Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Wednesday June 13, 2018

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

EDITORIAL

THE FEAR OF CHANGE The fear of change has in many ways characterized our political system; the hope for better has been a useful antidote. Change offers new perspectives, but there are times when it is resisted because of fear. We fear change because it is an unknown variable that can have an extremely paralyzing effect on us as a nation and on our system of governance. The reason is many of us believe that the grass on the other side of change may not be as green as we may want it to be. The fear of change is prevalent across all humanity, but some are more fearful of it than others. It seems that the fear of change is in our genetic makeup, our socialization, our culture, and in our political indoctrination. Most people, even if unwillingly, tend to embrace change when it is thrust upon them or when they have learnt how to manage the fear of what may lie on the other side. Over the years, the wider public had demanded change in our customs and practices, but little was done to improve them. In 2015, the citizens voted for a change of government, with the hope that a new administration would manage the state of affairs of the nation more effectively. So far, the way in which this government has been conducting the affairs of the State and the manner in which those affairs are managed show that not much has changed. This reminds one of a quote attributed to the French journalist, novelist and critic, Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr who said: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Change ought to be woven into the fabric of our society and provide the restoration of hope, but it may prove detrimental to our future prospects if we focus almost entirely on the failures of governments. We must direct our energies on what needs to be done to change our failed systems of governance. Despite demands from the public, this government has not lived up to its promises to be moral, transparent and accountable, which are the hallmarks of good governance. Neither does it appear to have the tenacity nor the political will to usher in a wave of change in the 21st century. As a nation, we must continue to resist the fear of change of what may lie ahead, particularly in relation to the reform of government agencies, transformation of the economy or the implementation of new strategies to improve our well-being and to ensure future prosperity. We must be able to manage our fear of change if we truly want to prosper. Today, we live in a very dynamic, ever-changing and technologically revolutionized world, in which there is nothing we can do but to embrace the changes such as everpresent social media and the constant upgrades of smartphones, etc. Jimmy Dean, the American music entertainer and television host once said: “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” We must commit ourselves and strive to become effective managers of the fear of what lies on the other side of change. We must adjust our responses to change and hold the ruling elites responsible. Together, we must decide what kind of country we want for ourselves and future generations. We must adjust our sails, our expectations, and our mindsets to the changing environment. We must boldly go to new heights and new frontiers to overcome the fear of change in order to make our society a better place for all to live in prosperity, peace and harmony.

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

Today is Walter Rodney’s death anniversary Dear Editor, June 13th marks 48 years of Dr. Walter Rodney’s death. There will be conversations of the goodness of this man, what he fought for and wanted for Guyana and Guyanese, presented more to refashion an image that is contrary to his actual praxis. Dr. David Hinds, one of the leading promoters of this re-making, has been doing exactly that over the last two Sundays in his Kaieteur News’ column. Though Dr. Rodney proudly proclaimed his Marxist belief, an ideology that also advocates forceful overthrow of government, some Rodneyites would want it to believed he did not support such thinking and action. In his last Sunday column Dr. Hinds made use of the term “political violence” to address Dr. Rodney’s praxis

but did not delve into the subject. In the meantime society has the benefit of Dr. Rodney’s praxis on this subject from one of his closest confidants and only c o - l e a d e r, D r. R u p e r t Roopnaraine. Dr. Roopnaraine publicly a d m i t t e d t h e Wo r k i n g People’s Alliance (WPA) was accumulating arms and ammunition, of which a source was the Guyana Defence Force, and the party is also responsible for burning down the Ministry of Mobilisation and National Development during the People’s National Congress (PNC) government. If there was no belief in violence, why was such action practiced during and under Dr. Rodney’s direct leadership? Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through nonviolent measures created political tsunamis that

resulted in the transformation of their societies, though regrettably their lives were snuffed out through violence. These men were fighting systems that were of the most oppressive- colonialism and denial of civil rights. In Guyana it was political rivalry for the control of government, aided by propaganda (fake news) to justify forceful removal from and entry into office. It is said Dr. Rodney “rejected the superficial unity embraced by the PPP and the PNC such as ethnic tokenism and multi-ethnic rhetoric” (Hinds, KN: 10 June 2018) yet this remains the identity of the WPA. Dr. Roopnaraine retains the record of being the only East Indian in the party’s coleadership structure. The African record is held by Bro. Eusi Kawayana and Drs. Clive Thomas and

Rodney. The WPA remains the only party, presenting itself as a major force, that never held an election to elect its leadership, who have all been anointed/appointed. This gives rise to doubt that the party truly believes in electoral democracy and can make genuine claim it fought for it at a national scale. The oft repeated Dr. Rodney’s interest in “multiethnicity” is only tied to East Indians and Africans--their presence and role in the body politics and leadership. C o n s e q u e n t l y, i t i s reasonable to ask if the role of other races mattered or conclude they never matter to him. Marxism also believes in a closed society which would have implication for private media ownership. How does this juxtapose with our present state, started by (Continued on page 06)

Samaroo’s Investment Guyanese Entrepreneur debunks claims of collusion and corruption Dear Editor, Samaroo’s Investment wishes to respond to Mr. Juan Edghill’s missive in the June 2, 2018 edition of Kaieteur Newspaper and further derogatory reporting by Stabroek News in their online version on June 4, 2018. We w i s h t o s t a t e categorically that our company refutes these claims of collusion and corruption and would like to set the records straight as follows: (1) Samaroo Investment has known the consultant in a professional capacity due to previous design works the consultant undertook for us back in 2015. There is no further dependence beyond contractual and professional responsibilities. (2) The letter of credit in question was issued in January 2017 to support a design-build job, which would have involved both companies participating in their respective professional capacities. This letter of credit became null and void by May/June 2017, when the tenders for Three Friends pump station were advertised. The NDIA also recently confirmed that there was no

financial requirement under their tender and the letter of credit was not part of the evaluation of the bids. (3) A letter of credit is not an advance or an intention to advance any payments. (4) Our company does not offer financial support to sustain the consultant or any other company as is purported. (5) The project at Three Friends has been undertaken by all parties involved in a professional manner; not necessarily harmonious, as there have been several conflicts and disagreements. The project will stand up to any scrutiny and the public should be aware that these projects are audited by the Auditor General’s office. In the past we have had absolutely no issues with auditing of our projects and we are confident, Three Friends pump station will be the same. (6) Our relationship with NDIA staff is strictly professional and all parties are guided by the roles and responsibilities through our contractual relationship. We once again denounce these malicious attacks on our company’s good name. General Manager, Doodnauth Samaroo

Dear Editor, Analyzing mainstream and social media reactions to the release of the ‘local content’ list for ExxonMobil and its contractors for the first quarter of 2018, very clear conclusions can been drawn among which is the fact that different benchmarks are used to determine what constitutes ‘local content’ as opposed what may be considered by some as small-scale, indirect product and service provision. The conversation has ranged from whether or not individual names should be included on a ‘local content’ list as opposed to the entities they represent, to whether a minimum dollar value requirement should be met in order for a transaction to be considered ‘local content’. And for some still, it is believed that only multimillion dollar transactions should be listed. These are all valid considerations and moving forward parameters should be clearly defined in order to bring greater clarity to citizens as we progress in knowledge of the blossoming oil and gas sector. But rather than being fixated on the inclusion of small-scale transactions on the list, perhaps we should be asking ourselves what needs to be done for these

individuals/small-businesses to expand the range and scale of services in order to benefit more substantially in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters of the year and beyond. For example, if Tom sells oranges, he may be approached for a bag of oranges or maybe three. However, if Tom decides to process, package and brand orange juice, not only will he have a value-added product which commands higher profits, (assuming that Tom is smart enough to increase in volume and scale), but Tom will now be established. His position will enable him to register as a direct product supplier for ExxonMobil and its contractors, widening his client base and becoming better positioned to benefit from a range of future business opportunities. Importantly also, Tom will have contributed to providing employment. Simply put, instead of being distracted by the distribution of the $2.8B in the first quarter, why not instead focus our attention on coming up with strategies to benefit from continued streams of revenue entering the economy through business creation and expansion as well as employment opportunities? After all, squabbling about (Continued on page 05)

Wednesday June 13, 2018

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Kaieteur News

An untenable nursing situation Please get the facts about suicide Dear Editor, Kindly permit us space to inform on a situation that has been observed and which is of much concern to the residents of Region Three. The Health Department of Region Three Administration is having some practices that are in conflict with Public Service Ministry Rules and Regulations with regards to the employ of Nursing Staff at the West Demerara Regional Hospital. A Nurse Midwife, who was appointed less than one year ago as a Ward Sister at the hospital and is on Probation for one year is given preference to work strictly Night Duty. During the Day this staff is working full time at the National Insurance Scheme in Brickdam. The following questions need to be answered: Is the Regional Administration Health Department, the Public Service Ministry and the National Insurance Scheme aware of this situation?Who supervises this Ward Sister? How can a staff who is working full time at the Nation Insurance Scheme be allowed to work strictly on night Duty at the institution.

(WDRH) which is her full time job? What is the staff contribution to the Health Care Institution since she works eight (8) hours in the day and has to work at least another eight hours at nights? Is this a new Practice in the Public Service since the change of Administration? It shows clearly that the Nursing Administration of the WDRH, cares less about the quality of Nursing Care to patients when this practice is being allowed and encouraged for the personal gain of some and more so this Ward Sister in particular. We therefore, are of the assumption that this staff “goes to work to sleep” so that she can perform optimally on her day job at the National Insurance Scheme. We would be grateful for the Ministry of Public Health and the Chairman of the National Insurance Scheme to investigate and address this matter urgently and sanctions be taken by the Administrator and the personnel of the organisations who are responsible for this unethical, unprofessional, breach of labour laws, protocols and procedures in Nursing .

According to Labour Laws, Nursing personnel cannot work for extended hours; many times they will make mistakes which can endanger the lives of the patients to whom they are providing care. If this practice is encouraged the institution by Senior Nurses, what will be done by the junior staff? The Nursing care which is provided to patients is appalling with the numerous complaints daily. How can the Senior Nursing Officers at the Ministry of Public Health and the Minister of Health be silent on this type of practice? Are we a caring people, or are we looking at our personal gain and sacrificing quality patient care in the process? Much needs to be desired of the Practices of the Nursing Profession. Sanctions/ Disciplinary actions need to be taken with all the partners involved and continue to this type of uncaring attitude to us the citizens of this country and more so, at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) — Region #3. Yours truly, Shaline Singh for (Group of Concerned Citizens)

There are spin-off benefits from Exxon operations Dear Editor, It is with great amazement I read the criticism in the media about small companies and contractors being able to benefit as a result of ExxonMobil’s operations in Guyana.At the early stages of exploration and production of oil, the big money usually goes to companies involved in drilling and transporting supplies for the offshore operations. In a country like Guyana – new to the industry – it was always known that local businesses would need to undergo training and capacity building in order to benefit significantly from the opportunities in the industry.

