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Tuesday June 06, 2017
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
COMPLAINERS We in Guyana, especially this generation, have developed a reputation for being perennial complainers so much so that it appears as if this tendency is embedded in our psyche. But are we really a nation of complainers? However, despite what some in authority might want us to believe, being complainers do not make us totally negative. In fact, complaining can be very positive and useful because it could spur decisive action from those in authority, and to help find satisfactory solutions to our problems. On the flip side, complaining can be negative by becoming an obstacle to progress if those who are directly affected by an issue become trapped in a mindset which could stifle their ability to stop complaining and be creative and help find solutions to their problems. As Guyanese, we should not only complain about our problems but we must also strive to find solutions to them. As the political activist and the early leader of the Black Panther Party, Elridge Cleaver once said, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. It is said that everyone is blessed with the ability to solve problems. The main challenge, however, is to find the will to do so. But the reality is that some of the problems that have surfaced today have been around for a long time, but because of a lack of decisive action, they have grown worse over the years. What is significant about our tendency to complain about almost everything is that it is not only limited to individuals. It also extends to those in authority who have the ultimate responsibly for finding solutions to our problems at the national and regional levels. For example, this is evident when a government persistently casts blame on its predecessor for existing problems. In particular, there is also the tendency of senior public officials, including ministers, who complain constantly about problems as if somehow, they are incapable of finding solutions. The public will appreciate if they could formulate solutions instead of complaining, which could actually convey the impression that they are either inept or incapable to do anything. Some of the problems left by the last government centered on rampant corruption and the abuse of power. Not only is corruption stifling economic growth, it is also hindering foreign investment. The government is moving to fix the problems. There were the audits followed by the prosecutions. There is also the threat of condign action for anyone who insists on being corrupt. One of the main reasons why this government was elected to office in the first place was to effect the change it had promised and to fix the problems which have affected the well-being of the masses. It had also pledged to improve the quality of life. Complaining about problems without finding solutions calls into question the extent of the government’s effectiveness. However, some problems are easier to solve than others, but in some cases, they are systemic. And corruption is systemic problem. Although the government has power at its disposal, it is unable to solve such problems by itself. Finding effective solutions requires persistence, commitment and the support and cooperation of various stakeholders with interest in those particular problems. Which means communication is needed to convince stakeholders that their cooperation to solve problems will advance their interest. Meaningful communication with stakeholders will also demonstrate that the government possesses the political will to solve problems. Now more than ever, this is what the country needs. Complaints or diverting attention from solving problems or attacking personalities will not do it.
The question of Guyana having its own oil refinery DEAR EDITOR, A recent assessment by the consultant Pedro Hass, from the British-based international think-tank Chatham House, concludes that building a 100,000 barrel per day oil refinery in Guyana could cost up to $5 billion USD and that such an enterprise would yield a net negative outcome of USD2-3 billion per annum. Yet, many, very thoughtful, voices have argued that such an undertaking is essential to our national development project, citing a range of promising economic and financial outcomes and numerous examples of countries, not unlike Guyana, that have built and successfully operated refineries. We disagree with each other as to whether a refinery should be built. In our discussions we quickly recognized a fundamental problem with our discourse – we were, we are, collectively, not proceeding from a set of shared assumptions! In the first part of our series we start at the beginning – what are the foundational elements in making this, and similar decisions of this type that will undoubtedly emerge in Guyana’s near term and medium term future? In our next installment we will address the key sectoral issues that are critical inputs for a decision on constructing a refinery for Guyana; and in the Part III we examine practical options for Guyana. This lack of clarity on
shared fundamental assumptions across the spectrum of key stakeholders in the national decision making infrastructure makes highlights the importance of the need for declared National Development Plan. As Guyanese even when we are engaged in rum shop chatter over the choice of openers for the Amazon Warriors we start from a vague, but shared vision of a dominant Guyana team. At a national level, regarding a national asset, stakeholder positions that are undeclared, fundamentally different, or that are well meaning but factually flawed cannot optimally serve the national interest even when the most technically efficient plan is executed. Whatever one may have felt about the quality of their strategy, planning and execution, the Burnham regime could not have been accused of a lack of clarity and transparency. “Feed, Clothe & House” was a mantra but one that was clear. And even the previous government’s declared pursuit of a green economy was similarly clear, if arguably less transparent. The essential harnessing of available, but increasingly scarce, human capital is especially complicated given our ethnic competition. So reference to a (shared) national developmental pan is a sine qua non to our best advantage. The example of the Amaila Falls Hydro
project shows that the exploitation of our petroleum bequest will not survive the multi-racial, multi-ethnic, class based contestation that is emerging. Evidently, an NDP which allows every citizen to confidently engage in the national discussion of the nation’s energy future and to identify with the building of a refinery or with not building a refinery is a must. Such an articulation is also necessary to better position us to anticipate up and downstream developments that may give rise to businesses, skills development and other related opportunities. Stakeholder consensus on such a document is also vitally necessary to ensure that our regional and international partners regard us as credible long term partners. However awkward and tedious this might appear, it is vital to the long term national interests that the process be transparent. We believe that until sustained and broadly based economic growth dissolves our instinctual ethnic suspicion, EVERY consequential decision in Guyana will be viewed through an ethno-partisan lens. And national assets are just that – national. They must be disposed of in a manner that takes the (whole) nation into its confidence, transparently and with the utmost respect notwithstanding negotiating peculiarities. The world over, commercial agreements involving national as-
sets are subject to legislative purview. Our specific national context requires us to be even more open. We note that the global energy sector, especially the oil sector, has fiendishly complex technical expertise thresholds and very seductive commercial promises – in simple English, it encourages corruption, from start to finish, i.e., throughout the petroleum supply chain, from the wellhead to the pump, and the major oil companies know that poor nations with weak governance structures and poorly articulated interests are an easy mark. So the preceding necessary NDP will be insufficient if not underwritten by a manifestly patriotic, Guyanese political bureaucracy advised by and backed by astute commercial and technocratic interests. We submit that a transparent process led by broadly shared Guyanese interests articulated in a widely disseminated, democratically affirmed national development plan is a necessary first step for a stable, consensual, nationally responsible, and equitable exploitation of our petroleum bequest. Terrence Blackman, Dean School of Science, Health and Technology Medgar Evers College, CUNY Brooklyn NY Kojo Parris, Chairman KBA Africa Johannesburg
I assert; this will be another white elephant DEAR EDITOR, In response to my letter which appeared in news media on May 28, wherein I expressed concern about the financial viability of the newly constructed Plantain Chip Factory on the Island of Leguan, Sherod Duncan, Communications Officer in the Ministry of Business (MoB) attempted to justify the project by claiming it was conceived by the PPP/ C, a government which was committed to Public Funded Enterprises. He claimed that the APNU+AFC Administration reviewed and
evaluated the project during its early development and found it worthy of investment. A similar project for the Island of Wakenaam was determined unfeasible. Co n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e Leguan Factory was authorized by the MoB and it was recently completed. In an article which appeared in the media on May 23, Ms. Jagernauth, Permanent Secretary, of the MoB, stated that the Ministry was in the process of reviewing qualifications of persons to manage the Factory. She further asserted that
only one response was received from an advertisement to operate the Factory. Mr. Duncan in his media letter of June 1, elaborated by stating that the only company which responded to the Public Advertisement was selected to operate the Factory under a Lease Agreement. The Terms and Conditions under which a Lease Agreement was made by the APNU+AFC Govt. to a company without prior experience to operate the newly completed Plantain Chip Factory on the Island of Leguan, built without
due diligence at considerable expense to the country, should be available for public scrutiny. The details will indicate without any shadow of a doubt whether another “White Elephant” has been born under the watchful eyes of the APNU+AFC Administration, since as a matter of national concern, any Government loss making enterprise will have to be supported by public financing as is now the case with GuySuCo and other Govt. funded projects. Charles Sohan
Why is it so easy to con and scam Guyanese? DEAR EDITOR, Over a period of time I have heard and read of so many people in Guyana being robbed of money through online scams originating in the USA. Why is it so easy for this to happen, one wonders. Is it because the scammers in America are so clever, or because the scammed in Guyana are so trusting, perhaps naive? It is not so easy to get away with such ‘pranks’ in
the UK; I can assure you. Not so long ago, I wanted to send a “small piece” to two elderly widows in Guyana, and could not do so - even through the state’s Post Office. They could send that relatively small sum only through a named and verified (numbered) bank account in the person’s name. The commercial banks would not do it; the post office could not do it. Although it was not said, I
gathered Guyana was not on their list of ‘favourites’. Eventually, my nephewin-law volunteered to gift the women the money personally. What a relief. The drawback of course is that it has to be a ‘one-off’ effort, because it would not be fair otherwise. Online banking can never be absolutely safe. The telephone people are always trying to entice me to “go online” with my telephone
bill payments, no doubt to save them work, although they claim it would be cheaper for me. Peace of mind means more to me than money saved, having regard to my age. After all, as the saying goes, “you can’t take it with you”. Although I like what one Yank said - “If I can’t take it with me, then I ain’t going”. Some Brit practices are worth copying. Geralda Dennison
Tuesday June 06, 2017
Ignorance and incompetence exist in the management of GuySuCo DEAR EDITOR, I refer to GuySuCo’s letter in KN edition of June, 3rd 2017 - “GuySuCo’s detractor is being outright irresponsible and reckless” which is a response to my letter published in KN edition of May, 31st 2017. Editor, the Corporation’s communication unit never fails to present clumsy responses or rebuttals either knowingly or unknowingly. I shall address the core points raised in this last response to demonstrate how ignorance and incompetence pervades this organization from its apex. It is an undisputed fact that the Corporation deliberately packed bulk raw sugar from Albion for 2-3 weeks at Enmore. In a most uneducated and unintellectual defense, the Corporation attempts to justify its actions by stating that “all six factories have the capacity at any time to produce the varying qualities required”. This creates an impression to the reader that Albion can produce direct consumption sugars. If this is the truth, can Ms. Thomas show proof whether GuySuCo’s own monitoring mechanisms or national regulatory bodies such as Guyana National Bureau of Standards
& Food & Drug Analyst Department approved Albion Estate to produce food grade sugars for direct consumption? The Corporation then continues with its unadulterated nonsense by stating that “the difference between bagged and packaged sugar is further drying of the sugar to render it more conducive for packaging”. Editor, the truth is, bagged and packaged sugar is a product intended for retail sale, thus, it must be fit for direct human consumption and must therefore meet all quality stipulations, not just degree of dryness (by “further drying”). Interestingly, after my letter was published on May, 31st, the movement of Albion’s sugar to Enmore was halted on June 1st. What a coincidence Ms. Thomas! 1. I have zero cause or reason to attack GuySuCo because its Management is in accelerated self-destruction mode by its very own utterances, actions & inactions. I am just highlighting some facts on the Corporation for which Management should be thankful instead of labelling me a detractor. 2. It is not my responsibility to advise the union,
GAWU on its relationship with GuySuCo. From the Corporation’s lamentation, it seems like workers have greater commitment, faith or trust in the union, GAWU than its employer, GuySuCo. It may be good to do some self-introspection to find out why workers are less committed or have lost faith and trust in GuySuCo. 3. Taking on “Project GuySuCo”. The IMC and Management should not even attempt for a fleeting moment to suggest that they are doing this nation a favour because they are a very wellpaid bunch with my tax dollars. For example, the IMC alone cost the treasury G$90+M/yr. Anyone with such pay packet must be passionate and enthusiastic. Wouldn’t you Ms. Thomas? 4. SWOT Analysis. From this admission, it appears that GuySuCo’s IMC & Executives discovered for the first time, the simple framework for analyzing an organization via SWOT analysis. Packing of bulk sugar for direct consumption is probably a highly strategic decision in GuySuCo’s psyche. We should light a candle for sugar workers and consumers! Sookram Persaud
The media and Govt. need to investigate NIS at Melanie DEAR EDITOR, We really need the assistance of the media for our voices to be heard. We are fed up of the system at the NIS. We cannot depend on management since they condone what is happening. On a daily basis we are victimized and do our work out of fear. One big wig (we won’t identify any specific person) harasses members of the public. As recent as last Friday shouts were directed at one of the staff and there was an insult directed at a worker. All is not well at the Melanie office of NIS and management knows that. Only recently one of the bigwigs was summoned at
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Brickdam for questionable behaviour and so far no action from Head Office. The big one comes back with the same behavior and staff feels the squeeze. There is nepotism at the Melanie Office. We refuse to name any specific person who is doing this because we don’t want to get the newspaper into legal trouble plus we fear for our jobs I think this administration has to seriously consider our concerns. They could investigate since many transfers were done and are being done. We refuse to state who is responsible for this. All we are saying is that things are bad at this office of the NIS.
