Wednesday July 06, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News gets They have power yet calling for action deserved praise DEAR EDITOR; On behalf of the Director of Children’s Services, Ms. Ann Greene this letter serves to bring your attention to another unfortunate case of erroneous reporting on the part of your newspaper, Kaieteur News in the article entitled “CPA employs efforts to return children to biological families” dated July 5, 2016. Please be advised that, at present, there are 182 children with 116 foster parents who receive monthly financial assistance and psychosocial support through the Foster Care Programme. The Childcare and Protection Agency wishes to extend sincere appreciation for the continued support you have shown to the Agency’s work as we seek to improve the lives of Guyana’s children. Once again, we reiterate our belief that the influence of the media has a profound effect on the lives of Guyanese and, as such, cannot be underestimated. Colleen Khan Administrative Manager (Foster Care) Childcare & Protection Agency
Only four players produced their birth certificates DEAR EDITOR; I waited almost 45 minutes on June 24 to call in to Sporting Action Line on 102.5FM hosted by Edwin Seeraj, and when I finally got through, I complimented him for listening to bilge from the Coordinator of the Digicel Schools Championship tournament, Lavern Fraser-Thomas. Ms Fraser-Thomas and Sherwin Osborne were the two guests on the programme. The Coordinator’s contribution subsequently confirmed my long held suspicion that the tournament over the years has been poorly administered. Ms Fraser-Thomas has been integrally involved in sports since her youthful days at Bishops as an athlete. She is a former netball player and national coach; a Fruta Conquerors executive; a sports organizer for UG; and a GFA executive, serving as President (ag) as recently as last year prior to the AGM. With such an impressive resumé, and given that she is an executive of the National Sports Commission presently, how come the youth policy relating to teams’ registration is being done in such an ad hoc manner? On match day, for example, only four players turned up with birth certificates. This is nonsense. The Coordinator must know that the registration of players must have a cut-off date. Furthermore, with schools’ participation, it’s much easier, since all schools in the various regions would have records of a player’s full name, date of birth and address, and so too would the Ministry of Education. Is there a match commissioner for each match, who submits a report within 48 hours, along with one from the referee? Which individual decides if a ground is playable? What role do the Regional administrations and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils play in providing playable venues? Are all matches officiated by personnel from the Guyana Football Referee Council, including in remote hinterland areas? Editor, in relation to grounds, the Digicel’s representative had advocated, “The GFF should provide assistance in relation to grounds, since on the entire East Bank, none is playable”. In all fairness to the GFF, how can they provide assistance with grounds, moreso, in some remote areas of the hinterland where there are no associates, much less affiliates. Furthermore, the East Bank is probably the most active association affiliated to the GFF. Finally, the only problem I foresee on the East Bank is that the competitions are played on the Grove ground only. Further, for the senior competitions, more experienced officiating personnel would be utilized. So, in actuality I cannot fathom Mr Osborne’s perception. Nevertheless, realistically speaking more grounds should be made available, with the Timehri Red Ground being given priority for rehabilitation, while others can be looked at. With the tournament’s Coordinator being a member of the NSC, maybe she can be more informative about the rehabilitation or upgrade of community grounds. By the way, normally a workshop was held for coaches, but I can’t recall any being held for administrators, which in my estimation is equally important for lifting the sport, and which would eventually assist schools and communities in terms of administration. In addition, at what stage of the tournament is a physiotherapist utilized? Lester Sealey
DEAR EDITOR; It is being observed that at the opening (July 4, 2017) of the Annual Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) that presenters on matters relating to advancing Caribbean Integration are taking the position of calling for action. It needs to be said that as Heads of Government, the President and Prime Ministers are empowered to act under CARICOM Treaty, Charters, and each nation’s respective laws, and in keeping with the duty and responsibility of the office held. Caribbean countries are no longer colonies thereby requiring the call for action from elsewhere (the Crown). The Caribbean peoples are no longer colonised thereby having to call on the Crown to act in keeping with their welfare. Heads of Government are in charge of the day-to-day business in their respective countries and their party or group holds significant sway in the Legislature. It means that in addition for day-to-day administration of the
Government they can also proceed with making laws to advance integration. Heads of Government are not Leaders of the Opposition or Minority, thereby not having control of the Executive, and requiring action on the part of the Executive which they head. Calling on others to act when you are empowered to act has been become a new fad of the Heads of Government and Executive and is should ceased. This has never been a practice of Heads of Government of yore. It can be recalled Forbes Burnham, Eric Williams, Errol Barrow, Michael Manley, Vere Bird Sr., Eugene Charles and others came to CARICOM with a vision, shared it with the region’s peoples, engaged stakeholders, and moved to act. Most of the time the political work was done before the convening of conferences, which were used to fine-tuned proposals, make decisions, and return to their respective countries for implementation. What the integration process needs to realise the objectives set out therein is for Heads of Government to recognise
that they have the power to act on the things they are calling for action on. Heads should use the muscles that come with the offices they occupy, and bring before the Region a Plan of Action they will embrace, having done preparatory work, and making known the respective arms of CARICOM tasked with getting the job done. It is the absence of political will and commitment to the integration process that is responsible for many decisions taken not being implemented by the respective members. A lot of work has been done by the technicians, but beyond the work prepared, implementation, which the politicians are in charge of, have been slow. The Region’s peoples can only act based on clear guidelines and enabling environments created which the Heads of Government have the responsibility to ensure. The peoples await leadership and have been calling on the respective governments to act notwithstanding some have taken initiatives to proceed on their own to make integration work. Lincoln Lewis
Historical facts that Ralph Ramkarran missed out on DEAR EDITOR; Mr. Ralph Ramkarran’s column which was published in Stabroek News, under the caption “The PPP, WPA and Clive Thomas” is a welcome contribution to the debate on Dr. Jagan’s withdrawal of the ministerial offer to Dr.CliveThomas, that wasmade after the declaration of the 1992 Regional and General Elections. In his column Mr. Ramkarran had gone further than any other contributor in this debate in conceding the possibility that Dr. Roger Luncheon had indeed communicated Dr.Jagan’s withdrawal of the ministerial offer to Clive Thomas. Mr. Ramkarran in his column wrote,”Dr. Luncheon may well have indicated that the offer to Professor Thomas was off the table”. He however continued, “But he would have done so after the WPA had indicated its position and Dr. Jagan had decided not to pursue the matter”. I am not sure what Mr. Ramkarran meant when he said “after the WPA had indicated its position”. Is he referring to the negotiations between the WPA and the PPP which resulted in an agreement between the two parties on a regional and p a r l i a m e n t a r y accommodation? If this is what Ramkarran is referring to, he has my agreement. However, the implications are obvious – I submit here that Dr.Jagan, after having gotten WPA’s support and his parliamentary arithmetic correct was no longer interested in the ministerial offer to Dr. Thomas.
Dr. Jagan after having achieved the parliamentary comfort level he desired (via the regional and parliamentary agreement with WPA) no longer had an interest in Thomas as finance minister. . I wish at this point to address some issues raised by Mr. Ramkarran relative to the Patriotic Coalition for Democracy (PCD) negotiations. I offer my views on these matters from my vantage point as a member of WPA’s delegation to the PCD. I want to say at the
outset that I am in full agreement with Mr. Ramkarran that in this debate, context is an important element for clarity. It is therefore in my quest to ensure clarity on these matters exist that I respond to Mr. Ramkarran’s version of events. In his column Ramkarran wrote, “Dr. Jagan’s offer of Dr. Roger Luncheon as the PPP’s
presidential candidate was rejected”. He continued, “The PPP concluded that these groups essentially wanted the PPP to concede the presidency which it was not prepared to do.” This formulation by Mr. Ramkarran is consistent with the lie promoted at public meetings by Dr. Jagan during the elections campaign - that in Continued on page 6
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Wednesday July 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
Put on a life jacket The Bureau of Statistics has failed while on the river! DEAR EDITOR; On Thursday June 30, 2016, while in the water taxi going from New Amsterdam to Rosignol, I observed that of the 33 passengers in the little vessel, I was the only one wearing his lifejacket properly; the others had theirs just thrown over their heads and shoulders and not buckled around the chest. In the event of a watery mishap, such loosely-worn buoyancy aids will simply float off the wearers’ shoulders, leaving them to the elements and grasping for me, the pilot and the bow-man, the only ones who were wearing the flotation devices properly, and pulling us all down. Transport and Harbours Department should put up notices and diagrams at both stellings and on the craft on how to don a lifejacket correctly and the dangers of not doing so. The pilot and bow-man should also insist on the correct procedure before departure. Lives are at risk. M. Xiu Quan Balgobind-Hackett
“Pas lil something and you board the ferry” DEAR EDITOR; Please allow me space in your newspaper to vent my frustration. Have you ever arrived nine hours early for an event only to be told later that you can’t attend? Well I have been in this situation too often with the Transport and Harbour Department Ferry Service (Parika-Supenaam). Travelling between Supenaam and Parika with a vehicle via the ferry service is one of the most excruciatingly painful situations one can face; it is mentally and physically exhausting. When the new ferries had just arrived there was a booking system where one can come and book their vehicle license plate number in advance to guarantee them self a space on the boat; a few months later this booking system was forgotten and the bullying and bribery system took over. On Thursday last I arrived at the Parika wharf at 10:45 pm to ensure my space on the boat that was scheduled to leave at 8 am Friday morning. Imagine sitting in your car all the time in a line only to be told at 5:00 am that you cannot get on the boat as there were ‘other’ vehicles that needed to be loaded. When I questioned the personnel as to what exactly are these ‘other’ vehicles and what gives these persons preference over other people who have been waiting for hours I was greeted with a face which I do not wish to describe. A few minutes later myself along with other drivers who have been waiting for hours could vividly see drivers who had just arrived ‘pass a lil something’ and were allowed to board the boat. I refused to fall prey to a system of bullying and bribery so I sat in my vehicle and looked on as people were given preference because they could buy their way through. I was the second person in line at the gate and I could have easily gotten onto that boat if bribery didn’t play apart and fairness was taken into consideration. About 15 to 20 vehicles passed by me and were given entrance as they paid up. As I sat there I thought to myself that in Guyana one has to have enough money to squander wastefully in order to get something done. I then ventured to the same gate man who had been giving those vehicles entrance and asked why these vehicles that had just arrived were given entrance and we who have been waiting for hours were denied and he just looked me in my face as if I were speaking another language and walked away. I do not understand why these people behave as if we are begging our way unto this ferry, we are paying users and we deserve to be treated better. These T & HD workers need to be reassessed as their attitude towards people is atrocious. Anyways, after all that commotion I was eventually told that the boat is full to capacity and I would have to wait on the next boat which was at 4 pm the same afternoon so I eventually sat in my vehicle for 15 hours. Mind you, I was not the only person left behind; other people who were also there as early as I was were forced to stay back in their vehicle even though many of these vehicles had mothers with babies. I write not only to vent my anger but also with a hope that someone who could better this situation would see this and do something. This needs to stop and we need a regularized and fair system to be put in place so that travellers could be ease of the nightmare of travelling with a vehicle between Parika and Supenaam. I have only described one instance of this nightmare; I have been in this situation many other times. Frustrated citizen
DEAR EDITOR, This letter provides my rebuttal to Dr. Gaskin-Peters based on her letter “The Bureau of Statistics explains” and is final on the subject since I have no time to waste. The initial letter was not an attack on Dr. Peters but a factual statement of the lack of timely, accurate and reliable statistics in this country. Whilst her and Lennox Benjamin are signatories to the said letter, it is questionable as to whether Lennox Benjamin is actually a co-writer since this lacks the eloquence and professionalism of his previous letters such as the “Challenge of country’s growth estimate was undertaken without single reference to the economy’s sectoral sources of expansion”. My initial letter stated some comments the Minister of Business made at a GMSA luncheon recently. It is unfortunate that Dr. Peters would infer
from my letter that I am against young people and women. This is far from the truth and Dr. Peters’ letter penned by her hand is thus evident of her unsuitability for the job of chairperson of the Stats Bureau and a reflection of her lack of professionalism. My sole concern remains the lack of current and accurate statistics and based on Ms. Peters’ response to my letter, I am even more convinced now that unless there is an injection of the appropriate skilled persons in the Stats Bureau, the situation will not improve. Someone with more relevant experience is needed at this stage. It is more evident that a competent chairman must be appointed since all Ms. Peters letter point to are excuses, delaying tactics and more of the same old rhetoric that keeps us in this backward state. Dr. Peters was named the chairman in a media release and it is the chairman
who is accountable for the performance of an organisation or lack thereof, and the fact that the Governor of the Bank of Guyana is on the board does not in anyway transfer the responsibility to him. It is evident that the Stats Bureau failed in its mandate to Guyana and the Guyanese public over the last 10 years. It is up to a new chairman to determine whether the current senior staff existed during that time and moreso over the last 3 years. If they were there, then the lack of performance in the delivery of statistics is due to them. Basic management practice dictates that these persons must be replaced by competent persons. Retaining or promoting any of these incompetent persons will not fix the problem. Dr. Peters in her letter is still continuing to offer excuses for not having released the now outdated 2012 census data four years later. That speaks for itself. H. Singh
Union wants review of Exxon... From page 4 of the oil produce by the Company may have to be ship to overseas markets as such the APNU+AFC Government without any hesitation should swiftly move in the direction to establish a Deepwater harbours at Berbice River which is an essential points of transit for incoming people and goods. Primarily, deep water harbours are fundamental to the movement of exports and imports from and to a country. In the Caribbean, the Port of Bridgetown in Barbados has immensely increased trade activities in the island and drastically boosted the tourism sector. Barbados’ Deepwater harbour now acts as a homeport for many of the British-based Cruise ship lines operating in the Caribbean region, directly impacting the tourism sector and ultimately the economy, owing to the revenue generated from tourists who are almost always willing to spend. The Deepwater harbours will not just benefit the Exxon Mobil Company to transship its oil produce but it will also
improve the maritime sector in Guyana and boost business in the shipping sector, generate revenue to the country economy create jobs for Guyanese and strengthen, improve and qualify Guyana port to meet international safety and security standards etc. The Ministry of Social Protection labour department and Guyana Maritime Sector needs to be equip with safety officers who are exports that have the full knowledge and qualifications as it relates to safety on oil rigs so they can highlight breach of any safety rules or laws which can endanger the life of workers etc. Inclosing The People United and General Workers Union wishes to state, that if the APNU+AFC Government don’t manager Guyana resources properly and also if they don’t sign good contracts with foreign companies operating in Guyana such as Exxon Mobil Guyana can end up in a crises just as Venezuela and Guyana will continue to remain as a third country etc. Micah Williams General Secretary The People United and General Workers Union
Historical facts that Ralph Ramkarran... From page 5 the PCD negotiations he put forward Dr. Luncheon as the PCD presidential candidate and it was rejected. This never happened. Let me for the benefit of younger readers put the issue in perspective. At a certain point in the PCD negotiations Dr. Jagan told us that he held a meeting with some prominent citizens who objected to his candidacy for president, on the grounds that “he is Indian and communist”. In response he claimed to have put forward Roger Luncheon as the presidential candidate and he was told thatLuncheon “is black but red”, meaning that he is African but communist. This was what was communicated to the meeting by Jagan. I repeat, at no time in the PCD negotiations did the PPP put forward any other person other than Dr. Jagan for President. The next issue I wish to clarify is the erroneous contention that the WPA rejected Jagan’s offer of the ministerial position to Dr. Thomas. What WPA did was to write Dr. Jagan for clarification on whether the offer was to the WPA as a party or to Dr. Thomas in his personal capacity. Ramkarran’s contention is that, “The WPA declined the offer on the ground that protocol dictated that Jagan must make the offer to the WPA. Once again for the benefit of the younger generation, I will point out that when the talks between the two parties on the regional and parliamentary accommodation began the WPA informed the PPP negotiators that we were separating the regional and parliamentary issue from the ministerial
offer pending the PPP’s clarification. The record will show that the PPP at no time replied to the WPA letter. In summarizing, let me make the following points: (1) I don’t share Mr. Ramkarran view that the PPP throughout the PCD negotiations and the post 1992 elections negotiations acted in good faith and was at all time interested in unity. From the start of the PCD talks the PPP had two non-negotiable positions - (a) Jagan must be the presidential candidate (b) the PPP must dominate the slate. (2) The situation changed after Dr. Jagan returned from a meeting with officials of the US State Department – on his return Jagan reported to the PCD statuary meeting that he was well received by the State Department, but he gave no details. He returned from that meeting with the US state department a happy man – the ideological problem was removed. From this point onwards Jagan stopped attending PCD meetings, and Moses Nagamooto replaced him as the PPP’s main negotiator. The PPP and Dr. Jagan had no more interest in a PCD agreement to contest the elections. This new approach by the PPP in my view was influenced by the fact that the US had informed Jagan that they had no issues with his presidential run. I now ask Mr. Ramkarran if the State Department meeting was reported and discussed at the PPP executive and if yes, what was reported. (3) After the PCD talks were deadlocked it was agreed to have a break in the talks, and to allow parties to
