Wednesday June 21, 2017
The world must stop the Iranian prosecution of the Baha’is DEAR EDITOR, At least nine Baha’is that are residents of Golestan Province have been detained by authorities to begin their prison sentences. An informed source, while confirming the news, told the HRANA reporter: “These citizens, who were sentenced to imprisonment with other Baha’is in 2015, were arrested today either by agents visiting their residence or while presenting themselves at the prison.” The source was referring to twenty-four Baha’i residents of Iran who had been sentenced in 2015 to a total of 193 years in prison
by Golestan province Revolutionary Court in the preliminary phase. Individual sentences were reduced on appeal. On Tuesday, June 13, 2017, Maryam Dehghan Yazdeli, Farah Tebyanian (Sana’i) and Houshmand Dehghan Yazdeli , were arrested in their homes by agents, and taken to prison to begin their sentences. On the same day three others, Sheida Ghoddusi, Pouneh Sana’i (Taymori) and Nazi Tahghighi presented themselves to authorities after being summoned by the Office of Intelligence to begin
execution of their sentences. After these arrests, Parisa Shahidi (Kashani) and Mitra Nourani turned themselves into prison. Other reports state that similar visits to the homes of several Baha’is in the province have taken place, likely to increase the number of that day’s detainees. Details of seven of the detainees’ verdicts follow: · Maryam Dehghan Yazdeli: One year and six months imprisonment · Mojdeh Zohori (Fahandezh): One year and nine months imprisonment · Sheida Ghoddusi: Initial
sentence 11 years imprisonment; sentencing information from appeal is unknown at this time. · Pouneh Sana’i (Taymori): One year and nine months imprisonment · Nazi Tahghighi: One year and six months imprisonment · Parisa Shahidi (Kashani): One year and nine months imprisonment · Mitra Nouri: One year and six months imprisonment The persecution and prosecution of adherents of the Bahai faith continues in Iran. The world needs to speak out against it. Rooplall Dudhnath
The connection between climate change and oil production in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Of course Exxon from the USA will accept the production agreement and decide to invest. The CEO of Exxon is aligned with Trump, and the USA has decided to withdraw from the climate change agreement. It is now up to us to take the high road and stop production. With flooding occurring at a higher frequency we must not aid in the destruction of the stability of our homeland. The study by the consultant shows the low levels of oil consumption that
exists today in Guyana. This is good news in that we can curtail a large percentage of our consumption by changing over the grid from fossil fuels to wind and solar. This will leave transportation’s consumption of fossil fuels to contend with. Given that we continue to be an agriculture and raw material based economy, the development of a rail system that covers transportation will aid in further reducing the need for such an energy source. A good example of a good wind
system may be seen in Cape Cod, where with few wind turbines they are able to service relatively strong demand considering Guyana’s consumption levels. We must make what seems to be the difficult choice and withdraw from oil production and recommit to the climate change agreement and its principles. As we transition towards the green economy we must team up with our allies to make this transition in the best way possible. The current
technology for solar is strong enough to support our Savannahs and the market price for this technology is quite affordable due to the strong Chinese market presence. Our scale in terms of natural resources and our population globally allows us to be able to take this courageous step forward towards a more stable climate. This is the challenge and we must be confident in our ability to accomplish this objective. Jamil Changlee
There cannot be a ministry with other ministries inside of it DEAR EDITOR, Public misinformation by the government, its information arms, and state media is doing grave disservice to society. Government does not function in isolation of its people and laws, external forces and institutions, and has to be mindful of setting and maintain standards that will not bring the State into disrepute. The public, local and external, continues to be misinformed that there is a Ministry of Citizenship and a Ministry of Social Cohesion. The former two are not ministries, they are departments within the Ministry of the Presidency and each department has a subject minister attached, making those portfolios Ministers within the Ministry of the Presidency. It is the same situation with Labour which has been emasculated to a department in the newly constituted Ministry of Social Protection. Over the past days we are
learning about a Minster of Public Service in the Ministry of the Presidency. The public service is a department within this ministry. The minster attached to this department should be holding the portfolio as Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility for Public Service. You cannot have ministries within a ministry. It does make sense nor is it a logical practice of governance anywhere and there is a reason for this given roles, responsibilities and reporting relationships. Citizenship, Labour, Social Cohesion and Public Service are departments gazetted within ministries. This public misinformation though unsure whether such is deliberate or carelessness must cease since it not only has legal repercussions, but makes for the mis-education of our children, and poses conundrum for countries, regional and international
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
institutions relating with us. Where the government and its arms find it convenient to continue on this path others are being implored not to do likewise. Article 117 (1) of the Guyana Constitution expressly says, “There shall be a Secretary to the Cabinet whose office shall be a public office.” Public office, as it relates to the constitution, is understood to be devoid of party and partisan politics. The last time this office was occupied by such a person it was Tyrone Ferguson under the presidency of Desmond Hoyte. Under the PPP/C, Roger Luncheon, a member of its Central Committee and active politician occupied the office. This act was challenged by Hoyte. The PPP/C partially relented by appointing Nanda Gopaul as Head of the Public Service as Luncheon held on to the post as Secretary to the Cabinet. While the PPP/C started the bastardisation of the office the APNU+AFC has taken it to another low.
This position is today being held by Joseph Harmon who is a Minister of government, a member of the Cabinet, APNU/AFC Member of Parliament, and General Secretary of the APNU. This is as far away from public office as can be. The silence of the PPP/C on this issue leaves one to believe the party sees itself returning to government shortly and would use violations such as these as precedence to further bastardise the Constitution. The post of Deputy Regional Executive Officer falls within the purview of the Continued on page 6
Alcohol consumption in Guyana has played a viciously negative role DEAR EDITOR, The Father’s Day greetings on social media reflected the various complex emotions about fathers, good fathers and bad fathers and good fathers who are sometimes bad and so on. Alcohol consumption in Guyana has played a huge part in diminishing the capacity of many men to be good fathers and in destroying families. There are too many stories of children begging and hoping that their fathers would not drink The full page advertisements then, about alcohol and fathers and manhood are a mockery of those pleas and hopes by the Guyanese who hope that the fathers around them would stop drinking. The alcohol industry is vicious in its continued perpetuation of the myth of happiness and alcohol. Congratulations though, to the people, also alcohol sellers, who choose to use their non-alcohol Malta brand to promote their Fisher activity for fathers and children. The ads were smaller, not as prominent but important as they seem to indicate that there is a possibility for the private sector to provide events for Guyanese men and others to enjoy healthy lives and relationships without alcohol threatening to destroy them. Vidyaratha Kissoon
There must be leadership changes in the PPP and APNU DEAR EDITOR, The problem with the PPP/C is that there are many good people in the party but its hierarchy is tainted and undemocratic. The problem with the APNU+AFC is that the hierarchy is more democratic/less tainted but it is the PNC (the main component of the APNU+AFC Coalition) that is tainted (and deemed undemocratic). Changes need to be made in the PPP/C and the APNU+AFC so that they are more democratic and untainted. Yet, I feel that the APNU+AFC and PPP/C are grooming the younger
politicians into their way of doing things which have failed Guyana/Guyanese for over 50 years now. Does Guyana need a new political party which is more democratic and untainted or do we work with the APNU+AFC Coalition and the PPP/C to get them to resolve their differences and co-operate on issues that affect the ordinary Guyanese people? What I do know is that the status quo needs to end. We cannot keep doing the same thing, the same way over and over again and expect a different result. Sean Ori
The Protroleum Bill and an unnecessary distraction DEAR EDITOR, I wish to draw to your attention, the fact that the Petroleum Bill 2017,Bill Number: 4\2017 came up for its first reading on 08,May,2017 and its second reading on 15,June,2017 in the National Assembly. I read the bill and watched the debates and exchanges in Parliament. I was excited for the national debates and discussions that ought to follow such a bill that speaks to a newly discovered natural resource which teems with
existential implications for Guyana. Sir, I am saddened that this most important legislation has not received its due attention on its second reading because the national conversation has been dominated the next day by unnecessary distractions. Ronald Austin Jr.
PAGE 6
Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Students should be restricted to eight CXC subjects only DEAR EDITOR, “I am strongly in favour of whatever mechanism we can find to discourage the taking of so many subjects at CXC. I think eight subjects are sufficient where students can do the fundamental subjectsMath, English, Science and so on, that they need to do and have a better childhood” (Roopnarine, 2016). I agreed with Dr Roopnarine then and do so even more strongly now. I have decided to contribute to this topic because it is current and my contribution as an educator with 25 years of experience in the UK would add another view, if not context to the debate. It is my understanding that our current education standards are under threat because teenagers are being forced to sit up to 15 CSECs
(CXC) at school. This has consequences; by doing so many subjects, students are failing to develop key life skills that are designed to meet the needs of the modern economy. The modern economy is a digital economy and as such, schools, with measured guidance from the Government, must steer young people towards developing the skills and the mind-set for digital technology. For example, more can be gained if traditional science practicals’ could be replaced with virtual reality systems in which students conduct experiments on screen. This way, there can be no limits as to what can be done and achieved. If one goes into Land Rover’s plant in the UK, one can walk up to a big
television screen and touch a virtual reality component and learn everything there is to know about that component and its associated parts. Why can’t we use that sort of virtual technology so that teachers can deliver science practicals online, when they want it, without having to have the whole laboratory set up? That’s the sort of innovation necessary in a digital economy. Using virtual technology can make a big difference to the way we assess practical skills because it means you can record it and review it in so many different ways. In addition, and more importantly, students opting to study abroad are not approaching those areas of study in a vacuum. I would further suggest that English and Mathematics are included and are even
‘double weighted’ to ensure schools focus on the core subjects. This will ‘free up’ more time for schools, teachers and students to make more time for community volunteering and work experience rather than encouraging students to sit ‘exam after exam after exam’. Some students without doubt think, or are encouraged to think, that 14 or 15 CSECs are a good thing to do. My personal opinion is that it’s not. In my opinion, eight subjects should be the limit. This limitation in subjects study leaves room in the curriculum for the other activities alluded to above. Educationally it will be better. In the UK we do not have students write exams after exams for exams sake even though we have a rigorous and solid education system.
