Wednesday June 28, 2017
GuySuCo’s aquaculture project on stream DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Sugar Corporation Inc. (GuySuCo) informs members of the public that the Report on the Feasibility Study for Aquaculture - as a diversification venture for GuySuCo – has significant potential. The study was undertaken by AquaSol Corporation Inc., a company that is based in Florida, United States of America. The areas examined in the study included: an evaluation of the physical characteristics of the proposed geographic location soil properties; – water resources and quality. Included also were the infrastructure – and the requirements for managing a commercial aquaculture project. The consultants gave the rationale for selecting particular species in this case tilapia; along with a detailed operational plan that includes Farm Design and Operations. The Report addressed prospective Markets; Processing and Packaging; Financial Projections, among others. The Report indicates that there are numerous competitive advantages for Aquaculture as a key diversification venture
and as a business opportunity for GuySuCo in the short, medium and long term. The main products considered in the Report were: Tilapia and Shrimp. However, the study concluded that Tilapia was more suited to the Wales Estate project site than shrimp that required a relatively saline environment. The Study highlighted that Guyana’s climatic conditions and soil types are ideal to support high growth rates for Tilapia throughout the year. On the operational side, the study proposes that the capacity of the Corporation will have to be built from an organizational perspective – systems and retraining of employees – as well as recruiting appropriate skills and expertise for technical and operational management. Market opportunities for this venture are - to a small extent – local and regional. However, the main targeted markets would be in the United States. Brazil also appears to be market of unexplored potential. Shiv Dindyal Communication Officer, GuySuCo
A litany of accusations against the Prime Minister DEAR EDITOR, I wish to respond to a statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister, bearing the caption: “OPM refutes Nandlall’s lies – calls on sugar workers not to fall prey to attempts to incite.” The thrust of the statement was to paint my article as a litany of lies. It is the classic artwork of the Prime Minister. I am familiar with his craft, having known him for several years. The truth is my article comprised of a compendium of undisputed publicly ventilated matters relating to the sugar industry. Indeed, I can produce, for public objective verification, a source for every argumentation adumbrated in that article. Our Prime Minister has long earned the reputation of being the most perfidious, political chameleon in contemporary Guyanese politics. One can easily cite his imagined promise of Dr. Cheddi Jagan anointing him his successor, made somewhere in the distant valleys of the Kanuku Mountains, in the deep recesses of the Rupununi and without the earshot and
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eyesight of another human. How can one forget his stirring speech at Whim in 2011in which he said that he was the only Minister in the PPP Government who never accepted an increase in salary; never traveled firstclass and never stayed at any international hotels when he traveled abroad. Today, those very villagers and the nation are astounded by the astronomical salary increase which he negotiated for himself, retroactively, after being in Government for only a few weeks. They are similarly flabbergasted when he drives around in a sirened motorcade navigated by outriders, while comfortably ensconced in a $124,000 USD custom-made Toyota Land Cruizer. They are aghast that he lives in the State Residence, which costs them and their fellow taxpayers, over $40M GYD to decorate and furnish and they are mesmerized when he jets around the globe in first-class cabins to attend social cocktail-like events. The magnitude of this epicurean and luxuriant transformation is cinematic material for Bollywood.
Mr. Nagamootoo’s incomparable guile can be gleamed from the treatment meted out to journalists, whom he loves to embrace as his ‘colleagues’. One Chronicle reporter was, openly, upbraided in the corridors of the Parliament Buildings for publishing a headline that Mr. Nagamootoo’s presence, as acting President in the National Assembly, caused some furor. In the same vein, distinguished Guyanese journalist of regional renown, Mr. Rickey Singh’s services was abruptly terminated at the Chronicle for factually scribing in one of his articles, that Mr. Nagamootoo “enjoys” the most miniaturized portfolio of a Prime Minister in the English speaking Caribbean over the last 50 years! In the same manner that our dear Prime Minister brazenly denies that he ever promised rice farmers $9,000 GYD per bag for paddy, during the 2015 election’s campaign, he now glibly refutes that he ever promised sugar workers 25% increase in wages. These are facts of Continued on page 6
Tepid, groveling leadership of the WPA has betrayed Walter Rodney DEAR EDITOR, Rodney captures the political animus of Guyana’s political scene brilliantly during an interview in 1976 with African American Scholar, Emeritus Professor, William Strickland by pointing out: “In the 1960s we had seen the phase of electoral politics, where people were lining up on one side or the other – the PPP if one was Indian and PNC if one was African. That was very clear. I recall it very well, as late as 1961, being very confused on the question of whether one went for the PPP or PNC. As I listed the pros and cons, I said, well the PPP say it’s a Marxist party but it’s not operating that way and it had Indians.” Strickland continued, “On the other hand, the PNC didn’t even claim to be Marxist or even a serious socialist party, yet it had the Africans. And for those of us Africans who were struggling to take a progressive position, it was extremely difficult. Many who had joined the PPP as the better of two choices, had to leave the party. And ultimately because of these racial questions, a generation of us have actually stayed away from the two dominant political parties.” At this 2017 juncture of our political evolution, it seems obligatory that the de facto Founder Leader of the WPA, should have his dream for the shaping of a multiracial Guyana realized, through his comrades of yore. Some of these comrades stood shoulder to shoulder with Rodney in the 1970s, some of them died doing do, others were imprisoned and/or brutalized. Now the WPA is in a position to balance the policies of the governance of Guyana by the two dominant parties in Guyana, namely the PNC and the PPP. Let us seize this moment for the betterment of Guyana. Clive, Rupert, David, Mazarool, Tacuma, Tabitha, Wazir, Desmond, Rishi, et.al., let us optimize this opportunity to be servant leaders for the working class of Guyana, the less fortunate, the oppressed and downtrodden; be the
Guyanese leaders that embrace all our brothers and sisters. The tepid, groveling and undefinitive or vague positions taken by this dispensation of WPA leaders are a betrayal of Rodney’s sincerity, honesty, forthrightness and courage. Hypocrisy like halfpositions should be abandoned. Do not trade the honor of the WPA that was displayed with such effectiveness in the 1970s to now play second fiddle and act as if certain individuals or groups are sacrosanct. For a few more years of what? Such conduct will certainly return Guyanese to the hellish period during which Rodney died. Let us not condone mismanagement and misplaced polices - shrouded in hubris, arrogance and elitism from anyone or in any form. Let us strive to be our better selves. The most undemocratic, twisted and warped Shahabadeen’s Constitution, unleashed in 1980, under the guidance of Prime Minister Forbes Burnham and referred to many times by Rodney as the Paramount Constitution, has become wholly at odds with Rodney’s view on power and power sharing. It is time we set this Paramount Constitution adrift and draft a new Guyanese Constitution in the spirit of and with the intent of having a multiracial democracy. Dr. Roopnaraine has served us well. Many great men have reached a point, where their capacity is diminished by some ailment. It is a reality that must be acknowledged. We need a new representative in the National Assembly, who can vote based on the principled position of a Rodney oriented WPA and certainly not depend on a WPA Member of Parliament (MP) hidden away behind the vast and fortress
like fences surrounding the Ministry of the Presidency, with the MP being walked or escorted out conveniently to support a position in the National Assembly that the WPA does not support. In what may be considered Rodney’s most powerful, scathing, selfless and brilliant speech People’s Power No Dictator –made against the unelected reign of Forbes Burnham over Guyanese, we find this gem of a multiracial statement, when Dr. Rodney said “…It was usually after the end of their five-year bond that our Indian foreparents were able to turn to the temple, the mosque or the church as the case might be. This is a most revealing statement coming from one of the world’s great African historians. Working People’s Alliance, rise up and serve Guyana in the way Rodney envisioned; you represent an alliance that played the most transformative and courageous role in the history of Guyana politics and now you are called upon once again to play a pivotal role in cultivating a multiracial Guyana, by disavowing bootlicking language, lackeys, square pegs, racism and discrimination. Albert Campus captured the needs of Guyana well, with this quote “We must mend what has been torn apart, make justice imaginable again in a world so obviously unjust, give happiness a meaning once more.” Nigel Hinds
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Wednesday June 28, 2017
My pronouncements on the sugar industry are always right DEAR EDITOR, For some time now I have been waiting to see if we are going to take a genuine interest in the GuySuCo problem.There has been quite a bit of interest, but mostly it has just been sniping in the dark and not hitting the target much. When it comes to sugar, I have written on it numerous times since the 70’s, and I have never been wrong. I a long time ago knew that the answer to GuySuCo’s problem was aquaculture. Nearly 30 years ago I gave them the answer for Guyana! The conversion of the LBI/Enmore lands to be mechanically friendly was a disaster, because it sought a solution which only slightly addressed the existing problem. i.e. they removed a 36 ftcambered ft. bed and replaced it with a 90 ft.cambered bed, which ended up as a bigger problem, since not only did it not work for mechanization, it yielded less cane than before since the planting along the bed was a ridiculous concept. But GuySuCo still pursues this disastrous path since according to their website “On the newly introduced wide-bed, ridge and furrow layout, chopper
harvesters are used for mechanical operations. The Skeldon estate has been the driver in this exercise.” If this was true there would be no need to close LBI/Enmore now, since more than 80% of it has been converted to this wide bed with disastrous results, since we are told that we have to close LBI/Enmore Estate. I predicted it nearly a decade ago. The slant of these wide beds are not mechanical harvester friendly and Mr. Renger Van Dijk of Genequip told me that at Skeldon a John Deere harvester he checked was using 75% of its power just to walk along the slant at the side of the wide bed. As recently as July 2014 Kaieteur News published the following article which can be seen at this website http:// www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2014/07/19/guysucos-costlymechanization-plan-will-sinkindustry-further/ This article informs the public that in my opinion the widebed conversion is costly and will be ineffective, and will sink the industry further. Nevertheless these people are still publishing this nonsense of innovative wide beds in their website! Despite the rhetoric of the
not so smart executives of GuySuCo, this is the first time we are going to completely close a sugar estate without the canes being allocated to go somewhere else, in other words it is a total closure. In the case of Wales for example we closed the Wales factory but at the same time GuySuCo offered the workers of Wales, alternative work at Uitvlugt and [even though it was not properly verbalized by the GuySuCo PR department] the message was clear, if those Wales workers refused to take up work at Uitvlugt, we will be forced to close Uitvlugt in just a few years. Rose Hall, we are told is a disaster, but since it is sandwiched between Albion and Blairmount both of which, we are told, are doing OK. One has to ask why, but It is known that deficiencies in Upper Management destroyed Rose Hall, but we know that incompetent management is normal in the industry, GuySuCo itself has in fact said so, officially and unofficially, on numerous occasions that due to migration, shortage of staff, lack of training etc., their staff is not competent to carry out the affairs of the corporation. If GuySuCo says that their
A litany of accusations against... From page 5 public notoriety. He asks for proof. Well, I heard him say that on several political platforms and on television. Moreover, the rice farmers and sugar workers themselves have repeatedly confirmed that these were his promises to them. They number in the tens of thousands. So, if proof is really needed, there is an abundance of it. The Prime Minister next contends that my article was, as a result of, “his devastating exposure of the Bharrat Jagdeo regime for bankrupting the sugar industry during the June 15th sitting of the National Assembly.” Mr. Nagamootoo’s quixotic self-obsession is simply unparalleled. My article was written on Wednesday the 14th of June and emailed for publication the following morning. When the Prime Minister was “devastating” us in the Parliament late Thursday night, my article was already published in two continents. So Mr. Prime Minister, my article has no nexus to your self-proclaimed “devastating exposure” in the National Assembly. Moreover, I was in the National Assembly on June 15. The Prime Minister only spoke on the Petroleum Commission Bill. This “devastating exposure” on the sugar industry was, apparently, done during this speech. I do not recall anything special about the presentation. As usual, it was an intellectually sterile speech in which the distinguished Prime Minister launched his usual tirade against, and a “buse out” of, the PPP and the Opposition Leader. The Prime Minister further accuses me of inciting the sugar workers. My article was published by four newspapers in Guyana, one local online news agency and one newspaper in New York. None of the editors of these media houses found it improper. In any event, no one needs to incite the sugar workers against their beloved Prime Minister. It is for this precise reason that I am calling upon him to meet with the sugar workers so that they can shower him with their eternal love, natural affection and deep gratitude.
