Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Kaieteur News

Friday July 08, 2017

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

EDITORIAL RECKLESS SPENDING It is rather ironic that in the midst of all the talk of austerity and the need for urgent belt-tightening in the various departments and agencies, that the government continues to engage in a seemingly unfettered spending spree. Many, including the opposition, have already expressed their disgust over the 50 percent increase in salaries of some Ministers who were in office less than three months, the $1.2 billion D’Urban Park project, and the millions spent in tuition fees for two junior ministers. So there is no need in revisiting such reckless spending of the taxpayers’ money, except to say that the President and his cabinet should lead by example and end the wasteful spending that they have foisted on the nation. It is worthy to point out that all this is happening at the same time the government is closing several sugar estates and putting thousands of sugar workers on the breadline. If the people thought that such extravagant spending was bad enough, the government has made a public spectacle of itself with the rental of a house for $500,000 per month for a Minister. Contrary to claims by some public officials, there is no evidence to suggest that the last government did the same. Except for the Clerk of the National Assembly, those in the government have essentially remained silent on this issue. Unfortunately, ministerial perks and benefits, especially the frequent overseas trips by ministers during the past two years have put a dent in the country’s finances. This contradicts the criticisms levelled against the last administration by this government when it was in opposition. This lack of transparency and accountability could tarnish the government’s image. We are under no illusion that the government should stop spending or that everything should come to a screeching halt because of the economy which is in dire straits, but the nation is steep in debt, its GDP has declined, imports have increased while exports have reduced, and except for the mining sector, production in the other sectors has fallen sharply. It simply does not help matters for the government to continue to borrow and pile up more debt at this stage. A careful look at the 2017-2018 estimates shows that the government will spend more than 60 percent of its GDP to service the national debt. It means that in the absence of anything short of a miracle, there will not be enough funds to improve education or provide adequate health care and social services to the people. The government seems to believe that the money from oil will be its saving grace. Only fools count their chickens before they are hatched. The issue is not about the amount of money the government will receive from oil, but when it will receive it and how it will be spent. If the government truly has the nation’s interest at heart, then it should make every effort to reduce spending and lower the huge debt which continues to stifle growth. Lest we forget, in December 2014, President Granger, then the leader of the opposition, sought court action to prevent the last administration from spending money on programmes that were not authorized by Parliament. Now in office, his government has spent billions on D’Urban Park and on the importation of drugs without authorization from Parliament. And as recent as last year, the IMF had warned the government that increased public spending will crowd out space for public investment, despite significant donor support. In these difficult times when the livelihood of many, especially the poor, is seriously threatened, it seems as though there is no end in sight to the reckless spending of the taxpayers’ money by the Granger administration. It seems that we are condemned to repeat the mistakes of our errant past.

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

Former President defends his PPP colleagues Dear Editor, I w a n t t o acknowledge what a great relief it was when the EU office admitted that its recent statement about its assistance for the sugar sector was in great error: that assistance was not G$ 348 billion as first asserted but just G$ 34.8 billion! There had been a decimal point error! Former Presidents Ramotar and Jagdeo had been correct in their expressions of hurting consternation about that first asserted figure. No doubt that error provided fertile ground for speculations about a further, over G$300 billion of allegations about massive corruption. OK, to err is human. I recall myself at one time being uneasy about a number reaching me but under time pressure I let it go, only to be determined soon thereafter that there was an embarrassing decimal error. To err is human, but much damage was done over the more than 120 hours that this error stood, damage not only to us the PPP/C but to Guyana to our national reputation and to increasing the bitterness between our peoples. What is to be done to have this damage undone? Our Minister of State, the Honourable Joe Harmon, had gone to town wondering where the PPP/C had diverted the additional over G$ 300 billion intended for sugar workers. He sounded like he had become the lawyer

for GAWU and our sugar workers. Honourable man that he is I am expecting that at his next press conference he would acknowledge how mistaken he was, and undo the impression that there is another G$ 300 billion unaccounted for. Some say that it is a particularly ill event that doesn’t bring some good, and this event shows how easily allegations of corruption could be mistaken. As former President Ramotar has been acknowledging, recognizing that we, PPP/C, are but humans he could not and would not assert that there was no corruption, but he would assert that the allegations of corruption were grossly exaggerated. As PU/NICIL and my colleagues, the former Finance Minister Ashni Singh and the former CEO of PU/NICIL were put into the news again, recently, let me say again that I see intense policy differences, the completion of the Mariott Hotel against Motions passed in Parliament, as the motivation for the allegations against them. It needs no saying – I stand with them. We h a v e h a d t w o years of the forensic audits and very little has come of them so far. In the early flush of excitement of the change in Government and the natural excitement of making discoveries it seems like many were carried away in what they said and what others understood them to

say. Every two or three weeks the public has been told that someone is about to complete his advice and charges will be laid soon. How much is there really that merits charges. The antics associated with the charges of theft of law books against former Attorney General, Mr. Anil Nandlall should give everyone cause to pause and wonder. SOCU and our Police have found themselves being made to look foolish, explaining that they were pursuing a warrant to search for ‘Law Reports of the Commonwealth’ not ‘Commonwealth Law Reports’. Even so, my school books would urge me to wonder why would such allegations of corruption find appeal. Firstly, we were not perfect as former P r esident Ramotar acknowledges coupled with the human inclination to try a change (after 23 years) and, at times, to accept any excuse for the change. S e c o n d l y, s o m e political adroitness of our opponents, our present Coalition Government (they have our best propaganda man). Perhaps we made our accomplishments appear too easy not wanting others to know about the difficulties and uncertainties we faced. Our Honourable Finance Minister told our GMSA a week or two ago that there is no investment money for constructing a hydropower

station in Guyana (in addition to misrepresenting the recommendations of the latest Amaila report). However, we, PPP/C, had put together a good project for the greening of our people and country and can do it again. Perhaps if we could have brought our people into the confidence of our difficulties, then perhaps they would have shared in the achievement of bringing a Mariott to Guyana and not engage in the ill-founded pursuit and persecution of my colleagues and friends, Ashni and Winston. Perhaps if our then young President Jagdeo in the bitterness of the violence flowing subsequent to our PPP/C win at the 1997 elections, could have not let drop his early, open, welcoming invite to all and sundry, “I need your help”; perhaps if our 2011 jingle about ‘all the roads and buildings we building’ did not end, “dem ah watch we” but “come and join we”; then maybe there would not have been that urge to deny, pull down and belittle us and our achievements and grab at any allegations of massive corruption, no matter how far-fetched. After two years and seeing how questionable are the allegations of wide spread corruption, let us bury that hatchet and get back to developing our people and country. Samuel A. A. Hinds Former Prime Minister and Former President

Justice Claudette Singh has joined the law book chorus Dear Editor, I see that Justice Claudette Singh SC has joined the masquerade. She firstly contends that the Conservatory Order, which prevents members of the GPF and SOCU from seizing the books, expired 14 days after it was granted. That is a lie! It was to expire after 14 days but before the 14 days expired, the life of the Order was extended. To date it remains in force. The distinguished former jurist next argues that the Order speaks to “Commmonwealth Law Reports” but that the books that are the subject of the dispute are “Law Reports of the Commonwealth”.

She further points out that CLR is published out of Australia and LRC is published by Lexis-Nexis, UK. These are facts which I do not dispute. However, from the inception, it has been very clear that it is only one set of books which have been the subject of the controversy: LRC published by LexisNexis to which I have been subscribing since about 2003. I do not own and never dealt with CRL. When the application was made to the Court for the Conservatory Oder it was only one set of books that were the subject of the Application and the consequential Order: LRC. When the Court granted that

Order it did so with the intent of preserving in my possession only one set of books: LRC. The other side filed an Affidavit in Answer and made copious legal submissions but not once took the objection that the Order was unclear or ambiguous. In fact, based upon their Affidavits and submissions, they knew clearly that the books which were the subject of the Order and the Application are LRC; not a word about CLR. It is clear, therefore, that a minor and clerical misdescription appears in the Order which is now being unscrupulously exploited in order to defeat, mock and avoid the Order.

This amounts to gross disrespect of the Chief Justice and her Order. Chief Justice Sir Hugh Wooding of Trinidad &Tobago once said: “the law is not a game, nor is the Court an arena; the attainment of true justice is over the highway of realities and not through the alley of technicalities.” Fortunately, the law is not an ass as some of us would want to make it look. Claudette Singh knows that too well. The Law always has the power to correct such minor errors so that its majesty and justice shall prevail in the end. It will happen in this case ....unless.... Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP.

Saturday July 08, 2017

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

On whose behalf is this GuySuCo’s senior official speaking? DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) believes it is incumbent, as a responsible Union, to respond to Mr Earl John’s letter appearing in the July 01, 2017 Stabroek News captioned “GAWU must be the most outdated institution of its kind”. Our Union on one hand holds that Mr John is writing in his personal capacity albeit being difficult to delink him from the fact that he holds a very senior position in the Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc (GuySuCo) and his letter focused on the very company he is currently employed with. Mr John, the latest of several persons to have criti-

cized our Union for our principled stance, speaks to the relevance of “customs and practices”. The gentleman is no stranger to the sugar industry having been involved in the industry since colonial times and thus he is very well aware that those “customs and practices” he decries arose from the unique nature of the operations in the sugar industry, and he should be equally aware that it was during his time as the Personnel Director that many of these same “customs and practices” were established and became institutionalized as a part of the conditions of work of the sugar workers. It seems Mr John is advocating that workers not be paid for the labour

they provide to the industry. Our Union is of the view that Mr John rather than airing his discontent in the media should seek to meaningfully engage the Union in discussions on the matter especially given his re-employment and newly-appointed post in GuySuCo as the Human Resources Director, responsible for labour relations. Certainly, the learned and experienced individual that Mr John is supposed to be; he ought to know better to formally engage the Union rather than shirking from his responsibility and airing his discontent in the public domain. The letter further speaks to our support of the Skeldon project which Mr John de-

Kaieteur Parks National Commission must stop its nonsense DEAR EDITOR, I write in response to the recent report in the media which stated that the police confirmed that dredges were operating in Kaieteur National Park. If this report is indeed tr u e , w e f i n d i t strange and disappointing at a time when His Excellency President David Granger made a commitment at the recent Commissioner of Inquiry with Chenapou Touchao about Mining, Governance and Protected Area to establish an independent impartial investigation team. As a humble nation we totally re-

spect and await the findings or outcome on this crucial and critical sensitive issue before we could release any media or press statements. It must be noted however, observation was made about the incompetency of persons managing the Kaieteur National Park and are probably misleading and ill advising the president. Noted also, that due to the misleading advice and false information, our people are facing social atrocities caused by persons tarnishing our people’s excellent reputation. Presently we honour his Excellency’s commitment on

this sensitive issue and we will refrain ourselves from issuing any public statement until this investigation comes to an end. We wish that the Kaieteur National Park Commissioners and Chairperson honour his Excellency’s commitment. Stop pussyfooting with people’s lives and act more honest and professionally. It would be more beneficial for us Guyanese and not be seen as managers of a cartoon network. Ashley Norville C Chenapou Village Upper Potaro River Region 8

With the oil economy coming, crime will get worse DEAR EDITOR, Guyana has the largest per-capita crime situation in the Caribbean; maybe in the world. And with all the talk from the successive governments, there seems to be little movement in the right direction. We have long been speaking to this matter. We have personally and publically told the leaders of our nation that until they get a handle on the crime situation in Guyana, our development will be stymied. The recent attempted bank robbery and the subsequent shootings and death, are no surprise, and we think that it will get worse. We are also very concerned that in an oil economy, robberies, abductions and murders will be the order of the day. Guyana has just about two years to turn this huge ship of crime around. The task is almost impossible. We say that because the leaders of this country are not really setting the example to which they want to hold the

country’s youth accountable. With all the crime committed and billions of dollars stolen (as proven by the many audit reports), there is yet to be one politician or major political party member jailed for stealing the taxpayers’ money. Instead all we hear is that investigations are ongoing or that witnesses cannot be found. So now the current administration has drifted into the same arena they once accused the PPP of. They too are being accused of skullduggery and shady behaviors. All the while, the youths are looking on. It is like an advertisement: if all of the politicians and their close allies are doing those criminal acts and getting away with them, why not let us? Let’s ‘try-a-thing’. And it seems to be working. Yes, the Republic Bank’s robbery attempt failed and with tragic consequences but what about the many others that are daily and nightly succeeding? A few nights before that

bank robbery attempt, a security guard in Sophia was shot and killed and his revolver taken. Maybe it was that very gun that those bandits had in the failed bank robbery. Editor, we firmly believe that what we are seeing in Guyana, beyond the fact that our nation is impoverished, is a copy-cat situation. The young people are determined, if the politicians can increase their salaries, live in inflated rental homes, benefit from additional perks valued at millions of dollars and get away with crookedness, then they too will seek to get rich, or die trying. Until there is transparent, ethical, commonsensical, honest leadership from the top, Guyana’s youth, especially those who have less to lose, will have no incentive to move away for their constant attempts at gansterism. And come 2020 and beyond when the oil money begins to flow to just a select few, the situation will become worse. Dr. Vishnu Bandhu

scribes as a “failed computerised elephantine factory”. While Mr John, for reasons best known to him, has chosen to describe the Skeldon factory in such terms, we read and hear about the high interest being paid by foreigners in acquiring the estate. Certainly, either the buyers have to be absolutely insane or Mr John, maybe, is not acquainted with the reality of our times; having been out of sugar for almost two (2) decades. Mr John goes on the speak about workers’ demands for “obstacle” payments which are payments given to workers when they are required to exert extra efforts to cut canes wrapped in vines, shrubs and bushes, in grass-infested fields. The notion of obstacles pre-dates GAWU’s entry into the sugar industry and gives recognition to the significant efforts required by workers in the harvesting of canes in such conditions. Furthermore, the quantum of those payments is determined between the shop stewards and the Management. It is, therefore, befuddling to say that price gouging is occurring when both sides have to agree on the price. Mr John, it seems, is confused. As a former Personnel Director, Mr. John you should know

that a well-grown crop of canes, free of bushes and vines, will certainly avoid the payments of obstacles. So, Mr. John, in your current position, rather than criticizing the payment of obstacles, you should advocate that the company grows canes in fields devoid of grass, bushes and vines. Further on the matter of obstacles, the Recognition and the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes Agreement, signed in 1976 between GAWU and the Sugar Producers Association (SPA) – GuySuCo’s forerunner, conceded workers right to withdraw their labour when an agreement on pricing – could not be reached. This condition also prevailed in the predecessor Union/SPA agreement. Mr John is well aware of this, or he is just conveniently forgetful. On this matter too, our Union had proposed to GuySuCo, some years ago, that where a worker is required to cut canes in abnormal conditions that worker would undertake his task but would not be paid less than their average daily earnings for some number of preceding days. Maybe, Mr John who is now in the driver’s seat on labour matters could consider this suggestion. The talk about the number of strikes

by the sugar workers seems to be a sore point for Mr John. He is obviously saying that workers should not utter a word when the Management seeks to take advantage of them and rides roughshod over their rights and benefits. While an inference is drawn regarding the strikes vis-à-vis what takes place regionally those facts cannot be disconnected from the respect employers locally and regionally give their employees and their representative organisations. Rather than the contemporary, enlightened approach, we see GuySuCo now-a-days rulers moving back to those times when the plantocracy ruled the roost and workers’ were seen as mere faceless pawns who had no rights and regarded as fit to do backbreaking work to fatten the owners and their hangers-on. We wish to say to Mr John and those who seek to push workers back to those colonial times, he/they can only, consciously or unconsciously, do greater harm to the industry and also the country. GAWU wishes to assure Mr. John that it will relentlessly defend, at all cost, any attempt to take workers back to those times. Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

