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June 02, 2017 - Vol. 8 No. 21

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Oil deal with Exxon…

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Upgraded accommodation on board ML Allan Young

Seven months to go...

Venezuela maintains UN Good Offices to settle border controversy

Temporary ban placed on poultry from US

GRDB forensic audit probe…

Police file five charges against …to seek absent GRDB accountant arrest warrant

Kaieteur News

PAGE 04

Friday June 02, 2017

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

THE MANCHESTER BOMB ATTACK Last Monday night’s tragic bomb attack at the Ariana Grande pop concert in Manchester, England, is another clear example of a world caught up in the throes of religious fanaticism, intolerance, and barbarism. It was the deadliest attack on British soil in a decade.

If Governments do not act quickly to end this terrorist threat, the situation will likely get worse in the future rather than better.

Monday’s bombing was a deliberate, barbaric and inhumane attack committed by cowards that killed children, parents and grandparents. The senseless attack killed 22 persons, including an eight-year-old girl and an 80-year-old grandmother and injured more than 100 people. Among the injured were more than a dozen teenagers.

The British press identified the perpetrator as Manchester-born son of Libyan refugees, Salman Abedi, 22.

The Islamic State in Syria and Libya, also known as ISIS and ISIL respectively, reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.

Those who perpetrate such evil and horrendous deeds have justified their actions in the name of religion. Experts have argued that the scourge of terrorism will not end anytime soon because it brings comfort to the unhappy existence of the wretched. Karl Marx is famous or perhaps infamous for writing that religion is the opium of the people and whether we believe it or not, those of us who are religious would admit that our inner peace and tranquility and our expectation and desire for a better life after death are guided by faith and strict religious conformity.

Unfortunately it is the same faith and strict religious conformity that have led those acting in the name of Islam to strap bombs on their bodies and murder innocent people in Mosques, Churches, Temples, restaurants and football stadiums.

While some spiritual leaders use religion to teach tolerance and love, others have used religion to teach hatred and to murder people. Whatever holy books they may use, be it the Quran or the Bible, everyone can find scriptures to justify their cause to either preach love and tolerance or spread hatred and kill the vulnerable in society.

However, the condemnation of the terrorist attack by religious leaders in Manchester and the bombing of a bus in Egypt that killed 26 Christians have not prevented the terrorists groups from killing in the name of religion.

It is important to note that religious wars have always been fought from the beginning of time.

Lest we forget, no period in our existence has been without religious wars. Be it Christian or Muslim, religious wars have led to death, destruction and mayhem. And history has shown that one is no less cruel than the other.

History has also shown that non-religious wars by politicians have also been equally or more cruel to human beings than religious wars.

That said, it is rather sad that the bombing in Manchester, England, and others elsewhere show that we now live in a world where terrorists will not flinch at killing the innocent.

World leaders including President Granger have condemned the attack.

United States President Donald Trump has stated that the murder of so many young, beautiful, innocent people by evil losers must be completely obliterated.

We in Guyana can do little on the world stage in matters other than to stand in solidarity with the people of Great Britain.

Despite those who might delude themselves into believing otherwise, we have to face reality and accept that the world has changed and that a possible terrorist may exist within or next door. As Guyanese we are proud of our country but we cannot escape the reality that exists around us. We are not insulated from the terrorists.

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

More opinions on the conditions of the Charity Secondary School Dear Editor, The recent letter published on May 31st concerning the condition of Charity Secondary School reminds me of the poor condition of the National Cultural Center. In a recent visit during what some would call an important tourist occasion (Mashramani) where Miss Mash was to be determined, the neglect for the basics in the bathroom was evident.

Not to mention the poor state of the stage and seating area.

The neglect is clear and unfortunately there seems to be a focus on building new facilities while not funneling needed funds into what already exists. This is clearly not the correct approach to creating a good life for all

Guyanese.

If we cannot afford to maintain what we have already created, then we cannot afford to expand, and borrowing money from others to support expansion is not the answer. A self s u ff i c i e n t g o v e r n m e n t should be able to create enough wealth to maintain and grow the nation in a way that supports its people.

Wi t h t h e o n g o i n g announcements of major infrastructural projects while neglecting the basics, has resulted in costly blunders as seen in the recent flooding of Georgetown during the holidays and the incompleted state of the Marriott with its financial burden. All of this begs the question, why does the

government continue to put the cart before the horse?

Repeating the mistakes of other administrations is not the answer.

Getting back to the poor state of the school at Charity, this is similar to what could have been found at the best high school (Queens College) during the 80’s, and the reason given then was a lack of money due to national trade restrictions. If it were not for the parents’ intervention the situation might be the same today.

Now, over 30 years later in an open economy and with a much larger capacity to spend, the government should not be facing the same restrictions and our school system should already have reached world

class levels.

This reaffirms how the lack of good planning and correct prioritization is limiting the effectiveness of our country’s growth plan.

We are still early enough in the fiscal cycle to correct this by redirecting funds to where they are most needed. It is my hope that the current administration will take this into consideration and take the time to re-evaluate their approach.

If it is good to crawl before walking, how much more so is it important to do so before running? At 51 years we are still very young as a nation and can learn a lot from the mistakes and achievements of older nations.

Jamil Changlee

Shocked at physical abuse of children by their mothers Dear Editor, I read your recent article on abuse of children, with the emphasis on the sexual abuse of girls mainly it seems from men not of the family. I think one of the severest forms, if not the severest form, of abuse that can be imposed on any child must surely be abuse from that child’s mother. I was so shocked to read recently that, in Guyana, so many children were exposed to physical

abuse from their own mothers. The effects usually remain throughout the life of the sufferer, particularly if accompanied by emotional and psychological abuse, well into adulthood.

The one thing that certainly remains is an intense dislike of the abuser, or at least not much love of.

Now that many of us are aware of the condition known as ‘ bipolar disorder’, this might have been the

reason for the parent’s behaviour towards the children, but the children and others were not to know that.

However, reading the recent piece makes one feel so relieved that something is being done to help vulnerable youngsters - and perhaps their parents.

Abuse of children is a subject I feel very strongly about.

Geralda Dennison

We are seeing the unfolding of the enhancement of football’s future Dear Editor; I refer to my previous letter captioned, “Guyana is on the horizon of a transformation in local football,” KN, June 1, 2017.

I concluded that letter by looking at the decision of the Guyana Football Federation’s decision to expand the Elite League. My current letter takes up from there. Of the clubs that documented their disagreement with the expanded Elite League, four (the Alpha United, GFC, Pele and Slingerz FC) elected not to participate in the 2016-17 Elite League.

Further they indicated that unless an arbitration process was convened or the tournament reverted to eight teams, they will not compete in the 2016/2017 Elite league.

Subsequently the four clubs arbitrarily withdrew their participation which not only left them in bad standing with the GFF but also resulted in their relegation. Alpha United and Slingerz FC primarily

felt the brunt of their decision to withdraw from the league as CONCACAF ruled them ineligible to participate in the CFU tournament in light of their bad standing with the GFF, although these teams secured the top two spots in the 2015/2016 Elite League which initially qualified them for the CFU tournament.

In what can be described as a peculiar and questionable intervention, the former Chairman of the Normalisation Committee in January 2017 dispatched a letter to the current President of CONCACAF requesting him to use his office to give a fair hearing to both sides and settle the matter fairly in the interest of football in Guyana. The letter also condemned the GFF administration for not using the appropriate arbitration procedures, questioned the bad status standing of Alpha United and Slingerz FC, stated that CONCACAF owed both the GFF and these clubs and asked for an

explanation as to how it arrived at the decision to withdraw their participation from the CFU Tournament and expressed fear that a precedent had been set.

On February 1, 2017 FIFA’s General Secretary dispatched a letter to the GFF stating, “It is within the power of the GFF Executive Committee to change the regulations of the Elite League, including determining the number of participating clubs, unless there is a binding written agreement between the GFF and the Elite League which would state otherwise – to the best of our knowledge, however, such an agreement does not exist.”

Both CONCACAF and FIFA endorsed the fact that the GFF acted within its constitutional mandate as Guyana’s football governing authority to extend the Elite League. Not to be outdone, however, the disaffected teams through their member associations sought the intervention of the GFF Disciplinary Committee. In

April 2017 the said Disciplinary Committee determined that, “The constitution can only be amended by the Congress and the Executive Committee has no authority to unilaterally amend the constitution in any manner whatsoever. The amendment to increase the Elite League from eight members to 10 members was ultra vires the powers of the Executive Committee and is unlawful.”

Under the headline Orders for Disposal of Matter, the document said, “1. The complaint by the Elite League Clubs is upheld, 2. The Amendment to the Elite League Rules and Regulations by the Executive Committee is ultra vires and declared unlawful, 3. It is declared that there are eight Elite League Members as listed in Clause 10 of the constitution and any change/amendment to Clause 10 of the constitution must be made by the Congress.” Further the Disciplinary Committee (Continued on page 6)

Friday June 02, 2017

ICJ adjudication of border issue draws nearer DEAR EDITOR, On February 27 this year, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the appointment of Dag Halvor Nylander of Norway as his personal representative to help find a solution to the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.

Nylander comes with the experience as ambassador in Colombia in 2006-2008 and, more recently, as his country’s special envoy in the Colombian peace process (20122016). .

Earlier, on December 16, 2016, the Secretary-General concluded that the existing Good Offices process which began in 1990 would continue until the end of 2017. A UN media statement revealed: “If, by the end of 2017, the Secretary-General concludes that no significant progress has been made towards arriving at a full agreement for the solution of the controversy, he will choose the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as the next means of settlement, unless the governments of Guyana and Venezuela jointly request that he refrain from doing so.”

Nylander’s task involves regular and constructive meetings with both governments to explore and propose options for a solution to the controversy arising from the Venezuelan claim that the 1899 arbitral award settling the then border dispute is null and void.

Over the past fifty years, the controversy has generated intermittent tensions between the two countries.

These heated up in 2015 after a significant oil find was announced in an offshore concession granted to Exxon by Guyana in its Atlantic economic zone, an area that Venezuela describes as “disputed waters;” and even also declar-

ing the zone as its own, as it did in June 2015 when President Maduro issued decrees claiming almost all of Guyana’s offshore contiguous economic region.

More than a year before, the PPP administration of President Bharrat Jagdeo declared that the Good Offices process had outlived its usefulness and would no longer support its continuity. The government of that period opted for the controversy to be dealt with by the ICJ. On the other hand, the Venezuelan government insisted that it wanted the Good Offices process to continue and would not support any move to the international court to handle the issue.

The Guyana government headed by President David Granger from May 2015 also took a similar position. The recent appointment by the Secretary-General seems set to placate both governments—allowing the continuation of the Good Offices process desired by Venezuela, and announcing that the process would end this year after which the ICJ would become involved, as advocated

by Guyana.

With the Secretary-General deciding to choose the ICJ as the next means of settlement if his personal representative does not succeed in enabling a solution, it is absolutely clear that the Guyanese government will never ask the Secretary-General to refrain from taking this action.

Interestingly, Nylander is given the mandate to mediate, a power which previous Good Officers did not have. However, his mediation will have to be bound by an earlier decision of the UN which gave recognition to the legality of Guyana’s boundary as demarcated by the 1899 arbitral

award. This was defined when the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea Tribunal made its award in the case of the maritime boundary between Guyana and Suriname in 2007. In making that award, the arbitrators used Devonshire Castle Flat, a location on the Essequibo coast, as a base point to draw the boundary line based on the principle of “equidistance.” By using the Essequibo coast as a base point, the arbitrators (and hence the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea) gave recognition to the Essequibo as part of Guyana’s sovereign territory despite the existing claim by Venezuela.

Actually, during the arbitration hearings, the Suriname government had initially opposed the use of this base point, on the grounds of its location in the area claimed by Venezuela. However, the arbitration court dismissed Suriname’s protest, declaring that Caricom, with Suriname being an integral member, recognized Guyana’s sovereignty over the Essequibo region. But despite this recognition, Venezuela since 1966 has continued to occupy Guyana’s eastern half of the three-square-miles Ankoko Island at the border junction of the Cuyuni and Wenamu Rivers.

In his attempt at mediation, the Good Officer, therefore, will have to concentrate on finding a solution to the maritime boundary between the two countries—a maritime boundary that was never legally demarcated. But in doing so, he will have to keep in mind that Venezuela is not a signatory to the UN Law of the Sea, which has been involved in settling maritime boundaries between various countries.

Actually, both countries

saw the importance of a settled maritime boundary. A joint declaration of September 30, 2011, signed in Port of Spain

by Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Nicolas Maduro, the foreign ministers of Guyana and Venezuela, respectively, recognized that the delimitation of the maritime boundaries between the two countries was an outstanding issue and agreed that such delimitation would require negotiations. Another meeting on October 17, 2013, between the Guyanese foreign minister and her new Venezuelan counterpart, Elias Jaua, ratified the decision of the September 2011 discussions and they declared that a bilateral technical team would meet within four months to exchange views on how such delimitation could proceed. However, this technical team could not be organized since Venezuela, then experiencing growing political instability, was unprepared to begin this work despite several reminders from Guyana.

In preparation for Nylander’s mediation, and likely ICJ jurisdiction, it is hoped that the proposed national border institute or a politically bipartisan special commission will be fully organized as an advisory body to the government on the border issue.

In the limited time left for his mediation efforts, the Norwegian diplomat may encounter some difficulty in managing his work with Venezuela, as the country is facing serious political, economic and social crises along with massive anti-government street protests. Thus, it is doubtful that he will be able to mediate any solution before the end of the year. This means that the UN Secretary-General will have no other option but to request adjudication by the ICJ to end the controversy.

Dr. Odeen Ishmael

KIDS JOY FOUNDATION is asking for your help for the needy DEAR EDITOR, KIDS JOY FOUNDATION in collaboration with Food for the Poor Guyana visited Bethany Creek on Friday 26th May 2017 (Independence Day) to distribute mattresses, stove, rice, beans, children’s books and pillow cases to eleven (11) families. This is our 3rd visit to this commu-

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Kaieteur News

nity. We previously shared out clothes and books. This Amerindian community is in need of school supplies for their children so Kids Joy Foundation will be going back in August (before the new school term commences In September).

We are encouraging persons to come together and

donate school supplies for these kids so we can all play a role in enhancing this nation’s education. Persons can drop off school items at 96 Bonasika & Sheriff St, Campbellville, Georgetown or call 645-3933. I want to say a special thank you to Food for the Poor Guyana for their consistent and generous do-

nation they have extended to Kids Joy Foundation. Food for the Poor has donated many needed items over the years to us and has helped hundreds of persons who were struggling to make ends meet.