Coincidentally, the Prime Minister should explain the real reason why he dodged attending the Government’s Enmore Martyrs event on June 16, at Enmore. My article was not in circulation at that time. Instead, this self-professed champion of the working class chooses the cold medium of a press statement to communicate, nay plead with the sugar workers, rather than face them in person. Once again, the Honourable Prime Minister parrots the Coalition propaganda that the Skeldon Estate is a disaster and an institution of doom. Yet, the Coalition is busy trying to sell it off. This Government must be the only seller in the history of commerce that is publicly describing the product which it is selling as a ‘disaster’, a ‘white elephant’ etc. Only an equally insane buyer will purchase. It has become crystalline that the morbid obsession with Bharrat Jagdeo is taking its mental toll at the Office of the Prime Minister. Speaking of this same Bharrat Jagdeo to thousands at the Good Hope rally, in the 2006 election’s campaign, our Prime Minister, in relation to the 2005 flood said, “when the great floods came, like the Biblical Moses, President Jagdeo parted the flood waters and made the land dry and wholesome again!” To this very crowd and with a ploy of language, he labeled his current colleague, Khemraj Ramjattan, a ‘neemakaram’. Of course, this was when he was still wagering his chances with Jagdeo, to support him as the next Presidential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). My article also criticized Ministers Carl Greenidge, Khemraj Ramjattan and Joseph Harmon. The statement from the OPM contained not a word in defence of any of them. The narcissistic personality disorder, locally known as, “Nagamania”, does not permit such gestures. It is all about me, myself and Moses. The Coalition partners have so much to learn. Anil Nandlall
staff are not competent to carry on the established business of a 300-year-old organization, with the historical experience and accumulated knowledge which that brings, how can they tell the public that the same incompetent managers and executives will now be capable of diversifying it efficiently to something/s entirely new? And this is not a speculation since the management of Skeldon and Rose Hall are presently heading a taskforce appointed by GuySuCo to diversify those two estates! I am making a direct accusation, I believe that all of this is caused by the CEO of GuySuCo Errol Hanoman, I consider him to be unfit to lead the diversification of GuySuCo and indeed I believe that he is the wrong person to see it through this dangerous period for sugar. I am saying this since I see the following: 1. He has no vision for
Agriculture. 2. He makes very questionable decisions; what is right, means nothing compared to what it will cost. He will do the wrong thing if the right thing is too expensive. It is better to do nothing in view of the cash strap nature of the company than to do the wrong thing. 3. He is an accountant and is not qualified to transition from one agricultural industry to another. 4. He wants to stay in charge of GuySuCo even though he is not skilled to do what has to be done, and what is much the worse, he does not even know it. 5. He insists that his staff can diversify GuySuCo, they can’t! But I think that he wants it that way since it maintains him as CEO and if he is not in charge of diversification his importance will diminish in time and so [I hope] will his allegedly vary large salary.
6. We cannot superimpose the highly paid but incompetent management of GuySuCo in any diversification which can be economically successful. Since it is my opinion that GuySuCo’s fundamental philosophy is; why use one man to do a job, when 5 can do it. We cannot allow that culture to be transferred elsewhere. 7. So in the end the fact is that GuySuCo cannot diversify GuySuCo! 8. Hanoman holds too many unnecessary meetings, he is a micro manager but has no hands on experience in factory or field which makes a bad situation worse, his staff sits in meetings in offices more than they supervise on the job this is an old sickness of GuySuCo and prompted Ian Mc Donald to write in the Stabroek’s “Ian on Sunday” that GuySuCo has meetings, to decide when to have meetings, I have seen it firsthand, and it is true. Tony Vieira
Wednesday June 28, 2017
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Govt. pays $500,000 each for two Ministers’ rentals By Abena RockcliffeCampbell The State has been renting a house from businessman/politician, Peter Ramsaroop, for Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes. The facility is being rented at a monthly rate of $500,000, being paid by the Parliament Office. Another is being rented for Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Adams-Patterson. This arrangement has raised the eyebrows of many, including former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. He is of the opinion that this arrangement is offensive since it is not being governed by any Constitutional provision or order. Nandlall penned a letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs,
- Clerk says PPP hid its rentals for more by paying out of OP
Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes
Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valarie Patterson
seeking more information on the arrangement which he claims is unlawful. Apparently, Nandlall was not
aware that Patterson is enjoying a similar arrangement as that which is being enjoyed by Broomes.
Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs
Former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall
So, he wrote, “It has been published in the public domain that the Parliament Office/Clerk of the National Assembly has rented living accommodation for Junior Minister, Simona Broomes, at a rate of $500,000 GYD per month. “Please provide me with the statutory/constitutional
provision or Order, which authorized such use of public monies. I further request copies of any other such rental contracts for living accommodations for Ministers of the Government entered into by the Parliament’s Office/Clerk of the National Assembly.” The letter was sent to
Isaacs on Monday. Up to last evening, Nandlall had not received a response. However, Isaacs was very open with Kaieteur News when an explanation for the arrangement was sought. The Clerk said that unlike what has been published in sections of the media, it is not true that the house allowance for ministers—which is provided for in the law—has increased. He said that this allowance still stands at $25,000 per month. “But, we have been renting quarters for two ministers out of Georgetown (Valerie Patterson and Broomes). Indeed we have been paying $500,000 a month for the houses. Isaacs quoted the law which says that the Prime Minister, Attorney General and senior ministers of the government are entitled to rent free quarters. Isaacs said that those who have their own homes do not go into rent free quarters. “We give them $25,000”. The other Ministers are Continued on page 9
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Exxon, Statoil, Hess, set to sign agreement to explore oil Suriname’s oil refinery, Staatsolie
Suriname- Suriname’s oil agency, Staatsolie, has agreed to award a production sharing contract for offshore Block 59 to a consortium consisting of ExxonMobil, Hess and Statoil under the country’s “Open Door Policy.” Staatsolie has also reached an agreement with Statoil over Block 60. Both the consortium and Statoil are expected to sign the PSC’s no later than the second week of July. Activity has been ramping up in Suriname, which neighbours Guyana, where ExxonMobil made the massive Liza discovery in 2015.
Wednesday June 28, 2017
Kaieteur News
Earlier this year, Tullow Oil contracted USdriller Noble Corp. for an exploration well on its “game changer” Araku prospect offshore Suriname. Tullow contracted the Noble Bob Douglas drillship from early October to early November, this year. Tullow’s probe will follow efforts by Apache Corp., which in April said it had failed to hit commercial hydrocarbons at its Kolibrie1 well, offshore Suriname. Kolibrie was in Block 53, about 80mi offshore. Block 53 covers 3509sq km, and is in 500-1800m water depth. (www.oedigital.com)
Ex-cop charged for lying under oath in narcotics trial Marlon Chatterpaul, a former policeman, who is accused of lying under oath while testifying in a narcotics trial while he was a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), was yesterday charged for the offence. Chatterpaul, 28, of Lot 59 Number 67 Village, Corentyne, Berbice appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on July 28, 2016 at Weldaad Magistrate’s Courts, while being a witness in a matter of police versus Venson Charles and Victor Edwards, he falsely swore to information. It was further alleged that on the same day at the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court, he falsely swore in his evidence in chief, in the matter stated in the previous charge. The former cop was released on a total of $50,000 bail--$25,000 bail on both counts. Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore opposed bail being granted to Chatterpaul citing that he is currently under investigation in relation to other matters. Prosecutor Moore said that the defendant is likely not to return to court for trial should
CHARGED: Ex-policeman Marlon Chatterpaul bail be granted. The prosecutor also pointed out that Chatterpaul provided the police and court with conflicting addresses. His objections were however overruled by the Chief Magistrate. This matter was transferred to the Weldaad Magistrate’s Court for July 27. Venson Charles, 25, of Lot 7644 Sheet Anchor Village and Victor Edwards, 21, of Canefield Canje, were freed on a charge which alleged that they had trafficked over seven kilograms of marijuana. The matter against them was dismissed by Magistrate
Rhondell Weever who underscored that Chatterpaul, the main witness deliberately lied and gave inconsistent evidence. Based on reports, Chatterpaul admitted under cross examination that he was guided by his superior to frame the two men for the offence. According to reports, Charles and Edwards had been accused of trafficking the marijuana on May 31, 2016. It was reported that Charles was the owner of the motorcar in which the narcotics was allegedly found in. Reports indicate that Chatterpaul was en route to New Amsterdam when he saw the white motorcar parked on Washington Public Road. Chatterpaul reportedly testified that he had observed a road-block at the Weldaad Police Station and that the occupants in the vehicle were looking to divert the road block. This allegedly raised suspicions of Chatterpaul who approached the vehicle and searched Edwards but found nothing on him. The marijuana was later found in the bag concealed in plastic bags behind the driver’s seat.
Wednesday June 28, 2017
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Kaieteur News
RICH MAN’S WORLD No poor person in Guyana will be able to afford to pay the sum of $6.7M which the Department of Housing is proposing to be paid for a low income housing unit. The only way that the poor person can afford that is if he or she goes to the bank and borrows the money over an extended period. And even this is going to be difficult for the poor person to pay. It may have been better if the government had reverted to the old scheme of giving people land and allowing them to build at their pace and
size. The poor man would have started with a small but affordable structure and as he earns money. A great many persons who need housing are not going to obtain housing because they cannot afford the mortgage payments even on a $6.7 million loan. This is the dilemma which the government faces in providing low income housing. The private contractors are not going to provide a low income house for lower than $6 M per unit and this, is still unaffordable for the poor.
The problem of high housing costs is related to high material, labour and rental costs. Unless these costs are reduced, there is not going to be anything like low cost housing. The State should not be contributing to escalating rentals. Because when this happens, it is the poor people who will suffer, not the rich. Right now, house rentals are going through the roof. A small one-bedroom apartment in Cummings Lodge is going for $40,000 per month. Rentals are high, even in areas
DEM BOYS SEH...
Soulja Bai walking in Jagdeo kakish footsteps Is de same wheeling and dealing continuing in Guyana. Nutten ain’t change. It seems that nobody ain’t learn from de past mercenaries. The biggest one was Jagdeo. He use to rent house fuh Rohee, Robert, Paaleen and Pauline. All Guyana know under Jagdeo everything was a state secret. Nobody never know exactly what ee use to pay fuh dem house but dem boys know it was over $500,000 a month fuh a house. He did mek GPL fly in topnotch wire, de best in de world, to run underground and connect to he unexplained mansion. How much GPL pay fuh de wire is still a secret. But dem boys know it run into de billions. Jagdeo, that scamp, smiling because he seeing de same thing. Soulja Bai can’t tell him nutten because is de same thing he doing fuh he people. He seh he wasn’t getting a kickback from de rental deals but he not certain if he can seh de same fuh Soulja Bai. He an all renting houses fuh some of he people fuh $500,000 a month. De Waterfalls boss man and Uncle Adam want move out from dem house and rent Soulja Bai people fuh less than half wha dem paying.
