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Kaieteur News
Thursday March 01, 2018
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
CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO
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t seems that a new party is on the horizon, due to the mismanagement of the affairs of the state, the economy, the signing of one of the worst oil and gas contracts by the government and a continued lack of transparency and accountability. While some believe that there is room for a new party, others feel that the time is not right. But does a new party stand a realistic chance of breaking the monopoly of the two-party system, or will it suffer the same fate as all previous third parties? This question speaks to the viability of a new political alternative in Guyana that has been at the centre of a simmering debate over the past year, especially after the AFC joined APNU, and amidst clear signs of significant public disenchantment with the two mainstream parties. Fueling the new party debate is public opinion, which has consistently found that a sizeable percentage of the electorate has become disengaged from the political process. Many, especially youths, are disappointed with the present aging administration, which has been very slow to act and has not fulfilled its campaign promise to create jobs for them. The fact that a sizeable portion of the population has fallen out of favour with the two main parties, has obviously made it possible to embrace a new party, which they hope would prevent either of the two parties from obtaining a majority of the votes, as was the case in 2011. A new political party would widen the choices for the voters and boost the democratic process in the country. The more political choices, the better it is for the voters, who will be exposed to a wide range of perspectives on the issues. Public debate on competing ideas is the lifeblood of democracy, which could be enriched by the presence of a new party in Guyana that can contribute to a more balanced debate on the issues and decision-making in the public interest. However, many have poured cold water on the likelihood of a new party to represent the interests of those who have become disillusioned with the two parties. They have contemptuously dismissed the idea. But for some to say that a new party is doomed to fail simply because others previously did is a lame reason. The establishment of a new party ought to be examined separately in the context of its own merit and set of circumstances. Because others have failed in the past does not mean the same outcome is likely to happen today. Conditions now may be more favourable for a third party to thrive and survive. The United Force (TUF) failed because it was squeezed out of a coalition with the People’s National Congress (PNC). The Alliance for Change (AFC) which was an impactful third force could experience the same fate because it has coalesced with APNU, which is actually controlled by the PNC. One feels that the promoters of a new political party would not make the mistakes that TUF and the AFC did. They are of the firm opinion that a third party is likely to garner strong appeal from the public, because the goal is to truly represent the interests of the working class, the poor and the downtrodden in society, who know that the two parties have been representing their own interests and not theirs. In Guyana, people have very seldom voted on issues or solutions, but along racial lines, which suggests that a third party must have the support of a strong working class to straddle the racial divide, unite the people, and develop solutions for the country’s problems. It must also have visionary and transformative leadership to improve the lives of all, irrespective of race or party affiliations. A third party must have an effective campaign strategy with such branding in order to obtain enough votes so as to maintain the balance of power.
Dynamic Airways Passengers Still To Be October 03, 2017 and was where to collect their refunds. mission. Refunded onadvised to file for refund of 3. Civil Aviation Author6. Competition & ConDEAR SIR /MADAM, I will appreciate your publishing this letter so that the relevant authority can bring closure to this issue and the 609 passengers get their long overdue refunds. On June 23, 2017 I paid US$1,796 (receipt # 2D918) to Millennia Travel Agency, Regent and Camp Streets ,Georgetown being airfare to travel to New York on September 11, 2017 and return on October 13, 2017 on Dynamic Airways aircraft. The flight was cancelled for September 11, 2017. We left on September 12, 2017. On September 28, 2017 I was informed by an agent of Millennia Travel Agency that Dynamic Airways will make its last flight out of New York
return airfare which the agent did on my consent. Since my return on October 13, 2017 I have been given the royal run around by various agencies and authorities ,namely Millennia Travel Agency :(a) Has submitted list to Roraima Airways — Check with them.(b) No word as yet. Keep checking with Roraima Airways as they are responsible for the refunds. (c)Civil Aviation is waiting on one more signatory to the bond. Roraima Airways:- (a) Haven’t heard from Dynamic Airways.(b)Submitted the information to Ministry of Public Infrastructure. Check with them.(c) Ministry of Public Infrastructure is dealing with the issue and they will inform the passengers when and
ity :-(a) Dynamic Airways has to write and request release of the bond to refund the passengers.(b)Ministry of Public Infrastructure is dealing with the issue. 4. Ministry of Public Infrastructure :- (a) Roraima Airways has to write and request use of the bond to refund the passengers.(b) Roraima Airways has to submit updated list of affected passengers for submission to the bank. (c)Payment should be ready by the second week of January 2018 (d) Roraima Airways has submitted updated list. Waiting on Republic Bank to say when they are ready so as to inform the passengers. 5. Public Utility Commission:- Referred to Competition and Consumer Affairs Com-
sumer Affairs Commission:(a)Completed complaint form.(b) Ministry of Public Infrastructure says that payment should be ready by the second week of January 2018 (c) Ministry of Public Infrastructure is waiting on one more sign a t o r y t o t h e bond, the person is overseas . Payment should be ready in three weeks time. Our return passage was US$1076.30 with Carribean Airlines which we borrowed. It is very embarrassing because I am unable to repay this money to date and I am being pushed from pillar to post in getting back my money from the travel agency/Roraima Airways . Thank you Yours truly, Out of Pocket
The Bigger Question beyond Gun Control: Why are school children killing school children? DEAR EDITOR, Education must not be shunned in any gun control conversation. Deeper questions must be asked regarding why the shootings are happening in schools. Oh say can you see the frightening statistics from which America cannot flee? The facts are plain for all to see. Let us start off by doing the numbers —America witnessed 30 mass shootings (instances with loss of four or more lives) in the first 45 days of 2018. Emerging from this frightening statistic is the fact that as many as 18 of these incidents were school shootings, The latest shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School became the third deadliest school shooting in modern United States history, to occur within the past five months, and also the 25th fatal shooting since 1999, of an elementary, middle or secondary school, including Columbine in 1999. In 2016 some extremely startling statistics was produced by the American Journal of Medicine, ranked as one of the oldest and most prestigious general internal medicine journals published in the United States. Based primarily on a study of mortality data taken from 23 highly-developed countries, America accounted for among the following: 82% of all deaths by firearms; 90% of all deaths among women caused by firearms; 91% of all firearm deaths among children 4-14 years of age; 92% of all deaths among youths 15-24 years caused by firearms. These numbers, startling as they are, take on a more
terrifying hue considering that the U.S.A has only half of the population of the other 22 high income nations combined. The response to the latest killing spree is horribly anticipated, with everyone retreating as usual into their gun control corners. What is certain is that while the U.S continues to engage in the same conversations about all the same things, there is a student somewhere simply biding his time and feeling that it is acceptable and justified to murder school children. He is planning to do just that while the debate goes on as to whether Barack Obama or Donald Trump is to blame. Although there is little doubt as to the underlying importance of this discussion, I strongly feel that thus far we are sadly missing the point. Before even entering or entertaining any discussion regarding guns, a question that should be asked, and one which has certainly been delayed in being asked is: “Why do American school children want to see each other dead?” Why are the schools being repeatedly converted into shooting galleries? I wholeheartedly agree that while the ongoing controversy as to whether removing access to guns would diminish the instance of such occurrences is important, it still remains a long way off from the crux of what I believe should be the discussion. All efforts should be expended towards searching to determine what lies under the surface and that allows children to see killing other children as an option. Disregard the guns for a brief moment;
they are the means of death. They are the result. There is an urgent and crying need to understand what causes children to experience the level of alienation and pain that they plan and carry out the atrocities that have become so prevalent in American school environment. Therefore, deeper questions must be asked about education and American society. The answer is undoubtedly complicated. It is improbable that it is essentially about guns and Democrats versus Republicans, and Obama and Trump and the gun lobby. It is unlikely that it is merely about the absence of God in schools, or mental health or bullying. Again it is implausible that emotional hurt has created the moral equivalence of, hurt my feelings and I can
harm you. The ace is in place; no longer can society sit back and view school shootings as a problem of security or security technologies, but instead must now regard it as a problem of education. A nation mourns while the world watches on. It is emotionally difficult to imagine how the survivors of the Parkland school shooting will recover, and even harder to imagine the families of the deceased. However, the ace that must immediately be put into place is that real conversations must begin about why the shootings are happening; instead of with what it is happening. Failure to carry out this simple plan provides an answer very plain—America can count on it happening once again. Yvonne Sam
This action defies logic DEAR EDITOR: If what was carried in the media is half accurate, then the unmitigated gall of Seelall Persaud in this last imbroglio is the proverbial straw. This is a man who as Commissioner of Police has ascribed to himself the mantle of a know-it-all. By what stroke of logic would any reasonable thinking person believe that he can approve for himself a firearm dealership licence? To my mind the entire firearm licencing arrangement should be reviewed since there is still much room for abuse of process. I admit I have an abhorrence for anything (and anyone) resembling an abuse(er) of authority. While I am on that subject I would suggest, strongly, that an audit be conducted on all vehicles assigned to the service even if it is to ensure that none is in the hands of any one’s family member or other relative. A lot of wrong things have been happening in the force with little or no system in place to check and balance out matters. We are constantly bombarded with talk about this or that SOP; ask them to provide one SOP and you will be met with deafening silence broken by the inanity of “well we don’t have it in writing.” What absolute crap and poppycock. Philip Marshall
Check Your Phone’s Security Our phones are easy to hack DEAR EDITOR, I try to limit analyses of companies, but our mobile phone suppliers have long been taking us for a ride where the security of our phones is concerned. This obviously is a result of our own lax attitude in this area. The spate of recent robberies aside, I was flabbergasted at the security of mobile phones currently available. It turns out that a significant majority of these phones run on the android operating system. Googling, or a Bing search of security for phones on the internet reveals the scale of the problem. Apparently, all models of phones irrespective of perceived value, once they are running on the android operating system, are so easily hackable as to allow all
kinds of data collection from these devices. Your child or your suspicious and predatory companion, with a credit card, can easily obtain spy software to capture your data and follow your movements. Other than your mobile device communications being the subject on international spying agencies, including China, some whose products download your data to Chinese computers every seventy-two hours (https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/16/us/politics/china-phones-software-security.html), you may have some unsuspecting company, up close and personal. Before purchasing your next phone, weigh your needs and check your phone’s security. Yours Faithfully, Craig Sylvester
The judging was stacked DEAR EDITOR, When I saw the Captions “Judging Rules were not observed in Senior Panorama Competition” and “The Judging was unfair” in two of our daily newspapers with a complaint lodged against one of the officials I cringed with indignation because my valiant effort to alert the Authorities and the General Public prior, of the unscrupulous behavior of that said official mentioned in the article and of which he and another are now functioning at the helm of both the Junior/Senior Calypso competitions it fell on deaf ears. My letter under the Caption: WELCOME CHANGE OF OFFICIALS FOR MASH CALYPSO COMPETITION dated 21st January, 2018. (Kaieteur News) saw these people as an exchange to the corrupt outgoing ones since they were part and parcel of what was taking place back then, with mostly the junior competitions where they had a field day with corruption. So what took place at the Panorama Competition and both the Adult and Junior Calypso Competitions recently held came as no surprise to me. Even the gullible can relate to the avid strategy used by them especially the Convener who is known for his vindictive, brutal and shady behavior when he was at the helm of other competitions in this country e.g GTT Jingle and Song competitions. Look how he is already baring his
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Thursday March 01, 2018
fangs. The Adult Calypso Competition was transformed into one of Presentation, Voice and Performance and not one that should have seen the clashing of LYRICS which is the main criteria in the competition. This was deliberate because some of those lyrics posed a threat to the songs selected by him for the final leg of the competition. Those songs were criminally dismissed in order for his song to be a piece of cake for the judges on the panel to award the songs that were favored and fixed by him and those in the ring, some judges included. It was a disaster from the semi-final because that’s where the fixing began. This is what has being going on by those corrupt officials for years now. They cripple the competition by fixing songs to go through to the final leg in order for them to get a drawback from contestants who are willing to give and from the two Recording Studios they are connected to. Just listen to some of those songs that made it to the final. Some were distasteful and mediocre and even won prizes. It is a disgrace. But this is expected, when a corrupt Convener becomes the Chief Judge. It leaves much to be desired but it is part of the plot. He/she becomes deaf and blind when it comes to decisions made by the judges. The Adult Monarch gave a sterling performance but was it a real contest with the
other lyrics? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Is this the standard of Calypso the Ministry is willing to accept and pay for? This corrupt ring in the Calypso Competition is bigger than the spare parts ring recently busted. It includes some officials, and some judges, these people are connected to the Production Studios who are willing to give a drawback. Also there some biased TV announcers who are in the ring, too, and who work diligently to give life to songs that are dead and not worthy. I think the time has come for a change in MCs at the competition. Let us have some females for a change. It would be refreshing. Imaging all six contestants, three each from the two Production Studios made it to the final with songs that were controversial and mediocre. Those two studios carried all five of the prizes including the junior. Something stinks. It is common knowledge the Convener is connected to both Managers. Finally Mr. Editor nothing more has been said about those 10 unfortunate Calypsonians. There has to be an inquiry. This is not a corrupt one-man show and corruption must be rooted out. I would hate to see my effort to educate and expose go down the drain once again. I did give an accurate warning before. D. BROWNE.
