Wednesday June 07, 2017
Clement Rohee says the President will find himself in pickle DEAR EDITOR, The wheel has turned a full circle and it is back where it actually started. I refer to the turmoil to identify a Chairman for GECOM. It is to be recalled that the President had identified Mr. Basil Williams as his interlocutor to engage Mr. Anil Nandlall on the matter. Nothing came out of that engagement. Whether that was the whole intent and purpose of the engagement; to filibuster and to make it much ado about nothing is anybody’s guess. The fact of the matter is that it was a failed enterprise. Nandlall tried but to no avail. On the other hand, it could be that the President, having finally recognized that he was ill advised by his Attorney General decided to take the matter into his own hands. Granted that all of this might be mere speculation and that the secretive military strategists ensconced at their new premises in the compound of State House, would have already advised Mr Granger about the timelines for holding elections in 2020, then we can safely conclude that the deceptive,
calculating machinery of the presidency is hard at work and what is playing out before our very eyes is part and parcel of a grander reelection strategic goal. In the circumstances, it is expected that high level diplomatic initiatives by the ABC countries, the donor community as well as the Carter Center would have been taken already to alert government about their concerns on this matter. In the meanwhile, the Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition must now await the return of the President from Brussels where he will attend an international meeting from 78 June. Granger’s meeting with Mr Jagdeo will take place on June 12 at 18:00hrs at State House. The meeting seems to be an afterthought by the Presidency since in his letter dated June 6, there is no mention of any meeting in such great detail. There is some speculation that the wording; “there will be litigation and other consequences for which the President will be responsible” in the final paragraph in the press release issued by the
The Speaker must adhere to the rules... From page 4 with half an ounce of brain would conclude that that Standing Orders Section 95 (15) gives me and every Member of Parliament the right to attend any meeting of the Committee of Privileges, except that a Member who is not a Member of that Committee cannot stay during the deliberations. And I made this quite clear to both the Clerk and the Speaker that I will not be around during the deliberations. Read the Standing Order yourself, it is written in layman’s language. Although a prominent legal scholar, the Speaker seems to be having difficulty with the interpretation of this Standing Order, very much like the President is having in deciding who is a Fit and Proper Person. Why the hypocrisy? The Speaker must be consistent in his rulings to avoid the perception of being bias. There can only be one interpretation of any Standing Order, and the Speaker does nothing to his credibility by misinterpreting any. Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament
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Office of the Leader of the Opposition might have triggered the invitation to the June 12, meeting. President Granger will no doubt seek from Mr. Jagdeo clarification on the meaning of those words at the meeting. A list of names with the backing of thirty three civil society organizations is by no means a list to be dealt with whimsically. Mr. Granger, being an old hand at intelligence matters must be quite aware of the significance of such a list lying on his desk. In light of the exchanges from the northern and southern sides of the GCC ground both sides seem to be spoiling for a fight. But both sides also recognize that in respect to the settlement of a Chairman for GECOM it cannot be a take it or leave it situation. Believing he holds the trump card, when in fact it is a petard in his hand Mr Granger must’ve realized how precariously poised the situation is. The President faces the real possibility of 33 civil society bodies rising up to challenge him along with the ABC countries and the donor community. In the case of the former, it would deal a devastating blow to all the talk of social cohesion. Thus,
the choice by compulsion to proceed on a pathway of reasoning and compromise. From all indications, Mr. Granger, having publicly rejected all the names suggested thus far, cannot go back to any of those names. He therefore has names of his own choice and wants to cut a deal with Mr. Jagdeo on the Chairmanship of GECOM. If the name/s Mr. Granger has was never considered by the thirty three organizations including the PPP/C it would mean two things; 1) Mr. Jagdeo going back to consult with the stakeholders; 2) Declaring the President’s move unconstitutional; 3) dragging out the process further; 4) seeking a resolution through the court 5) seeking the intervention of the Carter Center and the diplomatic community to resolve the matter. 6) realizing the threat that” there will be other consequences “ if the matter is not settled in accordance with provisions of the Constitution. In any of the aforementioned scenarios, President Granger will certainly find himself in pickle. Clement J. Rohee
Nipping the drug habit while it is in bloom DEAR EDITOR, Why am I not surprised to read that the drug culture has now taken root in Guyana big time? In 1983, a much younger Guyanese work colleague told me that she had spent her entire weekend helping her father prepare a small van to send to a relative in Guyana, so that the chap could sell ice cream to schoolchildren. The set-up cost slightly over £2,000.00 (two thousand pounds sterling), and the money was to be repaid over a period of time. I said nothing, but thought ‘fat chance’. I knew pennies from schoolchildren, even if collected every day, could take a long time to reach that amount. I felt the sale of something other than ice cream had to be involved and thought “drugs” - a moving van was a relatively easy way to keep the product circulating, and I had already noted that Guyana was vulnerable to drugs - “the opiate of the people”. The drug habit is similar to that of alcohol consumption or gambling, and entire families may suffer the consequences if the chief breadwinner happens to fall victim. Strong measures need to be taken to try to nip it, if not in the bud, while in near bloom. Geralda Dennison
Guyana needs a Youth literacy Officer DEAR EDITOR, “Continuous intelligencenot effort or strength- is the key to unlocking our potential” Education is the process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through study and training. Guyana’s Education System is dying drastically and what we need are persons that will “listen and adhere” to suggestions made, not persons who will “ignore” the many cries of youths. Our Government has been sitting in office for approximately two (2) years and our International Literacy and Schooling Rate (ILS) is in a poor standard. Let me enlighten your readers on what really is (ILS)it is the percentage of people aged 13 and above who can, with understanding both read and write a short, simple statement on their everyday life. Guyana stands as the twentieth (20th) country with the lowest literacy levels which nationwide percentage is 33.6%. Our country my dear people needs a Youth Literacy Officer or in the United States of America and the United Kingdom a (Youth Development Officer or a Page There is no greater calling than to help educate young people. I would like to apprise you of some important changes that will be coming to Guyana if I am allowed to hold the position mentioned above. I will be making these changes because I am convinced that most of the ideas that have dominated public education in Guyana have worked against teachers and our country. There must be afterschool clubs. Secondly, I am uninterested in whether English is our native language; my only interest in terms of language is that you leave school speaking and writing English as fluently as possible. And if you leave these schools, without excellent English Language skills, I will be remiss in my duty to ensure you that you will be prepared to successfully compete in the Guyana Trade Market. Thirdly, because I regard
learning as a sacred endeavour, everything in Guyana will reflect learning’s elevated status, this means, among other things that you and your teacher will dress accordingly, many persons in our society dress more formally for red-carpet events than for church or school; these people have their priorities backward. Therefore, there will be a formal dress code at these schools. Fourth, NO OBSCENE LANGUAGE will be tolerated anywhere on the school’s property, if you can’t speak without using the “Fword”, you can’t speak. It is my intent that by the time you leave these schools, you will be among the few your age to instinctively distinguish between the elevated and the degraded, the holy and the obscene. Fifth, and last, I am reorienting the schools toward academics and away from politics and propaganda. No more time will be devoted to scaring you about smoking and caffeine, or terrifying you about “sexual harassment” or “global warming”. No more terms will be devoted to “condom wearing” and teaching you to regard sexual relations as only or primarily a health issue. There will be no attempt to convince you that you are a victim because you not white or not male, or not heterosexual or not Christian. I will have failed if any one of you graduates these schools and do not consider him or herself inordinately fortunate— to be alive and to be a Guyanese. Now you can all see that “I have a vision” Let us cooperate for Guyana. O’shea Mingo
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Higher retirement age recommended for public servants by the CoI DEAR EDITOR, The Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service of Guyana (CoI) 2016, under the Chairmanship of Professor Harold Lutchman, referred to the current retirement age of 55 years, and with approval 50 years in the Public Service. The CoI reported that Public Sector organizations such as the Bank of Guyana, the National Insurance Scheme, the Guyana Revenue Authority, and staff of the Office of the Auditor General have a retirement age of 60 years. The retirement age for staff at the University of Guyana is 65 years, and for the members of Judiciary and the Auditor General, the retirement age is 65 years. The CoI Report further stated that the Private Sector also has higher retirement ages based on pension schemes providing for retirement between 60 and 65 years. There is also no fixed retirement age for top executives in the private sector. Similarly in public life, the CoI noted there is no retirement age for Members of the National Assembly, Ministers, Leader of the Opposition, Vice-Presidents, the President and their advisers. In the context of employment service, the age of 55 is too early an age for retirement for Public Servants.
The CoI stated that testimonies to the Commission support and advocate for higher retirement age for public service staff. It is argued that at age of 55, Public Servants would have acquired deep knowledge and wide experience in public management and in their professional and specialist fields. It would be a great loss of experience, skills and expertise to the Public Service with a retirement age at 55 years. This is one of the arguments used to justify the re-employment of many retired public servants on contract, immediately upon retirement. The CoI further reported that a survey of the Human Resource Practitioners in the private sector recommended a retirement age of between 60 and 65 years. This was also in line with the testimonies to the Commission by public servants and individuals. The advocacy calls for a retirement age of 65 years with an option of retirement at 60 in the public Service to provide for the retention of valuable, experienced and skilled professionals. The COI drew attention that the age of retirement for civil servants of other countries including the British Virgin Islands, Suriname, and Trinidad and
Tobago where the retirement age for Public Officials is 60 years. The current retirement is 65 years in Bermuda, and 66.5 years in Barbados and in Dominica. Canada has abolished retirement age on the grounds of nondiscrimination, while International Organizations within the United Nations System retires International Civil Servants on attaining 62 years of age. The current retirement age from the Republic of South Africa is 65 years. The CoI Report affirmed that the higher retirement age of 65 years would provide for higher pensions under the Pensions Act for public officers who would also continue to contribute to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) until the age of 60 years when NIS pensions would be paid. This would further increase the finances of the NIS scheme by the extended contributions from the Public Service of the State and its employees for an additional period of five years, thus contributing to the continuing viability of the National Insurance Scheme. The Commission stated that it was convinced that a higher retirement age for Public Servants would be mutually beneficial for the State, the public servants, and the National Insurance Scheme. The CoI accordingly
Guyana Revenue Authority defends its used tyre policy DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Revenue Authority wishes to respond to a Peeping Tom article published in the Kaieteur News on Saturday, June 3, 2017 captioned “Triple Whammy”. Peeping Tom made some statements regarding the importation of used tyres, insinuating that the GRA was imposing a new tax on Guyanese. Peeping Tom also stated “the GRA has not yet indicated when parliament would have met to have given approval for the GRA to impose such penalties. Nor has the GRA quoted under which provision of the laws that it administers empowers it to charge this penalty as it describes it.” The Revenue Authority wishes to state that in the Budget Presentation of January 29, 2016 the Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan announced the restriction of imported used tyres.
Wednesday June 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
Consequently, Part II of the Second Schedule to the Customs Act (List of Restricted Imports) has been amended to impose a restriction on imports of “used tyres for motor vehicles including motor cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, pick-ups, buses and other similar vehicles”. The amendment also stipulates that imported “Vehicles shall be fitted with new tyres including spare tyres, prior to clearance and release of such vehicles in a manner to be determined by the Commissioner-General”. According to Section 218, Customs Act Chapter 82:01: “Every person who imports or brings or is concerned in importing or bringing into Guyana any prohibited food, or any goods the importation of which is restricted contrary to such prohibition or restriction, whether same be unloaded or not; shall be liable for each such offence to a fine of treble the value of the goods or ten thousand
dollars at the election of the Commissioner-General; and to imprisonment for one year and all goods in respect of which any such offence shall be committed shall be forfeited.” Hence, giving the Guyana Revenue Authority, full authority to impose fines, penalties, seizures or fixtures, when a restriction has been broken. Persons are reminded the “standard” for used tyres to be allowed (once they are imported with the vehicle) is no less than 6mm in measurement. GRA also wishes to remind the public that the Customs duty charged on new tyres was reduced from 30 to 15 percent effective February 1, 2017 as an additional measure to encourage persons to purchase new tyres at a reduced cost. Melissa Baird, Manager (ag) Public Relations Unit Guyana Revenue Authority
recommended: - a new retirement age for new entrants into the Public Service, and those currently in the Public Service who are below 50 years of age, be retired on attaining 65 years of age, with the option of retiring on attaining 60 years; that pension entitlements be calculated at a maximum of 43 and onethird service years; (as against currently 33 and one third service years) - that public servants who are currently below 55 years of age, be allowed the option to retire on attaining 60 years or any time before 65 or on attaining 65 years of age; - that no public servant retiring from the Public Service before attaining the age of 65 years should be employed on contract in an established Public Service position. - That the Pensions Act Chapter 27:02 be amended as may be required to provide for higher pensions as a result of the higher retirement age. Following consultations with the GPSU, the forgoing recommendations should be considered for implementation without delay. Together with many other recommendations of the CoI, a stronger, professional Public Service can be developed and nurtured to serve the people of this country in keeping statutory obligations of public service officers, and the national development policies and programmes. Joshua Singh
GuySuCo’s achievements; June 2015 - May 2017 DEAR EDITOR, The multi-million dollar, inelegant IMC of GuySuCo has completed 2 years in office and it will be remiss of me not to enumerate its many achievements that the committee recorded. My fellow citizens and taxpayers can use it to deduce their own conclusions. The achievements include: (1) Production of 150,000t sugar in 2nd crop 2015 using canes planted in 2nd crop 2014 to deliver an overall production of 231,000t sugar for 2015. (2) Increased salaries and benefits in 2015 for IMC and later amounting to approx. G$7.7M/month. (3) An enlarged executive structure with platoon of pensioners costing millions/ month in salaries and benefits. (4) Record low sugar production in 25yrs of 183,652t in 2016. (5) Closure of Wales Estate at end of 2016 taking the unemployment number up by some 1,700 and no plan to address the challenges of the jobless workers. (6) A lopsided model for estate diversification at Wales. (7) Relocation of East Demerara Estate office staff to Enmore and refurbishing a building at LBI into state-ofart office with all modern amenities for Head Office Executives despite the Corporation’s financial state. (8) Closure of LBI Estate (9) Suspension of
operations at Skeldon Estate for 1st crop 2017. (10) Announcement of closure of East Demerara & Rose Hall Estates and sell-out of Skeldon Estate at end of 2017. Pushing thousands more onto the breadline (11) Record low production in 1st crop 2017 (12) Receipt of G$32B from treasury in exchange for record low production in 2016 and 2017 to-date (13) Packing of industrial bulk grade sugar for direct consumption (14) Irreparable damage to trust between employees and employer; influencing in poor work attendance, low productivity, and uncaring behaviour. Industrial relations climate is at its lowest point ever in recent memory. (15) Promoting the demotivation of the workforce with their rates-ofpay stuck at 2014 levels. (16) A shortchanged Annual Production Incentive (API) in 2015 and no API in 2016. (17) Arbitrarily abandoning long-standing work practices and norms. Editor, the list with this pattern of achievement is getting bigger with each passing day. The normal taxpayer is left to believe that performances of this nature are accepted by the political directorate as monies from treasury continue to pay this clueless, dubious group of executives. Sookram Persaud
Mark Benschop warns Guyana to be aware of false prophets DEAR EDITOR, There seems to have been a miraculous rebirth of the “Bishop” Juan Edghill, and I’m not sure in which part of the world he’s been living in for the past 23 years of PPP’s misrule and subsequent ruining of Guyana. What is abundantly clear for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear, is that this so-called man of God, is behaving like the modern day Political Judas, whose deceitful messages via pen and tongue, ought to be buried before the sordidness of his shameless output contaminates our beloved land. Imagine the audacity of this man in talking about corruption and other forms of political misconducts by this APNU/AFC government. Well, I’m not in any way defending these chaps in the current regime, as I’m pretty sure they have enough soup-drinkers in the kitchen to do just that. However, all I am simply doing is voicing my opinion against hypocrisy emanating from the mouths of barefaced bottom house ‘spiritualists’ like Juan Edghill having the nerve to dress up in his ‘crass’ and white dan dan, pretending as though himself and the PPP are holier than thou. In fact, Mr. Editor, the evidence is clear that not only have the Jagdeo/Ramotar regime
contaminated the nation with drugs by harboring drug lords and phantom killers, they’ve also destroyed every region across Guyana, stifled talented youths and criminalized many, nailed many to the political cross, and much more. That said, as a Believer, I’m familiar with honest preachers and those hypocritical sheep in wolves’ garments who take the route of using the pulpit for personal gains, and those who have sold out their flocks for Thirty Pieces of Silver, black pudding, channa, two oil rotis’, or a promise to be the next PM candidate in 2020. Not to forget those whom instead of preaching the word of God, have used their status to fool their congregations. Hence, Jesus would surely opt to agree with me, and even guide the nation in offering a vote of no-confidence against political hypocrites like Juan Edghill and his gang of Tanti Merles, who are now modeling as agents of democratic values. In the midst of all this dark clouds hanging over the False Kingdom on Robb Street, let’s not forget to: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in Sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15 Hallelujah, and everyone say, Amen. Mark A. Benschop
Wednesday June 07, 2017
Courtney Crum-Ewing murder…
Magistrate declines DPP’s order to commit ‘Grey Boy’ for trial City Magistrate Judy Latchman has declined to carry out an order by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack to commit Regan Rodrigues to stand trial at the High Court for the murder of political activist, Courtney Crum-Ewing. The directive from the DPP comes one day after Magistrate Latchman discharged the murder charge against Rodrigues also called ‘Grey Boy’ citing insufficient evidence. Particulars of the charge against Rodrigues alleged that on March 10, 2015 at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, he murdered CrumEwing. In a letter dated June 6, 2017, addressed to Magistrate Judy Latchman, the DPP said, “In accordance with Section 72 (2) (ii) (a) of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act, Chapter 10:01, I hereby remit to Your Worship the above-mentioned matter and direct you to comply with Section 65 and 66 of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act, Chapter 10:01 with a view of committing the accused.” Kaieteur News understands that the matter came up again yesterday during which Magistrate Latchman said that she will not comply with the DPP’s order since she had already discharged the matter. And that the DPP could not direct her to commit Rodrigues to stand trial under the Section outlined in the letter. But Rodrigues remains in police custody. Today, the DPP is likely to renew her order to the magistrate who could run the risk of being cited for contempt. During her ruling on Monday, the Magistrate said that while the court was satisfied that Crum-Ewing was shot with a gun retrieved from a house at Riverview, Ruimveldt which was occupied by Rodrigues. There was no evidence that Rodrigues “used the gun,
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Kaieteur News
GPHC Matron still drawing pay months after COI recommends termination ...two persons still being paid to act in position
Magistrate: Judy Latchman
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack
MURDERED: Courtney Crum-Ewing
Regan ‘Grey Boy’ Rodrigues
pulled the trigger and shot Crum-Ewing.” Crum –Ewing died as a result of haemorrhage and shock due to multiple gunshot wounds. This was supported by the evidence of Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh who testified that CrumEwing received five gunshot wounds- one of which was at close range. The Magistrate said that the court believed that CrumEwing died as a result of gunshot wounds. Fourteen oral statements given to police by Rodrigues were admitted to form part and parcel of evidence in the matter by Magistrate Latchman. However, the Magistrate ruled that these oral statements did not implicate Rodrigues in the murder. According to reports, the bullet-riddled body of Crum-
Ewing was found at Third Avenue, Diamond New Scheme East Bank Demerara on March 10, 2015. The 40year-old was shot twice to the temple, once to the back of the head and twice to the stomach. The police in a statement had said that the political activist was accosted by four men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds, hitting him about the body. It was reported that the killer (s) used a .32 pistol to execute Crum-Ewing. The political activist was well known for his one-man protest outside the office of former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall. Minutes before he was gunned down, he was reportedly heard via bullhorn urging residents of the nieghbourhood to vote against then ruling party PPP/ C.
