PAGE 04
Kaieteur News
Friday June 24, 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 DREAMING BIG As the school year comes to an end, and as many students are about to decide their futures, it is worth noting that the working world they are about to enter is rapidly changing. Although most students are doing what their parents have told them to do, that is to go to school and concentrate on their education, yet there is no guarantee that they will have a bright future upon graduation. Further, the fact that the average student may not have taken it seriously that the working world is changing is troubling. In fact, this has not been a part of most students’ way of thinking. It is being forced upon them so that they can understand that the days of gliding through their education and parachuting into high-paying jobs are long gone. However, they must continue to dream big. The relentless drive to acquire university degrees has led many to believe that they will have good jobs and a promising future. But truth is, a degree is no longer considered a ticket to a good job. Once upon a time a university degree was a remarkable accomplishment, but today it has become the norm for even undemanding jobs. Today, the number of young people with university education has increased substantially, which suggests that those seeking jobs without degrees may not even get an interview. Unfortunately, many believe that the standards of university education have dropped, and online colleges have made it easier to obtain degrees. But while the world, including Guyana, may be full of better qualified people, it does not mean that they are better equipped to do the job. For instance, some with degrees in English have no real mastery of the language. It is disappointing that some with degrees in English cannot even write properly. Others with degrees in mathematics rely on devices such as calculators or cell phones to add, subtract, multiply or divide. The world is being dumbed down as the standards of education continue to be lowered to the point where many of the naturally gifted accept the unwritten mantra that their ignorance is as good as their knowledge. Which suggests that role models are vastly different nowadays. While in the past many persons built their success gradually, we are now in the age of the instant tycoon, quite a lot of whom in their youthful years did not their complete an advanced level of education. This is true of Bill Gates who introduced us to the computer age and Richard Branson who revolutionized the aviation industry. They have become the modern equivalent of the rags to riches story. These men have one thing in common… they are big dreamers. Today, technology has given youths more options to pursue their goals or perhaps to dream bigger than ever before, even if some of their dreams are unrealistic. Many youths are asking why they should make any effort to become a valuable member of the community when they know that money is being thrown at so-called celebrities for doing nothing of value, and who contribute zero to improve the community or the welfare of mankind. But there are positive examples to be followed. In Guyana and the Caribbean sport, especially cricket, seems to be the way out of poverty for many of our big dreamers. Some of our great cricketers rose from poverty to become internationally known and wealthy, by doing what the youths in other countries had been doing for a long time, which is to be involved in sport. There is more money in cricket now than never before, and it is only wise for youths with talent to dream big and strive to become professional cricketers. Just ask other cricketers who have moved from rags to riches. They are trailblazers of sorts, who have made it acceptable for others interested in the sport to earn a fortune and fulfil their goals. They were dreaming big. And why not?
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.
Some people are not fit to be parliamentarians Dear Editor, I watch the news often but was shocked and flabbergasted when I saw the recent behaviour of Minister Raphael Trotman in Parliament. In that debate T r o t m a n ’s b e h a v i o u r towards former President Bharrat Jagdeo was very disrespectful. Mr.Trotman’s tone of voice, his arrogance and fits of outrage and anger towards the former President gives me much to despair of. He behaves as though his Coalition Government will rule forever and he is some sort of god holding power forever. Though Mr.Trotman was raving and ranting like a delirious man, the Speaker of the House failed to dispense his duties by stopping or cautioning him to tone down his verbal assault against Mr.Jagdeo. It tells me clearly that we have no discipline in Parliament and sets a bad example to the citizens of this Nation. As a Christian, Mr.Trotman failed to conduct himself properly in Parliament; he set a bad example of Christianity to
the other honourable Members of the House who are Hindus and Muslims. I believe he should be disciplined for his cantankerous and arrogant behaviour. How can he say he will not listen to Mr.Jagdeo but will listen to others? He failed to realize that Mr J a g d e o w a s G u y a n a ’s President for 12 years and even President Granger acknowledged this fact. In Parliament they refer to each other as honourable member. The word ‘’honourable can be defined as: bringing or worthy of honor, honest, moral, ethical, principled, righteous, right-minded, ecent, respectable, estimable, virtuous, good, upstanding, upright, worthy, noble, f a i r, j u s t , t r u t h f u l , trustworthy, law-abiding, reliable, reputable, creditable, dependable, illustrious, distinguished, eminent, great, glorious, renowned, acclaimed, prestigious, noble, creditable, admirable. From the definition
given above, and since our parliamentarians refer to each other as ‘’honourable members’’ in their debates, I believe our erudite learned A t t o r n e y a t L a w, M r. Tr o t m a n f a i l e d t o comprehend the meaning of the word honourable. I believe he needs to apologize to Mr.Jagdeo and the House for his deplorable behaviour. I am not a member of any political party but I also believe APNU means: A Partnership of National Unity - but what kind of national unity is Minister Trotman portraying to the Guyanese Public? Our motto is; “One People, One Nation, One Destiny” however I see sheer cronyism daily in this sad nation of ours. It is my firm belief that Parliament needs to have a code of conduct defining ethical and moral behavioiur. Too many of our parliamentarians are just fit for the fish market and not Parliament or to hold any public office. I believe President Granger should disciple the errant members of his coalition government or
even dismiss and replace them before it’s too late. For too long people like Trotman have felt that they are above the law and it seems we have no law since those who make the laws break the laws and cannot be tried by the courts. This reminds me of the slogan in George Orwell’s book Animal Farm - ‘’all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.’’ It tells me that our rich Ministers in Government can travel as far as Ireland for medical treatment while our poor citizens die daily at the public hospital. Real leadership means putting this nation’s needs before your own. We must lead in truth, integrity and righteousness. I believe this nation has fallen morally, spiritually and academically. It is time people like Trotman humble themselves because life is about sowing and reaping and Karma will take its toll on arrogant leaders who believe they are the gods of Guyana. May God help us! Rev.Gideon Cecil
TERRIBLE CRUELTY TO ANIMALS TAKING PLACE IN REGION 6 Dear Editor, Allow me some space in your newspaper to expose the mistreatment of animals. As a resident of the Central Corentyne area it is appalling to watch the inhuman treatment of animals especially cows, dogs, horses, donkeys, etc. This occurs on a daily basis in front of the police and other Guyanese, and no one reacts to this crime against animals. These animals have lives, feelings and basic needs just as we humans do. Cruelty to animals is no big thing here in sections of Region 6. A few days ago a man beat his dog to death because the dog played with the table cloth and destroyed it. This happened in front of the family and neighbors and everyone just stood there, watched and remained silent. Also, this week I discovered that street dogs are being poisoned as a way of cleansing the housing settlement. Region 6 has the largest number of persons migrating, who leave behind their pets to fend for themselves since there are no homes or animal shelters to take them to. These animals such as dogs are sometimes strayed and they eventually become “street
dogs” forming themselves into packs. For example, I followed one particular dog because I never saw him in the area before. It has been a few months now and he is still by the roadside looking at every face and every vehicle that passes by. He travels within a one mile radius every day. Presently, he sleeps in the bus shed whenever it rains. His condition is pitiful - his frame is now emaciated, his beautiful clean fur now dingy and his face very sad. The condition of these dogs is similar to many other dogs found lying by the roadside in the nearby town of Rosehall and other settlements in the Albion, Port Mourant area. When I was growing up my grandparents and parents ensured that not only our dogs but any others hanging around at the time were fed or at least had one meal a day. What I am trying to highlight is that animals were taken care of; not poisoned like what is occuring in the Corentyne, Berbice area presently. Then again the number of dogs around the neighborhood was far less. This is not the first mass killing of dogs. Last year
around the same time street dogs were being chopped one after another (in the night) and buried in drains. One female dog had five puppies that were too young to survive despite human intervention. Some people are poisoning the “street dogs” and other dogs in the street and no one seems to care. Also the #51 Police station has many animals that are impound and not given any water or food; usually a few days after these animals can be found dead. Also animals involved in accidents or disputes are left at the station until the case is finalised, by which time the animal is dead. It should be noted the Police are collecting $3000 per animal. The treatment of horses and donkeys is no better. Some of the youngsters carry donkeys to the back of the scheme to “break them in”, but the method they use is horrible. Huge pieces of hard wood and ropes are used to trash them. Horses are forced to fetch loads that even a small truck cannot carry. Besides, there are no water buckets on these carts to ensure the animals have drinking water despite being forced to
work all day. A horrible uncertain fate awaits both unwanted kittens and pups which are thrown by the roadside in bags to fend for themselves. This cruelty towards animals reflects the dreadfully poor management of institutions, systems and laws of the country. The plight of these animals has reached this point because as Guyanese we choose not to do better. Guyana has so much land space why can’t the GSPCA or the Ministry of Agriculture provide shelters that can accommodate these animals until they can be resettled in new homes. It should be noted that the GSPCA should have locations in all the regions across Guyana (not only in Georgetown) to help prevent cruelty to animals, by enforcing the law that prevents inhuman treatment towards animals. These matters should be reported - the beating to death of dogs, the poisoning, the dumping of unwanted kittens and puppies, the needless beating of donkeys and horses - but to whom? Who is responsible for limiting the weight these animals carry? Concerned Citizen
Saturday June 24, 2017
PAGE 5
Kaieteur News
Crime against the elderly – its cause, cost and our response DEAR EDITOR, Life is not easy for the elderly in Guyana. The mini bus is reluctant to accept them as passengers; they meekly bear the primitive conditions offered as they wait their turn at post offices to claim their pension. In silence, the elderly accepts the nation’s refusal to recognize their potential for playing important roles in national development and thus articulate no policy designed to harness their (the elderly) collective experiences and skills for the nation’s good. But as dreadful as all these failures are, they pale in comparison with the threat that crime against the elderly poses to the well-being of these vulnerable citizens. Between April 2016 and mid - June 2017 the following is a sample of headlines appearing in the Kaieteur Newspaper chronicling criminal acts against the elderly – “Sisters charged in the killing of their father,” “Alleged Montrose granny killer for high court,” “Kildonan man charged with fiery death of father,” “Man confesses to killing elderly Springlands residence for his pension.” And “Con artist disappears with pensioner’s car.” It is important to note that in all these cases the victims were between 64 and 88 years old. Obviously, criminals have turned their attention to our elderly population and as a civilized society Guyana must respond and provide protection to our grandparents and parents from this barbarism. But before suggesting a possible response we first we need to understand the realities that has led to this sad situation. The world over, mainly because of discoveries in medical science, life expectancy is being extended, simultaneously young people are committed to having smaller families. This combination has led to a rise in the percentage of the elderly in the general population of most nations. Here in the USA in
1990 citizens over the age of 65 constituted 4% of the nation’s population, today this group accounts for 14% of the population and by 2060 expected to represent 22% of all Americans. In 2015 Japan had an elderly population that accounted for about 15% of the population. It is projected that by 2050 that country’s elderly will comprise 40% of the population. This rise in the elderly population is not unique to the developed world. In a CARICOM report, it was noted that the situation is the same for most member countries. The report notes that in Guyana in 1990 the elderly made up 5.9 percent of the population and in 2000 this figure rose to 6.2. A study done by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean in May 2004, offers this bleak comment “We must be fully aware that while the developed countries became rich before they became old, the developing countries will become old before they become rich.”The challenges that this unfamiliar environment gives rise to will have devastating effects on the poor and poor countries. Parents living longer will strain the resources of their adult children who will be expected to shoulder their parents’ medical bills which will likely increase the as these parents age further. In poor families forced to make meager resources spread to cover expenses tied to care of their elderly members, some ‘good’ will have to be left unattended. Less will be available to guarantee children a quality education. When this happens, youngsters will be left unprepared for jobs in a technological work place, and crime rates will increase as young people seek other means of satisfying their wants and needs. In fact, this might already be happening, recall the number of young men and women who, in recent time, explained to magistrates and judges that
they committed crimes to take care of their families. Meanwhile at the national level, since outward migration of young adults is high and the elderly are living longer pressure will be placed on governments to provide social support for the elderly. This will have to be done even as the quantum of tax collected decreases because of this migration and high unemployment. The number of homes for the elderly will grow as demand for such facilities increase and this in turn will bring its own challenges. Here in the USA incidents of white collar crime against the elderly is on the increase in the entire health care industry. Recently, I read that in Guyana the government has moved to establish greater oversight over homes for the elderly, very likely this is in response to real/perceived crimes against residents. It is also important to recognize that the number of elderly persons living alone or being left alone for a significant period each day has also been growing. According to a CARICOM report, in 1990 Guyana the percentage of the elderly population living alone was estimated at 11.71 by 2000 this grew to 13.14. There seem to be three main reasons for this: (a) Children migrating, (b) The death of a spouse and (c) Elderly persons left alone as the other adults of the household leave for work and children for school. Living alone is not a comforting option for the elderly. The elderly who live alone represent a soft target for criminals, and thus they are primarily the victims of the most violent criminal acts perpetuated against members of their group. As we consider a national response to this increase in crime against the elderly, let us remember my letter of May 7th, 2017, in which I posited that the community policing model be embraced in Guyana’s response to crime.