Guyanese Entrepreneur... From page 04 who is on the list or how much they earned neither adds financial value to us and our families nor the country we love and claim to defend. Regards, Andrew Mc Bean

The list that was released last week shows that as companies build capacity to benefit from big opportunities, a number of small businesses and contractors are beginning to benefit from the spinoff effects of ExxonMobil’s operations in the country. All these small enterprises provide employment, pay taxes and contribute to the national economy. The old saying in Guyana of ‘one one dutty build dam’ cannot be forgotten. Very often, it is small and medium scale business operations that contribute the most, collectively, to the economy, as

is the case with the gold mining industry. To attack and attempt to downplay the significance of these small businesses benefiting from opportunities in the oil and gas sector is unfortunate and points to what appears to be a trend; and that is to denigrate all those involved in trying to help propel this new industry in Guyana. Sincerely, Clement Smith

Dear Editor, Recently, on social media, former government minister, Clement Rohee, posited some misinformed views on suicide that need to be addressed. Mr. Rohee stated, “It is difficult to detect in advance someone who is prone to suicide. Somehow, prior to committing the act, they manage to elude by means known only to them, their closest relatives and friends who are incapable of spotting any unusual behaviour on their part before they take their own life.” Suicide ideation/suicidal mindset is really not difficult for anyone to be ‘incapable of spotting’ if that person knows what to look for. Actually, there are even clear and obvious warning signs that are easily discernible by anyone but are usually ignored or passed off as ‘jokes’. The media is replete with cases of loved ones saying they never took seriously, the strange behaviour of suicide victims or language clearly stating that they would take their lives, especially if such statements were made before. Thus there is the need for citizens to be sensitized to the seriousness of these warning signs, and the need for immediate action. Also, the implication that those who attempt suicide ‘elude’ those near and dear to them is an awful attempt to indict people suffering from mental illnesses. The fact is

that 90% of people who die by suicide have a mental illness at the time of their death, so they are not thinking clearly or logically. In effect a normal person cannot apply his/her thinking process to label suicide victims or survivors. As one person who lived through depression posted on Facebook recently, “it is unquestionably THE most misunderstood illness and the one most judged and misjudged by ‘normal’ people”. Mr. Rohee wrote, “It’s like assuming a Jekyll and Hyde or split personality just for that particular period prior to committing the act. Their transformation is somewhat ‘magical’ if not amazing!” Like any other illness, there is nothing ‘magical’ or amazing about the suicidal mindset or suicide ideation and it is certainly not indicative of any transformation. Thus to describe someone in such a state as assuming a Jekyll and Hyde or split personality is to victimize the victim. A suicidal mindset or suicide ideation is not reflective of a personality but a mental illness, especially depression or anxiety. As well, one who attempts or dies by suicide is not ‘committing an act’ and this is why experts and activists have been calling for the term ‘commit suicide’ to be eliminated and be replaced by ‘died by suicide’ or ‘a suicide victim’. Mr. Rohee must be aware

of the negative connotations of the word commit but may not be aware that the person attempting or dying by suicide is a victim, not a perpetrator on any sort. Added Mr. Rohee, “Thus the view that suicide is by its very nature a selfish act which brings in its wake pain and suffering to those left behind by the suicide who egregiously disrespected his or her own karma. Death by suicide considered ‘Atmahatya’ in Hindu circles becomes for the suicide victim the only pathway to self-emancipation from circumstances which he or she sees no other option. Hindus view suicide as bad karma. It is said that with suicide, the soul goes neither to heaven nor to hell but is left to wander restlessly, if not hauntingly amongst the living on earth. Since the person attempting or dying by suicide is a victim, the act cannot be selfish. As a suicide survivor stated in an article in Huffington Post, October 12, 2014, “Suicide is a decision made out of desperation, hopelessness, isolation and loneliness. The black hole that is clinical depression is all-consuming. “Feeling like a burden to loved ones, feeling like there is no way out, feeling trapped and feeling isolated, are all common among people who suffer from depression.” Thus the (Continued on page 06)

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Kaieteur News

Is there some bias Dear Mr. Editor, On Friday June 8, last, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) employee, Jermain Hermanstyne, appeared in Georgetown Magistrate’s Court charged with using threatening language to Patrick Yarde, President of the Guyana Public Service Union. His appearance was witnessed by several persons. No mention of this matter was carried in the media. One might have thought, Sir, that a case of that nature in the Magistrate’s Court, involving the President of a prominent Trade Union, would have attracted the particular attention of your court reporters.

This, particularly, since, over time, much coverage has been afforded Mr. Hermanstyne’s versions of events pertaining to his efforts to vilify Mr.Yarde. Sections of the print media had previously reported on versions of events provided by Mr. Hermanstyne pertaining to his attempts to smear Mr. Yarde in his capacity as President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), and as a member of the management committee of the GPSCCU and to seek, deliberately, to create divisions within the Branches of the Union and members of the credit union. To falsely claim occur-

rences, to say the least, to which there is documentation which contains information to the contrary. Against that background, I feel compelled to enquire whether the omission of Mr. Hermanstyne’s appearance before the Magistrates’ Court is a matter of objective editorial decision-making or whether its exclusion is a matter of calculated prejudice, in which case I feel compelled to protest the bias that appears to inhere in this omission. It would be appreciated if you favor this note with publication at the earliest possible time along with your response. Morty Livan

Please get the facts about... From page 05 act is not a ‘pathway to self-emancipation’ whatever that means. In fact, there is tremendous research relating to those who attempted suicide that makes it quite clear that victims never want to die. Finally, as loved ones of suicide victims, as suicide survivors, as suicide prevention activists, and as clinical psychologists and

counselors, various members of The Caribbean Voice know through experience, the realities of suicide and so we beg all and sundry who want to write on or speak about suicide to not do so without getting the facts, without speaking with suicide survivors and without understanding how mental health issues affect the thinking process. The Caribbean Voice

Samaroo’s Investment debunks... From page 04 President Desmond Hoyte, living in an open society and private sector having a role in media? What would have been Dr. Rodney’s position given his hardcore ideological persuasion and which by the West’s standard he was deemed among the most extreme of the politicians of his time with Mr. Forbes Burnham seen as the least? Society is still to be told by the WPA of Dr. Rodney’s PPP upbringing/association and where his parents and siblings remained. How has this shaped his life and what

was/were his reasons for leaving, if he ever did leave? Dr. Hinds argued (KN, 3 June 2018) that Dr. Rodney represents the best of us. What does this mean? Does this take into consideration his academic brilliance and pursuits which are goals every parent/family holds? Dr. Rodney was fortunate to win a scholarship to higher educational pursuits, though it must not be ignored he was of the time when education was not universal and girls and the poor were left behind. Does the best refer to the political? On this Dr. Rodney can

claim “groundings” with the dispossessed in Jamaica and the Jamaican Government deeming him a threat to the society, resulting in him being persona non grata. Tanzania also found this “groundings” undesirable. Locally Dr. Rodney wanted to form a ‘national front government’ that excluded the PNC which meant the party’s supporters, members and leaders. How national is this or representing the best of us? The saintly remaking of Dr. Rodney’s image has to explain the above, though it is more inclined to believed given his academic acclaim there would be integrity having the evidence validate the ‘saint theory’ instead of making up stories to support it. Minette Bacchus

A procurement process Dear Editor, The Government of Guyana has a procurement process and has worked from time to time to have it regulated and managed in a proper and accepted manner. At times complaints have been lodged at its improper application and recently became an issue at the GWI with its operational chief Dr Van West-Charles. In the past, I have opined that the procurement process is of value to any government and in Guyana was well used by past governments. That the current govern-

ment would not in any way make use of it is but a dream except that this present government is hopeful to make that procurement process way above any sleight of hand.Really? That is but a dream. Firstly the charge imposed to submit a bid is totally unnecessary. Objections were raised from time to time but without getting any hearing, perhaps because it was felt to be senseless. Secondly irrespective of how good a bit could be, there is no appeal against an adverse decision simply because that decision of the pro-

curement committee is final. Where is fairness? Where is rightfulness? Where are sense and sensibility? Totally absent and that is where the system favours those whom the powers that be bless. To cap this off, I ask the Minister of Education or whomsoever is responsible for the CPCE, to have a close close look at how their current bid was accepted despite various deficiencies!! Shall we say that “the old order changeth not?” Perhaps..perhaps… Carl Veecock

The sugar industry could have performed better Dear Editor, I have seen Mr Nowrang Persaud’s response, which appeared in June 9, 2018 Guyana Times, following my letter which appeared a day earlier in the Kaieteur News. I must tell Mr Persaud that at no time did I mean to be personal or show ill-will towards him but my mere intent was to demonstrate how views can be shaped by one’s own experience. Mr Persaud goes on to buttress his private-ownership stance by saying that the industry performed better in that period. Indeed while this may be a relative fact, my sincere contention is that the improved performance was due, in large part, to the workers efforts and sacrifices. But despite the workers contribution they weren’t fairly rewarded in the era of the private owners. In fact, historian Basdeo Mangru in his book – A History of East Indian Resistance on the Guyana Sugar Estates – 1869-1948— said in the period of the Enmore struggle of 1948 that: “sugar planters were reaping considerable profits as prices jumped from £17.8 shillings per ton in 1946 to £25.2 shillings per ton in 1948 or an increase of over 44 per cent per ton”.

It is noteworthy, in April, 1948, the Sugar Producers Association (SPA) and the then recognised Union, the Man Power Citizens Association (MPCA) agreed, with respect to the cane cutters, to increase their cost of living bonus from 30 per cent to 33 1/3 per cent, in other words an increase of 4 cents per tonne, while the basic rates of all the workers remained unchanged since 1938. Together with their miserable rates-of-pay, the Venn Commission reflecting on workers housing, had this to say: “quite a number of the corrugated iron roofs were leaking and the fabric of the buildings were in a general state of decay. In numerous instances temporary sheets or awnings has been fixed over the beds to keep off the rain. They had mud floors and consequently with the rain dropping from the roofs these were made slippery and dangerous; in many cases we found bags laid over the floors to prevent slipping. They were built without any plan on low-lying ground. There are few, if any, proper footpaths and in rainy weather communication is difficult. The common latrines, often built over a drainage trench, are frequently in a bad state of repair, with little privacy.” So indeed, the industry may have performed better and, in all likelihood, was more profitable in that period. But look at the pitiful situation of the workers. Profits literally came before people! Mr. Persaud also contends that the industry also performed well when it was managed by a private management contractor. But has any time been taken to understand why? Certainly, the science of cane and sugar hadn’t changed. So the obvious question what was the cause for the change? While it is accepted that the Booker-Tate, then,

brought some skills the industry lacked, the important factor was the management’s adjusting workers’ wages to reflect the then realities. That saw workers who were demotivated and despondent returning to the fields in a committed way as their wages actually helped them to maintain their families. But, we also should not forget that it was the same Booker-Tate at the helm when the industry’s production sunk to 226,000 tonnes in 2008 and the previously unheard phenomenon of “perched water table” was birthed. It also was the same Booker-Tate which, despite having a clear mandate to operate all estates, proceeded to run down the operations of Uitvlugt Estate with intent to close it. It was the same BookerTate which had a separate contract to oversee the construction of the Skeldon factory in which it recommended the contractor; in which it prepared the design and other engineering schematics; in which it approved and inspected the equipment to be installed; and in which it had personnel on the ground supervising the factory’s construction. Apart from that BookerTate, was charged with completing Skeldon’s field expansion which was hardly anywhere from being completed when GuySuCo had to take responsibility for that aspect of the work. These too are objective facts and those realities hardly serve to make a good case that the private management contractor was as successful as made out to be. I nevertheless look forward to reading Mr Persaud’s book whenever it is published. I am sure it will add to the rich history the sugar industry has. I do hope, however, that his book is not priced out of the reach of an ordinary person like myself. Yours faithfully, Patricia Persaud

Wednesday June 06, 2018

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MovieTowne owner decries red tape in US$40M Turkeyen investment

MovieTowne’s Derek Chin (fourth from right) with private sector officials yesterday.

In one of the movie theatres

O

wners of the ambitious MovieTowne mall are complaining of the red tape in getting business done, yesterday appealing for help from Government. Speaking shortly before a guided tour of parts of the Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara complex yesterday, Guyana-born Chairman, Derek Chin, made it clear that he badly wants the facilities here up and running. However, there seems to be

no point person here to deal with the project. It took six weeks just to get electricity to test the movie theatres. The Guyana project would be the first overseas venture of the MovieTowne brand and would come at a time when Trinidad and Tobago, running high for years with its oil riches, is experiencing the effects of low prices. With foreign exchange running low and unemployment rising in the Twin-Island Republic,

companies there have been turning a quick eye to Guyana for business opportunities. Yesterday, it was executives of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) who gathered with Chin at the Turkeyen complex to raise awareness of the issue of the sloth with bureaucracy. It was disclosed that although it was promised that a road and bridge on the

western side of the compound would be done as part of a concessionary arrangement, MovieTowne was forced to shell out millions to do it just to ensure that there are no delays. Chin and his directors- at least two of them are also of Guyanese origin- are hoping to open the eight-screen movie theatre by August, but it will be an uphill task. Massy Stores Supermarket will be opening a major superstore next door, the biggest of its kind in the Caribbean. In December also, Hard Rock Café, a famous

restaurant chain, is set to open operations here, after MovieTowne managed to steer them to Guyana. Lined up also are famous brands like Starbucks, known for its coffee, and IHOP, famous for its waffles and breakfast. However, nobody from Government has been asking about the project, with delays experienced with equipment and even seating delayed at the wharves for weeks, awaiting simple signatures. While the approvals for duty free concessions are happening faster now, the delays have been adding up to the costs.