Diane Shaw President Kids Joy Foundation

TRAINING FOR DELIVERY OF BETTER HEALTH CARE Recently, the media has been carrying debates and commentaries on several issues surrounding the education and training of aspirants in the critical field of nursing; major factors seem to include methodical aspects such as the formal academic attainment of students, the size of classes, teachers lacking the necessary ‘clinical’ preparation, teaching aids, computers etc. coupled with the usual ‘finger pointing’ to other persons, programs and facilities so typical of our compatriots; it is interesting to note that one of the articles actually ended with the following alibis:”this is happening across the board ….there is certainly some weaknesses in the education system...the students represent a microcosm of the society” My interest in this matter has been heightened by the fact that I have just spent a week at a Canadian hospital where I was able to observe and discuss the factors that facilitated the exceptionally high quality of ‘service excellence’ among all categories of staff with particular reference to the nursing and support staff (most of whom originate from the so-called third world like Guyana).

This phenomenon in and of itself was not surprising to me, but in comparison with what obtains in Guyana (based on personal observation and anecdotal reports over the years by several individuals as well as the media), the contrast is considerable and calls for attention by the ‘practitioners and authorities’ throughout Guyana’s medical services. While extrinsic factors such as working conditions, compensation issues, recruitment, education/training etc. are all relevant, my experience convinces me that the intrinsic factors of the individual staff attitude and behavior are paramount.

I take this opportunity to emphasize (for credibility, not self-promotion which at this

stage of my life is wholly unnecessary) the fact that my involvement in such matters is wide-ranging and long-lasting: For example, when I migrated to Canada in the 1970’s, my first job was in the Human Resource Department of a world famous hospital in Ontario; my initial assignment was in job evaluation among the nursing and support staff with a view to ‘resolving’ perceived compensation disparities/inequities among this group of employees.

During the exercises, the phenomenon that struck me most was the fact that neither the individual staff nor their staff association, akin to a Union, allowed whatever ‘grievances’ they might have had with the ‘employer’ to detract from their primary interest and attention to their patients. My experiences since then underscored the importance of employers and employees and their representatives recognizing that when it comes to customerservice/patient-service kinds of employment, the intrinsic, individual attitudes/behaviors of employees trump all other considerations. In this regard, the focus of people responsible for developing future nursing and other employees in related occupations must include as virtual pre-requisites, the essential underlying attitudinal and behavioral components.

Training per se is not a panacea but its effectiveness is enhanced by focused, need-based and differentiated approaches if not we risk incurring costly futility like the farmer who indiscriminately throw fertilizers or chemicals on barren soil; if the ‘students’ are not receptive through no fault of their own or because their needs were improperly diagnosed, no predetermined ‘formula’ will produce beneficial results.

Therefore, foci on “syllabus, methodology, teaching aids, classroom size etc. will not make any difference if the (Continued on page 6)

PAGE 6

FLOODS, ILLEGAL MINING & CLIMATE CHANGE GUARANTEES DEAR EDITOR, For some years ‘water wars’ have been predicted in various parts of the world.

Guyana was never thought to be part of that debate. However, the current struggle between the dominant mining interests preserving their privilege of mining irrespective of the environmental consequences to rivers and the rights of the current and future generation of access to potable fresh water contains all the characteristics of an embryonic water war.

Current floods in the upper and middle Mazaruni are being linked by residents with mining activity. In particular, residents of the Region claim that rivers, and especially creeks, can no longer remove excessive volumes of water following years of accumulated debris from mining, haphazard clearing of bush and trees into the waterways and large deposits of tailings, sand and over- b u r d e n blocking the normal flow of river currents. Discarded oil drums, 5-gallon plastic bottles, discarded machinery, were specifically mentioned.

Reference in press reports to farms- rather than community villages - being flooded reinforces the impression that the smaller creeks emanating from the escarpments of the Pakaraima mountains where farms are situated are badly obstructed.

While the impact of mining is evident in the discoloration and sluggishness of the larger rivers, the condition of the many creeks which feed into these rivers on which mining has been taking place for decades is reportedly much worse, but less observable.

Residents have informed

Friday June 02, 2017

Kaieteur News

the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) that they believe the flooding to be a combination of excessive rainfall and the declining capacity of rivers to accommodate the volume of water. A similar combination of high rainfall and solid waste in 2005 generated prolonged flooding on the East Coast of Guyana. This experience provided a wake-up call to a coastal population complacent over the lethal situation created by years of careless choking of drains, trenches and canals with plastics and styrofoam waste.

Rainfall in both cases were exceptionally heavy but not unparalleled and therefore, not solely responsible for the recent devastation caused in Regions 7 and 8. It is not coincidental that these two Regions should be the ones most intensively mined for decades without regard for the environmental consequences to forests, rivers and all the forms of life that depend on them.

The GHRA welcomes the recent action to clear the Kaieteur Park of dredges and illegal mining, in the hope that this is the beginning of a systematic campaign (not a oneoff public relations stunt) to force the mining industry to operate within a regime of law and order. Troubling complaints about mining in the area have been surfacing for some time. Processing through the courts of those detained in Kaieteur Park by the Protected Areas Commission has been prompt. Similar alacrity from the Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is also necessary in response to claims from the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) that some, at least, of those arrested have valid docu-

ments. The GHRA is calling for these operations to be carried out in a manner re-assuring to those concerned about the welfare of the affected Amerindian families.

Should investigation reveal that invalid documents were issued to some of the miners or other irregularities encouraged by GGMC officials, they also should be the target of similar condign action by higher authority. Lack of transparency in GGMC operations is a constant aggravating feature of illegal mining activity.

The GHRA would like to believe that the intentions of the political leadership are aligned with the UN Climate Change Convention principles ratified by the current Government and its actions are ushering in an era in which national resources such as forests, water and life in all its bio-diversity is replacing the primary understanding of them as commercial commodities.

The current clamour for access to new mining claims by self-defined small miners is not being accompanied by any assurances whatever to the larger society with respect to environmental guarantees.

For this reason, the GHRA believes the Government’s recent action is correct in resisting the powerful interests posturing as small miners, by denying them access to claims in areas which threaten the integrity of the Upper Demerara and Berbice rivers.

Transforming ingrained attitudes into more respectful practices towards water in all its forms will be a major undertaking. Achieving such change is neither inevitable nor a foregone conclusion as long as mining, as practiced on any scale in Guyana, remains largely incompatible with a Green economy, in whatever way that term is defined.

Executive Committee Guyana Human Rights Association

The pain of obtaining a driver’s licence in plish this task is four months, tired, under trained or just Guyana only in Guyana can such an careless in carrying out their DEAR EDITOR, The process of obtaining a driver’s licence in Guyana is beyond the normal procedure expected, the process is as follows; 1. An individual have to buy a package 2. Study the package for one month 3. Attend four one hour classes within two weeks 4. Write an exam one week later 5. Wait for results to be posted to your house 6. Then attempt the driving practical.

Estimated time to accom-

important item take so long, where else in the world is this such a lengthy process. Besides the proce s s b e i n g long, the officials responsible for issuing such licences are “professional” in the manner in which they exercise their duties; candidates are called upon to write their names in pencil, not pen or it is an automatic failure, insufficient teaching material and instructor teaching, high rate of failures and possible selling of pass grades. Can this be because the responsible officials are overworked,

duties? Are past exam papers being sold to candidates who are unable to read and write.

Can the process time frame be shortened and the class room training time be extended to eight hours? Is this the reason for the high number of road incidents and fatalities? When the above questions can be answered, we will solve many issues with obtaining a driver’s licence and a reduction in road incidents, loss of limbs and lives will follow. All for your information and guidance Azeem Baksh

TRAINING FOR DELIVERY OF BETTER HEALTH....

From page 5 ‘learning population’ is in discord with the objective and modality of the ‘training population’. In this regard, unilateral focus on clinical nursing training tools at the virtual exclusion of empathy, attitude, behavior of the students is counter-productive and

wasteful; ask the average user of our medical services, the man-in-thestreet, what he thinks of our medical services, what bothers him most: I believe the resounding response you will get is not lack of ‘technical’ knowledge, but absence of humane considerations, arrogance and dis-

respect for the due ‘rights’ of patients and their families.

What’s the point in having the technical/clinical knowledge when its application is frustrated by ‘trained staff’ that are as different from the proverbial ‘Florence Nightingale’ as chalk is to cheese!

Nowrang Persaud

We are seeing the unfolding of the ...

From page 4 determined that an expansion of the Elite League from 8 to 10 teams required an amendment to the GFF constitution.

This is equivalent to saying that each time FIFA, CONCACAF or another FIFA Regional Member Association wants to extend a tournament a constitutional change is required, and further, such extension must be approved by some configuration of existing tournament clubs.

In May 2017 FIFA provided a detailed letter to the GFF and Disciplinary Committee stating that essentially the committee’s decision is non-binding because its mandate does not give it the authority to rule against the GFF on the matter of league expansion, only matters concerning discipline. Further FIFA reiterated that based on the GFF constitution, the GFF Executive Committee acted within its authority to extend the Elite League.

The detailed letter noted that the actions and decisions of the Disciplinary Committee are null, void and non-binding. It went on to mention that not only did the commit-

tee operate outside its jurisdiction and authority, it did so in the absence of provisions guiding, among other things, the separation of powers and distinct membership for the Disciplinary and Appeals Committee. The current GFF Constitution was adopted only in 2015.

Finally, the four clubs that chose not to participate in the 2016-17 Elite League abstained from the recently concluded GFF Congress in May 2017. Of the 22 Congress members, a total of 5 abstained. The overwhelming majority of members support the development path, current results and vision of football led by the current GFF administration.

In another twist to this saga a reporter showed the GFF President a court order allegedly serving an injunction disallowing the GFF from holding its statutory congress. Guyana is a small place, as we say, and our elders would often say that actions speak louder than words. Readers will be able to judge for themselves the individuals attempting to destabilize local football be-

cause they seek the power, prestige and access to financial resources. We have seen where this kind of behaviour took us previously, resulting in an almost total collapse of a local football programme and disaffiliation by FFIA. Innately our players, communities, families and all those involved directly and indirectly with football in Guyana know what is right. Sadly some players especially, knowingly and unknowingly have been sucked into the negative ambitions of dark figures that seek to slow football’s development and gain access to the resources which ultimately are directed for football development, not personal gain.

We are on the cusp of a magnificent transformation in local football that will raise the bar in terms of football management and administration and onfield performance. This transformation has already begun to provide our young players with more playing, training and personal development opportunities through the Academy Training Centres, an expanded and revamped technical department with officers assigned to each member association, additional youth leagues, Women’s Development League and grassroots football development, to name a few programmes.

Mike Archer

Friday June 02, 2017

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GTU makes case against GRDB forensic audit probe…

Police file five charges against continuance of current TSC absent GRDB accountant

Rumours suggesting that there has been an appeal for the extension of the life of the Teaching Service Commission [TSC] have triggered the ire of the Guyana Teachers Union [GTU].

This is according to GTU President, Mr. Mark Lyte, who has made it clear that the union has no confidence in the TSC in its current form.

According to Lyte, the Commission was found wanting on several occasions.

“We have stated time and again that we don’t have confidence in it [TSC], especially the chairperson,” said Lyte as he made reference to a number of infractions that were perpetuated by the Commission. Listed prominently among the concerns is the fact that the TSC disregarded a request made by the GTU to review the 2015 preliminary list of senior teachers’ appointment.

This move was reportedly premised on the fact that the GTU had found plausible reasons to question the process of appointment of teachers.

While the TSC had accepted the concerns of the GTU, its chairperson had insisted that a review of the preliminary list was not feasible since the process was tedious.

She had however informed that the concerns of the union would have been taken into consideration for the 2016 process.

The GTU had moreover moved to the court to prevent the TSC from going ahead with finalising its preliminary list. The TSC instead of addressing the concerns decided to let the court decide on the matter.

GTU President Mr. Mark Lyte The court matter in this regard came to finality in November of last year with the court supporting the GTU’s call for a review of the promotion process.

“We insisted that something was amiss with the promotion process and we are happy that the court ruled in our favour...” Lyte had vocalised on the heels of the ruling.

The review of the preliminary list was completed with the eventual appointments of teachers being retroactive to September 2015.

But according to Lyte, “There were several instances when appointments were done without following due process. We are of the opinion that the Commission led by Leila Ramson is really not satisfying the real objective of the Commission when it comes to teaches promotion.”

Particularly daunting, Lyte said, is the fact that “we have evidence of some cases that some persons were rehired at a higher status even

Heavy, continuous rainfall expected - Hydromet Office warns Guyana will experience heavy and continuous rainfall over the next six to thirty six hours (6-36 hours), the Hydrometeorological Office warned last evening.

“Twenty-four (24hours) hours accumulated rainfall is expected between 40 mm and 80 mm over Regions 7, 8 and

9 and in excess of 120 mm over Regions 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10,” a statement said.

“Periodic high intensity rainfall is anticipated in Regions 2, 3, 4 and 5. Rainfall is expected to be less intense over all other locations.”

though they hadn’t the relevant qualifications.” He shared instances where Temporary Unqualified Master/ Mistress [TUM] were appointed to elevated positions rather than being dismissed after failing to upgrade themselves. Upgrade of TUMs is mandatory within a year of appointment.

“I know of cases where there were people [TUMs] who were rehired, having done nothing with their qualifications, to the status of Temporary Qualified Master/Mistress [TQM] instead,” Lyte informed. “It has been these kinds of things that have been done that actually caused us to have no confidence in the TSC,” reiterated the GTU President.

The life of the TSC is slated to come to an end this year and, according to Lyte, “We would like to see a new Commission.” The Commission by law should comprise of four members from the political party in power, one from the opposition side and one from the GTU. From among these the Chairperson is elected. But according to Lyte, based on the reports that have reached the GTU, there have been moves to have the Commission remain active pass its stipulated timeframe.

“We are not in favour of the life of the Commission being extended even though we would want to see [new] promotions done in January [2018],” Lyte noted.

According to the GTU President, the union is optimistic that vacancies will be advertised by the end of this month. He, however, asserted that “we believe that the Commission can do some work with the application and a new Commission can complete it because we are looking at January for the next set of promotions.

“We do not believe that a change in Commission should affect the promotion process...we don’t need an extension of their life to have that done.”

Yesterday the police filed five charges against the former accountant of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Peter Ramcharran. The five charges are all for falsification of accounts while he was employed at that entity.