We are losing experienced and qualified staff. The President wants to improve customer service in the public sector and here you have public officers who are doing the opposite. Mr. Editor a lot of wrong things are happening at NIS in Melanie but we don’t want to make it public; we are asking for the authorities to help us. We will divulge everything if called upon. We need the media to help us by publishing our letter .We are working in an oppressive situation. Distraught staff member
President Granger’s interpretation of the constitution is a warped one DEAR EDITOR, Like every other reasonable-minded Guyanese but moreso because I played a role in assembling both lists of persons which the Opposition Leader submitted to the President for the appointment of a Chairman of GECOM, I am disappointed by the President’s rejection of these lists. I continue to maintain that the President has managed to make, what was, historically, a very smooth and straightforward exercise, one that is now complicated and politically acrimonious. I also maintain and with due respect, that the President cannot seriously boast a better understanding of the Carter Formula and its constitutionalization expressed in Article 161 (2) than Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte S.C. This is so because Mr. Hoyte participated in the coinage of the Carter Formula and was an eminent Senior Counsel and was therefore schooled in the interpretation of a constitution. Mr. Hoyte participated four times in the process of compiling names and submitting them to different presidents of the PPP Administration with seamless ease and without any controversy whatsoever. Those who are now contaminating the President’s mind with absurd legal advice in relation to the interpretation of Article 162 were around at that time but would have dared not tried that with Mr. Hoyte. He would have simply not tolerated it because he knew better. Unfortunately, what we now have is a bizarre interpretation of Article 162 which distorts both the letter and the spirit of the Article. For example, the President tells us that Article 161 (2): (1) accords priority in relation to persons who are judges, former judges and persons qualified to be judges over and above “any other fit
and proper person” when the Constitution does no such thing; (2) that these persons must not be religious leaders or part of any faith based organization; again the Constitution does not so discriminate; (3) that the person must not be an activist in areas such as human rights, gender discrimination etc; again Article 161 (2) contains no such exclusion; (4) that all six persons must be found acceptable before the President chooses one; in other words, if five are and one is not, then the entire list becomes unacceptable and therefore, the President refuses to choose one from the five, though he finds them acceptable. It is this erroneous and warped interpretation which has misled the President in rejecting the two lists submitted. Unless this abysmal error is corrected this cyclical exercise of submission and rejection of lists may become never-ending. I must reiterate that while Article 161 (2) resides with the President a discretion in so far as the list must find his acceptance, this discretion cannot be capriciously and whimsically exercised. It must be exercised reasonably and the President is obliged to take into account only relevant considerations and discount from his mind, irrelevant considerations. The methodology which the Leader of the Opposition has used in compiling these two lists proves that the President’s exercise of his discretion does not accord with the rest of the society. In my view, that is a strong indi-
cia that the President is wrong. The Leader of the Opposition did not compile these lists by himself. Rather, these names were generated from a wide consultative exercise involving the major stakeholder organizations in this country. These organizations consulted with their respective constituencies and produced these names. These constituents number tens of thousands people. It is simply illogical to argue that all of these people are wrong and the President and his legal advisors are right. Finally, finding another six names in compliance with the President’s fallacious construction of Article 161 (2) of the Constitution, would now become near impossible. The pool to draw from has become significantly narrower. More importantly, more persons would become even more reluctant to offer their names for the fear of the public damage and humiliation to their professional reputation, character and image by the President’s cavalier rejection of their names. In the circumstances, the nation has no alternative but to hope that the proposed engagement between the President and the Leader of the Opposition would result in the President’s resiling from his misinterpretation of Article 161 (2). If not, the consequences to this nation may be dire for which the President will have to accept responsibility. Anil Nandlall
PAGE 6 DEAR EDITOR, Kwayana was born Annie Florence Elizabeth Cook in 1937. She was raised in the small town of Buena Vista, Georgia. As a year old baby in her father’s arms, she was introduced to Jim Crow white supremacy at the point of a gun and was disturbed by degrading threats, as her father wished to get her water from a local restaurant. She grew up experiencing segregation at restaurants, movie theaters, denial of access to public swimming pools, th e e v e r - p r e s e n t danger of being swindled out of one’s land. She didn’t learn to ride a bicycle or swim for fear by her parents of foul play. They protected her in a Southern culture where mutilated black bodies could be found lynched, at the bottom of wells, or in gutters. But she was also raised in an African American community that prided itself on self-reliance. Her father, Rev. James John Cook, was a Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) minister, and her mother Mrs. Dorthula Theresa Coan Cook, cut wood in her South Carolina sharecropping home, and worked as a live-in maid in N e w Yo r k t o s e n d h e r brothers and sisters and herself to college. Her father taught by example that the proper measure of respect with white people was not simply whether they called you by your first or last name, or treated you professionally in
Kaieteur News
Tuesday June 06, 2017
Tchaiko Kwayana was an educator to the African world
South Carolina and Georgia, contained African cultural retentions and knowledge systems, but also was a gateway to better understanding the thought of Black toilers. She spent her holidays in Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana where a large African American community had settled led by Maya Angelou before Nkrumah’s overthrow in 1966. Soon Tchaiko would develop lifelong friendships with the artists Jacob and Gwendolyn Lawrence, and until his death, a close friendship with Langston Hughes when she had her apartment in Harlem. Tchaiko also became close with Toni Cade Bambara, Toni Morrison, and Amiri Baraka. In 1968 Tchaiko (still as Ann Cook) published her first major article, “Black Pride: Some Contradictions?” that became serialized in the popular journals of the period through 1970 such as Hoyt Fuller’s Negro Digest (soon to be renamed Black World), and Jitu Weusi’s Black News. Her article was also in conversation with debate about the need for independent Black media and communications in Soulbook, a unique theoretical journal that brought together activists of the Revolutionary Action Movement and the Republic of New Africa but also activists of Guyana, South Africa, and Ghana to discuss the emerging conflicting tendencies in the black liberation movement. Matthew Quest
a customer service setting while in reality keeping you in your subordinate place. Key for Rev. Cook was whether white people respected you enough to listen to you, discuss philosophy, worldviews, and lend each other books. Those whites whom wished to keep black people in their place did not acknowledge that people of color had something to teach them about culture, or their own self-government, in an exchange of equals. Tchaiko’s mother taught her about work ethic and believed, at first, that the children should join work gangs, most often led by white men, so they knew how to pick peaches and cotton. Her father agreed these skills should be learned and preserved in their children, but this educational experience of engaging the land should be found among black families in their own community. Her mother’s and father’s approach to education complemented each other. Her mother taught in a one-room schoolhouse and watched over young girls, even those who became pregnant and were cast out of church communities. She made sure they got their education. She taught Tchaiko to read at four. Tchaiko recalled that while she changed her name in search of her own identity, (“Tchaiko” in Shona means “one who seeks truth,” and “Ruramai,” her maiden name, means “take a clear path to a
given goal,”) she did not anticipate how this would make her mother feel. Her mother, Dorthula, always wanted to live near a historically black college and felt “founder’s day” and graduation ceremonies, marking the overcoming of obstacles to an education, were of communal significance. Tchaiko studied at Paine College, an HBCU in Augusta, Georgia and later at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. Around the age of 20, Tchaiko became a grade school teacher in Augusta, Georgia, having graduated high school early at the age of 16. Soon by railroad, she would migrate to teach Mexican American farm workers in Texas, work in a child care center for African American migrant farmers in Sherbourne, New York and more affluent students in an education workshop at Fresno State College. When she taught at a Boys High School in Lagos Nigeria, the only female on the staff, she beat all the students and faculty in the 100 yard dash. From 1960 to 1968, Tchaiko helped form the Donald Warden led AfroAmerican Association (AAA) in the San Francisco Bay Area, which eventually gave birth in 1966, to Huey Newton’s and Bobby Seale’s Black Panther Party, Maulana Karenga’s US (“us versus them”) cultural nationalist
movement known best for founding the Kwanzaa holiday, and the Revolutionary Action Movement (RAM) that manifested aspects of class struggle and cultural nationalist ideas. As James Smethhurst, a scholar of the Black Arts Movement, has put it: at the same time as Maulana Karenga, Tchaiko pioneered the study of precolonial and ancient African civilizations and projected new philosophies of culture, but without the subordination of women. The AAA recognized that the vote, formal education, and civil rights didn’t necessarily translate to empowerment, and it was wrong to blindly worship constitutional forms. What was needed was education rooted in African history and culture for the development of autonomous community institutions – the desire to be only Americans and not Afro-Americans made this more difficult because it papered over the history of empire and slavery that made blacks fall outside classical notions of ethnic and immigrant social mobility. Civil rights paved the way for middle and professional classes to thrive but not the marginal working class, unemployed, or street force. Despite the BPP and US’s later deadly conflict in 1969, their basic principles
were not irreconcilable. Maulana Karenga was insightful that meditations on African languages and history could produce new philosophical and epistemic breakthroughs. If Huey Newton’s initial criticism of RAM was unnecessarily harsh, Newton was also correct that the AAA had an insufficient critique of capitalism, and confrontation with police brutality was needed. But Newton was part of those who originated these radical breakthroughs after a period of intellectual development. Many were mentored toward deeper conclusions through critical dialogues as young college students by the AAA as personified by Warden, Kwayana, and others who were a few years older. This was before or concurrent with historical moments such as Malcolm X breaking with the Nation of Islam (1963-1964), Malcolm’s death in February 1965, and the Black Power and Black Studies rebellions of 19661971. Tchaiko was innovating and organizing before these became mass movements. In the period Tchaiko taught in Nigeria (19621964), she became inspired by those who participated in Wole Soyinka’s 1960 Black Masks group. They heightened her awareness of pidgin or creole English, as a phenomenon that like Gullah/Geechee heritage in
Despite the naysayers, Region 5 is developing DEAR EDITOR, I have noticed that over the past few weeks that several articles - published in various letter columns of the print media - are very disturbing and are far from the truth. I do not believe that everyone can see eye to eye on various matters, but I know that everyone can be of the same view when it comes to projects\works that are being executed by the regional administration of Region 5. It also seems that some just want to turn a blind eye on the developmental aspects
and say what they want for personal elevation within their political party; no matter if it is far from the truth. In all sectors, works are being done to enhance the lives of the people in Region 5. Be it in Agriculture, Infrastructure, Health, Education, etc. It is very evident to many, while others just ignore the facts and say what they want. I have had the opportunity to visit large sections of Region 5 where work is being done or is still ongoing and I am very pleased with what’s happening in my region. To mention a few - school buildings are being repaired, tarmacs put in place, fences being reconstructed, sanitary blocks being rehabiltated, environment being enhanced so as to make learning comfortable, etc.
Roads and streets being done that were neglected for the past two decades or so. Rehabilitation of streets that were done by the former administration that decayed after just two years. Works are not being done in one specific area or for one specific race, but rather in various areas such as Highdam, Good Faith Mahaicony, Paradise, Bush Lot, Bath, No.7, etc. So when people have personal agendas and want to bring down the region they reside in, they must state the facts. They must speak of the development that is occurring in just the first half of the year 2017. They must not do their dirty work of trying to ignore the truth for pay. As a regional councillor on the government side and I can speak for all my fellow
APNU+AFC RDC councillors when I say; we will fully support the works of the REO and his team as long we see development. In this case, we do fully support the administration. So, when some are trying to say that development in the region cannot happen because the chairman and his team don’t want it, then they are fooling themselves because without the input of those who want to be narrow minded against development, positive works will continue to happen in this region. Region 5 will continue to exceed no matter what the naysayers say. We are working towards “Creating A Better Life For All In Region 5”. Abel Seetaram APNU+AFC Regional Councillor Region 5
Tuesday June 06, 2017
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GRDB facilitates fertilizer credit to farmers The Board of Directors of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) recently took a decision to afford farmers throughout the rice growing region, access to fertilizer through a credit system. Farmers have since been able to access fertilizer and repay the board at the end of each crop, the Ministry of Agriculture said yesterday. General Manager (ag), of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Allison Peters, stated that the move by the government is in response to a muchneeded assistance to the farming community. “What we have seen as of recent, is the escalating fertilizer price and one which has had a negative impact on production and by and large productivity...With the implementation of this system, farmers can now access fertilizers and pay at the end of the crop,” the General Manager (ag) said. Thus far, 3675 bags of fertilizer have been sold in Regions Two and Six at a cost of $5500 per bag. The board is also looking at incorporating a transportation plan to get the fertilizer to farmers in Regions Two. “There is no limit to the amount of fertilizer farmers can request. However, we are
targeting rice farmers with the aim of ensuring that they not only have access to the commodity, but also with a view to ensuring that production levels continue to climb,” Peters stated. Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, stated that the industry can expect similar moves in the near future as the Ministry of Agriculture continues to look at ways in which assistance can be given to farmers. He added that since the implementation of the “fertilizer on credit” system, there has been a significant reduction in the cost of fertilizers charged by the private sector. Thus far, the Ministry of Agriculture has received support from rice farmers who welcomed the programme, alluding to that fact it has been supporting their trade. “The Rice Board has been looking at ways in which agriculture in Guyana can be sustained, through a costeffective approach and in doing so, the board also looks at ways in which the Ministry can step in and assist farmers in plying their trade,” Minister Holder said. The Minister stressed the need to improve productivity, noting that for this to be achieved improved management practices, seed rates, sowing methods, and
Government has announced that it is offering a credit system to rice farmers for a bag of fertilizer costing $5,500. disease management must be addressed. The Ministry of Agriculture said it has been playing a lead role in ensuring that the necessary systems are in place to assist farmers countrywide and has been diligently employing various technologies in the effort to reduce the negative impact adverse weather conditions and to boost productivity. It was also pointed out that GRDB is pursuing
More than 330 scales seized in last two months - 120 taken from Bourda, Stabroek markets Over 335 unapproved and unverified scales were seized and removed from shop owners and vendors countrywide during a two-month routine campaign by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS). These scales were seized from some of the 3,563 business locations, including stores and markets, that were visited by the GNBS. Head of the Legal Metrology and Standard Compliance Departments, Shailendra Rai, told media operatives yesterday, that most of the scales were taken from Bourda and Stabroek Markets with over 120 seized last Friday. Rai said that most of the devices seized were “dial” scales which were not designed for commercial purposes but rather, for domestic use. He expounded that the dial scales carry an internal spring which was not designed for frequent use. When these scales are used in commercial trade, they are used frequently which results in the spring losing its elasticity thus, causing the needle to point at inaccurate figures. ‘So buying from a vendor or shop-owner that uses
GNBS Head of the Legal Metrology and Standard Compliance Departments, Shailendra Rai (Left) and GNBS PRO, Lloyd David during the media engagement yesterday. these scales, is like asking to be robbed; consumers need to be more vigilant,” he ad-
vised. “In addition, to those (Continued on page 21)
diversification into specialty rice varieties, with increased emphasis on the development of value-added production such as rice/wheat flour blend, rice noodles, pasta and pre-
cooked rice products this year. It is not the first time that an administration has looked at reducing fertilizer prices to benefit farmers.
It was done under the previous government. However, that issue is currently under a police investigation because of a number of red flags.
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Mother fears the worse for missing mentally-impaired daughter One week ago, Joan DaSilva, sent her daughter, Lisa Powers, to buy a $220 Digicel phone card at a shop a short distance away from their Industry, East Coast Demerara home. This would however be the day that the woman’s daughter would go missing. Although her daughter is 29 years old, DaSilva said that she is particularly concerned because she is mentally impaired. “Sometimes she remembers but other times she just forgets things and so she never travels alone. This has been happening since she was small and so she is home all the time with me; everywhere I go I does take her with me,” said DaSilva as her eyes welled up with tears. But according to DaSilva, the trip to the shop was not an unusual task for her daughter since she had done so successfully on a number of occasions. The shop, she noted, is located at Bus Shed Street, Industry. The woman said that she began to worry about her daughter’s whereabouts after half an hour had
elapsed and her daughter had not returned. “She left around 9 o clock and when I see the time going I started asking ‘is where Lisa gone so long?’ I couldn’t call her or anything because she left her phone home,” DaSilva related yesterday. The concerned mother decided to go find her daughter. DaSilva, however, found that the shop her daughter was sent to was closed. She was informed that her daughter decided to walk a short distance to another shop where she was able to purchase the phone card. But even after walking to the other shop DaSilva still wasn’t able to locate her daughter. She started an intense search for her daughter, asking everyone she met if they had seen her daughter. It wasn’t long before a resident told her that “I just see Lisa jump in a bus...I started questioning how Lisa could gone in a bus and she ain’t got money? And on top of that she don’t travel by herself...” DaSilva returned home to
have a change of clothes and in the company of a relative headed to Georgetown to continue the search for Lisa. At the Plaisance bus park, DaSilva asked if anyone had seen her daughter and sure enough several persons saw her heading down Avenue of the Republic. “Everywhere you see me you would see she...so people know me and she together, so the minute I ask people if they see my daughter they know who I talking about,” related DaSilva. Several flyers were printed and distributed throughout central Georgetown and a number of other persons joined the search for Lisa but she was nowhere to be found on Monday. The search continued on Tuesday and Wednesday, too, when DaSilva would get what she believed would be a viable lead to her daughter’s whereabouts. The woman said when a taxi driver saw her daughter’s photograph he recalled that a woman had paid him to take her missing daughter to
Berbice. According to the taxi driver, the woman had asked that he drop her off at Pitt Street, New Amsterdam, which he did. As such DaSilva headed to Berbice to continue the search. “We went to Berbice Wednesday and Thursday looking for Lisa and some people saw her at Canje Park,” disclosed DaSilva who decided to make a report about her daughter’s disappearance at the New Amsterdam Police Station. But on Friday, DaSilva said that she started to receive a call from an unknown number. On the other side of the line was the voice of a male (Continued on page 9)
Ms Joan DaSilva looks at a photo of her missing daughter.