That BBC documentary on suicide… DEAR EDITOR, A video clip of a BBC ‘documentary’ on suicide in Guyana has been making the social media rounds. That clip is questionable in a number of ways. For one, the statistics referenced are inaccurate and in depth analysis is nonexistent. As well, information about suicide is wrong. Little mention is made about the successes in suicide prevention over the years as a result of the hard work of NGOs and activists. The statement that Guyanese joke about and trivialize suicide is awfully untrue. In fact, having done work on the ground in six of the ten regions in Guyana, The Caribbean Voice (TCV) can testify to the opposite – Guyanese take the issue of suicide very seriously and have been craving for education and training so they can become actively involved in suicide prevention. A survey commissioned by TCV in 2016 found that
96% of Guyanese were willing to engage in suicide prevention if provided with the requisite training. Given the content of the video clip one must ask why the following were not interviewed: NGOs (including Guyana Foundation, the Corriverton Domestic Violence Center, Monique’s Helping Hands, Crossroads Suicide & Mental Health Awareness Services, Mibicuri Community Developers and others) that do substantive suicide prevention work; counselors who handle suicidal and suicide survivor cases and suicide survivors. Why were no suicide hotspots visited? This video was time and again, brought to the attention of The Caribbean Voice by Guyanese from all walks of life, in and out of Guyana, who were disturbed by its contents. They all felt that BBC has trivialized an issue that Guyanese have been seriously tackling with some de-
gree of success and implored TCV to publicly respond to the video. The bottom line is that suicide is far too serious an issue to be superficially analyzed. It is an issue that has seen significant headway made by suicide prevention activists to tackle myths and misinformation and any documentary that promotes myths and misinformation is quite frankly one that seeks only to sensationalism. Like any media worth its salt, the BBC would know that professional reportage must be characterized by triangulation and by varied sources in order to ensure fair, objective and newsworthy reporting. We therefore urge the BBC to stop propagating a documentary that presents an inaccurate, sensationalized picture and do one that focuses on the reality, if it is genuinely interested in documenting suicide in Guyana. Sincerely The Caribbean Voice
Patriotism is an ocean away from conscience DEAR EDITOR, I refer to an article publish a few days ago entitled “Guyana has to learn to play by the rules of international business”, by Sherwood Lowe. In his missive Sherwood Lowe begins by writing that he shares, “the same anxieties as many compatriots over whether Government’s share of the revenues from the 2016 Petroleum Agreement will be the bonanza to finally launch the country into the economic stratosphere.” Why does it have to be Government’s share? Why can’t loyal party supporters on both sides of the divide understand that Government is part of a political administration that is granted the right by virtue of popular vote to administer the affairs of the state? Has Mr Lowe done the Maths on 2% royalty and US$460 million cost at the
point of discovery? Has he contemplated what might be the cost by the time the first oil is produced? It is difficult to imagine how he conceives of revenues to “finally launch the country into economic stratosphere. Lowe spoke of the favorable terms advertized in the GGMC web site to attract investors and of the petroleum prospecting and production license signed by the previous government with Exxon and CGX and that these terms and conditions should not be changed to our advantage from “the conditions that LURED the company in the first place”-after oil is found. Lowe used the word “lured” but missed the true concept. Lowe in his unwavering support for the government’s deeds, made no mention that the PPP claim that they had signed the agreements with both ExxonMobil and CGX
based on a template which was being used at the time when the country was seeking investment in petroleum exploration. No oil had yet been found” and there is a clause in the petroleum prospecting license that states. “Subject to this Act, a person who holds a petroleum prospecting license may apply for the renewal of the license, but not more than twice, in accordance with the Regulations.”Article (24) of the said document limits the term of renewal for a period of not more than three years. Maybe the framers of this template really intended to lure. (Continued on page 6)
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The Guyana Bar Association must restore its integrity and dignity DEAR EDITOR: An article captioned “Major fallout at Bar Council” that was published in the February 28, 2018 edition of the Guyana Chronicle, detailed multiple resignations of executive members the Guyana Bar Association (GBA). The upheaval is ostensibly over disagreements with the partisan, political agenda being pursued by the GBA leadership. On February 21, 2018, the GBA issued a partisan, pernicious, politically charged statement attacking President David Granger on his contemplated appointment of a Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chief Justice. Consequently, I penned letters to the press on February 21 and February 25, expressing grave concern about the politicization of the GBA and denounced its reckless and contemptuous attack on the Head of State. The Guyana Chronicle article quoted a senior member of the GBA as saying “Another example of the Council’s posture is their recent statement condemning what they ‘anticipate’ would
be the President’s actions in the Appointment of the Chancellor and Chief Justice, with no indication from the President that he intends to act outside of the provisions of the constitution. These actions have many in the legal fraternity questioning the agenda and motive of the current Bar Council.” A senior GBA member has impugned the integrity of the executive council and acknowledged its attack on the President was whimsical and without merit. Five executive members have now resigned allegedly because they disagree with the rancid, PPP partisan, political agenda of the executive leadership. This disaster vindicates CGID’s position that the GBA executive is an out of control morass of political saboteurs, who have left the GBA’s credibility in shatters. If an ordinary attorney knowingly files a meritless, capricious action in the courts and acted contrary to the bar’s canons of ethics, that attorney will be subjected to disciplinary proceedings.
I respect and believe in the honor of the general membership of the GBA. However, the executive leadership has devolved the association into the mouthpiece of the opposition political party of which most of them are members. GBA members are among the most eloquent professionals the country has produced. They should not remain silent amidst this destruction of their regulatory law body. I therefore call on the general membership of the bar, especially the eminent members of the inner bar and other senior lawyers, to demonstrate collective audacity and integrity by raising their voices in dissent of its leadership’s pursuance of a partisan, political agenda, and take resolute action to restore the respect, integrity and dignity of the association. They cannot allow a political cabal to continue to hijack the GBA. Rickford Burke, President Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID)
Patriotism is an ocean away from... From page 5 Nothing is wrong with that. They somehow seem to know that no one could have found oil and extract it all in six years-hence a PSA had to ensue. The Coalition Government with all its lawyers probable never examined the document for its catch. This is total ineptness on their part. Maybe in 2016 they were still too busy celebrating their victory in the 2015 elections! The president for his part, hired an advisor on petroleum and probably never used him. The PSA hands the scepter and the purse to Exxon, yet the president said they will not renegotiate it. This government portrays a reluctance to admit its
faults-they did it with VAT on private education, which they rescinded in an illusionary manner this year. This flawed PSA is huge. It will hurt our people for two generations, in this regard I call on the government to swallow its pride and do what is right for Guyana by renegotiating the PSA –show some respect to the concerns of the people! Sherwood Lowe said that many are of the opinion that after oil was found we should use this fact to “extract a better deal.”Correct! An investor searching for oil in our territory, after finding it, should no longer be soupfed because he will now become an extractor of our re-
source. He is not going to pack up and take his investment to the “Rock of Gibraltar” where there is definitely no oil. We could have at least ask for something in the vicinity of what Ghana got recently from the said Exxon Mobil. The search for oil is done on the basis of geological data. So that crap from Trotman that “Other companies had shied away from developing the resource offshore” and for that Exxon had to be given a good deal is utter rubbish. Sherwood Lowe finished his missive by saying.”The 2016 deal is sealed. It is time for us to begin, in a more structured and sustained manner, to discuss how we can wisely use our God-given blessings to transform the lives of our citizens within the next five years. “ Audacious! Sherwood ! Sherwood! Patriotism is an ocean away from convenience. Rudolph Singh
Thursday March 01, 2018
The wrong Ian Smith DEAR EDITOR, I refer to a letter published in your newspaper on 26 th February, 2018, alleging that I was convicted of trafficking in narcotics in 2014. I write this letter to you requesting that you publish it as a response to the letter mentioned. Firstly, I am surprised that it was published without any verification of the true identity of the ‘Ian Smith’ who had been charged in 2014. At the time I was not even in the country. This can easily be verified with my passport and other supporting documents which I plan to show you so that you may correct the misinformation carried in your paper and grant me a public apology. Just for clarity, I have no criminal conviction in or out of Guyana. I am also concerned that no legitimate source was
linked to this letter. It is my belief that the author of the letter has set out to deliberately tarnish my character, and therefore I would be grateful if your newspaper can provide his or her identity of this article to me and the Police. I should add that the police are currently investigating the drive-by shooting of my home and car late last year. It is also not the first time that some of these allegations are being published in a daily newspaper. The letter refers to report of the conviction of one Ian Smith who was 23 years old at the time. I am currently 39 years old. The letter also refers to the selection process resulting in my appointment as Head of the Scrap Metal Unit of the Ministry of Business and my lack of qualifications. I wish to state that I am un-
aware of what took place prior to my application for the job and that I am a rounded individual with qualifications to effectively execute my functions, as well as many years of experience in the scrap metal trade. Prior to becoming the Head of the Unit I was employed as the Procurement Manager for MMI Trading Inc. in Guyana and around the Caribbean. Before that I was the line Manager for South Carib Metal Limited, eventually becoming Deputy CEO. The owner of South Carib Metal LTD’s was referred to as the ‘King of Scrap Metal’ in Guyana by your newspaper in 2012. My father Randolph Johnson was at one time the CEO of this company. Regards, Ian Smith
LONG LINE LEGACY! DEAR EDITOR, The editorial (Feb 25, 2018) seeks to portray former president Forbes Burnham as a leader of great vision and concern for Guyana. This is a ludicrous, deceptive and shameless article. Can the writer indicate which one of Burnham’s grandiose plans succeeded? The ink had scarcely dried on the ballot when he kicked out the coalition UF Party some two years after he wrestled the reins of power. Prime Minister Burnham had revealed his true colors. The Tyrant was caught up in a struggle between personal power and progress he choose the former and we are all paying for it today. The mass Exodus in the early eighties of one ethnic group (which continues today) is reminiscent of the Jews under Hitler in 1930s Germany. The terminals of the (then) Timehri Airport resembled those at the New Delhi Airport. Parallel to this the dictator militarized an impoverished Guyana with National Service, National Guard Service, Young Socialist Movement, People’s Militia, Tactical Services Unit and, of course, some we do not even know of. The Mazaruni Hydro project, Kimbia cotton ven-
ture were colossal failures. The Sanata Textile Mill and Yarowkabra Glass Factory were nothing short of being technological white elephants. Feed Clothe and House, National Service, scrapping of the railway etc. were all tragic visions. His quest for self-sufficiency in the late 1970’s precipitated gruesome conditions: children went to school hungry, and a mass exodus of skilled and wealthy people coupled with the flight of money to off shore banks. Under the dictators’ rule the Public Service disintegrated; corruption replaced competence –a legacy that lives on to this day. Nationalization of sugar and bauxite in the late 70’s, supported by Jagan’s ill-fated Marxist ideology, was the stepping stone for destruction. Excessive dipping into the country’s coffers became Burnham’s self-therapy for a failed state. His five vicepresidents silently acquiesced –the highest academic achievement of one of them being 1 subject GCE! The most bizarre incident was at the Melbourne, Australia, and Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference. Some 52 PNC honchos attended as Burnham ‘hired’ the National Airline for two
weeks!! Qualifications for University of Guyana entry were lowered and National Service incorporated into the curriculum. As a result I never graduated from that institution; as is the case with thousands of others. Many persons were dispossessed of their properties during the early Burnham era. Among the properties lost by the Kissoon family was Takuba Lodge, a building that is today worth perhaps close to US$5M. Burnham paid one million Guyana dollars for it. Hope estate was also usurped from the same family. As for being brutally honest as posited (first line, third paragraph) the power maniac was simply brutal. Massa days had not changed…only the color of Massa had changed! The Kabaka skillfully played a grand political game of selling Jagan’s Communism to the West and Jagan’s coolness to his fellow CARICOM black leaders. He condemned Apartheid in South Africa yet practised the same in his own backyard. At home lines formed at Knowledge Sharing Institute (KSI) outlets. What a name for a place to buy cooking oil and soap! Today, Guyana is better off without the reflections on the ashes of Jagan and the half-rotten corpse (which presently lies in a mausoleum in the Botanic Gardens in Georgetown) of Burnham. As for his legacy, one salient fact stands out. Guyana has the same population today as it had in the era of Burnham. Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine
Kaieteur News
Thursday March 01, 2018
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Govt. releases April 2015 oil contract signed with Ratio Energy … deal similar to others before last general elections The coalition administration yesterday released the petroleum agreement signed with Israeli-based, Ratio Energy Limited (REL), making it the third such agreement since a campaign promise leading up to the May 11, 2015 polls. Former President Donald Ramotar, who had responsibility for petroleum at the time, signed with REL and Ratio Guyana Limited on April 28, 2015, days before the General Elections. It was around the same period that the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) knew that Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and its partners, including ExxonMobil, had struck oil. The agreement bears striking similarities to previously released petroleum agreements, including 1% royalty, 50-50 share of oil production along with a list of pre-approved and certified items for importation. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, REL now operates as Cataleya Energy Limited, by way of registered change of name. The company, according to officials, commenced negotiations in mid-2012 with the PPP for a petroleum licence within an area known as the ‘ultra-deep water Guyana basin’ area. At the time, that area was known as Annex B. After the REL agreement was signed, the concession was then renamed the ‘Kaieteur’ Block, and totals approximately 13,535 sq. kms. The Kaieteur Block is located to the north and adja-
cent to the Stabroek and Canje blocks, approximately 250 kilometres offshore. EEPGL is identified as the operator and holds 50% interest, with REL holding 25% interest and Ratio Guyana Limited the other 25%. The Ministry of Natural Resources noted that negotiations were nearly completed when, in October 2013, Venezuela seized an exploration ship which was operating on behalf of Anadarko. It took until the first Quarter of 2015 before negotiations resumed. Contracts entered into with ExxonMobil and its joint venture partners, and CGX Energy, have also been released to the public. ExxonMobil and its partners are the only ones that have struck oil, and since their 2016 contract with the coalition administration was released, there have been daily criticisms of the provisions which outline that Guyana ended up with a bad deal. This newspaper understands that the model adopted by both governments was being used over the years dating back to the 1970s. Guyana has just about 10 existing contracts with various oil companies including ExxonMobil. These have all been modeled from a contract that the country had with Mobil, a company that had a presence in Guyana during the time of former President, the late Forbes Burnham. Government has boasted that with ExxonMobil, it secured a one percent increase in royalty, but industry experts have ar-
Former President, Donald Ramotar gued that by industry standards that figure should have been at least 10%. Minister of State Joseph Harmon wouldn’t admit that the ExxonMobil contract was a bad deal. The Minister has said that Government will be looking to deal with the issues going forward. The release of the REL contract comes at a time when there is a flurry of activity in the industry in the past three days. ExxonMobil announced another major oil find, bringing the total number of positive discoveries to seven. Government has taken steps to establish a Department of Energy that essentially takes away management of the industry from the Ministry of Natural Resources and hands it to the Ministry of the Presidency.