More than five months after a Commission of inquiry [COI] recommended that the services of Ms. Collene Hicks, Director of Nursing Services [Matron] of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation [GPHC], be terminated, her name remains on the hospital’s payroll. This publication was able to secure information to this effect which has been verified by several officials within the public health sector with close links to the public hospital. This publication was told that Hicks is still on administrative leave and is paid her salary each month, in spite of the fact that there are currently two persons acting in her stead. “The situation at the hospital is untenable...” an official told this publication recently. The official has described the decision to retain the Matron as “a waste of taxpayers’ money. “How is it that you can have so many people being paid for the same position; this makes absolutely no sense...All this money could be better used at the hospital to improve patient care.” But the official is suspicious that there is a deliberate ploy afoot to disregard the findings of the COI and quietly reinstate the Matron. The COI, which was conducted to determine whether there was any truth to allegations that Hicks’s operation compromised the proper delivery of health care at the hospital, was led by a trained nurse and Attorney-at-law, Ms. Chandrawattie Persaud. The other members of the Commission included Mr. Reginald Brotherson, Perma-
GPHC Matron, Sister Collene Hicks nent Secretary of the Department of Public Service within the Ministry of the Presidency; Ms. Laurelle Daw, Director of Nursing Service at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital for the past seven years; Dr. Anwar Hussain who has racked-up decades of service at the GPHC and former Auditor General, Mr. Anand Goolsarran. The members of the Commission, last December, handed over their report to then Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton. Dr. Norton, who had commented on the findings of the COI, said, “The Commission is unanimous in its view that the continued engagement of Ms. Collene Hicks in her capacity as Director of Nursing Services would not be in the best interest of the GPHC.” Among other things it was detailed in the report that there is conclusive evidence that the Director of Nursing Services routinely breached protocols and written agreements, including the failure to follow instructions. Several examples have been cited in
the report to support the allegations of these breaches. “Of particular note is a letter from the Chief Executive Officer to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health, outlining the acts of insubordination on the part of the Director. This resulted in the termination of her services which was put on hold following the intervention of the Guyana Public Service Union and a member of the GPHC Board,” the report stated. From the testimonies as well as from examination of various correspondences, the Committee said that it unanimously derived its decision that Hicks should be terminated. Hicks was sent on administrative leave last July to facilitate the investigation which commenced in earnest in October. The Committee was tasked with assessing the truthfulness of the allegations or complaints and make determinations as to whether these were injurious or destructive to the effective and efficient delivery of the health care delivered at the GPHC. The Committee was guided by Terms of Reference which required that it compile, through interviews with staff of the hospital, including doctors and nurses or through investigations, a list of allegations or complaints of displeasure or misconduct against the Director of Nursing Services. Among other things, the COI was expected to specifically examine was the promotion of nurses under the Director of Nursing Services to determine whether these were (Continued on page 25)
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Wednesday June 07, 2017
Team effort catered to efficient health response to flood hit-regions ...few cases of skin infections, diarrhoeal cases contained A multi-sectoral approach to tackling the recent flood situation in Regions Seven and Eight was the main factor that led to a satisfactory
response. This is according to Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings. She is confident that the
Public Health Ministry played its part well, with the support of other entities, to tackle the recent challenge. Dr. Cummings noted that
while there were various components to the response, getting things in place as it relates to the health aspect was in no way a major
Minister of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings challenge since the Ministry was able to depend on the efforts of its Hinterland Coordinator. The Ministry’s Hinterland Coordinator has responsibility for Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine and, according to Minister Cummings, “we worked assiduously with our Coordinator to get things going.” Added to this, the Minister said that the Ministry was able to partner well with the Civil Defence Commission [CDC] and the regional bodies. “We had our team on the ground as soon as it was possible. At first it wasn’t possible because the place was so flooded...it was impassable and there were makeshift shelters that the CDC was able to put in place,” recalled Minister Cummings. According to the Public Health Minister, when the Ministry was eventually able to access the regions, “we got help from the Pan American Health Organisation [PAHO] and they spent about a week in there helping us to build capacity in the regions...It was well coordinated and there was full support.” Further the Minister said that from the inception “we had enough drugs and other stuff in place and we worked appropriately and so we hadn’t any major hurdles to deal with.” But according to Minister Cummings, her Ministry at no point lost sight
of the possibility of health threats even though the response was efficient. Indeed some health threats did surface. “We were thinking about infections and leptospirosis and skin infections too,” admitted Minister Cummings. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In humans, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, some of which may be mistaken for other diseases. Some infected persons, however, may have no symptoms at all. Without treatment, Leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, that is inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord, liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death. Minister Cummings informed that while there were no reported cases of leptospirosis, there were a few cases of skin infections in Region Eight. There were also reported diarrheal cases in that region too, the Minister said. There were no reported cases in Region Seven. “With our medication and the sanitation efforts...we were able to contain those cases,” said Minister Cummings who pointed out that one of the key focus of the Ministry’s response was to have diligent sensitisation efforts. This included promoting the use of bleach in the cleaning process and also to ensure that precaution was taken to purify and secure drinking water and other consumables. “I am very proud and happy how everybody came together...Everybody has to be commended for the part they played, all of our people at the central level and the regional level...everybody who helped deserve to be recognised for their contribution,” stressed Minister Cummings.
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The people have a better government than they deserve It is said that the people get the government they deserve. This statement is a falsehood. The government is much better than the people they serve. If governments were to do what the people wanted them to do, the political landscape would be a wasteland. In Guyana, the people get better governments than they deserve. If, for example, you listen to what some of the supporters of the new government say, you will recognize that the government is better – not too far- but better than those supporters. There is a view out there amongst some supporters of the APNU+AFC that the government should rid itself of all those persons who
would have worked at a senior level within the PPPC administration. It does not matter that those persons were not political appointees or were not part of the ruling party. So long as they would have served at a senior level within the PPPC, their heads were and are still called for. There is a great deal of venom out there. You see and read comments on social media and within the newspaper blogs about getting rid of this and that person because of their association with the government of the PPPC The government has got rid of many persons from the previous administration. Persons were removed from their jobs when the government came in. Others were pushed out. The
contracts of others were not renewed. Some persons resigned because they knew they were not wanted. The government came in with a mission to effect widespread change in personnel and they have. A number of their supporters have been given jobs and have replaced dismissed persons. This has not satisfied those who want to see a clean sweep of the old personnel. The government remains under great pressure to continue to effect change. There are supporters of the government who want persons removed and jailed. This is where the forensic audits come in. It was expected that the audits would establish massive corruption under the PPP and become the basis for not only discrediting
DEM BOYS SEH...
Shame on Soulja Bai and Rum Jattan Dem want Soulja Bai and Rum Jattan fuh know that dem vex. Dem seeing nuff things tekking place wha dem ain’t like and wha use to happen under Jagdeo and Donald Dumb. Under dem crooks from de time dem boys expose a skullduggery or some dishonest act. 19 sometimes 40 lawsuits use to come de next day. All of dem use to claim $100 million. That is de standard figure for dem scamps and some officials. It start back again. De other day dem expose de story how Customs officers ketch people in a vehicle wid fake number plate. De officers tell dem boys a big one name Curly order dem to stand down. Last night dem boys get a lawyer letter threatening to sue fuh $100 million. First dem thought was Brassington, that fat crook, come out of hiding. When dem read dem see is from Moochoo representing Curly. Dem boys want to know if is Brer Nancy story. Dem boys also vex wid dem police who charging dem Cubans, Venezuelans, Surinamese and Brazilians who come fuh spend li’l time in de country and stay lil lang. Some of dem come in search of a better life because dem country tek a turn fuh de worse. Dem boys remember when Guyana was down and out and we people use to run to dem same place. Dem boys never hear dem country lock up Guyanese, try dem, fine dem, jail dem and send dem back here.
Shame on Soulja Bai and Rum Jattan who heading de coalition. Guyanese living all over de world. Nuff of dem illegal unto this day and dem country open dem arms to dem. Dem boys more vex bout that four post and a zinc sheet
that dem call a guard hut that cost de taxpayers $540,000. On tap of dat dem renting a state of de art bamsie cleaning machine fuh $20,000 a month. But that is fuh a story to come. Talk half and wait fuh more on de lawsuit.
the opposition but also for forming the basis for criminal charges. This unfortunately has not happened and therefore the new call from within the supporters of the ruling party is for persons to be axed. It does not matter whether they did right or wrong, their heads are being called for. The chorus of headhunters outside of the government is not asking itself whether there is a sufficient enough basis for dismissing persons. They are simply using any and every reason in the audits to make a case for dismissals. The government does not really need a forensic audit to remove persons. They can simply concoct any reason to dismiss persons. They can even be inconsistent in how they deal with audits. The government is not being urged to be fair. The head hunters within their supporters want them to be fair. The government is being asked to be expedient, politically expedient. The danger of this is that by giving in to the base instincts of those who are calling for more heads to roll, the government is effectively destroying professionalism within the public service.
At the same time, they are politicizing the public sector by having to put so many of their supporters in top government positions in such a rapid rate and in such a short period of time. This is the main reason why people feel that nothing much is happening within the government. Nothing much is happening because there are too many new persons feeling their way around government. It is not that these persons are not competent. It is just that they simply lack the experience. This is happening because the government is being pushed by its supporters to effect widespread changes. Young people are not getting the opportunities they deserve. The government is bringing persons out of retirement and handing them top jobs. There are persons in their sixties who are being brought out of retirement and given top jobs, when there are able and capable young persons who can do the job but are being bypassed. The media seems to have grown accustomed to veterans and retirees taking over. They have stopped giving the ages of the appointees. These changes are deemed, by the
headhunters, as better than having to allow persons within the system to be promoted because of the fear that some person who worked under the previous government may qualify for such promotion. Professionals ran from the Burnham regime because of the politicization of the public service. They knew that once they did not become political, they stood little chance of rising to the top on merit. They opted to leave Guyana and this is what contributed to the brain drain. Guyana has never recovered from that situation. The present regime has to resist the temptation of giving to the demands of those outside of the government who want to see anyone associated with the PPP be pushed out of the public sector. The government has to remain better than those who are pressing it to effect changes because if those pressures are heeded it will destroy the government system and politicize and militarize it further.
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Wednesday June 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN...
Trump’s head: Dangerous, deadly moment in politics CNN has fired comedian, Cathy Griffin, who appeared on television with a mock-up head of President Trump with blood all over the image. It was a morbid joke that typified the madness that passes unpunished in American politics. There are some lines in politics you never cross not only because the crossing violates moral propriety but also because in politics those lines are pregnant with violent moments. Those of us who live in Guyana could understand the revulsion people felt about what Griffin did. Maybe Griffin is ignorant of the volatile nature of her country’s politics. But it is not only in the US that Griffin’s action constitutes a danger to
leaders but it applies across the globe. In Guyana, the two major antagonists – PPP and PNC – have been confronting each other for well over sixty years. This permanent pugilism has produced fanatics on both sides. The leader of each party is seen as the personification of the supporter’s race. For the fanatical supporter of the PPP and the PNC if you touch the leader of my party you are disrespecting “my race.” The very last conversation I had with Ronald Waddell was days into the post-election violence of 2001. Waddell at the time was a student at UG and was going up the stairs as I was going down. I spoke about his inflammatory, inciting rhetoric on television. He told me that the PPP
had crossed the line, that in the long battle between the PPP and PNC, the leader was never attacked. He was referring to the arrest of Corbin at the entrance to the Office of the President. Corbin appeared in a wheel chair on television and that same night and days after, the violent tempo in downtown Georgetown increased. See my reference to that incident in my column, “Corbin got Conned,” Kaieteur News, August 26, 2009. I didn’t tell Waddell what I knew when, he, Waddell was yet in short pants. I was sixteen years old and attended a PPP public meeting at Parade Ground to see and hear Dr. Jagan. Thugs broke up the gathering and someone
pelted a coconut shell into the chest of Dr. Jagan severely hurting him. More coconut shells rained down at Dr. Jagan but his bodyguard, Harold Snagg, (now in his late seventies and currently a security detail at channel 9 with a private firm) jumped in front of DR. Jagan and sustained some bodily injuries. Whether it was Waddell’s inflammatory rhetoric or Waddell’s genuine revulsion at what happened to Corbin, that caused an increase in the post-election turmoil of 2001, the fact is that history is replete with countless examples of violent attacks on politicians when their “folklorist” admirers see them as victims of ridicule by others. This is where Ms. Griffin’s silly bravado became dangerous. She could have invited violence upon herself. She was mocking an American President who enjoys frenetic admiration in many parts of the US but more importantly, her misplaced
joke could also have gone the other way. What if people who disliked Trump took their cue from what Ms. Griffin did and sought to harm Mr. Trump? Surely, Ms. Griffin had to know that she had crossed the line with what she did. And she deserves the condemnation of the world. The issue is wider than Mr. Trump. The issue is civilized observance of moral conduct in politics. What Ms. Griffin did was simply dangerous and deadly. Her action could have incited anti-Trump detractors. Guyanese, more than many other nationalities, know how macabre and violent are the politics of propaganda. One recalls the campaign statement of Bharrat Jagdeo that if the PNC wins the 2015 elections, Indian homes would be invaded and they would be victims of violent robberies. In the deserted countryside of Guyana, that depraved demagoguery could have led to isolated attacks on PNC
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Frederick Kissoon supporters. I thought that when picketers stood outside of Kaieteur News denouncing it for reporting on Joe Harmon, PNC leaders should have descended on the scene and request their supporters to leave. Subsequent to that picket, a grenade was thrown at the building. We don’t know if it was an act as a response to the Harmon issue. Will we ever know? I was angry with the Office of the President for issuing a press release which accused me of mischief in that I stated that the President created a ministry for his sonin-law. I did nothing of the sort. But such political recklessness could have brought on an attack on me by some insane Granger supporter. The President and Joe Harmon are yet to apologize to me.