Corruption returns to the Forestry Commission DEAR EDITOR, The ghost of corruption has once again return to the GFC specifically to the forest monitoring department. Reminiscent of what took place in the mid-nineties and early 2000 there is solid evidence of wide spread corruption and collusion with the forestry monitoring department now being headed by the leader of the cabal group. Officers turn a blind eye and are paid to turn a blind eye on massive illegality in the fields. The top brass of the department involves in regular sporting sprees with a certain group of officers all paid by concessionaire. Persons are given permits to cut wood on state land and make it look as if it is coming from their area. Some people are getting concessions without merit while others without equipment etc. are continually being denied. These crocks at forestry will make

our government fail. This is a government that promised change and transparency. I hope the GFC board under the acute leadership of the first female chair does not turn a blind eye or condone such corruption happening under their nose. I know reputable and respectable gentlemen on the board like Dr. Singh, Mr. Hall, Mr. Mac, and Mr. Mendes will not stand for corruption and thus I am baffled as to why nothing is being done to address these blatant acts of corruption. I will give certain examples of what is occurring. 1. Right now in the North West Kwebana area the forest officers are under instruction to give a few individuals permission to cut and remove wood like purpleheart etc. in state lands. No royalty is paid the wood is sold and the boys get their kickbacks. You are talking big money here. A BM of

purpleheart is 300 dollars and these guys are cutting 4000 to 5000 BM a week. Remember this is free wood so all you make is pocketed; so these guys are giving the officer a $100,000 or so for one permit. Please have someone sent on the ground (in the forest) and they will see the amount of wood that is being cut illegally and shipped out or have them speak to the people in the area. 2. There is wide spread illegal activities in Bartica. Again, speak to the persons who get valid concessions in the area or to the Bartica group and you will be shocked to find out what is occurring in the Bartica area (Continued on page 6)

PAGE 6

Attempts to resuscitate Uitvlugt Estate DEAR EDITOR, Within recent days there has been quite a bit of media publicity through GuySuCo’s “Community Outreach Programme” on the Uitvlugt Estate Improvement Programme (UEIP). If this much-touted programme is to be successful it augurs well for the future of this estate, its workers and surrounding communities. Uitvlugt Estate has been in a perpetually rapid downward spiral since 2004, and to quote the Estate Manager,Yudhisthira Mana, in a section of the media, the estate is expected to produce “some 18,000 tonnes sugar by the end of 2017”. The Estate Manager should have added that this relatively low production is with input from private cane farmers. The average tonnes sugar produced by this estate in the period of 1992 to 2004 was 27,800, without any input from private cane farmers and the average cost of production was just under 18 US cents per pound. In the Guyana Times in yesterday’s (July 7) edition, the Minister of Agriculture stated that the estate current cost of production is 26 US cents per pound. The cane yield for the just-concluded 1st crop this year is just above 40 tonnes cane per hectare (TCH). The cane yield in the period 1992 to 2004 was 66 TCH. The problem, therefore from then to now is low production, low yield and high cost; as such it is considered, in the circumstance, prudent and appropriate for the estate to develop a programme to tackle the problem, and that is to take the annual sugar production to 40,000 tonnes by 2020. Using the data publi-

Saturday July 08, 2017

Kaieteur News

cized by the Estate Manager, on careful analysis, the UEIP appears to be highly improbable and quite ambitious to say the least; unless it is being done with propaganda as its aim. Let’s analyze this data to test its probability. The estate aims to produce 40,000 tonnes sugar by 2020 that would require 520,000 tonnes cane from 6005.9 hectares. The cane yield, therefore, will have to be 86.5 TCH. At the end of 2017, the estate will produce 18,000 tonnes sugar; as such all agricultural and factory inputs will have to be put in place between 2018 and 2019. One cannot have any input in 2020 because this is the year that the 40,000 tonnes is expected. Canes for sugar production in 2020 will have to be nurtured and ready in 2019. Will the UEIP be able to increase cane yield from its current 40 to 86.5 TCH in 2 years, an increase of 116%? This is highly improbable. Secondly, with the existing labour shortage crisis on the estate, and the refusal of the Wales harvesters to accept commuting to Uitvlugt, what contingency plan does the estate have to provide for this acute shortage, for example mechanization? It appears from the Estate Manager’s presentation, the 40,000 tonnes is contingent on the Wales workers moving to Uitvlugt and the estate being able to fill the vacancies that it has claimed to have advertised for 406 workers that include 298 harvesters. Those from Wales make up 375. It means, therefore, that the estate from its recruitment drive and Wales depends on 673 harvesters being available. This is a huge amount by any standard in GuySuCo. The sugar company not offering a pay increase for the past 2 years, the actual and projected estates closures, its publicity on clamping down on “customs and practices”, and its refusal to award the normal annual incentives for the past 2 years will certainly not be helpful in its recruitment drive. The odds are just against it. T h i r d l y, t h e E s t a t e Manager reported that presently cane farmers already have 750 Ha in cane

cultivation, “approval has been given for almost 1,000 hectares to be leased” to them “while another 1,000 hectares are under consideration”. The manager is optimistic on this endeavour, since “other farmers have their expressed interest on getting on board”. Wi l l t h e y “ g e t o n board” given the current and projected low price of sugar in the world market, which is currently 14 US cents per pound? Time will test this “expressed interest”. Since time is of utmost importance, without any luxury, and without prejudicing on the low price, will the farmers with “expressed interest” have their 2,000 Ha lands tilled with canes ready by end of 2019 for harvesting in 2020? If they do not then t h e U E I P, c o m p o u n d e d with the anticipated cane yield, will be in clear jeopardy. Lastly, the Estate Manager lamented that instead of the factory processing canes 130 hours per week, it is now doing about 80 85 hours; almost 60% of the opportunity time. However, it’s quite befuddling that though the factory has the capacity to process 105 t o n n e s c a n e p e r h o u r, “over the past few crops the factory was working beyond its true potential with about 85 to 90 tonnes cane per hour”. It’s the other way round; it was working below its potential. I trust this was an error on the part of the manager. The question is, on the UEIP, will the factory be ready to process canes continuously for 130 hours per week with 105 tonnes cane per hour in 2020? It hasn’t done so for the past 13 years. Editor, I just hope that the estate could deliver on these projections by 2020 in the interest of its own survival and viability, for if it does not then these current presentations are purely propaganda efforts. The signs of improvements in the business of sugar can be tangibly recognised each year. One cannot expect to wake up in 2020 and see 40,000 tonnes sugar produced at Uitvlugt from 18,000 in 2017. More than gradual improvements must be seen in 2018 and 2019 before it climaxed in 2020. I wish the estate well. Selwyn Narinedatt

I am willing to help financially with youth development DEAR EDITOR, Even as a British colony, youngsters finding jobs was always a problem. I recall, having passed my ‘Senior Cambridge’ exam, my father telling someone that a colleague mentioned an office job with Bookers, and being told by the chap that Bookers employed only fair-skinned girls, like his own daughter! In those 1940s days, that was normal policy. Poor parents struggled to pay the monthly fees for their children to get a high school education, so that they could get “a good job”, having passed the Cambridge School Certificate exam. When I passed my ‘Senior’ in 1947, the Cambridge certificate which never reached me and all the other successful candidates for that year, because the school closed in the meantime, and the certificates were pushed through the door, without a signature being collected.

The Education Department suggested that I get a copy of the details instead, direct from the university. I did and had to depend on this for jobs. Not a bad thing in the long run, because roughly 40 years later, when my Brit boss saw the long list of subjects offered on the Cambridge University curriculum, he was flabbergasted. He had left school at age 16, for financial reasons. Now, I am wondering whether enough women are involved in the field of advancing the chances of youngsters in general. If not, why not? I am willing to help financially, if a responsible, reliable, committed group of women could be organised to help in the process of “youth advancement”. But the initiative has to be local and reliable. Serves a better purpose than “inheritance tax”. Geralda Dennison

GuySuco suddenly stopped a positive event that started in 1977 DEAR EDITOR, It was very dismaying to learn from my friends in the sugar industry that GuySuCo all of a sudden has decided to seemingly abandon its Honour Roll function which came into being in 1977. That annual activity saw dedicated, hard-working sugar workers honoured by the Corporation for their good

performance at work. It was an activity that many workers eagerly looked forward to as they joined in recognizing their peers for their worthwhile contribution and effort. Editor even worse was that the Corporation, based on what I was told, did not even offer an explanation for its decision. But in a most crude form, told workers,

through a notice, that the activity was simply discontinued. While GuySuCo speaks in the press and other public forums about the importance of its employees clearly we are seeing a different approach being taken in this instance. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Patricia Persaud

Mistreatment of talented young cricketer by the selectors DEAR EDITOR, The treatment of young Nicholas Pooran by the West Indies selectors is shocking. Pooran is described by Ian Bishop as a player of awesome talent. A.B. De Villiers, one of the top batsmen in the world, was also tremendously impressed with the young man when, at last year’s CPL tournament, he performed outstandingly. De Villiers expressed concerns about his future in West

Indies cricket. The South African star player had obviously heard rumours about the treatment of certain players by Cricket West Indies. The T20 team to play India was selected two d a y s a g o b u t P o o r a n ’s name was nowhere to be found. Instead we have retreads like Chris Gayle, and for the umpteenth time, Marlon Samuels, still being selected. And how many opportunities do Chad

Walton and Evin Lewis deserve? Things continue to go from bad to worse in our cricket. Meanwhile Darren Bravo continues to be punished for a seemingly harmless tweet. His batting is sorely needed in a weak batting lineup. The worst part in all of this is how complacent the Caribbean media seems to be to it all. Exactly in what direction is our cricket heading? Tony Boodhoo, Ontario, Canada.

Corruption returns to the Forestry... From page 5 to which the forest officer turns a blind eye. 3. A particular exporter based in Kwakwani has been receiving approval for a certain quantity of produce; however after the export document is approved this person loads more wood into the container thereby under paying export duties to the GFC. The name of the exporter can be revealed if so desired. An old forestry officer that was fired for corruption is working along with the exporter to defraud the system. The DFO in Kwakwani and his boss are well aware of the scheme and are yet to take action. I am not saying they won’t but they haven’t as yet.

4. Last week (June month end) a certain official team visited an area to do work and one of them assaulted the employee of the concessionaire with a cutlass; he actually chased this Amerindian guy to chop him. A certain officer in charge ducked the matter or did nothing. The concession is a reputable company that operates in Queenstown. 5. Officers, high ranking officers of the department go on field trips and “drink up” with the operators. Only last week (June month end) this occurred in the Supenaam area. They get the concessionaire to purchase alcohol for them and “grease” their hands so they will turn a blind eye to the illegal wood pass-

ing. Supenaam is another hot spot for illegal activities. 6. A racket seems to be on going in the concession management allocation department where legitimate persons with good equipment and records are continually being denied whilst others with little or no equipment are obtaining sometimes more than one. The list can go on and I will do a second installament. But I do hope that this information is dealt with seriously by the relevant authorities. I say to you. Madam Chairman of the Board, the sector has great respect for and expectations of you to run a clean slate. Please act now. Concerned Forestry Investor

Saturday July 08, 2017

Kaieteur News

Guyana to honour its obligations as a CDB member Cabinet granted its approval for Guyana to honour its obligations as a member of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to replenish the Special Development Fund (SDF) Ninth Cycle. Guyana is required to contribute the sum of US$6.17M to the SDF Ninth Cycle over a five-year period, to maintain its 2.77 percent shares in the bank. During his weekly postCabinet press briefing, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon explained that payment of its contribution to the fund will enable Guyana to access loans and grants to aid in the implementation of developmental projects. The Special Development Fund is a partnership among CDB members where borrowing and non-borrowing members contribute to the fund

financially. The SDF provides loan funding as well as grant financing for sustainable development initiatives in developing states of the Region. It plays a critical role in the international effort to reduce poverty in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Earlier in the year, the CDB announced US$40M in funding for poverty reduction in eight countries, including Guyana, in the Caribbean Region, through the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF). The resources will support improved access to quality education; water and sanitation, basic community access and drainage, livelihoods enhancement and human resource development services in low-income and vulnerable communities under the ninth phase of the BNTF.

Four years, $5M fine for cocaine swallower

Jailed for four years: Eaion Leblanc A man who swallowed a total of 71 cocaine pellets was yesterday sentenced to four years imprisonment and fined $5.1M when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Thirty-five-year-old Eaion Kwesi Kaman Leblanc of 101 Ogle Street, Triumph, East Coast Demerara, pleaded guilty to the charge which read that between July 3 and July 4 at Woodlands Hospital he had in his possession 774 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Sergeant Harris stated that on July 3, the accused was an outgoing passenger at Eugene F Correia International Airport, Ogle East Coast Demerara, on a flight to Barbados. The court heard that the accused was observed by ranks of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) sweating profusely and act-

ing in a suspicious manner. The accused was taken to the hospital where an x-ray was conducted on him which revealed that he had in his abdominal cavity pellet-like objects. The accused was then given medication which allowed him to excrete at total of 71 pellets. The prosecutor told the court that the pellets were examined and tested positive for cocaine. The accused was discharged from the hospital on July 6 and taken to the CANU Headquarters where he was told of the offence and he admitted to it in a caution statement. He was then subsequently charged for the offence. When given a chance to address the court, the accused stated “I am sorry for what happened.” The magistrate said that based on the early guilty plea - at his first court appearance - she sentenced him to four years’ imprisonment.

