Kaieteur News
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Wednesday July 25, 2018
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
TEENAGE PREGNANCY
S
adly, teenage pregnancy has remained in the high numbers in Guyana, and unfortunately there are hardly any public debates about teaching safe sex to teenagers or the consequences of physical intimacy. Around half of the teens in Guyana are sexually active, and many of them have involuntary sex at a young age, which invariably increases the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Most teenagers will have a sexual encounter at least once by age 15, and many would be involved in sexual intercourse during their high school years. Eight out of ten teenage pregnancies in Guyana are unplanned; they are due to mistakes and they carry a social stigma in most communities. While birth control can reduce the risk of unintended pregnancies, most teens who use birth control methods like pills or condoms do so inconsistently and sporadically. However, there is no guarantee that birth control would prevent pregnancy. Astonishingly, data shows that one in every five or 20 percent of pregnancies in Guyana involve a teenager and one in four or 25 percent of teenage mothers will experience another pregnancy within two years of having their first baby. Most teenage pregnancies happen before they could understand the implication, importance and responsibility of becoming parents at a young age. Many of these pregnancies have resulted from social issues, including poverty, lack of education, peer pressure, sexual abuse, and low self-esteem, among others. According to the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), almost 60 percent of teenage mothers were impoverished at the time they gave birth and less than one third of them would not receive any form of child support, which increases the likelihood of seeking assistance from the government. Pregnancies among teens in most instances have irreparable consequences. It violates their rights with lifethreatening concerns in terms of sexual and reproductive health, and poses high healthcare costs to the country. Many teenage parents do not have the intellectual or emotional maturity that is needed to provide for another life. Teens with older partners than them are twice as likely to have unwanted sex and even though some teens appear to be physically matured, they are psychologically immature and ill-equipped to fend off the attention of older males. Often, these pregnancies are hidden for months thus resulting in a lack of adequate prenatal care and dangerous outcomes for the babies. Pregnancy and parenthood are the main reasons as to why most teens would drop out of school and will work minimum wage jobs to make ends meet. But those with family and community support at the time of their pregnancy are as likely to graduate as their peers and will get higher paying jobs. However, pursuing a university education is not an immediate option for most teen moms. Less than four percent of teenage mothers will graduate from college by age 30. Addressing the issue of teenage pregnancy in Guyana requires a multilateral approach by all stakeholders, including government agencies, to change the behaviour of teenagers and to deal with the underlying issues such as poverty, gender inequality and education. The latter approach should include providing ageappropriate comprehensive sexual education for all young people in schools, investing in their education, empowering girls and ensuring that teenagers have access to sexual and reproductive health information as well as services to facilitate their choices. They should be given as much factual information as possible about the different views on a range of related issues, whether contraception, abortion or abstinence. They should be told that having sex is not a game, but a matter to be approached with the greatest responsibility.
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.
Adopting a different operating route to avert further medical lawsuit DEAR EDITOR, As a retired health care professional and one who was subjected to mentally demanding and physically rigorous training periods in the U.K, U.S.A & Canada , I am somewhat taken aback on reading about malpractices occurring in Guyana—a place I am certain in no way caters to the level of circulating surgical traffic takes place in these foreign countries in the large hospitals. Kaieteur News of July 24, stated that for the second time in a month, the Georgetown Public Hospital, the nation’s largest public hospital, was facing two lawsuits based on retained surgical bodies. Gossypiboma is the term given to any foreign object accidentally left behind in the patient’s body during s u rg e r y a n d d i s c o v e r e d p o s t operatively, and which may require a further procedure. Such an occurrence in the field of patient care is totally preventable and as such is deemed a “never event”. The sequelae of post-surgery foreign bodies, objects etc., may present itself in diverse forms shortly after the procedure, months or even years sometimes with fatal or body damaging consequences. The retained object becomes a nidus for infection and the grounds for malpractice lawsuits. Every operating room or theatre functions on standard procedures aimed at patient safety and infection minimization. Coupled with this is the fact that there also concomitantly exists procedures and personnel tasked with keeping track of surgical sponges and instruments, which are central to ensuring that no foreign object is left in a
patient’s body following closure of the surgical incision. In some instances, instruments and other items such that by their very nature are at risk of being retained in the patient are specially and specifically documented. What was amiss in the O.R at Georgetown Public Hospital? Is there an established surgical counting procedure in effect? In 2008 The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the Surgical Safety Checklist (SSCL). It was discovered that while healthcare facilities had pre-existing safety protocols, these were not habitually adhered to, often due to breakdown in communication or the lack of a standardized system. As afore mentioned the retention of foreign object is a never event as there is the Scrub Nurse and the Circulating Nurse who work closely with the surgeon regarding the instruments and objects used. The Scrub Nurse, a valuable member of the surgical team as her name implies — is scrubbed and works closely in the surgical field, anticipating and handing the surgeon instruments, sponges, etc. as may be needed and requested by the surgeon. The Circulating Nurse works closely with the Scrub Nurse and keeps track of the instruments, sponges, needles, blades, etc. used during the surgical procedure. Prior to the start of the surgery and the opening of the wound, an instrument check is carried out by nurses, verification made and signatures documented attesting correctness of count. The surgeon is notified and surgery
begins. Documentation is also made of any extra instruments, sponges, needles, blades, gauze etc. requested after the initial count. On completion of the surgery before full wound closure a count is once again conducted by the initial two nurses, with verification and correctness of count documented. The information is immediately passed on to the surgeon who then effects wound closure. In the current case of Onissa Bowling suing the GHHC for gauze being left in her body and the ensuing mental and physical anguish endured it is blatantly obvious that the nurses erroneously reported the gauze count as being correct. There is yet another lawsuit by another individual, Kim Nichols, who also claims retention of foreign object following surgery, once again testimony to false documentation regarding swab and instrument count. . These reported incidents demand a thorough investigation of the pre and post-operative protocol at Georgetown Public Hospital especially as it pertains to swab and instrument count not only at the time of the surgery in question, but also what is currently in practice. Surgical operations as a whole is team work so all is responsible, no blame game. Nevertheless the parties directly responsible for the swab and instrument count in the current matter should be sought out and explanations demanded. It may require that some personnel be given the boot if the hospital is to avoid any further lawsuit, or better yet the hospital may need to adopt a different operating route. Yvonne Sam
There may be no real criminal cases to be made DEAR EDITOR, Articles such as “Minister Sharma laments SOCU sloth” in (2018-07-23) SN and, “Sharma annoyed by SOCU’s performance with forensic audits” in GC of 2018-07-17 are the latest in about two years of weekly and sometimes daily haranguing declarations and denouncements by many members of our Cabinet and Government members in Parliament, committing to jail the members and administrators of the past PPP/C administration. There has been no lacking in expressions of determination and from time to time, as little if any progress is evident, we have had glimpses of the contentious blame-game between the various actors: Honourable Ministers, the Guyana Police Force, SOCU, SARA, the Police Legal Adviser, the Overseas Expert Adviser, the DPP and anyone on whom some blame could be hung,
for the seeming lack of progress with the touted charges. This lament, the expressions of dissatisfaction and annoyance, the blame game, altogether would prompt experienced persons to wonder whether a number of the actors are not beginning to question how much substance there may be in these allegations of corruption, whether in the passion in the aftermath of our 2015 elections, mountains were not being made of molehills in the forensic audits. But no one wants to blow the whistle, no one wants to bell the cat! Perhaps it is time that Honourable Minister Sharma opens his mind to the possibility that really there are no criminal cases of any substance, to be made. And so too, perhaps, should all of us, Guyanese, open our minds. As former President Donald Ramotar allowed
very early, we all being only humans and Guyanese at that, some level and instances of corruption were likely (suspicious cases would need to be investigated) but the allegations of corruption of a hundred billion dollars each year (about half of our national budget) against PPP/C Ministers and Administrators were grossly, grossly exaggerated. It is time that we recognize that these wild corruption charges took root in the context of intensely adversarial political contest (PPP/C going it alone as a minority Government after our 2011 elections) and fundamental differences in the policies and attitudes to inculcate and nurture development of our people and country. There was intense frustration and anger amongst then Opposition members and supporters when, after the Opposition passed a motion in Parliament forbidding the
e x p e n d i t u r e o f Government/Consolidated Fund money on the Marriott,we PPP/C, found a legal and legitimate way to complete a first phase of the Marriott Hotel Project, utilizing money obtained from the sale of shares in GTT, all transactions falling within the umbrella of the PU/NICIL group. Would we Guyanese and Guyana have been better off if the Marriott had been abandoned half built, somewhat like the intended Cacique hotel aback of the Ramada Georgetown Princess at Providence? The charges laid against my colleagues the Former Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, and the Former CEO of PU/NICIL, Mr. Winston Brassington, are nothing but clutching at straws. There is no allegation of any money reaching their or any other pockets – none did. They carried out in a (Continued on page 6)
POLITICAL DIRECTORS USURP THE MUNICIPAL BYLAWS DEAR EDITOR, As an independent councilor at the 52/74 NDC I have to sit and look on as the Chairman attempts to control every aspect of the NDC under political directives from two PPP officials from Freedom House.He wants to control the CIIP workers, the Sanitary Inspector, and even the Superintendent of Works apart from the NDC itself and all the councilors. Every time an issue is raised at the NDC Statutory meeting we always hear that the Chairman has to ‘seek clarity’ and his source of clarity is always these PPP officials. I could not understand why an NDC has to be under political dictatorship when Chapter 28:02 should offer the clarity needed on such issues.Many decisions are made at the NDC meeting and are then aborted because the Chairman’s source of clarity told him to do something else. For instance, streets constructed by the Central Government are destroyed by farmers who traverse their heavy machinery on these streets. When the #52 First Street was constructed the residents called and petitioned for a barrier to be placed so that these heavy vehicles cannot gain access. No
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sooner it was placed than it was destroyed by a rice farmer. A few weeks ago the Regional Vice Chairman and the NDC Chairman relocated the barrier to the #52 Middle Walk Dam where it will serve no purpose since the street will not be protected. It was an NDC Statutory decision to place the barrier there and it should not be overturned by political interference .I am calling on the Minister of Communities to make it mandatory to block all streets which are newly constructed since it seems that a few RDC officials are bent on destroying the progress of this Coalition Government. Another example is that at our first statutory meeting after the LGE, I had requested permission to build a Park adjacent to the Freedom House at #63 Village. It was recorded and noted and I was told to commence when the weather holds. I spent money on landfilling and leveling of the location but in April when I raised the matter I was told that the Region will be doing it. This is a big lie since it is not in the Regional Budget. It is clear that the Regional Vice Chairman misled the NDC Council. I was willing to do the
Park pro bono but since I am a member of the PNC it will give me political mileage. This is how these PPP officials are killing development and giving the PPP a bad name. Another issue which may hint at corruption is the transfer of the #52/74 NDC dumpsite to an individual who now claims to have a lease from the previous administration . I had invited this individual to attend our statutory meeting and walk with his documents and lease but to date he has not done so. He is using our dumpsite to dump garbage from as far as Crabwood Creek and New Amsterdam and is making a fortune. I would like this matter to be investigated. It is alleged that some PPP officials had granted him access to the site and that there is no lease. I am sure that the leader of the PPP will never tolerate such behaviour which will see his supporters suffer at the hands of these little Caesars. Yours sincerely, Raj Lakhram (Lakhram Singh)
APNU+AFC UNCONCERNED ABOUT WORKING-CLASS DEAR EDITOR, The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) was indeed most upset and disturbed by the seeming belligerent attitude shown by the APNU/ AFC Government’s disapproval of a motion to have reinstated a Ministry of Labour. The motion was tabled by the Parliamentary Opposition following a call that was reiterated by the trade union movement at the May Day 2018 rally. It is a call which the Guyanese workers, through their representative organisations, have been making over the last three years but was largely ignored despite the several credible rationales provided for going in the direction that the motion proposed. The FITUG e x p e c t e d that, on this occasion, in spite of previous expressed views, given the nature of the issue and more so the venue it was raised, that the Administration would have soberly assessed and given support to the motion.