Chin said that he had tried to meet with President David Granger in Trinidad while he was there recently for a medical checkup. However, the meeting did not happen. According to Chin, he is excited about the opportunities, but disappointed with the timelines of the project, which started in 2013 and was supposed to take 18 months. The facilities were, however, expanded after high interest by businesses who wanted a toehold. Chin’s dream of MovieTowne in Trinidad and (Continued on page27 )

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Wednesday June 13, 2018

GECOM Chairman votes down best ranking candidate for Deputy Chief Elections Officer By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell Peoples Progressive Party/Civic Commissioners of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) are of the opinion that if the principle of meritocracy was employed, Vishnu Persaud would have been re-appointed Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO). They claim, however, that because Persaud is of East Indian descent, GECOM Chairman, James Patterson, voted against his appointment. This was expressed by PPP/C Commissioners yesterday afternoon at an impromptu press conference held at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition. Commissioners Robeson Benn, Sase Gunraj and Bibi Shadick all presented on the “unpalatable” state of affairs at GECOM. Shadick told the media that for the second consecutive week, she and her two colleagues staged a walked out from a GECOM statutory meeting. She said that this was af-

- PPP/C Commissioners convinced vote hinged on “race issues” ter the GECOM Chairman used his casting vote to support the PNCR-nominated Commissioners’ rejection of Persaud. Shadick said that the casting vote exercised by the GECOM Commissioner was placed in favour of the number-two ranked applicant, an Afro-Guyanese, Roxanne Myers. Shadick and Benn said that they argued, during the statutory meeting, that Persaud not only managed to survive the evaluation process, but is a person who functioned in the position for several years, has had positive performance evaluations during those years, and is “eminently qualified.” Shadick said that Persaud was made to re-apply for a job he held because his contract came to an end at a time when there was no functioning Commission, following the resignation of former GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally. The contracts of the Assistant Chief Elections Officer (ACEO), the Logistics

From left, GECOM Commissioners Robeson Benn, Bibi Shadick and Sase Gunraj Manager and others were also not renewed for this reason. Shadick said that the post of DCEO was not the only one GECOM attempted to fill recently. Commissioners also interviewed candidates for the posts of Information Technology Manager, Public Relations Officer and Legal Officer.

She said that the top ranking candidates of all the other positions turned out to be of Afro ancestry and they were all appointed. “But the one Indo-Guyanese who ranked number one is not being appointed.” Commissioner Benn said that he had qualms about the appointment of the Legal Officer, Excellence Dazzell. He said that he does not think she is suited for the job, but accepted that she emerged as the top ranking candidate, “but the same was not done for Persaud…The state of af-

fairs represents a failure to respect and adhere to the principle of meritocracy and does not facilitate greater diversity in the hiring done by GECOM.” Further, Shadick said that she was disposed to pronouncing about the suitability of Dazzell at that forum. However Shadick noted that Patterson noted his preference for Dazzell. Then, the Chairman even sat in during the panel’s interview of Dazzell. Shadick said that Patterson did not sit in on any of the other inter-

views, “and this interview was done on a Saturday.” Shadick said that the PPP/ C will be writing a letter to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) today. The ERC has a constitutional mandate to address such concerns. Shadick said that the PPP/ C will also raise the matter at the international level. She did not give a timeline as to when that will be done. However, Shadick was keen to note repeatedly, “We will not sit and allow this. They are setting the stage for a result that would be very unpalatable.”

Boy, 6, feared drowned in Pomeroon A six year old pupil of Abrams Creek Primary in the Upper Pomeroon is believed to have drowned in the Pomeroon River. According to information reaching Kaieteur News, the boy, Ramesh Khan, fell in the river during his lunch break, around 11:45 hrs yesterday.

Reports are that the boy had gone to the adjacent Health Post landing, and was washing his feet and hands at the time, after playing under the Health Post building. Though information remains sketchy at this time, police investigations are on the way, and efforts are being made to locate the body.

Wednesday June 13, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Rodney knew that he was going to be killed Today marks 38 years since the death of Dr. Walter Rodney, one of the most brilliant Guyanese who ever lived. This week, this column pays tribute to one of Guyana’s finest and noblest sons who, like Che Guevara, was cut down in the prime of his life. At the end of 1979, Rodney sensed that the Burnham regime was going to kill him. Six months prior to his death, he had begun to put his affairs in order. Dr. Walter Rodney was the co-leader of the Working People’s Alliance which was formed in opposition to the then People’s National Congress regime headed by Forbes Burnham. Rodney, an internationally renowned scholar, was assassinated on June 13, 1980, in Georgetown. Rodney may not have foreseen the exact form his death would have taken, but he knew that he was going to be killed. Declassified docu-

ments have given details of a meeting between Rodney and a senior member of the United States Embassy in Guyana, during which Rodney conveyed the impression that he knew he was facing imminent extinction by the Burnham regime. Rodney met with a senior official of the United States Embassy in Guyana on December 5, 1979. At the end of that meeting, the official was of the view that Rodney had a premonition of his impending death. The purpose of the meeting was to assure the Embassy that the WPA had no bad intentions towards the United States. It was also to bring it up to date with developments in the country from the perspective of the WPA. However, during the meeting Rodney essayed a request for the embassy to grant permanent alien status to his wife and children

should he be killed. In the event of his death, Rodney wanted to make certain that his wife and children would not have to remain at the mercy of the Burnham government. He said that he did not like to ask favours, but would do so where the welfare of his family was concerned. He emphasized that he was not seeking assistance for himself. The US embassy official in his comments to his superiors about the meeting noted that Rodney “had the premonition of a man of imminent death. He was not shrinking from that fate, but he was trying to put a few affairs in order before it came upon him.” At that meeting, the WPA co-leader brought to the attention of the embassy, the constant harassment, victimization and violence faced by him and his party. His wife, who was a uni-

DEM BOYS SEH

Minibus always protesting

People really like to know that dem in de thick of things. One man wake up and decide that he not mekking enough money from he minibus suh he start to complain. Some people come up and one crazy man seh that dem must strike. Everybody seh okay. Who got friends in de media mek a phone call and de next thing dem boys know is that minibus drivers protesting. De story deh pun TV and in de papers. Next day other minibus drivers do de same thing but dem boys notice that de strike is not during peak hours when nuff people trav-

elling and de bus does mek money. Is always during de slow period. Dem go wheh Soulja Bai wukking and then dem guh wheh de minibus does park. All this happen and nuff of dem don’t know why dem striking. Some seh is because de gas high and dem want raise de fare. Some seh dem got to pay de man who own de bus and when dem buy gas dem money does cut. Dem boys seh that anybody who got a minibus know dem got to protest. Dem use to protest because dem got to buy new tyre. Then dem protest when de licence go up.

At first was only de driver but de law seh that every bus must have a conductor. That cause another protest. Dem boys seh is time ExxonMobil start to use minibus because is local content. Right now all of dem travelling in taxi but dem boys notice that is only one taxi service deh pun de list. De minibus operators must protest because that is discrimination. Already one man feel dem got too much minibus but people still using dem car fuh wuk taxi. And dem boys want to know why minibus don’t wuk in de night. Talk half and wait fuh de next minibus protest..

versity graduate, could not get a job. He related that for merely attending a WPA meeting, persons could face transfer to remote areas, outright dismissal and victimization. Even some of his friends who were not politically active were subject to harassment and victimization. Meetings of his party were broken up and activists attacked. Rodney related to the embassy official that the WPA had received information that the then Prime Minister, Forbes Burnham, had issued instructions that future confrontations with the WPA were to be fateful. According to Rodney, his travel outside of Georgetown had to be limited, because every time he was discovered in another area, he was picked up by the police and held.

The constant surveillance and attacks on the WPA had forced the party to go underground for protection, since even routine meetings about the organization of the party, its finances and political strategy, had to be clandestinely held. Tacuma Ogunseye had given testimony during the Rodney Commission of Inquiry about that period. He had spoken, inter alia, about the unease among young activists, the strategy of the party, and its efforts to bring about regime change. What Ogunseye said was fully consistent with what Rodney told the embassy official. Rodney had relayed to the embassy official that a great deal of time and effort was being exhausted by the party in trying to avert retaliation

from young WPA activists who were tired of being pushed around by the PNC government.Rodney also said that the plan, earlier in 1979, was to organize all opposition groups into a government of national reconstruction along the lines of the Dominican model, get the people out into the streets, and demand Burnham’s resignation. The strategy for regime change would have been to force Burnham to succumb to the overwhelming demand of the people for him to step down. That never happened. After Rodney’s death at the age of 38, the struggle waned.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 13, 2018

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Another Rodney anniversary, but a farce overshadows it

T

oday is yet another anniversary of the death of Walter Rodney. Last year, there was a comical situation in the press, whereby the invitation to the event listed the sponsors as “Friends of Walter Rodney.” Walter Rodney was de facto head of the Working People’s Alliance. At the

height of his activism, he was generally perceived as the WPA and the WPA as him. Walter Rodney’s party, the WPA, is part of the current government. Yet in 2017 his party did not sponsor his death anniversary but his friends. But who were his friends that organized the gathering? For example, present co-

leader of the WPA, Rupert Roopnaraine was not there in 2015, 2016 and 2017. The question which the WPA ignored is why the WPA did not host the event. And if it could not, why did a group named WPA Overseas not do the job? Sadly, this year there will be no 38th anniversary commemoration. This year’s absence highlights once more,

the caricature WPA has become. Why any group of persons wants to self-humiliate in this way is really beyond the comprehension of even great geniuses. Since the victory of APNU at the 2015 general elections, no government mandarin has officially participated in the Rodney death anniversary event. The AFC is not interested in hosting the event, neither is the PNC. But the PNC is in a coalition with the WPA and they both have State power. Protocol should involve the presence of at least one PNC big wig. One can understand if the AFC stays away. There is no political interconnection between the AFC and WPA. But the PNC is the political partner with the WPA in government. The Rodney death anniversary does not have to be a State event to have a high level PNC leader show his/ her face. The hard reality is that the upper echelons of the PNC do not care for the Rodney legacy. The fact that they are in a coalition with the WPA is not a contradiction. It was a realpolitik pact in 2011 for the purpose of dethroning the PPP. There is absolutely nothing inherently wrong with that. In Italy at the moment, a far right party and a left wing party have joined to form the government. In the UK, a few years back, a left liberal party formed the government with

the Conservative party that they had nothing in common with. The difference in the UK at that time and in Italy at the moment, as with all coalition governments, especially Israel, there is a water-tight guarantee that each party in the coalition will have some of their agenda items implemented and pioneered by their own ministers. Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) formed the government with the Conservative party in the UK with an inflexible demand which the Labour Party had refused the Lib Dems. The government must hold a referendum to determine if the British people want proportional representation over first-past-the post. Both the Conservative Party and the Labour Party preferred first-past-the-post. But the Lib Dems were at a disadvantage. In each election, their total votes were impressive, but did not translate into seats in parliament. This, of course, is one of the disadvantages of the constituency system. The referendum was held and the Lib Dems lost. But it was held because a member of the coalition demanded it. In coalition arrangements, parties in power must be given space to pursue their agenda. In Guyana, we are still to see what or where or with whom is the AFC’s agenda. With the WPA it is a most sickening

Frederick Kissoon situation. The WPA has a ministry which, based on agreed principles, recognizes that it is in charge of that portfolio. So why can’t the ministry the WPA controls hold an event to commemorate the death anniversary of Rodney? The AFC and the PNC can say they do not agree with it. They are not required to attend, but at the end of the day both the AFC and PNC have to understand that coalition government is about each unit doing things that other units cannot and must not stop. If that mutual consent is absent, you no longer have a coalition government. Many political observers argue that this is indeed the reality. For example, a Bill to amend the sentence structure of the drug law was tabled in the name of the AFC since 2016 and in fact was actually on the Order Paper. Michael Carrington of the AFC has publicly stated that the PNC doesn’t want it. What does the ministry assigned to the WPA actually do? Will the minister attend the event if there is one today?