PAGE 7

PAGE 8

Saturday July 08, 2017

Kaieteur News

ASL Flight School gets green light for new courses Students of the Air Services Limited [ASL] Flight School will now be eligible to undergo some additional courses. This is due to the fact that the local Flight School has been granted full approval to now offer courses in the areas of Flight Operations Officer, Certified Flight Instructor and Certified Flight Instructor Instrument, Crew Resource Management and Airline Transport Pilot Aeroplane. This disclosure was yesterday made by Principal of the Flight School, Jamaicaborn, Captain Reynell Barnes who told Kaieteur News that “we just recently got approval to teach these new courses. The approval was granted this month. Previously, the Flight School, through the tutelage of four instructors, including Captain Barnes, only offered

Private Pilot Licence, Instrument Rating, Multi-Engine Rating and Commercial Licence courses. When asked what prompted the move to increase the courses, Captain Barnes said, “We felt that we had to diversify our training to not just garner one type of market… The courses that we started off with would allow a person who doesn’t know to fly an airplane to go and fly an airplane and be paid for it too.” He however revealed that with the additional courses, the Flight School can, for instance, better cater to the training of flight dispatchers too, and even help to reduce human error during flight. Speaking about the flight dispatcher training, he explained that “every airline or any type of air operator has to have a flight dispatcher and the flight dispatcher does

things like gathering weather information, planning the flights for the pilots, monitoring the weight and loading of the aircraft; all of those technical items help to relieve the pilot of a lot of his/her workload.” He underscored, “It is not just about the pilot anymore, it is about persons within the aviation field closely associated with the movement of persons or cargo.” However, with the Airline Transport Pilot course, an individual will be able to secure additional training that makes them capable of commanding a plane from the pilot’s seat. “It’s additional skills and knowledge that is required to undertake that type of responsibility,” said Captain Barnes, as he explained that the Crew Resource Management Course is designed to allow more than one pilot

working together to recognize human errors and to eliminate or reduce them. “What has been found globally is that at least 70 percent of incidents and accidents are as a result of human error and less than 30 percent of those are as a result of the actual airplane.” Although Captain Barnes has been the Principal of the local Flight School for just about one year, he has been a pilot for about eight years. His role, moreover, at the Flight School, is nestled in ensuring that the standards of the school are as high as possible and that it is developed accordingly. “The instructor courses can allow an individual to become someone like me or one of the other instructors - to teach persons and give them the qualifications and the necessary skill set to teach persons how to fly,” Captain

Captain Reynell Barnes Barnes reiterated. The Air Services Flight School secures its certification from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority [GCAA]. The GCAA is an International

Civil Aviation Organization [ICAO] and ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It codifies the principles and techniques of international air navigation and fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth. Since the body is a branch of the United Nations, and Guyana is a member state, this means it provides guidance to the local civil aviation authority. “That means that as a pilot you can perhaps go to Trinidad and do a simple conversion examination to get a Trinidadian license without having to do the examination over again. So that’s what makes it [our programmes] sellable, so to speak,” said Captain Barnes, as he acknowledged that the courses offered by the ASL Flight School are on par with what is offered overseas.

Truck driver gets one year for causing death of elderly woman Twenty-eight-year-old, Zafar Khan was on Thursday sentenced to one year imprisonment for causing the death of an elderly woman. Khan was sentenced by Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The magistrate said that she was satisfied with the

evidence provided from the prosecution witnesses who were led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Telford The court heard that on May 3, 2016, at Fifth Street, Section A Block Y , Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara, Khan drove motor pick-up GSS 9553 in a manner dangerous to the

public, causing the death of 82-year-old Keturah Dalgetty. According to reports, the elderly woman who resided at Lot 215 Samatta Point, Grove, East Bank Demerara, was struck down when the accused was reportedly reversing on the access road. It was reported that Dalgetty fell to the ground and was run over by the vehicle. According to reports, the driver, after realizing he had hit something, came out of the vehicle and found the woman lying on the road in an unconscious state. He then rushed her to the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital where she succumbed to the injuries.

Saturday July 08, 2017

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

GOVT. SHOULDN’T BE RENTING ANY HOUSE FOR A MINISTER A Minister is a servant of the people. A call to serve as Minister of the Government should be seen as an honour, to be greeted with humility, without regard to the personal benefits which the office attracts. The government therefore does not have to find a place to put anyone who it appoints as a Minister. If you are a servant of the people, you should see this call to serve as one which involves sacrifices, not to an entitlement to privileges. If a Minister resides outside of Georgetown, it is reasonable for that Minister to ask the government to find quarters for them within the city so that they can get to work. But this is not an entitlement, more so if the person concerned is a junior Minister. The Minister should not expect the same facilities which he or she enjoys at home. A one or twobedroom home is good enough. The Minister can go home on the weekends. Ministers have been known to live outside of the city and to commute daily to

work. Dr. Ptolemy Reid lived on the East Bank Demerara and drove to work every day. Irfaan Ally lived in Leonora and did the same. Mr. Dominic Gaskin, the Minister of Business lives out of the city, as does the present Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon. Burnham lived at Belfield, but he used a helicopter at times to get to and from his home. But if one lives too far outside of the city, such as in Bartica or Mahaica it is reasonable that a request should be made for a residence in the city. You cannot ask a Minister who has to work long hours to drive twenty or more miles to get home each day and to do the same to get to work. It is these conditions which should allow for accommodation, not a home, to be provided for a Minister who does not normally reside in the city. A rent of $500,000 per month for a Minister, junior or senior, is exorbitant. This should not be happening. With that sort of monthly rental, the government could pay a loan to buy a high-end property in a prime location.

$500,000 per month is six million dollars per year. Within five years, the government will end up paying thirty million dollars. Paying such a high rental is unacceptable. But the government should not be renting any house for a Minister. The government has properties in Georgetown in which it can house its Ministe r s w h o need to be housed. There are about twenty houses in Echilibar Villas - which Burnham took away from the Kissoon family. Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo lived there when he was a Minister. There are government flats located on Main Street, opposite State House. Clement Rohee once lived in a government house in Queenstown. Shaik Baksh lived in the government-owned flat opposite the Marriott Hotel. There is no need for the government to be renting any place for any Minister. The government should have enough villas, flats and houses to accommodate its Ministers who live outside of the city. Why pay $500,000 when you can use one of

Dem boys seh ...

Jagdeo tell Ashni hide, Brassy to swim to Cuba Is two week now Jagdeo ain’t hold a press conference. When dem boys check dem find out that Jagdeo out de country. Lang time when Jagdeo was out, Rohee or de dummy use to hold press conference fuh talk a set o’ raat. Dem boys use that word ‘raat’ because dem got tie tongue. Now dem boys seh is only Jagdeo can talk raat. Rohee seh he tired talking raat and Donald deh pun raat and de Chat-3 is a big raat. De set of dem not only talking raat, dem writing a set o’ raat in de newspaper every day. Rob de Earth come

back and he suddenly tun an expert. Dem boys know he was an expert collector from BaiShanLin. One day BaishanLin big brown paper bag buss in de rain when he was going in to Rob de Earth office. If you see green currency. Dem boys seh now Soulja Bai talking green, Rob de Earth and de rest of dem was way ahead of him. Dem was handling green. Is de same colour have Jagdeo so busy outside de country. He trying to change de colour to hide it away. He hear that Uncle Sam exposing everything dem do

and finding every corner dem tuck de green. Dem boys hear this trip he meet Brassington and Ashni and tell dem to hide. He tell Ashni that he small and he can tuck in any factory in New York. He tell Brassington he is a different kettle of fish. Wid he size he can’t hide in no factory, not even in a whale factory. He got to mek up he mind to face de pumpkin jumpsuits or start swim to Cuba. Talk half and wait to hear wha Jagdeo gun seh about de oil deal wha he sign wid dem predators.

your own buildings? The question which needs to be asked is who are occupying these villas, flats and houses which are owned by the government. Are those persons whom the PPP/C placed in the governmentowned villas and flats still living there? Should they not be given notice, if they are?

The government should publish the names of the occupants of the Echilibar Villas, the Government Flats and the other homes owned by the State. Perhaps there may be a vacancy in one of these which can allow for the government to avoid paying the high rental for a house for a Minister.

PAGE 10

Saturday July 08, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

The PPP hypocrisy is diseased and evil The hypocrisy of the leaders of the PPP can play with the mind of decent humans. If you want to be free of the instinct of hate, then your chances are not good once the former rulers of Guyana are still around, that is, the PPP’s leadership. You have to endure their incredible depravity, and as this depravity continues to saturate Guyana, you are revolted, disgusted and you can easily slip into hate mode. The PPP can really make you hate them. Last week, the PPP sponsored a seminar on capital-

ism at the National Library. The theme was how the economics of Marxism, so finely adumbrated by Marx’s seminal work “Das Kapital,” can help the people of Guyana. If you are interested in reading “Das Kapital” you need to know upfront it is a formidable challenge, and if you surmount it and comprehend it, then you also need to know that the themes of “Das Kapital” cannot fit neatly into the post-modern, 21st century world. Capitalism is inherently flawed, but it has survived for

reasons Marx could not have foreseen in the early 19th century. If capitalism is going to fall, it will do so not based on Marx’s critiques of it. Capitalism’s essential nemesis in 21st century society will be in the realm of psychology and not economics. It can make you want to throw up, to think that the PPP has an interest in Marxian economics. Beginning with President Cheddi Jagan, PPP’s rule from 1992 had no socialist features about it. Jagan’s early actions involved selling two state-

Guyana, four other regional states sign arrest warrant treaty The Caribbean Arrest Treaty was formally signed on Thursday afternoon by the leaders of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia. The objective of this treaty is to establish within the Caribbean Community, a system of arrest and surrender of requested persons for the purposes of conducting a criminal prosecution for an applicable offence; or executing a custodial sentence where the requested persons have fled from justice, after being sentenced for an appli-

cable offence. The treaty, according to a release from Government, was first presented in draft form when Guyana hosted the 28th Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM on February 16 and 17, earlier this year. It was also presented for ratification at the meeting. At a post-Cabinet press briefing on February 2, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had said, “The adoption of this Treaty will simplify the procedures by which fu-

gitives from justice are returned to participating member states, to face criminal prosecution or serve judicial sentences.” The Treaty is one of the regional security instruments that was formulated to enhance cooperation between member states in the fight against crime and to reduce the complexity, cost and delays in the existing extradition arrangements inherent in the Region. Ten other member states are yet to sign on to the agreement.

owned banks to the capitalist class, in which the state hardly got anything in return. It was under President Jagan, that UG lecturers had their duty free concessions cancelled. At that time, 1994, about eighty percent of those lecturers were drawn from the working class and lower middle class. One of the painful truths of this country is that no Guyanese Indian who lived during the time of the overwhelming presence of Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham would be willing to admit that Forbes Burnham was more of a genuine socialist than Jagan. From Independence to now, the leader more concerned with implementing policies to benefit the working classes was Forbes Burnham. After President Janet Jagan handed power to Bharrat Jagdeo, I used the term fascistization to describe the evolution of the state under President Jagdeo. Guyanese icon Clive Thomas described Guyana under Jagdeo as a criminalized state. Jagdeo’s Guyana was characterized by the hegemony of a rich cabal that milked this country while the rural peasantry and urban proletariat suffered immensely. The information to describe the depraved capitalist system under Jagdeo and Ramotar is so voluminous that it would take a

book-length manuscript, rather than a few newspaper columns, to fully expose it. Mr. Jagdeo and Mr. Ramotar ran a debauched, naked capitalist system that benefitted a few super-rich people. It came as no surprise to the analyst when he/she picked the newspaper and learnt that some of the country’s richest citizens were the personal friends of President Jagdeo. At one Cabinet session, a concession for one of the country’s richest men was on the agenda. The president excused himself saying that since the man was his friend, he could not preside over the decision. This is the same party that held a seminar last week about socialist economics. The brutal reality of Caribbean economics is that Guyana, molded in socialist traditions, ironically became the most capitalist-oriented economy under Jagdeo, even more than Barbados. Throughout the reign of Jagdeo and Ramotar, university education remained free in Barbados. It was under the PPP Government that Guyanese had to pay water rates and free university education was abolished. The party that chauffeured the government in such directions and that pursued cruel anti-working class programmes has a constitution that boldly states that it

Frederick Kissoon is guided by Marxism-Leninism. When the PPP ruled Guyana under Jagdeo and Ramotar, if working class economics had appeared in front their eyes as the voracious, flesh-eating Jaws, these two men would not have recognized it. We end with a curious and exciting question, the answer to which is quite banal. Why would a party so openly capitalist when in government, now want to educate the public on Marxist economics? Yes, the answer is banal. All they are doing is politicking to stay alive in the eyes of their rural supporters. Obviously they cannot preach Jagdeoite, neo-liberal economics to the poor country folks. So why not tell them about the ideology of Papa Cheddi and Cheddi’s embrace of Marxist economics. Make sense, doesn’t it?

Saturday July 08, 2017

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

“Hold! She is not here” Ministerial team appointed to inside staffer texted bank bandits restructure manufacturing sector - Policeman, Rural Constable arrested

“Hold! She is not here”. This is a text message investigators discovered on a phone belonging to one of the three bandits who were involved in the attempted robbery on the Republic Bank Limited, Water Street, Georgetown, on Tuesday morning. The message was sent to one of the robbers by a bank employee who was in the building before the gunmen had entered, a police source confirmed. That employee, whose name has not been disclosed, has joined his colleague Jamal Haynes, in police custody. Kaieteur News was informed that when the bank employee went into work and did not see the female staffer who was supposed to be emptying the night deposits, he texted one of the three bandits—his colleague, the now dead Elton Wray or Keron Saunders. However, by this time the

men were already making their way to the bank and did not bother to check their phones. While this could not be confirmed, it is suspected that the staffer who was inside the bank had messaged Haynes’ phone. Additionally, a policeman and a rural constable were arrested yesterday after ranks from the Guyana Police Force (GPF)’s Major Crimes Department (MCU) received information that they were a part of the plot. Kaieteur News was informed that while Saunders has been cooperating with the police, Haynes, who was shot to both legs, has remained tight-lipped. According to information received, Haynes and his gang were planning on getting their hands on the night deposits since it was a threeday weekend and companies would have deposited millions or even billions into the

chute. The robbery on the bank had been planned three months before. The men even hijacked a car the night before. As had been customary, a female staff was supposed to be at the bank at 07:10 hrs on Tuesday and should have been emptying the chute and taking the cash to the vault. According to the bandits’ plan, when they got into the bank, they would have held the staffers hostage and grabbed onto the woman who would have been emptying the chute—there they would have grabbed a few bags of cash and escaped. Everything went according to the plan until the three bandits got into the bank and Haynes did not see his colleague who had access to the chute. “He panicked because the woman was not around. She had not reached work, so they (Continued on page 23)

Amidst worry over the country’s manufacturing sector, Government has appointed a ministerial team to engage with stakeholders to help improve the country’s fortunes. According to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on Tuesday last, Finance Minister Winston Jordan presented a paper on the manufacturing sector. Based on the paper, Cabinet discussed the importance of expanding and diversifying the national economy and the importance of the manufacturing and service industry to the process. “It was thereupon agreed that the Government address the needs of the sector to be restructured,” disclosed Harmon yesterday during the weekly post-Cabinet press

briefing. Cabinet has since appointed a ministerial team comprising the Minister of Finance; Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin; Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson. The team will engage the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) in an effort to stimulate and enhance the performance of the sector, Harmon explained. It is intended that the engagements will be held thrice annually with established performance indicators to measure its progress and utility. The engagements will be held in July, October and March, with the information to be used for preparations of the national budget. “It is also intended that the engagements will be open

and candid, and each meeting will see joint statements, and a reaffirmation of ongoing engagements,” Harmon said. Government is hoping that the engagements will lead to increased performance of the manufacturing and services sector, and resonate in a more diversified economy in the medium and long term. These engagements will be in addition to ones with the private sector. The sector has been complaining of difficulties with markets and cost of production, including that of electricity. Weather, poor packaging and labour issues have also been blamed for the sector not performing as it should. Several large companies have blamed especially fuel and electricity as their biggest costs.