The charges were read by Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in Ramcharran’s absence. The former accountant is now residing in Canada and is reportedly reluctant to return because he believes his life could be in danger.

Special prosecutor Patrice Henry told the court that Ramcharran was aware that he should have been in court yesterday, however he did not present himself.

The Chief Magistrate told the court that at the next hearing on June 15 the head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) will need to be present in court to confirm that Ramcharran was indeed informed that he should have been at court yesterday.

This request by the Chief Magistrate would suggest that the Guyana Police Force is sure to issue an arrest warrant for the former accountant.

One official close to the investigation told Kaieteur News that the police are likely to issue the arrest warrant at the beginning of next week.

This latest charges come on the heel of six former GRDB board members being charged for failing to make a proper entry into a register of a company.

The six officials that were charged are former General Manager of the GRDB Jagnarine Singh; General Secretary of the Rice Producers Association and former GRDB board member, Dharamkumar Seeraj; Former Deputy General Manager Madanlall Ramraj; Former Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and former GRDB Board member, Nigel Dharamlall; Former General Manager of Guyana Oil Company and former

…to seek arrest warrant GRDB board member, Badrie Persaud; and Deputy Permanent Secretary Finance Ministry of Agriculture, Prema Roopnarine.

Head of SOCU, Assistant Commissioner Sydney James had said that his organization wants to question Ramcharran since investigations have revealed that he has been heavily implicated with the six persons who were recently charged.

According to James, Ramcharran was responsible for ‘signing off’ on a number of questionable transactions that were traced to the six officials charged and others caught up in the GRDB probe.

This newspaper has learnt that Ramcharran who left Guyana for Canada moments before the GRDB forensic audit was commissioned has been speaking with SOCU agents.

This newspaper has learnt that Ramcharran was asked to return to answer for his questionable financial decisionmaking. However he allegedly

told SOCU agents that he was fearful of returning to Guyana since his life could be in danger. The GRDB found itself in the spotlight after a forensic audit of that entity uncovered a number of irregularities.

The report noted that over a three to four-year period, more than US$500M from the PetroCaribe proceeds (Venezuela rice-for-oil deal) would have passed through the accounts of the entity.

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 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.

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Friday June 02, 2017

Kaieteur News

Govt. must shed light of transparency on Exxon Mobil contract - TIGI Head says citizens deserve to be in the know

By Kiana Wilburg Confidentiality clauses, among other legal tricks have been used in the past to ensure that there is a safe distance between questioning citizens and the contracts governing projects which have relied on millions of tax dollars.

And while the APNU and AFC have spoken against this practice, not much has changed about the release of contracts since the coalition party took office.

With this in mind, the head of Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI), Dr. Troy Thomas, is urging that the government pay attention to the mistakes of the past especially as it relates to contracts that are shrouded in secrecy.

On this premise, Dr. Thomas said that the government must shed a light of transparency on the contract for USA oil giant, Exxon Mobil.

Dr. Thomas said, “The way certain things are being done, you can end up repeating the things of the past. The secrecy surrounding contracts serves no one but the people handling the contracts. You have the Exxon Mobil exploration going on for example but we dont know the details of the contract.”

TIGI Head continued, “I dont expect Exxon to say release it (the contract). They dont have to tell the world whats going on. That is good for them but on the other hand the government has to recognize that they are running a country and the people need to be in the know.”

The University Lecturer added, “When they are in the know, they can bring their skills and knowledge, they can criticize things that are happening and that can cause you to think, Is this the best approach? But when that process is circumvented… and things are done in the shadows then this is not a good sign.”

The TIGI Head alluded to the point that Guyana could end up in a situation where, 10 years from now, it realizes that something should have been done that wasnt.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, told this publication back in March, that the Exxon contract applies to the entire Stabroek Block where the company and its partners are exploring offshore Guyana.

He had stated, also, that Government is reviewing the contract in order to update it so that any future arrangement will be contemporary with what is prevailing in the industry. This process, he

said, is being done by both local and foreign experts.

The Minister informed that the contract which was signed in 1999 has essentially maintained its original form.

“We inherited the contract from the former government. Government took the decision to look at, but avoided reopening the contract in its entirety for negotiations. We didnt want it to go abroad that Guyana was a place where we didnt respect the sanctity of contracts entered into, and we thought it best to preserve what we had found, it was not altogether a bad contract,” Trotman has said.

The Government has since taken the decision to inject a few clauses into the Exxon contract. It has decided against removing any existing provisions in the document.

As it relates to making the contract public, Trotman said that government at this time is of the view that full disclosure would not be in the national interest.

To justify this position, Trotman made reference to the biblical story of Hezekiah, a king who had exposed the riches of his nation to the Syrians; after which the prophet Isaiah accosted him for exposing all his possessions, telling him that all will be lost.

It has been over two years, and the government is yet to release a number of contracts and concession agreements which have been requested by the media. This is in spite of the fact that President David Granger had given the permission or the “okay” for this to be done.

Kaieteur News had raised this issue with the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, at his post-Cabinet press brief-

ing.

Harmon was told that members of the media have been calling for the release of concession agreements for BaiShanLin Forest Development Inc, Vaitarna Holdings Private Inc. and the contract governing the Sanata Complex deal. But these are yet to be released even though media operatives were told before that they can be made available.

The Cabinet Secretary had said, “I cannot say anything about it. It is a matter which has been brought to the attention now of the government that these are contracts that are required.”

Harmon continued, “There is a process by which you get access to these contracts. But I cannot specifically address the ones that you have spoken about be-

cause the impact of these contracts has been widely reported in the same newspaper that you are connected to.”

The Minister of State added, “But I cannot say with respect to the contracts why they are not released and where they are but I believe that any contracts in that regard they will have to be at the Ministry of Finance. That is where it should be.”

Apart from the Head of State giving the permission for contracts to be released, his sentiments have also been echoed in the past by Finance Minister, Winston Jordan.

He had said that information regarding any aspect of the concessions granted to foreign and/or local companies under the past regime is not state secrets.

Jordan said that the me-

TIGI Head, Dr. Troy Thomas dia, or any member of the public for that matter, have a right to know how the nation has benefitted in this regard.

He reiterated that data on such subjects should not be treated as “state secrets”.

Berbice mom dies five months after car slams into lorry A mother of seven took her last breath on Tuesday, approximately five months after the car in which she was travelling slammed into a parked lorry at Borlam Turn on the East Coast Berbice Highway.

The dead woman has been identified as Maria Sampson, 51, of Lot 54 Levi Dam, Mount Sinai.

The vehicular accident occurred on January 8, 2017.

Herself and other vendors were travelling to purchase vegetables from the Port Mourant Market. The accident occurred at about 23:30h.

Sampson was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital and subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further treatment due to the severity of her injuries.

She spent two months in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Georgetown Hospital followed by an extended month at the New Amsterdam Hospital as a patient before being sent home for care.

Sampson never regained consciousness from the time the accident occurred to the time of her death.

The Private Car which included the other passengers including the driver who is yet to be charged escaped with minor injuries.

One of the survivors from the accident , Waveney August said that Sampson had asked her earlier in the day to accompany her on the trip to the market but she said she was going to travel on Monday morning. “She call me

Daughter: Toda Bristol who took care of her

Dead: Maria Sampson

Sunday night and asked me if I going and I say no. but she insist. The car come and pick me up at about 10:30 the night.”

“Is she arrange the car. I dont know the driver; is the first time I see he. She say that she travel with he last week.

Anyhow, we went and pick up the other girl and we go,” August said.

August recounted that the driver was speeding, “The two of them drop asleep and the driver fretting all the time about his girlfriend and some man. I tell he that he going too speed and he say, 100 is not speed,” The woman stated that they were just about the make the Borlam turn, going at over 100 Km per Hr when they spotted a cow, “He swerve from the cow and the car start dancing on the road and then it lash into the truck. I hear Maria hollering, When I call on she to come out; no response.” Sampson reportedly suffered brain damage, a

ruptured spine, several broken ribs, a punctured kidney, a fractured arm amongst other injuries.

Her 27-year-old daughter, Toda Bristol, explained that she could not eat through her mouth for a month, “She had a tube they put at the side of her stomach and she use to eat through that.”

Divisional Commander Ian Amsterdam stated that when Sampson was at the ICU in Georgetown she was desperately in need of oxygen. A suction pump had to be used to assist her.

Months after the accident Sampson was able to breathe on her own and was taken off the life support machine and sent to New Amsterdam.

According to Officer in Charge of Traffic B Division Assistant Superintendant Timothy Williams, the initial file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. A new file will be prepared following Sampsons death.

Friday June 02, 2017

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Kaieteur News

A ONE- SEAT PARTY CAN HOLD THE BALANCE OF POWER There have been calls for new political parties to be formed. But how successful or impactful can these political parties become given the rigid ethnic divisions in our society?

At present, there is no party that holds the balance of power in Guyana. The AFC did hold and did boast about having such a power in the 2011 elections but it squandered those powers when it

failed to continue to act independently and instead joined forces, almost exclusively, with the APNU to oppose the PPPC. The present ethnic configuration of Guyana means that the PPPC can no longer rely on the ethnic divide to deliver an election victory.

And the PPPC leadership does not have what it takes to win over the support of the APNU or the AFC base.

This does suggest that once voting patterns remain divided along ethnic lines that elections in Guyana are going to be extremely close. But this should be good news for new parties seeking to hold the balance of power.

All it will take is for a new party to obtain two seats to hold the balance of power. A new party which can attract 6,500 votes may be able to do so. Competing only in one of

GPHC officially announces appointment of Deputy CEO In a statement issued yesterday, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) announced that Brigad i e r G e o r g e Lewis has been appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer [DCEO] at the institution. His appointment it was noted became effective yesterday.

Brigadier Lewis is suitably qualified and brings to the Institution a wealth of knowledge and experience in management, the hospital said.

Brigadier Lewis, according to the statement,

holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Guyana in Public Management and a Master of Science Degree from the Central Michigan University in Human Resources Management.

Additionally, he possesses qualifications in Project Management and Conflict Resolution.

According to the statement, “GPHC takes this opportunity to welcome Brigadier George L e w i s t o be part of our team in providing quality health care.”

Brigadier Lewis

Man gets six months for dangerous driving After months of trial and several adjournments City Magistrate Leron Daly, yesterday, sentenced a Linden taxi driver to six months’ imprisonment for dangerous driving. The magistrate also suspended his driver’s licence for two years.

Ron Cole, 40, of 215 Blueberry Hill, Wismar Linden, on April 11, 2016 at Eccles Public Road, East Bank Demerara, drove motor pick-up GRR 9355 in a manner dangerous to the public causing the death of Nkosi La Fleur.

According to reports, La Fleur who was stationed at the Providence Police Station, was directing traffic at Eccles when he stepped back to allow a vehicle to pass in front of him.

That was when the pick-up hit him from beh i n d .

The 25-year-old policeman died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

(GPHC) three days after the accident. He was initially treated and sent away but was rushed back to the hospital after complaining of severe pain. A post mortem examination revealed that LaFleur died of haemorrhage.

The magistrate before passing the sentence, told the court that from the evidence presented by the Prosecu-

tion, there was no evidence that Cole caused the death of the traffic cop. But the Prosecution was able to prove that Cole was driving in a dangerous manner.

The magistrate stressed that a life was lost and that Cole did not proceed with caution. Traffic was moving slowly and that the rank was performing his duties at the time of the accident.

Cops to question army ranks about alleged theft of bank customer’s bag Police are to question two army ranks today about the alleged theft of a woman’s bag from a City commercial bank.

Kaieteur News understands that detectives have viewed CCTV footage at the Camp Street bank which appears to show two men, identified as members of the Guyana Defence Force, picking up the bag, which a customer, identified as Donna

Sergeant, mistakenly left on a chair.

The ranks were reportedly in civilian attire when the alleged theft occurred.

Kaieteur News contacted the Army’s public relations department, but officials were unable to confirm the allegation.

The incident allegedly occurred about three weeks ago, but police reportedly had to first get clearance from the

bank to view the footage.

There are also said to be procedures that the police had to go through before questioning the suspects.

“We are likely to put things in motion to question them (today),” a senior police official said.

It is alleged that the victim, Donna Sergeant, entered the bank with about three bags, including one (Continued on page 23)

the smaller regions may equally do the trick.

The problem that new party faces is that obtaining this small number of votes is extremely difficult as the Working People’s Alliance found out in 1992. And that party had tremendous mass based attendance at its political meetings during the late 1970s.

While therefore it may seem easy for a new party to come along and obtain 6,500 votes and with this handful of national support hold the balance of power in the National Assembly, it is not easy for any new party to achieve this easily.

The AFC did show what could be done. The middle class rallied behind the AFC when it was first established and this is source of its support which it is likely to hold on to but that support if it dwindles – and from all indications it will – will see the middle class gravitate back into the respective ethnic camps. It is therefore difficult to see how any new party can gain the requisite number of votes to hold a seat.

It is a possible that with what is known as ‘leftover’ votes that a party can sneak in and gain a seat with a small number say 4,000 votes but to ask a new political party to

take such a gamble given what it costs to run a campaign in Guyana may be asking a small or new party too much.

The United Force did win a seat in a previous election based on the ‘leftover’ votes.

But to ask any political entity to expend the energy in campaigning, including all the vitriolic attacks which characterize Guyanese politics, in the hope that the arithmetic at the end may allow it to win a seat is asking too much.

Many years ago, there was a character who made a minimalist appeal to the Guyanese electorate. He said he was the best looking of all the political candidates and all he wanted was one seat. He did not get it. This is how cruel is Guyana’s political system.

New parties and independent candidates have been crushed by the ethnic bulldozer in Guyana. In the last local government elections, the independent candidates were steamrolled. The independent parties were decimated at the polls. At this was an election in which the stakes were not high.

The PPPC had quickly regrouped following it loss in the general election in 2015.

The PPPC won the popular vote in those elections and dominated the poll in the villages while the APNU won overwhelmingly in the towns, including in the new towns which it created.

One thing that has not been tried in Guyana is a youth party. But is doubtful whether any such party can mobilize the finances required to launch a meaningful political campaign. It is also difficult to imagine young people breaking with traditional voting patterns.

They have never done this in Guyana, and all the past elections suggest that young people voted primarily along ethnic lines.

The verdict therefore is that theoretically it is possible for a new party to hold the balance of power in Guyana by winning one seat, but in practice it is difficult to see how a new party can secure the requisite number of votes to win that one seat.