That expectation was d a s h e d , h o w e v e r, a s shown by the contributions from the Government side and, of course, ultimately its vote in the House. Rather than advancing any convincing arguments for its stance, the Administration tangentially invoked several red herrings and did not, from our point of view, address the substance of the matter. Maybe this course was chosen as the Coalition Government, we believe, could not defend its indefensible position in not having a Labour Ministry. The noteworthy fact that even the Minister who it is said is responsible for Labour did not contribute to the debate says a great deal. The outcome, though, a major disappointment for the nation’s w o r k e r s o n l y served to confirm the Federation’s publicly expressed view regarding the A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ’s a n t i working-class nature. On too many occasions we could not have helped but
point out the disregard to many of the commitments the Coalition made to the workers during the elections campaign. Time-honoured and longstanding practices even international conventions and our country’s laws have simply been ignored b y t h e present-day Government. Moreover, one cannot ignore the increased costof-living burdens workers are now made to bear and which further illustrate the Administration’s unsympathetic view to the workingpeoples plight. This latest act against the workers of Guyana is just another glaring example of the Coalition’s scant concern of the workers interest. The FITUG, in spite of the Administration’s intransigence, firmly upholds and reiterates its position that a Ministry of Labour is a necessary and required institution. We wish to remind the Administration that actions speak louder than words. GAWU
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GUYANA’S OIL ON SOCIAL MEDIA DEAR EDITOR, Allow me to express my gratitude in disappointment with a few articles and videos on Guyana surfacing online and especially on Social Media. These opinions from outside Guyana are juicy to the readers and viewers. The article in New York Times on Guyana’s oil stirred our guts and few of us had the courtesy to rebut the arguments. Although a few opinions are a matter of concern that we need to address. There are a few videos being circulated on Guyana’s Oil on social media that are damaging the image of our beautiful Guyana. These videos presentations are very interesting but from an outside perspective. I believe that everyone is entitled to their opinions. Someone else’s opinions must not derail our belief in ourselves as a strong compact nation. However, there is no harm in discussing other opinions and if they are true, let us utilize them for the betterment of Guyana.Some persons believe that once you have a pencil you are a writer or once you have a camera,
you are a journalist. This is untruly true in this highly social media-driven world. I mean to say, anyone can post anything online and there are always people who buy this with less or no wisdom. That is where we have a problem. Oil is true in Guyana, but it must be a concern for Guyanese and not for others to tell us what we should do or what we will become. We, as Guyanese, must be strong at this time and not give in to external pressure. Whatever people say, we know who we are. Let us stand together as a nation and not as Indo and Afro Guyanese. We are a nation of multiple diversities and let this be our strength during these crucial times. Let us help our leaders, both ruling and opposition to come to the table to guard our wealth and resources. This way, we can truly channel our resources for the betterment of our country. Just ignore anything that is not true and take only what is true. Let us not waste time on ignorance of outsiders rather let us believe in our strength. Our strength is their ignorance. Arun Williams Georgetown
Wednesday July 25, 2018
MISLEADING PEOPLE ABOUT SARA DEAR EDITOR, It is amazing how we in a suave manner, try to mislead people. This is as the Opposition Leader in one of his usual “throw down” attempts to confuse the populace in a Kaieteur News article, “How come SARA can’t charge someone for $1M?” – Jagdeo. The opposition leader must be familiar with the contents of the State Assets Recovery Act 2017. This was hotly debated in Parliament last year. Just to bring to the attention of the general public, the Act specifically says that SARA is not allowed with any case under $10 Million. So the mouthing of the opposition leader is so outlandish. Further, SARA’s mandate is about the recovery of stolen assets and to regain same
through civil recovery. All this is known to the Leader of the Opposition but he still insists on his path of misinformation. It is public knowledge that the State Assets Recovery Agency doesn’t charge people. It’s the Special Organised Crime Unit that is the agency that would institute charges. So it’s erroneous to subscribe that role to SARA.I am sure that the government agency is leaving no stone unturned to recover all that the state lost over the years. As is known, the recovery of state assets is a painstakingly long process. It requires due diligence and careful meticulous handling of all cases. This has been proven in many of the successful cases, and that is why those engaged in the
preparation of those cases do not fall for the call for charges. It’s the bait to know who are the ones on SARA’s radar. Many people want to know who will have to repay the state, but at the appropriate time I suppose all shall be revealed. Again Mr. Jagdeo is infusing that the” formal economy is tanking, because of the policies of the government,” but this is not true. The economy is now beginning to grow as a result of the new economic and financial policies, and the administration should be applauded for it. I believe in another two to three years the economy will be on a stronger footing giving it the kind of resilience needed. Regards S . Chand
THERE MAY BE NO REAL CRIMINAL CASES TO BE MADE From page 4 lawful manner, legitimate decisions of our PPP/C Government. The development of Guyana and Guyanese all together has been our purpose and our driving force and in the pursuit of which we exercised even-handedly and openly the judgement and discretion that were lawfully and legitimately within our authority. There have been adverse criticisms of our entry into direct negotiations with Mr. Gerry Gouveia and sale to him
of adjacent properties for extension of his hotel and hospitality business: we had done similarly and somewhat earlier with Mr. Michael George for the expansion of his Herdmanston hotel. The unit selling price of land to Movietown seems to occasion another of the recent charges of malfeasance but the sale of land in the same area to Giftland was at a somewhat lower unit price; and the sale of land in the same area to Mr. Boyer (another malfeasance case) for a middle to upper end housing
development was by open bid which he won and at a price above our minimum required price. I can express the assurance that we, PPP/C, were in no way less warm and encouraging to Mr. Beepat through his much-extended construction period and as he sought allocation and/or a say in the use of adjacent land in a way which would have enhanced and not detract from his project. I recall happily touring the construction site at least twice with him and freely expressing my appreciation of his determination to bring a new upgraded shopping experience to Guyana and his fellow Guyanese. Editor, there are three reasons for me to state again my concern and consequent call on our Government to put aside as soon as we could those unfounded grossly exaggerated allegations of huge corruption. Firstly, as I see it, our
Government seemingly believing its own propaganda has been misdirecting itself. How else can I think of their unquestioning rush on entering office to greatly raise their own levels of pay (as if billions of dollars were to appear) but later extending to our public servants much less than they had promised them? They pleaded that after their increases to themselves, it became evident that there was not enough money to provide rank and file public servants with the increases they had promised them! Further, the about fifty corrupt scandals that we PPP/ C have documented during the three years of our Coalition Government, seem to suggest that our Coalition Government relying on their allegations of huge PPP/C corruption have been behaving as if they had licence to do as they pleased. How else can we understand the transactions of the drug bond and the
perverse frustration of the notice to end that lease early. Again, they have tainted appropriate approaches to our taking responsibility for our development, such as the Berbice Bridge as well as the key development Agency – NICIL – created by the PNC in mid 1980s on returning to Private Sector led development. We can recall the different positions and ambiguities on the continued existence and role for NICIL which do not augur well for its successful operation. Secondly, until our Government can resolve and clarify these grossly exaggerated allegations of corruption, there would be so much smoke and confusion around, our country would be set for real corruption – a real concern with the prospects of huge flows of money from oil. Thirdly, without an earnest resolution of those corruption allegations, the
prospects for a less acrimonious, more constructive relationship between us, PPP/C, and the Coalition, are slim even as we PPP/C persevere in that desire and concur with former President Carter’s recent call for such. It is pertinent to recall here the conciliating suggestion some time ago, from our much maligned Leader of the Opposition, that our Coalition Government retain an external, agreed, hopefully impartial accounting group to review those forensic audits so that together as a nation we could conclusively deal with them in a timely way and get them off the table, removing that major distraction from the development of people and country which should be our common bonding concern. Yours truly, Samuel A. A. Hinds Former Prime Minister and Former President
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Judiciary does not exist to do the bidding of any arm of the Executive - Bar Council
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he Bar Council of the Guyana Bar As sociation is displeased with recent statements made by Deputy Director of the State Asset Recovery Agency (SARA), Aubrey Heath-Retemyer. The official had said that the Judiciary needs urgent training to understand the seriousness of the work being done by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU). Retemyer’s comments were made on the premise that SOCU in the last few months faced several challenges in getting orders from the courts to obtain information from the banks. He said that SARA is paying attention to the manner in which SOCU is being treated. Based on his observations, Retemyer believes that there is a stark disconnection between the judiciary and the thirst of the nation for an end to corruption. He said, “We can’t say if the requests SOCU made for orders from the Court were prepared properly, but we think that we have technically competent people to prepare these things in a manner where we would be able to dot
all i’s and cross all t’s. At the same time, we believe that the courts of this country seem not to favour (such requests by entities).” He added, “There are times when the society of a country demands so much of the legal system that there is a wave of change and the legal people are far more inclined to see justice prevail than they are to apply the law to stop legitimate progress in the direction of fighting corruption.In other words, there are some countries like Brazil and Argentina where the court is highly trained and far more in tune with what the national psyche is, what the people really yearn for.” The Bar Council interpreted this to mean that the SARA Director is attempting to direct the work and functioning of the Judiciary. As such, it sought to remind of Article 122.A of the Constitution which says, “All courts and persons presiding over the courts shall exercise their functions independently of the control and direction of any other person or authority; and shall be free and independent from political, executive and any other form of direction and control.”
Deputy Director of SARA, Aubrey Heath-Retemyer
The Council said that Retemyer, as the Deputy Director of an important agency of the Executive, is obliged to avoid any action, including the making of public comments, which can be taken as an attempt to direct the working and functioning of the Judiciary. It also took umbrage with Retemyer’s statement that the Judiciary needs training (presumably by the Executive) to ensure that the work of SARA
and SOCU gets done. In this regard, the Council said, “In Guyana, as Mr. HeathRetemyer should be aware, justice is done when the Judiciary applies principles of law to evidence proved in Court. Since the Judiciary does not exist to do the bidding of the Executive, the rights of Guyanese citizens and the application of the rule of law take precedence over the granting of remedies in a
speedy manner to the liking of the Executive.” The Bar Council continued, “Any insinuation that the Judiciary is somehow lacking in knowledge is unjustified, without merit, and could dangerously shake the confidence of the public in the ability of the Judiciary. Guyana is a democracy where the law is applied by an independent and impartial Judiciary whose function includes restraining unlawful excesses by the Executive, including Mr. Heath-Retemyer and SARA/SOCU.” It added, “If that agency is not satisfied with the legal requirements in discharge of its functions, then the Bar Association assures the public that the fault does
not lie with the Judiciary and/ or its training.” The Association called for Retemyer’s comments to be condemned by the Government, for not being its view of the Judiciary, and by the citizens of Guyana as being an unjustified attack by an agent of the Executive on the independence of the Judiciary and in violation of the principle of separation of powers.It also called for Retemyer to issue an unconditional retraction, apology, and refrain from making any similar statement in future. The Bar Council said that it has every confidence in the ability of the Judiciary, and will at all times stand guard and rebuff such attacks.
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Gold Board puts huge dent in debt owed to Consolidated Fund
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he financial health of the Guyana Gold Board appears to be improving significantly with respect to the clearing of moneys owed to the Ministry of Finance. In a recent interview with this newspaper, the Board’s General Manager, Eondrene Thompson said that it owed the Finance Ministry as much as $18B a few years ago, but that is now down to $3B, a sum she hopes will be cleared off by year end. Thompson said, “The financing for the Gold Board was set up in such a way that the Ministry of Finance would advance us funds and we would purchase gold from the miners, with the advances. When the gold is sold, the proceeds are given to the Consolidated Fund, thereby repaying the Ministry of Finance. Over the years, I think it was in 2012, the deficit was just over $8B and the Ministry of Finance
…GM says it only has $3B left to clear
Gold Board GM, Eondrene Thompson took a decision that they would not be giving the Guyana Gold Board advances any longer. That was in 2012.” The General Manager
added, “However, Gold Board continued to buy gold and that meant we would have been sending the Consolidated Fund in overdraft…As at 2016, we owed the Fund just over $18B and in 2017, the Guyana Gold Board reduced that deficit to approximately $3B. Also, we had a long history from 2012 of a deficit in the balance sheet and we moved from a deficit to $651M in profit.” In 2015, the government had commissioned forensic auditors to probe the operations of the Guyana Gold Board. Among its findings was the fact that the Gold Board Act is silent on how permanent losses are to be dealt with. Responding to this matter, Thompson agreed that this is the case, but noted that no amendment has been made to the Act to address this issue.
Wednesday July 25, 2018
Discovery of employee’s skeletal remains…
Mining camp owner remanded on murder charge Following the discovery of skeletal remains suspected to be those of a female cook, her 38-year-old employer was yesterday remanded to prison on a murder charge by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. James Allen of Two Friends Village, East Coast Demerara, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he was not required to plead to a charge for the capital offence. It is alleged that between June 28, 2018 and July 8, 2018 at Thomas Island, Puruni River, he murdered 31-yearold Petol Hafez, of Lot 21 Side Line Dam, Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo. Attorney-at-Law Trento Lake, who appeared on behalf of the murder accused, requested that the prosecution disclose statements in the matter. After the brief court hearing, the Chief Magistrate remanded Allen to prison until August 16, when he will appear in the Bartica Magistrate’s Court. According to reports, Hafez had traveled to Puruni around June 28 to work as a cook at a mining camp. But she went missing earlier this month, and on July 8, skeletal remains suspected to be those of the woman were discovered at an abandoned
Petol Hafez
Murder Accused: James Allen
mining camp at Thomas Island at Puruni, Mazaruni. Police had ordered the remains buried pending an exhumation. The exhumation, which was conducted Saturday, showed a ‘crack’ in the skull, but Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh was unable to determine the cause of death. A daughter of Hafez had told police that a “flowered top”, pants and brassiere, which were found near the remains, were clothing that belonged to her mother. But police will have to wait on DNA results from
samples taken from the remains to confirm the victim’s identity.Her daughter said that Hafez had promised to return “before school opened.”“She used to call everyday and when the calls stopped we knew that something was wrong,” the daughter said. She said relatives sent phone messages to the employer to enquire about her mother’s whereabouts. According to the daughter, the employer alleged that he had left his camp and when he returned, his workers said that Hafez had left to go “further up the backdam.”