PAGE 12

Saturday July 08, 2017

Kaieteur News

Shot Lindener remanded for trafficking ganja A miner on Thursday afternoon made an appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Twenty-seven-year-old Glen McCurdy of Lot G 26 Canvas City, Wismar, Linden, denied the charge which alleged that on June 25 at Omai Landing, he had in his possession 320 grams of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. The defendant was represented by Attorney Glenn Hanoman, who, in his application to secure bail for his client, told the court that his client is the sole breadwinner for his six-year-old daughter since her mother died two months ago from septicae-

mia. The lawyer told the court that his client was shot with a high-powered weapon which resulted in the bullet entering his abdomen and exiting his back along with parts of his intestine. Hanoman stressed that bail should be granted to his client, citing that he was taken from the hospital and locked up for two days without receiving the necessary medical attention for his wound which is life-threatening. The lawyer told the court that his client was ordered to return to hospital every day to dress his wound, but that was not happening, since the police took him from the hospital and locked him up until he made an appearance before the Chief Magistrate.

The lawyer went on to tell the court that the charges against his client were trumped up, citing that the narcotics mentioned in the charge were only lodged at the police station days after his client was shot. He added that the officer who shot his client is under close arrest and should be brought to the court for sanctioning. Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore objected to bail being granted to the defendant, citing the serious nature of the offence and the penalty the charge attracts. Moore told the court that on the day in question, police were patrolling the area when they saw the defendant with a haversack on his back, acting in a suspicious manner. The prosecutor went on

to tell the court that as the officer approached the defendant, he took a chopper from his haversack and began advancing towards him. According to the prosecutor, the defendant was warned by the officer, but he kept advancing, which resulted in him being shot to the abdomen. The prosecutor told the court that a medical report was conducted for the defendant at the Linden Hospital Complex, which revealed that he sustained abdominal trauma caused

by a gunshot wound and that his intestines were protruding through his abdominal cavity. The magistrate told the court that the prison is equipped to deal with the defendant’s condition, and if for any reason the defendant needs to be hospitalized, he should be admitted at the Georgetown Public Hospital, under police guard. The man was remanded to prison and will make his next court appearance on July 18 at the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court.

Remanded to prison Glen McCurdy

Cops hit dead end in murder of Mocha security guard Investigators probing the murder of the 49-year-old security guard who was found with his throat slit on Robb Street, Georgetown on Thursday, have reportedly hit a dead end. The body of Samuel Prowell called “Sammy” of 12 Mocha, East Bank Demerara, was found in front of the store he was securing, Hai Matadi Ishant Variety Store. Kaieteur News understands that investigators visited the area where Prowell was killed on Thursday and revisited yesterday, but they were unable to obtain surveillance footage to show who would have killed the father of three. 1“There is one camera facing the spot where the murder took place, but the owner of the store said that the camera was not on at the time of the murder,” a police source said yesterday. He added that they are

Dead: Samuel Prowell planning to revisit the scene to search for more security cameras. “There is another camera in close proximity, but that one is facing the opposite direction,” the rank revealed. It is suspected that the victim might have been killed

by a drug addict who he might have annoyed, as he (victim) had been chasing destitutes from the area since he began working at the store three months ago. Prowell’s bicycle was missing from the scene and it is believed that his killer(s) might have escaped with it. In a previous interview, Mark Samuels, Operations Manager of the private security firm with which the man was employed, said that Prowell was aggressive and got into several arguments with drug addicts and vagrants who would usually be in the area. Samuels said that he tried talking to Prowell and advised that he be friendly with the people in the area, since it was deserted. “He would come over very aggressive and I talked to him many times about this. This murder has to be vendetta-driven.”

Saturday July 08, 2017

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Oil production may see change in country’s security landscape Jamaica wants crime and violence debated at regional level

Prime Minister Andrew Holness ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Jamaica says Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders will have to “address and grapple with in a serious way” the issue of crime and violence and has asked that the matter be an agenda item at the next CARICOM summit to be held in that Caribbean country in July next year. Prime Minister Andrew Holness, speaking at a news conference following the closure of the 38th meeting of Heads of Governments here on Thursday night, told reporters that while crime and violence had not been a matter on the agenda for this summit , he had taken the opportunity to raise the matter here. “I raised the issue from the perspective of not just a security issue but from a macro-social perspective that the use of violence as a means of resolving conflict, as a

means of social control, as part of our social transactions that it is becoming almost a feature of our societies..” Holness said that regional governments have to take a “proactive role in addressing this issue, so I have asked CARICOM to place this on the agenda for our next meeting and heads of agreed. “So this will become an agenda item and I believe that this will start a process within CARICOM to address the issue of violence and in particular violence that ends up in crime”. Holness also disclosed that the report of a recent study done on the regional integration movement by a CARICOM Review Commission headed by former Jamaica prime minister Bruce Golding, is now being reviewed by his cabinet. Golding in March presented the report after meeting with several stakeholder

groups including former prime ministers in the CARICOM region as well as former Secretaries-General of the regional body. “…it is not that we think that CARICOM is not important, we think it is so important that we would want it to function as it was envisaged to function and this is why instead of taking an isolationist approach we have taken a strategic approach which is to test exactly what people feel, what they have as their views and suggestions”. He said that the review is now complete and following the review by his cabinet “very shortly we will release it to the Parliament for the Parliament to pronounce on it and at the same time we will make it available to the other heads in CARICOM”. Asked by journalists whether or not he would have seen the executive summary of the report, Holness responded “I have seen it and that’s where it will remain”. “At the appropriate time we will release the study,” he said reiterating an earlier statement that “we believe that a strong Jamaica makes a strong CARICOM and so we will take actions that are in the interest of Jamaica, but those actions are also in the interest of strengthening CARICOM. “I think that should be the sense that people should get from Jamaica’s actions,”Holness told reporters.

The security landscape in Guyana may very well change within the coming three years before, and immediately after, oil starts coming out of the ground. Adjusted security landscape in a country is said to be a common spin-off of the presence of big oil companies in developing countries around the world. Dr. Kennedy Mkutu, an associate professor of the United States International University Africa, spoke about this phenomenon yesterday. Dr. Mkutu was one of the facilitators at the just concluded “Oil Curse and its Prevention” symposium that was hosted by the Caribbean Institute of Forensic Accounting (CIFA) and the Guyana Oil and Gas Association (GOGA) At that forum, Dr. Mkutu delivered a presentation that focused on security governance and the extractive industry in Turkana - the second largest and northwesternmost County in Kenya - looking at how the presence of oil raises new challenges in terms of policing and private security in-

– Symposium facilitator dustry, gun control and community security. The presentation was extensive. Dr. Mkutu spoke about resource abundance being a strong predictor of incidence of civil war. The resource curse at the local level, governance problems and the need for proper legal landscape were also topics that Dr. Mkutu touched on during his presentation, and so were security governance and the dwelling of security firms in resource- rich countries. During an interview after his presentation, Dr. Mkutu explained why the security landscape of a country often changes with the coming of oil. He said that many oil companies usually import their own security to guard the commodity. “How do countries monitor this (private security, guns, etc., that are in the country)?” he asked. Dr. Mkutu said that oil companies often say that the police forces and private se-

curity firms in certain countries may not be enough, or may not have the level of expertise that they require. “They usually say that they want security companies that they trust and that they think are competent,” said Dr. Mkutu. “So what do they do? They bring their own guys.” He said that the importation of security personnel can have several spin-off effects - one being an outcry from local security firms. “They (local security firms) might say, what about us? We have been sidelined, we have been bypassed. How does a country deal with these issues? Strategy needs to begin now,” said Dr. Mkutu. The associate professor said that this is not a matter to be taken lightly by government and citizens of nations, as the monitoring of security firms as well as the amount of weaponry in a country, has been proven to be of utmost importance.

Haitian government considers reassembling disbanded army

Five Caribbean countries sign Caribbean Arrest Treaty ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – Five Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have signed the Caribbean Arrest Treaty one of the regional security instruments that was formulated to enhance cooperation between member states in the fight against crime. Guyana, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. KittsNevis, and St. Lucia signed the accord at the 38th Heads of Government summit that ended here on Thursday night. The objective of the treaty is to establish within the Caribbean Community a system of arrest and surrender of requested persons for the purposes of conducting a criminal prosecution for an applicable offence; or executing a custodial sentence where the requested persons have fled from justice after

being sentenced for an applicable offence. It was first presented in draft form in Guyana earlier this year when that country hosted the CARICOM InterSessional summit in February. The treaty is one of the regional security instruments that was formulated to enhance cooperation between member states in the fight against crime and to reduce the complexity, cost and delays in the existing extradition arrangements inherent in the region. During the summit, several Caribbean countries including Barbados, Belize and Jamaica became signatories to the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE). The CCREEE is designed to address the implementation deficit in CARICOM’s sus-

tainable energy sector and to support or coordinate the execution of the regional renewable energy and energy efficient projects. It will be headquartered in Barbados. A Jamaica government statement noted that “with the introduction of renewable energy solutions, Jamaicans can expect to see micro-economic decisions manifest in the macro-economy.” It added that Kingston is actively seeking to attract renewable energy solutions in order to diversify the energy sector. CARICOM Secretary General Irwin La Rocque told the end of summit news conference that CCREEE ‘clears the way for a significant amount of resources to be made available to member states in developing their capacity for renewed energy and their capacity and energy efficiency.

PORTAU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – Years after Haiti’s army was disbanded following a military coup, the current administration is planning to start recruiting for a new army. According to Defence Minister Herve Denis, the government now expects to recruit approximately 500 soldiers. In an interview with Reuters News Agency, Denis said the duties of the recruits will include rebuilding after national disasters as well as

monitoring borders. He said due to budget constraints only 500 will be recruited but a cote on the budget will eventually determine if that number can be increased. He told the news agency that a vote is expected in the coming months. Haiti’s army was disbanded in 1995 by former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide following the military coup. However in recent months, there have been calls

for the establishment of an army as the United Nations mission in the country is scheduled to depart in October. The UN mission in Haiti has been in place following a second coup against Aristide that took place in 2004.

PAGE 22

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. Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045 Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 Affordable house plans for residential and commercial buildings @ 37 Camp and Croal Streets. Call: 610-4085/ 614-0525/227-3575 Eagle’s: Re-gas -$8,000, Washing machine repairs, Gas Stove, Plasma flat Screen, computer repairs & more. Call: 697-2969/646-0966 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494 AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807

Saturday July 08, 2017

Kaieteur News

WANTED 1 Accounts Clerk, preferably from E.B.D – 5 subjects CXC minimum @ gtcareers592@gmail.com Buying fresh wamara logs and square. Call: 664-5150 Contract cars at City Taxi Service, 8 Vlissengen Road. Call: 227-6868 Experienced curry cook roti/ puri cook, counter servers, waiters (day shift only). Apply Hacks Halaal, 5 Commerce Streets. 1 Heavy duty mechanic for Interior must have Driver’s License & know to weld. Accommodation & Meals provided. Call: 680-2702 Live in experienced waitress 18-25yrs -$80,000 monthly. Call: 610-3974

FOR SALE

FOR RENT

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

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

Paint Sale! Until supplies last! Coloured latex paint, 50% discount. Call: 265-3541/ 6954785/616-3411

Hair & nails stations available for rental to experienced hairdressers & nail technicians. Call: 6283092/ 683-7033

Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 Transported property & music equipment. Call: 2653586 One 5pcs suite hardly used $55,000, treadmill -$40,000, 1recliner chair -$30,000. Call Esmond Latchmansingh: 2265053 Copy machines for sale. Call: 220-7607/650-2582 One SP plus data card printer. Call: 233-2725/2439

1 Three bedrooms upper flat @ Lusignan, E.C.D. Call: 6298240 Furnished three bedrooms top flat, next to Georgetown Hospital. Call: 225-3756/6032257 Hair/Nail Station rental & barber station rental, New Market Street. Call: 638-1106 Property for rent - 2 storey house at Republic Park, E.B.D. Call 647-1773 Fully furnished luxury apartment to rent 2 & 3 bedrooms, long and short term stay. Call: 665-3505

Cosmetologist to work in salon must be certified & have clientele, must have pleasant personality. Call: 626-6450/ 227-1125

Room to rent - $30,000 monthly + security @ Aubrey Barker Road, S/ Ruimveldt Gardens. Call: 6230076

Professional mechanic specialized in diesel & gasoline vehicles with responsibilities - $5,000 daily. Call: 685-6588 EXPERIENCED AUTO ELECTRICIAN WANTED: CALL: 681-7120/ 226-7361

1 Fully furnished apartment at Victoria Avenue Eccles, E.B.D, inclusive of: parking, cable, internet & 2 bedrooms (one AC). Call: 667-2536

