Kaieteur News
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Friday June 17, 2017
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
THERE IS STILL TIME It seems that the country’s economy has been slowing. The government’s intentions with regards to improving it are constantly announced. Understandably, whatever those intentions are, they will not please everyone, could not. There are too many disparate interests to satisfy; too many competing demands for limited resources; and too many expectations to be met in a divided society which is competing for the scarce benefits and spoils. As the government enters its third year in office, it is still working to develop the economy, create jobs and improve the lives of the masses. The intentions of the government should be to engage all stakeholders. Whatever the government does it must make it appear that its intentions are to satisfy all the groups, including the masses. If not, it will be accused of ignoring their interests. One of the reasons for the defeat of the PPP in the last election was the level of tax relief it gave to the rich at the expense of the masses and vulnerable groups in society. It is disingenuous for the opposition to be outraged at the government’s tax policies; it actually did worse while in office. But with a slim one-seat majority in Parliament, the government must not lose sight of its goal to implement across the board policies to benefit all in society, in order to widen its political base. It has the moral courage and the political will to do what is best for the country. It is safe to say that there is still time for the government to act, but it must do so quickly because the political clock is ticking. No more time should be lost in experimenting on policies or making gross mistakes. The government must get on with the task of meeting the needs of the people. Having been suffocated in the opposition for 23 years, it has to move with alacrity to establish its own bona-fides. Lest we forget, the last administration had made several elaborate promises to the electorate. Forgotten were the 15 years of autocratic rule, misery, extrajudicial killings, rampant corruption, illegal trafficking of narcotics, the raping of the treasury, and contempt of the people. There was the marginalization of AfroGuyanese. Were we not in the age of fake news many might have taken the opposition seriously if it had promised to send people to the moon. This administration is moving apace to fulfill most of its promises from its manifesto, which includes the creation of jobs, house the poor, educate the masses and provide a better life for all. Its efforts to make Guyana the envy of the Caribbean should be high on its agenda. And already there are moves in that direction. There have been distractions. There has also been the collapse of the sugar industry which the opposition is trying to make out is the fault of the new administration. When the facts are presented, the opposition moves to tell the people that the government has a right to keep ailing sugar estates regardless of the cost and the consequences. The people are not stupid but there are those who are swayed by rhetoric. The Jagdeo administration closed many sugar estates and there was not a peep because the people were distracted by other issues. The leading sugar union picketed the PPP government although its leader sat in the Parliament of that very government. Today, there is a call for the government to be picketed without consideration for the money that would be saved to be channeled into other areas of national development. The majority is not listening to the opposition but those in the sugar industry seem to want assurances that they will still earn a livelihood from the revamped industry. And they will.
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.
Hiring of contract employees is addressed in the COI Dear Editor, The Report of the Commission of Inquiry in the Public Service (COI), 2016 addresses employment and related issues in the Public Service. The many recommendations from COI aim at fostering and developing a professional and neutral Public Service, a Public Service that is based on merit and nonpartisanship. Inherent in the report are the principles of fairness and nondiscrimination in employment in keeping with our Constitution and labour laws. The COI Report noted the progressive decline of professionalism in the public service, which for decades now has been subservient to the political directorate in the management of public administration services to the public. The Report also refers to important statements by past Heads of Government, and quoted the then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham’s statement in 1966 on the role and functions of the public servants as follows: “Governments, and their Ministers, come and go at the
will of the electorate, but under the present system there needs to continue in being an experienced civil service which can carry on the routine of administration and constitute the skilled instrument for implementing the policy of the Government of the day. To bring appointments to public office under the aegis of ministers would create the danger of such appointments being subject to political considerations, with serious disruption of the administration with each change of the elected Government. The Constitution seeks therefore to ensure that a newly appointed Government finds at its disposal an efficient, impartial and experienced permanent staff, owing particular allegiance to neither the outgoing nor the incoming administration, and imbued solely with the aim of using its abilities in the service of the Government” (unquote). The then President Desmond Hoyte’s statement in 1989 on the roles of the Permanent Secretary and the M i n i s t e r, a ff i r m e d a s follows:
“While the Minister exercises general direction and control over his Ministry, it is the Permanent Secretary who is charged with the responsibility for supervising the Ministry (in that connection his reference was to Article 115 of the Constitution).Therefore, “the Permanent Secretary is accountable for the actual day-to-day management of the Ministry”. He is not a clerk but has a three-fold responsibility: (1) to manage his Ministry; (2) to advise his Minister; (3) to help the Minister in the formulation of policy.” Further President Hoyte stated: “No Minister has the authority to direct a Permanent Secretary to ignore or break the law or to breach regulations and directives governing the administration of finances, the use of government property, etc. Indeed, no Minister has the power to direct a Permanent Secretary to commit any other Act that is unlawful or otherwise irregular.” On 14 March 2016, President Donald Ramotar was quote as follows:
“Modern democratic societies are based on the independence of three major institutions in society - The Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of the government. These institutions are all very important because they act as checks and balance in the system and are a safeguard against excessiveness….” The foregoing are fundamental statements of principles in public administration for a professional and politically neutral public service. However, progressively over the years, many Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments, to the neglect of their Constitutional and Statutory duties, demonstrate professional weakness, and allow political alignments to influence their actions and decisions. This points to general incapacity and unsuitability for such positions of high trust. Many Heads of Departments and Permanent Secretaries function as “clerks” and allow Ministers to get into day to day public administration and (Continued on page 6)
The PPP’s strategy of loading the list with straw candidates Dear Editor, I wish to thank Mr. Clement J. Rohee for his letter of June 9 in response to mine of June 8 which discussed the Gecom chairman selection process. Mr. Rohee admonished me for introducing a dimension which others avoided, tried to justify the flawed lists by citing the imbalance in appointments made by the government and declared the lists pure because of the involvement of civil society. Firstly, I wish to assure Mr. Rohee that I gave the matter considerable thought before penning my letter. The sleight of hand was immediately obvious when I saw the first list but I did not think it prudent to raise the issue. I held my hand even after noting the same devious tactic with the second list. However, when I reviewed the nominees submitted by Mr. Desmond Hoyte and noted the pattern of selection established since 1994 I felt compelled to put the issue forward for public debate. It is my opinion that in a multi-ethnic society it is
permissible and necessary to discuss how race and ethnicity are impacted by various policies and programs. However, one proviso must be that the debate is void of vitriol. Mr. Rohee’s directive for me to “… look at the total picture with respect to appointments to top positions in government entities…” is a clear attempt to justify the PPP’s sleight of hand. However, he cannot use this justification for the PPP’ policy and at the same time claim he wants to avoid the “dimension.” Further, if he wants to use this justification he should first explain the PPP’s policy in selecting Gecom chairman since 1994. I view Mr. Rohee’s failure to respond to or even acknowledge this point raised by me as a tacit acknowledgement of the existence of such a policy. Mr. Rohee must now tell us why he feels it is okay for the PPP to pursue this policy. The case for civil society management of elections in Guyana was critically
damaged by Mr. Rohee. He tried to sugar-coat the two flawed lists by pointing to the involvement of civil society. This now raises two fundamental questions. Did civil society knowingly take part in a process that recommended Dr. James Rose, Maj. Gen (rtd) Norman McLean, Ms. Rhyaan Shaw, and Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo? Did they genuinely think that these names would have been acceptable to President Granger or were they in on the PPP strategy of loading the list with straw candidates? Even if the PPP merely conducted superficial consultations then went ahead to produce its own list, why civil society did not sound an alarm and distance itself from the list and the process? This episode has tarnished civil society and undermined its credibility. Could we trust civil society to act in a fair and impartial manner? I have noted Mr. Rohee’s claim that the list is not Mr. Jagdeo’s list but is civil
s o c i e t y ’s l i s t . T h i s distinction is central to the PPP claim that this is a sacrosanct list that the president is compelled to accept. However, absent a constitutional defined process to engage civil society this is nothing more than a concocted effort to dilute the constitutionally derived authority of the President to make a choice. As far as I am aware there are no publicly articulated guidelines for this engagement of civil society. What were the criteria used for selecting organizations to consult? What was the method used for soliciting nominations from the organizations? What process was used to prune the list to arrive at the final six names? I have noted that Mr. Jagdeo has agreed to submit a third list. I hope on this occasion he works genuinely to identify six persons who he believes will be acceptable to President Granger and who also enjoy his confidence. James McAllister
Kaieteur News
Friday June 17, 2017
There are bribery requests at the Office of Births the GRO on Tuesday to I know; I have and Deaths identify the Clerk who experienced it and I hear of it Dear Editor, As community activists, we get very little rest. Once one takes the torch to help others, one commits to giving up the luxury of own’s own time. You do it; I do it. I would appreciate if you would carry this letter so that some personnel in the General Register Office, particularly, would be informed that pushing around members of the public will not be disregarded by all who experience such crass treatment. I have an acquaintance who, on the strength of a written list of requirements for late registration of his birth, submitted three Affidavits plus other documents supporting his request. He showed me the documents. (I have submitted the name but please do not print the gentleman’s name now because he is going back to
rejected his submission. We can name names after that.) When he went to the GRO on 8th June, he was told to g e t a d d i t i o n a l documentation, documentation which do not exist: paper from (?) hospital, baptismal certificate, etc. These simply do not exist. This is a simple vendor and works hard to support his family. He is frustrated. Having provided ALL which GRO’s list required, some smart member of staff at GRO suddenly demands more papers! Or is it paper (money)? Is this how Guyana still works under this administration which promised to wipe out corruption? And I would so be bold to say that this individual’s case is not an isolated one. Members of the public get a hard time from Government officers just for the heck of it or for failing to “leave something”.
every day from helpless folks. If a call-in programme is set up, the phone lines would just burn with horror stories of frustration and graft in Government agencies. Perhaps the Fourth Estate needs to do yet another service to Guyana and set up decoys to identify these vultures who prey on hapless persons. I am asking that this man’s plight be published. I am not sure how you can articulate the facts herein. But the suffering public needs to be motivated by these exposés to fight the plague of bribery and corruption, and I do not know with whom else to join forces in doing so, but the Press. The gentleman himself is considering taking up the matter up with Minister Felix and I think that this open letter will certainly help his cause. Charles Selman
All religious leaders must speak for the poor Dear Editor, I was pleased and contented to hear Mr Ian McDonald comparing the Sugar Industry from its inception to now, i.e. 1966 to 2012. That comparison has enlightened my horizon and caused me not to be indifferent when our breadbasket closed right
before our eyes, which will lead us to starvation. I am no politician nor I do support the propaganda of any political party, I just want to be a good and a committed citizen of this nation, in other words, a COMMAN MAN. I would like us to give a serious thought into the closure of the sugar industry
because it will breed other problems, such as lawlessness and social issues. I know that the industry is being bailed out (Continued on page 6)
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‘De King’ spends $82,020 monthly for a toilet but what about horse dung on the roads? Dear Editor, Since His Excellency, President David A Granger was sworn in 2015, he has been advocating for Guyana to push for a green state. Somehow, I believe that “Her worship and the King” might have misunderstood what he meant. It’s no doubt that the city has improved immensely since the new administration; however, this is not entirely owing to city hall. City Hall continues to fail on many fronts and there seems to be no real plans to rectify the situation or at least, get on the ‘green’ train. The latest of these trends that continue to baffle me is the continued allowance of horse drawn carriages to use the roads in the city without a manure bag in place on the animal. Daily, the trails of horse droppings continue to plague our streets. It is my firm belief, that if we want to continue the push for a clean city, this situation needs to be urgently addressed. I wish to make it clear, I am by no means encouraging City Hall to implement any additional taxes or fines on these hard working men and women who engage in this business; I am simply making a case for improvement. Before penning this letter,
I have scanned the pages of the local government act (chapter 28:01) and the motor and vehicles road act (chapter 51:02) to ascertain whether or not there are regulations in place for such road users. Both times I came up empty, maybe my non-legal mind and eyes are not sharp enough to spot or interpret any such laws. However, I did come across such regulations whilst researching other countries, for example the Melbourne codes of practice for horse drawn carriages section 3.2 states “Permit holders must ensure manure bags are fitted to all horses. Horse manure bags must be securely and properly fitted to horses to ensure that all dispelled waste is effectively captured at all times. Manure bags must be regularly emptied and collected to
prevent spillage. Drivers must carry appropriate equipment such as disposal bags, shovels, disinfectant and clean water to ensure that any waste is cleaned up immediately” maybe we can begin consultations to implement same. It is unwelcoming and unpleasant to be faced with long streaks of fresh horse droppings on our otherwise clean roads. This is unhygienic as it is unhealthy for children and others who may come into contact with it. In concluding these thoughts, I urge and plead with her worship and the ‘king’ to look into this matter and get on the ‘green’ train rather than mainly focusing on the disposal of human waste which apparently attracts hefty toilet fees. Kelvin Bovell
Kaieteur News
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City Council must fix this part of Bourda Street Dear Editor, I would like to know if any senior municipal official of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown has ever taken a walk along Bourda Street between South and North Roads. That roadway has not been repaired, resurfaced or redone in over twenty five years. It is in an absolutely deplorable state, not just with pot holes but in fact craters which persons fall into frequently sometimes injuring themselves. After dark it becomes much more difficult to pick your way along this awful road resulting in even greater risk to life and limb. All the vendors at the Bourda Market and along that roadway are required to pay the Council a not insignificant rent or fee, property owners in the ward of Bourda are obligated to
pay their property rates, a part of which according to the Council’s budget is supposed to go towards the maintenance of existing and construction of new roads. This never happens, as for years now the Council has abdicated its responsibility of road maintenance in Georgetown, seemingly awaiting the central government to do all road works whilst they spend the sums budgeted for roads on other unconnected expenditure. The Council should be ashamed of itself. How could they ignore this vital road? The Bourda Green, the Bourda Market, the City Constabulary Bourda Outpost, the Bourda Cemetery , the Public Health Headquarters are all located along there, so in addition to the vendors and shoppers the Council is also ignoring its
own workers who operate from these facilities. That is City Management at its worst. Joseph Bourda the Member of the Court of Policy and former owner of Plantation Vlissengen would hang his head in shame if he could see what the new Mayor and Councillors are doing to the area. So too would be the many prominent citizens of Georgetown whose remains are contained in the family vaults in the enclosed burial ground that is now surrounded by vendor’s shacks and guarded round the clock by junkies. Shame on the Council! Sambu Jacobus
Friday June 17, 2017
All religious leaders must speak... From page 5 by state funds because of negative returns. But, can we not look back and thank the industry, which has fed so many poor people in this nation. Many families have depended on the industry to survive. Those cane cutters who shed their sweat have kept this industry alive to date. Any changes done by the Air-Conditioned office members will directly affect the stomachs of those cane cutters in the sun. By closing the industry you are landing a very hard blow on the stomachs of the poor people. Where will they go? What is the alternative? But my real concern is; where are our religious leaders?