Wednesday June 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
PAGE 11
GRA acts condignly on abuse of tax concessions By Kiana Wilburg Over the years, there have been several forms of abuse in relation to companies which were granted tax concessions. In some cases, companies are granted concessions on machinery and equipment. But instead of using the machinery and equipment in the forestry sector, it is transferred and used to assist the startup of businesses in the mining sector. In other instances, companies, instead of using it for the specified purpose, sell them to related companies. This state of affairs however is about to change as Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Godfrey Statia, believes that contracts bearing tax concessions need to be policed and stringent action taken where abuses are detected. Statia made this known during an interview with Kaieteur News. The GRA Commissioner General was asked if as recommended by the Tax Reform Commission, “sunset clauses” should be included in any new contract containing tax incentives. In this regard, Statia answered in the affirmative while noting that this is something that was already being practised in the past. He noted that while contracts for companies with concessions had sunset clauses, these were not being imposed. “There are clauses that if you don’t adhere to the terms of the contact then that contract could be terminated…” Statia explained. He said that the contracts for BaiShanLin Forest Development Inc and Vaitarna Holdings Private Inc. contained sunset clauses but they were not fully enforced. “So there are sunset clauses and I agree that there should be more stringent action. The contracts of these companies need to be policed.” Statia also said that while he certainly supports this he also believes in the annual auditing of contracts with companies granted concessions. The GRA Commissioner General said, “I certainly support annual audit. Notwithstanding whether a taxpayer has gotten a concession or not, he still has tax obligations and he still has to submit tax returns but we also now require that taxpayers with concessions submit quarterly status reports on what they have done and we use that to see if they are honouring their obligations.” Statia explained that the initiative of the
Will go as far back as necessary - Statia
GRA Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia quarterly reports is being done in conjunction with the Guyana Office for Investment (GoInvest). He said that concessions are recommended by Go-Invest and they are granted by GRA. Statia also revealed that GRA’s Law Enforcement and Investigation Department would also go out in the fields and conduct checks on companies. The GRA Commissioner General insisted that the Authority is going behind companies especially to ensure that they are honouring their contracts and obligations which formed the basis for the grant of concessions in the first place. He said too that the Authority is going as far back as is needed to ensure that it brings an end to the abuse of tax concessions. He confirmed that GRA has already made moves to act condignly in this regard. Furthermore, a forensic audit report that was prepared by Nigel Hinds Financial Services exposed how Vaitarna and BaiShanLin failed to honour their Invest Development agreements but continued to benefit from concessions. BAISHANLIN Forensic auditors noted that BaiShanLin Forest Development Inc. was incorporated in Guyana in 2006 under the Guyana Companies Act. According to its business plan, BaiShanLin’s main objective was the commercial utilization of the forest resources of Guyana to produce from its processing
Goldminer remanded over uncle’s raw gold - court hears Saul, a gold miner, of West Coast Berbice, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that between January 24 and February 24, last, at White Water, Aranka Backdam, having solely received 15 ounces, nine pennyweights of raw gold on account of Kevin Saul, his uncle, he fraudulently converted eight ounces, three pennyweights to his own use and benefit. Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan refused to grant the gold miner bail after Police
REMANDED: Sherwin Saul Thirty two-year-old Sherwin Saul was remanded to prison after allegedly defrauding his uncle of eight ounces, three pennyweights of raw gold.
Prosecutor, Arvin Moore, said that he is a flight risk. According to the prosecutor, during investigations, Saul was released on $100,000 station bail and was instructed to report to the police station which he failed to do. The prosecutor pointed out that the defendant was subsequently arrested in Georgetown by police. Saul was remanded to prison until June 16 when he will make an appearance in the Bartica Magistrate’s Courts.
plant a wide range of finished products. After the Initial Investment Agreement in 2007, it was found that there were three renewals and six supplemental agreements between Bai Shan Lin and Go-Invest based on file information. The forensic auditors said that the Supplementary Agreements in 2012 and 2013 - included a proposal for additional construction equipment and recommendations were made and granted. Also, the auditors said that there seems to be another Initial Investment Agreement for Bai Shan Lin related to Real Estate among other sectors. The forensic auditors stated that discussions with an Investment Officer at GoInvest suggest that the second agreement was inconsistent with the polices of Go-Invest. The forensic audit report said that during the period 2007-2012, Bai Shan Lin was cutting and exporting raw lumber without processing it or creating value added products. This was a complete contradiction of its Investment Agreement.
The forensic auditors said that it is evident that Bai Shan Lin’s real objective was to export raw lumber. Nevertheless, Bai Shan Lin still benefited from concessions totaling $1.8 Billion during the period under review 2011-2015. VAITARNA In its Investment Agreement, Vaitarna Holdings Private Inc. committed to setting up a wood processing facility at Wineperu, Potaro Siparuni in Region Eight. As at July 31, 2016, the wood processing facility was not engaged in any significant production of wood products. NO BENEFIT An examination of the files of four Investors, Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development Inc and Vaitarna Holding Private Inc, included, shows that Guyana did not benefit from concessions granted to these Investors. The concessions were worth over $2 billion. BaiShanLin and Vaitarna were in breach of their Agreements for years without a single sanction being instituted.
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Wednesday June 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
Murder accused started Juvenile Holding Centre fire - cops boost security at facility, - 10 transferred to Grove Police Station Two 16-year-old boys, who are facing murder charges, allegedly started last Monday’s fire at the Juvenile Holding Centre, which left electrical damage and rendered three inmates unconscious. Police sources indicated
last night that the culprits are likely to be charged. The two teens, along with eight other inmates, have since been transferred to the Golden Grove Police Station. This is reportedly due to the presence of exposed electrical wires in the damaged cells.
Divisional Commander Marlon Chapman disclosed that security has been boosted at the facility. Some sources suggested that one of the juveniles might have acted out of anger at the fact that he will be transferred to the
Ranks at the scene.
Georgetown Prisons on Friday. He turns 17 on that day. The youth had attended court on Monday, some hours prior to starting the fire. He is on remand for allegedly clubbing a man to death with a hammer. His alleged accomplice in the arson attempt is charged in connection with a murder in the interior. The youths, who were in cells facing each other,
allegedly started the fire by ‘bridging’ electrical wires and setting torn mattresses and others flammable materials alight. One juvenile allegedly pushed a lighted object out of the cell, while the other ‘supplied’ the flammable material. 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. The culprits had also set small fires on Saturday night. A source said that around 18.00 hrs on Monday, 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’ Division Commander, 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 treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, but were not admitted. Police ranks who work at the facility are unarmed. Some have repeatedly expressed concern about guarding inmates, some of whom are violent. During interviews last year, police ranks 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 for more serious offences, including murder. 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.
Wednesday June 07, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Chief Magistrate issues arrest warrant for former GRDB accountant On Monday Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lenann issued an arrest warrant for the former accountant of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Peter Ramcharran. One week ago, five charges were filed against the former accountant. The five charges are all for falsification of accounts while he was employed at that entity. The charges were read in Ramcharran’s absence. The former accountant is now residing in Canada and is reportedly reluctant to return because he believes his life could be in danger. Special prosecutor Patrice Henry told the court at the time that Ramcharran was aware that he should have been in court to hear the charges; however he did not present himself. The Chief Magistrate had said that at the next
Former GRDB accountant, Peter Ramcharran hearing on June 5, the head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) needed to be present in court to
confirm that Ramcharran was indeed informed that he should have been at court the day the warrant
Improved performances anticipated with teachers’ exposure to CPD The Ministry of Education through its training arm, the National Centre for Educational Research Development [NCERD] has not been taking its responsibility lightly. This is particularly evident by its recent invitation to public school teachers across the country to take advantage of its Continuous Professional Development [CPD] programme. The invitation was extended by way of an advertisement in the Sunday Edition of this newspaper which noted that teachers could apply to pursue one of a variety of training courses during the month of July when school goes into recess for the July/August holiday. The courses ranging from Literacy and Mathematics to Special Education Needs and Health and Family Life Education, are all being offered at no cost to teachers at the nursery, primary and secondary levels. It is imperative for teachers to pursue these courses being offered since, according to Ms. Sandra Persaud, the Curriculum Development Officer [ag] at NCERD, “CPD is designed to meet the training needs of our teachers.” She explained that while the Cyril Potter College of Education [CPCE] and the University of Guyana [UG] offer formal training to teachers “such training alone cannot take our teachers throughout their careers.” It has long been recognised, Persaud noted, that teachers have various developmental needs. These needs, she explained, can be detected during monitoring exercises. Once the weaknesses of a teacher or teachers within a school are observed, training in this regard is made readily available. “This does not mean that we would offer training in particular areas alone because we also use other factors such as the results of the National Grade Six Assessment, also we take into consideration reports from our visits to the regions and we even ask the regions to share their needs and these can vary from region to region,” Persaud noted. The CPD programme was introduced a few years ago after the Education for all Fast track Initiative [EFA-FTI] came to an end. The EFAFTI was intended to give keen attention to filling the gaps in the primary education
system in the quest to meet the Millennium Development Goal which targeted access to a good education service by the year 2015. CPD, moreover, was an expanded version of the EFA-FTI. The initiative takes on a mainly content and methodology training approach and, according to Persaud, “it is intended to boost teachers’ performances by giving them new knowledge and ideas to work with.” According to the Curriculum Development Officer [ag], the CPD training, serves to add to other training sessions that are offered by NCERD throughout the course of the year. Described as a more focused training programme, the CPD programme allows teachers to apply to participate in a single subject area per year. However, multiple teachers from a single school can participate in CPD training each in a different subject area. This can prove to be particularly beneficial since, according to Persaud, teachers can share their knowledge at a mandated staff development segment that the CPD programme entails. “The aim is to have teachers better equipped to teach the subjects they applied to be trained for but teachers can be able to share with the other teachers within their schools or even with teachers from other schools within their regions...,” Persaud said. The CPD programme usually spans a period of one week and allows teachers to participate in individual and group presentations, be a part of interactive sessions and complete a test at the end of the programme. Also they are tasked with doing a project and staff development session, at their respective schools, after which they are furnished with a certificate of completion. According to Persaud, since NCERD does not have the capacity to cater to the region’s wide training, it works in close collaboration with CPCE, UG and also recruits the services of trained and experienced teachers to administer the CPD training courses. The programme affords teachers a total of two credits. Persaud explained that earning Continued on page 15
was issued. On Monday last, SOCU head, Sydney James, was present in court and confirmed that Ramcharran knew that he should have been in court to face the five charges. A police source told Kaieteur News that when an arrest warrant is issued by the court, the police are informed and the necessary steps are taken to make the arrest. Now that Ramcharran is living in Canada the source explained that the arrest information for the charged account will be passed on to the International Police Organization (INTERPOL). The source said if that aspect on the probe proves unsuccessful then other
methods will be explored. The official explained that the arrest warrant is not an extradition request but this would be the next logical step if Ramcharran is not apprehended soon. The official explained that the extradition request will have to be made by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) or the Attorney General. However this will be contemplated only when all avenues have been exhausted in securing Ramcharran’s arrest. The head of SOCU, Assistant Commissioner Sydney James, told this newspaper that the former accountant has been heavily implicated in the probe with regards to the six former
GRDB board members that were charged. The GRDB found itself in the spotlight after a forensic audit of that entity revealed among some of the “anomalies” found were loans without proper paperwork or promissory notes. There were other instances of persons in the agency using GRDB’s money to trade in foreign currency. The losses for the government would have been significant, especially if the money was traded for less than it should have been. The Auditor General and the forensic audit reports have all pointed to severe deficiencies in the manner the monies of the state have been handled by the entities.
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Wednesday June 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
No truth to resignation reports – says Minister Norton After two weeks of sick leave, Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, has returned to work. He returned to his office at the Ministry of the Presidency yesterday. And Minister Norton was only too willing to make it clear that there is absolutely no truth to reports circulating that he has plans to resign. “I myself found that as news to me,” said the Minister who had also heard such
reports of himself. He added, “I never even entertained the thought of resigning. The only way I’m leaving is if I am fired.” Although he admitted that he still has some more recovering to do, the Minister said that he is ready to continue his role as Social Cohesion Minister in the areas that his service is required. “I must say I am not 100 percent but I didn’t expect to be of 100 percent now either.
...ready to help alleviate problems of flooding residents “I miss work and in spite of the fact that I’ve got persons in place who could take the work forward, I am anxious to get back to work,” said Minister Norton. He hopes to continue outreaches into the hinterland communities and, according to him, he is very concerned about how the residents in Regions Seven and Eight are
coping with the flooding. “As soon as we can get it arranged we will travel there [to the regions]; there is nothing like having a hands on approach and look see of course of what is happening,” said Minister Norton. According to Minister Norton, he has a keen understanding of the affected
areas. “Since I am no stranger to those areas I will be in a very good position to make suggestions and come up with ideas to help alleviate some of the problems they are facing right now.” Last month Dr. Norton was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation [GPHC] for medical attention. It was suspected that he had suffered heart related complications. He was however discharged a few days later with no such diagnosis. He’d told this publication that while he suffered no pain, he did experience some dizziness and lightheadedness. An electrocardiogram [ECG], ultrasound, CT Scan and MRI all revealed that nothing was amiss with the Social Cohesion’s Minister’s heart. “I am happy it had nothing to do with the heart but I myself thought it had to do with the heart at first…If anything was going to happen it might have been caught in the ‘nick of time’,” Minister Norton had admitted. His blood pressure had however soared considerably which might have resulted in the ‘unwell’ sensations he experienced. The Minister is convinced that his hospitalisation might have been linked to the fact that
Social Cohesion Minister, Dr. George Norton he has been working for nearly two years without vacation leave. “I have been travelling quite a lot; I think I might have just overdone it. I feel ok right now but I have been sleeping a lot in the hospital, and now since I am at home,” said Minister Norton had revealed. In fact, had he not been hospitalised, Dr. Norton would have travelled to Argentina the very weekend he was hospitalized. “Many a times when you travel overseas you go into a conference and then you leave from the conference for the airport. And in the hinterland too I had some thrilling experience, all a part of the job. I think that has had an impact on me,” Dr. Norton disclosed. Although he has had a hectic work regimen, he’d revealed that he had always ensured that exercise, in the form of running, was a staple. This he believed might have helped to extend his physical resilience.
Wednesday June 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
Collapse of $93M Palmyra monument…
Investigations find no soil test done; MPI to complete project At left, the collapse monument and part of the landscaping that has to be corrected.
A government investigation into an embarrassing collapse of a monument at Palmyra, East Berbice late April has found several things wrong including the fact that no geo-technical surveys were conducted. One phase of the projectwhich includes landscapinghas now been handed over to BK International for completion. The project has also been taken over by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure for completion. “The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is deeply disappointed in the recent collapse of the base of the Indian Immigration Monument at Palmyra. This project commenced under the former PPP but was stalled for several years,” the statement said. It was explained that the Coalition Government resuscitated the project to allow for its successful completion to “honour our foreparents who came from India.” Following the collapse of the base of the monument, Cabinet said it took a decision that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) would assume responsibility for the oversight of the project. It was disclosed that the construction of the base represented Phase 2 of the project. Phase 1 was the
construction of the access road – approximately 60 per cent of which has been completed to date by the contractor for this phase Civil Engineering Works (CEW). Phase 3 concerned landscaping and works have since been suspended. BK International has been contracted for Phase 3. It was found that in the Phase 1, contracted to CEW, the budgeted amount was for $43,027,544 However, for this phase, only $26,522,000 has been paid. The second phase, contracted to Alternate Contracting Enterprise (ACE), was for a budgeted $42,232,239. Only $22,803,000 has been paid out. According to the government’s statement, it was found that for Phase 3, the budgeted amount was $8,250,270 with over $7.3M paid out so far. The project, totaling over $93M, had been handled by the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, which falls under the Ministry of Education, “Following the transfer of documents related to the project from the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson and Minister within the Ministry Annette Ferguson called meetings with the supervisory consultants (FEBCAM), the
Improved performances... From page 13 CPD credits is in fact a major criterion for promotion. This means that in order for a trained teacher to be appointed to the position of Senior Assistant Master/Mistress they would need to acquire a total of six CPD credits, among other things. Added to this, to move from the aforementioned position, it is not based solely on years of service but requires CPD credits in addition to the Teacher Annual Appraisal Grade. Essentially promotions within the education system require different CPD Courses and amounts of credits.
design consultants Innovative Engineering Consultant Services (IECS), the contractor, Alternate Contracting Enterprise (ACE), the MPI Work Services Group Technical Team and other stakeholders.” It was found that a design report for the project was not prepared. “IECS was not the initial designer of the project, Design Consultants Services Limited was. Geotechnical surveys to determine soil properties and design requirements were not done. IECS requested geotechnical investigations but was advised that this was not budgeted for,” the government statement disclosed. Shockingly, it was revealed that workers were forced to use assumptions for the soil data in lieu of geotechnical surveys. “It is important to note that this project commenced under the previous PPP administration and thus this aspect of the project was concluded prior to the Coalition Government coming to office. Further, the site for the monument was also selected by the previous administration with former Minister Dr. Anthony then at the helm of the sector.” FEBCAM, it was found, revised the project design without adequate engineering analysis. “The monument base was to have been constructed using a four foot wide footing. Block walls were to have been in-filled with structural concrete, not mortar.” The internal monument base was to have been eightinch thick reinforced concrete wall and not block work infilled with mortar. It was the infilling with mortar which was done and which subsequently failed. Continued on page 27
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Wednesday June 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
Man kills neighbour over borrowed cash The police have issued a wanted bulletin for a 42-yearold man who murdered his neighbour Monday night during an argument over borrowed cash. The suspect is Troy Tasho, called “19” of B Field Sophia. Tasho is accused of murdering Roy Beckles, a father of three. The incident occurred around 18:30 hrs.
