosch landfill intended to serve both the city and surrounding East Bank,
Demerara neighbourhoods. Four years after the opening of the much anticipated Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill site, the Local Government Ministry had reported positive outcomes from the waste collection area which has been touted as a vehicle for a “cleaner and greener” Guyana. The Local Government authorities have claimed significant benefits from the garbage dumping area following the closure of the unsightly and unhealthy Mandela landfill site, which seemed to be taking over Le Repentir Cemetery, where it was located at the time. The Haags Bosch facility is located aback of Eccles, East Bank Demerara. It is specially slated, according to authorities, to respond to various environmental and chemical changes that occur at dumpsites. Each of the cells in the landfill site has an area of 6.5 hectares (16 acres) and can accommodate garbage for 10 years from Timehri, East Bank Demerara to Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara. Haags Bosch caters for 15 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and Georgetown The Clean, Green Guyana Campaign was administered by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and funded by the Inter-American Development Bank.
Christopher Camponovo of Halcyon Law Group thinks that if the financial incentive of corrupt practices is taken away from past offenders and they are then made to serve time, a clear message would be sent that corruption will not be tolerated in Guyana. Camponovo spoke at a recent symposium that focused on the relationship between oil and corruption. The prevalence of corruption in Guyana was highlighted at that symposium and so were the dangers of the crime. Highlighting the effects of corruption, one of the facilitators quoted former UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon. “When desperately needed development funds are stolen by corrupt individuals and institutions, poor and vulnerable people are robbed of the education, health care and other essential services.” Camponovo said that it is important that the money be recovered and returned to the state. He described that as a key part of the justice the people of a country should receive. “Find the money, the money can be found; at least a large part of it. If you remove the financial incentive, people will think twice about it in the future. That will help in the changing of the culture of corruption.” The lawyer said that when the culture changes, Guyana will be better off. “Guyanese must develop anti-corruption attitudes to progress,” Camponovo said. “Where there is a culture of corruption, where it is accepted, any anti-corruption
- Expert advises strategy will fail, but in some ways I am an optimist because I do think cultures can be changed.” Camponovo is one who thinks that to a large extent, law enforcement and the judiciaries are to be blamed for the high levels of corruption in Guyana and the wider Caribbean. This is so because it will only take a few good examples to be made out of corrupt officials to send a message that the crime would not be tolerated. That is the view also held by United Kingdom’s Dr. Perry Stanislas. At the same anti-corruption forum, Dr. Stanislas noted that corrupt behaviour is determined by the relative strengths or weaknesses of institutions. It deprives a nation of much needed revenue, he added. The security expert and University lecturer made that point before referring to an article published in this newspaper in 2012. In that article, Transparency International labelled Guyana as the most corrupt country in the English-speaking Caribbean. While things are a little better now as regards Guyana’s standing, the country still has a long way to go. Dr. Stanislas said that the desired change will not be achieved unless the crime is no longer tolerated. “(Guyana) needs to develop an attitude that if you steal from the country we (the law) will be coming after you,” said Dr. Stanislas. Dr. Stanislas singled out Jeffery Archer, a former Brit-
ish Minister, famous author and wealthy businessman; Martha Stewart, successful business woman and entrepreneur; Conrad Black, former owner of British Daily Telegraph, and several famous hotels/businessman and asked what was the common thread. “These are rich powerful people but they all spent time in jail; that tells us something about the country they come from.” Camponovo, noted that very often in Nigeria corrupt politicians are arrested, placed before the court and sent to jail. He said, however, that the problem is that there are so many of them. He said that this is one area where Guyana’s small population comes in handy. “It will be easier for Guyana with a smaller population, smaller business community, government, etc. you only have to set a few examples,” said Camponovo. He said that no strategy to tackle corruption can ever be complete without prosecution. “You have to bust some of the bad guys to send a very clear message to people that corruption would not be tolerated. That’s a combination of civil actions and criminal actions.” He continued, “Where there is a culture where it is accepted any anti-corruption strategy will fail. But in some ways I am an optimist; I do think cultures can be changed and I think the people of Guyana have it much better than the people of Nigeria in the sense that it is a smaller country, population is smaller, institutions are smaller and in some ways more manageable, in Nigeria everyday someone is prosecuted but nothing seems to be changing.” Camponovo said that if wrongdoers are made to face the fire and are held responsible for theft in a way that respects the rule of law, respects judicial and prosecutorial processes it will effect real change.
Monday July 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
Deadly protests mar Venezuela ballot as voters snub Maduro assembly
Opposition supporters stand near a barricade as clashes break out while the Constituent Assembly election is being carried out in Caracas, Venezuela, yesterday. REUTERS/Christian Veron CARACAS/SAN CRISTOBAL, Venezuela, (Reuters) - Deadly protests rocked Venezuela yesterday as voters broadly boycotted an election for a constitutional super-body that unpopular leftist President Nicolas Maduro vowed would begin a “new era of combat” in the crisis-stricken nation. Opposition parties are sitting out what they call a rigged election aimed at consolidating Maduro’s power, leaving streets deserted and polling stations largely empty and dealing a blow to the legitimacy of the vote. Anti-Maduro activists wearing hoods or masks erected barricades on roads and scuffles broke out with security forces that moved in quickly to disperse the demonstrators. Authorities said seven people were killed in the unrest and the opposition said the true death toll was around a dozen people, which would make yesterday one of the deadliest days since massive and sustained protests kicked off in early April. Maduro, widely reviled for overseeing an economic collapse during four years in office, has pressed ahead with the vote to create the all-powerful assembly despite the threat of U.S. sanctions and months of opposition protests in which around 120 people have been killed. Critics say the assembly will allow Maduro to dissolve the opposition-run Congress, delay future elections and rewrite electoral
rules to prevent the socialists from being voted out of power in the once-thriving OPEC nation. In what could be the spread of more aggressive tactics, a bomb exploded in Caracas and injured seven police officers. The opposition has vowed to redouble its resistance and U.S. President Donald Trump has promised broader economic sanctions against Venezuela after the vote, suggesting the oil-rich nation’s crisis is set to escalate further. “The ‘emperor’ Donald Trump wanted to halt the Venezuelan people’s right to vote,” said Maduro, as he rapidly voted at 6 a.m. in a low-income area of the capital Caracas that has turned on the government. Polls showing some 70 percent of Venezuelans oppose the vote, the country’s 2.8 million state employees are under huge pressure to participate — with some two dozen sources telling Reuters they were being threatened with dismissal. Workers were being blasted with text messages and phone calls asking them to vote and report back after doing so. The opposition estimated participation was at around a paltry 7 percent by midafternoon, but warned the government was gearing up to announce some 8.5 million people had voted.