Missing: Lisa Powers
IAC wants Granger to reconsider rejection of second GECOM list The Indian Action Committee (IAC) is calling on President David Granger to reconsider his rejection of the second list of nominees for the Chairmanship of the Guyana Elections Commission. The list which was submitted by Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, was formally rejected last Friday via a letter from the President. The Constitution of Guyana provides for the Leader of the Opposition to submit a list of six names to the President from which he shall choose one person to sit as Chairperson of GECOM. The IAC said in a press statement, that it is bewildered and disappointed by the actions of the President. The organisation said that it had participated in the civil society consultation convened by the Office of the Leader of the Opposition and found that like the first list of nominees, the second list represented Guyanese who were in accordance with the Constitution and were ‘fit and proper’ to hold the key position. “The IAC urges the President in his planned meeting with the Leader of the Opposition to reconsider his stance and act in accordance with the constitution and the Carter Formula in naming a Chairman of GECOM.” It has been said that Granger’s rejection of the two lists indicate his intention to
President David Granger unilaterally appoint a Chairperson. According to Article 161 (2), “if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list as provided for, the President shall appoint a person who holds or has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge.” The organisation said that for the President to act unilaterally and in violation of the relevant constitutional provision, Article 161 (2), he will do severe harm to social stability and social cohesion as it would put the democratic and electoral systems in grave danger. Since rejecting Jagdeo’s second list last Friday, the President has moved to invite
the Opposition Leader to a consultation meeting on Monday June 12, 2017 at State House, Carmichael Street, Georgetown. The invitation was made to Jagdeo through the Minister of State Joseph Harmon who wrote Jagdeo representing the President. Harmon explained to Jagdeo in the letter that the consultation concerns statements attributed to him, and made in the media regarding Granger’s letter to Jagdeo rejecting the second list of nominees. The persons which were nominated on the second list were: Justice of Appeal B.S Roy (ret’d), Justice William Ramlal (ret’d), Ms Oneidge Walrond-Allicock, Attorneyat-law Kashir Khan, Attorney-at-law Nadia Sagar and Gerald Gouveia. According to the Head of State, he has found this list to be unacceptable after examining the Curricula Vitae of the six persons in light of the criteria defined in his earlier letter to Jagdeo and within the meaning of the Constitution. The President had announced his rejection of Jagdeo’s first list of nominees in January during the Annual Media Brunch at State House. The names on the first list were: Lawrence Latchmansingh, Rhyaan Shah, James Rose, Norman McLean, Ramesh Dookoo and Christopher Ram.
Patient jumps to death from hospital window Mortimer Sagon was the second person to jump to his death from the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH). Sagon was admitted to the hospital for about a week before jumping from the window in the Male Surgical Ward. He fell on to a septic tank and died on the spot. Sagon was being treated for tuberculosis and hemorrhoids at the hospital. Kaieteur News was told that the deceased complained to his family about be-
ing neglected by the staffers when he asked for assistance. Sagon’s relatives are of the opinion that he may have committed suicide because he was in pain. Both the police and the hospital have launched investigations. In October 2012, Vishal Ramotar jumped from a window in the Male Surgical Ward. He had been suffering from chronic renal failure and was complaining for excruciating pains.
Tuesday June 06, 2017
Kaieteur News
Juveniles start fire at Holding Centre - inmates found unconscious in cells, treated for smoke inhalation
Ranks at the scene last night Police and Guyana Fire Service ranks had to be summoned to the Juvenile Holding Centre, Dennis Street, Sophia, around 18.00 hrs yesterday, after disruptive inmates set mattresses and other debris alight. One inmate, aged 14, and two others, aged 15, collapsed in their cells and had to be treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for smoke inhalation. They are said to be stable. Kaieteur News understands that some of the juveniles, reportedly from Cell One, had also set similar fires on Saturday night. This was reportedly done by bridging electrical wires in the cells. A source said that around 18.00 hrs yesterday, inmates from Cell One and Cell Three, set toilet paper, pieces of cloth and sponge that was torn from mattresses alight.
They then threw the lighted materials into the walkway. ‘ A’ D i v i s i o n C o m mander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Marlon Chapman said that around 18.00 hrs, ranks at the Sophia facility smelled smoke and saw pieces of lighted sponge in the walking area. After extinguishing the flames, they checked the cells and found three juveniles in an unconscious state. “They were taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital and are receiving oxygen,” the Commander said. He said that investigators were still attempting to identify the culprits. Du r i n g i n t e r v i ews l a s t y e a r, p o l i c e r a n k s who are stationed at the holding centre had alleged that violent juveniles sometimes attacked ranks with
makeshift weapons and bags of faeces. They had expressed concern that minors who have committed petty offences are housed with others who are detained fo r more serious offences, including murder. Staff disclosed that some of the teens who have committed serious offences have been in the holding centre for three years. They said that one 16year-old on a murder charge had tried to stab a police rank with a piece of sharpened metal the teen had broken off from a bed. The ranks said that some juveniles have even yanked out ‘live’ electrical wiring from the cells to rig up booby traps for the staff. ”They would tie the electrical wiring with current to the cell doors, which would start to glow red, and then call the ranks,” one source said.
Dem boys seh ... Jagdeo tunning up everywhere, even at funeral If people think Soulja Bai stupid dem got to think again. De man sticking to wha he know is de truth because he is a decent man. De other day when he had to mek a decision pun de list what Jagdeo give him to pick one man, whole week Soulja Bai didn’t sleep because he know he didn’t see anybody fuh pick but he didn’t know how to tell Jagdeo. He tek de easy way out. He tell Li’l Joe to write a letter to Jagdeo and invite him to a meeting. While Li’l Joe writing Soulja Bai was writing a press release telling people that he didn’t accept de second list. Jagdeo talk li’l bit but he know wha he got
to do. But if is one thing Jagdeo is a different person. He finding time to show he face all over de place. He even going to funeral. Yesterday he brace a policeman. De man was burying he buddy and he was sad. People he know go up and tell him sorry and try to share de grief. De next thing dem boys see is a big posse coming down de road wid Jagdeo in de lead. De posse had Irfaat, Ten Edghill, Labba Lip, and this gyal who did jump ship, Gillian Burton. People start to whisper bout de policeman because dem always seh, show me you company and I will tell you who you are. Dem boys does always talk how
de country is about we and dem. People start fuh seh how de posse can spoil de man promotion but then again, is Soulja Bai and he not vindictive. That is wha dem boys seh. Grey Bai is another one who get support, but from a magistrate. He get charge wid murder and dem did loose him. Then dem charge him again and now dem got to loose him again. When de magistrate tell him he free to go home he start to cry. De magistrate want to know if he didn’t want go home and that is why he cry. So up to last night de police was still keeping him. Talk half check pun who supporting who.
What may have been…
An old trick of the PNC which it never seemed to realize had become stale was to brand Cheddi Jagan as communist. The PNC did this quite successfully in the 1950’s and 1960’s to the extent that it won the s u p p o r t o f t h e We s t i n toppling Jagan. Burnham even got CIA money for his party as a result of projecting himself as the lesser of the two left wing evils. He called himself a social democrat and said Jagan was a communist. Jagan, on the other hand, said he was a democratic socialist meaning that while he espoused socialism he was all for civil liberties and free and fair elections. The irony, of course, of all that ideological masquerading was that the closest any country in the Commonwealth Caribbean ever came to communism was under Burnham and at the time of his death in 1985 had begun laying plans for the implementation of a Cuban-styled local government system. Jagan, i r o n i c a l l y, converted the PPP/C into a full-fledged communist party after the loss of political power to Burnham. The social democrat almost turned Guyana into a communist state and the democratic socialist turned his party into a communist party. The question has been asked as to how different would have been Jagan’s policies had he been in power during the Cold War. It is rhetoric intended to resurrect the old communist bogey which was all the PNC had in its intellectual arsenal to counter Jagan. All they could ever do was to claim that he was not to be trusted because he was a communist. Hoyte raised this very
issue during a debate with Jagan in the run up to the 1992 elections. Hoyte was incapable of dealing with Jagan on the economic issues, including the huge US$2.1 billion debt which had been racked up under the PNC and which was sucking the life out of the country. Provisioning for external debt servicing reached as high as 94 percent of revenues. During that debate Hoyte kept pressing Jagan to state whether he was a communist. Imagine a man who used to go to the airport and seize and crush bread out of the suitcases of traders had the temerity to be asking Jagan about whether he was a communist. What could have been more communist that a PNCR regime which had people lining up for food and restricting the importation of flour. You think Venezuela has a crisis? Try the PNC during the 1980s in Guyana. The old commu n i s t bogey is being raised again. But even a rhetorical question can be answered. So how different would have been Jagan’s policies. Jagan supported the n a t i o n a l i zation of the commanding heights of the economy but he would never have created a parasitic state apparatus to manage state corporations. It is the square pegs in the round holes of the parasitic bureaucratic class which ruined the public corporations which were established under cooperative socialist model. Jagan would never have paid the level of compensation which Burnham paid to Reynolds after the Americans read the riot act to him. Jagan like Burnham believed in the concept of the vanguard party but Jagan was opposed to the idea of party paramouncy.
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That infamy of the PNC flag flying over the Court of Appeal and public servants being humiliated by having to attend political rallies of the ruling party and go and work on Hope Estate just in order to save their jobs would not have even crossed Jagan’s mind. Jagan believed in a tripartite economy comprising the state sector, the private sector and workers. Burnham ran the capitalist class out of Guyana. He destroyed private enterprise and replaced it with state domination of the economy. The PPP always drew support from the private s e c t o r a n d G u y a n a ’s private sector would have been much stronger today because Jagan would not have bludgeoned them the way Burnham did using the state. The Foreign Service would have been different under Jagan. It would not have had to dedicate so much of its energies, as was the case under the PNC, towards legitimizing an illegal regime, because he would not have had to rig elections to stay in office. Jagan would have pursued socialism through a democratic mandate. This would have course have acted as a counterbalance to authoritarian rule. It is good that Jagan is still today associated with the communist left. He remains a gigantic figure in Latin America. He has acquired a huge fan following because he was among the left wing leaders who were removed from office with the support of the CIA. He is being branded as a communist today, just like he was then.
Mother fears the worse for missing... From page 8 informing her that he was aware of her daughter’s location. The caller, who claimed he was a businessman who plies his trade in the interior, told DaSilva that he had gotten her number from a flyer that was distributed with her missing daughter. According to DaSilva the caller anxiously called and said “they had the crossing here at Kwakwani and if y’all want to get her, she is with a policeman.” DaSilva said that she has not been able to corroborate this information with any police station but
was given reason to believe that her daughter might have been taken into the interior. “Some of the taxi drivers [in Berbice] claimed that they saw her and were going to take her to the station but a man dressed as policeman came up and said ‘no no no I’m taking her to Georgetown; I going to take her to her relatives’,” related DaSilva. According to DaSilva when one of the taxi drivers realised that the search for Lisa was still on going the following day he asked with evident concern “Wait the girl ain’t meet home yet?”
The woman said that she got subsequent calls from the unknown number with the individual claiming that he saw the police rank purchasing clothes for her daughter. “I begged that person if they are seeing my daughter if they can’t just go to the nearest police station and make a report but the person keep say no police does cover up for police and he can’t do that,” said a sobbing DaSilva. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Lisa Powers can contact her mother on telephone number 683-1641 or the nearest police station.
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Tuesday June 06, 2017
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
The dangerous journey of David Granger I can understand the mistakes of David Granger. Clarissa Rhiel once said to me on the street entrance to the High Court, “Freddie, I don’t know Mr. Granger; I never saw him around the PNC; I never saw him in the trenches.” This was her reaction to Granger becoming leader of the PNC. She was not the only one. There were countless people who were surprised when Granger became PNC leader. The reason was simple; he, prior to the position, was not, even in minor ways, active in any kind of public politics. Granger has inherited the presidency of a very troubled
country. One of President Desmond Hoyte’s most trusted advisors told me that when he took the job, he didn’t believe that Guyana was such a complex, almost ungovernable country. Jagdeo found that out much too late in his presidential career. President Granger is feeling his way in the dark. One needs to understand his predicament. He is the new kid on the block. In politics in 2017, the focus should be on Moses Nagamootoo. What has this man learnt from 50 years of politics? I was coming out of the pet shop on Church Street
last month and the Prime Minister stopped his entourage with outriders (reminded me of Sam Hinds) to say hello. He wound down the window, indicated to me he read my column on him that I had published the week before, and reminded me we were friends a long time. Then he said something that irked and I concealed my discomfort with an infinitesimal smile. He said, “Freddie you don’t call meh.” I replied, “Moses it is for you to call me; you’re the Prime Minister.” I guess Moses is going to read this column here. It is advising him that he should begin to advise David
Mother of four remanded for trafficking ganja A mother of four yesterday made an appearance before City Magistrate Judy Latchman in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Forty-two-year-old, Michelle Marwick, of Lot 226 Garnett Street Newtown, Kitty, denied the charge which alleged that on May 31, last, at Kitty, Georgetown, she had
in her possession 341.8 grams of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves objected to bail being granted to the defendant citing the serious nature of the offence and the penalty the charge attracts. The prosecutor went on to inform the court that on the day in question around 16:00hrs, police conducted a raid on the defendant’s home
and the narcotics were found on a table in the defendant’s bedroom. The court heard that when the defendant was arrested she admitted both orally and in a caution statement that she was the owner of the narcotics. The unrepresented woman was remanded to prison and she will make her next court appearance on June 26.