reassess their positions after having bilateral discussions. I wish to reiterate that I was WPA’s representative at the statutory meetings and when we met I informed the meeting of my instructions from the WPA executive, that I should not state the party’s position before the PPP first stated theirs. No one objected. The DLM stated their position; it was now the PPP turn to state their position. Gail Teixiera, who represented the PPP, refused to state her party’s position and insisted that I reveal the WPA position. We both held our ground and as a result the meeting was adjourned. Before we leave the room, I announced that the WPA had decided to accept Dr. Jagan as presidential candidate. (4) The PPP after learning of the WPA’s new position, accepting Dr. Jagan candidacy that party had a chance to achieve unity in a new round of PCD negotiations but show no interest in doing so. After another statutory meeting while I was leaving Freedom House Dr. Jagan called me aside and asked that I tell the WPA that the PPP has decided to run with Mr. Samuel Hinds from the Guard movement. I conveyed Jagan’s message to the WPA executive and the general view was that Jagan was playing games. In closing I appreciate Mr. Ralph Ramkarran’s attempt to be objective in the debate, but he is at a disadvantage since he did not personally take part in the negotiations. What he is putting forward is what he was told in the PPP executive. The dilemma he is faced with is to what extent the reports he received were accurate. Tacuma Ogunseye
Wednesday July 06, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Vaitarna to “surrender” State forest lands to Govt. - Minister Trotman The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) is keeping a close eye on all logging companies—not only the controversial ones. Currently, the Commission remains engaged with Vaitarna, and the company seems to be cooperative. This is according to Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. During a recent interview with Kaieteur News, Trotman said that he has full confidence in the GFC’s Board of Directors. He said that the Board is currently working hard to regularize things at GFC. Further, the Minister indicated that the Board is talking to some companies whose operations fall under GFC. Included in these entities is the logging company, Vaitarna. Trotman told Kaieteur News, “My last report was that Vaitarna was being very cooperative. There are discussions ongoing between Vaitarna and the Board and these are said to be going reasonably well. The Minister said that the
discussions cover a wide range of concerns and issues raised, “including about the size of their concession and the possibility of them surrendering some lands.” Vaitarna currently has access to 737,835 hectares of State forest. It has the second largest access to State Forest. Only Barama has more access to State Forest. The report of an audit conducted into the operations of GFC showed several cases of malpractice in relation to Vaitarna. Forensic Auditor Anand Goolsarran reported on issues ranging from illegal extension of State Forest Exploratory Permit (SFEP) to it acquiring a company without the permission of GFC. Goolsarran reported that Simon and Shock International Logging Inc. was granted a SFEP (03/2007) in December 2007 covering 391,874 hectares. In 2010, Vaitarna Holdings PVT Ltd. acquired all the shares in the company and paid the outstanding debt to the Commission of US$254,000. However, the auditor
found that “there was no evidence of the specific approval of the Commission in relation to the change of ownership of the company. Notwithstanding this, the Commission granted Simon and Shock two extensions for exploratory operations to May 2012. The SFEP was converted into a TSA (01/2014) in March 2014.” Goolsarran pointed out that Simon and Shock would have had the benefit of an exploratory permit covering a period of over six years, whereas the Forests Act provides for the validity period for a SFEP to be for a maximum of three years. Goolsarran also reported that in July 2010, Vaitarna Holdings acquired the TSA held by Caribbean Resources Ltd. (CRL), a subsidiary of Colonial Life Insurance Co. The concession, with an area size of 345,961 hectares, had expired, and the Government decided against its renewal because of the inability of CRL to make beneficial use of the concession. The auditor said that a
number of other entities had expressed an interest in the reallocation of the concession. However, “in view of the need for the Government to urgently obtain funds of at least G$500 million to address CLICO’s liabilities to Guyanese stakeholders, and the willingness of Vaitarna Holdings to offer G$600 million as consideration for the grant of the concession, the Board and the Government agreed to reallocate the concession to this company. The company therefore has access to 737,835 hectares of State forest.” Goolsarran also reported
Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman
Forensic Auditor, Anand Goolsarran that Vaitarna Holdings was granted fiscal concessions on a variety machinery and
equipment with a Cost Insurance Freight (CIF) value of $1.142 billion, equivalent to US$5.712 million, during the period 2011 to 2014. This was said to be based on an investment agreement it had entered into with the Government of Guyana.
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Wednesday July 06, 2016
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Audit reports may be dragged out until next elections …PPP will survive all provocations – Rohee People’s Progressive Party General Secretary Clement Rohee has expressed that there is a view circulating in the public that the current administration will drag out the procedures regarding the forensic audits until the next general and regional elections. Rohee shared this idea yesterday during a press conference held at his party’s Freedom House headquarters. He stated that if the government intends to drag out the issue, his party will survive whatever the present administration plans to do with the information. “I don’t think that this new government, irrespective
of any audits, how many provocations they are seeking to engineer... that that will destroy the PPP.” Rohee proclaimed that his party is fit to handle whatever the government throws at them. He noted that his party has been around for quite some time, more than 50 years. Rohee intimated that it would be presumptuous to even think that these reports will affect his party’s reputation. Further, he stated that his party is fit, and over the years it has been able to withstand manipulations which were directed at it. The General Secretary professed his confidence in the PPP when he stated that
it has 32 seats in parliament and as such alluded to the continued strength which his party yields as a heavyweight contender in the political arena. Additionally, he believes the APNU-AFC government is refusing to meet at the level of the national assembly as often as it should due to the PPP’s presence in the house. According to the party executive, this is so since many of the government ministers have been constantly travelling here and there. The former Minister of Home Affairs noted that he does not believe that his party’s image will be tainted by the irregularities which the forensic audits have unearthed at the various government agencies and ministries under the PPP/C administration. Rohee expressed that it appears as though the authorities are somewhat confused as to what to do with the reports. “I understand that some audits have been sent to the Guyana Police Force, they’re making their rounds, they don’t seem to know what to do with these audit reports.” He highlighted that “besides the GPF, some reports are with the Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and some are with the Ministry of the Presidency.” In his final remarks on the issue, Rohee noted that it was proposed that the audits should be accompanied with the views of the previous board and board members of the various state agencies whose operations were scrutinized.
Prime Minister of T&T Dr. Keith Rowley (centre) in conversation with St. Lucia Prime Minister Allen Chastanet (left) and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness after the opening ceremony.
Trinidad pledges assistance to Guyana for oil exploration - Expresses support in Venezuela border controversy BY JARRYL BRYAN With the recent discovery of a significant oil presence offshore, Guyana will need robust support as it prepares to develop an oil sector potentially worth billions of dollars. And according to Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, his country stands ready to assist. Rowley, who is attending the Thirty Seventh Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community being held here, was responding to queries about the level of support Trinidad, will be offering to Guyana. “At the moment I’m not sure what you are hearing, but there is a lot that we can give,” he said, in response. “Because Trinidad and Tobago has been in this business for so long and we are desirous of seeing that Guyana develops one of the things that we have.” While not a member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC),
President David Granger Trinidad is by far the Caribbean region’s biggest producer of oil, with its first oil well drilled over a century ago. Since then, it has not looked back and has developed a vibrant industry. “We have a pool of technical expertise that is available,” Rowley said. “And we hope some time in the not so distant future that Trinidad with its technical experience and its human resource base, and our plans and equipment could be available to Guyana’s disposal if Guyana becomes
interested in any further hydro carbon development.” Rowley also stated that the Trinidad and Tobago government supported the international arrangements set between Guyana and Venezuela on its border controversy. “We will continue to appeal to both parties to do nothing,” he stated. “We are expecting that Venezuela will do nothing to prevent Guyana from realizing the development of its natural resources. “ Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro, on May 27, last year, had issued a decree, extending his country’s claim to Guyana’s territorial waters. Accompanying the decree, a map was issued which showed that the claim includes the area where the US oil company, ExxonMobil had been drilling for oil by provision of the Guyanese government. Maduro’s decree came on the heels of the announcement that a hefty amount of hydrocarbons (oil) was found. ExxonMobil recently drilled another well. This well confirmed that Guyana’s oil reserve is even larger than originally believed.
Wednesday July 06, 2016
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Kaieteur News
New political friends secretly released eight containers of steel to BK
Ex-President, Donald Ramotar Shortly after the David Granger administration took office last year, eight containers of steel seized by the previous Government were reportedly handed over to contractor, B.K International.
However, the circumstances of that transaction last year are now raising serious questions and threatening the credibility and transparency of the young administration. Amidst the ongoing public quarrel and growing scandal, former President Donald Ramotar in a letter to the editor published yesterday in Kaieteur News, made it clear that the transaction stinks. The issue has seen Ramotar and BK’s owner, Brian Tiwarie, releasing a number of embarrassing Letters to the Editor, pointing fingers at each other over a
– ex-President Ramotar number of transactions and contracts. Those eight containers were shipped by Surendra Engineering Company Inc. (SECI) for construction works on the Specialty Hospital at Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara. However, in late 2014, the Indian contractor was fired from the US$18M project with the Ramotar government contending that forged bank security documents were submitted as security bonds. The company was also accused of being way behind
Dem boys seh...
A Chairman got Yong Chik In Tong Soulja Bai got to keep he eye pun all dem chairman. Jagdeo the scamp, had Brassington, that fat crook, who was always in some scheme. And dem boys ain’t talking about housing scheme. He had Shake de Bax, who like to mek up fake receipt, even when he go in de bush. Then he had Clinty de Willie, de man who eat ee way through ee full term. He eat till he drop to sleep at de wheel and crash. He also had one name de Clue, de man wha everything pass through but never had a Clue. Now Soulja Bai got ee own crew of chairmans who think dem can do anything and everything like wha Jagdeo scamps use to do. De only difference is that Soulja Bai is completely opposite to that scamp Jagdeo. He would not sit back idle and see or know he got chairman who like de ones we had before. One chairman who name LuCrass believe he can get away scot free wid his wicked actions. He didn’t even sit down properly in d chair and he start lying through ee teeth and
crying through he nose. Like de snake he is, he setting trap fuh de Waterfalls paper. Dem boys send him a list of de irregular things ee do in office and ask him to respond. He tell dem boys he got nutten to say until dem publish wha dem got. Dem boys seh he sound just like that fat crook, Brassington who run away and lef thirty lawsuit. LuCrass gun fly way faster than Brassington when he realize that he can’t hide. Imagine LuCrass only sit down a few months in de office and he decide fuh mek de office better than Soulja Bai own. He order a complete remodel of de office wha he barely use. He buy brand new Italian desk, carpet from Kashmir, 50-inch TV, and a sofa name “With de Mildest Touch’ specially designed for young lovers. Is news about these things cause de problem. De man shake up, dismiss and transfer people like he head ain’t good but de things he buy still remain. And food, drinks, wine and dine prepared by Yong Chik In Tong. Talk half and watch who gun hit de roof.
schedule. The Government of Guyana went ahead and sued. The court last year January granted judgment in its favor, including special damages of US$4,285,440 and interest thereon and costs of US$10,714.50. While that court case had been ongoing, the PPP/C government learnt of the containers of steel which the Indian firm had brought in for the project. The containers, Ramotar said, were taken off the wharf and handed into the custody of the Ministry of Health. It was the intention, via the court case, to execute the judgment obtained against Surendra by levying on the containers. According to the former President, at the request of the Office of the President, the
GRA did a one hundred percent inspection of the containers. The value of the steel in the container was equivalent to the US$4.5M judgment that was handed down by the court last year, the expresident said. “As a result, we were assured that the value was sufficient to satisfy the judgment. These containers were removed at the instance of Mr. Tiwarie. Therefore, I maintain that millions of dollars’ worth in steel were virtually handed to him by his new found political friends.” Ramotar would be referring to the closeness of Tiwarie to the new administration. Tiwarie was also appointed as Ministerial Advisor on Business Development by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, in January. However, that embarrassing appointment was rescinded in March by President Granger.
BK’s boss, Brian Tiwarie How the containers of steel, seized by the previous Government, ended up in the hands of B.K shortly after the May 2015 general elections is what Ramotar wants to know. The case would be a hard one to swallow for citizens who have seen their taxpayers lost to poorly supervised projects without much action taken to recover the precious tax dollars spent. Surendra had hurriedly left the jurisdiction last year with not much assets left behind for Government to seize.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 06, 2016
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN...
The lady in the supermarket
I was in the supermarket last Friday when this neatly dressed, middle age woman came up to me. She gave me some words of appreciation for my activism then asked me why I wrote so vehemently against celebrating the 50 years of Independence. She wanted to know why I was so cynical about Guyana’s 50th birthday. My response was that my explanation would be a long one and in another place, another time, I would be delighted to offer my academic analysis on rejecting the allocation of extensive time, expansive energy, and scarce dollars on the 50th year anniversary. She asked me to ramble on just for a few minutes. I was brief, but I did offer a few explanatory notes. The first thing I said to her was that one of the most dangerous flaws in life is when an individual, organization, government or country, is shown success by others but what they are really seeing is failure. What you are being shown is a deception. You become like the king and his new clothes. What the king was seeing was his fancy attire. What he had on was just his bare skin. The poor chap couldn’t see it because he accepted what was told to him. He accepted deception. Success will never be striven for because you are told that you already have it
when in fact you have nothing but failure. It is a simple lesson that even a dunce can internalize. If your boss bowls nonsensical off-breaks at the company’s cricket competition and the employees keep telling him he is a good bowler, he will never improve his action. The academic explanation is that reality is never recognized. If reality is shunned then Freudian dangers take over. I told this lady that the University of Guyana is in shambles today because over a ten-year period, when people wrote about UG falling down, the UG administrators and the lecturers who support them would respond, extolling the progress of the university. Each time you pointed to the disappearing standards and resources of UG, Mr. Al Frederick Creighton would pen a reply about the wonderful, rising progress of UG. Those things are in the newspaper; any school boy can Google them. I then asked her to show me what we have achieved in 50 years since Independence came. This time the tiny smile grew larger. I
directed her to the wide, richly stocked shelves of the supermarket and advised that on those shelves she would see the failure of 50 years of Guyana. I politely said goodbye and left. I wished I could have spent more time with her, because it was important for her to know that emotions are one thing, realty is another. One well known diaspora personality who writes letters to the press often, reminded me that many of the shortcomings of Guyana that I lament about are present in the developed world. One hopes that the policymakers of this country ignore such nonsense because if you don’t, the king’s new clothes come into play. One of the most regrettable failures of 50 Kissoon years of Independence that personally pains me is the absence of modern medical treatment. It should not have surprised anyone that Jimmy Carter got a slight touch of the cold and flew out of Guyana immediately. I was mentally wounded when I read that
the traffic rank that was knocked down while doing duties, died after he was discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital. My editor, Adam Harris, knew how I felt about that because I discussed the tragedy with a number of Kaieteur News staffers. Obviously, he was not diagnosed properly because he would not have been released. He died two days after he was discharged. No one noticed or lamented this primitive regression of Guyana. This man died while helping school kids to cross the road. He is a forgotten footnote. In the meantime, poor people continue to die at the Georgetown Hospital from ailments you no longer die from because medical science has improved phenomenally the past fifty years. Machines to aid in diagnosis are today saving lives. Medicine in the modern world is now machine-based. I know some crucial blood tests that no hospital in the 21st century can do without; the Georgetown Hospital does not have, and will not have in the near future. I didn’t tell the lady at the supermarket that she used the wrong word, “cynicism” to describe my attitude to the celebration of 50 years of Independence. It was simple mental disgust of the deepest kind.