Crime against the elderly demands community involvement, if it is to be eliminated. Communities must be educated on signs to look for that indicates an elderly resident might need assistance. For example, elderly folks living alone tend to adhere to a strict routine – locking their gates at a specific time in the evenings, sitting on their porch during specific hours, tending their plants at specific times and sleeping with lights on in a specific part of the home. Any variations in these ac-
tivities should be cause for concern among neighbours. The community policing model is best situated for advising citizens how to protect the elderly, and providing communities with the support needed for them to do so. Next, the National Commission on the Elderly must be made to pay more attention to this issue and busy itself with suggesting policies intended to provide additional layers of protection to the elderly. It is pressure placed on this commission by
concerned individuals and groups that will get it to act. I do expect feminist groups to be enthusiastic and lead in this matter. This expectation is rooted in two facts: First our women have historically been more active than their male counterparts in fighting in the interest of vulnerable groups. Secondly, since women tend to live longer than their male spouses it is the elderly female who is typically the victim of violent crime. Claudius Prince
Guyana’s educational system is a class structured one DEAR EDITOR, Your editorial about changing our education model was insightful. It’s difficult to implement change in the education system of Guyana and the Caribbean because the decision makers are beneficiaries of the present system. They blame the individual for their inability to progress in the current education system. Teachers also get the blame for poor students’ performance. The system is doing what it is designed to do; create a ruling
elite and a majority servile class. Our ruling class thinks there is nothing wrong with the system but there are lazy people who cause trouble to the society. When I used to mark the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC), I tried, face-to-face to convince some higher ups that the Examinations needed reform but was unsuccessful. Since that body is the Examining Body for the region and Guyana they are integral to educa-
tional reform. Teachers teach to the test and the test is design to discriminate. A plan must be developed and implemented to change Guyana’s education system. It cannot just be superficial like teacher training and remedial classes for students. The system must aim at developing students’ abilities. The present system aims to select the better students and this is inherent discrimination. I contend it is an unjust system. No justice! Brian Plummer
The only thing green about City Hall is the fat pay check DEAR EDITOR, Two years ago riding on the coat tails of President David Granger’s ‘Green’ vision for Guyana, the Town Clerk of Georgetown enthusiastically demanded that citizens wrap their minds around a new, healthier and greener Georgetown that he was going to create. He laid out an elaborate plan for citizens and other stakeholders to participate in the various spheres associated with a revitalization
drive, indicating that he would include a “no tolerance” policy for persons who, among other violations, arbitrarily destroy or occupy city property, and dump or cause waste to be dumped illegally, dissuading the use of harmful chemicals in Georgetown, encouraging the planting of more trees the removal of vagrants and homeless persons
whom he declared contributed to the ugliness and filth within the city. In short he declared that the city shall have a grand return to glory, and its citizens shall have their health improved through related programmes that he will implement through exercise and healthy eating. Now two years later all of (Continued on page 6)
PAGE 6
GuySuCo is a like a wolf in sheep’s tates. But she does not speak market as a result of the declothing about the threats to close pressing state-of-affairs that DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) refers to a letter titled “GuySuCo is inviting sugar workers who feel misled to meet with management” which appeared in the June 22, 2017 edition of Kaieteur News. The letter, under the hand of the Corporation’s Senior Communications Officer Ms Audreyanna Thomas, is seen by us as yet another public relations stunt employed by the sugar company in an effort to again denigrate our Union for its unrelenting, principled stance in defending the rights of thousands who stand to be affected by the ill-conceived plans for the sugar industry as being advocated by the GuySuCo. From the Corporation’s letter it seems that the Union-organised protests at several estates are getting under the not-toothick skin of the Corporation and its handlers. Our most recent activity at Albion on June 20, 2017 attracted an appreciable turnout and demonstrates the disagreement, shared not only by workers and their families but from the wider communities, with the plans for sugar which will definitely pose severe and grave challenges to their livelihoods. Ms Thomas, in her letter, referred to the State Paper which speaks to the continued operation of Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt Es-
Saturday June 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Uitvlugt which was announced even before the ink on the State Paper had dried. Nor did she speak about the closure of LBI Estate in the latter half of 2016 on the grounds of consolidating Enmore and then the aboutface a few months later which we learnt of on December 31, 2016 and which confirmed in the State Paper that that Enmore Estate would also be closed. Such contradictory statements do not repose much confidence in the State Paper and the utterances of GuySuCo. The GuySuCo officer may recall not-too-long after the announcement of the Wales closure, we were informed by Guyana’s highest official that in all likelihood no more estates would be closed. Then, a few months after, we were advised that more estates needed to be closed. Obviously, credibility is seriously lacking. Our Union nevertheless is supportive of all plans which will secure the sugar industry. But at the same time cannot lend a supporting voice to plans which will wreck lives and imperil entire communities as we have seen playing out at Wales. The Communications Officer may be interested to know that during the publicizing of our recent Albion activity we met a vendor who resides at Wales and had plied his trade at the Wales market, and who is now being forced to conduct his business at the Port Mourant
have gripped the communities linked to Wales Estate. He expressed his fear and apprehension should further estate closures be implemented. We ask how any right-thinking organization can offer its support to such a plan. Ms Thomas speaks about the securing of the industry through its non-sugar diversification programme. But this aspect seems to have suffered a still-birth. As far as we are aware apart from the planting of rice in some areas of the Wales nothing else is being done. Furthermore, our anxieties in this area are heightened after we read Mr Tony Vieira’s letter which also appeared in the June 21, 2017 Stabroek News. Even the heavily promoted aquaculture venture, Ms Thomas spoke so eloquently about, had cold water thrown on it by Mr Vieira. While Ms Thomas spoke about workers being given lands to engage in agriculture production, this seems to be a pipe dream. At this time, no worker has been given any land as far as we are aware in this often touted intention which by itself poses critical questions. The Corporation, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, goes on to speak to provision of transportation and medical services to the workers and their families and pensioners. Is the company expecting the agriculture workers to join public transportation from their home at 5.00 am and travel to the cultivation some 5 to 10 miles in rugged offroad terrain? We urge Ms Thomas to become acquainted with the history of the industry. Those facilities she mentioned pre-dated GuySuCo and were not provided charitably but came into being out of the struggles of workers. We will have more to say in a forthcoming letter Seepaul Narine General-Secretary GAWU
In search of cures for our self-inflicted wounds DEAR EDITOR, Like the rest of the world Guyana has been changing as indeed it must to avoid being left behind in the globally competitive environment. In this context it is easy to lose sight of certain fundamental principles of decent human behaviour and become entrapped in the proverbial rat race or dog fight or survival of the strongest as the media has been reporting to be the case especially among various groups of Guyanese leaders. In this regard I am reminded of an address given by His Holiness the Aga Khan in Pakistan many years ago in which he warned about changing the anchors of acceptable behavior; I quote the relevant paragraph below:
“I have observed in the Western world a deeply changing pattern of human relations. The anchors of moral behaviour appear to have dragged to such depths that they no longer hold firm the ship of life. What was once wrong is now simply unconventional, and for the sake of individual freedom must be tolerated. What is tolerated soon becomes accepted. Contrarily, what was once right is now viewed as outdated, old-fashioned and is often the target of ridicule”.(Unquote) I thought of bringing this to the attention of my Guyanese compatriots with regard to the distressingly unmannerly, uncouth and unconventional behaviour
Guyanese in all strata of our society from manual workers to Members of Parliament as reported in the daily media. In our search for solutions to the apparently endemic, backward divisiveness in our society it is incumbent on all of us to hold steadfastly to the anchors of acceptable behaviour and like the Aga Khan, the Mahatma Gandhi, the Rev Martin Luther King and the indomitable Nelson Mandela have demonstrated over the years all across the world, call upon our own leaders, our own comrades to reflect on the counter-productiveness of finger-pointing and strive to work together in search of cures for our selfinflicted wounds. Nowrang Persaud
The GRA’s explains why the Annual Report for 2015 not laid in Parliament DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Revenue Authority wishes to respond to a recent letter from Sase Singh in the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News captioned “Why has the GRA’s Annual Report for 2015 not been laid in Parliament?”The Guyana Revenue Authority wishes to advise as follows: 1. The Audit of the Revenue Statements for the fiscal year 2015 was completed by the Audit Office of Guyana. Officials from the Revenue Authority were thereafter summoned to appear before the Public Accounts Committee in relation to the findings that were highlighted in the Auditor General’s report. 2. The GRA’s annual reports however are dependent on the finalisation of both the Audit of the Agency’s Revenue and its Expenditure, and the ensuing Financial Statements, which form an integral part of the report. The Audit Office of Guyana has since completed the Audit of the Financial Statements for the year 2011.
This is presently with the printers and will be presented to the National Assembly shortly. 3. The Audit of the Financial Statements for the years 2012 and 2013 are currently being finalized and the laying of these reports will follow shortly thereafter. 4. The Guyana Revenue Authority does not believe in double standards, and agree that this inherited state of affairs must be immediately
addressed with both the Audit Office of Guyana and the Revenue Authority showing a firm commitment to bringing the Audited Financial Statements up to date. This will allow the Agency conformity to not only the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003 but also the Revenue Authority Act 1996. Godfrey Statia Commissioner General Guyana Revenue Authority
The only thing green about City Hall is the fat pay... From page 5 this turns out to be nothing more than a ‘corner shop gaff ’. Where is the green infrastructure in the city? Where are the green jobs in the communities? Where are the green streets and community open spaces? Has the Town Clerk improved his health through exercise and healthy eating? Let alone others. Can the Mayor and Town Clerk tell the citizens why they are being driven around all day long in gas guzzling sports utility monsters that release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere that do not contribute to climate change? Why can’t they ride bicycles to work like the former Deputy Mayor did? I have observed that City Hall’s Environmental Health gangs still go around with spray cans filled with pesticide to control rodents and vector in the city. This is far from being green. Do they have any green engineers on the staff strength? The only thing City Hall has going green is the pay envelopes of the fat cats there which are stuffed with $5,000 dollar bills Anu Bihar
Saturday June 24, 2017
PAGE 7
Kaieteur News
Tax exemptions significantly reduced since 2015 - GRA Boss By Kiana Wilburg Over the years, the system governing tax exemptions at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) was compromised and was not strictly monitored. Under new management, it appears that the revenue authority is changing the haphazard manner in which it granted exemptions. This is according to the entity’s Commissioner-General, Godfrey Statia. In an interview with Kaieteur News, he said that from 2015 to now, exemptions have been reduced tremendously “simply because we have recognized that it was being abused”. Statia said that at one point, Guyana granted close to $80B in concessions in one fiscal year. The tax boss said that by 2016, this was reduced to $34B in 2016 and this year, it is not even close to $20B. Statia said, too, that most people love to talk about the need to encourage investors with exemptions. The tax chief said, however, that no one thinks about the cost to the
state and taxpayers when exorbitant exemptions are granted. He said, “There are just too many exemptions being granted to certain businesses and we need to have a level playing field. If you reduce the exemptions, we would be able to reduce the rate of taxation. Thereafter, you wouldn’t have to expend so much energy trying to police some of these exemptions. Those energies can go towards finding revenue from other sources”. The GRA CommissionerGeneral insisted that the authority was expending too much time giving out exemptions as opposed to ensuring that the reason/arrangements for which they are given are adhered to. Statia said that he is determined to improve this state of affairs. The issue of the abuse of tax exemptions was extensively documented in the report of the Tax Reform Commission. The report notes that tax reform usually starts out with the intention to make a nation more progressive. In Guyana’s case, however, it appears that leaders have
GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia done quite the opposite. The document highlights that some six years ago, tax measures were implemented by the former regime which opened the floodgates for increased exemptions and remissions. In fact, tax advisors asserted that the move was one that made tax administration difficult and revenue loss significant. Guyana as a result stood to be one of the leading countries with massive overlay of tax exemptions and remissions. The tax advisors called for a major reduction in
the incidence of tax holidays which is now being answered by the Guyana Revenue Authority. Speaking to the genesis of the former regime’s actions, the Tax Reform Commission which was established by the Granger administration said that between 2009 and 2013, two comprehensive studies on Guyana’s tax system and its administration were conducted. They opined that fundamental reform measures were proposed in both of these studies, but the recommenda-
tions were not implemented. Instead, in 2011, the PPP Government undertook major tax policy reversals when the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act of 2003 was amended to introduce more exemptions and remissions into the tax system. The Commission members said that countries have generally been slow to roll back tax incentives, partly because it has been very difficult to determine whether the incentives are having the desired effect or not, in the absence of data that would facilitate serious research and investigation. The advisors said that a consensus has been slowly emerging that, outside of, for example, light manufacturing activities and internet-based call centre backroom services, tax incentives are not very effective in attracting foreign investment and merely result in a “race to the bottom”. The Commission also highlighted the strong views held by the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and other international institutions, that countries such as Guyana, should
focus more on the classical determinants of investment that are possibly within their control, along with other factors that facilitate ‘doing business’ and rely less on tax incentives. Besides size and factor resource endowment, the international organizations believe that determinants of investment should include consistent and stable macro-economic and fiscal policy; political stability; adequate physical, financial, legal and institutional infrastructure; effective, transparent and accountable public administration; skilled labour force and flexible labour code governing employer and employee relations; availability of adequate dispute resolution mechanisms; and foreign exchange rules and the ability to repatriate profits. The Tax Reform Commission included the likes of Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram; Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority Godfrey Statia; NICIL’s Chairman, Dr. Maurice Odle and Economist, Dr. Thomas Singh.
GRA to install software allowing info sharing with US The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) continues to foster a close relationship with the United States of America, a country that is known to have the largest Guyanese Diaspora. Further, the Authority is moving closer to sharing key information. GRA’s CommissionerGeneral, Godfrey Statia recently told the media, “In the area of sharing of information we have actually finished the FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) regulations and have signed the FATCA agreement with the US. Our software will soon be installed whereby we will be able to share info with the US.” Statia said that that advancement will eliminate problems with correspondent banking. “So the problems that the banks have been getting will be something of the past. The legislation has already been read and we are now looking at the regulations part.” In October last year, Guyana and the US signed an agreement for the exchange of information under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. The agreement was signed by Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan and US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway. At the signing, Minister Jordan said the agreement represented another step in the cooperation between Guyana and the US to com-
bat money laundering and tax evasion and avoidance. He said that the sharing of information across countries is important for the enforcement of domestic tax laws. “By working together to increase transparency, both Guyana and the US will be able to detect and deter abuse of the tax system in both countries. This will enable better accountability within the global financial sector,” Jordan said. FATCA was enacted in 2010 by the US Congress to prevent tax fraud and evasion by US taxpayers using offshore banking facilities. It created a new regime of automatic tax information sharing between financial institutions. FATCA requests foreign financial institutions to identify and report information about accounts held by US taxpayers in their jurisdictions. FATCA is part of a global movement towards Automatic Exchange of Information (AEIO) of non-resident financial account data among tax authorities. Jordan said that the automatic exchange of information has the potential to increase transparency, cooperation and accountability among financial institutions and encourage tax payers to voluntarily disclose all relevant information to tax authorities. The enforcement of the
GRA is moving closer to sharing key tax information with the US
FATCA required the Government of Guyana to amend local laws to empower the Guyana Revenue Authority to send and receive information as may be requested by any of the two signatories. Guyana amended Section 63 of the Financial Institutions Act, Chap 85:03, Laws of Guyana, to designate the Guyana Revenue Authority as the competent Authority,
on behalf of the Government of Guyana. That was in 2015. The amendment was passed without the voting support of the Opposition. That Bill gives GRA the lawful go-ahead to access all suspicious bank accounts. In addition, it paved the way for a relationship that is now being enjoyed. This allows Guyana to know the financial standing of all Guyanese citizens with
bank accounts in the USA. Reciprocally, the GRA will be required to send bank statements of all American citizens residing in Guyana and even Guyanese who may have ties to the USA, even by marriage. Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma said that once GRA is given the information from the United States, the State
Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) will be able to access such information for investigative purposes. It was emphasised that regulations such as FATCA will aid in a return of stability and trust in the country’s financial sector. It will avoid the reoccurrence of recent developments which saw the Bank of America pulling out as the correspondent bank to Guyana’s banking sector.
PAGE 8
Saturday June 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Fitness and Health isn’t an option, it’s a way of life - Miss World Guyana Contestant Eighteen year-old Vena Mookram is one of the finalists in the Miss World Guyana 2017 competition which takes place tomorrow at the Marriott Hotel. As part of her beauty with a purpose project, Mookram has chosen to focus on health and fitness, stating that it is not a mere option for her but a way of life. In her own words, Mookram opens up in the extract below about her love for Region Four, while explaining her Beauty with a Purpose Project. “One of the many things that I love about my region is that the capital of Guyana, Georgetown, is located there. It is the hub of Guyana. Most of the ports are located there and persons from all across Guyana travel to Georgetown daily to conduct their business. My beauty with a purpose project is “Promoting
Physical Fitness and Nutrition in relation to the prevention of chronic disease”. I chose to undertake this project because cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are the two major chronic illnesses in Guyana, and they account for the top one and four causes of death respectively in our country. On a more personal level, my family has a history of diabetes, which is the reason why I see this as a major problem. Apart from that, I love and I live a healthy lifestyle and I want to motivate and encourage others to do the same. On June 11, I hosted a Health Fair. The aim of the fair was to promote good health. A number of organizations/ companies participated in this event including Guyana Blood Bank, Guyana Cancer Foundation, Young leaders in Diabetes, Bio Oil, Xtreme Fitness Gym, C. Persaud Dental Lab, Banks D.I.H and
Namilco. The name of my campaign is FitFam. I launched my FitFam Shake which is available at M&M Snackette and the sale of this shake is the main source of my fundraising. I hope to raise $100,000 to donate to the Diabetic Summer Camp that is hosted by the Ministry of Public Health as I am working along with them. On June 17, I was a part of a fitness walk hosted by Xtreme Fitness Gym. Apart from these events, I visited Bishops’ High and conducted a physical education class with the subject teacher and encouraged the students to live a healthier lifestyle. I also promoted my project on the radio, through youth groups and temples. I am determined to make a positive impact, win or lose, and even after the pageant is over, I will try my best to continue promoting my cause to be a part of turning Guyana into a healthier nation.
