Kaieteur News
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Tuesday June 28, 2016
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Prisoners on remand!
There is absolutely no doubt in the minds of many that President Granger was correct to pardon a number of prisoners last year, both men and women. Today, in the public interest and for the concern of overcrowding at the prisons as well as the lengthy delays in getting a trial, the President should pardon those prisoners who have been on remand without trial for longer than their maximum sentence would be if they were found guilty. It is the right thing to do. No one should be denied the right to a speedy trial. This is a chance for everyone irrespective of race, creed or party affiliation to stand up and be counted among those in the country who believe in and support the concept of equal and fair justice for all. At the moment, many do not have a real sense of equal justice. This is not a plan to let those who ran afoul of the law to go free or to make victims of crimes feel as though they have been victimized twice, first by the criminals and second by the state. It is not a dreamed up idea by the misinformed or uniformed, soft and kind-hearted people who are only fighting for the rights of criminals. On the contrary, it is a well thought out plan by those who believe in justice to help those who are being denied justice. The saying that justice delayed is justice denied holds true for those who are on remand for years. It is not only unjust, but also unconscionable. No one should condone such treatment on their fellow citizens. They should not want it for those who continue to suffer the brunt of the country’s archaic justice system. Being on remand means that inmates would spend more time locked in their cells than those convicted. They do not have access to the same programs and privileges as those convicted. Both the prison and the justice system need urgent reform. It has been reported that almost half the prisoners at the Camp Street prison are on remand for a long time, because cases are not being heard in a timely fashion. Many jurists believe that putting alleged criminals on remand in prison would keep society safe. They are wrong. They, like the wider public should consider that the possibility exists that a number of men and women who are languishing in prison on remand could be innocent. They are fully aware of the “innocent until proven guilty” concept and that people could be on remand much longer than what their sentences would be if found guilty. How can a society that prides itself on democracy and equal justice commit such injustice against a section of its less fortunate population? In Guyana, remand is a horrific place for suspected criminals because it treats them as though they are guilty, not innocent until proven guilty. Being on remand for several years is like a sentence even though it is not. It is not only waiting in remand for the initial trial but also how these long delays for trials affect appeals. It is almost impossible to appeal most convictions other than capital offences because prisoners would be waiting in remand for their trials longer than the original sentence they got. This means the right to appeal is virtually nonexistent. It is a travesty of justice. Being in prison, whether it is on remand or not, is a sentence no matter what anyone says and being in jail in general is a stigma. Prisons are horrible places for anyone to be in because it is where young men become embittered, helpless and hopeless. The Prison system robs those on remand of their rights.
GPL came to the rescue and saved the day DEAR EDITOR; Reference is made to your front page photograph in your Monday June 27, 2016 Issue captioned “BEWARE OF TUMBLING POLES! This has been the situation recently on the Diamond Housing Scheme access Road where several utility poles have tottered dangerously during heavy rains”. Editor, the picture published
reflects an incident which occurred during the morning hours on June 13, 2016 due to inclement weather conditions. Following reports of the leaning poles (as seen in your picture), the Guyana Power and Light Inc. emergency services responded promptly and effected temporary remedial work on June 13, 2016.
These works included straightening and strapping the poles; permanent corrective works were later executed on Thursday June 23 during line maintenance activities within the entire Diamond Community. Please be guided accordingly. Wadecia Donald Public Relations Officer (a.g) Guyana Power and Light Inc.
Questionable Sports Awards to GCB and Sanasie DEAR EDITOR; It is my firm opinion that awards of any sort must be based on established criteria that involve legitimacy, performance and transparency. Awardees must be selected on the basis of merit. After reading the recent National Sports Council “Sports Awards” and listening to Director of Sports, Christopher Jones’ televised interview with Edwin Seeraj on the Sports Magazine Programme of Friday 10th June, 2016, I am of the view that the award process should be totally revamped. With specific regard to the awarding of the GCB as the Sports Organization of the Year and Anand Sanasie as the Sports Administrator of the Year, I humbly suggest that these awards be recalled for the following
reasons: 1. It is public knowledge that there have been no free and fair elections of the GCB for the past seven (7) years, a clear violation of the tenets of democracy. The last time the GCB had free and fair elections was in 2009. 2. The GCB has not laid over the audited financial statement and other documents to the National Assembly and to the very National Sports Council as stipulated in The Cricket Administration Act 2014 (clause 14 (3) and clause 15). Other clauses of the Act are also continually being violated by the current GCB executives. 3. Some members of the GCB together with a few other individuals questionably formed a company and named it “The Guyana Cricket Inc.” All the assets of the GCB including the
various bank accounts and properties were then transferred to this company and ipso facto all the assets of Guyana cricket now belong to only those individuals. 4. The GCB has not been making any attempt to have the ongoing divide within Guyana cricket resolved but rather are the proponents of the continuation of that divide with their frivolous challenge to the “Act” and engaging in a plethora of injunctions that prevent the democratic process of free and fair elections. 5. The GCB’s practice (in the absence of free and fair elections) of selecting certain officials and the discriminatory manner used when distributing gear and other resources are further examples of the prevailing lawlessness. The exclusion of the Berbice Cricket Board, the Georgetown Cricket Association and the East Coast (Continued on page 5)
Plight of a 17-year-old on remand DEAR EDITOR; Over the past five to six weeks, amidst the highpoints of the National jubilee celebrations, we who still live here were all too conscious of some high profile crimes and naturally, the role of the Guyana police force The Police Force is our national law enforcement agency. I have recently read and heard of the successes of the police investigators. Privately I’ve heard praises for Crime Chief Blanhum and Commander Hicken and interestingly, there is now an acting Commissioner of Police who sounds engaging and professional, as well as a brand new GPF Public Relations Officer. But privately too, a singleparent has been expressing frustration, fear and concern at one aspect of police procedures. Vicariously but with some caution, I too share her concern and promised to publicize the issue in order perhaps to attract some explanation - if not relief. It has to do with the young woman’s son. He’s a lad of seventeen years six months (17Y2yrs). The teenager, apparently quite intelligent and good at computers, was charged last year with fraud related to forgery of a cheque. The mother has her own views, version and suspicions about the allegation. She has demonstrated a relentless measure of personal preliminary investigation about the allegation and the complainant, in order to brief fully
her son’s defence attorney. The Court is the ultimate arbiter and judge of the lad’s guilt or innocence, whatever stakeholders’ personal knowledge or opinions. I dare not comment on what I’ve heard regarding the machinations of the case, the trial itself or expected outcomes. That is the business of the Court, though we all hope for fair and just legal/evidencedbased decisions. But here is the primary reason for this correspondence, based primarily on my shared concern and alarm with the mother: the teenaged accused, at 17% years old is being treated as an adult apparently. Having known to have absconded from the Essequibo New Opportunity Corps (NOC) because he claimed that he was continuously bullied and accused of “talking too much”, he cannot return there to await trial. The police have determined that he cannot be accommodated at a juvenile centre in Sophia, Georgetown. Not yet found guilty or innocent of the alleged fraud, the police treat him as a remand “prisoner had him incarcerated with very adul6 seasoned, sometimes dangerous accused criminals. He has been held, the mother reported, at Providence and Grove/Diamond Stations in sometimes overcrowded cells. There is no juvenile accommodation, despite police’s claims to the contrary. The young accused, an occasional asthmatic, had to be rushed
to the Diamond Health Facility, the worried harassed mother claimed. She says she has had to speak out and speak up to tired, unkind, aggressive Station Sergeants and Corporals, even paying “a top-up” for her son to use a small piece of foam or cardboard on the cell’s concrete floor. Very senior police officers seem reluctant to criticize their system on juniors. My concern and question - not only for this specific case - is this: since the young accused is not at all responsible for the repeated postponements of his “matter” in Court, is it fair and just to have him cooped up for weeks-with seasoned accused who can infect his mind, if not body? Not yet guilty, I suppose the police can still suspend his human and civil rights in this land. I read, a few weeks ago, where a convicted mass murderer in Norway demanded and obtained certain basic rights whilst serving a life sentence. I might not agree with or understand that system, but could not a young Guyanese, under eighteen, awaiting for weeks a definitive day in Court, be entitled to humane treatment in Police Station cells on the East Bank of Demerara? I’m still a personal supporter of the police, law and order and hopeful of just decisions by learned, compassionate Officers of the Courts. But I am moved by this mother’s travails, whether her accused offspring is guilty or not. Concerned Observer
Tuesday June 28, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Points the GTU President Waiting in vain for that which should be given conveniently ignored DEAR EDITOR; I note with worry and also much anger the replies of GTU President Mark Lyte and one George Cave in the print media recently regarding my letters in the press which highlighted the high court actions against dozens of teachers in the High Court especially as it relates to my own preliminary promotion to Head of the English Department. I echo the call of Cave by asking the question, “What is the Education Service coming to?” Indeed, the system has become dysfunctional as can be over the years; don’t you think, Mr Cave and Mr Lyte? To have me, a teacher trained in English to have to resort to do Social Studies at the University in Berbice instead of what I had loved doing, English...but because there was no English being offered there...what is the
education service coming to? A teacher ‘wasting’ 4 years of his life studying for a degree in an area in which he knew might have very well had no scope in his professional career at his school in the years that followed, but still followed through because he had education and teaching at his heart and wanted to upgrade his qualifications and professional skills? What is the system coming to? A teacher who was achieved a Grade One with Distinction in the subject area in question and was trained in English at the Teachers Training College of the Ministry of Education, only to which none of those merited him being considered for a subject- related ( as well as administrative) position at a secondary school? Why then do we have a training college allowing
people to specialize in special subject areas if not to equip them with a base to “organize the teaching of that specialist subject.....?” What is the education service coming to Mr Cave and Mr Lyte? A system in which both of you had opportunities to fix or relate your displeasure in years past! What is the education service coming to when you had a trained English teacher having completed a Ministry of Education course in ENGLISH lasting a duration of two years but doesn’t seem to bear any weighting to the current promotion guidelines Cave alluded? What is the education service coming to when you have a teacher completing an Education Management Course which is supposed to create scope for administration (Continued on page 6)
Questionable Sports... From page 4 Cricket Board from any deliberation or discussions or activity designed to unite the GCB appears to be deliberate. It is even more appalling to note that these areas which produce all the national cricketers at all levels from their own resources have not received a single cent from the GCB for the past seven (7) years. This is a clear case of administrative lawlessness which is undeserving of any award especially a national award. 6. As an experienced sports administrator I have never seen a sports association constitution, including the one enshrined in the Cricket Administration Act 2014, that identifies the Secretary as the head. Even within the many constitutions of the GCB, I am positive that the head is always the President and not the Secretary. On the TV programme (as mentioned above) Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, in attempting to justify the awards, stated that cricket has done well over the past two (2) years and Sanasie as head of the Board was therefore awarded. I would like to challenge the NSC to produce the records that show Secretary, Anand Sanasie as the head of the GCB. The structure of the GCB historically has the
President as the head and the two (2) Vice- Presidents sharing the Cricket Development and the Cricket Administration portfolios. In the present chaotic administrative environment of the Board any consideration to reward the cricket should have been given to the cricketers, or the Technical Officials (Coaches, Selectors etc) for their excellent performance on the field despite the administrative woes. Further, Director of Sports, Christopher Jones contended that he had no idea of who had won and which organization had copped awards prior to his appearance on the stage at the 2015 Awards Ceremony. This is quite surprising as the awardees were informed accordingly, so why not the Director of Sports? Indeed our cricketers have done us proud with their performances over the past two years and must be complimented for their accomplishments. However, a careful assessment should have been made by the NSC officials to ascertain who the personalities responsible for these successes are. The officials should ascertain why there have not been any Female Domestic Tournament so as to offer op-
portunities for more ladies to be selected to the West Indies Team (the present two have been representing WI since 2007). Also, why have we not been having our players who are doing so well at the national level secure places on the WI teams? To proceed with these particular awards would be to send the wrong message to organisations that they could be rewarded for illegality, discrimination, lack of free and fair elections, lack of accountability, violation of the laws and rules of society especially divisiveness which contradicts Government’s stated National Policy of unity and cohesiveness among our people. This will undoubtedly create a serious precedent that this government cannot, ought not, and must not embrace. The honourable and proper thing to do is to immediately recall the awards glibly handed out to the GCB and to Sanasie. Claude Raphael Former Executive Member – GCB Former Director - WICB
DEAR EDITOR; I have applied several times on behalf of poor residents in my community and also for members of my church for birth, death and marriage certificates, but the wait is very long. I haven’t seen any changes in this area of frustration and incompetence from the previous administration to this current administration. Several visits to the General Registrar Office tells me of this long frustrating procedure; our citizens waiting months for birth, marriage and death certificates in the mail but never get it. Their visits to GRO is a next long tedious experience. In this day and age of modern technology a birth certificate should not take more than three days to process. From my observation, I don’t think the GRO has a current register general that makes it more difficult to administrate this office. As a result of the slow processing of birth certificates, perhaps thousands of our Guyanese citizens have been unable to register for their new identification cards and were unable to vote at last year’s elections. I observe a new updated birth certificate that has a silver Guyana Coat of Arms also the same logo stamped all over the back of the certificate in a light pink colour. It’s unfortunate I haven’t seen this same design for the marriage and death certificates. If they were updating these certificates and specimens then all three birth, marriage and death certificate should bear the same Logo of the Coat of Arms to avoid frauds.These updated templates should be sent to immigration and embassies in Guyana. By just updating the birth certificate creates more suspicion of frauds. Some institutions rejected these new birth certificates. Also these specimens should be published in the press and posted to all government institutions. The certificate size should be bigger because people with 4 or 5 names cannot fit
these into the small lines. Why is it that birth, death and marriage certificates are taking months and even years to be processed at the GRO? It seems as if there is a lot of incompetence at that institution. In addition to the people who have been waiting for their birth certificates for over a year, I know of many who had old birth certificates and who are now told that they were never registered. A late birth registration now takes 6 months and tons of paper work and documentation that costs a lot. The cost for one birth certificate just over a year ago was just $30 and now it’s $300, an increase of 1000%, yet the process takes longer. I am of the opinion that this Coalition Government would speed up things in this area but it now takes-much longer into many more departments for example a transport and land title takes years to process. I read about all these changes and modern technology in the press but nothing changes. Our Ministers seem to be travelling on tours rather than getting jobs done efficiently and expeditiously. They are never in office or too busy to take calls. We can no longer trust the mail since mails can be lost, damaged, or go to a wrong lot number. Worse yet, not many homes have a mail box and many residents work and are not at home. So why are the staff at GRO telling our citizens who have waited hours for their birth, marriage, and death certificates that ‘’You will get it in the mail’’? What makes it so hard to give it to them right there? It’s very sad that many people who have to sign these documents are never in the office or come to work extremely late or hardly ever work. I have been to several other offices in Guyana for documents, and have been told that the person who has to sign the docu-