Granger because Mr. Granger has embarked on a dangerous journey that could drive us deeper in angst and uncertainty thereby further jeopardizing Guyana’s future. What Moses needs to tell the President about are the pitfalls that he, Moses, witnessed for himself along the way. If the PPP had followed structures and had an established second-in-command, Moses would have become the president of his country. Moses should tell his president that Guyana and the constitution will be here long after Jagdeo and Granger are gone. You do not tamper with an institution for the narrow, selfserving purpose of the moment. When you are gone, a dragon or monster will inherit that institution that you bent to suit your purpose and he/ she will easily tell the nation; ‘I came and met it like this.” Hate Jagdeo all that you want but do not allow Jagdeo’s enemy to get his/her way with state institutions and the constitution because Jagdeo or his best friend or his beneficiary or benefactor may one day inherit that constitution and reduce it to a toy
all because you did that and he/she feels they can do the same. Mr. Jagdeo is outsmarting Granger and Granger is new to politics to see it. This is where Moses is needed. Granger’s first mistake was to insist the constitution stipulated that only a judge, former judge or someone with judge-like qualities can become chairman of GECOM. The constitution openly and unambiguously stated in the absence of such, “any other fit and proper person.” Mr. Granger said that those words pertain to people with judge like qualities. He was wrong but he treaded on dangerous grounds because he was saying that he can interpret the constitution the way he wants to. He cannot do that. He has to follow the exact meaning in the words of the constitution. He backed down. But now he has come again. He has rejected a second GECOM list from Jagdeo based on what he says the constitution has laid down, but again he is wrong. What is frightening is if Mr. Granger
Frederick Kissoon can say this is what the constitution means, then future presidents can abuse power by emulating Mr. Granger. The constitution does not even come close to adumbrating a list of criteria for a citizen to become chairman of GECOM. The criteria Granger had adopted are not in the constitution. What is in the constitution is the criterion of “fit and proper.” Granger cannot arrogate to himself what “fit and proper” means. What Granger can do and what he should do is to say that he doesn’t think the persons are fit and proper. When asked to explain that, he has a watertight reason – because I believe they will not be impartial and neutral. He cannot lose if he says that.
Tuesday June 06, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Capacity building workshop for CYA s gets underway Since the launch in 1993, the CARICOM Youth Ambassador, (CYA) Programme has contributed to increased awareness of CARICOM issues and priorities among young people. The CYA project has raised the profile of youth at the national and regional levels. It has assisted in integrating the views and perspectives of young people from across the region towards forming national, regional and international policies for their development. To this end, a group of energetic and talented young people from across the Region is engaged in the capacity building workshop currently underway to engage CARICOM Secretariat, Lilendaal East Coast Demerara. The four-day seminar commenced yesterday and is set to be interactive; take the form of presentations, discussions and working groups. It will include panel discussions involving key CARICOM secretariat staff , representatives of international development partners, and deliver various interactive capacity building sessions. The workshop will also
Youth representatives of the CARICOM Members State at the capacity building workshop. focus on contemporary issues affecting CYAs. During the sessions youth representatives for almost every CARICOM Member State will be equipped with the knowledge of executing their mandate effectively. The seminar is designed to help CPA understand their roles and functions and build
capacity for advocacy and action in relation to the relevant international and regional development mandates, plans and programmes. These include Caribbean Single Market and Economy ,(CSME) the CARICOM Strategic Plan , the CARICOM Youth Development Action Plan,(CYDAP) and the United
PAC hears…
Ministry of Public Security pays in full for undelivered $7M equipment The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday learnt that an American company, Tactical Supplier Inc., was contracted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (now Public Security) in 2014 to supply an industrial washer and dryer valued at $7.542M for the Guyana Prison Service. To date those items are still to be received. To the annoyance of PAC chairman, Irfaan Ali, the committee was also told that the company was selected by way of sole sourcing and this was approved by the National Procurement and Tender Board Authority (NPTAB). Appearing before the committee was Permanent Secretary of that Ministry, Daneilla Mc Calmon, who told the PAC that the American company conducted business with her ministry before and there were no issues. The chairman sought answers as to why the company was paid the full amount for the two pieces of appliances and what steps are being taken by the ministry to receive the items or have the monies returned. Ms Mc Calmon explained that when she assumed the office of PS in early 2015 this was an issue that confronted
her. She said that numerous attempts were made to contact a Mr. King that the ministry was dealing with when the contract was first awarded. The PS said that the company gave an assurance that the items will be shipped to Georgetown but to date that shipment has not arrived. Ms Mc Calmon told the PAC that after the shipment did not arrive as was agreed additional attempts were made to contact the company. It was at this juncture that the supplier stopped taking calls from the ministry. Ali enquired if the intervention of the United States of America embassy in Guyana was sought and was answered in the negative. The chairman advised the PS to write to the American ambassador in an effort to contact the supplier to have the matter resolved. He said that he suspects that if the shoes were on the other foot no effort would have been spared by that American organization to recover their money. Ali said the purchase was made since 2014 and to date the supplier has not honoured his contractual obligation. The chairman asked what effect the non supply of the appliances is having on the prison service and was
told that it is affecting the Camp Street prison. Proffering the response, PS Mc Calmon said that although the prison has a similar washer and dryer the new pieces of equipment would have made life ‘easier’ for prisoners who now have to do their washing by hand. Another PAC member, Nigel Dharamlall, questioned the rational for the full payment to Tactical Supplier Inc. despite the fact that the items were not received. The former PS of the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs said that he would have thought that it would have been prudent to make a part payment to the company; and then the remaining amount when the items were supplied. He said that this points to a breakdown in the financial affairs at that ministry. Dharamlall questioned the competence of the ministry that is responsible for the Guyana Police Force and believes that such a situation does not project the right image of that ministry. Another member suggested that someone from the ministry, travel to the USA and demand the equipment or the money back. The PS at this point said that she had even called the company (Continued on page 12)
Nations Sustainable Development Goals , as well as a range of thematic issues such as youth in agriculture , culture , the creative industries , crime and security, human resource development and energy. Additionally, efforts will be geared towards developing a CYAP Action Plan for the period 2017- 2019. The main objectives of the orientation and capacity building exercise are to intro-
duce the CYAs to roles and functions, build CYA in relations to relevant international and regional developments mandates , plans and programme, especially the CARICOM Youth Development Action Plan(CYDAP) as the governing framework. Towards the end of the exercise, a draft action plan which clearly identifies mechanisms through which CYAs will mobilize other
youth, advance different regional mandates and greater understanding among themselves for increased advocacy, is to be established. The seminar is supported by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat with the support of the Government of Guyana, The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, (FAQ) and the United Nations Children Fund, (UNICEF).
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Tuesday June 06, 2017
Kaieteur News
Blacklisting of 200…
Edghill vows to expose dishonesty of Guyana Police Force … insists “there is a list” By Abena RockcliffeCampbell People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, (MP), Juan Edghill, is convinced that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is being insincere about the blacklist. The politician said that he was reliably informed that the blacklist which the Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud presented to the Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson, is not the true list. Further, Edghill said that he has reason to believe that the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) holds a blacklist that is separate and apart from the general list held by the GPF under which SOCU falls. Kaieteur News had reported that SOCU blacklisted just about 200 Guyanese who were the subjects of investigations that are being carried out further to the findings of forensic audits ordered by the coalition government. Weeks after the story was published the GPF issued a statement saying that Kaieteur News fabricated the article. However, intelligence gathered by the PPP/C is to the effect that the article published by this newspaper has factual grounds, Edghill said. “There is indeed a list; we (the PPP/C) know this to be true. I will relentlessly be pursuing that list,” said Edghill. He said that while the party has very reliable information about the list, it continues to get a difficult time sourcing the entire document. Edghill admitted that he was trying to force the hand of Kaieteur News to reveal its source when he said that the newspapers’ “credibility is on the line with this fake news.” “I was hoping that
Kaieteur News would put pressure on the police force to expose the truth; that is why I was specific to state that the newspaper’s reputation is on the line,” said Edghill. H e c o n t i n u e d , “ We heard that the list that the Commissioner of Police submitted to the Commissioner of Information is not the sum total of what exists. We have also heard that they have been busy modifying that other list.” Edghill went on to admit that he has a motive. “I can assure you I have an intention and it is not with Kaieteur News. My intent is to expose the wickedness of the Government of Guyana and the police force, especially SOCU. Because, unknown to their victims, they got them under surveillance; they (SOCU) got their watch list/blacklist. Edghill said that while the list sent to the Commissioner of Information is available for his inspection he will be pursuing further into the matter “because I am hearing from very reliable sources that there is still another list separate and apart from what has been submitted…that is fact.” The MP said he will utilize every means available and “if it means going back to the Commissioner of Information I will.” Another PPP/C official who spoke on condition of anonymity said that he knows that there was a “scramble” to tailor the list after the story was made public and reactions were made. The official said that SOCU knows very well that “the list is unlawful because of the grounds used. They have made no charges against many persons who have made the list and no High Court order was given.” The GPF had said that “the allegation that 200 persons were blacklisted by the Special Organized
Ministry of Public... From page 11 while on holiday in the USA. The PS said that to her surprise her called was answered since she was calling from a US registered number. The woman said the person on the other end of the line gave another commitment to provide the equipment; however that was the last time she heard from Tactical Supplier Inc. since all other calls from Guyana and the USA continue to go unanswered.
Member of Parliament, Juan Edghill Crime Unit is a fabrication.” The press release was issued almost three weeks after the Kaieteur News article was carried. Edghill wrote to the Commissioner of Police on May 9 requesting the names of the persons blacklisted. By letter dated May 22, the Commissioner of Police responded. He did not deny the assertion
that 200 Guyanese have been ‘blacklisted’ by the GPF. Instead, he told Edghill that he was advised by the Police Legal Advisor to direct the request to the Commissioner of Information. Days after that and after the Commissioner of Information would have written the GPF, only then did the entity refute Kaieteur News’ article.
The release stated, “The Police Blacklist over the last ten years contained a total of one hundred and thirty nine ( 139) persons with 11 from 2008; 11 from 2009; 15 from 2010; five from 2011; 18 from 2012; 23 from 2013; 11 from 2014; 12 from 2015; 16 from 2016; and 17 so far for 2017. It should be noted, that this list predates SOCU and the number of names on the list includes those from the entire Guyana Police Force, as well as other law enforcement agencies in Guyana. Finally, the Force wishes the public to be informed, that the information requested by the Commissioner of Information regarding the persons on the Blacklist, has been dispatched.” Kaieteur News understands that the only alleged white collar criminals on the list that has been provided to the Commissioner of Information, are former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Presidency Omar Shariff and his spouse. Up until Kaieteur News broke the story, the list was being constantly updated. This was being done as the crime unit delved deeper into suspected cases of money
laundering and misuse of state funds by some officials. The source for Kaieteur News article said that the administration has taken the decision to blacklist persons of interest in lieu of the fact that a number of high profile officials are now living overseas and have no interest in returning. The most notable public figures include former head of NICIL Winston Brassington who is now living in the United States of America in Florida, even as SOCU is looking at 68 different investigations into NICIL. Then there is the former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, whose role in a number of the investigations SOCU is conducting, has been called into question but he too is no longer in Guyana. Singh is believed to be residing in Dubai with his entire family. The State is also looking to have Aeshwar ‘Ash’ Deonarine, the former Deputy CEO of GPL return to answer to charges of fraud. Deonarine is alleged to have transferred over $25M of the state’s funds into his own bank account; he is now residing in Canada.
PAC grills Chief Elections Officer on procurement and other issues The Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield was grilled by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), yesterday, on a number issues and procurement practices that the Guyana Elections commission (Gecom) has undertaken. In the Parliament Chambers yesterday, Lowenfield was made to answer why Gecom spent more than $14M for the purchase of 2400 narrow head diagonal pliers. The CEO said that this was necessary because during the conduct of previous regional and general elections, ballot boxes were damaged when elections officials attempted to open them. Lowenfield explained that the pliers ensured that there was no damage to the ballot boxes since the pliers clip the seal without any damage. The purchase of the pliers had raised serious questions about accountability and Gecom’s need to have expended such a large sum on pliers. The Auditor General (AG) is now conducting a special audit into that affair among other strange transactions at that entity. The committee, through its chairman, Irfaan Ali,
sought answers as to what is being done about 11 digital cameras that were reportedly stolen from the commission’s store in 2005. Lowenfield explained that the matter was handed over to the Guyana Police who subsequently found that there was insufficient evidence to charge anyone. The CEO was asked what is being done to prevent a similar situation from happening. Lowenfield said that since the theft, security at the store has been beefed up with additional close circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed. A police rank is now stationed outside of the entrance to the store, he added. Another strange occurrence that caught the attention of the PAC is the fact that on one day three separate contracts worth millions of dollars were awarded to the same contractor. On top of that, the committee heard one contractor was awarded nine contracts worth $82M. Chairman Ali said that those decisions raise many questions with the Auditor General concluding that this might have been done to split contracts. As if that was not enough the commission, again on a different date,
CEO Keith Lowenfield awarded multiple contracts on the same day to another supplier. Ali asked the CEO if he can appreciate that such decisions by Gecom leave many questions unanswered and Lowenfield concurred. He gave an assurance that all efforts will be made to ensure that there isn’t a repeat. Further the PAC learnt that when the AG’s office did physical verification on items, it was revealed that 33 items valuing $69M could not be accounted for. In offering his explanation t o address this issue Lowenfield said that the missing items were burnt during
the fire at the Kingston head office. Minister of Public Health and PAC member Volda Lawerence said that the issue of the missing items has been prolonging for some time and efforts should be made with the assistance of the AG’s office to have the items written off. The commission according to the PAC flouted the procurement regulations when it purchased 50 high frequency radios at a cost of $99.5M and used what was termed at ‘restrictive tendering’. The CEO said that as far as he was aware the proper procedures were followed. In a lengthy encounter with the PAC, Lowenfield was made to explain why 11 expense vouchers totalling $26M were not presented for audit examination. Two additional vouchers totalling $80,000 lacked the necessary supporting documentation. The CEO explained that the commission is currently checking its records for the missing vouchers. The Guyana Elections Commission is now the subject of a special audit that is being done by the AG. That report is due to be released shortly.
Tuesday June 06, 2017
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Trump will not block ex-FBI chief UK police reveal names of London attackers, say one investigated before Comey’s testimony - White House (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump will not invoke executive privilege to block former FBI Director James Comey’s scheduled testimony before Congress this week, the White House said yesterday. “In order to facilitate a swift and thorough examination of the facts sought by the Senate Intelligence Committee, President Trump will not assert executive privilege regarding James Comey’s scheduled testimony,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters.