Barbados Steps Up Plans for Renewables, Energy Efficiency BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - (IPS) – With wind, solar and other renewable energy sources steadily increasing their share in energy consumption across the Caribbean, Barbados is taking steps to further reduce the need for CO2-emitting fossil fuel energy. The tiny Caribbean island is rolling out a project to reduce both electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while driving down government’s fuel import bill. The country is hoping to save up to $3 million in electricity bills annually with the implementation of a $24.6 million Public Sector Smart Energy Programme (PSPP). The project, which is being funded by the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and the European Union (EU), includes changing out
Darcy Boyce close to 30,000 street lights across the country, replacing them with Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures. “So, this project will save us a couple million dollars a year, [up to] 3 million a year. It is a small amount in the context of Barbados but it is a start to save some money,” Minister
with responsibility for Energy Darcy Boyce said, while explaining that based on a 2009 study, government is aiming for a 29 percent per year reduction in electricity consumption through various methods of renewable energy use and energy efficiency. “When that is combined with the work to retrofit 13 government buildings with solar photovoltaic, it begins to add up.” Boyce acknowledged that government is a significant user of electricity, adding that the street lamps account for a great portion of that usage. Renewables have become a major contributor to the energy transition occurring in many parts of the world and the growth in renewables continues to bolster climate change mitigation.
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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.
WANTED 1 Accounts Clerk, preferably from E.B.D – 5 subjects CXC minimum @ gtcareers592@gmail.com Vegetarian Gardens: office assistant. Call: 227-7714/2310951/223-3448, info@vgiworld.com Experienced shop workers, handyman & domestic to work in the Interior, age 1840yrs. Call: 231-0363 (9am4:30pm). (TIN, ID & NIS) Live in experienced waitress $20,000 weekly. Call: 610-5043
VACANCY
FOR RENT
LAND FOR SALE
FOR SALE
Cook/ Baker for interior. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
MINING BLOCKS FOR SALE @ OMAI & CUYUNI NEAR BUCKHALL GY$2,500,000 EACH. CALL: 622-7563
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
One data entry clerk, must be computer literate & have passes @ CXC Maths & English. Apply PO BOX12118
Fully furnished luxury apartment to rent 2 & 3 bedrooms, long and short term stay. Call: 665-3505
CANTER DRIVER/ SALESMAN, MINIMUM 3 YEARS DRIVING EXPERIENCE, FACTORY ASSISTANT 266 4427
Three storey 75ftX30ft building/bond, open floors, 2 offices, 2 washrooms, driveways @ 25B Princes St., Charlestown. Call: 223-0654/ 225-0605
Cashiers & supermarket helpers at Nirva Supermarket, apply in person with written application at 49 Sheriff & Craig Street. Call: 227-5771
2 Bedrooms apartment in Eccles New Scheme, furnished or unfurnished from August 1 2017. Call: 225-3234
Experienced roti/puri cook, curry cook and waiters. Apply @ Hack’s Halaal with handwritten application, 5 Commerce Street. (Day Shift only)
Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045
If you owe housing we help pay up to $1M. Call: 6117223/651-1969
Cupboard & panel door maker @ Blair Molding Shop. Call: 686-7306
Received US$ cash for land in Eccles, Providence, Herstelling, Farm, La Parfaite Harmonie. Call: 656-0701/6511969
Maid required for domestic work includes cooking. Call:658-8669
Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Are you troubling with back problems, headaches or joint pains, stress, depression? For therapy call: 231-1284
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 647-1773/660-5257 Register Now! Summer Courses in cosmetology & nails 7th -18th August; Cost: $20,000. Limited space available. Call: 618-2417 ACCOMMODATION Journey Inn apartment rental, short term with AC & Kitchen, as low as -$15US. Call: 642-1783/ 646-3011634/ 718-2301695 TOURS Santa Mission, August 1st, 2017. Call Joy: 621-1088/6278562
One experienced general domestic. Must be able prepare vegetarian meals. Payment $80,000. Interested person call: 623-1615
Senior Diesel Mechanic to work in G/Town. Call: 2181455 Handyman to work at Kalyan Mall 162-163 Lamaha Street, age 25-45yrs. Call: 227-6681/ 655-9184/627-3390 Live in and live out waitress. Call: 643-9007/666-4647
Nursery Students registration is ongoing, low monthly fees, pay daycare fees for quality education. Call: 690-9378/677-0296 R i s i n g St a r A c a d e m y : Register now for kindergarten & Grades 14, build a strong foundation for common entrance. Call: 677-0296
One upper flat in Albert Street, Alberttown. Call: 6183575 2 Bedroom with toilet & bathroom, upper flat apartment @ Lot Q19 Pigeon Island, Chateau Margot, E.C.D. Call: 220-6799/2206657/603-9547 1-2 Bedrooms bottom flat spacious apartment @ 5th Avenue Diamond, grilled & secured, concrete fence, parking available -$70,000 monthly. Call: 662-9335/ 612-3244 One two bedrooms house at Lot 51 Pere Street Kitty, price -$45,000. Contact Maureen & Colin: 621-5781/ 650-8827
TO LET 3 Bedroom house to rent @ Grove Public Road. Call between Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm: 223-0204
Cook, Cashier and cleaner wanted to work at a Restaurant , 22 Charlotte Street Bourda, Georgetown. Call: 686-3231/ 625-3110
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE OFACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: Registration commenced for I.A.E Secondary school, forms 15, termly fee -$30,000. Call: 683-5742/621-7365
Property for rent - 2 storey house at Republic Park, E.B.D $1200USD. Call 647-1773
1 Counter clerk, must have a decent handwriting & passes in Maths & English. Send handwritten application to PO BOX 12118
Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966
Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call: 629-4946 or 225-4822
Monday July 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
Place to rent @ Republic Park area, recently renovated, hot & cold bath, with aircondition. Call: 671-9283 3 Bedrooms top flat @ Macaw St, Tucville. Call: 218-5401/ 6653622/ 610-5437
Land in Zeelugt new scheme, $2.5M,Providence- $4.2M, land in Tuschen (Phase 1) - $2.5M & La Parfaite Harmonie - $1.7M – 642-1252 Prime land to build that dream home. Not far from Princess, New Thriving, Massy, HJ water world $13M neg- Call: 669-8397 26 Happy Acres, East Coast, 5,830sq (53X110), 25 Million, negotiable. Call: 614-4358 Titled land: E.B.D River @ Loo Creek, Linden Highway, 85.6 Acres, water source, farm land, etc. Call:625-8589/6880882/518-859-5313
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
TAXI SERVICE G R TA X I S E RV I C E . CALL: 219-5000; 2271982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
A flock of sheep, price negotiable. Call: 645-2676/ 218-3647 ask for Mike. One Noah mini-bus series BSS price -$2M negotiable. Call: 687-6174 600 600 Amps automatic, transfer switches, switch gears, motors. Call: 666-6046 Dredge spares, 4" and 6" hose, conveyor belts, etc. On order, quality stuff, beat any market price. Call: 658-7553 New Housing Developments @ Blankenburg & Schoonord, Houses and lots available. Cash or terms. Contact # 650-0402/ 603-1402 Spa salon furniture to sell on less price. Please call: 6181853 2 Samsung Galaxy s8 smartphones for sale and much more. Call 685-7251 for more info Elevator, glass sliding door, ceiling fans, metal gates. Call: 231-1284/223-9719
VEHICLE FOR SALE Unregistered bluebird 1500cc, 31,000KM, front wheel drive, RZ bus good working condition, owner leaving. Call: 265-0204/2652171/601-0223 One used 1992 Hauler 8X6 DAF lorry, colour: green & black only used for 2 months, excellent condition. Call: 6794675 One Leroy Trident. Price $250,0000, PPP series. Call: 687-6174 2012 Nissan Bluebird: reverse camera, low mileage, unregistered. New model Allion coming -$3.3M negotiable. Call: 655-3400