The stunning Miss Vena Mookram during one of her workout routines I encourage everyone to follow my journey on my regional page, DemeraraMahaica, and vote for me using GTT, which is the official “Text to Vote Partner” by texting “Vena” to 620-8683. I would like to take this opportunity to invite the public to the Miss World Guyana 2017 Coronation at Guyana Marriott Hotel on Sunday June 25. Tickets for the coronation can be purchased at
Giftland, GT&T on Camp St., and Robb St., John Lewis, and Cara Lodge. Prices for the regular tickets cost $7,500 and V.I.P $12,000. In closing, I would like to thank the Miss World Guyana Organization for allowing me the opportunity to make a difference in my country. Thank you to all the Miss World Guyana 2017 partners including GTT, Impressions, Windsor
Estates, Kissoon Furniture Store and Massy Stores along with all the other partners for making sure our journey is a comfortable and exciting one. To my sponsors, M&M Investment Inc, Xtreme Fitness Gym, and Shoe Heaven, thank you for all that you have done for me thus far, and for agreeing to support me throughout my journey.
Sheet Anchor murder suspect continues to elude police Police in B’ Division are still on the hunt for Goldburn December aka “Goldie”, the man who viciously attacked his ex-wife Mintie Karamchand at her Sheet Anchor residence on Wednesday, resulting in her death. Divisional Commander Ian Amsterdam confirmed with this publication that ranks have not received any major leads in locating the suspect, but will continue the search until he is found, dead or alive. On Wednesday last, while in the process of moving out from her Lot 19 Sheet Anchor premises, Mintie Karamchand was approached by her reputed husband, December. The two reportedly exchanged a few words before their 21-year-old daughter Drucilla December ventured to the lower flat of the two-storey home, only to find her mother bleeding profusely from her feet and hands. The young woman told reporters that her father, using a chopper from the kitchen, had slashed her mother’s ankles and wrists. In her attempt to save the badly injured woman, with her infant in hand, she tried to intervene, but was ordered by her mother to move away. At that point, the young woman rushed out of the yard and
On the run: Goldburn December Killed: Mintie Karamchand screamed for help from neighbours. She said no one responded. An eyewitness recounted seeing Mintie Karamchand’s still breathing and lying in a pool of blood when December, still in a rage, “ran back into the yard to finish her off. He wanted her dead”. According to the eyewitness, the man grabbed two pieces of wood and clobbered the woman to her head several times. He then escaped on foot. The victim was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital not long after where she succumbed. The police were
eventually summoned and a search was launched for the suspect. The dead woman bore five children for the suspect. From reports, the attacker left Karamchand and their five children and migrated to neighbouring Suriname approximately eight years ago. He was reportedly deported from that country about a month ago and was staying at the Sheet Anchor home with Karamchand, their daughter and grandchild. The daughter stated that they were not romantically involved, since her mother had moved on, but this apparently made December jealous and there were frequent arguments between the two. Investigations are continuing.
Saturday June 24, 2017
PAGE 9
Kaieteur News
Dr. Roopnaraine’s demotion constitutes an attack on the WPA The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) would be naïve to believe that the demotion of Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine is in any way remotely connected to his performance as Minister of Education, his failing health, or the findings of a Commission of Inquiry into the education sector. None of these reasons can hold up to scrutiny. Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine has not been a non-performer. He has been one of the better Ministers. There are other ministers who have failed miserably or have performed worse than Dr. Roopnaraine, and they have not been demoted. There have been Ministers who have been embroiled
in public scandals and they have not been removed. There have been concerns that some Ministers are not functioning properly. They are still in their portfolios. The President has gone as far as defending some of the Ministers in the face of serious public criticisms over their actions, including one Minister against whom a complaint was lodged. Performance, therefore, cannot be the reason why Dr. Roopnaraine was removed from the Ministry of Education. Illness also cannot be a reason. There have been other Ministers who have been ill, some seriously ill. They have not been given a
reduced workload. There is also no evidence that Dr. Roopnaraine is unable to function as Minister of Education. If anything, in terms of the volume of work that he will be required to undertake within the Public Service Ministry, there is just as much work to be done there as in the Ministry of Education. This brings us to the question of the Commission of Inquiry into the education sector, and one particular finding which has been made public: the need for reform and innovation. This is not a new development. In fact, one of the leading advocates of the need for reform has been Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine. This is one of
Dem boys seh ...
Soulja Bai order Exxon to drill Bee Kay well A teacher name Budhai who use to teach was very good in English. He was a master in puzzles and quiz and things like that. Every day at one o’clock he use to give riddles and drills in tables and puzzles. Was one question after de other. Dem boys never forget some of dem. One day he ask de class, “Give me de opposite of this sentence. “Children in de dark make mistakes.” Donald jump right away and seh, “Mistakes in de dark make children.” Dem boys believe Budhai teach Soulja Bai earlier because he did tell dem boys Teacher Budhai did ask dem a question. “What do you spend $38 million to build in de daylight that people still can’t see day or
night?” Jagdeo, that scamp, answer, “Water wells.” He and Bee Kay carry de ‘Three coins in a fountain” to another level. Is only de two of dem get de money from de wells which more deep that any fountain. And Soulja Bai always remember de answer Jagdeo give on wells. He was keeping his eyes and ears open. That is why when he tun president he tek way de Alexander Village well from Babbie. That well been in de complex wha Babbie get fuh little or nutten but wha dem did want fuh thief too. In fact, that was a fountain in which nuff people throw dem money. Jagdeo did give Bee Kay money to build plenty wells. People can’t see dem wells to this day. And when Soulja Bai
ask Bee Kay, he seh all de money deh down deep in dem well. De only thing is that nobody can see dem. Dem boys hear Soulja Bai now hire ExxonMobil fuh find dem well and drill to bring up all that money dem get pay. Dem boys also hear Soulja Bai seh if ExxonMobil dig and don’t find that money, Bee Kay better drill dem well so that de people can back dem money, And he don’t have a cent to get. Dem boys jump fuh joy when dem hear that come from Soulja Bai because dem know if was Jagdeo and Donald dem woulda give Bee Kay more money fuh dig well in everybody backyard and demand money from dem too. Talk half and try see if you can find dem Bee Kay well.
GuySuCo set to harvest up to 8000 bags of paddy at Wales in Sept. Approximately 7000-8000 bags of seed paddy are set to be harvested at the Wales Estate in September. According to the Public Relations Unit of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), 200 acres are under cultivation. Harvesting is expected to begin by the second week in September. The lands at Wales, which were previously used for sugar cane cultivation, had been transformed into rice fields to accommodate the process of diversification of the industry. Among other things, rice has been determined as one of the feasible avenues of diversification. A government statement, quoting GuySuCo, said that the GRDB 10 variety of seed paddy is currently under cultivation while the GRDB 13 Aromatic rice is being considered as another variety to be cultivated at that location. The next crop to go under
cultivation will see the beginning of the planting phase in November 2017. The corporation’s website is procuring for harvesting works to be done. Bids are being invited from eligible and qualified bidders for the harvesting of seed paddy. The fields where the paddy is to be harvested are located at Catherina Fields 11 to 16 (56.8 acres), and Vive La Force - A Fields 1 East to 8 West (142.9 acres). According to GuySuCo, when harvested, the rice will be sold to the Guyana Rice Development Board. GuySuCo’s interest in rice is as a component of an integrated commercial aquaculture production and processing project. Seed paddy cul-
tivation is a part of the diversification programme and is a preparatory measure to support the aquaculture project. GuySuCo has been facing major financial problems, with the industry contracting and the administration already closing the Wales estate. Two others - Rose Hall and Enmore - are likely to be closed as part of the plans to make the industry more efficient and reduce the billions of dollars that have to be plugged annually to keep GuySuCo afloat. However, the measures by the new administration have been meeting with protests organized by the sugar unions which fear that the fallout would be significant for thousands of workers.
the reasons why he initiated a Commission of Inquiry into education. It would be ironic if he became a victim of his own initiative. One therefore has to look for another reason why Dr. Roopnaraine was removed. That reason can only be political. That reason can only be that the WPA leaders outside of the government were playing by the rules which APNU, aka PNCR, wanted of it, and since Dr. Roopnaraine could place no lid on criticisms of the government, he had to be made an example, so that the WPA would fall in line. This is a typical military tactic – it is a strategic strike. WPA leaders, especially Dr. David Hinds, have been prepared to call a spade a spade. Dr. Hinds has praised the coalition when he thought they did well, but he has criticized them when they have messed up – and there
is hardly a week which goes by that the coalition government has not messed up. Dr. Roopnaraine, it would seem, has paid the price for the outspokenness of the WPA leadership which is outside of the government. It is hard for a party like the PNCR to accept that it is in a coalition with other parties and yet can be subject to public criticism from those parties. Guyanese will recall that Burnham had used criticism of his government, published in a column in the Mirror newspaper, as the pretext for calling off power-sharing talks with the PPP after the Grenada invasion. The PNC is a party which cannot accept internal nor external criticisms from parties with which it is aligned. It views such conduct as a breach of trust. The demotion of Dr, Roopnaraine, for all intents and purposes, consti-
tutes a response to the criticisms which had been emanating from sources within the WPA. The demotion of Dr. Roopnaraine constitutes an attack on the WPA. If the party is naïve enough not to recognize this, it will end up far more discredited than it did when it jumped into bed with the PNCR with the ingenious ‘confession’ that the WPA was preparing to wage war against the PNC just prior to Rodney’s death.
PAGE 10
Saturday June 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Either WPA members are non-existent or stupid The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) held a press conference last Monday, and what came out of the mouths of some of its leaders at that table confirms my long held belief that this country is the most macabre in the world, and there is no other country like it, where normal life is the exception not the rule. A digression is in order. Almost a year now, there ap-
peared a published letter by Tacuma Ogunseye, a current serving executive of the WPA and a founding member. In that letter, he announced that Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, (who has been the co-leader of the WPA since the eighties, according to Christopher Ram in a missive in the newspapers) refused to discuss government’s business with the leadership of the WPA
when the party has its statutory meetings. Words cannot describe what a bizarre situation that was. And to think that the WPA leaders and members accepted that political morbidity. Why is that a depraved anomaly? Because governments are not elected and have never been elected. It is the political parties and individual politicians that are
Miner killed by Africanized bees, two others attacked A miner was on Tuesday killed and two of his colleagues were attacked by a swarm of Africanized bees at Imbaimadai, Region Seven. The dead miner has been identified as Donald McIntosh, while the two survivors are Raymond Oselmo and Tyrone Charles. According to information received, the miner and his colleagues were driving an excavator to a mining camp when they pushed down a tree to create a track—the bee hive was in the tree. This newspaper was informed that the bees immediately started attacking the men. McIntosh reportedly ran towards the beehive while his colleagues ran in the opposite direction. Apiarist Linden Stewart said that he received a telephone call about the incident at Imbaimadai and after making contact with the relevant authorities, he and another individual visited the area to locate and destroy the hive. Once there, Steward said that he was in-
formed by the survivors that they were going into the mining camp, and as they were driving, they had to clear the bush, since no heavy-duty machinery had passed there in the last three years. While clearing the bush, they pushed down a tree which had the hive. The two miners jumped off the excavator and ran in an easterly direction while the now deceased McIntosh, who was operating the excavator, ran towards the west. Steward said that McIntosh ran into the bee hive and died there. When his colleagues returned an hour later, they discovered his body. The apiarist said they have ascertained that when McIntosh jumped off the excavator, his feet got stuck in quicksand. He reportedly managed to quickly get his feet out of the long boots he was wearing and managed to run a little, but collapsed after running into the hive.
elected to run the government. Government is administered by state officials who are paid professionals. There is a dimension of government that is called policy-making. The paid professionals are mandated to carry out those policies. Those policies do not come out of the skies. They come out of the heads of politicians who are elected to infuse the government with policies. The management of GuySuCo did not order the closure of a number of sugar estates last month. That came from the politicians in government, who are the only people that can downsize the sugar industry. Elected parties then are tasked with bringing about changes, whether negative, like the repeal of Obamacare or the provision of free education, as in Germany. It is utterly horrendous, in a coalition government, for one of the leaders in that party to tell his colleagues in his political party that party and government are not the same, and he cannot discuss government’s business with the party. Dr. David Hinds is making the news all over the country the past week, so he can be contacted to confirm
what I am about to write in the next line. David can tell you that I have always been critical in our discussions, with the politics of Rupert Roopnaraine. I told David that I felt that a long time ago, the WPA should have removed him. After Ogunseye’s letter was published, I can recall, David and I were having dinner on Sheriff Street one evening, and I brought up the Ogunseye disclosure, with the advice that the WPA call on Roopnaraine to explain. It never did. Now we have the bombshell delivered at the WPA press conference, in which it was stated that the WPA was never clear as to what its role was in government. I quote from one media report; “Hinds said the WPA was not clear of what role the party should play in government.” Now here are the exact words of David; “Our view is that parties do not govern, governments govern.” I am afraid my good friend David is wrong. Parties govern. They direct the government. They engineer changes. The party in government in the UK wants the UK out of the EU, and is taking the UK out of the EU. That is
Frederick Kissoon the policy of the party in government right now in Britain. How can the WPA not know (and for two years now) what it wanted when it became part of the government in May 2015? It is so simple that a schoolboy can explain it. Parties have ideologies, belief-systems, concepts, values that they think the country should be guided by. For example, the Alliance For Change as a political party has accepted that Guyana’s laws should not mandate a prison sentence for small amounts of marijuana. It has tabled legislation in the House and it is on the order paper. The Republican Party of the US has as one of its core values the right to bear arms. The Republic Party will not vote for gun control and no Republican President will embrace gun control. The macabre, bizarre, eerie thing about the WPA is that if Rupert Roopnaraine was not shifted from the Education Ministry, Guyanese would not have known all these things that came out of the WPA’s collective mouth on Monday, June 19, 2017. What were the members saying as to what was taking place in the WPA the past two years? Maybe there are no members. Maybe there are, but they are stupid people.
Saturday June 24, 2017
Cuban woman charged for immigration stamp forgery A Cuban woman was yesterday granted bail in the sum of $200,000 after she appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce. Barbara Davila denied the first of two charges which alleged that between February 6 and June 21 at Georgetown, she conspired to commit forgery. Davila, the court heard, conspired with person/persons to forge one Guyana Immigration Service extension stamp which was inserted on page seven of her Republic of Cuba passport, purporting to show that same was issued by the Central and Immigration Passport Office here. The defendant also denied a second charge which alleged that on June 21 at the same location, with intent to defraud, she uttered to an Immigration officer one Republic of Cuba passport with a forged Guyana Immigration extension stamp inserted on page seven of her passport, knowing same to be forged. Attorney Pet e r Fung-a-Fat, who represented the defendant, told the court that his client is 28 years old and resides at Lot 152 Sixth Street Alberttown. He said that she has no previous or pending matter, and at the time she was visiting a friend in Guyana. The court heard that while being in Guyana legally, the defendant along with her
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
Barbara Davila
Camillo Garcia
Guyanese friend went for an extension at the passport office. She allegedly paid a Cuban national US$300 to get the passport stamp. Police Prosecutor Preston John had no objection to bail being granted to the defendant. She will make her next court appearance on July 7. Meanwhile, in the same court, another Cuban national was fined $20,000 and ordered deported after pleading guilty to a charge of overstaying. Thirty-one-year-old Camillo Garcia pleaded guilty to the charge which alleged that between March 29 and June 22, at Georgetown, he failed to comply with conditions subject to which any
permit had been granted, to stay in Guyana from December 28, 2016 to March 28, 2017. He overstayed the period. Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Preston John stated that the defendant arrived in Guyana via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on December 28 and was granted three months stay. The court heard that subsequent to the expiry of the permit, the defendant was intercepted by ranks of the Guyana Police Force at Lethem and an examination on his passport showed that he had overstayed his time here. Upon paying the fine, the defendant will be deported back to Cuba.