ment is not in the office, although that same person can be seen ‘gaffing’ around the compound but is still getting paid for a job they are incapable of doing. I am not the only person who is faced with this problem; there are thousands of Guyanese experiencing the same thing because the lines for these documents are getting longer and longer every day, and some have to resort to bribery to obtain these certificates. This incompetence may never change because many get rich on these jobs by bribery. Amerindians are given first preference to obtain birth certificates through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, so why is it that Indians and Africans and others are given such a hard time? In particular, as a marriage officer I am faced with the long wait for marriage certificates. Just about two years ago when I married a couple, I would register the marriage and apply for the marriage certificate at the same time. I would be given a slip to obtain the marriage certificate in a week, which I would get. Now they have a new requirement that when I register a marriage I have to go (Continued on page 6)
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Tuesday June 28, 2016
Kaieteur News
The Social Partnership Option for National Development DEAR EDITOR; There are many voices calling national dialogue with the major political parties and interest groups to forge a consensus for national social and economic development. Here are a few thoughts on the social partnership option for national development hoping for other views and advocacy. National dialogue on social and economic matters should be encouraged and promoted as a matter of high priority. This approach promotes active consultation and cooperation at the industrial and national levels among governing authority, the political parties in the National Assembly as well as workers’ and employers’ organizations in order to foster mutual understanding and good relations, to find agreed solutions to socio-economic problems and to forge a consensus for national development. The promotion of social justice in the state community could be achieved only if the social partners and stake holders themselves are involved in the search for appropriate solutions through negotiations and genuine dialogue. The Government and the National Assembly however, have a major responsi-
bility in the success of a multitripartite social dialogue process. Genuine national dialogue guarantees participation in a democratic process. The developing of our economy offers opportunities from which all can gain, but these have to be grounded in participatory processes and institutions if they are to confer legitimacy and sustainability on economic and social policies. The pillars constituted by the National Assembly, Government, private sector and workers’ organizations must commit themselves to engage in determined dialogue, based on the principles of mutual trust and good faith. Success in the mutual outcome of national dialogue also requires national commitment and national political will, and the full commitment of private sector and workers and their organizations, and civil society. National dialogue processes need, to be strengthened, encouraged and supported. The building of that trust, its maintenance and its sustainability requires a high degree of commitment and political leadership. There were successful broader social partnership agreements in other jurisdictions such as the outstand-
Waiting in vain for that which should... From page 5 downstairs and apply for the person’s marriage certificate or the person will have to make the application. Unfortunately, marriage officers like myself are blamed because the marriage certificate takes months to come. If I receive it, it is only after several applications have been made or I have gone back into the marriage section to query the
situation. I believe marriage officers should be given preference in obtaining marriage certificates for marriages they perform. Citizens need their marriage certificates for immigration and embassies. Why this royal run around? It makes Marriage Officers most of whom are religious leaders looks like a fool to the people whose marriages we have performed. It’s about time our new Minister of Citizenship looked into these issues. For Guyana to progress we must stop living in denial and correct our incompetence from day to day. I really don’t think our recent Jubilee Celebrations puts us on the contemporary road map of modern civilization. Rev Gideon Cecil
ing models of national social partnership agreements in Ireland and Barbados. From the late 80’s and early 90’s, the social partnership and consensus-based approaches in Barbados and Ireland resulted in national agreements, which have had a continuing positive impact on the achievements of economic growth and social progress. These agreements were the outcomes of serious negotiations undertaken in good faith between the governments and the other social partners. This recourse to the social partnership option had widespread support among the major social and economic interests in these countries, and fundamentally changed the traditional confrontational approach in managing national socio-economic affairs. The social partnership agreements provide a solid foundation for the economic growth and development of these countries. These have resulted in a
very good social and mature political relations and an environment conducive to building consensus for national development to the extent that Ireland is attracting many substantial investors, and is one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. In recent years, both Ireland and Barbados have recorded the lowest incidence of disruptive political and industrial action within the European Union and CARICOM respectively. The social partnership at the national level in Ireland is an attractive model for Caribbean countries. Barbados, drawing from the Irish model, developed its own national agreements. In the Guyana context, the real challenge is to develop national consensus in the form of social partnership agreements in the interest of the wider national community. National partnership agreements provide the framework for national strategies to achieve international competitiveness, higher standards of living, and improved
social protection, a stable currency, investment-friendly policies and a more development-conducive social and political climate. Effective management of the economy in a climate of good governance with proactive involvement and participation of civil society is crucial for agreeing on measures for balanced economic, social and political development. The Governing Authority of the National Assembly and the Government bears responsibility for ensuring that governance as: “The manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development” reflects fairness and effective social justice. A State that is committed to such good governance will ensure that there is genuine participation by the social and political partners with credibility, transparency, and accountability in the administration and management of national affairs. The challenges, in terms of national strategies to pro-
mote economic growth, social, political and human development, call for actions at the national level. It is for the government, the political parties, private sector, the labour movement and civil society in Guyana: a) to respect, promote and realize in good faith the fundamental principles of human rights enshrined in our Constitution and laws, and the United Nations and International Labour Conventions; b) to adopt the social partnership option in the management of change in national socio-economic and political affairs through sustained national dialogue which must be promoted in a paradigm shift - from the prolonged confrontational political posture to one which cultivates consensus and cooperation in the national interest; and c) the Government of Guyana at the highest level, has a crucial facilitating role in moving this process forward through appropriate actions. Samuel J. Goolsarran
Points the GTU President conveniently... From page 5 and management in ANY supervisory position but not even catered for in the TSC guidelines that Cave checked through? What is the system coming to when the teacher’s application last year for promotion was not his first rather third or so, but was refused year after year? Mr Cave is questioning why my HM or Regional Educational Officer did not put remarks on my application so as to have dissuaded my preliminary appointment as English HOD at Vrymans High. I would not question their comments but have this to say: those are people on the ground and in the fields to see what’s happening in education and how someone could function...they are the persons who really can tell and know if someone is truly capable of a job, because they have seen that person at work and would have had first hand knowledge of someone’s capability for a job - not the ones in their high offices in Georgetown, Mr Cave! It’s a shame and disgrace that my “ineligibility” for heading an English Department at any Secondary School is coming in for lashes from the GTU head and this retired educator ( I presume) when the university has not even produced many persons with a Degree in English ( no fault of my own!) but which has recently begun to do so
with fresh trainees out of CPCE and who would graduate in about two years and would very well be eligible much to the pleasure, I believe, of Cave and Lyte - and would most likely be selected for the position over a teacher who was trained years before, graduated years before from University and had more administrative and curriculum- based experience in the area of question! Indeed, what is our education service coming to Mr Cave?! I pray I might not be in the system by then to witness the furtherance of these careerrelated injustices. What is our education service to coming when we have a teacher finishing off his Master of Education Degree - in education administration of all areas - something he knew would clearly have no bearing or eligibility for the post of Head of Department which he applied for, but still went ahead knowing he would still gain vital skills to use in his career, right Mr Cave? How sadder that the teacher has been acting HOD English for nearly 3 years and acted HOD again in another subject area for a number of years. My fate already seems sealed Mr Lyte and Mr Cavestagnated promotion, deliberate stagnation and indirect dysfunctionality from a system that ill- equips its servicemen and women for their professional careers; a system that creates square pegs in round holes; a system which
makes me so angry regarding archaic guidelines which Cave mentioned in his missive for hiring HODs needing to have a degree in the subject area); a system which I believe must have its planners come together, meet with its stakeholders and go back to the drawing board; a system where the training college, university, Ministry of Education, teachers’ union and the body for hiring and promoting teachers need to come together, talk and spend time with each other and agree on the way forward that benefits all! Any progressive-thinking education system seeing the need for cross-specialist curriculum reach might have recommended ways to teachers to ensure they are equipped in the area of their teacher-training at the University even well after they completed a degree in another area. The university needs to educate its applicants better also. In the end, persons who are both COMPETENT and EXPERIENCED should merit their respective promotions. Finally, I believe Heads of Departments are are curriculum based positions but they are equally administrativeintensive positions too, and strongly urge a timely review to the relevant guidelines. What is your definition of eligibility Mr Cave? Maybe your ‘traditional’ way of thinking of recruiting an HOD needs urgent review because education has changed and continues to change. Persons
also require administrative skills to head a department which is by and large a school within a school. Maybe Mr Cave should use his influence to review the hiring of so many young and just- out-of-school teachers in the system,many of whom cannot function effectively in front of a classroom and who cause the system to suffer further. So I could care less about your ‘eligibility criteria’ Mr Cave.... many have the best Degrees in sparkling subject areas and yet cannot function properly, rather perform POORLY! The facts are pointed out here; I would not blame the officials who approved my application in its early stages. They acted in the best of their judgment and abilities. And I, like many other of my colleagues in education who sought promotion last year did the same. Many of us denied promotion for years and who are deeply hurt by the outcome; many of us who have become victims of an “education service” that Mr Cave himself criticized. It’s sad too that Mr Lyte went on a tirade against me in his reply to me in the press about my promotion but skimmed through and conveniently omitted the parts of my letter which bemoaned the denial of my Whitley Council emolument and also the evident delay of payments of the debunching money. Leon Suseran
Tuesday June 28, 2016
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EU donates $2B, Engineering Design manual for Guyana’s Sea and River Defences Citizens who have long been plagued by flooding will soon be able to breathe a sigh of relief. The sea and river defences will undergo a positive transformation in the coming months – courtesy of the European Union (EU). EU Ambassador to Guyana, Jernej Videtiè, last evening at the Marriot Hotel, Kingston Georgetown, handed over $2.261B to the government to improve the country’s sea and river defences. He also handed over the final copy of the Coastal Engineering Design Manual for the Guyana Sea and River Defences. Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, received the fund on behalf of the state in the presence of his Cabinet colleagues, representatives of the River and Sea Defence Department, foreign dignitaries and stakeholders. Receiving the manual was the Minister of Public Infrastructure (MPI), David Patterson. Minister Jordan extended gratitude to the EU. He said that as the Minister of Finance, he is pleased and happy “to participate in proceedings where new or addition financial resources are being made available to my country,” “This is especially so, at a time, when Britain’s vote to exit the European Union (BREXIT) has sent shockwaves through the international community while creating uncertainty, fear and distress about the future relations between the European Union and the Caribbean – on the one hand, and between Britain and the Caribbean on the other.” Guyana has always valued its relationship with the EU – one of the largest donors to the country, Jordan said. The Minster added that Guyana has benefitted from a number of EU-supported projects and programmes in various sectors of the economy over the years with
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan (right) receiving the cheque of GYD $2.261B from European Union Ambassador, Jernej Videtiè. the sea and river defence sector consuming the bulk of the resources. “In fact, outside of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), I believe that the European Union is the only active donor in this sector. The EU’s partnership with the Government in this sector dates back to the fourth EDF (European Development Fund) in the late 1970’s. Since the seventh EDF, which was signed in February, 1994, the EU has contributed over 65M Euros or nearly $14B toward the construction, rehabilitation and/or maintenance approximately 35 kilometres of sea defence structures in Regions Two, Three, Four and Six. During the ceremony at the Marriott, Minister Patterson thanked the EU for its support. He said that the completed manual was the realisation of a long process. He added that the manual is the “intended blue print for how we are going to proceed.” He further deemed the $2B disbursement as “extremely heartening”. He said that the
administration had inherited a situation which made it unable to access the EU funds immediately. “So, while this disbursement represents a great payment towards our coastal zone protection, it also represents a stride forward for this administration,” he said. Additionally, the Government of Guyana has made significant progress in developing capacity for protecting itself from rising sea levels, through means such as the formulation of an Integrated Coastal Zone Management and the drafting of a new Sector Policy and Strategy. Ambassador Videtiè said that sea and river defences have been an important feature of the relationship between Guyana and the EU. Noting that Guyana is “particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels and coast erosion” of both natural and manmade sea defences, the Ambassador emphasised that Guyana needed to develop its capacities to adapt to its vulnerabilities. The aim, he added, was to limit the negative impacts of rising sea levels and climate
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson (right), receives the Coastal Engineering Design Manual for Guyana Sea and River Defences from European Union Ambassador, Jernej Videtiè. change. “I am pleased to note that over the past two years, Guyana has shown marked progress in developing capacity for protecting itself from rising sea levels,” Ambassador Videtiè said. He continued, “A newly developed Coastal Engineering Design Manual sets the standards for designing sea and river defences specific to Guyana’s conditions.” The handing over ceremony comes almost seven months after the Ministry and the EU partnered to host a two-day workshop to finalise the document, a release from the Ministry stated. On December 8, last year, staff from MPI’s Sea and River
Defence Department gathered to offer their input on the manual, with the goal of improving Guyana’s sea defence system. The manual aims to provide appropriate and practical guidance for applications of methods and techniques in regards to the design and implementation of coastal engineering projects in Guyana. These projects concern new constructions or repair and rehabilitation of existing
ones; the prevention of the erosion of oceanic, estuarine, and recessed coasts; coastal flooding; and the heavy damage from wave attacks to valuable coastal commercial, urban, and tourist communities of Guyana. The manual was put together by a team of consultants who would have spent time in Guyana interacting with a number of agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Transport and Harbours Department; and the Central Housing and Planning Authority. Focus areas in the document include integrated planning for sea and river defence works in Guyana; the physical site conditions and data collection issues; and natural flood protection systems along Guyana’s oceanic coast and river banks and their relevance to the shore zone management process. Under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) framework from 2007 to 2013, EU–Guyana cooperation has focused on a number of areas, including sea defences. The Government of Guyana and the EU are currently developing a subsequent Sea and River Defence programme under the 11th European Development Fund. Under the 11th EDF, support to the sector will be more than doubled to approximately $7B.