Nine names that should have been included... From page 4 Assessment.” The chapter is in his book, Finding Myself: Essays on Race, Politics and Culture (2015). Seecharan appears fleetingly in one of the films but is not captured speaking. - Professor Frank M. Birbalsingh who wrote and published “The Literary Achievement of C.L.R. James” in The Journal of Commonwealth Literature, Vol. 19, no.1 (1984). - Professor Kenneth Ramchand who interviewed James at the OWTU Guest House in San Fernando in Trinidad & Tobago on September 5, 1980. The interview is archived on film in Banyan Productions. Ramchand also wrote the introduction to James’ only novel, Minty Alley. - Basdeo Panday, former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, who worked with CLR James to establish the Workers and Farmers Party (WFP). The Marxist political party contested the 1966 General Elections and failed to secure a seat. Panday lives in Trinidad but visits London regularly to spend time with his children. - Trevor Sudama who worked with James in the WFP
which was organised by former Democratic Labour Party (DLP) leader, Stephen Maharaj. Dr. Bishnu Ragoonath who compiled and edited a volume of essays entitled, Tribute to a Scholar: Appreciating C.L.R. James,/ published in 1990 in Kingston, Jamaica. - Raffique Shah who spoke to James (“Nello”) while the latter was lying in bed during his winter years at OWTU’s Hobson House in San Fernando. The conversations were published in the Express on September 29, 2012. John Gaffar LaGuerre who wrote an essay entitled “The Evolution of the Political Thought of C.L.R. James” and published by the University of the West Indies (UWI) in 1972. Not one of the nine (9) Indo-Caribbean persons above was included among the sixteen (16) speakers or interviewees in the two films. The documentary film version of Every Cook can Govern was screened on March 21, 2017 in Trinidad at the Bocas Literary Festival, and would be screened again by The Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival (TTFF) in
September, 2017. Whites have colluded in Trinidad and elsewhere to exclude or marginalize Indians in advertisements in the print and electronic media, the CXC, CSEC and CAPE syllabi, the Bocas Literary Festival, and in many other areas that should be investigated empirically and statistically. In her research paper entitled “The Representation of Indians in the Education System of Trinidad and Tobago, 1845-1980,” historian Dr. Sherry-Ann Singh commented on the representation of Indians in textbooks for primary school children. She wrote that these textbooks, written by Whites, included “many African Anansi folk tales, illustrations and pictures of African orientation, references to local creole food and practices. Neither Indian names nor characters were employed in any of the general illustrations. The very sparse inclusions of Indians both stereotyped and clearly situated Indians as the proverbial “other” in the society …” These examples of BlackWhite collusion against Indians can be explained by Orientalism and Post-colonial theories. Sharing similar Western and Christian cultural traits, Blacks have found common ground with Whites and off-Whites – the French Creoles and Syrians in Trinidad, and the Portuguese in Guyana. Both groups see (East) Indians/Orientals as the “Other” because they belong to a Hindu and Muslim Indian cultural tradition, indicated at least by their last name. Despite class and religious differences among Indians,
Orientalism explains why the Black-White alliance views Indians as a “homogeneous cultural entity.” According to Orientalism and Post-colonialism theories, first conceptualized by Edward Said and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak respectfully, the Western world has developed a thought system that treat non-Christian culture as backward, exotic, uncivilized and inferior. In some societies, minority White elites have used Blacks against Indians to retain economic dominance through the political strategy of divide and rule. The powerful White elites in Trinidad fear the threat of Indians to their control and supremacy in business, international trade, real estate, the professions and education. Blacks are more likely to embrace Whites than Indians which can be explained by Frantz Fanon in his seminal book, White Skin Black Masks(1952). Having lost most of their culture and religion through slavery, Blacks have tried to appropriate, imitate and adapt the culture, religion and attitude of their former colonizers. This is my academic analysis and should not be viewed as a cultural attack on other communities. Dr Kumar Mahabir Ph.D. Anthropology, University of Florida B.A., M.Phil., Literatures in English, UWI 2011 National Award (Silver) recipient for education Former Organization of American States (OAS) Fellow
Instead, time is allocated to enrichment activities; activities that are designed to provide inspiration and a love for learning. Music, sports and aspirational trips are high on school agenda. What’s missed when you are doing these extra CXCs are opportunities to engage and work in the community
which is an important part of developing social skills. A number of senior educationalists have already said that traditional pen and paper exams will be scrapped in coming years in favour of online assessment. Guyana cannot afford to be left further behind. Brendon Mounter
I read the letter by the US Ambassador and…. DEAR EDITOR, I have read the recent letter by the US Ambassador in Guyana, and was relieved and amused at the same time that the General Assembly of the OAS may be interested in “helping the Venezuelan people reclaim their democratic rights and power...” I thought “Right, the same as was done when they tried “to bring democracy to Iraq”! Way back in the 1980s, having done some research, I thought Guyana would be far better off keeping away from
powerful nations determined to ‘help’ the country to recover her fortunes. There were signs of being ‘gobbled up’ by the helpers, our poor, relatively unsophisticated country, unable to prevent it or to fight back. My research suggests that Guyana is vulnerable to deceit and ructions from other countries in their offers of help. Instead, she may be better off seeing how such countries ‘perform’ elsewhere first. With best wishes to our South American neighbour. Geralda Dennison
Citizens must be informed of road closure when Parliament is sitting DEAR EDITOR, The closure of certain roads to facilitate Parliament sessions and the failure to adequately inform and advise commuters, motorists and generally the public, resulting in traffic chaos, is a matter of grave concern. Parliament is not held daily or for that matter weekly, in some instances, so the travelling public is not always cognizant or aware of Parliament sessions. The closure of roads is the responsibility of the GPF. The onus is therefore on them to ensure information on roads being closed for the purpose of Parliament, is fed adequately and timely to the public. The GPF public relations department can establish a relationship with media houses, for advisories to be made in the form of public service announcements (PSAs). These announcements/advisories should be made at least three days prior to closure. Shamshun Mohamed
There cannot be a...
From page 5 constitutional Public Service Commission (PSC). The authority is vested only in this body to determine who fills the post. To operate contrary constitutes violation of Public Service Rules and undermining of the PSC constitutional authority. The current political operatives when they were in opposition incessantly called for respecting the Constitution. Now in Office the nation continues to bear witness to its cherry-picking for personal advancement. Let me remind this administration, the PPP/C was fired by the people due to their contempt for the rule of law which wreaked havoc on the society. This administration was hired on the commitment not to do likewise. The slippages in
governance and disregard for laws must stop now. Some may consider these acts infinitesimal but to do so is only to make way for more until they become a floodgate and deluge us. We must nip the missteps and early signs of lawlessness in the bud. This society needs to return to its militant mode, for experience has taught us when the PPP/C was in office it started in similar vein. Few of us fought back as other remained silent or asked that they be given a chance. It was only a matter of time before that administration’s conduct became cancerous as they also sought to destroy all who dare challenge or were in their path. Some are alive to tell the stories, some were not so fortunate. Lincoln Lewis
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 7
Teachers should remain in profession until medically unfit – says Caesar to GTU From all indications, a number of recent changes made within the Ministry of Education have been attributed to the recommendations that resulted from a Commission of Inquiry [COI] into the public education system. This, however, is not the case, according to Chairman of the COI, Mr. Ed Caesar. But among the recommendations that Caesar would like to see implemented is one that would see the retirement age of teachers being pushed to 60. Currently, teachers, like other public servants subscribe to a retirement age of 55 but Caesar is convinced that many teachers have a great deal of potential left in them after they retire. In fact he disclosed that several teachers after retirement seek employment and are readily accepted in very strategic areas. But pushing the retirement age to 50, has not found favour in some factions including the Guyana
Mr. Ed Caesar Teachers Union [GTU]. President of the Union, Mr. Mark Lyte, for instance, had told this publication that the Union has essentially disassociated itself from the call for an increase in the retirement age. He’d said, “We would never agree to this without taking into consideration all the facts surrounding this noble profession. Teachers
are hard pressed in and out of the classroom both physically and financially with all the secretarial duties that are added to teaching in the last few decades here in Guyana.” Added to this, he made reference to the fact that, “Teachers are sometimes not readily afforded benefits they earn and are often neglected by those who are expected to take care of their interest.” Moreover, the Union, he said, is aware that “The majority of our members cannot wait to attain 55 to retire due to the stress this profession adds to their lives...a number of teachers are opting for voluntary retirement at 50.” But according to Caesar in a belated response to the GTU, the recommendation, if implemented, will not make it mandatory for teachers to retire at the age of 60. Rather, he noted, “Teachers can retire as usual at the age of 55; nobody is saying that they must wait. If teachers wish to Continued on page 8
Ministry staffer testifies to receiving Law Reports after Nandlall left office The trial of former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, who is accused of stealing $2M in Nexis Lexis Commonwealth Law Reports from the state, commenced yesterday with a testimony from Daniel Persaud, an Accounts Clerk at the Ministry of Legal Affairs. Persaud, of Track A Coldingen, East Coast Demerara, told the court that he only has knowledge of some Law Books he received from Indira Anandjit, who was Permanent Secretary (PS) at the Ministry of Legal Affairs, after Nandlall demitted office as AG in 2015. Guided by Special Organized Crime Unit Prosecutor, Patrice Henry, the Accounts Clerk recounted that on June 2, 2015, he received a telephone call from Anandjit who told him to visit her office. He said that he visited the Permanent Secretary’s office with the Immediate Use Book. The witness explained that the Permanent Secretary had the Commonwealth Law Reports Volume 2 in her possession and he made entries about the description of the items, quantity and the serial number in the “Immediate Use Book.” According to Persaud, the books were handed over to him by the PS and he took them to the library at the Ministry of Legal Affairs where he handed them over
Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall to Lana Best, the Librarian who signed for them. Under cross examination, the witness stated that he made no record of Law Reports during Nandlall’s tenure at the Ministry. Also testifying was Ms. Joe, a former Stores Clerk at the Ministry of Legal Affairs. She held the position for 15 years before going into retirement in 2014. According to Nandlall, when he took up the post as AG he did so at a loss and it was for that reason he agitated for the state to pay for the Law Reports. He had said that the arrangement received the blessings of then Head of State, Donald Ramotar. However, investigators are contending that because
the books were bought with state funds they cannot be the property of Nandlall and in fact the state should not have entered into such an arrangement in the first place. The Ministry of Legal Affairs is contending that there is no evidence of the agreeme n t between Nandlall and Ramotar, and even assuming that there was such an agreement, the use of public funds in this manner is a flagrant violation of the Financial Management and Accountability Act (FMAA). It was only recently that Nandlall sued Attorney General and Minster of Legal Affairs Basil Williams for $125M for what he saw as libelous and slanderous claims in relation to the said Law Reports; he also secured a Conservatory Order from the Supreme Court, preventing SOCU from seizing the 15 Lexis Law reports. Nandlall, who is out on self bail, is being represented by a battery of lawyers— Neil Boston, Senior Counsel; Glen Hanoman, Mursaline Bacchus, Bibi Shaddick, Odai Ramischand, Priya Manickchand, Adrian Anamayah, Euclin Gomes, Sase Gunraj, Manoj Narayan, C.V Satram, L. Mark Conway, Sasha S. Mahadeo-Narayan, Rajendra R. Jaigobin. This trial continues on July 13.
...but option to retire early is always available
PAGE 8
Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Linden-Lethem road works to commence shortly
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Geoffrey Vaughn
Commuters, including residents, tourists, miners and business proprietors can expect a vastly improved carriageway as the first phase of the long-awaited LindenLethem road project is expected to commence shortly. In a recent interview with Department of Public Information/ Government Information Agency ((DPI)/ GINA), Permanent Secretary (Ag), Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Geoffrey Vaughn, explained that the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the government will advertise
shortly for a consultant to review the existing studies for the works. Subsequently, tenders will be sent out for works to commence on the Linden/ Lethem road. It was also disclosed that the feasibility study for the Soesdyke-Linden Highway rehabilitation has been put on hold. Vaughn explained that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is currently revising the scope of works on the Sheriff Street/ Mandela Avenue Road Project Lots six and seven. He noted that it was under the loan for this project
that monies were allocated for the feasibility study for the Soesdyke- Linden Highway. Due to this set back the feasibility study has also been halted. “It was a project that would have been falling under the IDB (InterAmerican Development) but there is some re-scoping of loan 2741 with the government and the IDB. So once the re-scoping is completed then we’ll determine where the feasibility study will be done for the Soesdyke- Linden Highway.” In his 2016 budget
speech, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, disclosed that there will be a feasibility study for the rehabilitation of the 47-year-old SoesdykeLinden Highway. This year Government has budgeted $14.1 billion for the continued development and maintenance of roads and bridges, of which $2.3 billion has been earmarked for capital projects in the hinterland. The Linden/Lethem road
is a key artery to the hinterlands, including mining, logging areas and the Amerindian communities. The current trail to Lethem, also leads over the Takutu Bridge which links Guyana and Brazil. The Linden/Lethem road is expected to be a major boost to increase trade and activities in the area. However, recent rainfall has made the trail almost impassable.
The state of the Linden/Lethem road, made worse by the recent rainfall.
Teachers should remain... From page 7 go before 55, if they would have gained their 33 and one third years of service they can retire; they can retire at 50. Nobody is holding teachers back to wait until 60; that is not the intent.” However, Caesar shared that the remarks from the Union President has been a bother to him. “I am very concerned that he has said that some teachers are ready to go now. That is unfortunate if they want to go before 55 because we expect them to be working with our children to make our children develop,” said a perturbed Caesar. He disclosed that many a times when teachers retire at the age of 55 they go on to seek employment and are readily accepted in demanding positions. But Caesar is of the view that, “It is better for them to work in the field that they are skilled in.” Caesar is convinced that “Teachers should be given the opportunity to stay in the system until the age of 60 if they want to, and if they are medically fit and they want to go further they must be allowed to go further...We must give people choices, that is my concern.” According to the recommendation of the COI, “If teachers are able to produce, annually, a clean bill of health they can continue to teach until the age 65.” Increasing of the age of retirement is one issue that has to be considered by the Ministry of Education and its departments, according to Caesar.