WPA notes Govt’s failure to set up Local Govt. Commission The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) is saying that even though Guyana has finally seen the return of Local Government Elections (LGE), the country still has a long way to go before realizing a full return of democracy at this level of governance. This position was articulated by WPA executive member, Dr. David Hinds at the party’s most recent press conference. “We feel that the Local Government Commission is long overdue, and that it should be put in place as soon as possible. We take local government very seriously. Guyana had Local Government Elections but we think we should go further than just Local Government Elections.” Dr. Hinds continued, “There should be much more reform in the Local Government system. One of the things we have advocated in the past is a return of the village councils, because we feel
WPA Executive Member Dr. David Hinds at that basic level in the community, we should be involved in making decisions.” Dr. Hinds said that the WPA is totally for the deepening of local governance. He said that Guyana has progressed in some areas, but in the WPA’s opinion the nation needs to move further than it
currently has. “Certainly we would like to see the Local Government Commission be put in place, and for the people in the communities to become much more involved in making decisions.” Once established, the Local Government Commission, provided for under article 78A of the Constitution, would, as it deems fit, deal with all matters related to the regulation and staffing of local government organs, and with dispute resolution within and between local government organs. When operational, the Commission is expected to reduce the influence of Central Government by placing the oversight of local democratic organs under the purview of a commission, and not a government ministry. The Commission would comprise eight members, four nominated by Government, one nominated by the unions operating in the local government sector, and three nominated by the Opposition.
PAGE 12
Saturday June 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Post-contract evaluation can rule out inept contractors for future projects – NPTAB Chair It has been suggested that strict post-contract evaluation done on public projects will improve the tendering process and the award of contracts in the future. This was recommended on Thursday last, by Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board ( N P TA B ) , Berkley Wickham. He was at the time making a presentation at a workshop at the G u y a n a P o l i c e F o r c e ’s Training Complex, organised by his entity, to prepare persons who have an interest in becoming evaluators. Wickham told the prospective evaluators that when NPTAB’s job is over, the procuring entity is in charge of the execution of the project, whereby it monitors the works done by the contractor. He explained the ten-
dering process to the prospective evaluators, saying that the procuring entity must first identify their requirement or need, determine the procurement method, do the procurement planning, secure their funding, prepare their solicitation documents (bidding documents), publication, bids submission, and opening before evaluation can take place. This is then followed by contract award recommendations and the final contract award, after which there is contract management and finally, post-contract evaluation. However, the NPTAB Chairman posited that it would be beneficial if procurement entities including government ministries, regional administrations, and other state entities, do a comprehensive post-contract evaluation. He said that when a contract is awarded, and the work begins, the procuring entity should make records about how the contractor completes the job, whether it is delivering goods, providing services
or construction. This would take into consideration the time taken to execute the contract and the quality of work, goods or services handed over. By doing this, Wickham said that state bodies can create a database complete with the projects undertaken, the contractor responsible and the quality of work received. This recorded information can then inform the procurement entity about the consistency or inconsistency of particular contractors who would have done
previous work with the specific entity. Wickham explained to the prospective evaluators that after they would have evaluated bids for a particular project, they are to make a recommendation to the procuring entity about which bidder should be awarded the contract. Following this, if the procuring entity agrees with the recommendation, then it is forwarded to NPTAB, who then awards the contract accordingly. However, Wickham pointed out that projects which value $15M or more
have to be taken to Cabinet for its ‘no objection’ before NPTAB gives the final award. The NPTAB Chairman explained to those in attendance that they should not be intimated by the work they have to do. He said that once attention is placed on the criteria required by the bid document, they are to award the contract to the lowest qualified bidder. Moreover, he said that the key principles that govern the process of evaluation of tenders are non-discrimination, equal treatment, transparency and confidentiality.
NPTAB Chairman, Berkley Wickham
Guyanese lawyers still appear before Privy Council By Oscar Ramjeet Although Guyana abolished appeals to the Privy Council since February 1970 when the country became a Republic state, lawyers from the Co-operative Republic continue to appear before the London-based Court. Sir Fenton Ramsahoye, former Attorney General, has the record for appearing in more cases than any other lawyer in the Commonwealth. Seenath Jairam, SC who is based in Port of Spain, appeared in a few, and only last Tuesday, Senior Counsel Ralph Ramkarran, who practices in Georgetown, appeared in an appeal that originated from the
Trinidad and Tobago Court of Appeal. The twin-island Republic has so far not abolished appeals to the Privy Council, although that government was in the forefront towards the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Jamaica, too, under the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration, which was spearheading the move for the regional court, has not yet joined the Appellate Jurisdiction of the CCJ. So far only four countries: Guyana, Barbados, Belize and Dominica, have severed links with the Privy Council. The other jurisdictions, which gained political independence de-
cades ago, still go to the United Kingdom to determine their appeals. St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada have tried, but the electorates have rejected the referenda to join. I am of the view that if the referenda in those countries were based only on the Privy Council and the CCJ, the results would have been different, but they were based on other issues. In St. Vincent, the removal of the Queen as Head of State, to be replaced by an Executive President, and in Grenada, to change the country’s name to include Carriacou and Petite Martinique, limiting the period to serve as Prime Minister to
three terms, appointing a leader of the opposition from the party getting the second highest number of votes, were issues included The two big countries, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, are flip flopping – when in opposition advocating for the court and when in power are reluctant. The JLP administration in Jamaica described the CCJ as the “hanging court,” and the UNC in Trinidad not sure if they could have full confidence. Antiguans will hold their referendum early next year to decide. The date has been shifted to allow the electorate to know more about the regional court.
Detective testifies marijuana was found in rice... From page 3 in the kitchen area containing groceries. He said that Constable Singh told him something and he began asking the defendant a series of questions. Guided by Prosecutor Moore, the police witness recalled that Constable Singh told him that he had found a quantity of narcotics in a Karibee rice bag. He said that
the bag containing the narcotics was shown to him and Green was escorted to the Narcotics Branch. Upon arrival at CID, he said that he reported his finding to the Officer in Charge. Corporal Dharamraj related that based on instructions he received from his superior, he revisited the house the following day. He stated that he made
several checks for another person who Green had implicated in the drug bust. “After making several calls I got no response. I made enquiries from the southern neighbour, but no useful information was obtained.” Corporal Dharamraj faced cross examination from Euclin Gomes, Attorney for the defendant. Under cross examination, Corporal
Dharamraj admitted that he made no efforts to ascertain who the owner of the property was. He said that his superior told him that Green claimed she resided in Bartica, but he made no checks to verify this. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan adjourned the matter until June 28, when the prosecution is expected to close its case.
Saturday June 24, 2017
PAGE 21
Kaieteur News
Bomber planning to attack Mecca’s Grand Arab states issue ultimatum to Qatar: close Jazeera, curb ties with Iran Mosque blows himself up: Ministry
General view of the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia September 9, 2016 Saudi security forces on Friday foiled a suicide attack on the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, cornering the would-be attacker in an apartment, where he blew himself up, the Interior Ministry said. In a statement read on state television, the ministry said that three cells had planned the attack on worshippers and security forces at the mosque as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan nears its climax. The trapped would-be suicide bomber exchanged fire with the security forces, then set off explosives when he was surrounded in a house in the central Mecca
neighborhood of Ajyad alMasafi near the mosque that had been used as the base for the attack, the ministry said. The building collapsed, injuring six foreigners and five members of the security forces. Earlier in the day, security forces had shot dead a wanted man at another suspected Islamist militant hideout in Mecca’s al-Aseelah neighborhood. The ministry also said a third cell had been broken up in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, but gave no further details. Five suspected militants including a woman were arrested, it said. The month of fasting ends with the Eid-al-Fitr holi-
day, expected to be on Sunday. Saudi monarchs usually spend the last 10 days of Ramadan in Mecca. Al Arabiya broadcast live footage of Muslim worshippers praying in the mosque, with no interruption. It was not immediately clear who was behind the plot to attack the mosque, but the Islamic State group, which wants to establish a theocratic caliphate ruled according to strict Islamic law, had in the past carried out attacks in the kingdom. In May last year, Saudi security forces shot dead two alleged Islamic State fighters outside Mecca, and two others blew themselves up outside Mecca.
Trump reaches out to lawmakers on healthcare as another says ‘no’ (Reuters) President Donald Trump made calls to fellow Republicans in the U.S. Senate on Friday to mobilize support for their party’s healthcare overhaul while acknowledging the legislation is on a “very, very narrow path” to passage. Five Republican senators have announced they will not support the bill, which is designed to repeal and replace Obamacare, in its current form. White House officials said on Friday that Trump has been in touch with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and made calls on Thursday and Friday to other lawmakers. Trump’s role is expected to become more pronounced in coming days as the vote nears. Senate Republican leaders may rely on the dealmaking former businessman to lean on conservative sena-
tors who are balking at the bill. “We’re pleasantly surprised with a lot of the support that’s already come out and I think we’ll continue to work through (it,) in particular the four individuals who have expressed some ideas and concerns,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters at a White House briefing. After Spicer spoke, Republican Senator Dean Heller became the fifth Republican opponent on Friday, saying he would not support the bill in its current form. Stocks in the Dow Jones Industrial Average pared gains after his announcement. “This bill that’s currently in front of the United States Senate is not the answer,” Heller said at a news conference. That could add Heller’s name to Trump’s call list. A
White House official said the Trump has pushed his team to stay involved and plans to flex his negotiating muscle, the official said. The Senate’s 142-page proposal, worked out in secret by a group led by McConnell, aims to deliver on a central Trump campaign promise to undo former President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare law, which has provided coverage to 20 million Americans since it was passed in 2010. Republicans view the law, formally known as the Affordable Care Act, as a costly government intrusion and say individual insurance markets created by it are collapsing. On Thursday, four of the Senate’s most conservative members said the new plan failed to rein in the federal government’s role.
(Reuters) Four Arab states that imposed a boycott on Qatar have issued an ultimatum to Doha to close Al Jazeera television, curb ties with Iran, shut a Turkish base and pay reparations, demands so far reaching it would appear to be hard for Doha to comply. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have sent a 13-point list of demands apparently aimed at dismantling their tiny but wealthy neighbor’s twodecade-old interventionist foreign policy which has incensed them. Kuwait is helping mediate the dispute. A Qatari government spokesman said Doha was reviewing the list of demands and that a formal response would be made by the foreign ministry and delivered to Ku-
wait, but added that the demands were not reasonable or actionable. “This list of demands confirms what Qatar has said from the beginning – the illegal blockade has nothing to do with combating terrorism, it is about limiting Qatar’s sovereignty, and outsourcing our foreign policy,” Sheikh Saif al-Thani director of Qatar’s government communications office, said in a statement. A Qatar semi-government human rights body said the demands were a violation of human rights conventions and should not be accepted by Qatar. Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani had said on Monday that Qatar would not negotiate with the four states until economic, diplomatic and
travel ties cut this month were restored. The countries that imposed the sanctions accuse Qatar of funding terrorism, fomenting regional unrest and drawing too close to their enemy Iran. Qatar rejects those accusations and says it is being punished for straying from its neighbors’ backing for authoritarian hereditary and military rulers. The uncompromising demands leave little prospect for a quick end to the biggest diplomatic crisis for years between Sunni Arab Gulf states, regional analysts said. “The demands are so aggressive that it makes it close to impossible to currently see a resolution of that conflict,” said Olivier Jakob, a strategist at Switzerland-based oil consultancy Petromatrix.
Camden flats: Hundreds of homes evacuated over fire risk fears
(BBC) More than 800 homes in tower blocks on a council estate in Camden, north London, are being evacuated because of fire safety concerns. Camden Council says people in five towers on the Chalcots estate will be moved for “urgent fire safety works” - and it is “block-booking hotels”. The estate’s cladding is similar to Grenfell Tower in west London, where there was a deadly fire this month. A total of 79 people are
feared dead after that disaster. Camden Council said it will remove external thermal cladding from five tower blocks on the Chalcots estate. It had initially announced the evacuation of one tower block, Taplow, but later extended the move to all five tower blocks it had checked. Residents of the estate attended a public meeting with council officials on Thursday evening. The council leader,
Labour’s Georgia Gould, said the decision to evacuate the buildings was made at about 18:30 BST on Friday after the fire service “told us they could not guarantee our residents’ safety in those blocks”. On Friday night some residents said the first they heard of the evacuation was on the news. And - although the council said it was booking hotels - some residents said they were spending the night on air beds in a gym.
Brexit: EU leaders says UK offer could ‘worsen situation’ (BBC) European leaders have criticised the UK’s offer to EU nationals after Brexit - with one senior figure claiming it could “worsen the situation” for them. European Council President Donald Tusk said the plan was “below expectations” while German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there had been “no breakthrough”. Theresa May conceded there were differences between the two sides.
But the prime minister said those who had “made their lives and homes” in the UK would have their rights guaranteed. She also suggested that while rights would be enforced by British courts, they could also be enshrined in international law if the agreement was included in the final treaty of withdrawal. Both the UK and the rest of the EU say they want to come to an arrangement to
secure the status of the 3.2 million EU citizens in the UK and the estimated 1.2 million Britons living in EU countries. Under plans announced on Thursday by Mrs May, the UK envisages giving all EU citizens the right to stay after the UK’s exit - due on 30 March 2019 - and granting those resident for at the least five years the same rights to welfare, pensions and education as UK citizens.
PAGE 22
FOR SALE
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana p assport application. Graphics design, advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535. INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Passport, permanent & visitor visa application, Professional Immigration Consultant – Sabita Immigration Services. Call: 225-6496/ 662-6045 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
CAR RENTAL
Bully dogs mix with pit-bull puppies. Call: 684-9994/6878320 ask for Keno Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999
6 Cows for sale @ La Penitence, G/Town. Call: 6947796/231-0597/671-0614 VEHICLE FOR SALE 3.5 TON & 4 TON CANTER, OPEN BACK WITH 4D35 & 4D34 ENGINE, PRICE -$3.8M & $4.2M. CALL: 617-2891
Paint Sale! Until supplies last! Coloured latex paint, 50% discount. Call: 265-3541/ 6954785/616-3411
TOYOTA FIELDER – 2009 WITH BODY KIT & RIMS $2.5M, SIENTA -$2.1M. CALL: 617-2891
1 Hilux Surf 3Y Engine. Call: 626-3644
Toyota Prado Land Cruiser, year: 2004, colour: metallic bronze, mileage: 41,000km, fully loaded, excellent condition. Call: 693-7730
1 Hilux extra cab, GVV series, 6L diesel, good condition. Call: 673-7876/730-3335/2336218 MASSAGE Neisha’s Massage Spa. Call: 674-8147
LAND FOR SALE Prime Gold & Diamond Mining Land for sale contact 223-5273/74 Land at 42 Coglan Dam, size: 37X270 price -$5.5M negotiable. Call Mr. Howes: 677-9938 or Mrs Clarke: +13473870537 Land for sale at Block “12” Lot 176, First Street, Non Pariel, E.C.D- Call: 669-5532/ 270-5302 La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.4M, Farm -$2.8M, Herstelling $4M, Uivlugt -$2.6M, Bartica -$3M. Call: 651-1969/ 629-2881 La Parfaite Harmonie, main road, business spot - $2M, $1.4M, $1.2M, $1M, Farm -$3.5M, Tuschen -$1.3M, Herstelling $3.5M. Call: 666-2326 La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.8M, $1.4M, $1.2M, $1M, Herstelling $3.5M, Tuschen Phase II $1.2M, Eccles -$5.5M. Call: 6046724/ 686-9608
CAR RENTAL
WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494
DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
WANTED 1 Accounts Clerk, preferably from E.B.D – 5 subjects CXC minimum @ gtcareers592@gmail.com
Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
Hairdresser/Nail Technician apply at West Shore Plaza, 15 Public Road, Ruimzeight, W.C.D. Call: 269-1524/656-3561
Property @ the corner of 172 Zohora St. & Market St. Better Hope, East Coast Dem - $11.5M neg. Call: 220-1583 between 7am-5pm only.