EXPERIENCED SALES STAFF. CALL: 681-7120/ 2 2 6 - 7 3 6 1 Experienced shop workers, handyman & domestic to work Interior location, age 1840yrs. Call: 231-0363 9am4:30pm (TIN, ID & NIS) Female cook with housekeeping experience, ages 30-45. Call: 629-9450 Hardworking, pleasant, physically fit, literate, team player (Plant Shop Staff), 18-25 years in Georgetown Tel: 646-2108 We are buying land in Eccles, Providence, Herstelling, Farm, La Parfaite, Zeelugt, Bartica, West Berbice. Call: 629-2881/651-1969 1 Skilled fitter machinist, 1 live in couple: husband – driving & wife- domestic, private cottage and good rates. Call: 227-1830 1 Experienced salesgirl, knowledge of doing VAT bills, apply with written application: VV&I General Store, 22 Saffon St. Charlestown. Call: 223-9677 One experienced truck driver, apply within at VV&I General Store, 22 Saffon St. Charlestown. Call: 223-9677

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Hilux extra cab, GVV series, 5L diesel, good condition. Call: 673-3335/233-6218 Oswin J’s Auto Imports, new arrivals: Premio 2009, Allion 2009/2010, X-Trail 2009, Vitz 2013, 1 Bus 05/09. Call: 6092815/696-4659 Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501 1 Mitsubishi Lancer PJJ series, female driven $500,000. Call: 656-2255 (2) 2010 Vitz - $2.2M negotiable each, 2010 Suzuki swift & Nissan March - $2M negotiable each (all unregistered). Call: 649-7771/690-7155 1 Fielder Wagon, new model -$1.450M negotiable. Call: 231-6552/ 656-6852 1 Pit-bull mini bus (BWW) giveaway price -$3,200,000 cash or part payment acceptable. Call: 604-7501/ 666-5634

Queenstown: furnished apartment and one office flat 2500 sq.ft. Call: 600-3171 2 Bedrooms apartment including water and internet, price - $40,000, location: Diamond Scheme, E.B.D. Call: 602-7135 Two bedroom at self contained @ Tuschen $50,000. Call: 688-0087/ 6338484 Rental @ Ogle, 4 Master bedrooms, luxury home $5,000US. Call: 688-0087/ 633-8484 One bedroom self-contained apartment in Grove, E.B.D preferably working couple. Call:687-7376/693-3738 TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)

MF Bobcat, DAF truck with Double dump tray. Call: 516-312-9525/ 678-8698 MASSAGE Gent’s Spa contact our masseuse for appointments. Call: 658-5528 Neisha’s Massage Spa. Call: 674-8147

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

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

VACANCY Cook/ Baker for interior. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020

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

Chef and assistant cook. Call: 225-7933 or visit us at 173 Sheriff St.

1-2 Storey house concrete bottom, wooden top with shop @ Herstelling, reasonable price. 1-2 story building in Tuschen. Call: 6955154 Property for sale at Hope, E.C.D- Call: 648-0436 One concrete building (incomplete) in residential area, close to National Stadium, Massy Supermarket, price negotiable. Call: 699-4114 One transported property , Lot 317 Old Road, Craig, EBD. Price $6M. Contact IPED : 226-4675, 225-8949 Goat Creek, Riverfront , 75 Acres land -$7M, Lanaballi River Front, 50 Acres -$9M. Diamond -$7.5M Call: 6880087, 638-8484 Riviera Island: 145 Acres $30M, Tuschen property $5.8M, $6M, $15M. Call: 6880087, 638-8484 Tuschen 2 bedroom flat houses: $10M, land $2M. Call: 688-0087,638-8484 Versailes luxury home - $US 500,000, Hague front property - $30M, Tuschen $25M, Canal #2 (15 acres) $9M. Call:688-0087,638-8484

ACCOMMODATION Journey Inn apartment rental, short term with AC & Kitchen, as low as -$15US. Call: 6421783/ 646-3011634/7182301695

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). EDUCATIONAL Summer Classes: Phonics, Reading, Language, Mathematics, Art & Craft & fun day (4-12yrs) July 17th- August 11th @ Roxanne Burnham Gardens-Tel:218-2076; 619-4355

Accounts clerk: English A (Grade 1) , Mathematics, P.O.A (Grade 2), knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT & QuickBooks @ Technical Services, Eccles. Call 6144358 C a r p e n t e r, M a s o n a n d porters, apply in person to Alabama Trading, Georgetown, Ferry Stelling. One experienced Accounts Clerk; apply to Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Workers: carpenter & mason. Call: 265-3586 Male & female labourers for a seafood processing plant. Apply in person @ BM Enterprise, Guyana Fisheries Limited Wharf. Office clerk, apply at Survival Lot 10 Vlissengen Road, Newtown, Kitty. Maid for East Bank area please call: 614-4358 Female cleaner for office in Eccles, E.B.D. Call: 233-2745.

EDUCATIONAL Canadian School of Arts & Science: Summer Classes 2017- Pre-K, Nursery, Primary, Secondary (July 10th –August 11th). Call: 216-6921/22 for registration I.A.E – Registered now for full-time secondary school, lessons, CXC/CSEC classes, adults, students, repeaters. Call: 683-5742/621-7365 Summer Classes for slow learners in Maths, Phonics, Reading, Spelling and much more. Call: 675-4379 Summer Classes July 10th – August 5th: Phonics, Reading, Compositions writing, Maths, Crafts Games & Fun Day, Oronoque & Lamaha Streets. Call: 695-9625 First Aid/Courses at St. John Ambulance Brigade, 110 Cowan St., Georgetown, available: morning, evening sessions. For details call: 225-9082 Summer School ages 4-14, Rising Star Academy, Phonics, Reading, Mathematics, Science; Register Early. Call: 677-0296 Continued on Page 23

Saturday July 08, 2017

Woman allegedly caught with ganja in house leads defence - to call witness Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan ruled that sufficient evidence has been led against Samantha Green, who is currently on trial for allegedly trafficking marijuana. Yesterday, Green who was allegedly busted with 990 grammes of marijuana on April 12, at Lot 92 Campbellville, Georgetown, was called on to lead a defence. The 39-year-old defendant elected to give an unsworn testimony and will call a witness in her defence when the matter continues on July 12. She is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Euclin Gomes and is out on High Court bail. Corporal Christopher Dharamraj, who is attached to the Narcotics Branch, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, said that he was in charge of investigations. According to Corporal Dharamraj, after receiving information he led a party of policemen to a house at the above mentioned address, where ranks positioned themselves at various locations. The witness recalled that he saw Constable

Singh speaking to Green. “Constables Singh and Azeez entered the house. I stood at the back door where I was in clear view of the kitchen area and Samantha Green,” Corporal Dharamraj said. The Corporal said that he saw several bags on the floor in the kitchen area containing groceries. He said that Constable Singh told him something and he began asking the defendant a series of questions. The police witness recalled that Constable Singh told him that he had found a quantity of narcotics in a Karibee rice bag. He said that the bag containing the narcotics was shown to him and Green was escorted to the Narcotics Branch. Upon arrival at CID, he said that he reported his finding to the Officer in Charge. Corporal Dharamraj related that base d o n instructions he received f r o m h i s superior, he revisited the house the following day. He stated that he made several checks for another person who Green had implicated in the drug bust. “After making several calls I got no response. I made enquiries from the southern neighbour but no useful information was obtained.”

“Hold! She is not here”... From page 11 started checking the canister for cash. They then went to the vault and were knocking on it to get it open,” a staffer at the financial institution said. This newspaper was told that the woman, who the men wanted, was at the back entrance of the bank at 07:30 hrs, when she learnt of the commotion and went away. Meanwhile, Haynes’ senior colleague and junior staffers were in the vaults

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

when they saw what was happening on cameras. They immediately called the bank’s security manager who then called the police. By this time, a Professional Guard Services (PGS) outfit that was in the vicinity, reached the scene in less than a minute. Wray, an agronomist, was shot dead, while his accomplices were arrested during a 10-minute shoot-out between them, the guard service and the police.

Venezuela National Assembly stormed by Maduro supporters From Page 22

LAND FOR SALE Land at 42 Coglan Dam, size: 37X270 price -$5.5M negotiable. Call Mr. Howes: 677-9938 or Mrs Clarke: +13473870537 (BBC) About 100 government supporters have burst into Venezuela’s oppositioncontrolled National Assembly, where they beat up several lawmakers. Witnesses said the confrontation came after an assembly session to mark the country’s Independence Day. Military police guarding the site stood by as intruders brandishing sticks and pipes broke through the gate, AFP news agency said. The government has vowed to investigate. “I will not be complicit in acts of violence,” said President Nicolás Maduro. About 350 people were besieged for hours, including journalists, students and visitors, according to the assembly’s speaker Julio Borges.

Mr Borges also named five of the lawmakers injured. Some were taken away for medical treatment, including Deputy Américo De Grazia, who was carried out on a stretcher. Venezuela has been shaken by often violent protests in recent months and is in economic crisis. “This does not hurt as much as seeing every day how we are losing our country,” deputy Armando Armas told reporters as he got into an ambulance, his head swathed in bloody bandages. The US state department condemned the violence, calling it “an assault on the democratic principles cherished by the men and women who struggled for Venezuela’s independence 206 years ago today”. AFP, whose journalists

were at the scene, said reporters were ordered to leave by the attackers, one of whom had a gun. Before the intruders rushed the building, VicePresident Tareck El Aissami made an impromptu appearance in the congress with the head of the armed forces, Vladimir Padrino López, and ministers. Mr El Aissami gave a speech urging the president’s supporters to come to the legislature to show support for him. A crowd had been rallying outside the building for several hours before breaking into the grounds. A statement from the the ministry of communication said, the government had ordered an investigation “to establish the whole truth, and on that basis, to apply sanctions to those responsible”.

Land at Well Street Ogle, E.C.D, back lot, 65feetX105feet - $12M. Call: 625-1514 La Parfaite Harmonie -$1M, Zeelugt -$2M, Tuschen house & land - $3.5M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.7M. Call: 642-1252 Harmony prime spot, ideal for business. Call: 6955154 Prime land to build that dream home. Not far from Princess, New Thriving, Massy, HJ water world $13M neg- Call: 669-8397 La Parfaite Harmonie (main road) - $2M, $1.6M, $1.4M, $1.8M, Herstelling -$3M, Tuschen - $1.2M, Farm $3M. Call: 666-2326 La Parfaite Harmonie $1.6M, $1.4M, $1M, $2M, Eccles - $5.5M, Herstelling $3M, Tuschen - $1.2M, $5M. Call: 604-6724 or 686-9608 2 ½ Acres riverside land, 5 Acres land with 5,000 sq.ft building, Brickery, East Bank Demerara. Call: 653-2477/ 685-6874 Herstelling -$3.5M & $5M, Farm (East Bank) -$3M, Uitvlugt -$2.8M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.4M, $1.6M, $2.5M. Call: 629-2881/ 6511969 New Hope land - $4M, Enmore- $2M, Moblissa Land - $2M per acre, De Kinderen -$6.5M. Call: 6880087, 638-8484 House lots in Blankenburg $3.5M. Contact-6500402\603-1402 TO LET Newly constructed apartments in a safe & healthy environment. Call: 698-6496/622-6512 1 Two bedrooms bottom flat at Patentia Housing Scheme, W.B.D- Call: 646-2120 or 6033119 PEN PAL Male seeking a female for serious relationship. Call: 684-3613

PAGE 24

Options limited in battling Berbice and Region 9 floodwaters - Agri Minister

Cattle in a flooded area behind Black Bush Polder yesterday. The authorities have cited that there may not be many options available to combat floodwaters in Berbice, and in the Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo Region Nine areas. Yesterday during the post-Cabinet press briefing, the media was updated on the situation in these two areas which have placed both the lives of persons and livestock in jeopardy. Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder, said that while several regions have drainage and irrigation systems, this is not the case in the area where the flooding is taking place in Berbice. It was reported that the Canje Creek, which provides drainage and irrigation to Berbice, is now overflowing due to excessive rainfall. This has resulted in flooding in the Kokerite and New Sukhram Cattle Pastures which are located between the Black Bush Polder rice cultivation area and the Canje Creek neighbouring rivers and waterways. These areas, the Minister said yesterday, are not declared drainage and irrigation areas. Holder said that a battery of engineers have been deployed to look at the system and see what can be done. He noted, also, that there is the

Saturday July 08, 2017

Kaieteur News

possibility of using additional pumps to allow the New Sukhram Cattle Pasture area to drain through places like Black Bush Polder – which is adjacent to the flooded areas. Holder admitted that this approach may be problematic, because if too much water flows through into Black Bush Polder, the rice farms there could be put in jeopardy. “Farmers in the Black Bush Polder area have expressed concerns about draining through their lands,” Holder said. He explained that the irrigation canal that brings water from the Canje Creek to Black Bush Polder is filled with “lease water”. “So in any event, we will have to flush that water out of the system, which means you’ll be draining the cattle pastures before you can have irrigation water, but you don’t need irrigation water now because you have lots of rain,” he said. The Livestock Authority is on the ground looking at whatever mitigating factors can be implemented, the media was informed. The Minister said that the authorities are exploring all limited options available. As few as the options may be, there is more that can be done when compared to the flood situation in the

Rupununi, Region Nine, Holder declared. “In the Rupununi you have a situation…Here you have bright sunshine in the Rupununi, no rain but the Ireng and the Takutu (Rivers) have been backing up. It has risen. Now this is a problem, because it is not a Guyana situation. Holder explained that the water in the Ireng River is rising due to the excess water coming from the Amazon, Rio Negro, and Rio Brenco rivers in neighbouring Brazil. “This is a problem, because what can you do about that? It’s not a Guyanese problem. What do you do in such a situation as in the Rupununi? Holder said that the Civil Defence Commission is in contact with the Brazilian authorities to see what can be done to address the issue. With regard to the number of animals that were claimed to have been lost in the floods in Berbice, Holder said that this was untrue. He said that trips would have been made via a helicopter to the affected areas. “We saw about 20 or so, and there’s probably more than that,” he said. Yesterday farmers were trying to get their animals to whatever high ground remains.