Comey was leading a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe into alleged Russian meddling in last year’s U.S. presidential election and possible collusion by Trump’s campaign when the president fired him last month. Presidents can assert executive privilege to prevent government employees from sharing information. If Trump had asserted executive privilege over Comey, it would have likely created the perception that the administration was seeking to
hide information about the FBI’s Russia investigation. It has been reported that Comey plans to talk about conversations in which Trump pressured him to drop his investigation into former national security advisor Mike Flynn, who was fired for failing to disclose conversations with Russian officials. Comey is scheduled to testify for the first time since his firing before the Senate Intelligence Committee as part of the committee’s Russia-related investigation.
Overstaying cost Cubans $60,000 each Khuram Butt (left) and Rachid Redouane (Handout via REUTERS) (Reuters) British police and security services had previously investigated one of the Islamist militants who carried out Saturday’s attack in London, but with resources scarce, he was not deemed enough of a threat to warrant close monitoring, police said yesterday.The news raises questions about the police’s judgment and increases pressure on Prime Minister Theresa May, who three days before a national election is facing criticism for overseeing cuts to police during her years as interior minister. In Britain’s third Islamist attack in as many months, three men on Saturday rammed a van into pedestrians on London Bridge before running into the Borough Market area, where they slit throats and stabbed people indiscriminately. Seven people were killed and dozens wounded. All three attackers were shot dead by police, who made at least a dozen arrests in east London on Sunday and carried out further raids yesterday. Police yesterday named two of the attackers and said they were trying to identify the third. One, 27-year-old Khuram Shazad Butt, was a British citizen born in Pakistan who had already been investigated by police and Britain’s domestic spy agency MI5. “However, there was no intelligence to suggest that this attack was being planned, and the investigation had been prioritized accordingly,” police said. Another attacker, 30-yearold Rachid Redouane, went by the alias Rachid Elkhdar and claimed to be Moroccan or Libyan, police said. He and Butt lived in the same area of east London. One of Butt’s neighbours, Ikenna Chigbo, told Reuters he had chatted with Butt - also known as “Abz” - just hours
before the attack on Saturday and said he appeared “almost euphoric”. “He was very sociable, seemed like an ordinary family man. He would always bring his kid out into the lobby”. Another neighbour, Michael Mimbo, told Reuters that Butt supported the north London football team Arsenal. One of the dead attackers has been pictured wearing an Arsenal shirt. Mimbo said Butt had grown a longer beard and worn traditional Islamic dress more often over the two years he had known him, but showed no sign of radicalization. “As an individual he was a cool, calm guy. One of my friends would let Abz babysit his daughter,” Mimbo said. Police said yesterday they had released all 12 people arrested in the neighborhood on Sunday without charge. However, police were investigating what appeared to be Molotov cocktails in the back of the van, Sky News reported. POLICE CUTS The rampage followed a suicide bomb attack which killed 22 adults and children at a concert in Manchester two weeks ago, and an attack in March when five people died after a van was driven into pedestrians on London’s Westminster Bridge. May described the latest incident as “an attack on the free world”. But with Britons due to vote in a national election on Thursday, her decision to reduce the number of police officers in England and Wales by almost 20,000 during her six years as interior minister from 2010 to 2016 shot to the top of the political agenda. May did not answer repeated questions from reporters on her cuts, but said counter-terrorism budgets
had been protected and police had the powers they needed. Police said they had to prioritize resources on suspects who were believed to be preparing an attack or providing active support for one. Butt did not fall into this category when they last investigated him. “It’s just a fact that, over the last seven years, we as a city have lost 600 million pounds from our budgets. We have had to close police stations, sell police buildings, and we’ve lost thousands of police staff,” said London Mayor Sadiq Khan, a member of the opposition Labour Party. May’s main opponent, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, backed calls for her resignation over the police cuts. He said many people were “very worried that she was at the Home Office for all this time, presided over these cuts in police numbers, and now is saying that we have a problem”. May hit back by criticizing Corbyn, a pacifist who has opposed some security legislation in parliament and expressed reservations in the past about police responding to armed attackers with “shoot-to-kill” tactics. Corbyn’s critics have often accused him of weakness on terrorism, citing his sympathy for members of the Palestinian group Hamas, Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Sinn Fein, the former political wing of the Irish Republican Army. The IRA ran a 30-year armed campaign against British rule in Northern Ireland. The Conservative Party’s lead over Labour has narrowed markedly from 20 points or more when May called the election in April to a range between one and 12 points now, although the Conservatives are still widely expected to win a majority.
From page 3 discovered that they had overstayed their time in Guyana. Through an interpreter they both told the court that they came to Guyana with a tourist visa and were seeking employment. Nevertheless, the magistrate ordered that both Cubans be deported immediately upon payment of the fine or serving the default prison term. Only last week two Chinese nationals and three Venezuelans appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and were fined and deported for overstaying in Guyana. Zenyong Laing, 32 and Zedim Laing, 33 both of Lot
628 South Amelia's Ward, Linden, pleaded guilty to the charge which alleged that both of them between June 20, 2016 and May 30, 2017 at Georgetown, failed to comply with conditions subjected to which any permit had been granted to them to overstay the period. The brothers were granted permission to stay in Guyana from the period of May19 to July 20, 2016. They overstayed. Meanwhile on Wednesday before the same magistrate, three Venezuelans were fined $15,000 each or in default two weeks imprisonment for entering Guyana illegally. Gilda Yudith Garcia Barreto, 18; Geamary Carolina
Alvarado, 29; and Jorkjana Mayuslin Vilera, 30; all pleaded guilty to the charge which alleged that between May 6, and April 20, 2017 they entered Guyana by sea and disembarked at Eteringbang without the consent of an Immigration officer. Police Prosecutor Arvin Moore told the court that on May 27 the defendants were asked by police to present their passports and it was then observed that they have overstayed their time in Guyana. The women all claimed that they came to Guyana to work so that they could send money back to their families in Venezuela, since everyone in that country is suffering.
More than 330 scales seized in last two months
Some of the scales that were seized during the campaign. From page 07 requirements, the scale must be in good condition; it must be on a level surface. The consumer must also be able to witness the weighing of the products being purchased unless it is pre-packaged in advance”, He noted, also, that consumers should look out for scales that have the GNBS’ sticker which highlights the verification of the device. Rai told Kaieteur News that the GNBS will soon be embarking on a series of campaigns to ensure that con-
sumers get value for money. One measure he said is the verification of advertised weights of imported goods and pre-packaged items. Quizzed on prosecution for delinquent business-owners, Rai noted that the current provision that caters for this aspect often results in meager fines being paid. He added, that agency is awaiting legal advice on the Weights and Measures Act, which will enable the agency to impose strict enforcement and prosecution against persons, found using defective
or GNBS- unapproved devices. Public Relations Officer (PRO) Lloyd David, told Kaieteur News that the unapproved devices will be destroyed whilst the unverified ones will be stamped and returned to their owners. He explained that the inspectors had advised the vendors to desist from using those scales but they ignored the order, which led to the removal of the devices. He reiterated that the devices are required to be approved and verified twice yearly.
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SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620
SALON - Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. - Cosmetology Courses: $120,000 - Technician Course: $45,000. Call: 6471773/660-5257
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana passport 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 to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 Hello the doctor is back!! Have your gas stove repaired and service. Call: 601-0595/ 220-4073 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 DATING SERVICE Guyanese Canadian woman seeking husband, contacts must have Valid ID, proof of Address & police clearance. Call: 673-9778
WANTED Waitress and cook. Call: 6771248 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic. Call: 223-7500 Monday-Saturday 8:154:15pm Experienced Male workers on farm, age 30yrs and older. Call: 231-1408 between 8am1pm Male workers to work at Ice Factory in Rosignol. Call: 6183800 between 8:00am- 2pm Garbage Truck Drivers, attractive salary and benefits. Call: 227-1717 1 Complete 8" land dragger. Call: 670-0618We pay in $US
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 3 Bedrooms bottom flat apartment, fully refurbished $65,000 monthly with 2 months security. Call: 2201583 between 7am-5pm only. One house to rent @ Atlantic Gardens. Call: 677-8860/ 6149060 Upper flat for rent 3 bedrooms in Atlantic Gardens- Call: 2274377/227-0613/624-6013 2 & 3 Bedrooms apartment for rent @ Nandy Park. Call: 641-3318
Able bodied labourer. Call: 265-3586 Experienced curry cook, roti/ puri cook, cleaners & counter servers. Apply @ Hacks Halaal. 5 Commerce St. Two nail technicians to work in Salon. Call: 646-5157/ 227-7609
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Lawn grass organic potting soil, supari Palm, foxtail, palm @ $1,000, Crotoon, Ashoka, Ficus, Exora. Call: 626-1044 48" RCA TV, 2 full size beds, mattress & base, 2004 Allion, low mileage, lady driven. Call: 642-0243 Office furniture, used computers, display racks & stands for store use. Call:2258066/624-6783 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc. Call: 225-9032;647-2943;604-5198 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, video games & repairs – Call: 672-2566; 265-3231
Plumber tiler, mason, painter and a carpenter who knows wooden steps. Call: 625-3705
Sale @ The warehouse, Lot 1 Melanie Public Road, E.C.D. Tyres: 445, 65, 22.5, 1400/20 new, 295, 80, 225. Call: 6985203
One domestic cook- Contact: 677-8236
1 Industrial Bread Slicer. Call: 626-6190/689-3840
Wanted one electrician to work, one rewinder. Call: 682-2971
1 Transported property. Call: 265-3586
Live in waitress to work in a bar- Call: 604-6606; 6924646
2 Used 71/2 tons air conditioners. 1 Brand New York air blower 71/2 tons. Call: 226-1768/641-4952
Admin Assistant/Marketing Personnel with atleast 5 CXC passes including English Language & Mathematics. Send resume to gtcareers592@gmail.com
Aluminum Ceiling suitable for restaurant/kitchen with all installation accessories. 1300sqft. Call: 226-1768/6414952 New rice-field pump with 20’ canvas conveyor and drive shaft sold with 1 stihl motor blower -$500,000. Call: 638-1829
EDUCATIONAL Electronic Course. June 6th. The Trade of the Future. Make extra cash, easy! Abdul Electronics. Call: 226-6551/ 225-0391 Canadian School of Arts & Science: Summer Classes 2017- Pre-K, Nursery, Primary, Secondary (July 10th – August 11th). Call: 216-6921/ 22 for registration
TAXI SERVICE G R TA X I S E RV I C E . CALL: 219-5000; 2271982 & 225-7878 (24HRS)
1 Toyota Premio Fully loaded, series HC356 -$1.4M, 1 Spacio fully loaded series PPP 6655 - $1.3M. Call: 6613525/ 610-6886 USA Used tools, TV, Laptop & more. Call: 649-2950/220-2128 Design & Make Aluminum windows, doors, stainless rails, showcases, rolling shutters, make & install automatic doors. Call: 2336818/677-5599/659-9999
CAR RENTAL WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIAL OFFERS FOR THE SEASON. CALL: 690-6494 PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 677-7827, 6435122 ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM
Tuesday June 06, 2017
Kaieteur News
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTING, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807
TO LET Upper flat Grove -$45,000$50,000. Call: 625-5461 4 AC Rooms/ 1 extra room, for business/offices @ 21 Seaforth St. C/Ville, Georgetown. Call: 226-1877, 624-7436, 654-9350 Two bedroom apartment in Alexander Village -$45,000Call: 615-7825 Kemo
VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Mitsubishi 7 1/2 ton Dump Canter, 1 Mitsubishi Fuso 7 1/2 ton Canter. Never Register!!! Contact#592 6500402/603-1402
House & land at Mon Repos -$19M. Call: 645-8543
Unregistered 1 Passo 2010 Black -$2.1M negotiable, 2 Vitz 2010 Pearl White & Pearl Pink -$2.3M negotiable each. Call: 649-7771/ 690-7155
7 Bedrooms two story house on double lot, Georgetown close to city, adequate parking. Call: 609-7766
Unregistered: 1 Nissan March 2010, Black with alloy wheels -$2.2M negotiable. Call: 649-7771/ 690-7155
Property @ the corner of 172 Zohora St. & Market St. Better Hope, East Coast Dem $12.5M neg. Call: 220-1583 between 7am-5pm only.
House and land available @ La Parfaite Harmonie, Providence, Etc, We also assist with financing. Contact Pacific Development: 223Not working vehicles for sale, 6035/ 227-8274 1 small bus, 1 canter, 2 cars, 2 motor bikes, 1 bobcat. Call: 2 Story building with extralarge land in well built 227-4377/624-6013 $74.5M. Call: 220-1583 beJust in from UK Leyland tween 7am-5pm only. DAF 145, 150 Flatbed 7.5 tons, immaculate condition. Phoenix Elementary High School, 7-9 Plantation Call Terrence: 698-5203 Soesdyke, E.B.D – Price Nissan Pathfinder Jeep, $36,000,000. Call: 615-3673/ super shape - $1.5M. Call: 218-5088/612-2124 609-7766 Allion, Primo, Fielder Wagon, Spacio, Bluebird, 212 Carina, NZE, Honda CRV, Toyota IST, RZ & Pit-bull – Call: 650-7501
VACANCY Male & female workers: accountants, mechanic to look after drink machine. Call: 3302399 Welder/Fabricator. Have Technical background & atleast 3 years’ experience. Apply: Technical Services, 18-23 Eccles Industrial Site. Machinist. Have Technical background & atleast 3 years’ experience Apply: Technical Services, 18-23 Eccles Industrial Site. Able-bodied Driver/ Salesman for Leyland DAF lorry, involves lifting. Telles Steel. Call: 226-6771 Accountant / Audit Clerk: 8 Subjects (Including Maths & English), experienced an asset- D. Bahadur & Co. Chattered Accountants. Call:225-178-9/ email: info@Drubahadur.com Security, Marketing Clerk, Bond Clerk, Labourers, Truck Driver, operator. Interested persons e-mail: chungsvacancy@gmail.com
LAND FOR SALE 12 House lots 80X60 at Plantation Schoonard: water, light and roads, 1 min from Harbour Bridge. Call: 6152346/627-3443
PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
One driver for office in Eccles call 233-2745 must be between the ages of 30- 40yrs. Senior Diesel Mechanic wanted to work in G/Town. Call: 218-1455
Tuesday June 06, 2017
No lead in attempted carjacking Up to press time, the cops had no lead in the shooting of Jewel Gibson who was wounded during an attempted carjacking around 22:00 hrs on Sunday. Kaieteur News understands that the police were provided with a description of the men but have no one on file based on the details given. Gibson was shot in the stomach outside her residence at Lot 2, Victoria Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara. The attack occurred six doors away from the Sparendaam Police Station.