Experienced caterpillar mechanic contact 223-5273/4 One cleaner to work at hotel contact 223-5273/4 Truck driver for TM and Model M trucks contact 2235273/74 Canter Driver; must have a lorry License contact 2235273/74 Experienced salesgirls @ Christine’s Variety Store, Lombard Street. Call: 227-8529 Female worker wanted that finished CXC 2017. Call: 6225518 One live in domestic, must know to cook “roti & curry” from county side, 18yrs-25yrs old. Call: 680-7402
Suzuki Escudo fully powered, mag rims, excellent condition. Call: 625-7380
One R.Z and one small town ACE bus for sale. Call: 6908247/616-3288
ACCOMMODATION Journey Inn apartment rental, short term with AC & Kitchen, as low as -$15US. Call: 6421783/ 646-3011634/7182301695
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
AT 192 Car, Price $450,000.00 negotiable. Tel: 643-4049
Cheapest new model Toyota IST, Fielder Wagon, Super G.L Buses, Long base and Base canter TM truck. Call: 616-7635 TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
Saturday June 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Prime land to build that dream home. Not far from Princess, New Thriving, Massy, HJ water world $13M neg- Call: 669-8397
WANTED One female bartender live in or out G/town, free meals and accommodation. Call: 681-1312
2 Waitresses ages 18-30yrs old. Apply in person @ Flatshop, 245 Sheriff St., C/ Ville (between Pike & John Smith Sts.) Opposite Sankar’s. Call: 697-4576 One maid attractive salary offered. Call: 663-4876
PROPERTY FOR SALE
2 Story building with extralarge land in well built $74.5M. Call: 220-1583 between 7am-5pm only. Beautiful 2 storey concrete, 4 bedroom property for sale at Rumzeight Garden, W.C.D with AC/ Hot & Cold water. Call: 699-9666/ 269-0189 One three bedroom concrete house for sale Contact Mala: 917-254-2909, location: Vryheid’s Lust, North. Call: 699-4111/626-2208
VACANCY One experienced pharmacy assistant to work in a reputable pharmacy in G/ Town (flexible hours). Call: 227-0630 Office Assistant: passes in Maths and English, computer Literacy, submit CV: ifsvs@hotmail.com One female cleaner for office in Eccles call 233-2745. Immediate vacancy for 2 females to work @ Ice Factory in Blairmont, must have Maths, English. Call: 2311408/642-9191 Accounts clerk: English A (Grade 1) , Mathematics, P.O.A (Grade 2), knowledge of NIS, PAYE, VAT &QuickBooks @ Technical Services, Eccles. Call 6144358
Aubrey Barker - $28M, Greenheart -$25M, Norton Street -$11M, ½ Mile - $16M, Atlanticville - $28M, Kitty $10M, $30M. Call: 231-7805/ 618-7483
Maid for Nandy Park. Please call 614-4358
House for sale: 1- 2 flat 3 bedrooms house located @ Belle West #2 W.B.D, asking $9.5M. Call: 604-1299
Female sales representative for fashion boutique age 1830, demonstrate passion for fashion. Call: 614-2986/email a p p l i c a t i o n : warren.wintz@gmail.com
House and land available @ La Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Etc, We also assist with financing. Contact Pacific Development: 2236035/ 227-8274
Janitor/Cleaner @ Shakoor’s Seafood, Eccles. Call: 2332546
Male salesclerk apply in person with written application 4:00-5:00pm daily. Royal Jewel House, 137 Regent Street.
We are buying land anywhere in Guyana, residential house lots & others. Call: 651-1969/ 6292881 Waitress to work in Superbet Bar. Call: 628-4776 Hardworking, pleasant, physically fit, literate, team player (Plant Shop Staff) 1825 years. Tel: 646-2108, Georgetown One female domestic to work in Trinidad. ages between 25 40yrs. Free accommodation. Call or whatsap: 1868- 683-1528 Experienced Handyboy @ Christine’s Variety @ Lombard Street. Call: 227-8529 Middle age couple (40-50) to live and work on farm/resort at Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke Highway. Call: 643-0333/6978008 1 Handyman, ages 30-40yrs½ day, preferably in G/Town, Monday-Saturday, apply in person 21 Seaforth Street C/ Ville. Call: 624-7436/226-1877 Hairdressers and nail technicians to work at Modern Hair Fashion Salon. Call: 227-8613 or 226-1931 Operator, sailor, watchman for interior. Call: 675-0587/225-9304
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 3 Bedrooms bottom flat apartment, fully refurbished $65,000 monthly with 2 months security.Call: 2201583 between 7am-5pm only
PEN PAL You deserve a relationship filled with love & excitement. Call Harmony Singles: 6262629/676-6312 Male Seeking a female for relationship. Call: 603-6300
2 Bedrooms bottom flat @ Happy Acres, E.C.D. Call: 220-3690 or 667-9539 New 2 Bedrooms house for rent with grill (low cost rental) @ Kuru Kururu. Call: 6271050/626-1027 2 Bedrooms apartment including water and internet, price - $40,000, location: Diamond Scheme, E.B.D. Call: 602-7135 Business spots to rent on Public Road, 15X15 space with A/C, PVC ceiling, 40X12 PVC Ceiling, running water. Call: 613-0448/672-8625
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj BuildingCall: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 (affordable packages). FOR SALE/FOR RENT American Pool Table. Call: 277-0578 Continued on Page 23
Saturday June 24, 2017
PAGE 23
Kaieteur News
Region seven small contractors briefed on state’s procurement process LEARN TO DANCE Dance to keep fit, lose weight build self-esteem while having fun, variety of styles. Call: 626-2629/6766312
CAKES & PASTRIES Courses in cake decoration, pastry making & cookery also wedding dresses for sale. Call: 670-0798
Some of the persons at the Procurement and Projects Implementation workshop yesterday. Contractors in Region Seven, Cuyuni-Mazaruni, are the latest beneficiaries of the Ministry of Communities’ procurement and project implementation community workshop which was launched yesterday at Leanna’s Kiddies Park. One of the aims of the workshop is to help guide small contractors in the preparation of project procurement documents. The workshop will also aid in the contractors’ submission of tenders, therefore enabling them to better participate in the procurement process, according to a government release. Procurement Officer, Ministry of Communities, Michael Blackman, defined procurement as simple or complex transaction between two persons. Blackman noted that there are persons tasked with public spending and those persons must be accountable. “Public Procurement is very structured and guidelines must be followed,” he emphasised. Blackman outlined that the Public Procurement system begins with a social need and depending on the need of the community the region through consultation with the citizens identify projects that will benefit the community. When the consultation process is completed, a budget is presented to the finance minister and after debates the budgeted funds are approved. “Once a project is identified, an Engineer’s Estimate is attached, and a tender document is prepared by the Regional Democratic Council. The tender document is prepared, then there’s invitation to bid, which is advertised publicly, giving all contractors a chance to participate in the process,” Blackman explained. Blackman stressed that the lowest bidder does not necessarily win the contract, but the
bidder who satisfies all the necessary evaluation criteria. The workshops also aim to reduce the number of unresponsive bids, widen the number of contractors as well as suppliers participating in regional contracts, and critically, improve the quality of the work executed. “The procurement and project implementation community workshop is designed for your empowerment and to provide greater employment at the community level,” Blackman told the workshop participants. Special Projects Officer, Ministry of Communities, Naeem Khan, highlighted that some of the necessary documents to fulfill the criteria in the procurement system include Guyana Revenue Authority compliance, National Insurance Scheme and litigation and financial letters. He pointed out that the criteria and tender document are used in all administrative regions. Khan explained that during the procurement process there are three classifications of projects. Classification One is micro: - capable of executing works between the value of $800,000 to $4.99M; Classification Two is small: - capable of executing works between the value of $5M to $9.99M; and Classification Three is medium: - capable of executing works between the value of $10M to $14M. Contractors will not be selected for more than two classifications. Minister of Communities, Ronald Balkan, while delivering brief remarks at the workshop told the gathering that too many contractors, particularly small ones, are still ignorant of the process to participate in government funded projects and contracts. This workshop, he said, is designed to address this and assist in ensuring that there
is greater integrity, transparency, less favoritism and corruption. Minister Bulkan noted that when public funds are involved, certain rules and regulations must be observed, especially since it is taxpayers’ monies. “It is unfair to taxpayers for their money to be spent to benefit people personally and not for its intended cause. We understand that if you’re spending your own money you have a right to do what you want, but with public funds we must be responsible,” the Minister underlined. Regional Chairman, Region Seven, Gordon Bradford lauded the event, noting that now there will be less accusations and favoritism which comes about due to lack of understanding of the procurement and implementation process. “It (the workshop) is timely and is vital for the region, and speaks to delivering a better service to the residents. The knowledge is important and will benefit us all.” Region Seven is the latest region to benefit from the series of workshops. The Ministry of Communities has already conducted a series of procurement and project implementation community workshops designed to build trust and confidence in the regional procurement process in Regions, Two, Three, Four and Six. Similar workshops are slated for the remaining administrative Regions - One, Eight, Nine and Ten. In the past, the state’s procurement process has been heavily criticized after auditors found numerous cases of overpayments and contractors who were not qualified. The supervision of contracts to ensure quality has also come in for criticism, with corruption noted in many cases.
LEGAL NOTICE IN DEFAULT OF your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/ Notice of Intention to Defend and Answer and or/ Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order if considers appropriate including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at New Amsterdam, Berbice. The office is open to the public between • 8. 00 hours to 3.30 p.m. Mondays to Thursday and 8.00 am to 2.30 p. m on Friday except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated this 13th day of June, 2017.
FOR RENT 3-2 Bedroom apartment, “A” field Sophia. Call: 219-1045/ 625-0940 Two bedrooms bottom flat at Aubrey Backer & Congress Drive - $30, 0000 monthly. Call: 699-6544 Sawmill for rent in Linden: Ripsaw, portable mill, molder in excellent condition. Call: 673-9401
TO LET 4 AC Rooms/ 1 extra room, for business/offices @ 21 Seaforth St. C/Ville, Georgetown. Call: 2261877, 624-7436, 654-9350 1 Bedroom bottom flat apartment -$45,000, 1 Bedroom upstairs apartment - $50,000, Garnett street, N/ town Kitty. Call: 226-2421, 652-5778 2 & 3 Bedrooms apartment, recently renovated, fully tiled & free Wi-Fi @ Nandy Park. Call: 641-3318 Alberttown - $50,000, $80,000, $40,000; Mandela -$80,000, ($250,000 – business), South - $100,000, Eccles, Durban Backland & many more. Call: 231-2199/ 660-7710 Huge one bedroom upper flat apartment in Bougainvillea in Park, Farm, E.B.D, Available as of July. Call: 616-7635 Furnished newly renovated self-contained room, water & electricity, 12 Sussex Street Charlestown -$30,000 monthly! $30,000 Security. Call:219-1951/689-8757
EDUCATIONAL Canadian School of Arts & Science: Summer Classes 2017- Pre-K, Nursery, Primary, Secondary (July 10th – August 11th). Call: 216-6921/ 22 for registration I.A.E – Registered now for full-time secondary school, lessons, CXC/CSEC classes, adults, students, repeaters. Call: 683-5742/621-7365
From Page 22 LEGAL NOTICE Mr. Ramesh C. Rajkumar Attorney at Law. Lot 8 St. Ann Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Tel; No. 592-333-2652. Email ramesh rajkumar@hotmail.com 2016 NO. 211 F/D BERBICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND M AT R I M O N I A L JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. 211 F/D PETITION FOR DIVORCE AND OTHER MATRIMONIAL CAUSES BETWEEN: CLAYTON KERWIN CHESNEYPetitioner- AND EARLA VANESSA CHESNEY nee ALLEN Respondent NOTICE TAKE NOTICE that on the 21st day of December, 2016 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by CLAYTON KERWIN CHENSEY, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in New Amsterdam, Berbice. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 8th day of June, 2017 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of his Petition on you by the publication of a Notice in two consecutive Saturday issues of a Newspaper of General Circulation in in the State of Guyana. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney at Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at New Amsterdam, Berbice, where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with the related documents. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce ,then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service / Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are all available at the Registry) , Answer and /or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court in New Amsterdam, Berbice within 42 (forty two) days from the date of the last publication of this Notice. TAKE NOTICE that the Divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Friday the 11th day of August, 2017 at 9 a.m. in the Directions Hearing Room of the Family Division of the High Court, New Amsterdam, Berbice.
PAGE 24
Short-lived CARICOM unity collapses at OAS summit
Organization of American States, Luis Almagro, the heads of delegations from 33 member states posed for the official photo of the 47th General Assembly, held in Cancun, Mexico. CANCUN, Mexico — The unity displayed earlier by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries at the May 31 ‘meeting of consultation of ministers of foreign affairs’ of the 34-member Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington to discuss the situation in Venezuela, suffered a public collapse at the OAS summit in Cancun, Mexico, earlier this week. Although a draft declaration presented on behalf of all CARICOM countries was not adopted at the May 31 meeting, neither was a competing draft declaration backed by a group of 14 countries, led by the US, Canada, Mexico, and Peru. Consideration of the Venezuela issue was therefore deferred until another meeting of OAS foreign ministers to be held as part of the OAS summit on June 20. However, as explained at length by Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador in a commentary published yesterday, a few days before the foreign ministers’ meeting in Cancun, St Vincent and the Grenadine prime minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, notwithstanding an earlier call for CARICOM unity on the issue, appeared to precipitate
a collapse of CARICOM’s agreed unified position by means of a letter on June 16 to his colleague leaders. Further, the minister representing St Vincent and the Grenadines, Camillo Gonsalves (Ralph Gonsalves’s son), announced at the eleventh hour in Cancun that his government was not supporting the text of a negotiated compromise draft, despite the fact that no CARICOM country had hitherto raised any objection to the negotiation or language of the agreed proposed draft declaration. Gonsalves’ backpedaling on the issue seems to have prompted Suriname to discover that it could not support just one sentence in the agreed compromise declaration, which in turn precipitated four other CARICOM countries, publicly and without notice, to break ranks and declare their lack of support for the single negotiated document. “As it turned out that sentence, for whatever reason, became the basis CARICOM was split asunder, and the negotiations, which had been conducted on behalf of all, then seemed to have been conducted in bad faith,”
Sanders said. The representative of St Vincent then re-introduced the draft that CARICOM leaders had offered “for negotiation of a final text” as his government’s draft declaration. “Therefore, CARICOM countries found themselves in the awkward and embarrassing position of having to vote on two drafts – one of which had been intended by CARICOM leaders for negotiation, and the other that had been negotiated with fidelity to the fundamental principles enunciated in the CARICOM leaders’ draft. The other OAS countries looked on aghast,” Sanders noted. In the final vote of all the OAS countries present, neither the St Vincent draft (eight votes) nor the negotiated draft (20 votes) secured the 23 votes necessary to be adopted, an outcome that Ve n e z u e l a President Nicolas Maduro described as a “triumph” for his country. “The meeting adjourned, as it began, with no declaration, but with a severely wounded CARICOM and a paralysed OAS,” Sanders said. (Caribbean News)
Tax Ease: Barbados Govt. Offers Concessions on Onerous Austerity Measures BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – The Barbados Government is cushioning the blow of the National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL) on consumers and key economic sectors, in response to strong public backlash to that and other measures announced in its 2017 budget. While the NSRL, which is applied on the input costs of imported goods and some locally produced items, is still set to rise from two to 10 per cent as planned on July 1, Finance Minister Chris Sinckler
Saturday June 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
announced Wednesday that the tax will not be applied to 300 food items in the basket of basic goods. “We are looking for ways in which we can shield the more vulnerable persons in our society to ensure they are not impacted too unreasonably by it. That is why we have decided that the VAT basket would not apply to the NSRL,” he said. The concession came at the end of two days of closed doors talks between Sinckler and leading private sector
groups who had severely criticized Government’s austerity measures. “So, in the supermarkets and in the regular shops, ordinary Barbadians should not be affected by that. Of course that still has to be approved by the Cabinet, but I don’t think anybody would oppose that proposal,” he said. Three sectors – agriculture, manufacturing and tourism – have also been exempted from the tax. (Caribbean360)
Luisa Ortega: Venezuelan prosecutor defying president Caracas (AFP) - Her enemies have branded her insane, but those close to Venezuela’s Attorney General Luisa Ortega say her defiance of the government over the country’s deadly political crisis is pure courage. A longtime sympathizer of the socialist movement that brought President Nicolas Maduro to power, Ortega, 59, says her relatives have received threats in recent weeks since s h e h a s e m e rged as the biggest challenge to his authority. Her legal challenges have put more pressure on Maduro than months of legislative maneuvers by the opposition
Luisa Ortega MUD coalition, which blames the president for Venezuela’s economic collapse. In return, Maduro’s allies have set the machinery of the state judiciary in motion
against her. On Tuesday they secured a court ruling clearing the way for Ortega to be put on trial for alleged professional failings. Her opponents hope to fire her by July 30. “I am prepared for anything,” Ortega said in response, in a radio interview. “When you take on a job like this, you must be prepared.” Maduro has branded Ortega a traitor. In a briefing with foreign reporters on Thursd a y, h e a c c u s e d h e r o f resorting to “extremism,” suggesting she “has aspirations to be a presidential candidate for the MUD.”