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Kaieteur News
Council should review business proposals
- President Granger By Murtland Haley President David Granger, yesterday, made his first official address to the Full Council of the Georgetown Mayor and Council. His presentation preceded the sitting of the scheduled statutory meeting. The Head of State asked the council to have a clearer vision. He called for the council to establish a “National Capital Planning Commission.” “The task of that commission, I suggest, could be to review the numerous plans which have been prepared over the years and to develop on your own and in your wisdom, a structured approach.” Granger said that there are several plans, proposals and studies that have been gathering dust. “I suggest, Madam Mayor, that your councillors might want, at some time or the other, to hold a workshop to familiarize themselves with those studies.” He credits those studies for containing a large volume of information on Georgetown and comprises exciting prospects for the City’s development. These plans in the Head of State’s estimation will facilitate the creation of future plans. Granger assured the council that any future urban plan would not exist in a vacuum. “The plan must not be only
based on knowledge of what is required of the City but it must also aim at collaboration with the central government, Central Housing and Planning Authority and certainly the Ministry of Communities.” The President said that attention must be placed on zoning so as to bring an end to the chaotic developments which characterized earlier times. “We must see where noisy night clubs are located, so that they don’t disturb the tranquillity of places such as hospitals and schools, not to mention, the residence of high state officials.” Granger recommended that business places should not intrude in areas designated as residential zones. “Locations should be identified for construction and development of aesthetically picturesque roadways and malls.” The President charged the Mayor to provide proper accommodation for all vendors. “I would like to see during the tenure of this coalition government, every vendor under a roof.” He acknowledged that vending is a legitimate business and that a suitable place should be found to protect the vendors from the elements and allow them to still have access to their customers. “Let us see what could
President David Granger during his address. Flanking him from right is Mayor of Georgetown Patricia Chase-Greene and at left is Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan. be done to expand and extend markets and give those poor vendors roofs over their heads.” Granger said that emphasis should be placed on sanitation. “Sanitation and drainage are necessary to avert the danger of vector borne dis-
eases.” He acknowledged that every person who uses or resides in the city must share in this responsibility. Investors must see the city as a favoured place to do business. He acknowledged the self-governing nature of
the council. “Your government respects the autonomy of the city council of Georgetown, and we encourage you to ensure that, that autonomy is exercised in accordance with the law and national interest.” The Head
of State pledged the government’s support to council. “We are committed to ensuring that the council will not be constrained in any way from securing the best interest of the citizens of our national capital.”
Police track cell phone, nab bandits in Berbice hotel Quick action and brilliant thinking by ranks in Berbice, and by detectives attached to the Blairmont Police Station, led to the capture of two bandits who had earlier robbed a Chinese national. They made the arrests in a hotel. According to reports, about 14:15 hrs on Sunday, businessman, Shan Goasu, 47, of Regent Street, Georgetown was on his way from Suriname to Georgetown. He reportedly joined the taxi (a black Vehicle) at Springlands with two other passengers. However in the vicinity of
No2 village West Coast Berbice the driver took a detour South of the main road and drove the vehicle for about 400 feet. The hapless man before he realized what was happening was choked into unconsciousness and relieved of his belongings including one gold chain, one gold ring, $300,000, one Iphone, a passport and S’name $2,500. The man was then dumped out of the car without shirt. The badly bruised Goasu, subsequently regained consciousness and realized he was lying on a dam.
The man began running towards the road and upon reaching the main road was rescued by a minibus driver who immediately took him to the Blairmont Police Station where a report was made. The ranks immediately went into action and a detective decided to place a phone call to the man’s missing phone which gave them a location. The police began tracking the number and came up on the Church View International Hotel. They quickly cordoned off the location. Getting full cooperation from the owners of the business entity. The police moved in and located the men who had min-
utes earlier checked in and hadn’t any time to settle. The two were nabbed and searched. During the search the police recovered $200,000, S’name $2500, one Iphone, a passport and a bag containing clothing belonging to Goasu were found. The men were taken into custody. A search is out for the car and driver who it is believed was a part of the robbery. The missing $100,000 was reportedly taken by the driver as his part in the robbery. The men are from Corentyne and East Coast Demerara. Efforts are being made to get some assistance from the Berbice Bridge. Investigations are ongoing.
Tuesday June 28, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Guyana already has parking meters Why are people saying that parking meters are being introduced in Georgetown? Georgetown already has parking meters. Georgetown has human parking meters. If you park outside of New Thriving on Main Street, you can bet that when you exit the restaurant, there will be some person standing near to your car waiting for a tip. The person will claim, if questioned, to have been keeping an eye on your vehicle. These human parking meters only seem to keep an eye when everything is in order. But when somebody steals your mirrors, these human parking meters suddenly are never around or they concoct some excuse as to why they did not notice who stole the mirrors. These human parking meters are nuisances. They are persistent in begging for money. Persons concede to their requests just to avoid the harassment. I do not know what will become of these small-time hustlers when the real parking meters are established. They will be made redundant. They will be put on the breadline, just like some of the vendors at Stabroek Square. We do not need mechanized parking meters. We have the best parking meters
in Guyana. We have human parking meters. We have parking meters which not only charges you a fee but who can offer to wash your vehicle for you while you are away from your vehicle. In fact, we have a special brand of human parking meters. You do not have to ask them to wash your vehicle. They do so without being asked and then charge you for it. Why is the City Council rushing into a private contract with a foreign firm for parking meters? Why not implement the system themselves? Why not have human parking meters, employed by the council. Why not implement a labour intensive system of parking meters? Why not learn from the experience of the existing human parking meters? Why not employ persons to collect parking fees, under a controlled system, as is still done in many parts of the world. Why not expand the Constabulary and do what was done before the advent of mechanized parking meters? Why move to mechanized system which will only give you 20% when you can gain as much as 90% under another type of system? There are no parking meters for the container fees that the Council proposes to collect. But it will collect these
fees when the time comes without having to use a mechanized parking meter. The Council has said that the contract that has been signed for parking meters will allow for the employment of young people. Why instead of a foreign firm employing these young people, does the City Council not employ them to collect parking fees under a system run by the Council? The City Council does not need parking meters. There are many parts of the world where persons go around and issue parking tickets for persons who violate parking laws. These same persons can bill you for parking if you do not pay a parking fee. There is no mention so far about consumer protection under the new system to be implemented. A parking meter system is a regulated system. It allows for challenges to parking fees. This requires legislation. Guyana should not be implementing a system of parking fees without a regulatory framework protecting the rights to commuters and drivers. If someone believes that he or she has been unfairly billed for parking, how does that person challenge the billing? Parking meters should have been a last resort. They
Dem boys seh...
Senna pass inside GRA De news spread like wildfire. C fuh Satar get send home. Dem boys seh that de people at de GRA had to suspect something. And when indeed dem check, de man had seven company car park up under he house. He even had a golf cart although he can’t play golf. De place get nice; more money start to come in and people get vex because bribe cut out. Now in one day GRA shake up again. It mek dem boys remember when dem drink senna and dem belly tun up. Dem move de lady who tek over from C fuh Satar and dem put another lady. Dem move some other people, then dem call a press conference to explain de changes. De man who mek all these changes was cousin to Matthew, Mark and John in de Bible. He read de gospel according to Luke which seh that all of dem who get shake up dem never use to wuk. But in all de gospel one name wasn’t mentioned and that was de name of a man who spot something crookish at de airport wid some cargo.
Dem boys seh that nutten is secret in this place suh when de story appear in de Waterfalls paper right away people start to point finger. De truth is that dem boys did tell de whole country that if anybody got a complain to write to dem. Luke talk bout all who get shake up but he didn’t mention one man name. He talk bout de change he mek in all dem department but he never seh that he knock off de man. Right away dem boys seh that people think that this man tell de Waterfalls paper. If he did talk he would be de first man to get knock off fuh talking. Luke seh is nutten like that but dem boys want to know why he, Luke, didn’t seh he knock off de man. Why de secret? Now dem boys getting suspicious of wha going on inside de place wheh C fuh Satar use to hide. And dem intend to check. Dem want to know de reason why Luke talk half just like dem boys. Talk half and wait fuh de hoorah.
should have been implemented only after other means to regulate traffic were tried. Private parking lots should have been encouraged before the movement to parking meters. The City Council should have offered incentives to persons with open properties to establish such lots so as to ease the problems with traffic in the city. What happens now, if someone wants to use land that he or she owns to open
private parking to compete with the parking meters? Will City Council allow this to happen given that it will compete with the private company which will be operating the parking meters? Is there a specific clause in the contract signed which obligates the Council to refuse permission to private persons interested in erecting parking lots around the city? Will City Council be willing now to grant permission
to private landowners to establish private parking lots to compete with the new company? And does such a policy, if it were to exist, not constitute a breach of economic freedom which unfortunately is not protected by Guyana’s Constitution?
GNBA Board forges reform of Broadcast Act - Chairman Based on legal opinions it received from Sir Fenton Ramsahoye, the Board of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) is lobbing for a complete revamp of the Broadcasting Act. The Board is convinced that a revised Act will give it more scope to serve in the best interest of Guyana. This is according to the Board Chairman, Leonard Craig. Craig said that the Board is finally making strides. He said that it has set in motion an action plan that will see all broadcasters having to reapply for licences to operate. That plan includes the gazetting of new regulations to govern broadcasting in Guyana. Craig said that the regulations and a revamp of the Broadcast Act will secure a better future for Guyana’s broadcasting industry. He said that Sir Fenton offered his opinions after carefully considering a number of issues facing the Authority. The Chairman said that while the Board has made a decision to go ahead with both recommendations made by Ramsahoye, the reform to the Broadcast Act may be delayed for quite some time.
GNBA Chairman, Leonard Craig Giving reason as to why, Craig pointed to the fact that the Telecommunications Bill is soon set to receive the attention of the National Assembly. He said that there will be no moves to revise the Broadcast Act until that Tele-
communication Bill sees a successful passage. Reason being, the Telecommunications Bill has implications for Broadcasting. “That Bill has implications for the Broadcasting Spectrum so logically we will allow that Bill to become final before taking steps to reform the Broadcasting legislation,” said Craig. The Chairman explained that there are several regulations that the Board wants to put in place but cannot because the current Act does not allow for such. Currently, the Board is answerable to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo. Craig said that if the Board has its way the new Act will make provisions for oversight from the National Assembly. He said that the Board wants it this way, “because there is popular opinion that the National Assembly would provide greater scrutiny.”
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Tuesday June 28, 2016
Kaieteur News
=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===
Decent, normal minds do not do these things How could you argue for a cricketer who was dropped after failure in a five-Test series in which his average wasn’t even 20? You are bound to be greeted with the utterance; “How can you defend such a person?” That question is perhaps the most used, worn out question in modern civilization. “How could such a person” is perhaps the most used question in the US today - it relates to Trump who is flippant about women and is racially bigoted. In Guyana we should be hearing that question over and over again. How can you defend Jagdeo, the PPP and
the Jagdeoite cabal? Is there evidence to condemn these people? Did these people do bad things when they were in office? Were people and their families hurt through victimization? Race and ideology run deep in the human soul. People will defend an organization once it is made up of persons of their race or nationality. You can hide a fact from yourself if you want to, for as long as you want, but what you cannot do and will never do, is to hide that fact from the world. It is foolish to think that 57 women - white, Black, mixed, Hisapanic - who do not
know each other are lying on Bill Cosby. Let’s say twenty are lying; but surely not all 57. That is a lot of women. As an admirer of Cosby you can choose to fool yourself but you cannot fool the world. You may hate Trump and vote for Hilary Clinton but the fact cannot be denied the Clintons are a very wealthy couple who keep the company of super-wealthy people. In Guyana, the Guyana Times, a paper that is selfstyled, “the Beacon of Truth” portrays the Coalition Government as incompetent and discriminatory. The Times wouldn’t recognize the truth even if it appears as Jaws in the swimming pools of its two owners - one in Pradovile One, the other in Pradoville Two. The Times has several writers, in-
cluding its manager, Ravi Dev, who picks on all the mistakes the Coalition Government makes. What is wrong with that? Absolutely nothing. Emphasis should be on the adverb, “absolutely.” If the government falters, it must be criticized. Speaking for myself; the Coalition’s first year in office has been ordinary, jejune and disheartening. How can any government in a very, very young population as Guyana’s not have as one of its most important ministries, the Ministry of Youth Affairs? That is not only disappointing but completely foolish. People should criticize their government when their government does unacceptable things. The problem I have with the “Beacon of Truth,” and
the bigoted intellectual supporters of the PPP who write letters to the newspapers (including the guy who dons the garb that Swamis from India wear), is how do they type their words on the keyboard? How do the words come out of their mouths when they criticize the Coalition Government and forget that we were living in a virtual nightmare called Jagdeoism? Do normal, decent minds behave like this? I wouldn’t object if these bigoted people find fault with the Coalition Government, but you mean to tell me not a word on Jagdeo’s 12-year hegemony and Ramotar’s disgraceful three years of being a stooge to Jagdeo? Have these people been reading the reports of the forensic audits. Are they saying that all the auditors are biased? Is Bryan Hunt, the former American Chief of Mission lying too? He said there must be prosecution arising out of the findings of the forensic audits? Are the Beacon of Truth and the Swami comfortable with how Pradoville 2 came about? If you buy a piece of land and two discarded Bedford trucks sit on the land, do you think you can ask the Govern-
Frederick Kissoon ment to send a disposal crew to remove them? Removing them is your problem. This is not what happened at Pradoville 2. The State spent $257 million to develop the area and this sum does not include the enormous amount spent to remove the communication towers that were on the land. Then the land was sold for $5 million per acre as against a market price of $82 million per acre given the real estate location at the Atlantic Ocean. Priya Manickchand sold her Pradoville 2 house for US$1 million to a businessman by the name of David Narine. Obviously Narine has money to throw away. Maybe he should put some into the Georgetown Hospital. Normal, decent minds cannot and should not overlook this mountain of corruption but in Guyana we have such minds.