The victim of B Field Sophia, Georgetown was stabbed to the right shoulder and died on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Kaieteur News was informed that Beckles had loaned his neighbour money and after the 42-year-old suspect failed to repay his debt, the deceased told him not to worry with the cash.
This however, got the partner of the dead man upset. She and the suspect got into an argument on Monday in her spouses absence. Reports are that Beckles was on his way home from work when he saw his neighbour and wife cursing out and threatening each other. He reportedly got between the two and was in the
process stabbed. The police said that the victim was attacked with a cutlass and knife. Yesterday, one of the deceased daughters, who asked for her name to be withheld, said that she has been receiving conflicting information about her fathers death. The young woman explained that h e r f a t h e r moved in with his current partner a little over two years ago and had been living at her home. According to the woman, she was informed that after her father told his neighbour not to worry with the cash, his partner got upset and created a “storm.” “We heard whole day Monday, she was sharpening her cutlass and like she teasing this man but my father didnt know anything,” the woman added. She further explained that
Roy Beckles
Wanted: Troy Tasho
persons in the area said that her stepmother chopped the suspect first and at that point, her father came in and got involved. “We hearing that she is the one who stab the man and my father didnt know what was going on but when he come home, like he see the two of them at it and he got involved,” the woman said.
Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Troy Tasho a/k “19” is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 229-2289, 229-2019, 222-2232, 2292655, 225-6411, 225-8196, 225-2227, 225-0575, 911 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Shadow charged with murdering senior citizen A labourer of Springlands, Upper Corentyne had his freedom cut short after he appeared at the Springlands Magistrates Court to answer to a murder charge. Lincoln Odel alias ‘Shadow’, 29, stood before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh, to listen to the charge read to him. Odel, on June 2, 2017 at Hazel Street, Springlands, Berbice murdered Fitzherbert Grimes during the course of a robbery. Prosecutor Inspector, Orin Joseph, during the case had suggested that the accused undergo a Psychiatric Evaluation. However Magistrate Singh quickly shut down the option of an evaluation being done contending that Odel was mentally stable since he appeared before the court for previous misdemeanors. The Psychiatric Evaluation was denied by the Magistrate and he was remanded to prison until June 19th, 2017. According to the facts of the case, Fitzherbert Grimes was beaten to death by
Charged: Lincoln Shadow Odel
Dead: Fitzherbert Grimes
Lincoln Odel, aka ‘Shadow’, over Grimes’s pension funds. Reports are that the Pensioner was at home with the accused and a relative of his when the attack took place. Dexter Parks, who provided home care services to Grimes for over a year told Kaieteur News that he was with the “old man” that day along with Odel and his son, when he stepped out for a short while to purchase a beverage at a nearby shop in
the village. Upon his return, he noticed Grimes lying on the ground and Odel shouting “look wuh happen deh; look wuh happen deh”. He stated that he confronted Odel that he had done the act but he denied. However neighbours who saw the accused beat the pensioner shouted from their homes that he was lying. Parks revealed that the accused reportedly choked Grimes before stomping on him several times rendering him unconscious. The relevant authorities were contacted and Grimes was rushed to the Skeldon Public Hospital where he succumbed hours later due to the injuries. Odel was arrested as he was exiting the Pensioner’s yard. Meanwhile, in custody, Odel confessed to investigators that he had murdered Grimes after he (Grimes) refused to hand over his pension.
Wednesday June 07, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Presidential Advisor’s driver dies after motorcycle accident A former Guyana Defence Force soldier, employed as driver for retired Brigadier Edward Collins, Advisor to President David Granger, is now dead after he was struck off his motorcycle by a motor car. Clifford Crandon, 43, of Number Nine Village, West Coast Berbice, left his home around 4 o’clock Monday afternoon en route to Georgetown, to be properly rested overnight, so that he could adequately discharge his duties as a driver on Tuesday morning. According to his wife of 15 years, the dedicated Clifford, told her that he was leaving at that time so that he could be properly rested since he was required to be at work early on Tuesday morning. He did not get far. His journey came to an end in Bush Lot, less than ten miles from
Dead: Clifford Crandon home. A grieving Emelda Crandon, related that she was called at around 16:45 hours by a close friend who told her that they needed to go see a friend who was at the Fort Wellington Hospital, and that the friend wanted to see her.
She recalled that when she got to the hospital, she discovered that her husband was rushed to the hospital after he was struck off his motor cycle. At the Fort Wellington Hospital, Mr. Crandon had xray done, and he was diagnosed as having suffered injury to the spine. The patient after initial treatment at the Fort Wellington Hospital was referred to the New Amsterdam Hospital. From the time Mrs. Crandon arrived at the bedside of her husband, he kept telling her that he was going to survive his injuries and that he will be fine. The injured Crandon arrived at the New Amsterdam Hospital around 17:30 hours. There he was quite alert and was able to provide the relevant information to medical personnel, and he continued
GPHC Matron still drawing pay... (From page 7) based on merit. Added to this, the Commission was tasked with examining the relationship between the Director of Nursing Services and the doctors of the institution to ascertain if this affected the delivery of health care at the hospital.The investigation process, however, was not without some controversy. Even before the process had commenced the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), which has been representing Hicks’s interest, said that it had no confidence in the Committee or the findings it was likely to produce. This was in light of its belief that the Committee consisted of individuals who had close links to the hospital.
As such the union said that the association of some of the members of the Committee could influence the conduct of the inquiry making it prejudicial against the subject of the inquiry. The Union had said too that although it had sent multiple letters to the former Board Chairman, Dr. Carl ‘Max’ Hanoman, the Board went ahead with the selected Committee without considering its concerns. Yesterday, attempts to solicit a comment from the union on the matter were futile. This translated to one official, who this publication was asked to contact on the matter, insisting that another official was more suitable to give a comment. The latter official was unreachable by phone.
his effort at reassuring his wife that he was going to survive his injuries. However, Mr. Crandon expired at around 21:00 hours. According to Mrs Crandon, the general attitude of the medical staff left much to be desired. In her estimation the medical personnel seemed not to have classified her husband’s condition as critical. After running initial checks, according to Mrs. Crandon, one medical staff member told her that Mr. Crandon was a strong man, and that he had sufficient blood. Mrs. Crandon reported that she had people on standby to donate blood should the need arise, but was made to believe that blood donation was not going to be necessary. Meanwhile, Mr. Crandon continued to lose blood. Nothing was done to
staunch the bleeding. Mrs. Crandon said that not being satisfied that the persons on duty were going about their duty with due diligence, she was forced to make contact with some persons via telephone. This caused everyone to start moving with some alacrity. She subsequently was advised that her husband would have to undergo surgery. She was in the process of completing the requisite forms when her husband went into cardiac arrest. The authorities then told her that her husband needed blood, but none was available. The medical staff were able to resuscitate Mr. Crandon, but he died shortly afterwards around 21:00 hours. According to Mrs Crandon, he was conscious and alert up about the last moment when he started having “cold sweat”. He was
bleeding to death. Mrs. Crandon, early Tuesday morning, was called upon to witness the post mortem which stated that Mr. Crandon sustained a broken pelvis, and that he died from haemorrhage. Clifford Crandon leaves to mourn, Emelda, his wife of 15 years, with four children aged 13, 12, nine and four. The deceased had served the Guyana Defence Force for over 24 years before retirement about three years ago, and at the time he met his demise he was employed as a driver for former Guyana Defence Force Chief-of-staff Brigadier Edward Collins, who is now a special advisor to President David Granger. The police have since detained the driver, and the car which was reported to have been involved in the accident. Investigations are ongoing.
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Wednesday June 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday June 07, 2017
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Kaieteur News
Venezuelans seek refuge in Guyana, fined for illegal entry Three Venezuelan nationals were yesterday ordered to pay fines of $30,000 each or serve four weeks in jail for entering Guyana illegally. Marlon Atwell, 20; his step mother, Yennifer Bolivar and Iris Bolivar,19, pleaded guilty to separate charges which alleged that on May 22 at Eteringbang, Cuyuni River,
they entered Guyana by sea and failed to present themselves to an immigration officer. Iris Bolivar claimed that she came to Guyana because of the situation in Venezuela. Marlon Atwell also told a similar story. Marlon Atwell and Yennifer Bolivar claimed also they entered Guyana illegally
Residents shut Skeldon... (From page 19) estate to be closed and we the people of Corriverton will stand in solidarity with the rest of Guyana to ensure that sugar is kept alive.” Also present was the President of the Guyana Agriculture Workers Union, Komal Chand, who marched in solidarity with the sugar workers stated that the presence of non-sugar workers at the protest shows that citizens are aware of the negative effects that will befall the country if the estate is to be closed. “We have wives, pensioners and ordinary people here. They stood with us because they know what will happen to Guyana if government continues with their decision to the close down the sugar estates”, Chand surmised.
GAWUs President stressed that this decision was made without consultation with the union or the sugar workers who will soon be out of jobs. “Government did not consult us before they made this decision. They just consulted people who have no knowledge of the sugar industry and they made a decision which will benefit them and not the people. These are the people who kept sugar alive for years and years”. The coalition administration noting the strain of GuySuCo on Governments resources announced the closure of several major estates sparking nationwide protests from the more than 10,000 workers attached to GuySuCo.
Ministry pays $20,000... (From page 3) rental of a portable toilet for the security guard stationed at the PS’ residence. Rental of the facility – which is about the same size of the guard hut – comes with a fresh water flushing system, a hand wash sink, soap and toilet paper dispenser, and a mirror along with the necessary chemicals. PS Welch on Tuesday, was asked if he thought that there was value for money with the hut. He had responded: “Is greenheart they use. But I don’t know about prices and materials. The senior works officer; he will know about that. I really don’t get involved in them kinds of things. I’m just the Head of Budget and the finance people they will deal with that with engineers and the works people.” After the minister, the PS is the most powerful person in the ministries. He or she is the accounting officer who controls the purse strings. In the past, several Permanent Secretaries were fired or transferred for wrongdoing. With billions of dollars at stake in each ministry, it was not unusual in the past for auditors to red-flag transactions because of overpayments and other deliberate manipulations.
Investigations find no... From page 15 It was disclosed that the MPI Work Services Group Technical Team is engaged in conducting a comprehensive and thorough design review of the project, inclusive of geotechnical surveys. Specialised geotechnical surveys services are being contracted. “It is important to note that the monument donated by the Government of India weighs a substantial 17 tons, therefore geo-technical analysis is vital. Preliminary information suggests that the construction methodology used in the construction of the base of the monument was flawed which resulted in
the collapse of the structure.” The statement said that the Coalition Government remains committed to the completion of the project and the erection of the Indian Immigration Monument at the earliest possible time. “The Coalition Government is also committed to taking up the offer from the Government of India to provide technical expertise for the erection of the monument and will pursue this accordingly. Further updates will be provided at the appropriate time.” The monument collapsed in late April, raising questions about the quality of work and the level of supervision.
as a result of their passports being lost. According to facts presented in court, the trio was found in a house at Lot 907 Penny Lane, South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown when police conducted a raid on June 3, last. The facts stated that the three failed to produce their passports. Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd told the court that Marlon’s father, Martin Atwell, is a born-Guyanese . The lawyer said Yennifer is in a relationship with Martin Atwell and is five months pregnant. The court was told that
Marlon Atwell
Iris Bolivar
Yennifer Bolivar
Iris Bolivar is engaged to Miguel Atwell, another son of Martin Atwell. Chief
Magistrate Ann McLennan ordered that Iris Bolivar be escorted to the nearest port
of exit upon payment of the fine or serving the default prison term.
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Duo sentenced to 15 years each for killing taxi driver
Sentenced: Abdul Razac Two accused persons have been sentenced to serve 15 years in prison for killing taxi driver Dhanraj Latchman. Latchman was murdered during the furtherance of a robbery. The incident occurred at Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo. Abdul Razac and Aswraf Ally, who were 17 years old at the time, had been charged for the murder. It was reported that the teens hired the Toyota Carina AT 212 which Latchman was driving to take them to Parika. The car was found in the Parika backlands, two days after the driver was reportedly hired by the two accused. The following day, investigators found Latchman’s lifeless body in a garbage
Sentenced: Aswraf Ally heap near the cane fields at the backlands. Reports are that the teens used one of the seat belts from the victim’s car to strangle him before dumping his body. When they appeared before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court yesterday the accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Through their Attorney, Keoma Griffith, the men beseeched the court for mercy. Both accused became emotional accepting responsibility for their actions. State Prosecutor, Tuanna Hardy nonetheless asked the court to consider the life which lost during the commission of the crime. The Prosecutor noted that the victim was missing for three days, before his body
Dead: Dhanraj Latchman was discovered in the heap. Latchman of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, was found dead in a shallow grave near Parika Backdam last Friday. He had been reported missing to the police two days earlier by his parents after he had left to transport two passengers to Parika, and did not return home. His car was subsequently discovered the day after at Parika. A post mortem examination which was performed on Latchman’s body gave the cause of death as asphyxiation due to compound injury to the neck. After taking all the facts into the consideration, the Judge sentenced both accused to 15 years each in prison for killing the taxi driver.
Police accused of foot-dragging The Number 51 Police Station and its ranks have once again come under heavy scrutiny after a couple of Number 57 Village, Corentyne, Berbice made a report of an alleged beating by a fellow villager. The couple is accusing the ranks of dragging their feet on the matter. They are in fear that the accused might continue assaulting them, and worse. Seudial Persaud, of Lot 38 ‘A’ No.58 Village, said that he was visibly suffering from facial injuries including a discolored swollen left eye, a fractured nose that was still bleeding and scratches about his face. He recounted, “He hit me with he hand and when meh holla ‘ow uncle help’ dem people come and rescue meh and dem carry meh in the yard. Blood binna leak down”. Persaud stated that the accused dealt him several cuffs to his face, he eventually collapsed and the accused escaped. Alleged Police Neglect Persaud’s wife, Geeta Beharry, said that since the incident which took place on May 29, 2017 the police have made very little effort to apprehend the suspect. According to her, after the beating, she and other relatives took Persaud to the No.51 Police Station. He was
Wednesday June 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
Allegedly beaten Seudial Persaud asked by the ranks to acquire a medical from the hospital and return to the station. They complied. A statement was given by Persaud detailing the events of the alleged attack by his fellow villager. However, she said that it has been over a week and nothing has been done. The assailant is said to be roaming the village as normal. Beharry lambasted the ranks at the No.51 Station for not taking the matter seriously. She claimed that the
police claimed that her husband “na give the name of the suspect and me remember going there with my mother and me husband when we tell dem the bai name Star from No.57 Village”. She stated that calls were made on Friday to the Central Police Station and she was told to contact the Whim Police Station. They were told to call the No.51 Police Station. This she said frustrated her and she resorted to the Prime Minister Representative’s Office and related her plight to the Prime Minister’s Representative. She repeated what the ranks told her. “My husband have to go and look for the guy but dem is the police they have to do dem duty, the station Sergeant and a female police told me that.” Beharry disclosed that the police have not made any effort to locate the man. “De bai (accused) tell we how he boss buy over 51 station that dem can’t do he nothing. It look like that happen fa real,” Beharry stressed. The family of the injured man is pleading for justice since Persaud is said to be at home and is unable to work due to the injuries sustained in the attack. Meanwhile, the suspect is still at large living comfortably and going about his business at his home at No.57
Ramjattan: Fishermen must also take steps to protect themselves Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan has renewed his call for fishermen to protect themselves against pirates. This is in light of the recent piracy attack at the mouth of the Waini River, Region One; and in the Corentyne River, Region Sixthe latter which resulted in the death of the captain of a fishing vessel. The Minister pointed out that many fishermen are reluctant to defend themselves with simple measures that can save their lives. “I have begged them to buy the transponders so that when they are in trouble we can see where in the ocean they are. They don’t even want to buy the transponders.” The Minister, according to the Government release, recalled that over a year and half ago, fishermen were encouraged to purchase shotguns as a means of protection, “which to date they have not done. Ramjattan said that he finds it strange that the fishermen are unwilling to take the necessary steps to protect themselves. “Why is it that they do not want to defend themselves?” the Minister questioned. ”I will give them a shotgun;
Minister Khemraj Ramjattan they will go to the police station, collect the shot gun when they are going out and when they coming in, they give it back. So if somebody comes with a boat at the side of them and that person attack them, they should fight back.” Minister Ramjattan reiterated that it is logistically impossible to have police officers accompany fishermen when they go at sea. “I will work along with them but they must understand that we have
difficulties both in the amount of policemen that we have and the fact that they themselves do not want to defend themselves,” the minister said. The GPF, the Minister noted, is working with the Coast Guard to patrol fishing areas but fisher-folk, Minister Ramjattan repeated, also have to play their role. Meanwhile, President David Granger recently commissioned two new vessels and pledged Government’s support to the recapitalisation of the Coast Guard of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). The addition of the two vessels is intended to ensure the protection of marine assets, prevention of transnational crime and the promotion of international and coastal trade. President Granger said, “We are confident that the Coast Guard has the will, and we will provide it with the assets to remain in the forefront to suppress illegal activities on our rivers and our maritime waters. “It will receive and continue to receive the support of the Government to suppress all illegal activities including poaching, fuel smuggling and piracy at sea. The Coast Guard must ensure that our territorial waters are kept secure”.