Wednesday June 21, 2017
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
Coalition politics and an Executive Presidency do not go together In light of the claim that the WPA is being sidelined in government, the following column is being reprinted. If the APNU is committed to coalition politics; if it accepts that this type of politics is best suited to Guyana’s ethnically divided politics, then it must by extension accept that the notion of an Executive Presidency is not consistent with Coalition politics. Under Guyana’s Constitution, all executive authority resides in the President. Members of Cabinet are merely advisors to the President. He can overrule them. He can ignore
their opinions. He can override their decisions. In others words, what we have is an all-supreme President, who can dictate what happens in the government. This cannot be consistent with Coalition politics, which must be involved in negotiated decision-making. If the President has full executive authority, then the President does not need to negotiate with anybody. He can dictate what happens. He may not do this, but the mere fact that he has this power means that it is possible. The other problem is if the party in power has the majority of seats in Cabinet
and also has the Presidency, then unless there is an agreement on specified majorities to ensure approval of measures in Cabinet, then the party which holds the presidency will always hold sway over decision-making in the Cabinet. A culture has developed within Cabinets around the world. That culture sees other Ministers not keen on opposing measures and projects of their fellow Ministers for fear that when the time comes, their own policies and projects will be disproved. The Executive Presidency is therefore not consistent
DEM BOYS SEH... Jagdeo and Brassington do nuff scampishness Yesterday, dem boy run a story that expose de dishonesty and skullduggery involving Jagdeo and Brassington. De prize was Duke Lodge and when people get to realize how it land in Gerry Gouveia hand dem start to talk. GECOM use to occupy de building. De Chief Elections Officer, Stanley Singh, use to live deh. Dem boys hear Steve ask Jagdeo fuh $19 million to fix de place so GECOM can have a permanent headquarters. Jagdeo chase him and tell him to pay rent which was much, much more than de $19 million wha Steve ask for. That baffle everybody and to this day Steve don’t want talk bout it. Wha he didn’t know was that Jagdeo, that scamp, and Brassington, de fat crook, had already decide who will be de owner of de building. De first step dem tek was to put Gouveia as a director on de Board. De second thing dem do was to spend $100 million to repair de building which GECOM would rebuild fuh $19 million. Plus dem fix de swimming pool. After dem do that dem sit down and plan de sale. And that is how it land in Gouveia hand. Was a secret. Nobody didn’t know Gouveia was a sitting director on de Board at de time de decision was being made. De same
board discuss it and Gouveia sit down in de thick of things. To this day nobody don’t know de real price ee pay fuh Duke Lodge but he seh is $140 million. Dem boys seh do de Maths. If Govt spend $100 million to fix up and repair de place then sell it fuh $140 million then de man really get de place fuh $40 million, plain and simple. Is de same ploy dem use wid de building next door. Gouveia was on de Board again. He get de place although he bid $43 million. Other people bid far higher than that and dem didn’t get de place. Some of dem didn’t get an acknowledgement letter whether dem win, Lose or draw. All dem hear was de other building gone to Gouveia. Dem boys seh this is de modus operandi – Jagdeo style of rewarding his friends and ee families. Remember de Sanata Complex and ee best friend Babbie? He and Brassington never advertise de sale of that complex. What dem advertise was de old toilets and all dem scrap iron in de compound fuh sale. Jagdeo seh he didn’t get no bid but that he friend Babbie put up a proposal. Everybody know Babbie get de place and dem don’t know if any money pass. Talk half and watch de skullduggery.
with encouraging dissent and negotiations within Cabinet, because the ruling party, which holds the Presidency and, in the case of Guyana, the majority of seats, can override any criticisms from its coalition partners. Two examples will illustrate the dilemma which faces the AFC within Cabinet. Firstly, it is hard to imagine that the AFC would have given its consent to the approval of the parking meter by-laws. It was the AFC’s constituency which has rallied against the present contract signed between the City Council of Georgetown and a private firm. The AFC would, however, have found itself outvoted on this issue, even if it was opposed to the approval of the by-laws, because the AFC does not have the numbers to defeat the APNU within the Cabinet. The second example is about the VAT on private education. It is hard to imagine the AFC being in agreement with this measure. But given the domination of the APNU in Cabinet, and the fact that the APNU’s leader is also the President who holds full executive authority, a yes or no vote by the AFC is immaterial to the outcome. The AFC is therefore at risk,
if it is not so already, of becoming a rubber stamp within the government. The power of the presidency means that collective responsibility becomes the rule by the majority party which in Guyana is the APNU. The AFC is in no position to stop the APNU from doing what it pleases. Constitutional reform should therefore be not about stripping Presidents of immunities. Those who are advancing these positions are really interested in settling political scores with the PPP/ C, rather than trying to protect the institution of the presidency. When former President Bharrat Jagdeo asked the SOCU investigators, who illadvisedly arrested him, whether they wanted to question him in relation to acts which he did as President, he was not invoking his presidential immunities. He was pointing out to this unit, which is supposed to be fighting organized crimes rather than addressing alleged administrative malfeasance, the absurdity of them questioning him about acts which he would have committed while in office. He cannot be personally
prosecuted for acts done in his official capacity as President, but those actions are subject to judicial review in that the State can be held culpable for them. This is the common law position and therefore this nonsense that is being pedalled by the WPA about Jagdeo hiding behind presidential immunities is in itself farcical. The WPA, if it had its way, would reduce the presidency to a rubber stamp. What the AFC should be more concerned about is ensuring that there is a post-Cummingsburg Agreement, which would allow for decisions within Cabinet to require a 75% agreement from all the members before it is carried. It will change the whole dynamic of Cabinet. It will neutralize the impact of an Executive Presidency on consensus politics. It will become an experiment in effective coalition government and depending on how it works, can lead to the sort of constitutional change which would be more suited to that reality.
PAGE 10
Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 21, 2017
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN...
Clive Thomas is a hero but he has to explain this incredible hypocrisy In November 1992, I was in the courtyard of an old colonial style building on Croal Street which was the Head Office of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA). An emergency meeting of the WPA executive was taking place. In the courtyard with me, I can remember distinctly, were Osaze and Nigel Westmaas. There were others but I cannot recall who they were. At the executive meeting there were Eusi Kwayana, Moses Bhagwan, Clive Thomas, current Minister, Keith Scott, Bonita Harris, Andaiye, Rupert Roopnaraine, Wazir Mohamed, Tacuma Ogunseye and Sase Omo. There were others but their names have
slipped me. The only topic was the action of President Cheddi Jagan in identifying Clive Thomas to be the Minister of Economic Planning. The WPA took the decision to write to President Jagan to inform him that he cannot select from the WPA’s leadership who he wants to serve in his Cabinet. It was for the WPA to make that decision and therefore Dr. Thomas declined the offer. The most articulate argument against Dr. Jagan’s action came from Roopnaraine. I think one can safely say that at that meeting, Roopnaraine was the most inflexible on the rejection of what President Jagan did.
President Jagan did not adhere to the WPA request and the WPA and the PPP drifted seriously apart from thereon. Twenty-five years after that, in the year 2017 to be precise, we are seeing the nasty nature of the WPA. First, the WPA at a press conference last Monday informed the Guyanese people that the party was never consulted on the appointment of Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine as Minister of Education. It went on to say it did not know that the Ministry of Education was assigned to the WPA after the 2015 election results. The Ministry of the Presidency subsequent to
that press conference asserted that the Ministry of Education under Roopnaraine was not allocated to the WPA. What we have is either hypocrisy by the WPA, particularly Clive Thomas and Roopnaraine, double standards and the abandonment of political integrity by these two men or the inexplicable mind at work. Let us look at the facts that are in front of us. At the time of the 2015 elections, the leadership of the WPA was a collective one as it has always been with two co-leaders. At the time of the election results in 2015 the co-leaders were Thomas and Roopnaraine. Those are the current co-leaders. If Clive Thomas sat as the co-leader of the WPA in 2015 and knew that his party was not consulted on Roopnaraine’s Cabinet selection then he needs to explain, given his iconic standing in this country, why he departed from his principles as adumbrated at that meeting in 1992. The exact question has to be put to Roopnaraine. He agreed to serve in the Cabinet
as Minister of Education in what context? It could only have been in the context of President Granger selecting him as Roopnaraine and not as a representative of the WPA. There are more questions for Roopnaraine and the WPA. First, did Roopnaraine feel it was proper to be selected on his own rather than as a WPA nominee? Secondly, was he uncomfortable with the mode of his appointment seeing that he was the protagonist at that 1992 meeting? Thirdly, if the WPA has admitted that it was not consulted on Roopnaraine’s inclusion into the Cabinet then, did Roopnaraine ever tell his party that he did not represent the WPA as Minister of Education? If the answer is yes, then how in June 2017, the WPA could make a fuss about Roopnaraine’s reassignment when they knew that the Education Ministry was not offered to the WPA after 2015? If the answer is no that Roopnaraine did not discuss his Cabinet status with his
Frederick Kissoon party then the WPA could still be charged with dishonesty since it is making a fuss about a Ministry that it knew did not belong to it. The WPA’s cry that it was not consulted on Roopnaraine’s redeployment just does not make sense in the context that the party was never given the Education Ministry. The WPA is looking like a chicken, running around without its head. What is sad about politics in this country is how good men and women started out with virtues oozing out of every part of their bodies and as the years wore on they become caricatures of their original selves. All of them became like this, Jagan, his wife, Janet, Burnham, Ashton Chase, Hamilton Green etc, and certainly one of the most graphic of all of them – Rupert Roopnaraine.
Wednesday June 21, 2017
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
Two new health centres for Region Five - Bids in to procure tower for Bartica Radio Station During the opening of tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) yesterday, contractors vied for the contract to construct two health centres for Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice). One will be constructed at Carlton Hall, East Coast Demerara and the other, will be built at Mon Choisi, West Coast Berbice. Below are the names of the bidders for the Carlton Hall facility and their respective bids:
Mon Chosi, West Coast Berbice:
Tenders were also opened for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies for ambulances attached to the Guyana Prison Service (GPS).
Contractors also vied for the contract to procure a tower for the Bartica Radio Station, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni). The Office of the Prime Minister is the procuring entity.
Contractors submitted bids for the contract to rehabilitate the Palms Geriatric Medical Facility (Phase Two), Brickdam Georgetown. The Ministry of Social Protection is the procuring entity.
The RDC for Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) is the procuring entity for the procurement of materials. This contract was divided into three lots: lot one, office materials and supplies; lot two, janitorial and cleaning supplies; and lot three, field materials and supplies.
The Ministry of Public Security is the procuring entity for the procurement of janitorial/ cleaning supplies, field and uniform materials, and drugs and medical supplies. This contract was divided into three lots.
The Ministry of Education is the procuring entity for several contracts. For the supply, delivery, installation and testing of sports equipment for the National Sports Commission:
>>> Continued on page 21 <<<
PAGE 12
Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Perseverance to be sustainable community model Perseverance, East Bank Demerara, will be the model community for sustainable development as the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) pursues a more community based housing development plan. Chief Planning officer of the CH&PA, Germene Stuart, said a planning scheme is being developed to initiate guidelines, ensuring that communities are more cohesive and have access to locations and sites such as recreational parks and fields, community hospitals, schools and other critical day to day amenities. “(Perseverance) is where
we have successfully hosted the housing exhibition dubbed Housing Solutions 2017 and Beyond. That planning scheme will address the issue of zoning within that area, the formulation of by-laws to guide homeowners and developers with respect to the altering of properties. We’re using perseverance as a pilot and with that we are hoping to extend to other housing areas.” Stuart explained that Perseverance (Housing Scheme) will be the platform community where they will be hoping to extend and develop other sustainable
communities. “The CH&PA will not just serve as housing developers but sustainable community developers to a greater extent.” This is a part of many plans outlined by the CH&PA for the second half of 2017. More extensively, the authority has been working, he stated, completing the community design model. “With respect to the planning aspect we were responsible for the preparation and the execution of designs surveys. In this regard, we have completed the designs of the construction of the duplexes that were on display at the
housing exhibition. “We have community designs because the whole thing is going back to having sustainable communities.” To facilitate these plans, Stuart added, greater work must be done with local authorities especially within the various regions. To this end, the CH&PA is looking to strengthen working relations with these authorities. “To start this process we think that what was key was to have more awareness. So last March, we hosted the national planning forum which was successfully completed. A major output of this forum was the
development of an action plan, how we can coordinate among other agencies and coordinate in local authorities,” the planning officer explained. The planning component of the CH&PA has recognised the need to be strengthened hence key aspects of the body’s functions were addressed these include complaints of poor land use and management and issues relating to zoning in housing schemes. When enhanced, the planning aspect of the Authority will facilitate effective planning control and land use management towards establishing the sustainable community
Germene Stuart, Chief Planning Officer, CH&PA model and ensuring other areas to be developed is sustained.