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494 AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: PICKUP,9-11SEATMINIBUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILYOUTINGS,CHEAPEST RATE.Call:698-7807
Land @ No.7 Village W.C.B – 86’X317’, roadside -$34M negotiable. Call:622-6473 (Raj), 648-6873 (Bernard), 661-4604 (Veronica)
RZ, Pit Bull, 212 Carina, IST, Verossa, Suzuki Vitaera, Premio, Allion, Fielder Wagon, Spacio- Call: 6507501/ 616-2577 Tractor (foreign used) Massey Ferguson -165 $1.7M, MF-135 - $1.2M, MF265 -$2.2M, 165 Loader tractor -$2.4M. Call: 6825230/ 628-9596 2005 Tacoma from Canada bull bar -$2.4M, Ford F150 sport -$1.5M, Ranger sport $1.4M. Call: 682-5230/ 6289596 MASSAGE Train to become a Swedish massage therapist in 6 weeks. Call: 231-1284
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Aubrey Barker -$27M, William Street -$11M, Diamond -$14M, Grove -$7.8M, David Street$30M, Norton -$10M. Call: 2312199/618-7483 One transported property for business or residential located @ Friendship Public Road, EBD -$18M. Call: 6484810/661-5099 Transported 2 story with shop ideal for business, E.B.D Soesdyke, Public Road. Call: 625-8589/ 688-0882/518859-5313 House on double lot for sale at 49 Clay Brick Road, Den Amstel W.C.D. Call: 6306755/347-425-5343 (no agent) 1 Two story 3 bedrooms concrete house, Block 8 Mon Repos -$17M negotiable. Call: 645-8543
Monday July 31, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Putin says Russia to expel 755 U.S. diplomatic staff, more measures possible
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during the Navy Day parade in St. Petersburg, Russia, yesterday. Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool MOSCOW (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin said Russia will expel 755 U.S. diplomatic staff and could consider imposing additional measures against the United States as a response to new U.S. sanctions, although not for now. Moscow ordered the United States on Friday to cut hundreds of diplomatic staff and said it would seize two U.S. diplomatic properties after the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate approved new sanctions on Russia. Putin said in an interview with Vesti TV released yesterday that 755 U.S. diplomatic and technical staff would have to leave Russia by Sept. 1. “Because more than 1,000 workers diplomats and support staff - were working and are still working in Russia, 755 must stop their activity in the Russian Federation,” he said. New U.S. sanctions were in part a response to conclusions by U.S. intelligence
agencies that Russia meddled in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, and to further punish Russia for its annexation of Crimea in 2014. Moscow said on Friday that the United States had until Sept. 1 to reduce its diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 people, matching the number of Russian diplomats left in the United States after Washington expelled 35 Russians in December. On Friday an official at the U.S. Embassy, who did not wish to be identified, said the Embassy employed around 1,100 diplomatic and support staff in Russia, including Russian and U.S. citizens. Putin said that Russia could take more measures against the United States but not at the moment. “I am against it as of today,” Putin said in the interview with Vesti TV. He repeated that the U.S. sanctions were a step to worsening relations between the two countries.
Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad facing sentencing over misuse of funds BEIRUT (Reuters) - Iran’s former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, faces sentences on seven verdicts of misusing billions of dollars in government funds while in office, the public prosecutor at Iran’s Supreme Audit Court said in a newspaper interview published yesterday. In one case, dating back to Ahmadinejad’s second term in office between 2009 and 2013, the misused funds amounted to more than two billion dollars, the prosecutor, Fayaz Shojaie, said in his interview with the newspaper Etemaad. The verdicts have been announced to the parliament, Shojaie said. The Supreme Audit Court operates under the supervision of the Iranian parliament. It is not clear whether Ahmadinejad was formally tried by the court and is facing sentencing, or whether the Iranian parliament must now follow up on the court’s verdicts. Ahmadinejad gained support among poor and working class Iranians by
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad promising to share the country’s oil wealth with them. Subsidy reforms implemented in his second term were aimed at delivering subsidies to the most needy while cutting their overall cost to the government. Shojaie said that he did not believe the funds Ahmadinejad allegedly misused could be recovered. “In the effort of fixing the damages the decision has been issued and finalized. But
the damages and harm from his decisions are so big that we don’t have a way to carry it out,” Shojaie said. “So what can we do? He in no way has the assets that would cover this amount.” He did not say what would happen if the money could not be recovered from Ahmadinejad. Ahmadinejad could not immediately be reached for comment. Despite his popularity among some segments of the Iranian population, Ahmadinejad angered hardliners by clashing publicly with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on a handful of issues during his second term. Ahmadinejad submitted his name to run as a candidate in the Iranian presidential election in May, but he was disqualified by the Guardian Council, a governmental body that vets candidates. Half of the members of the Council are appointed by Khamenei who, without naming Ahmadinejad, hinted that he had advised him not to run.
Pakistan set to elect new Prime Minister tomorrow China must decide on further action against North Korea:
U.S. Ambassador to U.N.
Nikki Haley NEW YORK (Reuters) The United States is “done talking about North Korea” and China must decide if it is willing to back imposing stronger United Nations sanctions on North Korea over its two long-range missile tests this month, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said yesterday. Haley said in a statement that any new U.N. Security Council resolution “that does not significantly increase the international pressure on North Korea is of no value.” The United States flew two supersonic B-1B bombers as a show of force after
Pyongyang fired a second intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Friday. “China must decide whether it is finally willing to take this vital step. The time for talk is over,” she said. The Chinese mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The United States has been in talks with North Korean ally China on a draft U.N. Security Council resolution to impose stronger sanctions on North Korea. Haley gave China a draft text after North Korea’s July 4 ICBM test. Haley said last Tuesday that the United States had been making progress with China. Some diplomats had expected the United States, Japan and South Korea to ask for the 15-member U.N. Security Council to meet today over the test. Haley said yesterday that the United States saw “no point in having an emergency session if it produces nothing of consequence.” Such a meeting would have set the stage for a likely
showdown between the United States and Russia over whether Friday’s launch was a long-range rocket test. It was unclear if any other Security Council members, such as Japan, planned to request a meeting. Diplomats say China and Russia only view a longrange missile test or nuclear weapon test as a trigger for further possible U.N. Security Council sanctions. North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missile and nuclear programs and the Security Council has ratcheted up the measures in response to five nuclear weapons tests and two longrange missile launches. Haley has said some options to strengthen U.N. sanctions were to restrict the flow of oil to North Korea’s military and weapons programs, increasing air and maritime restrictions and imposing sanctions on senior officials. Traditionally, the United States and China have negotiated sanctions on North Korea before formally involving other Security Council members.