The victim who is employed as a librarian with the Guyana Defence Force was in stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. A woman who lives on the same premises as the victim said that Gibson had just arrived home and had turned into the driveway when she was attacked. The woman said she was inside when she heard “a popping sound.” She then heard Gibson screaming, and on looking outside, saw a man “leaning into” Gibson’s
vehicle. The woman said that she alerted her husband, who went outside. H o w e v e r, b y t h e n , t h e robber and an accomplice had fled. The tenant and her husband took Gibson to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Kaieteur News understands that the bullet exited through Gibson’s side. It is suspected that Gibson’s attackers were aiming for her car, which she only acquired a few months ago.
India roads claim another 22 At least 22 people have been killed after a bus they were travelling in collided with a truck in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The crash happened early yesterday in the city of Bareilly, 251km (155 miles) from the state capital, Lucknow. A senior police official said all 22 victims had been charred badly and could not be immediately identified. The passenger bus had
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caught fire following the collision. Police are searching for the driver of the truck. The AFP news agency quoted police as saying the doors of the bus jammed after the collision, trapping passengers inside. A few people managed to escape by breaking open the windows of the vehicle. The chief spokesman of the Uttar Pradesh police, Rahul Srivastav, said the
bus was carrying 41 passengers, and that those who were injured had been rushed to hospital. The condition of many of them is said to be serious, and officials warn that the toll is likely to rise. I n d i a h a s t h e w o r l d ’s highest number of road deaths, with an accident taking place every four minutes. Most crashes are blamed on reckless driving, poorly maintained roads and ageing vehicles.
Maryland man charged with March... From page 20 had a 10-year-old son, who his family said, he cared for and adored. His brothers in their statements at his funeral said it was difficult to understand the series of events that led to Farley's death. “But we trust that some way, somewhere and somehow, good and purpose will be revealed from this ordeal.”
Whisonant said Farley leaves a legacy in his entrepreneurial spirit. Farley helped Whisonant create a business called PYT or Pay Your Tuition to help students get private funds through loans or crowdsourcing to cover education costs. Farley's belief in education inspired the launch of PYT, his longtime friend said. The business has helped more than 200
UG Campuses go digital From page 17 programme is to offer online content and therefore the teleconferencing platform and much more will be necessary. Further, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Philanthropy, Alumni and Civic Engagement (PACE), Dr Paloma Mohamed, said that there is a major research project that UG is participating in that involves 20 researchers from around the world. She said that in the past, to
connect those individuals, has been a challenge since they are all in different places. However, with this new system, the situation will be helped. She added that the University is actively pursuing a Masters in Psychology in January 2018 and because of the highly specialised nature of that programme, it is expected that the teleconferencing equipment will be used to connect lecturers into Guyanese classrooms.
students in the Washington region graduate from college, Whisonant said. Whisonant said friends and family remain shocked that Farley's life ended so abruptly. “His life was complete because he had his son,” Whisonant said. “The biggest part that hurt for everybody is that he wanted to be there for his son.”
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Court trial to determine fate of Brazilian presidency (Reuters) Brazil’s top electoral court opens a trial today over the alleged use of illicit money to fund President Michel Temer’s 2014 election campaign in a case that could force him from office. The court has no deadline to reach a decision and could take weeks to rule, though the political turmoil Brazil is living through as it faces the potential second ouster of a president in a year will put pressure on the judges to reach a conclusion quickly. If found guilty, Temer is expected to appeal and delay the process for months. Such a ruling would likely destabilize his government and prompt members of his coalition to withdraw their support, increasing chances he could be forced to resign. The main ally in his governing coalition, the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), is waiting for the court ruling to decide whether to abandon Temer’s government, which would sink his fiscal reform agenda. The reforms, particularly an overhaul of Brazil’s costly pension system, are crucial for plugging a gaping budget deficit that cost Brazil its investment grade credit rating in 2015 and helped push Latin America’s largest economy into its worst recession on record. In four sessions scheduled through Friday, the seven-member electoral court will discuss whether to annul the 2014 re-election victory of then-President Dilma Rousseff and her running mate, Temer, who became president last year when Rousseff was impeached for breaking budget laws. If the court, known by its TSE Portuguese initials, invalidates the 2014 election, lower house Speaker Rodrigo Maia
Brazil’s President Michel Temer (REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino) would take over from Te m e r a n d C o n g r e s s would have 30 days to pick a caretaker to lead the country until elections in 2018. Brazil’s constitution has no clear rules for such a presidential eviction, and in such an unprecedented situation, the court would have to decide whether Temer can continue in office pending an appeal. Most analysts expect a member of the court to request a delay to study the case further, which would win Temer time to try to rebuild his political base and avoid an exodus of allies. “The TSE will decide the fate of Temer and the reforms,” said Rafael Cortez, a political and economic analyst with Tendencias consultancy in Sao Paulo. “The court will rule whether he gets more time to recover his ability to govern.” Cortez said a PSDB exit from the coalition would doom Temer because the party’s support has given his economic policies credibility among investors and Brazil’s elite. A presidential spokes-
m a n s a i d Te m e r h a d huddled with his lawyers over the weekend to go over his line of defense, which will argue that the ticket had separate acc o u n t s a n d R o u s s e ff ’s campaign was responsible for receiving illegal donations. But it is unlikely the court would accept that argument based on recent plea-bargain testimony by executives of giant meatpacker JBS SA, as well as construction firm Odebrecht saying it had agreed to pay millions in illegal campaign funding with Temer or his top aides. Temer has refused to resign after the Supreme Court late last month authorized an investigation of the president for alleged corruption, criminal organization and obstruction of justice based on a secret recording of a conversation with a JBS executive in which he appeared to agree to the payment of hush money to silence a key witness in a massive graft scandal. The political crisis engulfing Temer’s government deepened on Saturday with the arrest of a close aide who was seen in a police video receiving a bag filled with 500,000 reais ($152,000) in cash. Adding to calls for his resignation or impeachment, the country’s largest circulation daily, the Folha de S.Paulo, recommended in an editorial on Sunday that the TSE invalidate the RousseffTemer ticket and that he be removed from office. “The imminent TSE ruling provides a legal formula to remove a head of state whose situation has become indefensible,” the newspaper said.
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Kaieteur News
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Tuesday June 06, 2017
Tuesday June 06, 2017
Well Teen, Trophy Stall, Tropical Springs & Nauth Motor Spares under 13yrs Cricket
Blairmont and GCC record latest wins Blairmont Young Blazers and GCC recorded win in latest play in the Well Teen, Trophy Stall, Tropical Springs & Nauth Motor Spares under 13yrs Cricket tournament. Blairmont Young Blazers, playing against Malteenoes Sports Club, batted first and made 135 runs for the loss of
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Kaieteur News
6 wickets off 25 overs. Zinul Ramsammy made 33 (1x6, 3x4), Jaden Trotz 21 and Antone Alexander 13, were the three highest scorers. Wills took 2 wickets for 11 runs bowling for Malteenoes. Malteenoes made 68 all out in reply with C. Shiverton making 10. Antone Alexander took 4 for 20, Anthony Sookra
took 3 for 10 being the chief wreckers for Blairmont. At 2pm: Blairmont Young Blazers took on GCC. Blairmont batted first and made 144 for 9 wickets off the allotted 21 overs. Zinul Ramsammy 42, Antone Alexander 33 and Jaden Trotz 22. Bowling for GCC, Yohanie Angoy took 3 for 21 and
Adiyah Persaud 2 for 38. GCC replied with 145 for 4 wickets off 19 overs, Zackay Jodha made 57 and Riveraldo Phillip made 20. Anthony Sookra took 2 for 34 bowling for Blairmont. Saturday’s games were not played due to bad weather. All games played yesterday were at GYO Ground.
Halep hammers hapless Spaniard in French rout
Kiss on the cheek as Garcia beats Cornet in all-French battle PARIS (Reuters) Caroline Garcia reached the quarter-finals at Roland Garros by beating fellow Frenchwoman Alize Cornet 6-2 6-4 yesterday but for the crowd the most anticipated moment was La Bise (The Kiss). The pair had not been on
speaking terms since a controversy surrounding Garcia’s refusal to play in the Fed Cup this year, and they fittingly let their rackets do the talking — although Cornet spent a lot of time talking to herself. They kissed each other on
the cheeks in traditional French fashion at the end of the match after Cornet failed to return a powerful crosscourt forehand, triggering scenes of joy in the Court Philippe Chatrier stands after a 90-minute tussle. “It was a weird match,
Tuesday June 06, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Romance and social activity will be a promising combination. Keep an open mind when dealing with youngsters. Travel could include delays and other minor problems. TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Listen to the advice given by those with experience. Be cautious when dealing with coworkers. Don't push your opinions on others today or you may find yourself in the doghouse. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) There could be opposition or temper tantrums on the home front. Get involved in sports events that will benefit your physical appearance. You will enjoy travel and getting together with peers. CANCER (June 21–July 22) You need to do your own thing and work on making yourself the best you can be. Your creative ideas will be put to good use if you dig in and do things around the house that will make your family happy. Don't let your emotional partner upset you today. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You should be promoting your ideas. Plans to make physical improvements may lead to psychological changes, too. You can make progress professionally. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You are best to back away from commitment. Travel will lead you in new directions. You will accomplish the most
through orderly activities. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Problems with skin, bones, or teeth may mess up your schedule. Make changes around your house and plan to do some entertaining. Difficulties with older females in your family may turn out to be quite trivial after all. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Don't reveal any personal details. Don't make promises that you can't possibly keep. You might find group functions tiring. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Changes regarding your career direction will payoff handsomely. You will have some wonderful ideas that should bring you extra money. Emotional deception is evident. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Social activities or travel should be in your plans. You will have the discipline and fortitude to accomplish what you want today. Entertain those who can provide you with valuable information and knowledge. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Be carYou can buy or sell if you're so inclined. Try to be fair in your dealings with acquaintances. Try not to hang out with coworkers if you wish to avoid problems later. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your personal life will be disrupted if you have been too busy with business. Depression may put a damper on your day. You can pick up wonderful buys if you really look hard today.
these matches are not fun to play. It was crucial to forget what surrounded the game,” Garcia, who knelt and pointed at her box after the victory, said courtside. “I want to thank my team because they helped me get over what happened in the past few weeks.” Garcia had been criticized and mocked by Fed Cup team mates Cornet, Kristina Mladenovic and Pauline Parmentier after saying she was injured following a callup to the squad in April. The 28th-seeded Garcia, who will take on second seed Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic for a place in the last four, joins Mladenovic in the quarter-finals, the first time two Frenchwomen have reach that stage since 1994. QUIET CROWD Cornet was regarded as a better claycourt player than Garcia, but could not prove it on Monday. She peppered the court with unforced errors and Garcia read her game easily, anticipating her numerous drop shots. Garcia broke for 4-2 and again to bag the opening set on Court Philippe Chatrier in front of an unusually quiet crowd, who seemed to hesitate over who to support. “Allez Caroline Cornet”, one spectator yelled. Garcia increased the pressure in the second set, racing to a 3-0 lead as Cornet failed to find the key to unlock her rival’s game. That changed in the seventh game, which lasted 10 minutes, when Cornet finally broke Garcia’s serve to the delight of the crowd, who seemed to want more from the two players. But Garcia’s ideal scenario was shorter than the fans’, and she broke straight back before serving for the match. Fighting tooth and nail, Cornet broke again, but consecutive double faults gave Garcia three match points, and she converted the second.
Romania’s Simona Halep celebrates winning her fourth round match against Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro. (Reuters / Christian Hartmann) (From page 28) there. The 21st seed gathered her racket bag and left the arena while Halep took the
plaudits and plotted her course. Next she will meet fifthseeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina.
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Tuesday June 06, 2017
Advantage England as New Zealand face must-win match today ESPNcricinfo - It would be over-stating things a little to say there was a sigh of relief in the England camp after launching their tournament with victory over Bangladesh. In the end they coasted the run chase, but the day was not without its concerns. Chris Woakes’ side strain has turned out to be tournament-ending; there was a lack of wicket-taking threat for a large chunk of Bangladesh’s innings and Jason Roy’s mind looked a little frazzled when he tried to scoop his way back into form. However, it all came together fairly serenely after that with Alex Hales, Joe Root and Eoin Morgan making light work of a target that, two years ago, would have left England cowering in a corner. And it felt as if they could have chased substantially more if needed. They might have to as the tournament progresses. Victory here will put them in the semi-finals, although the match may have to dodge the
showers. New Zealand’s overriding emotion after their first match will have been frustration. Kane Williamson is too sanguine to let it show, but few would have forgiven him if he wanted to kick something inside the Edgbaston dressing-room as the rain closed in with his side on top against Australia. Such positions do not come easily, even if Australia were below their best. The way they set up their innings had more than a hint of 2015 about it, as Luke Ronchi blazed away with a slightly-less convincing remake of Brendon M c C u l l u m ’s g u n g - h o approach. Then Williamson was serene, but they could not kick on. Ross Taylor couldn’t quite find an extra gear and the rest of the order floundered. Neil Broom’s 14 off 19 balls was particularly problematic to the m o m e n t u m a n d consideration may need to be
given to some flexible thinking over the order. When these two sides last met in one-day cricket in 2015, the runs flowed in record-breaking fashion: at the time it was the highestscoring five-match series as England, showing that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, took on New Zealand’s one-day mindset (and took it to greater heights) as the sides hurtled along in each other ’s slipstream. Given fine weather - and fingers are crossed on that front - this could be a humdinger. In the spotlight In football a vote of confidence often means a struggling manager is out of a job a few days later. But if we are to take Morgan on his word, it won’t matter whether Jason Roy scores runs or not, he won’t lose his place at the top of the order. At the moment, England are managing to carry him without too much fuss, but while Root and Hales have a prolific record together, it
Cricket Coach Daniel Richmond laid to rest
Joe Root and Eoin Morgan gave England a winning start against Bangladesh © Getty Images can’t always be banked on: 20 for 2 in tournament cricket is a different kettle of fish to a bilateral series. After the South Africa series, Trevor Bayliss sounded a little less unequivocal over Roy than Morgan. Another failure could test England’s faith. It has been a tough tournament for bowlers so far but, albeit in a small sample size, Adam Milne caught the eye before rain intervened against Australia. He struck in each of his two overs, removing Aaron Finch and Moises Henriques, with a splicejarring length which zipped off the surface. Pace can be a double-edged sword - the
faster it comes, the faster it goes - but harnessed well it can be match-winning. Team news Steven Finn could come straight into the side to replace Chris Woakes and there may be other tinkerings with the attack, too. However, Adil Rashid could find himself unwanted again; in England’s two ODIs on this ground last year they played just one frontline spinner due to the short, straight boundaries. David Willey could come into contention to replace the struggling Jake Ball - he would also offer some extra batting to compensate for Woakes’ absence. New Zealand are
expected to name an unchanged XI with faith shown in Broom at No. 5 and Jeetan Patel likely to be kept out of the side. Pitch and conditions The pitch was covered throughout Monday as heavy rain fell but the forecast is a little better for match-day although showers, and strong winds, are forecast. Whoever wins the toss will surely bowl first. Cardiff has short straight boundaries, especially towards the River Taff, and long square ones which could tempt the quick bowlers to opt for a shortpitched approach.