Tuesday June 28, 2016
Kaieteur News
Aurora mine raises C’dn$130M for expansion - company targets 75,000 ounces for first half
Guyana Goldfields has revised its production target upwards Canadian-owned Guyana Goldfields Inc. announced yesterday that strong demand in the industry has forced it to increase the size of its previously announced public offering to C’dn$130 million. The net proceeds of the offering are expected to be used to fund an expansion of the Aurora Gold Mine, in Region Seven. It will in effect increase capacity from 5,000 tonnes per day to 8,000 tonnes per day, with such expansion to be completed in 2017. The monies will be used for expanded exploration activities, potential debt repayment, and for general corporate purposes. “The exploration activities will focus on infill drilling at the Aurora Mine targeting near-surface inferred resources and increasing drill density at Aleck Hill, and in addition, will include drill-ready targets within a 30 km radius of the Aurora Mine and on the Aranka concession,” the company said yesterday. The Aurora mine is estimated to declare by this month-end, approximately 75,000 ounces. “As such, the company is increasing its 2016 production guidance to between 140,000 and 160,000 ounces (from prior guidance of 130,000 to 150,000 ounces). The primary contributors to the revised guidance are increased throughput levels and higher grade than originally predicted in the mine plan.” The stocks of the company has been closely watched. Recent, in the wake of Britain’s vote to leave the European Union, gold prices have marched to more than US$1,300 per ounce. Explaining the financing, the company said that it has entered an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led
by BMO Capital Markets, Scotiabank and RBC Capital Markets under which the underwriters have agreed to buy on a bought deal basis by way of a short form prospectus, 12,830,000 common shares from the company and 1,000,000 Common Shares from Patrick Sheridan, the founder and Executive Chairman. According to Guyana Goldfield, its cash cost (before royalty) remains unchanged at US$487 to US$537 per ounce of gold while all-in sustaining cost (AISC) guidance for 2016 has been increased from US$637 to US$687 per ounce to US$670 to US$720 per ounce. “The increase is mainly attributable to the
unbudgeted purchase of a used Twin Otter airplane for more efficient and flexible local transportation and supplies, and capital expenditures for various plant facility optimization and infrastructure improvement projects.” Guyana Goldfields Inc. is a Canada-based mid-tier gold producer primarily focused on the exploration, development and operation of gold deposits in Guyana. Along, with Aussieowned, Troy Resources, it is one of the bigger producers. The 100%-owned Aurora Gold Mine began commercial production January 1, 2016 and has a total gold resource of 6.54 million ounces in the measure.
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Tuesday June 28, 2016
Kaieteur News
Tax reform report…
Gov’t may lower P.A.Y.E - Pres. Granger On January 18, last, the Tax Reform Committee submitted its report to the government. In the report, were recommendations for sweeping changes. However, there has been little word on the implementation, since. According to President David Granger in his latest weekly televised programme, works are apace to create a level playing field in taxation and remove graft (use of political office for personal gain). In addition, the President stated that his government may bring down the rate of taxation including Pay As You Earn (PAYE). “I don’t want to generalize, but the Finance Minister (Winston Jordan) is aiming at a level playing field,” he said. “The idea is that we should not have (a) form of taxation which puts the heavy burden on the poor people. That is why maybe we can bring the entire rate of taxation, particularly personal income tax, lower” “Over the years we have attempted to create a threshold so that poor working people are exempt. So maybe, from year to year, we could vary the income tax threshold. I would not at this point in
time want to deprive working people of that benefit. But at the same time we should reduce the exemptions to have a level playing field.” TAX WAIVERS FOR COMPANIES The President added that a level playing field will be extended for all other areas of taxation. Granger said that individuals want to import goods and that he has even been approached by agencies desirous of getting tax waivers. “What we’ve learnt in the past is that waivers create anomalies,” he said. “And dishonest persons tend to exploit those anomalies. They apply for waivers or exemptions to which they are not entitled. And the important thing the Minister of Finance is trying to do, is remove opportunities for graft and ensure that all tax payers operate on a level playing field.” The reform of the tax system had been a campaign promise of the coalition. At present there is the Tax Reform Committee, which had held meetings with select stakeholders before its report. Among this Committee’s findings was the fact that unjustified tax exemptions were excessively granted to compa-
nies and individuals under the previous administration. One of the report’s most significant findings had also been that the vulnerable or poor section of society should be eased of their high tax burden, while those with greater revenue streams should be made to pay their share. The Committee had included National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Chairman Dr. Maurice Odle, tax specialists such as Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram, Godfrey Statia and Dr. Thomas Singh. Odle had stated, “Taxes are not fixed. They are subjected to a reduction or even an increase.” He had gone on to add, however, that the onus was on the Minister of Finance to determine the right time for implementation. Minister Jordan had stressed previously that while Government would reform the tax system, it would be done in a systemic way, informed by evidence, and not necessarily by moral and other considerations. In view of this, he had stated that the committee represented the first step in that direction. The January submission
Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan
President David Granger
of the report had been listed as one reason why the meat of its recommendations could not be incorporated into the
2016 budget. However there had been several new tax measures proposed, including the reduction of excise tax
on motor vehicles of a certain age and engine capacity and to increase the income tax threshold to $660,000 yearly.
Hansel Andre Lewis, called “Smiley” “Hansel” and “Andre”, was found guilty of attempted murder committed on New Year’s morning, 2013 in New Amsterdam, Berbice. He was on trial in the Berbice High Court. Lewis, 38, of 479 John Lewis Street, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, was on trial before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a mixed Jury. He was charged with attempting to murder Chris Borrowes on New Year’s Day 2013 at Republic Road, New Amsterdam. He was also charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm or to maim, disfigure or disable Burrowes. Prosecutor, Attorney at law Stacey Goodings, told the court that on New Year’s Day 2013 at Republic Road New Amsterdam, Lewis wounded Chris Burrowes, 41, called “Bully” of Alexander Street; New Amsterdam. The assailant slashed the man’s throat following an altercation. The victim was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital and taken to the ICU where doctors’ performed emergency surgery on him. Lewis, a deportee from the USA, went
home. He was subsequently arrested for the crime and charged. Attorney-at-Law Ramesh Rajkumar is appearing for him. Prosecutor Goodings called four witnesses among them policeman Ashook Latchimi Persaud. Businessman Anthony Cadore, who operates the Rainbow Bar, stated that he had an Old Year’s Night activity at the bar. He said that around 6:45 hrs on New Year’s morning he had just exited the bar when he saw “Smiley” and “Bully” squaring off. The incident did not occur at his bar but a distance away. He subsequently saw Burrowes holding his neck. The medical certificate prepared by Dr. Ally, recalled examining the victim in the hospital. There was an open wound which was caused by cutting or tearing. The injury had damaged the trachea and the esophagus. It resulted in temporary disability and caused a permanent scar. Burrowes had told the court that he knew the accused for a number of years. He had recalled being in the vicinity of the Rainbow Bar where he had drank Banko and was standing on the road. The accused who was
smoking something had come and stood next to him. He upbraided the accused who told him he like to talk. He had just finished urinating and was in the process of zipping up his pants when the accused pulled out a knife from his left side pocket and stabbed him on his neck. He mentioned that he had a good look at the accused. “There was nothing blocking me. I held on to my neck. It was bleeding and the accused calmly walked away.” Burrowes stated that he subsequently went to his parents’ home not far away. He collapsed and was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was admitted for emergency treatment. Attorney at law Ramesh Rajkumar had put forward a no case submission. He had stated that it was a case of mistaken identity. Prosecutor Stacy Goodings had relied on the evidence provided. She argued that there was no mistaken identity, the place was bright enough, the two men knew each other, and Burrowes had stated that he had a good look at the accused. Justice Reynolds had directed the jury on the law after which they retired and returned about two hours after with the unanimous verdict of guilty. Lewis is expected to be sentenced during the week after a probation report is presented.
Deportee found guilty of trying to kill “Bully”
Tuesday June 28, 2016
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday June 28, 2016
Kaieteur News
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PROPERTY FOR SALE Transported property @ Grove and Diamond $16M negotiable. Call: 625-5461
Concrete spindles, crowns, posts etc. very good qualityCall: 613-0567 Radio, high frequency for bush, pick-up signal in remote area- Call: 600-0036, 223-1273 Zeelugt well fenced, water & light -$2M, Uitvlugt -$2.2M 50X105,(1) -2 Storey newly built concrete building -$26M Tuschen-Call: 642-1252 Refrigerator (Frigidaire) 22.2 Cu.Ft, side by side door with icemaker-$200,000–Call:685-7728
TO LET 2 Bedrooms apartment to rent @ Diamond for more information. Call: 685-1640 1-2 Bedrooms lower flat apartment situated at 529 Section ‘B’ Block ‘X’, Great Diamond, ‘10th Street Back Half’. Call: 689-1518; 6613288; 216-4200 One bedroom apartment for rent @ Norton and Creen Street Newburg -$40,000 monthly –Call: 671-5307 Newly built guest house, excellent get away from Georgetown 10 mins from Airport. Monthly rates / US$35 (nightly)- Call: 2616454, 600-0036 2 Bedrooms apartment @ ‘B’ Sophia $50,000. 3 months advance- Call: 600-0036, 2194216
CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807
FOR SALE WANTED LARGE QUANTITIES OF Hallow Blocks maker- Call: HIGH PURITY MERCURY 233-2767 (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY- Experienced Driver apply in $19,000 PER POUND person with handwritten application @ Hack’s Halaal, CALL: 592-227-4754. 1 Complete high volume, 5 Commerce St. 3stage water purification Night manager, Security, DJ, systems, UV light, water waitress, bartenders,1 secretary tanks, freezer, reasonable , experinced owner migrating – Call: 649- between ages 18-25, must have CXC–Call: 668-8332; 8430 638-5303 MIX BREED PUPS –CALL: 615-0146 Experienced driver/salesman and porter to drive & sell 5 Chinese Seine, 1-50HP beverages. Experienced is an outboard engine, 1-31 FT flat asset. Call: 226-9800 bottom boat, 1000 lbs nylon seine –Call: 691-3633; 223- Experienced female Accounts clerk passes with English & 4552 Mathematics. Apply at Weinig Moulder, Produce Alabama Trading, Export Quality Wood six Georgetown Ferry Stelling. heads, great price Call: 6270056 One experienced Hauler Wadkin 6 heads Moulder, driver, apply in person at Produce Export Quality Wood, Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling Stabroek. great price Call: 627-0056 Pitbull puppies for sale- Call: Girls to work in bar @ E.C.D location- Call: 612-2522 695-6884/ 218-4636
PEN PAL Middle age man is seeking female for long term relations 32-40yrs. Call: 670-7969
Experienced taxi driver, bus driver and dispatcher at Princess Ramada Hotel. Call: 265-7076; 616-5419 Live in or live out maid, assistant salesgirl E.C.D-Call: 603-5416; 644-9802 3 Waitress @ R&V Sports Bar -$16,000 per shift, free meals & accommodation. Whatsapp: 661-8802 1 Male to cook in the Backdam-Call: 678-0565 Experienced male salesperson must be able to multitask, communicate well & have computer skills @ KeyFood Trading McDoom. Experienced Fish processors, filleters and labourers. Earn between $3,000 and $4,000 per day. Call 223-5180 One Accountant and one Assistant Accountant. Must be knowledgeable with Quick Book experience. Very attractive salary. Call 6975221 One baby sitter and one maid. Attractive salary. Call or text, 223-5180 Driver with both a minibus and taxi license living in Georgetown. Call: 664-0802 FOOD WHOLESALE COMPANYLOOKINGFOR SALESPERSON WITH EXPERINCED AND VEHICLE . POLICE CLEARANCE A+ -CALL: 231-8529/ 231-8344 LAND FOR SALE
2 Bedrooms apartment @ Cummings Lodge, preferably couple. Call: 671-8457; 2223750 after 5pm
Land in La Parfaite Harmonie -$1.3M, $1.4M, Tuschen (front) $3.5M with house, water & light -Phase 2$1.2M. Call: 642-1252
Rooms in Albertown – Call:225-3234
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Tuesday June 28, 2016
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Kaieteur News
Bandits beat, shoot, rob West Demerara Businessman
The Tirbeni Residence, where the bandits carried out their robbery and assault. Inset: Hospitalised: Dhaniram Tirbeni
A 36-year-old businessman is now a patient at a city hospital after he was attacked by bandits who invaded his home early yesterday morning. The victim has been identified as Dhaniram Tirbeni, of Lot 13 Studley Park, Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara. According to reports, four masked gunmen forced their way into Tirbeni’s home some time around 1:00hr whilst he, his wife and two children were asleep. The man was reportedly awakened by gun butts. He was later instructed to kneel beside his wife on the floor and to put his hands behind his head. The bandits then demanded from the duo their cash and jewellery. It was re-
ported also, that as two of the men stood watch over the businessman and his wife, the other two began ransacking the house. One of the bandits then shot the businessman several times before fleeing with his accomplices with an undisclosed amount of cash and valuables. Relatives were quickly summoned and the businessman was rushed to the Woodlands Hospital where he is now nursing lacerations to his head and gunshot wounds. He was said to be in a stable condition. His family was medically examined and later discharged from the hospital, a source disclosed. The police are currently investigating the matter.
Bound and murdered gold miner… Victim reportedly tried
to rape woman, threatened residents with cutlass Porkknocker Shawn Mc Donald was reportedly murdered after he had threatened individuals with a cutlass and
had attempted to rape a woman in the Kurupung area. This is the report that has been given to police who are
Moraikobai becomes latest beneficiary of... From page 19 Moraikobai, Collin Adrian, expressed his gratitude. It is heartening to see the President keep his promise which he had made to the women who had visited his office in November last year. He also extended thanks to the Government for its quick response to addressing the flood situation a fortnight ago. “A few weeks ago our community was affected by the flood, however I must thank the Government for its quick response. Thank you, Mr. President for responding to our call,” he said. Ms. Mary Joseph, who was one of the women who had visited the President in November, expressed her gratitude, noting that the President's actions to honour his promise, have not gone
unnoticed. Ms. Shenelle Adrian, another resident said “we feel happy because it is good for our children. When they have to go to school, they have to travel on the pontoons in the rain and now all of them will get to school,” Ms. Adrian said. The Boat is expected to benefit at least 50 students. Headmistress of the St. Francis Primary School, Shalome Calistro, hopes that it will significantly boost the morale of the students and parents alike, encouraging regular and punctual attendance at school. To date, eight boats and nine buses have been commissioned by the President while hundreds of bicycles have been distributed across the ten administrative regions of the country.
trying to find the men who placed the 43-year-old Mc Donald in a metal container after tying him up and beating him to death. Police have so far detained a 20-year-old porkknocker who was arrested on Sunday at an area known as Pappy Show Landing, some three miles from the area where Mc Donald was slain. They were said to be closing in on two other suspects. Mc Donald’s battered body, with limbs bound, was found in a metal container at
his camp at Kurupung two Mondays ago. A postmortem showed that he sustained multiple injuries, including wounds to the head, a broken shoulder, and a deep cut to the mouth that reportedly caused him to suffocate on his own blood. According to reports, a woman had complained that Mc Donald had tried to sexually assault her and had cut down two hammocks near a camp. Police were also told that Mc Donald was seen drinking and brandishing a cutlass
at individuals at Kurupung. He was then seen heading towards his camp. Police were also told that three men were later seen putting the porknocker in a metal container. Around 06.00 hrs last week Monday, a woman went to Mc Donald’s camp to check on him and found the miner’s body in a container. The police were then notified. Mc Donald resided at Amelia’s Ward, Linden, and was the eldest of four siblings. He had worked in the interior for several years.