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Friday June 02, 2017

Kaieteur News

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

We must protect the rights of all humans and animals Three leader-activists from LGBT organizations wrote a letter on me captioned, “Misinformation and misconceptions of Freddie Kissoon,” Kaieteur News, April 30, 2017. This letter was in response to my confession that I did not know of a group known as the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF) which is an EU-funded project initiated by the LGBT rights group that goes by the acronym SASOD. I wrote about not knowing this group in a recent column after I read that three of its representatives went at a conference and spoke about violations of rights in Guyana, especially among young people and the homosexual community. I did not know about this group until I read

the response to me.

And I am offering an explanation for my lack of knowledge because I do not see this group and its constituent parts standing up for the rights of all types of Guyanese that are being violated each day with impunity in this land. This country is one in which the rights of the citizenry is egregiously violated on a wide scale. It was horrible under the PPP leadership but it continues long after the PPP went in 2015.

The GEF leadership brought me up to date with numerous picketing exercises it has carried out in protection of homosexual rights. I would have known more of the GEF and by extension, most Guyanese if the GEF

leadership had extended its human rights concern to other spheres. Here is an extract from that GEF’s missive on me; “We invite Mr. Kissoon to support the work of the GEF by joining our public demonstrations and picketing exercises. Mr. Kissoon can also support us in our advocacy by writing columns which educate his readers on the human rights and equality issues our member organisations work on.”

I will join the picket demonstrations that the GEF mounts from time to time. I will denounce violations of any kinds of rights in this column.

But why should I join antihomophobic protests when those very victims of homophobic action do not come in support of the rights of others? Let’s look at the date of the correspondence of the GEF. It is April 30, 2017. Since then the rights of so many others have been contemptuously tossed aside by this repressive country. Where is the voice of the GEF? The police arrested and charged a man for possession of a smoking utensil. The item was not produced in court.

Let me ask the GEF; does it support people being charged for the mere posses-

sion of a smoking utensil? I mean with reason, if you are found with a banned substance, then you actually have the drug on you. But is it not possible someone can have a smoking instrument and never ever see the drug?

Doesn’t the GEF think it is worth a condemnatory comment? Does the GEF endorse the current law on the sentence structure for marijuana? In Jamaica, legal possession is 40 grams. In Guyana if you can get charged for possession of a smoking utensil, then you can get charged for one gram of marijuana. That happened to a woman in Kitty last year.

She was hauled before the court for one gram of ganja.

Where was the voice of the GEF when a schoolgirl was kicked in the stomach, went to the hospital and was sent home after an examina-

tion and died four days after?

My opinion is that medical incompetence at the Georgetown Public Hospital may be the reason. Poor people die needlessly from incompetence in the public health system here but no one attempts even a whisper of concern.

I would like the GEF to tell me why if it is wrong for the police to arrest a crossdresser, it is right for the very policemen to enter depressed areas in the city and arrest and charge youths for small amount of ganja thus destroying their future?

If I should picket for the rights of the LGBT community (and I am morally obliged to do so since I believe in the rights of humans and animals), why shouldn’t LGBT members picket for other causes too?

What the LGBT leader-

Frederick Kissoon ship in Guyana must understand is that rights exist in context. Once you remove context, then some groups will suffer more than others.

The context is the respect by the state and citizenry for the basic rights of humans and animals.

If we protect homosexual rights only and not those of the youths in the ghetto then the fight for rights become a convenience. I hope the GEF understand this.

Dem boys seh ...

A woman believe that Power was forever When things nice people does shut dem eye and do everything. Nobody don’t think about tomorrow. That is why some of de rice board people deh in front de court. Money was flowing and dem was spending without thinking about tomorrow.

Dem boys seh it was easy to understand because de party leaders mek dem believe that dem would remain in power all de time. One man claim how he hear when Jagdeo seh that “dem people can never get back in power.”

Is words like that mek de deputy PS at de Agriculture Ministry sport till she get giddy. Dem boys seh dem hear how de

woman go to de States pun some course. Then she send fuh she family.

Dem boys was at de airport when dem see she mudda, she sister-in-law and three kids board de plane wid more suitcase than de wife of a Saudi Prince. When dem touch down in New York a limo was waiting.

People see but dem think that this gyal was rich or she was some rich man daughter. Dem use de limo in New York. Then dem see when de gyal rent a car and drive de whole family to Canada. Was a nice time.

Dem boys see how de posse travel to Niagara Falls fuh couple days, sleeping in dem fancy hotel and just walking like de

tourist. Dem go in de boat that does drive to de edge of de falls. It was nice.

De family then go to one of dem theme park and everybody see when de deputy PS ride de elephant. It was such a huge occasion that she husband tek de photo and post it pun Facebook. Was people money dem was spending; was de rice board money. But as everybody know, ‘Happy living nah long life.’

Dem boys seh somebody got to tell de court how dem have pleasant memories and then prepare to ride something else in de jail.

Talk half and watch how people spend because power was forever.

Friday June 02, 2017

Govt. moves to introduce new laws for scrap metal trade

Government has completed draft legislations to govern the scrap metal trade.

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, will soon present to Cabinet the Draft Scrap Metal Trade Legislation.

The minister said that consultations on the legislation will commence soon.

Thereafter the necessary changes will be made and presented to Cabinet for approval.

Minister Gaskin explained that Cabinet will examine the draft legislation to ensure that it is in keeping with the government policies, priorities and that the various concerns surrounding the scrap metal industry are addressed.

He said that once approved and the consultation process would have been completed it will then move

to Parliament for passage, after which President David Granger would assent to it…The legislation will then become law.

In February, Cabinet granted approval for the limited restart of the Scrap Metal Trade-— that three-month period had just concluded.

Minister Gaskin explained that the Ministry has already begun to process some licenses.

Inspections have revealed that there is large buildup of scrap metal across Region Four which resulted from the trade being closed for the past 19 months.

According to a government statement, Cabinet had approved the proposal from the Minister of Business to

allow the export of the existing stock over a limited period of time.

Additionally, the Ministry of Business, in anticipation of the resumption of the scrap metal trade sought to streamline mechanisms with respect to trade and licensing.

The Ministry also met with key stakeholders to discuss proposed changes to the operations of the industry.

The Scrap metal trade was suspended in June 15, 2015 due to a forensic audit of the Scrap Metal Unit (SMU) which monitors the trade.

Several issues were found with the trade, including some operators buying stolen metal, including the highlyprized copper.

Guyanese contractor implicated in Schenectady insurance killing Schenectady, New York (timesunion.com)- The reputed Panamanian gang member who police and prosecutors alleged was hired to kill a Schenectady man last year for life insurance money was arraigned Wednesday in Schenectady City Court during a brief court appearance.

Joevany “Moon” Luna, who was dressed in a redcoloured hoodie and bleached blue jeans, stood next to his court appointed public defender, Sven Paul.

The 42-year-old Luna is charged with first-degree murder in the November 19 execution style killing of Charles Dembrosky on Campbell Avenue in Schenectadys Bellevue section neighborhood.

Luna, who was sent without bail to the county jail, is scheduled to return to court Friday for a preliminary hearing.

By then, a county grand jury considering the evidence

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

Tarchand Lall (Photo: Schenectady Police Department)

Killed: Charles Dembrosky (Photo: Schenectady Police Department)

in the case will most likely have taken action against him.

Lunas alleged accomplice, Tarchand Lall, the Schenectady man police say arranged the killing, is being held without bail at the county jail.

He is due back in court Thursday. Lall is also

charged with first-degree murder and is the one who police say ordered the hit so he could collection on a life insurance policy that was taken out in Dembroskys name.

Lall, who is from Guyana in South America, ran a small construction company where (Continued on page 12)

West Berbice sweeper/cleaners seek better working conditions People employed as cleaners in the government schools in Region Five have become quite perturbed after an article carried in the May 12 edition of the Kaieteur News, that stated that the Ministry of Education was considering slashing the working hours for sweepercleaners working in Government schools.

The government in the last national budget presentation announced that as of January 2017, the minimum wage in the private sector would see a 25 percent increase, which would be good news for those who stand to benefit.

The minimum wage within the public sector stands at $50,000 per month, however the Sweeper-cleaners are calling out for attention, and they would want their case to be addressed by the relevant authority, and to be treated as being urgent.

They are on the job throughout the day just like

the teachers, and they leave after most of the teachers would have left for home, because they have to ensure that the facilities are in good sanitary condition so that the nations children can pursue their education in reasonably healthy surroundings.

Yet, in their view, the sweeper- cleaners have been made to feel neglected over the years, and they are complaining bitterly. They do not understand why it is that they are paid by the Government, but earn an amount that is below the minimum wage that was announced in Parliament.

Of those people with whom this publication had an audience, they claim that they are paid thirty- seven thousand dollars per month, and they receive payment through the Regional Administration/Government.

Many of these people have been in the system for as many as ten years, and more in other cases, but have

not been contributing to NIS, and so they would not have been entitled to any benefits.

Further, they cannot look forward to NIS pension even though they would have had enough contributions to qualify, had they been registered with the scheme from the time that they started working as sweeper-cleaners.

The West Berbice group is mobilizing cleaners so that they could become a united body to take their concerns to whatever level may be necessary, so that they can be treated with respect for the services they provide in the nations schools.

The group, last week Wednesday, in Hopetown, West Coast Berbice, had a meeting with representatives from the Guyana Public Service Union during which they were able to list their concerns.

Those cleaners who attended the meeting were also mandated to seek out (Continued on page 12)

PAGE 12

100 percent decrease in work place deaths for year There has been a 100 decrease in work place deaths for the year.

According to Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, during a statement to the Department of Public Information/ Government Information Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Unit (OSHU) within the Department of Labour has not recorded any death thus far for 2017.

Minister Scott noted that the improvement would not have been possible without the support of the employers.

“We must thank the employers who have become conscious that it is in their interest not to have down time in terms of machinery breaking down, in terms of workers having accidents and so,” explained Minister Scott.

The Minister noted that employers have been appreciative of the work of the department. Due to that, he added that they can see the results of their work and they have reduced radically the accidents in the workplace.

“What we have also done is that any fatal accident that occurred was instantly investigated so that today, I can tell you we are at a 100 per-

Friday June 02, 2017

Kaieteur News

- Labour Department

The Labour Department is reporting that there has been a 100 percent decrease in workplace deaths for the year. cent in terms of investigation in any fatal accident in this country,” said Minister Scott.

Scott adds that the department, under the supervision of Gwen King, has been facilitating programmes for both employees and employers, making sure that they understand and comply with the rules that govern the unit.

“We have also been making sure that workers themselves become much more conscious of accidents,” explained the Minister.

Accidents can be predicted more or less using statistics and can also be prevented largely, he stated.

Minister Scott said he is proud of the officers that are a part of the department.

According to data, 23 persons were killed in workplace accidents during 2015.

Between 2011 and 2015, more than 3,000 workplace accidents were reported, with 71 deaths recorded.

A significant number occurred in the mining sector.

Following allegations of embezzlement…

Former Bar Association President pays $20M to plaintiff Former President of the Guyana Bar Association, Gem Sanford-Johnson, is contending that she has paid all the monies owed to USbased Guyanese, Elsa Eileen Harper, from the sale of a property belonging to the woman.

Sanford–Johnson had been implicated in allegations of misappropriating some $32M which she acquired from the sale of a property belonging to Harper.

Harper, whose estate is represented by Eileen O’Brien and Jesse Stein, attorneys-at-law practising in the State of Maryland, United States of America, had filed a lawsuit against the former Bar Association President. The matter was filed through Attorney-at-law, Ronald Burch-Smith.

According to court documents, seen by this newspaper, Sanford-Johnson was appointed Power of Attorney of Harper’s property after the woman, who is unmarried and has no children, suffered a stroke and became incapacitated.

As a result, SanfordJohnson was instructed by Harper to sell immovable property owned by her at 246 Forshaw Street, Queenstown, Georgetown.

Following this, SanfordJohnson entered into an agreement of sale for the property to Paul Daby Jr. and

Michelle Daby for the sum of $35M on June 15, 2015.

The claim also states that the transport for the property was passed to the purchasers on November 2, 2015 and the lawyer received the payment in full. Further, around July 2015, it is alleged that Sanford –Johnson wired to the plaintiffs the sum of US$11,838.81.

It is also alleged that since around August 2015, she failed and or refused to communicate with the plaintiffs about the balance of the proceeds of sale or to provide an account to the plaintiffs.

However in her most recent defence, Sanford – Johnson contended that she has handed over some $20 Million to offset payments in lawsuit.

According to the legal papers seen by Kaieteur News, the attorney claimed that a cheque for $15 million was handed to Harper’s lawyer on February 17, 2017, and a final payment of $5.1 million was made on April 18, 2017.

In her initial defence, Sanford-Johnson denied each and every statement and allegation made against her.

She noted that after wiring the initial sum, she travelled to the US, but efforts made to reach the ailing woman to settle the balance proved futile.

Additionally, the attorney said that she was contacted

Former President of the Guyana Bar Association Gem Sanford –Johnson

by O’Brien and Stein, who claimed to be representatives of the woman’s estate but she transacted no business with them, since she was unable to reach Harper. SanfordJohnson also said that it was always her intention to pay over the sum acquired from the sale of the property but there was complication with the sale.

Meanwhile, this newspaper understands that the crux of the matter is that SanfordJohnson entered into an agreement of sale to a gentleman named Jones for $25 million.

That agreement was rescinded and the property resold to the final buyers for $35million.

West Berbice sweeper/cleaners...

(From page 11) their colleagues and to get them involved in what they call the struggle for better working conditions.

According to two prominent members of the group, Vanessa Simon, and Miriam (Pepsi) Fordyce, there was agitation for better working conditions for Sweeper Cleaners prior to the last general elections, and they were hoping that with the change of administration changes

would have come quickly.

However, they are convinced that that they have legitimate claims, and they will continue to engage whomever necessary until they(cleaners)are treated fairly.

To this end they are promoting membership with the Guyana Public Service Union so that they can be represented by a recognised body.

The cleaners feel that their working conditions

should be regularised to allow them to enjoy benefits like other government workers. They are also seeking to have the authorities take occupational health and safety into consideration and provide appropriate clothing and equipment for cleaners, after some people related a case where the Principal of a particular school issued “pot scrub “ to the workers for them to clean the school toilets.

Guyanese contractor implicated...

(From page 11) Dembrosky worked..

Dembrosky, who worked as a labourer and also did roofing work and landscaping, had a life insurance policy in which Lall, 52, was the beneficiary.

Lall was well known in cricket circles and for his work as a contractor.