Five-year Strategic Plan on schedule — Minister Gaskin
“We are on (schedule) with most of the activities that we have for this year”. This was stated by Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin. The Minister was providing the Department of Public Information (DPI)/ Government Information Agency (GINA) with an update of the Ministry’s Five Year Strategic Plan. Minister Gaskin said that the Ministry has just completed the process of hiring a consultant who will oversee the implementation of the plan. He explained that a plan of such nature required an individual that “will give it” attention. He said that the consultant will ensure that the deadlines and targets are met. Last October, the Ministry launched the Business Strategic Plan 2016-2020 under the theme “Guyana Means Business”. The plan aims to make conducting business easy, enhance competitiveness and capacities to produce and promote export as well as more value-added products and services in Guyana. Some of the initiatives include improving access to
public and private markets, programmes for small and micro businesses, in addition to the design and implementation of a national value added export strategy through collaboration with the Public and Private Sector among others. According to the Ministry of Business’ Website, businesses are the major sources of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), income, investments and jobs in Guyana, therefore it will be central to securing the economic growth to drive Guyana’s future. In recognition of this fact, the mandate of the Ministry of Business addresses the matters of investment promotion, workforce enhancement, sustainable development and export promotion. To effectively address these matters the Ministry has opted to develop a comprehensive strategic plan. The Ministry of Business has five strategic goals to attract increased foreign investments in the economy, support the development and exports of value-added industries, increase the economic opportunities and capabilities of vulnerable groups, expand the Ministry’s capacity to develop and to promote sustainable businessfriendly policies.
Wednesday June 21, 2017
PAGE 21
Kaieteur News
Two new health centres... From page 11 Repairs to fence at the Bishop’s High School:
For the supply of medical equipment:
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is the procuring entity for several projects. Contract for service connection upgrade and installation of water meters, within the Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure Improvement Programme (WSSIIP) Programme areas: Arcadia to Grove, Region Four. This contract was divided into four lots.
Contract to refurbish the Science Laboratory at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD):
Service connection upgrade and installation of water meters, WSSIIP Programme areas: De Kinden to Cornelia Ida, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara). This contract was divided into four lots:
The Ministry of Agriculture is the procuring entity for the construction of a public road bridge over the rehabilitated Cunha Canal, Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara.
The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) is the procuring entity for the supply and installation of 22Kwp Grid Connection Solar Photovoltaic System, 45 KW Hybrid Inverter and 160 KWh Energy Storage System.
The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) was listed as the procuring entity for several contracts. For the supply of hospital beds/tables:
Procurement of food trays:
Service connection upgrade and installation of water meters, WSSIIP Programme areas: Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne). This contract was divided into four lots:
COPS HUNT SUSPECTS IN MINER’S MURDER
The police are hunting for the two suspects who shot and killed 40-year-old Orlando Cruz after he refused to perform oral sex on one of them. The suspects have been identified as Joey Kerr and Eustace. This incident happened last Thursday around 13:00 hrs at Jack and Vieira Backdam, North West District. The victim of Pomeroon River was shot to the right side neck and pronounced dead at the Pakera District Hospital, Matthews Ridge, North West Region. 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 Cruz to perform oral sex on him but when the 40-year-old 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 into 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.
PAGE 22
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 A&T TRAVEL AGENCY INC: TICKETSGOINGVERY CHEAP!! OFFICE IN USA. CALL: 223-1332/ 6137542/+1-347-617-7582/ E-MAIL:OMKARLILIAH@ GMAIL.COM For all your landscaping, weeding yards and empty lots, spraying for weeds and insects. Call Chris: 628-5990 Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Nine (9) pure bred German shepherd pups, location: La Grange, W.B.D – Call: 654-6354 Mixed breed pups- Tel: 6469002/ 601-9414 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
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 Live in general domestic, must know to cook & waitress from E.C.D (live in/out) salary $20,000 weekly. Call: 610-3974 Experienced caterpillar mechanic contact 223-5273/4
Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501
For your packaging needs: scotch tape, manual strapping machine, poly-straps, polybags, shrink wrap, waxed boxes, etc. Call: 629-2292
One cleaner to work at hotel contact 223-5273/4
2011 ALLION - $3.3M, 2011 RACTIS -$2.5M, 2009 SIENTA - $2.1M, NOAH & VOXY - $2.6M, VEHICLES UNREGISTERED & FULLY LOADED. CALL: 642-7295
New Generator Diesel 110W, Generator/welder diesel 110w, waterpumps-3" gasoline. Call Melissa: 629-2292
VEHICLE FOR SALE
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
MASSAGE
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 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999
Neisha’s Massage Spa. Call: 674-8147 FOR SALE/FOR RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578
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
Truck driver for TM and Model M trucks contact 2235273/74 Canter Driver; must have a lorry License contact 2235273/74 One live in domestic and gardener to work in Mahaicony River. Call: 6559419/ 225-6571
TO LET 4 AC Rooms/ 1 extra room, for business/offices @ 21 Seaforth St. C/Ville, Georgetown. Call: 2261877, 624-7436, 654-9350 One bedroom apartments to let for more information. Please contact: 226-4001
2 & 3 Bedrooms apartment, recently renovated, fully tiled & free Wi-Fi @ Nandy Park. Call: 641-3318 Room in Albertown. Call:2253234 Alberttown - $50,000, $80,000, $40,000; Mandela -$80,000, ($250,000 – business), South - $100,000, Eccles, Durban Backland & many more. Call: 231-2199/ 660-7710
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461 Property @ the corner of 172 Zohora St. & Market St. Better Hope, East Coast Dem - $11.5M neg. Call: 220-1583 between 7am-5pm only. 2 Story building with extralarge land in well built $74.5M. Call: 220-1583 between 7am-5pm only. 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
One hire car Driver, apply in person, 4 First street, Alberttown, 4 buildings from Cummings Street. Experienced salesgirls @ Christine’s Variety Store, Lombard Street. Call: 2278529
One live in domestic, must know to cook “roti & curry” from county side, 18yrs-25yrs old. Call: 680-7402 Security to work at hotel. Call: 626-1501 2 Waitresses ages 18-30yrs old. Apply in person @ Flatshop, 245 Sheriff St., C/ Ville (between Pike & John Smith Sts.) Opposite Sankar’s. Call: 697-4576 One maid attractive salary offered. Call: 663-4876 We are buying land anywhere in Guyana, residential house lots & others. Call: 651-1969/ 6292881 Waitress to work in Superbet Bar. Call: 628-4776 CAKES & PASTRIES For all your catering needs please contact: 226-4001
VACANCY Cook/ Baker and welder/ fabricator for interior. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 for more information One experienced pharmacy assistant to work in a reputable pharmacy in G/ Town (flexible hours). Call: 227-0630 Office Assistant: passes in Maths and English, computer Literacy, submit CV: ifsvs@hotmail.com One female cleaner for office in Eccles call 233-2745.
House for sale, 2 flat, no flooding, 6ft fence, price $18M negotiable. Call: 2335400, 218-0595
American Variety Store, 140 Regent & Light Street, Georgetown: experienced cashier and Salesgirl, apply in person.
One three bedroom concrete house for sale Contact Mala: 917-254-2909, location: Vryheid’s Lust, North. Call: 699-4111/626-2208
Night Auditor, apply to Manager, Herdmanston Lodge, 65 Peter Rose & Anira Street.
Aubrey Barker - $28M, Greenheart -$25M, Norton Street -$11M, ½ Mile - $16M, Atlanticville - $28M, Kitty $10M, $30M. Call: 231-7805/ 618-7483
One experienced cook for various types of vegetarian dishes, working hours from 7:00am-2:00pm, Monday Saturday 623-1615
Female worker wanted that finished CXC 2017. Call: 6225518
1 Bedroom bottom flat apartment -$45,000, 1 Bedroom upstairs apartment - $50,000, Garnett street, N/ town Kitty. Call: 226-2421, 652-5778 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
WANTED 1 Accounts Clerk, preferably from E.B.D – 5 subjects CXC minimum @ gtcareers592@gmail.com
1 Transported property. Call: 265-3586
Suzuki Escudo fully powered, mag rims, excellent condition. Call: 625-7380 ACCOMMODATION Journey Inn apartment rental, short term with AC & Kitchen, as low as -$15US. Call: 6421783/ 646-3011634/7182301695
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Kaieteur News
Immediate vacancy for 2 females to work @ Ice Factory in Blairmont, must have Maths, English. Call: 231-1408/642-9191 Accounts clerk: English A (Grade 1) , Mathematics, P.O.A (Grade 2), knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT &QuickBooks @ Technical Services, Eccles. Call 6144358 Maid for Nandy Park. Please call 614-4358
LAND FOR SALE 40 Acre Land @ Port Kaituma Rd. Side with spring & creek. Call for information: 684-7516 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 Land for sale at Block “12” Lot 176, First Street, Non Pariel, E.C.D- Call: 669-5532/ 270-5302 La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.4M, Farm -$2.8M, Herstelling $4M, Uivlugt -$2.6M, Bartica -$3M. Call: 651-1969/ 6292881 La Parfaite Harmonie, main road, business spot - $2M, $1.4M, $1.2M, $1M, Farm $3.5M, Tuschen -$1.3M, Herstelling - $3.5M. Call: 6662326 La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.8M, $1.4M, $1.2M, $1M, Herstelling $3.5M, Tuschen Phase II -$1.2M, Eccles $5.5M. Call: 604-6724/ 6869608
Female cleaner for office in Eccles.Call 233-2745. Janitor/Cleaner @ Shakoor’s Seafood, Eccles. Call: 233-2546 Drivers: Truck & Tractor, Manager Assistant – must have CXC, female clerk/ receptionist, attractive salaries, handyboy -$25,000 weekly. Call: 220-2878
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).
TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS) Continued on Page 23
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Eight-year-old boy found dead in Sophia swamp
The body of eight-year-old Isaiah Smartt, in the swamp last evening. The body of an eightyear-old boy was last evening discovered in a swamp, a few meters from his Block ‘E’ Sophia home. The child, Isaiah Smartt, a student of a David Street, Kitty School, was found by residents around 19:00hrs face down in about 12 inches of water, Kaieteur News was told. A cousin of the deceased told this publication that Smartt’s mother had “missed” him on Monday but didn’t suspect anything was amiss since the young-
ster would often leave home to visit his father who lives close by. “His mother missed him yesterday (Monday) but she didn’t take it for anything because he would normally go by his father. Is a normal thing he does do,” the woman said. The scene last evening attracted people from as far as Kitty. When the police ranks showed up, persons were pleading with the ranks to have the matter “properly” investigated since many are of the opinion that foul-play
was involved. The area where the boy’s body was discovered, serves as a thoroughfare. It is alleged that the area is filled with illegal electrical connections. The police ranks on the scene offered no comment. Smartt’s mother, Jocelyn Pickett, was too shocked to speak to media operatives. His father could not be located at the time to get a comment. The youngster was described as a “mannerly youthman” and a “champion cricketer in the making”. He is survived by his six siblings.
Port Kaituma man gets 11 years for killing uncle After throwing himself at the mercy of the Court, Herman George, of Port Kaituma, Region One, was jailed for 11 years for killing his uncle. The incident occurred at Port Kaituma on March 31, 2012. The sentence was handed down by Justice Navindra Singh at the Georgetown High Court. The case came up for the first time before Justice Singh at the High Court, and George opted to plea to the lesser count of manslaughter. The plea was accepted after the Court verified that the accused was sure that he wanted to plea. Standing in the prisoner’s dock, George told the court that he had decided to plead to the lesser count after discussing the issue with his
lawyer, Mark Conway. As such, Justice Singh said that the plea for manslaughter will be accepted by the Court. In his submission, the lawyer told the court, that the accused was just 16 years old at the time the incident occurred. He had ventured into the interior seeking employment. Conway explained that his client was not brought up in the most desirable circumstances. He was a resident of Port Kaituma; he lived with his father, mother and younger sister; she was 14years-old at the time of the incident. The attorney told the court that due to his living circumstances, George was forced to leave school at an early age and fend for himself. “My client is very remorse-
ful for what happened and seeks the mercy of this honourable court in sentencing.” Additionally, the lawyer pointed out that George who wore a face mask to Court, is suffering from a respiratory illness (Tuberculosis) from which he is now in the recovery stage. State Prosecutor Tamieka Clarke supplied the court with the facts of the case. Clarke said that George dealt the husband of his aunt several deadly chops after the man simply asked him, “why he was working in the interior at such a young age.” Given a chance to respond before the sentence was passed, George told the court that he had nothing to say. As such, the man was sentenced to serve 11 years in prison for the killing.