From page 22
LAND FOR SALE 25Acres land for sale @ Linden Highway –Call: 683-1521 Land located at Nouvelle Flanders West Coast Demerara. Call: 662-0187; 674-4929 50 Acres @ Plantation Elizabeth Ann, Right Bank Demerara River. Call: 6723886; 600-5266 100X100 residential lease lot @ Kuru Kururu Linden Highway, First Hill from Soesdyke Junction –Call: 680-6136
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday June 28, 2016
Tuesday June 28, 2016
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GRA removes entire Customs team from CJIA An entire Customs team that was fingered in a tax evasion scheme at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) has been removed with officials indicating that investigations are not yet over. Questioned yesterday about the case, Chairman of the Governing Board of Directors of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rawle Lucas, disclosed that the entity is still in the process of taking some decisions. A report in Sunday’s edition of Kaieteur News detailed a probe of alleged bribery at the airport in February by Zoon Online Shipping Company. Six Customs officials, including Manager (ag), Royston Nelson, were under investigation after a whistleblower alerted GRA to a possible case of tax evasion. Yesterday, the Chairman said that the Kaieteur News story did not take full account of the facts of the case. “It is true that an internal investigation was done with the report submitted to the board,” he said. The board then sought legal advice on how to proceed. GRA’s Legal Department would have reviewed the report and additional evidence. The conclusions by the Legal Department were “vastly different” from what appeared in Kaieteur News report, Lucas said. Indeed, a number of officers who were “maligned” were cleared. As a matter of fact, he said, the investigation report of the April 14, revealed no direct or circumstantial evidence to indicate that Nelson was involved with Zoon or had direct knowledge of the February 24 transaction that sparked the investigation. A copy of a report in possession of Kaieteur News contained statements of a junior staffer who claimed she overheard Nelson and a supervisor ordering that cargo for Zoon be released with the applicable payment of taxes and duties. Questioned about why GRA promoted and transferred Nelson to the Law Enforcement and Investigation Department Division (LEID) even while he was on administrative leave, the Chairman explained that in March 2015, Nelson was interviewed by a GRA panel for the position at CJIA. It was felt that the interviewing panel was not properly constituted. Based on legal advice, Lucas said, it was determined
that the panel was properly constituted and Nelson’s hiring was above board. The confirmation and transfer of Nelson to another department was in keeping with legal advice, the official said. With regards to what happens to the rest of the Customs officers who were implicated in the CJIA transaction with Zoon, Lucas disclosed that the process of dealing with the officers is continuing and some decisions will have to be taken. GRA decided that it was a good idea to shift everyone from the “affected area”… “infected area” with the investigation still not over yet, Lucas assured. Last week, GRA’s Senior Manager of the Human Resources department wrote Nelson telling him that with effect from Thursday, June 23, he is to resume duties from the administrative leave. He was told, also, that he is being transferred from CJIA, to the Maritime Operations Unit, Regional Operations of the Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID). It was that same division that had investigated him. According to officials, on February 24, last, GRA received information that a quantity of cargo was being transported in motor vehicle GRR 1154 from CJIA and that it may be a case of tax evasion. A team of LEID officers shortly after, on the same day, intercepted the vehicle, belonging to Zoon Online Shipping Company, at Grove, East Bank Demerara. The occupants were unable to produce receipts that taxes and duties were paid. The vehicle was escorted to GRA’s warehouse facilities at Eccles Industrial Site, where the cargo was checked and lodged. A team of LEID officers journeyed to CJIA where they took custody of the Customs receipts for the day. Six Customs officers, including Nelson, were investigated, and gave statements of their role in the cargo release. The probe report, in the possession of Kaieteur News, said that Zoon wanted to settle the matter and had lodged a $1M payment. When GRA assessed taxes and duties that Zoon should have paid on the cargo, it came up to $960,453. GRA’s investigators believed that it was a clear case of tax evasion and forwarded a copy of the report to its Internal Affairs Division for a comprehensive investigation to be
An entire team of Customs officers who were investigated for an alleged incident of bribe taking in February has been removed from CJIA. conducted since allegation made by Zoon Online claimed that Customs officers received bribes. The report recommended a comprehensive audit at the
Customs operation at the airport and for Zoon’s tax affairs to be investigated. The report also recommended that the informant who alerted GRA
to the scam at the Timehri airport, be rewarded $96,045 or 10 percent of the assessed taxes and duties. From statements of the implicated Customs officers
and Zoon officials, it was found that a representative of the shipping company on two occasions paid a total of $800,000 to named Customs officers.
Missing aircrafts…
CoI needed to provide answers about overall security lapses -Ramjattan The fact that two planes, in the centre of a court battle, were flown out of Guyana’s jurisdiction without official authorization, is causing much concern for Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan. The Minister said that the incident is symptomatic of a major security lapse. He stated that what the willful breach of the Eugene F. Correia airport rules and regulations shows is that the airport has some vulnerability. He said that this is due to the fact that there was no integration with Civil Aviation and the airport security. “To get airplanes (subject to an injunction), which have not delivered their flight plans, removed from that airport signals to me tremendous vulnerabilities to the extent that you could have had airplanes, easily leaving that airport with a lot of gold, a lot of narcotics, and the people just didn’t know how to stop them.” “It is very embarrassing to the security sector and it is something that we have to remedy immediately,” he said. “You recall that we have had huge amounts of gold leaving the country, drop offs at airstrips with narcotics and then being taken overseas.” “If we could have, at 4 o’clock in the morning, airplanes leaving like that, I
Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan don’t know what else could have been happening there. This only came to my attention as a result of Nigel Hughes calling me and informing me that planes have left in violation of certain injunctions and rules of that airport.” “(Minister of Public Infrastructure) David Patterson has (spoken of) an inquiry and that is probably what I would (want) too.”He indicated that the inquiry would also shed some light on whether things like this have happened in the past.” He noted that he was under the impression that an airplane could only take off when certain stringent mea-
sures were in place. With the removal of the planes, however, Ramjattan pointed out that this had hit him as a surprise. The Minister also indicated that collusion within the airport and the pilots who left with the aircraft was a strong possibility. “I indicated to them that it had to be some dereliction of duty or collusion. Of course it was not from the Civil Aviation Department. We don’t want to place blame yet, but it is important when these things happen to get all the facts and I suspect to get all the facts through an inquiry.” He noted that a large scale CoI that would cost a lot of money was not necessary, but that a one-man commission that could report its findings within two to three weeks might be more appropriate. He noted, however, that it would be under the aegis of Minister Patterson, but that he would give him whatever support he needed. Two aircrafts, one reportedly subject to High Court litigation, were flown out of the jurisdiction via the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle, early Saturday morning, under questionable circumstances. This publication was able to confirm that the two
Cessna 206 Aircraft, bearing registration numbers 8R-GTP and 8R-GMP attached to Oxford Aviation, left the airport some time around 4am. According to reports, one of the aircraft was flown out of the country by its owner, Munidat Persaud, alias Raj Persaud, the owner of the Aviation Company who also owns and operates a flight school in the United States. The other pilot was not identified. According to a source, the aircraft were flown to Trinidad then to the island of Grenada, from where they subsequently departed for Anguilla. Minister Patterson, when contacted in the wake of the incident, had stated that an investigation was launched and the foreign authorities were also notified. “We have notified the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and all the regional airports but that’s the most we can do at the moment. My primary concern is if any of the procedures and protocols was breached on our side.” The Minister said that the Director General of the GCCA has been advised that employees who were “around” at the time, be sent on administrative leave so that a thorough investigation can be conducted.
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US urges Haitian lawmakers to vote today PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti (CMC) – The United States has called on all legislators to “fulfil their responsibilities “today by voting to decide whether or not Interim President Jocelerme Privert, who should have demitted office since June 14, remains in power. President of the Chamber of Deputies, Cholzer Chancy, and Vice President of Senate, Ronald Larèche, have both signed the official note reconvening the National assembly that was adjourned “Sine Die” last Tuesday due to violence. In a statement, the US Embassy here said that it “strongly condemns the armed attack in the night from June 23 to 24 against the premises of several companies in Port au Prince”. The buildings of several companies, including DIGICEL and the Marriott Hotel were riddled with bullets and Washington called on the authorities “to investigate these acts and to prosecute those responsible”. Abel Descollines, the first secretary of the office of the Chamber of Deputies, said that arrangements have already taken at the Office of the National Assembly for the holding of the session on Tuesday. He said the National Assembly has requested the high command of the National
Interim President Jocelerme Privert Police of Haiti (PNH) to take the necessary steps to ensure the security of parliamentarians next Tuesday, so that the acts of violence are not repeated. The US Embassy said it was urging all “Haitian actors to remain calm and to avoid acts which could contribute to instability. “To ensure stability, the Embassy calls on Senators and Deputies to fulfill their responsibilities towards their constituents by voting in the National Assembly on 28 June…to ensure the continuity of governance and the completion of the 2015 elections.” Privert came to office in the so called “February 6” agreement after then Presi-
dent Michel Martelly left office without a successor being elected. Privert was due to serve as interim President for 120 days, and an election scheduled for April 24,following an agreement between Haitian stakeholders to preserve institutional continuity and further the electoral process. But the election has not taken place and is now most likely to be held on October 9 and if a candidate does not receive the necessary amount of votes to prevent a second round, then that will take place on January 8, 2017 and the final election results will be published January 30, next year The October elections would also include voting for one-third of the Senate. More than two dozen candidates last Wednesday signed up to enter the race for Haiti’s presidency, including the four leading candidates from an earlier election aborted after a commission found widespread fraud. Several politicians in this race, were in the last election in which they pledged support for Jude Celestin, who came then second. Jovenel Moise, who came first last time, again registered to run, as did Jean-Charles Moise and Maryse Narcisse who came third and fourth last time.
EU Panama Papers inquiry to call top officials to testify STRASBOURG, France (ICIJ) — A special Panama Papers committee of inquiry has been created by the European parliament and is expected to call high profile officials including Britain’s finance minister and representatives of law firm Mossack Fonseca as it probes potential wrongdoing unveiled by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and its partners’ investigations. The 65-member inquiry committee was approved recently by a vote in the European parliament, and will have 12 months to investigate “contraventions and maladministration in the application of Union law in relation to money laundering, tax avoidance and evasion” revealed by the Panama Papers. Spokeswoman for the Greens in European Parliament Molly Scott Cato told the Guardian that the committee intended to call ministers, tax officials and bank bosses, including
Tuesday June 28, 2016
Kaieteur News
British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne. A member of parliament from the right-of-center EPP group, Burkhard Balz, told AFP that law firm Mossack Fonseca and the Panama government would also be called to testify. The European inquiry comes amidst continued global responses to the Panama Papers investigation: • In the United States, Mossack Fonseca reportedly resigned as registered agent from 24 companies in Wyoming as part of a continued wind-down of its US operations. The law firm had earlier abruptly resigned from more than 1,000 Nevada companies. The news came a week after NML Capital, a unit of hedgefund giant Elliott Management Corp. managed by New York billionaire Paul Singer, announced it was suing the Panamanian law firm for obstruction of justice, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.
• In Asia, regulators in Hong Kong and Singapore asked banks to disclose any dealings they might have had with individuals or entities named in the Panama Papers, according to Reuters. The New York banking regulator had also asked banks for information about their dealings with Mossack Fonseca and its clients in April. Bankers in Hong Kong told Reuters that the Panama Papers “triggered a massive compliance exercise” in the jurisdiction as banks sought to ensure their books were in order. • In Malta, the Tax Compliance Unit has started an official investigation into the companies and individuals named in the Panama Papers, but the police force has thus far ruled out any criminal investigation. • In Switzerland, a computer specialist from Mossack Fonseca was arrested on suspicion of stealing data.
Opposition wants answers on Jamaica’s vote at OAS summit (Jamaica Observer) KINGSTON, Jamaica – Opposition spokesman on foreign affairs, Dr Morais Guy, is calling on the Government to declare Jamaica’s stance on an agenda item at the recent meeting called by the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS). In a news release yesterday, Guy said there are reports questioning the validity of the procedure adopted at the “precedent-setting” June 23 meeting related to happenings in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela as an agenda item.
He said those reports also declared that a vote was taken in relation to the agenda item. The Opposition spokesman said since Jamaica was officially represented and participated at that meeting, he is “calling on the Government to explain fully the stance of the Jamaican delegation at the meeting and to justify Jamaica’s vote on the agenda item”. He said the significant role and the contribution made to the stabilisation of Jamaica’s economy and that of other regional economies in recent times by Venezuela remains unquestionable.
“That, by itself, is cause enough to call for a full report on the outcome of the meeting,” Guys said in the release. Dr Guy is also questioning the validity of the procedure adopted by a hemispheric organisation such as the OAS and the suggestion that it amounted to “unjustified interference” in the internal affairs of a member State cannot remain unanswered by the Government of Jamaica. He insisted that the air must be quickly and acceptably cleared on an issue such as this, which pertains to one of Jamaica’s economic partners of bilateralism.