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Wednesday July 25, 2018
The idyllic land of many waters
W
hen your own dog bites you, it hurts to the bone. When your own dog bites you, you experience a feeling of being betrayed by an ingrate. Guyanese are feeling hurt. They have been bitten. Not by their own dog, but by a foreign dog. A reporter from the New York Times ran an article about Guyana’s preparedness for oil, and in that article he made some unflattering comments about Guyana. The criticisms have upset persons at home. They are annoyed, deeply annoyed. So much so that some of them
are calling for the author of that article to become persona non grata in Guyana, as if the poor fellow has any intention to return to this God-forsaken country. Others have called for an apology, having rejected what they perceive as a depiction of Guyana as a ‘shithole’ country. The reaction to the article is part of the local pappyshow. People feel hurt when they are criticized by outsiders. They feel disrespected. They become nationalists overnight, refusing to brook any criticisms of their country. How dare, they arrogantly pontificate, a foreigner criticize our
country? It is strange that Guyanese should have reacted so harshly to criticism of Guyana’s preparedness for oil. Those who feel hurt and upset by the New York Times article should consider that the writer may have been judging Guyana from his own first world standards and, in this regard, he has found Guyana seriously wanting in terms of standards. Guyanese should not be surprised that persons accustomed to first world standards would be highly critical of conditions here. Guyana is still a politically, economically and socially
DEM BOYS SEH
Bad things does happen when people thing full you eye Only yesterday dem boys talk bout people who always looking to pick up wha don’t belong to dem. Dem is de people who does go to people house and when dem lef dem got people thing in dem pocket. De same set of people does go in dem supermarket and pick up de people thing and stuff dem under dem clothes. One man go in slim and come out fat; women does got on nuff underclothes and big short to hide wha dem pick up. When dem lef dem can open dem own shop. But dem is de harmless few. Dem don’t hurt nobody except de people who own de supermarket or who suffer because de people pick up things from de house. But dem have de other set who does mek everybody life miserable. Last night dem mek people wake up soon, long before bird wife wake and dem couldn’t sleep back. Dem go to a house in Liliendaal because dem hear this house got a safe. Safe is something that everybody got in dem house; some does call it cupboard when it nail on to something.
These people didn’t put de safe there but dem go to collect it. Five big men who coulda been home wid dem wife and sleeping decide that that is de hour dem gun go in odda people house. Dem boys also know that when you go in odda people house without invitation bad thing can happen to you. Now de five never live to see de sun come up; dem had gun but dem always got people who got bigger gun than you. When you run dem always got people who can run faster than you. Some of dem go in de people house but by de time dem reach inside de hand of death was outside. People heart nearly lef dem. Nuff come off dem bed and lie down pun de floor wid tears in dem eyes. Dem boys know when death deh round nobody does be happy. But Mr. Death did only come fuh de five. He lef and de people still frighten. Last night all who use to go home after midnight been home before de sun go down. Dem had some very happy husbands and wife. Talk half and lef wha is not you own.
backward country. It has a long way to go before it can be considered a first world country. What the New York Times feature writer was urging is that unless there is change, we are going to squander our oil wealth. We are prepared for the riches which are coming our way – this is the message that the writer is communicating. There is too much corruption and ineptitude. We should not be too harsh on the author. Anyone who has stepped off a plane at our national airport and had to walk the long distance to the terminal building while the rain beats down on you would appreciate how far Guyana lags behind the rest of the world. Anyone who has do deal with the stern-faced immigration officers would appreciate the need for a more welcoming environment for visitors. Anyone who has had to shout at the touts in the parking lot at the airport to leave their baggage alone would appreciate the perceptions which foreigners will have of this country. Guyanese like to boast about how hospitable we are, but the reality is that foreigners are subject to all manner of schemes and scams aimed at defrauding them when they arrive here. A Caribbean Airlines aircraft ran off the airstrip a few years ago. Passengers were injured and traumatized.
A taxi which rushed to the site where the aircraft ended up was charging the injured passengers as much as US$20 to transport them to the terminal building. In the midst of tragedy, one taxi driver was on a hustle. Do you therefore blame foreigners for having a negative perception of Guyana? The short journey from the airport to the city provides visitors of a snapshot of the lack of standards in the country. There are many sections of the East Bank Public Road where there are no street lights. There are sectors which are dark, desolate and unsafe, including on the approach to the airport at Timehri. Traffic congestion is a problem on that roadway, particularly as you approach the McDoom-AgricolaEccles, Grove-Diamond and Providence sections. Minibus drivers use that roadway as if it was racing track. Litter can be seen strewn all over the place at places along the route. And the police are waiting to pounce on you for the slightest mistake. Guyana is the land of many waters where you are afraid to drink the tap water and where untreated sewage is dumped into the ocean where people fish and bathe. Who can therefore blame foreigners for having a bad impression of Guyana?
It hurts because a foreigner has depicted Guyana as a ‘shithole ‘country. But it is not the first time that Guyana has been so depicted. Another reporter who came here to cover Cricket World Cup 2007 had some negative statements to make about Guyana. And the reaction to his column was the same as it is now with the New York Times article. It is all case of false pride? Why? Guyanese have been lamenting poor local standards. Guyanese have been far more critical of low standards in Guyana than foreigners. Guyanese have described their own country as a ‘shithole’ country. So why be so upset about the comments of the feature writer from the New York Times when Guyanese themselves have painted a more negative picture of their own country and have experienced worse than what that reporter experienced. At least he was not mugged or robbed while in Guyana? Hundreds of Guyanese are victims to crime each year in our idyllic country.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 25, 2018
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Do Guyanese have a mentality like Clifford Krauss? There is an outpouring of vitriolic anger from Guyanese with the New York Times correspondent, Clifford Krauss, and rightly so. But there are lessons to be drawn
and we should draw them quickly. There are some positives to take home from such a horribly fictional account of Guyanese society painted by Krauss.
Krauss simply represents the line-faults and fault lines of humans. There are countless numbers of Krausses in the rich, white, developed world. One of the
mysteries that few Guyanese would encounter is how Americans view their neighbour, Canada. If you spend time as a travel writer in the US you would get a rude awakening you will never ever forget. Americans hardly know about Canada. It is quite possible that if you take a poll among Americans, it will reveal they know more about a country named Jamaica than Canada. Yet Canada is one of the strongest economies in the world. The leading entertainment magazine in the US, “Rolling Stone” will get you livid if you know which songs are included in the magazine’s list of the greatest 100 songs ever made. The choice is determined by the cultural make up of the reviewer. My favourite foreign newspaper is the Guardian from the UK. I am left wing and that paper is left-liberal, so I find its analyses of world events more relevant to how I see things. But the
journalists even in such a newspaper cannot escape their cultural bias. In writing about a libel case involving the singer, Taylor Swift, the paper referred to her as the most popular singer in the world. That is not true. I think Rihanna and Beyoncé, in terms of sheer popularity in all the countries in the world, are measurably more known than Swift. I don’t know who Krauss is, but he is not alone in the white developed world as to how the Third World is viewed by middle class white folks in the developed world, and it is so viewed because people like Krauss, though they come from rich countries, don’t necessarily have a perspective on life that is a healthy one. I have learnt one lesson from travelling through rich countries – people can live in top class modern nations and be as ignorant as the uneducated toilet cleaner in a low income Third World state. The US is a colossal
Frederick Kissoon contradiction. Its technology, science and wealth are indeed impressive, but it has horribly ignorant people whose ignorance is indeed frightening. I have always said to countless friends of mine – the US is not New York, Illinois and California only. There are substantial numbers of citizens in that country that think and act as if they are not from a rich, educated, knowledgeable country. There are huge parts of the US nation where you would not believe how uninformed the citizens’ views are on people and the world. Krauss is not the only guilty party. He had an editor Continued on page 11
Wednesday July 25, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Transferred inspector denies police’s version of checkpoint stop An inspector battling the police force hierarchy after he was suddenly transferred to the East Coast Demerara in April is denying the version as stated by the force this week. According to Inspector Godfrey Playter, who is now awaiting the swearing in of the Police Service Commission to file a complaint, he had made attempts to ventilate his concerns privately with the hope of having the matter resolved amicably. He sent letters to Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, the Attorney-General and the Ministry of the Presidency. “However, months later, it would appear that nothing definitive would have been done. Thus, as a result of a frustrated mind, I was forced to bring the issue to the media’s attention. While there may be some regrets, in my humble opinion it was a last resort,” Playter said in a statement yesterday. The inspector was transferred in April after being summoned to a meeting with Assistant Commissioners Maxine Graham and Clifton Hicken. He was questioned about the events on March 22, 2018, at the eastern end of the Berbice Bridge where police has established a checkpoint. Playter had contended that a Route 45 minibus was stopped. The driver had no road service licence and no permit to be up in Berbice. An occupant of the bus reportedly made a call and told Playter to talk to the “boss man”. However, the inspector, who was in charge of the checkpoint, refused. He said he was not told who the
“boss man” was. It later turned out that it was Commissioner of Police (ag), David Ramnarine on the line. According to the inspector, he was called by his commander and advised that he should have taken the call. A few weeks later, Playter said he was summoned to the meeting and then transferred. He sent a letter to Minister Ramjattan complaining about the issue in April. However, the minister is still investigating the case. Following the publication of the story, based on the letter this week, the police, while not addressing the details of why the Commissioner allegedly made the call to a civilian phone to speak to an inspector, claimed that Playter was rude to the occupants of the minibus. The police said that two policemen were in the bus. The police force also said that Playter apologized for the incident at the bridge. The inspector, who has been with the force for over 30 years, is a prosecutor as well. He was transferred to Cove and John, East Coast Demerara, in Region Four. He lives at Albion, in Region Six, East Berbice. According to Playter in his response to the police yesterday, the four occupants of the bus on the day were all attired in plain clothes and at no time did anyone say who they were. “I wish to state categorically that I did not subject the bus to stop nor I was not the person who requested documents, it was a female traffic rank (name could be supplied if needed). She was the rank who
Do Guyanese have a... From page 10 who approved of his story on Guyana. His editor is just as ignorant as him. As the Krauss incident fades as the days and weeks go by, one hopes that Guyanese and Caribbean people who read what Krauss wrote for one of the top papers in the world would have learnt that not because you are American, French, German or Russian, you have a better perspective on life. We here in Guyana must stop thinking like that. Let what Krauss did in the New York Times open up your eyes. Krauss is a typical middle class, white man from a limited philosophical background, who is culturally prejudiced, but he comes from a country that is wealthy and globally powerful. There are certainly more lessons to learn from the Krauss infamy and Guyanese should ask themselves if they are just as poor thinkers as Krauss. The answer is yes. How modern and philosophical is our thinking that makes us better humans than people like Krauss. I have seen educated young men and women in Guyana in large numbers who cannot think outside the ethnic box. When those people express themselves they come across like Krauss. We don’t like Guyana because our president is not from our ethnic background. We will always vote for our president because he is from our race group. We are in the 21st century and we sit in silence and fear, and watch horribly backward things taking place that if Krauss knows, he will write even more sickening fiction about us. Krauss was wrong about the country living without electricity. But we sit in silence and watch money spent by Jagdeo, Ramotar and Granger on things that the money could have gone on a better electricity supply. Krauss is wrong, but we are still an unmodern nation.
observed the deficiencies and relayed same to a Lance Corporal who engaged me and then I engaged the driver who was about 20 feet away from his bus. At no time while the driver was engaged, did I or no one in my presence made (sic) any uncomplimentary remarks to him, the other occupants, nor was anything said about anyone.” With regard to the documents, Playter said that it should also be known that pertinent information that should be recorded was missing- that is name and address of the driver. “The driver had also
stated, when questioned about his road service he arrogantly responded “it left at Brickdam”. So to say that I did not understand, is absurd. With regards to being summoned to a “meeting” with the Assistant Commissioners, the inspector said that he did not think in his wildest dreams that the attending parties were to pronounce on his guilt. “During the said “meeting” the traffic chief was not present as was claimed. Before the “meeting” commenced Mr. Hicken’s utterances were, that he was mandated by Mr. Ramnarine Continued on page 13
Commissioner of Police (ag), David Ramnarine
Inspector Godfrey Playter
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 25, 2018
GRA to “dispose of” over 220 cases of high-end liquor, 10 ATVs and several engines In less than one month, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will “dispose of” over 220 cases of high-end liquor. Also, the Authority is looking to get rid of at least 10 All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) as well as several engines. The most recent Official Gazette registered GRA’s intention to do away with the items. GRA has 110 cases of Tequila Ocho (750ml); 25 cases of Absolut Vodka, 75 cases of Johnnie Walker and 10 cases of Johnnie Walker Double Black Also, the entity says it has one bottle of Tequila Silver Patron (750ml); four bottles of Crown Royal Whiskey (50ml) and ten bottles of Gronlivet Whiskey (50ml) Further, GRA is in possession of at least 10 ATVs of Suzuki and Honda model. There are also Yamaha engines, scooters, Chappy and Trailer Chassis with wheels. See all at: http:// o f f i c i a l g a z e t t e . g o v. g y / i m a g e s / g a z e t t e s - f i l e s / official_gazettes_21JULY2018.pdf. GRA gave notice that the goods and machinery “stored at GRA’s Warehouse Facility will be disposed of under the Authority of Section 90 (2) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01.” The section referred to speaks to “Goods deposited in a State warehouse may be sold.” It says, “Where under the provisions of this Act any goods Continued on page 13
A section of the list of items GRA is looking to “dispose” of.