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) Pakistan’s lawmakers will elect a new prime minister tomorrow to replace ousted leader Nawaz Sharif, with ruling party stalwart Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expected to become interim leader until Sharif ’s own brother is eligible. The confirmation from parliament came after Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain convened a special session after Sharif decided to put forward his ally Abbasi as interim leader and named his brother Shahbaz, 65, as long-term successor. Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party holds a majority with 188 seats in the 342-member parliament, so it should be able to swiftly install its choice, barring any defections from its own ranks. A quick handover could ease the political upheaval sparked by a Supreme Court decision on Friday to disqualify Sharif for not declaring a source of income. The court also ordered a criminal investigation into him and his family. Abbasi yesterday vowed to continue Sharif’s work. “I hope that God will help me in furthering Nawaz Sharif’s policies,” Abbasi told reporters in Islamabad, adding to speculation that
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Sharif will continue to run the show behind the scenes. The turmoil and the premature end to Sharif’s third stint in power has also raised questions about Pakistan’s democracy. No prime minister has completed a full term in power since the country gained independence from British colonial rule in 1947. “We wanted to make sure there is a smooth transfer of power and no constitutional
crisis,” said Miftah Ismail, a senior PML-N official and Sharif ally. On Sunday evening, thousands of supporters of opposition politician Imran Khan held a celebration rally in Islamabad, waving flags and cheering Sharif’s ouster. Khan, who spearheaded a campaign for the Supreme Court case that removed Sharif, has said he expects to win the next general elections in 2018. Meanwhile, Sharif loyalists incensed by his ouster cheered his arrival in the hill town of Murree. Sharif has lashed out against the court’s decision and opponents who used the Supreme Court to topple him. He has vowed his party would continue to focus on development, touting a faster-growing economy as proof of his success. “Wheel of development is moving and may God keep it rolling and may it never stop,” he told members of PML-N on Saturday night.
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As crime rises, sales down...
Businessmen warn of second exodus of Chinese from T&T
FLASHBACK: A crime scene investigator places markers near spent shell casings left behind by gunmen who killed Chinese nationals Shiri Zhao and Yanil Gu in Marabella on June 15, 2017. PHOTO: TONY HOWELL Trinidad Guardian - If further attacks continue on Chinese people living in T&T there may be a second exodus of this group of people from the country similar to what occurred during the Black Power revolution in 1970. This was the opinion expressed by several Chinese businessmen. According to one localborn Chinese businessman, “During the Black Power riots many Chinese businessmen closed up their businesses and sold their properties cheaply. They migrated to Canada after they were threatened to be killed and molotov cocktails were thrown into their stores and shops, and one of the saddest things was many of them were born here. “Some of us are afraid that it may happen again and also with the July 27, 1990 coup, it’s in some people’s blood to threaten to kill, loot and burn down Port-of-Spain again. We can’t survive something like that again. It’s not worth your life or your family’s if you have small children,” one businessman said. Another Chinese businessman, however, felt they were not specifically targeting Chinese people despite several killings of Chinese nationals. He said in most cases they were random attacks and there was the perception that all Chinese people in T&T had money, did not fight back and were “soft” targets for criminals. The businessman said Chinese businesses that opened late were at high risk to be robbed. The businessman said they were experiencing the negative impact now—their stores had goods but nobody
was buying, “they want to buy but they don’t have money”. The situation is very grim. The regional security expert said the authorities cannot deny there would be extortion, robberies, kidnapping and petty crimes. T&T is in a crime-dominant society and crime today is a business, so criminals will always prey on the potential targets, but there were major players in the higher echelons of crime. Garvin Heerah asked whether the Triads can be existing here in Trinidad because of the sudden rise in Asian businesses and be utilising the “muscle” of the low-level gangster or criminal to carry out their instructions? In countries with large Chinese populations, a trademark of a Chinese Triad execution in the old days was to dump the naked body with the “offense” committed against the Triads written in large red Chinese characters in a very public place. Criminologist and principal, Caribbean Institute for Security and Public Safety Ian Ramdhanie said it was safe to assume that the Chinese Triads were here. In dealing with the local criminals targeting Chinese he recommended: 1. The police should work closer with the local Chinese community and build strategic lines of communication where issues like crime prevention strategies are shared. 2. The Chinese community should engage in many avenues of personal and private protection like what other communities were doing such as installing CCTV
cameras, private security, utilise cash-in-transit systems, don’t keep cash on premises, and improve building perimeter security. 3. The Chinese should meet with other ethnic and national groups to see how they were dealing with being targets of criminal activities. Triads 1. Pass specific laws to make triads illegal, to detect and to prosecute them. 2. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Many countries and states for example have established departments and units to deal specifically with the triads. (Canada, Boston, Texas, Amsterdam). We need to have these experts here working alongside our own experts to deal with this problem. 3. We need a special unit with representation from the various government departments and ministries to be established to look at this matter on an ongoing basis such as National Security, Legal Affairs, Attorney General, Finance, and Labour. 4. We need to strengthen against the illegal entry of Chinese people. The airports, seaports as well as the immigration department must all devise special policies and procedures to deal with this. 5. Institutions like the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), company registry, banks, Central Bank must have policies to detect and prosecute elements of the Triads from doing business in T&T. 6. The Triads have the ability to bribe from the highest to the lowest in a country and organisation to get their way. There are things that can be done to treat with this. Do it!
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South Korea, ECLAC sign agreements to bolster trade with the Caribbean SANTIAGO, Chile (CMC) — The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) has signed two agreements with South Korea that would bolster trade between Asia and the Latin American and Caribbean region, with an emphasis on fulfilling the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The agreements were penned by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea in Chile, In-gyun Chung, and the UN regional organization’s executive secretary, Alicia Bárcena, during a meeting held at ECLAC’s headquarters in Santiago, Chile. At the meeting, ELAC said In-gyun Chung underscored ECLAC’s work and “expressed his intention of prolonging and expanding bilateral strategic cooperation, oriented toward the needs of Latin American and Caribbean countries.” Bárcena said it was “highly important for the region to continue exchanging experiences with the Republic of Korea, a country that managed to escape the middle income trap through investment in science, technology and innovation.” “The region’s countries are facing similar dilemmas, which is why sharing experiences is very relevant,” Bárcena said. ECLAC said the first agreement signed on Wednesday is a 2017-2019 program that addresses the sustainable development of exports and the strengthening of the Asia Pacific–Latin America Observatory. “This is the first multi-year program signed by ECLAC and the Republic of Korea, and it will allow for consolidating bilateral cooperation and planning actions over a longer term,” ECLAC said. It said the second agreement is an annual program for 2017 that includes, as a priority, the holding of the international seminar, “Urban development, public leadership and open government. Strengthening capacities for inclusive and sustainable cities.”