Wednesday June 13, 2018

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

UG to enjoy more autonomy under proposed system of governance

U

nder a proposed system of governance, the University of Guyana (UG) is expected to secure a greater level of administrative autonomy, which is set to eliminate special interest groups. Speaking to a gathering of media personnel at Herdmanston Lodge, Queenstown, yesterday, Vice Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith announced that the university is exploring the possibility of self-governance

through a “greater level of intellectual autonomy.” According to the ViceChancellor, the recommendations are towards preventing any form of interference by political parties, and other special interest groups into the daily affairs of the University. He noted that several recommendations have been put forward by a special reform committee on governance for the revamp of U.G’s executive structure. The committee, headed by

Professor Lawrence Carrington, has proposed a governance model which is for a smaller council and allows the Vice Chancellor and his team greater scope to run the institution. “The recommendation is that there should be a slimmer council on governance focused on competencies and not s p e c i a l interest r e p r e s entation. That’s a significant modification on what is recommended for change. Also key among the

proposals is the recommendation that there should be no partisan political or special interest representation at the University Council. “There should be no ruling party representative or opposition party representative on the Council. The proposals give no legal, medical, private sector, framers and overseas university representatives the right to interfere in the daily management of the institution,” Professor Griffith emphasized. According to the ViceChancellor, the proposals came as a result of several committee meetings and broader consultations across UG campuses which included the student body and the unions.He dismissed any possibility of arbitrary leadership at UG, since there are other layers of the executive which will be involved in the decision-

Wednesday June 13, 2018

making process including the Academic Board, Finance and General Purposes Committee, and Council of Deans. Added to that, Professor Griffith said that representatives of the tertiary institution have met with Atto r n e y G e n e r a l B a s i l Wi l l i a m s t o d i s cuss amendments to th e legislation, since the Act, and Statues which govern UG have not undergone any significant revision since 1963. According to the ViceChancellor, Professor Carrington and his team have been working on their final report which will be submitted on July 26 at an extraordinary meeting. The meeting will finalise what the Act should be. Further to that, the Act needs to go for approval in Parliament. The statutes are really the internal governance

UG Vice Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith arrangements, he added. The reform committee was established as a follow-up measure t o t h e U G Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n a l Ta s k Force established in 2016. The task force had recognized the need for a Committee to assess and make recommendations for adjustments and/or amendments to the University’s Act and Statutes, including the composition of the Council and the core competencies required for effective Governance. It was also noted that a critical imperative in the transformation process must be the recognition by all stakeholders that UG is an autonomous institution. The Ta s k Force members also conceded that “there must be strict adherence to the principles of effective governance being dependent on, inter alia, vision, d e d i c a tion, time commitment, leadership, transparency, openness, objectivity and trust. It was also agreed upon that UG, through its Council, must be accountable to the Government, students, staff, donors, alumni and the wider Guyanese community. I n k e e p i n g with the principle of effective governance, it was agreed that there should be a clear distinction between the Council’s role in approving and overseeing policy in accordance with the provisions of the Act, Statutes and Regulations, and that of the Administration, whose role is to execute policy and be responsible for the day to day administration of the University.

Teen dies after allegedly jumping from moving car Nineteen year old Sasia Adams died yesterday at Dr. Balwant’s Singh Hospital, one day after she allegedly jumped from her boyfriend’s moving car onto Lamaha Street. Adams, whose address was given as East Street, Georgetown, and was employed as a Front Desk Agent at the Princess Ramada Hotel, was taken to the Hospital around 20:30hrs (8:30pm) on Sunday, by her 21-year-old boyfriend, where she was admitted to the Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, and her condition was listed as critical. The circumstances surrounding what caused Adams to sustain injuries were confirmed by the Guyana Police Force as being an incident that occurred on Sunday night on Lamaha Street, where Adams and her boyfriend were heading in a westerly direction in a white Toyota 212 motor car. Adams was said to have opened the door and leapt from the car and landed on the southern side of the road. Her boyfriend then picked her up and took her to the hospital. A police statement confirmed that Adams died at

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 13, 2018

- boyfriend in custody Dead: Sasia Adams

11:25hrs yesterday. Police have since taken Adams’ boyfriend into custody and initiated an investigation, after there were conflicting stories in relation to what really transpired. When the police visited the Hospital after the incident occurred they were told by that Adams had come into the medical institution in a conscious state,

and had related that she had fallen down at home. Police have since being accessing CCTV footage from businesses in the area where it was said Adams jumped from her boyfriend’s car with the hope bringing some clarity as to what really transpired. Investigations are continuing.

Police seek legal advice as alleged wife-beating cop remains in custody

P

olice are preparing seek legal advice to ascertain if a police corporal will be charged for allegedly beating his spouse, and striking his sister-in law with a spade. This was confirmed yesterday by a police official who also said that the rank remains under close arrest at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU). Kaieteur News was told that the assault occurred some days ago at the rank’s East Coast Demerara home. Sources said t h a t the rank first assaulted his spouse, then struck his sister-in-law with a spade when she intervened. The matter was reported at the Turkeyen Po-

lice Station. Both women allegedly produced medical reports. However, there are reports that the alleged assailant is seeking to arrange a financial settlement with the victims. Kaieteur News understands that the woman has filed previous complaints against her husband. He was reportedly always warned, but was never arrested. Some of his coll e a g u e s s a i d t h a t t he rank’s violence is aggravated by substance abuse and they have expressed concern for his spouse’s safety. The allegations come at a time when the Guyana Police

Force has been working to educate its ranks about responding to incidents of domestic violence. Senior members of the Force including Crime Chief, Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams, DSM, recently met with Ms. Karen De S o u z a a n d other representatives of Red Thread. The discussion surrounded a preliminary report of a two-ye ar project on “Engaging communities for improving implementation of Domestic Violence laws”. T h e r e s e a r c h e r s o bserved how ranks from various police stations were dealing with domestic violence and other related matters.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 13, 2018

Major IDB studies on deepwater port, Guyana/Brazil link due early 2019

A

s early as the first quarter of 2019, the Government of Guyana will have a clear idea of where to site the deepwater port, and an even better understanding of what is required to make the Guyana - Brazil Land Transport Link a reality. The Government of Guyana is working with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) via a Technical Cooperation Agreement to advance the Guyana-Brazil Land Transport Link and Deepwater Port. According to the IDB, the recently concluded market study has paved the way for work to begin that will see Guyana moving closer toward this goal. At present, three companies have been engaged and are working simultaneously to help move various aspects of the project into fruition. “The results of the three

studies to help the government of Guyana make a determination will be completed by early 2019.”According to IDB, Maritime & Transport Business Solutions (MTBS) is working on to help the government of Guyana determine the optimum location of a Deepwater Port in Guyana. “The firm will prepare business case scenarios for the four potential sites, undertaking financial and economic option analyses and subsequently developing a proposal and preliminary design for development of the selected option.” There will also be strategic environmental and social studies by the RINA Group. “This study will include identification and analysis of key environmental priorities, challenges and opportunities, diagnosis of the environmental institutional and governance framework and assessment of

the most important environmental and social constraints bearing on the performance of the project.” The analysis and its recom m e n d a t i o n s are expected to provide valuable complementary information to support comprehensive decisions on possible strategic opportunities and cooperation.” The Guyana-Brazil Border Studies by Estudios, Proyectos y Planificación (EPYPSA) is expected to provide the ministry with sound technical expertise regarding the Lethem border crossing being an integral element of a future land transport link b e t w e e n G u y a n a and B r a z i l . ”This study will build on the results emanating from the previous Market Study completed by HPC Hamburg Port Consulting Gmb.” The firm will assess the

functionality of the current infrastructure at Lethem, conduct mapping of the control processes and agencies involved in regulation of international trade flows, assess the information technology, identify trade policy instruments and make recommendations on international good practices, trade policy and improvements that could boost the efficiency of the Lethem border crossing. According to the IDB,

the study is expected to fully complement the above-mentioned studies by providing the technical team with valuable details and recommendations to support an effective land transport link in future. “Under the technical cooperation agreement, a transport consultant, an expert in ports and logistics, has also been contracted to provide specialized supervision services.” The talks of a deepwater harbour have been floating

around for a while. With regards to the Linden/Lethem roadway, that trail has been a major cause of concern for users, with its location accessing the many communities along the way. However, maintenance has been a major problem, with the rainy seasons proving major headaches for miners and others. Brazil has been interested in a paved roadway to access a shorter route to send and receive containers.

Forensic Lab unable to conduct gunpowder tests - seeks to replace ‘obsolete’ equipment it acquired from Police Force

Tevin Parris

Martin Godette

Ambrose Baharally

It’s been several months since the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL) has conducted gunpowder residue tests. That’s because the near-obsolete equipment it acquired from the Guyana Police Force is inoperable. Officials at the GFSL are seeking Inter-American Development Bank funding to acquire new equipment. Attempts are also ongoing to acquire software for the old machine. The equipment the lab needs is used to conduct the final tests to confirm the presence of gunpowder residue. In an interview some months ago, GFSL’s Director Delon France had explained that two tests (presumptive and confirmatory) are required to confirm the presence of gunpowder residue, since there are substances (such as brake pad residue) that are similar to gunpowder. “The preliminary tests (also called the presumptive or screening tests) will pick up (evidence of) chemicals which appear to be gunshot residue, or which mimic gunshot residue. Then you do the confirmatory tests, which

would confirm what substance it actually is.” The malfunctioning equipment has resulted in delays in a number of murder investigations in which gunpowder residue plays a vital part. These include the January 8, 2018 shooting death of Korner Kick Manager, Tevin Parris, and the January 14, 2018 deaths of Pomeroon farmers, Ambrose Baharally and Martin Godette. The 27-year-old Parris was found dead in his bed, in the upper flat of his Lot 66 Garnett Street, Newtown home. He had been shot to the head. An unlicenced 9mm pistol, with 14 live rounds was found in his right hand. But a post mortem indicated that the injury was not selfinflicted. Investigators detained an individual who was close to some members of the slain man’s family. They also swabbed a suspect and the victim for traces of gunpowder residue. Coconut farmers Ambrose Baharally, 28, of Grant Stelling, Hope Lower Pomeroon, and Martin Godette, 23, of Friend-

ship Canal, Lower Pomeroon, were found dead with gunshot wounds to their heads at Baharally’s home on January 14. A post mortem revealed that Godette was shot from a distance, while Baharally was shot at close range. One report alleged that the two coconut farmers and a third man were drinking and smoking marijuana when Baharally shot Godette. There are suggestions that Baharally then took his own life. Baharally’s wife later led detectives to an area where she had allegedly disposed of the murder weapon after discovering the two bodies. Police recovered a 9mm Beretta pistol with a magazine, one .38 revolver, 16 live cartridges, 21 live .38 rounds, 19 live 9mm rounds, six .32 rounds, two 9mm spent shells and 51.5 grams of cannabis. The GFSL began conducting tests for the Guyana Police Force on March 1, 2017. The Director had said that the lab had “boxes upon boxes of evidence” to process, including toxicology tests, and tests on currency, and for blood.

Wednesday June 13, 2018

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 13, 2018

Finance Minister to lead Steering Committee on Public-Private Partnerships

A

s it moves to real ize a number of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the future, the government will have a Steering Committee to provide guidance and needed oversight. Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, is expected to chair this committee.

…Provisions in place to avoid conflict of interest The makeup of the committee and its members are outlined in the government’s PPP framework. The policy notes that members or nominees of members of the Committee shall be: the Minister of Finance,

(Chairperson); Minister of Business (Vice-Chairman); Minister of Public Infrastructure; Attorney General; Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); and the Chief Executive Officer of GO-Invest.

The policy notes that Ministers of other Ministries and/or Heads of Agencies may be invited to attend Steering Committee meetings, when projects under their portfolios are being considered or implemented as PPPs. The document states that the PPP Steering Committee may include a temporary member (Independent Consultant) with expertise on the particular project under consideration. According to its provisions, the PPP Steering Committee may also invite relevant stakeholders to participate in some of its meetings. At a minimum, the attendance of four members of the Steering Committee will be required as a quorum for Committee decisions; the Chair may nominate another Committee member to chair in his or her absence as necessary. In the interest of transparency, the document explicitly states that PPP Steering Committee members must recuse themselves from discussions and/or decisions on particular PPP projects in cases where there may be an actual

or apparent conflict of interest - for example, family business interests or other connections with one or more project stakeholders. As it relates to the team’s functions, the policy notes in detail that this includes providing guidance for the development of Guyana’s PPP Policy, and adopting more detailed process guidelines, regulations and standard formats for key documents for mandatory use by all agencies that are implementing PPPs. The Steering Committee is expected to select from among priority investment projects to be developed as potential PPPs, based on an initial screening by the PPP Core Team. It is required to hold PPP Project Teams accountable for developing and implementing PPP projects, ensuring wide stakeholder consultations, and following agreed timelines. Additionally, the Committee is tasked with recommending preferred bidders for PPP projects, based on evaluation reports prepared by PPP

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan Project Teams against pre-established and pre-announced clear, objective and quantifiable criteria. It is also expected to periodically commission independent evaluations of PPP projects and/or the PPP programme as a whole, to assess whether PPPs have delivered the anticipated Value for Money. As a form of public procurement, the policy notes that detailed regulations for preparing and implementing PPP transactions will be issued under the appropriate public procurement legislation. As such, the PPP Steering Committee is expected to work closely with the institutions established under this legislation, to ensure continuity.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 13, 2018

PAGE 25

‘End Domestic Violence’ echoed in youth march

I

n an effort to address domestic violence, participants of the Upper East-Bank Youth Group recently held a rally to bring awareness to the social ill which has, so far, claimed the lives of close to a dozen women. The small group of participants, who were clad in purple t-shirts, marched from Supply, East Bank Demerara, to Soesdyke, while holding banners and placards stating: “We won’t wait! End Domestic Violence!” Noting that there are many social issues in her community, co-founder o f t h e group Keoma Sutton expressed gratitude to the individuals who showed support for the march. She however assured that the group has planned several other activities which would be beneficial to villages spanning between Supply and Soesdyke. According to her, “We are looking to increase the group membership in order to reach out to more residents. We have a lot more activities planned which will engage children and the elderly.” Persons who participated in the awareness march said it is a good initiative, which

Participants proudly showcase the banner, a centre of attraction in the rally will only grow bigger. “I feel good because every day you read in the papers and see what is going on,” one participant said. Another participant Leroy Watson exclaimed, “I feel very confident and powerful towards this march. Growing up I saw a lot of abuse going on in homes. I am glad that the community can come out together and do something like

this. Violence against women and ch i l d r e n n e e d s t o stop.” Expressing that she felt excited about partaking in the march, one young lady who gave her name as Aaliyah, said that the domestic violence is not only affecting Guyana, but also countries across the globe. She said, too, “We should stand firmly against domestic violence!”