Antigua Govt. hits back at Bruce Golding ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — The Government of Antigua and Barbuda yesterday hit back at former Jamaican prime minister Bruce Golding, who described a statement by Prime Minister Gaston Browne on the political situation in Venezuela as “foolishness”. In a statement, the Government said that Golding’s pronouncement “is poorly conceived and patently unwise”. Golding, in an article
published by the Jamaica Gleaner on Monday, said the positions adopted by Browne and St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves as it relates to the ongoing political situation in Venezuela, where opposition parties have been staging street protests in a bid to force the Nicolas Maduro Government out of office, were being advanced because Caracas had been good to the region.
PAGE 23
Kaieteur News
“It can’t be support for Venezuela absolutely because they’ve been good to us,” The Gleaner quoted Golding as saying, adding, “Venezuela has been good to us, but the government of Venezuela has proceeded in a direction that we cannot condone.
China, IDB loans take external debt to US$1.1B Guyana’s external debt now stands at US$1.1B. External debt speaks to the amount of money owed to foreign banks and companies. The Bank of Guyana has reported, “The stock of external debt increased to US$1,174 million on account of higher disbursements by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Exim Bank of China.” The Bank of Guyana said that the external debt service ratio declined to 4.8 percent from 5.1 percent at end-March 2016, which is far below the liquidity threshold of 20 percent. The Bank of Guyana said that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Exim Bank of China disbursement increased by US$5.4 million and US$9.8 million respectively. The money was reportedly disbursed for financing of infrastructural upgrade and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project. Further, the Bank of Guyana reported that the external debt service is estimated to increase in 2017 “on account of higher scheduled principal and interest payments to bilateral creditors.” Guyana and China signed an agreement for t h e facilitation of the US$130 million to help fund the airport expansion. The CJIA project is said to be 62 percent complete. The entire project is to be completed by year end. This project entails the construction of a new terminal building, work on which commenced a few months ago. Additionally, the existing terminal building will be modernized and used f o r d e p a r t u r e s o n l y. Both ends of the runway have been extended by 710 metres to the NorthEast and 840 metres to the South-West, with sand filling and concrete filling to commence soon. Works are currently ongoing to relocate two cargo hangers and a Rubis filling station; these are buildings between the control tower and current departure building. The construction is complete for the new die-
sel generator room while construction of a new fire pump station and the implementation of a new boarding corridor with bridges are to begin shortly. However, the projected yearend deadline is challenged by delays which occurred under the previous administration. Project Manager, Kevin Lui of China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), the company contracted for the airport expansion project, said daily meetings are being held to address the challenges facing the completion of the project. Lui explained that normal airport operation is one reason
for the sloth of the project. He explained that no one party can solve the issue, since the various airlines and higher authorities will have to collaborate to resolve these challenges. However, Lui expressed gratitude for the government’s role in the project. The airport expansion project commenced on January 16, 2013, but due to several delays the date was extended. The Government of Guyana was forced to call in CHEC to renegotiate the terms after it became clear that the Chinese company was way behind.
From Page 22
EDUCATIONAL Canadian School of Arts & Science: Summer Classes 2017- Pre-K, Nursery, Primary, Secondary (July 10th – August 11th). Call: 216-6921/ 22 for registration I.A.E – Registered now for full-time secondary school, lessons, CXC/CSEC classes, adults, students, repeaters. Call: 683-5742/621-7365 9 Course, Diploma in computer- office 2016, windows 10 -$20,000 off for CXC students 2017 @ MicroGraphics, Vreed-enHoop. Call: 264-3057 Summer Computer Glasses for age 5-14 early registration -$8,500 @ MicroGraphics, Vreed-en-Hoop. Call: 2643057 Computerized Accounting, PC Repairs, graphics courses. Register Now @ MicroGraphics, Vreed-enHoop. Call: 264-3057/Study in Canada or USA Call Now!
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Apartments – $45,000$160,000. Call: 644-5151 1 - 3 Bedrooms self-contained fully furnished upstairs in Diamond, 4-2 bedrooms apartment in Providence, furnished and unfurnished. Call: 672-1906/ 216-2299 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 3 Bedrooms bottom flat apartment, fully refurbished $65,000 monthly with 2 months security.Call: 2201583 between 7am-5pm only 2 Bedrooms bottom flat @ Happy Acres, E.C.D. Call: 220-3690 or 667-9539 New 2 Bedrooms house for rent with grill (low cost rental) @ Kuru Kururu. Call: 6271050/626-1027
LEARN TO DANCE Dance to keep fit, lose weight build self-esteem while having fun, variety of styles. Call: 626-2629/676-6312 Learn Latin dancing in 2 months starting June 26, 2017 at 5:30pm Every Monday & Thursday For more info call 695-1325
PEN PAL You deserve a relationship filled with love & excitement. Call Harmony Singles: 6262629/676-6312
PAGE 24
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Kaieteur News
Questionable transactions by Privatisation Unit…
Gouveia gets two state properties during his first two years as director There are more alarming questions over the sale of two Duke Street, Kingston, properties by a privatization arm of Government between 2008-2009. One day after documents of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited/Privatisation Unit (NICIL/PU), indicated strong elements of a conflict of interest situation, it has been found that not one, but two properties were sold during the first two years of businessman, Captain Gerald Gouveia’s stint as a director. According to records, the businessman was a private sector representative on the Privatisation Unit in 2008. During that first year, as a director of PU, his board approved a sale of the iconic Duke Lodge, located on 94 Duke Street. It was sold to Roraima Airways Inc., Captain Gouveia’s company, for $140M. While the property was advertised between May and June 2007, it was not until October 2008 that the board approved the sale. That same month, the Cabinet of Ministers under former President Bharrat Jagdeo, green-lighted the transaction. The sale was completed in March 2009. Three months later, in June 2009, PU advertised for the sale of the next door property, Lot 93 Duke Street. Gouveia was again a
Businessman, Captain Gerald Gouveia
PU’s Executive Director, Winston Brassington
member of the board when it approved the sale in July 2009 to his company. He had reportedly placed a bid in for $43M. By December of 2009, the transaction was completed. Remarkably, it seemed the sales of the two properties were hurried through, based on the timelines. The transaction has been raising eyebrows not only because of the obvious conflict of interest for Gouveia, but the fact that no evidence is being seen that he recused himself during the board meetings that considered the sale. The matter is one of several that is reportedly engaging the police now, based on the findings of a
forensic audit report ordered by the administration into the operations of NICIL/PU. The sale of the second property had raised alarm and brought more attention to NICIL/PU, the state agency which has been handling the privatization and investments for Government. Among the project handled by NICIL was the Pradoville Two scheme, the Berbice River Bridge and the Marriott Hotel. The coalition government, while in Opposition, had vowed to investigate NICIL and its privatization arm, PU. With regards to the transactions to Gouveia, a private sector official who has interests in hotels,
The Duke Lodge properties in Kingston…at left is the annexe-the property which raised attention because of the manner of the sale. tourism and aviation, sitting with him on the PU board back in 2009 were former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; former Minister of Trade, Manniram Prashad; former Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud; consumer advocate, Pat Dial; union official, Grantley Culbard and NICIL’s executive Director, Winston Brassington. The sale of the second property, located across the
road from the US embassy, had made headlines, not only because of its prime location and the seemingly low price paid, but also the circumstances in which the decision was taken by Brassington and the then People’s Progressive Party/ Civic, Government. In July 2009, Cabinet approved the sale of the said property to the late real estate broker, Anthony Reid, for the
sum of $63M plus VAT. According to news report, a notice of bid approval was sent to Reid in July notifying him of the decision. However, Reid on August 10, 2009, withdrew his bid, which left another company, El Dorado Trading, with the next highest bid of $49.5M. However, the property, despite protests from the El Dorado, was sold to Gouveia, who was a board member, and had reportedly placed a bid for $43M. Kaieteur News was told that lawyers for other bidders filed protests with NICIL/PU but in vain. The matter had engaged the attention of several critics, including former PPP executive and House Speaker, Ralph Ramkarran. The blogger noted that the Procurement Act has made it clear that: “There shall be no negotiation between the procuring entity and any of the bidders.” There had been indications that NICIL/PU conducted negotiations with Gouveia, in breach of strict procurement rules.
Canadian lawmen arrest wanted GRDB accountant
Canadian authorities arrested Peter Ramcharran, former accountant of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), yesterday, more than two weeks after an arrest warrant was issued by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan. While details were sketchy, a senior Government official last evening confirmed that the arrest happened early yesterday. The lawmen managed to track down Ramcharran based on immigration and other records. Cana d i a n a u t h o r i t i e s have since asked local officials here for more information, before they can start proceedings to send him back home. Last month, charges were filed against the former accountant for falsification of accounts while he was employed at that entity. The charges were read in Ramcharran’s absence. The former accountant had been residing in Canada and was reportedly reluctant to return because he believes his life could be in danger. Special prosecutor Patrice Henry had told the court at the time that Ramcharran was aware that he should have been in court to hear the charges; however he did not present himself. The Chief Magistrate had said at the hearing on June 5, that the head of the Special
Caught: Peter Ramcharran Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) needed to be present in court to confirm that Ramcharran was indeed informed that he should have been at court the day the warrant was issued. That day, SOCU head, Sydney James, was present in court and confirmed that Ramcharran knew that he should have been in court to face the five charges. A police source told Kaieteur News that when an arrest warrant is issued by the court, the police are informed and the necessary steps are taken to make the arrest. With Ramcharran living in Canada the source explained that the arrest information for the charged account was passed to the International Police Organization
(INTERPOL). The official explained that the arrest warrant is not an extradition request but this would be the next logical step. James h a d t o l d t h i s newspaper that the former accountant is heavily implicated in the probe with regards to the six former GRDB board members that were charged. The GRDB found itself in the spotlight after a forensic audit of that entity revealed among some of the “anomalies” found were loans without proper paperwork or promissory notes. There were other instances of persons in the agency using GRDB’s money to trade in foreign currency. The losses for the government would have been significant, especially if the money was traded for less than it should have been. The Auditor General and the forensic audit reports have all pointed to severe deficiencies in the manner the monies of the state have been handled by the entities. Last month, six former GRDB officials were charged. It was alleged that between 2012 to 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.
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Kaieteur News
‘You want war?’ Venezuela spars with rivals at OAS meeting (Reuters) Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez said yesterday her government would never go back to the Organization of American States, but then left the door open to participating in further meetings. Venezuela has vowed to leave the OAS, but Rodriguez also noted that there was a twoyear administrative period to finalize the departure in which it could still participate. Speaking at a news conference in the Mexican Caribbean resort of Cancun, Rodriguez also said OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro was trying to stir up a civil war in Venezuela. Governments from across the Americas yesterday chastised Venezuela’s socialist leadership for its handling of a political and economic crisis, prompting the OPEC nation’s foreign minister to call the critics “lapdogs of imperialism.” The United States, Brazil and 10 other members of the 34-nation Organization of American States issued a letter accusing Venezuela of undermining democracy, failing to feed its people and violating rights. “Considering the interruption of the democratic process in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, we believe that there should be a settled solution that includes all Venezuelan parties for the benefit of the people of that nation,” said the letter issued at the OAS general assembly in Cancun. It called for the release of political prisoners, respect for
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez speaks during a news conference on the sidelines of the OAS 47th General Assembly in Cancun, Mexico yesterday. (REUTERS/Carlos Jasso) rights, an election timetable, a “humanitarian channel” to ship food and medicine, and the creation of a group or mechanism to help “effective dialogue among Venezuelans.” The 12 nations also called on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to abandon a July 30 vote for a superbody with powers to rewrite the country’s constitution. Critics see Maduro’s move as a ploy to hold on to power. Venezuelan Foreign Minister Delcy Rodriguez fired back, criticizing Mexico’s rights record and highlighting poverty, violence and migration in Honduras and other nations. Rodriguez said the country’s planned constituent assembly was the only way to peacefully overcome the current crisis and called her critics “lapdogs of imperialism.” “Do you want war? Is that what you want for Venezu-
ela?” the minister said, wearing a red dress, the color identified with Venezuela’s Socialist Party. “Great, we’ve reached the boss,” she said as U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan began a speech, repeating her jibe that the OAS is an arm of U.S. diplomacy. “The only way you could impose this on us is with your Marines, which would meet a strong response in Venezuela,” Rodriguez said, referring to the proposal to create a group of nations to help resolve the crisis. Honduran Foreign Minister Maria Dolores Aguero said Rodriguez should explain how her government was going to alleviate Venezuela’s problems. “Instead of responding to all of us who want peace for your people, why not tell us how you are going to resolve the crisis they are living?” Aguero said.