Govt. Senator Wants More Politicians Jailed The Gleaner - Politicians are among the powerbrokers Jamaicans need to see dragged to jail to remind them that the justice system does not recognise status when punishing wrongdoers, Government senator, Kerensia Morrison, has argued. “Jamaicans believe that we are quick to lock up the man who steals the mangoes but the man who cannot account for millions of dollars of hard-earned tax payers’ money walks free and is only accused of mismanagement, misappropriation and cost overrun,” Morrison said during her contribution yesterday afternoon to the State of the Nation debate in the Upper House of Jamaica’s Parliament. According to her, Jamaicans will feel confident in the justice system when the penalty is “sure” regardless of money, power and connections. “When they (Jamaicans) see the handcuffs going on some powerbrokers in society, politicians and their friends, that is when they will be convinced that diting get serious. “When we look at the international world, high profile businessmen, professional sportsmen and women, hip hop and R&B moguls, politicians who have to resign, pay hefty fines or serve time when they commit a crime, we wonder if it can happen here,” she added. Morrison’s comments come in the same week that
Kerensia Morrison the outgoing United States ambassador here Luis Moreno, and the Contractor General, Dirk Harrison, lamented the lack of successful prosecutions of high profile corruption cases. “The best thing that we could see is that people be held accountable for doing inappropriate things, taking inappropriate money, fronting for or endorsing companies, projects, people that have adverse information found on them,” he said in response to a Gleaner question at a function on Monday at Harrison’s office. According to him, Jamaica has “ways to go” in successfully prosecuting people who could “serve as an example” that the Government is serious about corruption. “I would like to see some high-profile cases come to fruition.” Greg Christie, a former
contractor general has said, since Independence, only three senior public officials have been convicted and jailed for corruption. He said they were former Labour Minister J.A.G Smith and his perman e n t s e c r e t a r y, P r o b y n Aitken who were locked up for fraud in the early 1990s. Former Resident M a g i s t r a t e N o r m a Vo n Cork was jailed in April 2002. Some of the concerns about the lack of corruption prosecutions especially among high profile Jamaicans stem from the perception of corruption in Jamaica based on Transparency International’s annual reports. The 2016 report saw Jamaica slipping 14 places to 83 out of 176 countries. Jamaica received a score of 39 out of 100. On the Corruption Perception Index, zero is seen as highly corrupt and 100 as very clean. The Director of Public Prosecutions Paula Llewellyn has also been blamed but she has insisted that her office prosecutes less than one per cent of corruption cases. Clerks of Courts supervised by the Chief Justice are responsible for most corruption prosecutions. The Parliament is debating a major anti-corruption legislation which Prime Min i s t e r A n d r e w Holness in February said is one of the commitments “to bold and decisive actions to eradicate corruption”.
Saturday June 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 25
PAGE 26
Saturday June 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Bahamas Govt. to seek outside assistance in drafting anti-corruption legislation NASSAU, Bahamas — Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said he instructed the
Bahamas ministry of foreign affairs to seek assistance from the governments of the
United Kingdom and Singapore for the drafting of anti-corruption legislation
that would result in the asset seizure of corrupt public officials. “How this works, Mr Speaker, if I enter this Parliament owing $100,000, and at the end of five years [I’m] worth $6,000,000, I must explain it, and if I can’t, your assets go to the people,” he said, as he wrapped up debate on the 2017/2018 budget in the House of Assembly on Tuesday. “Now I am not as wealthy as my colleague here (an apparent reference to MP Brent Symonette), but I think I declared $11 million or $12 million, but it drops every year. It
[doesn’t] go up.” Minnis added: “Transparency International and other agencies have documented the degree to which corrupt practices stymied economic growth and development. “I have previously noted the measures we will take to respond to corrupt practices in government. Investors should not have the cost of doing business increased by certain officials looking for something.” He said the foreign government will be asked to assist with the overhaul of anticorruption legislation and the
strengthening of anti-corruption best practices. “These consultations will be thorough,” Minnis said. “They will include discussions on the use of technology and other oversight mechanisms to stem corruption among all officials, including political leaders, public officers and those with business before the government. “I also advised the attorney general… to accelerate the process of establishing an independent director of public prosecution.” (Nassau Guardian)
Govt. officials seeing rough road ahead Trinidad Guardian - Food supply “issues” ahead for consumers, five schools still closed, health inspections needed and drainage assessments to come. That was the state of play Friday, as detailed by various Government Ministers in the Senate, following tropical storm Bret’s passage. Further bad weather is expected. For one, consumers will have “some issues” with agricultural products since prime farming areas were damaged and some crops which should have been ready for market this weekend are now unavailable, Agriculture Minister Clarence Rambharat confirmed. Rambharat and other ministers gave replies to Opposition queries on Bret’s effects.
Clarence Rambharat On the agricultural sector and effect on consumers, Rambharat said there was no doubt of damage to some of “our better farmers across T&T in places like Tabaquite, Orange Grove, Penal and Woodland.” “It’s difficult to give an exact figure, but based on what I’ve seen in some categories like Tabaquite, a major supplier of cabbages and tomatoes, there’s been significant damage,” he said. “Some fields were in the final cycle of production and those would have be replanted, so we’ll have crops which should have been ready for the market by this weekend being unavailable. There may also be delays in replanting since farmers will have to clean up the fields.” He said the ministry has asked the Agricultural Development Bank to work with farmers likely to be affected by floods in dealing with monthly payments. A “few hundred applications” have already been received for help from flooded-out farmers and all bona fide claims
will be dealt with, he said. Ministry staff have also been assisting recovery efforts in communities and schools, he added. Local Government Minister Kazim Hosein, who said “a lot of people” have been affected by the storm, added that once flood waters subside, regional corporation health inspectors and building inspectors should be out to deal with health concerns arising from the storm, including overflowing sewers and mosquitoes. “They (corporations) have to go around and tell citizens what we intend to do for them,” Hosein added. On other Opposition queries, Works Minister Rohan Sinanan said river control gangs were deployed across the country clearing debris in blocked watercourses. These include clearing a major blockage on the Tacarigua River (Trantrill/ Freeman Road area) with heavy equipment and desilting of the Cipero River from Cross Crossing to Gulf City Link Road.
Saturday June 24, 2017
Kaieteur News
Jamaica to be Positioned as Major Player in Caribbean Gaming
Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett (left), exchanges greetings with Chairman of the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission Clovis Metcalfe (centre). At right is Director of Tax Policy, Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Ian Scarlett. (Photo credit: Garwin Davis/JIS) KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett says Government is looking to position Jamaica as a major player in the Caribbean gaming industry. He noted that the country is viewed as an “important and interesting new market” in the region, and once all the regulations are in place “the industry will be of fundamental importance to our tourism product”. “This will give us more than a fighting chance to compete with rival jurisdictions,” Bartlett said as he addressed the recent Caribbean Gaming Show and Summit in Montego Bay. Minister Bartlett pointed
out that gaming has impacted positively on tourism in other countries, and Jamaica should be no exception. He noted that many Caribbean countries have already introduced or are considering gaming. “It goes without saying that not only do we have to be introducing new games, we also have to be competitive,” he said. “Our legislation will be seeking to advance our gaming to ensure that we are offering what is being offered around the world, and even better, so that we can attract more people, because tourism is our main industry.” The Tourism Minister said the staging of the summit in Jamaica provided an opportunity for players to better un-
derstand the island’s potential in gaming, while learning about developments in the Caribbean and where new partnerships can be forged between the region’s operators and global service providers. “It also comes at a time when confidence among our tourism stakeholders here in Jamaica is at an all-time high and where optimism reigns supreme,” Bartlett said. “Our just-concluded winter tourism season, from December 15 to April 30, saw the country recording never-before-seen numbers in both arrivals and earnings, and with the rest of the year shaping up to be even better.” (Caribbean360)
PAGE 27
PAGE 28
Kaieteur News
Saturday June 24, 2017
Saturday June 24, 2017
PAGE 29
Kaieteur News
Curacao edges Martinique for Butler changes address as flurry of deals... (From page 27) for center Brook Lopez and Nets history. The Lakers also spot in Caribbean Cup final fensive team that ranked 26th in de- the rights to forward Kyle exchanged picks with the efficiency. Los Ange- Kuzma, the 27th pick in the les, under new basketball operations chief Earvin “Magic” Johnson, paved the way for a return to their ‘Showtime’ flair by trading young point guard D’Angelo Russell and taking dazzling backcourtman Lonzo Ball of UCLA with the second pick. The Lakers sent Russell and Russian center Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets
draft, out of Utah. Russell, the second overall choice by the Lakers in the 2015 draft, averaged 15.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals last season. Nine-year veteran Lopez appeared posted averages of 20.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 blocks last season while becoming the longest-tenured player in
Utah Jazz, who made another deal with the Denver Nuggets, while the Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers agreed on a two-for-one swap. Sacramento sent Portland the 10th pick (forward Zach Collins) for the 15th (forward Justin Jackson) and 20th picks (center Harry Giles). (Reuters)
Cricket’s women feel the pleasures... Gevaro Nepomuceno (#11) converts a penalty for Curacao. Fort-de-France, Martinique – Curacao scored two goals in the second half to rally for a 2-1 win over host Martinique in the Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup semifinals on Thursday night at the
Stade Pierre-Aliker. With the result, the Curacaoans will seek their first regional title in tomorrow’s final against defending champion Jamaica which French Guiana after being down a man in extra time and
edged one step to closer to defending its Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup title. The Reggae Boyz prevailed 42 on penalty kicks, after a 1-1 draw in the semifinals on Thursday at the Stade Pierre-Aliker.
(Continued on page 25) broadcaster for men’s cricket, will show all their matches. Other teams will enjoy similar coverage and Raj, for one, can’t wait. ”We are not a regular on television,” she said. “I would love the matches to be televised but it’s not on a regular basis that the matches are televised. In the last two or three years, the BCCI has made an
effort in the home series that the games are televised so that has improved the profile of the players and social media has done a great job of that as well. But there’s still a lot of catchup to do in terms of the recognition.” She believes this tournament will go a long way to bridging the gap. “It’s a huge platform because this time
around most of the matches are televised and a lot of events have been happening to promote the tournament on a larger scale. It’s an opportunity to improve the profile of one’s own as a player and also as a team.” It’s about to get real and, for the women involved, it couldn’t have come a moment sooner. (ESPNcricinfo)
Work to be done for Mercedes...
Saturday June 24, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Take the time today to consider your health, Aries. Living a long, healthy life is something we all want. Start now to take care of your body.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your mother may be on your mind today, Libra. Your mother probably affects how you think, act, and feel, both in the past and now.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Today you may emphasize organizing things and managing your life, Taurus. Take a look at your time management.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Focus on yourself today, Scorpio. Take note of your health. You probably know that this is something you must take care of always, not just sometimes.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) One day, I want to be…. When you were little, how did you finish that sentence, Gemini? See what your memory and imagination come up with. CANCER (June 21–July 22) If you feel cautious today, Cancer, don't be alarmed. This can be a good thing, Cancer, as you can be too trusting at times or forget to take care when going into something new. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Leo, personal dignity may be important to you today. This may come about when things go wrong or if you're accused of something you didn't do. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Don't be surprised if someone describes you as conservative. It may be true. It could indicate that it's important for you to maintain control over most things - these are all things that conservative people tend to closely monitor.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) No dream is too big or too late to fulfill. You may be thinking about your special dreams today, perhaps you aspire to do something really great, be a pioneer in some field, or be a prominent figure. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Chances are good that you will receive a helping hand or comfort from someone many years your senior who cares about you, Capricorn. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today, Aquarius, you may think about competition and possible future goals. Take time to think such things through and, if need be, get back on the right track. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You may think about your finances today, Pisces. It's never too late to learn about saving and investing, especially if there's something you really want to do, like travel.