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 13, 2018

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From page 19 with him (Sunil) he began cursing up and Nyron (her reputed husband) came out by the door,” Ragnauth said. She said, too, “Me and Nyron went inside and Sunil went away.” Ragnauth told the jury that her uncle later returned to her home and called out for her.“I went out to him and he start cuss me up and I cuss he back. He push me into the fence and I started screaming and Nyron came out and pull he away.” She added that she and her spouse later went to the police station and reported the incident. Declaring his innocence, Thakurdyal said that he arrived at Patentia at around 20:30hrs on December 26, 2014. He said that he and his spouse were standing on a dam when her uncle came and

Weak GDP performance... From page 18 the same period of 2016. He said, “Among problems experienced by the two foreignowned companies were lower grade ore and unscheduled maintenance. In the case of small and medium scale miners, the decline was due to multiple factors, including higher fuel prices and deteriorated roads. The decrease in other mining was due to 62.7 percent lower declaration of diamonds, the lowest level since 2012.”As for the manufacturing sector, Jordan said that this sector benefitted from the significant improvement in rice production. He said that this sector also grew by .4 percent. He noted however that the growth was limited by a substantial decline in sugar manufacturing. He said, too, that other manufacturing performed in line with projections.

Cocaine, ganja, satellite... From page 21 13.812 kilograms (30 pounds) of suspected cocaine. Thornhill, a boat captain, pleaded guilty yesterday to transporting the containers. However, he was not aware the illegal items were what he was transporting. As a result, he was advised by the magistrate to seek legal counsel. She was not prepared to take his plea. Prosecutor of CANU, Konyo Sandiford, revealed VACANCY Wanted male and female to work in interior salary $80,000 monthly. Call: 6741767/693-2138 For Porters. Apply in person at Alabama Trading, 65 Robb Street, Bourda.

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began “cussing” her. He added that during that time, he grabbed Ragnauth’s hand, and together, they walked away and went to her home.According to Thakurdyal, at approximately 22:30hrs, her uncle came to the house and called out for Ragnauth, who went out and spoke with him. He recounted that a while after, he heard his spouse screaming and ran out to see what was happening. Thakurdyal told the court that he saw when Ramsundar held on to Ragnauth’s hands before bracing her to a fence. He added that he grabbed his spouse which resulted in Ramsundar falling, hitting himself on the fence. Justice Kissoon will sum up the evidence in the trial tomorrow before sending the matter to the jury for deliberation on a verdict.

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that CANU received information that a drugsmuggling operation was underway from Charity, Pomeroon River, Region Two. On the day in question, June 6th, ranks staked out the Parika, East Bank Essequibo area, watching for two vehicles, PSS 8019 and PVV 7934. Around 1pm, they managed to stop PSS:8019. Lawrence and Persaud were inside. In the trunk, the ranks found two blue, gas containers with the bottoms cut out and pasted back together. They found what appeared to be marijuana and cocaine in them. Around 4pm, they stopped the other vehicle, PVV 7934, which Lall and Chattergoon were in. The ranks seized a satellite phone. The lawyer for the two men, Bernard da Silva, questioned the reason why his clients were being charged, as they were not in possession of the suspected cocaine and marijuana. However, the CANU prosecutor told the court that evidence will be tendered of phone calls from the satellite phone. Thornhill was last to be arrested. The matter continues on July 3rd.

Wednesday June 13, 2018

Kaieteur News

MovieTowne owner decries...

The lobby area under construction at MovieTowne From page 7 Tobago was by any means a highly ambitious one in 2000 but it was hugely successful, and he has managed to open others apart from the flagship one in Port of Spain. He said that the people and Government of Guyana have to constantly question where they want Guyana to be.When the idea of bringing MovieTowne to Guyana was born, this country did not even find oil as yet, he pointed out. Chin said that he badly wanted to leave a legacy.From a budget of US$25M, it is now costing up to US$40M. The businessman said he has worked hard to convince Hard Rock Café to come to Guyana, instead of heading to Trinidad.There are exciting opportunities for Guyana with thousands of jobs to be created, directly and indirectly from MovieTowne’s presence. With Guyana boasting its own carnival now, Chin wants to use the Turkeyen facilities to host some of the Carnival parties, and bring stars like Machel Montano. While there will be KFCs and other fast food outlets, MovieTowne is concentrating more on the restaurant-type atmosphere

rather than the food court settings. Chin made it clear that he is not coming to Guyana as a Trinidadian investor, but rather as a son of the soil returning home to leave a legacy.Insisting he is not corrupt, he said that if anybody sees anything, they are free to raise it with him. MovieTowne is also looking at other activities in Guyana.According to Eddie Boyer, Chairman of the PSC, yesterday’s visit was a “show of good faith”. Noting that the investment is a major one, Boyer believes that the problems are simple ones to solve. He criticized the delay of six weeks for the facilities to receive electricity. Boyer also noted the fact that MovieTowne’s principals are of Guyanese origin. MovieTowne’s presence will be here with or without oil, he noted. The outgoing PSC chairman said that it is the duty of Government to stimulate investment, including agriculture and tourism. He urged that Chin and his directors also look in the Berbice and Essequibo direction. According to Chin, he has proposed that the Government seriously think

about a roundabout in the area, because of the expected traffic congestion. However, nobody is talking or meeting or asking about the project. Businessman, Captain Gerry Gouveia, who was part of the delegation yesterday, also criticized the red tape. He said that the delays in doing business have been a matter that has been on the front burner for two decades now. President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Deodat Indar, in stating that the project is a model one that is impressive by any standards, offered to act as a conduit to help with reducing the delays. It was disclosed that the eight movie theatres will boast the latest of technologies for 2D and 3D movies and modern seats. At least 2100 seats are planned, with one theatre holding as many as 350 persons, at any one time. Reportedly, New Thriving and Ruby Tuesday have already signed on. With Giftland Mall just over a thousand metres away, the presence of MovieTowne is expected to lend to the nightlife and improve on entertainment options.

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Rice yields improve dramatically to 40 bags per acre Farmers appeared to have found the right strain of rice with yield touching almost 40 bags per acre during the last crop.

GRDB’s GM, Nizam Hassan

A

s Government continues to push for research and development in the rice sector, rice farmers in Guyana have managed to average closer to 40 bags of paddy per acre in the first crop of 2018. That crop is already 98% harvested. “This demonstrates an increase by 10 bags per acre, as the national average stood at 30 bags per acre a few years ago. With this notable increase, rice farmers across the country have expressed delight and satisfaction with the work and dedication of the Guyana Rice Development Board, through

its research and extension services,” according to the Ministry of the Agriculture. The board’s most recent report, which was completed at the end of May 2018, indicated that rice farmers produced 495,000 tonnes of paddy thus far for the first crop of 2018. This quantity is expected to exceed 500,000 tonnes by the completion of the remaining two percent to be harvested. GRDB General Manager, Nizam Hassan indicated that Region Four continues to stand out, with farmers producing almost 7 tonnes of paddy per hectare with

harvest figures at 99% complete. “A comparison of lands cultivated during the first crop last year revealed that for the first crop this year, farmers cultivated in excess of 2000 acres less, and still realized a yield that almost matches that of the 2017 first crop f i g u r e s . S o f a r, t h e s e increased yields have been rewarded at the mills with farmers supplying G$17.2B worth in paddy. This is one billion dollars more in earnings than what farmers received for the first crop in 2017 when 2000 more acres were harvested,” Hassan said.

E’bo man killed by speeding car

A

41-year-old man met his demise on Monday evening after he was struck down by a speeding motorcar on the Spring Garden Public Road on the Essequibo Coast. The dead man has since been identified as Lallman Narine Sahadeo, called Mud, of Spring Garden, a community three miles north from Supenaam. According to police reports, the accident occurred sometime around 18:30 hrs. At the time, Sahadeo was proceeding south along the public road on his pedal cycle, when he was struck from behind by motor car PPP 6852, which was driven by a 23-year-old. Sahadeo reportedly died on the spot as a result of severe injuries to the head, neck and left arm. Family members are claiming that Sahadeo, after being struck from behind, ended up in a nearby trench quite a distance from the point of impact. Relatives and neighbours told this publication that Sahadeo was just returning from the backdam when tragedy struck. One relative recounted, “My son was on the road and he saw when this guy fly past with all he air bag fly out… Then he ride out back and he said something dark deh on the road, so we walk up to see. We see some other boys walking coming to the scene too, and they tell we that ‘Mud’ jus ride out from here but they hear a crash… they look around and they see Mud bicycle, then they jump in the trench and they find he dead.”

Dead: Lallman Sahadeo In the meantime, the 23 year old driver, who had fled the scene but was later apprehended, remains in police custody assisting with investigations. Left to mourn are Lallman Sahadeo’s wife Zaheeda and their eight-year-old daughter.

GRDB’s report also revealed that in Region Two, of the 13,484 hectares harvested, farmers got a yield of 5.9 tonnes per hectare. In Region Three, the yield was 5.49 tonnes per hectare, while in Region Five, the yield was 5.9 tonnes per hectare with five percent of the lands still to be harvested. Region Six recorded yields of 5.7 tonnes per hectare with just two percent of lands still to be

harvested. Notwithstanding the increasing costs of production, farmers have expressed confidence that the industry is progressing, the ministry said. “While a small percentage of farmers are still to harvest 43% of the country’s paddy, many farmers have already begun sowing for the second crop this year.” According to Hassan,

predictions are that a total of approximately 89,000 hectares will be cultivated. So far nearly 53,000 acres have already been sown. “With farmers across the country planting the newest high yielding variety, GRDB 15, the Board anticipates that farmers will again be moving the national average in the right direction come the second harvest of 2018,” Hassan projected.

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“We are fed up of congratulations... Hearn calls Wilder’s bluff From page 41 thanked God, the GOA, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) and everyone who supported him. Like his fellow athletes, Baird explained that the thin air and cold temperature from the high-altitude in Bolivia, posed a challenge not only in competing but for something as simple as warming up. Coach/Manager of the two-fighter boxer team, Terrence Poole, mentioned dissatisfaction after only being allowed two athletes and he mentioned that Boxing should be afforded more athletes in future games since the sport always delivers good results. Poole expressed great satisfaction with his fighters and noted that winning a medal

among Latin Fighters who are notoriously tough was a big feat. GDF promoted Leslain Baird to Senior Petty Officer after his outstanding performance and Poole called for Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sport, Dr. George Norton, along with the National Sports Commission (NSC) to start looking at the welfare of athletes and noted that creating incentives for good performances is a good mechanism to develop sports in Guyana. “I want to see what these medals will bring for our athletes; we are fed up of congratulations… the Government need to create a benchmark for incentives to keep the athletes motivated,” Poole posited, the Guyana Boxing

Association (GBA) Technical Director further stated that, “I am tired waiting on the sports policy, we need it now.” Head of the GOA, K.A. Juman-Yassin added to Poole comments saying that the GOA can’t do everything on their own and that Government support is needed. He also called for the timely completion of the National Sports Policy which had been promised as part of the current administration’s campaign manifesto and reiterated the need for incentives for athletes. Juman-Yassin also noted that despite promises from Government, Guyana’s Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist, Troy Doris, is yet to receive any tangible contribution from the administration.

on Joshua title fight

Anthony Joshua (right) attacks Wladimir Klitschko during their fight.