The signature page of the April 28, 2015 contract signed between the Government of Guyana, Ratio Energy Limited and Ratio Guyana Limited.
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Sugar industry layoffs… Former Special Assistant to President David Granger, Major-General (Ret’d), Joe Singh, raised the issue of the lack of a long term plan to cushion the social and economic fallout from the layoffs in the sugar industry last year. Chairing a panel discussion hosted at the Moray House on Tuesday, Singh set the tone by pointing out that redundancy on the scale recently experienced in the sugar industry is likely to create significant and enduring challenges, not just in the sugar belt communities, but in the wider economy and society. He noted that there are enough studies available to Guyana where there have been similar effects elsewhere
Kaieteur News
Thursday March 01, 2018
There are lessons Guyana should have learnt - Major-General (Ret’d) Joe Singh - Highlights absence of clear mid-term and long-term plans in the closure of coal mines in the early 1990s in the United Kingdom (UK), Russia, Romania and Ukraine and the 2003 closure of the Caroni (1975) Limited sugar estate in Trinidad. “There are lessons which we should have learnt in our approach to the downsizing and redundancies in the sugar industry,” Singh stated. He added, “Strategies need to be holistic, flexible, well researched and well funded. Thus far, efforts to address the redundancies, have been publicised, have been partial and focused on the near-term. It is not clear if mid-term and long-terms plans have been crafted.” “When the labour force
contracts as quickly as it has, the effects will be extensive and extended,” Singh stated. The state-owned Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), which was heavily dependent on government bailouts, issued redundancy letters to over 4000 sugar workers due to the closure of Skeldon, Rose Hall, Enmore and Wales estates. PAST EXPERIENCE According to Singh, the National Union of Mining Workers had pointed out that in the UK, from a local and practical point of view, there is a tremendous personal cost. The union, according to Singh, noted that perhaps the UK Government’s failure was not the refusal to keep the in-
dustry afloat, but that more could have been done to quickly promote economic regeneration and find new work for those who lost their jobs. Singh highlighted a study undertaken in relation to the coal pits of Romania, Russia and Ukraine. The study found that the three countries have in common, problems, not just about the quantity of the jobs, but of the quality of the jobs where long term stable jobs providing livable wages are scarce. The three countries also experienced worsening of living standards for many, emergency of insecure forms of employment at low wages with few legal and social safeguards.In the case of Trinidad, Singh noted that
former Minister within the Ministry of Trade, Dr. SharonAnn Gopaul McNicol, a Psychologist, had warned that closing the estate should not take place without serious considerations of the impact of the workers. Closer to home, Singh stated that Guyana had the experience of the closure of the manganese mine at Matthews Ridge and the impact it had on Region One (Barima-Waini); and the downsizing of the Bauxite industry and the impact it has had on Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). Moray House, at the corner of Camp and Quamina Streets, is managed by the Moray House Trust.The Trust has approached the sugar layoffs by three priori-
Major-General (Ret’d) Joe Singh speaking at Moray House ties, given the need for strategic thinking in a crisis, need for collaborative non-partisan effort and the need to involve the communities affected by the redundancies for planning for the future.
Ganja smuggled into Camp St. jail…
Matter against prison officer discharged Eleven months after being charged with attempting to smuggle marijuana into the Camp St. prison, Stephan Sobers yesterday walked out the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts a free man, after the matter against him was dismissed due to insufficient evidence. Sobers, 23 of Vergenoegen, East Bank Demerara was on trial before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore, after it was alleged that he was caught attempting to smuggle narcotics into the prison. The allegation was that on March 28, last, Sobers attempted to smuggle 113 grams of marijuana into the Georgetown Prison. The defendant had pleaded not guilty to the allegation and was out on $150,000 bail.
The Magistrate at the end of the trial told the court that there was insufficient evidence and the prosecution team was unable to prove its case against the defendant. Attorney-at-Law Dexter Todd, who represented the defendant, had presented a nocase submission on his client’s behalf and it was upheld by the Magistrate. It had been reported that Sobers was arrested after he had left the jail to purchase food, and upon his return was stopped and searched, during which time the ganja was unearthed. It had also been reported that three packs of Bambu wrapping paper were also seized from the prison officer.
Thursday March 01, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Thursday March 01, 2018
Top Cop's firearm ... FOR RENT
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK;Guyanapassport application. G r a p h i c s design, advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. ICONIC MARKETING & PRINTING –TEL: 6004212: We create A/works, logos, busi ness cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Budhram’s Landscaping & Tree cutting service. Free advice, Free design, Free after care follow up. Tel#626-1044 Repairs to refrigerators, gas stoves, A/C units, washing machines. Call Lindon: 6411086/ 694-2202 Austin Powers Repairs & Services: Regas Fridges, Freezers, AC, Washer, Dryer & Wiring. Lot 114 Brushe Dam Friendship. E.C.D Tel#685-2588/613-1711
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Plant-closing down sale: potting soil, plant pot, flower plant at Garden Centre, Plantation Schoonard WBD #615-2346/627-3443/15001600 Supari palm, Lipstick, Royal, Foxtail. Exora 4 for $1000 Ficus 4 for $1000. Organic potting soil. Tel: 626-1044 Parts for Tacoma Tundra Titan for sale. Tel#686-9608. 1- Caterpillar skid steer 3.2M 1-Leyland daf cement mixer 2.2M 1-canter 3.6M Land at Blankenburg 2.9M Contact #650-0402/603-1402 6000 pound ice box (1) 48 Yamaha engine 13.4 length fishing vessel. Four hundred pound sein. Tel#690-8089
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Complete Building for business. Prime location in Lethem. #692-3573 Vreed-en-hoop junction. Lessons place, church, storage bond, office, other. Call: 603-6400. Fully furnished two bedrooms apartment in providence & three bedroom in Diamond. Tel: 672-1906, 216-2299 (1) downstairs for rent for supermarket including living quarters (preferable Chinese) @ Lot 171 Section B Non Pariel ECD. Tel#629-4764. (1) two bedroom apartment @ 529 Section ‘B’ Block ‘X’ Great Diamond EBD lower apartment, price negotiable. Tel no: 216-4200, 685-7935
House plans and estimates. # 6 1 3 - 5 6 2 8 / sirachenterprises@gmail.com
Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 (1) new Mistubishi canter with excellent conditions with type of engine 4msl, long base, 2004 model, contact: 6967664
Bucket truck with driver/ operator for rent. Banners/ CCTV, street lighting, work at height. Call: 642-9447
One miller welding generator, one diesel generator, 10 KVA one mig weld 240 V. Contact: 699-4300, 228-2734
Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158
1- 320 BL cat Excavator 1- 215 B cat Excavator 1- 428 cat Back-hoe 1- 450 Honda Atv. Contact: 275-0367, 683-7225
2 unregistered canterMitsubishi Fuso 3 tons hyab canter $6M , Mitsubishi 2 ton dump canter $3M #628-7981
1 Double steel wheel roller 1Pneumatic roller 1- Leyland Daf truck 1- Hand spray bitumen kettle. Contact: 2750367, 683-7225 1-320 CL- Bucket 1, Hydraulic pump 1, 4 Hydraulic Ram. #628-1832
TOLET 1 5-bedroom house 570 Good Hope ECD, 4 Self-contained rooms #225-3234 One fully furnished apartment to rent in South Riumveldt $25,000 weekly. #694-7817, 668-0306
Use Daff 620 truck parts. Contact: #650-0402/603-1402
2 Bedroom apartment in Eccles. Tel: 225-3234.
3500 running watts champion generator. Price: $200,000 negotiable. Tel: 696-7246 or 684-7863
Spacious 2 bedrooms and 3 bedrooms top and bottom flats at Mon Repos ECD. Call: 645-2395/668-7986/629-5300.
Desmond Repair Services Fridge, AC, gas stove, microwave, washer, etc on the spot repairs –Call: (592)678-8683
EDUCATION CXC adults classes (Business & Science subjects) Form 1-5 lessons, Grade 2-6 lessons (slow learners, personal tutor) #690-5008,618-0649 Electronic classes beginning March 6th. Enroll early, limited spaces. Abdul Electronics. Tel: 226-6551/ 225-0391.
VEHICLE FOR SALE 2011 Raptor fully loaded 4x4 Auto excellent condition blue 6.2 litre super charged. Tel# 610-5370 Long base canter GRR series 2 million hydraulic lift tray good condition Tel# 609-1040 Primo motor car, Mag rims, C lights, in top condition 2005 model, late PSS series. Phone: 638-8797, 328-7659
1 Transported property at Covent Garden Island EBD. Tel#265-3586
WANTED One Industrial Electrician. Tel# 227-1717 Experienced articulated dump truck drivers to work in the interior. Kindly contact: 223-7165 for futher details. Experience curry cooks, counter servers, drivers, roti/ puri cooks. Apply Hack’s Halaal. 5 Commerce St. Experienced Sand Truck Driver. Apply to Christine’s Variety Store, Lombard Street or Call 227-8529, 626-8003. Experienced Handyman, porter all below 40 years. Apply with written application. Keyfood McDoom Village. Do you need a good driver? very responsible and reliable, has an excellent driving record. Call:650-5913 Experienced General Manager to operate stringer (string gold) in the interior. Contact number: 223-7165 Hire & Private car drivers. Contact: 225-3234 2 reliable responsible delivery guys for full time deliveries with own motorbikes. Also 2 food servers. Call Tonya: #644-5884 Land to buy in Parafaite Harmonie, Eccles, Uitvlugt, Tuschen,Covent Garden, Herstelling, Diamond, Providence & Zeelugt. Tel#686-9608 One nail technician please call: 647-8268 Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm Log truck driver to work in Buckhall. Call: 664-6062
TAXI SERVICE
New Triangle truck tyres, front & all wheel drive, size: 295/ 80R22.5 Call: 647-2022
GR TAXI SERVICE. CALL: 219-5000; 227-1982 & 2257878 (24HRS)
Hair station & Barber station rental, New market street #638-1106. Experienced persons preferable. Room attendant, age 25-45 Tel#225-0198 or visit 233 South road, Lacytown. Chef, Assistant chef, Cashier - Waiter call: 611-5615, 2257933 or visit us at 173 Sheriff street. KITCHEN ASSISTANT (HOUSEKEEPING DAYSHIFT) REQUIRED AT AAGMAN RESTAURANT. CONTACT: 219-0158 BETWEEN 9AM - 5 PM (WEEKDAYS) Accounts clerk- knowledge of NIS,PAYE,VAT and QuickBooks. Call: 614-4358 Female cleaner for office in Eccles. Call: 233-2745 Experienced sales persons with CXC qualifications. Apply @ Christine’s Variety, Lombard Street. Contact: 2278529/626-8003 Vacancy for sales girl. Apply in person to Alabama Trading 65 Robb Street Bond. 1 Security, Farm workers, maintenance workers, labour. Call: 265-3586 8am-4pm
Yorrowkabra, Linden Highway, House, Chicken pen, New foundation, Land 200' x 100' Fenced, water & light. 6.5M neg. Contact: 6867180 2 story transported house for sale, located in a residential area, Atlantic Gardens ECD. Contact: 684-4936 166 4th street, Alexander Village. Tel#691-6201
Property for sale (1) 3 story building at 97 Sugarcane street S/Rvldt Gardens. Price US 1.5M neg. Tel: 695-1356 & 6878445
CAR RENTAL
For Civil Engineer must have 8 years or more experience, call for appointment #6287981, 672-3409
PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6435122/656-0087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL @YAHOO.COM
Experienced male sales attendant, stocktaking knowledge, computer literate, excellent service attitude, able bodied. Key Food McDoom Village.
DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM
One maid with cooking skills and one cleaner helper. Call: 231-0734
Chainsaw operators to work in the interior. Contact: 2237165 PROPERTY FOR SALE
Lot 15 Public road #2 Village. West Coast Berbice. 49ft by 10,314ft. $20M. Contact:6487109/686-4818
Unregistered DAF trucks: Dump trucks, Flat Bed, Flat bed with Crane & Hauler. Call: 659-3100
VACANCY
From page 21 attended 115 overseas courses, and 6 421 benefitted from 251 in-service courses under his leadership. Commissioner Persaud was born in Affiance, Essequibo, he enlisted in the Force on October 15, 1984. He received his first promotion to the rank of Cadet Officer in 1990, he was promoted to Assistant Superintendent in 1992, Deputy Superintendent in 1996, Superintendent in 1999, Senior Superintendent in 2003, Assistant Commissioner in 2007, Deputy Commissioner in 2012; Acting Commissioner in 2014 and subsequently appointed Police Commissioner in March 2015. He was awarded Best Cop in 1997, and awarded the Disciplined Services Medal in 2011.He served in various divisions in the Force, including the CID Quick Reaction Group, and at CID headquarters, (Officer in Charge of Narcotics and Crime Chief).
LAND FOR SALE
AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494
80 x 100 ft. Call: 692-3904 Sophia front 3.5, Corner 4.9, Herstelling front 5M. Land of Canaan 6 per acre. Call GME 231-2199, 618-7483.
Reliable rentals. Cars, SUV at low rate and security deposit special rates for long term. #227-2322/601-2622
Parafaite Harmonie, Eccles, Uivlugt, Tuschen, Covent Garden, Herstelling, Diamond, Providence, Zeelugt. Tel# 686-9608 Eccles $7M Farm $3.5M Uivlugt $3.2M Parafaite Harmonie- $1.5M $1.8M & $2.6M Schnoord- $3M. Tel# 656-0701/611-7223 18,731 acres mining land Gold & Diamond Mazaruni $5,000,000 USD Contact: 6951356, 687-8445
SALON Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/6880009
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Kaieteur News
Thursday March 01, 2018
Council seeks multi-stakeholder approach to help tackle vagrancy The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is taking steps to address the situation of street dwellers, citing health concerns for residents and commuters of Georgetown. Mayor Patricia ChaseGreen told the Council on Monday that the municipality will be taking a multi-stakeholder approach towards addressing the problem. “It is a social issue that we cannot ignore. We cannot encourage them in their numbers around our markets. There are vendors who sell food in those areas,” the Mayor stated, adding that in some cases, commuters are afraid to even walk on the pavements because of the presence of vagrants. According to the Mayor, the City has taken note of the effects that the presence of vagrants has on the environment. She noted that there have been a number of complaints about the odour and trails of garbage that these persons leave behind. Councillor Ivelaw Henry pointed to a similar problem at Bourda Market. Henry
noted that there have been numerous complaints about the vagrants that dwell on the pavements on Orange Walk and Bourda. “People cannot walk on the pavement because of the social rejects. They lie down there, eat there, defecate there, smell up the place there and city constables are doing nothing about it.” The Councillor suggested that the Council develop a policy to address the matter. In response, Town Clerk Royston King agreed that something must be done —a holistic approach needs to be taken. “The city is ugly looking as a result of these persons dwelling on the streets. They contribute to the problem, especially as it relates to solid waste management. They (the street dwellers) constantly ravage the garbage receptacles (both private and public) when they are filled, leaving the litter everywhere they traverse.” Meanwhile, the Mayor told the Council that the city administration is moving to make contact with a number
Mayor Patricia Chase Green of agencies that would aid the process of removing the street dwellers. Towards the end of the meeting, the Mayor noted that plans are afoot for the council to engage other agencies on the matter. “This is a big problem and we have attempted to address it before, but it will require a lot more manpower and resources than the Council has to offer. At the interim, we need to sit and determine how to clean it up, and how we can put our constables there to prevent them from just con-
$142M in learning kits for nursery school programme In order to strengthen the delivery of the Nursery School programme in Guyana, the Ministry of Education will pay a sum of $142M in September, to procure 1500 learning kits for coastland nursery school teachers. Each learning kit comprises 25 to 30 pieces of items which includes counting blocks, a baker’s set and a doctor’s set. In addition to those items, the kits will also contain packages with different kinds of animals. “We are exposing them (students) to different animals…we have puzzles and books to go with it,” said Ingrid Trotman, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Ag). The learning kits are currently being used by teachers in regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 in a pilot project which was started in 2014. Its objective, according to the ministry, is to ensure that teachers are in possession of materials to assist with the learning process. According to the ministry, prior to 2014, teachers were concerned that they were spending most of their time preparing learning materials for their lessons. “Instead of spending time preparing materials, we (ministry) provide them
Deputy Chief Education Officer (Ag) Ingrid Trotman (teachers) with materials so that they can spend time finetuning the different strategies and methods in teaching the children,” Trotman said. She said the pilot project provided vital information since some materials were found to be underutilized. She said the underutilized materials will be substituted with local materials generic to specific areas. “What we have found, out of the 30 different materials in the kit, we looked at how many were being used on a constant basis, and those materials that are popular with the teachers and the children,” she explained.
She said the materials in the learning kits are multi-dimensional and can be used for literacy, numeracy and for other aspects of learning and teaching as well. Trotman stated that the Education Ministry has seen an improved literacy rate in the schools in which the kits were used since the project started in 2014. For that reason, she said, the initiative will be rolled out to all schools across the country. At present, the education system has 1,918 nursery school teachers, 332 nursery schools, 15 annexes and 161 nursery classes.
Vagrancy is prevalent in the city gregating there.” The Georgetown M&CC has in the past collaborated with churches and other stakeholder agencies to address the issue of vagrancy in the City. Last year, the Council joined with the Anglican Diocese of Guyana to provide
assistance to street dwellers and vagrants. Vagrancy is a prevalent issue in Guyana, particularly in the capital city. There are few organizations that lend their support to tackling vagrancy. Among them is a night shelter at Arapaima Street, East La Penitence,
which takes in the homeless. The night shelter is run by the Social Protection Ministry. To gain admittance to that institution, a homeless person must provide proof that he/she is homeless and must submit to a medical examination and, in some cases, provide a police clearance.
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Kaieteur News
Trinidadian flour companies accused of dumping on Jamaican market KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Jamaican manufacturers say they intend to approach the island’s AntiDumping and Subsidies Commission after accusing their Trinidad and Tobago counterparts of “dumping” flour onto the local market. Dumping is a kind of predatory pricing, especially in the context of international trade. It occurs when manufacturers export a product to another country at a price below the normal price. “We’re getting dumped products out of Trinidad. We’ve approached Jamaica Flour Mills (JF Mills) to go as an industry to complain to the Anti-Dumping Commission about the situation because they are causing material damage to the industry here,” Richard Pandohie, the general manager of Seprod Limited told the Financial Gleaner newspaper. He said that the publicly listed entity involved in the manufacturing of oils, fats and corn based products for Jamaica as well as for the export markets, was willing to put competition aside and together with JF Mills lodge a complaint to the relevant authorities. The paper quoted JF Mills general manager, Ralston Nembhard, as saying that the local industry had started noticing the situation prior to the Christmas Season
Richard Pandohie last year. “There has been a large influx of Trinidad flour at seemingly extraordinary prices, so as an industry we’re definitely going in the direction of bringing an action against that,” Nembhard said. He told the newspaper that there is a marked difference in price when compared with those on the local market, saying “the question isn’t just the price differential here but rather between here and their home market. “We sell flour in our home market at about US$26-$27 (per 45-kilogram bag). In their own home market flour sells for about US$38 (per 45-kilogram bag), so the difference between what they sell in their own market and what they sell in this market is substantial, especially when you
take into account the obvious freight cost from Trinidad up to Jamaica.” Nembhard said in addition, “you are selling at a price that is less than any of the Jamaican manufacturers can sell for, so it makes the pricing structure somewhat suspect”. Pandohie said that as an industry Jamaica cannot accept the situation without protest. “They are selling products to us at prices that are significantly lower than the prices that obtain in their own local market. “This for us is disappointing, to say the least. It is not something that we should accept. We’re definitely going to fight against it,” Pandohie told the Financial Gleaner. The newspaper said that at least two brands of flour are being sold at below the domestic prices. It said Caribbean Queen counter flour is produced by Caribbean Flour Mills Limited, a privatelyowned mill in Trinidad, while Special Palm Flour, produced by the Trinidad-based National Flour Mills Limited, are sold here in 45-kilogram bags. Seprod, which is constructing a new milling facility sells a range of flour products under the Gold Seal brand, while JF Mills uses its own name in marketing its products.
Govt. wants regional and international observers to monitor pol ST. JOHN’S, Antigua CMC – The Antigua and Barbuda government says it has written to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General Irwin la Rocque as well as the Commonwealth and the Organization of American States (OAS) to send observers to monitor the March 21 general election. Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who called the polls more than a year before the constitutional deadline, said that letters of invitation have been dispatched to these organisations. “I have invited the three organisations to observe the general elections in the interest of full transparency and to show to the world that the Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) is fully committed to upholding democracy, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms”. Browne said that the observer missions will be fully facilitated in their work by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda”. The writ for the general
Prime Minister Gaston Browne election was issued on Tuesday, one day after Governor General Rodney Williams dissolved the Parliament on the advice of the prime minister. Nomination day is March 5. Apart from the ruling, the other parties expected to nominate candidate for the 17 seats Parliament are the main opposition United Progres-
sive Party (UPP), The Antigua and Barbuda True Labour Party (ANTLP), the Antigua Barbuda People’s Movement (ABPM) , Missing Link VOP and the Barbuda People’s Movement (BPM),. In the last general election in 2014, the ABLP won 14 seats with the remaining three going to the UPP.
Thursday March 01, 2018
Barbados disappointed a vel of suppor or CCJ att le lev supportt ffor PORTAU PRINCE, Haiti - CMC – Barbados has expressed its disappointment that only four Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have joined the appellate jurisdiction of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that was established in 2001 to replace the London-based Privy Council as the region’s final court. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, who attended the 29th CARICOM Inter-Sessional summit that ended here on Tuesday, said that it is unacceptable that, to date, only four member state have joined the Court.“We contend that it is a disgrace that after the Caribbean Court of Justice has been in existence for so long, that only four countries have signed on to that court in its appellate jurisdiction. “I do not buy the argument that there is a division of opinion in the countries that have not signed on to the Court in its appellate jurisdiction, because the biggest decision that CARICOM countries have had to make has been on Independence,” Stuart said. While most of the CARICOM countries are signatories to the Original Jurisdiction of the CCJ that also functions as an international tribunal interpreting the Re-
Prime Minister Freundel Stuart vised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the 15-member regional integration movement, only Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Guyana have signed on to the Appellate Jurisdiction. Stuart said that if “we’ve all decided that we want to be independent and we were able to unite the population on those issues, I cannot see why on matters relating to how our disputes are handled and how our grievances are addressed that we still believe that the former colonial master is better than people here in the Caribbean.” Prime Minister Stuart said that Barbados is of the view that, “you can’t have one foot in and one foot out” in terms
of the jurisdiction of the Caribbean Court of Justice. He expressed optimism that the matter would be addressed at the next CARICOM summit to be held in Jamaica in July and that more definitive answers would be taken on what steps Members States proposed to take to correct the situation. Meanwhile, the regional leaders, have adopted a tourism marketing plan that is designed to place regional countries on an upward trajectory. Prime Minister Stuart said the initiative was important since there were predictions that the upcoming hurricane season was forecast to be just as active as last year’s. “And, if that forecast holds true and there are any casualties in terms of CARICOM members [states], we have to be ready to spring into action to indicate that even though we may have had reverses in terms of a natural disaster, the Caribbean is still open for business,” he stated. Against the background of diminishing market share, Stuart noted that Barbados agreed in principle to the new tourism marketing initiative. The plan was presented by the Bahamas government, which has lead responsibility for tourism in the CARICOM quasi-cabinet.
Honduras’ former first lady arrested in graft case
Honduras’ First Lady Rosa Elena Bonilla stands with her husband, President Porfirio Lobo. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara, File) TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — Military police searched the home of former Honduran President Porfirio Lobo yesterday and arrested his wife as part of a corruption probe by an international team of investigators. Police arrived at the Lobo home outside the capital in six vehicles and searched the residence before leaving with former first lady Rosa Elena Bonilla and her brother-in-law Mauricio Mora. Authorities did not say if Lobo himself was present. The arrest was announced by an anti-cor-
ruption mission of the Organization of American States, a team the government agreed to accept following large street protests against graft in 2016. Investigators for the non-governmental National Anti-corruption Council have told prosecutors that Bonilla, 48, deposited $600,000 in government funds into her personal bank account five days before Lobo ended his four-year term in January 2014. They also say she hasn’t accounted for at least $6 million in government funds for her office during Lobo’s administration.