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Dressel matches Phelps and helps Stokes’ burst leaves South Africa facing defeat U.S. to best world medals haul LONDON (Reuters) England ripped apart South Africa’s top order in yesterday’s final session at the Oval to bear down on a victory that would put them 2-1 up with one to play in the four-test series. Two wickets from successive balls in Ben Stokes’ third over removed Quinton de Kock (5) and Faf du Plessis (0) and ended faint South Africa hopes of mounting a rearguard action in pursuit of their nominal target of 492. Although Stokes failed to record what would have been the first-ever test hat-trick at the Oval, the damage was done. Du Plessis’ wicket, lbw without playing a shot to a first-ball inswinger, was a particular blow, with South Africa needing their captain to survive at least into Monday. The tourists limped to the close on 117-4, still 375 short of their target with a day’s play remaining. The battling Dean Elgar was unbeaten on 72 despite a painful blow to his finger, and Temba Bavuma on 16, as England turned to Moeen Ali to try to secure another breakthrough. Elgar had been fortunate to survive on nine, dropped by Keaton Jennings at third slip off Jimmy Anderson, and went on to strike seven fours in his 77-ball half-century. No one else provided much resistance. Before Stokes struck, Stuart Broad removed opener Heino Kuhn for 11 and Toby Roland-Jones dismissed Hashim Amla for the second time in the match, this time having South Africa’s danger man sharply caught by Joe Root in the slips for five. England have a further 98
Matt Grevers, Kevin Cordes, Caeleb Remel Dressel and Nathan Adrian of the U.S. (gold) celebrate on the podium. (REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo)
Ben Stokes roars after taking two in two, England v South Africa, 3rd Investec Test, The Oval, 4th day, ©Getty Images overs available on Monday to complete the victory and vindicate Root’s decision to delay his declaration to apply maximum pressure to South Africa. England’s new captain eventually called time when Jonny Bairstow was dismissed before tea after a breezy 63 which lifted England, who had resumed on 74-1, to 313-8. After Jennings departed early for a painstaking 48, debutant Tom Westley pushed on to a maiden halfcentury, an innings that should ensure an extended run at England’s problem number three spot. Westley went on to make 59 before he was stumped misjudging a dash at Keshav Maharaj. Root (50) followed soon afterwards, top-edging the same bowler after recording a half-century for
the ninth successive match. England gradually accelerated with Stokes (31) and Roland-Jones (23 not out) joining Bairstow in some lusty blows as England’s lead extended way beyond the test record for a successful final innings run chase of 418. If South Africa fail to survive today, it will complete a one-sided sequence in each of the tests. England won by 211 runs at Lord’s before South Africa hit back with an even more emphatic 340-run victory at Trent Bridge. The final test starts in Manchester on Friday, Aug. 4. Scores: South Africa 175 and 117 for 4 (Elgar 72*, Bavuma 16*) need a further 375 runs to beat England 353 and 313 for 8 dec (Bairstow 63, Westley 59, Root 50, Maharaj 3-50).
Dean Elgar drives en route to his fifty, England v South Africa, 3rd Investec Test, The Oval, 4th day, © Getty Images
BUDAPEST (Reuters) Caeleb Dressel of the United States heralded a new era in world swimming when he equalled the great Michael Phelps’s feat of seven golds at a single world championships as the 17th edition closed yesterday. The 20-year-old Dressel underlined his credentials as the world’s fastest starter in breathtaking fashion at the Duna Arena when he broke away on the butterfly leg to give the U.S. gold in the men’s 4x100 metres medley relay. Dressel had already won three individual golds and three relay titles in Budapest and yesterday’s addition allowed him to match his compatriot Phelps’s tally from the 2007 championships in Melbourne. He also helped the U.S. to record their best-ever world championship haul, with 38 medals. However the enormity of the Florida student’s achievements had yet to fully sink in. “I’ve never had it happen so I don’t really know what to say,” he told reporters. “I’m going to take a little break in Europe, go to Poland and Scotland and just enjoy myself. “It was probably the most fun I’ve had in eight days. It was an absolute blast getting to do what I love.” Team mate Lilly King had kickstarted the evening in blistering style with a worldrecord time of 29.40 seconds in the women’s 50m breaststroke. King beat Russian Yuilya Efimova to the wall by 0.17 seconds, with another American, Katie Meili taking bronze. The atmosphere rose when Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu glided to gold in the women’s 400m individual medley, adding to her 200m medley title.
The 12,000-strong crowd roared Hosszu on to a championship record time of four minutes 29.33. Mireia Belmonte of Spain won silver, with Canadian Sydney Pickrem claiming bronze. Chase Kalisz’s breaststroke leg in the men’s 400m individual medley also saw him land an individual medley double. The American set a championship record of four minutes 5.90 seconds to become the third-fastest performer behind Phelps and Ryan Lochte. David Verraszto of Hungary won silver, with Japan’s Daiya Seto securing bronze. “Michael and Ryan are my idols so just to be behind them is cool for me to think about,” Kalisz told reporters. Swede Sarah Sjostrom won her third individual gold in the women’s 50m freestyle to wrap up a memorable championships which also included two world records. The 23-year-old paced herself perfectly to hold off Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands in 23.69 seconds. Simone Manuel of the U.S. won bronze.
Sjostrom said: “It was a really good first 25m but the finish was really bad. But it doesn’t matter what time it is, the only thing that mattered was that gold.” Camille Lacourt of France delivered the perfect hors d’oeuvre for his new life as a Paris restaurant owner by blazing his way to a hat-trick of men’s 50m backstroke world golds. Lacourt, 32, bowed out of the sport in style as his 24.35 seconds saw off Japan’s Junya Koga and Matt Grevers of the U.S. into the minor medals. King and Manuel then helped the U.S. to set a world record on the way to women’s 4x100m medley relay gold. That paved the way for the U.S. relay men’s golden finale, with Britain finishing in silver 1.04 seconds behind. In their dominating performance at the championships, the U.S. claimed six of the 11 world records set in Budapest. Katie Ledecky, who did not swim yesterday, finished as the leading female swimmer with her five gold medals and one silver. Manuel collected five golds and a bronze.
Barcelona edge out Real... From page 31 still on holiday, but both teams were close to full strength. Ernesto Valverde, getting a taste of Clasico drama early in his career as Barcelona manager, selected Neymar despite speculation swirling over the Brazilian’s future at the club. However, it was stalwart Lionel Messi who opened the scoring after just three minutes, firing home with the help of a deflection, before Ivan Rakitic doubled the lead with a powerful drive from Neymar’s low pass. The sell-out crowd at the Hard Rock Stadium were in for a thrilling night and Madrid fought their way back into the game with Mateo Kovacic drilling home expertly, before Marco Asensio equalised in the 36th minute after a lightning break. After a prolonged halftime break with music, lights and fireworks shows more akin to the Super Bowl, the game restarted at the same hectic pace. Gerard Pique sent Barcelona ahead again in the 50th minute by flicking home Neymar’s curling free-kick, and it proved to be the match-winning goal.