Schenectady County District Attorney Bob Carney said Tuesday the case was being presented to a grand jury for possible indictment.

A passerby called police to 2436 Campbell Avenue just before 7 a.m. on November 19 after spotting Dembroskys body near a bush at 12th Street and Campbell Avenue.

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

In 2011, Dembrosky bought the property at 2436-38 Campbell Avenue, real estate records show.

Luna has an extensive criminal background. In 2011, he pleaded guilty to first-degree assault for a 2009 drug-related shooting at the Maryland motel that wounded a m a n .

In exchange for his guilty plea the state of Maryland dismissed six additional counts against Luna. Luna was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Friday June 02, 2017

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Oil deal with Exxon…

Guyana to get two percent royalty; 50 percent of profits It is now final. Guyana is to receive a two-percent royalty on gross earnings and 50 percent of the “profits” of the oil proceeds when production starts in 2020.

Making true to its promise on Wednesday to pronounce on the pending production licence to be issued to Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Limited and partners Hess and Nexen, Government last evening said it is expected to grant the licence shortly.

Extraction from the offshore Liza field is expected to commence in 2020 at an initial rate of 100,000 barrels of crude per day in the first phase, with a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel providing the main

infrastructural support for the project, a statement from the Ministry of Natural Resources said last evening.

With regards to the big ticket issue of what exactly Guyana is getting, this is what the statement said.

“The Government and people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will receive a royalty of two percent on gross earnings and benefit from 50 percent of the profits from the sale of petroleum once production commences.”

The statement did not immediately make it clear if it is 50 percent of the gross profit or 50 percent of the net profit.

In the last two years since the discovery was announced, close attention has been paid to what exactly the

administration would manage to arrive at.

There was a standing agreement from 1999, with government saying it was not happy with a one percent royalty that was offered.

With regards to the production licence, according to the ministry yesterday, following reviews of the technical and environmental aspects of the Liza Project – Development Plan that was submitted by Esso Exploration and Production (Guyana) Ltd (EEPGL) in December, 2016, the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is expected to grant a production licence to ExxonMobil for production of petroleum to move ahead in 2020.

Esso is the local subsidiary of ExxonMobil, a Texas,

Heat waves to affect C’bean during Hurricane season KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent (CMC) – Caribbean islands especially those in the south have been urged to prepare for heat waves as they will be a feature of the 2017 rainy season.

That is the warning issued

by Dr Simon Mason of the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) in his presentation – “Caribbean Heat outlooks: Research and product development” to the participants attending the Caribbean Regional Climate Outlook Forum which opened here on Wednesday.

Mason said in the past, not a lot of emphasis was placed on heat waves but data gathered from islands over the years, has shown that this is a growing challenge.

“It’s time to investigate the problems of heat waves and the best way to deal with it in this region,” said Mason, who pointed out that in the United States of America heat waves kills more people than tornadoes while in 2003 heat waves

killed 30,000 in France.

A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessively hot weather, which may be accompanied by high humidity, especially in oceanic climate countries. While definitions vary, a heat wave is measured relative to the usual weather in the area and relative to normal temperatures for the season.

Despite the region commencing the Hurricane season yesterday, the CIMH is

projecting that islands in the South of Caribbean will receive less rain and hotter days.

“The projection is for as much as one third of the total days for the rainy season will be warmer than normal so the advice is for people to be ready for the heat,” he said.

Mason said that with the elderly being particular vulnerable, steps must be taken in advance to assist them to cope with the effects.

St Vincent PM attributes increase in national debt to natural disasters KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent (CMC) – Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines says the increase in the national debt of small island states can be attributed to natural disasters.

Gonsalves, in an address at the opening session of the Caribbean Regional Climate Outlook Forum here on Wednesday, accused credit rating agencies of not taking into consideration natural disasters and the impact on a

country’s credit rating.

“Borrowing to assist with the recovering and rebuilding from a natural disaster is increasing the national debt, in my case natural disaster related debt is as high as 15% of GDP.” “The poor are the most vulnerable to natural disasters and as a Government we have to provide assistance, and it’s that assistance to recover and rebuild is when we have to borrow and this in turn increases our national debts,” said Gonsalves, who

reminded the participants at the Forum of his Government’s own challenges of having to find funds to rebuild five bridges and other infrastructure which was destroyed by the flooding from one weather system.

“What do I do, this is costing us EC$20 million, we are a small economy and we have had no choice but to borrow to rebuild, we need the bridges, they are essential for communicating, so we have to find the funds to restore life as it used to be,” he said.

US-based company that is one of the biggest explorers in the world.

The ministry said that the licence placed emphasis on Guyanese employment and training, the procurement of goods and services in Guyana, infrastructural soundness and the protection of the environment.

“The Production Licence is required to be finalized before the developers make their Final Investment Decision

(FID) for the project in June 2017.”

The Ministry said that with its other agencies, it is actively pursuing a number of undertakings on the policy, legislative and infrastructure sides to ensure that the country is prepared for the coming oil production.

“As this Ministry, along with others, seeks to develop our oil and gas industry in a sustainable and profitable manner, citizens are encour-

aged to continue to provide their feedback and recommendations on the new sector when the Ministry’s outreaches visit their communities. Following consideration by the Cabinet the findings of the various reports will be released.”

The offshore discovery has around two billion barrels of high quality oil and was described as an exciting find in this part of the hemisphere.

TT calls for removal of OAS Secretary General over Venezuela issue PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago has called for the removal of the Secretary General of the Organisation of American States (OAS) over his non-neutral position on the political situation in Venezuela and warned the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping of the possibility of destroying “itself as an honest broker with respect to any involvement in assistance to Venezuela and its internal problems”.

“Trinidad and Tobago registered a strong objection

to the behaviour of the OAS leadership. The public servants from the OAS took it upon themselves to engage the Government of Venezuela, the president in fact, in a very derogatory manner,” Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley told a news conference on Wednesday evening on his return from an official two-day visit to Chile.

He said Port of Spain had taken objection to Luis Almagro, because of the “very derogatory manner” in which he had engaged Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro.

Almagro, an attorney and a former Uruguayan diplomat and politician, has called for the suspension of Venezuela from the Washington-based group unless general elections are held soon to break a political impasse that he said is destroying the country’s democracy.

Hemadehisrequestina75-page report onVenezuela’s political crisis, in which he accused Maduro’s socialist government of systematically violating human rights and standards of democracy enshrined in the Inter-American Democratic Charter, to which Venezuela is a signatory.

PAGE 22

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EDUCATIONAL TAXI SERVICE

Friday June 02, 2017

Kaieteur News

Electronic Course. June 6th.

The Trade of the Future.

Make extra cash, easy! Abdul Electronics. Call: 226-6551/ 225-0391

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Garbage Truck Drivers, attractive salary and benefits.

Call: 227-1717 1 Complete 8" land dragger.

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Call: 695-6139 One experienced cook, ages 20-40 to work in snackette & bar. Call: 663-7741/ 223-5798 Wanted to rent private car, 4X4 SUV long term - $70,000 monthly. Call: 661-8802 Experienced curry cook, roti/ puri cook, cleaners & counter servers. Apply @ Hacks Halaal. 5 Commerce St. Two nail technicians to work in Salon. Call: 646-5157/ 227-7609 Plumber tiler, mason, painter and a carpenter who knows wooden steps. Call: 625-3705

LAND FOR SALE 12 House lots 80X60 at Plantation Schoonard: water, light and roads, 1 min from Harbour Bridge. Call: 6152346/627-3443 35 Acres located in Port Kaituma. Call: 619-5173 Providence - $4.8M, Farm$2.8M, Herstelling -$3.5M, Uitvlugt -$2.6M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.6M, Zeelugt $1.8M. Call: 684-5822/651-1969

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 BMW 318I -$2.3M, Never register. Contact# 592 6500402 / 603-1402

VACANCY Cook, Baker and articulated hauler/dump truck operator for interior. Applicants must be experienced. Cal: 618-2020 Lorry Drivers and Salesmen, preferably from East Bank Demerara. Salary Negotiable.

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Apply: Technical Services, 18-23 Eccles Industrial Site.

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House & land at Mon Repos -$19M. Call: 645-8543 Aubrey Barker -$21M, Hadfield - $17M, Diamond- $3.5M, Grove, Land of Canaan, Schoonord, Queenstown, Enterprise, Good Hope. Call: 231-7850/ 618-7483 7 Bedrooms two story house on double lot, Georgetown close to city, adequate parking. Call: 609-7766 Continued on Page 22

Friday June 02, 2017

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

Bartica ‘green’ park to be opened in June Last November, the Bartica town council took the initiative to develop the West Indian Housing Scheme Park with funding from the government.

The Town Council’s initiative which is in keeping with President David Granger’s vision of creating a green Region Seven town was scheduled to be completed by the end of last November.

Bartica’s Mayor, Gifford Marshall, told the Government Information Agency (GINA), that completion of the park was delayed due to torrential rainfall. However, construction continues and the park is expected to be completed in June.

“Construction of this park started under a year ago. It’s almost completed. There’s one aspect of the construction that is left and that is the fountain. The fountain will be completed within a few weeks’ time, and we will have the grand opening in the month of June,” Marshall explained.

The park is being created at a cost of $31M and will embrace the “Green Bartica” initiative, according to a government release.

Mayor Marshall said the park is powered by solar energy, with solar lights and solar panels in place. The

A section of the newly rehabilitated West Indian Housing Scheme access road From Page 21

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

once swampy area where the park is located will become an attractive centre piece.

Additionally, a section of the West Indian Housing Scheme access road was resurfaced while another was constructed. Marshall noted that this new road will be useful for accessing previously impassable sections of Bartica.

“It (the road) was in a deplorable state, the worst part of it was that whenever the heavy rains come the road would be flooded and persons would be unable to ac-

Summons issued for mother who ditched cocaine

Delon Bobsemple

Tomeka Bobsemple

Police have been ordered

by Magistrate Judy Latchman to summons Odetta Bobsemple to attend court.

She is the mother who dropped a quantity of cocaine before escaping when police ranks swooped down on her home.

The woman’s children, Delon and Tomeka Bobsemple, are charged with having 171 grams of cocaine in their possession for the purpose of trafficking on April 21, at Lot 68 Cross Street, Georgetown.

Their mother’s name was also included in the joint narcotics charge. But police are still to arrest the woman.

In the meantime, the siblings have pleaded not guilty to the charge and are out on

bail.

They are scheduled to make another court appearance on June 19.

The court was told that police went to the address mentioned in the charge and conducted a search during which they found the narcotics under a flooring board.

However, Attorney Adrian Thompson, who is representing the defendants, is contending that his clients’ mother dropped the narcotics on the floor and made good her escape when police descended on the premises.

The lawyer said a charge being instituted against his clients comes as a surprise since he thought they were being taken to the station to give a statement.

cess their homes…so we are very happy that the road is completed. There’s a new road at the back and it would create new access to those areas at the back too,” Marshall highlighted.

Bartica continues to progress towards becoming a ‘clean and green’ model town.

Just recently the town an-

nounced that it would be able to access a US$650,000, grant through the Office of Climate Change from Ministry of the Presidency, to boost the green initiative.

Guyana has embarked on a long-term initiative towards “greening” its economy as advocated by President

Granger.

Several main pillars of Bartica being a green economy include: sustainable harvesting of natural capital, integrated planning and data management, environmental security, disaster risk reduction, financial mobilisation and technology science and innovation.

NA man jailed while on remand A New Amsterdam man who appeared before Magistrate Rhondel Weever in the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court, was on May 24, last, sent to jail while he awaits trial for being in possession of house breaking implements, and illegal arms and ammunition.

Malcolm Henry, a 27-yearold miner of Smyth Street, New Amsterdam, was sentenced to three years in prison, and fined $50,000 after he was found guilty of being in possession of cannabis. According to the case presented by the prosecutor, Police Corporal, Raquel Mars, Henry was the driver of a car proceeding in a westerly direction along the Fort Wellington Public Road, on February 15; last, with three occupants, when the police,

outside the Fort Wellington Police Station, conducted a stop- and-search of the occupants as well as the vehicle.

Nothing illegal was found on the person of the individuals searched. However, the police found a quantity of cannabis in a number of ziplock bags in the car, and the driver reportedly took responsibility for the substance which amounted to ten grams when processed by the police. Henry was subsequently charged and taken before the court.

When the matter was called, the accused denied ownership of the drugs, forcing the court, to conduct a “trial within a trial”to determine the admissibility of the statement which the accused had given to the police.

Henry was made to post bail

in the sum of one hundred thousand dollars as the police prepared for trial of the case against the accused.

While out on bail, Henry got himself into further trouble when he was with a group of men whom the police intercepted in New Amsterdam in a car with illegal fire arms and ammunition and what were classified as house-breaking tools.

Henry and the other men were charged and remanded to prison. The court ruled that the statement given by Henry in the matter in the West Berbice Magisterial District, was free and voluntary, and so that statement was admitted as evidence in the trial.

The accused was found guilty as charged, and sent to prison in addition to being ordered to pay a fine.

Cops to question army ranks about...

From page 9 containing a $155,000 cheque, some cash, bank card, mobile phone, and other valuables.

She entered one of the lines to cash her cheque, but then sat in one of the chairs while waiting her turn.

However, she went outside to use a washroom.

It was while she was in the washroom that she reportedly realised that she had left the bag with the cheque and other valuables in the bank. Mrs. Sergeant returned to the bank, but by then, the bag was gone.

She then approached a security guard and was allowed to speak with an offi-

cial. She was allowed to dial her cell phone number, but by then the phone was switched off.

The bank official had to give the distraught woman $1,000 to go to the Brickdam Police Station to make a report.

The woman reportedly told detectives that she recalled seeing two young men,

including one with a haversack, sitting near her in the bank.

After several days, police finally viewed the bank’s CCTV, which reportedly showed two men making off with Mrs. Sergeant‘s bag.

They reportedly then confirmed that the individuals were members of the Guyana Defence Force.

Prime Business Place to rent on Sheriff Street, for offices only. Call: 627-6740/227-8644 3 Bbedrooms bottom flat apartment, fully refurbished -$65,000 monthly with 2 months security. Call: 2201583 between 7am-5pm only.

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PAGE 24

Friday June 02, 2017

Kaieteur News

As U.S. retreats, EU and China Trump says U.S. to quit Paris climate pact; allies voice dismay seek climate leadership at summit

President Donald Trump announces his decision that the United States will withdraw from the landmark Paris Climate Agreement (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque) (Reuters) President Donald Trump yesterday said he will withdraw the United States from the landmark 2015 global agreement to fight climate change, spurning pleas from U.S. allies and corporate leaders in an action that fulfilled a major campaign pledge.