Fishermen must also take steps to protect themselves, Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has urged.
UK’s May says ready to curb human rights laws to fight extremism (Reuters) British Prime Minister Theresa May said yesterday she would be willing to weaken human rights protections to make it easier to deport or curb the movements of suspected militants who there is not enough evidence to prosecute. May used one of her final speeches in an election campaign which has turned into a debate about national security to step up her rhetoric against Islamist extremism, pledging to ensure security services had the powers they needed.
It comes days after Britain’s third major terror attack this year, in which seven people were killed when militants plowed a van into pedestrians and then started stabbing people and slitting throats in a busy area of central London. May said authorities needed to be able to do more, including to restrict the movements of suspected militants when police had enough evidence to suspect they presented a threat, but not enough to prosecute them. “If our human rights laws
stop us from doing it, we will change the laws so we can do it,” she said to cheers and applause at an election rally. May, a former interior minister, has previously been criticized for scrapping house arrest rules known as ‘control orders’, which were coming under regular legal challenge. In yesterday’s speech, she also called for longer prison sentences for people convicted of terrorist offences, and to make it easier to deport foreign suspected
Wednesday June 07, 2017
Trump takes sides in Arab rift, suggests support for isolation of Qatar
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech during Arab-Islamic-American Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 21, 2017. (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo) (Reuters) U.S. President Donald Trump took sides in a deep rift in the Arab world yesterday, praising Middle East countries’ actions against American ally Qatar over Islamist militants even though the tiny Gulf state hosts the largest U.S. air base in the region. Trump wrote on Twitter that his recent trip to the Middle East was “already paying off” and cast an antiIslamist speech he made in Saudi Arabia as the inspiration for a decision by Arab powers to sever ties with Qatar in protest at what they say is the Gulf nation’s support for terrorism. “So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!” Trump wrote on Twitter. Qatar vehemently denies the accusations. Trump later spoke by phone with Saudi King Salman and stressed the need for Gulf unity, a senior White House official said. “His (Trump’s) message was that we need unity in the region to fight extremist ideology and terrorist financing. It’s important that the Gulf be united for peace and security in the region,” the senior official told Reuters. U.S. officials were blindsided by Saudi Arabia’s decision to sever diplomatic ties with Qatar in a coordinated move with Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), current and former officials in Washington told Reuters. The United States was not informed of the decision until just before it was announced, the State Department said.
Even as Trump applauded the Arab countries’ move, the Pentagon yesterday renewed praise of Qatar for hosting U.S. forces and its “enduring commitment to regional security.” Some 8,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed at al Udeid in Qatar, the largest U.S. air base in the Middle East and a staging ground for U.S.-led strikes on the Islamic State militant group that has seized parts of Syria and Iraq. U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis spoke yesterday by phone with his Qatari counterpart, a Pentagon spokesman said, without disclosing the details of their discussion. Trump’s tweet appeared at odds with comments from U.S. officials who had said on Monday that the United States would quietly try to calm the waters between Saudi Arabia and Qatar because Qatar is too important to U.S. military and diplomatic interests to be isolated. Qatar has for years parlayed its enormous gas wealth and media strength into broad influence in the region. But Gulf Arab neighbours and Egypt have long been irked by its maverick stances and support for the Muslim Brotherhood, which they regard as a political enemy. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said on Tuesday that Qatar needed to take several steps, including ending its support of Palestinian militant group Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, to restore ties with other key Arab states, which also cut transport links. “We’ve decided to take steps to make clear that enough is enough,” Adel AlJubeir told journalists in Paris. He said the “fairly large cost” on Qatar’s economy would convince it to change
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Kaieteur News
its policies. The campaign to isolate Qatar disrupted trade in commodities from crude oil to metals and food, and deepened fears of a possible shock to the global natural gas market, where it is a major player. Qataris crowded into supermarkets to stock up on goods, fearing shortages. Maersk, the world’s biggest container shipping line, said it was unable to transport goods in or out of Qatar because it could not take them through the UAE port of Jebel Ali. Jordan joined the pressure on Qatar, downgrading its diplomatic representation and revoking the license of Dohabased TV channel Al Jazeera. MEDIATION AND CONSEQUENCES White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the United States is communicating with all the parties in the Middle East “to resolve issues and restore cooperation” over the Qatar dispute. “The U.S. still wants to see this issue de-escalated and resolved immediately, in keeping with the principles that the president laid out in terms of defeating terror financing and extremism.” Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber alSabah flew to Saudi Arabia for talks with King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi and Kuwaiti state media reported, but gave no details on the discussions. Russian President Vladimir Putin told Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, in a phone call that crisis situations should be solved by political and diplomatic means, “in dialogue”, the Kremlin said. The rift has affected global oil prices, hit travel plans and sown confusion among businesses. Saudi Arabia’s central bank advised banks in the kingdom not to trade with Qatari banks in Qatari riyals, banking sources said. Oil prices fell on concern that the rift would undermine efforts by OPEC to tighten output. Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani told Qatar-based Al Jazeera TV that Qatar would not retaliate, hoping Kuwait would help resolve the dispute. “We are willing to sit and talk,” he told CNN later, and said his country was “protecting the world from potential terrorists”. A Qatari official said the rift was pushing Doha in the direction of leaving the sixstate Gulf Cooperation Council, “with deep regret”.
UN wrong on HIV - Jamaica dismisses claims of increase in infections An alarming claim that there has been a dangerous escalation in the number of persons contracting HIV in Jamaica has been rejected by chief medical officer in the Ministry of Health Dr Winston De La Haye. Earlier this week, Dr Edward Greene, United Nations (UN) special envoy on HIV to the Caribbean, revealed to a Regional Testing Day 10th Anniversary Caribbean Launch in Bridgetown, Barbados, that the region has seen a nine per cent increase in new infections, placing it second only to Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Greene fingered Cuba and Jamaica as the two countries that have contributed the largest to the worrying increases. “The alarm is mainly due to the fact that progress in stopping the new infections has stalled among adults and increasing among older age groups in some countries,” Greene said. But speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, De La Haye said the data the health ministry has on the prevalence of the virus in the country contradict Greene’s declaration. “I am looking at the documentation and it doesn’t fit what I have seen in the newspapers,” the chief medical officer said, making reference to the claims by Greene. “I give you an example. For the category of men, age 15 to 49, in 2000, the prevalence was 2.8, and by 2008, we got that down to 2.3. The following year it was down to 2.2, and the latest data, which is 2015, we got it down to 2.02,” De La Haye pointed.
Dr Edward Greene On the specific issue of progress being stalled in the adult category, he said the ministry’s statistics and those of the UN were also at odds. “In 2000, that prevalence was 2.2. Since 2013, it came down to 1.7, and in 2015 it became 1.6, so there is nothing proving that there is an increase,” the chief medical officer stressed. SEEKING CLARITY Baffled by the report, the health ministry, De La Haye said, has reached out to Greene seeking clarity on the issue, as it was unusual that data from the ministry and the UN would clash, especially since international organisations such as the UN depend on Jamaican authorities to provide the information pertaining to HIV and AIDS. “At this point, there is no reason to worry about any increase in the prevalence of HIV,” De La Haye insisted. The UN special envoy on
Dr Winston De La Haye HIV/AIDS also knocked the region for becoming complacent, and again spotlighted Jamaica for the low number of persons getting treatment for HIV/AIDS. According to Greene, only 32 per cent of persons living with AIDS are receiving treatment in Jamaica. He disclosed that across the Caribbean, Cuba has the highest coverage, with 67 per cent, and Jamaica the lowest, with 32 per cent coverage. In the meantime, seemingly because of their grim outlook on HIV/AIDS, beyond the year 2020, Jamaica, along with Haiti, will be the only countries in the region benefiting from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief - a United States governmental initiative to address the global HIV/ AIDS epidemic and help save the lives of those suffering from the disease, primarily in Africa.
Cuba, IAEA sign technical cooperation agreement HAVANA, Cuba (CMC) – Cuba and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have signed a technical cooperation agreement that will focus on areas such as radiological safety, food and agriculture and energy. The Cuban-based Prensa Latina news agency reported yesterday that a document was recently signed in Vienna by the president of Cuba’s Agency of Nuclear Energy and Technologies Daniel López, and the Deputy Director General of Technical Cooperation of UN the agency, Dazhu Yang. The document sets out national priorities in specific areas of greatest benefit in terms of technical cooperation between Cuba and IAEA, including radiological safety, food and agriculture, human health and nutrition, water and environment and energy
and industry. The news agency says the Programme Framework reinforces the commitments of both parties to continue to promote Technical Cooperation projects for Cuban development. Cuba was one of eleven countries that signed Country Programme Frameworks with the IAEA at its first ever international conference which concluded over the weekend. The conference which brought together over one thousand one hundred and sixty participants from 160 countries and 27 organisations, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), was the first international conference held on the organisation’s technical cooperation programme.
The IAEA said the agreement with CARPHA “provides a framework for joint work on the use of nuclear science to prevent disease and promote and protect health. “It calls for collaboration in the application of radiation medicine, the application of stable isotopes in nutrition, the use of insect pest management practices with a radiation component, increased collaboration in environmental monitoring and the implementation of radiation protection standards.’ The PAHO agreement will support “cooperation in fields that include quality assurance in radiation medicine, radiological safety, cancer control, non-communicable diseases and nutrition, and the development of health personnel in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
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Accused pleads guilty, gets 12 Fishmonger gets 20 yrs years for killing teen girlfriend for killing sex worker
When he was just a teenager, Joshua Baveghems was accused of brutally murdering his girlfriend, Angela Mc Allister. Yesterday, he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter after appearing before Justice Navindra Singh at the Georgetown High Court. According to the allegation, the incident occurred on August 8, 2015. The facts of the matter presented by State Prosecutor, Tamieka Clarke, outlined that Baveghems committed the act after accusing Mc Allister of cheating on him. The accused was 17years-old at the time. He is said to have mercilessly bludgeoned his teenage girlfriend with a spade; dragged her by the hair out of his mother’s Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara home and viciously hacking her to death. Yesterday, Baveghems told the court that he was sorry for his actions. He didn’t know what came over him at the time of the incident. “I couldn’t control myself. I am sorry for what happened” In his plea of mitigation, Attorney- at -law, Keoma Griffith, asked the court to consider his client’s age at the time the act was committed. “He was still very young….And now he has thrown himself at the mercy
Joshua Baveghems
Angela Mc Allister
of this court.” The lawyer also noted that his client loved his girlfriend very much. “There is not a single day that he doesn’t think about her.” Additionally, Griffith said that his client is on the road to rehabilitation. “He attends chapel very day and he has accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour.” The Attorney said that his client is now 21 years old. “He has taken up the trade of Boxing and hopes to represent Guyana one day on the international stage. However, Prosecutor Clarke asked the court to consider that the crime was linked to domestic problems and should not have ended in death. She noted, “The victim was only 14 years old when she was attacked by the
enraged accused. She went to his mother’s Lot 538 Eleventh Avenue home, to sort out the allegations of infidelity. The accused beat his girlfriend with a spade; dragged her by the hair out of his mother’s Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara home and viciously chopped her about her body. The victim sustained 19 incised wounds and died subsequently. “His mother and siblings were at home at the time; they ran to the neighbours house for rescue.” However, considering among other factors, the age of the accused at the time the act was committed and fact that he accepted responsibility for his actions, the Judge sentenced Baveghems to 12 years in prison.
After accepting that he shot and killed a sex worker, during an argument over some missing items, Ron ‘Andel’ Forde, a fisherman from Lot 31 Rahaman’s Park, East Bank Demerara, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. The sentence was handed down by Justice Navindra Singh at the Georgetown High Court yesterday. Forde was originally indicted for the murder of transgender sex worker, Nephi Luther Noel called “Nephi.” The incident took place on July 27, 2015 at Quamina and Carmichael Streets, Georgetown. Forde pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. According to reports, Noel, a resident of ZZ Durban Street, Wortmanville, was shot once to his chest during a confrontation with two men. The men were believed to be Forde and his friend Kanand Ojha. On the night of the shooting, Ojha reportedly left the Guyana National Stadium and went in the vicinity of St George’s Cathedral, where he paid a sex worker, reported to be Noel, $5000 to perform a sex act. During the act, he was reportedly relieved of his personal belongings. After the act was completed, he left in his motor car, but subsequently realized that his phone and cash were missing.
KILLED: Nephi Noel
JAILED: Ron ‘Andel’ Forde
It is alleged that Ojha collected Forde and went back to the location where they confronted Noel who denied doing business with the man. This resulted in an argument. At this time, Ojha’s friend, Forde reportedly pulled out the gun and pulled the trigger, shooting the sex worker to his chest. Noel fell on the road and the two men fled the scene in the vehicle. The police later arrived on the scene and assisted with transporting the sex worker to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Days after Nephi was gunned down the police issued a wanted bulletin for Forde and Ojha in connection with the killing. However, Ojha of Lot 2 First Street, Meadow Bank, (EBD) was never captured. Following the guilty plea
yesterday, Forde’s attorney, Mark Conway, beseeched the court for leniency. Conway told the court that his client is 45 years old; he worked as a fish vendor and has six children. The lawyer noted that his client had accepted full responsibility for his actions and showed remorse. He noted that according to the facts of the case, Forde was going to the assistance of his friend when the incident occurred. The lawyer added too, that while in prison his client suffered severe burns about his body since he helped to rescue his fellow prisoners during the recent Camp Street riot. Conway said that given the circumstances, it would be safe to deduce that his client has a knack for helping those in need. “It shows his intention to be a respectable and upright human being.” “At his first opportunity he has thrown himself at the mercy of this honourable court, “Conway stated. Forde in turn apologized for his actions. He also asked the court for mercy. Meanwhile State Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy noted that through his actions the accused would have not only fatally injured Noel but he endangered other members of the public. The deceased was shot in the presence of other persons, she said. Prosecutor Hardy therefore asked the court to hand down a sentence that is commensurate with the act committed. In handing down his ruling, Justice Singh considered among other things that Forde accepted liability for his actions. Considering too, his actions during the deadly Camp Street prison fire, the Judge noted that Forde is well on his way to rehabilitation. However, considering that a life was lost during what he termed a “stupid incident” the Judge sentenced Forde to 20 years in jail.
Apicultural Society -- Buzzing... (From page 20) life is lost at GUYSUCO as a result of Bees being disturbed in the wild. About Bees and their Queen Bees may be in a hive by the thousands but there is only room for one Queen and they are very protective of her. However, the worker bees are docile once smoked out for extraction. The smoke shuts off the venom valve and this makes them less aggressive and calmer hence no more stinging for a while. Once the queen is found the rest of bees will follow her because she will release a pheromone to call the workers to the hive. The queen who mates with six or seven dozen drones while in flight about 20ft above ground, mid-afternoon does so while traveling at ten miles an hour. Then the drones die shortly after mating leaving the queen to lay about three thousand eggs daily for two to three years.