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Kaieteur News
Letter to the Sports Editor
Wellman Masters, Floodlights Cricket Act being honored record victories in the breach by the GOG DEAR EDITOR, I note with great interest the big media frenzy and hype that accompanied the release of the injunction that prevented elections of the Guyana Cricket Board in the past few years after the Cricket Administration Act was enacted in May 2014. It should be noted that this Act was challenged by the Guyana Cricket Board since it was found to be deeply flawed and contradictory. The GCB, in its submissions to the Court, had never requested that elections be stopped for any Board, but the Chief Justice made the interim decision to issue such an Order. I am penning this letter just to refresh the memory of everyone on the issues and facts surrounding this very controversial Cricket Act. In the lead up to the passing of this Act, there was a special Select Committee of Parliament that met over 20 times with all the valid stakeholders in the administration of cricket which included the GCB, the DCB and other cricket related individuals. The GCB and the DCB made written and oral submissions to this Select Committee but not a single item of its submissions were taken on board by the Committee in the drafting of this Act, hence, its lopsidedness that was eventually enacted. In fact, several of the said Select Committee Members never even took the time to read the said Bill that was being debated and voted. It seems that voting was mainly on political grounds. The Select Committee recommended to Parliament that the constitutions of the Guyana Cricket Board and the Demerara Cricket Board be rewritten without any contribution from the membership of these two
Boards. This Act in itself is enough to render this Cricket Act unconstitutional. In late June 2014, after a heavy outpouring of protests from the GCB and the West Indies Cricket Board about the content of this Act and the manner in which it was introduced, there was a special meeting arranged between the Government of Guyana, represented therein by Ministers Nandalall and Anthony, the WICB, the Guyana Cricket Board and some representatives of the disgruntled group now calling themselves ‘stakeholders’. Attorneys for all parties were also present with the GOG attorneys also seemingly representing the ‘stakeholders’. It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that the Cricket Act was indeed deeply flawed and needed amendments. All of the amendments were discussed and agreed upon by everyone present at the forum. It was further agreed that since the Act was not yet assented to, that the agreed amendments to the Act would have been tabled in Parliament in mid July 2014. A draft amendment to the Act was completed and circulated to all the parties. The team from the Cricket Boards and their attorneys met with the other parliamentary parties, APNU and AFC, and sought to obtain their agreement on the draft amendment to the Cricket Administration Act. The other parties agreed to the amendments that were proposed and were willing to append their signatures to the agreed upon document. The GOG became very incensed with the intervention of the other Parliamentary parties and refused to sign off on the agreed upon document with the other Parliamentary
LABA and clubs meet to plan league and U-19 tournaments this evening Clubs affiliated to the Linden Amateur basketball Association (LABA) are invited to a meeting this evening with the association from 18:00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club pavilion. To be discussed will be the staging of the LABA 2017 Open League championship and an Under-19 tournament which could get underway by this weekend, according to a source close to the association. The President, Secretary and coaches are to attend along with table officials and referees where they will hear of the immediate plans of the LABA with regards to competition during this holiday period. President of LABA, Lawrence Simon, will be in charge of this meeting and it is hoped that the clubs attend as registration will be extended to Wednesday so that the fixtures for the tournaments can be prepared and get the competitions bouncing off.
parties included therein. It was then agreed to exclude the other Parliamentary parties from the document. The GOG NEVER signed that document and have allowed this confusion to continue unhindered. The Honorable Ministers that attended this meeting never took any further step to have this lopsided Act corrected and it is incumbent on the present administration to investigate this matter and have it corrected or await the verdict of the Court in the legal challenge by the GCB. Actually, this was the second time that the previous administration walked away from a proposed settlement on this manufactured cricket crisis. The other time was with Caricom’s intervention when Clive Lloyd was appointed as head of the IMC. Here again, an agreement was hammered out, but the same 2 Honorable Ministers that represented the GOG walked away from that resolution. How can anyone blame the GCB for this impasse? Investigative journalism needs to be exercised and blame placed where it is due? The GCB has been made the unwitting scapegoat in this entire fiasco. It is really hypocritical of these same persons that attended this forum in June 2014 and agreed with the blatant flaws of the Act, to be now publicly supporting this piece of legislation as the cure all for the purported ills of cricket administration in Guyana. In another very blatant act of illegality since then, the Sports Minister of the previous administration proceeded to appoint an Ombudsman in clear violation of the very Act that he assisted to pilot through Parliament. How can our leaders act in such grave violation of the very laws that they enact? The current Sports Minister may not be familiar with the history of this matter and it would be in her best interests to research and acquaint herself with this situation before she is deemed to be acting in contravention of the laws of Guyana by blindly following in the footsteps of her predecessor from the previous administration. The first step in this process would be for her to obtain a copy of the said Act, if she has not already done so. Yours faithfully, Raj Singh Marketing Manager GCB
Wellman Masters and Floodlights recorded victories when the Mike’s Pharmacy, Trophy Stall and Nauth Motor Spares 20-over softball competition continued yesterday at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground. Wellman Masters defeated Fisherman XI by 21 runs. Batting first, Wellman Masters scored 141 all out in 19 overs. Raymond Harper struck one four and four sixes in a top score of 48 while Sheldon Perch made 24 (1x4, 2x6). Roy Persaud had 2-15, Stanley Mohabir 2-16 and Puran Singh 2-20. Fisherman XI responded
with 120 all out in 18.4 overs. Troy Ramsaywak slammed three fours and four sixes in scoring 47 while Puran Singh made 25 (1x4, 2x6). Latchman Kallicharran took 2-14, Eon Lovell 2-23, Perch 2-25 and Greg De Franca 2-26. Floodlights overcame HS Masters by 10 runs in their encounter. Floodlights batted first and posted 166-5. Veerapen Moonsammy led with 49 with one four and three sixes, while Ricky Deonarain struck 48 including four sixes and Clive Canterbury 28. HS Masters threatened but fell for 156 in reply. Patrick Khan got 37,
Danny Mohanram 35 and Clyde Hoyte 32. Ramchand Ragbeer claimed 2-14 and Imtiaz Mohamed 2-19.
KINGSTON (Reuters) Former 100 metres world record holder Donovan Bailey has backed Usain Bolt to bow out in triumph at the world championships next month despite his slow buildup to the athletics showpiece. Bolt logged his season best of 9.95 seconds just over a week ago in Monaco, a time beaten by a raft of sprinters this year. But the 30-year-old Jamaican is still raging favourite to win his fourth 100m world title, and with good reason, according to former world and Olympic champion Bailey. “Anyone that bets against Bolt at a major championship isn’t smart,” the Jamaica-born Canadian told Reuters on Saturday.
“Those athletes have to have a mistake-free race to make (the 100m final) interesting,” he said of Bolt’s rivals. Bolt is currently ranked joint seventh with arch rival Justin Gatlin on the year’s top timesheet which is headed by world leader and American NCAA champion Christian Coleman. Coleman ran 9.82 seconds in Eugene, Oregon last month. Bolt’s Jamaican training partner Yohan Blake is second on the list with 9.90, ahead of South African Akani Simbine (9.92) and Americans Cameron Burrell and Christopher Belcher. Former Trinidad and Tobago sprinter Ato Boldon, who won the 200m world championship in 1997, thinks only Blake has a chance to spoil world record holder
Bolt’s party in London. “If Blake is healthy, he can be a real threat to Bolt. I don’t know that anyone else this year has shown me that they can be better than Bolt in the last 50m,” Boldon told Reuters. Bolt, who has won eight Olympic and 11 world championship gold medals, is planning to quit the track after competing in the 100m and 4x100m relay in London. Boldon, a four-times Olympic medallist, said there could be no debate about the world’s greatest ever sprinter. “There isn’t anyone who can say that he (Bolt) has not been the best ever,” he said. “Jesse Owens was the most important, Carl Lewis made sprinting profitable, but Bolt is the GOAT (greatest of all time).”