Are they just being quiet because it does not affect them? Do they care about the poor? I have not heard any religious leader speak against the closure of the sugar industry. I am puzzled at the silence of the religious leaders. I am saying that because religious leaders must have a neutral view not siding with any party but siding with the needy and the poor. We need our religious leaders to come out and speak their minds, but please do it with utmost charity and like a COMMON MAN. Religious leaders must not remain indifferent because you have to be the voice of the poor. We need our religious
leaders to speak for the poor; if necessary they need to intervene in the negotiations with the state leaders without taking any side. Sometimes I w o n d e r w h ether our religious leaders have no duty to the poor. My humble request to all the religious leaders of every religion and denomination is to hold a public meeting with the people so that we can help develop this nation. I implore and beg our religious leaders to come to the streets and see the reality as it is and don’t be fooled by the informants who might have hidden agendas to buy you in order to fit you to their cause. Kevin Anselm Williams
Hiring of contract employees is addressed... From page 4 o p e r a t i o n a l management of Ministries and Departments, and micro manage. Ministers must, in the spirit and intent of the Constitution and the applicable laws, learn, understand and practice their Constitutional and other statutory duties with prudence. Some Ministers throw their weight around essentially on account of their positional power, rather than demonstrating the capacity and skills required in their Ministerial responsibilities. The Constitutional stipulation of “fit and proper persons” to hold high public offices should include ministerial
office holders. His Excellency, President David Granger may wish to reign in those Ministers who want to, or function also as Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments, to hide their inability to discharge the higher their duties of their portfolios. This must be a source embarrassment to the President. W i t h t h e f o rgoing back ground, reality and the need to restore public trust and confidence in the public service, the COI accordingly recommended: - T h e e n a c t ment, as in other Commonwealth countries, of a Public Service L a w, w i t h r e l a t e d Regulations which could p r o m o t e t h e e ff e c t i v e management and administration of the Public Service and insulate and protect it from irregular and undesirable influences to
enhance its status and productive capacity (R 1) T h a t t h e Constitution and other applicable laws be appropriately amended to empower the Public Service Commission (PSC) to appoint Permanent Secretaries and Regional Executive Officers.(R 9) T h a t a l l recruitment and appointments to positions in the Public Service be undertaken through open internal and external competitions to obtain the best from the labour market (R 10) T h a t a l l appointments by the PSC be on the basis of merit and be free from political influences, and meet the essential qualifications and requirements for the jobs to be performed.(R 11) - T h a t c o n t ract workers on all grades
holding Public Service positions be absorbed into the pensionable Public Service establishment provided that they are suitably qualified to fill established positions. (R 13) - T h a t c o n t racted employees/workers should be restricted to high level professional skills not available in the Public Service, and should be recruited and selected through open competition to obtain the best available candidates from the job market. (14). T h e r e i s w i despread support for these and other recommendations proffered by the COI. The public waits anxiously for the acceptance and implementation of the COI recommendations which can contribute to the transformation of the public service. Joshua Singh
Saturday June 17, 2017
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Kaieteur News
US pulls visas for two MPs, Moves underway for Govt. others charged in GRDB matter officials to have medical insurance
The United States of America has yanked the visas of two sitting Opposition Members of Parliament (MP). According to the PPP in a statement Thursday night, the two MPs are Dharamkumar Seeraj and Nigel Dharamlall. The revocations came after several persons were slapped with charges following a police investigation sparked by a forensic audit into the operations of the state-owned Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB). The Opposition said that the two recently received letters from the Consular Section of the Embassy of the United States of America, Georgetown, Guyana, informing them that their non-immigrant visas have been revoked. “The letters further state that the Consular Section is now in receipt of information which it did not have at the time that the visas were granted.” PPP said that similar letters were received by the other persons who were slapped with “fabricated charges” in relation to GRDB. “All the persons charged have pleaded not guilty to those charges
and therefore, are presumed innocent until proven guilty.” The party, which lost the 2015 general elections after two decades in continuous power, said that the two MPs have instructed their attorneys -atlaw to write to the Consular Section of the embassy requesting the new information which it has received. “The PPP will pursue this matter as far as is possible,” the statement said. On May 19, six former board members of GRDB were slapped with fraud related charges and placed on $500,000 bail each for failing to make a proper entry into a register of a company with the intent to defraud $362M, from the entity’s Republic Bank account. The prosecution case is that between 2012 and 2015, the six officials committed the acts knowing that it was contrary to the entity’s standard operating procedures. They were not required to plead to the indictable offence. They were also ordered to lodge their passports with the police and report to the Special Organised
Crime Unit (SOCU) every Monday at 9:00 hours. The six officials hauled before the court are former General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Jagnarine Singh; former Deputy General of GRDB and People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Member Madanlall Ramraj; General Secretary of the Rice Producers Association (RPA) and PPP/C Member of Parliament, Dharamkumar Seeraj; former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and PPP/C Member of Parliament, Nigel Dharamlall; former General Manager of the Guyana Oil Company Badrie Persaud and the Deputy Permanent Secretary Finance Ministry of Agriculture, Prema Roopnarine. The coalition government, following its victory at the polls in 2015 announced the launching of several forensic audits into a number of state agencies. The findings of the audits were alarming, the administration said, and decisions were taken to hand the files over to the police for further investigations. A number of persons have been charged.
Government is moving to have senior officials be covered under medical insurance. Recent cases of Government ministers seeking treatment as far away as Ireland has not burdened the Treasury, a senior Government officially said yesterday. Responding to questions about permission being granted to a minister to fly overseas and the bill being around US$16,000, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, disclosed that indeed cases have come up. Speaking during the weekly post-Cabinet press briefings at the Ministry of the Presidency, yesterday, Harmon also disclosed that negotiations are underway that will see
medical insurance coverage for senior officials. Defending why a minister would want to travel as far away as Ireland, in Europe, the minister pointed out that some persons may opt to get the best possible medical care if they are sick. In any case, the bill was footed by the ministers. He did not name the ministers. The medical expenses will eventually be taken up by the insurance when it kicks in, he said. The issue of medical bills being footed (Continued on page 12)
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Saturday June 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
House passes Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Bill After much consideration from both sides of the House, the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Bill (Amendment) Bill 2017 was passed in the National Assembly on Thursday. Moving the second reading of the Bill was Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams. The Parliamentarian explained that the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority is a corporate body that was established to promote the efficient operation of the Deeds Registry and the Commercial Registry. Williams noted that the Authority performs a critical service that is essential to Guyana and contributes significantly to the generation of revenue for the country. He said that the Authority has the power to
engage in any act or transaction that is necessary to ensure its proper performance and also regulate its own procedure in accordance with the Act. The Attorney General told the House that the Authority also has the power, through its Governing Board, to employ persons as may be necessary to carry out its functions with the exception of Registrar and Deputy Registrar of Deeds. Williams said that the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority (Amendment) Bill 2017 seeks to amend the Principal Act in a number of ways, one of which includes, substituting for section 5(2) of the Principal Act, a new section to provide for a change in the
membership of the Governing Board of the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority. In this regard, Williams said that the Board’s membership has been increased from eight to 11. The three new members are another nominee of the Ministry of Finance, one from the Ministry of Business and a nominee of the Guyana Revenue Authority. The Minister explained that the rationale for the change in membership of the Governing Board stems from the need to have a Board that comprises members that possess a wide range of expertise and experience. With the addition of these three new members, Williams said it is hoped that it would not only enrich the deliberations of the Board but also increase its efficiency in carrying out its functions. Furthermore, the Parliamentarian said that the changes in names from the Ministry of Housing and Water to the Ministry of Communities, and from the Guyana Bar Association of Legal Professionals to the Berbice Bar Association are reflected in the membership of the Board. He noted that consequential amendments were made to Section 6 of the Act in re-lettering because of the re-lettering of the membership of the Board in sec-
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams tion 5(2). Williams said that the quorum for a meeting has also been increased from three to five members. The Amendment Bill however did not find favour with the political opposition. According to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the Bill only serves to confirm in the hands of Williams, nothing but absolute power. Opposition members emphasized that Williams has not brought a single amendment to the Principle Act which would see checks and balances in place to the power he will
have regarding the functioning of the Board. In this regard, Opposition Member Adrian Anamayah said that the Bill was not about changing any powers vested in the minister but rather strengthening it. He added that the Deeds Registry, created nearly 100 years ago, was subject to a revised Act in 2013 designed to ensure efficient performance and ease of doing business. The 2013 Act, he reminded was passed unanimously, and then Opposition Member, Khemraj Ramjattan, noted t h a t i t “ c o u l d b e managed without any politicos”. He said that at the time there was no desire for political control over the Registry. The Bill he added is a clear case of “control freakism.” The politician received resounding support for his position particularly from his colleague, Opposition Member, Anil Nandlall. The former Attorney General noted that there was no
problem with the broadening of the Board, but questioned the “preponderance of power” ascribed to the subject minister. He said that the move to take control of certain boards has manifested its self, several times with the government. He added that the attempt to have a minister “run things when a board expires, can’t be a good thing.” Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan took to the floor and obj e c t e d t o A n a m a y a h ’s statements. The Parliamentarian dismissed the claims that the Bill bestowed too much power on the minister. He noted, instead, that the new measures “go a far way towards making the Board more inclusive.” He argued that there will now be nominees from the Berbice and Georgetown Bar Associations, the Ministry of Finance’s Valuation Committee and the Ministry of Business. “Because of the nature of the country’s progress into more commercial transactions, we will need a governing body that is more expansive,” Minister Ramjattan pointed out. Attorney General Basil Williams said that what the Opposition was trying to do, was misrepresent the legislation’s intent. He maintained that his power on the Board will be transitory. Minister Williams also stressed that the enlargement of the Board to enhance its effectiveness is something that no one has a problem with. He then recommended the passage of the Bill which was then examined clause by clause and later passed by the majority on the government’s side of the House.
Saturday June 17, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Week of removals This past week has been the week of removals. First, it was the removal of the Minister of Education and his redeployment to the Ministry of the Presidency where he will be an underling to the Minister of State. Then there was the inevitable but unfortunate termination of the services of the Head of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU), Mr. James Singh. The removal of Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine as the Minister of Education has nothing to do with performance. It has everything to do with the belief that Dr. Roopnaraine’s illness requires a reduced workload. The Minister of Education has not underperformed. The performance in the educational sector cannot change overnight. The Minister has laid the framework for the advancement of the sector by highlighting the need for rounded education, setting in motion a Commission of Inquiry to identify problems within the sector which need fixing and by moving towards a new national educational strategy. Those who wish to propel things faster may be courting disaster because uncon-
trolled change will lead to chaos, not progress. Dr. Roopnaraine’s experience in education is irreplaceable and to put him to head a massive and dysfunction bureaucratic machinery called the public service is the ultimate insult to a former Guyana scholar. It is premature reaction because there is no reason to doubt that Dr. Roopnaraine could have continued to do his job. The Minister of Agriculture was hospitalized not long after the government came to power. He was not given a lighter portfolio. A junior Minister was hospitalized locally and internationally and was not given a lighter work load. Dr. Roopnaraine is a man who if he felt he could not have managed with the education portfolio because of his illness would have told the government this. The WPA should press for his reinstatement as a condition of their continued involvement with the government. Dr. Roopnaraine is being replaced by a junior Minister who is an ex-military officer. This is part of a growing pattern within the government The ideology of military supremacy is very much at
work when it comes to the changes at the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit. The head of that unit has been removed following the launch of a Commission of Inquiry into some incident involving vessels traversing Guyana’s waters and whether foreign powers were involved. That COI was a mere smokescreen. It was used as pretext to remove the Head of CANU so as to facilitate the creation of a new anti-narcotics unit, expected to be headed by another ex-military officer. Mr. James Singh’s removal will undermine the investments that foreign agencies have made in building local anti-narcotics capacity. Mr. Singh has enjoyed the confidence of international agencies involved in fighting drug trafficking. His removal from the job represents a setback in international cooperation in the anti-drug fight. The international agencies will have to get to know the new head and this will take time. To remove someone with that sort of institutional knowledge and in whom much training has been invested, and to do so on the basis of some cock-and-bull story, shows just how far and
Dem boys seh ...
Knack always gat knack back De ABC countries got long memory. When you think dem forget is then dem does strike like two-head snake. Just a few years back, Jagdeo send one of ee kavakamites to cuss de American Ambassador because de man talk bout de discrimination in Guyana and de illegality of radio licence that Jagdeo grant to he party, friends and family. This happen at one of de American Independence celebration. After she done cuss, everybody feel shame. Dem boys know that you can’t go to somebody house when he invite you, eat he food, drink he likker, dance to he music and then tun back and cuss him in ee own house. Is two things does happen after that. Is either you get throw out or you get another invitation. De Ambassador didn’t throw out de kavakamite Jagdeo send at de time but dem boys know was only
time wid Jagdeo and all of dem. De man lef this country but de Americans didn’t forget that incident. Ever since one by one dem visa start to get tek away and dem boys did know but dem didn’t seh nutten. Dem was shame fuh talk. Some of dem even come and beg dem boys to talk to de new Ambassador. Dem boys seh this week alone 11 more get tek way but de media only report six. Jagdeo wondering when he turn coming. He get lawyer to write to de embassy to protest. And de lawyer he use is Satira Gyal, de same one who Jagdeo cause to cuss down de Hambassadah. Dem boys know that when he was in power and he do something de same Jagdeo use to tell people is h e r u n n i n g d e c o u n t r y. Now de Americans showing he, that he Jagdeo, Sityra Gyal and de lawyers can’t dictate to dem.
Dem boys was calling on de ABC countries to tek way dem visa to force dem to remain in Guyana. It now begin to happen and dem boys very happy that it now start. Dem boys hear one of dem wife crying whole day and whole night because she can’t go on a cruise that she plan wid she friends and family. Last year she been and ride elephant and post de pictures on Facebook. This year she got to ride donkey at Port Mourant Turf Club. Dem boys hope she post dem pictures pun Facebook, too. Another one book ticket fuh he and de whole family to go to Disney World in Florida. De children did tell everybody in school and dem boys hear. Talk half and tell de p a r e n t s t o c a r r y dem pickney to Jagdeo mansion. That is a wonder by itself but not Disney World.
dangerous the government is prepared to go in pursuit of the ideology of the military supremacy. However, Singh’s removal was always on the card once it was signaled that the government was going to create a new anti- narcotics unit headed by a retired soldier. The government came to power on the basis that the previous regime ran a narcostate. It therefore found itself in a position whereby it felt obligated to dismantle the institutional machinery which had been set up by the former regime to counter the trade in narcotics. Once the government had agreed to set up a new anti-narcotics unit, it was clear that an excuse would have had to be found to get rid of the head of CANU. The ideology of military supremacy is now at full
steam. The Education Ministry will now be headed by an ex-military officer and the President, himself an ex-military man, will assume responsibility for part of the portfolio. The reform of the security sector is operating out of the Ministry of the Presidency and is headed by a former British soldier. The new anti-narcotics unit is going to be headed by an ex-military man. The President’s press department is headed by an ex-military man who is also the editor of the New Nation, the organ of the People’s National Congress Reform. The Head of National Events within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport is a military person. The Head of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation is an ex-solider as was the person he succeeded. An ex-soldier
was catapulted to a senior position within the Guyana Revenue Authority and is likely to one day become the Commissioner General. The adviser on national security and the adviser on the environment to the government are also both retired army officers. The patter is clear. Civilian jobs are being handed out to ex-military personnel. It is an expression of the ideology of military supremacy at work. It has only just begun.
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=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Interview with “De Donald” at Sleep-in Former President Donald Ramotar goes to Sleep-in, the hotel on Brickdam, every Friday night, and does karaoke with his PPP colleagues like Anil Nandlall and Joe Hamilton. I went to visit a friend from overseas staying there and I saw the past president, hereafter referred to as DD – De Donald) singing Burt Bacharach’s phenomenal hit of failed dreams, “Do You K n o w T h e Wa y To S a n Jose.” After his rendition of one of my favourite Bacharach tunes, he called out to me, and offered me a drink. I declined with the polite explanation that I never touch any kind of alcohol. I reminded him that God once spoke to me and said, “Intoxicants of any
kind are the Devil’s own wine.” I requested an interview; he agreed. He asked what I was eating. I ordered black pudding, a bowl of cow heel soup with a serving of channa and a voluminous glass of mauby. The attendant said they do not sell those items. I settled for “sky juice” only. The interview follows. FKA r e n ’t you ashamed to be writing all those condemnation of a mere two-year-old government in the letter pages of the newspapers when your presidency was marred by serious wrong-doings and violations. DD- I have no idea what you are talking about. My presidency was one of the
best in the world. I was far more democratic a president than the man who chaperoned me into the presidency, Bharrat Jagdeo. Name me one thing that was egregious under my presidency. FK - There was a lot Sir. DD - Well if you have testicular boldness, cite some. FK- The tragic assassination of Courtney Crum-Ewing may one day result in you being questioned. After all, the consensus in Guyana is that it was a dirty job done by the PPP regime of which you were the president at the time. DD – Courtney Crum Ewing was killed by a conspiracy of all opposition elements including AFC, APNU, activists like, you, Mark Benschop and others, and all those media houses who didn’t like the PPP. You were all engaged in a great conspiracy to blame my government. I think the police should arrest all of you. FK – I was in the National Park the other day. As I drove in, attorney Gino Persaud was driving out. My mind wandered on what your government did that fellow and you were
directly involved. A foreign investor, CREDITINFO, chose Persaud to be the CEO of its Guyana Office, employed him, sent him to Europe to be trained, only to be told by your government that there will be no license if Persaud is retained. CREDITINFO was forced to let him go. What do you say to that? DD- Oh yes, I remember that case. My government got blamed but what happened is that Persaud was warned to stop patronizing American Hersey’s chocolate and buy European brands since CREDITINFO is European. He refused and was fired. FK – What about my own case at UG. I had five more months on my contract but it was abruptly terminated DD. Oh yes, I recall that case. You were fired by UG for bringing politics to the work place. As I told the AFC in February 2012, my government had nothing to do with that. FK – Do you agree with
Dr. Roger Luncheon’s description of the emanations by Priya Manickchand on the Independence Anniversary party at the US Ambassador’s residence as a feral blast? DD – I wrote the script for Priya and I instructed Roger to use that term. It was indeed a feral blast. Good for Priya. FK- What do you say to Leslie Ramsammmy’s condemnation of the government for employing friends when as president your government paid hefty salaries to your two sons and daughter in state employment. DD- Well you see, as Anil recently wrote, we in the PPP are superior beings to the PNC leaders. When we act, we are entitled to do what we want bec a u s e u n d e r natural law, there are assigned places for different humans. Freddie you should know that, you taught me Plato when I was your student at UG. To make a long story short,
Frederick Kissoon any friend or relative the PPP Govt. employed was and is superior to those from the PNC period! FK – I heard a tape in 2010 that Mark Benschop has in which you stated that you do not care for the likes of people like Kwame McCoy yet in 2011 when you became president you retained him in the same position. Why? DD- Because my benefactor, Bharrat Jagdeo, instructed me to keep him. I had to do whatever Jagdeo told me. Writer’s note: this was fictional satire.