Brazil’s Senate Budget Report confirms some accusations (Wall Street Journal) against Rousseff BRASÍLIA—A nonpartisan team of Senate budget analysts yesterday handed potential legal ammunition both to opponents and supporters of suspended President Dilma Rousseff as she tries to survive an impeachment trial. Ms. Rousseff is charged with using bookkeeping maneuvers to mask a ballooning budget deficit, allegations that she denies. Those accusations set in motion an impeachment process that has shaken up the nation’s political system and culminated in the mid-May start of a Senate trial that has suspended and could permanently remove Ms. Rousseff from office. In its 224-page report, the three-member group, comprised of career Senate budget technicians, concluded that the leftist leader had signed three budget decrees shifting around 2.3 billion reais ($683 million) without procuring the needed approval of Brazil’s Congress. The analysts also said that the president’s administration then took too long to transfer repayment funds to a state bank, a lapse that congressional opponents say breached the country’s fiscal rules and justifies her removal from office. The group concluded that delays by the National Treasury in transferring funds to state bank Banco do Brasil, to cover for subsidies paid to farmers on behalf of the administration, amounted to loans from the bank to the administration. That is unlawful under the country’s fiscal regulations, as the president’s adversar-
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff ies have contended. But the group also said Ms. Rousseff wasn’t personally to blame for the fundtransfer delay. “There was not any identified act by the president that would have contributed directly or indirectly to the delays,” the report said. The group also found no fault with a fourth presidential budget decree that had been questioned by her accusers because it didn’t impact fiscal targets and therefore wasn’t illegal, the report said. A spokesman for Ms. Rousseff couldn’t be reached for comment. Those conclusions likely will be seized on by Ms. Rousseff ’s defense team, which had demanded the technical report and is attempting to build a case that the president committed no wrongdoing. Still, it is unclear how the report will impact the Senate trial. Early tallies by local media indicate that a majority of Brazil’s 81 senators will vote
against Ms. Rousseff, but as of now their numbers aren’t high enough to secure her impeachment. A minimum of 54 votes is needed for impeachment. On May 12, the Senate voted 55-to-22 to launch the impeachment trial, effectively suspending Ms. Rousseff for up to 180 days. She has been temporarily replaced by Vice President Michel Temer, who would be confirmed as president if Ms. Rousseff is impeached. Mr. Temer would finish out his predecessor’s second term, which runs through the end of 2018. Many political analysts say the trial’s outcome is virtually a foregone conclusion, and that Ms. Rousseff will be toppled regardless of the evidence presented for and against her. “The lawmakers already have made up their minds,” said André Cesar, a political consultant in Brasília. “Those who are against [Ms. Rousseff] will keep their positions,” he said.
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Brexit vote sends new shocks through markets; political chaos deepens Britain’s vote to leave the European Union sent new shockwaves through financial markets yesterday, with the pound falling despite government attempts to ease the political and economic turmoil that has been unleashed. Finance minister George Osborne said the British economy was strong enough to cope with the volatility caused by Thursday’s referendum, the biggest blow since World War Two to the European goal of forging greater unity. His words failed to stop sterling sinking to its lowest level against the U.S. dollar for 31 years, continuing the slide that began last week when Britons confounded investors’ expectations by voting to end 43 years of EU membership. European bank shares had their worst two-day fall on record and world stocks as measured by MSCI were on track for their worst twoday fall since the aftermath of the collapse of Lehman Brothers in late 2008. Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s stripped Britain of its last remaining top-notch credit rating yesterday, warning that more downgrades could follow. With the ruling Conservatives looking for a new leader after Prime Minister David Cameron’s resignation on Friday and lawmakers from the opposition Labour party stepping up a rebellion against their leader, Britain sank deeper into political and economic chaos. “There’s no political leadership in the UK right when markets need the reassurance of direction,” said Luke Hickmore of Aberdeen Asset Management, expressing the view of many in the City of London financial center. Cameron says he will stay on until October as a caretaker and that his successor should trigger the formal process of leaving the EU. His Conservative Party in parliament recommended choosing a successor by early September. “DECISION MUST BE ACCEPTED” The prime minister sought to calm fears over the fallout of the referendum and said parliament should not try to block Britain’s departure. A majority of parliamentarians, like him, had argued that Britain should stay in the EU. “I am clear, and the cabinet agreed this morning, that
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi (R) meet at the chancellery to discuss the outcome of the Brexit in Berlin, Germany, yesterday (Reuters/Hannibal Hanschke) the decision must be accepted,” Cameron told parliament, which also faces a public petition for a new referendum. But his refusal to start formal moves to pull the country out of the EU has prompted many European leaders to demand quicker action by Britain, the EU’s second largest economy after Germany, to leave the 28country bloc. “It should be implemented quickly. We cannot remain in an uncertain and indefinite situation,” French Finance Minister Michel Sapin said on France 2 television. Guenther Oettinger, German member of the EU’s executive European Commission, said delay would hurt Europe as well as Britain. “Every day of uncertainty prevents investors from putting their funds into Britain, and also other European markets,” he told Deutschlandfunk radio. Cameron heads to Brussels on Tuesday for a grim EU summit to brief the other 27 leaders over dinner on his failure to win a referendum that he promised them he could win after they cut him a deal to curb immigration. Diplomats say the 27 are resigned to waiting perhaps three months to start the exit process. They rule out negotiations, even informal exploratory talks, on what kind of future relationship the bloc will have a country that is now its second biggest economy and one of its main global and military powers. But diplomats expect Cameron to set some kind of tone for what he thinks his successor may seek, and British officials will be probing for a sense of what others may offer. Cameron will leave Brus-
sels after dinner, while the other 27 will meet for the first time without him on Wednesday morning to plan their next moves. They are likely to stress a willingness to negotiate, but only after London binds itself to a tight two-year exit timetable. MERKEL HAS “NO BRAKE, NO ACCELERATOR” The leaders of France, Germany and Italy met in Berlin yesterday and said Europe needed to respond to its people’s concerns by setting clear goals to improve security, the economy and prospects for young people. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has appeared to take a softer line on Britain’s decision than some European leaders, said she had “neither a brake nor an accelerator” to control events, adding: “We just don’t want an impasse.” Volker Kauder, who leads Merkel’s conservatives in parliament, told ARD television: “There will be no special treatment, there will be no gifts.” The shockwaves are being felt across the globe at a time when economies are still fragile from the 2008 economic crisis, interest rates are close to zero and central banks have fewer tools than normal to revive demand if countries enter recession. Financial markets misjudged the referendum, betting on the status quo despite abundant signs that the vote would be close. When reality dawned, the reaction was brutal. Sterling fell as much as 11 percent against the dollar on Friday for its worst day in modern history, while $2.8 trillion was wiped off the value of world stocks - the biggest daily loss ever.
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Thermal cameras to be used to... Guyanese should rally behind... (From page 26) said. “It’s a complement to what the UCI has been doing.” “Those who want to cheat can be worried,” said Prudhomme. The thermal cameras have been set up by the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission at the request of the government. The UCI has been using magnetic resonance testing to detect motors. Both methods should be used on the Tour. The magnetic resonance testing helped the UCI find one motor earlier this year in the bike of Belgian Femke Van den Driessche at the Under-23 cyclocross
world championships. Two months ago television station France 2, in collaboration with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, reported that hidden motors were used in the Strade Bianche oneday race and the Coppi e
Bartali race in Italy this season. The report used thermal imaging to show that five motors were hidden in the seat tube and two in the rear hub, but added they could not prove it beyond all reasonable doubt.
James Krakowsky carts off spoils... (From page 26) receiving his prize. Meanwhile, Belony served as the Technical Director, and congratulated the eventual winner and the other podium occupants. He noted the large turnout and encouraged the players to continue rendering similar support. He also lauded the quality of the tournament and specially con-
gratulated Kevin Williams, a relatively new player, and Curtis Liverpool who has been absent from competitive scrabble for some time yet returned to mount the podium. The organizers are still to announce the date for the next tournament but encouraged the players to attend the practice sessions every Thursday evening also at the Herdmanston Lodge.
Tuesday June 28, 2016 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) You will enjoy travel and getting together with peers. Your emotional attitude with respect to your status and direction in society may be unrealistic.
at both ends.
TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21) Uncertainties regarding your home and family are evident. Use your creative abilities to come up with new ideas and directions. Talk to an older family member you have helped in the past.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) You can make personal changes that will enhance your appearance and bring about greater social activity. You won't be able to keep a secret. Problems with your partner could be reaching a high level of concern.
GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Do you really want to start something with someone you can't reason with? Your greatest gains will come through your creative ideas. CANCER (June 22-July 22) Residential changes, renovations, or moves are likely to disrupt your routine. You're in the mood to spend time with your lover. You're best not to get involved in joint financial ventures. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You can make excellent career moves if you are open to the opportunities that exist. Try not to attempt to do something unless you are fully intent on following through with the plans. Try not to lend or borrow money today. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) Your emotional partner may make you angry today. Don't make mountains out of molehills if you want to avoid conflict. You will have to be sure not to burn the candle
LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Minor health problems may lower your vitality. You can make new friends if you get involved in group activities.
SAGIT. (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Problems with relatives and friends could surface. Risks will not be profitable. CAPRI .(Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Exercise programs will be effective. Accept the inevitable and continue to do your job. Family outings should include visiting friends or relatives. AQUAR. (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) You may find out that someone is trying to undermine you. Family members may feel anxious if you make promises you don't deliver. You will be able to pick up on future trends if you keep your eyes peeled for unique ideas. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Keep the promises you've made or you can expect to be in the doghouse. Family members may want you at home, when your heart is telling you to spend time with someone you recently met.
(From page 27) taken in about five weeks, during this time more than half of those selected needed to acquire passports, some birth certificates- both FIBA required documents, for registration. Some never followed through, and had to be ruled out in the end, since both the initial deadline, and the extended grace period had expired. I must admit, I was disappointed to read in last Thursday’s, June 23 Stabroek News, an article questioning the omission of “Kwakwani players” and giving the impression that these teams are not truly national representative. As the Director of the CBC U16 Team Preparation and Selection process, and out of respect for the more than 70 young men and women and close to a dozen coaches who gave their input; this has been one of the most inclusive, expansive and transparent team selection processes by any measure. It is therefore unfortunate for anyone to question the integrity of this process without any real context of facts. In the case of Kwakwani, there is no doubt about the Kwakwani Secondary School success in the National School Basketball Festival (NSBF), easily the most successful school to-date. Unfortunately, for these U16 Championships, Kwakwani’s best prospects were all above the required age. In fact, nine of the 12 players from last year’s NSBF U16 title team were ruled out before the process even started because of this reason. Seven of the nine players who came to the trials, were from last year’s Under14 team, obviously, just beginning to mature. Stanton Rose, for example, one of Guyana’s brightest stars, who didn’t even play on Kwakwani U16 team last year, even though he was eligible, missed this year’s CBC age requirement by just two days. All of the girls from Kwakwani Championship team last year, with the exception of Onica Rogers, who is on the women’s team, were ruled out for the same reason. On the other hand, the team will be without two of the nation’s best prospects in Isaiah Adams, the NSBF 2015 U16 MVP, who migrated a few months ago, and Yonnick Tappin, who suffered a severe leg injury and are out for three weeks, both from Linden. These circumstances are beyond the selection committee’s control. For the record, the male team has only four players, who are attending city
schools and resides in Georgetown; of the others, four are from Berbice and the rest are from the lower and upper East Coast of Demerara. On the women’s side, six are from Georgetown schools, three from the lower and upper East Coast, two from Berbice and, one from Kwakwani. The coaches are; Head Coach, Mr. Lugard Mohan, Georgetown, Assistant, Kevin Bonnett, Linden and Willon Cameron, Berbice. The women coaches are; Head Coach, Abdulla Hamid, Linden, Assistant Ann Gordon, Kwakwani, and Kirk Fraser, New Amsterdam. Obviously, it’s always incredibly difficult to try to identify 12 players from a group of so many trying to get on the team, especially in an environment as diverse and as vast as ours, fortunately we would have seen most of these players over time in the NSBF and because we had a pre-existing database, that made the task a little easier. The focus of the selection
process was to put together the best possible team. Never before we have had so many youth players involved, and given the talent we have seen, even from those who need a year or two more to develop, the future is very bright for Guyana’s basketball. We should all view this as a positive development for our youths and rally behind our teams, which in the end will only be representing one flag, the Golden Arrow Head. In the end, both teams that were selected have many of the necessary pieces for success, though we could have used a little more time – but the talent, right attitude, leadership on and off the court, experience coaching staff, and a committed National Federation and Local Organizing Committee, that is locked in. What our teams need now is the support of all stakeholders, rallying behind them. Go Team Guyana! Yours Sincerely, Chris Bowman CBC U16 Preparation and Selection Committee
Young Sprinter Medas-King... (From page 29) weekend. Those in Guyana can watch the action in the Pennsylvania meet by logging on to usatf.tv and clicking on the Hershey’s games banner from the comfort of their homes cheer on Guyana’s own Medas-
King as takes on some of the best athletes across the United States ofAmerica. The following week Medas-King would be competing against the best in the region once again for the top spot to see who is the best athlete across region one.
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday June 28, 2016
Merriman’s Funeral Home / Guyana NRA Practical Pistol Shoot
Harold Hopkinson tops senior class; Joseph Lewis is junior winner
Senior winner Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson (stooping left) and Junior winner Joseph Lewis (standing 2nd right) pose with Smallbore Captain Dale Hing (stooping right) and other competitors following the presentation on Sunday. H a r o l d ‘ To p G u n ’ Hopkinson by the slightest of margins won the senior category of the Merriman’s Funeral Home sponsored Guyana National Rifle Association – Smallbore
Section organized Practical Pistol Shoot that took place on Sunday last at the Timehri Rifle Range. Hopkinson tallied 98 points beating into second place Ryan McKinnon by a
single point with Gordon Richards placing third on 94 points. Ryan Beharry was next with 91 while Rajiv Latchana occupied the fifth place with 79 points. Joseph Lewis emerged as
the junior winner with 55 points ahead of Gordon Pearson in second with 45 points. Leslie Lewis and John Ferreira was third and fourth with 43 and 29 points respectively. Smallbore Captain Dale
Hing informed that the event was contested over three stages and despite the weather not being in their favour for the second and third stages, they shot nonetheless.
Captain Hing also disclosed that the next competition will be a .22 Precision Pistol Shoot on July 16th at the Tactical Service Unit Range, Eve Leary.