Supporters of the accord condemned Trump’s move as an abdication of American leadership, an international

disgrace and a monumental foreign policy blunder. His predecessor, Barack Obama, expressed regret over the pullout from a deal he was instrumental in brokering.

“We’re getting out,” Trump said at a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden in which he decried the Paris accord’s “draconian” financial and economic burdens. He said American withdrawal “represents a

reassertion of American sovereignty.”

Trump said the United States would begin negotiations either to re-enter the Paris accord or to have a new agreement “on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers.”

U.S. allies voiced dismay over Trump’s move, and France, Germany and Italy dismissed his suggestion that the global pact could be revised.

With Trump’s action, the United States will walk away from nearly every nation in the world on one of the pressing global issues of the 21st century. The pullout will align the United States with Syria and Nicaragua as the world’s only non-participants in the accord.

Trump said the United States would cease payments to the U.N. Green Climate Fund, in which rich countries committed billions of dollars to help developing countries deal with floods, droughts and other impacts from climate change.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang poses with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk (L) during a EU-China summit in Brussels, Belgium yesterday.

(REUTERS/Virginia Mayo/Pool) (Reuters) China and the European Union will seek today to save a global pact against c l i m a t e c h a n g e from which U.S. President Donald Trump said he will withdraw.

As China emerges as Europe’s unlikely global partner on areas from free trade to s e c u r i t y, P r e m i e r L i Keqiang will meet top EU officials at a summit in Brussels that will also address North Korea’s missile tests and global steel overcapacity.

Speaking in Berlin, Li underlined strong support for the 2015 Paris climate change accord from China, which overtook the United States as the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases in 2007.

“China will stand by its responsibilities on climate change,” he told reporters after meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel and before flying on to Brussels.

In a statement backed by all 28 EU states, the European Union and China will commit to full implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement, EU and Chinese officials said.

The joint statement, the first between the China and the EU, commits to cutting back on fossil fuels, developing more green technology and helping raise $100 billion a year by 2020 to help poorer countries cut their emissions.

“The EU and China consider climate action and the clean energy transition an imperative more important than ever,” the statement, by European Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President JeanClaude Juncker and Li, will say.

“The increasing impacts of climate change require a decisive response,” they will say.

China asked that the annual summit, normally held in mid-July, be brought forward to press home President Xi Jinping’s defense of open trade at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January in response to Trump’s protectionist stance.

Miguel Arias Canete, the EU’s energy commissioner, said in a statement after Tr u m p ’s a n n o u n c e m e n t that the European Union deeply regretted the decision but would seek new allies in the fight against climate change.

“We see the Paris Agreement and the low-carbon transition for what it is, the irreversible growth engine of our economies and the key to protecting our planet,” Canete said.

While China needs EU technical know-how to fight the pollution blighting its cities, the European Union is looking to Beijing to take action against emissions blamed for increased droughts, rising seas and other affects of climate change.

STEEL GLUT In a broader final communiqué focusing on a range of other issues, Li, Juncker and Tusk are expected to commit to free trade and reduce a global steel glut that Europe and the United States say is an attempt by China to corner local markets.

The EU and China will seek to “refrain from all forms of protectionism and uphold free and rules-based trade”, the leaders will say in a 60point statement, according to a draft. They promise to “ad-

dress steel overcapacity at its roots”.

By far the world’s top steel producer, China’s annual steel output is almost double the EU’s total production. Western governments say Chinese steel exports have caused a global steel crisis, costing jobs and forcing plant closures.

The warmer EU-China relationship, partly spurred by Trump, has developed despite a long-running EU spat with Beijing on what Europe sees as China’s dumping of low-cost goods on European markets.

Still, the EU remains cautious about the direction of its second-largest trading partner, concerned by its militarisation of islands in the South China Sea and what it sees as increased authoritarianism under Xi. EU officials say they will bring up the South China Sea in the talks today, but they will be wary to avoid a repeat of last year’s tense EU-China summit in Beijing, which failed to agree a joint statement because of the maritime issue.

China’s claims in the South China Sea, through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes each year, are contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

The EU also wants an investment treaty with China to open the huge Chinese market to European companies and remove onerous rules forcing them to share knowhow.

A senior Chinese official said China is determined to open up and reach a deal, which is seen as a forerunner to a possible future free-trade accord.

Friday June 02, 2017

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Kaieteur News

Friday June 02, 2017

Friday June 02, 2017

Nandy Park, Bayrock register victories Nandy Park and Bayrock recorded victories when the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association Sterling Products Ltd. T20 tournament continued on Sunday last.

Nandy Park defeated North Soesdyke by 61 runs.

Batting first, Nandy Park posted 180-4. Tevin Imlach struck 88, John Champayne 38 and Ryan Shun 18. Rakesh Gangaram claimed 2-30 while there was one each for Trevor Benn and Leron Primo.

North Soesdyke were bowled out for 119 in 18 overs in reply. Benn made 28, Sahadeo Hardaiow 23 and Cletus Johnson 19. Kelvin Leitch claimed 4-29, Rohan Sarjoo 2-12 and Darson La Rose 2-17.

Bayrock beat Eccles by 86

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Kelvin Leitch

Tevin Imlach

runs. Bayrock took first strike and scored 172-4. Eon Reynolds stroked 71 while Leonard Caleb got 41; Kevin Plantz snared 2-38 and

Stephen Harris 1-27.

Eccles were sent packing for 86 in 12 overs. Stephon Brown captured 4-13 and Leon Pless 3-11.

Friday June 02, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Educational pursuits should help you develop your hobbies. Problems with females you live or work with will try your patience and cause temper flare ups. Risks will not be profitable.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) You should include children in your activities. You can benefit financially if you put money or maintenance into your living quarters. Romance and social activity will be a promising combination.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Financial affairs do not look too favorable today. Be inquisitive about unfamiliar circumstances. Don't trust a deal that looks too good, or a lover who appears to have it all.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Listen to the advice given by others. Use your intellectual approach to get the best results. This will not be the best day to sign deals or to take care of other people's financial matters.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Check your personal papers and make sure everything is in order. Social events will be plentiful. You will drive your emotional partner crazy today.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your dynamic, determined approach will win favors as well as a helping hand.

Chances are you could get stuck with a colleague's job unexpectedly. You will enjoy the interaction with youngsters and take great pride in the projects you've

completed.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your willingness to help others can and will lead to fatigue if you don't learn to say no.

Don't let your mate bully you into thinking that you owe them your time and your life.

Today will be rather hectic on the domestic scene.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may want to take a look at courses offered at a local institute. Don't say things that could be damaging later on. Cut loose. Being unappreciated by your boss could make it hard to do your work effectively.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Learn some new skills that will increase your income. You'll be able to break bad habits if you put your mind to it. Get involved in a competitive sport that will bring the challenges you thrive on.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Don't rely on others to handle the workload. Pleasure trips will be most enjoyable and should lead to new and lasting friendships. It might be best to keep your ideas to yourself today.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Someone left a real mess for you to sift through. You have been stagnating for some time now and you need a change of pace. Changes in your residence may be financially favorable.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You are best to work at home, clearing up overdue projects.

Sudden romance could end just as quickly. You may find yourself changing plans for some form of entertainment.

Well Teen, Trophy Stall, Tropical Springs and Nauth Motor Spares U-13 tourney Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) and Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) posted wins while Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) and Transport Sports Club (TSC) played to a tie when the Well Teen, Trophy Stall, Tropical Springs and Nauth Motor Spares Under-13 tournament continued recently at Gandhi Youth Organisation ground.

GYO beat RHTY&SC by 17 runs. GYO batted first and scored 79-7 from their reduced quota of 15 overs.

Mavindra Dindyal made 23; Mathew Payota claimed 3-9 and Jonathan Rampersaud 315.

RHTY&SC were bowled out for 62 in 12.3 overs in reply. Jeremy Sandia got 11 as

Scotiabank CONCACAF...

(From page 26) in the competition due to the on-going suspension of the Guatemalan Federation).

In total, the expanded CONCACAF club competitions platform – including the newly launched Scotiabank CONCACAF League and the re-designed Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League — will feature 31 club teams from across the Confederation.

The 2018 edition of the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League kicks off in February of next year, featuring the winner of the 2017 Scotiabank CONCACAF League and 15 more of the best clubs from the entire CONCACAF region, including the Caribbean, Central America, plus Mexico, the United States and Canada.

The champion of that competition will represent the region in the 2018 FIFA Club World Cup. (CONCACAF)

Guyanese cyclists...

(From page 31) starters.

On May 29th in the Category 2/3 contest, Stephano Husbands had to settle for the 38th position of 114 riders with Enzo Matthews of Continental Cycle Club 54th, Christopher Holder of Team Evolution did not finish the race.

In the Pro Category 1 on the same day, Geron Williams (Foundation/Continental Cycle Club) placed 12th of 54 finishers. Eastman ended 19th, Raynauth Jeffrey (Team Pharmaco-Deepsouth) 39th, Savory, De Nobrega as well as Paul and Horace Burrowes did not finish the race as a result of an accident.

Danesh Persaud snared 3-11 and Dishan Ramnarine 2-12.

Payota was voted man-ofthe-match.

GYO thumped Malteenoes Sports Club by 91 runs. GYO took first turn at the crease and posted 170-8.

Mavindra Dindyal scored 29.

E. Wills had 3-22 and N. Permaul 2-27. MSC were bowled out for 79 in 15.3 overs in reply. Chad Shivratan got 20 as man-of-the-match D. Ramnarine picked up 3-5.

GCC defeated DCC by four wickets. DCC took first strike and managed 122-8 in 25 overs. Shemar Bookie and

Jonathan Vandall made 16 and 14 respectively. Ravaldo Phillips took 2-19. GCC replied with 125-6 in 23 overs. Manof-the-match Rahul Singh struck 34; Jaffar Pinder captured 3-26.

RHTY&SC batted first and scored 132-6 off their allotted 25 overs. Mahendra Gopilall made 35 and Vishal Naidu 19; Jonathan Adams got 2-19 and Riyad Latif 2-27. TSC responded with 132-9 in 25 overs. Alvin Mohabir hit 30 and Shamar Yearwood 25.

Gopilall had 2-35. Mohabir was named man-of-thematch.

Champions Trophy 2017 Fixtures

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Friday June 02, 2017

Windies looking to dominate minnows Basseterre, St Kitts, CMC – West Indies will be seeking to impose their superiority on minnows Afghanistan and rekindle their winning touch, when they meet the Asian side in the first of three Twenty20 Internationals here tonight.

The reigning champions in the format have looked anything but over the last 10 months with six defeats in their last seven matches but the Afghanistan assignment presents the opportunity for the Caribbean side to turn their fortunes around.

West Indies boast a strong squad for the series with some of the world’s leading T20 specialists in batsmen Kieron Pollard, Lendl Simmons and Marlon Samuels, along with spinners Sunil Narine and Samuel Badree all involved.

Captain Carlos Brathwaite said here yesterday even though they were not taking the Afghans for granted, they were confident of imposing themselves on the series. ”We need to get back on the winning track. We pride ourselves in our T20 cricket and as usual we want to go out there and give the fans a spectacle, playing that Caribbean way, playing that

Windies T20 Captain Carlos Brathwaite goes through a fielding drill at Warner Park. (WICB Media) exciting way to get fans off their seat,” the all-rounder said. ” W e a r e n o t underestimating Afghanistan, they were actually the only team to beat us in the recent World Cup triumph so we’re not underestimating them. ”We are focussing on ourselves, we want to get back to the winning ways we are capable of and individually a lot of guys have stuff to prove in West Indies colours and I’m sure everyone is ready and raring

to go.”

Since their triumph at the T20 World Cup in India last year April, the Windies have declined steadily. In fact, they were swept 3-0 by Pakistan last September in the United Arab Emirates and were beaten again by Pakistan, 3-1 in a four-match series in the Caribbean two months ago.

The problem in both series lay squarely at the feet of the Windies batting. In the UAE, they never mustered above 115 batting first and

Scotiabank CONCACAF League Draw Determines Opening Matchups for the Inaugural Season Miami - CONCACAF conducted Wednesday night the draw for the 2017 Scotiabank CONCACAF League — the inaugural edition of the competition — at the Hilton Miami Airport Hotel.

The Scotiabank CONCACAF League features 16 top club teams from Central America and the Caribbean. It will be played in a directelimination, knockoutround format, with homeand-away rounds set to begin in early August.

We d n e s d a y ’s d r a w, which sorted the qualified sides into eight parings for the first round of the competition, was opened with remarks from Pedro Chaluja, a CONCACAF Council Member and Panamanian Football Federation President.

The draw was conducted

by CONCACAF General Secretary Phillipe Moggio with the assistance of retired CONCACAF stars Alvaro Saborio (Costa Rica) and

Omar Daley (Jamaica).

The Round of 16 pairing for the 2017 Scotiabank CONCACAF League are as follows: Matchup #1: San Juan Jabloteh (TRI) v Santos de Guapiles FC (CRC) Matchup #2: CD Honduras Progreso (HON) v Chorrillo FC ( P A N ) Matchup #3: CD Arabe Unido (PAN) v Central FC ( T R I ) Matchup #4: Real Esteli FC (NCA) v CD Aguila ( S L V ) Matchup #5: LD Alajuelense (CRC) v CD Olimpia (HON) Matchup #6: Alianza FC (SLV) v Platense FC ( H O N ) Matchup #7: CD Plaza Amador (PAN) v Portmore United FC (JAM) Matchup #8: Belmopan Bandits (BLZ) v CD Walter Ferretti (NCA) For the Round of 16, the clubs that were drawn from Pot 1 (listed first) will play away first, and then will host

the return matches.

The winners of the matchups numbers 1, 3, 5 and 7, will host the return leg of the quarterfinals. For the semifinals, clubs will be ranked per their performance (points earned, goal differential and goals scored) in the Round of 16 and the quarterfinals, using the competitions tiebreaking procedure.

The highest-ranked club in each semifinal matchup will host the 2nd leg matches. The same tiebreaking procedure will be applied to determine who will host the second leg final.

The Scotiabank CONCACAF League includes top club teams from the Central America and Caribbean regions. For the 2017 Scotiabank CONCACAF League, Panama and Honduras each enjoy an additional berth to the tournament, filling the two spots allocated for G uatemala clubs (not eligible to participate (Continued on page 25)

144 chasing while in the Caribbean, they stumbled to totals of 111 and 124 batting first.