Ricky Deonarain
NEVER BET AGAINST BOLT, SAYS BAILEY
Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt reacts. (REUTERS/Eric Gaillard)
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Pollard banking on new focus Chase Academy repeat as champs, down Annai 6-2; Waramadong end 3rd to do the trick for Tridents BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados Tridents captain, Kieron Pollard, hopes a fresh approach to preparation can pay dividends in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League, and atone for a disappointing last season. The 2014 CPL champions were off colour last year, managing a mere three victories to finish fifth and miss out on the final four, as Jamaica Tallawahs beat Guyana Amazon Warriors in the final to claim their second title. Tridents leave here today for Florida where they open their campaign against Tallawahs at Central Broward Stadium in Lauderhill next Saturday, and Pollard believes the team camp staged here over the last week has been a vital part of their preparation and laid the groundwork for a successful run. “I thought looking back on last year [we weren’t] getting off to good starts and we were always behind the eight-ball in the first six overs and then we were always playing catch-up cricket,” Pollard told a media conference here Saturday. “And I don’t think the discipline was there in all departments of the game – batting, bowling fielding – and even the mental part off the field as well. “It’s a whole new approach [this year]. We’ve taken a holistic view of things and we have to start from scratch, hence the reason I thought that it was [good] the camp started a bit earlier – get the guys to come in and start to do some work and get rid some of the things we don’t need to travel with.” He added: “Slowly but surely we’re going to eradicate those things and hopefully by the time we step on that flight on Monday to head to Florida, we would have eradicated those things
Barbados Tridents captain Kieron Pollard. and it would just be wholly and solely concentrating on cricket.” This year, Tridents have snapped up New Zealand star Kane Williamson as their marquee overseas signing and have managed to retain Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik who has been a fixture in the squad for the last few seasons. Opener Dwayne Smith, who turned out for Amazon Warriors last year, has returned to the Tridents lineup and will join Pollard and Nicholas Pooran in a solid batting line-up. Out-of-favour West Indies seamer, Ravi Rampaul, along with speedster Tino Best and South African leftarm pacer Wayne Parnell, form the crux of the bowling attack. While Pollard said that confidence in the squad was high, he also conceded that Tridents would not have things all their own way especially with the season shaping up to be the most competitive in the history of the CPL. “The quality of cricket has risen over the last four, five years in terms of the tournament. When you look at it this year, you can’t
predict any clear winner – all teams have a lot of international players who have vast experience and you have to work hard,” he contended. “Once you work hard and you win then you know you have accomplished something. In other years before, you could have sat there and said ‘these two teams will qualify, and you have these four in the semis and we battle it out from there.’ “You’ve got more talented guys [now], more experienced overseas players, guys who have travelled the world playing within the different franchises and guys who have been playing international cricket for a long period of time as well, and the experience that they bring alongside the youngsters coming through … I think is going to make the competition a lot stiffer this year.” The CPL bowls off Friday in Castries when hosts St. Lucia Stars take on Trinbago Knight Riders, and runs until September 9. The tournament will also feature St Kitts and Nevis Patriots as the sixth franchise.
Barcelona edge out Real Madrid in thrilling Miami Clasico (Reuters) - Barcelona drew first blood against Real Madrid ahead of the new season with a 3-2 victory in a pulsating Clasico friendly on Saturday in Miami. The historic rivals will meet again twice in August in the Spanish Super Cup and this International Champions Cup match set the entertainment bar high, with Barcelona maintaining their 100 per cent record in pre-season. “Physically we are in good shape, the team is winning, we just have to correct our errors,” Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets told Premier Sports. “We’re happy for the win, it was a lot of fun for the fans because there were a lot of chances, although the players
suffered in the heat and humidity.” While Barcelona beat Juventus and Manchester United, Madrid’s defeat means they end their pre-season tour of the United States without a victory. “I don’t care much about the defeat, it always hurts but right now it’s not the important thing,” said Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane. “It’s pre-season. The results haven’t gone as hoped for but it will not change anything. The important thing is to be ready for Aug. 8 (when Madrid face Manchester United in the European Super Cup).” Madrid were missing Cristiano Ronaldo, Continued on page 29
By Franklin Wilson A Stephon Reynolds hattrick and a double from Nicholas McArthur was the foundation that led to Chase Academy retaining championship honours for the second consecutive year as the best in the Digicel Schools’ Football Championships which ended last evening at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, Leonora, West Coast Demerara. It was a fitting end to the 2017 edition and even as many were speculating that this may be the last year of the championships, Digicel CEO Gregory Dean, one of the many dignitaries attending, informed the media that the tournament is here to stay. Witnessed by over three thousand fans which included Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock, Minister in the Ministry of Communities Dawn Hastings-Williams, Guyana Football federation President Wayne Forde, Director of Sport Christopher Jones and Digicel Head of Marketing Ms Jacqueline James among others, Chase steamrollered first timers Annai 6-2, while Waramadong’s DC Caesar Fox exacted revenge over Christianburg after six years, beating them 3-1 to claim the third place. Chase was very dominant and compact in winning the top prize of One Million Dollars that will go towards a school project; they took the attack to Annai from the first whistle with the latter having no real response. By the 20th minute of the match Chase were already 30 up with Nicholas McArthur
already achieving his double. His first came in the 9th minute, a left foot shot under Annai’s goalkeeper, Leston Smith. Even before the first goal, Chase missed two sitters, but the city school never let up and goals came thereafter at regular intervals. There was going to be no fairytale story this time around after Annai recorded one of the most memorable comebacks when they downed Waramadong in their semi final, coming back from four goals down to win 7-5 in injury time. Chase took command early in the piece and dictated from thereon in. Stephon Reynolds netted the first of his three in the 17th minute, on the end of another good build up, slotting the ball past the advancing goalkeeper. Already in a nonsense mood and intent on putting an early seal on the One Million top prize, McArthur netted his second and Chase’ third on 20 minutes to further impose themselves on their opponents. On 37 minutes, Ryan ‘Bum Bum’ Hackett, who was having an excellent game in the engine room (midfield), joined the goal party with an excellent left foot shot that glided past Smith into the back of the nets; Chase 4 Annai 0. But not to be undone, Annai responded with one before the half time whistle, aided by some ordinary goalkeeping from the tournament’s best goalkeeper, Sese Norville. Orville Daniels’ shot, even though a bit of a surprise, should have been easily grasped by Norville but the shot slipped through his grasp and settled in the back
of the nets, applauded by the huge band of supporters for Annai and Waramadong; Chase 4 Annai 1. Early in the second half, Annai sounded a warning that they would not give up without a fight when the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Sherral Daniels blasted in their second goal to add some more excitement to the match in the 56th minute; Chase 4 Annai 2. There after though, it was one-way traffic in terms of goals with Chase banging in two more to seal the deal and their second title in as many years. Reynolds was the player to score both, in the 69th and 85th minute, respectively. Annai did not leave the arena a dejected unit as they collected the second place cheque for $700,000 from Digicel’s Head of Marketing Ms Jacqueline James as well as two of the three prestigious awards, MVP ( S h e r r a l D a n i els) and Highest Goal Scorer, Naidson Daniels who ended with 11goals. Waramadong’s DC Caesar Fox, third place winners via a 3-1 score-line over Christianburg, got their goals from their most prolific scorer, Reon McNaughton in the 11th minute, Whitaker Paul in the 25th and Kevin Hasting in the 43rd minute. Christianburg got their consolation goal from Darwin Adolphous in the 67th minute. Waramadong collected the third place cheque of $400,000 from Minister in the Ministry of Communities Dawn Hastings-Williams, while the 4th prize of $350,000 went to Christianburg.