Wednesday June 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
Third London attacker named, Italy says was flagged in advance (Reuters) Police yesterday named the third of the jihadis who killed seven people in a knife and van attack in London, someone an Italian prosecutor said had been flagged to British authorities as a potential risk after he moved to England last year. The attack has eclipsed other issues in the political campaign for tomorrow’s parliamentary election, with both the ruling Conservatives and opposition Labour Party battling to defend their records on security. Prime Minister Theresa May, facing accusations she starved police of resources, said she could seek to overturn human rights protections that make it hard to deport or detain suspected militants when there is insufficient evidence to prosecute them. The revelation that at least one of Saturday’s attackers, Khuram Butt, was known to security services has raised concerns that they lack the resources to prevent attacks. Butt, a 27-year-old British national born in Pakistan, had appeared in a British TV documentary broadcast last year called “The Jihadis Next Door”. Saturday night’s rampage, in which the three men drove into pedestrians on London Bridge before stabbing people in the bustling Bor-
Youssef Zaghba ough Market area, was Britain’s third Islamist attack in as many months. The identity of the third attacker was revealed by police yesterday as Youssef Zaghba, a 22-year-old who had not been a subject of interest for them or the domestic intelligence agency MI5. But an Italian prosecutor said Zaghba, who had a Moroccan father and an Italian mother, had been stopped at Bologna airport in 2016 on suspicion of being on his way to Syria, and told police he wanted to be a terrorist. The prosecutor said Italy had lacked the evidence to prosecute Zaghba, but had warned Britain about him. Zaghba lived in Morocco for much of his life but had made short visits to Italy to
see his mother in Bologna. POLLS NARROWING As details about the jihadists have emerged, May has faced questions about her record of overseeing cuts to police numbers when she was interior minister. However, she received some comfort from the first major poll conducted after the attacks, which showed the Conservatives’ lead over Labour widening by 1 percentage point to 7 percent. Less than two weeks before the London Bridge attack, a suicide bomber killed 22 adults and children at a pop concert in Manchester and, in March, five people were killed when a car drove into pedestrians on London’s Westminster Bridge. Police had already named Butt and Rachid Redouane, a 30-year-old who claimed to be Moroccan and Libyan, as two of the London Bridge attackers. Irish state broadcaster RTE reported on Tuesday that Redouane had been refused asylum in Britain but had been able to move legally after marrying in Ireland in 2012. Britain and Ireland have reciprocal residency rights. Butt, Redouane and Zaghba were shot dead at the scene of the attack by officers within eight minutes of police receiving the first emergency call.
U.S. denounces Venezuela for repression, demands free elections (Reuters) The United States denounced the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro yesterday for suppressing protests and called for free elections, saying that he must not be allowed to follow a “dictatorship” path like Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. The Maduro government calls the protesters violent coup-mongers, supported by the United States. “This is an economic, political and humanitarian crisis that demands the world’s attention,” Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, told a U.S.-hosted panel of Venezuelan activists and experts held on the sidelines of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva. “The Venezuelan government is in the midst of destroying human rights and democracy in Venezuela. It is conducting a campaign of violence and intimidation against unarmed demonstra-
tors, businesses, civil society and freely elected political opposition,” she said. But Jorge Valero, Venezuela ambassador, told the Council that Venezuelans enjoyed fundamental freedoms, adding: “This (U.S.) government has no moral authority to set itself up as a universal judge of human rights.” “TURNING INTO A DICTATORSHIP” Haley, speaking later at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, said states must prevent human rights crises from becoming armed conflicts. “It’s the reason why I am so concerned about Venezuela. Because in Venezuela, (one is) hard-pressed to see that Maduro is not following in the same steps as Assad. We have to make sure we stop it before it gets to that point,” she said. “It’s supposed to be democracy, it’s turning into a dictatorship and that’s a problem,” she added. At least 65 people have
died in unrest since early April, with hundreds injured. Some 3,000 people have been arrested, with around onethird still behind bars, according to rights group Penal Forum. “Over 300 people arrested at demonstrations have been taken to military courts. They are being treated as a form of prisoners of war,” Alonso Medina Roa of Penal Reform, which is providing legal defense to hundreds, told the event. Maduro’s foes are demanding general elections, freedom for jailed activists, humanitarian aid, and autonomy for the oppositioncontrolled National Assembly. In May, Maduro announced a plan for a “constituent assembly” with powers to rewrite the constitution, in what he says is a bid to bring back peace. But opponents say he is seeking to dodge national elections and has ignored demands for an
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T&T foreign minister sends ‘forceful’ complaint letter to J’can counterpart P O R T O F S PA I N , Trinidad (CMC) — Trinidad’s Minister of Foreign and CARICOM (Caribbean Community) Affairs, Dennis Moses says he has written to his Jamaican counterpart, Kamina Johnson Smith, complaining in a “forceful manner” about a search reportedly carried out on government minister Ayanna Webster-Roy, as she boarded a flight in Jamaica last week. Moses told Parliament on Tuesday, that he has also expressed concern to the Jamaican High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago based here and Tr i n i d a d a n d To b a g o ’s High Commissioner based in Kingston. Moses told the upper house that he “personally consulted” with a number of the members of the delegation that travelled to Jamaica to participate in the regional parliamentary forum and the high commissioners to get “as much factual information possible”. “I, in a very forceful manner made known to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jamaica our complaints, and I countered in a robust fashion whatever counter arguments would have been presented. I also consulted and made known to the High Commissioner of Jamaica based here in Portof-Spain, the nature of our complaint and I followed it up by writing to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica in a rather pointed fashion, our concerns.” Moses said the Ministry is working to ensure that incidents of searches being carried out on government officials travelling on diplomatic passports, be minimised. However, in responding
Kamina Johnson Smith
Dennis Moses
to the incident, Johnson Smith, by way of a release blamed a “private security company” for patting Webster-Roy as she was leaving the country after attending the Regional Parliamentary Forum as part of the follow-up on the UN Declaration on Ending AIDS last week. Johnson Smith, said that “our initial enquiries indicate that a search took place, but that it was conducted by a private security company retained by the international airline on which the minister and her delegation were travelling. “Furthermore, we are advised that such searches are generally undertaken by the airline under international conventions and are based on random computer selection for additional security screening. “While we regret the minister’s distress, our enquiries so far reveal that diplomats and ministers of other countries, as well as current and former ministers of Jamaica, across political administrations, have in fact undergone this additional screening process, notwithstanding their status.”
Johnson Smith said, the Andrew Holness government “is, however, taking the matter seriously. “Even as we await a promised formal letter from my counterpart in Trinidad and Tobago, we are making further enquiries regarding the legal framework supporting such searches, as well as the specific circumstances of Friday’s incident. We will write to the airline to make a formal request in this regard.” Johnson Smith assured the public that the Jamaican government wanted all visitors to Jamaica, including colleague dignitaries from foreign and CARICOM countries, to be comfortable in their travel to and from Jamaica, notwithstanding any security protocols. She said that it was important to stress that even at this stage of enquiries, it was quite clear that the search was in no way related to the issue of free movement under the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), nor was it related to the minister’s nationality. She urged her Trinidadian counterpart to convey her personal empathy to Webster-Roy, “for any distress caused by the airline’s security screening process”. Last year there were allegations by Jamaicans about alleged mistreatment and discrimination by Trinidad and Tobago Immigration authorities following the deportation of a number of Jamaicans. This matter had led to calls by some Jamaicans to boycott Trinidad and Tobago products and Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley visited that Caribbean country to assure Jamaicans that they were not being targeted.
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Kubica back in an F1 car for first time since 2011 LONDON (Reuters) Polish driver Robert Kubica tested a Formula One car in Spain yesterday for the first time since a 2011 rallying accident that partially severed his forearm. The Renault team posted a teasing picture on Twitter of the 32-year-old removing his helmet after driving the 2012 Lotus E20 car at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit. “So guys...we need to come clean about something,” the caption said. “It’s true. It really is Robert Kubica,” the team added in a later post. “Back in one of our cars after six years.”
The test took place amid considerable secrecy, with no advance notice given to the media and little information provided about the reasons for the private test. “So why did we keep it quiet? It was a private test, for Robert,” the team said, adding that the Pole had completed 115 laps with “the biggest smile” afterwards. Kubica, who in 2008 became the first Pole to win a Formula One race when he triumphed with BMW-Sauber in Canada, last drove a Formula One car with Renault in preseason testing at the same circuit in February 2011.
Renault have left and returned to the sport with their own team since then, with a current line-up of Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg and Britain’s Jolyon Palmer. The latter has yet to score a point in six races this season with increasing media speculation about his future ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix. Kubica’s F1 career ended in the same month as his last test when he suffered severe arm, leg and hand injuries in a near-fatal crash during a minor rally in northern Italy that he had entered for fun. He had been one of the
Robert Kubica of Poland during the Rally of Great Britain. (Action Images / Steven Paston) sport’s brightest prospects before his accident, with a likely move to Ferrari on the
horizon. Since his recovery he has competed in the world rally
championship and tested other cars, including those used in Formula E and GP3.
Bouwman upsets sprinters teams to win Dauphine stage 3 Wednesday June 07, 2017 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Problems with in-laws may cause friction in your personal relationship. You need to take a good look at all sides of an issue before making a decision. Real estate investments could be to your advantage. TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Problems with skin, bones, or teeth may mess up your schedule. Try not to push your philosophies on others. Don't let others make you feel guilty or insecure. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) A new image can be the result if you change your look. Plan to get out and do a bit of travel. Don't let relatives make demands of you. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Social events will be favorable. You will have to watch out for minor health problems related to stress. You need to be around friends and family. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Put your energy into selfimprovement programs that promise to make you into a better you. Check your personal papers and make sure everything is in order. Hide your cards and learn to say no. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Make love, not war, and all will be fine. Things are looking good for you, so open your eyes and get to it. Your partner may not understand your mood swings but if you are willing to communicate, a lot of grief can be avoided. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Be cautious who you deal
with financially. Don't make accusations unless you are completely sure that you are correct. Your mate may not be too sure about your intentions. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Later in the week your boss will pat you on the back for a job well done. Changes in your residence will be favorable in the long haul. You're apt to make a move or experience changes at home. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) First find out if they're married. For best results get out of the office and do your job en route. Your creative imagination will help you in coming up with unique ideas. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Try not to let your emotions interfere with the completion of your work. Dazzle them with your intellectual conversation. Concentrate on your job. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your emotional stability may influence the changes taking place in your personal life. You will impress new friends and acquaintances with your intellectual wit. Expect temper tantrums on the home front if you haven't been letting someone have their way. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Do not be surprised if your partner doesn't understand your needs. Educational pursuits should help you develop your hobbies. Exhaustion will lead to minor injury if you don't know when to quit.
(Reuters) Koen Bouwman of the Netherlands won the third stage of the Criterium du Dauphine after a six-man breakaway held off
Action continues... (From page 35) of the tournament Alana Chung/Sarah Klautky clutched a 6-4, 6-2 win against Kury Cobham/Grace McCalman. Chung/Klaultky had a close first set against the seniors that were three times their age. Cobham/ McCalman exhibited the fun and spirit of the tennis community as they rallied against the juniors with light moments as well as serious shot making. At 4 all, it was upon McCalman to hold her serve and force a break on Chung’s serve in order to secure the set but the opposite happened. It was no looking back by Chung/Klautky who closed the match.
Van Niekerk wins 200m... (From page 33) Usain Bolt has the men’s record of 19.19 seconds and American Florence Griffith Joyner holds the women’s mark at 21.34. Bowie, a double sprint medallist at Rio, took down another Felix world best in the women’s 150m straightaway, running 16.30 seconds. Felix set the previous best of 16.36 at Manchester in 2013. London Olympic champion Jenn Suhr was upset in the women’s pole vault by Canadian Alysha Newman, who cleared 4.60 metres. Suhr claimed second with a vault of 4.50.
the sprinters’ teams to go all the way yesterday. Bouwman (Lotto JumboNL) outsprinted Lithuanian Edvaldas Siskevicius (Delko-Marseille Provence KTM) at the end of the 184-km ride from LeChambon-sur-Lignon. Frenchman Arnaud
Demare (FDJ) won the sprint of the peloton, 11 seconds back. Belgian Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal) retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey ahead of today’s fourth stage, a 23.5-km time trial between La Tour du Pin and Bourgoin-Jallieu.
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2017 USA Cycling Masters Road Nationals Dorado Speed SC claim GASA Independence Guyanese Aubrey Gordon wins 60-64 Criterium Aubrey Gordon celebrates with the other top finishers on Anniversary swim meet the podium after powering to victory in the Criterium.
Dorado Speed Swim Club chalked up 845 points to win the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) Independence Anniversary swim meet that was held recently at the National Aquatic Centre, Lilliendaal. Dolphin Swim Club placed second with 670.5 points followed by Silver Shark Aquatic Swim Club on 625.5, Ocra Swim Club 400, Sea Otters Swim Academy 396 and Linden Speed Swim Club 183. Among the outstanding performers were Hannibal Gaskin of Dorado SSC who won the boys’ 18 and over 100m freestyle in 1:00.00, Athena Gaskin of Dorado SSC with victory in the girls 18 and over 100m freestyle in a time of 1:09.97, Daniel Scott of Dorado SSC with a win in the boys’ 15-17 boys’ 100m freestyle in 58.92 and
Nikita Fiedtkou of Dolphin SC in the girls’ 15-17 100m freestyle. The boys’ 13-14 100m freestyle went to Rayvon Pires of Linden SSC in 1:08.03, while the girls’ equivalent was taken by Jadyn George of Silver Sharks ASC in 1:08.43. Leon Seaton of Silver Shark ASC grabbed the boys’ 11-12 100m freestyle in 1:02.34, Lian Winter of Dorado SSC claimed the girls segment in 1:12.09, Paul Mahaica of Dolphin SC won the boys’ 9-10 100m freestyle in 1:13.78, Aleka Persaud of Orca SC took the top podium spot in the girls’ category in 1:09.87. Jeremy Sookram of Dolphin SC grabbed the boys’ 8 and under 100m freestyle in 1:36.19 and his club mate Andica Vieira won the girls’ 8 and under 100m freestyle in 1:47.32.
Day of high drama as Kiwi boat capsizes D O C K Y A R D , Bermuda, CMC – Emirates Te a m N e w Z e a l a n d capsized on the Great Sound yesterday to hand Britain’s struggling Land Rover BAR a lifeline, but their crew were all accounted for as squalls made racing hazardous on day two of the Americas’ Cup challenger play-off semi-final series. In the other semi-final, SoftBank Team Japan, helmed by Dean Barker, handled the conditions better than their opponents, Sweden’s Artemis Racing, to go 3-1 up after the teams shared the spoils the previous day. Most of the teams appeared to lose fairing on their boats as the winds whipped up to close to the maximum permitted 24 knots, producing the fastest races seen in Bermuda. To add to the drama, a few spectator boats encroached on the race course. The Kiwis, who beat the
British 2-0 on Monday after Sir Ben Ainslie’s boat was forced to retire with a broken camber arm inside the wing, tightened their grip with victory in yesterday’s first meeting to go 3-0 up despite having to switch wings before the race started, but then dramatically capsized shortly close to the start in the second clash. Helmsman Peter Burling – who said he had “issues” with his boat after the first race – and his crew were rescued apparently unhurt as their 50-foot catamaran was righted and towed back to the boat shed for overnight repairs ahead of racing today, when even stronger winds are forecast. Some of the six-man crew, including Burling, had been left hanging in the upturned hull of their catamaran until support boats arrived on the scene. Ainslie, who now trails 3-1 in the best-of-nine series, described the conditions as the worst he had sailed in. Artemis retired in their first race yesterday after taking a beating from the wind.
USA based Guyanese cyclist Aubrey Gordon continues to represent with success, the latest of his accomplishments being the gold medal at the 2017 USA Cycling Masters Road Nationals Criterium last Sunday in Augusta, Georgia. Gordon, a former national champion, now representing Liberty
Cycling Inc. clocked 40:17:00 to win ahead of Kent Bostick of Globalbike Racing and Glenn Schneider of LCT/Bill Bone Bike Law who took the silver and bronze medals, respectively. A total of 39 riders completed the course with 11 not completing. Gordon who had placed third in the Criterium in 2014, won in
2012. Competing in the road race the day before, Gordon did not complete the event which was won by Schneider in 2:35:43. clocked 40:17:00 to win ahead of Kent Bostick of Globalbike Racing and Glenn Schneider of LCT/Bill Bone Bike Law who took the silver and
bronze medals, respectively. A total of 39 riders completed the course with 11 not completing. Gordon who had placed third in the Criterium in 2014, won in 2012. Competing in the road race the day before, Gordon did not complete the event which was won by Schneider in 2:35:43.