Wednesday July 25, 2018
Teen jailed for severing elderly man’s hand A 17-year-old man has been sentenced to two years in jail after he was found guilty on a charge of felonious wounding. Hemnarine Hardyal called “Buckman” of Lot 2 Fyrish Long Dam, Corentyne, Berbice, was found guilty of severing the left hand of 59year-old Jaillall Persaud called “Punky” a fisherman of Fyrish Long Dam, Corentyne, Berbice. The incident occurred on December 18, 2017. The matter came up before Magistrate Renita Singh in the Albion Magistrate’s Court. The facts as narrated by Prosecutor Inspector Althea Solomon are that on the day in question the two were
among a group of persons at a Wake House in the Fyrish area when a misunderstanding developed among them. Hardyal left the scene and returned with a cutlass which he used to sever the hand of Persaud. Hardyal attempted to chop in the region of the victim’s neck, but the latter used his left hand to block the blow, the chop thus severing the man’s hand below his wrist. Persaud fell to the ground and was picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam hospital where he was admitted and underwent emergency surgery. The accused was subsequently arrested and taken into custody.
GRA to “dispose of” over... From page 12 are required to be deposited in a State warehouse and such goods are of a perishable nature, then it shall be lawful for the proper officer, notwithstanding such provisions, to sell the same forthwith by public auction; and if such goods though not perishable are of a kind not permitted by any law to be deposited in a State warehouse, it shall be lawful for the proper officer, notwithstanding such law, to sell the same in such manner as the Comptroller may direct after fourteen days’ notice by publication in the Gazette.” GRA said, “Any person having any lien on the above mentioned goods must forward his/her claims (stating the amount) to the Office of the Commissioner -General, Guyana Revenue Authority, Lots 200-201 Camp Street, Georgetown, not later than one month after this publication.”
Transferred inspector denies... From page 11 to conduct an inquiry about the incident and to report to him accordingly, the findings. It is therefore puzzling that the administration would refer to the inquiry as a “meeting”.” With reference to his apology, this was only to avoid any further conflict with his job. “While I will not dispute the management tool used to promote efficiency adapted by the force, it should be noted that during my tenure in the Guyana Police Force, I was transferred on several occasions and proceeded on those transfers without hindrance (not for wrong things). The question begs then, why in this instance, two days after the inquiry I was moved.” Playter insisted that despite the “surprise” of the police, he was indeed sick and
on the advice of two ophthalmologists, his health was paramount. “I am still awaiting (sic) to have a cataract surgery to be done on my left eye (medical records at the Opthalomogy centre at Port Mourant could attest to this). It should be noted that upon the expiring of 28 days sick leave, I reported on the posting to ASP Telford, who referred me back to ‘B’ Division. Commander at that time, Mr. Ian Amsterdam, who upon his engagement, instructed me to resume my duties in the division.” The inspector stuck by his guns that he was unjustly treated at a time that he was going through eye deficiencies and the posting to ‘C’ Division placed him under financial constraints and was demoralising also to his family.
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Kaieteur News
UncappeD and the ‘spice girl’
A little girl looks on curiously as her mom mixes spices. Her eyes are locked to every fluid movement of her mother’s fingers. Rodiek-ah Defreitas knows what her mom is doing is carefully calibrated. It takes a lot of time, energy and skill to tweak each mixture to get the flavour just right.
The little girl also knows this task is vitally important. Her mom’s little home-based spice business brings in precious dollars for the household—a crucial cushion for a family struggling to make ends meet in challenging economic times. What Rodiek-ah doesn’t know is that the
lessons she is learning as she watches her mother work will be her salvation later in life. And she doesn’t know that her deliverance will come through ‘Marketplace UncappeD’—the premier showcase of Guyana’s local products where producers and consumers gather to share ideas, innovation, encourage collaboration and celebrate Guyanese ingenuity. UncappeD Marketplace is organised by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association. After spending quality time with her mom mixing spices, Rodiek-ah grew to love the business dearly and, as an adult, she felt an urge to develop and expand it. “I grew up in it and I developed a love for it…” she says. When Rodiek-ah left school and got a job, she had to put mixing spices on the back burner, but she didn’t give it up completely. She started making a few spice combinations on the side to augment her income. Always inventive, she created a brand called Diekah’s Spices and dreamed of the day when she could market it on a large scale. Her opportunity didn’t come in the way she expected. It came suddenly, under upsetting circumstances. She was fired from her job. It was a confusing time for Rodiek-ah. She needed to earn a living and do it fast. “I wondered what I would do,” Rodiek-ah recalls. “I said ‘Father God’, you know. . . I walked in the door, put my head down and wondered. . .” What happened next was a miracle. Rodiek-ah was deep in thought, pondering her next move with her head in her hands when suddenly her telephone rang, startling her into full awareness. The caller told her there was a spot
Wednesday July 25, 2018
Rodiek-ah Defreitas done on time . . .,” she recalls. UnCappeD Marketplace turned out to be much more than she had ever expected. Her spirits soared when visitors at the exhibition flocked her booth enthusiastically and gave rave reviews for the presentation and quality of her exhibits. “It really did something for me,” Rodiekah says. Buoyed by this triumph, there was no turning back. Today, she produces seven combinations of herbs and spices. She ensures that they are prepared, packaged and stored in a way that guarantees supreme, long-lasting flavours and maximum health benefits. The packaging is also more attractive than when she started. Her spices are: Chicken Seasoning; Garlic Powder; Cook-up rice Seasoning; Chowmein Seasoning; Fried rice Seasoning; All Purpose Seasoning and Fish Seasoning. She also makes Pepper pot, Jerk and Barbecue
Spices professionally packaged by Diekah’s Spices
available to sell local products at the UncappeD Marketplace Agro-Processors Exhibition on April 29 last. The caller wanted to know whether she was still interested. You bet! Sometime before, a friend had encouraged her to show off her innovative herbs and spice combos at UnCappeD. At that time, she had no idea what UnCappeD was all about. After checking online, she had called to express interest, only to be told that there was no space available. So to Rodiek-ah, this call out of the blue asking her if she wanted a spot at the expo meant only one thing—a divine intervention had occurred just when she needed it most. Rodiek-ah was excited. It was an excellent opportunity to launch Diekah’s Spices and she intended to make full use of it. With only a week to prepare, it would be a challenge, but Rodiek-ah was confident. She knew she could do it. A flurry of activity ensued as she eagerly got to work gathering and ‘mixing and matching’ herbs and spices, and packaging them. “God was so good and everything was
Seasonings on a limited scale, which she will officially include in an expanded line of products as her business grows. Her Chicken Seasoning is a combination of turmeric, ginger and black-pepper with smaller quantities of other ingredients. Turmeric, she explained, has several health benefits and also helps to tenderize meats. She includes dill in the mix for her Fish Seasoning because it has properties that boost good health. Dill is a good source of calcium, magnesium and iron, so consuming it regularly can help relieve cramps and depression, and it also helps to lower cholesterol, she explained. Rodiek-ah buys a variety of powdered herbs from local businesses which she then combines. She also adds a few local ingredients, which she dries and blends. She says that local seasonings are generally sold in bulk and the cost is prohibitive for the volume she produces. However, she intends to incorporate more local herbs into her combos as her business picks up. UncappeD Marketplace has a special place Continued on page 28
Wednesday July 25, 2018
Another prison haul
Authorities are continuing their crackdown in ridding the country’s prisons of illegal items. According to prison officials, yesterday between 16:45hrs and 18:12hrs, police officials and prison officers conducted a search at the New Amsterdam prison. During the search the following articles were found: six cellular phones, 146 Ziploc bags of narcotics amounting to 292 grams, 12 phone chargers, five cigarettes, eight improvised weapons, three SIM cards, and seven lighters. “This is yet another in our series of searches to make the prison safer. Please note that efforts are constantly being made to prevent the items from entering the prison,� a statement said.
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Charges dismissed against husband who allegedly torched family’s lumber yard
T
he 37-year-old hus band who allegedly torched a lumber yard during a domestic dispute last Saturday night has been freed. Magistrate Crystal Lambert dismissed a charge of setting fire to a building against Ramesh Thakur yesterday after his wife, Bibi Shaheada Thakur, declined to
- wife declines to give evidence give evidence .The accused had appeared in the Vreed-en Hoop Magistrate’s Court. Police had detained the accused shortly after a lumber yard that is said to be owned by Thakur and his wife went up in flames at around 20.30 hrs on Saturday. The lumber yard is located at Lot 40 Alliance, Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara - property his wife occupied.In a release, police said that the couple separated
about a year, and have a matter of division of property filed in the High Court. Police stated that the wife was at home when she heard a knock on the window. On looking outside, she saw the suspect with a knife. It was alleged that the man then rammed his Canter into his wife’s car, PXX 509, then went to the lumber yard which is located to the northern side of the house and set it on fire. Damage is estimated to be some $20M.
Wednesday July 25, 2018
Four years’ jail, $6M fine for cocaine trafficking duo
T
wo men who were caught red handed by ranks of Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU), exchanging a gas cylinder filled with cocaine were each jailed for four years and fined over $6M each, on a drug trafficking charge. The men, Mark Gomes, 33, of Campbellville, Georgetown and Mohamed Kadir, 37, of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara trafficked 2.50 kilos, equivalent to 4.9 pounds, of cocaine, on March 29, at Sheriff Street, Georgetown. Initially, the men were charged jointly along with 33year-old Ryan Fowler of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, for the offence. However, at their first court appearance on April 3, last, Fowler opted to plead guilty to the charge. He was jailed for four years and ordered to pay a fine of $6M. On the day in question, the men were in their vehicles, in the vicinity of Sheriff and John Streets, Campbellville,
- Court seizes vehicle used to transport drugs
JAILED: Mohamed Kadir (L) and Andre Gomes around 19:45 hrs, and had no knowledge that they were being monitored by CANU ranks. CANU ranks observed the men in a trade-off of the drugs. On the day of the exchange, Fowler came out of
his vehicle with a yellow gas cylinder and took it to another vehicle. This was when ranks from the CANU intervened and began to search the vehicles. The drug was subsequently unearthed and tested (Continued on page 28)
Wednesday July 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
Man washed away in Atlantic following crab hunt with wife - SEARCH LAUNCHED A 49-year-old man is feared dead after he fell into the Atlantic Ocean - some metres away from a sluice at Trafalgar, West Coast Berbice – following a crab-hunting expedition with his wife. Feared dead is Heron Ewart Anthony of Number 29 Village, WCB, and an employee of RUSAL. According to information received, Anthony and his wife had just concluded their crab hunting exercise and he was cleansing himself of the mud at the Trafalgar sluice. It was while he was washing off that his foot skidded on the slippery mud, and he tumbled into the rushing waters. The sluice, which was reportedly opened at the time, saw the rough waters pushing him further away from his wife. His wife, Alicia, who watched on helplessly and
MISSING: Heron Anthony shouted for Anthony, said that her husband pointed his fingers in the direction of the beach where she assumed that he was telling her that the waters will lead him there. At that point, she rushed to the sluice’s attendant a short distance away and sought his assistance. Upon her return, she saw no trace of her husband. A Guyana Defence Force vessel is assisting with the search for Anthony.