Dem boys want people to know that dem live in big shot neighbourhoods, and is not like no run down low class place dem paying $500,000 for. Right now de boss man got a whole furnished house in Republic Park fuh $200,000 a month. Dem boys know being a politician pays in countries like this. People does go in broke and come out filthy rich. Look at former President Jagdeo and he kavakamites dem. When he tun president he didn’t even own a car, now he can buy a vehicle factory. Some of he kavakamites use to ride bicycle now dem can decide in which island dem want sleep when de night come. Soulja Bai people gone in and some of dem never know what is a $100,000 or what it is to own a million dollars. Today dem paying $500,000 fuh rent. Sherlock High Socks did get nuff free land under Jagdeo and never seh a word. Now he talking bout rent. Talk half and don’t surprise Jagdeo rent ExxonMobil his mansion fuh $500,000 only in this case, not Guyana dollars.
Govt. pays $500,000 each for... From page 7 housed in Government flats. “But if the government flats cannot accommodate any other person we rent.” “Now the PPP has been renting quarters for a number of ministers but the rent was not paid by this office. I believe it was paid by the Office of the President (now the Ministry of the Presidency).” Isaacs said that former Minister of Amerindian People’s Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, lived in a rented house up to the 2015 elections and so did former Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee. He also pointed out that former Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud, before building his own home lived in a rented facility paid for by the government. “Plenty of them lived in rented quarters,” said Isaacs. He said that it is no easy task finding “a suitable quarter for a minister to live. I mean where you are going to
find something for a minister for $25,000?” Isaacs said that the government-owned Echillibar Villas is not suitable for the Ministers as it sometimes floods when it rains. “I do not see what is the hue and cry about this. The house allowance has to be raised by law but the renting of the house for a minister is not stated in the law. So, I do not have to get permission to rent a house. I need permission (from the National Assembly) to increase the
allowance because the legislation says $25,000 is to be paid as allowance but this is not allowance this is rent we are looking at two different issues.” Noteworthy is the fact that none of the Ministers who are living in $500,000 rented homes is senior. Isaacs said that the Ministers were brought from out of town, so government undertook the task of housing them. Isaacs said that he was going to pen a response to Nandlall yesterday afternoon.
out of town. This is hurting the poor. When the State is going to rent a house for a Minister for $500,000 per month, this will only serve to keep rentals out of the reach of the poor. No wonder squatting is on the increase. People want to live near to the urban areas and since they cannot afford the rents, they will squat as means of avoiding high rentals. When the government is going to pay $12 M to rent a bottom house as storage bond for medical supplies, this will drive up commercial rentals and push many landlords to convert housing units into commercial units for rent. The construction sector contracted last year. It means that thousands of workers in
the construction sector are not getting regular work. This has forced many of them to up these fees. When the APNU came into office, a construction worker was demanding $5,000-$6,000 per day because they were being guaranteed at least four days a week work. Now, some of them are only getting one or two days per week, if so many. And they are upping their rate to as high as $7000 per day. Poor people cannot afford to pay this exorbitant sum, especially since the workers want day work rather than job work so that they can stretch out their earnings. The poor is hurting from this measure. But who cares. The cost of housing is also rising because of the increase in VAT on building
materials. This has caused a great deal of confusion in the construction sector. Some of the lumber yards are not certain what items they have to charge VAT on. What they know is that they have to pay the VAT on electricity and water and so they have increased prices. The small man is in a plight. He does not know what to do. He does not know what materials to use build his home because building a house in is no longer cheap and building in concrete is out of his reach. It is a rich man’s world. And Guyana has a rich man’s government.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 28, 2017
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN...
Quoting Shakespeare to despair of the PPP’s return The business people who supported those PPP leaders that ruled this country from August 1999 to May 2015 should buy copies of Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” and compel these fallen mandarins that they once embraced when they were as powerful as the Roman senators to read select passages. These include – “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves”; “The evil that men do lives after them”; “Oh judgement, thou art fled to brutish beast and men have lost their
reason; “There is a tide in the affairs of men, all the voyages of their life is bound in shallows and miseries.” The one that I really like when I analyze these jaded, faded, hated, mandarins is taken from Act 5, Scene 1 “The end of this day’s business, ere it comes; it sufficeth that the day will end; and then the end is known.” I think any quotation from any wise poet, writer or philosopher will not match the relevant poignancy of the last quote here in the context of the PPP
dissipated omnipotence. Cheddi Jagan left his underlings with the messianic mantra of invincibility. They internalized it and it became second nature because God, the world, the Americans and global democracy were on the side of the PPP – once there were free elections and once Indians were in the majority the invincibility of inevitable power was greater and longer than time itself. The writing was on the wall in 2011 election results. But men and women who have lost their reason, and
men and women who see human faults as written in the fading clouds and not in human themselves, and men and women who believe power will never have an ending behaved like the gods in Greek mythology where the stars, the oceans and the universe could be bent and shaped as a toy in their hand. The local Roman senators told themselves that 2011 was not the fault in their own despoiled souls but a random act of wild wind that created an ephemeral mistake. Power can never be fleeting
once power sits on a fulcrum of invincibility. I remember seeing the “Goat Man” and “the Champion of Dirt” pushing out their chests with unrestrained pomposity echoing the banality of selfdeception with the jovial utterance that PPP supporters were so convinced that the PPP was unbeatable and would win that they didn’t bother to go out and vote. Then the end came in May. Maybe it should have been in March so we analysts could have written about the Ides of March from Julius Caesar. It was on May 15 that the nation learnt that the PPP was finally out of power. In assessing the legacy of the Jagdeo/Ramotar cabals we should turn March into May and refer to the Ides of May. In Act 1, Scene 2, the soothsayer told Caesar; “Beware the Ides of March.” One will never know if a lugubrious whisper came silently in the night from Cheddi Jagan traveling over the tempestuous wave of the Atlantic Ocean from the foreshore of Babu Jaan to the sprawling lawns of State House and entered the very room that Varshnie Singh was expelled from by her commonlaw husband, President Bharrat Jagdeo. And it settled in the ear of President Ramotar with the maudlin tone, “Beware the Ides of May.” The Ides of March was Caesar’s last fling with power. One hopes the Ides of May was the PPP’s last flirtation with unbridled, unhindered,
Frederick Kissoon unlimited, unlearned, unlicensed, unmarketable authority in this nation whose subjects’ lonely eyes cry out for hope and a moment of soulful enjoyment, a glimpse of bless the country never had. Can the return happen? In life anything is possible and with a jinxed land that Guyana is, anything and everything in the world of the bizarre is possible. But it was the great French philosopher, Jean Paul Sartre who once observed that as the dialectics make man, man also makes the dialectics. We can stop the PPP’s return by the courage to do what right-thinking people the world over have been doing – judge people not by who they say they are, not by the similarity of their hair and yours, not by the cultural affinity you have with them, not by religious ties. But by what they really are, the substance that man and woman are made of. PPP leaders used this country as if it was their private playground. No West Indian government has been as evil and depraved. Judge for yourself! Look at the accumulation of stolen wealth, wealth that belongs to the people of Guyana.
Wednesday June 28, 2017
PAGE 11
Kaieteur News
Three E.C.D police stations to be rehabilitated During the opening of tenders at the National procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) yesterday, contractors vied for the contracts to rehabilitate three police stations located along East Coast Demerara. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure was listed as the procuring entity. For the rehabilitation of the Alberttown Police Station, Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica):
- New Drop-in Centre to be built in Sophia For the rehabilitation of the Mahaicony Police Station, Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice):
The Ministry of Social Protection was listed as the procuring entity for several contracts. For the construction of a drop-in Centre at Block ‘C’ Sophia, Georgetown:
Contractors also submitted bids for the rehabilitation of the Sparendaam Police Station:
The Ministry is also the procuring entity for the provision of security services for all of the Ministry’s locations:
For the supply and delivery of cooked meals for the Night Shelter:
>>>>> Continued on page 23 <<<<<
PAGE 12
Wednesday June 28, 2017
Kaieteur News
Liliendaal fatal crash driver charged with DUI Tecona Welcome, who was reportedly intoxicated when she slammed a motorcar she was driving into the Liliendaal Bridge, Greater Georgetown, killing one of the five passengers in the vehicle, has been charged with driving under the influence (DUI). The accident which occurred Saturday night left Debra Pompey, of Lot 473 Belle West Housing Scheme,
West Bank Demerara, dead. Those injured have been identified as 20-year-old Rodlyn Grace of Lot 24 Blygezight Gardens, Georgetown; Shameica Martin, 18, of Lot 84 Sideline Dam, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara; 26-year-old Teneisha Hubbard of Lot 473 Belle West, West Bank Demerara; and Saskiya Boyer, 30, of Lot 228 Lodge, Georgetown. Kaieteur News understands that the women
were celebrating at the Giftland Mall after attending a bridal shower. The car, PSS 7195 was reportedly proceeding west along the Railway Embankment at a fast rate when the driver lost control and slammed into the southern rail of the bridge. Welcome, 27, of Lot 391 Austin Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that she drove the car
Bandits call taxi to pick them up after robbing Stanleytown resident Two armed bandits on Monday night called a taxi and directed the driver to the house they had just raided. This was even as their five victims lay on the floor of their Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara (WBD) home. The unmasked men scaled the fence of their victims’ yard and attacked them around 20:05 hrs on Monday. They carted off a blowdryer, phones, laptop, cash and a wedding band. During the robbery, Boodram Mangar, an estate worker was struck to the back with a gun and instructed to lie on the floor while they took his wife and daughter—one at a time—to the upper flat in search of money and jewelry. The men threatened to “wipe out” Mangar’s family if they did not comply with instructions. In an interview with this newspaper yesterday, Mangar’s daughter, Oma, said that she and her parents along with two relatives were sitting in the bottom flat of their home in an open area when one of the gunmen scaled the fence. “When one of the men jumped the fence
that’s when my mom saw and we started hollering,” Oma Mangar said. The woman added that the bandit demanded that they remain quiet while he held his weapon in his hand. The young Mangar said that the lone bandit demanded that they enter the house and lay on the floor. It was at this point that they were joined by the second suspect who struck her father with the gun on his back. “They were asking where the money and jewelry were. One of them took me upstairs and he search and kept asking me where the money and jewelry was but I didn’t say anything. The guy told me he will shoot my mom if I don’t tell him,” the young woman said. She added that after they did not find anything, the robber took her back downstairs and carried her mother. After they were satisfied, one of the men got on the phone and called for a taxi to pick them up at the location. A report was made to the police and an investigation has been launched.
while her breath alcohol level exceeded the legal limit. She was granted bail in the sum of $20,000 after she appeared before Magistrate Alisha George on Monday at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Courts. Kaieteur News understands that police investigations are still ongoing as it relates to charging Welcome with causing death by dangerous driving.