Government to scrap prequalification of drug suppliers By Abena RockcliffeCampbell Minister of Health, Volda Lawrence, has promised an end to the controversial system of prequalifying drug suppliers. She made this promise to the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI). At a recent press conference, GCCI President, Deodat Indar, said that the Chamber held a meeting with Lawrence at which concerns were expressed about a number of issues affecting members of the Chamber. Indar said, “We had constructive discussions with her and we will have quarterly meetings to check on the progress on the items discussed.” He said that public procurement practices for health care supplies were highlighted as a major concern of the GCCI. “She explained that the system is being redesigned to accommodate everyone. She mentioned that things like prequalification of contractors in that sector will no longer be used and everyone will have a fair chance to bid for contracts on a clean slate,” said Indar. Also discussed were issues surrounding the food and drug importation and the Tobacco Control Bill which was laid in the National Assembly? Speaking about food and drug importation, the Chamber told Lawrence that it needs to be addressed. “We have members com-
Former President Bharrat Jagdeo
New GPC’s Bobby Ramroop
plaining that they have been getting a hard time bringing goods into the country resulting in spoilage of imports and we have addressed the issues with the Director of Food and Drug as well as the Minister Volda Lawrence.” GCCI Junior Vice-President, Timothy Tucker, said that Lawrence asked for recommendations for impending changes to the Food and Drug Act GCCI’s next meeting with Lawrence is scheduled for July. The Chamber said that it will be keen to note the progress of the things discussed. GCCI is not the only body that had issues with prequalification. This is a matter that can be dated back to the reign of former President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The APNU and the AFC, while in opposition, kicked against the prequalification process. The parties said that the pre-qualification requirements for the supply of drugs were changed to an “unreasonable” extent by former President Bharrat Jagdeo. The changes were so tailored to favour only one person or company to qualify for the supply of pharmaceuticals. That company is the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Company (GPC). Under the revised criteria for the pre-qualification of suppliers of drugs and medical supplies, the bidders must demonstrate a gross turnover of $1B (US$5M) and net assets of $500M (US$2.5M). One of Jagdeo’s criteria (Continued on page 27)
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Petroleum Commission of Guyana Bill 2017….
Government, Opposition clash over Ministerial powers The government-proposed Petroleum Commission of Guyana Bill 2017, should it become law, will grant unlimited powers to the Minister responsible for the petroleum sector. This was among some of the concerns raised by the Opposition during the deliberations of the Bill in the National Assembly, Thursday evening in Georgetown. The Bill provides for a legal framework for regulating and monitoring efficient, safe, effective and environmentally-responsible exploration, development and production of petroleum in Guyana. It caters, also, for the establishment and functions of the Petroleum Commission of Guyana. The Commission will deal with all petroleum-related matters. The Bill contains 51 clauses and is divided into 6 parts. Opposition Parliamentarian, Irfaan Ali, told the House that upon examining the Bill, he found that unlimited power will be granted to the Minister responsible for the petroleum sector. “When we examine section 8 which deals with the power of the Minister to give directions to the Commission, it is clear that the Commission will hardly be able to work without the direction and control of the Minister.” Ali charged that the Minister will be empowered to provide policy guidance and give direction to the Commission. “The Minister will have the power to give direction regarding: the size of the establishment; the employment of staff and the terms and conditions of employment; the provision of equipment and use of funds; reorganization or such works of development as to involve a substantial outlay on capital account; training, education and research; the dis-
The National Assembly in session yesterday. posal of capital assets; (and) the application of the proceeds of such disposals.” Ali charged. Ali told the House that based on the Opposition’s review of similar legislation in other countries; they were “unable to locate one that bestows comparable powers to the Minister.” “Indeed, based on our review we found that the only power the Minister is granted in other countries is the power to provide policy guidance. “Apart from the giving the Minister the powers to direct and control the Commission, Section 10 of the Bill allows the Minister to perform the function of the Board where a Board is not appointed or not functioning.” Ali made reference to Section 10, which states that the “Board shall be responsible and answerable to the Minister for the execution of its policy, functions and duties as well as any directions and assignments given to it by the
Minister under the provisions of this Act.” “Mr. Speaker, if there was any doubt that the Minister had the power to direct and control the Board and by extension the Commission, then these sections are there to remove those doubts.” Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, during his opening remarks said that the Bill was crafted by the Commonwealth Oceanic and Natural Resources Advisory Division. “It was then sent to us after extensive consultations. Further consultation was done before taking it to the House.” Trotman said that Guyana’s system of governance as practised – where all executive powers resides in an executive President and he or she devolves from time to time some or all of those powers to individual ministers or departments – ministers too have to devolve powers into agencies. “We, being creatures in the sense of the executive
Miner shot dead after refusing to perform oral sex A 40-year-old miner was shot dead around 13:00 hrs on Thursday after he refused to perform oral sex on one of his drinking buddies at Jack and Vieira Backdam, North West District. The victim has been identified as Orlando La Cruz, of Pomeroon River. He was shot to the right side neck and pronounced head at the Matthews Ridge District Hospital. The police are pursing two suspects, Joey Kerr and Eustace, in relation to the
murder.According to reports, the victim was lying in a hammock in his camp when the two suspects visited him after which they began consuming high wine and water. Shortly after, one of the suspects was heard telling the deceased to perform oral sex on him but when the 40-yearold man refused, an argument erupted between the three men. The suspect allegedly collected a cartridge from the second suspect and loaded his shotgun. He then placed
the weapon to the right side of the victim’s neck and pulled the trigger. The two suspects then made good their escape in nearby bushes. This newspaper was informed that when a rank visited the scene, the victim was found lying in the hammock, bleeding from the wound. No spent shell was recovered at the scene but two High Wine bottles were found. The body is at the hospital mortuary awaiting a Post Mortem examination.
president, are ourselves through statute, authorized from time to time, to devolve some of our powers to statutory agencies which are known as, semiautonomous agencies.” Trotman said that it is for this reason, that the
notion that Ministers should have no say whatsoever in the work of an agency or board, is “alien” to the system of governance practiced in Guyana. “There is no state agency in Guyana that
does not come under the oversight of a Minister. If you are responsible for the agency or department, you have to exercise some authority over it.” Trotman said. The Bill was sent to a special-select committee.
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Exxon announces US$4.4B Investment after Guyana grants licences By Suraj Narine One day after being granted a production licence by the Government of Guyana (GoG), US oil company ExxonMobil and its partners, are wasting no time. The company, yesterday, announced its final investment decision (FID) which will see the company moving ahead with phase one of the Liza Development Project. This phase is estimated to cost US$4.4B. The granting of the production licence was revealed by Guyana’s Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, during the 65th Sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday evening. He was making a presentation on the govern-
ment-proposed Petroleum Commission of Guyana Bill of 2017. Trotman told the House that the permission to grant the licence, would have been based on the advice given by the “world-renowned experts” that reviewed the Liza development plan that was submitted by Exxon a little over six months ago. The production licence would also come on the heels of the company obtaining an environmental permit for development from the Guyana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Liza Phase one development includes a subsea production system and a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel designed to pro-
duce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day. “We’re excited about the tremendous potential of the Liza field and accelerating first production through a phased development in this lower cost environment,” Liam Mallon, President of the ExxonMobil Development Company was quoted by Business Wire as saying. “We will work closely with the government, our co-venturers and the Guyanese people in developing this worldclass resource that will have long-term and meaningful benefits for the country and its citizens.” The official was further quoted. Potential for new phase Meanwhile, the com-
pany also announced positive results from the Liza-4 well – which is still being drilled. The company said that it has encountered more than 197 feet (60 meters) of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs, which will underpin a potential Liza Phase 2 development. Exxon’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs in Guyana, Kimberly Brasington, told Kaieteur News yesterday that a similar process will have to be undertaken by Exxon should the company decide on moving ahead with phase two. The Official said that a separate request for an environmental permit and production licence, will have to be submitted to the local regulatory bodies for their approval. Brasington could not say what the Liza development in totality will cost, since according to her, ‘it’s too early to say’. The Stabroek block is now estimated at 2 billion
to 2.5 billion oil-equivalent barrels, which includes Liza and other successful exploration wells on Liza Deep, Payara and Snoek. The Liza field is part of the Stabroek Block, which measures 6.6 million acres, or 26,800 square kilometres. Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holds a 45 percent interest in the block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds a 30 percent interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent. Drilling of the Payara-2 well on the Stabroek block is expected to commence later this month and will also test a deeper prospect underlying the Payara oil d i s c o v e r y. M e a n w h i l e , these developments are occurring against the backdrop of intense debate. It was reported that Guyana will receive a royalty of two percent on gross earnings and 50 percent of the profits from the sale of petroleum once production commences.
This arrangement that was brokered, has not been sitting well with several sections of society. The Main Parliamentary Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) has been very vocal over the arrangement despite, the party in Government would have inked the initial exploratory agreement with the company a little over a decade ago. Also, there have been calls for the agreement to be made public. However, Government has responded saying that there are secrecy clauses entailed in the agreement. The issue of local content is another component of the emerging oil and gas sector that is generating debate. A draft of the policy is currently being reviewed with recommendations already submitted by several entities. A public consultation on the draft policy was held at the Pegasus Hotel Georgetown, last evening.
Moves underway for Govt.officials... From page 7 by the state has been a galling one in the past. Normal citizens have complained of being granted a fraction of what they need for emergency attention. The process has always been a tough one to access the funds from the state. However, a softer view has been taken of government officials who fell ill and in
some cases of Opposition members. Previous governments have paid for treatments in the tune of millions for former Opposition Leader, Robert Corbin, and even the late PPP executive, Navin Chandarpal. However, one particular case has angered the public. It was learnt that in
February 2014, former President Bharrat Jagdeo was taken on a hired jet to Florida, US. His entourage comprised best friend, Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, and his security detail. News of the latenight flight immediately sparked condemnation and reignited the debate over the controversial Former Presidents (Benefits and other Facilities) Act 2009 which Jagdeo himself had assented to. It allows those eligible to have virtually unlimited access to medical benefits, both local and international. The administration has since placed caps on the benefits.
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UK commits to strengthened bilateral relations with Guyana The United Kingdom (UK) remains committed to working with Guyana for the benefit of both countries. In fact, the UK High Commissioner, Greg Quinn, who serves at the Queen’s pleasure, has committed to fostering even stronger relations with the country. The commitment was made on Thursday evening during celebrations which Quinn hosted at his residence in honour of Queen Elizabeth. The fete was to commemorate the Queen’s birthday. Queen Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926. President David Granger attended the event at which he saluted Britain’s support for the development of Guyana’s security sector and its struggle to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity. When Quinn addressed the gathering he reflected that “last year I said that 2016 was a year of firsts for the UK-Guyana relationship. That culminated in a visit by Prince Harry in December. He still talks about the visit; the wonderful people he met; and the amazing places he saw.” Quinn said that the Prince was extremely happy to learn that the Private
Sector Commission had arranged to take the children of Joshua House (whom the Prince met) to Kaieteur F a l l s e a r l i e r t h i s y e a r. “They had never seen the falls before and I am grateful to the PSC for helping to make this happen.” Quinn then turned his attention to where we are now. He said, “2017 has also seen some firsts. In April the President paid his first official visit to the UK and met Her Majesty The Queen at Windsor.” Quinn said that his take from the meetings and events that Granger attended during that trip was that there is a widespread interest in Guyana amongst the UK business community “and not just in the oil and gas sector.” The High Commissioner said that it is also important to note that the Foreign Secretary and other political figures made it clear that they are keen to ensure the UK-Guyana relationship goes from strength to strength. “And it was a pleasure for me to host Foreign Office Minister Baroness Anelay in Guyana a week after the President went to the UK, a further demonstration of that strength.” Continuing on the
President David Granger is greeted by British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn, who is decked out in his traditional Scottish kilt. (Ministry of the Presidency Photo) strength of the relationship, Quinn said, “I am also extremely happy that we launched, in earnest, our support to Security Sector Reform (SSR) earlier this year.” UK expert, Russell Combe, took up his position as a Security Advisor to the President in J a n u a r y. H e i s s c h e d uled to be here for one y e a r. Q u i n n n o t e d t h a t
Granger, WPA AFC to meet today President David Granger is set to meet with leaders of the Working Peoples Alliance (WPA) this morning to discuss, among other things, the ministerial seat for the party. The meeting would come days after it was announced that Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, the WPA leader, has been reassigned to the Ministry of the Presidency where he will head up the Ministry of Public Service. Roopnarine, 74, has been in ill-health for a while now, even ending up in the hospital. The administration would have been worried about his workload at the big-budget Ministry of Education. Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, would be performing the duties of the Minister of Education, it was disclosed. WPA is a critical component of the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), one of the partners of the coalition government with the Alliance For Change (AFC). As part of its agreement, WPA ended up with the Ministry of Education portfolio. With Roopnarine no longer there but still a minister, the talks this morning at State House are supposed to center on the dilemma, officials of the Government and the party told Kaieteur News yesterday. According to Minister of
Minister Rupert Roopnaraine State, Joseph Harmon yesterday, President Granger, prior to meeting with Roopnarine on Monday, had consulted with the leaders of WPA, including chairman, Desmond Trotman, as well as leaders of the AFC. On Thursday, Dr. Roopnarine was present for the National Assembly sitting at Parliament Buildings. Questioned by reporters, Roopnarine said he anticipates the challenges of his new appointment as Minister of Public Service, but does not consider the move a demotion. He noted he’s still a Cabinet member and will be contributing, “in all the ways I’ve contributed before”. He added that he does not feel he was demoted, pointing out he will “be working very
closely with the President.” While education is the most important ministry in a country Dr. Roopnaraine said, “There was some concern that I should not be worn out” given how “burdensome” his position as Minister of Education was. He also assured the local media that his “health is fine”. “Yes, I’m comfortable (with the move) it’s going to be challenging. I think I would feel more comfortable if I had more of a sense of what it entails. I do have to sit down and think about that and talk to people and so on,” Dr. Roopnaraine explained. The Minister added that he is looking forward to the “contours” and “definitions” and working with “stakeholders” in the public service sector. He is also confident in the Minister of Education (acting), Nicolette Henry, to manage the Ministry. “I wish Minister Henry well and I’ve already told her that I am ready to assist her in absolutely any way that she identifies, if she feels the need. I think the Education Ministry will be in good hands,” Minister Roopnaraine said. With just over two years in office, the administration has already made some changes, shifting Dr. George Norton from the Ministry of Health.