Letter to the Sports Editor
Sean Devers lied in this instance
Former cricket umpire, coach and scorer Daniel Richmond was laid to rest yesterday. Here his body is being removed from his former residence at Lamaha Springs by members of the umpiring fraternity. Cricket Coach, Umpire, Scorer and formed player Daniel Richmond was laid to rest yesterday in Mahaica following a church service there and viewing at his home in Joint Services Scheme Lamaha Springs. The 67-year-old Cricket Coach, Umpire and scorer was killed in an accident
recently when a speeding Toyota Tacoma slammed into the Mini Bus in which he was travelling. The accident took place at the intersection of D’Urban and Smyth Street, Georgetown. Richmond played in the Northcote second division for Transport Club when he
was employed by the Transport and Harbours Department before representing Police. He retired a Sergeant from the Guyana Police Force in 2010 and at the time of his death was working as a Sports Organizer and Coach at the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports.
Dear Editor, I am writing to you so that the public can have a true understanding of an issue prominently highlighted by your cricket reporter, Sean Devers, in an article published in the sports pages of your 5th June edition. It seems of significant importance that Mr. Devers would state the following, “It was confirmed by the Demerara Manager that Singh did not eat lunch since no vegetarian meal was sent for him yesterday although this was done in the 50 over Competition. His parents arrived at 13:40 hours after being notified of the situation”. I would like to make it pellucidly clear (redundancy noted) that I NEVER had any conversation with Devers on this issue and that the player did have a meal. The Player in question, Mr. Kishan Singh, is a vegetarian, so upon realizing that a vegetarian meal was not delivered by the caterer I informed the GCB Administrator who
instructed that I purchase a meal and the situation would be rectified the following day. I sent for a vegetarian meal by which time the player’s parent arrived with a special meal. I offered the additional meal to the player but he told me that his father had already brought food for him which he had eaten. No one had contacted the parent on the matter (confirmed by his father) as they usually bring food for their son given his special meal situation. At no time would I allow a player to go hungry as Mr. Sean Devers is reporting. I am also well aware that Mr. Rohan Sarjoo was present and in conversation with Devers on this important m a t t e r. I t i s p u b l i c knowledge that Sarjoo had issues with the GCB not appointing him as Demerara and Guyana Under-19 Manager. I would not like to get involved in this debate but at the same time cannot fail to relate the link. I am a qualified Umpire and an official scorer of the
Guyana Cricket Board. I have been the Manager of the West Demerara Cricket As sociation’s winning Under-19 team for many years, while being the Demerara Under-19 Team Manager for the past three years. Over the past Five years I have also been the WDCA Competitions Chairman. I would humbly suggest that I know what is required to be around young minds as we strive to inculcate good habits. I would also not want to be ostracized because your reporter is lying. I am not prepared to be involved in Mr. Devers’ malicious reporting on cricket or his perceived vendetta against the GCB. I am prepared to state that Cricket in Guyana is in a better place than Five years ago. Mr. Editor, please do not allow your reporter to use this medium to settle his personal grievances. Yours Sincerely, Omar Hussain, Manager, Demerara Under-19 Squad.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday June 06, 2017
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Hand-in-Hand Inter-County 3-day Cricket
Berbice prevail in low scoring encounter over Nat U-17s Despite Anderson’s MOM performance
Berbice pacer Sylus Tyndall bowled with good pace on a flat Everest track yesterday as his team won by 5 wickets. (Sean Devers photo) By Sean Devers It’s not very often that the Man-of-the-Match ends up on the losing side, but that is exactly what happened in yesterday’s opening round of the GCB’s Hand-in-Hand U19 three-day Inter-County Cricket tournament at Everest which Berbice won by five wickets with more than a day to spare. National U-17 batsman
National U-17s Kevlon Anderson sweeps for four during his 45 at Everest yesterday and looked the only batsman who turned up to play 3-day cricket. (Sean Devers photo)
Kelvon Anderson, who made 39 and 45, looked the only batsman who turned up to play a three-day match and demonstrated wonderful temperament and shot selection to take the Man-ofthe-Match in the low scoring match which saw neither team reaching 100 runs in any innings. Needing 86 to win after the National U-17s were bowled out for 85 from an
overnight position of 5-2, Berbice took 38.5 overs to get to 87-5 thanks to an unbeaten 41 from Javid Karim which lasted 89 minutes, 89 balls and ended with his third boundary. Scores: Nat U-17s (86 & 85), B’ce (86 & 87-5). Berbice began their run chase in a positive fashion with Kevin Sinclair pulling left-arm spinner Kelvin Umroa for four but he hit his
stumps after playing a cut in the first over and Berbice were 4-1. Berbice soon slipped to 19-3 after Veramootoo Senwasane (4) and Adrian Sukwah (6) were removed in the space of two runs. Tyndall was promoted the get the runs quickly but pushed forward meekly and was bowled by Junior Sinclair for one and at 20-4 and judging from their first
Annual Cricket Academy and Republic Bank Summer Camp
RHTY&SC Cricket teams extends invitation for youths to attend The Management and eight Cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S are extending invitation to youths across Berbice to attend its Annual Cricket Academy and Republic Bank Educational Summer C a m p . T h e C l u b ’s Educational and Cricket Developmental Committee headed by veteran Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster have started early preparations for both programmes in an effort to fulfil all of their objectives. The Annual Cricket Academy has been hosted since 1991 and for 2017 would be hosted from the 11th of July to the 21st of July at the Area ‘H’ Ground in Rose Hall Town from 9AM to 1PM. The Academy would be catering for 100 young cricketers and would be conducted by Head Coach Delbert Hicks. Youths would be taught the
Hilbert Foster basics in batting, bowling, fielding, wicketkeeping, while they would also be involved in several classroom lectures and practice matches. Lectures would include topics such as Drug Abuse, History of Cricket, Suicide, Structure of West Indies Cricket, Personal Hygiene, Role of a Sports Ambassador, Peer Pressure and Public Speaking among
others. The Management of the Club would provide all gears, cricket balls and educational materials for the Academy, while snacks would be provided on a daily basis. Outstanding Cricketers at the Academy would receive special prizes while each attendee would receive a school bag to assist them to stay in school and obtain an educational background. The academy is opened to all youths across Berbice between the ages of 8 to 18 years and registration forms are available at the Area “H’ Ground between the hours of 8AM to 6PM Monday to Saturday. The Annual Republic Bank Summer Camp would also start on the 11th of July at the Area ‘H’ Ground and would cater for 60 Grade Six Students preparing for Secondary School in S e p t e m b e r. T h e m a i n objectives of this
programme are to prepare the students for a successful transition from Primary to Secondary School, to promote the importance of Education and to assist the students to understand their roles as Role Models to their peers. The Class would be conducted by a Senior Educator and Students would be taught Mathematics, English, Social Studies, Integrated Science, Physical Education and basic Spanish. They would also be involved in a wide range of lectures on Peer Pressure, Choosing Friends, Manners in the Classroom and Personal Hygiene among others, while they would be exposed to basic coaching on how to play cricket. The Club would provide all educational materials and entrance fee is free. Outstanding students will be awarded with trophies, medals and special gifts.
innings performance, the game was wide open. By Tea Berbice had crawled to 37-4 from 17 overs and 49 runs were still required by the lads from Guyana’s second largest County. After the break Steve Deonarine and Karim carried the score to 65-5 with Karim dumping Anderson over mid-off for four and pulling a long-hop from Junior Sinclair to the midwicket boundary before Deonarine, who pulled Nedd for four to ease the pressure, hit a Junior Sinclair full toss to mid-on. Deonarine’s crucial 20 lasted 28 balls and included two boundaries. But Matthew Hardyal (7) and Karim took advantage of the spinners who bowled too fast and flat and aided by poor fielding to see their team to victory. Junior Sinclair had 3-25 but struggled to flight the ball and extract prodigious turn, while Karim was dropped twice. E a r l i e r, w h e n p l a y commenced 15 minutes late due to overnight rain and despite excellent work from the ground staff, the U-17s resumed on their overnight total and quickly slumped to 8-3 when Orlando Jailall (6) was removed by Deon Sinclair. Junior Sinclair (2) and the rock solid Anderson carried the score to 30 before Sylus Tyndall produced a beauty which moved a shade off the pitch and crashed into Sinclair’s wicket. Rajendra Singh, who faced 28 balls and struck a boundary in his 10, joined
Anderson whose confidence grew as his innings progressed and almost took the U-17s to Lunch without further loss. However, Singh played an irresponsible pull to a full toss from Deon Sinclair’s leg-spin and under-edged it onto his stumps off the last ball of the session to leave the score 57-5. Fifty-two runs were scored in the first session from 27.5 overs in a battle of attrition between the bowlers and Anderson, 29, at the interval. After Lunch, Anderson dispatched a full toss from Deon Sinclair past mid-on for four to move into the 40s, but with the score on 75-6 Lance Roberts (7) got an edge onto his boot and was taken at slip as Deon Sinclair struck again much to dismay of the few U17’s supporters in the stand. A run later Pradesh Balkishun (0) edged offspinner Kevin Sinclair to the Keeper and Anderson was in danger of running out of partners. Skipper Ashmead Nedd was the last hope of the U17’s getting to a three-figure total but he was bowled for a duck by Keith Simpson to leave the score on 81-8. Kevin Sinclair (3-9) then removed Anderson and Mark Ranking (0) as the last two wickets tumbled for no run. Simpson (3-16) and Deon Sinclair (3-19) were also among the wickets. The second round starts on Thursday after both first round encounters ended inside two days.
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Tuesday June 06, 2017
Junior Jaguars create history by winning SOUALIGA U-15 Tournament in St. Martin Guyana’s Junior Under15 Jaguars created history when they stopped the home team, St. Martin compliments of a Jermaine Garrett goal to win the SOUALIGA Tournament 10 on Sunday evening last, in the process the future stars kept a clean sheet in the championship after six m a t c h e s . Led by Joshua Braithwaite, the team is the first at this level to have won an international tournament, a total of nine nations competing over the past w e e k e n d . Captain Braithwaite commented on the performance of his colleagues: “The boys have done fantastic in the six games that we played, we kept six clean sheets, we showed a lot of heart and desire and I want to thank
Mr. Wayne Forde, TD and Head Coach Mr. Brian J o s e p h . ” Enroute to the championship match, Guyana defeated Dominica 1-0 in the semi final, Omari Glasgow netting the winner on a well timed run to finish first time from a slide rule ball. The match before, the young Guyanese hammered the British Virgin Islands 5-0 on account of goals from Orville Daniels (Rupununi ATC), Ronaldo Rodrigues (Region 1), Tyrel Khan (East Bank ATC), Ken Salvador (Rupununi ATC) and Omari Glasgow (East Coast ATC). Guyana also drew with Guadeloupe and Barbados 00. TD Greenwood who was present with the team said that they have all done a great job by bringing home the trophy back to Guyana. “Defensively we’ve been
Jermaine Garrett extremely solid keeping six clean sheets; Wayne Da Silva has proven to be one of the best defenders in the tournament along with our
goalkeeper Shawn Adonis who marshaled the backline fantastically well.” When in possession of the ball, Greenwood noted that
they looked very relaxed and composed in playing the ball through the thirds. They also showed a lot of creativity the T D i n f o r m e d . ”The boys have shown a desire, the heart and willingness not to be beaten throughout the tournament. The key objectives before the tournament were to focus on defensive shape, pressing from the front, creative play in and around the box in set p i e c e s . ” Greenwood reported that through the competition the players developed these skills and tried to press teams high up the field whilst remaining solid at the back. ”I think it’s real evidence of the weekly sessions that the boys are exposed to in the academy training sessions; the national training camps that we’ve been holding have allowed the players to
understand the way that we want Guyana national teams to play. I would like to say once again how proud we are of the players from a human development point of view as well.” It was also the first time many of the players were on a lane as well as playing on an astro turf pitch. Starting X1 in the final: Shawn Adonis (GK), Okifi Patoir, Joshua Braithwaite (C), Wayne Da Silva, Jermaine Padmore, Tyrel Khan, Jermaine Garrett, Orville Daniels, Omari Glasgow, Ravon Bayley, Ronaldo Rodrigues. Technical Staff: TD - Ian Greenwood, Head Coach Bryan Joseph, Assistant Coach - Challus Mc Kinnon, Goalkeeping Coach - Eon Deviera, Rohana Carryl – Operations, Saskia Hazel Physiotherapist.
Under-15 Head Coach Brain Joseph taking his charges through a warm up routine in St. Martin.