New Amsterdam man with illegal gun, ammo jailed for six years A New Amsterdam man was yesterday found guilty of being in possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition, and was sentenced to six years imprisonment at the Albion Magistrate’s Court. Cortez Fraser who was unrepresented stood before the court chuckling as the sentence was handed down by Magistrate Renita Singh. He was sentenced to three years for each count, but will serve only three given that the sentence will run concurrently. The Magistrate stated that questioned during cross examination, Fraser represented himself, and his main interest was the definition of the word “possession”. His interest in that regard, Singh said, gave the impression that because he discarded of the firearm upon seeing the rank, it could be deduced that he was not in possession of the weapon and that he was not guilty of the offence. Singh further stated that Fraser claimed that he was beaten by ranks to sign the caution statement. The Magistrate added that the statement contained specific details indicating that he had knowledge and was in the process of carrying out a crime. Details of where the plot was made, timings and phone numbers were given in the statement. She stated that it was in her view that he provided the statement voluntarily and freely. At that point in time Fraser was seen
Cortez Fraser giggling and interrupting the magistrate. He insinuated that the police were lying and that the magistrate was on the police’s side. Fraser also publicly stated that he would be appealing the case. In March 2017, Detective Corporal Davidson was driving along the Corentyne Highway in the vicinity of Albion when he observed a motorcyclist trailing a car. A release identified the vehicle as a Toyota Premio PPP 2239, driven by Daneshwar Seitaram, 23, of Lot 16 Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant. When the driver attempted to make a U-turn, the motorcyclist rode into the car and fell to the ground. He then got up, but the detective observed that the motorcyclist was acting in a strange manner and appeared to be somewhat “nervous”. The police release also indicated that the motorcyclist removed his helmet, and the detective recognized him as an Continued on page 27
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Kaieteur News
Treat suicide as the mental illness it is – TCV Director
TCV National Coordinating Director, Mr. Nazim Hussain “Having suicidal thoughts does not make an individual a lunatic.” This is the informed assertion of National Coordinating Director of The Caribbean Voice [TCV], Mr. Nazim S. Hussain. In fact, Hussain has made it clear that suicide is a mental health issue and therefore requires medical attention in much the way other health issues do. It is for this reason that Hussain is passionately continuing his campaign, through TCV, to hopefully force policymakers to decriminalize attempted suicide. “Now people don’t say they commit cancer or commit diabetes if someone dies from these diseases. Why are we saying commit suicide if you die from suicide? Suicide is an ailment and it should not be seen as illegal for someone to have those thoughts…It is an illness not a crime,” Hussain posited. TCV has been unyielding in its advocacy for all persons who would have attempted suicide to be subjected to mandatory mental health counselling sessions. The counselling process, according to Hussain, must go hand in hand with decriminalising of the act. “This is necessary, because if you attempt suicide and you did not succeed, you will not receive the mental health counselling that you require,” said Hussain, as he insisted that attempted suicide should no longer be viewed as a criminal act, since it is in fact a cry for help resulting from a mental health breakdown. Moreover, the TCV National Coordinating Director went on to share that “it is a myth that you cannot stop someone from committing suicide. It can be stopped! It can be prevented with the right kind of application,” he insisted. He revealed that when suicide was presented as a crime many years ago, it was due to the fact that the psychologists and psychoanalysts of that era did not understand the structure of the human mind and the fact such thoughts constituted mental illness. For this very reason, he
related that those with thoughts of suicide who opted to carry out the act were reduced to criminals. Criminalizing attempted suicide was meant to serve as a deterrent. But, according to Hussain, “it came out afterwards that suicide is hinged on mental health illness and as a consequence, like any other physical illnesses, it needs to be treated and it can be prevented.” However, Hussain considered that the challenge that persons with suicide ideations face is that they are at times discriminated against when they seek medical attention. For this reason, Hussain said, “some of them do not have the mindset to easily go and seek counseling, because people might say that they are mad, but that is a myth, and we are working to address…that mental illness is not equivalent to being a lunatic”. Hussain noted that there are many forms of mental illnesses. “Even bad sleeping patterns are a mental illness or bad eating patterns are also forms of mental illnesses. Remember everything about the body and its actions are from the brain…so the brain edits our actions,” Hussain explained. Although TCV has been working tirelessly to educate the public that suicide can be prevented, Hussain highlighted that government as well as several other nongovernmental organizations [NGOs] have been making similar strides. “I applaud the government and several other NGOs for their work in trying to create greater awareness too,” said Hussain, who is however convinced that “much more attention must be paid to mental illness issues and we must start the suicide awareness from the level of the schools”. Meanwhile, Hussain has also been advocating for keen attention to be paid to family values. Taking such a tactical approach, he noted, could help to uncover the root cause of many societal issues with the view of addressing them. “There are some cases of domestic violence that are triggered by alcohol abuse. For example, there is a party and everybody is imbibing, then the party ends and mommy and daddy ‘buse’ and fight and cuss up. That is an ideation that the children are learning from an early age and that is a Guyanese culture,” Hussain said. He added, “When men abuse their wives, the boys [sons] see it and they do it too and the girls [daughters] see their mother endure it and they think they have to endure it too, but that should not be the case.”
Wednesday July 25, 2018
Wednesday July 25, 2018
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Kaieteur News
New Amsterdam man with... FOR RENT
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Installations, Repairs and parts for AC, Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc. Call Nick 627-3206, 630-1600 Eagle’s: Re-gas –low prices, 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
FOR SALE 1 CAT 215 Excavator 1 Mack 8 Cu yds mixer truck 1 CAT 428 Backhoe 1 double steel wheel roller. Call: 275-0367/ 683-7225
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 One (1) House in Lamaha Gardens, Four (4) Bedrooms, furnished US$3000, Unfurnished US$2,500. Call: Tel#675-1430
1 Pneumatic 9 wheel roller 2 Bitumin spray kettle 215 excavator spares. Call: 2750367/683-7225
Room $3000 daily furnished apts $5000 $6000 daily, we also do laundry $700 a load. #223-0994/678-5827
One complete Water dragger Excellent condition, Ready to use, Equipped with satelite TV. Tel# 671-4019 One Excavator, Minor repairs, engine in excellent condition. Tel# 671-4019 Generac Pressure Wash for sale 3100 PSI. Tel#654-5267/ 652-2244/220-4203
Parfaite Harmonie $1.4M Tuschen house $6M $1.5M Farm $3.5M Diamond $4M Providence $3.5M Herstelling corner lot $4.5M Call: 6662326 One Juke. Contact #612-3706
SALON
TOURS Suirname Tour trip 26 July Ret 2 August, tours, shopping, sightseeing, Dolphins. #639-2663/6655171
PROPERTY FOR SALE Located at Hope second corner from road call# 6933841
ACCOMMODATION
3 storey commercial buliding. Location- Lot 1486 Plot B Herstelling (2 Bridge) EBD. Suitable for school/ apartments. Contact #6093777/686-0522
LAND FOR SALE 18,731 acres mining land Gold & Diamond Mazaruni $5,000,000 USD Contact: 6951356, 687-8445 Zeelugt - $2.3M Tushen $1.5M. Tel# 697-6311 Land of Canaan $5.5M an acre, Herstelling front $5.5M, Sophia $5M, Support river front. #618-7483
Lot 15 Public road #2 Vill. WCB 3 House Lots, Rice cultivation 49ftx10,314ft length. Price $18M. Contact# 648-7109/686-4818 Property for sale (1) 3 story building at 97 Sugarcane street S/Rvldt Gardens. Price US 1.5M neg. Tel: 695-1356 & 6878445 Business Spot 27 Public road, Bagotstown, next to Bakewell. Contact #662-3837,664-7663
VACANCY
1 Air compressor 5HP 3 Phase 230/220 volts. Call: 628-1486/698-1134.
Driver with minibus license living in Georgetown to work with company. #646-8748
Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic - Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm
Experience Cook/ Housekeeper, Parika/Bushy Park #693-0636 for details.
Experienced pastry maker to work in Georgetown. Contact # 225-9409/618-1212 Models Wanted Urgent. Call: 592-682-0611
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS FROM $4000 & UP, SUV’S PER DAY- CALL:643-5122/ 6 5 6 - 0 0 8 7 , ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL:225-7126/ 226-3693DOLLYSAUTORENTAL @YAHOO.COM/ WWW.D OLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
VEHICLE FOR SALE 4 Flatbed DAF Lorry for sale, excellent condition Tel#2285655/649-8449 1 620-240 DAF engine for sale, foreign used. Tel# 6498449/228-5655 2006 Suzuki Escado (White) Excellent condition. Price $3.6M Neg. Contact #6093777/697-4557 TO LET 1 room apartment bathroom and living room @ 294 4th Field Cummings Lodge ECD, Job letter required #222-0401/ 673-2467 Preferably UG students. Furnished studio apartment located at 239 Camp Street & Quamina Streets. Call: Joan 226-0724/Karen 226-2971
1 Maid/Cleaner, 1 Security Guard for Georgetown. #2271717/659-9967
Wanted land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie, Uitvlugt or East Bank. Tel# 642-1252
Porters/Salesmen, apply in person with application to ARK Enterprise/The Container House. 17 Lombard Street, Werk-EnRust.
Driver wanted 5 yrs experience Car/Van/Lorry reference and police clearance, Zoon Inv 288 Middle Street.
Experienced sales girls with 2 yrs experience. Apply @ Christine’s Variety, Lombard St. Contact: 227-8529
Urgently need land to buy: Parfaite Harmonie, Eccles, Herstelling, Providence, Farm, Tuchen, Diamond, best price cash. Call: 604-6724 For interior location, Alligator truck driver, Skidder operator and tree feller. Tel#218-3399
Hanging baskets, Crown of thorns in pots and more. Tel# 662-9832
Summer special 16 July-Aug Cosmetology Advance Makeup Nails $15,000 per package. Free products included. Abby# 614-6749
Secret Villa & Harmony Inn, Fully furnished, Airconditioned apartments. $6000-$9000. #225-6337/2181400/266-5243/602-8769
One bedroom apartment for working couple or single person $35,000 monthly. Water included. Call: 6388858
1- Honda 450 ATV. Contact # 275-0367/683-7225
REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIR CONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, FREEZERS,SALE OFAC’S TEL:6294946,225-4822 Untouchable Pawn Shop 23 John and Norton Street, Werk-en-rust. Tel#681-9948/ 625-3915
1 flat concrete house, 3 bedroom & 1 master room, PVC ceiling, tile, grill, Parfaite Harmonie, Onderneerming #662-6818
WANTED
Private Car Drivers. Tel#2253234/225-9223 Two maids. Excellent Salary. Must be between 18 and 35 years old. Call: 226-7766
DemBake at Land of Canaan is seeking experience Bakers, Drivers, Male Sales Agents. Tel: 266-5847 Room attendant, Female supervisor, Male deskstaff 25-50 yrs. Tel# 225-0198 233 South road, Lacytown Jos-el Educational Institute seeks Grade 1 & 5 teachers, science teachers & abeka trained teachers. Phone: 2267868 Cook/Baker & Kitchen assistant for interior location. Call: 618-2020 for details. Cosmetologist, Maintenance worker, Carpenter/ Mason,Travel agent #2653586
EDUCATION Study in Canada/US 100% acceptance MicroGraphics #264-3057 2019 Processing now. Kids Summer Computers, register now $8,000 2 months MicroGraphics #264-3057 CXC 2018 Computer deal 9 course Diploma $40,000 4 Course Computerized Accounting MicroGraphics Vreed-en-hoop #264-3057 Examination Preparations & Lessons for Primary grades 1:30-5:00 pm Lessons & Examination preparation for primary grades. Call: 6909378/677-0296 Register your child at Hidden Treasures Summer classes for slow learners in Phonics, Reading, Math etc. #675-4379 TO LET Newly constructed apt in a safe and healthy environment. Call: #698-6496
Dharendra Variety Store 188 Barr St Kitty. Tel#670-8862/ 675-3440, Vacancy- Outdoor Salesman Looking for a Job or Educational Services. Call: 233-6997/600-8457/622-1957 www.Jobfairworldwide.com Needed workers for in the interior. Boys & Girls, Salary $80,000. Contact Number #674-1767
From page 25 individual who was once convicted for armed robbery. The Detective also observed that the motorcyclist had left the bike on the road and entered the car he collided with. The suspicious detective proceeded to trail the car, which stopped near the Hampshire playground. It is alleged that the passenger exited, pulled out what appeared to be a firearm, and threw it into a nearby trench. By then, the detective had already called for backup, and a sergeant at the Rose Hall Outpost responded and the man was arrested. The detective then went to the area where the firearm was thrown and found a .38 revolver with four matching rounds. Based on investigations it was later learnt that Fraser was reportedly hired to execute a Rose Hall Town businessman. A Jamaican national was arrested and subsequently released during that time.
Consultant being... (From page 23) newspapers who, once recruited, will take the lead in drafting policies for a national Safe School project, after which the Ministry will roll out the plan. The Safe School project was introduced last year as one intended to create safer and greener educational institutions, while at the same time establishing an ideal, yet adaptable, approach to risk management at the school level. The project is one that is also expected to include the implementation of school safety policies, allow for the recognition of standards for school safety and the implementation of interventions to address risk.
Technician to repair and service packaging machine. Apply at Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street, Bourda. Female cleaner office & home. 233-2745 Immediate vacancy exists for operators to work shifts @ Del Ice Co 25 yrs up. Call: 6429191/231-1408 1 Office Clerk. #265-3586 LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way. Affordable package. Call: 6445166/691-2561
WANTED 1 Cosmetologist, must be all rounded. Call: 647-1773
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Kaieteur News
Lands and Surveys Head urges speedier implementation of critical FAO project
T
he Guyana Lands and Surveys Com mission is currently undertaking several critical projects, among them is the Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Development and Management Project. This project is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The components of the project include; Land reclamation and development, implementation of a land classification system, and other requirements to facilitate optimal land utilization and sustainable land development and management. The project also caters for the development and operationalization of GL&SC’s business plan, Institutional strengthening of GL&SC and capacity development of Stakeholders and young population, as well as to strengthen GL&SC’s Information System and Infrastructure for informed decision making and to increase education, communication, outreach and public awareness raising. Yesterday, Lands and Surveys indicated that a team
from the implementing body FAO is currently in Guyana engaging on the project. The engagement will be ongoing until next Wednesday. On Monday, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Trevor L. Benn, welcomed the team to Guyana, but expressed frustration at the slow pace at which work is being conducted. Stressing that the approach which has been taken so far must be reviewed, Benn, told the FAO representatives he will be looking forward to seeing a more collaborative and proactive approach to the project’s implementation. Benn said that his utterances should not be seen as a personal attack to any of the FAO representatives, but he emphasised that Guyana is starving for some success stories. He said currently a number of projects are being implemented in Guyana by international agencies but many of them are not performing to the expectation of the Guyanese people. “We can’t say with any sense of pride, that we are close to completing these
projects, and we cannot add another project to that, I am not prepared to sit here as CEO and watch that happen”, Benn stated. The FAO team is being headed by Ms. Sally Bunning, Senior Policy Officer, Agricultural systems, land and water, and also includes Vladimir Evtimov, Land administration Officer and Ms. Aurelie Bres, Land Tenure and Natural Resources Officer. Ms. Bunning admitted that indeed there were some challenges encountered but promised to work hand in hand with the GLSC to ensure that the project is successfully implemented. While in Guyana, the team will also conduct visits to several regions and also meet with national and regional officials. Benn hopes that the next few days will be used to iron out all existing matters. The project was officially launched on January 18, 2018 and the components will run concurrently over a period of four years. It is being funded by the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) at a cost of US$14.8M.