Wednesday July 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Contractors vie to construct maternity waiting home at Suddie During yesterday’s session at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region number two, put out a tender for the construction of a maternity waiting home in the compound at the Suddie Public Hospital. The engineer’s estimate was $35.5M.
Under the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), there was also a contract for the supply and delivery of All Terrain Vehicles and Utility Vehicles for the authority.
The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) also had a tender for the procurement of electrical cables and transfer switch.
There was also a contract for the rehabilitation of the Oscar Joseph District Hospital (Accident and Emergency Department) at Charity, Essequibo coast, Region Number two. The engineer’s estimate was $20.9M.
Under the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), bidders vied for a contract to procure building materials for the All-ranks kitchen and Mess Hall, SNCO club at Base Camp Ayanganna.
The Office of the Elections Commission put out a tender for the design and supervision of the construction of the Registration Office at Blenheim, Mahaicony, Region Number five.
Meanwhile, there was a contract for a firm to upgrade the Byderabo Dumpsite at Bartica. The engineer’s estimate was $21M.
With the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, there was a contract for the construction of a storeroom student dormitory. The engineer’s estimate was $2.9M.
Under the same Ministry, there was one for the construction of a concrete trestle. The engineer’s estimate was $2.7M.
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Private school pupils lead 2016... From page 3 parents and relatives were very supportive of her. Additionally, she credits her success to the teachers at Graham's Hall, particularly Ms. Holder. Regarding any possible career interests, Sarena admitted that at the moment, she does not have a specific profession in mind. CHELSEA BARNES (563 marks) Chelsea Barnes of Grove East Bank Demerara credited her success to hard work, her parents and teachers. The 11-year-old has been attending Success Elementary from Grade Two. “I am happy to have a place at Queen's College, but I must admit that I will miss my school and teachers.”
Wednesday July 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
Barnes said that she studied for hours at a time and sacrificed leisure time. “I love to read so I had to sacrifice reading and TV to study,” she said. Barnes dreams of becoming a General Surgeon when she is older. ARUN SOOKNARINE (562 marks) A playful Arun Sooknarine said that his thanks are directed to God foremost, his parents and teachers. Fifth in the country at the NGSA examinations, the Dharmic Rama Krishna Primary School pupil said that he did not look at television since starting Grade Six and attended extra lessons. He expressed joy at being a top performer and getting the school that he had long
Chief Education Officer, Mr. Olato Sam, announces the 2016 NGSA results yesterday.
desired. He disclosed that he wanted to be awarded a place at “Guyana's top secondary school – Queen's College” – and as a result worked towards getting the required marks to gain entry at the school. He hopes to be an aeronautical engineer when he grows up. HELIAAGARD (561 marks) Eleven-year-old Helia Agard of Diamond East Bank Demerara, a student of Success Elementary, expressed gratitude to her parents and teachers for the success he has attained. She noted that it was because of the combined support she got, coupled with her determination that catapulted her to success. The pupil noted that her work regimen consisted of early morning drills held at school. There were no extra lessons but only the 6:30 and 7:00 am classes which was useful in helping her and other pupils retain their schoolwork. Agard noted that her teachers also gave her useful tips for retaining her studies. “I'd like to thank my teachers, especially Sir Success and Miss Africo for helping us stick through the early morning classes leading up to the exams. I am just really thankful…” she added. JUSTIN SEECHARAN (560 marks) Justin Seecharan, whose leisure included playing computer games, cricket and reading, thanked his parents and teachers for their support. She scored 560 marks along with five others to claimed seventh place. He attributed his success to his faith in Jesus Christ, his parents and teachers. Seecharan hopes to one day become a physicist. INDIE RAMPERSAUD (560 marks) Much like her colleagues, Indie Rampersaud also thanked her parents and teachers for their support and guidance through the exam periods. The 11-year -old pupil from West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was elated to have achieved her feat. She dreams of pursuing studies as an attorney-at-law after completing secondary school. JONATHAN GANGA (560 marks) Eleven-year-old Jonathan Ganga from Leonora Primary School said that he was happy and excited about his achievement. The confident lad stated that he was certain that he would have performed well at the examinations. However, he noted that Mathematics proved to be a bit of a challenge. He expressed gratitude to the teachers of his school and his parents. Jonathan's study schedule usually entailed him doing work between 16:00 hours to 22:00 hours. According to his mother, Joylin Ganga, Jonathan was not pressured in anyway. She said that her son usually relaxed on weekends, but did light work during the day. Speaking with elation, the lad's mother stated that she too is extremely happy with the young boy's performance. DIVYA NANDALALL (560 marks) She had no loss for words to express how she felt about her performance. Divya, a pupil of Mae's Under 12 said “I am very excited, I am happy, I am overjoyed, I am so glad and relieved that I did well.” The pupil smiled continuously as she expressed appreciation for the support she gained from her family members and teachers many of whom gave her advice that she found very useful. The 11-year-old made it clear that she prayed a lot and divulged “I expected to do very well; I expected to go to Queen's College.” She doesn't expect to be lonely at her new school since her twin sister will also be attending the same institution.
Divya has a passion for Science and has embraced thoughts of becoming a medical doctor some day. LEMUELASSING (560 marks) Lemuel Assing of the New Guyana School also scored 560 marks at the 2016 NGSA too. “I feel great! It had to be done; everyone was expecting me to do well.” The 11-year-old thanked the Lord for his being here. He disclosed that the preparation for the exams was a lot of hard work and that he was given a study guide by his teacher. He continued that he focused on following the guide to the best of his ability and would normally study various subjects on designated week days. The lad who hails from Parfait Harmonie on the West Bank Demerara doesn't have a profession in mind as yet, but didn't forget to thank his parents and teachers for supporting him throughout the course of the examinations. MUHAMMAD HASSAD (559 marks) Although he was confident that he did well, 12-year-old Muhammad Hassad said that he had some doubt that he got some things wrong at the assessment. He is satisfied with his performance which has placed him 12th in the top one per cent performers at the 2016 NGSA. He shares that position with two others. Happy with his performance, Hassad, who resided overseas before attending the Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, Al Ghazali Islamic, recalled that he had to work really hard. He enrolled at the school at the Grade Five level. “I came to Guyana for the first time then and I worked with all my teachers, and my parents helped so much...everyone tried with me. An important lesson I learnt is to learn from your mistake” said Hassad who hopes to eventually become a doctor because of his love for Science and Mathematics. He is appreciative to his Creator, who he noted, also helped him every day. SAALIH RAHIM (559 marks) Saalih Rahim of the East Street, Georgetown, ISA Islamic School, did not waste any time to thank his Creator as well as his parents and teachers for helping him to perform well at the 2016 NGSA. He related that while he likes to play cricket and tennis he had to focus more on his studies during examination time. While he has secured a score that entitles him to attend Queen's College, Rahim said that this is a matter for him to discuss further with his parents. He believes that he would like to further his studies at the Islamic school and divulged that “I would like to pursue Islamic studies and become an Islamic scholar.” Also securing a score of 559 was Annandi Diaram of the Valmiki Vidyalaya school of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. JORDON NELSON (558 marks) The second pupil of the New Guyana School to place in the top 15 of the 2016 NGSA is Jordon Nelson. Nelson said that he expected to do well but not that well. The beaming 12year-old thanked the “Lord Jesus”, his parents and teachers, especially Ms. Greene. Nelson, who scored 558 marks to be 15th, said that his only challenge was grammar as he was a bit weak in that area. He shares the 15th place with Aletha Joseph. According to Nelson, he has two professions in mind that he would have to choose from when he grows up. Since he is inclined to Science, the lad is aiming to either be a theoretical physicist or a doctor.
Wednesday July 06, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Guyoil must crackdown on import, distribution of illegal fuel
Finance Minister, Winston Jordan Even though Guyoil has performed creditably over the years, Finance Minister Winston Jordan is of the firm belief that the company must strengthen its governance practices. Significantly too, the Minister stressed that it must crackdown on the importation and distribution of illegal fuel. Jordan however acknowledged that Guyoil is making moves to reshape its structure. In this regard, he believes that it will therefore be in a better position to face the future, emerging as an efficient business, growing steadily and progressively, and capable of outlasting the competition. He also said that the company must strive to follow a sustainable development model that focuses on environmental safety, communities and governance practices. “Today, our priority task is to further enhance Guyoil’s effectiveness and competitiveness in the local market. And for that, we need to encourage the use of modern governance and management standards, and the use of advanced methods for the distribution of fuel and expansion of the market.” Additionally, the Finance Minister explained that Guyoil must be a part of the process in helping to develop the country’s indigenous non-oil energy sources. “They may want to start testing cars that run on fuels other than fossil fuel and cars
that get more miles per gallon of fuel. Fuel-efficient cars, such as the hybrids, represent the future of the auto industry. Guyoil should therefore strategize on how best it could collaborate with the Guyana Sugar Corporation to develop ethanol as an alternative fuel.” Looking beyond 2016, the Finance Minister said energy and energy policy are key issues when discussing economic development. He said that it must be tackled as a whole in order to find the balance between a policy that guarantees profitability to a company that sells oil products and a policy that takes account of market forces, the volatile nature of fossil fuel markets, and seeks to reconcile oil production with the development of other indigenous sources. The economist noted that as Guyana approaches a future filled with the bountiful prospects and benefits “black gold” will bring, it is important to note that Guyoil will have an important role to play. He also sought to reflect on the entity’s contribution to the economy. ”I am pleased to say that in all respects, Guyoil has performed creditably. At a time when a large number of public enterprises have become extinct, Guyoil stands out like a financial beacon in an ocean of economic woes by those that have remained. Guyoil has always enjoyed an operating surplus,” the Finance Minister reflected. He opined that many may scoff at this achievement, claiming that it is a ‘buy and sell’ company. But, in the context of the trials and challenges experienced over the last 40 years, Jordan said that this is no easy feat. He noted that in 1980, Guyoil sold oil valued at $49 million. By 1996, the twentieth year of its establishment, Jordan related that Guyoil had spent $2.7 billion to realize sales of $3.9 billion. He said that after honouring all of its expenses, the company realized a profit of over $400 million. This trend, he noted, has been maintained with
- FINANCE MINISTER sales soaring to $44.3 billion in 2013. “In terms of volume, our fuel consumption has changed remarkably. Whereas, in 1994, we consumed 363,340 barrels of fuel, comprising mogas, kerosene, gasoil, fuel oil and lubricants, by 2015, this had risen to 1,316,875 barrels, driven largely by the explosion in the mining and transportation sectors. I may add that these numbers do not capture other fuel importers in the system.”
“With the difficult task of mobilizing savings and other resources to finance our Good Life programmes, I am heartened by Guyoil’s contribution to the national coffers, over the years. Indeed, during the last fiscal year, Guyoil contributed over $2 billion in taxes and dividends to the central government revenues, making Guyoil easily the largest contributor among the public enterprises.” In addition to the impressive statistics and
achievements, the Finance Minister said that Guyoil has been able to keep prices below those of its competitors and has developed a reputation as a reliable supplier of quality products. He noted, however, that it is important for all to bear in mind that lowering dependence on oil is an ecological necessity, and a technological challenge which Guyana’s economic policy cannot sidestep. The economist said that this is why the government is developing strategies for a “green” economy. These strategies, he said, will in the long run, lessen the
dependence on imported fossil fuels while diversifying the nation’s energy mix. While government continues to explore options for renewable energy, Jordan said that improved energy efficiency should not be overlooked, as it offers a means of facing the country’s challenges head-on. He noted that Guyoil is an important component of the country’s national energy system and given its significant economic linkage, the entity can be used as a platform for socio-economic development, while redefining the country’s energy landscape.
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Wednesday July 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
PPP distances itself from BK Int’l - claims to have never received campaign financing from Brian Tiwarie It seems that local businessman Brian Tiwarie’s claims of having assisted the People’s Progressive Party
(PPP) while in power are falling flat, as the party is now distancing itself from having had such financial dealings
with the businessman. During the party’s weekly press conference at Freedom House yesterday, PPP
General Secretary Clement Rohee was asked about the fact that Tiwarie, in a letter he wrote, which was released by former President Donald Ramotar, had admitted to providing transportation to party executives. Rohee claimed that the party had not been the recipient of such concessions. “I’m totally unaware of all of that, and that is something for Ramotar to clarify,” Rohee, the former Home Affairs Minister under Ramotar, stated. “I don’t know anything about those things.” Asked what Tiwarie’s financial contribution to the PPP was, Rohee stated that it was “none that I know of.” It was pointed out that Tiwarie’s company received a large amount of contracts and had always been perceived as a supporter of the PPP. “He is giving his version of what he is alleging to have happened. You asked about Tiwarie’s contribution to the PPP, I’m not aware of any contributions to the PPP. When it came to this recent election, I’m not aware of any contribution that Tiwarie made during that campaign.” Rohee stated that as General Secretary, he would know some of the people who would have contributed to the party. However, he claimed that he would not know of all. It all started when former President Ramotar alleged that Tiwarie’s company, BK
International, was handed some $800M in steel which was intended for the proposed US$18M Specialty Hospital. This was after the contractor; Surendra Engineering Company Limited (SECL) defaulted on the project and was fired. Ramotar was quoted in sections of the media as saying, “We took possession of eight containers of steel that Surendra, at the time we took them to court, had on the wharf; and that was worth nearly double the $400M they owed us.” He stated that Tiwarie subsequently received the steel for his role as a sub-contractor for the project, under the noses of the new Government. Tiwarie had blasted Ramotar, calling the former head of state, incompetent, and Ramotar in turn released a letter which was written by Tiwarie. In the letter, Tiwarie called himself a “born PPP” and spoke about the assistance he provided to the PPP government including trips. CAMPAIGN FINANCING Rohee also addressed the fact that during the party’s time in office, legislative steps were not taken to address the matter of campaign financing. “That matter was discussed some time ago, when they had established an inter-parliamentary (committee) on elections and so forth. We used to meet at Office of the President and
PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee there was Sheila Holder and a few others. There used to be a joint committee meeting and they were discussing a whole host of issues, among them campaign financing.” “But they never really got anywhere, because parties tend to be very shy about indicating where they got their finances from, especially if it is not above board and legal, when it comes to taking money from drug dealers. They will become very defensive.” According to Rohee, attempts have been made since then to get that process moving, but he stated that from all appearances political parties were not keen on bringing campaign financing to the fore again. Asked whether his party was interested in pushing for campaign financing reform, Rohee stated that that push has to come from the executives of the party and that they were not currently looking at the issue as a priority.