Kaieteur News
Thursday March 01, 2018
Venezuelan opposition coalition condemns Falcon presidential bid CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuela’s opposition coalition decried a decision by a former state governor to run against President Nicolas Maduro in elections in April, accusing him yesterday of undercutting their strategy of boycotting the vote. Henri Falcon, 56, a former military man who broke with the ruling socialists in 2010 to join the opposition, launched his candidacy in defiance of the Democratic Unity coalition’s policy of not fielding candidates to isolate Maduro. “With this step, Henri Falcon abandons the (Democratic) Unity and the Venezuelan people’s democratic sentiment,” the coalition said in a series of angry tweets. “We cannot legitimize a fraudulent election system. We call on Venezuelans to keep fighting for democratic change.” Opponents say Maduro, 55, has rigged the April 22
Henri Falcon presidential vote by ensuring his most popular rivals Leopoldo Lopez and Henrique Capriles - are barred from standing. Hard-line protest leader Lopez is under house arrest accused of fomenting violence in anti-Maduro dem-
onstrations in 2014, while Capriles is prohibited from holding offices on a charge of “administrative irregularities” when he was a state governor. Both men say the accusations were made up to sideline them.
Court orders release of Caribbean nationals NASSAU, Bahamas CMC – A High Court judge has ordered the unconditional release of eight Caribbean nationals who had been detained by the authorities for illegally entering the Bahamas. Justice Gregory Hilton ordered their release from the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, noting that in the case of one of the former detainees “it seems to me, however, that to establish that a person is ‘found in The Bahamas after landing in contravention of this (Immigration) act’, it must be first determined or proven by some court on a judicial hearing”. In his ruling, the judge made reference to a 2004 case where the former Court of Appeal President Dame Joan Sawyer “confirmed the legal position in The Bahamas that detention or arrest with a view to deportation without being taken before a court is not permissible”. He also cited section 18 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which states that, after an arrest, a peace officer “shall without unnecessary delay and not later than 48 hours after such arrest, take or send the person before a magistrate”. “It is clear, therefore, that if an individual is apprehended by the agents of the immigration department on suspicion of having committed an offense, as is alleged against the applicant, that the individual cannot be detained for more than 48
Queen Counsel Fred Smith hours before being charged and taken before a magistrate,” the judge said, adding “any time longer is an unauthorized detention and is unlawful”. Justice Hilton said that while Article 19 of The Bahamas Constitution recognizes the power of the state to detain and expel non-nationals, “however, this must be done within the four corners of the law. “Any detention not authorized by statute or the common law would be a breach of the individuals’ constitutional rights.” Using the 2004 case in his ruling, the judge said that when a “person reasonably suspected of illegal landing is not taken to court as required… the deportation or-
der by the minister could not render the appellant’s incarceration thereafter lawful, because until a court has decided that he had breached the law, there was no legitimate basis on which the deportation order itself could have been made”. In his affidavit, Burton, who came here by boat was later arrested for illegal landing and detained by immigration officers on August 15, last year, while Bent-John gave birth to her daughter, Chitara John, in July 2006. They were arrested for overstaying and detained at the detention center in a safe house The Haitians also indicated through their affidavits that they were detained last year.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday March 01, 2018
Not one centimetre of our territor y
President David Granger yesterday told residents of Baramita, Barima-Waini (Region One) that the Government is working to ensure the security of their community and region against threats to Guyana’s territorial integrity as a result of claims to the nation’s territory by neighbouring Venezuela. Speaking at the Baramita Primary School yesterday morning, the Head of State declared that his administration will do everything in its power to ensure the safety of the residents of Baramita and other residents of, what he has defined as, front line communities along the 800 kilometre border with Guyana’s western neighbour. “Venezuela has been claiming more than half of our country; the Barima-Waini, the Cuyuni-Mazaruni and the Rupununi regions, but I want you to know that we are not surrendering one centimetre of our territory; not a blade of grass. We are here to work with your village, with your region, with your Toshao, with your residents, whether they are Caribs, or Warraus or Arawaks or Arecunas to make sure Guyana is safe. Just as we inherited Guyana from our fore parents we want to pass it on to our children,” he said. Noting that Guyana is only interested in a peaceful resolution to the conflict, President Granger told residents of the decision by the United Nations’ Secretary General, Mr. António Guterres’ decision to refer the matter to the International
-President Granger tells residents at Baramita Court of Justice (ICJ) after the Government of Guyana had lobbied him and his predecessor, Mr. Ban Ki-moon. “We have fought, we have struggled to make sure that this country will not be invaded. We will go to court and we will settle the matter peacefully and I am confident Baramita, that it will be settled in your favour, and you will be able to pass this land to your children and grandchildren,” he said. While Guyana looks forward to making its case before the international court, the unstable situation in Venezuela has presented some threats to Guyanese, who live in the bordering communities with that country. Noting that Baramita is vulnerable to illegal migration, the spread of disease, transnational crime and attacks from what is known as the Venezuelan Sindicato gang, President Granger said that Government will work with the Regional Administration, the Toshao and the village councillors, as well as the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to sure up security mechanisms. He said, “We want to see a village that is strong, we want to see people who feel safe and we want a region that is secured that is why we are here. We are here to strengthen this village to pro-
tect the people and to ensure that their entire region remains secured.” In that regard, the President said that there is a role for the people of Baramita to play and called on them to report any threats they observe. “We want Baramita to be safe, stable, and strong. We believe that Baramita is one of the frontline villages. When I say frontline, I mean that you are our eyes and ears to tell the rest of Guyana when there’s danger… Every one of us has to be concerned about protecting this country and I’m convinced that it is only because of the determination of Guyanese, ordinary Guyanese, that we were able to keep aggressors at bay for the last 52 years. Because they know that we love our country that we’ll fight to protect our country; every river, ever tree, every village,” he said. Following the village meeting, the President visited the site of the almost completed $82M Government complex, which now houses the new Baramita Primary and Nursery School buildings, the Medical Centre, teachers and nurse’s quarters. President Granger noted that the complex is part of the development of a model that will be replicated in other hinterland communities. Other Government offices will be added to the complex over time.
Prosecutors directly link Benjamin Netanyahu to another graft probe Jerusalem (CNN) For the first time, prosecutors directly linked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to what is known as Case 4000, alleging he gave regulatory benefits worth up to 1 billion shekels (approximately $280 million) to his friend in exchange for favorable media coverage. Case 4000 is one of five investigations targeting the Prime Minister and members of his inner circle. Netanyahu has been named as a suspect in two cases, though not in Case 4000. He has denied any wrong doing in those cases.In an appeals hearing on Tuesday for two key suspects in the case, prosecutor Yehudit Tirosh said, “It’s about a severe affair of a suspicion of giving and receiving bribes, about giving “favorable” coverage, if I can use a gentle word, because the word favorable misses the reality.”
“[It’s] harnessing a leading website for the purpose of beneficiary coverage and editing, in return for regulatory benefits on behalf of the Communications Ministry, the Minister of Communications, the Communications Ministry Director-General, which are worth to Eurocom between 680 million cash to one billion shekels, including conditional benefits.”Eurocom Group is a company owned by Shaul Elovitch, Netanyahu’s friend, and one of the main suspects in Case 4000. Elovitch is the controlling shareholder of telecommunications firm Bezeq, which also owns online news site Walla! News, where prosecutors say Netanyahu was seeking favorable coverage. Elovitch’s remand was extended in this case, as was that of Nir Hefetz, who was the Netanyahu family spokesman for many years.
Kaieteur News
Thursday March 01, 2018
Russian model in Thai jail promises to spill Trump-Russia secrets CNN) A self-described Russian “seductress” is asking for US help to escape a “Thai prison” in exchange for information on alleged links between US President Donald Trump and Russia, according to her Instagram account. Anastasia Vashukevich, who also goes by the name Nastya Rybka, says she’s being held in Thailand after being arrested on February 26, along with nine other Russians, in the city of Pattaya for running so-called “sex training” sessions. Rybka has said she’s from Belarus but entered Thailand on a Russian passport, a Thai immigration official told CNN. While on the way to prison in Pattaya, Rybka published a video on her Instagram account begging US journalists to help her. “I’m ready to give you all the missing puzzle pieces, support them with videos and audios, regarding the connections of our respected lawmakers with Trump, Manafort and the rest. I know a lot. I’m waiting for your offers and I’m waiting for you
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, left, talks to Oleg Deripaska at the 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam. in a Thai prison,” she said. Rybka has come under the spotlight in recent weeks after the Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny published an investigation earlier this month on his anticorruption foundation website into her connections with some of Russia’s richest and most powerful men.
Rybka has described herself as a seductress and has published a “diary” on “how to seduce a billionaire.” In the investigation, Navalny published video from Rybka’s Instagram account showing an August 2016 yacht trip with Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska and Deputy Prime Minister Sergey Prikhodko.
ICE confirms 150-plus arrests in California sweep, slams Schaaf’s early warning Federal officials said Tuesday they arrested more than 150 undocumented immigrants in a Northern California sweep aimed at countering local sanctuary laws, while suggesting Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf’s decision to alert the public to the secret operation may have allowed some targets to elude capture. Since Sunday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have fanned out from the Central Valley to the far northern reaches of the state, knocking on doors, detaining people and prompting alarm from community activists and some Democratic politicians who oppose President Trump’s immigration crackdown. Agency officials, who had remained silent about the operation for three days, said in a written statement that they arrested people in cities including San Francisco, Bay Point, Sacramento and Stockton, and that half of those arrested had criminal convictions, including for violent crimes. The operation was named Keep Safe. Officials did not say whether the first letters of the operation were in-
tended as a reference to Kate Steinle, the San Francisco woman shot dead on a bay pier in July 2015 by a homeless undocumented immigrant. ICE also did not say whether the sweep was over. “Sanctuary jurisdictions like San Francisco and Oakland shield dangerous criminal aliens from federal law enforcement at the expense of public safety,” said Thomas Homan, the acting director of ICE. “Because these jurisdictions prevent ICE from arresting criminal aliens in the secure confines of a jail, they also force ICE officers to make more arrests out in the community, which poses increased risks for law enforcement and the public.” Homan slammed Schaaf, who on Saturday night released an unprecedented warning that ICE was about to begin arresting people. Schaaf said she issued the alert after receiving confidential tips from “credible sources,” and conferring with attorneys to make sure she wasn’t opening herself up to federal prosecution. The mayor’s move endangered ICE officers and alerted their targets, Homan asserted, “making clear that this reck-
less decision was based on her political agenda.” He said 864 “criminal aliens and public safety threats remain at large in the community, and I have to believe that some of them were able to elude us thanks to the mayor’s irresponsible decision.” Fox News, which was given a ride-along with ICE officers during the operation, reported that agency officials were asking the Department of Justice to investigate whether Schaaf broke any laws. In a statement Tuesday night, Schaaf stood by her decision to go public. “My statement on Saturday was meant to give all residents time to learn their rights and know their legal options. It was my intention that one mother, or one father, would use the information to help keep their family together,” the mayor said. “I do not regret sharing this information. It is Oakland’s legal right to be a sanctuary city and we have not broken any laws. We believe our community is safer when families stay together.” (San Francisco Chronicle)
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Thursday March 01, 2018
Jamaica to benefit from IDB funding
KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is providing US$248 million in loan support for three government initiatives in Jamaica. The authorities said that the Washington-based financial institution is providing US$160 million for the Public Sector Transformation Project; US$68 million for the National Identification System (NIDS); and US$20 million to further boost national security technology inputs. Finance and the Public Service Minister, Audley Shaw, and IDB President, Luis Alberto Moreno, signed the agreements at a ceremony that coincided with the seventh annual IDB Caribbean Governors’ Conference, which ended here on Tuesday. Shaw, who emphasised the importance of the publicsector transformation programme, reiterated that 84 State entities are being targeted for closure, divestment, merging or subsuming back into Central Government over the next three years. Shaw, noting that the NIDS implementation is “absolutely important” for Jamaica, said the concept is similar to what obtains in the United States where “everybody born gets a social secu-
rity card… and that is (the) main instrument that identifies you from birth. I would like to suggest that the backing of the IDB for the promulgation of the NIDS is, I think, ultimate proof of the efficacy of this programme,” he added. Regarding the provision for national security, Shaw said “we simply need to bring more technology into the business of crime-fighting”, in order to strengthen public safety and citizen security. Moreno said the IDB’s latest support forms part of the financial institution’s commitment to assist Jamaica to embark on the engagements that will yield higher levels of growth and development. “I think Jamaica is (experiencing) the best moment possible, because you have really become a poster of what a country can do when it decides to take on the problems. We have started to see (the results) already in how the debt levels are (declining), how growth is coming back and how unemployment is coming down,” he said. Moreno said while this is the result of the sacrifice of the Jamaican people, “it really began (when successive administrations) decided that it was time to take the bull by
Finance Minister Audley Shaw (left) and IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno, signing loan agreements (JIS Photo) the horns”. The seventh annual Caribbean Governors’ Meeting was hosted by the Bank of Jamaica (BoJ) under the theme “Jump Caribbean” and focussed on helping the region to embrace the digital revolution as a developmental tool.The IDB has indicated that it wants to improve the capacity of the region to tap into technology and apply innovative methods as a
means to solve problems, improve productivity, generate employment and advance development. “Jamaica is on the path to becoming the Caribbean’s first digital society and is positioning itself to make the giant leap forward to improving the lives of its people through digital innovation. The government of Jamaica is therefore strategic in building a digital society where
citizens interact with the State using digital solutions resulting in greater productivity, efficiency, accountability, ease and prosperity,’ Moreno said. “The IDB will continue to partner with Jamaica to improve public sector management, increase private sector productivity and reinforce social protection.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, says the policies and programmes car-
ried out or contemplated by his administration are in the best interest of the citizens, citing for example, the proposed implementation of the National Identification System (NIDS). Holness, who was speaking at a news conference at the end of the IDB conference, gave the assurance that there will be “nothing nefarious to, in any way, erode the privacy of the citizen” regarding how personal data collated under NIDS will be handled.“Many issues arise when we start to enter upon the conversation about giving every citizen an identification. It means that the Government will have to collect information about every citizen, (and) we acknowledge that many of these concerns are legitimate,” he said. “So whether it is in national security, justice and supporting the judiciary… (providing) housing and facilitating land settlement, increasing the efficiency of the public, the speed at which we do business, (or) giving the citizen an identity, the Government is acting in the best interest of the citizen. What we are trying to do is strengthen Government so that we can better serve you,” Holness said.