Halep hammers hapless Spaniard in French rout PA R I S ( R e u t e r s ) Simona Halep established her credentials to become the newest French Open champion with a blistering 6-1 6-1 victory over Carla Suarez-Navarro to reach the quarter-finals yesterday. With no former champions left in the field, pregnant Serena Williams watching from the sidelines and Maria Sharapova not invited to compete, third seed Halep has a golden opportunity to break into the grand slam winners’ circle. Yesterday’s evidence
suggested the Romanian may be ready for it. “I was expecting a tough game against a very good claycourt player,” Halep said. “But I managed to push her back. “I feel very, very good now. I think I played the best match here in Roland Garros against Carla, which always was a tough match. And on clay I never won against her, so it was a really good match. I played exactly what I had to.” There could be no arguments from any
observers or from Suarez Navarro who appeared stunned at the outcome. “The result speaks for itself,” the Spaniard told reporters. “I was late. “She played flawless tennis. I had some opportunities but I didn’t convert them. I paid the price for it.” Before this clash there had been little to suggest it would be so one-sided. Halep led their head-to-head record, but only by 6-5. As soon as the match b e g a n , h o w e v e r, i t s
complexion became quickly apparent. Halep settled faster and raced into a 5-0 lead before Suarez Navarro could register on the scoreboard. The Spaniard finally held her serve for 5-1 when Halep made a rare forehand error to end a 15-stroke rally, but the Romanian put that blip behind her to seal the set with a backhand pass a game later. There are few players who strike the ball more crisply that Suarez Navarro, especially on the backhand side where she usually
unfurls a big top-spin shot. But whether it was the swirling wind which snapped the flags lining the roof of the showcourt, or Halep’s varied pace, the Spaniard repeatedly struggled to find her range. The one high point for Suarez Navarro was when she broke back for 1-1 in the second set, but it was all downhill from there. Her timing had gone, then her footwork. At one point she was forced to lunge forward to strike a backhand and accordingly popped it
into the net, her foot positioning all wrong. Halep was toying with her now, switching things up, throwing in drop shots followed by lobs. Suarez Navarro scampered around court to no effect. On the stroke of the hour Suarez Navarro was put out of her misery, having made 41 errors. As the two kissed at the net, Halep kindly patted her opponent on the back, and the Spaniard could hardly wait to get out of (Continued on page 25)
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Tuesday June 06, 2017
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Xtreme Clean & Maintenance /GT Beer ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal Tournament
Game 2 could be the clash of the night -experience of Bent Street to be tested by Future Stars A source close to Sparta Boss, the reputed kings of the shorter version of football, said they are not in any way worried about tonight’s clash against Tucville. The second stanza of the round robin phase of the inaugural Xtreme Clean & Maintenance /GT Beer ‘Gold Rush’ Futsal Tournament resumes this evening with six more matches, at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue. To n ig h t’s r o u n d o f matches could give a clearer picture of which eight teams move on to the quarter-finals with one more night of round robin action left to be played this Thursday. The top two teams from the three groups and the two best third placed teams will move into the quarter-finals scheduled to be played on June 13, at the same venue. Meanwhile, the source reminded this newspaper that the champs have been in similar situations in the past and have always rebounded in convincing fashion and tonight’s engagement is just
another opportunity for them to emphasise their dominance in the format. Once again players such as Devon Millington, Gregory Richardson, Sheldon Shepherd and Eusi Phillips will be tasked with ensuring that they secure a win. On the other hand, Tucville’s pursuit of an upset will rest on the shoulders of Jermin Junior, Dennis Edwards and Jahal Greaves. However, this encounter is not the only game with significant importance, Back Circle and North Ruimveldt skirmish could very well provide the kind of fireworks that fans expect in this format. Back Circle were soundly beaten by a rejuvenated Albouystown unit and they would be aiming to bounce back with a v i c t o r y, w h i l e N o r t h Ruimveldt drew with Tiger Bay and they too will no doubt want to secure all three points with a win. Stephon McLean, Curtez Kellman and Selwyn Williams will lead Back Circle’s quest for victory,
Part of the action in a previous competition that featured Sparta Boss in attack mode. while North Ruimveldt’s charge for a win will be spearheaded by the experienced Gerald Gritten. Bent Street and Future Stars were the other teams apart from Albouystown to register wins in the previous round and their clash is certainly a titanic affair. Both teams are loaded with talent dripping from head to toe and because they
appear in the second game of the night it is anticipated that fans will not want to miss this explosive encounter. Konata Manning, Okanie Fraser, Joshua B r o w n e , J o b C a e s a r, Sheldon Profitt and Travis Lyken of Bent Street will go up against the stars of the future like Akeemo Anthony and Keiron Solomon. All the other encounters
are anticipated to provide end to end action. The winning team will receive $500,000 and the championship trophy, while second, third and fourth placed finishers take home $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) will be given $50,000. The night’s matchups are
seen below: (Group C) Broad Street vs Plaisance 19:00 (Group C) Group Bent Street vs Future Stars 19:30 (Group B) Back Circle vs North Ruimveldt 20:00 (Group B) Albouystown vs Tiger Bay 20:30 (Group A) Agricola vs Sophia 21:00 (Group A) Sparta Boss vs Tucville 21:30
Demerara thump E’bo by an innings and 16 runs Demerara registered an innings and 16-run victory over Essequibo when the first round of the Guyana Cricket Board Hand-inHand Inter County U19 three-day tournament concluded yesterday. In reply to Essequibo first innings score of 106 all out, Demerara resumed on the second day on their overnight 237-5 and declared at lunch on 327-9 at Eve Leary. Ramnarine Chatura and Richie Looknauth began the day on 23 and 12 respectively and added a further 55 for the sixth wicket before Chatura, who hit three fours and one six, was removed by Joel Fortune for 40. Looknauth slammed seven fours before he became another Fortune victim for an even half century. Sagar Hatahramani contributed 15, while Mark Jeffers remained unbeaten on 14 as Fortune bagged 674 off 22 overs. Needing to score 221 to make Demerara bat a second
Joel Fortune time, Essequibo were bowled out for 115 in the extended final session of the day’s play. Pacer Ronaldo Mohamed bowled Mark Williams without scoring as Essequibo lost their first wicket with the score on five. Mark Ramsammy was then bowled by left arm spinner Keshram Seyhodan for 11 before Christopher Campbell was run out for three leaving the score at 57-
Richie Looknauth 3. Kurt Lovell looked positive hitting five fours in scoring 33 before he was bowled by Sagar Hatharamani. Sheldon Charles occupied the crease for 121 minutes before he hit a longhop from Raymond Perez to cover to depart for 25; he faced 96 balls. Chanderpaul Mohabir (01), Mahendra Persaud (09), Joshua Jones (01) and Fortune (08) all fell cheaply,
Man-of-the-match Raymond Perez accepts his prize from a Hand-in-Hand representative. while Beesham Moses remained unbeaten on two. Seyhodan claimed 4-20, while Looknauth had 2-30; Demerara pacer Mark
Jeffers playing in his first game of the tournament sent down three overs all of which were maidens, but strangely he wasn’t given
the opportunity to bowl for a longer period at a time when fast bowlers should be encouraged. (Zaheer Mohamed)
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Tuesday June 06, 2017
Guyana NRA Smallbore Practical Pistol Match
Hopkinson takes senior top spot; Merriman, junior/beginners H a r o l d ‘ To p G u n ’ Hopkinson was unstoppable on Sunday last when the Guyana National Rifle Association (Guyana NRA) Smallbore Section held a Practical Pistol Shoot at the Timehri Rifle Range. Hopkinson despite not winning any of the three stages did enough to end as the overall winner with a total of 133 points. Winner of stage three Azaad Hassan ended 2nd overall with a total of 125 points with Smallbore Captain Dale Hing, winner of stages one and two ending third on 122 points. Gordon Richards, Smallbore Vice Captain ended 4th with 100 points with Surujbali 5th on 80 points. This three stage match consisted of falling plates and steel poppers. Using the IPSC sc o r i n g s y s t e m shooters were required to gain as much points as possible in the fastest time from 15 and 20 meters. Results from the three stages among the seniors: Stage 1 - Dale Hing, Harold Hopkinson, Surujbali Persaud. Stage 2 - Dale Hing, Harold Hopkinson, Gordon Richards. Stage 3 -
Participants at last Sunday’s Guyana NRA Smallbore Practical Pistol Match pose with their trophies and medals after the presentation. Azaad Hassan, Harold Hopkinson, Gordon Richards. Colin Meriman, who won stage three and was 3rd in the first and second stages, came out overall winner in
the juniors/beginners category with a tally of 48 points just one ahead of the second placed Jamaine Braithwaite. Two points back in 3rd was Michael Tang, Glendon
Fogenay was 4th with 22 points and Kevin Fields 5th on 17 points. Results from the three stages are as follows: Stage 1 - Michael Tang, Kevin Fields, Colin Merriman.
Stage 2 - Jamaine Braithwaite, Michael Tang, Colin Merriman. Stage 3 Colin Merriman, Jamaine Braithwaite, Michael Tang. Hing has disclosed that the next event will be a
Precision Pistol match at the Tactical Service Unit of the Guyana Police Force (TSC) Range on June 17th followed by another Practical Pistol match in July.
Cilic flies under the radar all the way to last eight PARIS (Reuters) Marin Cilic has flown under the radar since arriving in Paris but after reaching the French Open quarter-finals for the loss of 26 games he looms as a clear and present danger. The 28-year-old Croat joins four other grand slam winners in the last eight but, while nine-times Roland Garros winner Rafa Nadal,
holder Novak Djokovic, 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray make the headlines, Cilic barely gets a mention. Yesterday he was on court for 48 minutes before South African Kevin Anderson retired because of a leg injury with Cilic leading 6-3 3-0 on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
The undemonstrative seventh seed joined Spain’s Nadal and Austrian Dominic Thiem in reaching the quarters without conceding a set and will next face Swiss Wawrinka, who he trails 112 in head-to-heads and has not beaten since 2010. Only Nadal (20) has lost fewer games so far here this year and Cilic, who has reached the quarter-finals for the first time having done so in the other three slams, says he has not felt better at a grand slam since he won the 2014 U.S. Open. “Apart from at the U.S. Open in ’14, I’m definitely feeling the best on the court,” Cilic, the first Croatian to reach the last eight since Mario Ancic and Ivan Ljubicic in 2006, told reporters. “Even then I didn’t go through the draw as comfortably as here.” At 1.98 meters, and with a game built on power off the serve and forehand, Cilic does not look made for clay.
Croatia’s Marin Cilic celebrates winning his fourth round match after South Africa’s Kevin Anderson had to retire with an injury. (Reuters / Gonzalo Fuentes) But he is a French Open junior champion and has two
claycourt titles to his name, one of which came this year
when he won the Istanbul tournament. “With the form I’m in I feel great on the court,” said the 28-year-old. “It’s a huge bonus for me, knowing that mentally and physically I haven’t spent any energy at all. “I grew up on clay, playing half the year on clay. But I would say last year I started to feel that I’m getting better on it. This year we changed a little bit the routine of the training on clay, and that helped me a lot.” Cilic will need to find another gear against third seed Wawrinka, but he is ready and with warm weather expected later in the week he definitely has a puncher’s chance. “With Stan it’s extremely difficult on any surface,” he said. “He has won a lot of matches in a row against me. “But for me I have to focus on keeping this level and to look for my chances.”
Kaieteur News
Tuesday June 06, 2017
PAGE 33
BFA/J’s Golden Arrow U-20 Tourney
Paradise and Cougars to clash in Saturday’s final; NA United and Hopetown play for third
Xavier Johnson - Cougars FC Paradise Invaders, which ended with 5 points and atop of Group ‘A’, will engage Cougars FC, the winner of Group ‘B’ with 4 points, in Saturday’s final of the Berbice Football Association/J’s Golden Arrow U-20 Tourney at the All Saints (Scotts School) ground, New Amsterdam, under lights. Meeting for the third place trophy are the respective runner-up of the two groups, New Amsterdam United and Hopetown United. Orealla United ended in 5th place with Young Strikers bringing up the rear. T h e t o u r n a m e n t ’s leading goal scorer to date, Shaqueel De Harte, who has three will lead Paradise’
Kevon Williams - NA United
quest to lift the winner’s trophy come Saturday. NA United’s Jamal Butts and Kevon Williams as well as Matthew Doris of Hopetown United Rangers each have two goals apiece. Meanwhile, the final two preliminary round matches ended in exciting draws, last weekend. Young Strikers showed marked improvement from their last outing when they were hammered 5-0 by Paradise Invaders to earn an exciting 1-1 draw against New Amsterdam United before the latter earned a win via kicks from the penalty mark. Played in constant rain during most of the second half, the match was evenly poised at the end of the first
half of 40 minutes as neither team was able to score. However, NA United’s Kevon Williams slotted home in the 49th minute a n d Yo u n g S t r i k e r s ’ A k e e m M u n r o e responded in like manner in the 78th minute to tie the score. To decide the winner, kicks from the penalty mark were required and at the end, it was NA United which prevailed against the newcomers from the Central Corentyne area playing in their first major tournament, to register 2 points to 1 in the losers favour. The downpour continued intermittently throughout the second match between Cougars FC and Orealla Falcons.
Brinsley Rajnarine - Orealla Falcons
It was the Corentyne River lads who seemed to be able to adapt better to the soggy conditions created by the waterlogged field to put early pressure on Cougars. It was not surprising when the Orealla player Brinsley Rajnarine found the back of the Cougars net as early as the 4th minute from a well-placed right foot shot to the left of the keeper’s outstretched hand. Cougars then launched
Akeem Munroe - Young Strikers FC
an all-out attack but it was not until the 25th minute off the boot of Xavier Johnson from the penalty mark after an Orealla defender committed an infringement inside the 18yds box were they able to strike. The second half saw the crowd getting behind Orealla which had won them over with their first half display. This gave them impetus which saw a real battle of
wills between the two teams. The score remained 1-1 at the end of regulation time so kicks from the penalty mark were taken. The Orealla goalkeeper managed to block the shot taken by his Cougars counterpart so the crowd waited with bated breath when it was his turn. He did not disappoint and sent a neat shot into the far right hand corner. Orealla went on to win 4-3.
A remarkable achievement for the boys and Technical staff - GFF President Kaieteur Sport sought the views of the GFF President Wayne Forde on the achievement of the National Under-15 Team in St. Martin. Following are the questions posed and Forde’ answers. KS - Your immediate thoughts on the U15s overall v i c t o r y ? WF - A remarkable achievement for the boys and Technical staff and a beautifully historic moment for Guyana’s Football Development. They went there with a plan and were able to execute that plan, we are so proud of these boys. KS - What would you say have been the reason (s) for
this level of success which is a first for Guyana? WF - I have every reason to believe that God is now in charge of the future of Guyana’s Football which leaves the Executive Committee with the simple task of communicating a clear vision, implementing the structures to support that vision and finding the right people to bring that vision to life. We have been able to do all of this in a very short period and this is the result of that. KS - What has been the level of investment overall (financial, human and otherwise) that would have added up to this level of r e t u r n s ? WF - The GFF has more
than doubled its investment in youth development and grassroots programmes. The Academy Training Center (ATC) is the pillar of our football development strategy hence we have allocated significant human and other resources to that project. KS - What measures would be put in place to ensure that as a nation, we build on this success? WF - We are in desperate need of help from the Government and Corporate Guyana in order to support the ATC programme. This programme will reposition Guyana within the CFU and CONCACAF in the coming years. We still have a very long way to go but the path is
clear, we will get there. K S - Wa s t h e r e a n y corporate support for the Team’s participation and if so, which entities? WF - We approached the Government and is very optimistic that they will respond favourably. Mr. George Mc Donald of Banks DIH made a significant contribution to the tour as well. KS - Who would you like to single out for special mention in terms of the overall success? WF - I would like to single out team GFF, the Executive Committee, the Technical Director and his staff, the players, the parents and everyone that is praying for us.
Wayne Forde
t r o Sp Junior Jaguars create history by winning SOUALIGA U-15 Tournament in St. Martin
The successful Guyana U15 Team and Technical Staff in St Martin.
Berbice prevail in low scoring encounter over Nat U-17s - Despite Anderson’s MOM performance 3-day Cricket
Junior Sinclair is bowled by pacer Sylus Tyndall and the Berbice players celebrate at Everest yesterday. (Sean Devers photo)
Game 2 could be the clash of the night -experience of Bent Street to be tested by Future Stars 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