Combe “has been working diligently in the first six months of this year. He is on the cusp of producing an interim report. His desire, shared I know by all of us, is that in addition to the more ‘ s t r a t e g i c ’ p a rts of his mandate, work should start on implementing some of his recommendations as soon as possible. None of us wants to see a worthy SSR report produced which simply sits on a shelf.” Quinn said that the work being done under SSR is only part of a broader relationship that Guyana and the UK have “on combating serious organised crime through a wide range of assistance provided by, for example, the UK’s National Crime Agency, as well as support to the
Guyana Defence Force.” Further, Quinn said that significant UK funds are being committed to security areas and to broader development funding. “There is over £61m of DFID expenditure expected to take place in Guyana
over the next five years.” Challenges that remain Quinn said that the road ahead is still long. “There remain challenges for us all. As Prince Harry saw when he met teenage mothers and others, there are still clear cases of abuse of women and children in Guyana.” He continued, “As someone in Guyana told me, it is time for people to understand that women and girls are not commodities, and that those who treat them as such should be punished. There can be no impunity from prosecution if a crime has been committed. No one is above the law.” Also Quinn acknowledged that two Thursdays ago saw a General Election in the UK. “The announcement of that election was certainly a bit of a surprise for all of us. But the Prime Minister was re-elected and will take forward her programme. We can expect some more details about that in the Queen’s Speech to Parliament next week.” (Abena RockcliffeCampbell)
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GTU told unilateral deduction of teachers’ salaries not permitted …wants REO to retract statement of exhorbitant overpayment A resolution has officially been arrived at to prevent the Regional Executive Officer [REO] of Region Five, Mr. Ovid Morrison, from implementing a decision to withhold the salaries of teachers travelling overseas. The resolution was arrived at yesterday during a meeting held between the Ministry of Communities, regional officials and representatives of the Guyana Teachers’ Union [GTU]. The meeting, which was chaired by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communities, allowed for the foregoing resolution in light of the fact that Morrison was unable to produce a regulation that gave him allowance to withhold teachers’ salary. Morrison had unilaterally introduced the decision to withhold teachers’ salaries recently claiming that it was a constitutional regulation aimed at reducing overpayments to teachers who overstayed after travelling overseas. He’d claimed in a report to Government that the Region was outwitted of some $80million which the region was questioned about at a Public Account Committee hearing. Morrison said that following the hearing he became aware of an existing regulation that allowed him to withhold one month of a teacher’s salary in lieu of their vacation overseas. Ahead of proceeding on leave teachers are required to seek permission from the region. Morrison had explained that upon their return teach-
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Kaieteur News
ers would be reimburse their withheld salary. But the teachers were reportedly told otherwise at a regional head teachers meeting. It was reported there that three months salaries would be withheld from those who sought permission to travel overseas during the July/August vacation. Teachers had moreover retaliated by staging two days of protest action outside the Regional Office to signal their displeasure. The staging of the protest action was stayed when officials of the Education and Communities Ministries visited Region Five to address the situation. Morrison had explained that there was a misunderstanding since he hadn’t instructed that three months salaries be withheld but rather one. But a resolution was not yet derived. The GTU in recognition of the fact that no regulation existed to govern Morrison’s decision issued a challenge for him to produce same. The union had threatened that failure to do so would mean that protest action would resume. The union had given Morrison a Wednesday June 14 deadline which was not met. Officials of both the Ministries of Education and Communities, the latter being responsible for the operation of the regions, claimed to be unaware of Morrison’s regulation. Moreover, the GTU was invited to yesterday’s meeting to hear that the Region, based on a directive of the
Ministry, will no longer be allowed to withhold any salary. Salaries will however be withheld if teachers do not return within the stipulated timeframe. Teachers are expected to return one week before the opening date of school. “Teachers who are going on vacation can again enjoy their June, July and August salaries but if they fail to return, their salary can be withheld and that is understood,” Lyte said yesterday in an invited comment to this publication. But the union still wants more. According to Lyte, the union is demanding that Morrison retracts his claim that overpayment to teachers had cost the region some $80 million. According to Lyte, Morrison had claimed that he did his own calculation and arrived at the enormous sum. But according to Lyte, at no point was there any report that showed such a vast overpayment to teachers. “We need the Regional Executive Officer or the Ministry to retract this claim because it does not speak well for teachers...this can send the wrong signal about our teachers,” Lyte said as he pointed out that overpayment to teachers has not exceeded $3 million. Based on Auditor General reports between the period 2010 to the most recent report presented to the National Assembly, the sum being touted by Morrison as overpayment to teachers is considerably inflated, Lyte insisted.
CANU Head sacked James Singh has received notification that he will no longer be the Head of the country’s premier illicit drug fighting agency, the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU). Singh told Kaieteur News that he was notified by the Public Security M i n i s t e r, Khemraj Ramjattan, that his contract would be coming to an end. No letter of termination, he said, was provided to him. Singh said that he was told that his termination stemmed from a presidentialordered Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the entry into, the interception, detention and subsequent release of an unnamed private maritime vessel in the sea space of the territory of Guyana. The vessel was spotted in Guyana’s waters off the Corentyne Coast moving north between February 11 and February 14, 2017. While in the vicinity of Shell Beach, it was intercepted by local
James Singh. authorities, and brought into the Waini River and searched. Though narcotics were not found on the vessel, which was subsequently released, it is suspected that the vessel is linked to a massive high seas drug bust, which ensnared four Guyanese nationals and netted cocaine worth US$71.7M, some 70 nautical miles north of Suriname in international waters. The Commission was asked to report the
findings and recommendations to the President, who is the Head of the National Security Committee. The State Minister Joseph Harmon, told media operatives during the postCabinet press briefings yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency, that the Head of State would have given Ramjattan some “clear guidance” in implementing the recommendations of the CoI. He said when quizzed, that Ramjattan would have received guidance on whether Singh should continue to sit at the helm of the agency. Singh is currently on a 72-day administrative leave which is expected to expire next month. His contract expires in 2021. The commissioners of the COI were retired Brigadier Bruce Lovell; Ministry of the Presidency official, Christine Bailey; and retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Winston Cosbert.
Authorities move to implement metric system Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, yesterday disclosed that the action plan for the implementation of a metric system in Guyana has been approved by Cabinet. The Minister who was briefing media operatives at a post-Cabinet briefing at the Ministry of Pr e s i d e n c y, e x p l a i n e d that the metrification plan was prepared by the Guyana National Bureau of
Standards (GNBS) to promote the use of international system of units countrywide. The metric system is the decimal measuring system based on the metre, litre, and gram as units of length, capacity, and weight or mass. GNBS and the Ministry of Business have been urging relevant stakeholders to use the Metric System, which is the legal system of
measurement in Guyana. The system is said to conform to the Standard International (SI) units including the kilogram (kg) which is used to measure mass. It is also simple to learn and easy to use because of its decimal nature. The 80s saw a massive push for the metric system to be in full use but there was a relaxation of the campaign, until now.
Saturday June 17, 2017
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Kaieteur News
U.S. Navy destroyer, Philippines Germany threatens retaliation if merchant vessel collide off Japan U.S. sanctions harm its firms
The guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald was damaged by colliding with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel (Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS) (Reuters) The U.S. Navy said yesterday that one of its destroyers collided with a Philippine-flagged merchant vessel southwest of Yokosuka, Japan, in the dead of night and Japanese media reported that seven U.S. crew members were missing. The Navy said in a statement that the USS Fitzgerald collided with a merchant vessel at about 2:30 a.m. local time (1730 GMT), some 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka, a rare incident on a busy waterway. A U.S. official told Reuters that the Fitzgerald was still working to account for all personnel and could not confirm if any were missing. The Navy said one injured U.S. sailor would be evacuated by a Japanese coast guard helicopter. “The USS Fitzgerald suffered damage on her starboard side above and below the waterline,” the Navy said in a statement. It said the destroyer had experienced some flooding, and that the full extent of damage to the ship and injuries to its crew were still being determined. It said the
Fitzgerald was operating under its own power, “although her propulsion is limited”. Kyodo news agency, citing the Japanese coast guard, said seven U.S. crew members were missing. Reuters could not immediately reach the Japanese coast guard to independently confirm the report. A spokesman for the U.S. 7th Fleet said earlier that the ship was heading back to Yokosuka under its own power at 3 knots and would likely dock in a couple of hours. Situated at the approach to Tokyo bay, Yokosuka and the waters to its south are busy with commercial vessels sailing to and from Japan’s two biggest container ports in Tokyo and Yokohama. The USS Dewey and two Navy tugboats were being dispatched to provide assistance, the Navy said. Japan’s public broadcaster NHK showed aerial footage of the destroyer, which had a large dent in its right, or starboard, side. Images broadcast by NHK showed it had been struck next to its Aegis radar arrays
behind its vertical launch tubes. The images showed what appeared to be significant damage on the deck and to part of the radar. NHK also showed footage of the container vessel and said it was heading towards Tokyo under its own power. Japan’s Kyodo news agency reported that neither ship was in danger of sinking but that there was information that some crew may have gone overboard. It did not provide a source. Reuters could not immediately verify that account. The 7th fleet said the collision was with the Philippineflagged merchant vessel ACX Crystal. At around 29,000 tons displacement it is about three times the size of the U.S. warship. A spokesman for the Philippines coast guard said he had heard of the accident but had no details since it was not in Philippine waters. Such incidents are rare. In May, the U.S. Navy’s USS Lake Champlain collided with a South Korean fishing vessel but both ships were able to operate under their own power.
The Philippine vessel (Mandatory credit Kyodo/via REUTERS)
(Reuters) Germany threatened yesterday to retaliate against the United States if new sanctions on Russia being proposed by the U.S. Senate end up penalizing German firms. The Senate bill, approved on Thursday by a margin of 98-2, includes new sanctions against Russia and Iran. Crucially, it foresees punitive measures against entities that provide material support to Russia in building energy export pipelines. Berlin fears that could pave the way for fines against German and European firms involved in Nord Stream 2, a project to build a pipeline carrying Russian gas across the Baltic. Among the European companies involved in the project are German oil and gas group Wintershall, German
energy trading firm Uniper, Royal Dutch Shell, Austria’s OMV and France’s Engie. German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman described the Senate bill, which must be approved by the House of Representatives and signed by President Donald Trump before it becomes law, as “a peculiar move”. He said it was “strange” that sanctions intended to punish Russia for alleged interference in the U.S. elections could also trigger penalties against European companies. “That must not happen,” said the spokesman, Steffen Seibert. In an interview with Reuters, German Economy Minister Brigitte Zypries said Berlin would have to think about counter-measures if Trump backed the plan.
“If he does, we’ll have to consider what we are going to do against it,” Zypries said. The sharp response from Berlin comes at a time of deep strains in the transatlantic relationship due to shifts in U.S. policy and a more confrontational rhetoric towards Europe under Trump. The new U.S. president has lambasted European partners for not contributing more to NATO, slammed Germany for running a large trade surplus with the United States and broken with allies on climate change with his decision to exit the landmark Paris agreement on combating greenhouse gas emissions. Ironically, the part of the Senate bill that targets Russia was introduced by some of the president’s top critics, including Republican hawk John McCain.
Trump owes lenders at least $315 million, disclosure shows (Reuters) President Donald Trump had personal liabilities of at least $315.6 million to German, U.S. and other lenders as of mid-2017, according to a federal financial disclosure form released late yesterday by the U.S. Office of Government Ethics. Trump reported income of at least $594 million for 2016 and early 2017 and assets worth at least $1.4 billion. The 98-page disclosure document posted on the office’s website showed liabilities for Trump of at least $130 million to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, a unit of German-based Deutsche Bank AG. For example, Trump disclosed a liability to Deutsche exceeding $50 million for the Old Post Office, a landmark historic property in downtown Washington that he recently redeveloped into a hotel located near the White House. Trump reported liabilities of at least $110 million to Ladder Capital, a commercial real estate lender with offices in New York, Los Angeles and Boca Raton, Florida. The largest component of Trump’s income was $115.9 million listed as golf-resort related revenues from Trump National Doral in Miami. His assets probably exceeded $1.4 billion because the disclosure form provided ranges of values. The document showed Trump held officer positions in 565 corporations or other entities before becoming U.S. president. His tenure in most of those posts ended on Jan.
19, the day before his inauguration, and in others in 2015 and 2016. Most of the entities involved were based in the United States, with a handful in Scotland, Ireland, Canada,
Brazil, Bermuda and elsewhere. Trump has refused to release his tax returns, which would give a much clearer indication of his wealth and business interests.
Government to scrap... ( From page 10) is that maximum score will be awarded to applicants who have paid $50M in corporate taxes annually. The company with 50 or more employees, and warehousing capacity of 30,000 square feet in the city, will also gain an edge. New GPC qualified as the only supplier, locally, with its own bond of that size. According to the revised prequalification criteria, maximum points will also be awarded in the evaluation process to the applicants who have been supplying Government for more than seven years without any negative reports. Further, New GPC has been a feature in the Auditor General’s report over the
GCCI’s President Deodat Indar years with several instances focused on multi-million-dollar deficiencies in the procurement and supply of drugs to Government. However, the Auditor General’s concerns were ignored.
Speaker walks out of... From page 22 Chambers while Dharamlall encouraged by his colleagues stood and finished his presentation despite Government MPs chanting repeatedly “All time disrespect, all time disrespect!” Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo speaking on the issue outside of
Chambers said that it was unprecedented whereby there is a Member of Parliament that continues to speak after the Speaker vacates his chair. He said that he believes this type of behaviour is a tactic of the Jagdeo opposition to stir disruption and unrest in the country.
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SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 A&T TRAVEL AGENCY INC: TICKETSGOINGVERY CHEAP!! OFFICE IN USA. CALL: 223-1332/ 6137542/+1-347-617-7582/ E-MAIL:OMKARLILIAH@ GMAIL.COM Employers post your job listings free on www.guyamazon.com For all your landscaping, weeding yards and empty lots, spraying for weeds and insects. Call Chris: 628-5990 FOR SALE/FOR RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578 ACCOMMODATION Journey Inn apartment rental, short term with AC & Kitchen, as low as -$15US. Call: 6421783/ 646-3011634/7182301695
CAR RENTAL WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494 PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
Saturday June 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
WANTED Salesgirls & boys with supermarket experienced , apply with written application to Best Buy Food supplies, Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellville.