(From page 26) some drivers would struggle with the slippy and dusty conditions in Baku’s street circuit, and he was proved right as Sergio Perez, Jolyon Palmer and Verstappen crashed into the barriers. It was a “scrappy day punctuated every few seconds by dozens and dozens
Second quarterly... (From page 28) movements required in the game. The ARIET test mimics a lot of the movement of the Assistant Referees during the game and the Dynamic Yoyo test evaluates the referee’s ability to perform repeat interval runs over a long period of time. It is very applicable in the modern day game and provides assistance to referees to adapt good positions which can greatly improve their decision making.” Lancaster added that the tests are new to referees in Guyana but are being used to test the adaptability of the local referees to same. “We wish to expose our referees to all types of FIFA fitness tests so that in the event or when they’re being appointed to international matches and have to do a test, this won’t be new to them.” Referees are continuously assessed to ensure they are fit to respond to the physical demands of the game. Being fit also enables them to be mentally composed and help improve game management.
of off-track frolics”, according to Mercedes technical director James Allison. But although Bottas had a close shave after going into a spin on Turn 10 in practice one, he recovered to finish second, a 10th of a second behind Verstappen, in the evening. ”Practice one was quite tricky,” Bottas said. “We were struggling with the set-up of the car and it wasn’t so well balanced. “Today (yesterday), we needed multiple laps
in a row to generate the temperatures we want for a good balance. FP1 wasn’t a happy session, but we made some changes ahead of FP2 and the car definitely felt more comfortable,” he added. ”We are moving in the right direction and hopefully we’ll make another step this evening. We’ll work hard and if we can find those gains we’ll be right up there fighting for pole position.” (Reuters)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 30
Saturday June 24, 2017
Persaud urged to remain committed and play with passion West Indies Under-19 selectee Joshua Persaud was urged to remain committed and play with passion as he prepares to depart for South Africa and Zimbabwe. Speaking at a simple ceremony held at the GNIC SC in appreciation of the y o u n g w i c k e t keeper/batsman who plays for the said club, Chairman of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) senior selection panel Rayon Griffith encouraged Persaud to always strive for greater heights and stick to the basics. ”I am very happy with your achievement and wish you well on tour,” he added. CEO of GNIC, Clinton Williams, reminded Persaud that discipline plays an important role in any athlete’s success. ” Yo u a r e n o w a n ambassador for the region and I urge you to continue making us proud,” he said. He stated that the company has taken a decision that as
part of their corporate responsibility they must contribute to the development of sports and are proud of Persaud’s achievement. Also present at the ceremony was former West Indies all-rounder and current President of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Roger Harper who stated that he is elated to see another young Guyanese donning West Indies colours and cautioned Persaud that this is just the beginning of his career. ”If you want a successful career, you have to work hard continuously for the key to success is hard work,” he said. Former head of the senior selection panel of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), now Cricket West Indies (CWI), Clyde Butts who chaired the proceedings wished Persaud well and reminded him to play
Joshua Persaud accepts the token from Mohendra Arjune of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre and Regal Sport. positive cricket and assist his teammates. Regal Stationery and Computer Centre and Regal Sports presented a token to the youngster, with their representative Mohendra Arjune wishing the cricketer well. Persaud and Bhaskar Yadram of Enterprise Busta
Sports Club are the two Guyanese on the team that is set to depart on June 28 for South Africa where they will take on the host before traveling to Zimbabwe on July 23. The duo will depart Guyana tomorrow for a twoday camp in Barbados. Led by Berbician, Shimron
I don’t like how I’ve been treated, laments Bravo Bridgetown, Barbados, CMC – Exiled left-hander Darren Bravo is frustrated by his treatment at the hands of Cricket West Indies and says he feels as if his sacrifices for West Indies cricket have come to nothing. The 28-year-old, barred from selection because of an impasse with CWI, said he had passed on lucrative Indian Premier League Twenty20 contracts in the past to focus exclusively on helping to revive West Indies’ fortunes in the longer format of the game. And though Test cricket remained his focus, he said his ongoing, unexplained exile from the game had forced him to explore other options. ”There was a situation where I had two IPL contracts before the one with Kolkata Knight Riders [last season]. I gave up those two contracts,” he told Massy Insurance’s Line and Length Network in an interview set to be aired this weekend. ”I also had an opportunity to go and play in the T20 World Cup that West Indies won in India, I gave up that to stay home and play first class cricket. I could have jumped in a plane, go to the World Cup in India … and I could have gotten approximately US$7 000 for
Darren Bravo ©Getty Images one T20 game. I decided not to go. “I decided to stay home and play first class cricket to get paid US$1300 but I think I have a very important part to play in the quest to revitalise West Indies cricket in the longer form of the game. ”So I decided to stay home to play first class cricket … and I am just drawing that as a reference because I believe Test cricket is my forte and that is where I am most happy playing cricket.” Bravo is West Indies’ premiere batsman with 3400 runs in 49 Tests at an average of 40, and has also been a key member of the regional oneday side. The Trinidadian’s
finesse has drawn many comparisons to legendary fellow countryman Brian Lara and has set him apart as one of the best batsmen in the region. However, following an ill-advised tweet which labelled CWI president Dave Cameron “a big idiot”, he was sent home from South Africa last November, ahead of the Tri-Nations Series in Zimbabwe. CWI has demanded the player remove the tweet and tender an apology, neither of which he has done to date. He and his legal team have argued that CWI did not follow due process and have questioned the basis of his continued exclusion from selection. Bravo said CWI’s
actions had made him rethink his place in West Indies cricket. ”I gave up so much for West Indies cricket and the way I have been treated is like my efforts and my energy and whatever, went all down the drain,” he stressed. “I don’t like the way I’ve been treated and at the end of the day I have to look at alternative ways to make my money and help support my family. Yes I want to play Test cricket but at the end of the day I have to make decisions to look after my family.” Bravo is expected to be part of the Trinbago Knight Riders squad in the Caribbean Premier League which bowls off in August. West Indies are also scheduled to tour England for three Tests also starting in August but Bravo said even if the current impasse were to be resolved, he would be keeping his commitment to TKR. ”There’s a question mark over that (England tour) because I’ve already signed my contract with CPL … and I will be fulfilling my contract with CPL,” he noted. “And CPL is basically during the same time as the England tour so by all means Darren Bravo will be playing in the CPL.”
Hetmyer West Indies won their first U19 World Cup in 2016 in Bangladesh. The team also included Wakenaam all-rounder Keemo Paul and Demerara Cricket Club wicketkeeper batsman Tevin Imlach. The full West Indies U19 squad reads: Emmanuel
Stewart (captain), Kirstan Kallicharran (vice-captain), Teshawn Alleyne, Alick Athanaze, Joshua Bishop, Cephas Cooper, Mykile Louis, Darren Nedd, Matthew Patrick, Joshua Persaud, Jeavor Royal, Kegan Simmons, Jeavier Spencer, Bhaskar Yadram, Nyeem Young.
Work to be done for Mercedes, says Hamilton
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton drives during the second practice session. REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili Lewis Hamilton has acknowledged that Mercedes still have significant room for improvement after a troubled practice day yesterday ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Hamilton dominated practice in Baku last year ahead of Azerbaijan’s first grand prix, but struggled yesterday and finished the second session in 10th place, 1.163 seconds behind pacesetter Max Verstappen. He also nearly collided w i t h F e r r a r i ’s K i m i Raikkonen at the first turn. The three-times world champion will be desperate to banish memories of last year’s race, when he clipped a barrier in qualifying,
started 10th on the grid, and ended up in fifth. ”It was a difficult day out there,” Briton Hamilton said. “This circuit is a tough one and we had a few challenges that we tried to work through today (yesterday). “We’ve clearly still got lots of work to do ahead of qualifying, but ( t e a m m a t e ) Va l t t e r i (Bottas)’s time in FP2 looked promising, so there is obviously pace in the car, which is encouraging. ”Now it’s just a case of getting our heads together tonight to work out exactly how to extract that pace across the entire weekend.” Finnish driver Bottas predicted on Thursday that (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
Saturday June 24, 2017
PAGE 31
Taylor top all-rounder Butler changes address as flurry of deals spice Draft night heading into World Cup Beyond the scouting, strategy and suspense of teams trying to select the right player for their slot in the NBA Draft, a spate of trades spiced up the proceedings at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Thursday. The biggest bombshell sent All-Star guard Jimmy Butler from the Chicago Bulls to the Minnesota Timberwolves, where Butler was reunited with his former coach Tom Thibodeau. The T-Wolves also received draft rights to 16th
pick Justin Patton of Creighton, while the Bulls beefed up their roster by getting promising Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the rights to Arizona’s Lauri Markkanen of Finland, the seventh player taken. Butler, one of the league’s most dynamic twoway players, joined forces again with Thibodeau, who coached the Bulls for five seasons before being fired in 2015. A dependable scorer and hard-nosed defender, Butler gives Thibodeau an intriguing complement to
the Wolves’ young stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. The Wolves drafted Arizona’s sharpshooting forward Markkanen for the Bulls, while Chicago took Creighton forward Justin Patton at number 16 for Minnesota, who have gone 13 seasons in a row without reaching the playoffs. Butler, 27, averaged career highs in points (23.9), rebounds (6.2) and assists (5.5) and as a top defender brings a key ingredient to a (Continued on page 25)
Gatlin wants to be part of history with Bolt in London
the guys with the records,” the American said. “When I came back into the sport, my goal was to be...I said to myself ‘I just want to be shoulder to shoulder with him’,” Gatlin told reporters at the U.S. nationals/world trials. The 2004 Olympic champion, Gatlin was ineligible for the 2008 Beijing Games while serving a four-year doping ban. He watched from a restaurant as Bolt wiped out world records in the 100 and 200 meters. ”It was just total respect for how fast he is, the competition he brings,” the 35-year-old Gatlin said. Since then, with Gatlin returning from his ban in 2010, they have raced nine times at 100 meters with a 2013 Diamond League win in Rome Gatlin’s only victory. While Bolt was racking
London, CMC – West Indies Women captain, Stafanie Taylor, will enter the ICC Cricket World Cup as the world’s leading allrounder and in the top five of both the batting and the bowling rankings. In the latest ICC women’s rankings released on Thursday, the 26-yearold Jamaican held a handsome lead in the allrounders rankings over second placed Ellyse Perry of Australia. Taylor was the only West Indies player in the top 10 as
Marizanne Kapp of South Africa along with the New Zealand pair of Suzie Bates and Amy Satterthwaite rounded out the top five. In the batting rankings, Taylor lay fifth with Aussie Meg Lanning occupying the top spot and Indian strokemaker Mithali Raj in second. Aggressive right-hander Deandra Dottin was installed at number eight but was the only other West Indies player in the top 20. Ta y l o r f e a t u r e d a t number two in the bowling rankings behind seamer
Kapp, with veteran Indian fast bowler Jhulan Goswami, third. Off-spinner Anisa Mohammed is the only other Caribbean player in the top 20, in at number seven. Taylor has been the most prolific all-round player for West Indies in recent years, scoring 3732 runs from 98 One-Day Interntionals at an average of 44. She has taken 114 wickets with her off-spin at an average of 18. The World Cup runs from June 24 to July 23 here in England.
Floyd Mayweather fires off warning to Conor McGregor as he spars in gym
Gold medalist Usain Bolt (JAM) of Jamaica and silver medalist Justin Gatlin (USA) of USA react in Brazil 2016. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger After years of being Usain Bolt’s main rival, Justin Gatlin wants one more race with the Jamaican world record holder and for a special reason. Bolt is retiring after his final 100 meters at August’s world championships in London and Gatlin, who is competing in the U.S. trials this weekend, hopes to be in the race. ”It’s a part of history,” said the American Olympic 100m silver medalist. One that will be both fun and sad. “It’s going to be a changing of an era,” Gatlin told Reuters. “We are going to be looking at a person who came along and made his mark and who has not only excited the crowds but he has made history over and over.” Although he has beaten Bolt only once, Gatlin said the race would also be fun. “I always wanted to battle with
Stafanie Taylor appeals
up world and Olympic gold medals, Gatlin won bronze at the 2012 London Olympics followed by silver at the 2013 and 2015 world championships and at last year’s Rio Games. This season has been a struggle with various injuries, but Gatlin said it would be pleasing to be back at worlds in London. “It would be the toughest year for me,” the 2005 world champion said. “But it would be an honor to get through and show the fortitude that I have.” While London will be the last race for the 30-year-old Bolt, Gatlin, more than four years older, hopes to continue running. “That’s the fun part,” he told Reuters. “Now that void that Usain will leave will open the door for others to step up and be competitive. That’s going to be exciting.” (Reuters)
Floyd Mayweather seems to be back in his element and fired off some choice words whilst pouring with sweat during a training session. The undefeated American was seen hitting the heavy-bag and sparring in preparation for his megafight with Conor McGregor on August 26. While he patrolled the gym, he said: ‘You name them, I’ll beat them. ‘I could get a black eye, a bloody nose, I could have a bad day in the gym but at the end of the day, I don’t have a bad pay day and I don’t have a bad night under the lights,’ he said. ‘I get bumps and bruises, but I don’t have a bad night.’ Mayweather spent four hours in a Los Angeles gym and stepped into the ring for some sparring work. The exchanges began at a gentle pace but both men engaged in a flurry of shots in what appeared to be a full-blooded session. The 40-year-old is a
Floyd Mayweather worked on the heavy bag, throwing some delicate combinations. strong favourite to beat McGregor in a contest many nay-sayers consider to be a sporting circus. But it seems there is no chance of complacency settling in after coming out of retirement, with Mayweather’s famous work ethic coming to the
fore. His mantra of: ‘You name them, I’ll beat them’, will be put to the test once more and the eyes of the world will be watching to find out if the controversial pugilist is right. (MailOnline)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 32
Saturday June 24, 2017
Weather wipes out opening ODI Port of Spain, Trinidad, CMC – Torrential rain wrecked the opening OneDay International between West Indies and India here yesterday, allowing just over three hours play at Queen’s Park Oval. Opting to bat first, the visitors had cruised to 199 for three in the 40th over behind half-centuries from openers Shikhar Dhawan (87) and Ajinkya Rahane (62) when rain arrived for the second time around 12:30 pm, to bring a premature end to the contest. The adverse weather had halted play 45 minutes earlier with India on 189 for three after 38 overs. When the showers abaited late in the afternoon, the game was set to be a 26-over contest with West Indies chasing 194 for victory under Duckworth/Lewis but the rains soon returned, forcing officials to abandon the match. Dhawan had earlier extended his prolific ICC Champions Trophy form as he put on an enterprising 132 for the first wicket with Rahane. The left-handed Dhawan faced 92 balls and struck eight fours and two sixes while Rahane, a righthander, counted eight fours
Shikhar Dhawan made his fourth 50-plus score in six ODI innings © AFP
in his 78-ball knock. Without really taking the bowling by the scruff of the neck, both batsmen played f l u e n t l y, g a t h e r i n g boundaries off the new-ball pair of captain Jason Holder and Alzarri Joseph. Dhawan stepped up the pace in the 15th over with two leg-side boundaries off off-spinner Ashley Nurse before caressing seamer Miguel Cummins fine for another four. Rahane was the first to his half-century, his 17th in ODIs, with a streaky four to
third man off Cummins in the 21st over and Dhawan followed two overs later when he deposited Joseph over the ropes at square leg for the first of his two sixes. Just when West Indies seemed to be out of answers, Rahane miscued a drive at a slower ball from Joseph and was caught by Holder at mid-on in the 25th over. Dhawan added a further 36 with captain Virat Kohli (32 not out) and seemed to be on marching towards an 11th ODI hundred when he
perished tamely in the 32nd over, lbw to leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo playing across the line. L e f t - h a n d e r Yu v r a j Singh lasted all of 10 deliveries for his four before picking out Evin Lewis at midwicket with Holder, leaving India on 185 for three and West Indies with a foothold in the game. But only 17 more deliveries were possible before rain intervened to force a noresult. The second game of the five-match series will be played here tomorrow.
Guyana to be represented by six-member team Sports World Classic 2017 Invitational - T&T With the assistance of the Guyana Amateur Body Building and Fitness F e d e r ation (GABBFF) which contributed half the airfare for each athlete, Guyana would be represented by a six-member team of five athletes and a Manager at this year’s edition of Sports Wo r l d C l a s s i c 2 0 1 7 Invitational in the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, today. Dubbed physique vs mass and organized by Lawrence ‘The Beast’ M a r s h a l l , t h i s y e a r ’s
competition will be held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port of Spain from 17:00hrs. Athletes will compete in the lightweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, heavyweight, men’s physique, bikini, w o m e n ’s f i g u r e a n d women’s physique. Guyana’s representation c o m e s f r o m Ya n n i c k Grimes, Emmerson Campbell and Caerus Cipriani who will all compete in the men’s
physique competition. Grimes won the silver medal at last year’s championships and he is aiming to win gold this time around. Rashleigh Bentick will compete in the body building segment of the competition while the lone female athlete, Alisha Fortune will aim for top honours in the body fitness competition. Managing the team is GABBFF Vice President, Seeon Satrohan. The team, minus Campbell left Guyana yesterday, Campbell left on Thursday for the Twin Island Republic. The ability of the federation to assist each athlete with half their airfare was achieved from the proceeds raised at the body’s novice championships, President Coel Marks, informed. He further commented: “As part of our commitment to the needs of athletes desirous of promoting their talents overseas, our federation tangibly
contributed by covering more than half the airfare of each athlete and facilitated all the athlete arrangements on the ground. We want to make sure we’re positioning ourselves to always be in a facilitatory mode to our athletes lending our support in every way we can tangibly and intangibly.” Marks also noted that the federation is of the belief that they should try to promote and assist as many athletes to do more regional shows as a means of improving their understanding of international competitions which would create a solid stepping stone to the CAC championship which is the region’s marquee event. Special appearances would come from T&T’s Darrem Charles - Karina Nascimento Pro Champion 2017, Ms. Shawna Pringle of the USA and her counterpart, Brandon Curry the reigning Arnold Australia and New Zealand 2017 champion.