Wednesday June 13, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today you might feel as if you're walking around in a daze, Aries, but it's a good daze. Your imagination and artistic abilities are sharp. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) A group with which you're affiliated with could suddenly seem to grow closer, and a family feeling could develop among its members. One of the members could suddenly appear to you in a new light GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Family members might want to get out in the world today, perhaps to attend a festival or rally. This is an excellent day to do this sort of thing, Gemini. You should be feeling especially energetic and enthusiastic CANCER (June 21–July 22) Family members who live far away might be planning a visit, and you could discuss it at some length today, Cancer. A lot of phone calls or emails could be exchanged.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Home and family are apt to be your primary focus today, Libra. Work around the house might take up a lot of your time. You might want to spruce up the place and make it more beautiful. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today a strong sense of destiny could lead you to someone new - either a potential close friend or prospective romantic partner. You're apt to feel especially protective toward this person SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Volatile emotions may come to the surface among the members of your household today. This could prove irritating for you, Sagittarius CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Someone distraught or angry, perhaps a relative, might phone you today expecting a sympathetic ear and soothing words. You'll be more than able to provide them.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Insights shared by a family member could lead to possible ways to increase your income. Expect to handle a lot of paperwork regarding money

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A lost possession could be recovered today. A gift, either money or a long-desired item of some kind, could bring tears to your eyes. Your sense of self-worth should be high at his time

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) If you need to execute legal papers of any kind, Virgo, you couldn't find a better day to do it. Relationships, particularly romantic ones, should be especially warm, supportive, and rewarding.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today should prove to be a wonderful day. Your physical energy is good, and you should be looking and feeling wonderful. Though you'll want to spend most of the day at home.

London (AFP) - American Deontay Wilder will have a contract in front of him by the end of this week for a world heavyweight unification bout with Britain’s Anthony Joshua, the latter’s promoter Eddie Hearn said yesterday. Hearn told Sky Sports News it is the only way to find out if the WBC titleholder Wilder is serious about fighting Joshua even though reports out of the United States on Monday suggested he had accepted a two fight deal with the 2012 Olympic champion and now holder of the WBA, WBO and IBF belts. Complicating matters is that Joshua is already due to take on WBA mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin. “We’ve got to get to the bottom of it today, but one thing I can tell you is that by the end of this week Deontay Wilder will have a contract in front of him and we’ll see if he’s real,” said Hearn. “I think Wembley is where Anthony Joshua wants it to take place. He had a brilliant night there against Wladimir Klitschko and it seems a natural home.” If the fight is confirmed, it will be the biggest bout seen in the division in years. The winner of a JoshuaWilder bout would be the first man to hold all four heavyweight titles — WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO — simulta-

GCUSA to... From page 35 attend the workshop. The Umpires examinations are set for the end of August and admission is free. A highlight of the day’s activity is a feedback segment by Regional Cricket Match Referee Reon King and Guyana Jaguar’s Captain Leon Johnson.

neously. “The fact that we’ve lost four weeks waiting for an answer from Deontay Wilder makes a fight happening in 11 or 12 weeks of this magnitude unlikely,” Hearn said. “I think if it is before

Povetkin then it runs on October/November. It’s all come as a bit of a shock that Deontay’s finally come back to us on the offer and seems to accept the terms. Now we have to find out if it’s bluster or if it’s real.”

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Balanced Brazil reduces dependence on Neymar SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil is still shaking off the embarrassment of losing to Germany 7-1 in its home World Cup. Since Tite took over as coach in 2016, the five-time world champions have become a winning machine again and were the first to qualify for Russia. Neymar, who missed the humiliating match against Germany because of injury, has had to recover from a broken foot that kept him out for three months before the trip to Russia. But there isn’t such a reliance now on the world’s most expensive player. In six games without Neymar, Brazil still won four times, including a friendly against Germany in Berlin in March. ‘’He will be missed by any team,’’ Brazil defender Thiago Silva said, ‘’but not having him sometimes helps us consolidate the style we want.’’ Indeed, the Brazilians head into the World Cup looking more balanced and with a range of top players available in every position. They were so dominant in South American qualifying that they would still have secured first place without the points secured in six games under Dunga before the coach was fired. Brazil should be even more dangerous in Russia if Neymar, who sustained the injury playing for Paris SaintGermain in February, is fully fit. ‘’Skill wise, he is already the best player in the world,’’ Brazil great Pele said. ‘’This is his time to shine.’’ Here’s a closer look at the Brazil team: COACH In less than two years on the job, Adenor Leonardo Bachi - better known as Tite -

Brazil’s Neymar, center, jogs with teammates during a training session in Sochi, Russia, yesterday. Brazil will face Switzerland on June 17 in the group E for the soccer World Cup. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) has turned Brazil from a flop into a title favorite. A former pupil of defenseminded Luiz Felipe Scolari the 2002 World Cup-winning coach who also presided over the Germany match - Tite has grown into a fan of Carlo Ancelotti and his well-balanced teams. The two have exchanged ideas since 2014. Detractors say Tite’s teams are low scoring and that he charms players and journalists into sparing him from criticism. But his title streak at Corinthians from 2011-15 underscores his credentials for the national team job. GOALKEEPERS

Alisson Becker wasn’t a household name in Brazil when he started wearing the No. 1 jersey two years ago. Now a starter for Roma, the 25-year-old Becker’s admirers include Italy great Gianluigi Buffon. Alisson’s skills with both hands and feet made Tite relegate Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson to the bench. He is now being linked with a move to a leading club, including Real Madrid, Liverpool and Chelsea. The third option is Tite’s most trusted player in the position, Corinthians goalkeeper Cassio. DEFENDERS In 12 South American

World Cup qualifiers under Tite, Brazil conceded only three goals. The coach would have preferred to play with a solid back four featuring Paris Saint-Germain duo Dani Alves and Marquinhos, Inter Milan’s Miranda and Real Madrid’s Marcelo. But Alves will miss the World Cup because of injury and will be replaced by Manchester City defender Danilo. At the pre-World Cup training camp, Tite decided to move PSG central defender Thiago Silva to Marquinhos’ place. The three other reserves, right back Fagner, defender Pedro Geromel and left back

Filipe Luis, are clearly lagging behind the starters. MIDFIELDERS Philippe Coutinho could replace Renato Augusto, who plays at Chinese club Beijing Guoan and is returning from injury, as the playmaker. If that happens, Coutinho’s position on the left could be filled by Chelsea midfielder Willian. Fred is also in contention to start if he recovers from an ankle injury. A more defensive variation would see Fernandinho, who plays with Premier League champion Manchester City, take Augusto’s place. While Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro offers protection to the defense, Barcelona rival

Paulinho is a box-to-box player who also provides goals. FORWARDS If Neymar isn’t fit for the World Cup, Tite may have to resort to using Willian or Douglas Costa, who is also returning from injury, in his place. While Gabriel Jesus was Brazil’s top scorer in qualifying, the Man City player faces competition from Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino. Tite lacks an old-fashioned center forward, so he chose a speedier player, Shahktar Donetsk’s Taison, for the bench. GROUP GAMES Brazil will have its base in Sochi despite playing no games near the Black Sea resort. The team will face Switzerland on Sunday in its Group E opener in Rostov-on-Don and then play Costa Rica on June 22 in St. Petersburg and Serbia on June 27 in Moscow. SQUAD Goalkeepers: Alisson (Roma), Ederson (Manchester City), Cassio (Corinthians) Defenders: Danilo (Manchester City), Fagner (Corinthians), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Marquinhos (Paris SaintGermain), Miranda (Inter Milan), Pedro Geromel (Gremio), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid) Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Paulinho (Barcelona), Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona), Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan), Fred (Manchester United), Fernandinho (Manchester City) Forwards: Neymar (Paris Saint-Germain), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City), Willian (Chelsea), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Douglas Costa (Juventus), Taison (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Harris new regional chief, appointed CONCACAF VP

New Caribbean Football Union president, Randy Harris.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Veteran Barbadian administrator Randy Harris has been elected president of the Caribbean Football Union. Harris, who heads the Barbados Football Association, defeated challenger Hillaren Frederick of the US Virgin Islands in a 27-3 at elections in Moscow on Monday, to take control of the regional governing body for the sport. Last September, Harris was installed as acting CFU president after then president Gordon Derrick was slapped with a six-year ban by football’s world governing body over ethics breaches. “I have the responsibility of looking after the region and I have good support from the executive council and members of

the CFU and hopefully I could give them the kind of service that they expect from me,” Harris told Barbados Today online. The CFU has come under close scrutiny ever since the infamous cash-for-votes scandal seven years ago when associations were offered cash bribes in exchange for their votes, at the 2011 FIFA election. There was massive fall-out from the scandal with CFU president Jack Warner forced to resign and several other officials sanctioned by FIFA, following an high-profile investigation. Harris, who was re-elected two years ago for a second fouryear term as BFA president, said CFU would be pressing ahead with his strategic plan in order to ensure “proper governance.”

“CFU has a strategic plan that was done collectively by the board and with some help from CONCACAF,” the 59-year-old said. “We will be keeping to that strategic plan, trying to develop proper governance and integrity for the organization. We are looking to assist our member associations with development in all areas including finance, general administration and of course the game.” Harris had earlier on Monday been elected CONCACAF’s newest vice-president by acclamation, when the continental governing body for football in North, Central America and the Caribbean staged its 33rd Ordinary Congress, also in Moscow. He will serve in the position for the next two years.

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Japan end woeful run, VAR at World Cup will not be perfect, warns FIFA refereeing chief Lewandowski shines for Poland

(L-R) FIFA Refereeing Director Massimo Busacca, FIFA Chairman of Referees Committee Pierluigi Collina and referee Sandro Ricci attend a news conference. (REUTERS/Tatyana Makeyeva) MOSCOW (Reuters) Video Assistant Referees (VARs) will be making their debut at the World Cup in Russia this month but the technology will not be perfect, FIFA’s director of refereeing, Massimo Busacca, warned yesterday. The VAR system was approved for use at the tournament for the first time in March. But although it has been used in domestic competitions across Europe in the past year — including in top division of the German and Italian leagues and the FA Cup in England — concerns have been raised about the system’s readiness for the World Cup. Busacca told a news conference FIFA had full confidence in the VAR technology but that it might not provide the degree of clarity some may be craving.“If we say now yes to (having VAR in) this World

Cup, it’s because we think we are ready,” he said. “But don’t think that it will be perfect. We are looking to have an incredible uniformity and consistency, but don’t think that technology solves the problem 100 percent. “In front of a video, we will always have a human person who is making an interpretation. It’s not goal-line technology with a vibration. No, it’s an interpretation. It can be yes, it can be no. We can discuss after the game, always. “But I’m sure and convinced that the scandals that we remember from the past we will not see any more.” Pierluigi Collina, chairman of FIFA’s referees committee, knows the pressure of officiating at the highest level, having taken charge of the 2002 World Cup final between Brazil and Germany. However, he believed that having the ability to refer to

VAR would alleviate the stress on officials in Russia. “Psychological issues for a referee are very important,” Collina said. “It’s the main reason why the referee makes the socalled home field review. Because it would be very, very difficult for someone to change the decision made on the field of play without knowing what happened. His self-confidence for the rest of the game could be heavily affected. “That’s why we are convinced that any referee with the possibility to review the incident and change his mind and change his decision will be very helpful in terms of limiting the psychological effects on himself.” Argentine referee Nestor Pitana will take charge of tomorrow’s opening World Cup match between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia in Moscow.

GCUSA to hold interactive session on June 24 At a time when being a top level Umpire can provide a comfortable standard of life for those in the profession, the Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCUSA) in an effort to encourage young people to take up Umpiring, presents a ‘Continuous Umpiring Education’ Session on June 24 at the Local Government Union Hall, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown from 10:00hrs. It is geared as a launch for the annual training programme for new umpires which is scheduled to commenced on June 26 as well as

Leon Johnson

Reon King

a forum for knowledge sharing among the present umpires. The facilitators are Regional Cricket Umpires Shan-

non Crawford and Ryan Banwarie and the public and especially aspiring young Umpires are encouraged to (Continued on page 33)

Japan’s Yoshinori Muto in action with Paraguay’s Oscar Romero. (REUTERS/Lisi Niesner) (Reuters) - Japan claimed their first victory of the year yesterday, coming from behind to beat Paraguay 4-2 and boost sagging morale a week before their opening World Cup Group H match against Colombia. It was The Blue Samurai’s first win under coach Akira Nishino, who had lost friendlies against Ghana and Switzerland since taking over in April. Japan, one of the most successful Asian teams, having qualified for the World Cup for a sixth consecutive time, scored four times despite managing only three shots against Paraguay, who failed to reach the World Cup finals. Takashi Inui set up the victory at the Tivoli-Neu stadium in the Austrian city of Innsbruck with two secondhalf goals, both assisted by Shinji Kagawa. Paraguay’s Federico Santander scored an own goal and Kagawa put the result beyond doubt with a stoppage-time effort. “We held our shape in defence and contained them, and that was a concern for us, but you need balance as well,” Nishino said after his team ended a five-match winless streak, stretching back to December. “You need to break down your opponents and we finally did that in the second half. “Inui has a talent for dribbling in the box and I want more of that from him. We saw that with his second-half goals.” Fellow Group H side Poland ended their World Cup warmup fixtures on a high with a resounding 4-0 win over

Lithuania as talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski netted twice in the first half. The 29-year-old skipper took his tally to 55 international goals and also scored for the 36th time in 37 Poland games under coach Adam Nawalka. Dawid Kownacki and Jakub Blaszczykowski were also on target for the Poles at Stadion Narodowy in Warsaw. Poland begin their Group H campaign in Moscow against Senegal next Tuesday. Spain coach Julen Lopetegui will leave his post after the end of the World Cup to take charge at Real Madrid, the Champions League winners said in a surprise announcement just two days before the start of the tournament in Russia. Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, still recovering from his shoulder injury, remains a doubt to face Uruguay in their

World Cup opener at Yekaterinburg on Friday, the Egyptian FA’s managing director Ehab Lehita said. “He is gradually getting better. However, I cannot confirm today that he will play in the first match,” Lehita said of the 25-year-old, who scored 44 goals for Liverpool last season. There was some good news for Belgium with coach Roberto Martinez playing down fitness concerns over Eden Hazard after the skipper limped out of their final World Cup warmup match against Costa Rica on Monday. “Eden is okay, he had a little trouble, but it’s nothing to worry about,” Martinez said. World football’s governing body FIFA announced yesterday that Argentine referee Nestor Pitana will take charge of tomorrow’s opening World Cup match between hosts Russia and Saudi Arabia in Moscow.