Reduced Price! Apple Iphone 6, 6 Plus, 7 Plus, 64GB (like new) (not 16GB), factory unlocked - $69,000, $109,000. Call: 675-3062
1 Accounts Clerk, preferably from E.B.D – 5 subjects CXC minimum @ gtcareers592@gmail.com
Nine (9) pure bred German shepherd pups, location: La Grange, W.B.D – Call: 6546354 Mixed breed pups- Tel: 6469002/ 601-9414
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 House and land available @ La Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Etc, We also assist with financing. Contact Pacific Development: 2236035/ 227-8274
Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999 Bully dogs mix with pit-bull puppies. Call: 684-9994/6878320 ask for Keno (1) 600 amps automatic transfer switch, price negotiable. Call: 627-7835
Beautiful 2 storey concrete, 4 bedroom property for sale at Rumzeight Garden, W.C.D with AC/ Hot & Cold water. Call: 699-9666/ 269-0189
1 Transported property. Call: 265-3586
House lot for sale. Contact Mona: 266-2350
For your packaging needs: scotch tape, manual strapping machine, polystraps, polybags, shrink wrap, waxed boxes, etc. Call: 6292292
House for sale, 2 flat, no flooding, 6ft fence, price $18M negotiable. Call: 2335400, 218-0595 One three bedroom concrete house for sale Contact Mala: 917-254-2909, location: Vryheid’s Lust, North. Call: 699-4111/626-2208 House for sale -1 2 flat 3 bedrooms house located @ Belle West #2 W.B.D, asking $9.5M. Call: 604-1299 CAKES & PASTRIES For all your catering needs please contact: 226-4001
Hundreds of Items, new & used – www.guyamazon.com
New Generator Diesel 110W, Generator/welder diesel 110w, waterpumps-3" gasoline. Call Melissa: 6292292 Sale! Sale! Seafood Mania!! Fish & Shrimp, all types and different processes. Call Cassie: 227-8176/77 ext 10 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231
Courses in cake decoration, pastry making & cookery also wedding dresses for sale. Call: 670-0798
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
1 Diesel Mechanic, must have knowledge of Perkins & Duetz engines, Cat & Doosan Excavator. Call: 2269768/660-2998 Hairdresser/Nail Technician apply at West Shore Plaza, 15 Public Road, Ruimzeight, W.C.D. Call: 269-1524/656-3561 One experienced kitchen assistant. Call: 618-5080 after 2pm for details. Hardworking, pleasant, physically fit, literate, team player (Plant Shop Staff) 1825 years. Tel: 646-2108, Georgetown. We pay in $US for land in Eccles, Herstelling, Providence, Farm, Parfaite Harmonie, Zeelugt. Call: 6117223/684-5822
I.A.E – Registered now for full-time secondary school, lessons, CXC/CSEC classes, adults, students, repeaters. Call: 683-5742/621-7365 WANTED Car/Van Driver – 45yrs + mechanical experienced an asset. Call: 227-1830
FOR RENT
Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Apartments – $45,000$160,000. Call: 644-5151
2011 ALLION - $3.3M, 2011 RACTIS -$2.5M, 2009 SIENTA - $2.1M, NOAH & VOXY - $2.6M, VEHICLES UNREGISTERED & FULLY LOADED. CALL: 642-7295 Landcruiser Prado, low mileage, 2007, colour: white, PNN Series, fully loaded, excellent condition, serious inquires. Call: 624-0005 3.5 TON & 4 TON CANTER, OPEN BACK WITH 4D35 & 4D34 ENGINE, PRICE -$3.8M & $4.2M. CALL: 617-2891 TOYOTA FIELDER – 2009 WITH BODY KIT & RIMS $2.5M, SIENTA -$2.1M. CALL: 617-2891 One used Suzuki Escudo, excellent condition. Call: 6238078/ 645-4131 JustArrived: One Toyota Premio, never registered, excellent condition, fully loaded. Call:6238070/645-3131
1 - 3 Bedrooms self-contained fully furnished upstairs in Diamond, 4-2 bedrooms apartment in Providence, furnished and unfurnished. Call: 672-1906/ 216-2299 One business place @ 152 Albert & Sixth Street Alberttown. Call: 691-7123 156 Alexander, Kitty, Georgetown, bottom flat for rent, suitable for restaurant, office, etc. Call: 226-9731 One large business place at ‘X’ Durban St. W/Ville. Call: 616-2445 or 226-1091 Salon stations to rent; facilities available for spa & massage. Call:642-6204 or 227-4198 4 Rooms for rental on top flat, bottom flat for business, 230 South Road Bourda. Call: 653-4366/ 690-9948
Looking for cleaner/maid to work from Monday –Saturday. Call Keysha: 667-0094 Post classified ads free on www.guyamazon.com
VACANCY
Live in general domestic, must know to cook & waitress from E.C.D (live in/out) salary $20,000 weekly. Call: 610-3974
Cook/ Baker and welder/ fabricator for interior. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 6182020 for more information
One experienced cook, ages 20-40 to work in snackette & bar. Call:663-7741/ 223-5798
One experienced pharmacy assistant to work in a reputable pharmacy in G/ Town (flexible hours). Call: 227-0630
Experienced caterpillar mechanic contact 223-5273/4 One cleaner to work at hotel contact 223-5273/4 Truck driver for TM and Model M trucks contact 223-5273/74 Canter Driver; must have a lorry License contact 2235273/74
EDUCATIONAL Canadian School of Arts & Science: Summer Classes 2017- Pre-K, Nursery, Primary, Secondary (July 10th – August 11th). Call: 216-6921/ 22 for registration
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Cashiers & Pump attendants tow work in the interior with experienced. Call: 644-6366/ 699-9458 One live in domestic and gardener to work in Mahaicony River. Call: 6559419/ 225-6571 One experienced cook for various types of vegetarian dishes, working hours from 7:00am-2:00pm, Monday Saturday 623-1615 2 Experienced work men to look after cattle, experienced in grazing & milking an asset -$21,000 weekly. Call: 2332048 @4:00pm
Office Assistant: passes in Maths and English, computer Literacy, submit CV: ifsvs@hotmail.com Shift Cashier 7-2pm for general store on the E.C.D. Call: 649-2950 1 Experienced person to work in office for fish export company call: 674-1846/ email: 20112011@gmail.com One female cleaner for office in Eccles call 233-2745. Find job listings www.guyamazon.com
on
LAND FOR SALE La Parfaite Harmonie -$1M, Zeelugt -$2M, Tuschen Phase 1 and land -$4M. Call: 642-1252 Providence (corner lot) $4.5M & $3.5M, Farm-$2.8M, Herstelling - $ 3.5M, Uitvlugt - $2.6M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.3M. Call: 651-1969/6292881 40 Acre Land @ Port Kaituma Rd. Side with spring & creek. Call for information: 684-7516 Land located in Friendship E.B.D, land size 50X198, price -$3.9M. Call: 645-6498 Prime Gold & Diamond Mining Land for sale contact 223-5273/74 Land at 42 Coglan Dam, size: 37X270 price -$5.5M negotiable. Call Mr. Howes: 677-9938 or Mrs Clarke: +13473870537
American Variety Store, 140 Regent & Light Street, Georgetown: experienced cashier and Salesgirl, apply in person. Manager: 5yrs experienced (cosmetics & jewelry) & knowledge about henna designs. Call: 671-5759/6576979/ send your application @ rahmangy1@yahoo.com
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS) Continued on Page 29
Saturday June 17, 2017
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Kaieteur News
LEGAL NOTICE IN DEFAULT OF your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/ Notice of Intention to Defend and Answer and or/ Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order if considers appropriate including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at New Amsterdam, Berbice. The office is open to the public between • 8. 00 hours to 3.30 p.m. Mondays to Thursday and 8.00 am to 2.30 p. m on Friday except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated this 13th day of June, 2017.
TO LET 4 AC Rooms/ 1 extra room, for business/offices @ 21 Seaforth St. C/Ville, Georgetown. Call: 226-1877, 624-7436, 654-9350 One bedroom apartments to let for more information. Please contact: 226-4001
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
MASSAGE Neisha’s Massage Spa. Call: 674-8147
From Page 28 LEGAL NOTICE Mr. Ramesh C. Rajkumar Attorney at Law. Lot 8 St. Ann Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Tel; No. 592-333-2652. Email ramesh rajkumar@hotmail.com 2016 NO. 211 F/D BERBICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND M AT R I M O N I A L JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. 211 F/D PETITION FOR DIVORCE AND OTHER MATRIMONIAL CAUSES BETWEEN: CLAYTON KERWIN CHESNEYPetitioner- AND EARLA VANESSA CHESNEY nee ALLEN Respondent NOTICE TAKE NOTICE that on the 21st day of December, 2016 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by CLAYTON KERWIN CHENSEY, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in New Amsterdam, Berbice. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 8th day of June, 2017 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of his Petition on you by the publication of a Notice in two consecutive Saturday issues of a Newspaper of General Circulation in in the State of Guyana. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney at Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at New Amsterdam, Berbice, where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with the related documents. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce ,then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service / Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are all available at the Registry) , Answer and /or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court in New Amsterdam, Berbice within 42 (forty two) days from the date of the last publication of this Notice. TAKE NOTICE that the Divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Friday the 11th day of August, 2017 at 9 a.m. in the Directions Hearing Room of the Family Division of the High Court, New Amsterdam, Berbice.
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Labourers get three years
Jail for three years Sadik Mohamed Jail for three years Gavendra Nirmal Two labourers were yesterday each sentenced to three years' imprisonment after they appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly and pleading guilty to two counts of break and enter and larceny charge. Sadik Mohamed, 33, of Lot 106 Good Hope, East Coast Demerara and Gavendra Nirmal, 57, both pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that between June 9 and June 11 at Hadfield Street, Georgetown, they broke into a union hall and stole two paintings, one radio, a water bottle and a quantity of clothing. It was further alleged that
on the same day, they broke into Khan's Auto Sale and stole one DVR, six car lights, a laptop, and 10 tape decks among other items belonging to Mohamed Khan. They were each sentenced to three years' imprisonment on each charge. The prison term will run concurrently. Police Prosecutor Preston John stated that Khan secured his business place and went out. Upon his return he noticed that the place was broken into and that the items mentioned in the charge were missing. A report was filed with the police. The police acting on information were able to arrest the two accused. They were both told of the offence which they admitted to.
Linden man allegedly posts nude photos of ex
A
Lindener yesterday made an appearance before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts and was released on $50,000 bail on an accusation of posting nude photos of his ex girlfriend on social media. Kenon Grosvenor, 22, a constable of Lot 110 One Mile Extension, Wismar Linden, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that between January 2 and January 3 at Eve Leary, Georgetown, he circulated obscene photos of Micheon Cooper, another police constable, without any reason or tending to corrupt public morals. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge and was instructed to make another court appearance on June 30. The defendant was represented by attorney Clive Forde who in his application to secure bail for his client told the court that his client was never charged before and is not a flight risk.
Release on bail Kenon Grosvenor The court heard that the defendant and the virtual complainant were in a relationship during which Grosvenor brought a cellular phone for the woman. The relationship subsequently ended due to a misunderstanding and the defendant took the phone back from the virtual complainant. After which he allegedly circulated the photos on social media. The matter was then reported and the defendant was arrested and charged for the offence.
Saturday June 17, 2017
Trump rolls back parts of ‘terrible’ Obama Cuba policy (Reuters) President Donald Trump yesterday ordered tighter restrictions on Americans traveling to Cuba and a clampdown on U.S. business dealings with the Caribbean island’s military, saying he was canceling former President Barack Obama’s “terrible and misguided deal” with Havana. Laying out his new Cuba policy in a speech in Miami, Trump signed a presidential directive rolling back parts of Obama’s historic opening to the Communist-ruled country after a 2014 diplomatic breakthrough between the two former Cold War foes. But Trump left in place many of Obama’s changes, including the reopened U.S. embassy in Havana, even as he sought to show he was making good on a campaign promise to take a tougher line against Cuba, especially over its human rights record. “We will not be silent in the face of communist oppression any longer,” Trump told a cheering crowd i n M i a m i ’s C u b a n American enclave of Little Havana, including Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, who helped forge the new restrictions on Cuba. “Effective immediately, I am canceling the last administration’s completely one-sided deal with Cuba,” Trump declared as he made a full-throated assault on the government of Cuban President Raul Castro. Tr u m p ’s r e v i s e d approach calls for stricter enforcement of a longtime ban on Americans going to Cuba as tourists, and seeks to prevent U.S. dollars from being used to fund what the Trump administration sees as a repressive militarydominated government. But, facing pressure from U.S. businesses and even some fellow Republicans to avoid turning back the clock completely in relations with Cuba, the president chose to leave intact some of his Democratic predecessor’s steps toward normalization. The new policy bans most U.S. business transactions with the Armed Forces Business Enterprises Group, a Cuban conglomerate involved in all sectors of the economy. But it makes some exceptions,
U.S. President Donald Trump holds a document he signed after announcing his Cuba policy at the Manuel Artime Theater in the Little Havana neighborhood in Miami, Florida, yesterday. (REUTERS/Joe Skipper) including for air and sea travel, according to U.S. officials. This will essentially shield U.S. airlines and cruise lines serving the island. “We do not want U.S. dollars to prop up a military monopoly that exploits and abuses the citizens of Cuba,” Trump said, pledging that U.S. sanctions would not be lifted until Cuba frees political prisoners and holds free elections. While the changes are far-reaching, they appear to be less sweeping than many U.S. pro-engagement advocates had feared. Trump based his partial reversal of Obama’s Cuba measures largely on human rights grounds. His critics, however, have questioned why his administration is now singling out Cuba for human rights abuses but downplaying the issue in other parts of the world, including Saudi Arabia, a close U.S. ally Trump visited last month where political parties and protests are banned. SOME OBAMA POLICIES LEFT IN PLACE Trump, however, stopped short of breaking diplomatic relations restored in 2015 after more than five decades of hostilities. He also will not cut off recently resumed direct U.S.-Cuba commercial flights or cruiseship travel, though his more restrictive policy seems certain to dampen new economic ties overall. The administration, according to one White House official, has no
intention of “disrupting” existing business ventures such as one struck under Obama by Starwood Hotels Inc, which is owned by Marriott International Inc, to manage a historic Havana hotel. Nor does Trump plan to reinstate limits that Obama lifted on the amount of the island’s coveted rum and cigars that Americans can bring home for personal use. Still, it will be the latest a t t e m p t b y Tr u m p t o overturn parts of Obama’s presidential legacy. He has already pulled the United States out of a major international climate treaty and is trying to scrap his predecessor ’s landmark healthcare program. W h e n O b a m a announced the detente in 2014, he said that decades of U.S. efforts to achieve change in Cuba by isolating the island had failed and it was time to try a new approach. Critics of the rapprochement said Obama was giving too much away without extracting concessions from the Cuban g o v e r n m e n t . C a s t r o ’s government has clearly stated it does not intend to change its one-party political system. Trump aides say Obama’s efforts amounted to “appeasement” and have done nothing to advance political freedoms in Cuba, while benefiting the Cuban government financially. “It’s hard to think of a policy that makes less sense t h a n t h e p r i o r administration’s terrible and misguided deal with the
Castro regime,” Trump said in Miami. International human rights groups say, however, that renewed U.S. efforts to isolate the island could worsen the situation by empowering Cuban hardliners. The Cuban government, which has made clear it will not be pressured into reforms, had no immediate comment. But ordinary Cubans said they were crestfallen to be returning to an era of frostier relations with the United States with potential economic fallout for them. Trump announced his new approach at the Manuel Artime Theater in the heart of the United States’ largest Cuban-American and Cuban exile community, whose support aides believe helped him win Florida in the election. The venue is named after a leader of the failed U.S.backed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961 against Fidel Castro’s revolutionary government. Trump’s vow to keep the broader decades-old U.S. economic embargo on Cuba firmly in place drew criticism from some U.S. farmers, especially growers of corn, soybeans and rice. Obama’s détente has already lifted exports and raised hopes for more gains, which they said were now in doubt. M e x i c o ’s f o r e i g n ministry urged the United States and Cuba to resolve their differences “via dialogue.” B u t Ve n e z u e l a n President Nicolas Maduro, whose leftist government is
Saturday June 17, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Caribbean countries not immune from worldwide refugee problems PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Jun 16, CMC – A United Nations High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR) official says more than 5,000 people came to the Caribbean last year seeking asylum and urged regional countries to play their part in dealing with the world-wide problem of refugees and resettlement. “The fact is the Caribbean region is not an isolated region, it is part of the world as anywhere else. We are seeing that people are coming to the Caribbean and through the Caribbean and they are seeking asylum,” UNHCR Protection Officer, Ruben Barbado, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20. “We have seen in the last year more than 5,000 people. It’s a huge increase from the previous year and in that regard states are taking measures and we are working with them in order to help them to be prepared. “Countries have responsibilities. The countries in the region, most of them have ratified the Refugee Convention and we are working with some of the regional organisations such as CARICOM (Caribbean Community) in order to help them be ready to have their legislation in place, build up solidarity among themselves, working with civil society in order to allow them to (help)…those people who need protection not have to go back to their countries,” he told CMC. Barbado, who was part of the resource team addressing a workshop for media professionals on “Refugee
Protection in Trinidad and Tobago,” on Thursday, said there has been a 257 per cent increase in the number of asylum seekers in the region between the mid-year 2015 and mid-year 2016. Figures released here show that the number of refugees in the Caribbean have steadily increased from 770 in 2014 to 837 in the following year to 976 during the first six months of 2016. UN officials noted that at the mid-year 2016, an estimated 2, 851 migrants had been reportedly involved in maritime interdictions throughout the Caribbean region, comprising 1,657 Cubans, 173 nationals from the Dominican Republic and 488 Haitians. “This represents a 46 per cent increase in the number of migrants from the mid-year 2015 to the mid-year 2016,” Barbado told the workshop. Trinidad and Tobago was listed as the third most popular country in the region behind Belize and the Dominican Republic respectively, where asylum was being sought by refugees from a number of countries including Colombia, Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, Africa, Asia, Syria, Pakistan and the Middle East. The figures also showed that as of April 30 this year, 640 refugees, asylum seekers “and other persons of concern” had arrived in Trinidad and Tobago, a 62 per cent increase in the number of asylum seekers who applied for asylum in 2016 compared to 2015. “The Caribbean is a region contrary to what people might think, we have people from many countries
seeking asylum. We have people coming into the Caribbean to seek asylum from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Syria, from Colombia, Cuba, Haiti and so on,” Barbado told CMC. “So the reality is that many many people are coming here seeking asylum….it cannot be compared with worldwide, but for countries with limited resources, it is also a concern and a challenge, but also an opportunity because these refugees are also coming with a skill. You have doctors, you have entrepreneurs, you have teachers, you have farmers and in that regard they can help the economy if they are allowed …be successful members of members of the society,” he added. “Caribbean countries are diverse, they have seen people from many many years ago and they keep on doing so it is just a matter of giving them (refugees) an opportunity.” The coordinator of the non-governmental organisation, Living Waters Community (LWC), Rochelle Nakhid, who also addressed the workshop, said while Trinidad and Tobago acceded to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol in November 2000, it was disappointing there was no domestic legislation to address the situation. While education at the pri m a r y a n d s e c o n d a r y levels are free to the public, officials admitted there were barriers for many refugee children such as the ability to speak and understand English as well a s t h e l a c k of available spaces.