PAGE 25
PAGE 26
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Kaieteur News
Kamla: The PM aloof and distant in national crisis Trinidad Express - The Government must move urgently to mobilise national human and technical resources to
expeditiously deal with the effects of Tropical Storm Bret, says Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-
Bissessar. Such resources must be assigned to assist homeowners with lost roofs,
to alleviate floods, clear drains and other water courses, remove fallen trees and other debris and, in other
Kamla PersadBissessar ways, respond to the widespread damage caused by the extensive rainfall and strong winds, she says. Persad-Bissessar led Opposition politicians on a tour of flood hit areas Monday, following which she issued a statement. She said that in addition, an emergency fund should be established to aid relevant State agencies to finance such vital and pressing operations. “I have spent time in the constituency of Siparia and other areas hard-hit by Bret and I am struck by both the extensive damage and by the resilience and the commitment of families to improve their
condition. Through this national crisis, there has been a stark absence of leadership from Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley and his Cabinet, who have remained distant and aloof of an emergency that is seriously impacting hundreds of thousands of people. Trinidad and Tobago requires hands-on and decisive leadership through the allocation of relevant resources in order to ease the pain and hardship caused by Tropical Storm Bret and assurance that the relevant agencies will stay involved until circumstances are normalised� Persad-Bissessar said.
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Kaieteur News
Oil firms could waste trillions if climate targets reached: report (Reuters) Oil giants including Exxon Mobil and Royal Dutch Shell risk spending more than a third of their budgets by 2025 on oil and gas projects that will not be feasible if international climate targets are to be met, a thinktank says. More than $2 trillion of planned investments in oil and gas projects by 2025 risk becoming redundant if governments stick to targets to lower carbon emissions to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius, according to a report by the Carbon Tracker thinktank and a group of institutional investors. The report analyzed the costs of oil and gas projects planned for approval by 69 companies into 2025. It then compared their carbon intensity to targets needed to meet the 2 degree limit set by the 2015 Paris agreement, which would lead to a decline in fossil fuel consumption. According to the report, Exxon, the world’s top publicly-traded oil and gas company, risks spending up to half its budget on new fields that will not be needed. Shell and France’s Total would see
up to 40 percent of their budgets outside the limits. Fossil fuel companies have come under growing pressure from investors to reduce carbon emissions and increase transparency over future investments. Sweden’s largest national pension fund, AP7, one of the authors of the report, said last week it had wound down investments in six companies, including Exxon, that it says violate the Paris climate agreement. The world’s top fossil fuel companies have voiced support for the Paris agreement reached by nearly 200 countries. Many of them have urged governments to impose a tax on carbon emissions to support cleaner sources of energy such as gas. President Donald Trump said this month he would withdraw the United States from the Paris accord which he said would undermine the U.S. economy and weaken American national sovereignty. The report gave the example of five of the most expensive projects, including the extension of the giant Kashagan field in Kazakhstan and the Bonga Southwest
and Bonga North in Nigeria, which will not be needed within the 2 degree scenario. Around two thirds of the potential oil and gas production which is surplus to requirements under the 2 degree scenario is controlled by the private sector, “demonstrating how the risk is skewed towards listed companies rather than national oil companies,” the report said. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia’s national oil company Aramco, widely considered the lowest cost oil producer in the world, would only see up to 10 percent of its production uneconomical under the carbon emissions scenario, the report said. The report’s authors said their discussions with oil companies had shown they wanted to remain flexible to respond to future developments and possible changes in the oil price. International oil companies including Shell and BP have rejected the idea that some of their assets could end up redundant, saying the reserves they hold are too small to be affected by any longterm decline in demand.
PAGE 27
PAGE 28
Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Wednesday June 21, 2017
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
Star exodus to continue unless... Confusion surrounds disappearance of... (From page 26) unless CWI changed course, he could not see many of the top tier players representing the region again outside of T20s. “They need to change
their selection policy. I see myself playing T20 cricket because I’ll be playing in the Caribbean Premier League which is what is the criteria for selection,” he pointed out.
“But last year I had a v e r y g o o d to u r n a m e n t and I was still not selected but playing for the West Indies I think is a no-no for a number of the guys right now.”
Windies worries grow after... (From page 28) runs added to leave the Asian side tottering slightly. But Abidi and Mahroof combined in a superb 141run, fourth wicket stand which took the game away from West Indies completely. Abidi faced 86 deliveries
and struck eight fours while Mahroof’s innings consumed 80 balls and included nine boundaries. West Indies play their second and final official warm-up game against South Africa Women in Oakham tomorrow. Scores: WEST INDIES WOMEN 246 for seven off
50 overs (Felicia Walters 59, Merissa Aguilleira 43, Hayley Matthews 32, Shanel Daley 24 not out; Sana Mir 2-46) PAKISTAN WOMEN 249 for five off 47.4 overs (Nain Abidi 81 not out, Bismah Maroof 75, Ayesha Zafar 29; Shamilia Connell 2-39)
Tuesday June 21, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Opportunities to make advancements through good business sense are evident. Rethink your motives and make the necessary changes to yourself. Be careful how you handle friends and relatives, they may take things the wrong way. TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Unexpected visitors will be a welcome surprise. Invest wisely. Your personal life could have you tied up in knots. Join a club to work off that excess energy; but consider ways of doing that without spending the money. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your diplomatic nature will help you in straightening out unsavory situations. Take that long overdue vacation if you can. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Frustrations and limitations could cause anxiety today. You will be able to work with fine detail today. Legal matters that have been pending may be alleviated through compromise. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Overindulgence may cause conflicts. Don't let your work and your personal life interfere with each other. You might be overly emotional concerning situations at work. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Take time to make physical improvements that will enhance your appearance. Make changes that will enhance your appearance and entice potential partners. You have more energy than the rest of the people you live with anyway.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Look out for those wanting to push you into a disagreement. Older family members will make demands on your time. You can discuss your intentions and ideas with your colleagues or friends today. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You could do extremely well in competitive sports events. You may want to make changes that will turn your entertainment room into a real family affair. Deception and doubts may surround your involvement with friends and relatives. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Don't get involved in joint ventures. You should look into a healthier diet. Your charisma will no doubt attract a lot of attention. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Delays are evident. You may need to make a few alterations to your living arrangements. Keep a lookout for any individuals eager to confront you with unsavory situations. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You can meet new friends who will let you know just how valuable you are. You need time to put your house in order and sort out what you are going to do about your personal direction. You may jump from the frying pan into the fire if you make a move today. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Get involved in the activities of children. You can meet new and exciting friends who will provide mental stimulation. You may experience financial loss if you don't use good judgment.
(From page 30) the equipment arrived late 2014 or early 2015. Haywood said that it was the Store Room at the Synthetic Facility that was set up in June or July 2015. He said the items at the time were taken into the stores
then and a caretaker, Mr. October signed as receiving all items. But as far as Minister Lawrence is concerned, the conduct of Officers of the State on this issue is cause for concern. She indicated that there
is often little or no concern for the security of billions of dollars spent on items. According to the Audit Report, t h e S e i k o T r a c k and Field Electronic Syst e m a n d St a r t G u n R G, though purchased, disappeared.
Guyana Amazon Warriors launch new... (From page 27) that we will emerge as Champions,” Ramsingh added. Ramsingh noted, for this to become reality the Franchise needs the support of Corporate Citizens like GTT and as they enter into this partnership they do so with the aim of making not only GTT but all of Guyana proud of the Warriors. “Let me on behalf of our Franchise Owner, Dr. Bobby Ramroop and the Management of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, thank GTT for becoming one of our Team Sponsors and we look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership for this year ’s CPL,” Ramsingh concluded. “We know that cricket is at the heart of Guyanese and Caribbean people. We know that GTT is at the heartbeat of the Guyanese people and so GTT’s intention is to bring the heat, the passion, the real fun and party vibes to the CPL and the Warriors during the four home matches,” said GTT’s CEO Justin Nedd. Nedd told the large gathering which included Director of Sports Christopher Jones, five local members of the GAW, GTT’s officials and the media that GTT’s sponsorship of the Amazon Warriors is an expression of GTT’s understanding of Guyanese heart and passion for sports, especially Cricket. “We promise nothing short of excitement for CPL in Guyana. GTT and the Warriors will blaze the fans in the stands and grass mound in full party mode. We want everyone to embrace what it means to be an Amazon Warrior - someone who is strong, courageous, a war-like person who stands up for what they believe in and makes a positive impact on their families and communities,” the GTT CEO pointed out. The Director of Sports said the Government is focusing on cohesion, adding that nothing creates cohesion like sports and praised GTT for coming on board with this partnership. “While we would love to do more, the Government can’t do everything and need help from corporate Guyana and this sponsorship shows GTT as a wonderful corporate Citizen,” the proactive Jones
declared. The CPL was first staged in 2013 and Head Coach Roger Harper said his side is a formidable unit, with the overseas players including Khan, should play the entire tournament and expected the local ones to offer strong support to give the Warriors a good chance of winning this year. Harper said someone like She m r o n H e t y m e r i s young and aggressive and has improved a lot due to his international experience. Harper said Hetymer could be unavailable if he is selected for the West Indies. GTT will provide 15-yearold Berbician Seon Glasgow with the GTT Youth Cricketer Award and will fully sponsor his trip next month to the Sir
Garfield Sobers International Schools cricket tournament in Barbados. Glasgow will represent Electra Academy at the tournament. GTT also unveiled the ‘Warriors song’ an Infectious Soca rendition produced by Drew Thoven and performed by past GTT Jingles and song competition winner Calvin Burnett. A bevy of beauties clad in carnival costumes and a couple of GTT models gyrated to the pulsation r h y t h m o f t h e Wa r r i o r s song. Keon Joseph, Assad Fudadin, Steven Jacobs, Veerasammy Permaul, Hetymer and assistant Coach Esuan Crandon were all present yesterday at the magnificently organised event at which comedian Chow-Pow was the Master-of-Ceremonies.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 30
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Star exodus to continue unless rule changes: Sammy LONDON, CMC – Successful former West Indies captain, Darren S a m m y, b e l i e v e s t h e region’s leading players will continue to ignore domestic cricket in favour of lucrative global Twenty20 leagues, as long as Cricket West Indies’ controversial eligibility rule remains in place. He told the Tuffers and Vaughan Cricket Show here Monday that players returning to the Caribbean to compete in a particular format in order to be selected to the international side was counterproductive since there was no guarantee of selection. Sammy, a former Test and one-day captain, said CWI were also asking players to pass up valuable income. “I can’t tell a player don’t go and play there (in a foreign T20 league) when
you know financially you can be stable and look after your family,” said Sammy, under whose leadership West Indies won T20 World titles in 2012 and 2016. “What I will say is I have never missed an opportunity to play for West Indies when I’ve been selected and I know Dwayne Bravo, (Kieron) Pollard, these guys have turned down contracts to make themselves available for selection and they still haven’t been picked. “So staying home and playing the tournament at home doesn’t even guarantee you selection.” CWI mandates players to make themselves available for the relevant domestic tournament in order to be selected for that format internationally. And with domestic tournaments in the
Caribbean often clashing with global T20 leagues, players like Pollard, Bravo, Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Sammy have opted to commit to their franchises instead. Sammy defended the players against accusations of greediness, pointing out it was time to change an outdated eligibility rule which was only hurting West Indies cricket. “We’ve been called [greedy] before but it was not always like that. When you were growing up you always wanted to play for your country,” he argued. “They didn’t have IPL and PSL and Big Bash but the fact that T20 now has become franchise cricket and you’ve seen it happen in football where players would rather play for club most of the times and then the internationals when