Former Guantanamo detainee to get $10 million from Canada (CNN) A Canadian man who spent 10 years at Guantanamo Bay after fighting US troops in Afghanistan is getting more than $10 million and an apology from the Canadian government, according to media reports. Omar Khadr, 30, had sued the Canadian government for violating international law by allegedly not protecting its citizen and conspiring with his US captors, who he says abused him. Under a plea deal with US military prosecutors in 2010, Khadr admitted to throwing a grenade during a 2002 firefight in Afghanistan that killed a member of a US Army Special Forces unit. He was 15 at the time of the blast. On Tuesday, the Toronto Star reported he will receive less than the $20 million he was seeking but $10.5 million Canadian dollars (US $8 million). Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, when asked Tuesday about the settlement and the apology, said to CNN partner CBC News and other media: “There is a judicial process underway that has been underway for a number of years now and we are anticipating I think, a number of people are, the judicial process is coming to its

conclusion.” The reported settlement decision upset Canadian conservatives because Khadr in 2010 admitted in a plea agreement that he had thrown a grenade that killed a coalition soldier, Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Speer, a member of a US Army Special Forces unit. US Sgt. Layne Morris was severely wounded in the blast and is blind in one eye. “I’m very familiar with the Khadr family. This is the third generation of Khadrs that owe humanity an apology, not the other way around,” Morris told CNN. “I shudder to think what $10 million (about $8 million US) in the hands of an avowed and accomplished terrorist will do.” Morris was referring to Khadr’s Egyptian-born father, who was accused of being an al Qaeda money man with ties to Osama bin Laden. Ahmad Khadr brought his family to Pakistan and Afghanistan, where he met al Qaeda figures including bin Laden and underwent terrorism training. The elder Khadr was killed by Pakistani troops in 2003. Jason Kenney, the leader of the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta was upset by the reported

Oil prices drop 3 percent on rising global supplies

Delta passenger assaults crew member, cockpit were incorrect, Perry said, adding that an investiofficials say; 3 injured gation continues. (CNN) A Delta Air Lines flight from Seattle to Beijing turned back after takeoff Thursday evening after a passenger assaulted a flight-crew member — an incident that left both people and another passenger injured — FBI and airport representatives said. The man accused of attacking the crew member, a 23-year-old man from Florida, was arrested shortly after the plane returned to SeattleTacoma International Airport,

FBI spokeswoman Ayn Dietrich-Williams said. Delta Flight 129 was flying over or near Canada’s western coast when a man assaulted a flight attendant in the first-class cabin, and several passengers stepped in to try to subdue the attacker, airport spokesman Perry Cooper said. Details about what led to the alleged assault weren’t immediately available. Early reports that the suspect tried to break into the

The plane, which had taken off at 5:24 p.m. PT, turned back and landed at the Seattle-Tacoma airport at 7:09 p.m. PT, flight-tracking website FlightAware shows. The flight attendant and a passenger were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, Cooper said, without giving further details about the injuries. The suspect also was injured, but declined treatment from medics and was taken into custody, Cooper said.

settlement. “This confessed terrorist should be in prison paying for his crimes, not profiting from them at the expense of Canadian taxpayers,” Kenney tweeted. Khadr’s case has sparked controversy among Canadians through the years. Many have said his sentence was too lenient. Others said he should have been treated as a child soldier and Khadr’s supporters point to alleged mistreatment while in custody at Guantanamo, where he was the youngest detainee. The US military has in the past denied any abuse. Khadr pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder, providing material support for terrorism, spying and conspiracy in 2010 under the condition that he would serve most of the sentence in Canada, his attorneys said. As part of the deal, Khadr received an eight-year sentence with no credit for time served. In 2012, Khadr was transferred from Guantanamo naval base in Cuba to his homeland of Canada to serve the remainder of his sentence. In 2015, a judge granted him bail while he appealed his convictions. The appeal is ongoing, according to media reports.

Oil prices settled nearly three percent lower on Friday as rising U.S. production as OPEC exports hit a 2017 high cast doubt over efforts by producers to curb global oversupply. Brent crude LCOc1 settled down $1.40, or 2.9 percent, at $46.71 a barrel, after falling to $46.28, its lowest in more than a week. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures CLc1 finished $1.29, or 2.8 percent, lower at $44.23 a bar-

rel, after trading as low as $43.78. Both benchmarks posted a sixth weekly decline in the past seven weeks with WTI down 3.9 percent on the week and Brent off 2.5 percent. “The stream of relentless supply continues,” said Matt Smith, director of c o mmodity research at Clipperdata. He said OPEC exports were two million barrels per day (bpd) higher in June than in 2016, despite of an exten-

sion of a 1.8 million bpd production cut deal led by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Reuters oil data showed OPEC production is now at the highest level this year. Russia, which is cooperating with OPEC in a deal to stem production, said it was ready to consider revising parameters of the deal if needed. A group of oil-producing countries monitoring the deal will meet on July 24 in Russia, when they could recommend adjusting the pact. Meanwhile, U.S. producers seemed undeterred by lower prices with drillers adding seven oil rigs this week, according to energy services company Baker Hughes, bringing the total rig count up to 763, the most since April 2015. [RIG/U] On Thursday, U.S. government data showed that U.S. oil production C-OUTT-EIA rose one percent to 9.34 million bpd last week after a drop the previous week due to maintenance work and storm shutdowns.

Saturday July 08, 2017

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 08, 2017

Saturday July 08, 2017

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

U.S. gave China draft U.N. North Korea sanctions resolution: diplomats The United States has given China a draft United Nations Security Council resolution that would impose new sanctions on North Korea over Pyongyang’s intercontinental ballistic missile launch, U.N. diplomats said on Friday. Traditionally, the United States and China have negotiated new sanctions on North Korea before formally involving other council members. Diplomats said the United States would informally keep Britain and France in the loop, while China was likely talking to Russia. The United States, China, Russia, Britain and France are

the Security Council’s permanent veto-wielding powers. The United States, Japan and South Korea agreed on Friday to push for a quick Security Council resolution. On Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said she would propose new sanctions to the 15-member council in coming days, though Russia has said further sanctions would not resolve the issue. A senior Security Council diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, was skeptical that the draft resolution would be put to a vote quickly.

“I’m sure it will be weeks, not a week, but I’m also sure it won’t be three months. I don’t think this administration spends three months

doing anything,” said the senior diplomat. Following a nuclear weapons test by North Korea in September, while U.S. Presi-

dent Barack Obama was still in office, it took the U.N. Security Council three months to agree to strengthened sanctions. “What (the U.S.) are sig-

naling at the moment is they will push it to a veto if that’s what it takes. Obviously that is a game of bluff,” the senior diplomat said.

PAGE 28

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 08, 2017

Saturday July 08, 2017

Annual Grenville Felix Memorial cycle road race set for Sunday 23rd in Berbice Cycling action returns to Berbice on Sunday 23rd July when the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) holds the fourth annual Grenville Felix Memorial Cycle Road Race along the East Canje/ Corentyne highway. The event, which is coordinated by cycling coach Randolph Roberts, is being held in honour of the late engineer who passed away four years ago at the age of 96. Felix who was one of Guyana’s first and oldest engineers at the time of his demise, worked with the Bookers and Guyana Sugar Corporation in Guyana and various parts of the world. This is the sixth cycling event held in his honour. The first two was held in honour of his birthday. It was changed to a memorial event after he died. According to Roberts, the event this year is expected to be bigger with a lot more incentives. The event will begin with

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

a flying start where the riders will pedal off from his former residence at Canefield, East Canje, Berbice, proceed to his former place of employment at the Rose Hall Estate before turning back. They will then proceed to the No51 Police Station before turning back to finish in front of his Canefield Residence. All the top cyclists in the country are expected to be on show since lucrative prizes will be up for grabs.

Prizes will be awarded to the first 10 finishers while the first three juveniles, the first three veterans and first three females will also be rewarded. There will also be 10 sprint point prizes up for grabs. There will also be races for BMX riders. The Grenville Felix Memorial Trophy is a lien trophy and will be given to the first person who gets their name on it three times. The race is being sponsored by the Felix family.

Past Black Stallion FC host President Granger’s B/day Dominoes competition today The Past Black Stallion football club will host a big King Dominoes Competition and Lime from 18:00hrs today at the Beck Bar and Grill 244 Vryheid’s Lust to celebrate President David Granger’s 72nd birth Anniversary. The event is organised

by Johnny ‘overseas’ Barnwell, Wesley Tyndal and Tiger Rodwell and entrance fee is $1,000 per player. Among the participating teams are Vryheid’s Lust, Better Hope, Plaisance, Ogle and Sophia. Snacks and Drinks will be on sale.

Saturday July 08, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Try to be a bit more understanding or you may end up spending the evening alone. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Don't let situations get out of hand. You could be tempted to overspend on unnecessary items. Try to bend but by no means should you give in completely. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You are best to keep your money tied up in a safe and secure place. You should expect to have changes in your home.

to gamble. Risks will not be profitable. Avoid boredom by being creative in your endeavors. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Travel for business purposes may bring the highest returns. Be quiet about your intentions or ideas that might bring added cash. Your emotions have been pulled out of shape and you need to do a little backtracking. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may not have the same ideas when it comes to what you both enjoy. Take your time. Back off if you want to keep the relationship intact.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Avoid functions that will bring you in contact with those you find difficult to get along with. Personal alterations will be in your best interest.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Get busy. You may find acquaintances being deceptive. Get friends to help you with the preparations.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You can bet that someone in a higher position is watching to see how busy you are.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Help children with important projects. Changes regarding your career direction will payoff handsomely. Your domestic scene could continue to be in an uproar today.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Try not to be too aggressive or judgmental when talking to your mate. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't tell others of your plans. Resist the temptation

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) It's time to let loose. Spend time getting into physical activities with your lover. You may have difficulties with in-laws or family members.

S/Turkeyen SC & Bannas Foundation’s F/Ball and Cricket at Jubilee Park tomorrow Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell, Kevin Walcott, Wesley ‘Tiger’ Tyndal and Rodwell have organised, on behalf of the South Turkeyen Sports Committee & Bannas Foundation, a five-a-side small goal and penalty shotout and Dominoes competition tomorrow at the Jubilee

Park as part of President’s David Granger 72nd Birthday Celebrations. The action starts at 09:00hrs and also include a six overs Tapeball cricket competition for teams in the area. Entrance fee is $6,000 per team and seven players are allowed. Among the teams ex-

pected to vie for top honors are Lodge, North Sophia, Sophia BCD Fields, Vryheid’s Lust and Meadow Bank. Trophies were donated by P&P Insurance Brokers, NSC, Tent City, Trophy Stall Bourda Market and Mr Zaman Ali. Snacks and Drinks will be on sale.

Summer Time KO Tapeball set for July 16th The Foreign Ministry Sports Organiser, James Lewis, has organised a Big Summer Time KO Tapeball 11 - a - s i d e Wo r k P l a c e Cricket Competition on Sunday 16th July from 9:00am. Entrance fee is $6,000 per team. Trophies, medals and Cash incentives are up for grabs. All teams must register with the organiser on or be-

fore Wednesday 13th July at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Registry Department. All the teams must have their own flannel balls to last them throughout the competition. The organizer is only responsible for the prizes and the umpires. The best dressed team would be judged for a prize, along with the bowler with the most wick-

ets and the batsman with the highest score in the finals. Any batsman that scores five or more sixes in one over and any bowler who takes a hattrick in a single over would receive prizes. During intervals there would be man to man matches for spectators to win cash prizes. Teams can contact James Lewis on # 628-1656 or 666-5857.

Appropriate duty-free waivers for... (From page 26) the horse breeding section of the industry. “We recognise that there cannot be a vibrant racing industry without a strong horse population with quality horses. “Sustaining and advancing such an industry means having it properly capitalised, and providing the tools and synergies necessary for it to grow.” The minister further disclosed that the Jamaica Racing Commission is in discussions with the authorities in St Lucia,

who have expressed an interest in partnering with Jamaica’s local training schools, to provide certification and training for their industry workers and racing officials, as they position themselves to leverage the US$2.6-billion state-of-the-art racetrack development by the Chinese in that

country. “Work will also begin to improve the facilities of the laboratory at The University of the West Indies which handles drug testing for the horse racing industry, as it is positioned for full accreditation this year,” the minister said.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

Saturday July 08, 2017

South African Van Niekerk wins on international return (Reuters) South African Wayde van Niekerk cruised to victory in the Diamond League 400 meters on Thursday in his first international race since he set the world record at last year ’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Van Niekerk broke American Michael Johnson’s world record with a 43.03 seconds performance in Rio but cut his 2016 season short and had so far this year competed only in low-key races in South Africa. He looked sharp as he set a meeting record of 43.62 seconds in Lausanne, bettering Johnson once again whose record here had held since 1996. Van Niekerk got off to a solid start and gradually reined in his opponents before sprinting clear with 60 meters left. Botswana’s Baboloki Thebe and Isaac Makwala grabbed second and third respectively. American Justin Gatlin warmed up for the world championships with a win in the men’s 100m in a time of 9.96 seconds, beating Ivorian Ben Youssef Meite

Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa, Tony McQuay of U.S. and Michael Cherry of U.S. in action at the IAAF Athletics Diamond League meeting. (REUTERS/Pierre Albouy)

who took second place. “I felt good. Getting to the line, I had top speed to finish strong,” Gatlin said. “I’m consistent, under 10 seconds, I’m getting

stronger. Now I have a month to train and (to) see a new me at the world championships (in London).” Eth io p ia’s O ly mp ic

women’s 1,500m silver medallist Genzebe Dibaba tried to break the mile world record 25 years after the race was last run at the Pontaise

Stadium but her scintillating effort was outside that mark by some three seconds at 4:16.05. Her compatriot Aman Wote opened up a large gap

in the men’s 1,500m but had to work hard to finish first ahead of Kenyan duo Charles Simotwo and thirdplaced Silas Kiplagat. The United States took the first six places in the women’s 100m hurdles though there was some confusion regarding the photo-finish with organizers issuing two different results before Shari Nelvis was eventually declared the winner. The Netherlands’ world champion and Olympic silver medallist Dafne Schippers won the 200m in 22.10 seconds and is peaking at the right time before her world title defence next month. C r o a t i a ’s O l y m p i c javelin champion Sara Kolak won with a throw of 68.43m ahead of Czech world record holder Barbora Spotakova and Australian Kathryn Mitchell. Ethiopian Muktar Edris weathered a late challenge from 17-year-old countryman Selemon Barega to win the 5,000m in 12:55:23 seconds, the first sub-13 minute time of the season.