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TT Govt. dismisses Auditor General’s report on rental of unoccupied buildings PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The Trinidad and Tobago government has dismissed as ‘old news” a statement by the Auditor General Majeed Ali that the government has paid in excess of TT$65 million (One TT dollar =US$0.16 cents) for the rental of four unoccupied buildings. “This information from the Auditor General is old news and relates to the previous administration. We have given up over 20 leases on unoccupied buildings to date,” Public Administration and Communications Minister Maxie Cuffie said in a statement. Ali, who appeared before the Public Account Committee of Parliament earlier this week to discuss the, Auditor General for the period ended September 30, 2016, said the State had paid TT$65.3 million for the rental of four unoccupied properties by ministries and departments over a period of at least four years. “Public funds were not and are still not utilised in the most efficient way,” he said, adding that it took a long time for government ministries to get into the agreement to occupy the properties. “The process of getting it equipped and getting Cabinet approval is a long period of time,” he said, “That is why they have payments being made to this amount for these properties.”
Maxie Cuffie He said in the case where TT$53.5 million was spent, the ministry was paying for a shell as the building needed to be outfitted to their specification. “The process was taking a bit long. They had to obtain the necessary partitions and all the furniture and fixtures and each time they had to go back to Parliament to get approvals while the rent is being paid for that shell,” Ali said. But in his statement, Cuffie said that the Keith Rowley government is no longer paying for unoccupied buildings and to date has secured a savings of over TT$90 million by ensuring property management is a priority focus. “Government’s monthly rental bill as at September 2015 was approximately TT$45,360,830 VAT exclusive. Since then we have vacated a number of properties where the rent was being paid without properties being occupied, resulting in a monthly savings of TT$3,216,259 VAT exclusive in rentals as at 31 May 2017. “We handed back the keys to a building being rented by the Personnel Department at over one million dollars plus VAT per month for the period December 10, 2012 to August
31, 2016,” said Cuffie. He said the delays in outfitting the building were partly the cause for nonoccupation of the Personnel Department rental. However, Cuffie said that the Property and Real Estate Services Division (PRESD) of the Ministry of Public Administration and Communications has introduced measures to ensure that all Ministries have the available funding to undertake outfitting prior to any rental agreement. “I have mandated PRESD to closely monitor the use of buildings once rented to ensure that it is occupied at the shortest possible time, inclusive of outfitting works,” he said. Cuffie acknowledged that the previously unoccupied One Alexandra Place had cost the government over TT$50 million in rent between the period December 2012 and July 2016. But now the building is now fully occupied under the same terms that had been previously negotiated. He said additional rentals will be vacated with the newly opened Government Plaza which is expected to house over 4000 public servants when fully occupied.
Saturday June 17, 2017
Cricket - TV ad rates rocket ahead of India... (From page 39) and Indian tyre maker MRF signed up as commercial partners for the tournament. Fewer than 10 percent of the slots are left for the final, a person in the sports broadcasting industry said. Companies still wanting to air their ads will be paying a higher rate than those who pre-booked, said the person, who did not want to be named, citing business confidentiality. “India v Pakistan Final... !!!!!!!! All TV execs around the world are now cracking a nice bottle open to celebrate,” tweeted former England captain Michael Vaughan. India captain Virat Kohli is the only cricketer among the world’s 100 highest-paid sportsmen, ranking 89th with annual income of $22 million, according to a list compiled by Forbes. Before the Champions Trophy, the last time India and
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Pakistan played a one-day international was during the 2015 World Cup. That game, won by India, was one of the top-six most viewed sporting events, along with the soccer World Cup final and Usain Bolt’s 100-metre sprint at the 2012 Olympic Games, the sports broadcasting industry source said. “That was a league game, this is the final,” the person said. “You can expect this to be even bigger.” India and Pakistan have already met during the tournament’s group stage, with India winning easily. More than 200 million people watched that game, according to Indian media, citing BARC India. For Sunday’s final, viewership is expected to be 30-40 percent higher. TROUBLED HISTORY Cricket between the neighbours and rivals has been limited because of their longstanding political problems.
They last played a bilateral series in 2012-13, when Pakistan toured India for two Twenty20 games and three one-day internationals. It was their first series since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, when Pakistani militants went on a killing spree that left 166 people dead in India’s financial capital. India has since refused to play Pakistan outside International Cricket Council events. In disputed Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan, the cricket tournament has already caused discord. Residents of Indian Kashmir, many of whom support the Pakistani team, lit fire-crackers to celebrate Pakistan’s victory over Sri Lanka earlier in the tournament. Later that night, residents in a village in south Kashmir accused Indian army soldiers of beating them and smashing their cars and windows to punish them for celebrating.
Friday June 16, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Don't reveal any personal details. Things aren't as they appear. It won't take much to upset your lover. TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Changes in your residence may be financially favorable. You will be well looked upon due to your compassionate and giving nature. Be discreet and don't present your ideas until you're certain that they're foolproof. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You can meet new and exciting lovers through work related projects. You'd be wise to control your spending so your debts don't get out of hand. This could be the cause of a dispute that may result in estrangement. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Do not ruffle feathers if possible. Take care of the needs of elders in your family. Pleasure trips will promote new romantic encounters. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't be shy to promote your own interests. New methods and innovative technology will make your job far easier than you anticipated. Mingle with those who can help you get ahead. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You will be ready to jump on anyone who gets in the way of your progress today. Try not to get backed into corners.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't hesitate to voice your ideas and opinions. Your magnetic, outgoing personality will capture hearts. Express your interest if you want the relationship to progress. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your outgoing charm and obvious talent will be admired. You may want to make changes that will turn your entertainment room into a real family affair. Take care of any medical problems if they've been troubling you. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You can pick up valuable information if you listen to those with more experience. Stress coupled with diet will add to stomach problems. You can take advantage of opportunities if you are quick to make a move. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Be prepared to counteract the damage that adversaries are about to create. You may as well work on projects that will allow you to make progress. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Opportunities for new friendships are apparent. You should put a little extra effort in at work. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your emotions are fluctuating, so be careful not to say things you'll regret. Be sure to get involved with those who can introduce you to unusual forms of entertainment.
Egypt weightlifting doping scandal deepens as new cases revealed CAIRO (Reuters) A doping scandal in Egyptian weightlifting deepened yesterday when the national antidoping committee said five further Egyptian weightlifters, including three females, had tested positive during local championships in Alexandria last March-. Committee chief Osama Ghoneim told Reuters that five samples had been taken from three female, and two male, weightlifters at the Egyptian Cup in late March in the port city. “The tests showed traces of banned substances and the five were suspended temporarily until the completion of hearings,” Ghoneim said. “We are currently conducting the hearings and they
have been summoned. But some of them failed to attend the investigation and we gave them 10 more days to attend or face the consequences.” Ghoneim said the names of the five and the sanctions would be announced after the hearings. The five face a fouryear ban if found guilty. Egypt faces the possibility of being banned from weightlifting for up to two years by the sport’s governing body after- another five teenagers, including two girls aged 14, tested positive for steroids — a charge the head of the national weightlifting federation has rejected as “a conspiracy-”. The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) confirmed that the five,
and two 20-year-olds, tested positive at the African Youth and Junior Championships in Cairo last December. The Egyptian anti-doping committee and the Egyptian Weightlifting Federation said they were victims of a plot and an internal investigation by the federation suggested somebody with a grudge had doctored food eaten by the team-. - Egyptian organizations have provided no evidence to support a plot and Reuters has not independently been able to confirm their accusations. Under IWF rules, any country returning three or more positive tests within a year faces a range of sanctions and in serious cases can be suspended from the sport.
Injured Starc out of Bangladesh Tests... (From page 34) government agencies and our own security advisors about the security risk. “Our number one priority will always be the safety and security of our players and support staff when travelling to any country. Players selected for this tour will con-
tinue to receive regular security status updates prior to travelling.” Australia’s 13-man squad Steven Smith (capt), David Warner (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade (wk), Josh Hazlewood,
Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Matt Renshaw In: Hilton Cartwright, James Pattinson Out: Steve O’Keefe, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Jackson Bird
Fifties for Taylor, Matthews but Windies... (From page 39) as they lost three quick wickets for nine runs in the space of 35 balls. Taylor then attempted to prop up the innings, adding 30 for the fourth wicket with Deandra Dottin (6) and a further 35 for the fifth wicket with Merissa Aguilleira (13). Once the former skipper was run out in the 42nd over, the Windies lost their last five wickets for just 30 runs. Taylor, who struck five fours and a six in breezy 59ball knock, was sixth out in the 46th over to a catch at the wicket off seamer Jhulan Goswami.
McDonald’s ends... (From page 35) (INTC.O) next week, according a source familiar with the matter. A spokeswoman for Intel did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The IOC has faced criticism from public health campaigners for allowing sponsors such as Coca-Cola (KO.N) and McDonald’s to use the Games as an opportunity to market their products, which are perceived to be unhealthy, in contrast to what the event seeks to promote. Shares of McDonald’s rose $1.08, or less than one percent, to $152.25 in morning New York Stock Exchange trading.
Connell then blew away India’s top order to leave them 37 for three in the 12th over but Mandhana held the innings together superbly, facing 99 balls and striking nine fours.
She anchored two crucial partnerships – 43 for the fourth with Harmanpreet Kaur who made 33 from 32 balls and 89 with Meshram in an unbroken sixth wicket stand.
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Mohammad Amir likely to be fit for final ESPNcricinfo - Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir is likely to be fit for selection for the Champions Trophy final against India tomorrow, after completing an entire training session at The Oval yesterday. A back spasm had ruled Amir out of the semi-final against England on June 14, after he failed a fitness test shortly before the toss. Azhar Mahmood, Pakistan’s bowling coach, said Amir was fit but did not comment on whether the bowler would play the final. “Amir bowled today. Amir is fit,” Mahmood said yesterday. “We have not decided about (playing him).” Amir ’s likely availability could leave Pakistan with a conundrum, albeit a happy one. Despite bowling well, Amir was
wicket-less in the first two league matches, against India and South Africa. He had success against Sri Lanka, taking 2 for 53 and scoring a valuable 28 not out in an eighth-wicket partnership that sealed a semi-final place for Pakistan. “When you go to a final, you want your experienced player, you want him to be fully fit and participating on t h a t p a r t i c u l a r d a y, ” Mahmood said. But (we have told him) if he has any doubt he should let us know. At the moment he bowled today. He is fine. Yeah, definitely you would go with Amir, but we don’t mind if Amir can’t play. If he is not fit, then we have to move on.” In the semi-final, Amir was replaced by Rumman Raees, another left-arm fast
bowler who made his ODI debut in the match; he shared the new ball with Junaid Khan and took 2 for 44 in Pakistan’s eight-wicket victory. Along with Hasan Ali, who has emerged as Pakistan’s bowler of the tournament, Raees and Junaid surprised England, dismissing one of the best batting units over the last two years for 211. Hasan, who suffered a calf niggle in the semi-final, did not train with the team yesterday but Mahmood said the bowler was resting as a precaution. “We have the bench strength,” Mahmood said. “Last match, when Amir was not there, people were worried about our main strike bowler not p l a y i ng. But the way Rumman Raees came in and bowled, it showed we have
Powerhouses India pick strong squad for Caribbean trip
Opener Rohit Sharma … rested for the Caribbean series. MUMBAI, India, CMC – India have named a strong 15-man squad for the fivem a t c h O n e - D a y International series against West Indies bowling off in Trinidad and Tobago next week. The powerhouses, who clobbered Bangladesh to reach the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in England on Thursday, will be led by batting star Virat Kohli and includes the core of the unit currently at the showpiece in London. However, selectors have opted to rest opener Rohit Sharma and seamer Jasprit Bumrah both of whom played in Thursday’s semifinal. The right-handed Rohit struck a superb unbeaten 123 to propel India to a convincing nine-wicket win. Kohli said it was
important Rohit was rested especially since recently undergoing hip surgery and then playing the full Indian Premier League with eventual champions Mumbai Indians. “There is no doubt about Rohit’s ability and what he brings to the team,” Kohli said. “We need to protect him going further because [in the] latter half of the year we have massive tours coming up, and his batting contribution will be a huge factor for us. So we want him to be careful because after a massive surgery you do need to be careful. “If you push yourself a little too hard then it snaps again, you’re out for seven, eight months.” Selectors have brought i n t e e n a g e d wicketkeeper/batsman
Rishabh Pant and 22-yearold left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav, both of whom are uncapped in ODIs. India will face Pakistan in tomorrow’s Champions Trophy final before flying out to the Caribbean where they face West Indies in the opening ODI at Queen’s Park Oval on June 23. The game is the first of a doubleheader at the venue with the second ODI set for two days later. SQUAD – Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Ajinkya Rahane, Mahendra Singh Dhoni , Yu v r a j S i n g h , Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Ravi Ashwin, Ravi Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, B h u v n e s h w a r K u m a r, Kuldeep Yadav and Dinesh Karthik.
the bench strength. We have guys who have such skill and such an ability that they can perform on any stage. It is just a matter of self belief and confidence. I think anyone can replace anyone.” Mahmood did, however, hint that if Amir was picked tomorrow, it could be at the expense of Raees. “Let us see who is going to play Rumman Raees or Amir. D o e s n ’ t m a t t e r. H e [Raees] is a quality bowler as well. And he showed in the semi-finals on a big stage he can do the job for us.” Amir has been a nearconstant presence in the Pakistan XI since his return to international cricket at the start of 2016, playing 47 out of the side’s 57 international matches, across formats, in this period.
Mohammad Amir receives the ball with one hand, Australia v Pakistan, 4th ODI, Sydney, January 22, 2017 ©Cricket Australia
Ronaldo seeks Real Madrid exit after tax accusations: report (Reuters) Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave the club and Spain after being accused of committing tax fraud in the c o u n t r y, a r e p o r t i n Portuguese sports daily A Bola said yesterday. The newspaper said its story was based on a reliable source and that the 32-yearold four-times world player of the year had already made up his mind to ask the club for a transfer. It said that Ronaldo was “deeply disenchanted” with the allegations against him. Record, another sports daily, carried a similar story. Ronaldo’s agents could not immediately be reached for comment. Spanish prosecutors have filed a lawsuit against the player accusing him of defrauding tax authorities of 14.7 million euros ($16.5 million) by hiding his image rights income between 2011 and 2014. Ronaldo has denied any wrongdoing. Real Madrid said on Thursday they were confident the Portuguese forward had acted legally. They could not immediately be reached on Friday to comment on the report. Ronaldo led Real Madrid to their 12th European Cup earlier this month after scoring two goals in a 4-1 victory over Juventus in the Champions League final, becoming the
tournament’s top scorer. Ronaldo, Portugal’s alltime leading scorer, is the latest in a long line of soccer players in Spain — among them Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Neymar — to be caught up in cases over tax or transfers.
Liga twice. In November, he agreed to extend his contract until 2021. He is currently at the Confederations Cup in Russia with the Portuguese national team where his team mate Andre Silva said that Ronaldo was motivated
Portugal’s national soccer team player Cristiano Ronaldo attends a training session. (REUTERS/Rafael Marchante) Ronaldo has completed eight seasons at Real Madrid since joining them from Manchester United in 2009 for a then world record fee of 96 million euros During that time, they have won the Champions League three times and La
for the tournament. “All I can say is that he is motivated, focused on the national team and encouraging us on to win the tournament,” he told a news conference in Kazan, where Portugal face Mexico tomorrow.