They successfully chased 137 in the third T20I but failed to overhaul 132 in the second game, and Brathwaite said they were aware of where they had gone wrong against the Pakistanis. “We definitely spoke about our batting – batting in partnerships. I don’t think we did that well enough in the Pakistan series,” the 28year-old pointed out. ”The one game we did put up a good batting performance we came up trumps so that’s something we’ve definitely spoken about.

”With regards to the bowling, I think we ticked all our boxes in the Pakistan series. However, we think we can improve on our fielding and we pride ourselves as an energetic fielding team, making stops and turning half-chances into chances and breaking crucial partnerships. ”That’s something we want to improve on going into this series and I know once we play our best cricket, fans will be happy and eventually, if we play our best cricket we should also win and the aim of the series is to come out on top.”

Several members of the squad are coming off stints in the Indian Premier League, including Pollard and Simmons who were members of eventual champions Mumbai Indians.

Both players were among the runs with Pollard gathering nearly 400 and Simmons getting two halfcenturies.

Brathwaite, who made limited appearances for Delhi Daredevils, said he was hopeful the Trinidadian duo could bring their winning touch to the Windies side. ”We also have two guys who just experienced winning a competition … in Lendl Simmons and Kieron Pollard so we’re banking on their recent triumphs as well to bring some sort of extra motivating factor to the

team,” he said. ”They always say winning is a habit and they’ve gotten accustomed to winning as they just won the IPL and we want to get back on the winning path as well. We all have things to play for and we all have motivating factors but hopefully those two can use their recent triumphs as an extra motivating factor to spur on the team to what we want to be a successful series win.”

Afghanistan, coached by Phil Simmons who was axed as West Indies head coach last September, have been impressive in their recent outings going unbeaten in their last 11 T20 Internationals.

The match is set for Warner Park at 7:30 pm.

WEST INDIES – Carlos Brathwaite (captain), Samuel Badree, Ronsford Beaton, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton, Kesrick Williams.

AFGHANISTAN – Asghar Stanikzai (captain), Noor Ali Zadran, Javid Ahmadi, Usman Ghani, Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari, Najeeb Zadran, Gulbaddin Naib, Rashid Khan Arman, Shafiqullah Shafaq, Shapoor Zadran, Amira Hamza Hotak, Farid Malik, Dawlat Zadran, Karim Janat.

National U-15 team departs for Soualiga tournament Sixteen (16) members of the National U-15 team and the Technicla staff departed Guyana yesterday for St. Martin to participate in the ‘SOUALIGA’ Tournament, which runs from June 1 to 5 .

The team consists of two goalkeepers, five defenders, five midfielders and four forwards from the following GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATC) – East Coast (4); East Bank (1); Georgetown (5); Rupununi (3); Bartica (1); Berbice (1) and one player from Region 1. Technical Director, Ian Greenwood, said while the tournament in St. Martin will serve as preparation for the U-15 CONCACAF tournament in August 2017, the long-term goal is to enable the development of the players for the senior men’s national team in five years’ time.

Additionally, it will serve as part of the development st

th

process for coaches: “Engaging in consistent international tournaments and fixtures are vital as we look to instill the National Playing Philosophy into the players as part of their longterm player development.

Tournaments such as these are also being used as development tools for our coaches too as we look to implement the GFF National Coaching Philosophy.”

Following their creditable performance in the previous international fixture in French Guiana in December 2016, Greenwood is looking for an improvement on the team’s performances and tactical understanding of the game: “The U15s know that with the launch of the ATC’s, we are consistently looking to improve and develop the playing squad on a national basis so they will need to be positive, express themselves

and wear the badge with pride at all times.”

The squad, which was drawn from 25 players who were encamped from the 28th – 31st May in New Amsterdam, is headed by Bryan Joseph and will play its first game against Haiti today. The SOUALIGA Tournament will feature 10 territories including Anguilla, Barbados, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Martinique, St. Thomas and Tortola.

Team: Goalkeepers Shawn Adonis, Oswin Fredericks. Defenders Joshua Braithwaite, Wayne Da Silva, Jermaine Padmore, K e v i n R e d d y, M a r c u s Wilson.

Midfielders - Okifi Patoir, Orville Daniels, Tyrel Khan, Jermaine Garrett, Ravon Bayley. Forwards O m a r i G l a s g o w, K e n Salvador, Troni Semple, Ronaldo Rodrigues.

Kaieteur News

Friday June 02, 2017

PAGE 29

Enterprise Busta Sports Club T20 Festival to make welcome return in August After languishing for one year owing to the absence of Guyana Beverage Company Inc., Founder Manager Robert Selman who had returned to his homeland of Trinidad and Tobago, the Enterprise Busta Sports Club is pulling out all the stops for the restart of the Busta T20 Cricket Festival set for August.

Cricket, the lifeline of the club which has produced a number of outstanding players including Yadram, has been on the up ever since Busta came on board as the official club sponsor, eight years ago.

However, the relationship found hard going for one year after Selman was replaced at the helm by Surinamese Marc Telting who was eventually sent packing by the parent company, S. M Jaleel after one year.

Chanderpaul Tickaram, speaking on behalf of the Enterprise Busta Sports Club at the competition

launch on Wednesday afternoon last at the company’s Diamond, East B a n k D e m e r a r a Headquarters expressed delight at Selman’s return which has also seen the return of the Busta Festivals.

Reminding of the many players coming through as a result of Busta’s sponsorship, Tickaram reminded that the likes of Mark Parmanand (Nat. U15 selectee), Pradesh Balkissoon (U17), Rjendra Chandrika and West Indies Under-19 selectee Bhaskar Yadram are products of Guyana Beverage Company’s partnership. ”With this sponsor, cricket has gone a long way in Enterprise and I am sure, throughout the country as well with sponsorship of many competitions. But I am sure with sponsorship this year all of these counties are proud, especially Enterprise.

We are proud to have Busta on our bandwagon so that we can keep producing these national and international

GBC Accountant Khemraj Misir (2nd right) hands over cheque to Enterprise Busta Sports Club’s Chandrapaul Tickaram in the presence club members and GBC’s Robert Selman, 2nd left. players.”

Tickaram also disclosed that the club would be continuing its tradition of reciprocal tours Trinidad and Tobago by visiting the

Twin Island Republic next month.

The tour he said would conclude on July 16 after which they will turn attention to the Busta T20

Festival.

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club also made a donation of trophies and medals to the Enterprise Busta Sports Club to me

used for a cricket competition; Tickaram expressed gratitude to their Rose Hall counterparts for the timely donation.

Joe Root hits a century as England beat Bangladesh Joe Root compiled an unbeaten century as England opened their Champions Trophy campaign with victory over Bangladesh at The Oval. Root made 133 not out and Alex Hales 95 as England, the bookmakers’ favourites for the tournament, reached their target of 306 with 16 balls to spare.

Tamim Iqbal hit 128 in Bangladesh’s 305-5, with Liam Plunkett taking 4-59.

But England suffered injury concerns as Chris Woakes sustained a side problem and Root appeared to hurt his calf.

Ben Stokes, who required a pre-match fitness test on a knee injury, did manage to bowl seven overs.

However, Woakes only sent down two before leaving the field, while Root hobbled through much of the second part of his innings. Woakes is being sent for a scan on Thursday evening while Root’s niggle is thought to be less serious.

England will probably secure a place in the semifinals if they beat New

Champions Trophy

Joe Root and Eoin Morgan saw England home with an unbroken 143-run stand ©Getty Images Tamim Iqbal hit 12 fours and three sixes in his 142-ball 128 Zealand in Cardiff on Tuesday, while Bangladesh almost certainly have to beat Australia on Monday to avoid being eliminated.

England are strongly fancied to win their first global 50-over trophy largely because of the strength of their batting, which again impressed on a superb surface. But their bowling, arguably a weakness, showed room for improvement for sterner tests to come. Pace bowler Jake Ball, preferred to the leg spin of Adil Rashid, went at more than eight an over.

Opener Jason Roy, with a

highest score of 20 in his six previous one-day internationals, made only one from eight balls before scooping pace bowler Mashrafe Mortaza to short fine leg. Still, injuries are starting to look like the biggest problem. After doubts over Stokes, the loss of either Root or Woakes, England’s highest ranked ODI batsman and bowler respectively, would be a huge blow.

Even in such perfect conditions for batting, Bangladesh’s total was enough to pressure England, especially after Roy was

dismissed. However, Root and Hales calmed any fears of an upset with a secondwicket stand of 159.

Hales muscled the ball through the leg side, played brutal cuts and lofted two sixes, only to be caught on the leg side boundary when looking for the blow that would have taken him to a century.

Root deftly worked the ball off his pads and behind square on the off side and, despite being in obvious discomfort after suffering the injury on 61, completed a 10th ODI hundred. By that time he had been joined by captain Eoin Morgan. The left-hander survived a spectacular catch which was

claimed by Tamim - but not given following a look at television replays - before compiling a typically calculated unbeaten 75.

They added an unbroken 143 for the third wicket, Root accelerating after passing three figures to post his highest ODI score.

Bangladesh took advantage of being invited to bat, led by the sparkling Tamim and cheered on by an energetic crowd.

Tamim was on 19 when he could have fallen to a vicious Mark Wood bouncer but, after that, he despatched anything short and played drives down the ground. He shared a stand of 166 with Mushfiqur Rahim (79) to

move Bangladesh to a dangerous 259-2 with six overs remaining.

But Tamim skied to Jos Buttler and Mushfiqur holed to long on from successive Plunkett deliveries to halt the Tigers’ momentum.

Bangladesh posted their highest ODI total against England, but it was still about 30 runs short of really testing the powerful home batting.

Group, A, The Oval Bangladesh 305-6 (50 o v e r s ) : Ta m i m 1 2 8 , Mushfiqur 79, Plunkett 4-59 England 308-2 (47.2 overs): Root 133*, Hales 95, Morgan 75*. England won by eight wickets (BBCsport)

Kaieteur News

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Friday June 02, 2017

Xtreme Clean & Maintenance/GT Beer ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal Tournament

Underdog teams announcing their presence on big stage; action resumes next Tuesday

A player from Plaisance (orange bib) is closely watched by Bent Street’s Okanie Fraser.

Albouystown created the biggest upset on Night 3 of the inaugural Xtreme Clean & Maintenance /GT Beer ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal To u r n a m e n t w h i c h continued on Sunday, at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

The South ward-based team registered a 3-1 triumph over the highlytouted Back Circle unit to

announce themselves as serious contenders for the top prize. Also declaring their arrival on the big stage was Future Stars, a subsidiary of Broad Street Bullies, who beat their masters by a 2-0 margin.

Another result that underlined the coming out of underdog teams was the 1-1 draw between favourites Sparta Boss and Agricola

Part of the action between Tucville and Sophia on Sunday night at the National Gymnasium.

Champion Boys. The Sparta Boss versus Agricola Champion Boys clash was a fiercely contested encounter that saw the most feared team in the format escape with a draw against a team that has consistently showed no fear for them.

It took a sixth minute strike from Devon Millington to salvage a tie after Agricola had taken the

Olympic Association, Tourism Authority support South American Junior Championships Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) offered financial support to the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) yesterday ahead of the start of the South American Junior Championships tomorrow at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

Vice-President of the GOA, Godfrey Munroe, handed over a cheque worth $1M, while Director of the Tourism body, Indranauth Haralsingh donated $400,000 toward the event that will end on Sunday.

AAG President, Aubrey Hutson, received the donations at his office in Light Street, Alberttown.

Munroe indicated that GOA was enthused to support the AAG because of the amount of young athletes being targeted for development. ”Being a junior event, it is of particular interest to the

association (GOA) in ensuring that the focus is on the development of junior athletes and this is one such development.

It’s going to be a mega event and we want to congratulate the AAG to undertake the hosting,” Munroe indicated.

The contribution from the Tourism Authority came as a commitment to develop sports tourism here after the organisation only two months ago hosted a sports tourism seminar advocating for the development of Guyana as a sports tourism destination.

“The GTA is proud and pleased to be associated with the AAG and the hosting of this mega South American Championships. We came on board as a sponsor to help directly in the area of hospitality services for the visitors,” Haralsingh said.

According to the Tourism Director, this is

being done so that the visitors can return to their home countries and be good Ambassadors in promoting destination Guyana. He disclosed that they have assisted in other aspects such as providing flags, marketing and public relations and the tour packages.

“With over 300 athletes coming to Guyana they will be able to go back and speak positively about Guyana, send out photographs. We see this as a major sports tourism event and we’re happy to continue our support for events such as this that bring visitors to Guyana,” Haralsingh observed.

The AAG said that 13 South American countries are expected here with some of them arriving between Wednesday and yesterday.

Guyana will have a team of 50 athletes competing at the two day meet this weekend.

lead one minute earlier through Lloyd Matthews. In another game that could have serious implications was the one between Albouystown and Back Circle.

The gritty Albouystown unit was led to victory through a brace from the nippy Roy Cassou, who netted goals in the 12th and 16th minutes, while Lennox Cort added the other in the 18th minute. Jermaine Beckles’ 15th minute strike was the lone response for Back Circle.

Future Stars 2-0 victory over Broad Street Bullies was the highlight of the night. Keron Solomon and Akeemo Anthony put the result beyond doubt after netting goals in the 17th and

18th minutes respectively.

Bent Street, one of the pretournament favourites cruised past Plaisance 6-3.

Konata Manning fired a pair in the 11th and 16th minutes, while Job Caesar duplicated hs effort with a double in fifth and 18th minutes, Sheldon Profitt and Travis Lyken added a goal apiece in the fourth and 15th minutes.

For Plaisance, Kester Greene netted in the 12th and 17th minute, while Warren Gilkes added the other in the third minute. In other results, Tucville and Sophia battled to a 1-1 draw with Shem Porter third minute strike handing Sophia the lead, before Dennis Edwards equalised for Tucville in the seventh minute. Tiger Bay

and North Ruimveldt encounter failed to produce a goal.

Play in the group stage continues on June 6 , at the same venue with another six fixtures. Upon the conclusion of the group stage, the top two finishers in each pool and the best two third place finishers will advance to the quarter-finals.

The other playing dates are June 8th, 13th, 15th and 17th. The winning team will receive $500,000 and the championship trophy, while second, third and fourth placed finishers take home $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. The M o s t Va l u a b l e P l a y e r (MVP) will be given $50,000. th

Kaieteur News

Friday June 02, 2017

PAGE 31

Foster named Essex County College Women’s Cross Country Most Valuable Runner 2016/17 Guyanese Middle Distance Queen Andrea Foster who is currently on scholarship at the Essex County College where she is aiming to major in General Science (Bio-Med) continues to shine on and off the track.