Once on friendly terms, BK International CEO Brian Tiwarie (left), with former President Donald Ramotar (centre) and former Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn on a walkabout last year.
Wednesday July 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
We will have no sacred cows As the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) gears for consultation on its draft legislation, the head of the department, Dr. Clive Thomas sought to reassure the citizenry that when it comes to SARU’s work, “there will be no sacred cows.” The economist made this comment during an interview he had with this newspaper. Thomas said that the department’s legislation is expected to be on the website of the Attorney General, Basil Williams, no later than this week. He disclosed that the draft legislation has received the blessings of leading international bodies which are part of the global fight against corruption. He said that one of these entities is FraudNet.
FraudNet is an international network of independent lawyers who are the leading civil asset recovery specialists in several countries. Its membership extends to every continent and the world’s major economies, as well as leading offshore wealth havens that have complex bank secrecy laws and institutions where the proceeds of fraud often are hidden. Using sophisticated investigation and forensic tools and cutting-edge civil procedures, FraudNet members have recovered billions of dollars for victims of some of the world’s largest and most sophisticated global frauds involving insurance, commodities,
Shot robbery victim testifies Businessman Neezam Khan, who was shot on June 6, 2015, when gun-toting bandits robbed him at his snackette at Grove, East Bank Demerara, testified yesterday before Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan. Curtis Vasconcellos, 21, of 52 Remus Street, Agricola, and Orin Peters 21, of Agricola are currently on trial for the offences of robbery under-arms and attempted murder committed on Khan. It is alleged that while in the company of others and armed with a gun they robbed Khan of a gold chain valued $200,000 and a gold ring valued $500,000. They are also accused of discharging a loaded firearm at Khan with intent to murder him. During the foiled robbery, Michael Grant, 18, of Agricola, East Bank Demerara who was reportedly an accomplice of the two, was shot dead by the businessman. After giving his testimony, Khan was cross examined by attorneys for both accused. Vasconcellos was represented by Attorney Dexter Todd while George Thomas appeared on behalf for Peters. According to reports, Neezam Khan, and some colleagues were outside the snackette of which Khan is the proprietor, when four young men on two CG motorcycles rode up. One of the men, armed with a handgun, held up the businessman and relieved him of the items mentioned in the charge. Before the bandits could have escaped with the loot, Khan opened fire on them. Vasconcellos tried to escape, but was later found lying not too far from the crime scene. He was then treated at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. Attorney Todd had argued that there are disputes, as it relates to the police’s facts and investigation. He had told the court that his client was the rider of a CG motorcycle that was parked at the head of Diamond, East Bank Demerara. Upon hearing the gunshot, the attorney said, his client attempted to ride away. Todd had explained that the only evidence the police is using to link his client to the allegation, is the fact that he was picked out in an identification (ID) parade. Attorney Peter Hugh is representing the prosecution. The matter has been adjourned until July 12.
- SARU HEAD banking, grand corruption and bankruptcy/insolvency. Its members regularly act for government agencies and regulators in obtaining domestic and international recoveries for fraud victims. FraudNet members also pursue recoveries against financial institutions, professional advisors and other intermediaries involved in fraud. On the powers which will be vested in SARU, Dr. Thomas said that they will
have the clout of the police, customs department, taxation units and immigration. “We would be able to freeze and/or confiscate assets, do settlements, encourage whistleblowers etc,” he added. The SARU Head also noted that once the entity’s legislation is passed, it will be moving out of the Ministry of the Presidency into a separate complex. “But we want people to understand that we are
sincerely interested in regaining the assets which belong to the state and we are getting the support from the international community to do so. We also want people to know that our independence will not be compromised, so if they have any matter that has to do with misused or stolen state assets and it involves public officials, they can come in to us and be assured that we will look into every complaint of that nature,” Dr. Thomas assured. He said that it matters not if those officials are from the past or current regime.
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SARU Head, Dr. Clive Thomas “We will not and refuse to have sacred cows,” he reiterated.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 06, 2016
Quality of Assessments to be improved with CXC’s support - Education Minister Strategic collaborations between the Ministry of Education and the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) are expected to improve the quality of all primary grade assessments. This disclosure was yesterday made by Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, during a televised unveiling of the 2016 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) held at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development. According to the Minister, his Ministry has already commenced collaboration with CXC. To this end, local teachers, subject specialists and test development officers were tasked with developing all items for the 2016 NGSA, with the technical guidance of CXC. The support from CXC also included making the local professionals competent to address key areas such as item construction, weighting of items, sampling and other psychometric elements. According to Minister Roopnaraine, “the objective of this consultation is to
ensure that all assessments conform to regional and international test development and administration standards and expectations to facilitate consistent, reliable measurement and tracking of pupil performance.” The 2016 NGSA was written on April 27 and 28. A total of 14, 386 candidates were assessed in the subject areas of Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and English Language. According to Minister Roopnaraine, among the areas tested for each subjects were: Mathematics Knowledge, Algorithmic Thinking, Reasoning; Science - Knowledge, Comprehension, Application; Social Studies - Knowledge, Conceptual Understanding, Use of Knowledge and English Language - Reading, Comprehension and Vocabulary: Structure and Mechanics; Content, Focus, Vocabulary; Language and Organization. The highest possible standardized scores obtainable were Mathematics – 162, English - 138, Social
Studies–134 and Science 149. The highest possible total score obtainable was 583. The top performers, Anthony Ferreira and Aryan Singh both secured a score of 568. They are both eligible to attend Queen’s College. In fact pupils who score up to 541 marks can attend the country’s premier secondary school. The debate about President’s College (PC) being named a top school was again yesterday clarified by Minister Roopnaraine who pointed out that while PC is one of the ‘A’ schools in Region Four, non-residential places are awarded to candidates in Region Four from Mahaica to Cummings Lodge, who have attained a minimum score of 493 marks. However, residential places are offered to candidates from Regions One, Two, Five Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10 who have attained scores of 493 marks and above. A total of 225 candidates from schools in Regions One, Two, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10 are eligible for
Education Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine
entry into the school. The cut off score for The Bishops’ High School is 531, while the score for St. Stanislaus College is 522, St. Rose’s High 516 and St. Joseph High (508). OVERALL SUBJECT ANALYSIS According to the Minister, while the performance in English Language and Social Studies this year has been consistent with previous years, this was not the same for Mathematics and Science. Both fell below what was obtained in previous years, he admitted. The Minister divulged that the pupils who secured the highest marks in the subject area of English are: Annalisa Charles (Leonora Primary); Jordan Nelson (New Guyana School); Marissa Mal (Providence Primary); Latannei Schultz (St Therese Primary) and Bhnaymattie Harnauth (Success Elementary). The best performance in Mathematics was secured by one of the top national performances, Aryan Singh (Dharmic Rama Krishna), who
also produced the best performance in Social Studies. The best science performers in Science this year are: Annandi Diaram (Valmiki Vidyalaya); Raoul Nicholls (New Guyana School) and Muhammed Hassad (Al Ghazali Islamic). The Ministry, according to Minister Roopnaraine, is currently conducting an analysis which is being conducted to ascertain the specific areas in which pupils experienced the greatest difficulty. He disclosed that the ministry has made concerted efforts to include items that would stimulate critical and higher level thinking. The Minister highlighted
that “the analysis of the 2016 assessment results will have deep implications for the instructional approaches adopted by teachers going forward.” He asserted yesterday too that “the practices of drilling and teaching to the test that had been adopted over the years, will do little to benefit pupils in this new dispensation.” As such, the Minister assured that “work will be continued throughout the system to ensure that teachers focus on fully teaching the appropriate concepts and raise pupils’ competence levels rather than employing the antiquated traditional approaches.”
Wednesday July 06, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Regulator targets poor quality electrical materials in safety campaign Safety and awareness are at the top of the agenda for the Government Electrical Inspectorate (GEI) division. The division will be hosting awareness seminars to inform electrical contractors, importers, and distributors on safety measures when embarking on electrical installation (wiring) in buildings in an effort to ensure safety in homes and offices. Chief Electrical Inspector, GEI, Arnold Barclay in an interview with Government Information Agency, said the seminars are slated for August/September 2016, and will inform contractors that the importation of materials and electrical equipment must reach the specified standard which is approved by the National Electrical Code (NEC) and identify codes
relevant to Guyana. “We would like to convince contractors who are doing their houses to ensure that when they are purchasing materials that these materials are approved and listed.” Once the materials are listed and certified safe, the GEI would give approval for purchase. “We are working to ensure that persons follow the right procedure in performing electrical work,” Barclay stated. The GEI is the safety body within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) established to protect electricity users against the hazard of unsafe and unsound electrical installation. It is the industry’s safety regulatory body which
Guyanese are safe as possible especially from fires, since electrical equipment mostly cause fires. By law all contractors have to be certified by the GEI,” he explained. Before commencement of any electrical work, electrical layouts/designs must be submitted to the GEI for approval and inspections are conducted during
Chief Electrical Inspector Arnold Barclay inspects and certifies electrical installations to ensure that they are safe before they are put into operation by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL). The seminars will also inform the contractors that a training programme will be
More training of immigration ... From page 24 services. The main objective is to facilitate trade and investment in the services sectors of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Secretary-General LaRocque had stated that the CSME is the only viable option for economic growth within the Region. He made this assertion one day prior to the Heads of Government receiving an overview on the CSME. He said that all member states remain resolute that the CSME is the only viable option for sustained growth, and while there has been progress,
he noted that there is no denying that they could have been further ahead. LaRocque urged the leaders to do “what is required” to move the process forward. The CSME is an integrated development strategy that was envisaged at the 10th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government which took place in July 1990 in Grand Anse, Grenada. The Grand Anse Declaration comprised several key features including: the deepening of economic integration by advancing beyond a common market towards a Single Market and Economy; widen-
ing the membership and thereby expanding the economic mass of the Caribbean Community (e.g. Suriname and Haiti were admitted as full members in 1995 and 2002 respectively); and progressive insertion of the region into the global trading and economic system by strengthening trading links with non-traditional partners. The CSME, with free movement one of its component, is a key item on the agenda that the Heads of Government will consider during their meeting here, which concludes today.
implemented to ensure that they understand what the NEC is, and other safety measures expected of them when wiring a building. “The idea is to ensure that
installation. In Guyana, the Electricity Sector Regulations and the National Electrical Code are the standards for safe installation of electrical wiring equipment. The seminars will continue across the regions to ensure that safety is widespread and that importers are properly informed.
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Wednesday July 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
Lula presses to remove crusading Pistorius to be sentenced today Brazil judge from his case for 2013 murder of girlfriend Reuters - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s lawyers asked yesterday that crusading federal judge Sergio Moro be removed from a corruption investigation involving the former president, arguing he had shown a lack of impartiality. The filing highlighted a showdown between two of Brazil’s most prominent public figures - the former president who remains a front-runner in polling for the 2018 presidential race and the judge who jailed several of Lula’s closest allies. The lawyers said a decision by Moro to publicly release Lula’s wiretapped conversations in March “caused public embarrassment,” leading to lawsuits in which the judge himself could eventually be held liable. The judge’s explanation of his decision before the Supreme Court also suggested that Lula had obstructed justice and concealed ownership of a country estate, Lula’s lawyers told journalists in Sao Paulo, calling Moro an “accusatory judge.”
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva The federal court in the southern city of Curitiba, where Moro has overseen a multibillion-dollar bribery probe centred on state oil company Petrobras, said in a statement that Moro would answer the accusations through the legal process. Lula is under investigation for allegedly receiving luxury real estate and speaking en-
gagements from engineering groups implicated in the Petrobras scandal. Brazil’s top prosecutor has also asked the Supreme Court to investigate Lula regarding allegations he benefited from the corruption scheme and obstructed efforts to investigate it. Lula has denied wrongdoing and vowed to fight the charges.
Gambia sacks 27 government officials accused of corruption Reuters - Authorities in Gambia have sacked 27 government officials including 10 permanent secretaries on suspicion of having fraudulently acquired official cars and other items, state television said
yesterday. The officials are being investigated by the National Intelligence A g e n c y, a g o v e r n m e n t source said. President Yahya Jammeh has ruled Gambia, a small
country almost encircled by Senegal, for two decades since seizing power in a bloodless coup. Gambia is due to hold elections in December, when Jammeh will run for a fifth term.
Reuters - South African paralympic gold medallist Oscar Pistorius will be sentenced to jail today for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, but for how long depends largely on how the judge will weigh the role of his disability in the killing. Pistorius, 29, was found guilty of murdering Steenkamp by an appeals court last December. He had initially received a five-year sentence for a manslaughter conviction in 2014, a ruling that was decried as too lenient by women’s groups. The athlete had the lower part of his legs amputated when he was a baby, and his lawyers have argued that his physical disability and mental stress should be considered as mitigating circumstances to reduce his sentence. During the hearings, his defence lawyer asked Pistorius to walk on his stumps to show the difficulty he faced dealing with the threat of an intruder. But the state says he has shown no remorse and has called for him to receive no less than the minimum sentence for murder. Some rights groups have said Pistorius, a wealthy white man and international celebrity, has received preferential treatment compared to others without his status or wealth. Pistorius was freed from
Oscar Pistorius prison last October after almost a year behind bars to serve out the remainder of his term under house arrest on his uncle’s house in a wealthy suburb of Pretoria. In December however, the Supreme Court upgraded his conviction to murder on appeal. The original trial judge, Thokozile Masipa, will deliver the sentence at the Pretoria High Court. Johannesburg-based lawyer and legal analyst Ulrich Roux said Masipa would have to balance any mitigating circumstances against the seriousness of his crime. “For her it’s a delicate balancing act,” said Roux, adding that either the defence or
prosecution could mount a legal challenge if they felt that the sentence was lenient or harsh. In a television interview with British broadcaster ITV aired in June, his first since the shooting, an emotional Pistorius said that Steenkamp would want him to go free. “I don’t want to go back to jail. I don’t want to have to waste my life sitting there,” Pistorius told ITV, statements which caused an uproar on social media. Manelisi Wolela, a spokesman at the Department of Correctional Services, said Pistorius would be taken to jail immediately after the sentencing.
Turnbull in range of hollow India’s Modi expands cabinet into Australian election victory one of biggest in recent years Reuters - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inducted 19 new ministers into his cabinet yesterday to bolster his two-year-old administration but drew criticism that he was backtracking on a promise of lean government. The Indian government late yesterday released details of the new portfolios. Modi has moved his minister for human resources, Smriti Irani, seen as a close ally, to the textiles ministry. The minister of state for finance, Jayant Sinha, was shifted to aviation. Prakash Javadekar, who was sworn in earlier in the day at a ceremony at the presidential palace, took on Irani’s former portfolio. Among other big changes, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley dropped his ad-
Narendra Modi ditional charge as information and broadcasting minister. Modi’s cabinet has now swelled to 78 - one of the biggest in years and a far cry from his 2014 election promise of
“minimum government and maximum governance”. “If this was a reformminded government, you would be reducing the numbers of people and portfolios, shedding ministries,” said Manoj Joshi, a political expert at Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi. “What you can read from this is that it is not particularly efficient or concerned about governance,” Joshi said, referring to Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Modi swept to power in May 2014 on a promise of jobs and growth. Critics have questioned his government’s performance and political analysts say the ruling party suffers from a shortage of experienced members.