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Australia pay talks crawling two weeks from deadline ESPNcricinfo - Time is fast running out to avoid damaging dislocation to Australian cricket, after precious little progress was made in two days of meetings between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association ahead of the June 30 expiry of the MOU. The negotiating teams for CA - led by Kevin Roberts - and the ACA - led by its chief executive Alistair Nicholson - met on Wednesday and Thursday, with plans for further discussions next week still being finalised. CA’s chief executive James Sutherland is in London for the Champions Trophy and ICC meetings. ESPNcricinfo has learnt that the two parties remain very much at odds over the fundamental of a fixed revenue percentage model for the next MOU, with CA as adamant as ever about breaking it up while the ACA seek to retain it, albeit in modified form. This impasse means fewer than two weeks remain to reach any sort of agreement about a way forward, opening up numerous grim possibilities. These include out of contract players being left unemployed from July 1, the players’ intellectual property passing from CA to the ACA’s new commercial arm The Cricketers Brand, and the board consequently being in breach of many existing commercial and
broadcast contracts involving the use of players. CA is currently trying to secure a raft of new sponsors following the conclusion of major deals with the Commonwealth Bank and the alcohol sponsor CUB, while also entering the final year of its existing broadcast rights contracts with the Nine and Ten networks. Ten, this week, announced it was being placed into voluntary administration, potentially affecting its ability to bid for the Big Bash League after the current deal expires. While the women’s World Cup squad currently in England have been provided with short-term contracts that go beyond the start of July, CA has announced men’s squads for the Australia A tour of South Africa later in July and also the Test tour of Bangladesh in August, without reaching any agreement on how those players might be paid. State players are currently training having been given letters of intent to offer them contracts, but have no further certainty beyond the end of this month. “Selectors have also chosen this Bangladesh squad irrespective and independent of the status of the MOU,” CA’s team performance manager Pat Howard said. “We are working towards a resolution being in place by June 30 and look forward to continuing to support these players to perform at their very best on the global
The wait for a new MOU between the Australian players and the cricket board continues © Getty Images stage.” It is understood that the negotiator Roberts has remained totally committed to CA’s original pay proposal and its dismantling of revenue sharing. But the ACA has argued it cannot progress without knowing more of the financial detail behind it - mainly how the cash being allocated to male and female players over the next five years measures up if counted as a percentage of cricket revenue over that time. While CA has repeatedly offered up information relating to how much the players’ pay will rise depending on numerous scenarios in terms of broadcast and sponsorship revenues, it has equally declined to provide an
illustration of how much it thinks the total “pie” will grow over that period. At the same time, it has contended that the ACA’s estimates have overinflated the amount of money available to the game from 2017 to 2023, the proposed term of the next MOU. Equally, the ACA has sought greater detail of how pay will be broken down for domestic players in particular, but to date has only been given the “average” figures present in CA’s initial pay offer. The board has argued that much of the detail sought by the ACA is commercial-inconfidence, and beyond the level of information a collective bargaining agent should be entitled to. Greg Hunt, Australia’s
minister for sport, has indicated that the federal government would be willing to provide independent mediation should this dispute threaten the looming home Ashes series. Neither CA nor the ACA wished to comment on talks. Sutherland and Nicholson spoke last week in a rare instance of direct
communication between the two CEOs, but CA’s chief executive and its chairman, David Peever, are now preoccupied by a raft of ICC issues. Chief among these items is work to ensure the passing of a new constitution for the global governing body that would fundamentally change the shape of cricket politics.
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Injured Starc out of Bangladesh Tests, O’Keefe dropped
Steve O’Keefe was Australia’s equal top wicket-taker on this year’s tour of India but has now been axed for the series in Bangladesh © Associated Press
GCF National Championships 2017
Time Trials on today, Road Races take centre stage from tomorrow By Franklin Wilson It’s that time of the year when the most prestigious period on the cycling calendar takes center stage; it’s the National Championships which will be run over three days beginning today with the Time Trials. This is the season when the national champions in the senior, female, junior, juvenile, veteran Over and Under-45 categories will be crowned. They will each have bragging rights as the best for the next 12-months, apart from winning medals and a championship jersey which depicts their achievement. Guyana’s #1 female, UK based Claire Fraser-Green will be defending her Time Tr i a l a n d R o a d R a c e championships which she has done for the last four years and is tipped to make it five in a row. Also set to defend the double is junior champion Christopher Cornelius who was in pristine form last year; judging from performances so far this year, Cornelius would be hard pressed to take the respective top podium spots this time around as the likes of Briton John, Curtis Dey, and Jason Cameron will all be challenging the champ. Veteran Under and Over45 Time Trial winner last year, Raymond ‘Steely’ Newton and Stephen Fernandes have not been very active this year and if
they show up, would be hard pressed to repeat their 2016 feat. In the limelight are Guyana’s most dominant Under-45 cyclist Junior Niles who would have to stave off the likes of Warren ‘Forty’ Mc Kay, Lear Nunes and Everal Mundy among others. Ian ‘Deaf Boy’ Jackson, Andrew Spencer, Shameer Baksh and Bochel Samaroo are some of the contenders in the Over45 class. Transportation, which has been provided by the National Sports Commission (NSC), is expected to leave outside the NSC at 07:00hrs today for the starting point for the Ti m e Tr i a l s , H a i r u n i , Linden, Soesdyke Highway. The eight-mile course will see the riders turning back at the Long Creek Primary School sign and returning to the starting line for the finish. There has been an adjustment in the miles for the juniors and Over-45 riders for tomorrow’s Road Races. They will now ride a total of 53-miles similar to the females and juveniles, which will see them pedaling off from the NSC on H o m e s t r e t c h Av e n u e tomorrow from 08:00hrs proceed to Timehri at the bottle neck before returning to the starting line for the finish. The Under-45 vets will turn on to the Linden Soesdyke Highway proceed to the Camp Wesleyana sign before returning to the
starting line for completion, a total of 70 miles. The Senior Road Race will be contested on Sunday June 25th where only Under-45 cyclists who would like to take part are allowed and not juniors as the federation had previously announced. Club representatives meeting with the GCF on Thursday last at the GOA agreed that the juniors would not be allowed to participate. The senior race would see the big guns covering a distance of 103 miles from Homestretch Avenue to Camp Sewayo, Linden Soesdyke Highway and return to the starting line to complete what would be the longest race ever for National championship glory. The likes of defending champion Geron Williams, Raynauth Jeffrey, Andrew Hicks, Hamza Eastman, Christopher Holder and Shaquelle Agard, all presently competing in the USA, are expected to be back for next week’s showdown. They will come up against the home boys including Jamal John, Walter Grant-Stuart, Paul De Nobrega (recently returned from USA), Alanzo Ambrose, Enzo Matthews (recently returned from USA), Mario King, Andre Green and Jeban Crawford. It is not certain if Michael Anthony and Orville Hinds, both competing in French Guiana would be back for next week’s showdown.
ESPNcricinfo - Mitchell Starc will miss Australia’s Test tour of Bangladesh in August due to injury, while left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe has been axed despite bowling Australia to victory with a 12-wicket haul against India in Pune earlier this year. Ashton Agar has been included as the second spinner alongside Nathan Lyon, with Jon Holland overlooked after piling up 50 Sheffield Shield wickets at 20.78 last summer. Allrounder Hilton Cartwright has been named in the 13-man squad and has the chance to add to the one Test cap he earned during Australia’s home summer, while Usman Khawaja has been included after being overlooked for all four Tests in India. In the absence of Starc, Australia’s pace attack will be made up of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and James Pattinson, although a fourth fast bowler is set to be added after Australia A’s tour of South Africa. “Mitchell was due to go for follow up scans after the Champions Trophy, as part of his recovery plan,” David Beakley, Australia’s team physio, said. “These scans have indicated his previous stress fracture has still not fully healed to the extent we would like. “He will now undertake a
period of rest from bowling with the aim to have him return for the one-day series in India in late September as he begins his build up to the Ashes.” The omission of O’Keefe is a rapid fall for the left-arm spinner, who claimed 6 for 35 in each innings in Pune in February, and finished the series as Australia’s equal leading wicket-taker despite his impact diminishing as the tour wore on. Then in April, O’Keefe was fined and suspended by New South Wa l e s f o r w h a t w e r e described as “highly inappropriate comments” at a Cricket NSW function. “Whilst Steve O’Keefe bowled well in Pune,” national selector Trevor Hohns said, “he did not maintain this level in the remaining matches of the series and we believe the timing is right for Ashton to enter the set-up and test his allrounder ability. “Ashton has continued to impress us with his form and we believe his bowling is at a level where he deserves to be playing on the highest stage. He will work nicely in tandem with Nathan Lyon and also brings a great allround package to the team. “Hilton averages nearly 60 [52.07] runs in first-class cricket and was the second highest run-scorer in the
Sheffield Shield last season with 861 runs. He is a quality player who we believe has a big future for Australia and we are very keen to see him carry on his good form in the subcontinent.” Although the tour schedule had not been officially announced, Cricket Australia said in releasing the squad details that the team would arrive in Bangladesh on August 18 and play a twoday tour game in Fatullah from August 22. The two Tests are set for August 27 in Dhaka and September 4 in Chittagong. Australia were supposed to tour Bangladesh in 2015 but after advice from the Federal Government, Cricket Australia announced the tour had been postponed due to security concerns. Pat Howard, Cricket Australia’s executive general manager of team performance, said CA was currently satisfied with the security arrangements for the trip. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Bangladesh Government have provided satisfactory levels of assurance and security for this tour to proceed at this stage, and we’re very grateful to them for this,” Howard said. “We will continue to work with them to finalise plans but also monitor advice from (Continued on page 31)
Germany sees Confederations Cup as test for young players (Reuters) Germany’s Confederations Cup target is not so much the title as it is to develop young players with an eye on next year’s World Cup in Russia, team manager Oliver Bierhoff said yesterday. Germany, who have sent a second string team to the tournament starting today, were more interested in seeing their young squad play freely, Bierhoff told reporters in Sochi, Russia, a day after the world champions’ arrival. “On a sporting level it is an important tournament where we can measure ourselves with other teams,” Bierhoff said. “The most important thing for us is to develop the players.” He said he would like to see the young team gradually come together and deliver several candidates for next year’s squad that
Oliver Bierhoff
will defend their 2014 World Cup title in Russia. Coach Joachim Loew has brought half a dozen newcomers into the team, resting several of his stalwarts including Manuel Neuer, Mesut Ozil, Marco Reus and Mats Hummels among others to have them f i t f o r n e x t y e a r ’s tournament. “The competition will be extremely valuable for the development of the team and
each individual player,” Bierhoff said. “We represent German football here. That is not only the 20 world champions but also others who have since joined us and we want to deliver a good performance.” “The first priority is to develop the team and the second to win the title.” Germany kick off their Group B matches against Australia on June 19.
Kaieteur News
Saturday June 17, 2017
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McDonald’s ends Olympics sponsorship deal early (Reuters) U.S. fast-food giant McDonald’s Corp (MCD.N) has ended its 41year-long Olympic Games sponsorship deal three years early, the International Olympic Committee said yesterday. The company had said last year it would reevaluate its relationship with the Olympics. McDonald’s, a sponsor since 1976 and part of the IOC’s top sponsors program that contributes more than $1 billion in every four-year cycle for the Games, had a contract running through the 2 0 2 0 To k y o s u m m e r Olympics. “In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, we understand that McDonald’s is looking to focus on different business priorities,” Timmo Lumme, managing director of IOC Television and Marketing Services, said in a statement. Financial terms of the separation were not disclosed. While it is unusual for an Olympic sponsor to leave early, sponsors change regularly within the IOC’s top program. The most recent addition was China’s
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA.N), which signed a deal in January for a partnership through 2028. “As part of our global growth plan, we are reconsidering all aspects of our business and have made this decision in cooperation with the IOC to focus on different priorities,” said McDonald’s Global Chief Marketing Officer Silvia Lagnado. John Lewicki, who oversees global Olympic sponsorship deals for McDonald’s, said last year the company would reevaluate its Olympic relationship after changes to a rule that ended a marketing blackout for companies that sponsor athletes rather than the event itself. McDonald’s has been tightening costs as it invests in improving its food quality, restaurant service and online ordering to woo back diners in the United States, where intense competition has gnawed away at sales. A source who has negotiated previous IOC sponsorship deals said that top global sponsors, like McDonalds, spend about $25 million per year for the
Correction
Naomi Barkoye In our Thursday June 15, 2017 Edition, Kaieteur News reporting on the National Sports Commission Ministry of Education AL Sport and Tour Promotions 20th Annual Primary Schools day/night Windball Cricket Champions Trophy tournament, mistakenly carried a photograph purporting to be that of the talented Naomi Barkoye, however, that was not her photo. In the action in question, Naomi Barkoye a pupil of North Georgetown Primary hammered 96 (6x6s, 11x4s) in her team’s 100 - 1 playing against Winfer Garden, who were restricted to 85-3 in response. Keeasha Jones made 20 for the losers. Kaieteur Sport apologises for the apparent mix up.
rights, or about $100 million for a four-year period that includes a summer and winter games. The company, first involved with the Games in 1968, was its food retail sponsor. Despite pulling out with immediate effect, McDonald’s will continue at next year’s Pyeongchang winter Olympics as sponsors with domestic marketing rights. The IOC said it was not planning a direct replacement for McDonald’s, but it is expected to announce a new global deal with Intel Corp (Continued on page 31)
A bus passes near a McDonalds restaurant in Miraflores district of Lima, Peru, Thursday. (REUTERS/Mariana Bazo)
Kaieteur News
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Saturday June 17, 2017
Sparta crush Albouystown 5-1 to make tonight’s final By Rawle Welch Could any team really stop them was the question being asked by the large crowd that turned up to witness reigning futsal champions Sparta Boss crush a previously undefeated Albouystown 5-1 in semi-final action of the Xtreme Clean & Maintenance /GT Beer ‘Gold Rush’ Tournament which continued on Thursday evening, at the National Gymnasium. The lop-sided victory assured them of a place in tonight’s final where they face a tough Tucville side that outlasted Sophia 6-4 in a drama-filled encounter. Appearing in the final game of the night, Sparta Boss, who’re undoubtedly the most dominant team in the shorter version, almost immediately established their stranglehold on the game when the diminutive
Eusi Philips smashed in a right-footer from the right side after just two minutes. Oozing with confidence and dominating most of the possession, Sparta Boss showed that they were in no mood to entertain any opposition and netted their second through the lanky Solomon Austin almost immediately after he was introduced when he received a pass down the centre and fired past a surprised Albouystown goalkeeper in the 9th minute. They took a handy 2-0 lead to the break. Coming out in the final period, Sparta Boss were relentless in their offensive forays with Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson and talisman Devon ‘Don Don’ Millington a thorn in the flesh of their opponents. Three minutes after the resumption, Richardson scored the goal of the night when he collected a long
-Tucville outlast Sophia to set up rematch
Sophia’s Dwayne Lowe is closely watched by Tucville player Delon Williams during their clash which the latter won to make the final. pass from inside their half tricked his marker intro thinking that he was going inside, but instead rolled to the outside and in one motion
hit a cracking right-footer into the far corner. It was a moment of magic and brought back memories of his glory days when he destroyed many defences. Two minutes later, not to be outdone, Millington, who was content on delivering the deadly passes, said it was time for him to get into the act and he delivered with aplomb, weaving past one defender to fire past the hapless Albouystown custodian to make it 4-0 and clearly their final appearance guaranteed. Albouystown most lively player and one who threatened all night, Lennox Cort, gave them their consolation strike when he took advantage of a lapse in concentration by the Sparta backline to lash past the keeper in the 28th minute. However, Denis Edwards, who had been watching the proceedings from the bench all night, came on as a substitute and he too inked his name on the scoresheet, beating his marker, before slamming a powerful right-footer into the back of the net to make it out of reach for Albouystown to recover. That goal came in the 29th minute and it was just a
matter of preserving the lead and playing sensible which they did to advance to another final. The game that preceded that was an enthralling showpiece, but was not without its controversy as Tucville held on to beat Sophia and set up a dream final against Sparta Boss who they had defeated earlier in the competition. Once again it was the skilful Jermaine Junior, who led them to victory with a hat-trick netted in the 4th, 7th and 14th minutes, while Dennis Edwards duplicated his performance with a treble as well, scoring in the 5th, 30th and 34th minutes of play. For Sophia, Omallo ‘Mow’ Williams slammed in a brace in the 6th and 32nd minutes, while there was one each for Desmond Cottam 35th and Stephen Dolphin 36th. However, a moment of controversy erupted when an appeal for goal was disallowed by Referee Wayne Griffith, who ruled that the ball did not end over the goal-line. That ruling did not affect the excitement and the fans were kept on the edge of the
seats as the two teams traded goals with rapidity. The two losers will now play in the third place playoff. The winning team take home $500,000 and the championship trophy, while second, third and fourth placed finishers collect $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. The tournament’s Most Valuable Player will receive $50,000. Among the other sponsors on board are: Fas Grafix, Jefford’s Distribution and Sales, Giftland Distribution Store, Windjammer International Cuisine & Hotel and FA R M S U P M i n i n g Investments Inc. In the night’s full results: Game-1 Tucville-6 vs Sophia-4 Tucville Scorers Jermaine Junior-4th, 7th and 14th Dennis Edwards-5th, 30th and 34th Sophia Scorer Omallo Williams-6th and 32nd Desmond Cottam-35th Stephen Dolphin-36th Game-2 Sparta Boss-5 vs Albouystown-1 Sparta Scorers Eusi Phillips-2nd Solomon Austin-7th Gregory Richardson23rd Devon Millington-25th Dennis Edwards-29th Albouystown Scorer Lennox Cort-28th
Kaieteur News
Saturday June 17, 2017
Konta through to semifinals in Nottingham
GFF-NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National U-17 tourney begins this weekend
Georgetown: The G F F – N A M I L C O Thunderbolt Flour Power National U-17 IntraAssociation tournament will begin this weekend in three Regional Member Associations (RMAs). This second phase of the tournament will see matches in the Essequibo/Pomeroon Football Association (Esseq/Pom. FA ) , U p p e r D e m e r a r a Football Association ( U D FA ) a n d B e r b i c e
Great Britain’s Johanna Konta in action during her quarter final match against Australia’s Ashleigh Barty. (Action Images via Reuters /Jason Cairnduff Livepic) (Reuters) Top seed Johanna Konta overcame a second-set wobble against Australia’s Ashleigh Barty to claim a 6-3, 7-5 victory and reach the semi-finals of the Nottingham Open yesterday. Cheered on by the home crowd the world number eight eased through the first set but fell a break behind in the second before upping her game to avoid a deciding set. “I only had one little dip but I tried to stay strong. I felt I was able to raise my
game,” Konta, who will carry Britain’s hopes in the W i m b l e d o n w o m e n ’s singles next month, said after reaching the semis without dropping a set. “It was definitely a nice little comeback,” Konta added. “I worked very hard to get myself back into that second set and stop Ashleigh from running away with it.” Konta won a round at Wimbledon for the first time last year after four opening round defeats but after her rapid rise up the rankings,
including the title in Miami this year, she will be expecting a deep run at the All England Club. She will continue to sharpen her game with a Saturday semi-final in Nottingham against Magdalena Rybarikova who beat American qualifier Kristie Ahn. Croatia’s Donna Vekic, a former finalist at the Birmingham grasscourt event, also reached the last four with a 6-2, 6-3 defeat of Greek player Maria Sakkari.