The national athlete who was named the Cross Country of the Year athlete for 2016 has now picked up a plaque as the Essex County College Women’s Cross Country Most Valuable Runner for the 2016/2017 season.

Additionally, Foster was also awarded a plaque for being the Essex 2017/2017 Women’s Cross Country Academic Scholar for her overall GPA of 3.85. Foster was also recognised by way of another plaque from the US Track and Field Cross Country Coaches

Association as an All American (NJCAA) National Junior College Athletic Association Track and Field 800M stand out for the 2017 Indoor Track and Field Season.

Asked to comment on her achievement, Foster first expressed thanks and praise to God for bringing her through this year, successfully. ”Being a StudentAthlete is definitely not easy but I am glad that I was able to achieve both Academic and Athletic Awards.

I do have to thank my mom (National athlete Alisha Fortune) for teaching me how to balance academics and athletics in Secondary school because honestly it did help a great lot here at college.”

(F.Wilson)

Is this a case of favouritism in local Tennis?

Kaieteur Sports has learnt of a recent incident pertaining to the end result computation of one category in the r e c e n t l y h e l d Shelltez/Homesafe Security tournament staged at several venues which has forced some to question whether what was done was a blatant case of bias.

The information received indicate that in the Junior (U10) category, which was played in a round robin format, saw 12 players, broken into four groups, with the top four emerging to contest the championship rounds.

The first to 15 points games; resulted in three of the players coming away with two wins apiece, thus having an equal share of the points. According to current I n t e r n a t i o n a l Te n n i s Federation (ITF) rules, in such scenario, the points won in the process over the points played percentage would be used to determine the winner.

However, one youngster that should have claimed the second spot was handed the third position instead.

U p o n e n q u i r y, t h e Tournament Director of the event informed that they

used an old format of points won and not the percentage as the current rules suggest, in arriving at the outcome.

Some observers are crying foul at this move to use old rules when the current rules of the international body clearly state otherwise. They are questioning whether it was a form of bias because the two players that were handed first and second were from the same club as the Tournament Director.

In a day and age where sporting bodies are updating their rules to eliminate controversies and to ensure that fair play is observed, it is disheartening to note that there is still much controversy in sports, especially in Guyana.

Whether it be infighting or contravening the rules, this kind of behavior should not be allowed in our sports.

Organisations need to clean up their acts to confirm to accepted standards.

A call is being made for the executive of the Guyana Tennis Association to look into the matter and make the necessary corrections to ensure that similar kinds of events do not occur in the future.

Andrea Foster (right) passes the baton to a teammate during the nationals where they placed 3rd.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Friday June 02, 2017

Hand-in-Hand U-19 Cricket

Perez century, Seyhodan U-17’s sneak into final on better 5-wkt haul hand Demerara net run rate; battle Demerara comprehensive win today despite losing to B’ce

Keshram Seyhodan Opener Raymond Perez struck a fine century while left arm spinner Keshram Seyhodan picked up a fivewickets as Demerara defeated Essequibo by 208 runs in the third and final preliminary round of Guyana Cricket Board Hand-in-Hand Inter County U-19 50-over tournament yesterday.

Perez survived some anxious moments early on but blossomed nicely to score a splendid 125 as Demerara posted a challenging 300 all out in 49.3 overs after they decided to bat the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

The right handed Perez and Gavin Boodwah added 43 for the first wicket before the latter was bowled by Joel Fortune for 14. Perez and Ramnarine Chatura frustrated the Essequibians with a second wicket stand of 117. The duo rotated the strike nicely with nudges and pushes and reached the boundaries almost every time their opponents bowled wayward.

Perez picked up boundaries off pacers Joshua Jones and Leslie Allen before hoisting Joel Fortune for six while Chatura drove Chanderpaul Mohabir and

Joshua Jones Mark Williams for fours.

On a pitch that rendered little assistance to the bowlers, Essequibo should have rotated their bowlers a lot more especially their spinners, but they didn’t and this made life easier for the batmen.

Perez brought up his fifty off 68 balls while Chatura’s half century came off 58 balls. Perez continued to gather his runs, using his feet nicely and was very strong square of the wicket on the off-side; his second fifty came off 51 balls.

Chatura stroked five fours and two sixes before he was run out for 73 off 82 balls while Perez slammed 11 fours and three sixes before he was bowled by Jones after facing 131 balls.

Jones bowled well in the latter stages of the innings; he removed Ronaldo Ali Mohamed (02) before uprooting the stumps of Bhaskar Yadram (08) and had Joshua Persaud taken for 11. Keshram Seyhodan and Sagar Hatharamani were the only other batsmen to reach double figures with 14 and 10 respectively as Jones grabbed 4-65 off nine overs while Fortune had 3-47.

Off spinner Beesham Moses conceded 26 off six

and Mahendra Persaud 20 off five, but surprisingly the duo weren’t given the ball after their first spells. Opener and skipper Mark Williams (02) played away from his body and was taken at gully off medium pacer Damuka Ngqondo while Sachin Persaud (00) hung his bat outside the off stump and was caught at first slip off Mohamed as Essequibo were reduced to 19-2 in reply.

Stephan Campbell was removed by Mohamed for nine while Seyhodan sent back Mahendra Persaud (08) and Quentin Sampson (00) leaving the score at 47-5.

Kurt Lovell hit two fours but before he was caught off Seyhodan for a top score of 27 while Mohair remained unbeaten on 18. Fortune (10) was the only other batsman to reach double figures as Essequibo was bowled out for 92 in 22.4 overs.

Seyhodan bagged 5-21, Mohamed 2-16 and Richie Looknauth 2-18. While Demerara will contest the final today at the said venue, Essequibo will now turn their attention to the three-day and their management will hope for a better performance from their charges.

However, Essequibo may not have their best team on hand since one of their two trial games was held during the CSEC exams, and this prevented a number of players from being eligible.

But efforts should be made to strengthen their team since the three-day format will require a lot more effort from the players.

Kevin Sinclair collects his MOM trophy from Hand-in-Hand representative Matthew Kissoon at Everest yesterday.

By Sean Devers In sweltering heat on a slow track and heavy Everest outfield the National U-17 select lost to Berbice by 70 runs but progressed to face defending Champions Demerara on a better net run rate in today’s GCB’s Handin-Hand U-19 Inter-County 50-over Final at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

While Berbice made 155 all out and bowled out the National U-17s for 85, the U-17s, who like Berbice ended the four-team tournament with a win and a loss, were dismissed in 41.3 overs. If they were bowled in less than 40 overs Berbice would have advanced to the final.

With nine wickets down the last pair of Kelvin Omroa (4) Reyaz Khan (1*) survived 32 balls without scoring a run but surviving 40 was more important than making runs in the context of the situation.

Omrao was eventually bowled by Deon Sinclair in the 42nd over but by then it was the losers who were celebrating their place in the final. After the opening round was abandoned due to rain on Monday, Demerara beat Berbice and the U-17’s defeated Essequibo on We d n e s d a y m a k i n g yesterday’s final preliminary round a virtual semi-final.

Demerara’s win against Essequibo give them their second victory and automatic qualification to the final, scheduled to commence at 09:30hrs.

Put in to bat, Berbice lost Veramootoo Senwasune for a duck with just nine runs on the board but a 42-run partnership between Kevin Sinclair and Adrian Sukwah pushed them to 51 before Sukwah was run out for 20.

Left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd, who finished with 419 from 10 frugal overs, bowled Javid Karim for a duck four runs later before Nedd stuck again when he bowled Sasenarine Sukhoo (9) to leave Berbice, once a powerhouse at this level, on 69-4.

Sinclair was playing confidently but nobody was staying with him long enough to build a meaningful partnership.

Sinclair reached his 50 from 82 balls with three fours and a six but was removed by Pradesh Balkishun at 105-5.

Nedd got rid of Steve Deonarine (16) before number 10 batsman Sylus Tyndall counter-attacked with a cameo 22-ball 25 decorated with two fours and a six before he was bowled

by Sachin Singh to end the innings.

When the U-17s began their chase needing 155 to win from 300 balls, Alex Algoo, who along with First-

Class opener Bhaskar Yadram and Raymond Perez, were the only centurions in the tournament, was his usual pugnacious self.

The 16-year-old right hander followed up his well crafted 119 on Wednesday against Essequibo at Eve Leary, by square-driving pacer Tyndall for a couple of boundaries behind point. The usually free-scoring Sachin Singh, on the back of 52 on Wednesday when he added 156 with Algoo for the first wicket, was well short of his best form and went into his shell as he struggled to get the ball off the square.

While Algoo imperiously lofted Karim over extra cover for his third boundary Singh pushed and prodded and took 25 balls for his three runs before he was bowled by Karim at 23-1.

Algoo seemed a bit unlucky to be adjudged LBW to Simpson after facing 27 balls in his 20 and from 29-2 only Kelvon Anderson (19) who was removed by Deon Sinclair reached double figures.

But Omroa and Khan defied all the Berbicians threw at them to get their side into today’s final.

Karam Arjpaul (3-9), Deon Sinclair (3-18) and Kevin Sinclair (2-12) all had impressive spells to bowl Berbice to a victory which, in the end, came an over too late.

Kaieteur News

Friday June 02, 2017

PAGE 33

RHTY&SC Patron’s T20 Cup – The Green Economy Trophy

Ministry of the Presidency and Kares Engineering Inc. make Massive contributions

Mr. Satya Kishun of Kares Engineering Inc., hands over sponsorship to Shawn Perriera while Vice President Mark Papannah looks on.

Plans for the hosting of the first ever Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Patron’s T20 Cup to be k n o w n a s t he ‘Green Economy Trophy Tournament’ on Wednesday last received a major boost with massive donations from

the Ministry of the Presidency and Kares Engineering of Parika, Essequibo.

Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation would be hosting the tournament which promises to be one of the biggest ever hosted in Guyana in tribute

to its Fifth Honorary Patron, His Excellency President David Granger 72nd birthday, which would be celebrated on July 15th, next.

Club Secretary/CEO H i l b e r t F o s t e r , Vi c e President Mark Papannah

Ms. Camille Carrington of the Ministry of the Presidency hands over trophies to RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster. and Club Captain/Executive Member Shawn Perriera received $125,000 worth of trophies for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place teams along with the man-of-the-finals.

The Ministry of the Presidency also made a financial contribution

Guyanese cyclists holding their own on USA cycling circuit Hicks and Savory outstanding Guyanese cyclists continue to hold their own on the USA cycling circuit turning in sterling performances at the Tour of Sommerville Series as well as the Bound Brook Cycling Classic and I Will Foundation Tuesday Night Series.

United We Stand Cycle Club’s Andrew Hicks placed 3rd at Bound Brook Criterium which forms part of the Tour of Sommerville Series while Scott Savory representing the CRCA/Lupus Racing Team took the bronze medal in the Men Open Pro Category 1/2 of the Bound Brook Cycling Classic held in Bound Brook New Jersey on May 27.

Jamaican Marloe Rodman (1:06:11) riding for the PSL Cycling. Team Coco’s Hamza Eastman was 6th with club mate Stephano Husbands 14th, Paul De Nobrega (Team Evolution) 48th, Horace Burrowes 51st, Paul Burrowes 57th,

Andrews Hicks (right) seen on the podium during the presentation.

Shaquel Agard (United We Stand CC) 58th, while 74 riders completed the distance with 17 not

finishing.

Savory was also second in another Category 1/2/3 circuit race on May 9th,

Eastman 7th and Paul Burrowes (United We Stand New York) 20th of 53 (Continued on page 25)

towards the hosting of the tournament.

Chief Executive Officer of Kares Engineering Inc., Mr Radesh Rameshwar also handed over a cheque for a very significant figure towards the prizes for the top four teams and man-of-thefinals.

Rammeshwar stated that he was very impressed with the work of the RHTY&SC and he shares the Clubs’ vision of making a positive difference in the lives of youths. He noted that it is very important that Guyana promotes a Green Economy and educates its population on the danger of Climate Change and its effects on our daily way of living.

Kares Engineering, he stated was fully committed to fulfilling its responsibilities as a corporate entity and expressed confidence that the relationship between the club and his company would be expanded in the future.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster expressed gratitude to both the Ministry of the P r es id en cy an d K ar es Engineering for their contribution with special mention being made of Colonel Francis Abraham and Major Smith of the Office of the President along with Radesh Rameshwar and Satya Kishun of Kares Engineering.

Foster reassured both donors that the Patron’s Cup would not only be well organised but would achieve all of its objectives. The tournament would feature

eight teams – six from Berbice and two from Demerara.

The Demerara Cricket Club and the Georgetown Cricket Club have been officially invited to be part of the tournament while RHT Gizmos and Gadgets, Tucker Park, Blairmont, Upper C o r e n t y n e a n d Yo u n g Warriors are expected to be part of the tournament.

The organisers are currently awaiting a response from the Albion Cricket Club on their participation. The winning team would take home $500,000.00, 1st Runner Up - $300,000.00, 2nd Place $100,000.00, 4th Place $50,000.00 and man-of-thefinals receiving $50,000.

Funds raised from the tournament would be used to purchase school bags, educational materials and bicycles for less fortunate students across Berbice.

The main aim is to assist them to complete their education. Funds would also be used to assist less fortunate clubs across Berbice with cricket balls and other equipment. A 40page youth information booklet would also be produced by the club to educate youths on the Green Economy and Climate Change.

The tournament is scheduled to bowl off on July 2nd with the semi-finals on July 9th. The final is set to be played under lights at the Albion Ground on a date suitable to the hectic schedule of President David Granger.

t r o Sp Hand-in-Hand U-19 Cricket

U-17’s sneak into final on better net Perez century, Seyhodan run rate; battle Demerara today 5-wkt haul hand Demerara despite losing to B’ce comprehensive

win

Ashmead Nedd (4-19) can’t believe his LBW shout against Kevin Sinclair (50) is turned down at Everest yesterday (Sean Devers photo)

Man-of-the-match Raymond Perez accepts his prize from Essequibo Coach Andy Ramnairne

Foster named Essex County Olympic Association, Tourism College Women’s Authority support South American Cross Country Junior Championships

Most Valuable Runner 2016/17

GOA Vice-President, Godfrey Munroe (left) hands over the $1 million cheque to AAG President, Aubrey Hutson at his office yesterday.

Andrea Foster displays her plaques.

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