Four years’ jail, $6M fine for cocaine... From page 16 on spot, and the three men were escorted to CANU Headquarters.In court, the Chief Magistrate conducted a trial into the charge against the men and after reviewing the evidence ruled that both Gomes and Kadir had knowledge and control of the drug because of the manner in which it was concealed. According to the Chief Magistrate, from the evidence it was clear that Kadir transported the drug to Gomes, whose intention was to distribute it. As such, she noted that the men
acted in a joint enterprise to traffick cocaine.Additionally, the Chief Magistrate pointed out that the evidence led by the prosecution’s witnesses was credible. On this notion, she said that the stories told by Gomes and Kadir were “fanciful” and could not be believed. During a plea of mitigation, Attorney-at-Law Glen Hanoman, who appeared for Kadir, asked the court to consider that the quantum of drugs involved is very small and the fact that the role his client played was “minor.”
On the other hand, Gomes’ lawyer, Keoma Griffith, brought to the court’s attention that his client is the sole breadwinner for his family with no previous convictions or pending matters before the court. A request by CANU Prosecutor Konyo Sandiford to have the vehicle belonging to Gomes which was used to transport the cocaine to be forfeited to the State was granted by the Chief Magistrate. However, Hanoman in his address to the court indicated that he will challenge the Magistrate’s decision to seize his client’s belongings at the High Court. They were each fined $6, 075, 000 — three times the street value of the cocaine.
Wednesday July 25, 2018
GPL warns against unauthorised acts during construction The Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) is warning customers against unauthorised and careless acts during construction or renovation since this results in significant power loss for the company. In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), GPL’s Metering Manager, Loss Reduction, Wayne Watson said one major factor that contributes to these losses is the increase in load. This occurs when consumers attempt to add capacity, on their own, to the existing approved service. “So, persons are installing Air Conditioning Units (ACs) and operating them on the existing approved service. The repercussion of this is that meters are burnt - both the post and prepaid meters and base of the meter. It can also cause damage to the consumer’s property by the way of fire.” He further explained that
to have an increase either to a commercial or business property, consumers must first consult a certified electrician for inspection. Following this, they must receive a certificate of inspection from the Government Electrical Inspectorate (GEI) and then apply at any GPL office for a load increase. Another issue that the utility company faces is the shifting/moving of the meters during renovation works. Watson said before commencing any infrastructural upgrades or repairs consumers must apply at GPL for a shift from a permanent to a temporary circuit to facilitate the works. However, according to Watson, “that is not being done and that is an infraction because the meters carry a seal. Once you contract an authorised person to execute such an activity, in some instances the contractor may do more than shift the meter.
Subsequently when we investigate and find that the seals are broken, neither the consumer nor the contractor is prepared to accept responsibility.” Additionally, many consumers have oversized Automatic Voltage Regulators (ATVR); this is predominantly for persons in the areas that carry 240 voltage. The Metering Manager pointed out that most consumers use appliances that carry are 110 volts and this results in a step-down from 240 to 110. This could result in unused watts which would still be recorded by the meter as consumption. When this is reflected in the bill, consumers then report a defect in their meter. The Metering Manager is urging consumers to seek guidance from electricians and GPL before conducting any renovations and to also use appliances with the correct voltage.
UncappeD and the ‘spice girl’ From page 14 in Rodiek-ah’s heart because valuable exposure at the exhibition has done wonders for her small business. The popularity of her products at the event not only increased her confidence in her business but the event also delivered her first customer base. Many persons who first became interested in her products at UncappeD have continued to buy from her. Arising from that initial wave of support, Rodiek-ah has
been able to expand production and she also sells her products every Sunday at La Penitence Market in Georgetown.It’s no surprise that she is a loyal supporter of UncappeD Marketplace and her preparations for the upcoming event at Leonora, West Coast Demerara on July 28, are well underway. This time around, she is better prepared for her customers. She says she has upped the quality of her packaging with brighter, more colourful labels on the
Dead bandits had criminal ... (From page 21) charged with robbery under arms while Daly, 40, of Westminster, was charged with break and enter and larceny. However in relation to Forde and Doobay, the Police Commissioner said no criminal records have been found. Police investigators nonetheless are still running further background checks on them. Police ranks on the scene managed to recover an ID card, tax Certificate of Registration and NIS card for Forde. Ramnarine noted that investigations will be conducted by Office of Professional Responsibility,(OPR) to ensure that the ranks followed the necessary protocol during their confrontation with the gunmen.
packets. Additionally, she will also present her seasonings in professionally-labeled plastic bottles. After the exhibition, one of her plans is to visit homes personally and distribute samples. She’s also thinking of adding seasoning sauces to her product line at some point. “My dream is to develop the seasoning, and for the business to expand so households would know of them and people would be able to find them in supermarkets,” she adds. There are several challenges and Rodiek-ah admits that doubts and thoughts about giving up sometimes creep into her mind. But not for long; she has great faith. “Eventually, with God’s help, I will get there,” she asserts. Unshakable faith keeps her heart and mind focused on her dream of taking her business to ever greater heights. She sees God’s hand in key events in this process, from the beginning of her love for herbs and spices as she watched her mom mixing them, to the seemingly miraculous invitation to show off her products at UncappeD.This spiritual connection means everything to Rodiek-ah; it’s why she believes her business cannot fail. Look out for Rodiek-ah in her booth at UncappeD Marketplace on July 28 at the National Track & Field Centre, Leonora. If you’re lucky, she might tell you even more about how she became so many persons’ favorite ‘spice girl’. (Gwen Evelyn)
Wednesday July 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday July 25, 2018
LTTC to host 4th... From page 35 programme targets advance, intermediate and beginner level players between the ages of six (6) to eighteen (18) years old aimed at the following: Increasing participation and orientating new player’s, student athletes to the sport with a view of Improving and advancing the technical level of the players in Linden, developing their talents to challenge Guyana’s best and gain possible representation. With over 30 registered participants the programme focus will be intense, focusing on rules, fundamental strokes, tactical and technical elements. The plan is to further engage the best talents after this programme, engaging them in continuous training
and to have exchange programmes between them and with East Bank, Bartica and other committees aimed at providing exposure so as to improve their technical and tactical abilities. The camp will culminate with an evaluation assessment championship to reward the best talents. The programme will be conducted under the guidance and tutelage of ITTF level one coach and Course Conductor Mr. Shavin Greene, Mr. Maurice Cummings and Mr. Paul Jones. Sessions starts from 10:00am to 1:00pm daily and interested parents wishing to have their child/children participate can contact Mr. Shavin Greene or Maurice Cummings on telephone 682-8835/ 602-2082.
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Yhip’s Bakery adds... From page 34 that exists between them dates back years.“I have known Troy for a number of years and we’ve always been close and I was always confident that I will receive some level of support for the tournament from him. He is a guy that loves to see sports move in a positive direction and he knows that the tournament is one such event that is geared to help foster better relations among the communities as well as advance the development of the shorter version of the sport,” Welch stated. He promised that the tournament will be executed in a manner that will be appreciated by the sponsor.The tournament is dubbed ‘East Coast Best versus the Rest’ and will be played over five days commencing August 8, at the
Haslington Market Tarmac. It is expected to attract twenty-four of the top teams in the shorter format with a minimum of twelve teams coming from the East Coast, while the remaining twelve will be selected from the Georgetown, Linden and West Demerara environs. Among the other donors to have committed assistance are: Clarks footwear giants Chetsons, Queensway Security Services, E-Networks Inc., KSM Investments, Trophy Stall, Brass Aluminium & Cast Iron Foundry (BACIF), Ray’s Auto Sales, Y.K. Investments, Woodpecker Products, National Sports Commission, Express Shipping, ‘C’ Division of the Guyana Police Force, Julius Variety Store, C & C Prestigious Styles and Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde.
GFF, CONCACAF... Wednesday July 25, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Once your brain gets hooked on something, , you're likely to take it to the extreme. Be careful of overworking yourself in a certain issue that requires a more rational, temperate attitude. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Your brain is likely to be working overtime, Taurus. Things were going along just fine until you suddenly ran into an unexpected snag that kept you from where you want to be. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Try not to get too wrapped up in the mental side of things, Gemini. Perhaps you're trying to work everything through in your mind. CANCER (June 21–July 22) It's possible that you've been so emotional about a certain issue that you've taken it way too far, Cancer. Fortunately, your reasoning has finally caught up with your feelings. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may experience a transformation in your thinking. It's bound to affect every aspect of your life, Leo. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may be overwhelmed by an onslaught of communication from someone you didn't expect to hear from, Virgo. It could be that this person suddenly puts a monkey wrench in your plans.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Someone might feel obligated to give you their two cents even if you didn't ask for it. Be careful not to dismiss this information without giving it proper consideration. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) It's time to finally apply the knowledge you've accumulated and come to recognize the truth. Perhaps you've been sitting on the facts while contemplating their meaning. It's now time to get this information out into the open. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) When it comes to issues that require real thinking, be careful of letting someone else take control. You might have a rather lazy attitude in this department CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) There's likely to be a powerful force at work trying to manipulate the way you think about a certain situation. Be conscious of the source of your facts AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Don't second-guess yourself today. It could be that you're wavering so much about a decision that even after you make it, you hesitate to follow through with it. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Other people may try to wield their power even when it isn't their place. This is one time when people may try to show off their IQ by offering random facts that don't offer anything useful.
From page 37 very excited about that, we know we’ve also got some key young players based in Guyana that we’ll be pushing through, players like Gareth, Cecil Jackman, Job Caesar along with experienced players we have here such as Bamfield, Sheldon Holder who is playing out in Trinidad so we do feel we’ve got a lot of strong players in all positions to really push the programme.”
CWI opens... From page 36 it meant moving the Super50 to October for this year.”That switch has coincided with the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) moving to January, instead of its November slot. Grave said CWI had discussions with BCB on the matter, as West Indies are due to tour Bangladesh in November. “It has transpired that the only league we will be clashing with this year is the Afghanistan League but you are always going to clash with some T20 league whenever you schedule it,” Grave said. “But it has potentially fallen at a good time as we used to clash with both the Big Bash and Pakistan Super League. “We had discussions with BCB [Bangladesh Cricket Board] around when the BPL would be as we are touring them in November. We were very clear to them our Super50 was in October and it would be less disruptive for us if the BPL was played in January. “That’s probably the only tactical thing we have done with our schedules to assist players in having this window available to play for us in the Super50.”
Crawford gives two sets of cycling uniform, other... From page 34 suitcases of goodies to members of the FACC. Crawford restated his commitment to assisting those back home who are not so fortunate to make the best of their ability and reach their true potential. He once again reminisced on his days when he could not afford to equip himself for the sport and had to struggle. Crawford on his short stint home has also donated three bikes to members of the
club including one each to the oldest member of the club, 67 Years Daniel Rigby, Club coach and founder Randolph Roberts and 14 year old Jeremiah Joseph. He has also sponsored a cycle race for his 50 birthday and gave numerous donations to other organisations and charity. Roberts thanked Crawford for his generosity and wished him all the success in the future. (Samuel Whyte)
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Wednesday July 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
2nd Annual Guinness Cage Competition Crawford gives two sets of cycling uniforms, other goodies to FACC Yhip’s Bakery adds yeast to the East
Overseas based Guyanese Franco Crawford at left and Roberts at right along with club members display the uniforms presented by Crawford. Freely give freely receive, that is one of the mottos of overseas based former National Cyclist Franco Crawford as he continues to be compassionate. Although Crawford resides overseas, he is still a member of the Flying Ace Cycle Club
(FACC) of Berbice and continues to donate to the betterment of the club, its members and other members of the community. His latest round of generosity saw him donating cycling uniforms along with two (Continued on page 33)
Yhip’s Bakery representative Troy Yhip (right) hands over the cheque to Three Peat Promotions Rawle Welch on Monday. The 2nd Annual Three Peat Promotions Guinness Cage Competition received a timely boost when Yhip’s Bakery added its name to the list of growing sponsors, during a simple ceremony that was conducted on Monday, at the entity’s location on Robb Street, Bourda.