Reuters - Embattled Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday pulled within striking distance of the votes needed to form a narrow majority government in a cliffhanger election that has left the nation in limbo and his leadership in doubt. Electoral officials are counting 1.5 million postal and absentee votes that will be crucial to the result of Saturday’s poll, which saw a swing against Turnbull’s conservative Coalition government and the rise of populist independents. A final reckoning may not be known for days, possibly weeks, leaving Australia in a political vacuum. Turnbull’s gamble in calling an early election failed to deliver a clear mandate for his agenda of corporate tax cuts, and raised the prospect of an internal challenge to his stew-
Malcolm Turnbull ardship of the centre-right Liberal Party. The latest projections by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation shifted two seats into the government’s column, giving Turnbull’s Liberal-National coalition 70 out of 150 lower house seats, and the centre-left Labor opposition 67. Eight seats remain
too close to call. Both major parties are agonisingly short of the 76 seats needed to form a majority government in the House of Representatives, and negotiations are already underway with independents who will hold at least four seats. “I think they can get to 76,” ABC polling expert Antony Green told ABC’s Radio National, referring to the Coalition. “It’s still either a very, very narrow Coalition majority or hung parliament. The Coalition will have more seats than Labor.” Turnbull’s disastrous polling has led to attacks from inside and outside his party after he called elections in both houses of parliament in an attempt to settle a querulous upper house Senate that had repeatedly blocked industrial relations bills.
Wednesday July 06, 2016
‘Caribbean’ baroness faces more allegations of cronyism LONDON, England — The new secretary general of the Commonwealth, Dominican-born Baroness Patricia Scotland, is facing yet more allegations of cronyism after awarding a lucrative no-bid contract to a fellow Labour peer within days of taking office. In an article by Ian Gallagher and Ned Donovan published over the weekend, Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper reported that ‘Baroness Brazen’ is under fire for handing £90,000 (US$120,000) to KYA Global Ltd, a company owned by her close friend Lord Patel of Bradford, to review her staff’s efficiency – and £325,000 (US$432,000) more to to “oversee” its own recommendations carry out the changes. In a deal criticised by British MPs, Scotland reportedly bypassed the Commonwealth’s normal tendering process by hiring Patel, who Baroness apparently calls her “partner in crime”, as a consultant without putting the job out to other bidders. Although she cited his company’s “proven track record”, it faced being struck off by the Companies Registrar three years ago because it appeared to be inactive, the Daily Mail reported. It is unclear how many full-time staff, if any, KYA employs. It does not advertise and has no website or telephone number, and its address is Lord Patel’s home
(L-R) Lord Patel of Bradford and Baroness Patricia Scotland of Asthal near Bradford. The peer and his wife Yasmin are the firm’s only directors, the newspaper said. Conservative MP Stuart Andrew said: “My feeling is that if you are going to award a Commonwealth contract, it should not go to someone who is a good friend.” And Sir Henry Bellingham, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Commonwealth, said it was “essential that proper tendering procedures are followed”. He added: “There is a conflict of interest in this instance and the contract should be cancelled and put out to tender. Parliament would expect nothing less.” Scotland took office on April 1 and Patel began his review of the “operations and services” of the Commonwealth Secretariat – responsible for facilitating co-opera-
tion between the 53 member states – three days later. Commonwealth guidelines stipulate that external work should normally be advertised on the Secretariat’s website. Bids are then “evaluated and scored” to determine the most “economically advantageous” tender. According to the Daily Mail, since Scotland took office, the Secretariat’s procurement manager has resigned because of his dismay at being asked to carry out certain tasks. He declined to comment. Exactly one month ago, on June 5, 2016, Caribbean News Now asked the procurement section of the Commonwealth Secretariat to confirm or deny the existence of the reported contract with Patel and, if true, to provide us with the dates, amounts and other relevant details. (Caribbean News)
US appeals High Court ruling in favour of Jack Warner PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – The United States government has filed an appeal against a High Court ruling that Washington be excluded from being part of the judicial review claim brought by former FIFA vice president Jack Warner challenging his extradition to that country on fraud related charges. In his ruling last month, Justice James Aboud questioned the contribution Washington could have made to the proceedings before him, noting that to allow the US intervention would set a precedent which could see school principals and business people from having a say on the number of public holidays. Warner, 72, was released on TT$2.5 million (One TT dollar =US$0.16) bail when he made his first court appearance on May 27 last year. He is charged with 12 offences related to racketeering, corruption and money laundering allegedly committed in the jurisdiction of the United States and Trinidad and Tobago, dating as far back as 1990. Warner, in his claim, is
the comment at a meeting with policyholders at Gaston Courts, Chaguanas last Monday. CL Financial collapsed in January 2009, as the global financial crisis in the latter
its Independence Day commemoration, the ministry expressed its “willingness to establish respectful bilateral diplomatic relations.” The two countries have not exchanged ambassadors since 2010 due to tensions between Washington and the government of Hugo Chavez, Maduro’s mentor and late predecessor. Like Chavez before him, Maduro has frequently accused Washington of interfering in Venezuela’s internal affairs and seeking his over-
questioning the procedure adopted by the Office of the Attorney General in signing off on the US’s request for his extradition made in May, last year, at the end of the US Department of Justice’s investigation into the world governing football body. Hearing of the procedural appeal was due to have started on Monday, but it was adjourned to July 18, at the request of attorneys. The US government had sought to be an interest party in the hearing of the judicial review,
Andrew Holness
half of 2008 exposed the group’s inability to meet its commitments to pay maturing investments at CLICO and CLICO Investment Bank (CIB). (Daily Observer)
Venezuela ‘willing’ to restore diplomatic ties with US Caracas (AFP) - Crisishit Venezuela is willing to restore diplomatic relations with the United States after a six-year freeze, the socialist government said late Monday. The foreign ministry’s announcement came two weeks after top US diplomat Thomas Shannon met with Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro in a bid to help tackle the country’s economic and political crisis. In a message congratulating the United States on
Jack Warner
throw. The United States has expressed concern over the crisis in Venezuela, saying Maduro’s opponents have a right to organise a referendum on removing him from power, which they hope to do this year. Future diplomatic relations should be guided by international law and “principles such as sovereign equality of states and the people’s right to self-determination,” the ministry’s statement said.
claiming that it should be granted permission to be heard as it had sufficient interest in the proceedings to be heard. But Justice Aboud in his oral ruling asked: “What can it say differently from the AG? It cannot be to say the same thing differently. “Is the AG’s position different from the US? Does the AG want the US to say something he won’t say? It must be able to offer something more than repetition,” Justice Aboud added. He said to allow the US intervention would set a precedent which could see school principals and business people having a say on the number of public holidays. Hearing of the extradition proceedings in the magistrates court has been stayed by Justice Aboud, who will entertain submissions on Warner’s application to admit expert evidence on July 13. Warner claims the case against him is politically motivated and accuses the United States of seeking revenge because it lost to Qatar in its bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
Jamaica negotiating cooperation agreement with T&T – PM
CLICO has $29.32b in statutory fund
Trinidad – CLICO policyholders’ legal adviser Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj said CLICO has $29.32 billion in its statutory fund and it should use the sum to pay the 1,500 policyholders. Maharaj made
PAGE 27
Kaieteur News
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) Jamaica is negotiating a Joint Commission Agreement with Trinidad and Tobago with the objective of developing a mutually beneficial cooperation programme. This was disclosed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness as he addressed the opening ceremony of the 37th regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), which is being held in Georgetown, Guyana, from July 4-6. “We intend to undertake similar initiatives with other member States,” Holness said. He noted that strength-
ening bilateral relations is an important element of the regional relationship, and is something that members of Caricom should give more attention. “We believe that bilateral consultations supported by additional effort in the insti-
tutions of our community can make the movement of labour equal with the movement of goods, extending the progress and benefit of the integration effort,” Holness said. The prime minister noted that Jamaicans have been expressing concerns about increased denial of entry to other jurisdictions and also question the treatment at ports of entry. “These must be urgently addressed in a meaningful way, otherwise the economic sense of Caricom becomes increasingly questioned itself. We have begun to discuss the matter bilaterally and we are encouraged by the level of understanding and responsiveness to our concerns,” he pointed out.
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Wednesday July 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
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2010 IST -$2.6M, 2011 BLUEBIRD -$2.7M, 2011 RACTIS -$2.6M, 2009 AXIO -$2.4M, 2009 BELTA -2.4M. CALL: 617-2891 One Silver Premio excellent condition, PRR 3854 -$1.7M negotiable. Call: 682-4742
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1-2-4 Bedrooms new house to 1 Wooden, deep sea fishing rent @ West Coast boat, complete with seine, Demerara–Call immediately engine, GPS, etc. Call: 656- 276-0818 2496; 672-0014 Two bedroom house lot to 33.6 Acre Farm land @ rent @ Herstelling- Call: 661Linden Kuru Kururu 0420; 617-8739 Soesdyke Highway. Call: 225- Bottom flat supermarket 7794; 679-1151 located @ First Bridge Rambutan seedlings plants - Diamond E.B.D- Call: 601$2,000 per plant. Call: 621-4778 7749; 216-3069; 626-7064; 691-4808 VACANCY One Bedroom apartment @ Porters/Labourers needed, Herstelling E.B.D, preferably apply in person at Alabama working couple. Call: 265Trading, Georgetown Ferry 2196; 690-2064 Stelling. 1 Bedroom apartment to rent One nanny to take care and @ Queenstown –Call : 676tutor a 1yr old baby boy. 8605; 656-5991 (serious Apply at Alabama Trading enquiries) Georgetown Ferry Stelling. WANTED Cashiers, Sales clerks & cleaners, apply in person with Experienced male written application @ Nirva salesperson must be able to Supermarket. Call: 227-5771/ multitask, communicate well 49 Sheriff & Craig Street & have computer skills @ Clerical Staff/ inventory clerk KeyFood Trading McDoom. apply in person with written application @ Nirva Security guard to work in Supermarket. Call: 227-5771/ Georgetown –Call: 227-1717 49 Sheriff & Craig Street Person to work at bar (night shift). Call: 223-4778 Professional cosmetologist at Natural Beauty Salon & Male and female to work in Spa, 110 Grove, Market Street the interior as shop E.B.D– Call: 652-5800 attendants, between ages 25Control Room Assistants 30. Call: 661-5992; 661-8673 and Visiting Officers. Massy Security (Guyana) Inc. Lot 0 Night Manager, Security, DJ, Ruimveldt, Georgetown.Tel: waitresses, bartenders, 1 experienced secretary 225-5573/6 between ages 18-25, must Popular East Coast Gas have CXC –Call: 668-8332; Station (Non-Pareil) Day/ 638-5303 Night: pump attendants, General domestic age 25yrs sales clerk & office assistant. to 45yrs old, from East Bank Contact: 695-9880 Area. Call: 629-9450 Salesman, must have Two experienced bar girls to experience and a valid truck work in Mahdia, attractive licence. contact 624-0092 or salary. Interested persons info@fernandesgy.com call: 601-1479 WANTED OFFICE CLERK MUST BE 1 Driver for East Bank area EXPERINCED IN – Call: 233-2745 COMPUTERS (EXCEL) & Female domestic worker to GENERAL OFFICE WORK work in Trinidad. age 21 to 40 WITH CXC @ RUIMVELDT years. Call 1868- 268- 5177 – CALL: 231-8529 One experienced hire car EXPERIENCED CHINESE driver. Call Mrs. Z. Khan: 688CHEFTO LIVEAND COOK 8660 or 226-7948 IN THE BVI, Hallow Blocks maker- Call: ACCOMMODATION WILL 233-2767 BE PROVIDED. CALL: 614Continued on page 29 9522; (1)284-496-7797
Wednesday July 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
PAGE 29
Govt. moves to end $771M Phase Two of East Dem. ‘double dipping’ of conservancy rehab project completed pension - persons must be living in Guyana The Ministry of Social Protection will soon be putting measures in place to ensure Guyanese who live in other countries do not access a Guyanese pension. This information was related to the Government Information Agency in a recent interview with Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence. Lawrence described it as ‘double dipping’ when persons not living in Guyana, access pension from both the Guyanese government and the country in which they live. “We will be putting an end to persons who are ‘double dipping’…we have persons who believe that it is their right to live in a foreign country and collect their pensions here…we are saying no, it is not going to happen,” Minister Lawrence said. She added that last year this issue was brought to the attention of the staff of the ministry, who were advised they will be held responsible and surcharged where books are issued with them knowing the persons do not live in Guyana.
From page 28
TO LET Furnished 2 bedroom apartments in Nandy Park, parking available. For further information – Call: 619-4824; 233-5560 1-2 Bedroom concrete bottom flat, Lot 8 Charles Street, Charlestown, Young legal couple preferably -$35,000 monthly. Call: 616-0126; 227-7281
Minister Volda Lawrence Persons desirous of accessing old age pension will have to be living in Guyana for a minimum of two years. “In the hinterland regions we know there are persons with more than one identification card who draw (collect) pension under one name in one region, then travel to the next and draw under the other name,” Minister Lawrence explained. She said that the issue of ‘double dipping’ is not limited to accessing pension, but also public assistance for school aged children. She explained that some students are beneficiaries of public assistance in Guyana, but they also benefit from similar assistance in neighbouring Brazil. “To address this, guardians will have to submit an attendance report for the child so that they can continue accessing such assistance,” Minister Lawrence stated. Additionally, the Ministry will be digitising the pension system to make it more efficient in identifying redundancies in the system. The digitised database will also indicate to the ministry persons who are authorising others to collect their pensions, which is an indication that they are not in Guyana. The digitising of the pension database will also see greater accountability within the pension system, and probation officers will have more time to do additional field work and conduct visitations. The Social Protection Ministry has engaged the Ministry of Public Telecommunications to ensure that the two agencies can collectively run a pilot of this electronic project. In recent years, there have been accusations that the Government’s old age pension scheme was laced with fraud, with many persons collecting under false pretence. With thousands of Guyanese living abroad, there have been known cases of so-called ‘double dipping’. The monthly pension is just over $18,000.
Phase Two of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) rehabilitation project was yesterday handed over to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). The ceremony took place at Flagstaff, East Coast Demerara. According to a Government release, the project was aimed at procuring equipment and rehabilitating facilities for the improvement of the flood-control capacity of the EDWC. Phase One of the project saw the acquisition of equipment critical to the maintenance of the conservancy. Among the items acquired were excavators, aluminum boats and engines, 4 x 4 trucks, GPS devices and laptops. Phase Two, which was funded almost entirely by the Japanese government through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and executed by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with NDIA, was scheduled for completion by March 2016. The rehabilitation of the conservancy (Phase Two) has an estimated cost of $771M, with the Government of Japan contributing $755 Million and Guyana the rest. The project included construction works at the Shanks and Hope intakes, and rehabilitation work at Hope intake, Sara Johanna and Maduni sluices, and the Nancy and Annandale intakes. Making brief remarks at the handing over ceremony, Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder said “… after the 2005 floods, the East Demerara Water Conservancy’s Northern Relief Channel project was designed to provide the means to release excess water in the conservancy when it is in danger of overtopping and breach.” “Rehabilitation of the East Demerara Water ConservancyComponent II” has realised construction and rehabilitation of six of the network’s 33 intake/relief structures to protect the EDWC Dam from overtopping and collapse during rainy seasons.” The Minister also gave the assurance that “…we are actively working to provide the necessary investments in infrastructure to raise your quality of life through proper drainage and irrigation.” He was referring to residents of Region Four. While there is much more to be done, Holder stressed that government is resolute in building more relief channels, more sluices to release water into the ocean and rivers, installing more pumps to complement the sluices, and increasing the holding capacity of water conservancies. The Ministry of Agriculture, through the NDIA, will implement “aggressive” plans for upgrading and rehabilitating drainage and i r r i g a t i o n infrastructure in all regions of Guyana to ensure optimum capacity in the
drainage and irrigation system, the Minister further promised. Acknowledging the contributions of the Japanese, Minister Holder expressed government’s gratitude to the Government of Japan for the provision of financial support so that the project could have been accomplished. Japanese Ambassador to Guyana, Mitsuhiko Okada, said that climate change is a matter of great concern to all. “I would like to commend the efforts of the different agencies involved for bringing the project to completion. Japan is committed to supporting developing countries in overcoming vulnerabilities and creating strategies to withstand the effects of climate change as evidenced by this grant.” After being taken on his second tour to the project site by boat, the Japanese Ambassador expressed satisfaction and said that his government stands ready to help the people and government of Guyana in the execution of suitable projects to aid in the country’s development. Chief Executive Officer of the NDIA, Frederick Flatts, said that the rehabilitation of the EDWC was initiated after the major floods of 2005 and the completed works will see relief being brought to farmers and residents of areas contiguous to the conservancy since the facility is now able to hold a larger quantity of water, which will prevent overtopping and flooding of residential and farm areas. Additionally, 20 engineers were trained in Dam Management, Flood Control and Repairs recently.