Lewis Hamilton to receive grid penalty for unauthorised gearbox change

Appropriate duty-free waivers for horses on the horizon — Jamaica Finance Minister

BBC Sport - Lewis Hamilton will receive a fiveplace grid penalty for tomorrow’s Austrian Grand Prix as a result of an unauthorised gearbox change. Te a m s m u s t r u n a gearbox for six consecutive events but Hamilton’s was changed before that period had expired. Stewards have not confirmed the penalty but Hamilton’s Mercedes team have accepted it is inevitable. It is a blow to Hamilton’s attempts to close the championship d e f i c i t t o F e r r a r i ’s Sebastian Vettel. On Friday, Hamilton was fastest in the second practice session, ahead of title rival Vettel. Hamilton was 0.147 seconds quicker than Vettel at the Red Bull Ring, with the second Mercedes of F i n l a n d ’ s Va l t t e r i Bottas 0.216secs off the pace. Hamilton is 14 points behind the German heading into tomorrow’s race at the Red Bull Ring,

Jamaica Observer – Jamaica’s Minister of Finance and the Public Service Audley Shaw is indicating that the horse racing industry can look forward to a well-needed fillip with the granting of appropriate duty-free waivers to import quality horses. “I am prepared, as minister of finance, to provide appropriate waivers so that we can import more horses to improve the stock for the industry,” Shaw said while delivering the keynote address at the recent seventh Caribbean Gaming Show and Summit hosted by the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. “This would be a boost for the development of the industry as Jamaica is positioned to become a leading regional provider of training for jockeys and grooms. “The industry will benefit from the importation of horses as this will lead to

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during practice for the Austrian Grand. (Prix Reuters/Dominic Ebenbichler) having dropped two further points at the last race in Baku when he finished fifth, a place behind Vettel. Hamilton was leading that race and was on course for victory but had to pit to have a loose head restraint fitted. That was a significant blow because Vettel had been given a 10-second stop-

and-go penalty for dangerous driving after deliberately hitting Hamilton’s car. Hamilton’s problem meant he returned to the track behind Vettel and was unable to pass. Mercedes said the problem had not been caused by the incident with Vettel in Baku. Hamilton, 32, said it was

“important” to make up ground on Vettel in Austria and the British Grand Prix a week later. “I’ve lost points in the last race and I need to reverse that,” he said. His expected penalty will make that task much harder as the highest place he can now start the race tomorrow is sixth on the grid.

improvements in the quality of the local breeding stock. “Having quality horses in Jamaica will ultimately lead to a better racing product, with more competitive and exciting races, thereby increasing the attraction of the sport,” the finance minister said. Making reference to the divestment of Caymanas Track Limited to Supreme Ventures Limited, Shaw stated that already the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) is reporting a 30 per cent increase in revenue since the new operators took over. He said the injection of funds will create the platform for several development projects in the industry. Shaw then announced that a Revolving Loan Fund is to be created to provide start-up capital to persons wanting to enter the industry. He also advised that a Stud Farm Development Fund is to be established to bolster (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 08, 2017

PAGE 31

Nadal scorches into Wimbledon second week LONDON (Reuters) A ominous-looking Rafa Nadal kept up his bid for a third Wimbledon and French Open double in style yesterday, serving notice he is not be to messed with in his 6-1 6-4 7-6(3) defeat of big-serving Karen Khachanov to reach the last 16. The Spanish fourth seed scorched his way through the first set, threatening to sizzle the parched Centre Court grass with the pace of some of his shots. He committed only four unforced errors in that set and visibly berated himself

when he dropped even a point. So rare were his slipups, that the crowd greeted them with gasps. “I think for a while, I played fantastic. The first set and a half I think was a great, great level. I am very happy with the way I played,” Nadal said as he came off court. The 30th-seeded Russian put it more bluntly: “At the beginning he started really fast. He was destroying me.” K h a c h a n o v, 2 1 , regrouped in the second set as Nadal’s level dipped from ferocious to merely fearsome. He stopped the

slide after Nadal broke in the third game by booming down four aces to hold in the fifth. He reached a set point in the third, but Nadal was too strong and too accurate to let him back into the match and ruin his straight-sets run. Nadal, 31, won this year’s French Open, his 10th title there, without dropping a set. He has kept up the pace at Wimbledon as he aims to covert that red-hot clay form to claim his first grasscourt slam title since 2010. With Friday’s win, he has now bagged 28 consecutive sets at the grand slams this

PM Gonsalves takes aim at CWI right to manage

St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves. ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves has again questioned the authority of Cricket West Indies to run the regional game, especially since the the organisation has claimed to be a private entity. Gonsalves, also a trained lawyer and the current chairman of CARICOM’s sub-committee on cricket, said cricket constituted a “public good” and therefore called on CWI to explain where it derived the right to manage West Indies cricket “to the exclusion of everybody else.” “I think there’s a legal case, not for the West Indies Cricket Board to be dissolved because it’s a company and as a matter of law you’re not going to dissolve the company – you’re not a shareholder of the company,” Gonsalves said during the ongoing CARICOM Heads of government summit here.

“But the question is: cricket is a public good. Can a private entity run the public good and that question has been determined in another jurisdiction in India, so that’s a separate question. I’m not interested in the dissolution of the West Indies Cricket Board.” He added: “All I am saying [is] how have you gotten the right as a private entity to run and manage a public good to the exclusion of everybody else. No, that can’t be right so that’s the fundamental question which I raise.” Regional Heads last year threw their support behind a CARICOM-commissioned Governance Review report which in part called for the “immediate dissolution” of the then WICB – recently renamed Cricket West Indies. CWI has since resisted the recommendations of the report, in particular the call for dissolution, labelling it an “unnecessary and intrusive demand.”

Last year, both Gonsalves and Grenada Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell questioned CWI’s authority as a private entity to run regional cricket, referencing the 2015 ruling of the Indian Supreme Court on the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI). Then, the Justices said the functions of the BCCI were “clearly public functions” and contended that “any organization or entity that has such pervasive control over the game and its affairs and such powers as can make dreams end up in smoke or come true cannot be said to be undertaking any private activity.” CWI has come under fire in recent years for its handling of West Indies cricket with the once powerful Test team now eighth in the rankings just ahead of minnows Bangladesh and the one-day team ninth in the world and unlikely to automatically qualify for the 2019 World Cup. The board found itself facing a US$42 million claim of damages from the BCCI three years ago after it failed to settle a pay dispute which resulted in the Windies abandoning an ongoing tour of India and the scheduled Test series to follow. At the opening of this w e e k ’s s u m m i t h e r e , Mitchell called on CARICOM leaders to unite in order to save the sport arguing that the current CWI governance model “almost renders the regional game irrelevant.”

Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the third round match against Russia’s Karen Khachanov. (REUTERS/Toby Melville) year — laying down a marker to his rivals in his quest for a 16th major title. Nadal now has two days to rest up before facing a grasscourt specialist in L u x e m b o u r g ’s G i l l e s

Muller, seeded 16, in the fourth round on Monday. And like all those who have had a good week in the office, Nadal was planning a relaxing weekend. “Just practice and ...

relax at home with my family, maybe watch some golf maybe, some films with my cousins. My small cousins are here. Maybe play some football with them. That’s all,” he said.

WBO agree to review Pacquiao-Horn bout but cannot overturn decision

Jeff Horn of Australia punches Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines during their WBO World Welterweight Title fight. (AAP/Dave Hunt/via REUTERS) (Reuters) The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has agreed to review the controversial points decision that led to Jeff Horn’s welterweight world title win over Filipino veteran Manny Pacquiao, but cannot overturn the decision unless there is evidence of fraud. The unanimous decision in the Australian’s favor was questioned by observers and the Philippines Games and Amusements Board (GAB) sent a letter asking for a “thorough review” of the fight on Monday. Pacquiao backed the letter in his own

statement on Wednesday. “I would be very grateful if the GAB can provide any evidence indicating fraud or violation of law,” WBO president Francisco Va l c a r c e l s a i d i n h i s response on Thursday. “The purpose of this review is to be able to give the fans certainty of who was the winner of the bout, even though we do not have the power to reverse the decision of the judges.” Horn won the match after judges scored the bout 117111, 115-113 and 115-113 in the 29-year-old’s favor. The WBO’s review will have five judges re-watching the fight

and providing their own scores. Valcarcel further backed the original judges of the fight namely Waleksa Roldan, Chris Flores and Ramon Cerdan. “The officials who participated in this fight are all professional, distinguished, honest and honorable human beings,” Valcarcel added. Pacquiao can redeem himself by activating the rematch clause in the contract and facing Horn for a second time but the 38year-old is yet to make a decision regarding his retirement.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Saturday July 08, 2017

Kittel wins dramatic sprint as Froome retains yellow jersey N U I T S - S A I N TGEORGES, FRANCE (Reuters) The seventh stage of the Tour de France burst into life at the end yesterday as Marcel Kittel claimed his third victory in this year’s edition, piping Edvald Boasson Hagen to the line in the final sprint. Results long stayed provisional as the race jury looked at the photo finish to determine the winner of the 213.5-km flat ride from Troyes. Kittel was declared the victor ahead of Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) and joins Erik Zabel as the German rider with most stage wins on the Tour (12). Australian Michael Matthews (Team Sunweb) was a distant third as Chris Froome (Team Sky) retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey. Kittel also snatched the green jersey for the points classification from Arnaud Demare (FDJ) after the French champion, who had been ill overnight, was not a factor in the sprint.

Quick-Step Floors rider Marcel Kittel of Germany reacts after winning the stage. (REUTERS/Benoit Tessier) Kittel has 197 points to Demare’s 182. “It was very very close with Edvald, a little bit like last year when I beat (Frenchman Bryan) Coquard,” said Kittel. “I focus on the green jersey. These victories bring me big points.” Until the final straight, the day had gone without any drama — the usual scenario for long, flat stages. Four riders broke away from the gun, but their advantage was

controlled by the sprinters team and the fugitives were caught with the line in sight, leaving it to the bigthighed sprinters to fight it out for victory. Overall, Froome still leads team mate Geraint Thomas by 12 seconds and Italian Fabio Aru (Astana) by 14. Today’s eighth stage will be one for the breakaway riders as it takes the peloton over 187.5km from Dole to the Station des

Mahendra Persaud off to annual Imperial Shoot at Bisley, England Commonwealth Games selectee Mahendra Persaud has departed the shores of Guyana to participate in the annual Imperial Shoot at Bisley, England. His participation in the Imperial Championships, which is termed the mecca of shooting in the world, was made possible through the Guyana Olympic Association. The Championship is billed to run from July 7 to 22. The final, which is for the HM Queen’s Prize, will see the final hundred shooters competing for the trophy, from a starting number of over one thousand. Mr. Lennox Braithwaite, the other Commonwealth Games selectee, was unable to obtain his British visa on time for travel. He however, along with Persaud will be attending the Canadian National Championships in August followed by the Australian National Championship in

Mahendra Persaud O c t o b e r, i m m e d i a t e l y following the West Indies Championship being held in Guyana. The Championship in Australia will be held at the

v e r y r a n g e t h e Commonwealth Games shooting will take place. This will therefore enable the shooters to acquaint themselves with the conditions of the range and to gauge their preparation thus f a r w i t h t h e other selectees who will all be a t t e n d i n g t h e Championship.

Marcel Kittel (in blue) was declared the winner of stage seven after much deliberation. (Getty Images) Rousses in very hilly terrain.

3. Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana) +14secs

7. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R) +47secs

General classification after stage seven:

4. Daniel Martin (Ire/Quick-Step) +25secs

8. Alberto Contador (Spa/Trek) +52secs

1. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) 28hrs 47mins 50secs

5. Richie Porte (Aus/BMC Racing) +39secs

9. Nairo Quintana (Col/Movistar) +54secs

6 . S i m o n Ya t e s (GB/Orica) +43secs

10. Rafal Majka (Pol/Bora) +1min 01sec

2. Geraint Thomas (GB/Team Sky) +12secs

UDFA $6M GT Beer ‘Sunday night Super Cup’ kicks off tomorrow at MSC The Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) under the new leadership of President Terrence Mitchell has set an ambitious nationwide football championship to mark their 2017 season opener involving the eight associations affiliated to the Guyana Football Federation to battle for a $2M first prize in a $6M championship package dubbed the GT Beer ‘Sunday Night Super Cup’ tournament, which is set to kick off at the Mackenzie Sports Club tomorrow night. In the opening fixture of the two group competition tomorrow night Upper Demerara’s Linden side will face Essequibo/ Pomeroon in the second game at 21.00hrs, but this will be preceded by the first game of the tournament from 19.00hrs between East Bank and East Coast association sides. A confident Mitchell, who was elected to serve a two year term in May after the association was wobbling with resignations, said, “This inter association championship will be unusually high. If you are in the Elite League, which is just those clubs playing in the League which the top clubs from each association participating, and one

Terrence Mitchell association has about five clubs, Linden has one the UDFA Top XX but those are clubs. In this scenario Linden has eight, nine as Top XX is in the elite League and the best players from nine clubs will form the Linden team. Right away you see the skill level is going up and every association will come with that skill level and as such I consider this tournament is where you will see real performance, real high level performance football.” According to the UDFA boss, “Banks DIH’s GT Beer has officially branded Linden football again. This is what we managed to do this

time around, not just brand the year end football. But they are branding the year over, and we are preparing as soon as this tournament is over in September 3, we go into our UDFA League which is a long playing of term football with over 50 playing days, where twenty five days of football will be played before the Christmas football is staged in December and the League will restart in February next year meaning a lot of football through to April next year.” Looking ahead in terms of what this championship offers, Mitchell opined: “The potential of this tournament could be bigger than the Elite League N a t i o n a l C l u b championship,” and for this he felt the support should be great as the best players will be playing throughout the tournament. The UDFA, according to Mitchell, has already been given the green-light by the governing Guyana Football Federation (GFF) where the eight teams representing the Upper Demerara, Georgetown, Bartica, East B a n k D e m e r a r a , We s t Demerara, Essequibo, East Coast Demerara and Berbice associations are allowed to play.

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 08, 2017

PAGE 33

32nd FESUPO/16th NAPF & FESUPO Pan American C/ships – Equipped Day 2

Andrea Smith maintains Guyana’s gold medal form, Erwyn Smith bags silver - More records achieved

A new National Open Equipped 72kg deadlift record being achieved by Andrea Smith.