The Bakery Establishment which has been in existence for over seventy (70) years has been a consistent contributor to sports and athletes and Monday’s extension of goodwill was just another clear example of the entity’s love for sports and its development.
Making the presentation on behalf of the Bakery was rugby coach Troy Yhip, whopresented the cheque for an undisclosed sum to CoPrincipal Rawle Welch. Welch in his remarks thanked Yhip for his support, adding that the friendship (Continued on page 33)
Wednesday July 25, 2018
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Heineken Open Golf tourney fixed for Saturday Seven Seas cycle meet on this weekend - The Lusignan Open to return after more than 25 years The highly anticipated Heineken Golf tournament will finally take place this Saturday July 28th at 12:30 pm as the grounds crew work feverishly to bring the course into top playing condition for the grand event. Unexpected rainfall last week left golfers chomping at the bit as the tournament was postponed at the very last minute. H o w e v e r, w i t h g o o d weather expected all week, it is certain that all the top players including defending 8-time Guyana Open Champion Av i n a s h Persaud, former 2-time Guyana Open Ladies Champ i o n D r. J o a n n D e o , Lusignan Open Champion Papo Haniff, 2018 Club Champion Points Leaders Aleem Hussain, Patrick Prasad, Ian Gouveia, Kassim Khan, Richard Hanif, Paton George and strong challengers from Team Banks DIH, Team Scotia Bank, Team Crown Mining, and Team Macorp
will be among those vying for the top honors as Heineken puts on its usual display of hospitality. Ansa Mcal is the distributor of Heineken, a global leading beer brand and has been a staunch supporter of the Lusignan Golf course and the game for more than a decade, and Brand Manager Darshanie Yussef has pledged the company’s continued involvement in the years ahead. Darshanie Yu s s e f , Brand Manager for Heineken who has been with the company for more than 8 years, expressed her satisfaction at the growth of the game and the interest it has drawn in recent months. “Golf has become the talk of the town and with the addition of free lessons for beginners and summer programmes for children we feel that golf will dominate the sports landscape in the years ahead.” Current President of the
LGC, Aleem Hussain, and members of the Executive committee expressed their continued gratitude to Ansa Mcal, long-time corporate sponsor and active members of the LGC and stated that without the support of Managing Director Troy Cadogan a lot of the plans for 2018 would not have been possible. Trophies for the top two players in each category along with prizes for Best Gross score, Nearest to the Pin and Longest Drive (which Managing Director Troy Cadogan is a strong contender) will be up for grabs and a variety of prizes will be available for players and spectators through-out the event. Gates open at 12:30pm and the public is urged to join the great atmosphere with the Heineken Team who will be on hand to encourage the players, give away prizes, promote Heineken drink specials all day long and to make sure that everyone has a grand time. For more information
fans can connect on Facebook Ansa Mcal; lusignangolf or call 2205660. Meanwhile, the Lusignan Open will return to the LGC after more than 25 years and will feature the top players in Guyana over a 2 day period on August 4-5. There is some amazing young talent who will compete this year and it is expected to be a test of mettle in preparation for the international competition, the Guyana Open scheduled for November 3-4, 2018 will unfold. Defending Champion Papo Haniff will be on hand to defend the title won more than 25 years ago but will face tough competition from current 8-time Guyana Open Champion Avinash Persaud and the youthful winner of the 2018 Caddies Tournament amongst others. The event will feature a cocktail party on August 3 and all are invited.
The 11th edition of the Seven Seas cycle competition has been set for Saturday at the National Park. Riders will compete in the senior 35-lap, Junior/Juveniles 10-lap, Veteran U50 5-lap and Mountain Bike 5-lap. The defending champions are Raul Leal in the 35lap event, Ian Jackson Veteran U50, Nigel Duguid Jr Junior/ Juveniles and Nigel Jacobs Mountain Bike 5-lap. The cyclists will collide again on August 5 in the Reagan Rodrigues Memorial 46-mile road race which is being sponsored by Ricks and
Sari Agro Industries. The race will commence at the Demerara Harbour Bride and proceed to Bushy Park before returning to the starting point for the finish. Jamaul John won the senior category in last year’s event, while Briton John won the juniors; Talim Shaw and Ian Jackson are the defending champions for the Mountain Bike and Veteran categories respectively. Rodrigues was a former champion motor racer and cyclist as well as a former president of the Guyana Cycling Federation.
LTTC to host 4th Annual holiday Table Tennis Training Camp As part of its developmental agenda, the Linden Table Tennis Committee in collaboration with the Guyana Table Tennis Association and Ministry of Education Unit of Allied Arts will be hosting its
4TH Annual School Holiday Table Tennis Training Camp, scheduled for the 30th July to 10th August 2018 at the Mackenzie High School Auditorium. The annual featured (Continued on page 33)
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Wednesday July 25, 2018
CWI opens doors for Narine, Pollard and Bravo comebacks into national side ESPNcricinfo - A return to the West Indies ODI team is a distinct possibility for the Bravo brothers, Sunil Narine and Kieron Pollard, following discussions between the players and Cricket West Indies (CWI). The development could potentially pave the way for the players to be involved in the 2019 World Cup. The development has been aided by a board deci-
sion to move their next domestic 50-over competition to October this year, instead of February 2019 - a switch that means there will be minimal clash between the Super50 and the various domestic Twenty20 leagues Caribbean stars are such an integral part of. The players have been asked to play in the Super50, perform and push for a recall. “The overall message to
Pollard, the Bravo brothers and Narine was ‘come and play in the Super50 Cup’, so that Courtney [Browne, chairman of selectors] and his selection panel will have all the players in system playing,” Johnny Grave, board CEO, told ESPNcricinfo. “This will not only increase the standard and hopefully give the panel a headache but will help our selectors better gauge and assess our young players if they’re scoring runs against Dwayne Bravo or Sunil in the final
overs or getting Darren [Bravo] and Pollard out.” Browne told ESPNcricinfo he was looking forward to seeing the players in action. “It’s a very important tournament for us in preparation for the World Cup. People that want to put their names in the hat for consideration would need to play Super50 and perform.” Although far from resolved, this would represent a distinct thaw in the relationship between the board and players in what has been a difficult year. It began with Narine, Pollard and Darren Bravo choosing the PSL over helping West Indies in their World Cup Qualifiers, a decision that left Grave and CWI “hugely disappointed”. Matters escalated in April when the Bravo brothers, Pollard and Narine claimed they were denied an opportunity to help the Caribbean after being ignored for a Hurricane Relief charity game between West Indies and a World XI side. Even then, however, Grave had spoken of meeting with the players after the IPL to discuss futures, meetings
which have now taken place. This breakthrough of sorts continues Graves’ policy of building bridges with disaffected players. Last year’s amnesty resulted in Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels returning to the team, Andre Russell’s recent selectioninto a West Indies squad, improved player contracts and now this olive branch. “Jimmy Adams [director cricket operations] and I met with Dwayne, Darren, Pollard and Narine’s agent in Trinidad,” Grave said. “We met with them individually because they all have different circumstances. I would describe the meetings as positive, as everyone was looking to the future rather than the past. “We talked through our entire schedule, not just now and to the 2019 World Cup, but also through all the matches and tours scheduled up to the World T20 in Australia 2020. “We asked the players individually to take time to consider the requirements of Cricket West Indies, where we are going with the teams and how we are looking for pre-
pare for international series. “We have asked them to send us in writing a summary of their reflections confirming their availability and commitment to play for the Windies in different formats of the game.” The scheduling switch of the Super50, Grave said, wasn’t aimed at getting the quartet to play but the result of a holistic reviw of the domestic system. “We changed the contractual year to start July 1st, so that the off-season would be April-June when we would do new contracts, appraisals and renewals, while players in the system can do their core conditioning work, as well as obviously have a break”, Grave explained. “So now we start contracts in July and go almost straight into CPL. Hence in the review it just made sense to continue with white-ball cricket by having the Super50 in November with October to prepare for the change in format. “Only because we are hosting the ICC Women’s World T20 in the Caribbean (Continued on page 33)
Wednesday July 25, 2018
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Kaieteur News
GFF, CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualification bid begins with Rio Train/Play Camp – Forde By Franklin Wilson Guyana, through its flagship team, the ‘Golden Jaguars’ have never qualified for the CONCACAF flagship championship, ‘Gold Cup’, but the current Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Executive and Technical Team has promised to pull out all the stops to ensure that history is created with qualification for the expanded CONCACAF Gold Cup (CGC) which will see 16 nations contesting in 2019. The first challenge towards the Gold Cup would be the CONCACAF Nations League (CNL) Qualifiers which begin on Saturday September 8 for Guyana when the lads from the Land of Many Waters play host to Barbados. Next on the radar would be an away match against the Turks and Caicos Islands on Saturday October 13; Tuesday November 20, French Guiana will host Guyana, while the Guyanese would welcome Belize on Saturday March 23, 2019 to round out this leg of the CONCACAF Nations League Qualifiers. Preparation to succeed is key to the vision and the GFF has indicated that they intend to empower the team and Technical Staff in order to achieve the goal. This new journey President Forde and Technical Director Ian Greenwood disclosed would kick off with a two-week train/play camp set for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from August 12-25, next. ”The GFF team is determined to qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, I think we have been knocking on that door for far too long and we think that we deserve to be there,” GFF President, Wayne Forde stated. The GFF head is of the firm view that the necessary talent abounds locally and they have in the past year been focusing on putting together a solid Technical Team, noting that the choice to appoint Head Coach, Michael Johnson, the first Guyana Head Coach to be the holder of a UEFA Pro Licence, is an exceptional one. ”Coach Johnson has been working hard to build the new look national professional technical team, we will use the opportunity for the train/play camp to expose some of our local coaches that we would like to see elevated.” Forde alluded to the fact that the new coaching arrangement has a capacity building component attached to it where Johnson would use every opportunity to train and empower local coaches
While the players are beginning to understand the new standards that are being set and the fact that they need to buy into it on and off the field, Greenwood believes that the coaches too will have the chance to align themselves.
Ian Greenwood - GFF Technical Director
Wayne Forde GFF President
with a view of helping them to improve their craft. The team that would be travelling to Rio, Forde noted, would be 90% local based: “Because the coach has been absolutely clear that he wants to have a hard long look at the local talent that we have and I think that is good news for our local players and coaches. I’m optimistic that many of our local boys would be able to make the final cut so the strategy is clearly to take that first step on our way to qualifying for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, we have all the raw material here to make that happen and I expect that in a matter of months, Guyana would be, probably announcing a public holiday for the first time that the Golden Jaguars are entering into the CGC.” Clear National Plan & Coaching Philosophy – TD Ian Greenwood Technical Director of the GFF Ian Greenwood has declared that there is a clear national plan and coaching philosophy which is one of the key elements that Head Coach Michael Johnson went through in the interview and selection process for the position. Greenwood who has been overseeing a new wave in the local game, especially at the youth level noted that there has always been a gap between youth and senior teams and this is where Coach Johnson comes into play in terms of bridging the gap. ”So what is happening with the youth teams would be developed into the senior team as well, obviously the coach would have game by game plan as well. But there is now a clear and deliberate process in how we are developing and coaching our teams. All of our processes are a long term game and it’s all deliberate; we’ve designed clear key performance indicators (KPI) for how we are go-
ing to qualify for the 2019 CGC and ultimately the 2026 FIFA World Cup.” Greenwood posited that it is not something they have just plucked out of the air but there are steps in place from the Academy Training Center programmes to the senior team and how they are going to do that. ”The key element along with the coach is the new senior staff that we have put together, so we are going to have a head of sports science, head people and culture, head of recruitment, player’s liaison officer, specialist position coaches, specialist goalkeeping coaches, so the full staff is high level professionals with experience training national teams themselves so when that’s unveiled it’ll really signal our intent from the GFF. We are pushing to be one of the top teams from the CFU which we have the raw materials to do and we are very excited about going to Brazil because it’ll be the first opportunity for the staff and players to gel together.”
”It’s going to be a key bench mark in opportunity to the coaching staff as well to understand what we’ve got and where some of our deficiencies are and also where our key recruitment targets for internationally based players are.”