GSCL Inc premier softball tourney set for October Teams invited to discuss launch today at GNIC SC The Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc will be hosting its premier softball tournament in October with matches set to be played at several venues in Georgetown. As a result softball teams are invited to discuss its launching and make an input towards the successful staging of the tournament at an interactive session at the G N I C S C , Wo o l f o r d Avenue today. The tournament which will lasts for three days, will be played in the Over-45 and Open categories using the big ball and will be of international caliber with teams from Canada and the
USA expected to take part. Lots of incentives will be up for the taking and a female exhibition game featuring some of the leading players locally will be contested prior to the finals. The competition will be promoted in the USA with cricket commentator Inderjeet Persaud heading a cluster of officials from the GSCL Inc to New York for the New York Softball Cricket League annual Independence Cup slated for July. Regal All Stars and Regal Masters are among several teams that will carry Guyana’s challenge in the competition. Despite their
preparation being somewhat affected by the inclement weather, captains of both teams have expressed confidence of going all the way as they have done in the past. Regal Masters only recently won the GSCL Inc Independence Cup, while their Open team took the runner up spot. As part of today’s meet with the various softball teams at GNIC SC, Regal All Stars and Regal Masters will be hosting a Bar-B-que and lime with Bar-B-que being served from12:00hrs. Softball fans are also encouraged to come out and support.
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Football Association (BFA) being contested today and tomorrow. The UDFA will host two matches at the Wisburg Ground; BFA will also host two, one each at the Burnham Park and #5 Ground respectively, while Esseq/Pom. FA will host three matches to be held at the New Opportunity Corps Ground and Queenstown Community Centre Ground respectively.
In an invited comment, G F F ’s C o m p e t i t i o n s Director, Ian Alves said: “In alignment with the GFF’s focus on youth development, we look forward with eager anticipation to the restart of the ‘Thunderbolt Flour Power National U17 league’ which continues to bring to the fore future prospects for national selection at the senior level.” T h e t o u r n a m e n t ’s recommencement follows a presentation of the cheques to the respective RMAs last week Friday, in the Boardroom of the GFF. This is geared towards addressing costs related to the operations of the tournament.
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Saturday June 17, 2017
Almeida upsets Panday, Downes progresses Harry Panday is known in local tennis circles as one of the guys you don’t want to play, since he has the ability to retrieve just about every ball if he manages to impose his style of game. On Monday night in the GBTI Open Tennis tournament he got a taste of his own medicine when he faced off with Brazilian Alexley Almeida in the Men’s Over 45 Singles semi-finals. From early indications it seemed that Almeida was down and out as Panday frustrated him by having long rallies which lacked much pace on the ball as he secured a 5-2 lead in the first set. From that point on Almeida dug deep and was involved in many points where he simply outlasted Panday at his own game with some rallies going over 30 shots. Even at 5-3 and facing triple set point at 40-0, Almeida did not give up and came roaring back to take the set 7-6, which lasted over an hour. The second set was another tiring affair for the players and ended at 6-3 to Almeida as he completed his upset in his first appearance in the GBTI Open. In the previous round Almeida also outlasted US Embassy Diplomat Albert Razick in
Alexley Almeida three sets after losing the first set. His victory propelled him into the finals where he will face the winner of the match between Berbician Champ Godfrey Lowden and Rudy Grant. In the Ladies Doubles semi-final action, teenagers Sarah Klautky and Alana Chung put up a brave fight against coach Shelly Ramdyhan and Fiona Bushell. Ramdyhan dominated the exchanges from the net in the first set with precise volleying and shielded her less experienced partner by poaching returns. They won the first set 62 which was then followed by a close 7-5 scoreline as some entertaining and
Heimraj Resaul competitive tennis was played in front of a fairsized crowd. In the Men’s Open Doubles Quarters, top seeds Anthony Downes/Jason Andrews made light work of Oswin Coggins/Devon Gonsalves 6-0, 6-0, while the young dynamic pair of Heimraj Resaul/Jordan Beaton outplayed the Brazilian father/son combo of Alexley and Alex Almeida 6-3, 6-4, Andre Erskine/Mark McDonald also defeated the American father/son combo of Albert and Daniel Razick 6-3, 6-4. In the Mixed Doubles Semis top seeded Anthony Downes/Afruica Gentle toyed with the promising
Anthony Downes young pair of Joshua Kalekyezi/Alana Chung before eliminating them 6-3 6-0, after blowing away young juniors Nigel Lowe/Akilah Jones 6-0, 6-0. In the other Quarters the new combo of Joseph DeJonge/Fiona Bushell outlasted Nicholas Glasgow/Ciara Pooran 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) in a dramatic 3 setter. In the fiercely contested M e n ’s O p e n S i n g l e s category, Anthony Downes warmed up for the defence of his title with a quarter final win over Nicholas Glasgow who had his moments but was only able to win one game in the first set against the dominant Downes who has won this category for the
Andre Lopes
past 5 years. Promising youngster Heimraj Resaul had his hands full with a challenge from Andre Erksine, but his superior technique and mobility allowed him to prevail 6-4, 6-2 in his quarter final matchup and booked a place in the semi-finals against the top seed Downes. Relatively new entrant in the singles category, Jason Andrews, put up an intense fight against the young and versatile Daniel Lopes but he surrendered with a flurry of unforced errors at 6-3, 6-3. In the Men’s 35 Quarters there was a win for the tactical Andre Lopes over Harry Panday at 6-2, 6-2 even though Panday showed
strong consistency in his ground strokes. Lopes went on to demolish newcomer, Table Tennis Veteran Champ Colin France 6-0, 6-1. In another Quarter, Leyland Leacock prevailed Ronald Murray 6-2, 6-4 in an old match rivalry. In the Boys Singles Quarters, Jordan Beaton won his matchup against rising star Viraj Sharma 6-3, 6-4, while Heimraj Resaul defeated Ravin Rampersaud 6-0, 6-0 and Mark McDonald beat Akil Browne 6-1, 6-3. Th e t o u r n a m e n t i s continuing with several exciting matchups expected between top players battling for the titles at stake.
Consistency the key against India, says skipper Holder P O R T O F S PA I N , Trinidad, CMC – West Indies captain Jason Holder has called for more consistency from his batting group as the side gets ready to face mighty India in a five-match oneday series starting here next week. The Caribbean side struggled throughout the recent three-match rubber against minnows Afghanistan, losing the first game and winning the second, before the series decider was abandoned due to heavy rain in St Lucia. Not a single Windies batsman managed a halfcentury in the series with Shai Hope getting a best of 48 not out in the second game, and Holder said this was an area that needed to be addressed. “We are still looking for a bit more consistency, not only from him (Hope) but the
entire group. I think one of our biggest things is to build partnerships. We have to find ways to build parnerships against quality bowling attacks,” he pointed out. “I felt Afghanistan had a really good bowling attack – it obviously showed in the two games which we played. But having said that, I think we have more than enough talent and ability in the dressing room to counter that. “I think going into this series here now, it is a perfect opportunity to stamp your authority. India are now in the Champions Trophy final so they are obviously playing some good cricket so we have quality opposition to do well against. West Indies entered the recent series as heavy favourites but were stunned in the opening ODI when
they went down by 63 runs, failing to chase down a modest 213 for victory at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground. However, they rebounded to win the second a couple days later at the same venue even though their batsmen laboured before overhauling a paltry 136 in the 40th over. Despite the below-par showing, Holder said he was not discouraged as they had been some positive signs. “It wasn’t a bad series but obviously we would have wanted a better end result in terms of a series win but unfortunately the last game was rained out,” the allrounder said. “I think the two games we had in our grasps – obviously we let the first one slip. I thought the bowling was exceptional on that tour,
backed up by some pretty decent stuff in the field. “Obviously we didn’t bat probably the way we wanted to but that’s obviously an area we needed to tighten up on and and see if we can build some partnerships going into this series against India.” The Indians will pose a completely different challenge to Afghanistan, and could arrive in the Caribbean possibly as ICC Champions Trophy winners, as they face off against Pakistan in tomorrow’s final in London. As a result, Holder said the Windies needed to boost their preparation in all areas in order to be ready for India. “As a team, I think the focus should be more mental strategies going into the games,” he stressed. “We got a few days before we get going with
Shai Hope … was the best batsman against Afghanistan. some testing and what’s not but the main priority for me is cricket and at the end of the day we’ve got to be right to play cricket. “So I’m looking forward
to the practice sessions. We’re going to try to have a practice game and make use of those opportunities to get some good form going into the series.”
Kaieteur News
Saturday June 17, 2017
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Windies need to take fresh guard, warns Fletcher LEICESTER, England, CMC – West Indies Women leg-spinner Afy Fletcher has warned against taking the euphoria of last year’s Tw e n t y 2 0 Wo r l d C u p triumph into the upcoming 50-overs World Cup starting next week. The 30-year-old allrounder, a member of the successful side which beat Australia in India to take their maiden World title, said the formats were different and West Indies needed to evaluate each game carefully. “I think this is a different version of the game so I think we need to look forward to his version and not carry any T20 pressure from the last World Cup,” Fletcher said. “ We n e e d t o l o o k forward and take each game step by step and once we do
that we will not [put] ourselves under any pressure but just carry our basic knowledge and apply it in each game.” Fletcher has been joined in the 15-member squad by the likes of World-rated players Stafanie Taylor and all-rounder Deandra Dottin for the June 24 to July 23 tournament. Opener Hayley Matthews, former skipper Merissa Aguilleira and Anisa Mohammad, all members of the championship-winning side, are also expected to feature prominently. Fletcher, who has played 27 one-dayers since making her debut nine years ago, said West Indies needed to take a calculated approach to the tournament and guard against complacency. “I think we have a fairly
good team so I’m looking forward for us to take it one day at a time,” he stressed. “We’re not rushing anything, just take it step by step, day by day with each game. I’m looking forward to us … doing our best. “I think each game is important. [Each team] we have to face is important. I look at all my opponents as threats so everybody has to be prepared equally.” Fletcher, who has taken 27 wickets at an impressive average of 20 in her career, said bowling on the pitches in England would require a different approach. “I’m just trying to keep it simple and go within every practice session … and practice on whatever area I need to work on,” she explained. “[I need to] just focus on each area and do what is
West Indies Women leg-spinner Afy Fletcher.
expected. I just need to continue doing what I have to do and keep my
Fifties for Taylor, Matthews but Windies lose again
consistency. “Basically we can see that the wickets are flat and
Basketball set for Berbice this weekend For the first time under the stewardship of Mr. Vibert Garrett, the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association will play host to Bartica. The Bartica team is set to compete against opposition from Berbice. Meanwhile, the Berbice 2017 Association Basketball Tournament for clubs in the Region starts tomorrow at Fyrish and is sponsored by Nigel Hinds. The opening game will
West Indies Women’s captain Stafanie Taylor gathers runs through the off-side during her half-century yesterday. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)
don’t generate much spin so we just have to focus on what we want to do.”
see Smithfield Rockers coming up against Fyrish Black Sharks at the Fyrish Court at 16:00hrs. Seven teams are participating in the Tournament which is being run on a round Robin basis in two Zones. Zone A will consist of Rockers, Fyrish Black Shark, Ithaca Hardliners and Canje, while Zone B will have the Rose Hall Jammers, N.A Warriors and Hopetown Stealers.
Cricket - TV ad rates rocket ahead of India, Pakistan final
LEICESTER, England, CMC – Captain Stafanie Taylor and opener Hayley Matthews struck halfcenturies but West Indies Women lost for the third time in their build-up to next week’s ICC Women’s World Cup when they went down by five wickets to India Women in a warm-up match here yesterday. Opting to bat first at Leicester Grammar School,
West Indies Women could only muster 174 for nine from their 50 overs with Taylor and Matthews each getting exactly 50. In reply, India Women reached their target in the 43rd over courtesy of an unbeaten 77 from 20-yearold left-hander Smriti Mandhana while Mona Meshram got 40 not out. Fast bowler Shamilia Connell impressed with
three for 42 while offspinner Hayley Matthews claimed two for 28. The defeat follows on the heels of similar results last week to a strong England XI and a Southern Vipers side, leaving the Caribbean side perhaps short of confidence ahead of their first official ICC warm-up game against P a k i s t a n Wo m e n n e x t Tuesday. West Indies were handed
a solid, if sluggish start, by Matthews and the uncapped Felicia Walters who put on 70 from 134 deliveries. The enterprising Matthews struck eight fours in a 73-ball knock while Walters’s painstaking 20 required 79 balls and included a single four. Matthews’s dismissal in the 23rd over triggered a sharp decline for the Windies (Continued on page 31)
NEW DELHI (Reuters) Television advertising rates for tomorrow’s cricket final between India and Pakistan are 10 times the normal price, industry sources said, as millions of fans are expected to tune in for a clash that last time ranked among the six most-watched sporting events. Pakistan, the lowestranked team at the Champions Trophy tournament, upset host and favourites England to set up a final with defending champions India, feeding a frenzy for a game that commands a fanatical
following in the region and among its diaspora. A 30-second spot during the final to be broadcast by Rupert Murdoch’s Star Sports is expected to cost nearly 10 million rupees (121,549.24 pounds), far higher than the 1 million rupees that advertisers pay on average for most Indian shows, said a person involved in buying ads. Most of the TV spots for the final, to be played in London, were pre-booked with firms such as Nissan Motor, Intel Corp, Emirates, Chinese mobile maker Oppo (Continued on page 31)
t r o Sp
Sparta crush Albouystown 5-1 to make tonight’s final
-Tucville outlast Sophia to set up rematch Sparta Boss Cleon Forrester (green bib) dribbles past an Albouystown player during their encounter on Thursday night at the National Gymnasium.
GCF National Championships 2017
Time Trials on today, Road Races take centre stage from tomorrow
Claire Fraser-Green - Female winner
Geron Williams
Christopher Cornelius
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