Poland’s Robert Lewandowski scores their second goal. (REUTERS/Kacper Pempel)

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Kaieteur News

Russian World Cup bear finally ready to roar MOSCOW (Reuters) - Nobody would have hand-picked the tournament’s two worst teams to launch the 2018 World Cup, but when Russia and Saudi Arabia meet on Thursday form will be irrelevant as the world’s biggest sporting festival explodes into life in Moscow. Hosts Russia, and Saudi Arabia are the two lowest-ranked teams at the tournament by some distance and they are both in dire form. But their clash will set the tone for the global showpiece. Partly due to a lack of competitive matches, Russia have slipped to 70th in the FIFA rankings, which sounds shockingly low for a World Cup team until you glance up to see the Saudis, despite securing automatic qualification from a competitive Asian confederation, at 67. Despite failing to win in seven matches stretching back to October, 2017, the hosts still have realistic hopes of making it to the second round for the first time in more than 30 years after being drawn in a group also containing Egypt and Uruguay. Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov has been working overtime trying to rebuild his team, particularly defensively, after a cruel run of serious injuries to some of his most experienced operators, but the tournament has arrived without him showing much evidence of progress. His team last tasted success via

That historical and recent lack of form means that few in Russia are holding out much hope of glory on home soil but the players will almost certainly be lifted by the occasion and by finally getting their teeth into a competitive match. They also have a puncher’s chance in the shape of striker Fyodor Smolov, who has become a scoring

SOCHI, Russia (AP) — It didn’t take long before Neymar and his Brazil teammates started heading to the beach after the team arrived at its World Cup base in Sochi. The five-time world champions are feeling quite at home at the Black Sea resort city, enjoying warm temperatures and a private beach. Players were so comfortable, in fact, that the team’s first practice session ended yesterday with Neymar and others throwing eggs and flour at playmaker Philippe Coutinho and defender Fagner, who were celebrating their birthdays. Brazil has near-ideal conditions for its World Cup preparations in Sochi, with possibly the closest setting to what the team had back home before traveling to Russia. ‘’It was a positive first impression, the beauty of the city, its beaches,’’ goalkeeper Alisson said. ‘’We are having lunch and breakfast with a view of the sea. That’s a plus for us.’’The private beach at the team’s luxury hotel was a hit with the players from the start. Neymar was one of the first to take a shirtless walk by the sand on the team’s day off on Monday. He and other players posted photos taking time off by the beach. Brazil practiced for the first time in Sochi yesterday and allowed local fans to attend the training ses-

sion. Nearly 4,000 people were handed tickets to watch the team’s first activity on Russian soil. ‘’It’s important to have contact with the local fans,’’ Alisson said. ‘’We are happy that it happened. We’ll try to get to know more of their city in the coming days.’’ Fans loudly chanted Neymar’s name during the session, and the squad was at ease throughout. One young fan invaded the pitch to try to get closer to the players, taking a selfie with midfielder Casemiro before being escorted out. Sochi, which hosted the 2014 Winter Olympics, was always Brazil’s first choice for its base. The country’s soccer federation went out of its way to secure the coveted location even before it knew where the team would be playing its matches. The Austrian federation initially picked the five-star hotel where Brazil is staying, but luckily for the Brazilians the Europeans did not end up qualifying for the World Cup.Brazil will not play any matches in Sochi and will travel more than 4,300 miles (7,000 kilometers) for its group-stage games in Rostov-onDon, St. Petersburg and Moscow. The federation said it wanted players at a place where they felt comfortable between matches and Sochi was the perfect site with ‘’great infrastructure and a pleasant

environment.’’Brazil has its own hotel wing and meetings rooms have been transformed into areas where players can meet with family members and friends on days off. In addition to the ‘’Family Room’’ and the ‘’Friends Room,’’ which are visibly marked with signs on the wall, an area for the players’ kids also was created. ‘’Family means everything to us,’’ Alisson said. ‘’They are the ones who are by our side in the good moments and in the bad moments. Having them near us makes our stay easier.’’ The hotel’s presidential suite, on the terrace overviewing the Black Sea, won’t have any guests as it was turned into a fitness area to aid with the players’ rehabilitation after matches. Brazil has been limiting fans’ access to players since its chaotic World Cup preparations in 2006, when the usually calm lakeside resort city of Weggis in Switzerland turned into what looked like a state fair as thousands of people flocked to town to watch Brazil’s open practice sessions under coach Carlos Alberto Parreira. Brazil was heavily favored to win the title in Germany with a team that included Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka and Adriano, but it was eliminated by France in the quarterfinals.

General view outside the Fisht Olympic Stadium. (REUTERS/Hannah McKay) a 4-2 victory over South Korea - and even that win needed two own goals - and their most recent warm-ups brought defeat by Austria and a 1-1 draw with Turkey. In those games, Russia’s labored build-up play and careless passing looked light-years away from the irresistible, quicksilver side that lit up the European championship a de-

Giddings cops player of the Match as Guyana beat T&T A Player-of-the-Match bowling performance by left-arm Windies pacer Eva Giddings who ripped out the top order saw Guyana rebound from a crushing eight-wicket first round loss to host and pre-tournament favourites Jamaica on Sunday under lights at Sabina Park to beat defending Champions Trinidad & Tobago by seven wickets yesterday in the morning game of the Regional Women’s T20 cricket tournament. The lasses from Carnival Country batted first in scorching sun and conditions which favored the pacers and watched by a handful of spectators reached 64-8 when their 20 overs expired. The South American Ladies responded with 70-3. The Guyanese pace pair of Giddings (4-2-6-3) and fast bowling colleague Akaze Thompson, who bowled consecutive maidens in her first three overs to end with 2-7, kept the shackles on the Trinis on a track which produced movement and bounce but was still good to bat on. Off-Spinner Plaffiana Millington compounded T& T misery with 2-14

cade ago. That 2008 tournament, in which they reached the semi-finals, is something of an island of success for a nation who failed to qualify for the World Cups either side of it and made no impression in 2014 when they finished behind Belgium and Algeria. LACK OF FORM

machine since being left out of the squad in 2014. With more than 60 goals over the last three seasons for his club Krasnodar, if his team mates can get enough possession to supply him then Smolov knows how to finish. If they are going to do it against anyone then it should be against a Saudi team coming off the back of successive friendly losses to Italy, Peru and Germany, though they showed patches of encouraging form and did beat Algeria and Greece in May. The domestically based Saudi squad is desperately short of international exposure and the experiment of sending nine players on loan to Spanish clubs for the second half of the season proved something of a disaster. Most failed to play at all with a handful being given a few token minutes in the final games of the campaign. Their World Cup pedigree is dire, too. This is their first appearance since 2006 and in their last three tournaments they lost seven and drew two of their group games. Russia could not have hoped for a more gentle start, but Cherchesov knows the players and public need to discover some confidence. “I am not a therapist able to reassure anyone,” he said after the Turkey draw. “We are making progress and our main task is to believe in ourselves. We also need the fans to believe in us.”

from 4 overs although Shania Abdool offered fight with 31 but she got no support as none of other batters got into double figures. Set to score at just over three runs per over, West Indies righthander Shemaine Campbell played some audacious shots in a delightful innings to end unbeaten six short of a fifty. Shabika Grimmond supported with 17.With the score on 643 Campbell finished the game in emphatic fashion with her second six, a pugnacious pull over mid wicket off West Indies player Stacy King who had 1-21 from 3.3 overs. Guyana Coach Bharrat Mangru said it was a great performance his charges. “The plans were well executed. We knew that if we took away the drive from the batters we knew that we could restrict them to a low score. It was a great win for the girls after we lost our first game under lights,” informed the 47-yearold Mangru, in his first year a senior women Coach. Guyana has never won a regional T20 title. (Sean Devers)

Brazil right at home at World Cup base in sunny Sochi

Wednesday June 13, 2018

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Kaieteur News

Introduction to Chess Workshop in Schools held in Bartica area

REDO for region 7 Mr. Akbar Chindu and Wendell Meusa during the activity. As the promotion of chess in Guyana continues, the National Sports Commission sent National Chess Coach Wendell Meusa to Region 7 Cuyuni - Mazaruni in Bartica from the 4th - 8th June, 2016 where he conducted the Bartica Chess in School - Introduction to Chess Workshop. At the workshop, National Chess Coach Wendell Meusa worked along with Regional Sports Organiser for the Cuyuni - Mazaruni re-

gion Mr. Mark Ambrose, visited St. John’s the Baptist Primary School, Three Miles Secondary, Two Miles Primary, St. Anthony’s Primary (Main Building and Annex) and Bartica Government Secondary School. During this visit to Bartica, Mr. Meusa coached 276 children from the above schools, teaching them the basics of chess such as the history of chess, benefits (academic) of chess in schools, FIDE (World Chess

Federation) rules and regulation, the chess board and how to play with the every pieces. This is the basics of chess at the developmental level or introductory level for competitive chess at an international level. Also, famous immortal games from the Paul Morphy (former USA Champ) and Adolf Anderssen (former German & World Champion) from 1852 & 1842 were studied to illustrate the basic tactical and

Students at Bartica learn the basics of Chess during the programme.

Students of 3 Miles school and HM Mr. Ambrose are given pointers by Wendell Meusa (standing right). strategic ideas in chess. This was phase one of the promotion and development of chess in that region. This programme will be conducted for schools on the river-side in the region, there will be a teacher’s training programme and a inter-school novice competition in the region. The ultimate aim of these programmes is to promote the development chess clubs within the schools where these clubs will be managed

by the teachers. Also, it is with great hope to have schools from this region participate in this year National Inter-School Chess Championships which is normally held yearly by Guyana Chess Federation but has not come off lately due to sponsorship. Regional Education Officer (REDO) for Region 7 Mr. Akbar Chindu, openly welcomed Mr. Meusa to the region and supported the development of chess not only

for schools in Bartica but for the community as well. Mr. Chindu stated that he knows the mental benefits of chess and would love to have it as part of his school system in the region. He hopes that this is not the beginning and the end of the development of the sport in the region, and that the sport can be spread to ‘interior’ schools in the region so they can have equal chances for their social and mental development.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 13, 2018

Ian Gouveia emerges LGC 6th Club Tournament Champion Veteran Ian Gouveia, who had not been able to participate in a Club Tournament until last Sunday, took the field by storm to emerge June month’s champion Net golfer as well as Best Gross winner at the Lusignan Golf Club, 6th Club Tournament for 2018. Challenged only by President, Aleem Hussain, in his Gross performance (they tied for 83 but Ian had a better back 9), Ian was the unchallenged winner in the Net scores with a clear 3-point lead over the 2nd place winner. The course was damp in some places because of the weather, but the spirits of the 17 who braved those conditions were undaunted as they strove for mastery. It was a refreshing tournament especially as other golfers who had not been in tournaments for a season were delighted to be able to participate. Winning scores and performances at the end of the

tournament were as follows: Nearest The Pin – Mahendra Bhagwandin (winner of the previous Sunday’s Grand Coastal Tournament); Best Gross – Ian Gouveia; Best Net 1st place – Ian Gouveia 67/ 16; 2nd – Rabindranath Persaud 70/17; 3rd – Aleem Hussain 72/11; 4th – Patanjalee Persaud 73/18. Others who placed in the top 9 were:- Satrohan Tiwari 73/ 14; David Harry 76/12; Mike Mangal 77/8; Bridgelall Harry 77/16 and Patrick Prashad 78/ 9. President Aleem Hussain congratulated the winners and expressed his delight that they were determined to play a good game of golf despite the weather conditions. He thanked the groundsmen for the sterling work they are doing to ensure the course was playable. Standing in for Captain Chatterpaul Deo, golfer Dr Joaan Deo assisted with the distribution of prizes.