TD Greenwood also indicated that there are a number of players they are in dialogue with at the moment that would have played for England and in the premier league who they be seeking to bring on board in the CNL.”So we are (Continued on page 33)
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 25, 2018
Windies aim for improvement in pursuit of crucial win GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – West Indies are eyeing improvement as they look to avoid a series defeat and force a decider at the weekend, when they face Bangladesh in the second One-Day International of the three-match series here today. The day-nighter at the Guyana National Stadium will be pivotal to the Windies halting their losing trend in ODIs, that has seen them slump to ninth in the ICC rankings – two spots below their Asian opponents. West Indies lost Sunday’s opener by 48 runs to slip 1-0 behind in the series and another defeat would see them go without an ODI win in a bilateral series in 12 months, following winless campaigns against England and New Zealand late last year. Head coach Stuart Law said he was expecting an improved performance especially with the Windies aware of what was required. “There are a few areas we need to work on. The boys understand where they have fallen down and where they need to improve and we’re going to have another chance to get it right tomorrow,” the Australian said yesterday. West Indies paid dearly for several lapses in the opening ODI, both in the field and when they batted. Bowling first, they struck early but were then put under the cosh by Tamim Iqbal (130 not out) and Shakib-al-Hasan (97) who put on a record 207 for the second wicket to propel the visitors to 279 for four. West Indies let Bangladesh off the hook by missing chances in the field, while their bowlers were loose at the death conceding 53 runs from the last three overs, with seamer Andre Russell’s final over leaking 21. Law warned his side about the importance of taking catches as well as the disciplined required late in the innings. “If we hang on to our chances [today] – if we’d hung on to our chances the other day, we probably would’ve chased 220, 230,”
he explained. “With their firepower down below, they can be quite dangerous in the last five to 10 overs but we’ve got to put that (defeat) out of our minds. It’s hot, it’s humid, there’s potentially rain around but that’s what you get down here in Guyana.” He added: “I thought we started well. In the first 10 overs we had great intensity in the field, we hung on to a chance early on and the bowlers stuck to the plans really well. It’s unfortunate that we managed to create opportunities, we just couldn’t grab hold of those opportunities.” West Indies will also need to pull their batting together as rookie left-hander Shimron Hetmyer top-scored with 52 but was the only one to pass fifty. Talisman Chris Gayle chipped in with 40 but none of the other specialist batsmen got into the 20s as the Windies lost five wickets for 31 runs in the space of 33 deliveries, to slump to 172 for nine in the 41st over. “We lost too many wickets at crucial times,” Law lamented. “We need not only to put on partnerships but create a big partnership – you’ve got one or two big partnerships in a 50-over game so it goes well for posting a big total.” The final ODI is set for Warner Park in St Kitts on Saturday. SQUADS: WEST INDIES – Jason Holder (captain), Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Kieran Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Mohammed, Rovman Powell, Keemo Paul, Andre Russell, Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo and Alzarri Joseph. BANGLADESH – Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Anamul Haque, Liton Das, Mushfiqur Rahim, Sabbir Rahman, Mahmudullah, Mosaddek Hossain, Nazmul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Mehidy Hasan, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Hider and Abu Jayed.
Wednesday July 25, 2018
Kaieteur News
Third annual Roy Fredericks Cup 15/15 cricket
National players barred from playing in Blairmont fund raiser - Fantastic tourney ends in thrilling superover win for RHT Gizmos & Gadgets By Sean Devers That President of Blairmont Cricket Club located on the West Bank of Berbice was contacted on the morning off the planned fund raiser and told by CGI that those who represented Guyana this year at any level were not allowed to play which would have daunted most. But Shabeer Baksh doubled up on his efforts and made last minute switches. And while City side DCC packed with Nationals from all levels, were forced to abort their trip, a crowd of about 4,000 which the organisers deemed disappointing, although it was bigger than the turn-out at any of the venues for the Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Test matches, turned up for the Roy Fredericks Cup fund raiser.The tournament was action packed and played in a fantastic atmosphere only second to the CPL matches in Guyana. Organised by Blairmont CC and staged under high quality international standard lights at Albion, the fund raiser was approved by Berbice Cricket Board and backed by plenty of sponsors and supported by GUYSUCO and Albion S p o r t s C o m p l e x . Ta s s a Drummers, pulsating music from the sound system, drinks and food bars and hyper active fans in the stands created a mood of fun and frolic for the entire family at a venue which hosted five ODIs between 1977-1985. In an exciting Final, reduced to 10 overs due to time constraints, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets won the toss and batted on a flat track, slow outfield and shorted boundaries, Eon Hooper top-scoring with 37 and got support from Troy Matterson (27) as Rose Hall Town made 99-6. Skipper Shabeer Baksh had 2-11 with leg-spin, while off spinner Devon Clements took 2-18. Khan followed up his pugnacious 67 against UCCA in the semi-final with an explosive 59, while the experienced Devon Clements contributed 14 in a half-century opening stand as Blairmont Blazers reached 99-7.
The 27-year-old Hooper, strangely asked to open the bowling in his only first First-Class game against Jamaica in 2016 at Providence and has not played since then, had 3-9. But it was Berbice U-19 Left-arm spinner Keith Simpson who had 3-15 including the first ever hattrick in the tournament in a sensational last over to earn him the Man-of-the-Match, who broke the hearts of the vocal Blairmont fans and took the game into a super over. With three to get from six balls and four wickets in hand, Imran Khan, who brought back memories of his big hitting in the 2006 Stanford tournament was on strike.Khan took a single off the first ball and watched as the three batsmen were all bowled off consecutive deliveries, playing across the line in attack instead of trying a block and give the ‘on-fire’ Khan the strike. Waqar Hassan got a single off the fifth ball but Khan was run out going for the winning run after being dropped at short mid-wicket. Everyone was on their feet during the super-over with Blairmont Blazers batting first and scoring 11-0 with Khan making an unbeaten nine including a six off Simpson. A costly blunder from the Skipper allowed four off the second ball and with five to win off the last ball, Kevin Jawahir at long-off tried his best to box the ball back into play as he overbalanced on the ropes and the ball went for six.And when the dust had settled at 01:46hrs on Sunday morning, two times defending champion Blairmont Blazers were dethroned by Rose Hall Town Gizmos Gadgets in a superover. The first semi-final saw Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets making 114-9 against Albion who reached 77-7 in their allotted 15 overs, while Blairmont Blazers made 154-8 and got past UCCA who relied with 127-6 in 15 overs. In the preliminary rounds, Albion beat Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets beat Young Warriors and UCCA
beat Rose Hall Canje. Man-of-the-Final (Keith Simpson), MVP (Batsman) Imran Khan (135 runs), MVP (Bowler) Keith Simpson (7 wkts), Most sixes Imran Khan (13), Best catch Parmanand Ramdan.
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Imran Khan hits one of his 13 sixes in the tournament and scored fifties in a losing effort. (Sean Devers photo)
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday July 25, 2018
EBFA / Juicy Juice U-13 League – Day 5
Agricola’s Eon Daniels taps in 5; Hat-tricks for Shakem Welcome & Malachi Leacock
Diamond United scores one of their 7 goals against Kuru Kururu Warriors.
Diamond Upsetters (red) and Swan during their match on Sunday last at the Timehri Red Ground
D
ay 5 of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) / Juicy Juice Under13 League played on Sunday
last at the Timehri Red Ground saw a total of 29 goals being scored in four matches as the future ball weavers of Guyana continue
Team Timehri Panthers SC Diamond United Swan FC Agricola Diamond Upsetters Soesdyke Falcons SPKV FC KK Warriors Hararuni Eagles Herstelling Raiders Grove Hi Tech
Latest Points Table W L D 4 0 0 3 0 0 3 2 0 2 0 0 2 1 0 1 2 0 1 2 0 1 3 0 1 3 0 0 2 0 0 2 0
P 4 3 5 2 3 3 3 4 4 2 2
to exhibit their skills in a developmental setting. Agricola Red Triangle’s Eon Daniels who scored a helmet-trick on Saturday GF 16 17 9 14 7 4 5 3 2 3 0
GA 1 2 8 4 5 6 10 16 11 14 4
GD +15 +15 +1 +10 +2 +2 -5 -13 -9 -11 0
Pts 12 9 9 6 6 3 3 3 3 0 0
followed up with another breathtaking performance when he tucked in five against Herstelling Raiders to lead his team to a 7-2 win, their second in as many matches. Also clinical on the day were Shakem Welcome and Ronaldo Adams of Diamond United who scored a hattrick and a double apiece in leading their side to a 9-1 triumph over Kuru Kururu Warriors, their third win in as many starts and the young club’s best ever run at any level. Soesdyke Falcons were
also outstanding on the day in their exciting 4-2 win over Samatta Point/Kaneville orchestrated by Malachi Leacock’s hat-trick. And equally impressive was Swan in their come from behind 4-2 win over Diamond Upsetters which had ran away with a 2-0 lead by the 16th minute. But the Linden Soesdyke Highway based lads from Swan soared to one goal advantage after drawing level by the half time break, 30 minutes on. Diamond Upsetters, tasting defeat for the first time in three matches, had taken the lead through goals from Shaquan Gilkes in the 13th minute and Izia Henriques three minutes later. Their burst out of the blocks did not deter the young Swans which fired by in the 19th minute to reduce the lead in half through their l e a d i n g g o a l s c o r e r, Murphus Andrews. It was all they needed as they fired in three more unanswered goals.Ezekiel Baptiste netted in the 27th minute to bring them level after which the go ahead goal was converted by David Loncke on the stroke of half time. Merwyn Loncke, cousin of David scored their final goal of the match in the 57th minute to seal the win which was their third in five matches that has propelled them to the third place in the points table behind Diamond United and leaders, Timehri Panthers. Diamond United continued their fairy tale run of form with another commanding performance, brushing aside Swan’s neighbours, Kuru Kururu Warriors, 7-1. Ronaldo Adams netted the first two goals in the 3rd and 11th minute. Shakem Welcome then
tucked in the first of his three in the 33rd minute and again in the 49th and 60th minute. Rick Ramotar added his name to the score sheet in the 40th, while Shaquan Joseph followed emulated him, eight minutes later. Cleon Jardine scored the Warriors’ consolation goal in the 45th minute. Agricola’s Eon Daniels has taken the league by storm with nine goals in two matches. On Sunday his commanding style of play continued as he served up for himself, five more goals which came in the 10th, 14th, 18th, 41st and 52nd minute. His club mate, Floyd Boyce had opened the scoring in the 5th minute while Jonathan Andries added his name in the 22nd minute in the 7-2 triumph over Herstelling Raiders. Ofancy Winter scored Herstelling Raiders’ two goals in the 45th (penalty) and 56th minute. Soesdyke Falcons recorded their first win of the league in three outings at the expense of Samatta Point/Kaneville. Leading the way with a hat-trick was Malachi Leacock who hit the back of the nets in the 26th, 31st and 49th minute; the other goal coming off the boot of Aubrey David in the 56th minute. Samatta Point/Kaneville had taken the lead on 18 minutes through Erin Fredericks’ goal, Akeem Francois accounting for the other goal in the 38th minute. The league would continue this weekend at the same venue.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 18, 2018
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N.K
Nat’l Guinness Streetball starts in just over 48 hrs
Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste (2nd left), Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart (left) and other Banks DIH officials made a site inspection yesterday, at the National Stadium. In just over 48 hours, the Pouderoyen Tarmac, venue for the opening night of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ National Playoffs will be teeming with excitement as eager fans finally get the opportunity to exhale after holding their breath in anticipation of the start of the popular street phenomenon. The first of three nights of what is expected to provide pulsating action for the right to be crowned the best team in the country in the street format, will see eight matches played, before the competition moves to the Haslington Market Tarmac on August 1 (Emancipation day) with the final set for the National Stadium at
Providence for the grand finale.The tournament now in its 9th Edition has become the most talked about event in the shorter version and the Organisers have worked overtime to make the experience for fans an exciting one. In terms of tournament success, Georgetown teams have dominated in this department with Sparta Boss, the most successful of the lot, while teams such as Back Circle, Leopold Street, West Front Road ‘Gold is Money and Tiger Bay have all tasted victory as well, before Linden’s Dave & Celena’s All Stars broke the stranglehold last year. The fact that the national title is no longer in the hands
of a Georgetown team, regarded as the traditional powers, is enough evidence to suggest that this year’s battle for supremacy will be enthralling from the first kick off. The feedback from the respective zones is that all the teams have been hard at training and are confident of going all the way. Following Dave & Celena’s All Stars win last year it is felt that the intimidation visiting teams experienced playing against Georgetown opposition has long dissipated and they believe that any team could rise to the occasion. On the other hand, with Georgetown’s aura slightly dented, other zone winners
Part of the large crowd that usually attends the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition. will feel inspired by the Lindeners performance and raise their level of play as well to ensure that the trophy goes elsewhere. Fixtures for opening night are as follows: West Side Ballers vs Silver Bullets-19:00hrs ESPN vs Disconnection Crew-19:30hrs Leopold Street vs Dave & Celena’s All-Stars-20:00hrs Showstoppers vs Swag Entertainment-20:30hrs ESPN vs West Side Ballers21:30hrs Silver Bullets vs Disconnection Crew22:00hrs Swag Entertainment vs Dave & Celena’s-22:30hrs Showstoppers vs Leopold Street-23:00hrs
rt o p S
Windies aim for improvement CWI opens doors for Narine, in pursuit Pollard and Bravo comebacks of crucial P. 36 into national side win P. 38 West Indies will be looking for a bigger contribution from talismanic opener Chris Gayle.
Dwayne Bravo embraces Sunil Narine after the latter dismissed Kamran Akmal. (Getty Images)
GFF, CONCACAF Gold Cup Qualification bid begins with Rio Train/Play Camp – Forde P. 37
Some of the next generation of Golden Jaguars players that would be in contention.
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