PAGE 32
Monday July 31, 2017
Kaieteur News
GT Beer Keep Your 5 Alive KO Futsal Tourney
Linden Church Basketball
Future Stars and West Front Road-Gold New champions to be decided as Fire and South is Money to contest Saturday’s final battle tonight Multiple champions Carmel relegated to face Temple for third place
READY FOR THE FINAL! West Front Road-Gold is Money after their win over Back Circle. Hubert Pedro is 2nd left. Following two scintillating semi final clashes, Future Stars proved their billing with a huge upset win, toppling Sparta Boss 7-6 in a ding dong clash, while West Front Road-Gold is Money in another epic, outlasted Back Circle in a 7-5 to both advance to the final of the GT Beer Keep Your 5 Alive KO Futsal Tourney. Witnessed by a capacity crowd at the National Gymnasium on Saturday night, Sparta Boss, which held the title as the best in this format of the sport, looked to be coasting to another final and on the rebound following their exit in the Guinness Greatest of the Streets football championship which
Future Stars posing prior to their huge win over Sparta Boss in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
was won by Linden’s Dave and Celina All Stars. Future Stars, a combination of young players took the fight to their moiré seasoned and experienced opponents as they sought to throw the likes of Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Devon Millington and Eusi Phillips off their game. Initially, that did not work as Richardson fired his team to an early 2-0 advantage with strikes in the 6th and 8th minutes and part of his celebratory routine was to pass by the Future Stars bench to emphasize that he is still the boss. But, like Richardson who netted a hat-trick, Future
Stars’ Kevin Cummings responded in like manner, slotting in his first in the 10th minute to halve the deficit at that point. The score was tied at 5-5 and as it turned out Future Stars succeeded in out bossing Sparta to walk away with a huge win at 7-6 and a chance to win the top prize of $500,000 but will have to get past another determined side, West Front Road. The boys from the West, on account of Hubert Pedro’s helmet-trick defeated Back Circle 7-5 in a thrilling clash. Back Circle had clawed back from 0-2 down to equalize and even take the lead by the West Front Road side showed lots of grit and determination
to come back and eventually take the win. Following are the results: Game-1 - Back Circle-5 vs West Front Road-Gold is Money-7. Gold is Money Scorers: Hubert Pedro-8th, 11th, 33rd and 39th, Randolph Wagner-25th and 36th, Carl Tudor-10th. Back Circle Scorers: Jermaine Beckles15th, 19th and 30th, Stephon McLean-13th and 37th. Game-2 - Future Stars-7 vs Sparta Boss-6. Future Scorers: Kevin Cummings10th, 21st, 30th, Jeremy Garrett-22nd, 26th and 46th, Curtez Kellman-44th. Sparta Scorers: Gregory Richardson6th, 8th and 47th, Devon Millington-15th and 25th, Eusi Philips-23rd.
Pentecostal Fire and South Assembly are to square off tonight to decide the new champions of the 11th annual Pentecostal Fire Church organized Linden Inter Church basketball champion at the Mackenzie Sports Club hard court. The eight time champions Mount Carmel will have to settle for a third place against the other losing semifinalists Calvary Temple and that game is one set for 19:00hrs before the final at 21:00hrs. Fire won their preliminary game against South by a 4137 score-line and this means that the final should go down to the wire. Emmanuel Archibald and Vibert Benjamin are their best performers so far with Archibald getting 16 when they lost versus the Fire, but had 14 as Benjamin top scored in their semifinal win 57-55, with 18 points, while Daniel Anthony is another player to watch for the South Assembly team. Add Donnel Benjamin to the cast and the South side looks capable of carting off honours this time around. But Yannick Tappin seems to have come into his own
after setting the stage for the win over South earlier in the tournament and he had a top score of 24 points when they beat Calvary Temple in the semifinals. Along with the former junior national Marlon Pollydore getting back to his scoring touch with 21 points and Keifer Ta p p i n contributing 16 and entering with an unbeaten run so far makes the Fire favourites to come out on top. They also have T h e o d o r e Ta p p i n , a n d Linnel Warden to rely on in bringing them victory tonight. The first game for third place will see the defeated champions Carmel seeking to salvage pride and the We b s t e r b r o t h e r s J o e l , Adrian and Domain are among the best players for the Carmel side which should not take the Temple side lightly. While Geoffrey LaRose, the past junior national stand-out is their spearhead, he will look to his brother Immanuel and Kevin Daniels to provide adequate support as they make a pitch to take third spot.
Two more sponsors onboard... From page 34 $500,000 for 2017. The distance is 1300M for a winning take of $350,000 and trophy. There is the Three Year Old Top Brandz Corona 1300M Classic for a top prize of $300,000 and the Top Branz Corona Beer Trophy. Animals classified H3 and lower over 1200M will be running for a first prize of $300,000 and trophy. The 2 yrs old Guyana bred animals will be racing over 900M for a $250,000 reward and trophy. The race for I3 & lower animals will be a 1200M affair for a wining prize of $200,000 and trophy. The J3 and lower animals and those 4 years and older and K class will be racing over 1100M for a winning prize of $150,000 over 1100M. The L class non earners of $150,000 in 2017 will be racing for a winning take of $120,000 and trophy over 1200M. Among animals entered so far are-Witchy Poo, Storm Bird, Media Day, Climate Change, It’s MY Turn, Bridal stone Corner, Cat Messiah, Because I Say So, Super Bowl Midnight, Puppy Tail, King Stanley, Seven Dust, De Rock, Governa Ground Gal, Fresh Dancer, Supreme Cat, Natural Beauty. Other sponsors on board are Top Brandz Distributors, Delmur Company Limited, Cummings Electrical, Attorney at Law R.N Poonai Fazal Habibulla of Hablaw Meat Center and Rising Sun Cattle Ranch, Sankar Auto Works –Valvoline, Fix It Hard Ware and Bothers Incorporated among others. The top jockeys along with the runner up, the top stable and champion trainer will all be presented with trophies and other incentives compliments of the organisers. Interested persons can contact Bobby Vaughn on 624 6788, 223-5097, 227-7061, 333-0290 or 333-0301; Fazal Habibulla on 657 010; Ramnauth on 337-5311, 697-1979 or Campton Sancho on 690-0569 for more information. Colin Elcock is the Coordinator. Race time is 12:30 hrs.