From left: M. Bhagwandin (holding for R. Persaud); Aleem Hussain; M. Mangal (holding for I. Gouveia); Patanjalee Persaud and Dr. Joaan Deo after the presentation.

Rosignol, Latchmansingh Primary triumph Rosignol and Latchmansingh Primary schools emerged victorious when the West Berbice zone of the Guyana Cricket Board/ Scotiabank kiddy cricket competition continued recently. Rosignol overcame Latchmansingh in the junior final. Batting first Latchmansingh managed 80

for 11 crickets with Justin Doobay scoring 22, Amed Parmanan 15. Bowling for Rosignol, Ezekiel Rogers bagged 5 for 10, Devon George 4-15 and Jenny Jaikaran 2 for 12. Rosignol in reply scored 82 for 1. Ezekiel Rogers struck 40 and S .Reina 29. In the senior final Latchmansingh defeated

Hopetown Primary. Latchmansingh took first strike and posted 127 for 11. Justin Doobay slammed 62, while Amed Parmanan contributed 22. Bowling for Hopetown Nyeo Semple captured 4 for 7, Brandon Isaacs 3 for 10, Dexroy Alfred 2-1 and Renata Liverpool 2 for 5. Hopetown in reply made 98 for 12 in14

The victorious Rosignol Primary School.

overs. Brandon Isaacs led with 52 while Jevon Duncan got 25 and Nyeo Semple 24. Bowling for Latchmansingh Rohit Teakaran bagged 5 for 15, Amed Parmanan picked up 4 for 18 and Christal Lall 3 for 10; Latchmansingh won by 26 runs.

Wednesday June 13, 2018

Kaieteur News

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Three Peat Promotions receive footballs from UK-based 1E Software As a follow-up to her act of kindness to the Demerara Cricket Club and the Malteenoes Sports Club, former national middle distance star Waveney Benn continued her contribution to sports development in Guyana by making another presentation of equipment Monday. This time, Three Peat Promotions, coordinators of the Guinness Cage Competition received a quantity of footballs from Benn, at her residence in North Ruimveldt. Receiving the balls on behalf of the Promotion was Angel Stuart, a representative of the entity. Benn, speaking at the occasion said the gift was made possible through the efforts of UK-based Software firm 1E and its staff, who all contributed to the procurement of the balls. Benn, who dominated the local scene in the late seventies and early eighties, before migrating to the UK, returns annually to give back to young athletes, but on this trip ventured into other disciplines, namely cricket and football. Benn, many may recall, represented Guyana with distinction at the regional level

in the seventies and early eighties, before leaving for England. This is not the first time that the UK Software firm 1E has supported Benn in her endeavour and according to her CEO Sumir Karayi expressed delight in extending his goodwill once again. Benn also acknowledged the support given by her fellow staffers, who she revealed did not hesitate when asked for their support. “I have an excellent relationship with my Company and Staffers and I would like to extend my gratitude to all of them, especially to Mr. Karayi and Denise Shillito, we are a family.” She thanked the Software firm for its timely support and wished that the relationship grow from strength to strength in the future. The CEO she said was very supportive of her venture and promised to continue assisting her, especially knowing that it is for a good cause. Stuart in response thanked Benn on behalf of Three Peat Promotions and urged that the two parties remain committed to the development of sports in Guyana.

England and Australia agree to pre-series handshakes ESPNcricinfo - The England and Australia teams will shake hands on the outfield ahead of the Royal London One-Day series in attempt to restore the somewhat battered reputation of the sport. With the image of the game - and the Australian game in particular - tarnished by events in South Africa earlier this year, the new Australia captain, Tim Paine, suggested the handshakes to his England counterpart, Eoin Morgan, at The Oval yesterday. Morgan readily accepted. Paine hopes it will underline the changed image of the Australia team since events in South Africa. Not only were three Australia players suspended for their part in a balltampering episode during that tour, but there was an acceptance that some aspects of their behaviour had become unnecessarily aggressive and unattractive. The pre-game handshakes were first seen ahead of the final Test of that sometimes acrimonious South Africa series and Paine

would like to see them repeated before the first game of all series involving Australia in future. “It’s something we want to bring in to start a series, not before every game,” Paine said. “It’s just living our actions. We’ve spoken internally about our values as a team and how we want to be perceived by the Australian public and by the cricket public in general.“But words are words. Come Wednesday, it’s time for us to act on those words and show it by actions.” “I’m absolutely happy with that,” Morgan said. “They are trying to turn around the image of the game in their country and we are all for that. We want cricket to be as popular as ever.” During the 2015 Ashes, the England captain - Alastair Cook - invited the Australia team for drinks in the dressing rooms at the end of the first Test; a custom usually reserved for the end of a series. The Australia team declined.

Former national middle distance star Waveney Benn (left) hands over the footballs to Three Peat Promotions Angel Stuart Monday.

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday June 13, 2018

Upper Corentyne Clubs receive Cricket Balls and Educational Posters from BCB

Representatives of the Upper Corentyne Club posed with their balls and posters.

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ricket Clubs in the Upper Corentyne SubAssociation are singing the praises of the outstanding work of the Hilbert Foster led Berbice Cricket Board after twenty of them on Sunday last received cricket balls. Leaders of the Clubs were loud in stating that Berbice Cricket was on the move again with numerous activities being put into place to ensure that the county returns to the glory days of Rohan Kanhai, Basil

Butcher, Joseph Solomon and Alvin Kallicharran. The Clubs were also presented with five Educational Posters that were recently published by the Berbice Cricket Board, while the two First Division Clubs in the Upper Corentyne area received First Division Caps as well. The Cricket balls shared out are part of a $1M Balls Project that the current Berbice Cricket Board President Hilbert Foster and his predecessor Anil Beharry are

spearheading to assist over eight Cricket Clubs in Berbice. Beharry, over the last two weeks has raised $300,000 from personal friends, close associates and to date over $600,000 worth of balls have been shared out to 50 Clubs. Clubs receiving the balls and Educational Posters were Yakusari H o r i z o n , Ya k u s a r i C a r i b , Crabwood Creek Sports Club, Crabwood Creek Bomb Squad, Crabwood Creek All Family, No. 59 Youth Club, No. 73 Young

Warriors, No. 72 Cut and Load, No. 70 ‘A’, Spartans, No. 69 Red Rose, No. 68 Turn Team, Scottsburg United, No. 43 Scorpions, Dukestown Warriors, Skeldon Community Centre, No. 71, No. 48 Challengers, No. 69 Vikings and No. 72 All Stars. Foster hailed the outstanding work of the Dennis De Andrade led Upper Corentyne Cricket Association and stated that the Berbice Cricket Board would continue to invest heavily into the

game in the Sub-Association. The donation of the cricket balls were done to enable clubs to participate in the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association Magic Moments 20/20, Ramnaresh Sarwan 40-Overs and Double Wicket Tournaments along with several to be organised by the Berbice Cricket Board at the Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-21, Second and First Division levels. Representatives of the Clubs were urged to use the donation for the intended purpose, especially the Posters to educate their members on the rich legacy of Berbice Cricket and Rules of the Game. Special thanks were extended to Beharry, for the role he was still playing in Berbice Cricket despite resigning from the Berbice Cricket Board Presidency in early 2017 due to work commitments. Upper Corentyne Cricket Association Vice President and Chairman of the Competitions Committee, Sydney Jackman expressed gratitude to Foster, Beharry and the Berbice Cricket Board for the assistance. Jackman, in a comprehensive report on the state of cricket in the Sub-Association, stated that 2018 promises to be a remarkable year once the rainy season ceases. The former Guyanese Wicketkeeper stated that the Upper Corentyne Cricket /association was delighted with the current status of Berbice Cricket under the leadership of Hilbert Foster and pledged the Association’s support. The Berbice Cricket Board would provide balls to the remaining Clubs in Berbice before the end of July under the $1M Balls Project.

Wednesday June 13, 2018

Kaieteur News

NAPF Championships – Mexico

GAPLF’s shortlist 12 aiming to travel to Mexico Secretary of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) Andrea Smith has disclosed that plans are progressing well for the August 1 – 4, 6th Annual IPF/NAPF North American Regional P o w e r l i f t i n g Championships to be held at the Sevilla Palace Hotel, Mexico City, Mexico. The federation’s had originally shortlisted 15 athletes for the trip but some have opted not to pursue going due to varying reasons which has brought the numbers down to 12. Procuring sponsorship continues to be an ‘uphill climb’ Smith indicated but the athletes are not giving up she stated. Headlining the team would be the 24 year-old Carlos Petterson who will contest the 93kg category. He recently set an Equipped Deadlift record at the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) Intermediate Championships of 320kg; he also set a new Total record. Petterson is also the reigning Pan American Junior Deadlift and Total r e c o r d h o l d e r ; Commonwealth Deadlift

record holder as well as the South American Squat, Deadlift and Total record holder. The other athletes on the shortlist are USA based Masters athlete Nairanjan Singh, the indomitable Winston ‘Little Master’ S t o b y, We i g h t l i f t i n g Federation President Frank Tucker who has been rolling back the years in this segment of the weights sport, Joseph Stoll, Franklyn Brisport, Erwyn Smith, Demetri Chan, Paul Adams, Phillip Romalho, Nadina Taharally and Grace Babb. Smith has also noted that the athletes who are going are all medal prospects and whilst she cannot predict how they will do, she is confident they will all do well. A number of fund raising events have been held to date to aid in offsetting expenses for the trip. The local strongmen and women created history in 2017 when they captured a combined 33 medals at the 1 6 t h A n n u a l NAPF/FESUPO PanAmerican Powerlifting Championships; 15th Annual NAPF North American Regional

“We are fed up of congratulations”- Boxing coach calls for incentives from Government - South America Games’ medalists return home By Calvin Chapman The locally based contingent, who represented Guyana at the South America Games which concluded last week in Bolivia, were present at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) head office yesterday to engage the media. Guyana had 14 athletes at the games and finished with a total of five medals inclusive of four bronze and one silver medal with Athletics and Boxing being the only disciplines to medal. Leslain Baird set a new national record of 79 meters en route to earning a silver medal in the Javelin throw event at the Games which took place in the city of Cochabamba. Guyana’s national 400m record holder, Winston George, won Bronze in his

favoured event, while Jenea McCammon also a copped bronze in the women’s 100m hurdles. Boxers, Keevin Allicock (bantamweight) and Colin ‘Superman’ Lewis (light welterweight) also earned bronze medals; they became the first two boxers to medal for Guyana at the South America games. Baird had the best chance to win a Gold medal but after setting the South America Javelin record after spearing his second throw, he suffered a hip injury and was unable to complete all five of his attempts. Eventual winner, Colombia’s Arley Ibarguen, reset the record once more with a distance of 80m. Despite being among the top seeds in South America, Baird held his own and he (Continued on page 33)

P o w e r l i f t i n g Championships and 32nd Annual FESUPO South American Powerlifting Championships in Orlando, Florida, USA. The athletes, which included the returning Petterson, Singh, Stoby, Smith, Chan and Taharally hauled-in 19 gold, 9 silver and 5 bronze medals and in the process also set a number of new records.

Carlos Petterson deadlifts 330kg, a new national junior and open record at the at the 2017 NAPF/ FESUPO championships in Florida, USA. (Franklin Wilson photo)

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rt o p S Brazil right at home at World Cup base in sunny Sochi P. 36

Brazil’s Neymar, right, embraces teammate Gabriel Jesus, during a training session in Sochi, Russia yesterday. Brazil will face Switzerland on June 17 in the group E for the soccer World Cup. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Giddings cops player of the Match as Guyana beat T&T P. 36

Shemaine Campbell

Eva Giddings

“We are fed up of congratulations”Boxing P. 41 coach calls for incentives from Government South America Games’ medalists return home

From left, Boxing Coach Terrence Poole, Medalists Keevin Allicock (bronze), Leslain Baird (Silver) and Colin Lewis (Bronze) with Athletics Coach Robert Chisholm; all pose for a photo at GOA’s headquarters. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.