Thermal cameras to James Krakowsky carts off spoils in Insurance Brokers Guyana Ltd Open Scrabble be used to detect A scintillating performance by top seed, James Krakowsky, saw him amassing an impeccable 6 points with a positive spread of 589 to take the honours in the Insurance Brokers Guyana Ltd Open Scrabble Championship, under the auspices of the Guyana Association of Scrabble Players (GASP), last Sunday morning. The tournament was played at the Herdmanston Lodge, Queenstown, now regarded as the home of the sport, after the players moved over from the Malteenoes Cricket Club early this year. The tournament attracted 15 players and after six rounds of intense word forming skills, 5 players finished on 5 points apiece with the other podium spots eventually established by the spreads. The descending order was Kevin Williams (318), Moen Gafoor (312), Curtis Liverpool (295), Leon Belony (60) and Colin Chichester (minus 314). Krakowsky started his
motors on Tour
James Krakowsky (2nd L) stands tall among his rivals while the other top players show off their prize. (From left) Moen Gafoor, Kevin Williams and representative of the sponsors, Ewart Adams. trek with a crunching win over Carlton Murray (280) and chalked up his second win against Belony by a spread of 87. Robert Williams was his pre-lunch victim by a spread of 47 and after refilling his reserves the rampaging Krakowsky took care of Ruby Cummings albeit by a slim spread of 5. Kevin Williams did not fare any better and he
surrendered by a spread of 75 before Krakowsky wrapped up his day with a victory over Curtis Liverpool (94). Krakowsky also won the prize for the most bingos even though he was among several players that registered 11 apiece. In the end the organizers gave the prize to him based on the fact that his word, ‘WITHERS,
amassed the most points. Subsequent to the start of the tournament the organizers had committed to a special prize of $2,500 to the first player that spelled out the bingo VARROAS. Kampta Ramnarine did not place among the front runners but he formed the specified bingo and left the venue smiling after (Continued on page 25)
Thermal cameras will be used in this year’s Tour de France to fight against motor cheats. PA R I S ( R e u t e r s ) Thermal cameras will be used at the Tour de France to detect motors in bikes, the French Sports Secretary of State said on Monday. In a joint news conference with Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme, French cycling federation president David Lappartient and International Cycling Union
(UCI) head Brian Cookson, Thierry Braillard explained that there would be random checks on the July 1-24 Tour. “With this technology which has been approved by the UCI and by the Tour de France (organizers), those who will want to cheat will be taking very very big risks,” Braillard (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
Tuesday June 28, 2016
PAGE 31
Slingerz FC lift GFF / SEL Overall Champion Trophy Devon ‘The Tormentor’ Millington’s 73rd minute dagger seals place in history By Franklin Wilson There was no doubt that it would have been a humdinger of a clash when Guyana’s top two sides engaged each other in the final of all finals to determine the overall winners of the inaugural Stag Elite League champions. Following approximately 96 minutes of pulsating end to end exchanges, it was the winner of the GENESIS phase of the league, Slingerz FC which emerged champions thanks to a 73rd minute classic off the boot of substitute Devon ‘The Tormentor’ Millington that sealed Alpha’s fate; giving Slingerz their first national league championship. Alpha, the FINALE winner following a 3-0 triumph via kicks from the penalty mark after a 0-0 regulation and extra time stalemate, battled for all their worth in a balanced clash but one defensive lapse cost them in the end. The appreciative fans on hand to witness this match, the first of its nature in Guyana, were not disappointed as both sides played free fast paced football, creating chances along the way but were not able to penetrate in the final third on both ends of the pitch. Slingerz took aim at goal first in the 8th minute but Alpha came closest to taking the lead early on in the 11th and 14th minutes, Slingerz’ custodian, Vincentian Winslow McDowall had to saved the day by skillfully cutting down the angle to block an Anthony Abrams attempt.
Devon ‘The Tormentor’ Millington - Slingerz FC Abrams again came close in the 41st minute but before that, Dominican Julian Wade, another of Slingerz’ foreign based players missed regular chances, while teammate Trayon Bobb who enjoyed another excellent match, took aim but his shot was calmly taken down by Alpha’s man between the uprights and FINALE final hero, Ritchie Richards. With the second half ending 0-0 the final 45 minutes was destined to be even more exciting. With the players already enduring a prolonged season, well into the transfer window, it was always going to be a tremendous test of their physical and mental resolve; they stood up well to the task at hand. In the second half, the technical staff for both teams sought to go for the juggler by introducing fresh legs at strategic junctures of the match. It was Slingerz which made the first such change when they
Slingerz Fans in the stands erupt in cheers at the sound of the final whistle on Sunday night. introduced Millington in the 58th minute for Domini Garnett; it turned out to be a master stroke. Six minutes later, Alpha substituted Abrams with the introduction of Anthony Benfield as the battle between the two local titans continued. But two minutes before Abrams’ exit, Alpha scored but it was deemed offside by the standing Referee. On the counter from that play, Vurlon Mills, back in the mix for Slingerz and making a difference in midfield was presented with an excellent chance on the other end but with Richards already out of position and the open goal at his mercy, Mills sent the ball wide of the upright. Slingerz were lucky that Alpha did not make use of their chances to
GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power Nat. U-17 – Bartica
punish them for their run of the mill misses. On 73 minutes however, the entire match would swing Slingerz’ way when Millington took possession of the ball just into the Alpha half of the right side, dribbled Kris Camacho on a solo run before also slipping past Solomon Austin to blast a powerful right foot shot past Richards for goal. With Slingerz now in the ascendency, they displayed more patience as they sought to hold more possession. Alpha bought on Manasseh Primo for Philbert Moffatt in the 81st minute as they went after the equalizer. Two minutes later, Mills was forced to come off after being fouled; he was replaced by Gideon
Payne. The four minutes of added on time which was double the other three halves of the Finale final and Sunday night’s first half saw Slingerz holding on to the majority of possession to win the war between the best two sides in Guyana; bringing the curtains down on season in grand style. Both Alpha and Slingerz have qualified as this nation’s representative team to 2017 Caribbean Football Union / CONC A C A F C l u b Championships. Director of Sport, Christopher Jones and Ansa McAl’s Trade Marketing Manager Ms Darshanie Yussuf presented the winning trophy to Slingerz Captain Tichard Joseph in the presence of ecstatic colleagues, technical staff and supporters.
Letter to the Sports Editor
Beacon and Rising Stars Guyanese should rally behind make it two in a row national youth basketball teams
Beacon and Rising Stars Football Clubs recorded their second win in as many matches when the Bartica Football Association leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power National Under-17 League continued on Saturday last at the Bartica Community Centre ground. On a weekend when rain inundated most grounds around the country which resulted in play being curtailed, Bartica was able to squeeze in two matches. Beacon, following
Paul John
McQuaine Smith
a 1-0 win over Riversview in their first match one week before, hammered Milballers 4-0; the latter’s second loss in as many games. McQuaine Smith netted a double while there was one goal each for Paul John and Reef. Rising Stars, also 1-0 winners in their first match
against Milballers, romped to a 3-0 win over Riversview which was engineered by a double from Lonzo Narine, Antonio Griffith tucked in the other. Wolves United and Potaro Strikers are the other teams to have won their opening games.
Dear Editor, Guyana will host the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) U16 Championships, for young men and young women, July 3-9 and July 12-16, 2016, respectively. This is indeed a historic m o m e n t i n G u y a n a ’s basketball history, probably, one of the most significant. We will be host to 10 male and seven female teams from across the Caribbean, including ‘Team Guyana’, competing on home soil. Yo u t h B a s k e t b a l l Guyana (YBG), for this reason is extremely pleased with this outcome. It has emphatically affirmed our efforts and the investment of our partners in school/youth basketball development over the last 10 years. It also
sends a strong message about the priority of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), and its renewed commitment and interest in developing the game from the nursery up. The National Federation, led by Nigel Hinds must be commended and supported for making this possible. We are only days away from the first jump-ball, we do not know which country will walk away with the titles, but our teams will do their best and will compete for every minute; but regardless of the final outcome of these Championships, there is no doubt in my mind that our youngsters, where ever they are from, would have all won on this occasion. A few days ago the
GABF and YBG, named the final 12 young men and 13 young women, who have emerged out of an extensive process of evaluation. Initially, 46 young men and 28 young women participated, under the watchful eyes of eight coaches, in addition to the involvement of the DC Jammers coaching staff. Following the selection weekend the male team was shortlisted to 15 and a week later the women were shortlisted to 16 players. The shortlisted teams continued to train until now. Beginning on Saturday, June 25, both teams were encamped, the men for seven days and the women for two weeks. The entire process from the trials to now, has so far (Continued on page 25)
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday June 28, 2016
Iceland knock England out as coach Hodgson quits NICE, FRANCE (Reuters) Iceland pulled off one of the biggest shocks in European Championship history when they stunned England 2-1 in their last-16 clash on Monday leading losing manager Roy Hodgson to resign. Although the soccer pedigrees of the two sides could not be more different, Iceland looked the better team in just about every aspect of the game and fully deserved to extend their dream run on their first tournament appearance. After falling behind to a f o u r t h - m i n u t e Wa y n e Rooney penalty they levelled almost immediately through Ragnar Sigurdsson and struck again in the 18th with a shot by Kolbeinn Sigthorsson. They then survived without great distress as England struggled to build any sustained pressure and barely tested goalkeeper Hannes Halldorsson. Iceland are the smallest country ever to appear in a major tou r n a m e n t a n d their reward is a quarterfinal against hosts France in Paris on Sunday, with the prize for the winner being a semi-final against European heavyweights Germany or Italy. England will be
watching from home - again - after a defeat that extends their miserable run in the Euros where they have won one knockout match, on penalties at home to Spain in 1996. It all looked so different for England at the start when Raheem Sterling was hauled down by Halldorsson, allowing Rooney to smash them ahead from the penalty spot. The lead lasted less than two minutes, though, as Iceland, who had talked up their long throws as a weapon, scored from just that source. A r o n G u n n a r s s o n ’s throw was flicked on by Kari Arnason to Ragnar Sigurdsson who was left completely unmarked to sweep home the equaliser. If the England defending was bad for that goal it was disastrous for the second as Iceland were allowed all the time and space they wanted to neatly ping the ball between themselves on the edge of the box to set up Sigthorsson. His low shot was crisp enough although well within range for Joe Hart but the England keeper got only half a glove on it and watched in horror as it dribbled over the line. England looked shellshocked and spent the rest of
Iceland’s Kari Arnason in action versus England in their EURO 2016 - Round of 16 clash at the Stade de Nice. (REUTERS/MICHAEL DALDERLIVEPIC) the half struggling to make any inroads, their front men and attacking midfielders static, and were booed off by their own fans. The last time the sides met England won 6-1 in 2004 but this is a very different Iceland, who beat Netherlands home and away in qualifying for France and at the finals have held Portugal, were unlucky to concede a late own-goal equaliser to
Andrew Arts Memorial’ chess tournament
HiFeng Su, Pedro Joshua register double upsets but tournament still wide open HiFeng Su retained his rich vein of form and one day after defeating veteran p l a y e r, E r r o l Ti w a r i , replicated the feat with an upset victory over Anthony Drayton to signal an ominous intention to clinch the spoils when the ‘Andrew Arts Memorial’ chess tournament continued at the National Resource Center, Woolford Av e n u e , l a s t S u n d a y afternoon. It was the second upset of
the day after Pedro Joshua played the game of his life to defeat Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Maria Verona Thomas to leave the tournament wide open going into the penultimate day next Saturday morning. HiFeng Su also registered a win over Ryan Singh to improve his tally to 3 points, a position he shares with Taffin Khan who, amidst those upsets, kept his composure to register wins
over Rashad Hussain and Pedro Joshua. Drayton recovered from that defeat to inflict similar pains on Neto and hovers 1 point shy of the joint leaders. Frankie Farley rebounded from a loss to Drayton on the inaugural day to defeat Sheriffa Ali, while benefiting from a walk over in the final game of the day, while Saeed Ali defeated Ryan Goliath before losing to Ryan Singh. The former player recouped some pride with a win over Jessica Callender. The tournament still remains wide open and the players convene next Saturday and Sunday at 09:30hrs where the winner will be established. The GCF wishes to express its gratitude to its benefactor, Andrew Arts, for its generous patronage.
Hungary and then defeated Austria to finish second in their group. Anyone with no prior knowledge of the two teams’ history watching Monday’s game would have been hard-pressed to decide who were the former world champions and who were the tiny nation of 330,000 competing at their first major tournament. England threw on midfielder Jack Wilshere for
the second half and then striker Jamie Vardy but the team’s passing was poor and their movement sluggish. Roy Hodgson’s players struggled to create any sustained pressure. At the other end, more slack marking saw Ragnar Sigurdsson force Hart into a smart save from an overhead kick. By the end England were reduced to launching long punts into the box, which
were comfortably repelled. The final whistle produced extraordinary sce n e s a s t h e e n t i r e Iceland squad and coaches sprinted to the corner of the pitch to celebrate with their fans. England’s players sank to the turf in despair, with a deluge of jeers, boos and whistles, finally being encouraged to leave the pitch to a chant of “You’re not fit to wear the shirt.”
Ansa McAl supports Regal for New York Cup Ansa Mc Al under their brand Stag beer has thrown their support behind Regal open and masters teams for their participation in the upcoming New York Cup. The entity presented a cheque to captain of the open team Chien Gittens at a simple ceremony held recently at its Beterverwagting office, East Coast Demerara. Gittens thanked Ansa Mc Al for their support adding that they are confident of winning both titles. He stated that despite their preparation was somewhat affected by the inclement weather, the players are eager to go. The New York Cup is slated for July 1-3 at Roy Wilkinson Park, USA.
Chien Gittens (right) collects the cheque from an Ansa Mc Al representative.