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Wednesday July 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
East R/veldt “vendetta” killings…
Mother, daughter found guilty of giving police false information A mother and her daughter were yesterday found guilty of providing police with false information in relation to an East Ruimveldt murder, which occurred last August. Melanie Garraway and her mother Charlene Bess were convicted by City Magistrate Annette Singh and each ordered to pay fines of $25,000 with an alternative of three months’ imprisonment. The East Ruimveldt Squatting Area residents both told police that they saw when Shawn Barrow shot and killed Kellon Hinds. Kaieteur News understands that Garraway and Bess subsequently visited the Police Complaints Authority where they gave a second statement in relation to the matter. In the statement, they denied seeing who shot Hinds. Police Corporal Bharrat Mangru represented the prosecution and called four witnesses. Hinds called ‘Baje” of East Ruimveldt Squatting Area, was shot by three men
MURDERED: Sherwyn Barrow
MURDERED: Kellon Hinds
FREED: Shawn Barrow
in his family’s yard on August 31, 2015. It was reported that Barrow had killed Hinds over a ‘vendetta’. Barrow was arrested and charged for the murder but had the charge dismissed against him on January 29 by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The Magistrate had dismissed the matter and granted the man his freedom
on the ground that seven witnesses testified that he (Barrow) was at a Royal Castle Outlet when Hinds was murdered. According to reports, the alleged vendetta started back in June 2004, when Hinds was robbed of a gold chain valued $1.2M and shot. Sherwyn Barrow, a relative of Shawn Barrow, was charged in relation to the shooting. The matter was subsequently dismissed after the alleged
victim declined to give evidence in court. However, in May 2015, Sherwyn Barrow was gunned down in broad daylight while sitting outside of a shop in ‘Warlock’ East Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Last August, Police had detained Kellon Hinds in relation to the murder. Hours after Hinds was released from custody gunmen walked into the yard where he was hanging out and riddled him with bullets.
Wednesday July 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
Jamaica Government to Fast-track 10-Year Health KINGSTON – The Government will be accelerating the 10-year strategic plan to enhance the country’s public health system. Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton explained that the general objective of this plan is to strengthen the strategic development planning process for the health sector. He said it will focus on the continued roll-out of the Primary Healthcare Renewal Programme and tackling noncommunicable diseases
(NCD) as part of an integrated health service delivery model. “This includes a reconfiguration of the clinical network of providers in order to improve clinical management and use of resources, and to ensure that all points of entry into the healthcare system are prepared to offer the essential package of primary healthcare services,” he said. The Minister was making his contribution to the 2016/ 17 Sectoral Debate in the
House of Representatives last week. He noted that the strategic plan will also include a policy review of the governance mechanism for the sector and particularly the functions of the Regional Health Authorities with the aim of defining the most efficient approach to managing the delivery of healthcare across the country. He indicated that a World Bank-led benchmarking cost review has commenced in support of the review process. (JIS)
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Wednesday July 06, 2016
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Govt. going after criminals’ hidden assets -Al-Rawi Trinidad Guardian - Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi says Government is bringing new legislation to take the proceeds away from those who benefit from crime in T&T and those who attempt to hide their ill-gotten gains from crime. He made the comment during his contribution to Monday’s House of Representatives debate on the Finance (No 2) Bill, which was presented by Finance Minister Colm Imbert. The legislation seeks to provide, among other measures, an amnesty for income tax payment for business owners. Al-Rawi, however, said the bill would specifically target those who benefitted from criminal proceeds. “Let me flag right now, we intend to unmask the beneficial owners. We intend to have equitable owners produced to the public so that you can no longer sequester assets using a legal nominee to hide a beneficial ownership. “We are going behind the profit of crime by hitting the hardest zone possible,” the AG added. Al-Rawi said owners would have to “explain their wealth or lose it” after the prosed civil asset forfeiture legislation, which requires the support of the Opposition, was approved. “We are going to say if you cannot explain your wealth you are going to lose your wealth. “So every drug man who owns a massive mansion, every person who is involved in corruption, who on paper making $5 a month, $2,000 a month and has assets coming through their nose and can’t explain how it was acquired, all of those people, under the civil assets forfeiture regime, are going to be at risk of losing your wealth,” he said. He added the matters would have to be determined in a civil court and by a judge. “So there are significant effects to this and I am convinced that this is the approach T&T should have in gear,” he said. In an apparent reference to the recent implementation of speed testing devices on the nation’s highways, Al-Rawi said: “Imagine if six speed guns can change the culture of T&T, to cause this country to slow down over-
Faris Al-Rawi night, imagine what the spectre of civil assets forfeiture would do.” He added: “This is how we will grapple with corruption, this is how we will tell people you better be able to explain how you have acquired this (wealth).” In explaining some of the issues they had to deal with, Al-Rawi said some 28,000 companies have not filed all of their annual returns and more than 29,000 had filed no annual returns at all. He said there was need for new legislation to ensure that the so-called big fish were caught when crimes were committed in T&T. He added: “I am putting T&T on notice that we are going to aggressively move behind all those defaulting companies in a very tight matrix approach.” Al-Rawi said defaulting companies would face severe penalties and those which failed to file their returns would be struck off the register, adding that amendments to the Company’s Act and the FIU Act are coming.
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FIFA appeals committee reduces Valcke ban from 12 to 10 years (Reuters) FIFA said on Tuesday it had reduced the bans imposed on two senior officials, including its former secretary general, who were barred from taking part in soccer-related activities following a corruption investigation. Former secretary general Jerome Valcke was handed a ban of 12 years while another official, Chung Mong-joon, was given a six-year ban in a corruption scandal at the heart of FIFA which led to several dozen people, including senior football officials, being indicted. Valcke, who was righthand man to FIFA’s nowbanned president Sepp Blatter for eight years, was found guilty of misconduct over the sale of World Cup tickets, abuse of travel ex-
considered mitigating factors when assessing the Frenchman’s attempt to grant TV and media rights in the Caribbean for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups to a third party for a fee far below their actual market value. A FIFA spokesman declined to say what these miti-
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke (REUTERS/MAXIM ZMEYEV/FILE PHOTO) penses, attempting to sell TV rights below their market value and destruction of evidence. He and Chung, a former Fifa vice-president, were excluded from soccer by the Zurich-based FIFA after being found guilty of breaching its code of conduct.
On Tuesday, FIFA’s appeal committee mainly confirmed the decisions taken by the ethics committee but said it had cut the ban on Valcke from 12 to 10 years because of “mitigating factors”. It said the ethics committee’s adjudicatory chamber had not sufficiently
Wednesday July 06, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may have the opportunity to get involved in some interesting conversations. Some of the best opportunities will crop up if you keep an open mind. Get ready to discover love, passion, and the desire to enjoy all that life has to offer.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Put your money into a safe place that will ensure a profit if you let it sit long enough. You should get involved with activities that can be enjoyed by both young and old alike. Make changes that will heighten your appeal.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) New friendships will develop through group events. Someone you live with will be quite unreasonable today. You will be a real chatterbox today.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Take advantage of your attributes and lure the mate of your choice. Outdoor sports events should entice you. You will have a great day if you just say what you feel.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You can have a working relationship with children if you exercise patience and understanding of the dilemmas they face. You can make the most headway if you put in some overtime. Don't allow your lover to take advantage of your good nature.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You've been in a rut and you need to do something that will help you break the pattern you've fallen into. Relatives will be happy that you dropped by.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) You should be on the road. Don't say things that could be damaging later on. Cut loose. Your diplomatic nature will help you in straightening out unsavory situations.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You can get good solid advice from relatives or close friends you trust. This day was meant for love. Make creative changes to your residence. Mingle with those who can help you get ahead.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't turn down an invitation or a challenge that could enhance your chances of meeting someone special.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Don't let your partner get away with spending too much of your money. You need a break from your daily routine. Try not to be too harsh with your mate.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Travel will be most enticing. Consider a cruise. Don't hold back; go with the flow and take a bit of a chance. Real estate and joint financial ventures will be profitable.
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You can help them more than they can help you. You will be able to find the perfect outfit, and the greatest new accessory for your house.
gating factors were. The appeals committee reduced the suspension on Chung, a Korean, from six to five years, saying there was insufficient evidence to prove he had breached an article of FIFA’s ethics code covering confidentiality. The committee partially confirmed its de-
cision from last October where Chung was found guilty of infringing four other articles. It confirmed a fine of 100,000 Swiss francs on Valcke but reduced that on Chung from 100,000 Swiss f r a n c s t o 5 0 , 0 0 0 S w i ss francs.
Bolt’s injury draws mixed reactions... (From page 36) champ. He’s the World champ. Until someone beats him, puts him in his place, he’s going to do what he wants to do.” Track and field rules in the United States allow the top three finishers in each event to qualify, with no exceptions for injuries or past performances. However the rules are different in Jamaica where Bolt can earn his spot in the 100m and 200m by showing he is fit enough. “If I was Bolt in Jamaica, I’d probably pull out, too,” said Shawn Crawford, the 2004
Barbados, Antigua... (From page 37) gaining a clear advantage. With 1:45 seconds remaining the score was tied at 66 all. A time out was taken with 9:2 seconds on the clock with Antigua up by two and a couple of free throws from Renrick Masaac leveled the scores before a stunning basket from way down town by the calm Joseph put Antigua back in front. The last few seconds saw the score unchanged from 73-71 with BVI one three pointer away from victory. The tournament was scheduled to continue last night with Suriname battling Aruba and T&T facing off with Jamaica. (Sean Devers)
Olympic gold medalist at 200 metres. “I know my training isn’t up to where I want it to be, so I’d let them race and I’ll just go home and train. I know they’re going to put me on the team. You can’t do that here. If you could, I’m sure there’d be a lot of people who’d pull out.”
Bolt, who is seeking to win the 100 and 200 metres at a third straight Olympics, said he had requested an exemption from the rest of the championships and would now attempt to prove his fitness at the London Anniversary Games on July 22. The Rio Olympics are set to run from August 7-21.
CM Taffin Khan edges... (From page 35) tournament and the toll it took on the participating players who forfeited their respective games. Roberto Neto and Ryan Goliah were the other two players who emerged successful in their respective games.
Mr. Mohamed congratulated the players moments before handing over the respective prizes. He also said a special thank you to the management of Andrew Arts for their generous support. He said that such support was the catalyst to the success of the tournament.
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Wednesday July 06, 2016
Fraser-Pryce, Thompson pulled from 200m final as a precaution, says MVP president Jamaica Observer - The absence of top female sprinters Shelly-Ann FraserPryce and Elaine Thompson from the final of the women’s 200m on Sunday’s final day of the four-day Supreme Ventures Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) National Senior Championships was more of caution than anything else, the Jamaica Observer has learnt. Following in the wake of Usain Bolt’s withdrawal from the championships on Friday night just before the final of the men’s 100m with a grade one hamstring strain,
there were concerns when Fraser-Pryce, the World and Olympic gold medallist, and T h o m p s o n , t h e Wo r l d Championships 200m silver medallist last year, failed to show up for the 200m final. Bruce James, president of MVP track club which both women represented, told the Observer Monday, it was more out of concern for their health rather than injury why they were both kept out. “In both cases the athletes’ health was the number one concern,” James said. He explained that FraserPryce continued to be in
great pain as a result of her injured toe, and Thompson’s hamstring was hurting. “The doctor actually examined Elaine at the warm-up area by Stadium East on Sunday and instructed her and the coaching staff not to let her run based on the risk of further injury.” Meanwhile, James also confirmed that while they had submitted a medical exemption for Thompson in the 200m, they had not submitted a medical exemption for Fraser-Pryce, which means she has given up on competing in the 100m/200m in Rio. James said: “A medical
exemption was submitted for Elaine as she meets the requirements for a medical exemption in the 200m. No medical exemption was submitted for Shelly-Ann as she does not meet the JAAA stated criteria for a medical exemption in the 200m.” On Friday evening, Thompson won the 100m, equalling the national record of 10.70 seconds held by Fraser-Pryce and had also won her 200m semi-final in 23.34 seconds (-0.9m/s), while Fraser-Pryce, who was a surprise entrant, also qualified after placing second in her semi-final in 23.15 seconds (-1.1m/s).
Elaine Thompson (left) and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce react at the end of the 100m final last Friday evening. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)
Reigning champs Christianburg / Wismar stay on course with 1-0 win -Next up Region 1 winners
Four-time national champion of the Digicel Schools Football C h a m p i o n s h i p , Christianburg / Wismar squeezed past a stubborn Kwakwani Secondary 1-0 to capture their sixth regional title yesterday at the Wisburg ground in Linden. Amar Jones 41st minute strike was all it took to keep the reigning champs on course to defend their title in this year’s championship.
Two players from Kwakwani Secondary (white jerseys) seen in attack during their clash against Christianburg / Wismar yesterday. The two teams were made to wait one extra day to get their rivalry started and
immediately they traded exchanges from the first whistle with the host
Christianburg / Wismar looking the more threatening of the two.
Excel Minerals Inc. supports Region 8 schools
Excel Minerals Inc representative Devon Winter (centre) presents one of the balls to Paramakatoi Secondary Captain Reon Peters on Saturday. Excel Minerals Inc. located at 111 Miles Mahdia / Potaro in Region 8 made a timely contribution to two schools, Mahdia Secondary and Paramakatoi shortly
before they clashed in the regional final on Saturday at Campbelltown ground. Representing the mineral entity was Devon Winter, who handed over a quantity
of balls and shin pads to the respective captains to be used by the players. According to winter, the gesture is all part of the Company’s contribution to
the development of sport in the Region. The representatives on the teams then extended thanks to the entity on behalf of the respective schools.
However, no team was able to penetrate the respective backlines which stood firm, nullifying every challenge that was offered until the silky Antwain Gill, playing on the left flank, raced past one defender took it to the by-line, before delivering a pinpoint cross into the centre for Jones to nonchalantly sidefoot into the empty goal four minutes short of the break. The second period saw Christianburg / Wismar raise their level of play and orchestrated many dangerous buildups, but compact defending erased those threats. However, Johnson hit the crossbar after firing a brutal right-footer and then Brian Johnson did the same with the ball rebounding into play on both occasions to keep the contest on a
knife’s edge. Kwakwani did manage to provide some alarm on two occasions, but both times the ball sailed just wide of the uprights as coaches from the respective camps bellowed instructions with time running out. In the end, the champs finished stronger and came away with a deserved victory to march on in the championship where they will play the winner of Region 1. Meanwhile, in other results: Orealla stormed past Upper Corentyne Training College 8-0 on Monday, at the Skeldon Community Centre. Miggel Devair led the scoring, netting five goals, while there was one each for Celon France, Donell Fr a n c e a n d Ve r a l F e l i x.