Two stowaways hid in a plane’s landing gear - and fell to their death during takeoff
On Monday, three objects tumbled from a plane leaving Ecuador for New York, falling nearly 1,000 feet shortly after takeoff and landing with a thud on the runway. Airport personnel rushed to the site, fearing LATAM Airlines flight XL1438 lost vital parts before leaving the port city of Guayaquil. They arrived to find one person dead from the fall and another badly injured but alive. He would die minutes later, local media outlets reported. A suitcase with clothes and about $20 also was found. The two men appear to have crawled into the landing gear section of the plane, said Gen. Marcelo Tobar, Guayaquil’s police chief. He speculated they were either forced out by the mechanics of the gears or they had second thoughts and jumped in the hope they
would survive, according to Ecuador-based El Comercio. The men, between the ages of 25 and 30, did not have identification. Officials suggested the men were Peruvian because the flight originated in Lima with a stop in Guayaquil, but they later determined the stowaways likely climbed aboard in Ecuador, El Comercio reported. The aircraft was forced to circle back and land at José Joaquín de Olmedo International Airport following the incident, LATAM Airlines Group spokesman David Harry said in a statement to The Washington Post. The men were not passengers, he said, adding the airline is cooperating with investigative authorities. The incident led to a 90-minute shutdown of the country’s second largest airport.
Thursday March 01, 2018
Bottas laps up early advantage over Hamilton BARCELONA (Reuters) Valtteri Bottas will take any advantage he can get as Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team mate, even if it lasts little longer than the snow that covered the Circuit de Catalunya yesterday. With the day largely a write-off, the Finn looked set to end the first pre-season test having done much more mileage than the Briton who will line up in Australia on March 25 as favourite for a fifth Formula One title. Bottas completed 94 laps on Tuesday and 58 on Monday for a total of 708km. Hamilton has done 25 laps in total, a mere 116km, and most were in damp and cold conditions. The test ends Thursday and the teams have four more
days at the circuit next week, when the weather should be better. “The miles, in these conditions, are less valuable than proper miles in proper conditions,” Bottas, wrapped up warm on a chilly morning, told reporters. “But I’ll take it, “added the Mercedes driver, who would have preferred to test in Bahrain than Barcelona. “Definitely so far I’ve got a better understanding because of the mileage. “For sure Lewis will also get a good idea of the new car. He is quick to adapt anyway so I‘m sure it will be fine for both of us.” FOCUSED BOTTAS Bottas won three races last year after moving from Williams to Mercedes while
Hamilton won nine and the title. The Finn suffered something of a slump after the August break and said he had spent plenty of time over the winter reviewing those races and others where he underperformed. “I have definitely been focusing more on my weaknesses,” he said. “But also you need to remember your strengths and how to use them.”Hamilton, he said, also had weaknesses but he preferred to focus on himself rather than trying to get under the skin of his team mate. “If I perform on the level I am aiming to at every single race, I hope that will do the job. I‘m not going to start wasting my energy on any (mind) games,” he added.
Thursday March 01, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You probably aren't feeling your best today, Aries. No doubt your illness is a result of recent overindulgence. You can't blame anyone but yourself for your crashing headache and queasy stomach. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) There is such a thing as being too honest, Taurus. You've experienced in the past how your determination to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth can cause hurt feelings. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You want nothing more than to be alone today. For that to happen, Gemini, you need to turn off your phone, shut off the computer, and hang a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Don't be surprised if a lot of uninvited visitors show up today, Cancer. You could host an impromptu social event as neighbors stop by to bring news of changes in the area. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You can expect to run a lot of errands today, Leo, even though you would probably prefer to stay at home. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You have energy to burn, Virgo, and you intend to use it. Ask friends to join you in the park. Or set up a roundrobin tennis match for the afternoon.
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LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today you could receive word of a promotion or exciting new challenge at work. Although this is something you've wanted for a long time, you may hesitate to accept immediately. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Money and friendship rarely mix, Scorpio. Keep this in mind today if a friend hits you up for a loan. You'd be better off helping her strategize ways to earn more SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) If you're taking a trip any time soon, Sagittarius, you can expect to experience a powerful attraction for someone CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You could soon receive news of an unexpected cash inflow, Capricorn. This might be money earned on your own, but it's more likely to be investment income. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today the energy is on partnerships, Aquarius, probably those begun on the spur of the moment. You and a colleague might have a conversation about the possibility of going into business together. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Have you been entertaining the idea of changing jobs, Pisces? If so, put out some feelers today. You've been working hard and may have felt as if you've been barking up the wrong tree.
Bush Lot... From page 34 taking 3 for 22 off four overs. In reply, the host started poorly, losing their first wicket at 20 before A. Matabeek joined Raphael Estriado and played positively to take the score to 60 in just the fifth over before losing Matabeek for 22. Christendat Bissoon came and went early for 10, however, Bush Lot United skipper Rajbance Hemraj came to the crease. He lost Estriado for 31 but teamed up with Ralph Ogle to take his team to victory in the final over. Hemraj was unbeaten on 59 inclusive of six fours and two sixes, while Ogle made 17 not out. Anil Beharry took two wickets. He got support from his son Aaron Beharry and Ajay Gainda with one wicket apiece. Hemraj was named manof-the-match. He thanked the organisers for the game and congratulated his players. Speaking on behalf of the visitors, Steve Narine congratulated the winners and thanked the organisers for the invitation. In a kind gesture, Ricky Deonarain donated $50,000 on behalf of the GFSCA. Lalta Gainda of Gainmart, UG Road and of Bel Air Rubis also made a contribution of $25,000 towards the project.
Monedderlust penalised... From page 35 a win was Orealla Falcons which hammered East Bank Gunners, 9-0. Shano Edwards led the goal blitz with strikes in the 8th, 12th and 34th minutes; emulating his hat-trick form was Brett Sarius (39, 44, 45) while a double came off the boot of Daniel Alexander (22, 30) with the other from Carlton Hamilton in the 57th minute. Corriverton Links then trounced Arsenal FC 3-0 on account of the third hat-trick of the day which was scored by Matthias Lewis in the 35th, 46th and 59th minutes. Cougars then took the field and turned back the challenge of Hopetown United Rangers 4-0; a brace each from Tyrese Tim (3, 56) and Kevon Hamilton (27, 49) led the winners. And, Hearts of Oak and Young Strikers battled to an exciting 1-1 draw. Hearts of Oak had taken the lead midway the first half but Young Strikers’ Nicholas Browne who showed encouraging skills with constant raids on the Hearts of Oak defence finally got his reward and the equaliser in the 67th minute.
Snow and rain ruin day three of pre-season testing BBC Sport - The third day of pre-season testing was a write-off as a result of snow, rain and freezing weather at Spain’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The start was delayed for more than three hours because the medical helicopter was unable to fly in the poor conditions after overnight snow. Only five drivers left the pits and only Fernando Alonso set a timed lap. McLaren’s Alonso was the first out on track and he joked that the “car is performing well in the snow so far”.His fastest time of two minutes 18.545 seconds was a minute off a fast dry lap time as the Spaniard managed 11 laps in total.Alonso, Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and Toro Rosso’s Brendon Hartley were the only drivers to complete more than one lap - two each for Ricciardo and Hartley - and Ricciardo had a trip through the gravel but was able to extricate his car and return to the pits. As temperatures climbed slowly above freezing in the afternoon, the early snow and sleet turned to heavy rain, but Ricciardo’s mishap
emphasised why running was so restricted - teams wanted to avoid risking damaging their cars.The weather is expected to improve for the final day of this week’s first test on Thursday, with highs of 15C predicted on a cloudy day with intermittent showers. The second and final pre-season test runs from 69 March. The opening race is the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne’s Albert Park on 23-25 March. Snow also affected the end of the second day of testing on Tuesday.Haas team principal Guenther Steiner said: “You don’t learn anything. We will never race in this circumstance, and the only thing you do is risk the car.F1’s halo ‘is a step too far’ - Palmer“This being the first test of the season, we are lean on spares, and we cannot risk it. And at the moment it does not look much better on Thursday. It is getting warmer but still wet.”Extending the test for an extra day would require the unanimous approval of all 10 teams.“We can’t get two teams to agree on something, never mind 10,” Steiner added.
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Shahzaib Hasan handed one-year ban ESPNcricinfo - Last year’s PSL spot-fixing scandal has claimed yet another scalp, with Shahzaib Hasan handed a one-year ban after falling foul of the PCB’s anticorruption code. Shahzaib was found guilty on two counts of breaching Clause 2.4.4, which deals with a failure to disclose corrupt approaches, and one count of Clause 2.4.5, which concerns the failure to report any incident a player is aware of that would amount to a breach of the anti-corruption code. Shahzaib has, crucially, been found not guilty of breaching the far more serious Clause 2.1.4, which involves “directly or indirectly soliciting, inducing, enticing, instructing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating any participant to breach any of the foregoing provisions of this Article 2.1.” That would have likely led to a significantly longer ban. The judgement revealed that Shahzaib, in addition to failing to report a corrupt approach from bookmakers
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Kaieteur News
“Sajid” and “Robbie”, had also failed to inform the PCB’s anti-corruption unit about the details of the approach to the national cricketers. It was also judged that he failed to disclose the full details of approaches received by Babar Azam and Sharjeel Khan relating to engaging in corrupt conduct during the fifth ODI against Australia in Adelaide in on January 26 last year. Since Shahzaib was provisionally suspended by the PCB on March 18 last year, his ban is less than three weeks away from its end. He has also been fined Rs 1 million (approximately GBP 6500). However, the PCB’s legal advisor Taffazul Rizvi, speaking to reporters after the verdict, said this did not mean he would be eligible to play cricket as soon as that. “His ban may end on March 17, but remember that according to the anti-corruption code, you have to go through a rehabilitation process. The first step towards beginning rehabilitation is the
acceptance of guilt. If he does not accept that he was guilty, then his rehabilitation process cannot begin.” Shahzaib is the sixth player to be sanctioned in the wake of the PSL spot-fixing case. Today’s events meant all six players - Sharjeel Khan (5 years), Khalid Latif (5 years), Mohammad Irfan (1 year) , Mohammad Nawaz (2 months), Nasir Jamshed (1 year) were the others - have been banned for certain lengths of time for their role in the saga. Even so, the process is not yet concluded. The PCB has slapped further corruption charges on Nasir Jamshed, which could result in a longer ban, while it is not yet clear whether either party will appeal the tribunal’s verdict on Shahzaib. It has been more than seven years since the opening batsman Shahzaib last played for Pakistan, with his participation in their victorious 2009 World T20 campaign the highlight of his brief international career of three ODIs and 10 T20Is.
GTC/PM undertakes successful tour twinning exercise to Nickerie Suriname In an effort to foster relationship with organisations both in and out of Guyana the, GuySuCo Training Center/ Port Mourant ( GTC/PM) over the weekend convened a successful twinning exercise with the Spartans Volleyball Club of Nickerie Suriname. The activity was held from 22nd Feb to February 25th in Nickerie Suriname. A contingent of 40 apprentices and 6 officials represented the GTCPM on the trip to the neighbouring Republic. Apart from the regular protocols a number of games
were played. Among the games played were volleyball, football and cricket. The lads from the GTC/PM made a clean sweep winning all the games which were played over two nights. Results show in volleyball the GTCPM 3-0, 3-0, 3-0. In six a side football two teams representing the GTCPM advanced to the finals after defeating the Nickerie Six in a four team encounter. The GTCPM 1 team won the finals 5-0. The Goal scorers were Shamar Wilkie 3 and Shaquan Spencer 2. In a 15/15 overs hardball cricket match: GTCPM won
the toss and batted first, scoring 141 for 9 wickets. Jermain Pollard top scored with 38, while Devindra Latchman made 18. In reply, Nickeri was restricted to 102 for 9. The GTCPM was presented with a trophy for their success. The Sparta volleyball club being the premier organiser was thanked for their invitation and organising of the games. They also thanked Guysuco Training Centre for turning up and expressed hope that another exercise can be realized soon. (Samuel Whyte)
Russian Olympic Committee reinstated by IOC ZURICH/MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia was reinstated by the International Olympic Committee yesterday after the remaining tests of the country’s athletes at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics were all returned negative. Russians competed as neutrals at the Games after the IOC suspended the country’s Olympic Committee (ROC) in December, saying it had found evidence of an “unprecedented systematic manipulation” of the anti-doping system.. The IOC reinstatement means athletes can compete under the Russian flag and wear a national team uniform, while the national anthem can be played at gold medal cer-
emonies. It also means Russian officials can take part at IOC meetings. On Sunday the IOC said Russia, which has repeatedly denied state involvement in doping, would be automatically readmitted if there were no more doping violations from the Games. “The final notification of all remaining test results from the Olympic Athlete from Russia (OAR) delegation has been received,” the IOC said in a statement on Wednesday. “The IOC can confirm that all the remaining results are negative. “Therefore, as stated in the Executive Board decision of Feb. 25, the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee is automatically lifted with
GFF Elite league... From page 28 lost their first match at the hands of Fruta Conquerors to surrender their lead to the Tucville based side, while Western Tigers now have 10 points from four games after defeating Buxton United 2-0 during on the same day. Although Aubrey Gibson didn’t manage to find the back of the net on Sunday during his team, Victoria King’s 2-0 loss to Conquerors, he continues to lead the goal scorers’ chart with 5 goals, while Western Tigers’ Andrew Murray Jr. is close behind with 4 goals. See below points and top goal scorers charts.
immediate effect.” The decision was announced earlier on Wednesday by ROC president Alexander Zhukov on state television. “The Russian Olympic Committee has had its rights fully restored,” he said. “It’s a decision of the utmost importance for us.” NEUTRAL TEAM A team of 168 Russians competed as part of a neutral ‘Olympic Athlete from Russia’ (OAR) team in Pyeongchang but two of them failed drug tests - medal-winning curler Alexander Krushelnitsky and bobsledder Nadezhda Sergeeva. They had all been required to prove they were clean before the Games. Under the neutrality rules, the Russians were unable to wear national uniforms or have their anthem played at medal presentations, although on Sunday the men’s ice hockey team sang the national anthem after winning gold. Widespread doping by Russian athletes at the 2014 Sochi Winter Games was exposed by an independent report for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The GTCPM winning volleyball team.