KILLED: Debra Pompey
ALLEGED DRUNKEN DRIVER: Tecona Welcome
Wednesday June 28, 2017
PAGE 21
Kaieteur News
Search warrant read in open court alerts former AG Nandlall
A planned raid on the Bel Air Park home of former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, has raised several alarming questions about leaks and procedures. The police Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) from all indications, was all set to visit the home to retrieve 15 Commonwealth Law Books in Nandlall’s possession that the state is claiming. The law books are subject of a criminal case that Nandlall is facing. He was arrested and charged earlier this year. He is insisting that the books, paid for by the state
-SOCU abandons planned search of his Bel Air home
Former AG, Anil Nandlall when he was in office, were part of his entitlement as a minister. SOCU officials yesterday
reportedly went to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where they applied to Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, for a search warrant. In what was described as a highly unusual situation, the application was read in open court. The magistrate reportedly also asked the SOCU officials to return in the afternoon to uplift the warrant. Legal minds and other officials were surprised that the application could have been read in open court as
Family blames late arrival of ambulance for Skeldon man’s death A pedal cyclist is now dead after he was struck down by a Canter along the Skeldon Line Path Public Road. Dead is Yatandeo Hiralall, 59, of Lot 7 Line Path, Skeldon. He was reportedly riding north along the western carriageway of the Skeldon Public Road at approximately 7.30 pm, when he reportedly attempted to overtake a Canter truck, GKK 7698. However, according to reports, Hiralall was struck from the rear by the said truck. The driver who is presently in police custody was tested for alcohol but this proved negative. An eyewitness told reporters that he heard a loud noise and immediately ran out his house, there he saw Hiralall lying next to a drain, with his bicycle on the parapet. He stated that he saw the Canter speeding away even as himself and other neighbours attempted to assist the injured man to the hospital. The Canter that allegedly hit the man returned but failed to offer any assistance. Hiralall was rushed to the
Dead: Yatandeo Hiralall Skeldon Public Hospital for medical attention where he later succumbed. Ramdai Hiralall, the dead man’s wife, related that her husband left home around 6:00 hours yesterday morning to “ride out he birds”. The grieving woman said she was finishing up her chores when she was informed that her husband had met with an accident and was at the hospital. She recalled seeing
Hiralall at the hospital with a swollen foot. “He didn’t get none injury outside, the doctor seh he get internal injury and that he na get head injury”, the woman said. According to her, the doctors at the Skeldon Hospital informed her that Hiralall would have to be transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital to undergo a few tests but claimed that there was no available ambulance to transport her husband, leaving him waiting for hours before being transferred. “Me ask where the ambulance deh but the doctor say about 40 minutes more and by the time that the doctor come out and tell me he dead. The ambulance take long to come from 7:30 (pm) time till 10 (pm) it meet”, she stressed. The grieving woman believes that her husband could have been saved if not for the delay in having him transported. He succumbed to his injuries sometime around 11 pm. Hiralall leaves to mourn his two children, wife, other relatives and friends.
The Bel Air home of Anil Nandlall. that itself would defy the surprise element that exists with a search warrant. Shortly after that appl i c a t i o n w a s m a d e , several media houses were alerted and they rushed down to the Bel Air Park home of Nandlall to await the SOCU raid. It never happened. Several high-ranking officials of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), including former President Donald Ramotar; Neend Kumar, Juan Edghill, and Zulfikar Mustapha were among those that converged on the Lama Av e n u e p r o p e r t y, i n a n apparent show of support for Nandlall. There were also some men specially mobilised. At the scene, Nandlall waved a court order which he insists is in force and which bars SOCU and the police from searching his property until the outcome of a pending case. He said that the issue was never about being able to afford the law books. ”That is not my concern at all.
In fact I offered SOCU to buy 15 brand new books, unused from the company and deliver it to them by DHL tomorrow if they want.” He said that the issue is about his rights. “If you give into injustice an inch, they will come for 10 inches, then they will come for a yard. Everyone knows I can afford the books…it is about the principle.” Nandlall believed that he is targeted because he is outspoken about drug purchases for the state and the rental of private properties for ministers. He noted that the criminal case involving the law books is still ongoing with the seizure of the law books not likely to help the case much at this time. “If we don’t stand up…you see how the dictatorship grows…you may
be supportive of the government…that is not the issue here.” Nandlall made it clear that with no respect for court orders, there will be breakdowns with no one safe anymore. Nandlall said that after learning of the SOCU’s plan to acquire a warrant, he retrieved copies of the latest court documents which clearly indicated that the order against SOCU and the police are in force. He said that he is not allowing anyone in. “When they come here, they have to break this gate down and the world will have to see.” At the Bel Air scene, expresident Ramotar made it clear that Nandlall has a court order and any breaches would be trampling of the rights of the people.
PAGE 22
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyanapassport 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 Repairs at low cost: Fridges, air- conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, freezers- Call:629-4946 or 225-4822 A Power ’s Repairs & Services: repairs done on fridges, washers, freezers, stove, A/C. located 114 Bruche Dam, E.C.D. Call: 6852588/669-0477
WANTED 1 Accounts Clerk, preferably from E.B.D – 5 subjects CXC minimum @ gtcareers592@gmail.com Hairdresser/Nail Technician apply at West Shore Plaza, 15 Public Road, Ruimzeight, W.C.D. Call: 269-1524/656-3561 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 Hardworking, pleasant, physically fit, literate, team player (Plant Shop Staff) 1825 years. Tel: 646-2108, Georgetown
Middle age couple (40-50) to live and work on farm/resort at Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke Highway. Call: 643-0333/697-8008 Hairdressers and nail technicians to work at Modern Hair Fashion Salon. Call: 227-8613 or 226-1931
Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665
DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494 AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 TAXI SERVICE GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
FOR SALE
FOR RENT
PROPERTY FOR SALE
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
Bully dogs mix with pit-bull puppies. Call: 684-9994/6878320 ask for Keno
Business spots to rent on Public Road, 15X15 space with A/C, PVC ceiling, 40X12 PVC Ceiling, running water. Call: 613-0448/672-8625
AT 192 Car, Price $450,000.00 negotiable. Tel: 643-4049
GT Express wanted contract cars, dispatcher, drivers. Tel: 231-0316/ 231-0002 Buying fresh wamara logs and square. Call: 664-5150 Contract cars at City Taxi Service, 8 Vlissengen Road. Call: 227-6868 We are buying residential house lots from $500,000.00$10M, priorities for Eccles & Providence. Call:629-2881/ 651-1969
LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages).
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
6 Cows for sale @ La Penitence, G/Town. Call: 6947796/231-0597/671-0614
Sawmill for rent in Linden: Ripsaw, portable mill, molder in excellent condition. Call: 673-9401
Paint Sale! Until supplies last! Coloured latex paint, 50% discount. Call: 265-3541/ 6954785/616-3411
One unfurnished two bedroom apartment at Eccles - $55,000 monthly. Call: 6487004
House and land available @ La Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Etc, We also assist with financing. Contact Pacific Development: 2236035/ 227-8274
Sale! Laptops from -$40,000, netbooks -$29,000, Dell Desktop Computers with 19" Screen - $49,000 free games, etc. Call Futuretech: 231-2206
Two bedroom at self contained @ Tuschen $50,000. Call: 688-0087/ 6338484
House for sale, 2 flat, no flooding, 6ft fence, price $18M negotiable. Call: 2335400, 218-0595
Rental @ Ogle, 4 Master bedrooms, luxury home $5,000US. Call: 688-0087/ 6338484
Goat Creek, Riverfront , 75 Acres land -$7M, Lanaballi River Front, 50 Acres -$9M. Diamond -$7.5M Call: 6880087, 638-8484
Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999
One female domestic to work in Trinidad. ages between 25 40yrs. Free accommodation. Call or whatsap: 1868- 683-1528
Water dredge operator, sailor, watchman for interior. Call: 675-0587/225-9304
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
Wednesday June 28, 2017
Kaieteur News
Three storey 75ftX30ft building/bond, open floor, 2 offices & 2 washrooms, driveway @ 25B Princes St., Charlestown. Call: 223-0654/ 225-0605 1 2 Bedroom house to rent at Grove, E.B.D – Call: 266-0892/ 681-1047
VEHICLE FOR SALE 3.5 TON & 4 TON CANTER, OPEN BACK WITH 4D35 & 4D34 ENGINE, PRICE -$3.8M & $4.2M. CALL: 617-2891
Two bedroom apartment to rent @ Herstelling New Scheme. Call: 627-3882/ 6412311
TOYOTA FIELDER – 2009 WITH BODY KIT & RIMS $2.5M, SIENTA -$2.1M. CALL: 617-2891
3 Bedrooms upstairs @ 74 Independence Street, La Grange, light & water inclusive. Call: 695-9386
1 Hilux extra cab, GVV series, 5L diesel, good condition. Call: 673-3335/233-6218
Hair & nails stations available for rental to experienced hairdressers & nail technicians. Call: 6283092/ 683-7033
Unregistered Mazda Axela 2011 -$2.7M, Corolla Fielder 2010 -$2.4M, Nissan Pickup 2000 -$2.3M. Call: 617-5536 1 Toyota Vigo, price -$2.5M, 4 wheel drive immaculate condition. Call: 225-3234
Tuschen 2 bedroom flat houses: $10M, land $2M. Call: 688-0087,638-8484 Versailes luxury home - $US 500,000, Hague front property - $30M, Tuschen $25M, Canal #2 (15 acres) -$9M. Call:6880087,638-8484
Oswin J’s Auto Imports, new arrivals: Premio 2009, Allion 2009/2010, X-Trail 2009, Vitz 2013, 1 Bus 05/09. Call: 6092815/696-4659 2004 Honda Fit for sale, price negotiable. Call Akimo: 622-6453 or Michael: 685-0088 SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Newly constructed apartments in a safe & healthy environment. Call: 698-6496/622-6512 Room in Albertown/ apartments in Eccles. Call:225-3234 2 Bedrooms apartment Middle Road La Penitence $25,000 working person only. Call: 601-4661 PEN PAL 43yrs old male looking for vegetarian wife. Call: 690-7175
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 One driver that lives on Essequibo Coast to drive distribution vehicle. Call: 623-1615 Admin officer, business associate/customer services, computer operator, brilliant & detailed oriented. Apply @ Executive office Services. Call: 623-3574 One experienced cook various types of vegetarian dishes Monday –Saturday. Call: 623-1615 Cook/ Baker for interior. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 618-2020 Immediate vacancy exists for labourers t work at Ice Factory, Meadowbank. Call: 231-1408/642-9191 between 8am-1pm Receptionist/Clerk -$35,000 weekly, manager’s assistant, attractive salary. Call: 2202878
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Riviera Island: 145 Acres $30M, Tuschen property $5.8M, $6M, $15M. Call: 6880087, 638-8484
VACANCY One experienced pharmacy assistant to work in a reputable pharmacy in G/ Town (flexible hours). Call: 227-0630 Immediate vacancy for 2 females to work @ Ice Factory in Blairmont, must have Maths, English. Call: 2311408/642-9191
ACCOMMODATION Journey Inn apartment rental, short term with AC & Kitchen, as low as -$15US. Call: 642-1783/ 646-3011634/718-2301695
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 New Hope land - $4M, Enmore- $2M, Moblissa Land - $2M per acre. Call: 688-0087, 638-8484 2 ½ Acres riverside land, 5 Acres land with 5,000 sq.ft building. Call: 653-2477/685-6874 Herstelling (100ftX50ft) - $3.2M, Farm (East Bank) -$2.8M, La Parfaite Harmonie -$1M, $1.4M, $1.6M, Uitvlugt -$2.6M. Call: 629-2881/651-1969
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 Table Tennis Classes: play to keep fit, lose weight, build self-esteem while having fun. Call: 626-2629/676-6312
Wednesday June 28, 2017
PAGE 23
Kaieteur News
Three E.C.D police stations... From page 11 The Ministry of the Presidency was listed as the procuring entity for the procurement of a Mitigation Assessment Consultant.