Wednesday July 06, 2016
Kaieteur News
PAGE 37
Spectacular Gayle hundred deflates champions TKR P O RT O F S PA I N , Trinidad, CMC – Superstar Chris Gayle’s 18th career Tw e n t y 2 0 h u n d r e d condemned title-holders Trinbago Knight Riders to their third defeat in four outings, as Jamaica Tallawahs trounced them by seven wickets here Monday night. The left-handed Gayle carved out an unbeaten 108 off 54 deliveries – his third Caribbean Premier League century – to power Tallawahs to a challenging victory target of 192 with 10 balls to spare at Queen’s Park Oval. All told, Gayle smashed six fours and 11 giant sixes – four coming in one over from left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn which went for 30 runs. He put on 40 for the second wicket with Sri Lankan stroke-maker Kumar Sangakkara who made 20 from 14 deliveries, and anchored a match-winning partnership of 108 for the third wicket with Andre Russell who made 24 from 18 balls. The Tallawahs captain lived a charmed live,
however, surviving chances on five, 54 and then 94, before completing triple figures in dramatic circumstances. On 94, he clipped pacer Ronsford Beaton into the hands of substitute Anton Devcich on the ropes at wide long on, only for replays to show the bowler had overstepped. Recalled to the crease, Gayle then deposited the resulting free-hit straight back overhead to raise his hundred in style. The victory was the second straight for Tallawahs keeping them unbeaten but the loss for TKR was a huge blow as they completed their home leg with just two points to show from a single win. They had earlier put themselves in the driver’s seat after being sent in, when they piled up an impressive 191 for four off their 20 overs. South African opener Hashim Amla top-scored with a dashing 74 off 52 balls while New Zealander Colin Munro followed up his hundred against Guyana Amazon Warriors last
Superstar Chris Gayle hits out during his unbeaten 108 against Trinbago Knight Riders on Monday night. (Photo courtesy CPL)
Saturday, with a handsome 55 off 39 balls. Fellow countryman Brendon McCullum broke out of a rut that had seen him gather just 13 runs from his three previous innings, chipping in with a quick-fire 35 from 18 balls, at the top of the order. He blasted three fours
Caribbean Premier League... (From page 38) being held in Florida, Russell stated that the games there are exciting for the CPL and they have gone through the sanctioning process with the ICC which has been approved, and the ticket sales is fantastic. Russell explained that there was a bidding process for the finals. “We at the start of each tournament we have put out a bid process, it is not about us going to any one country and say you got to host the finals but everyone had a chance to bid, Guyana sadly didn’t, for us being the 50th anniversary was the perfect time to be hosting. There were proactive conservations in Trinidad, but it didn’t get to a positive conclusion; both parties probably felt it wasn’t the right time to be hosting the finals and St. Kitts have been great partners, we are key to build long term partners with everyone. We felt it is the right decision and it is about taking these games around the region,” he posited. Well in regards of the timing of the matches, he informed that it is a difficult decision since they have a huge international
following. “We have one hundred million around the world watching these games, it is very important not to alienate the local fan, it is always a juggling so we have to make sure we get the right times in.” Moody believes that it is hard to pick a winner at this point since the teams are evenly matched. “We are obviously thrilled that we have managed to attract some world class players. It not only shines a light on the Caribbean, but on the game globally and it shows that the CPL is a significant tournament. I have had a lot of interaction with some of the players and it is really exciting to b e i n v o l v e d in this competition w h i c h i s g r e a t advertisement for the Caribbean, not only at the level of the t o u r n a ment but what the spill off is in communities and schools with the game being highlighted,” he said. With recent success of West Indies cricket in the U19, women’s and men’s world cups, Moody felt that things are going quiet quickly with the resurgence of the game in the Caribbean.
“That’s a real focus for us, to make sure that we (CPL) continue to help the WICB develop the game here. And the more star players we can get mingling with the local players the quicker the game is going to grow,” he related. Moody stated that it is a challenge for the International Cricket Council to fit in the entire cricket in demand around the world in 12 months. “It is important as a league to have a time in the year where we can access all the cricket nations. We have an ongoing vision to have every nation involved in CPL, it just adds to the quality. However the issue ICC face is they have nine months left to play in the year to play test cricket which is the pinnacle of the game. We can’t ignore the growth of the game in T20 so there needs to be a compromise somewhere. The public have made it very clear that this is the format they want to watch,” explained Moody. He noted that they want to be part of the d e v e l o p m e n t o f We s t Indies cricket.
and three sixes, combining with Amla to put on 49 from 33 balls for the first wicket in quick time to give TKR an up tempo start. McCullum took a liking to Bangladeshi left-arm spinner Shakib al Hasan,
taking 14 from the bowler’s first over – the second of the innings – and another 12 in his next over with two sixes. He missed a cut at leftarm spinner Imad Wasim and was bowled in the sixth over but Amla and Munro the dominated the Tallawahs bowling in a second wicket stand of 103. While the right-handed Amla struck six fours and three sixes, Munro counted five fours and one six as the pair carried the innings deep. In reply, Tallawahs then crawled to 21 without loss after five overs, pushing the required rate beyond 11 and increasing the pressure on the innings. C h a d w i c k Wa l t o n ’s demise, run out at the nonstriker’s end for 13 in the sixth over, proved a blessing in disguise as Sangakkara picked up the pace with a four and a six that eased the tension. When he was deceived and bowled by off-spinner Sunil Narine in the 10th over, at that stage Gayle had gathered a slow 30 off 24
deliveries, and Tallawahs’ required run rate had climbed to 12. However, Gayle quickly moved into overdrive. In the 11th over from seamer Javon Searles, he punched a four and two sixes as the over leaked 19 runs and then combined with Russell in the next over, to plunder 22 off medium pacer Kevon Cooper. The turning point came in the following over from Benn when Gayle crunched the first legitimate delivery for six and then followed up by clearing the ropes with the beanpole Barbadian off the last three balls of the over. G a y l e ’s f i r e w o r k s brought the required run rate down to just over seven, settled the nerves and paved t h e w a y f o r a n uncomplicated Tallawahs victory in the end. Scores: Jamaica Tallawahs 192 for 3 (Gayle 1 0 8 * ) b e a t Tr i n b a g o Knight Riders 191 for 4 (Amla 74, Munro 55) by seven wickets.
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday July 06, 2016
RHTYSC, MS Teams, ‘B’ Div. Police, GUYOIL launch Traffic Education Campaign The eight cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club in collaboration with the Traffic Department of ‘B’ Division of the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) on Thursday last launched a comprehensive Traffic Education Campaign. The campaign targets all school children, pedestrians and drivers of all vehicles in the ancient county of Berbice. Secretary/CEO of the RHTYSC MS, Hilbert Foster disclosed that the cricket teams of the Club were concerned about the level of road accidents in the county and deaths on the road. The main objectives of the campaign are to educate school children and pedestrians on the proper way to use the road, to educate the general public on traffic rules, to re-educate drivers on traffic laws, to
promote the Say No to Drunk Driving Message to drivers and to educate drivers on the danger of speeding. The campaign which is solely sponsored by GUYOIL at the cost of almost a million dollars involves the publication of educational posters for every classroom, brochures for drivers, Say No to Drunk Driving stickers for vehicles, school children and pedestrians and the hosting of essay competition for primary and secondary school students on the topic “Road Safety is everyone’s Business”. The long serving Secretary/CEO expressed confidence that the campaign would fulfil all of its objectives and would have a huge impact on traffic in Berbice. He urged drivers to be more careful on the highways and stated that the life they would save could be theirs. Foster hailed the
Representatives of the Schools pose with GUYOIL Managing Director Reggie Bhagwandin and ‘B’ Division Traffic Chief – Boodnarine Persaud. cooperation of the Guyana Police Force ‘B’ Division especially Commander Ian Amsterdam, Traffic Chief Boodnarine Persaud and the Management of GUYOIL
Lance Carberry, Managing Director (Ag) Reggie Bhagwandin and Marketing Manager Eric Whaul. ‘B’ Division Traffic Chief Boodnarine Persaud stated that he was overjoyed at the launching of the long overdue initiative. Speeding has become a major problem in Berbice along with drunk driving and the Police Department was concerned about the safety of pedestrians on the Public Road. He raised the RHTYSC and its cricket teams for the outstanding work they are doing in Berbice to make a positive difference in the lives of residents. The Guyana Police Force, he stated was honoured to have Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation as a partner in the drive to make the public road safer for
everyone. Managing Director (ag) of the Guyana Oil Company Mr. Reggie Bhagwandin stated that his company accepted to be the sponsor of the traffic education campaign as it falls within the company’s mandate to m a k e G u y a n a ’s r o a d safer. GUYOIL, Bhagwandin stated sells fuel for vehicles and as such was concerned about the high percentage of accidents that claims the lives of our people. He expressed confidence that the RHTYSC, MS and the Traffic Department of ‘B’ Division would organise a highly successful campaign. The Managing Director congratulated the RHTYSC and its cricket teams for coming up with the format of the traffic education
campaign and stated that emphasis should be placed on expanding it to a national level. The RHTYSC/GUYOIL Traffic Campaign was officially launched with over fifteen schools receiving posters for every classroom and brochures for students. Berbice Traffic Chief Boodnarine Persaud, Foster and Bhagwandin also launched the stickers segment of the Campaign by placing them on several hire cars present. The cricket teams organising campaign under the supervision of the Club Secretary/CEO are the Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Bakewell Under 17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under 19 and Intermiade, Metro Females and Gizmos & Gadgets under 21 and First Division.
Tridents beat Patriots by seven wickets – 8th game BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, CMC – Barbados Tridents defeated St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots by seven wickets in the eighth game of the Caribbean Premier League at Warner Park here yesterday. Scores: PATRIOTS 162 for eight off 20 overs (Evin Lewis 50, Jonathan Carter 41; Wayne Parnell 2-22). TRIDENTS 166 for three off 18.4 overs (AB de Villiers 63 not out, Shoaib Malik 54, Kieron Pollard 25 not out; Thisara Perera 2-31).
Kaieteur News
Wednesday July 06, 2016
‘Andrew Arts Memorial’ Chess tournament
CM Taffin Khan edges out HaiFeng Su to cart off top honours
CM Taffin Khan, CM Anthony Drayton and HaiFeng Su show off their winnings in the company of Andrew Arts representative, Reigning Miss Guyana Talented Teen, Reesa Sooklall A keen battle for honours culminated with two of Guyana’s top chess players, Candidate Master (CM) Taffin Khan and former Junior Champion, HaiFeng Su, amassing 6 ½ points apiece and the organizers were forced to apply the tie break system to separate them. In the end it was Khan who benefitted and was awarded the top prize when
the curtains came down on the 3 days FIDE-rated ‘Andrew Arts Memorial’ Chess tournament at the National Resource Center, Woolford Avenue last Sunday evening. Another CM, Anthony Drayton, scored 5 points and finished in the 3rd place. On the final day, Drayton, Joshua Pedro, Rashad Hussain, Roberto Neto and CM Maria Varona-Thomas
were all in winners’ row while the game between Ryan Singh and Sheriffa Ali ended in a stalemate. HaiFeng Su had earlier defeated Joshua Pedro moments before Khan had registered an upset win over Drayton. HaiFeng Su also won from Rashad Hussain who in turn rebounded with a win over Varona-Thomas. It was in the penultimate round that Khan won his game against Olympiad teammate Roberto Neto with HaiFeng Su continuing his winning streak. Jessica Callender, who had had poor fortunes in the tournament persevered and eventually scored her first win against Jason Wills. Khan had earlier defeated Sheriffa Ali while the latter player rebounded with a victory over veteran player, Errol Tiwari. Meanwhile, Tournament Director, Irshad Mohamed dubbed the tournament a grueling affair. This was evident when one noted the concluding round of the (Continued on page 31)
Venus wants Hollywood ending after reaching last four LONDON (Reuters) Venus Williams said winning Wimbledon would be like a Hollywood movie for her after she rolled back the years to vanquish Yaroslava Shvedova on Tuesday and reach her first grand slam semi-final since 2010. The five-times champion, the oldest woman in the draw at 36, drew on her experience during the quarter-final to see off the Kazakh player 7-6(5) 6-2 in a brutal baseline shootout. Williams, the 8th seed, is in her first grand slam semi since the U.S. Open six years ago and will face Germany’s fourth-seeded Angelique Kerber. The American, who last won Wimbledon in 2008 and has since suffered health and injury problems, said lifting the trophy again would be “like that movie ‘Wimbledon’”. “Real life is what Hollywood is based off of so, hey, let’s do it,” she told reporters. “It’s been a journey, but it’s made me stronger. The good part is I always felt like I had the
USA’s Venus Williams celebrates winning her match against Kazakhstan’s Yaroslava Shvedova. (REUTERS/TONY O’BRIEN)
game. I’ve been blessed to have an opportunity to be here.” Williams said she and her sister Serena - the world number one, who also won her last-eight match - were not looking ahead to a possible meeting in the final. “We are focused on the next match. We actually have to get out there and play well to win,” she said. “So the talk about what could happen is not as important as what’s happening in that round.” There was little to choose
between Williams and Shvedova as they slugged it out in the first set, with neither finding much rhythm. But the Kazakh player’s challenge crumbled after she narrowly lost a tiebreak she had led 5-2. The 28-year-old, ranked 96 and in her first Wimbledon quarter-final, made a string of errors in the second set while her seasoned American opponent - sensing her opportunity - found her range and produced a series of winners off both flanks.
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Guyana Darts team to contest 8th Americas and 21st Caribbean Cups named
The Guyana Darts Team for the Caribbean Tournament in Barbados. Guyana has named a strong 12-man squad to participate in the 8th Americas and 21st Caribbean Cups which will commence this weekend in Barbados. According to early reports, the event which is expected to run from July 818 is shaping up to be one of
the most highly contested tournaments on the Darts calendar for 2016. The participating teams are from Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Cayman Islands, Florida, Guyana, Jamaica, Turks & Caicos, Trinidad & To b a g o , U S A a n d Barbados. The team is headed by
national champion Sudesh “Kerry” Fitzgerald and includes: Males – Lallchan Rambharose, Nicholas Seetaram, Adrian Damon, Terence Joseph, Marvin Ya w, L u i s R a m i r e z Merlano, Jamwant Bhupan; Ladies – Jaswantie Hiralall, Victorine Chandro, Melissa Smartt and Mary Correia.
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Wednesday July 06, 2016
Guyana in must-win situation against Trinidad tonight -lose to Suriname in third quarter meltdown
The Guyanese get together in a huddle Monday night during their second game of the CBC U16 Championships at the Sports Hall. They play a deciding game against Trinidad and Tobago at the same venue tonight.
Guyanese centre, Berbician, Jermaine King (right) goes up for a put-back in the paint Monday night against Suriname at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The jitters continued for Guyana Monday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, forcing a loss to Suriname in a game that was basically gift wrapped for the Guyanese in the first round of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Under-16 Championships. Guyana loss 56-64 against Suriname to match the neighboring country’s record of 1-1 after two games; Suriname played Aruba yesterday, while Guyana will play Trinidad and Tobago tonight in a game they must win to keep their Final Four hopes alive.