By Franklin Wilson in Orlando, USA compliments of Crown Mining Supplies, Fitness Express, Secure Innovations & Concepts, Industrial Safety Supplies, Rose Hall Town Youth & S p o r t s C l u b . Andrea Smith (72kg Class) displayed grit and determination in powering her way to a new Caribbean and Open Equipped National Deadlift record of 182.5kg as she grabbed a gold and silver medal yesterday, day two of the 16th North American Powerlifting Federation

(NAPF) and 32nd South American Powerlifting Federation (FESUPO) Equipped Championships at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Orlando International Airport, Florida. Andrea Smith also set a new National Benchpress record of 77.5kg and Squat record of 160.0kg on a day when Guyana continued its rich medal form at the championships that has attracted 20 countries. Her gold was achieved in theFemale FESUPO (South American) Open 3-Lift 72kg Class with a total of 420.0kg,

Erwyn Smith powers to a new deadlift National record of 282.5kg - 621.5lb. while she battled her way up from lagging in the third place after the squat and bench to end with the silver medal in the Female Open 3Lift Pan American competition. Puerto Rico’s Kristzia Nieves took the gold medal with a total of 445.0kg, while the bronze medal went to Nora Montillia (272.5kg) of Costa Rica. Guyana’s other lifter yesterday, Erwyn Smith, managed the silver medal in the Male FESUPO (South American) Open 93kg Class with a Wilks total of 433.01

behind gold medalist, Jaime Castro of Ecuador who totaled, 494.94. Smith, who did not have the best start to the competition, got is first squat of 235.0kg but missed the next two at 250.0kg. He was flawless on the bench with lifts of 125.0kg, 140.0kg and 145.0kg. Recognising that he had lots of ground to make up in his quest for a Pan American medal given the fact that the competition was more stiff in this segment, Smith called on all his strength in the deadlift and ended with the

GCB female Inter-County U-19 T20

Demerara overcome E’bo, Rain spoils B’ce and President’s XI fixture Demerara defeated Essequibo by 95 runs, while the fixture between Berbice and the President’s XI was called off after just 3.3 overs as the Guyana Cricket Board female inter county U19 T20 tournament commenced yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club. Demerara posted 136-9 after they were inserted in the opening game. Essequibo’s fielding was below par as they helped their opponents with 52 extras, while Casey Charles made 36. The other batters could only muster 48 runs among them as Stacy Moses claimed 3-23 from her quota of four overs, while Eylinda Abrams, Kemone Thomas

Kaysia Shultz bowled tidily for Demerara. and Devina Buer picked up two wickets apiece. In reply, Essequibo were limited to 41-9 with Keesha Tucker (10) being the only batter to reach double

figures. Kaysia Schultz snared 3-13, while Mandy Mangru had two. The second match was called off at 16:10hrs due to rain. Sheneta Grimond (23)

and Marian Samaroo (09) were the two batters at the crease. The tournament will continue today at the said venue from 09:00hrs.

heaviest weights of his flight, 282.5kg, a new National record and Personal Best. D e s p i t e t h i s achievement, Smith ended just outside the podium positions, fourth, overall. Prior to the record lift, Smith had lifts of 240.0kg and 265.0kg. Andrea Smith, the Secretary of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) who also performed duties as Team Manager, commented on her performance which she said she was happy about as many of the lifts were personal bests. ”I am happy about the fact that I still am working out some technicalities behind my lifts so there’s room to grow which I appreciate. I didn’t feel as exhausted as I taught I would have so I know I had more in the tank, especially on the deadlifts which is my strongest lift. I am really pleased about my bench has progressed in the last couple of months.” Smith informed that it is the first international meet that she would have achieved more that 7 of the 9 lifts which shows promise. On her immediate radar is continued training and a few more international competitions once they come along the way. Offering a comment on the overall performance of the team, Manager Smith credited the very encouraging performances to a collective approach

where all hands were on deck. ”I always started the day with a to do list and I checked off as I went along. I also did a lot of prep prior to leaving the country, ensuring I had person’s data and numbers so I can manage them a bit more efficiently. I was nervous about it at first because I was really exhausted day in, day out but when I looked around here and I saw other people doing the same, I assured myself and I got through it.” She posited that there were a number of teachable lessons for her and reiterated that team work was the main pillar for success. ”It made my job less tedious; I would thank the lifters, my colleagues because they really worked with me, it wasn’t just me alone doing this. Everyone did well; I observed a lot of structure in the approaches of our athletes in choosing their attempts and executing their lifts. The feedback I kept getting from them was that they knew their technical faults which showed a willingness to learn and improve.” ”I would say they gave a very good effort, the medal count speaks for itself, they did well and I am very happy about that.” The final day of action is today and the lone lifter in contention for more medals will be ‘Big’ John Edwards who will be going after more glory in the Masters 2 120kg and Open classes.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 34

Saturday July 08, 2017

Digicel 2017 Junior CASA

Guy Boys beat Caymans (4-1), Girls win 4-1 over T&T By Sean Devers Guyana registered two wins on the penultimate day of the 2017 Digicel Junior CASA team tournament which ended at the Georgetown Club last night with their Girls Team emerging victorious over Trinidad and Tobago 4-1, while their Boys team beat the Cayman Islands by a similar margin. H o w e v e r, B a r b a d o s Boys got the better of Jamaica 4-1, while their Girls will face-off with arch rivals Barbados from 10:00hrs today, while their Boys team battle Guyana from 13:00hrs today. Also in winners’ row yesterday was T&T Boys who beat Bermuda 3-2 to set up an intriguing final day today. Guy beat T&T (4-1) Taylor Fernandes beat Alexandria Yearwood 9-11, 11-4,11-7,13-11

Rebecca Low lost to MarieClaire Rose Barcant 1113,11-3,11-5,11-4 Makeda Harding beat Jinan Al Rawi 11-2,11-3,11-2 Madison Fernandes beat Chloe Walcott 11-9, 11-1,117 Kirsten Gomes beat Sigourney Williams 110,11-2,11-0 Guy Boys beat Cayman Islands (4-1) Benjamin Mekdeci beat Christian Dube 11-8,112,11-4 Rithew Saywack, beat Isaiah Robinson 13-11,11-5,11-5 Daniel Islam beat David Pitcairn 11-8,11-8,11-7 Michael Alphonso Lost to Jace Jervis, 9-11,11-9,811,11-9,12-10 Shomari Wiltshire, beat Brody Macomb, 11-1,111,11-1 B’dos beat Jamaica (4-1) Josiah Griffith beat Tahjia Lumley 11-4,11-9,11-1 Reginald Brewster lost to Jonathan Walker11-6,6-

Entries roll in for Four Horsemen Emancipation Day horserace meet As preparations continue for the much anticipated one day Emancipation Horserace meet organised by the Four Horsemen Promotion Group, entries have begun to pour in. The event is set for Tuesday 1st August at the Port Mourant (Big Yard) Turf Club (PMTC), Corentyne Berbice, and has a total of $5M in cash and trophies at stake. Seven races are listed for the day with over 30 horses entered to participate so far. The feature event is for animals’ classified E3 and non-winners for 2016 and 2017. It also caters for animals’ classified F and G that has not earned over $500,000 for 2017. The distance is 1400M for winning take of $350,000 and trophy. The 3yrs old guy bred maiden animals will be galloping over 1200M for a reward of $300,000 and trophy. There is also an event for animals classified H3 and lower over 1200M for a first prize of $300,000 and trophy. The 2 yrs old Guyana bred animals will have their first taste of the track over 900M for a $250,000 reward and trophy. The I3 & lower animals will be competing over

1200M for a take home pay 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 have an opportunity to run as they compete for a pole position taking of $120,000 over 1200M. The Organizing Committee deserves the right to cancel or reframe any race mentioned above. In the event that there are less than five horses entered for any event the Organizing Committee reserves the right to cancel or reframe the said event or reduce the prize money after notifying the horse owners. Seven horses are to start or no fourth prize will be paid. The event will be held under the rules set out for Horse Racing in Guyana. Horses are subject to reclassification. No Late Entries will be accepted. Interested persons can contact Bobby Vaughn on 624 6788 or 223-5097, 2277061, 333-0290 or 3330301; Fazal Habibulla on 657 010; Ramnauth on 3375311, 697 1979 or Campton Sancho on 690 0569. Colin Elcock is the Coordinator.

B’dos Boys & Girls register 4-1 wins

Bajan Reginald Brewster lost to Jamaican to Jonathan Walker to Jamaica their only win yesterday. (Sean Devers photo)

Michael Alphonso (right) played a fantastic match despite his loss to Jace Jervis in an keenly contested opening match in the evening session yesterday. (Sean Devers photo) 11 , 11 - 1 , 11 - 5 K h a m a l Cumberbatch beat Adam Ardito 11-4,11-4,11-3 Darien Benn beat Sebastian Levy 11-7,7-11,10-12,114,11-6

Aidan Parris beat Tobias Levy 11-0,11-3,11-4 T&T Boys beat Bermuda (3-2) Anaya Smith lost to Nicholas Caddle 7-11,13-

11,11-8,11-7,11-7 Jonathan Blanc lost to Matthew Elliott 11-2,114,11-4 Joshua Poon beat T&Ts Taylor Carrick 11-2,11-1,11-

5 Christopher Anthony beat Charlie Riker 11-7,11-9,111 Seth Thong lost to Ringer Daniel 11-1,11-4,1210

Solutions needed ahead of England tour, says Holder KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Captain Jason Holder says West Indies need to find solutions to their batting woes by the time the next one-day series rolls around against England in September. Speaking following their eight-wicket defeat to India in the fifth One-Day International here Thursday which dealt the hosts a 3-1 series loss, Holder said there were issues which needed to be addressed and urged players to go away and work on developing their game over the next two months. “We’ve got to find ways to rotate the strike more in our middle overs. Batsmen have gotten a of starts in this series but not carried on,” the 25-year-old pointed out. “I think we’ve got roughly a month or two before our one-day series against England. That’s a perfect opportunity for guys, especially those not playing Test cricket, to go back and work on their games and try to enhance their games by the time we start in England.” Needing a victory on Thursday to snatch a share of the honours in the five-match series, West Indies again batted poorly and were restricted to an inadequate

Stylish right-hander Shai Hope hits out during his top score of 51 in the fifth ODI against India on Thursday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

205 for nine off their 50 overs. Top-scorer Shai Hope (51) and his older brother Kyle Hope (46), along with Holder with 34, all got started but failed to carry on. Holder said the innings had been hurt by the inability of the set players to push on for a big score. “We weren’t able to keep our wickets in tact at crucial

stages of the game and we lost wickets every time we seemed to be gathering momentum,” the Barbadian all-rounder pointed out. “We can’t put it down to the pitch, it was just poor shot selection at the time. I felt a few of our batsmen got out with some big overs where we could have consolidated a little bit more

and pushed the game a little deeper.” He continued: “I’m obviously very disappointed [with my own innings]. My plans were to go as deep as possible. I thought the par score was 270 but at that stage where I was batting it was quite difficult to get to 270. “I felt I went a little too early. I probably should have batted down another five overs and rotated the strike because I was scoring freely but it was an error on my part probably going a little too early.” Despite the batting lapses in all four completed games in the series, Holder praised the bowlers for the valiant efforts, often times in pressure situations. “I must say credit to the bowlers, I think they came in and tried. For the entire series they have been pulling us out of the hat most of the time so credit to them,” he said. “If you check our bowling line up they are still relatively inexperienced and the way the guys bowled, they showed a lot of maturity.” We s t I n d i e s a r e scheduled to play England in their next one-day series from September 19-29.

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 08, 2017

PAGE 35

Chase Academy hammer Queenstown as Digicel schools football continues Defending champions Chase Academy issued a strong warning to the rivals with a comprehensive victory over Queenstown Secondary when the Digicel schools football tournament continued yesterday at the Ministry of Education ground. Stephan Reynolds, Adrian Aaron, Rondel Peters and Raushan Ritch each scored a hat-trick as their team hammered 16 goals past the hapless Queenstown Secondary who failed to find the back of the net. Chase Academy made their presence felt from the opening whistle as Reynolds put them ahead in the first minute before Aaron

stretched the lead in the seventh. Peters scored his first goal in the 15th minute, while Aaron netted his second in the 25th. Queenstown had no answer for their opponents attacking play and Reynolds added another in the 28th minute before Jeremiah Sookram netted in the 34th as Chase Academy enjoyed a 6-0 advantage at half time. The defending champions continued to attack and Aaron completed his hat-trick two minutes into the second half before Peters netted his second t h r e e m i n u t e s l a t e r. Reynolds found the back of the net in the 45th minute to register his third goal, while debutant Kevin Padmore

Debutant Kevin Padmore (center) fights for the ball prior to his first of two goals. netted in the 47th and 49th as Chase dominance continued.

Peters rounded off his hat-trick in the 56th minute, while Ritch scored in the

61st and 64th before Shemel Smith slotted home in the 67th. Ritch became the

fourth player in the side to score a hat-trick when he slotted home in the 70th.

Floodlights capture Softball Legend’s Title in New York defeat Regal Masters in Final Ravi Lutchman

The New York Softball Cricket League (NYSCL) a n n u a l Independence/Legends Cup cricket tournament was contested last weekend. Floodlights of The Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association, who were crowned champions in 2015 when they defeated fellow Guyanese team Regal Masters, but lost to the said opponents in the 2016 final, have emerged champions once again, beating their Guyanese counterparts by 50 runs in the grand finale. Floodlight Defeated Tri State Masters, Amazon Warriors and New York Muslim in the preliminary

The victorious Floodlight team from left Mohan Sukhu, Ravi Lutchman, Wayne Jones, Robert Mohan, Ricky Deonarain, Hubern Evans, Gordial Mattai, Anil Beharry, Khemraj Sumair and Mike Singh. Missing are Ramesh Narine, Puran Singh, Unnis Yusuf and Ramo Malone. round. They trashed New York Hustlers in the semifinal before winning the final at the Roy Wilkinson Park. Floodlights opted to bat and made 217 for 4 wickets off their allotted 20 overs. Ravi Lutchman led the way with an undefeated 112, he

was well supported by Unnis Yusuf 34 and Lloyd Ruplall 38. Ravi and Unnis made a flying opening start of 66 in six overs. Lloyd Ruplall then joined Ravi Lutchman and together they put on 105 for the second wicket. Ramesh Narine chipped in with 15.

When Regal Masters reply, only Rudolph Baker with 38 showed some resistance as they were restricted for 167 for 7 off 20 overs. Wayne Jones took 432 to break the cream of the batting. Ramo Malone, Ramesh Narine, Deonarine and Ravi Lutchman took one

wicket each. Floodlights took away all prizes that were presented in the Legends To u r n a m e n t . R a v i Lutchman was voted man of the match in the final and was also MVP. In the Open Category of the Tournament called the

Independence Cup, New York Softball Cricket League defeated Regal All Stars in the Final. Floodlights and Floodlights Legend will now turn their attention to Canada, where “Toronto Cup 2” will be played on August 4, 5 and 6.

t r o Sp Digicel 2017 Junior CASA

Guy Boys beat Caymans (4-1), Girls win 4-1 over T&T Madison Fernandes (right) defeated T&T’s Chloe Walcott in three games yesterday morning. (Sean Devers photo)

B’dos Boys & Girls register 4-1 wins

Rithew Saywack beat Isaiah Robinson who plays off the glass yesterday evening. (Sean Devers photo)

32nd FESUPO/16th NAPF & FESUPO Pan American C/ships – Equipped Day 2

Andrea Smith maintains Guyana’s gold medal form, Erwyn Smith bags silver

- More records achieved

FESUPO 72kg Female Open gold medalist, Andrea Smith proudly displays the Golden Arrowhead after receiving the medal.

Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210