World Cups and Europeans Cups and these things come about.” He added: “But if you look at it, players are going to play in Australia and that’s a very competitive league. You’re still playing cricket and the experiences you learn from different places it could actually help your cricket internationally. “I think they (CWI) want
you change with the times but they themselves they are not willing to change.” Sammy was shockingly axed as captain and dumped from the T20 side four months after guiding West Indies to an unprecedented second World title. And even though he contested last summer’s Caribbean Premier League – the qualifying tournament
for selection to the Windies T20 side – and averaged 42 with the bat and took eight wickets with his medium pace, he has been unable to break into the squad since then. In his absence ironically, the Caribbean side have won just five of their last 12 T20 Internationals. Sammy contended that (Continued on page 25)
Newton receives WKU hall of fame award Following his double gold medal haul at the recently concluded North American Federation for M a r t i a l A r t s c h a m p i o n s h i p s (NAFMA) In New Jersey, Guyanese Sensei Garfield Newton of the Black Hawks Martial Arts M a n a g e ment Network Association received his second World Karate Union hall of fame award. The event was held on June 11 at Chato Resort in Pokinoes Mountain of Pennsylvania, USA. He was nominated and won the second highest award at the World Karate Union (WKU) hall of fame lifetime achievement awards; a WKU pin and the WKU gold ring. Newton was the only Guyanese and the only athlete to represent the Caribbean at the prestigious event of legendary martial artists and actors. He will now undergo a three week self defence course with the North American Federation for Martial Arts before returning to Guyana to
Sensei Garfield Newton displays his certificate. prepare his team for the world championships in St. Lucia in August and the
Caribbean Championships set for Trinidad in October. (Zaheer Mohamed)
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 31
Guyana Amazon Warriors launch new brand with pomp & splendour By Sean Devers In a colourful Mashramani-like atmosphere in the Presidential suite of the Providence Stadium the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GWA), one of the sixes Franchise teams in the 2017 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) t20 cricket tournament, launched their historic partnership with GTT as the team’s premier sponsor with plenty of pomp and splendor. The GTT partnership with GAW’s was described by Warriors’ Media and Marketing officer and Assistant Operations Manager John Ramsingh as ‘significant’ and was the first time in the five-year history of the CPL that Guyana’s only land line providers has been on board. This is also the first time they have partnered with a team which will see their brand showcased and promoted internationally vie live TV and Radio. GTT’s logo with the words ‘do more’ will be displayed on the front of the players’ uniform and will be exposed to the North American market when the event deemed ‘the biggest party in sport’ bowls off on August 4 in Florida with the GAW facing-off with St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots in Lauderhill. The event matched the lavish settings when the players draft was done in Barbados and ‘Warriors’ fans could look forward to a rollicking time in a festive
atmosphere when the Jaguars play on home turf on August 17, 19, 20 and 22. Ramsingh apologized for the absence of Omar Khan, Team Operations Manager of the GAW who could not travel to Guyana because of the cancelation of his flight due to the Tropical Storm that Trinidad experienced Monday night. “We the Guyana Amazon Warriors Franchise are really very appreciative and pleased to be partnering with the Guyana Telephone Telegraph Company in ‘doing more’ as GTT Slogan says DO MORE for not only the cricket loving people of Guyana but for the entire population of Guyana,” the Assistant Operations Manager stated. Ramsingh said, Guyanese love their Cricket and with the exciting matches scheduled for August this year at Providence, the partnership with GTT is aimed at providing more information, more hype, more opportunities to get a chance to see these matches live and even a chance to interact in person with the International, Regional and the local players who will be in Guyana for four highly anticipated games. “Together with GTT we plan to unveil a number of promotions and competitions where the people of Guyana will have a chance to participate and get the opportunity to win free tickets to the games or even win a GTT Special Prize. In
As GTT ink historic partnership with CPL Franchise
the coming weeks leading up to the games you will be provided with all the details of these initiatives,” Ramsingh informed. The Warriors have never won the title but this year they could break that jinx since 18-year Rashid Khan who befuddled the West Indies in the recent ODI series in St Lucia is one of the International players in the squad in addition to Martin Guptill, Chris Lynn and Sohail Tanvir while the Guyanese players on the team are all competent. “The GAW knows that once we instill the passion, determination, will power and self-belief in all our team members throughout the tournament we are confident (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 32
Windies worries grow after Pakistan defeat LEICESTER, England, CMC – Uncapped opener Felicia Walters struck a halfcentury but West Indies Women’s worries increased ahead of the start of the ICC World Cup with a fivewicket defeat to Pakistan Women in their first official warm-up match here yesterday. Sent in, the Caribbean side fought their way to a respectable 246 for seven off their 50 overs with Walters top-scoring with 59, Merissa Aguilleira getting 43 and teenaged opener Hayley Matthews chipping in with 32. Off-spinner and captain Sana Mir was the best bowler with two for 46. In reply, Pakistan were stumbling 63 for three in the 17th over before Nain Abidi carved out a classy unbeaten 81 and Bismah Mahroof, 75, to avert the danger and see their side to victory with 14 balls remaining in the contest at Grace Road. Fast bowler Shamilia
Connell led the Windies with two for 39. The defeat was the fourth straight in the preparation period for West Indies Women who lost their three previous unofficial warm-up games over the last two weeks, and leaves them with little momentum heading into their opening game of the World Cup next Monday against reigning champions Australia Women. M a t t h e w s ’s e a r l y enterprise handed the Windies a solid start as the 19-year-old put on 49 for the first wicket with the more sedate Walters. The right-handed Matthews struck four fours and six in a breezy 38-ball knock while Walters counted seven fours in 93 balls at the crease. When Matthews strayed from her crease and was run out in the 10th over, Walters anchored small partnerships of 24 for the second wicket with Chedean Nation (7) and 35 for the third with skipper
Stafanie Taylor (14). Nation played across one from Mir and was lbw in the 16th, Taylor got a leading edge to cover off new ball bowler Kainat Imtiaz before Walters finally perished in the 31st over, caught at slip chasing a wide ball from leftarm spinner Sadia Yousuf. On 121 for four in the 31st over and in need of a partnership, the experienced duo of Aguilleira and Dottin came together to add 49 for the fifth wicket and set up the innings for a strong finish. Aguilleira’s knock was a busy one, containing for fours off just 50 deliveries, while Dottin produced a typical cameo, facing just 26 balls and striking five boundaries. The partnership was flourishing when the pair hesitated over a quick single and Dottin was run out in the 38th over, but Aguilleira added a further 40 for the sixth wicket with Afy Fletcher who made 18 before she was bowled by Mir in the 46th over. Shanel Daley then gave the innings impetus late when she arrived to hit a quick-fire unbeaten 24 off 12 balls with a four and a six. Pakistan were in command early at 56 for one in the 14th over before Ayesha Zafar (29) and Marina Iqbal (13) fell in the space of 29 balls with seven (Continued on page 25)
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Schools Vacation Swimming Programme 2017 starts July 10 The Ministry of Education, Department of C u l t u r e , Yo u t h a n d Sport/National Sports Commission will conduct its annual July/August Swimming Programme during July 10 – Aug 18, 2017. R e g i s t r a t i o n commences on Monday,
June 26, and concludes on July 04, 2017. Interested persons are request to make contact with Ms. Desiree Cummings at the Colgrain Pool, Camp Street, Georgetown on telephone number 2260 3 8 7 o r M r. Wi l t o n Spencer at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal
on telephone 222-1306, for further information, between the hours of 8:30h – 16:00h. It is important for parents to walk with their children’s birth certificates. A fee of $1000 will be charged. Children will be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
FIH Coach conducts hockey clinic in Guyana -says there is much natural talent FIH hockey Coach Shiv Jagday, who was in Guyana to conduct two weeks of training for coaches, senior nationals and junior players, wrapped up his visit yesterday. Jagday, who is originally from India, a powerhouse in the sport from the inception of international competition, has been mostly residing in Canada for the past 40 years. Fifty boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 19 years attended the junior sessions, while thirty five coaches attended the coaching sessions. Among the topics covered during his stay were core basic skills like Stance, Footwork and First touch in addition to Passing and Receiving, Running with the ball, Triangle play, Team concepts and using mini hockey as a tool to develop the game in segments. Upon completion of his two-week training clinic,
Jagday commented that, “There is so much natural talent waiting to be groomed in the correct way. As I said since my first visit, there is great athleticism, intelligence and adaptability among the Guyanese athletes. They just need more discipline, structure in sport and in life and to develop a routine where training is concerned. The attitude cannot just be to train whenever the mood suits.” After a successful stint in the 1980s as the Canadian men’s national team coach where he led Canada to its most successful international period of two Olympic appearances, two World Cups and two Pan American gold medals, Jagday branched out into developmental coaching worldwide. His first such assignment was to Guyana in 1988 at the invitation of then President of the Guyana Hockey Board of Control, Chris Fernandes. Coach Shiv, as he is affectionately called by everyone, has since visited Guyana five more times to conduct Olympic solidarity courses which have impacted on many of the country’s national players of the recent past. President of the GHB, Philip F e r n a n d e s w a s high in praise of the training programme run by Shiv and considers it of great value to Guyana’s hockey. When Jagday first came to Guyana, Fernandes was
the junior national hockey captain and considered Jagday’s teachings to be invaluable. Fernandes indicated that the GHB is in discussions with Jagday about making his visits an annual feature on the hockey calendar with a long term plan for developing even stronger junior and senior teams in four years’ time. Jagday undertook the responsibility of the USA junior national programme from 1998 to 2005, before developing two training academies for hockey in California and Vancouver. He also spends his time in Melbourne, Australia and Punjab India where he has helped to establish a regional training institute that has seen 9 players from Punjab selected for the current Indian national team. With Jagday now being semi-retired, he made contact with the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) to offer his services for free in an effort to give back to the sport. According to Fernandes, the offer was one that the GHB could not refuse since it is difficult to secure the expertise of a top quality coach in this part of the world without a substantial cost. He indicated that he enjoys Guyana every time he visits and mentioned the beautiful climate and hospitable people as being two of the main reasons he has chosen to return to Guyana.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 21, 2017
PAGE 33
GBTI Leacock and Lowden take Men’s 35 & 45 Tennis Singles, Beaton walks away with first Open Boys Title, Fraser wins Girls 18
This composite shows the latest winners in Jordan Beaton, Kalyca Fraser, Sarah Klautky and Joshua Kalekyezi. Leyland Leacock and Godfrey Lowden fashioned similar victories as they took the titles in the Men’s Over 35 and Over 45 categories respectively in straight sets in action of the GBTI Open Te n n i s t o u r n a m e n t . Leacock’s win over his older opponent Andre Lopes was,
however, a much closer affair as the players both displayed grit in trying to outlast each other in lengthy rallies instead of pushing for outright winners as both are capable of. The first set went to a tiebreak where Lopes committed several costly forehand errors which
allowed Leacock to win 7-3. Leacock served consistently and though surprised by the occasional winner from Lopes was able to win the title in straight sets 7-6(7/3) 6-4. Both players are in line to capture two medals as they are competing in Doubles finals as well.
In the Men’s 45 Finals, Alexley Almeida’s streak of coming back from a set down was halted by Berbician Godfrey Lowden who completed a straight sets win, but not without some drama at the end. In the first set Lowden, who likes a fast paced game, steamrolled
Regal Sports supports Ramdial Regal Sports of 69 Seaforth Street, Campbellville has supported U15 cricketer Ricardo Ramdial who has been selected to represent Guyana at the upcoming regional U15 tournament slated from July 24-August 3 in Barbados. Mario Allicock of Regal Sports presented a quantity of cricket gears to the young cricketer at a simple ceremony held Monday at their office. Allicock said they are impressed with the young cricketer and are happy to support him adding that it is their way of giving back to the community especially through sports. He stated that they will monitor his progress from time to time and continue to offer support. Ramdial, who represented Berbice in the Guyana Cricket Board inter county U15 tournament, expressed delight at the gesture and thanked the entity for their backing. He promised to remain committed and vowed to do his best on tour. Regal Sports is an associate of Regal
Stationery and Computer Centre and sells various sports equipment including football, boxing, chess, basketball, tennis and cricket gear.
Mario Allicock (left) of Regal Sports presents the gears to Ricardo Ramdial.
Meanwhile, Regal Open and Masters’ teams will journey to New York in July to defend their New York Softball Cricket League Independence Cup Masters
and All Stars titles. Regal are also the defending champions of the Florida Cup Masters and Open tournament.