The Ministry of Public Telecommunications was listed as the procuring entity for Network Infrastructure Internal Controls Assessment
The DHBC is also the procuring entity for the rehabilitation of five large pontoons and gantry.
Bids were also submitted for the contract to refurbished concrete apron at the western forecourt of the Public Building. The Parliament Building is the procuring entity. Contractors also submitted bids for the supply and delivery of road safety materials for the Ministry of Public Infrastructure
The entity will also be standing the cost for the replacement of the floor of the stores, Public Buildings
Miners tell Gold Board:
We are not paying $4,000 fee
Bids were also submitted for the resurfacing of the concrete Pavement – south and west, outside of the Public Building.
Guyana School of Agriculture Corporation is the procuring entity for the supply, delivery, installation and testing of Fire Protection System.
Bids were submitted for the sonstruction of concrete Koker at Kortberaadt, East Berbice/ Corentyne. The Ministry of Communities is the procuring entity.
The Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC) is the procuring entity for the supply of 30,000 galvanized wire rope (unit of measurement was not stated).
The Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) has said that its members will refuse to pay a $4,000 processing fee effective next month. According to GGDMA’s president, Terrence Adams, executives of the advocacy body met with officials of the Guyana Gold Board yesterday morning to discuss the fee which was announced over the weekend by the state entity. The official said it was made clear to the GGB officials that its members will not be paying the fee because of a number of reasons. In addition to the GGDMA executives, present at the meeting yesterday were Chairman for the GGB, Gabriel (GHK) Lall, and board member, John Yates. “We had a meeting with the board and we tell them ‘sorry we would not be making that payment’. So they now want to meet with the minister (Raphael Trotman of the Ministry of Natural Resources) and us. That is where we are at.” During the meeting, Adams said that GGDMA also asked the GGB to pull an advertisement it has been carrying in the newspaper with regards to the introduction of the $4,000 fee. “We ask them to pull the ad in the papers, as we will
GGB’s Chairman, GHK Lall
GGDMA’s President, Terrence Adams
have to reply.” On Sunday, in the Kaieteur News, GGB in a notice to all miners and dealers said that a processing fee of $4,000 will be charged on every transaction. The fee introduction would have been effective July 1. Currently, miners are required to pay a total of seven percent- a five percent tax and two percent royalty on every ounce of gold sold. The two percent goes to GGB with the five percent being remitted to the Guyana Revenue Authority. GGB has been facing some major issues as the state arm for regulating gold
purchases in Guyana. Following the fall of gold prices a few years ago, it was left stuck with a huge gold inventory, suffering billions of dollars in losses. With increased monitoring now for new laws targeting money laundering, GGB has been grappling with ways to increase its revenues. On the other hand, miners despite gold prices looking up, have been complaining of hardships seeking to avoid taxes, poor infrastructure and other challenges. Gold remained the largest foreign currency earner last year for the country, after dismal performance by other sectors like sugar and rice.
PAGE 24
Venezuela crisis: Helicopter ‘attacks’ Supreme Court The Supreme Court in Caracas was apparently the target of the attack
A helicopter has apparently tried to bomb Venezuela’s Supreme Court in what President Nicolas Maduro called a “terrorist attack”. The government says a police officer flew the helicopter over the capital, Caracas, and dropped grenades. Footage on social media shows a helicopter circling over the city before a loud bang is heard. The officer believed to have seized the aircraft has issued a video statement condemning the government. There are no reports of anyone being killed or injured. Venezuela is in the grip of an economic and political crisis and there have been almost daily protests against Mr Maduro’s leftist government.
More than 70 people have been killed in protest-related violence since 1 April, according to the chief prosecutor’s office. President Maduro said grenades had been dropped in the attack and he promised that security forces would capture those behind it. “I have activated the entire armed forces to defend the peace,” he said in an address from the Miraflores presidential palace. “Sooner or later, we are going to capture that helicopter and those who carried out this terror attack.” The police officer, who called himself Oscar Perez, appeared on Instagram, flanked by armed and masked men in uniform. He appealed to Venezuelans to oppose “tyranny”. “We are a coalition of mili-
tary employees, policemen and civilians who are looking for balance and are against this criminal government,” he said. “We don’t belong to any political tendency or party. We are nationalists, patriots and institutionalists.” He said the “fight” was not against the security forces but “against the impunity of this government. It is against tyranny”. Earlier yesterday, Mr Maduro reiterated his allegations that the US was supporting coup attempts against his government and warned President Donald Trump that Venezuela would resist such a move. On Monday, he announced that five people had been arrested, accused of plotting against him and preparing for a US invasion.
Europe Stands by Caribbean on Climate Funding BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – A senior European Union (EU) official in the Caribbean said Europe is ready to continue the global leadership on the fight against climate change, including helping the poor and vulnerable countries in the region. Underlining the challenges posed by climate change, Head of the Euro-
Wednesday June 28, 2017
Kaieteur News
pean Union Delegation to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS, and CARICOM/ CARIFORUM, Ambassador Daniela Tramacere made it clear that the EU has no plan to abandon the extraordinary Agreement reached in Paris in 2015 by nearly 200 countries. “Climate change is a
challenge we can only tackle together and, since the beginning, Europe has been at the forefront of this collective engagement. Today, more than ever, Europe recognizes the necessity to lead the way on its implementation, through effective climate policies and strengthened cooperation to build strong partnerships,” Tramacere said.
Canada ends visa-free travel for Antigua-Barbuda nationals ST JOHN’S, Antigua — The government of Canada has decided to end visa-free travel for citizens of Antigua and Barbuda. This decision reportedly relates to concerns over individuals who obtain passports under citizenship by investment programmes in the Caribbean. The Canadian High Commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda, stationed in Trinidad, advised Prime Minister Gaston Browne of this development late last week prior to an official announcement on Monday. At the time, the Canadian official said that a concern is that Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment programme is not a residency programme. In response, Browne pointed to the intense vetting of its CIP system, the revenues to the people of
Gaston Browne Antigua and Barbuda when the terms of trade and aid have declined and the banking system is threatened. Despite the end of visafree travel, the official Canadian government statement said, “Canada continues to welcome visitors from
Antigua and Barbuda.” It also stated: “Most approved visa applicants will receive a multiple-entry visa, which allows travellers to visit Canada as many times as they want, for up to ten years. For each visit, travellers can stay for up to six months.” Antigua and Barbuda is the last of the countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) from whom the Canadian government has withdrawn visa-free travel, at a time of heightened security over terrorism and refugees. Of all 14 independent Caribbean C o m m u n ity (CARICOM) countries, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas and Barbados are the only ones that continue to enjoy visa-free travel to Canada. (Caribbean News)
Tributes flow as Parliament bids farewell to Ja’s first female PM KINGSTON, Jamaica — State Minister with responsibility for works in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Everald Warmington, got the ball rolling yesterday afternoon as Parliament said goodbye to the country’s first female prime minister, Portia Simpson Miller. Warmington, who made note that Simpson Miller is his cousin, said she has been a “champion” for the poor. The tributes continued with Opposition member Phillip Paulwell, who chose to discard of his speech and delivered a goodbye tribute from the heart.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness followed and wished Simpson Miller health and prosperity on her new journey. Holness hailed Simpson Miller as the “mother of the people”, noting that her commitment to the Jamaican people has been unwavering. “Forty years is a long time and what has happened in those forty years is that you have become the mother of the people and they have become your children, your family, and even with your departure those bonds will not be easily broken,” the prime minister said. In closing he recalled her smile, affectionate hugs and
kisses, as well as her “quick sprints to the stage”. “You have served us well and may God bless you on your journey,” he said. Tributes continued with Opposition Leader, Dr Peter Phillips, who, like the others, outlined that Simpson Miller stood out in a male dominated field. He hailed Simpson Miller as one of the most memorable prime ministers in Jamaica’s history. “Her place in Jamaican consciousness would guarantee her a place in Jamaica’s modern history,” Dr Phillips said. President of the Senate Tom Taveres-Finson remi
Former Brazil finance minister sentenced to 12 years SAO PAULO (Reuters) A Brazilian court sentenced former finance minister Antonio Palocci to 12 years in prison on Monday for cor-
ruption and money laundering, potentially bringing the sweeping “Operation Car Wash” graft investigation closer to the financial sec-
tor. The ruling by Judge Sergio Moro adds to the pressure on Palocci, who served as finance minister under former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, to reach a plea bargain with prosecutors in a bid to have his sentence reduced. A deal is expected to be announced by September, when Prosecutor-General Rodrigo Janot finishes his term and is set to be replaced by an appointee of President Michel Temer. Palocci, who was chief of staff to Lula’s successor, Dilma Rousseff, has offered to provide details about the kickback scheme under investigation that could hurt Lula’s chances of running in the 2018 election.
Wednesday June 28, 2017
Kaieteur News
Trump urges India’s Modi to fix deficit, but stresses strong ties
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugs U.S. President Donald Trump as he departures the White House after a visit, in Washington, U.S. REUTERS/Carlos Barria Reuters - U.S. President Donald Trump urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to do more to relax Indian trade barriers on Monday during talks in which both leaders took great pains to stress the importance of a strong U.S.-Indian relationship. At a closely watched first meeting between the two, Trump and Modi appeared to get along well. Modi pulled in Trump for a bear hug on the stage as the cameras
rolled in the Rose Garden. “I deeply appreciate your strong commitment to the enhancement of our bilateral relations,” Modi told him. “I am sure that under your leadership a mutually beneficial strategic partnership will gain new strength, new positivity, and will reach new heights.” Trump was also warm but made clear he sees a need for more balance in the U.S.-India trade relationship in keeping with his campaign prom-
ise to expand American exports and create more jobs at home. Last year the U.S. trade deficit with India neared $31 billion. Trump said he would like a trading relationship that is “fair and reciprocal.” “It is important that barriers be removed to the export of U.S. goods into your markets and that we reduce our trade deficit with your country,” he said. Trump said he was pleased about an Indian airline’s recent order of 100 new American planes and that the United States looked forward to exporting more energy, including major longterm contracts to purchase American natural gas. These energy contracts “are being negotiated and we will sign – trying to get the price up a little bit,” Trump said. Modi came to Washington looking to revitalise a relationship that thrived under former President Barack Obama but has appeared to flag as Trump courted India’s rival China in an effort to persuade Beijing to do more to rein in North Korea.
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Saudi, Qatar ministers spar over Arab nations’ demands Reuters - Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said yesterday that there would be no negotiations over demands by the kingdom and other Arab states for Qatar to stop sup-
porting terrorism. Doha retorted that the allegations against it and demands were baseless and unacceptable. Qatar has previously also said the
demands were aimed at curbing its sovereignty. Asked by reporters on a visit to Washington if the demands were non-negotiable, Saudi’s Jubeir said:
“Yes.” “We made our point, we took our steps and it’s up to the Qataris to amend their behaviour and once they do things will be worked out but
if they don’t they will remain isolated,” Jubeir said. If Qatar wanted to return to the Gulf Cooperation Council fold, “they know what they have to do,” he said. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt imposed a boycott on Qatar three weeks ago, accusing it of backing militants then issued an ultimatum, including demands it shut down a Turkish military base in Doha, shutting the Al Jazeera TV channel and curbing ties with Iran. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the State Department yesterday. Al Jazeera quoted Al
Adel al-Jubeir Thani as saying in response to Saudi’s Jubeir that the countries had presented “claims that are not proved by evidence and are not demands”.