The GTCPM contingent that traveled to Suriname
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Top-ranked Windies a Warrican magic puts Windies A in command marked team: Brathwaite NORTH SOUND, Antigua, CMC – Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican snatched his third five-wicket haul of the series as West Indies A dominated England Lions on the second day of the day/night third four-day “Test” here, to enhance their chances of a clean sweep. The 25-year-old picked up six for 33 as Lions, resuming from their overnight 20 without loss, were bundled out for a disappointing 102 in their first innings, to extend their wretched batting woes in the three-match series. Haseeb Hameed topscored with 48 but was just one of three batsmen in double figures and the only one to pass 20.Armed with a lead of 134 runs, Windies A finished the night on 157 for four in their second innings – 291 runs ahead heading into yesterday’s penultimate day at the Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.First innings topscorer Shamarh Brooks again got a start with 37, while Jahmar Hamilton continued his decent form with an unbeaten 36 and captain Kieran Powell, 28.Chasing a relatively modest target for first innings lead, captain Keaton Jennings and Hameed extended the Lions opening stand to 38 before being separated. The left-handed Jennings
Left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican … has taken 26 wickets in the series. had scored 16 from 53 deliveries when he fell lbw to left-arm seamer Raymon Reifer and Nick Gubbins lasted 18 balls before he too departed lbw, trapped by off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall (3-46). Seven balls later with the score on 52, Warrican claimed his first wicket when he sent back Joe Clarke, lbw without scoring, confirming the collapse which saw the last seven wickets tumble for 50 runs. With his latest heroics, Warrican took his haul in the series to 26 wickets while Cornwall now has 17. Batting a second time, Windies A were handed a solid start by Powell and fellow left-hander John Campbell (22) who added 54 for the first wicket.Powell had struck two fours and a six in a breezy 36-ball knock when he was lbw to 20-year-old off-
spinner Dominic Bess (3-45), leading to a slide where three wickets perished for 19 runs. Brooks then combined in a 54-run, fourth wicket stand with Hamilton, to keep Windies A on top. The right-handed Brooks faced 64 balls and counted five fours while Hamilton has so far struck five boundaries in a 75-ball stay at the crease. Scores: WINDIES A 236 (Shamarh Brooks 63, John Campbell 35, Rahkeem Cornwall 33, Jermaine Blackwood 28, Raymon Reifer 27; Saqib Mahmood 350, Jack Leach 3-58) and 157 for four (Shamarh Brooks 37, Jahmar Hamilton 36 not out, Kieran Powell 28; Dominic Bess 3-45). LIONS 102 (Haseeb Hameed 48; Jomel Warrican 6-33, Rahkeem Cornwall 346).
HARARE, Zimbabwe, CMC – All-rounder Carlos Brathwaite believes West Indies are a marked team at the ICC World Cup Qualifiers which bowl off this weekend. The Caribbean side are highest ranked side in the 10team competition, which determines the final two spots at the World Cup next year in England. Brathwaite conceded the Windies were the strongest side but said as a result, there were teams which would be anxious to prove their worth against the two-time former World Cup champs. “We probably have a target on our backs, and teams will really be game when it comes to playing against us,” said Brathwaite, who was recalled for this series after being dropped a year ago. “We need to firstly not underestimate any team – I don’t think we will – and then secondly, we need to do as well we can, perform day in and day out. At the end of the two weeks or so, let’s be raising the cup as champions of the World Cup Qualifier.” He continued: “I will concede that we’re probably the better team on paper, the team with most history. But cricket is played on the day. Each and every day we step on the park, we need to act as though we are the best team
Carlos Brathwaite sends down a delivery in training ahead of the ICC World Cup Qualifiers. (Photo courtesy CWI Media) on paper, act like the best team in the competition. And then have the results to show for it.”West Indies’ start to the tournament was less than flattering, crashing to a stunning 29-run defeat under Duckworth/Lewis to Afghanistan in their opening warmup match on Tuesday. They will take on ICC World Cricket League Division 2 champion, United Arab Emirates, in their final warmup on Thursday. West Indies were forced into the qualifiers after winning just three of 23 One-Day Internationals last year, to
find themselves ninth in the ICC rankings at the qualification cut-off date of September 30 last year. Only hosts England, along with the remaining top seven ranked sides, gained automatic qualification. Brathwaite said while they would have preferred to have avoided the qualifiers, it was now important the Caribbean side approached them professionally.“With all due respect to the competition, we didn’t want to be here. We wanted the direct passage to the World Cup,” said the 29year-old. “Be that as it may, we are here, and we have to play these games, play them well, and be at our best throughout the competition, and be there and lift the trophy at the end of the competition, and ease a few fears back home of possibly missing out on the World Cup. That will be a job well done in my eyes.” West Indies boast a strong side which includes the likes of veteran batsmen Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, along with the exciting youthful duo of Evin Lewis and Shai Hope. Brathwaite, better known for his exploits in the Twenty20 format, said he was focussed on ensuring his performances helped the Windies to qualify.
Level 1 Teachers Training Programme conducted for Chess The Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Cohesion/National Sports Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Education conducted a level 1 Teachers’ Training Programme of the Chess in Schools at the V.I.P Gallery at the National Aquatic Center last Wednesday and Thursday. The workshop involved Teachers from primary and Secondary Schools from the Georgetown division and taught teachers the fundamentals of how to play Chess, FIDE Chess Laws and how to teach Chess. The participants will be working along with National Chess Coach Wendell Meusa to successfully implement Chess into schools locally. The main aims of this programme were to introduce chess into the national school systems, create school’s chess clubs that will be supervised by Teachers and managed by the National Coach. The programme also introduced the teaching of chess as a regular subject within official school agendas throughout the country. It is
Some of the children involved in the Chess programme. aimed at improving mathematics competence as well as general; educational, psychological, social and emotional development of our primary school children. Preparing and training teachers on how to teach chess and manage school chess clubs, providing schools with free chess equipment, providing methodological support for teach-
ers, launch an Annual National Conference on Education through Chess in School, provide text-books at preferential prices for school children participating in the programme and to assist schools in organising chess tournaments and events was the main purpose of this programme. Preparation for special training programme for teach-
ers working with students of with special educational needs (Deaf & Dumb) in cooperation with special education specialists are being planned. This programme was structured around the World Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess in School’s initiative and follows the implementation steps of countries such as Armenia, Russia, USA,
Some of the Teachers involved in the Chess programme. China, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados to have chess implemented in schools mandatory as a subject or as a after school club. The Chess in School initiative promotes Chess for Education seeking to use the mental benefits associated to chess for a greater and better development of every child. This programme was organised and instructed by
Guyana’s National Champion, FIDE National Instructor and NSC National Chess Coach CM (Candidate Master) Wendell Meusa and Chess Assistants Orel Richardson and Arianna Lalloo. This workshop is one of many and will be completed across various regions in Guyana such as Berbice, Bartica, Essequibo and Lethem.
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Kaieteur News
Lusignan Golf Course ready for Saturday’s $M shoot out Kissoon’s Furniture again on board By Sean Devers Everything is set and ready to go for Saturday’s One Million dollars shoot out at the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) on the East Cost of Demerara commencing at noon and the organizers are hoping for ideal weather and a large turn-out.Past President of the LGC and Proprietor Kissoon Furniture Store Mr Hemraj Kissoon said at yesterday’s launching of the Event and the handing over of the sponsorship cheque at the Industrial Site branch of Kissoon’s, that Kissoon’s has been associated with the LGC for over 50 years The affable 81-year-old entrepreneur also disclosed he will be making a return to the sport he loves in Saturday’s Event, which is open to the public.
“When a business entity contributes to society in any way as we are doing today it should not be viewed as a favour, but as Cooperate responsibility, be it Sports, Culture, Education or any other area,” the down to earth Kissoon said.He stated that the club members have united as one and showered praises on President of the Club Aleem Hussein and his hard working Executive for doing a wonderful job of keeping Golf in Guyana alive. Hussein said this is the one of the biggest Sporting Events for the year, adding the winners from first to fourth will receive cash and medals along with vouchers to shop at any branch of Kissoon’s in Guyana. Hussein informed that the top Guyana Golfers including
Avinash Persaud along with females will be participating on a Course which in a fantastic condition. “We want everyone to come out on Saturday, even if you don’t know to play Golf, come to see what it looks like, we will have people conducting beginner’s lessons there. “We want the facilities at the Lusignan Golf Club to be of a very high standard and hope to have tournaments in which overseas Golfers will participate. With Oil soon coming we are encouraging those in the Business Community and top Executives to come out on Saturdays and Sundays to play,” Hussein said.He also said the Club is planning a Winsor Estates tournament with former West Indies Cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
Bounty be true takes top honours at Women’s Police Association Horserace meet Bounty be true successfully hunted down and captured its opponents to come out as champion when the Guyana Women Police Association held their Annual Horserace meet at the Port Mourant Turf Club. Participating in the six furlongs event for three-year-old horses, the animal ridden by Jockey Wills of the Ward Stable, showed good form as it burned up the track leaving in its wake Not This Time, Release the Heat and Leona.Ready to Romance was more than ready as it cantered to victory in the J and lower race. Miss Olympic, King Stanley and Awesome could do no better than occupy the other positions.The L class Open race saw
Miss Angelia winning from Doryan, with Touch the cash and Big Man in Town rounding out the money. Wise Tom, Red Weasel, Call She Royal were the top three in the L class event for non-winners.The other event for non-winners saw Doryan, Gold Again and Angel shining brightly to take the top three spots. Among the sponsors were Banks DIH Limited, Colin Elcock, Delmur Company Limited Supermarket, KP Jagdeo, Caribbean Nations Group, Francis Chico Chichester, Khanai Electrical, Furniture World, Arjune Poultry Depot, Attorney At Law Poonai, Chandra Sohan and Archway among others.
GABA knockout tournament to of three’ final bounce off Monday ‘Best to decide winner First and second division teams in the City will, from Monday, bounce back into action in the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) KnockOut tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. On the tournament’s opening day, Sonics and Plaisance Guardians U-23 units will collide from 18:30 hours, while in the night’s second double-header from 20:30 hours, Kobras’ second division team will do battle with Pacesetters. According to the GABA, matches will be played Monday – Thursday, and the finals for the respective categories will be decided on a ‘best of three’ format.
“I think this is a good start to the year, taking into account it would give the players some time on the floor and get them in shape to challenge for a spot on the National team,” said the G A B A’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Rawle Toney. The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) announced the country’s participation at the June 22 – July 1 Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships in Paramaribo, Suriname, and Toney is of the view that players under the confines of the clubs affiliated with the GABA “should take this tournament serious.”
“I think they should look at it as a dress rehearsal for whatever the GABF has planned to use for selection. But also, this tournament is in keeping with the GABA’s mandate to have continuous play at all levels,” Toney said. Georgetown’s leading club Colts will be joined by rivals Ravens, Pacesetters, Plaisance Guardians, Nets, the University of Guyana Trojans, Kobras, Eagles and Sonics in the First Division tier. Kobras, Pacesetters, UG Trojans, Sonics, Eagles, Plaisance Guardians and Colts are set to contest the Division Two title, and in the U23 category, Sonics, Guardians, Kobras and UG Trojans will square off.