Kaieteur News
Tuesday June 28, 2016
PAGE 33
GBTI IJO closes on a high The Guyana Tennis Association (GLTA) closed the chapter of its major tournament of the 2016 calendar with a delightful closing ceremony. It was a superb closure to the tournament that featured top performers, Men’s Champion, Anthony Downes, and Ladies Champion, Afruica Gentle, who clearly outclassed all players by each winning all three open categories: Open Singles, Open Doubles and Mixed Open Doubles. Ms. Pamela Binda, Marketing Manager of the GBTI hosted the event which was attended by the GBTI’s Chief Executive Officer and former GLTA Executive Member, Mr. John Tracey. In her opening remarks, Ms. Binda expressed the bank’s appreciation for a successful tournament and praised the tournament team for all the hard work. She reflected that the increase in the number of participants indicated that the sport was growing and that the bank is happy to commit to providing continuous support to the GLTA. GLTA Tournament Committee Chair Robert Bostwick praised the level of performance of the players, particularly the juniors who are consistently raising their level of play. Special mention was made about young Heimraj Resaul who showed tremendous resilience by pushing his coach Leyland Leacock to a breath taking three setters which had the crowd edging off their seats. Shelly Daly tried to outwit the Afruica Gentle but was successfully fended off by her much confident student. The level of competition made an impressionable mark on US
D i p l o m a t M r. R a z i c k w h o mentioned that he was stunned at the high level of competitiveness of the Guyanese players while recognizing that these players are not afforded decent facilities to develop their game, pointing to the fact that the public courts are cracked and unlighted. President of the GLTA, Jamal Goodluck took the opportunity to recognize his new executive which he considered on average to be the youngest ever and most inclined to steer tennis in a new direction. He gave charge to all involved with tennis to pledge greater commitment to the sport using a famous quote from Martina Navratilova. His thrust to move tennis is underpinned by the philosophy of greater collaboration and the drive to go the extra mile. He noted the lack of facilities and the need for tennis to establish its headquarters which will be high on the agenda. Along with creating a pool of quality umpires and linespersons to officiate matches. He tied this to the reluctance of persons in taking up the positions as the discipline of respecting the chair is lacking. He also thanked GBTI for making their courts available during the training for the World Junior Tennis event and observation was made that the extra training sessions on a quality court produced better results at tournaments and the GLTA will be pursuing closer relationship with the bank to forge a stronger partnership. Amidst the ceremony there were light moments provided by CEO John Tracey during his
Winners and Runner-ups. In the front row from left ; Afrucia Gentle, John Tracey and Anthony Downes. speech. He was appreciative of the audience being visibly greater than previous years and drew everyone’s attention to popular veteran player Harry Panday whose partnership with Men’s Champion Anthony Downes earned him the Men’s Doubles Championship. He recounted Panday as a formidable opponent that he never defeated during the 80s but their partnership did bear fruit. He too expressed the new and youngest President needed strong support from his team to take tennis forward and congratulated him on executing his first tournament successfully. Mr. Tracey made a special presentation to Coach Shelly DalyRamdyhan who was not present at
the National Sports Award. Upon receiving the award for the Female Sports Official 2015 she noted the
hard work of her previous coach, William Skeete, and she dedicated the award to him.
Young Sprinter Medas-King Messi retires... continues dominance in USA “It seems like U-10 sprinter Kcaysha MedasKing and Brenessa Thompson have a few things in common, they keep getting better and better as the season goes on,” those were the thoughts of Kcaysha’s father Andy. Medas-King motored her way to three titles at the USATF New York Junior Olympic Track & Field twoday Championship at the world renowned Ichan Stadium in Manhattan the previous weekend to become the fastest 9-10 sprinter in New York finishing ahead of all her competitors in the 100m, 200m & 400m and has qualified for the region 1 Championship in Albany from July 7-9. The talented lass raced to victory in the 100m in a time
of 14.18 seconds, the 200m in 28.5 seconds and the 400m in 104.35 seconds. Her results were repeated again yesterday in Manhattan at the Ichan stadium where Usain bolt set his first ever world record in the 100m in 2008 in what was considered to be the best Olympics to date. Yesterday at the same Stadium, Medas-King won the 100m in 13.99 seconds to better her last week effort over the same distance. Her time of 28.87 in the 200m was slightly slower that the time she ran a week ago as was her 104.65 over 400m which was ran yesterday at the North East Invitational. The nine-year-old sped to easy wins in all three events to be crowned not
Kcaysha Medas-King displays her medals. only the fastest 9-10 girl in New York but the entire North East Coast. Guyana would have a chance to see Medas-King
run at the prestigious Hershey Games at Millersville University in Pennsylvania State this (Continued on page 25)
(From page 30) was given a straight red for a rough tackle on Vidal about 15 minutes later. Three others were booked, including Messi for diving, in a first half that had as many cards as shots on goal and in which Higuain missed a good chance for Argentina. The second half provided more of the same and although Chile, who have yet to beat Argentina in open play in 27 Copa America encounters spanning 100 years, at least managed to call Romero into action, neither side created any clear cut chances. The 30 minutes of extra time was not much different, although Vargas came close for Chile and Aguero had a header brilliantly tipped over by Bravo. Five-times World Player of the Year Messi, who surpassed Gabriel Batistuta as Argentina’s top scorer in the semi-final against the United States, was heavily marked and had few chances to show his brilliance. “It’s not easy to explain,” said Argentina coach Gerardo Martino. “Argentina should have won that game. It hurts. There are situations we can explain football-wise and other situations that can be explained, if you will, talking about our luck.” The world’s oldest international tournament was played in the U.S. for the first time to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the inaugural competition and expanded to include six teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean along with the 10 from South America.
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Tuesday June 28, 2016
Charity thump Cotton Field to set up final showdown with Wakapoa- Region 2
Charity goal scorers from left Brain Abrams, Ariel Chester and Deandre Thomas.
Joshua Jones of Cotton Field (center) fights for the ball with Charity’s Delano Charles. By Zaheer Mohamed in Essequibo Charity Secondary moved one step closer to retain their Region Two crown with a comprehensive 4-2 victory over Cotton Field Secondary when the Digicel National Schools’ football Championship continued on Sunday at the New Opportunity Corps ground
on the Essequibo Coast. Charity will now take on Wakapoa in the final at Anna Regina on Saturday. Charity clearly dominated the proceedings from the inception and deservedly went ahead in the 7th minute when Brian Abrams slotted home following a corner from Ronaldo D’Oliveira. Arnold Wells could have doubled the lead shortly after
but his shot from just outside the area went straight to the keeper. Charity continued to attack, and Ariel Chester missed two scoring chances before finding the back of the net from inside the box in the 26thminute. Attacking midfielder Deandre Thomas then extended the advantage in the 39th to hand Charity a 30 lead at half time. Cotton
Field hardly had a shot on goal in the first half, but their g a m e i m p r o v e d tremendously after the break. However Charity got further ahead five minutes into the second half as Chester netted his second from inside the 18-yard box. Earl Abrams pulled one back for Cotton Field in the 56th minute after he received a pass just on the edge to the
box. D’Oliveira could have put Charity further ahead but he failed to make contact after the ball was played across the goal. Cotton Field suddenly increased their pace and won a penalty after Charity goal keeper Leeland Smith handled the ball outside the box, however Joel Caesar shot sailed over the bar much to the dismay of their fans.
Cotton Field passed the ball around much more than in the first half and kept possession for sometime forcing their opponents to defend. Joshua Jones then scored Cotton Field second after Charity failed to clear the ball just in front of goal in the 77th; nevertheless a brave Wakapoa team awaits them on July 2.
Messi retires from internationals after Chile retains Copa EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY (Reuters) Lionel Messi blasted a penalty over the bar in what looks like being his last act in international football as Chile beat Argentina in a shootout to win the Copa America for the second year in a row on Sunday. Messi cut a dejected figure after losing his third Copa America final, and fourth major final after Argentina’s loss to Germany at the 2014 World Cup, and said after the match he was retiring from the international game. “In the dressing room I thought that this is the end for me with the national team, it’s not for me,” the 29year-old forward said. “I tried so hard to be champion with Argentina. Now I am leaving without having managed it.” Striker Sergio Aguero, a second half substitute for Gonzalo Higuain, suggested he and other players might follow Messi’s lead and quit the team. “The likelihood is that Messi is not the only one that will leave the national team,” Aguero, who lost his third final with Argentina, told
Argentine sports newspaper Ole. “There are several players like me that are evaluating whether or not to continue,” said Aguero, who was hugely disappointed after Argentina failed to end their 23-year trophy drought at senior level. “Unfortunately, the one that leaves most affected is Leo Messi after his penalty miss. This is the worst that I’ve seen him in the changing room,” said Aguero, who along with Messi won an Olympic gold medal in 2008. BEST PLAYER Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who saved Lucas Biglia’s penalty before Francisco Silva scored the crucial spot-kick to help his country retain the trophy, had praise for his Barcelona team mate Messi. “In my opinion, he is the best player in the world and in history,” Bravo told Marca. “They have to enjoy him, value him and understand him.” The two sides were deadlocked 0-0 after 90 minutes and also after another half an hour of extra time in a match where both teams were reduced to 10
Chile poses for a photo with the championship trophy after winning the championship match of the 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer tournament against Argentina at MetLife Stadium. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports) men in the first half. For the second year in a row, therefore, the teams faced off in a shootout to decide who would take the biggest prize in South American soccer. It started well for A rg e n t i n a w h e n t h e i r goalkeeper Sergio Romero got down to block Arturo Vidal’s opening penalty but
Messi blasted over and Lucas Biglia’s spot kick was saved by Bravo. Substitute Francisco Silva took Chile’s fifth penalty and struck it low and to the right of Romero to give his country their second successive title after winning their first on home soil last year. “We’re going to enjoy
ourselves,” Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi said, before talking of his pride in his players. “Before them today was the number one team in the world, with the best players in the world and the best player in history.” DISAPPOINTING FINAL The tension of the penalty shootout barely
made up for a disappointing game with few memorable moments for a sellout 82,000 crowd. The bulk of first half action involved referee Heber Lopes, who sent off Chile’s Marcelo Diaz on 27 minutes for a second crude challenge on Messi, before Argentina’s Marcos Rojo (Continued on page 29)
Kaieteur News
Tuesday June 28, 2016
PAGE 35
Digicel Schools Football Championship
D C Caesar Fox Sec. hit six past Paruima Part of the action in the clash between D C Caesar Fox Secondary -an ominous warning toCentre alloncontenders and Paruima Training Sunday in Waramadong.
D C Caesar Fox goalscorers pose for a photo op following their win over Paruima Training Centre on Sunday.
Young girls of the Waramadong community performs a cultural presentation on Sunday just before the start of the game. By Rawle Welch Three-time losing finalist of the Digicel Schools Football Championship D C Caesar Fox Secondary (formerly Wa r a m a d o n g ) s e n t a n ominous warning to all that this year could mark the first of many titles after registering a 6-0 thumping
on Paruima Training Centre on Sunday, at their home ground in Waramadong. Situated in the Cuyuni / Mazaruni Region, the Waramadong community and its satellite settlements thronged the venue in large numbers to witness the host send Paruima crashing out of the championship via a convincing display.
Reon McNaughton slammed in a hat-trick in the 22 , 43 and 57 minutes, while Collyer Daniels supported with a brace in the 41 and 59 and Deon B r o w n ’s 8 5 strike completed their tally. The start saw both teams exhibit understandable nervousness, but gradually settled into rhythm with D C nd
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Caesar Fox producing some threatening raids, but were thwarted by some excellent defending by the visitors as the game stayed deadlocked at nil-all. D C Caesar Fox came closest in the opening stages when a thunderous leftfooter from Reon McNaughton struck the crossbar and rebounded into
CIOG contributes to Atwell’s Surgery fund The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) was pleased to offer assistance to Mr. Clive Atwell, the popular Guyana boxer that requires a brain surgery. This will be undertaken in Trinidad, the body said in a release. Mr. Atwell suffered a brain injury during a title fight and requires surgery urgently. During his boxing career, Mr. Atwell held several titles for Guyana including the best boxer award in Guyana. The CIOG is requesting anyone who wishes to assist Mr. Atwell to please make contact with him at (592) 642-9961. He is desperate
Atwell collects a cheque from General Secretary of CIOG Khakan Ramjohn while Treasurer Khalilhalil Ahmed shares the moment. for financial assistance to undertake the surgery.
We pray that the Almighty restore Mr.
Atwell to good health, the CIOG stated.
play much to the disappointment of their supporters. However, McNaughton it was stationed on the left flank who delivered the first dagger into Paruima’s when he raced on to a through ball from centre-field deep into the opposition’s half and he weaved past one marker cut inside the penalty area to fire past the goalkeeper ’s outstretched hands into the far corner in the 22 minute of play. Paruima though did not lie down and surrender and created a few chances, but poor finishing kept them scoreless. Daniels then got into the act when he received a pass from just outside the box and he made no mistake, placing his effort to the right of the keeper to make it 2-0. The menacing McNaughton was a constant torment and he netted a second two minutes later, hitting past the advancing keeper from a long ball delivered from inside their half to make it 3-0 at the break and the home fans engaged in rapturous celebrations. After the resumption nd
there was no reprieve for Paruima as D C Caesar Fox continued their rampage and who it was to increase their lead, but the effervescent McNaughton bubbled up once again to net his third with a well placed sidefooted shot after outrunning his marker from a ball played through the centre to make it 4-0. Two minutes later it became 5-0 when Daniels completed his total with a fierce shot into the roof of the net and everyone knew it would take something of a miracle for Paruima to bounce back. They continued to play with much effort, but the superior skill and better technical ability of D C Caesar Fox proved too great for them and they conceded another goal five minutes before full time when Brown hit past the goalkeeper stationed on the near post to seal victory. Before the start of play, fans were treated to a wonderful cultural presentation by young girls o f t h e Wa r a m a d o n g community. To u r n a m e n t C o ordinator Lavern Fraser spoke on behalf of the sponsor.
t r o Sp Slingerz FC lifts lift GFF GFF//SEL SELOverall OverallChampion Champion Trophy Trophy Devon ‘The Tormentor’ Millington’s 73rd minute dagger seals place in history
Hail the SEL Overall Champions! Director of Sport Christopher Jones and Ansa McAl’s Trade Marketing Manager Ms Darshanie Yussuf present the winning trophy to Slingerz Captain Tichard Joseph as his teammates and supporters savor the moment.
Iceland knock England out as coach Hodgson quits England players look dejected at the end of the game against Iceland in EURO 2016 Round of 16 action at the Stade de Nice, Nice, France. (REUTERS/ERIC GAILLARDLIVEPIC)
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