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U.S. brands China as among worst human trafficking offenders Reuters - The U.S. State Department yesterday placed China on its global list of the worst offenders in human trafficking and forced labour, a step that could aggravate tensions with Beijing that had eased under President Donald Trump. Trump, however, has grown increasingly frustrated over China’s inaction on North Korea and bilateral trade issues and is considering possible trade actions against Beijing, three senior administration officials told
Reuters. Myanmar was upgraded to the Tier 2 Watch List of nations that deserve special scrutiny, from Tier 3, which includes those countries not complying with minimum U.S. standards and making no significant effort to do so. Afghanistan, Malaysia and Qatar moved up to Tier 2, a list of nations making significant efforts to comply, from the Tier 2 Watch List. Tier 1 designates nations that meet minimum U.S. standards.
The report said China convicted fewer sex and labour traffickers in the 12 months ended on March 31 than in the previous year, forcibly repatriated North Koreans without screening them for indicators of trafficking and handled most forced labour cases as administrative issues rather than criminal prosecutions. “China was downgraded to Tier 3 status in this year’s report in part because it has not taken serious steps to end its own complicity in trafficking,
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (C) looks as Susan Coppedge (L), Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, greets Ivanka Trump at the 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) Ceremony at the State Department in Washington, U.S., June 27, 2017. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
including forced labourers from North Korea that are located in China,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said as he presented the report. For the previous three years, China was on the Tier 2 Watch List. It was
last in Tier 3, the lowest ranking, in 2013. A Tier 3 rating can trigger sanctions limiting access to U.S. and international aid, but U.S. presidents frequently waive such action. Twenty-one countries
were downgraded from their status on last year’s report, and 27 countries were upgraded, said Susan Coppedge, the senior State Department official working on human trafficking issues, at a briefing with reporters on Tuesday.
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Vivo retains IPL title rights till 2022 after massive bid ESPNcricinfo - Chinese mobile handset manufacturer Vivo has retained the Indian Premier League title sponsorship rights for the next five seasons (2018-2022) with a winning bid of INR 2199 crores (approximately US $341 million), a jump of 454% over the five-year contract signed in 2012. Vivo first bagged the title sponsorship in October 2015 for two editions from PepsiCo India, who had ended its five-year contract, worth INR 396 crore, two years ahead of schedule. Vivo’s previous arrangement, according to BCCI CEO Rahul Johri, saw them pay “a
shade less” than INR 100 crore per year. The base price for this cycle of title rights was set at 15% more than what Vivo paid last year and the company edged out the only other bid of INR 1430 crore from Oppo, another smartphone manufacturer. Incidentally, Oppo had trumped Vivo for the sponsorship rights of the India team in March, with the two companies being the only bidders again. The bids were opened yesterday in Mumbai, in the presence of both parties along with IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla and BCCI’s acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary.
“When an existing sponsor renews [the contract] and puts in a number like this, then it’s a real testimony to the value of this property [IPL],” Johri told ESPNcricinfo. “There are two things: firstly, the preeminence of the IPL as one of the finest global sports properties [is established]. It is unparalleled. If you saw this year’s IPL numbers, they were the highest ever. It is a property which continues to grow year after year, and that’s what we are seeing . “Secondly, Vivo, which was already a sponsor for the last two years, putting in this number, that really shows that
Wednesday June 28, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You need an outlet that will not only stimulate you but also challenge your intelligence as well. Take care of the needs or responsibilities of elders. You may be fortunate while traveling. TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Talk to the party involved and make sure that they are informed as to what actually happened. An older loved one may be having problems. You can evade the issue as usual by being affectionate, fun loving, and far too active for your lover to catch on. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Stretch the truth, and you may get blamed for something you didn't do. Don't vacillate about asking for assistance if you need it. You will be able to dazzle others with your obvious charm and your outgoing nature.
not to jump to conclusions. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may find travel to be most rewarding. Don't overspend on items for your home. Social events will be rewarding. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Take time to find out if anyone has a better suggestion before you make arrangements for the whole family. Don't get talked into get rich quick schemes. You will have problems with coworkers if you are too extreme about doing things perfectly. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Unexpected changes in friendships could occur. You can put in some overtime and make extra cash. Outdoor sports events should entice you.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't exhaust yourself or minor health problems will set in. Opportunities to show your worth will enhance your reputation and bring possible advancement.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You may need help with your financial situation. Someone you like may be receptive and actively seeking your company. Keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself and you won't get dragged into an unsavory debate.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You will encounter those who can help you further your goals if you attend functions that attract prominent people. You may be upset if someone has borrowed something that belongs to you.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Children may be difficult to handle. You'll have amazing ideas, but superiors may try to block your attempts at implementing them. You will be tempted to shop till you drop.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Try to understand both sides of the issue before taking sides. Get proper medical attention and confront your situation decisively. Be aware of deception when it comes to your position, and be sure
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You need a job with more responsibility and a higher wage. Don't take your frustrations out on the ones you love. You must be careful not to reveal secrets or get involved in gossip.
they are fully aware of the value of this commitment.” Two other companies Xiaomi and Intex - had picked up the tender document but did not go through with the bid. When asked about the trend of three of the four interested parties being Chinese mobile handset manufacturers, Johri said Oppo and Vivo had adequate exposure to cricket sponsorships. “You have to understand that both these companies
have been involved in cricket sponsorships,” he said. “Oppo is one of the sponsors of the ICC, so they have cricket exposure. And, Vivo is an existing IPL sponsor, so they are continuing their investment into cricket, so that shows the importance of cricket, especially Indian cricket. It’s not the first time they are doing it, they understand the value.” Working with existing
sponsors that have cricket exposure, Johri felt, was a positive for the Indian board. “BCCI is a cricket establishment and people who have cricket exposure are there,” he said. “Plus, you see, the ticket price of these sponsorships are so high that you will always have a handful of people. Yo u wouldn’t have a 100 people signing up for this, so the really serious guys [are the ones that will come forward].”
Rain and wind wash out Wimbledon... (From page 28) brought today’s start of play half an hour earlier to 10.30am, with a backlog building. As well as Djokovic, women’s French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and runner-up Simona Halep are scheduled to play, but in
Ostapenko’s case only if British hope Johanna Konta can complete an earlier round earlier in the day. Other big names hoping to stretch their limbs on the lush lawns of Devonshire Park include women’s world number one Angelique Kerber, and French players Richard
Gasquet and Gael Monfils. The forecast is not great, though, with rain predicted for much of the morning, and lengthy spells of the afternoon. Fans who left Devonshire Park seeing barely a ball struck will at least be refunded, the tournament said.
Malinga gets suspended ban for... (From page 26) critic, and had not played cricket at a sufficiently high level for his criticism to be taken seriously. SLC said the fast bowler had twice acted in “contravention of the terms of agree-
Senior players... (From page 30) 107. Drakes said it was important that the key batsmen in the Windies squad made their presence felt in such a way that it forced a victory. “We have enough matchwinners in the squad that if they take that responsibility to bat deep they can influence the game in a positive way,” the former West Indies seamer pointed out. “So we’re just hoping that some of these things we ask for as coaches, we can get the cricketers to make the contribution to allow us to be in the game and stay in the game.” West Indies will once again seek to turn the page on their ordinary form when they take on the India Women in their second match of the tournament at County Ground here tomorrow. Significantly, West Indies went down to the Indians by five wickets in a warm-up contest in Leicester 11 days ago and were also whitewashed 3-0 in a series in Vijayawada last November.
ment”, which bar him from making any statements to the media without the prior consent of the board’s chief executive officer: the first violation was around June 19, before a subsequent breach
around June 21. The three-member inquiry panel comprised SLC secretary Mohan de Silva, CEO Ashley de Silva and chairman of the disciplinary committee, Asela Rekawa.
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Malinga gets suspended ban for breach of contract ESPNCRICINFO - Fast bowler Lasith Malinga has been given a suspended ban of six months and fined 50% of the match fee of his next ODI appearance, after a disciplinary inquiry found him guilty of breaching his contract. Sri Lanka Cricket’s decision will have no impact o n t h e f a s t b o w l e r ’s availability for the Zimbabwe series - he was named in the 13-member squad for the first two ODIs. Malinga appeared before
SLC’s special inquiry panel yesterday, where he accepted the charges against him and tendered a formal apology. A specially convened executive committee meeting then imposed a “1 Year suspension, suspended by six months (whereby the punishment would be imposed in the event of a similar infraction within the stipulated 6 month period) and a 50% fine of his next ODI match fee,” SLC said in a release.
The inquiry was precipitated by Malinga’s response to sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, who had alleged that Sri Lanka’s poor fielding standards were due to players’ inadequate fitness, in particular their “big bellies”. Malinga had not taken direct aim at Jayasekara in a stinging response, but nevertheless had implied in an interview that the sports minister was no more than an armchair (Continued on page 25)
Lasith Malinga appeared before a special inquiry panel of SLC on Tuesday, and accepted the charges against him © Getty Images
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GCF boss satisfied with progress of sport following National C/ships Believes all are pedaling in same direction By Franklin Wilson Following the completion of a successful National Championships this year, which took place over two weekends, President of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) Horace Burrowes has stated that the sport is heading in the right direction. Speaking with the media following the completion of the senior leg of the championship on Sunday last, which saw Raynauth ‘Obeah Man’ Jeffrey winning the longest race ever in the history of the championship (103 miles), Burrowes posited that the national body will not in any way stymie the growth of the sport but will be working with all and sundry for the forward thrust of the sport. The USA based President noted that this year’s competition is the best that has ever been held, pointing out that many of the competitors have been exposed to a higher level of training and competition in the USA and elsewhere which resulted in a high level of competition. Questioned why the federation has seemingly been on a push with more
races being held to supplement what the individual clubs have been organising, Burrowes said that has been the case because it is the only way cyclists can develop and be able to compete against the best in the region. He said that participation at more regional and international events is a priority of the federation. ”We have to start attending all these international events and meets. I took it upon myself that even if I had to fund it myself, which I have done a couple of times along with the help of some of the clubs in order to have a presence.” The former national cyclist noted that attending championships so far this year has been a major plus for Guyana which included the 32nd Pan-American R o a d C y c l i n g Championships that took place in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in May. This was the first time that Guyana attended. Commenting on the dust being settled with regards to the clubs which had sought to replace the GCF via an IMC, Burrowes answered in the affirmative. ”I think so, I totally think
so. Everyone is pretty much on board now with the federation and they understand which is the national body of cycling in this country. There’s no IMC or any other body that can come and take over the national body because we live by a constitution, even to the country lives by a constitution so we have to follow that constitution.” The federation head said that he has reached out to many of the stakeholders, including cyclists and they are fully aware of where he would like to sport to go and they are happy with the progress. Burrowes took the opportunity to address the issue about the lack of women competing in the sport. ”This is one of my goals, to get the clubs involved to start recruiting more young women into the sport. Even if I have to come up with some of the bikes, I will do that.” He informed that he recently presented new bikes to the members of his team and some of the frames collected from the riders can be passed on to some women. “I know this sport is very expensive and hard but
getting stuff to help these kids out is a big deal for me.” Assistance for the federation, Burrowes shared, also comes from a number of his friends in New York as well as his brothers. ”I would not say that I am doing this by myself because I have a lot of support when it comes to this federation.” For the first time, the GCF used a custom made backdrop for the presentation that have the logos of the federation, UCI, Guyana’s Coat of Arms, National Flag and the Pan American Federation. The GCF head also pointed out that for the first time many local riders have been able to land contracts overseas, while others have been training on the international circuit which has resulted in a higher level of competition which he said was evident in the just concluded senior championship. He mentioned Jamal John, Hamza Eastman, Raynauth Jeffrey, Geron Williams, Andrew Hicks, Orville Hinds, Michael Anthony and Paul DeNobrega among others as having all been exposed to a higher level of competition overseas where they are even
GCF President Horace Burrowes (right) with the top three junior cyclists in Guyana, Briton John (center), Nigel Duguid (left) and Marcus Keiler.
able to win races and place among the best. ”Everyone of them either just came back from the Pan American games or they just came back from New York or elsewhere racing at a high level. Most of these guys win races abroad so we know that
they are really good at what they do.” Burrowes also informed that the federation had its financial audit done after five years, “So things are moving forward for us, all we need is for people to come on board with us.”