Almeida 6-1, who tried to match his opponent unsuccessfully. In the second set, Almeida threatened to make it a 3 set affair yet again as he slowed the pace and took the set to a tie-break. Leading 8-7 with set point, he suffered a dubious call and lost composure and the set eventually at 11-9. It was a deserving win for Lowden who has been a stalwart over the years and still has the game and fitness to take on all players. In the Boys 18 category, the expected showdown between top players Heimraj Resaul and Jordan Beaton did not materialize after Resaul had to forfeit due to an injury he picked up. Jordan, who benefited from the walk-over, took full advantage of the opportunity of being in the final and completed a 6-2 6-1 win to take home the title over Joshua Kalekyezi, who was also debuting in the 18’s final. Kalekyezi who is only 14 years old and stands over 6 feet, originally lived in Uganda and he is expected to be a top player in the junior ranks for years to come. His tennis has come on significantly over the last year as he is already challenging his older counterparts with his attractive and solid game. In the Girl’s 18, top seed Kalyca Fraser proved to be too good for Sarah Klautky, who she defeated in straight sets 6-1 6-1. Fraser is one of several promising junior girls players such as Klautky, Alana Chung, Nathalie
Ramdyhan, Ciara Pooran and Afruica Gentle who have all held their own in the tournament over the past two weeks. Fraser had wins over Sekai Jones and Alana Chung in the earlier rounds, whilst Klautky took care of Margaret Subryan in the first round and edged Nathalie Ramdyhan in the semifinals. In Men’s 35 Doubles a c t i o n , A n d r e Lopes/Sandeep Chand all but clinched the title with their third victory in the round robin format when they overcame the first time pairing of veterans Godfrey Lowden/Ronald Murray 6-1 6-3. Lopes/Chand played their best match of the tournament with consistent serving and strong net play and never allowed Lowden/Murray to gain any momentum. In other matches played, Afruica Gentle/Christy Campbell booked a place in the Ladies Doubles finals with a comfortable 6-1 6-0 victory over Kalyca Fraser/Sarah Klautky and was down to face Shelly Ramdyhan/Fiona Bushell last evening. Also scheduled for yesterday was the Men’s Open Doubles final which promised an exciting affair featuring Anthony Downes/Jason Andrews a g a i n s t D a n i e l Lopes/Leyland Leacock. Matches continue until today when the tournament will culminate with the Men’s Final which pits top seed and favorite Anthony Downes against Daniel Lopes in a rematch of last year’s finals. Presentation of prizes will follow.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 34
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Digicel Schools Football Championship
Canje Sec, BEI, BSoE and Rosignol Sec all win
(Flashback) - Berbice High School and Canje Secondary seen in battle. Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) and Canje Secondary were among the teams recording victories when play in this year’s Digicel Schools Football Championship resumed on Sunday, at the Burnham Park ground in New Amsterdam,
Berbice. Also registering wins on the same day were Berbice School of Excellence (BSoE) and Rosignol Secondary in their engagements, at the Paradise ground, West Coast Berbice. Over at Burnham Park,
Berbice Educational Institute led by a 63rd minute strike from Kelly Amsterdam squeezed past Berbice High 1-0. In the other fixture, Canje Secondary cruised to a comfortable 5-1 triumph over New Amsterdam
Secondary with Tyrese Williams netting a brace in the 29th and 63rd minutes, while Alade Grant, Elond White and Akeem MosesBovell, all contributed a goal apiece in the 40th, 66th and 69th minutes respectively. For New Amsterdam
Confusion surrounds disappearance of equipment from National Track and Field Centre Confusion surrounds who should accept the responsibility for the disappearance of equipment that included a Seiko Track and Field Electronic System and Start Gun RG valued at US$2, 985 and US$159 respectively from the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora. The revelation of the disappearance of the items was only brought to the fore on Monday at the meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) following a 2015 report from the Audit Office that there is no evidence that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCY&S) received the equipment. A police report on the missing items was presented to the Audit Office in April this year. PAC Chairman, Irfaan Ali sought on Monday to ascertain whether the Ministry received the items and as such Permanent Secretary, Melissa Tucker was asked for confirmation. However, Tucker indicated that she was not in possession of the necessary documentation, which could
Alfred King have been as a result of the fact that she was not the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry at the time of the Audit Report. Alfred King was the Permanent Secretary then. In the PAC meeting, Tucker asked the Supplies Officer at the Department, Mr. Haywood to offer some clarity as to the whereabouts of the missing items. He said that contrary to the Audit Report the Department received the items. “The articles were received at the synthetic
Steve Ninvalle track. There were no stores. I received the items,” he said. T h e S u p p l i e s O ff i c e r explained that the equipment was supplied to the Synthetic Track and Field Centre in a container where they were stored. Haywood admitted that the only items missing from the container is the Seiko Electronic System and Start Gun. King then revealed that two officers were appointed to report on the equipment in the container, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Steve Ninvalle and Haywood.
But PAC member, Juan Edghill questioned why the items, if received, were never entered into an assets register. King reportedly blamed his subordinates. “At this time I can only say it was some level of d e l i n q u e n c y, ” K i n g indicated. King’s evasion of the issue attracted the attention o f PA C m e m b e r a n d Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, who indicated that the system allows for supervisory checks and balances when stocks are received as opposed to verification at just the Stores Officer level. Lawrence asked King, who was the PS during that time, when the stock count of the container in question was done and he informed that it was done during MayJune 2016 after the equipment was received in February that same year. But more confusion arose when Haywood corrected the Permanent Secretary, who is now at the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’Affairs. Haywood indicated that (Continued on page 25)
Secondary, an own in the 40th minute was responsible for their account. At the Paradise ground, Berbice School of Excellence scraped past Fort Wellington Secondary 2-1 despite playing with only seven players. Tarone Pompey opened Berbice School of Excellence’s account when he netted in the 13th minute, before Anthony Alexander’s 32nd minute strike gave them a 2-0 advantage which they took to the break. Ziekel Johnson pulled one back for Fort Wellington in the 55th minute, but robust defending by their opponents put paid to their ambitions of drawing level and when the final whistle sounded Berbice School of Excellence had preserved their slim lead to secure a win. In the other game, Rosignol Secondary romped to a comfortable 4-1 victory over No. 8 Secondary. Nial Reynolds booted in a pair of goals in the 32nd and 61st minutes and he received support from Delrico Griffith and Lindon Singh who added solitary strikes in the 19th and 58th minutes respectively. For No. 8 Secondary, Joshua Charles made the lone response in the 36th minute. The championship, which has 120 schools participating from all 10 Regions, is scheduled to conclude on July 31st. The winning school will collect $1,000,000 which is to go towards a project of
their choice along with the championship trophy. Second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $700,000, $400,000 and $350,000 respectively and this too is for a project of the schools choice. Chase Academic Foundation is the defending champion. In the day’s full results: Paradise Ground Game-1 No. 8 Secondary-1 vs Rosignol Secondary-4 Rosignol Scorers Nial Reynolds-32nd and 61st Delrico Griffith-19th Lindon Singh-58th No.5 Scorer Joshua Charles-36th Game-2 F o r t We l l i n g t o n Secondary-1 vs Berbice School of Excellence-2 Berbice School Scorers Tarone Pompey-13th Anthony Alexander32nd Fort Wellington Scorer Ziekel Johnson-55th Burnham Park Game-1 Berbice High-0 vs Berbice Educational Institute-1 Kelly Amsterdam-63rd Game-2 Canje Secondary-5 vs New Amsterdam Secondary-1 Canje Scorers Tyrese Williams-29th and 63rd Alade Grant-40th Elond White-66th Akeem Moses-Bovell69th New Amsterdam Scorer Own Goal-48th
Wednesday June 21, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 35
Christianburg/Wismar eager to commence journey to the top By Rawle Welch Head Coach of four-time Digicel Schools Football Championship champions Christianburg / Wismar Multilateral, Delon Peters speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday said they have intensified preparations ahead of their opening clash against Linden Technical Institute (LTI) on a date to be announced. Champions for four consecutive years beginning in 2012, before following up that feat with three more titles in 2013, 2014, and 2015, Peters has been with the team since the inception of the Digicel Championship. During that period, he has seen them make all six appearances in the final, losing to the Government Technical Institute in the event’s inaugural year and Chase Academic Foundation last year, easily the most successful record among participating teams. Quizzed on whether they will be as strong as previous years, Peters said quite a few players will be returning and this according to him makes them competitive. “While quite a few of
them did not see much playing time last year, they were around and know how it feels to be playing on the big stage and in front of large crowds,” Peters stated. According to the Head Coach, among the players who will be back are star striker Omar Brewley, Kevin Dare, Jumaine Kingston, Jornel Williams, Nicholas Gentle (Goalkeeper), Xavier Smith, Kevin Dornick and Carwyn Adolphus. Asked aboput the enthusiasm among the players, Peters said that there is much hunger within the team and the new players are learning fast and clearly wants to sustain the positive legacy that the teams that came before them left. He revealed that the turnout at practice sessions has been excellent and there is a high level of competition for places on the team, something that is creating headaches for the coaching staff. However, he indicated that the mood is good and the players are eager to get into action and start the journey to reach the top once again. “This is a team that has
Guyana Beverage Co. 60-mile Tropical Rhythms Cycle race now fixed for Caricom Day July 3 Guyana Beverage Company 60 miles Tropical Rhythms Cycle road race has been fixed for Caricom Day July 3 and not July 2 as was previously stated. The Guyana Beverage Company in Guyana, which is a subsidiary of the Trinidad based SM Jaleel and Company with business in many Caricom Countries, is living up to its reputation as a true Caribbean Company and has partnered with organisers the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) under the Company’s Tropical Rhythms Brand to stage the event. According to organiser Randolph Robert, this is opportune that a company with many subsidiaries in other Caribbean Countries will be part of the race to be held on Caricom Day. Roberts said that when the thought was put to Managing Director Robert
Selman, he readily agreed with the idea. The event, which was held annually in Berbice, was off the radar for a few years. This was mainly due to the absence of Mr. Selman who had returned to his native Trinidad. Now with Selman back in the fray the event has returned to the calendar. The riders will pedal off from in front of the company’s Berbice office at Palmyra, East Coast, Berbice, proceed to the No51 Police Station and back for the finish. An official handing over of the sponsorship is slated for during this week at the C o m p a n y ’s o ff i c e . Guyana Beverage Co. distributes the popular Busta soft drinks, Tropical Rhythm, Fruta, Tampico, Viva, Island Mist water, Kool Kids, Cran Water and American Classic brands among others.
(Flashback) - Champions Christianburg/Wismar pose with Minister of Education Nicolette Henry (3rd right) follwing their last victory in 2015. got a lot at stake, first they must continue to be the best in Region 10, an achievement that was attained since the start of the championship, while they know that they have to represent Region 10 against any opposition so they are committed to doing those
things,” he noted. Peters disclosed that the school still has a lot of young exciting players and fans will get a glimpse of them as they commence the journey to bring back the championship trophy to the Mining community. Commenting on some of
the benefits derived from Digicel staging the Championship, Peters pointed to the opportunity that the players have to exhibit their skills and abilities, to interact with other players and learn about the way of life and customs in other communities and
most importantly, having the chance to be spotted by scouts, coaches and club officials. He applauded Digicel for doing it another year and urged that the Company continue to lend its support towards the development of sports and athletes locally.
Guyana’s ‘Green Machine’ now ninth in Americas -top the Caribbean
Guyana ruggers. Guyana’s national men’s rugby commonly referred to as the ‘Green Machine’ has moved up one spot to ninth in the Americas rankings following their Rugby Americas North (RAN) South Zone 15s win over rivals Trinidad and
Tobago. By virtue of their improved ranking they are now the highest ranked team in the Caribbean followed by Trinidad and Tobago one place shy of the Guyanese in tenth, while Cayman Islands that
defeated North Zone champions Mexico recently moved up to eleventh. Mexico dropped to twelfth as a result of their loss to the Cayman Islands. The ‘Green Machine’ is now 51st in the world
ranking (WR), while T&T is 55th, Cayman Islands 56th and Mexico 57th. Argentina is the top ranked team in the Americas (9th WR) followed by the USA (17th WR) and Uruguay (18th WR) in that order.
t r o Sp Guyana Amazon Warriors launch new brand with pomp & splendour
e s i h c n a r F L P hC t i w p i h s r e n t r pa c i r o t s i h k n i T T
As G
The players, dancers, Director of Sports Chris Jones and GTT’s CEO Justin Nedd at the GAW’s brand launching yesterday at Providence. (Sean Devers photo)
FIH Coach conducts hockey clinic in Guyana
tural a n h c u m s i e r -says the
talent
FIH hockey Coach Shiv Jagday makes a point during a session with junior players recently.
Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210