Bishop’s High, David Rose Secondary triumph Bishop’s High School and David Rose Secondary registered victories when the Forbes Burnham foundation, National Sports Commission, AL Sport and Tour Promotions 27 Annual Windball Cricket Champions Trophy continued recently. Playing in the male division, School of the Nations batted first and scored 90-2 off their 5 overs, Christopher Baljit slammed 67 ( 9x6s) and Darius Andrews made 20. The Bishop High School responded with 91 without loss. Makayah Smith got 41 and S. Chatram 29. Queenstown Secondary took first strike and managed 92 without loss. Jeffrey Blair struck 53 and Jonathan Bacchus 25. David Rose Secondary replied with 99-2;
Tuen Hicks stroked 68 (10x6s). Camille’s Institute for Business and Science Studies posted 128 without loss; Alex Arinda scored 72 and John Pilay 42. Diamond Secondary responded with 1274, Mark Fredericks made 57, Akeem Hendricks 37 and Bashram Bissoon 16. In the female division, Kuru Kuru Cooperative College scored 97-2; Aiesha Carmichael got 38 and Jenecia Primo 34. Queenstown Secondary mustered 66 without loss in response; Charmaine Wattick scored 43 and Kellisa Cozier 26. Charlestown Government Secondary School managed 84 without loss with Donna Lowe scoring 47 and Makayla Mc Rae 37. Lodge Secondary made 66-6 in reply. Chrystal
Grant had 2-11, McRae 2-18 and Lowe 1-1. Brickdam Secondary made 46-1; Glenius Stephens got 30. Cummings Lodge Secondary responded with 52 without loss. Sarah Amin made 22 and Cassay Charles 20.Camille’s Institute for Business and Science Studies after been invited to bat made 138-0, Alicia Davidson scored 69 (10x6s) and Angel Young 60 (7x6s). Diamond Secondary responded with 56-5; Whitney Bazilio got 20; Davidson claimed 3-26 and Francine Mohar 1-1. Soesdyke Secondary managed 59-2 off 3 overs with Ashanti Stephenson scoring 20. Diamond Secondary replied with 60 - 1, Whitney Brazilio scored 26.
GFF Elite league continues today at GDF Ground Cougars hunt first win against defending champions, Tigers top table The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite league will continue this evening with another double header in the city as defending league champions Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will head to their home ground on Carifesta Avenue in a good opportunity to overtake Western Tigers as the
current league leaders. The opening game, which is scheduled to kick off at 18:00hrs under lights, will be an East versus West Demerara clash between bottom half languishers Ann’s Grove FC and second placed Den Amstel FC, while the home team will fancy their
chances against the Cougars FC, that are yet to register a point from their four matches played, in the feature game which kicks off at 20:00hrs. During the last match day on Sunday at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, Victoria Kings (Continued on page 26)
Thursday March 01, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Petra’s third annual futsal Tournament
Showstoppers, Bent Street and Alpha Warriors register big victories
Bent Street’s Ryan Hackett about to launch one of his two successful strikes in his team’s 5-0 win over California Square. Petra’s third annual futsal tournament which is being sponsored by Corona beer, Namilco and Rose Ramdehol Auto Sales, continued Tuesday evening at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue with six more matches. The second match night’s play kicked off in exciting fashion as West Demerara powerhouse, Showstoppers
pulled off a super 6-4 victory which was spearheaded by Dextoy Adams who scored a hat-trick in his team’s win. Tucville had more opportunities to score but Showstoppers proved to be more clinical in putting away their chances in the big win. The recently formed, starstudded Alpha Warriors team made a grand entrance to the
futsal arena with a 5-1 thrashing of Kingston. Meanwhile, winners of the last futsal tournament competed in Georgetown earlier in the month, Bent Street, who are also one of the favourites for the $600,000 first place cash prize, made little work of California Square with a 5-0 victory in their group stage, round robin match up on
‘Superman’ Lewis and Keevin Allicock to undergo training camp in Mexico City
Action between Tucville (green) and Showstoppers during the latter’s 6-4 victory on Tuesday night in Petra’s Futal competition Tuesday. Ryan Hacket led the charge with a brace of goals. Completing the winners’ row on Tuesday were Old Skool Ballers that defeated New Market Street 4-1, led by a brace from Raushan Rich, while North East brushed aside Channel Nine 4-0 with Kelvin Moore scored twice in the win and West Front Road defeated Sophia 4-1 to close
off the night’s play. Heated matches are expected when the tournament continues this weekend with round robin action in the group stage at the same venue due to the incentive for teams based on their finish in the group stage; the top finishers will get an additional $40,000, second place $30,000, third
place $20,000 and fourth place $10,000. Meanwhile, the runners-up $300,000 and third place $150,000, and the MVP of the tournament and a lucky patron will receive one motorbike each from part sponsors Rose Ramdehol through their hero brand. (Calvin Chapman)
Bush Lot United overcome Floodlights by six wickets
First local boxers to be insured for overseas duties Colin ‘Superman’ Lewis and Keevin Allicock left yesterday for a one week training camp in Mexico City, Mexico which will be followed by the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) games qualifiers in the city of Tijuana immediately after. ‘Superman’ Lewis who is the reigning Caribbean Light Welterweight Champion and Allicock, Commonwealth Games silver medalist will be encamped from March 1st to 9th in Mexico City while the qualifiers will punch off from March 10th to 18th in Tijuana. The duo will be accompanied by coach and Technical Director of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Terrence Poole and their trip to Mexico was made almost exclusively possible by Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), according to head of the GBA, Steve Ninvalle. Ninvalle noted that the training camp was initially called off but head of the GOA, Juman-Yassin was very in-
Steve Narine of GFSCA left, hands over the winning trophy to Rajbance Hemraj, captain of the winning team in the presence of his team members. Steve Ninvalle (left) handing over the insurance policy to Colin Lewis. strumental in pulling many strings to make the camp a success and although the GBA would’ve liked to have more participation, the association is nevertheless very grateful.During an interview with Kaieteur Sport, Ninvalle further shared that both fighters will be insured for the pe-
riod of time that they will be overseas representing the Golden Arrowhead. Ninvalle explained that this is a historic first for boxing in Guyana and the GBA will be moving towards having all boxers in the future that will be representing the nation insured against possible injuries.
The Bush Lot United Cricket Club of West Coast Berbice defeated Floodlights Masters by six wickets with five balls to spare in a thrilling T20 fund raising match played recently at the Bush Lot Cricket Ground. The match was part of a family fun day organised by the executive members of the Bush Lot Mandir from which the proceeds will go towards repairs to the fence of the place of
prayers. On a hot day under cloudless skies, Floodlights Masters won the toss and took first strike. They galloped to 42 for 1 wicket in the first four overs before opener Robin Bacchus was the first to go bowled by R. Kishun for 19. His partner national under-19 opener Alex Algoo, another guest player, continued to play his shots and got valuable support from Unnis
Yusuf and former Berbice under-15 all-rounder Aaron Beharry, to take the score to 143 in the 15th over. Algoo made 58 with nine fours and three sixes, while Yusuf made 26 and Beharry 22. Thereafter, the innings fell part with the visitors losing quick wickets as they ended on 171 for 8 off their allotted 20 overs. Tameshwar Persaud was the pick of the bowlers t (Continued on page 29)
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Thursday March 01, 2018
Kaieteur News
RHTY&SC Cricket Teams Host Scotia Bank Say No/Say Yes Children’s Mash Parade The ten Cricket Teams and Over-35 Group of Guyana’s leading Youth and Sports Club on Friday last hosted what has been described as the largest ever Children’s Mash Parade in the Ancient County of Berbice. The Parade attracted over a thousand participants from ten schools, NGOs, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and Children Orphanage who paraded from Hampshire to the end of Rose Hall Town before returning to the Compound of the Rose Hall Town Primary School for a Cultural Presentation. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster described the Parade as an unbelievable, overwhelming success and remarkable reward for weeks of hard work and planning by the Members of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club. The main objectives of the Scotia Bank Mash Parade was to educate youths to Say No to Suicide, Drugs, Crime, Alcohol, Tobacco and Yes to Education, Life, Sports, Culture, Religion. Participants were drawn from the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Camal Children Home, Children Home in Port Mourant, Rose Hall Town Seventh Day
Adventist, Public Security Youth Programme, Rose Hall Town Police Youth Club, Amerindian Hostel, Shining Star Day Care Centre, Tain Primary School, Port Mourant Primary, Rose Hall Town Primary, Belvedere Primary, Cropper Primary, Rose Hall Town Nursery, Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary, J.C. Chandisingh Secondary, Port Mourant Secondary and Lower Corentyne Secondary School. The different schools throughout the Parade displayed placards that encouraged the massive group of onlookers who lined the entire route to Say No to Social Ills and Yes to Education. Foster disclosed that the Mash Parade, which was led by Mayor of Rose Hall Town Vijai Ramoo, was hosted by the Rose Hall Town Farfan & Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females, Poonai’s Pharmacy Under-13, King Solomon Logistics Under-12, Gizmos & Gadgets Under-21 and First Division Cricket Teams. Foster at the end of the massive Parade urged residents to work together as a team to make sure that
Guyana’s smallest Township fulfills its true potential to benefit everyone. He also urged the attentive crowd to make sure that they reject Satan and his evil world of drugs, crime and suicide. Mayor Ramoo in an invited comment stated that he was very proud to be a part of the large and colourful Parade which was a fitting way to honour Guyana’s 48th Republic Anniversary. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, the Mayor stated, was making Rose Hall Town proud and pledged his continued support in the future. Rose Hall Town Primary School won the top prize in a specially arranged Dancing Competition for Primary Schools after the Parade, while J.C. Chandisingh Secondary was declared the winners of the Secondary level. The Management of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and the ten cricket teams would like to express gratitude to Ms. Jennifer Cipriani and the Bank of Nova Scotia, the Guyana Police Force ‘B’ Division, Ministry of Education, Berbice Department, Mayor and Town Council of Rose Hall Town,
Scenes from the RHTYSC Mash Parade Ministry of Social Protection Berbice Office, Sunil Madramootoo, Bello Welding Shop, Poonai Phar-
macy, Balram Shane General Store, Guyana Beverage Company and Demerara Distillers Limited
(DDL) for their co-operation in making the 2018 Scotia Bank Mash Parade a smashing success.
Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Committee Triple Crown Horseracing Championships
Over 70 horses entered for Sunday’s Triple Crown first leg Republic Bank on board as sponsors Just over 70 entries have been received as systems are in place for the start of the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee Triple Crown Horseracing Championships which commences this Sunday, at the Rising Sun Turf Club. Organiser Junior Mohamed informed Kaieteur Sport that most of the top racehorses in the country are listed to compete and an exciting day of top class horseracing is anticipated on Sunday’s opening leg. The track and facilities are in excellent shape and the horses are rearing to go as the attractive cash prizes beckon. Over $20 million in cash prizes up for grabs in the three-day event. Sunday’s action at Rising Sun Turf Club will be followed by the second event on April 1st at Port Mourant and the 3rd and final race in the series fixed for April 29th again at Rising Sun Turf Club. Another leading sponsor
has joined the fray, with leading banking institution, Republic Bank, being one of the sponsors to pledge assistance to the successful staging of the three day event. The bank has been supportive of sporting events, including horseracing in the past. Both meets at the Rising Sun Turf Club will have the following 1st place cash prizes in the respective classes: C-Class and Lower $1 million, F class and Lower/ E- Class Non-earners/Last Start - $400,000, 3-year-old Guyana Bred - $350,000, H1 and Lower - $300,000, J/K & Lower - $240,000, K Class Non earner last start -$230,000 and L & Lower - $200,0000. Meanwhile, the final leg in Corentyne will have the slightly bigger 1st prizes which are as follows: C-Class and Lower - $1.2 million, F class and Lower/E- Class Non-earners/Last Start $500,000, 3-year-old Guyana Bred - $400,000, H1 and Lower
- $350,000, J/K & Lower $240,000, K Class Non earner last start -$200,000 and L & Lower - $150,0000. There will be bonuses for any horse that win all three of their races in the Triple Crown event with a maximum bonus payout amounting to $500,000. According to the organisers of the event, horses will not be promoted nor demoted for any events in their classes as to give them the opportunity to win the bonus and to be hailed the “Triple Crown” champion in their class. The three-leg championship will be competed under the rules of the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee. Mohamed recently informed that they have decided to transport horses to and from the Corentyne to the Rising Sun race track for less than half of the price that is currently paid for the upcoming Championships. Further, any horse that
participate in the Triple Crown event and wins 3 races, even if it’s 3 races on two of the Triple Crown race days, will be granted free entry to the Guyana Cup 2018 horserace mega meet. The drawing of the grand raffle has been fixed for the final leg on April 29th. The raffle will see the winner driving away with a 2011 Nissan Tida sedan car, which is the first prize. The other prizes on offer are a 125 motor cycle, Samsung 40" Smart TV, 2samsaung cell phones, a stove, microwave and a Refrigerator. Raffle tickets are being sold throughout Guyana and can be purchased from Soesdyke Junction, Eccles at the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales location, 92 Smyth Street Georgetown at the Jumbo Jet location, Croal Street Georgetown at the BM Soat Auto Sales, Chester Fried Chicken in West Berbice and Bush Lot Village West Berbice at the two Jumbo Jet Auto Sales locations, Punai’s Pharamacy at Rose Hall
Fans will be thronging the venue to witness the exciting races expected on Sunday as the Triple Crown horserace meet sprints off. Town, The Arabian Nights Sports Bar, #22 Village Hopetown West Berbice and the Discount Store on Regent Street. Some 1000 kites will be given to the first 1000 fans that enter the ground on April
1st as a special bonus. Any information on the event can be sourced by contacting: Chandu Ramkissoon: 624-9063/608-9063/232-0633; Alan Podmore: 232-9115/ 6191909 and Nikita Ross: 6624668.