Facebook, Fox Sports sign deal to livestream UEFA Champions League (Reuters) Fox Sports said yesterday it had partnered with Facebook Inc t o l i v e s t r e a m U E FA Champions League matches during the 2017-18 season. The sports network, owned by Twenty-First Century Fox Inc, said that some matches from Europe’s top-tier club soccer tournament will be exclusive to Facebook and Fox Sports GO, while others will be simulcast on television. Social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter Inc have beefed up their focus on signing livestreaming sports deals as
young audience increasingly rely on the internet to watch sports ditching the traditional cable services. Fox Sports will stream UEFA Champions League matches in the United States on its Facebook pages, starting in September, according to the deal. The partnership includes two live matches per day in the group stage, four round of 16 matches and four quarterfinal matches, Fox said. As an attempt to further push into live video, Facebook also struck a deal, last month, with Major
Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, Marcelo and Luka Modric celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League Final. (Reuters / Carl Recine Livepic) League Baseball to show 20 of the league’s games live this season. Twitter also chalked out a live streaming deal with
the Canadian Football League (CFL) on Tuesday to stream a 30-minute live show featuring football news, player interviews and
stories about the league, the CFL said. The mi c r o b l o g g i n g website had signed a multi-year deal, last
month, with the U.S. National Football League to live-stream pre-game coverage as well as a 30minute show.
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Shastri to apply for India coaching job ESPNCRICINFO Ravi Shastri, the former India allrounder and team director, will apply for the role of the India’s head coach, according to the New Indian Express. “Yes, I have decided to apply for the job,” Shastri told the newspaper from London, while denying reports that he would apply
for the role only if he was assured of getting it. The coach’s position has been vacant after Anil Kumble resigned last week, stating his partnership with India captain Virat Kohli had become “untenable”. Kumble’s original oneyear contract ended with the Champions Trophy, but he was to continue with the
team for the ongoing West Indies tour. In the wake of Kumble’s resignation, who had reapplied for the job in May, the BCCI decided to invite fresh applications for the post to add to the five shortlisted candidates Virender Sehwag, Tom Moody, Lalchand Rajput, Richard Pybus and Dodda Ganesh. The last date for
Japanese chess prodigy, 14, breaks 30-year winning streak record
submissions is July 9. The BCCI’s Cricket Advisory Committee comprising Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman - has been tasked with selecting the team’s coach. Shastri had applied for the role in 2016 too, and was disappointed he had missed out since the team had done well during his tenure as director. Shastri took over as team director in August 2014 and under him, India made it to semi-finals of successive
global events - the 2015 World Cup and the 2016 World T20, and also climbed to No. 1 on the Test rankings for a period of eight weeks until Australia took over in February 2016. During that period, India also won their first limited-overs bilateral series in Australia, whitewashing the hosts 3-0 in a T20I series. While he worked alongside Duncan Fletcher in the early part of his tenure, Shastri had sole responsibility after the 2015 World Cup.
Ravi Shastri ©Getty Images
Roraima and Department of Sports partners on “Good Ambassadors” initiative
Japan’s youngest professional shogi player, 14-year-old Sota Fujii, holds a shogi board with the number 29 portrayed with shogi pieces at the Shogi Kaikan hall in Tokyo, Japan. (Kyodo/via REUTERS) (Reuters) A 14-year-old Japanese player of the traditional chess-like board game of shogi has captured the nation’s heart by winning a record straight 29 matches, breaking a record held for 30 years. Sota Fujii, who trains himself with computer software and was the youngest player ever to turn professional, surpassed the previous record of 28 consecutive wins on Monday. His feat, a rare bright spot in a nation grappling with more than 15 years of deflation and stagnation, drew applause from all walks of life ranging from avid shogi fans to the prime minister. His picture was all over yesterday’s front pages. “Young power has made history. This victory gives dreams and hopes to the Japanese people,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abetoldreporters. After a grueling 11-hour match on Monday with a 19-
year-old fellow professional, Fujii was calm before reporters. “Winning 29 straight matches was beyond my wildest imagination. I’m delighted, but I’m very surprised as well,” Fujii said. The object of shogi, also known as Japanese chess, is to checkmate the opponent’s king, as in the Western game. But there are no black and white squares or pieces, and most pieces can only move one square at a time. Following the centuriesold shogi tradition, Fujii has a senior professional shogi player as an official mentor. But his game has improved significantly since he started training with computer software about a year and a half ago, frowned on by many professional shogi players, the Asahi Shimbun daily said. “A professional shogi player is lucky if he has as many as 1,000 matches in his lifetime. An artificial
intelligence-based programme has several thousand times more matches than that virtually, and accumulates expertise,” a Japan Shogi Association official said. “Professional players understand computers’ strength and their way of thinking is now shifting to how to use AI to improve their own strength.” Fujii’s winning streak comes after Google’s AI programme, AlphaGo, beat Chinese Go master Ke Jie last month in a best of three series meant to test the limits of computers in taking on humans at complex tasks. Ke, the world’s No.1 Go p l a y e r, i s 1 9 , w h i l e Norway’s Magnus Carlsen, the current world chess champion, became a chess grandmaster at 13. No matches between Fujii and an AI-based programme are planned at the moment, the Japan Shogi Association said.
The Department of Sport is working on adding Guyanese athletes to the p o o l o f “ G o o d Ambassadors” as they become more exposed to and familiar with Guyana’s tourism product. This programme is being implemented with the help of corporate entities including the Roraima Airways, according to Director of Sports, Christopher Jones during a visit to Arrowpoint Nature Resort over the weekend with 20 sports men and women. Jones commended Roraima’s partnership with his Department and stated that Roraima is the first corporate tourism entity to come on board as a sponsor since the launch of the Tourism Seminar in April of this year. “Roraima Airways is the first tourism company which has come on board to support our athletes since the inaugural Sports Tourism Seminar. The Department of Tourism is currently working on the Tourism Policy which incorporates sport and tourism. We want to expose our athletes to our local tourism product so when abroad they would be able to effectively promote Guyana. And by virtue of Roraima
Airways coming on board, this would enhance athletes’ ability to market Guyana’s tourism product. On behalf of the Department, I would like to thank Roraima for supporting our athletes”, the Director of Sports stated. The Award winning 2016 THAG Resort of the year, Arrowpoint, hosted twenty Sports Awardees on Saturday June 24, which the Athletes experienced for the first time. The Arrowpoint experience included a tour of the Indigenous Village, Sanata Aratak Mission, activities which showcase the way of life of the indigenous people and a brush of Guyana’s wild life. Speaking on the exposure of the athletes to Arrowpoint Nature Resort, Mr. Jones said; “I think it’s a worthy experience for our local athletes and Guyanese as a whole, because having experienced the best of Guyana’s tourism package one can appreciate their own country more, which would create the ripple effect of becoming quality ambassadors. I would therefore, encourage Guyanese in general to explore the tourism package.” The Director of Sports also used the opportunity to highlight the business
potential of sports tourism in Guyana, citing the increasing number of sport tourists to Guyana over the last five years as was referenced by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) at the inaugural Sports Tourism Seminar held in April. Additionally, he stated that Guyana will host five (5) international tournaments for the first time before the conclusion of 2017, one of which will be held on July 15thwhere athletes from approximately 17 countries will visit to participate in qualifying contests. “My Department is ensuring that the facilities in Guyana are of a standard that will attract Regional and International tournaments and of course, that too will be twinned with exposing Guyana’s tourism products. Therefore, the Department of Tourism and tourism companies like Roraima Airways will be able to work on ensuring that in the next five years we can plan strategically for international tournaments,” Jones said. Roraima’s partnership with the Sports Department forms part of the Company’s Corporate Social responsibility policy to promote Guyana’s Tourism product.
Rain and wind wash out Wimbledon fine-tuning EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND (Reuters) Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon preparations were left drenched and flapping in England’s south coast wind yesterday as E a s t b o u r n e ’s A e g o n International was scrapped for the day with no matches
completed due to rain. The Serb world number four accepted a late wildcard into the ATP 250 grasscourt event, desperate to fine-tune his erratic form, but managed just one game against Canadian qualifier Vasek Pospisil before the rain set in. While fans sought cover
and raised umbrellas, organisers pushed back the resumption of play several times before finally accepting the British summer weather had got the better of them at around 6pm local time. The tournament director (Continued on page 25)
Wednesday June 28, 2017
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Hope, Ambris to face India ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The uncapped batting duo of Kyle Hope and Sunil Ambris have been called up to the West Indies 13-man squad for the doubleheader of the fivematch series against India starting here Friday. Barbadian Hope, who plays for Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, is the
older brother of Windies stroke-maker Shai Hope while Ambris is a 24-yearold right-hander from St Vincent and the Grenadines, who represents Windward Islands Volcanoes. They replace left-hander Jonathan Carter and seamer Kesrick Williams. West Indies trail 0-1 in the series following their
Sebastian Vettel crash ‘like a massive headbutt in football’, says Eddie Jordan BBC Sport - Sebastian Vettel’s swerve into title rival Lewis Hamilton at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix was like an “instant red card” offence in football, according to former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan. But Jordan says he is unsure whether the 29-year-old German Ferrari driver should face more action. Vettel was given a 10-second stop-and-go penalty for crashing his car into Hamilton’s Mercedes on Sunday. “It’s the equivalent of a massive headbutt in soccer,” Jordan said. Four-time world champion Vettel was given three licence penalty points for his actions, taking him to nine. If he receives another three at the next race in Austria on 7-9 July, it would trigger an automatic ban for the British Grand Prix a week later. “With the penalty points he received after the race, the stewards clearly had footage that the driver turned into Hamilton,” Jordan told BBC Radio 5 live. “This is never acceptable, whatever happened prior to that. You can never take the law into your own hands, certainly not in sport. “So he got a 10-second penalty but it was a stop-and-go, which we say is equivalent to a 40-second penalty.” Asked if more punishment should follow, Jordan added: “That depends on your point of view.” The Irishman, a former BBC F1 analyst, said the spat would be “good for the sport” in marketing terms, but he expects the pair to quickly make up. “There’s actually quite a bit of love between those two, or respect, they appreciate each other, so I don’t think there was any malice between them, what happened happened and they will move onto the next race,” he said. Following the crash, Vettel claimed he responded as he did because Hamilton had ‘brake-tested’ him - deliberately slowed down to cause him trouble. Stewards examined data from Hamilton’s car and concluded he had done nothing wrong - he had merely not accelerated out of the corner as he prepared the restart, as is his right. Hamilton ended the race - won by Daniel Ricciardo - in fifth, a place behind Vettel, and is 14 points behind the German after eight of 20 races. Analysis - Andrew Benson, chief F1 writer Potentially there is retrospective punishment available but I think it’s unlikely. In the old days of Max Mosley, the previous president of F1’s governing body the FIA, that sort of thing might have happened. They can call Vettel to a hearing, say they have new evidence and take it further forward from there. But Jean Todt, the current president, does not like to interfere in that way. The feeling is that they can let it lie Vettel’s been punished. Obviously the intent was something they considered before they made the decision. There are some in F1 who think he should have been disqualified. Two senior members from other teams - who weren’t involved in the incident - told me they felt that way after the race. But it wasn’t very high speed, it was wheel to wheel, there was no damage to Hamilton’s car from the side swipe, so you can see it both ways. You can’t rule out further action but I don’t think it’s very likely.