Peters eyeing debut in upcoming World Cup SOUTHAMPTON, England, CMC – Rookie Akeira Peters says she is thrilled with her selection to the West Indies side for the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup, and is hoping to leave her mark on the tournament. The 23-year-old allrounder was one of four newcomers named in the 15member squad for the June 24 to July 23 campaign here, where West Indies enter as one of the favourites. “This opportunity means a great deal. Of course it’s a pleasure to be representing the region so it’s a great opportunity for me to go out there and showcase my talent. I was very happy I was selected and I am grateful for the opportunity,” the Grenadian said during the ongoing preparation camp at the Ageas Bowl here. “I hope that I get the opportunity to play and in doing that I can accomplish my task, whatever is given to me and as a result I can help the team in whatever way I can.” Peters, a left-handed
batsman who bowls rightarm seam, has picked on potential after enduring an ordinary Regional Super50 Championship earlier this year for Windward Islands. She along with fellow uncapped players in Qiana Joseph, Felicia Walters and Reniece Boyce join a side boasting international stars like captain Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews, and noted there had been no problems fitting into the squad. “So far it has been really great. The girls are very warm and welcoming and they help you in anyway they can so it’s been really good so far,” he pointed out. Peters said the road to international colours had been a difficult one and believes if she makes her debut in the tournament, it would be a fitting way to crown her journey. “It’s been quite difficult sometimes. Having to go to work from 7 am and finishing four o’clock, five o’clock sometimes, and you go to the park and you only get a couple hours because it
Right-armer Akeira Peters gets ready to send down a delivery during the ongoing West Indies Women’s training camp at the Ageas Bowl. (Photo courtesy CWI Media) gets dark so it has been kind of difficult,” she explained. “However, whenever I got the opportunity I would use the time wisely and push some work and ensure I got what I planned to do on that day done.” She added: “It would mean a great deal [to play a World Cup match]. I don’t
how to express myself … it would be such an exciting feeling.” West Indies Women play official warm-up matches against Pakistan on June 20 and against South Africa two days later, before opening their campaign with a clash with reigning champions Australia on June 26.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 07, 2017
Wayne Williams elected Grove Hi Tech FC President Grove Hi Tech Football Club (GHTFC), the leading club of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) has a new president, Wayne Williams, who was elected on Monday evening last when the club also adopted a new constitution. Wi l l i a m s a n d h i s executive, numbering six persons will serve until 2 0 1 9 . Vi c e P r e s i d e n t (Administration and Programmes) is Ms. Nicole Matthews, Secretary Sophia Singh, Treasurer – Jermaine Alves, Assistant S e c r e t a r y / Tr e a s u r e r – Delicia Matthews and Head Coach, Levi Braithwaite. The club has also named an Assistant Coach in Jermaine Alves, while in its quest to get its female team up and running, they have appointed Ms. Candacy McKenzie to chart the way forward. EBFA President Franklin Wilson, who overlooked proceedings including the elections, congratulated the executive and challenged
Wayne Williams them to get into work mode immediately in terms of taking the club to the next level. Wilson noted that the club, unlike many others, have their own field and club house and this is a plus for them. He encouraged them to work towards refurbishing the club house and improving the field whilst committing the EBFA
to assist the club as best as it can. Williams thanked the members for reposing such confidence in him and promised to do his best to transform the club. Williams reminded that discipline will be one of his key pillars as he noted that the club has an abundance of talented players but there needs to also be a high level of discipline on and off the field exhibited by every player as well as officials. The new executive is expected to meet on Saturday to come up with their work programme for the remainder of the year and beyond. Grove is the fourth EBFA club to have held its elections and adopt a new constitution in recent months. The others are Highway United located at Yarrowkabra on the Linden S o e s d y k e H i g h w a y, Herstelling Raiders FC of Herstelling and Mocha Champs.
Van Niekerk wins 200m race at speedy Boston street meet South African Wayde van Niekerk easily won a 200 metres straightaway race on Sunday.
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Wiltshire ‘Champion of Champions’ Domino Competition starts Sunday - teams urged to be on time
Organiser Mark Wiltshire receives support from GNDF President Faye Joseph. Senior Organising Secretary of the Georgetown Domino Association (GDA) Mark ‘Jumbie’ Wiltshire’s ‘Champion of Champions’ Competition for teams that placed first and second in tournaments throughout the year will commence this Sunday, at 1223 Gaulding Place, South Ruimveldt Park. According to a release from the organiser, over $300,000 in prize monies will be up for grabs with the winners set to receive $175,000, runners-up $75,000, 3rd place $25,000 and 4th place $10,000. Entrance fee is $12,000
per team and the Most Valuable Player will take home $10,000. The teams that qualified automatically are Mix Up, C7, Spartan, PFC, Gangsters, F&H Printery, Gold For Money, Turning Point, Transport, Assassins, All Seasons, Phantom, Thunder, Strikers, Rage, Masters, T&T, Beacons, GT and Specialists. The release added that six guest teams have also been invited to participate and they are Delta Force, Scramblers, NA Killers, Orange Walk, Kaikan Street and NIS. Rules of the Guyana
National Domino Federation (GNDF) will be in effect and double-six time is 14:30 hrs. Wiltshire urged teams to be on time for a prompt start since no excuses will be entertained for teams arriving late. Food and drinks will be on sale throughout the day and interested teams could c o n t a c t Wi l t s h i r e o n tele#665-5855 for more information. Among the sponsors on board are Strikers Sports Bar, Tony’s Jewellery, Seeram’s bar, Big Boss Trucking Service, Estwick Northe, Faye Joseph and Attorney General Basil Williams.
Djokovic and Nadal matches postponed because of rain
(Reuters) - South African Wayde van Niekerk easily won a 200 metres straightaway race and fellow Olympians Shaunae MillerUibo and Tori Bowie clocked the fastest times ever in two other infrequent races at the Boston Games street meeting on Sunday. Van Niekerk, the 400 metres world record holder, cruised home in 19.84 seconds on an especially built elevated track on Boston’s Charles Street that enabled fans to watch up
close. He defeated American BeeJay Lee by 0.33 seconds. “It was challenging,” Van Niekerk told reporters. “To be honest I thought I did a 400. It was a bit tough.” The Olympic 400m champion was tuning up to run both the 200 and 400 at August’s world championships in London. “I’ve still got a lot of work to do and have a lot of areas I need to look into,” he said. “But it was a positive win for me today.
Bahamian Olympic w o m e n ’s 4 0 0 m g o l d medallist Miller-Uibo wiped out American Allyson Felix’s 200m straightaway world best with another runaway victory. She finished in 21.76 seconds in taking out Felix’s 2010 best of 22.55 seconds at the Manchester, England, street meet. Typically, 200m races are run around a bend and only those are recognised as world records. Jamaica’s (Continued on page 31)
Fans with umbrellas as rain delays play at Roland Garros. (Reuters / Pascal Rossignol) (Reuters) The two men’s quarter-final matches due to be played at the French Open yesterday have been postponed until today after rain disrupted play at Roland Garros, organizers said. Nine-time champion Rafa Nadal was due to play fellow Spaniard
Pablo Carreno Busta and defending champion Novak Djokovic was set to take on Austrian Dominic Thiem. Play was interrupted at 1327 GMT because of rain and storms, with local favorite Kristina Mladenovic 6-4 1-1 down a g a i n s t S w i s s Ti m e a
Bacsinszky on Court Philippe Chatrier. On Court Suzanne Lenglen, former world number Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark was 6-4 2-5 up against 19-year-old Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia. Play will not resume b e f o r e 1 6 3 0 G M T, organizers said.
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Wednesday June 07, 2017
Cyclists getting ready for the Albert Rose Memorial 50-mile race in Linden on Sunday Some of the riders that participated in Baker Memorial Race recently, seen on the Linden Soesdyke Highway.
Albert Rose competing in the 1980’s. With a number of local cyclists presently competing on the USA circuit, those at home will be going all out to outdo each other when the 2nd annual Albert Rose Memorial 50-mile road race, organized by the Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club (LBFCC) in association with the Rose Family is contested on Sunday in the Bauxite Mining Town.
Limited to Linden cyclists last year, this year’s action will be open to all local riders and is anticipated to be an exciting affair with trophies and cash incentives at stake. Females, juveniles and veterans over-45 will do one lap on the circuit, while the seniors, juniors and under45 competitors will do three laps. The action will pedal off from the GTT entrance, David Rose Street at
08:30hrs proceed to Moblissa Hill on the Linden Soesdyke Highway before finishing at Bamia Hill.
Covent Garden overcome Diamond by 33 runs Covent Garden defeated Diamond by 33 runs when the National Sports Commission Ministry of Education and AL Sport & Tour Promotions 20th Annual Primary Schools Day/Night Windball Cricket Champions Trophy continued recently with action in the Lower East Bank Demerara Zone, being played in memory of the late Cricket coach/organiser Daniel Richmond. Playing in the girls’ category at the National Gymnasium, Covent Garden scored 73-1 batting first with Lashawana Sobers scoring 28, Arianna Khan 26 and Melanie Baston 12. Diamond were limited to 40 in reply. Tehira Suegrim made 10. Grove beat IPE by 10 wickets. Batting first, IPE got to 66-2. Shawana
Hamilton made 16, while Destiny Wembo and Priya Singh 11 each. Grove responded with 67 without loss; Shamaya Da Costa struck 59. Peter’s Hall overcame Craig by 22 runs. Peters Hall managed 92-1, taking first strike. Shamika Thumlder slammed 74 and Stephanie Padmore 12. Craig scored 70-2 in reply. Finela Moore got 41. Eccles beat New Diamond by seven wickets. New Diamond batted first and made 58-1; Shania Danzel 24, Jania James 14, Sunita Beepat 13 were the leading batters. Eccles replied with 59-3 with Amira McKenzie scoring 30. In the boys’ category, Eccles defeated Peter’s Hall by 13 runs. Eccles took first knock and posted 101-4.
Mickeal John stroked 46 and Krsan Singh 36. Peter’s Hall made 88-1 in reply. Soloman Austin hit 42. Covent Garden beat IPE by nine wickets. IPE scored 77-7 batting first. Kwame Isaac led with 39 and Artel Daphuess 16. Bowling for Covent Garden, Matthew Johnson and Zahid Mohamed had two wickets each. Covent Garden responded with 81-1; Devin Roopnarine got 38 and Zahid Mohamed 30. Grove beat Craig by six wickets. Craig managed 656. Newmiah Sanders made 18 and Carlton Sampson 12. Taheer Hossein grabbed 4-1 including a hat-trick, while Ramesh Persaud took 2-13. Grove responded with 67-4. Randy Khan made 34, T. Hossein 17 and R. Persaud 16. Diamond defeated Eccles by eight wickets. Eccles scored 58-3. Mikael John made 16 and Denish Montplasir 15. Diamond responded with 63-2. Azeem Taylor scored 31 and Joshua Dias 11.
While juveniles would only receive trophies, cash incentives will be at stake for the other categories of
competitors. Albert Rose, who was one of Guyana’s leading cyclists, died of heart attack
two years ago; to keep his memory alive the LBFCC and the Rose family have organised this event.
Guyana NRA Recorded Shoot
Persaud wins first competitive shoot for 2017; edge Fields in the process on Vs Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) Fullbore Captain Mahendra Persaud won the first Recorded Shoot for this year on Sunday last at the Timehri Rifle and Pistol Ranges, narrowly ahead of Vice Captain, Dylan Fields. After the massive rehabilitation of the ranges, shooters discovered that the dynamics of the range has changed which has been caused by the trees being trimmed and the sides of the range widened as well as the target height being higher. Competition got underway in overcast conditions and just before the start of the second detail of shooters at the 300 yards range, a heavy downpour sent the marksmen off and they were delayed for about one hour. However, when the rain abated, the remainder of the day was sunny. The 300 yards shoot was won by Lennox Braithwaite with a score of 50.6 followed by Leo Romalho with 49.5 and Mahendra Persaud 49.4.
New shooter Roberto Tiwari had an impressive 48.3 at this range. At 600 yards, three possibles were recorded; Lennox Braithwaite shooting 35.5, Mahendra Persaud 35.4 and Dylan Fields 35.3. It was left to the last range, 1000 yards for the winner of the day to be decided. As the last shot rang out, Dylan Fields emerged winner of the range with 34.3 followed by Mahendra Persaud with 31.2 and Ransford Goodluck 31.2. The Days Aggregate saw
two shooters having a tied score with Vs making the difference. Persaud won the Day’s Aggregate with 115.10 followed by Fields 115.8 and Braithwaite, 113.11. The next Recorded Shoot will be contested this Sunday. This shoot marks the commencement of preparatory training for Guyana’s hosting of the We s t I n d i e s F u l l b o r e Shooting Championships in October which also coincides with the G u y a n a N R A’ s 1 5 0 Anniversary. t h
Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 07, 2017
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Day 2 of GBTI Open 2017
Action continues as Girls final match-up set
In picture from left are - Sandeep Chand, Andre Lopes, Daniel Lopes and Leyland Leacock. Play in the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Open 2017 tournament continued with Day 2 of the competition. In the Boys round of 32: Ridhwaan Kasim fell at the hand of the young Brazilian, Alexandre DeAlmedia 6-2, 6-0. The heavy hitting and top spin serves proved to be difficult for him to handle. On court two, Devine Kalekyezi and Vijay Sharma had a similar fate to Kasim at 7-5, 6-2. Brother of the number one male player, Tai Downes has launched into his first tournament and showed promise but seasoned junior, Ravin Ramprasad, closed out a win at 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 in a closely contested match. Adesh Khayyam took on Khalid Gobin but was outplayed by the lefthander 7-5, 6-1. Top spin and acute angles helped seal the deal for Gobin against the promising Khayyam. An upset was carried out by Akil Brown a g a i n s t Wa y n e B a k e r racking up a three setter score of 6-4, 1-6, 11-9. Shimron Lewis received a win from Daniel Kellman after his failure to show. On the other hand, Nigel Lowe showed up with his regular aggressive game style that was too much for Ariel Khan. Lowe delivered a 6-1, 6-0 triumph. Girls Semi-finals The girls final is set for Saturday after two quality matches in the semi-finals of the 18s. The junior ladies stepped up their games as Alana Chung displayed great
improvement in her game. The lefty executed strong backhands which is now a signature of her game, but was unable to keep junior star, Kalyca Fraser, at bay. Fraser was able to press on and secure a 6-3, 6-2. On the other side of the draw, the match went to a nail-bitter as rising talent, Nathalie Ramdyhan, could not be denied; She battled against Sarah Klautky in her first 18s semi-final and held her nerves but Klautky tasted a 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 victory after drawing on her experiences. Novice Medley The novice final is scheduled for this weekend when President of the Non Pariel Club, Surendra Khayyam takes on fellow club mate, Delon Fraser. Khayyam outlasted new player, Leoni Sears, in a 7-5 match. Sears showed determination against her male counterpart to hold a steady lead but was unable to maintain the momentum. Peace Corps Guyana’s Country Director, Kury Cobham, won her quarterfinal due to a walkover and fell 6-3 to Delon Fraser in the semifinal. Cobham had her chances to create pressure and with the backing of the crowd she flew to a 3-1 lead and it seemed the match was going to head in her favour. Her personality was captivating and the ladies on the sideline were cheering her on for a win but Fraser managed to buckle down and secure the victory against the crowd favourite.
From left - Sarah Klaulky, Alana Chung, Grace McCalman and Kurry Cobham. Men’s Round 16 Doubles The anticipation of uncle vs nephew in the Lopes doubles was the spectacle of the evening. It was a tense match at the GBTI Open 2017. Factions of supporters gathered at the fences and enjoyed a top doubles match as Andre Lopes/Sandeep Chand battled against Leyland Leacock/Daniel Lopes. The first set progressed evening until 5 games all. The big serve of Daniel Lopes rattled his opponents with a love game hold. Failure of Lopes/Chand to hold their own serve, handed the set 75 to the confident Leacock/Lopes. While the defence and game strategy of Lopes/Chand was adjusted, they eventually conceded the second set at 6-2. Leacock made the finals with partner, Nicholas Fenty, and looks to make a bid for the top position with his new partner. Anthony Downes/Jason Andrews won a walkover from Jamal Goodluck/Darren King. Albert Razick teamed up with his son Daniel Razick against the junior pair, Vadeanand Resaul/Adesh Khayyam to win 6-4, 6-1. Resaul/Khayyam fought every point with intensity that marks the character of future champions. However, the tactical strength of their opponents gave them the advantage. Runner up of the first weekend, challenger, Jason Andrews, defeated Kester Abrams 6-3, 6-3. Abrams
had several moments to tip the momentum in the match when creating good angles and guided several passing winners but was unable to
hold back the racked up errors. Andrews faces Khwan Rondney in the Round 16 with both hoping to make it to their first GBTI
Men’s Open quarterfinal. Ladies Quarter-final Doubles In the most lively match (Continued on page 31)
Impressive England secure semi-final spot
Kane Williamson settled in quickly, England v New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2017, Cardiff, ©Getty Images (Reuters) Hosts England became the first team to qualify for the Champions Trophy semi-finals after hammering New Zealand by 87 runs in Cardiff to stay top of Group A yesterday. Eoin Morgan’s side mastered tricky conditions to reinforce their credentials as tournament favourites with an excellent team performance in which everyone contributed.
Joe Root top-scored with an impressive 64 — his 32nd score above fifty in 85 ODIs — as England posted an allout score of 310 after being put in to bat. In reply, New Zealand struggled to overcome the first over loss of Luke Ronchi for a golden duck and, although Kane Wi l l i a m s o n s t r u c k a n assured 87, his team mates were picked off by England’s impressive attack.
Liam Plunkett was the pick of the bowlers, taking four wickets as New Zealand subsided to 223 all out in the 45th over. New Zealand can still reach the semi-finals if they beat Bangladesh in their final game and Australia lose to England. Scores: England 310 (Root 64, Buttler 61*, Hales 56) beat New Zealand 223 (Williamson 87, Plunkett 459) by 87 runs.