Second quarterly fitness test on today
Officials during a recent fitness test at Leonora. The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will host the second quarterly fitness test today at the National Track and Field Facility, Leonora beginning at 09:00hrs. This test will see the participation of 30 referees including those from Tier 1 and Tier 2. The match officials will be tested using the ARIET (Assistant Referee Intermittent Endurance Test)
and the Dynamic Yoyo tests, which will be administered by Lindley Langhorne, Member Association Fitness Instructor. Head of the GFF’s Refereeing Department, Stanley Lancaster explains the purpose of the tests: “The ARIET was specially designed with Assistant Referees in mind based on the capacities and (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
Saturday June 24, 2017
PAGE 33
Sponsorship handed over for TAMPICO 60 Miles Caricom Day Cycle Race
General Manager of The Guyana Beverage Company Mr. Robert Selman hands over cheque to FACC VP Neil Reece in the presence of Organiser and Coach Randolph Roberts and other club executives and GBCI staff members. General Manager of Guyana Beverage Company Inc., distributors of Tampico juice and sponsor of the CARICAOM Day 60-mile Open Cycle Road Race organised by the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC), has handed over the sponsorship cheque. Set for Monday July 3, on the Corentyne Highway in the Ancient County of Berbice, Selman handed the cheque at the company’s Palmyra East Coast Berbice Office and receiving on behalf of the club was
Second Vice President, former national cyclist, Neil Reece. The event will peddle off outside the company’s Palmyra Office at 10:00hrs proceed to the No. 51 Police Station before returning to the place of origin for the finish. Selman in remarks said that the company has been in Guyana for the past 23 years and Berbice for 14 of those years and Guyanese, more particularly Berbicians have given them excellent support.
He said that he is happy to be giving back to the community, “This gesture is a small way in giving back to the community from where we garner our support, especially in the field of sport and education. This is one way to tell the people of Guyana and Berbice, thanks you for your support over the years.” While adding that the objective of the company is to try and keep youths off the streets, Selman informed that the company believes that this is the way in going
forward with regards to encouraging youths to get involved in rewarding activity. Coming on for high praise was FACC and its Founder/Organiser and Coach Randolph Roberts. Selman dubbed the club a professional organisation and one of the best Cycling clubs in Guyana. He expressed thanks to them for organising the event which they have been doing for some years now. Coach Roberts in thanking Mr. Selman and the
Guyana Beverage Company Inc., said that the company is truly one for all seasons and a true company for the Caribbean and it is only fitting that the race will be held on CARICOM Day. Roberts noted that the gesture by the Company should serve at an example for other businesses to follow. He welcomed Mr. Selman back to Guyana and expressed wishes for a continued fruitful relationship in the future. Prizes will be awarded to
the first 10 finishers overall, first four veterans, first three juveniles, first three 12-14 and first three females. The first two club cyclists will also be rewarded. There will also be 10 sprint prizes up for grabs. The event which began for cyclists in Berbice only has since become an open event and has grown to be one of the biggest evens. It was not done for a few years due mainly to the absence of Mr. Selman who had returned to his native Trinidad and Tobago.
GHB hosts Olympic Day Activity The Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has sent out invitations to other Olympic sports disciplines to participate in learning various fun field hockey skills and to play in field hockey’s newest game format Hockey 5s. According to a release from the GHB, the event will be staged at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground on the synthetic turf on Shivnarine Chanderpaul Drive, Bourda. The release added that each participating discipline should have a minimum of 5 participants to compete in each of the following categories. 1. Under 13 Mixed 2. Under 16 Boys & Girls 3. Under 19 Boys & Girls 4. O p e n M e n & Wo m e n 5. Over 35 Mixed. Giving a background of the sport, in 1908, hockey joined the Olympics and in
Part of the action in a hockey match.
2016 FIH recognised Olympic Day by organising various hockey programmes in 40 countries across all continents. Building on the success, this year FIH aims to go even bigger through the support of NAs. The objective is to
activate as many NAs as possible to organise Hockey 5s events in their countries on or around June 23. As a true “sport for all”, hockey matches perfectly with Olympic Day and the format of Hockey5s is easy to organise in informal
settings. The aim is to attract new people to share in our love of hockey. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) represents all sports and in the spirit of unity GHB wishes to bring some of the Olympic sports people
together to celebrate as well as to showcase the fun and to generate interest in our sport. Participants will be involved in five activities involving various field hockey skills. There will be a competition for each activity for a chance to gain points
for your team. After the skill activities there will be round robin hockey 5s games between teams. Prizes will be awarded for each activity. The team with the most points at the end of the day gets to take home the Champion Trophy.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 34
Saturday June 24, 2017
Cricket’s women feel the pleasures and pressures of the spotlight Things are about to get real. For women cricketers, that is. This edition of the World Cup will be the most watched, most covered and most well rewarded of all time. That also means it will be taken the most seriously, by players, spectators and the media. ”It’s the first time it really has been in the spotlight. From my playing experience, we have often gone under the radar and we can go about our business with not too many people saying a lot,” Suzie Bates, New Zealand’s captain said. And what little has been said, has been nice. Or twee. Or a bit of both. Women’s cricket is largely covered as a novelty with stories focusing on obvious topics (this writer is equally guilty) of breaking
the gender barrier, fighting for funds and overcoming the odds. Now that could change. “Most of the media coverage has been positive but this type of tournament and the way the women’s game is going, there is more and more media which brings about more critique of how you go about things and I think that brings added pressure,” Bates said. The women’s game has started to professionalise and with that will come all the pleasures and pressures of the spotlight. Apart from increased profile, they can also expect to be scrutinised, their performances analysed, their game-plans dissected, their mannerisms watched and their characters’ trumped up or even assassinated. England have taken
Welcome to ‘probably the most visible Women’s World Cup ever’ © IDI/Getty Images precautions against that, with several of their squad swapping social media for what Heather Knight called “trash telly”, to serve as a distraction from the real world. “With this being probably the most visible Women’s World Cup ever, a
lot of us have decided to come off Twitter and use social media a lot more scarcely,” Knight said. “A lot of the girls are watching a dreadful TV programme called Love Island.” While they may be able to enjoy the escapism in their
National junior basketballers continue preparation for CENTROBASKET
Jermaine King G u y a n a ’s N a t i o n a l Under-17 Basketball Team will continue preparations this weekend for the CENTROBASKET Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, July 26-30 after qualifying last year with a second place finish at the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) U-16 Championships in Guyana. CENTROBASKET is the Central American Championships and Guyana is placed in Group ‘A’ with Mexico, Puerto Rico and Bahamas, which had beaten them in the CBC U-16 Final. The top three teams from
Royden Glasgow CBC qualify for the CENTROBASKET Championships. Kaieteur Sport was able to confirm yesterday that the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) is pursuing United States of America (USA)-based Guyanese, Darien Pringle and Sherwin Prince as two super talented players to be in any contention in the Dominican Republic. Guyana will be competing for the first time at the CENTROBASKET Under-17 Championship at any level. In addition to those two foreign talents, the federation is bringing home
two players from the US in forward, Jordon Alphonso and guard/forward, Kevon Wiggins. The other players shortlisted from the initial group of 28 include Kwesi Roberts, Andrew Johnson, Jermaine King, Royden Glasgow, Akeem Crandon, Kelmar Carmichael, Isaiah Hintzen, Shemar France, J a h l e e l Yo u n g , N i g e l Johnson, Denzil Rose, Jether Harris, Jonathan Copeland and Tremain Emmanuel. Pringle and Prince are awaiting confirmation of their Guyanese passports to join the team. One of the eligibility rules for players to
Nigel Bowen represent Guyana is that they must be in possession of their Guyanese passport. The group has so far endured two weekends of excessive conditioning work and will be heading into offensive and defensive drills this weekend. The team is relying on the fact that the group of players have been together since CBC last year to have some results in the Dominican Republic next month. The other group at the CENTROBASKET U-17 Championships includes the hosts, Dominican Republic, Panama, Jamaica and the United States Virgin Islands.
hotel rooms, as the hosts, Bates expects England will not be able to get away from the hype entirely. “For us, I still think we can go under the radar but for the likes of England it may be added pressure,” she said.”Or it may just inspire them to play even better with so many people watching.” And there will be many people. The opening match between England and India at Derby is sold out and though the capacity of the county ground is a modest 9,500 (maybe a few hundred more with additional temporary seating), it is still more than most women’s cricketers would have played in front of before. Even India, whose captain Mithali Raj hopes the full house will put the home side under the pump. “As cricketers in India, we’ve not really seen huge numbers of people turn out for the international games,” Raj said. “Here, the tickets are sold out, that’s a very positive thing. England is a very good side but they have double pressure because they are the hosts. I’ve been in that situation in 2013, so I know what its like to be under that pressure with the expectation of millions of people.” Raj has some concerns that her own side could be overawed by the occasion but wants to encourage them to embrace the vibe. “My only suggestion is to enjoy being in the atmosphere because we have always seen men play in front of huge crowds and people coming to the stadium and watching so now you are in that position,
be yourself and enjoy the atmosphere because women’s cricket is only going to climb up in future.” Comparisons to men’s cricket are inevitable especially when it comes to the pace and power of the game - and Raj has already had to deal with her fair share of them. She had a ready response when asked to name her favorite men’s cricketer. Not only did she refuse to engage in the banter, she also made it clear that women should be respected for having their own identities, separate to the men’s game. South Africa are an example of an outfit that has created their own space. Instead of buying into the men’s Protea Fire campaign, the women have come up with their own culture and catchphrase. “We really wanted to move away from that. We’ve got Always Rising because we want to get better than we are. It was very important for us to have our own identity,” Dane van Niekerk, their captain, said. ”We all got together really young, so we didn’t really know what to do or what to say. We had a few workshops and as a team we chatted about our values. That’s what we want to show the world. Whatever we do on and off the field, that people can say that and we can see it this the team and those are the values.” Like so many of the squads, South Africa’s have seldom been on the silver screen. This time pay-channel SuperSport, the host (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
Saturday June 24, 2017
PAGE 35
Downes defends Men’s Singles in dominant fashion for 7th successive title GBTI Open Tennis
The respective winners from the GBTI Open Tennis tournament display their rewards following the presentation. Once again Anthony Downes proved that he is one of the best players to come out of Guyana by notching his 7th consecutive GBTI Men’s Open title with a dominating win over Daniel Lopes in straight sets. The result was a repeat of last year’s finals which had a similar scoreline. Lopes had teamed up with Leyland Leacock the night before to upset Downes and Jason Andrews in the Men’s Doubles and revenge would have certainly been on Downes’ mind as he wrapped up the match is less than one hour dropping just one game. Downes has been prominent on the local scene, participating in his first Men’s singles final when he
was 14-years-old and has battled with other top players such as Phillip Squires and Jeremy Miller over the years. It would be interesting to see how he would have matched up against other former players to come out of Guyana such as Andy Wong, Marvin Jeffrey, Diwani Lewis and Marvin Hinds who all had dominant stints locally. Downes whose game stands above his peers locally has had the opportunity to train periodically with former world rated player Jack Brassington and an exhibition match is being planned for local enthusiasts later in the year. Now at age 25, Downes is hoping to hone his skills
and further his tennis career through playing future tournaments internationally and may play his first such tournament this August in Colombia. Other outstanding performers in the tournament were 16-yearold Ladies Champion Afruica Gentle who once again carted off the three open titles, Ladies Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles. Leyland Leacock who won the Men’s 35 Singles and Men’s Open Doubles title, Godfrey Lowden with the Men’s 45 Singles and Doubles title and 35 Doubles runner-up and Andre Lopes who won the Men’s 35 doubles and was runner-up in the Men’s 35 Singles.
Daniel Lopes also medalled twice taking the runner-up position in the Men’s singles and winning the Men’s Doubles title. In the Junior categories, Jordan Beaton was the winner of the Boy’s Singles title, whilst Kalyca Fraser won the Girl’s Singles. There was also a win for newcomer Delon Fraser who edged Surendra Khayyam to win
Guyana Community of Service supports Campbell The Guyana Community of Service (GCS) has thrown their support behind athlete Emmerson Campbell who has traveled to Trinidad and Tobago to compete in the Sports World Classic 2017 Invitational set for Trinidad and Tobago, today. The organisation recently presented a cheque to Campbell and founder member of the entity Leslie Black said they are happy to assist the athlete and wished him well. Black added that the entity was formed last year to assist Guyanese athletes and they have also
rewarded them on their success. He said that sponsorship is of paramount importance for athletes to succeed and they will continue to assist. Black called on corporate Guyana to give back to sports since it can help boost a nation tremendously. ”Many people do not realise the importance of sports, but sports can do so much for a nation so we need to invest in our athletes especially at the grassroots level,” he posited. Campbell has won a number of Mr. Physique competitions locally.
Emmerson Campbell accepts the cheque from Avril Black of the GCS.
the Developmental Novice Medley category. The presentation ceremony which immediately followed the final match was attended by CEO (ag) of GBTI Ms. Shaleeza Shaw and Marketing Manager Pamela Binda. Ms Shaw stressed the importance of their partnership with the Guyana Tennis Association which was renewed some 8 years ago and commended the association for the progress shown with developing the sport locally which sees opportunities being given to youths to spend their time productively and develop their skills. She touched on the pride experienced seeing Guyana’s participation in the recent games in Azerbaijan where the Guyana flag was flown proudly by the team and challenged tennis players to reach similar heights of representing Guyana internationally. Ms. Shaw expressed GBTI’s commitment to tennis and indicated that the Bank will provide its facilities for the hosting of the Inter-Guiana Games later
t h i s y e a r . In his remarks, President of t h e G TA , M r. J a m a l Goodluck commended the tennis fraternity for coming together in making the tournament a success which saw 122 matches played over two weeks but bemoaned the fact that there were still instances of unsportsmanlike behavior cropping up which needs to be corrected. M r. G o o d l u c k a l s o thanked the Bank for its unstinting support to tennis which has been operating without a home and enough courts to really kick start the growth of tennis locally. The bank has been a major partner of tennis with some former CEO’s the likes of Maggie Da Silva and John Tracey who were ardent tennis players. In terms of future developments, he outlined that the association is working closely with the relevant Ministry in developing a multi-court facility with lights which can finally solve the issue of lack of enough resources being available for players to hone their skills and to host international tournaments.
t r o Sp
Weather wipes out opening ODI
Devendra Bishoo had Shikhar Dhawan lbw for 87 ŠAFP
Guyana to be represented by six-member team Sports World Classic 2017 Invitational - T&T
Team Guyana from left, Yannick Grimes, Rashleigh Bentick, Alisha Fortune, Seon Satrohan and Caerus Cipriani. Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210