105-run defeat in the second ODI at Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain last Sunday. They first game last Friday was abandoned as a no-result due to rain. SQUAD – Jason Holder (captain), Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Ashley Nurse, Kieran Powell, Rovman Powell.
Windward Islands batsman Sunil Ambris.
Kaieteur News
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AAG to hold its annual Nat C/ships Event set for July 2 & 3 at Lenora The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) will hold its (IAAF) approved Annual National Senior Championships on Sunday July 2 and Monday July 3 (Caricom day) at the Leonora Track & Field Centre from 09:30 hrs. Along with the cream of the crop of local athletes from Linden, Berbice, Georgetown, East Bank, East Coast, while others f r o m B r a z i l , T & T, Suriname, St. Kitts, St Lucia, Jamaica and Grenada will compete for top honors in the two-day event, which includes a fund raising B-BQ. Admission is free if you purchase a B-B-Q ticket for $1,000 and $500 without the B-B-Q ticket and the aim of this Event is to foster a good relationship among local and international club athletes, indentify the best athletes to
represent the country at international meets and to have continuous developmental meets to assist in the improvement of the various disciplines in athletics. T h e A A G h a d
successfully hosted the South American U-20 Championships in which the host nation placed second out 13 countries with 25 medals. In the 49-year history of these games this was the most medals won by Guyana who also performed exceedingly well, at the recently held Carifta games in Curacao they captured 11 medals including five Gold. Some of the events carded for this holiday weekend are the men and women 3000 meters steeplechase, Men’s and women’s 100 meters dash, men’s and women’s 400 meters dash. The afternoon segment on Sunday will commence at 13:00 hrs, while on Monday the action will start from 11:00hrs with the afternoon events commencing at 14:00hrs.
Australian cricketers ‘facing unemployment’ over payments row
It is unclear whether Australia captain Steve Smith will be taking his team on a two-Test series in Bangladesh. (Reuters) BBC Sport - More than 200 of Australia’s senior cricketers will be “unemployed as of 1 July”, says Australian Cricketers’ Association president Greg Dyer. The current agreement between Cricket Australia and the country’s top players expires on 30 June and no new deal has been struck. “It is extremely likely that as of 1 July we’ll be jumping over the cliff together,” said Dyer. “The fundamentals of the deal are nowhere near to
being resolved.” F o r m e r T e s t wicketkeeper Dyer added: “We will be assisting in whatever way we possibly can in that but they’re unemployed.” In March, Cricket Australia proposed salary increases for men and women as part of a revised memorandum of understanding, but that meant players would no longer receive a percentage o f t h e o r g a n i s a t i o n ’s revenue. This was rejected by the Australian Cricketers’
Association, who also turned down a recent revised pay offer. The dispute has put a question mark over the Australian men’s team playing a two-Test series in Bangladesh scheduled for August, while they are scheduled to host England in the Ashes from 23 November to 8 January, 2018. The women’s team are currently in England for the Women’s World Cup and are under contract until the end of the tournament.
Wednesday June 28, 2017
Foreign Ministry Sports to stage pre-Caricom day KO Domino Competition The Foreign Ministry S p o r t s P r o m o t i o n ’s organiser James “Uprising “ Lewis would be hosting one of the biggest ever Work Place Knockout Domino Competitions on Friday from 4:30 pm, at the Guyana Public Service Union Hall, Regent Street and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive. At stake is the Hon. Minister of State trophy with medals and cash incentive,
with the runner up team also collecting a cash incentive. Prizes are also on offer for the most games and best female player. All teams are asked to note that disciplinary action will be taken for late arrival, while the closing date for entry is today, Wednesday 28th June. Work place teams can make contact with James Lewis on Telephone Num # 628-1656, 666-5857 or
6726179. Some of the teams already entered are: former champions Metro Office Supply, Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyoil, Office of the President P.S.M., G.N.B.S., Ministry of Communities, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Public Health, Guyana Civil Aviation, Auditor General, Ministry of Finance and C.J.I.A/ CAMEX.
Senior players critical to Windies turnaround, says Drakes
Experienced batsman and captain Stafanie Taylor bats in the nets during a training session. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)
TAUNTON, England, CMC – Head coach Vasbert Drakes is optimistic West Indies Women can turn around their slump but believes the senior players must play a key role in the resurgence. The Caribbean side lost their opening game of the ongoing Women’s Cricket World Cup here Monday when they went down to reigning World champions Australia by eight wickets. That loss came on the heels of defeats in the two official warm-up matches last week and in three unofficial practice games prior, leaving them win-less on tour. Drakes said West Indies possessed the ability and the character to turn around their form as they had done several times already in the
past. “Anyone who plays cricket will tell you that you get better the more you play and the constraints that we have is that we didn’t play competitive cricket but at this present moment I’m not going to use that as an excuse,” Drakes said here yestersday. “We’re going to draw on our natural resources and that is the ability to make smart decisions under pressure situations. We’ve done it before, it can be done again. “We’re going to use the experience of the senior players and ensure they accept that responsibility to take more ownership and bat deep. We were in a situation where in the first 22 overs we were in the game with Australia … it has shown we
can bat. The challenge is to bat and do the basics for longer periods.” He added: “We had four batters that got in and they got out also with soft dismissals so those are the areas that if we can improve on, I’m sure we will see a stronger performance from this unit.” West Indies got starts from teenaged opener Hayley Matthews (46), captain Stafanie Taylor (45), Chedean Nation (39) and veteran Deandra Dottin (29) but none carried on to a significant score as the innings folded for 204 in the 48th over. The Aussies then easily chased down their target in a canter with left-handed opener Nicole Bolton striking a classy, unbeaten (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 28, 2017
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GBTI OPEN Novice category is 5 years old One of the innovations implemented by the GLTA five years ago was the creation of a Novice category which allowed for persons new to the sport of tennis to get a taste of competition and to eventually graduate to the main categories of tournaments. Since professional tennis is a sport with a very high learning curve, this is a way to increase participation in tennis in a rudimentary form. Whilst participation in the category has waned to an extent, there is still the welcome participation of many persons keen to test their skills against their fellow newcomers. This year featured prominent personalities the likes of Delon Fraser, Liaison to the Crime Chief, who defeated Non-Pariel Tennis Club President Surendra Khayyam 6-3 to take home the Title. In their semis, Fraser defeated US Peace Corps, Country Director, Kury Cobham 6-3 and Khayyam edged Leonie Sears 7-5 who
Surendra Khayyam (left) and Leoni Sears. has improved significantly with only one year of training from Men’s Champ Anthony Downes. Fraser will now advance to Open Categories. Ask any tennis player and they will tell you it’s like day and night playing
someone in a friendly match as opposed to tournament conditions. The Novices certainly would welcome the opportunity to compete against their peers instead of seasoned players and it is hoped that more players
Delon Fraser (left) and Kury Cobham. would participate to keep the category alive in future tournaments. In the 2017 GBTI Open Novice Medley Singles, a total of 15 persons matched skills as males and females competed against each other.
The inaugural Novice categories in 2011 had featured 32 players. The decline can be attributed to the reduction of active clubs from 11 during that time, down to 5 in 2017. This is a stark indication that the sport needs facilities
and clubs nationwide to grow. In this regard, the GLTA continues to press the authorities to be nondiscriminatory in their support for sports that have over the years managed to successfully hold their own with little or no support.
NSC/Arthur Chung Memorial Football
Uitvlugt beat Den Amstel on penalties to lift winner’s trophy U i t v l u g t Wa r r i o r s defeated old rival Den Amstel on penalty kicks following a 1-1 tie in regulation time to win the inaugural National Sports Commission sponsored Arthur Chung Memorial Football competition organized by the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA). The one-day event, which attracted the top four teams of the association, was played on Sunday last at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, Football Field. Taking the third place were Eagles FC of Stewartville which beat Pouderoyen FC in an exciting match 3-2. In the final, Uitvlugt took the lead in the 80-minute encounter in the 15th minute, thanks to a Daniel Floy goal. However, Den Amstel neutralised that advantage in the 36th minute thanks to a Andre Hector strike. Neither team were able to score during regulation time again and based on the rules, kicks from the penalty mark was the next option to determine the winner. In the end, Uitvlugt were
Flashback! UItvlugt Warriors FC with Director of Sport Christopher Jones and GFF VP Thandi McAllister after winning a previous competition. able to hit the back of the nets twice, whilst missing a similar amount of kicks, while Den Amstel muffed all
four shots to hand Uitvlugt the top prize of $100,000; the losers pocketed, half that amount.
In the third place encounter, Eagles, behind goals from Adrian Adelph in the 38th minute, Chris
Mackey in the 59th minute and Ezekiel Cox one minute later from the penalty spot, squeezed past Pouderoyen 3-
2 to take the $30,000 third prize on offer. Pouderoyen did not walk away empty hand as they received $20,000; the match was played for sixty minutes. Pouderoyen got their goals from Amaniki Buntin on 15 minutes and Lexroy Mansfield in the 47th minute. Meanwhile, in the respective semi finals, Uitvlugt trounced Eagles 3-1 on account of a Jamal Harvey brace in the 28th and 30th minutes, Floy scored the other goal. Eagles’ lone effort came off the boot of Marvis Williams in the penultimate minute of the 40 minute clash. The day’s first semi final saw Den Amstel needling Pouderoyen through Gavin Graham’s 24th minute goal. The tournament was played in honour of Guyana’s first President who served from 1970 to 1980. President Chung, whose home village is Windsor F o r e s t , We s t C o a s t Demerara, was born on January 10, 1918 and died on June 23, 2008.
t r o Sp
GCF boss satisfied with progress of sport following National C/ships Believes all are pedaling in same direction
GCF President Horace Burrowes seen updating cyclists on Sunday last before the senior leg of the National championships.
Roraima and Department of Sports partners on “Good Ambassadors� initiative
Director of Sport Christopher Jones (centre) along with Captain Jerry Gouviea (5th right) among the persons taking part in the promotional event.
Senior players critical to Windies turnaround, says Drakes 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