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Wednesday June 07, 2017
Vintage Samuels sees Windies to clean sweep BASSETERRE, St Kitts, CMC – Veteran Marlon Samuels dominated with a classy career-best halfcentury as West Indies brushed aside minnows Afghanistan by seven wickets in the final Twenty20 International to sweep the three-match series here Monday night. C h a s i n g a n uncomplicated 147 for victory at Warner Park, the hosts reached their target with four balls to spare, with the right-handed Samuels finishing unbeaten on a superb 89 from 66 deliveries to earn Man-of-the-Match and Man-of-the-Series honours. Jason Mohammed ended on 23 not out, adding 65 with Samuels in unbroken fourth wicket stand which required 39 balls. Outstanding rookie seamer Kesrick Williams had earlier grabbed three for 34 to help restrict Afghanistan to 146 for six off their 20 overs, after the Asian side threatened a large total following a frenetic start. Mohammad Nabi blasted 38 off 30 deliveries while opener Noor Ali’s exciting cameo 35 required all of 19 balls. Wicketkeeper Shafiqullah chimed in with an entertaining 25 off 15 balls. Williams finished the series with eight wickets following a similar threewicket haul in Saturday’s second T20 and two wickets in the opener last Friday. Afghanistan were in early trouble after opting to bat when opener Javed Ahmadi perished without scoring to the second ball he
Kesrick Williams lets out a roar after completing a three-for, West Indies v Afghanistan, 3rd T20I, St Kitts, ©WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks LaTouche Photography faced, plumb lbw to legspinner Samuel Badree in the second over with the score on 14. Noor Ali counterattacked, hammering five fours and two sixes – including three consecutive boundaries off wayward seamer Jerome Taylor in the third over which leaked 13 runs. In the following over, the right-hander cleared the ropes at long-off with Badree and then swept him square for four as Afghanistan raced to 40 for one after just four overs. But Williams struck in his first over, bowling Noor Ali with his final delivery as the batsman improvised too far across his stumps and medium pacer Rovman
Powell also got lucky in his first over, having captain Asghar Stanikzai caught at mid-wicket by Williams for 13. Stumbling at 57 for three in the ninth over, Afghanistan were propelled by two key partnerships. Nabi thumped a pair of four and sixes in adding 39 with Karim Janat (8) for the fourth wicket while Shafiqullah carved out three fours and a six in putting on 30 for the sixth wicket with Najibullah Zadran (10 not out). West Indies’ run chase began disastrously when Chadwick Walton drove the second ball of the innings from left-arm speedster Shapoor Zadran to extra cover to depart without
scoring. Samuels arrived, however, to destroy any hopes the Afghans harboured of pulling off a consolation win. Playing with gay abandon and with his trademark power and timing on full display, the Jamaican struck nine fours and three sixes, while adding 61 for the second wicket with Evin Lewis (19) and another precious half-century with Mohammed. Dropped on 40 off a stinging caught and bowled chance off off-spinner Nabi at 60 for one in the 10th over, Samuels went on to raise his 10th T20I half-century off 46 balls with a pulled four through mid-wicket off seamer Janat in the 14th over. He lost Lewis also in the 10th, lbw to one speared into leg stump from Nabi and saw the back of Lendl Simmons for 15 in the 13th over, holing out to long-off off legspinner Rashid Khan. With his half-century out of the way, Samuels upped the tempo, lashing consecutive sixes off Nabi in the 16th over which cost 16 runs and his third six a couple overs later off Janat, saw him tie his previous career-best of 8 5 , a s We s t I n d i e s cruised towards victory. The hosts won the opener last Friday by six wickets and the second match on Saturday by 29 runs under Duckworth/Lewis in a rainhit affair. They face Afghanistan again on Friday in St Lucia in the first One-Day International of a threematch series.
LCSS NY committee supports Anderson Recognizing his tremendous talent and his outstanding performances in the recently concluded National School Cricket Championship, LCSS committee of New York, USA and made up of dedicated and hard working members has provided cricket gears for young Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club all rounder, Kevlon Anderson. Speaking on behalf of the committee at a simple ceremony held recently, Anil
Beharry, former Berbice Senior all-rounder who attended Shell Sandals trials in 1996, said that the LCSS NY Committee is honoured to support this young cricketer and be part of his success. He continued by saying that the committee made up of former students of the Lower Corentyne Secondary School located in the Town of Rose Hall, Corentyne, followed the National Schools Cricket Tournament 2017 and was
elated when their former high school won the tournament for the first time. The members were impressed with Anderson’s captaincy and his personal contribution towards the team’s success and that is what motivated them to assist this young cricketer. The gears include a CA bat, thigh pad, batting gloves, batting pads, full spike boots and a bag. The national junior cricketer was born in October 2000 and
joined the RHTY&SC at the tender age of 10. He has represented the club at all levels and played with the Upper Corentyne team in the GCB National Franchise T h r e e D a y Cricket Competition. He has already represented Guyana at the under-15 and under-17 levels and has scored 16 centuries and 23 half centuries in his short career so far. He is also a very useful spinner. The committee is very
vibrant and is involved in many fundraising events with proceeds being donated to several projects at the schools to benefit the students and teachers. In response, Anderson thanked the LCSS NY Committee for their fine gesture of seeing the need to donate the gears to him and promised to continue working hard. Beharry, himself a former student of the school, cautioned Anderson to care
the gears and make full use of them. He encouraged him to keep his feet grounded, stay humble and remain committed; he also wished him well. The committee includes Howard Bernstien, Riaz Bacchus, Radha Bernstien, Shirley Bissoondial, Eno Indrani Chabinauth, Cecelia Va s c o n c e l l o s , A m e e r Gulmohamad, Sommie Jewan and Chris Lachman.
Wednesday June 07, 2017
Kaieteur News
Persaud, Hardaiow strike tons as Everest Masters overcome PYO Masters On a day blessed with glorious sunshine, Everest Cricket Club Masters made light work of their counterparts from the P.Y.O. Masters of Trinidad and Tobago in a 25 overs affair played recently. Winning the toss and batting first Everest Masters openers scorched the outfield and their opponents from the onset as they posted 277 for 1 off their allotted overs. Basil Persaud scored 101 retired hurt, while Sahadeo Hardaiow struck an even century. The pair added 190 for the opening stand, smashing 11 sixes and 12 fours between them. Hemraj Garbarran scored 37 with 2 sixes and 4 fours and Saheed Mohamed got 19 with 3 fours, both undefeated.
P.Y.O. Masters in reply reached 154 for 4 losing by 123 runs. Asif Ishack led the way with 53 not out, while Bobby Khali scored 32. Bowling for the Everest Masters, Rajesh Singh, Rakesh Gangaram, Ravindranauth Seeram and Satyendra Khemraj had a wicket each. This was the final game for the visitors on their one week tour to Guyana. Trophies were presented for the best batsman and best bowler compliments of Boyie Wheel Alignment of Trinidad along with a plaque for the Everest Cricket Club. Everest in return presented the Manager of the PYO team with a Plaque in recognition of their visit to the club compliments of Trophy Stall.
Letter to the Sports Editor
Devers Responds Dear Editor, I am responding to a letter in the Tuesday (June 06) issue of the Kaieteur News which accuses me of lying about what the Manager of the Demerara under-19 cricket team told me when I asked if he was aware that no vegetarian meal was sent for lunch for one of his players. I believe the aim of the letter was to publicly embarrass me and damage my credibility. I never mentioned the name of the manager or said he or the GCB was to be blamed that the caterer did not send the lunch. I was reporting on a fact that occurred at the InterCounty match so I don’t see the relevance of the Mr Hussain stating what he has achieved in the cricketing fraternity or about the Rohan Sarjoo issue with the GCB which has nothing to do with me. He claimed I am using this newspaper to settle
personal grievances when nothing in the story supports that claim. I heard that the vegetarian meal for the youngster had not arrived and I asked Mr Hussain if he was aware that it had not been sent. He said yes and I wrote, “It was confirmed by the Demerara Manager that Singh did not eat lunch since no Vegetarian meal was sent for him although this was in the 50-over competition” which is a fact. I never said that the youngster did not eat at all, just that he did not eat during the lunch interval. I don’t have any vendetta with the GCB. I just write about the good and the bad of cricket in Guyana and those who read the papers or listen to me on the Radio knows that. I stand by what I wrote a b o u t M r. H u s s a i n confirming that the meal was not brought. Sean Devers.
The victorious Everest CC Masters team
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Kaieteur News
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Wednesday June 07, 2017
World Boxing Council dispatches gift to WBC amateur boxing series participants When the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) staged the inaugural MMA boxing extravaganza at the Giftland Office Max Mall, Lilliendaal ECD, the organisers had also facilitated the 2nd edition of the WBC amateur boxing series, earlier launched in Trinidad and Tobago. Those pugilists competing in the Guyana leg of the tournament were Akea Lamazon, Duel Augustin, Rewinna David and K e l o n I s a a c s . Ye s t e r d a y afternoon, the coach of Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym, Orlon Rogers, trooped to the Avenue of the Republic offices of Abdool and Abdools Insurance Brokers to receive several gift items from the WBC officials. These include WBC emblazoned caps and jerseys as well as medals. The GBBC president said that the gift is a token of appreciation even as he urged the boxers to stay in the gym in preparation of the 3rd edition of the tournament. Mr. Abdool said that plans are in train to run off the
3rd edition sometime in July. He said that this will be done even in the absence of the professionals since the cost will be somewhat reduced and organisers will still be able to achieve their objective. Moments after the conclusion of this ceremony, Mr. Abdool donned the cap of the CEO of Abdool and Abdools Insurance Brokers and presented a check of an undisclosed sum to local b o d y b u i l d e r, E m m e r s o n Campbell who leaves Guyana soon to participate in the Sportworld Classic Bodybuilding Championships slated for Trinidad and Tobago on June 24. Mr. Abdool said that his organisation was delighted to be of assistance to a young man that has shown great potential in his field. Mr. Campbell expressed gratitude to his benefactor while assuring him that the donation will offset a large chunk of the required expenses. Campbell won a silver medal when he participated in another high level bodybuilding championship in the Dominica Republic.
Emmerson Campbell benefits from Abdool’s largesse
Orlon ‘Pocket Rocket’ Rogers (left) joins Peter Abdool (centre) and Rewinna David as they show off the WBC gifts.
Trials to select CENTROBASKET Team on this weekend The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) will host two days of trials on Saturday and Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall to select players to represent Guyana at the upcoming CENTROBASKET Under-17 Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, July 26-30, 2017. The trials will be held from 8am – 10am and 2pm – 4pm on both days. Those invited to participate in the trials include: 1. Yannick Tappin Linden 2. Leon Benjamin Linden 3. Shamar France Berbice 4. Kelmar Carmichael - Berbice 5. Garfield BenjaminBerbice 6. Andrew Johnson Georgetown 7. Nigel Bowen Georgetown 8. Roydon Glasgow Georgetown 9. Akeem Crandon Berbice 10. Jermaine King -
Berbice 11. Kareem Boyle Berbice 12. Jordan Alphonso – Berbice USA Based 13. Kevon Wiggins – Berbice - USA Based 14. Jahleel Young Georgetown 15. Zion GrayGeorgetown 16. Jeremy Campbell Berbice 17. D e n z i l R o s s Georgetown 18. Kadeem Dover – Kwakwani 19. Isaiah Hintzen – Kwakwani 20. Jether Harris – Georgetown 21. Anthony Yansin Georgetown
Meanwhile, the federation has stated that the process allows for individuals not identified on the shortlist to join the trials on the recommendation of a n y a f f i l i a t e d coach/representative of Affiliates of the federation. The coaches include: Head coach, Lugard Mohan, with Kenny Avent (USA Based) and Willon Cameron as assistant coaches. Junior Andrew Hercules is the manager and leader of the Guyana delegation. Training sessions will continue with the reduced squad at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall as follows: June 17 – 18; June 24 – 25; July 1 – 10 and encampment July 14 -24. The Guyana Under-17 team will depart for Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Tuesday, July 25 and return to Guyana on Monday, July 31, 2017. The GABF has already made the necessary deposit to secure travel dates for the Guyana U-17 team with Copa Airlines.
Kaieteur News
Wednesday June 07, 2017
PAGE 43
Junior Jags performance must assuage fears of major stakeholders - Continued development remains GFF’s priority
Wayne Forde By Rawle Welch The Junior Jaguars recent historic performance at the Soualiga Football Tournament which was held in St. Martin must assuage the fears of major stakeholders such as the corporate community and the Government. Those fears which had arisen from years of unwarranted attacks by forces aimed at destabilising the football fraternity are slowly, but surely being removed by the current administration led by President Wayne Forde. The Forde-led administration has successfully been able to remain focused on the
sport’s holistic development and not be swayed by the diversionary tactics of a few whose attempts to incessantly taint the image of the sport are losing credibility. Instead, it is their integrity and honestly that are in question due to the current administration’s success in repeatedly highlighting their reckless charges of a d m i n i s t r a t i v e autocracy. The inclusive approach by the current administration which affords the General Council and other related arms of the entity to function independently and work for the benefit of the game and its participants is a dispensation that was
The Guyana Junior Jaguars who won the SOUALIGA U-15 tournament last weekend. estranged to the persecutors of the sport. The task of managing this sport has time and again proven to be onerous and unappreciated, but Forde and his team have dug in their heels and seem hell bent on working assiduously to reverse the fortunes and image of the sport here. While the success of the U-15 team is a significant achievement, the process charted by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)
and its stated commitment to stay the course, must be recognised as well. Players, officials, coaches and administrators are being exposed to higher levels of training in an effort to improve overall efficiency, accountability and transparency. The general feedback is that many are admiring the GFF’s focus and have pledged their complete support for the entity. Football has been the subject of litigation after
litigation for years which ultimately affected greater support from stakeholders, but under Forde’s reign there has been percentage increases in Government and corporate assistance which is always a good sign, especially after several explosive public quarrels that threatened Guyana’s continuation in international football. The sport has taken a different path, one that FIFA, CONCACAF and the CFU have all embraced, but
instead of offering unconditional support for t h e c u r r e n t administration paradigm shift from partisanship to inclusivity, there are still those who believe that it is either their way or no way. Forde has explicitly stated that the GFF will continue to be guided by the three above mentioned governing bodies, while the forward thrust for development will remain its priority.
Mercedes hold firm on driver equality, says Wolff LONDON (Reuters) Formula One champions Mercedes will continue to give their drivers equal treatment despite the emergence of Sebastian Vettel as Ferrari’s clear title contender, team boss Toto Wolff said yesterday. Championship leader Vettel has won three of the six races so far, finishing second in the rest, and scored nearly twice as many points as team mate Kimi Raikkonen. Mercedes have also won three races but they have been shared between Britain’s triple champion Lewis Hamilton, with two victories but now 25 points behind Ferrari’s German, and Finland’s Valtteri Bottas. “We have two excellent drivers and we will hold true to our philosophy of letting them race each other to drive
the team forward — even if sometimes it can be difficult because you can’t always have the one who is ahead in the championship winning,” Wolff said in a team preview of Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix. Hamilton, who was only seventh in the previous race in Monaco, has 104 points to Bottas’s 75. Both Mercedes drivers have gone well in Canada in the past, Hamilton winning for the last two years at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and five times in total — making it his most successful circuit along with Hungary. Bottas has also been on the podium in Canada for the last two years, with his previous team Williams. Hamilton told reporters in Monaco, where Ferrari finished first and second, that it was clear to him that
the Italian team were favouring Vettel. “It’s clear to me that Ferrari have chosen their number one driver,” he said. “They are pushing everything to make sure Sebastian will maximize on all of his weekends.” The Briton added, however, that he saw no need to change Mercedes’ approach. “Valtteri has been doing a great job and I don’t feel like we have to favour one over the other,” he said. “We have to work collectively as a team more than ever before to beat the Ferraris in the c o n s t r u c t o r s ’ (championship).” Ferrari lead champions Mercedes by 17 points in the constructors’ standings. Wolff, who said in Monaco that Mercedes were now the underdogs, acknowledged that it hurt.
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, Executive Director Toto Wolff and Valtteri Bottas pose during the launch. (Reuters/Eddie Keogh Livepic) “We have to fight with all that we are worth for every single win, pole position,
podium finish and every point,” he said. “You can no longer expect that when you
look at a timesheet the two Mercedes (cars) will be right at the top.”
t r o Sp Vintage Samuels sees Windies to clean sweep
Impressive England secure semi-final spot
Joe Root inside-edged onto his own stumps for 64, England v New Zealand, Champions Trophy 2017, Cardiff, ŠGetty Images
ON THE GO: Marlon Samuels gathers more runs through the off-side against Afghanistan. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)
Guyana NRA Recorded Shoot
Persaud Persaud wins wins first first competitive competitive shoot shoot for for 2017; 2017; edge edge Fields Fields in in the the process process on on Vs Vs
Dylan Fields
Mahendra Persaud
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