Guard, Andrew Blijd top scored for Suriname with 18 points while Keatan Weibolt contributed 13 points for the visitors. Suriname had lost to Jamaica in their opening game on Monday while Jamaica played Trinidad in the feature game last night. Forwards, Nigel Bowen and Jordan Alphonso had 14 points apiece with Bowen p u l l i n g d o w n 11 a n d Alphonso 12 rebounds. The Guyanese were caught offguard to the Surinamese grit and their passion, understanding they were in a must-win situation. Suriname had to beat
Guyana to stay in the tournament and Guyana handed them the game with an inability to take care of the basketball, which resulted in 36 turnovers – an amount that means 72 points if converted on a two-point basis. In addition, Guyana shot just 25.71 percent from the field and failed to convert on 46 free-throw attempts. Their trouble from the charity stripe continued. Add 72 points off turnovers, and the 46 points from freebies and you get an astonishing 118 points. Guyana bounced to a
quick 5-0 run to open the game, but the timidity of the Guyanese in the paint prevented what could have well been a blowout for the Surinamese, but that opportunity was not seized though Guyana led 29-26 at halftime. Suriname took the lead for the first time in the game with 3:27 left in the third period. The Dutch -speaking nation sensing the third quarter offensive meltdown of the Guyanese became hungrier for the win and began to throw their bodies around for hustle plays.
Suriname went into the fourth quarter ahead 45-40 and protected the ball well to secure the win eventually. In the third game Monday night, Antigua and Barbuda thrashed Dominica 113-34 to grab their first win of the tournament. Anthony Greer dominated the game for Antigua with 27 points while Lincoln Weeks had a near triple-double with 20 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds. Eric Joseph also had 15 points and Ahmani Browne 13 points in the win. Scoring for Dominica came from Sherquan Jino
Baptiste who had a team high 12 points. The Caribbean U1 6 B a s k e t b a l l Championships continue today from 1pm with Jamaica taking on the Arubans. Dominica will play the best team in the t o u r n a m e n t t h u s f a r, Bahamas, before Barbados take on Antigua. The feature game tonight will be the imp o r tan t G u y an a v s . Trinidad and Tobago clash scheduled for 8pm. A win for the Guyanese will keep their hope alive for a place in the Final Four as hosts of the tournament.
Bolt’s injury draws mixed Johnson leads Test hopefuls from his American rivals against India in Tour Match reactions EUGENE, Oregon, WICB - ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The Selection Panel of the West Indies Cricket Board announced a 12-member squad for the two-day Tour Match between the WICB President’s XI and India, starting this coming Saturday at Warner Park in St. Kitts. Guyanese and Windies batsman Leon Johnson will lead the side. The SQUAD:
Leon Johnson (Captain) Jermaine Blackwood Rajendra Chandrika Roston Chase Jason Dawes Shane Dowrich Shai Hope Damion Jacobs Keon Joseph Marquino Mindley Vishaul Singh Jomel Warrican Team Management Unit Rayon Griffith
(Manager/Coach) Henderson Springer (Coach) Ariane Mangar (Physiotherapist) Hector Martinez Charles (Strength & Conditioning Coordinator) Johnson, Blackwood, Chandrika, Dowrich, Hope and Warrican have all appeared for West Indies in Tests in the previous two years.
CMC- Usain Bolt’s decision to pull out of Jamaica’s Senior National Championships because of injury has drawn mixed reactions from his American sprint rivals ahead of next month’s summer Olympics in Brazil. “Crazy stuff always happens in an Olympic year,” said Bolt’s main challenger, Justin Gatlin. “Like anyone else, you have to see what’s going to happen. But c’mon. We’re going to see his face in Rio one way or another.” The World and Olympic champion was forced to withdraw from the National Championships with a grade one tear of his left hamstring on Friday night. The 29-year-old won his
Usain Bolt
semi-final of the 100 metres on Friday night but then pulled out of the final with the injury in a shock development at the National Stadium. “I feel like it’s a cop-out.
He should run like anybody else,” declared Mike Rodgers, the 2009 US champion at 100 metres. “But at the end of the day, he’s Bolt. He’s the Olympic (Continued on page 31)
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Kittel back at the top with Tour win as Sagan retains yellow LIMOGES, FRANCE (Reuters) Marcel Kittel burst back into the limelight when the German snatched his ninth Tour de France stage win on Tuesday, prevailing in a tough bunch sprint. The Etixx-Quick Step rider, who had a disappointing start to the Tour and missed last year’s race following a virus, held off the late charge of Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie), beating the Frenchman by less than a tyre’s length. Slovak Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) was third and retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey at the end of the fourth stage, at 237.5km the longest in this year’s race. Frenchman Julian Alaphillipe (Etixx-Quick Step) is in second place, 12 seconds off the pace, with a decent chance of claiming
Yellow jersey leader Tinkoff rider Peter Sagan of Slovakia reacts on the podium beside former French cyclist Raymond Poulidor. (REUTERS/Juan Medina) yellow in today’s fifth stage, a 216-km trek in the Massif Central mountains. “There is a lot of emotion. I had to fight to come back, I had a tough start to the season but the goal has always been the Tour de France,” said Kittel. “The plan was to take the yellow jersey after the first stage but that did not go as
expected.” Kittel suffered a virus that plagued his 2015 season and his Giant-Alpecin team omitted him from the Tour roster, prompting the 28year-old to sign for EtixxQuick Step who were looking for a replacement for the departing Mark Cavendish. Kittel failed to take part
Barbados, Antigua in winner’s row on day three A dominant performance from Barbados powered the lads from the Land of the Flying Fish to their second consecutive win (78-45), while Antigua & Barbuda beat BVI 73-71 in a thrilling finish in the afternoon games on day three of the 2016 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) U-16 Championships yesterday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. In the first game, another disappointing turnout watched as Barbados registered a 78-45 win to leave Dominica with their second defeat following the 11 3 - 3 4 t r a s h i n g t h e y suffered at the hands of Antigua Monday night. The Dominican teenagers started cautiously and allowed the Bajans too many easy shots as the first quarter ended 21-10 with Barbados ahead by 11 points. By half time Barbados had extended their lead to 27 points and the lads from the Nature Isle were down 50-23 as the Bajans continued to have things their way. Despite a spirited fight back in the penultimate period by Dominica, Barbados still managed to end that period with a 17-
point lead with scoreboard reading 67-32. Dominica enjoyed their best period of play in the final quarter when Brenon Francis sunk two of his four three-pointers but those were his only scoring shots in a game in which he was the leading scorer for Dominica with 12 but he missed six of his shots from down town. Sherquan Jino-Baptiest who hit a couple of threes in 11 points and Jaimerson John-Ross, who looked the best Dominican on show, had 10 points and 19 rebounds, but Dominica were too far behind and their last lap gallop went in vain as Anthony Steele, who missed both of his three-points attempts, ended with 16 points and got support from Kidane Adams who scored 13 points with 13 rebounds to give Barbados a 78-45 win. The second game between Antigua, who secured their second victory in two games, and BVI who suffered losses to Barbados and Bahamas, was a riveting battle which rivaled the Jamaica, Suriname encounter which went into overtime on Sunday night, for the most exciting match
so far. A game high 22 from Joel Greer, 17 from Ajai Browne and 13 apiece from Emmanuel Joseph and Elliot Weeks were the double figure scorers for Antigua. Kiandre Clark (16), Hamilton Nixon (11) and Elaine O’Neil (10) did the bulk of the scoring for BIV but for the third time ended on the losing team. BVI missed 17 of their 44 shots from the free throw line and had they converted a few more the result could have been different since the margin of victory was just two points. At the end of the opening quarter both teams were neck and neck in a fast paced game as they fought for the ascendency and Antigua were narrowly in front 1716. BVI came out in the second quarter in positive fashion and at the end of that quarter had taken an eight point lead and at half time led Antigua 37-29. BVI maintained the lead going into the last quarter with a six-point edge with the score on 54-48. The final session was very aggressive and at times physical with neither team (Continued on page 31)
Etixx-Quickstep rider Marcel Kittel of Germany (L) wins on finish line in the 237.5 km (147.5 miles) Stage 4 from Saumur to Limoges. (REUTERS/JEAN-PAUL PELISSIER) in the massive sprint in the opening stage last Saturday, and came home a mediocre seventh on Monday, which suggested he was struggling
with his form. On Tuesday, the German was perfectly led out by his team and, although the final straight was slightly uphill,
he never looked back, raising his arms to celebrate a few minutes after crossing the line as he and Coquard waited for the photo finish.
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Wednesday July 06, 2016
Medas-King continues to Blake crowned double make headlines in the US sprint champion Nine to ten year old athlete Kcaysha Medas-King has been burning up the track in the United States of America over last weekend as the makes a name for herself as, if not the fastest, among the fastest in her age group in that country. She stormed to victory in the 100m, 200m and 400m at t h e U S AT F H e r s h e y ’s Outdoor Championships and the Millersville University, Millersville facility in Pennsylvania to crown a highly successful weekend. Dubbed the ‘finisher’ by the commentator during the 100m, the young lass, who was born in the US to Guyanese parents Andy and Christine, Kcaysha took charge of the race just after the halfway mark and powered home, beating into s e c o n d p l a c e To r i Okorodudu, with Kim’Dyn Thomas third. Her triumphs at the meet make her a three time champion at the Hershey’s event. She described the races as hard but said she pushed
Kcaysha Medas King displays her medals following her latest win at the Hershey’s Outdoor Championships in Pennsylvania. herself and the results were the victories. The young lady noted that during the 400m, coming around the turn she wanted to slow down but knew she couldn’t and stayed on the gas and claimed the gold. In the 100m she said it was a straight line and I just ran, while she was amazed by her win in the 200m. Kcaysha will now focus
on the Junior Olympic US National event to be held later this month in Sacramento California. She said she aims to win the races she competes in at that meet where all the leading young athletes in the United States will lay it all out on the track, and this youngster has major designs on coming out on top when all is settled.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Resurgent sprinter Yohan Blake won the 200 metres final here Sunday night to complete the double at the Senior National Championships and secure a berth in the event at this year’s Rio Olympics. With World and Olympic champion Usain Bolt having pulled out of the meet last Friday through injury, the 26-year-old double Olympic sprint silver medallist used the opportunity to dominate, taking the half-lap in 20.29 seconds. Nickel Ashmeade and Julian Forte were a close second and third respectively, and were both clocked at 20.45 seconds. Blake, who won the 100 metres on Friday in 9.94 seconds, said he was pleased with the way the championships had turned out. “The feeling is really good. I just listened to the coach and execute my race well and I got the victory,” said Blake, who also clinched the sprint double four years ago. T h e r e w a s disappointment for Olympic bronze medallist Warren Weir who finished fourth in 20.50. In the women’s equivalent, Simone Facey
Jamaican Yohan Blake
raced to victory in 22.65, beating former World and Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown into second in 22.80. Kali Davis-White came home third in 22.94 while Olympic medallist Kerron Stewart trailed in fourth in 23.52. S h e l l y - A n n F r a s e rPryce, a former World champion who won silver at the London 2012 Olympics, did not contest the final and neither did newly crowned 100m national champion, Elaine Thompson. M e a n w h i l e , Wo r l d Championship relay silver medallist Javon Francis won the men’s 400m final, in a dominant performance
which saw him cross the line in 44.95 seconds. Fitzroy Dunkley was second in 45.35 while Nathon Allen clinched third spot in 45.52. In the women’s final, World Championship relay gold medallist StephenieAnn McPherson held off a determined challenge from Christine Day to grab victory. McPherson posted a time of 50.04 seconds to finish ahead of Day in 50.29, with Shericka Jackson placing third in 50.42 to book her ticket to the Rio Olympics. Seasoned campaigner Novlene Williams-Mills was a disappointing fourth in 50.64.
Caribbean Premier League is on the rise - Russell, Moody
Tom Moody (left) and Pete Russell address the media yesterday. By Zaheer Mohamed With the Guyana leg of the Caribbean Premier League set to bowl off tomorrow with the Amazon Warriors facing Jamaica Tallawahs from 19:00hrs, Chief Operations Officer Pete Russell and International Players Director Tom Moody feel the tournament is on the rise. Speaking with the media yesterday at the National Stadium, Providence, Russell said he is pleased to be back and is looking forward to some exciting matches. “We have had
some fantastic games with record scores so far and the fact that Guyana has won its first two games is hugely exciting for everyone here and the level of cricket is second to none so we are way up from where we were last year,” he added. Russell pointed out that the teams seem to be evenly matched and they expect a continuation of the massive crowds as we always get in Guyana. Russell feels that the tournament has grown from strength to strength and has a long way to go. “CPL have improved standards and we had recently retired
players involved but now we have got the best in the world and the West Indian players have taken advantage to having quality payers among them; the transition of the local talent has been remarkable.” He explained that the competition has a huge economic impact and its helps the local economy to grow. ‘Sports tourism has a huge impact around the world and we have a massive part to play here’… adding that they are not looking for subsidy from Governments but to partner with everyone for investments. “ I t ’s a n e x p e n s i v e tournament to run, we have pumped US$22M into the tournament so we have to make it work commercially and with the growth of the tournament it makes the commercial a lot easier.” With regards to the games (Continued on page 33)
Wednesday July 06, 2016
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Serena batters Pavlyuchenkova to join Venus in semis LONDON (Reuters) Serena Williams battered Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4 6-4 at Wimbledon on Tuesday to join sister Venus in the semi-finals and said she was surprised and delighted the pair were still competing at the top of their sport. The defending
champion, seeking an elusive 22nd grand slam to equal Steffi Graf’s open-era record, showed no sign of slowing down against 25year-old Russian Pavlyuchenkova as they exchanged explosive groundstrokes. Although Venus, 36, and Serena, 34, are the oldest women in the
women’s singles, the latter said they did not discuss retirement. They would know when the time came. “I’m surprised at the longevity of it. That definitely took me by surprise,” Serena said after the sisters also completed a 6-4 6-3 doubles victory over Czech pair Andrea
Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka following their singles matches. “When you’re younger and you have a dream and you say it and you believe it, that’s one thing. But for it to really happen and to come true, it’s just a completely different emotion.” Serena’s experience
USA’s Serena Williams celebrates during her match against Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. (REUTERS/STEFAN WERMUTH) showed on Centre Court against Pavlyuchenkova, who has never gone beyond the quarter-finals at a grand slam. The American simply bided her time until she was able to seize on moments of weakness from the Russian to ram home her advantage. She found a chink in her opponent’s serving armoury in the ninth game of the first set. POTENT WEAPON Pavlyuchenkova, the 21st seed, went for her shots but never found a way to counter the Williams attack. Nerves told again in the same game of the second set, where a series of errors allowed the American to break and then serve for the match. “She was serving a m a z i n g l y t o d a y, ” Pavlyuchenkova said. “She
was there from the first point to the last.” Serena said she did not know how she had developed such a potent weapon. “I’m not as tall as all the other players. So it’s strange that I have such a strong, hard serve,” she said. “But I have to say what I think really is my game is my mental toughness because just not only to be able to play, to win, but to be able to come back when I’m down. “Both on the court and after tough losses, just to continue to come back and continue to fight, it’s something that takes a lot of tenacity.” The world No.1 — a position she has held for more than three years — wrapped up the victory on her second match point with a 123 mph ace for 11 in total.
t r o Sp
Barbados, Antigua in winner’s row on day three
Reigning champs Christianburg / Wismar stay on course with 1-0 win
-Next up Region 1 winners
Guyana in must-win situation against Trinidad tonight -lose to Suriname in third quarter meltdown Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210